Rowan
The name hit Rowan’s ears and he tried hard to swallow the anger. A burst of rage would not do anyone any favours. He clasped his head and covered his ears as Olcan let out an almighty roar within his mind. It took all of Rowan’s energy to not allow him to come to the surface. He would hate to witness the carnage he’d cause. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAkRvXOj3rmH
Rowan already made the decision that if he found Harold within his borders, he’d allow Olcan to kill him. Ivy rushed to his side whilst his hands were still tightly held over his head.74Please respect copyright.PENANAnXk8ft6MMu
“Rowan, are you okay? Rowan can you hear me?” 74Please respect copyright.PENANA6yCwpnBI6N
Her hands slid over his, trying to pull his face toward her. Rowan battled with Olcan internally, trying to calm his wolf. His eyes felt like they’d pop out of his skull at any moment.74Please respect copyright.PENANAqT9vEcUC2J
Olcan settled with a lot of coaxing and Rowan raised his head to look up at Ivy. Small water droplets formed in the bottom of his eyes, from scrunching them tight for what felt like forever.74Please respect copyright.PENANAMcGeZYOw5B
“Okay. You good now?”74Please respect copyright.PENANAQTvM8fV2So
Rowan only managed a small nod. 74Please respect copyright.PENANASNpCVb3yxe
“What was that all about?”74Please respect copyright.PENANAgOQwCuQ4jo
“Trying to get Olcan’s rage under control. I’m sorry, you know what he’s like when he hears Harold’s name. That is one person Olcan would love to destroy.”74Please respect copyright.PENANA8dZGz5GZEp
Ivy gazed into his eyes after he wiped them, and she helped him to his feet. 74Please respect copyright.PENANA0PzowMNgD6
“How did it go with Emerson?” he asked, changing the subject. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAHe0KrlFbe6
Ivy sat in silence, avoiding answering the question. Rowan became concerned that it pushed it too far and fast, especially with today’s events. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAyEnlPG9IWg
“Umm yeah, I’m still processing, but what is going on now is more important.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAWtIQnr5FMD
He cupped her cheek and kissed her hard on the mouth.74Please respect copyright.PENANAMUVk1ZkDxu
“This is why you’re my Luna. Your problems and worries are also mine, so please don’t think that you have to go through this alone… drama’s aside,” Rowan reassured.
A smile emerged in the corner of Ivy’s mouth, and she insisted that Rowan should be on his way to address the pack. 74Please respect copyright.PENANA6QUYexYXTF
He had no idea what to tell them, especially when he hadn’t got all the facts. The only thing he knew was, that if Harold had anything to do with today, he’d kill him. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAiuo604m5i5
“I have to check Alex first, make sure that he’s healing. I’ll be gone for most of the day and maybe tonight. I will link with you if I’m near the house to let you know I’m okay.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAZlKMJI9k4y
Rowan closed the door behind him, and Ivy instantly heard the commotion downstairs. The pack sounded like a hive of bees when they saw their Alpha. They wanted their questions answered.74Please respect copyright.PENANANAfhDLQYhW
“Now, now we must all calm down. There will be an explanation of this once the Alpha is ready. Please be seated,” assured Alex.74Please respect copyright.PENANAoDG7uM5oPx
Over the top of the staircase, Rowan’s eyes shifted to the sound of Alex’s voice. He addressed the pack on the ground level and moved without jerking his body in pain. Rowan figured he must have healed well and sighed with relief at the good sign. He descended the stairs to Alex’s side and touched his shoulder to signal his presence.74Please respect copyright.PENANAatP0UUBQ5k
“You are going to have to talk to this lot, they are scared and won’t even listen to a thing I’m saying.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAy6QxnJ8jfY
“You look much better than before,” Rowan grimaced. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAlF3oJD32Nw
“I feel like it too, Luka and the Guardian have done wonders,” Alex beamed. 74Please respect copyright.PENANApO3zN8dULO
“Good because I need you. No fighting at this stage though.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAfp9scUJgT3
Alex stood by Rowan’s side as they turned to look out over the heads of their pack. Each one of them started to notice that their Alpha stood over them and a hush fell over the room. Alex clapped him on the back.74Please respect copyright.PENANA9C79kKXSMD
“All yours now buddy.”74Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ob44XAbxe
