Chapter 140: Chapter 140

Kavian’s POV

“If I may speak, Father,” I asked for permission, and he gave a slight nod. I stood up, keeping my tone calm and respectful.

“Thank you. I understand the need for us to return home—to settle the rising crisis and help Mother heal. But don’t you think we’re rushing things a little too fast?” I paused, glancing around the tent before continuing. “Rose only came here to meet you, Father. She’s expected to return to her own pack and people. So how is it that we’re already planning to travel across the ocean to Varshan Hold today? I’m sorry, but I don’t think that's feasible.”

I tried to keep my words measured, but the tension in the room was thick enough to choke on.

Father leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. “I understand your point, my son, and I have considered that as well. Her friend who accompanied her will convey the message to her pack—with an official letter from me. Rose is already part of this pack, as all of you have marked her. There is no need to linger here any longer.” His tone carried the weight of finality, like a door closing on any form of protest.

“Father, I don’t think that’s proper,” I said, forcing the words out even as my heart pounded. “Yes, she is our mate—but she isn’t officially ours yet. We haven’t married her.”

The silence that followed was heavy. My brothers and the elders looked at me in shock—no one ever challenged Father, not like this.

“Kavian,” Father growled, and the power in his voice hit me like a wall. His Alpha aura pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating, almost forcing me to my knees.

Then his tone softened slightly, layered with authority and something that almost resembled warmth. “I know what I am doing. You just have to trust me. I made this decision with everyone’s best interest at heart—yours, the pack’s, my wife’s, and your mate’s. Now is the best time to leave. All you need to do is tell her. She has no choice but to follow you. After all, it’s because of you her city and people weren't destroyed.”

His last words made my blood boil, but I swallowed my anger, clenching my fists at my sides. I simply nodded, because defying him further would be suicide.

Still, the unease inside me didn’t fade. I knew I had to do something… but what?

When the meeting ended, we left Father’s tent. My brothers began murmuring among themselves, debating who should tell Rose that she’d be leaving with us today. None of them wanted to do it. I could see it in their eyes—they knew this wasn’t right either.

But what angered me more was their silence.

Walking behind them, I finally snapped. “You didn’t say anything… why didn’t any of you say anything!?” My voice came out harsher than intended, echoing through the open air.

They turned to look at me, startled. “What?” one of them asked.

“You all knew what Father said isn’t right! She’s our mate, for crying out loud! And yet none of you could even fight for her—fight for her interest!?”

My chest heaved as I glared at them, frustration and helplessness burning in my veins. Their silence cut deeper than Father’s command ever could.

“What did you expect us to say? You were insane challenging Father like that. Your head could’ve easily rolled on the floor,” Roshan finally said, his tone sharp, and I frowned at him.

“I didn’t challenge Father,” I said firmly. “I simply told the truth. As much as I love and respect the man, he isn’t perfect. He can make mistakes, and we all know he made one with that call.”

Roshan scoffed. “He’s the fucking Alpha King, Kavian. It doesn’t matter if he makes mistakes—whatever he says stands. He’s decided we’re heading back to Varshan Hold today, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen. I have no reason to question his orders.”

The others nodded slightly, silent agreement flickering in their eyes.

“Even when our mate has to suffer for it?” I asked, my voice rising slightly.

Arman exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. “Listen, Kavian. Rose would have followed us to Varshan Hold eventually. So if it happens earlier than expected, it’s not really a big deal.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “If it’s not a big deal, then why are you all so afraid to tell her?”

Their silence said everything. But then—

“Tell me what?”

That voice. My stomach dropped instantly. I didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was.

“Rosemary,” I muttered under my breath, regret already clawing at me. My brothers froze, looking like they wanted to vanish into thin air, but there was nowhere to hide.

She stepped forward, her expression caught between curiosity and suspicion. “What are you guys talking about? What are you all afraid to tell me?”

My brothers exchanged uneasy glances. Their mouths opened but no words came out—just awkward silence and nervous shifting.

“What’s going on?” she asked again, her gaze finally settling on me.

I hesitated, my throat tightening. Every instinct screamed to protect her from the truth, but hiding it would only make things worse. It would make it look like we’d lured her here under false pretenses.

So I took a breath and stepped closer. “I don’t know how this will sound,” I began carefully, “but… my father wants us to return to Varshan Hold today. And he wants you to come with us.”

The air went still. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath. My brothers stared at her, waiting for a reaction.

“Alright,” she said simply.

I blinked. “Alright? What do you mean alright?”

She gave a small shrug. “Your father wants you all to return home, and he wants me to come with you, right? So I’m saying yes—I will.”

For a moment, no one spoke. My brothers and I exchanged stunned looks, each of us wondering if we’d heard her correctly.

“D… Do you actually understand what we’re saying here?” I asked carefully. “This isn’t temporary, Rose. It’s permanent. You’ll be coming with us to stay there—you won’t get a chance to say goodbye to your family or your pack.”

She went quiet for a while, thinking, then looked up with calm eyes. “I understand,” she said softly. “And I’m fine with it. Is this what you were all so scared to tell me?”

She smiled faintly, brushing past the tension like it was nothing. “Come on, stop looking at me like that. By the way, I’m starving—what’s there for breakfast?”

My brothers and I just stood there, staring at her in disbelief. None of us had expected her to take it that way. Not with that calm smile… not with that strange acceptance shining in her eyes...

As Rose sat at the table eating her breakfast, I took the seat directly across from her. She looked completely calm… almost too calm. Acting like nothing was wrong, like everything was already settled and perfectly fine.

But I refused to believe that.

No matter how steady she looked, there was no way what I told her earlier—about leaving with us today, without seeing her family or pack—hadn’t shaken her. She just wasn’t the type to make a scene.

What I didn’t understand was why she wasn’t showing anything.

Was she hurting inside and just refusing to let it show?

Was she starting to resent us, hiding bitterness behind that gentle expression?

Or worse… was she afraid? Pretending to be fine because she thought we’d force her or torture her if she resisted?

The more I watched her quietly eat, the more my chest tightened. I couldn’t stand the thought of her silently suffering.

“Hey, Rosemary,” I called softly. “Are you alright?”

She lifted her head, her eyes meeting mine. “Yeah, I’m fine. Do you want to join me?” she asked, her tone light—too light.

I leaned forward slightly. “Stop pretending,” I said quietly. “I know you’re hurt. Or that you feel betrayed… used. It’s okay to show how you feel. You can shout, or hit me—I can take it. You don’t have to pretend.”

She just stared at me, her expression unreadable, and for a moment I couldn’t tell what was going through her mind—or what she might be holding back.