Chapter 86 Perfectly well
~ Taren's POV ~
My brain seemed to reboot the instant my eyes opened and the first face that came into focus was Elder Rowan’s. The sight of him sitting in my room sent a jolt through me, and like a violent tidal wave, every memory from the night before came crashing back all at once.
Along with those memories came a fierce, throbbing headache that pulsed behind my temples, sharp and relentless. Strangely, the pain did not bother me nearly as much as it should have. The only thing that truly unsettled me was the undeniable fact that Elder Rowan was sitting in my room in the early hours of the morning, watching me.
Why was he here? The question screamed through my mind. Wait. Was it still night? I quickly turned my head toward the window to confirm. Pale morning light filtered through the curtains, immediately crushing that thought. It was already morning.
When I turned back to look at him, his expression had not softened in the slightest. In fact, it seemed even more severe than when I had first woken up. He did not say anything. He simply stared at me, his eyes heavy with unspoken judgment, the kind of look that made it painfully clear I was in serious trouble.
“Good morning, Elder Rowan,” I greeted, forcing politeness into my voice as I pushed myself up into a sitting position.
“It’s about time you woke up,” he replied. His tone was flat and completely devoid of emotion.
“Is something wrong?” I asked, dread beginning to coil in my stomach. “Why are you in my room?” I needed to understand this sudden and completely unrequested company before my thoughts spiraled further.
“Because you left me hanging last night,” he answered calmly, but his words did nothing to ease my confusion.
“Hanging?” I repeated, blinking at him. “How?”
“You asked a very serious question last night,” he said, his voice firm and unwavering. “You did not wait to explain yourself, nor did you stay to receive an answer. So I am here to finish that conversation and to ensure that you are clear headed before you go around spilling Pack secrets to outsiders who have absolutely no business receiving such information.”
The directness of his words left no room for misunderstanding. This was not a joke. This was not a casual visit. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming urge to slap myself for my behavior the night before. If I had not allowed myself to sink into such a state of hopelessness and helplessness, I would not be sitting here now, under his scrutiny.
“I am clear headed now, Elder Rowan,” I responded, straightening my back and sitting up taller. I made a conscious effort not to rub my eyes or show any signs of lingering weakness, unwilling to give him the impression that I was still affected by alcohol.
“Good,” he said simply. “Then let us return to your question.”
I frowned at him, genuine confusion settling in. “I don't remember the question you are talking about,” I admitted truthfully. I had asked many things the night before, and I honestly did not know which one he meant.
“No worries,” he said without hesitation. “I will remind you. You asked why the Moon Goddess would mate Lyra to Kael. Do you remember now?”
My heart skipped a beat. I did remember. The memory was painfully clear. But there was no chance I would admit to it now.
“What?” I asked, feigning shock as convincingly as I could manage. “I asked that?” I shook my head slowly. “I’m sorry, but I really can't remember. I guess it was the drink talking.”
“Drinks cannot put words in your mouth,” he said, leaning closer to me. His eyes narrowed as they locked onto mine. “But they can give you the courage to say out loud what already lives in your heart.” He paused, the weight of his stare pressing down on me. “Are you in love with Lyra?”
My heart jolted violently in my chest this time, beating so hard it felt as though it might crack my ribs. How in the world had he guessed something like that?
The only person who would not be shaken under Elder Rowan’s scrutiny was someone completely ignorant of his history and his relationship with Alpha. Anyone else would know better than to stand before him unguarded.
“What?” I blurted out, forcing disbelief into my voice. “No. There is nothing like that going on anywhere.” I denied it vehemently, shaking my head as if the motion alone could drive the accusation out of the room.
He moved back and leaned against the sofa, his movements unhurried. His posture relaxed as though we were discussing something trivial, and a knowing smirk curved his lips. The contrast between his casual demeanor and the intensity of his words made my unease deepen.
“Look at me properly, Taren,” he said calmly. “Do I look like a little pup to you?”
“No,” I replied at once, lowering my eyes. I knew instantly that I had crossed a line. “You are a respected Elder of Iron Fang.”
“And?” he prompted, clearly expecting more.
“And the immediate former Beta of Iron Fang,” I added, keeping my gaze fixed on the floor.
Anyone who had known Kael’s father would remember his Beta well. He was infamous for his sharp tongue and his no nonsense personality, and he had been partly responsible for keeping the Pack from tearing itself apart. Provoking him was an incredibly foolish thing to do, even now that age had softened him slightly.
“So why,” he asked evenly, “are you answering my questions as though you are speaking to a clueless little pup?”
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “That was not my intention.” The apology left my lips before I could stop it.
“Do you think I won't recognize a man in love when I see one?” he asked, his eyes never leaving my face.
“I am sure you have had many experiences,” I replied carefully, already knowing I was trapped no matter how I answered.
“Would you prefer that I inform Kael,” he continued, “or would you rather I advise him privately to reassign you to another department so you can have the chance to heal properly?”
The question hit me like a blow to the chest. It was the last thing I had expected. I looked up at him instantly, alarm flaring through me.
“No, no, no, Elder Rowan,” I said quickly. “You are taking this too far.” My words rushed out as panic took hold. “The reason I asked that question is not because I am in love with Lyra. I care about her a lot, yes, and finding out she is mated to Alpha came as a huge shock to me.” I abandoned my earlier pretense without a second thought. I hesitated briefly before continuing. As much as I hated lying to him, telling him the whole truth would only land me in far deeper trouble. “That revelation caught me off guard.”
“A huge shock alone is not enough,” he said calmly, still leaning back with unsettling ease, “to break you down the way you were last night and make you question the will of the Moon Goddess.”
“I asked why because I know Alpha’s history with witches,” I said earnestly. “I fear he might hurt her, especially since her magic has no effect on him. I care about her that much, and I don't want her to be harmed.” My voice grew more urgent as I continued. “I have already promised to stand by her and protect her throughout this journey, and I intend to keep that promise. That is all there is to it. There is no need to inform Alpha or reassign me.”
He stared at me for a long moment without saying a word. The silence stretched, heavy and oppressive, until he finally straightened and stood up, as though realizing he had stayed longer than intended.
“Go and get dressed,” he said plainly. “Then get to work. You are already running late.”
With that, he turned and headed toward the door as if the conversation had never carried such weight.
“I will do that now,” I said, standing up as well, feeling both relieved and unsettled. “Thank you.”
“And Taren,” he called out when he reached the door, pausing with his hand on the handle. “The fact that Alpha and Lyra are mates is meant to remain a secret until Alpha is ready to announce it.” His tone carried both information and a clear warning. “I trust you understand what I mean.”
“Perfectly,” I replied, nodding.
Only then did he leave, and the room finally felt as though I could breathe again.