He cleared his throat, ready to address the pack that gathered around in haste. Some of the members lived closer and had time to pack a few bags, others had nothing other than what they wore.74Please respect copyright.PENANAcKuijjR4BK
“Thank-you for your patience today. I know that being stacked here in here is uncomfortable and I promise it will only be a short while longer, while our Omegas organise rooms.”74Please respect copyright.PENANA2vDt1PhaYI
A murmur spread through the room and the uncomfortable feeling swept over Rowan. The pack were uneasy about the mention of the rooms, that indicated that they’ll be there for more than a day. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAIzK8SlkFHB
“You are all commanded to stay indoors until further notice. Brian, one of our Warriors was attacked this morning from inside the territory.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAnIT5ZOOcaM
The flurry continued and shocked faces that showed great fear presented on their faces. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAfBk36pnNy8
“We’ve barricaded the pack house, using one of the many safety features installed within it’s walls. Nothing can come in and not one of you is leaving until I say so. There are rooms for the mothers with new-born’s that will allow you the extra room and your every need. Rooms are being prepared for families and other rooms are prepared for singles and couples.” 74Please respect copyright.PENANApLLbfhY1Bu
Their expressions relaxed at the news that they wouldn’t have to separated from their loved ones or families. Rowan felt irritated that his pack would think he would put them through more trauma than what they were currently experiencing. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAvP5BKBnUSK
“The ground and second floors of the house as you already know, share communal bathrooms and toilets to use as you like. The Dining Hall will also be available for use. Please do not harass the Omegas in the kitchen, if you are hungry all you need to do is ask.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAGciSfleRSd
Rowan smelt Ivy before he saw her and although he told her stay in the room, her presence calmed his nerves. He continued to set rules for the pack whilst they were in the house and notified them that their Luna would always be inside with them. If any issues arose, it was her that would deal with it. Ivy stood confidently next to him with her neck held high as Rowan addressed her as Luna, in front of their community, and their acceptance made his heart swell. With the speech ended, he took her hand and brought it to his lips, lightly grazing her knuckles.74Please respect copyright.PENANAiv9doS4PdI
“I must go now, my love. I need to take Alex with me to the training camp and have a chat with our Warriors.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAf4AbZhvIGR
Ivy nodded slightly, but her eyes scoured over the pack as they listened to Audrey tell them which rooms they’ve been assigned too.74Please respect copyright.PENANADTg6ChQRDk
“I don’t see him,” she said.74Please respect copyright.PENANAtL5TrQhkRf
“See who? Emerson? He is in his quarters where I sent him.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAiDgY1XCvnB
“No, Dad,” she looked at him concerned. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAeU50hHKggI
“Hmph, that is odd.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAnBxzeY4zL4
“I will find him for you, my love,” Rowan growled. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAbSoBTuZJCC
Ivy’s father’s absence meant something of meaning to him and Rowan tried to shake the thought from his head before Ivy noticed. Before he could reassure her, Ivy spoke and took the words from his mouth.74Please respect copyright.PENANACRneYtdanx
“You don’t think that-?” she stammered. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAj2APCnJwRf
He tried to comfort her and embraced her hard before he left.74Please respect copyright.PENANABAoepXShCZ
“Ivy, I don’t know, but let’s hope not. If I find out he has anything to do with this…”74Please respect copyright.PENANA604gzD2rxt
“No! Don’t do anything, I have questioned unanswered, and you will bring him to me,” she stated. 74Please respect copyright.PENANA7P6M1EKLxD
Rowan couldn’t think of anything that she’d possible need the answers to. He figured it had more to do with the meeting with Emerson and he agreed, but couldn’t promise that he wouldn’t be beaten before she seen him. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAFv8DrSSxK3
“Alex, come on. We need to and make sure Brian is okay and speak to the others,” Rowan called. 74Please respect copyright.PENANApkFT3rqFjp
