Chapter 149
Elowen's POV
I sat on the edge of the bed and turned toward Ronan. He leaned against the doorframe, his emerald green eyes catching the morning light. Everything from the interrogation room still spun in my head—that mysterious force, Drake and my mother's secrets. But something else bothered me now.
"You and Cassian..." I started, watching him. "Do you two have some kind of history? I felt the tension between you."
Ronan shrugged lazily, his mouth curving into a smirk. "Subtlety's not your strong suit, babe." He pushed off the doorframe and took a few steps closer. "Go take a shower first. You smell like interrogation room blood mixed with nervous sweat—" He paused, winking. "Though I gotta say, it's kinda hot on you."
My face burned. "Ronan!"
"What?" His grin widened. "Just being honest."
I stood up, looking for clean clothes. "I need something to change into."
"Let me help." Ronan walked to the dresser and pulled open a drawer. He rummaged through it, then stopped. He turned to look at me, one eyebrow raised. "So you're just planning to live in their clothes forever?"
I walked over to see. The drawer was full of Casper's red-brown hoodies and Cassian's black T-shirts. Nothing of mine.
"Though I gotta admit," Ronan continued, picking up one of Casper's hoodies and sniffing it. "You wearing Casper's oversized stuff is pretty damn tempting."
I snatched the hoodie away, my face getting redder. "I... I only moved here a few days ago. My stuff's still in my old room." My voice dropped. "And some of my things are at Cindy's. Drake's whole situation happened so fast."
Ronan's expression softened slightly. He walked closer and patted my head. "Then I'll go get your stuff for you. Can't have you wandering around like a little stray cat with no belongings."
"You don't have to—"
"I want to." He cut me off. "Besides, I'm curious what kind of room the princess lives in."
My heart beat faster. Juno whispered in my head. "Be careful, Elowen. Casper and Cassian won't like him being so attentive."
"I know." I responded. "But I do need my things."
"Okay." I finally said. "Thank you."
Ronan smiled and left the room.
I sat back on the bed, waiting. About ten minutes later, I heard a sharp scream outside the door.
"Let me in, you asshole!" That was Cindy's voice. "What gives you the right to barge into my room? Ethan will make you regret this!"
I rushed to the door. Ronan leaned lazily against the doorframe, one hand holding my suitcase. He looked completely unbothered by Cindy's fury.
"Oh?" Ronan said, that dangerous smile playing at his lips. "You mean the Ethan who showed me nothing but respect at the ball?" He took a step forward. "Princess, you should really consider someone's weight class before threatening them."
Cindy's face flushed red. She shoved past Ronan and burst into the room. Her blue eyes burned with anger.
"What right does an outsider have interfering in our family business?" She pointed at me. "El is my brothers' mate. You're overstepping! This is Thornwood Pack business!"
Those words stabbed like a knife into my heart. My breath caught.
Ronan's expression went ice cold instantly. He walked to my side, emerald eyes fixed on Cindy. His voice dropped low, full of threat. "Shut your mouth, princess. If I hear you talk like that again, I'll personally cut out your tongue—" He paused, his smile becoming more dangerous. "Though I prefer using it for other things."
Cindy froze. Her mouth opened and closed.
"Now," Ronan continued. "Apologize."
"You... you can't order me around!" Cindy's voice trembled.
"Apologize." Ronan took another step forward. "Or I'll make you regret waking up this morning."
I could feel the tension crackling in the room. Cindy looked at Ronan, then at me. She bit her lip.
"Sorry." She finally said quietly. But her eyes held no sincerity.
Ronan nodded. "Get out."
Cindy turned and left quickly, slamming the door behind her.
Only Ronan and I remained in the room. My hands shook.
"Why do you let her talk to you like that?" Ronan turned to me, his dark brows furrowed. "You should've fought back, Elowen. It makes you look weak."
I looked down at the clothes in my hands. "I'm choosing my battles, Ronan." My voice was soft but steady. "Not every fight is worth having. I believe Cindy will change. She's emotionally unstable right now because she almost lost her mate Ethan."
Ronan chuckled lightly, but his eyes stayed serious. "Noble thinking, baby. But in a pack, weakness gets seen as an invitation to attack." He used his finger to lift my chin, making me look into his eyes. "If you tolerate this now, when you become Luna, no one will respect you. You have to show them your fangs."
I stared into his emerald green eyes. He had a point. But I didn't want to become some cold, ruthless leader.
"He's right." Juno said in my head. "You need to be tougher."
"I'll remember that." I whispered.
Ronan released my chin, but his gaze lingered on my face. "Go shower. I'll wait here."
I nodded and pulled clothes from my suitcase. Light blue denim shorts and a simple T-shirt. I turned toward the bathroom.
"Wait." Ronan suddenly said. "You can't wear that."
I turned back, confused. "Why? These are just normal shorts."
Ronan's eyes swept over the shorts, his voice going low. "Too short. Your ass will be hanging out and every damn wolf will be staring." He paused. "I think you'd be better off in sweatpants."
I froze. Juno warned in my head. "What is he doing? If Casper and Cassian hear him talking to you like this, things will blow up! Be careful, Elowen."
"These are my clothes." I said. "I'll wear what I want."
"I know." Ronan moved closer, his bronze skin catching the morning light. "But I also know if you walk out in those shorts, Casper and Cassian will lose their minds. And I don't feel like dealing with that mess."
I bit my lip. He was right. Casper and Cassian had always been particular about what I wore.
"Fine." I finally gave in. "I'll change into sweatpants."
I grabbed a pair of black sweatpants from my suitcase and walked into the bathroom. After closing the door, I leaned against it and took a deep breath.
Why did everyone have to control what I wore?
I quickly showered and changed into clean clothes. When I came out, Ronan was still leaning against the wall, playing with his phone.
"Much better." He looked up at me with a satisfied smile. "Now you smell like vanilla and honey."
I rolled my eyes. "Are you always this direct?"
"Only with people I like." He winked.
My heart raced. This flirting made me uncomfortable, but also kind of... thrilling?
"Don't even think about it." Juno warned. "You have Casper and Cassian. Don't complicate things."
"I know." I responded.