Chapter 32

ELARA

I stepped out of the bar for a few minutes, but Rowan was already in trouble.

Broken tables. Smashed glasses. Chairs flipped upside down.

The place was in chaos as people struggled to separate the two men engaging in a serious brawl.

Rowan and Finn.

By the moon, not again!

"Rowan! Rowan!" I shouted, pushing my way through the mess.

"Having a friendly conversation!" he yelled back, just before dodging a punch.

I grabbed his arm, trying to pull him away, but he shook me off like a damn wet leaf. They kept going at each other, tossing chairs, knocking over drinks-basically turning the bar into a battleground.

How in Lunara's name did this happen?

It took Cassian's intervention to bring an end to the madness.

I stood in front of Rowan, panting and glaring at both him and Finn. How could they do this in front of so many people?

"I need an apology from him. This instant! Before he steps a foot out of this place!" Finn demanded angrily.

Boy, was he pissed.

Rowan wiped blood from his lip with the back of his palm.

"Apology? Sure. I'm sorry that your feelings are more fragile than a soap bubble." As usual, Rowan's mouth knew how to make situations worse. "I am telling you," Finn pointed a finger at him. "If you don't apologize to me, you're not leaving."

"Finn, please!" I stepped in. "I'm-I'm sorry for whatever he did. Could you let it go?"

"Please, stay out of this, Elara. I don't have an issue with you. Your friend, however, seems to like them a lot, and I'm here to show him just how much he can get from me."

"Oh, come on!" Rowan raised his hands. "If you want to act like a little bitch, at least wear a dress to complete the look."

Finn lunged forward, but Cassian clamped a hand on his shoulder.

Finally, with Cassian's intervention, Finn was pulled away from the bar, leaving Rowan alone. Now that I confirmed that Rowan was safe, I let myself be mad at him.

"It's late. You should go."

I walked ahead of him, and then he caught up with me outside the bar.

"Fuck, I didn't get to finish my drink. Who knows when next I'd be seeing a free drink," he grumped to himself.

What?

that seriously all you're bothered about?" I whipped around so fast my hair nearly slapped him. "Come on, Rowan. What yo did in there wasn't cool!"

"And how's it my fault? The dude attacked me, Elle. Was I supposed to just cross my arms and thank him for reconstructing my face?"

"Look, I don't know what happened, but I damn know you're not innocent. I told you what Ronan said to me earlier. He doesn't want a scandal in any way."

"Well, your hair and face look perfectly fine. So, I don't think you're the one who got engaged in a fight. And trust me, I wasn't screaming your name while I was fighting."

"Rowan!" "Goodnight, Elara. Go on and have a beautiful sleep." He walked ahead of me. Suddenly, he paused and turned to me. "But know this, the wine here is damn good. So, prepare to see more of me." He added and walked off.

I was scared that Ronan would confront me regarding the fight and I'd be in more trouble, but fortunately, he didn't.

It was a good thing because I had a bigger problem to worry about. Darius's threat still hung over my head.

I stayed awake until late into the night, thinking of a way out of it. I couldn't bring myself to tell Ronan the truth. No. He was already of the opinion that I was loose and all. Confessing to him that I was someone else's rejected mate and was still currently bound to that person wasn't going to look good on me.

I couldn't let Ronan discover the truth.

I kept thinking until I slept off.

By morning, I went to check on Theo. He and Tessa were having breakfast in the dining room, looking smart in their uniforms. They were both excited to see me.

"So, today, I'll be going to get some herbs and other things we'll need to make you better." I happily informed him.

He took up his writing tab, penning down on it. "Will I really get better?"

There was so much hope in his eyes. I was determined to do everything I could to make sure he didn't get disappointed.

My smile broadened as I tousled his hair. "Yes, darling. You won't have to go through those painful epistles again."

"Oh! That'd be so great, Aunty!" Tessa clapped her hands. "I really hope this works out." "Step away from them." A cold, familiar voice suddenly said.

Looking ahead, I saw her entering the room like a queen.

She was corporately dressed, her heels clacking against the floor. Her eyes seemed to spit fire as she glared at the proximity between me and the kids. I was actually sitting next to Theo.

Calmly, I stood up.

"Who let her in?" She looked around at the two nannies in the room. "Aren't you aware that my kids shouldn't be disturbed when they're eating?"

Theo and Tessa didn't just stop eating; their expressions went sour.

"Please, don't blame it on the nannies. I think I have the right to be around Theo, especially. Maybe you should speak to the Alpha for better clarification."

Her eyes burned brighter with resentment. "I don't need to speak to anyone. You don't have the right to be around my kids without my consent."

Huh? "I just told you; I'm taking care of-"

"Then, you treat him when it's necessary instead of throwing yourself at my kids."

My jaw dropped in shock. What!?

She shifted her eyes to the nannies. "Bring them to the car. Let's go."

She walked out of the room, arrogance radiating from every pore in her skin.

Vivienne was something else. I sincerely hoped she wouldn't be giving me a tougher time here.

An hour later, I was ready to go for Theo's herbs. My mind drifted to Darius and his stupid threat. Although, I'll admit-I was a little scared.

Cassian was waiting outside with a car. "Alpha Ronan wants you to go out with this," he handed the keys to me. "And this." He handed a card next." It's a black card. You can pay for anything you want with it. The pin is two-two-five--five."

Now, this was interesting. Black cards were only used by the richest Alphas. From what I heard, only five Alphas in the world owned this, and it meant unlimited funds.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, considering the fact that Ronan was ruling the highest-ranking Pack.

"Thanks for the card, but I think I can make use of my car." It was brought to me earlier that morning since Rowan and I had arrived in his own car yesterday.

"No offense, but the Alpha doesn't want you driving around in that when there's something better," Cassian said, surprising me.

Huh? What was he talking about? Although it was my father's cheapest car, it wasn't bad at all.

"No argument, Elara. Just drive. Please." He really said it like a plea.

I rolled my eyes and made to open the door.

"Do you need someone to come along?" Cassian asked, holding the doors open for me.

Ugh. He was so gentle. Why couldn't his colleague, Finn, be like him?

"No, thanks. I'm good."

The door was shut, and I hit the road.

Okay, I won't lie; this car felt good to drive.

It was a long drive from Ironcrest to where I was headed, and I was relieved when I finally arrived.

It was known as Verdant Bloom-the biggest herb store in the country.

Theo's condition was a very complicated one, one that was life-threatening. I'd never dealt with it before, yet somehow, I knew of the right things to get that could help. It was quite strange because this wasn't how the gift worked in my family. Usually, they'd have to do research and all to know what they needed. But that wasn't the case with me. I already knew what was needed just by having a look at the situation.

It was always stunning.

I picked up a basket and went through the list I'd drafted as I walked by the shelves.

"Elara." Someone suddenly called in front of me.

I stopped abruptly, realizing I'd have bumped into this person if I had taken two more steps.

However, I was met with a surprise. It was Alpha Garrick.