"Yes and oneday…"
Elara's words were cut off by Rowan as he touched her right cheek warmly."Little Orchid, don't mistake cruelty for carelessness- I knew what exactly I was doing."
Elara flinched at the nickname, no one had ever given her a nickname. After humiliating and trying to kill her, how could he act like it was nothing and still give her a nickname? She didn't know why, but it didn't sound sweet. Not from him.
"Don't call me that."
"Why not?" He leaned closer to her ear, "because it feels too real, it stirs something inside you? Or because you're afraid I might start meaning it?"
She bit inside of her cheek to keep her voice steady and stepped back, "I am not fond of nicknames."
"Oh."
Rowan looked at her pale eyes and smirked, "I don't need your fondness, nor do I need permission to call you whatever I like."
"Alpha Rowan, I hate you," Elara said, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I know," Rowan replied, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She stepped back again.
"Let go of me, I am leaving."
But before she could take another step, Rowan caught her wrist. Elara looked into his eyes.
"Why are you doing this to me? Let go..." she snapped, trying to pull her wrist away. His grip tightened.
"Let…"
"A... ouch," her words broke with a soft yet sharp sound of pain. Rowan's gaze softened. He let go of her wrist, remembering what he had done to her.
'See, what you have done to our mate, we're supposed to be protectors.' Rowan's wolf murmured.
'Shut up,' Rowan said irritably.
'That must've hurt a lot. Go ahead and heal her immediately.' His wolf stopped for a few seconds and then continued, 'And remember, you're nothing without me.'
'You beast, what side are you even on?'
Rowan shifted back to reality and looked at Elara's collarbone, the redness from his fingers visible. He dug his nails in, the blood almost dry.
Elara felt something was off and uneasy. "Why are you looking at it that way?"
Rowan didn't utter a word and instantly lowered his head toward Elara's collarbone. Elara couldn't move because Rowan's hands were preventing her from shifting an inch.
Elara felt a serene yet jarring shock run through her heart and mind. His saliva and tongue were on her collarbone.
He was gently moving his tongue on her collarbone. Elara's hands turned into fists, but she couldn't speak, and her eyes were closed. Her wolf inside her was somehow at ease, happy. As if there was nothing in this world that could be as peaceful as this moment.
Elara pushed away the thoughts. 'This can't be, it can't be. He's acting for his twisted game. I can't be his. It's all a lie.'
"How long are you going to stand like that?" Rowan said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
Elara opened her eyes, embarrassed by her thoughts. It's not like he could read or hear her thoughts. 'Wait a minute, mates can hear thoughts. Did he hear?'
"I didn't ask for your help. Moreover, it was your doing, so don't act like you care."
"Haha, don't make me laugh." Rowan turned around, facing the other side. "If I don't heal your wounds, it will make me a terrible husband in front of the pack."
He paused and looked back over his shoulder. "And remember, from now on, you're my Luna. So, behave yourself," he said coldly, then walked away without another word.
'Hey, don't be cold towards our mate.'
Rowan shouted without looking back,
"If you don't want to get eaten by any Rogues, you'd better follow me right now."
There was nothing Elara could do,she chose to follow him.
Meanwhile, at the Beta's house, Diana was pacing back and forth, her restlessness clearly showing on her face.
Beta David was sitting calmly on the sofa.
"Dad, why did you allow Rowan to take Eli away?"
"She belongs to him. I can't interfere between mates."
"But Dad, you know I've liked Rowan since childhood. I can't live without him!"
"Shut up. Do you have no shame, talking like this in front of your father? Besides, he already found his mate."
"Dad, how could you do this to me? Rowan doesn't like her. He's not gonna accept her either. Please, Dad, don't force him!"
"Diana, watch your mouth."
"Dad, I won't allow Rowan to be with Ela…"
Silent footsteps approached, followed by a cold, ruthless voice.
"Huh?"
"Who do you think you are, deciding who I should be with?"