With Alex in tow, they made their way to the Warriors training camp first, to see the Scouts that managed to make it back. They hoped they’d have the answers he sought and as they approached the camp, they chatted around a bonfire. Their laziness and carelessness regarding the lit fire enraged Rowan. Sitting around made them easy targets for assassination when they should be getting ready for hunting. The Warriors saw Alex first and abruptly stood, followed by the rest. Their attention turned to Rowan who trailed behind as he walked through the lean-to.74Please respect copyright.PENANAZuBQ7k8FUK
“What the hell are you doing?” Rowan asked.74Please respect copyright.PENANAS3uxBFj9pf
Clark stepped forward first. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAkRTGwTPsuV
“Sorry Alpha, we were just reliving the event this morning and discussing how Brian is doing.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAtgn5i7HMYi
“Clark, after what you’ve been through today, all of you, I would think that you’d know that sitting around complacent, is the perfect opportunity for another attack.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAFpeAPaGo1b
Rowan ensured he made eye contact with each of them as he spoke, trying to get the message across. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAV5BKdoRStc
“Oh, come on, Alpha nothing to be so serious about,” piped up another.74Please respect copyright.PENANAAEx3lJHIpH
“If you are saying that an open attack within our territory, carefully planned out so that the enemy is undetectable, is NOTHING, then I’ll make you my personal bootlicker,” Rowan yelled and growled in the man’s face. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAwRH0KPHskt
The others whimpered with their heads bowed, knowing they’ve done wrong. The Warrior barely moved an inch and Alex stood in disbelief. 74Please respect copyright.PENANALq6wtlbFWG
“Bare your neck to your Alpha, Warrior and follow command!” Alex bellowed and grabbed his head to bare his neck.74Please respect copyright.PENANAWBR3yf6dkl
Rowan held his glare, like he read the Warrior’s soul.74Please respect copyright.PENANA4AQmCjwdY5
“Take him Alex,” he commanded.74Please respect copyright.PENANAl3NVGlQST4
“You sure Rowan?”74Please respect copyright.PENANAmxkwAEHISq
“Positive, but not the house. Take him to the Sentinel Tower and let me know when you’ve reached it. I won’t be too far behind,” he said, and hoped that his suspicions were right.
His attention turned to the others who watched Alex drag the Warrior away. Rowan put the fire out with a near-by bucket of water that hung off one of the poles connected to the lean-to.74Please respect copyright.PENANA9GL5aziREH
They flinched at the sound of his voice.74Please respect copyright.PENANAz24FlLLbiU
“As for the rest of you, you will sit down and tell me what happened this morning.”74Please respect copyright.PENANApjBC01tv4a
They explained that they’d been out for a few days on the border hunting and scouting. Their main concern were a few Rogues that had been reported to never cross but continued to be a nuisance. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3fbH71rBN
“Then out of nowhere there were at least five wolves that circled around us,” mentioned Clark. 74Please respect copyright.PENANArG59B6Ud8z
“Yeah, two or three wore heavy armour and all five had their teeth bared as soon as we seen em’. Ready to attack,” told another Scout. 74Please respect copyright.PENANA6kQ4KsHCGg
From what Rowan understood, the Scouts fled and left the two unarmed Warriors to defend themselves and his attention turned to the Scouts.74Please respect copyright.PENANAv8BsgJnZWh
“Why did not one of you come and get me?”74Please respect copyright.PENANALNOiB6Tv9h
“We’re sorry Alpha, we knew they weren’t one of us and so we thought you would have felt someone cross the border.”74Please respect copyright.PENANACpbC4C2sSr
“What you say is true, but in this instance not the case. Whoever these brutes were, have pledged to me and our pack,” Rowan groaned. 74Please respect copyright.PENANARNfzCB6Dun
The group exchanged looks of discomfort at the news.74Please respect copyright.PENANA1fjfn7H8uI
“Keep to yourselves, keep yourselves armed and stick together. IF God forbid, you see anyone else dressed in armour, mind-link me straight away please.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAoRGZlcLhMh
“Yes Alpha,” they said in unison.
He turned his back on the camp and walked with large strides to the Sentinel Tower that Alex took the disobedient Warrior. 74Please respect copyright.PENANATOEx5mDvuL
“We are here,” linked Alex.74Please respect copyright.PENANAUAKxUyNFkO
“Almost there,” Rowan returned.74Please respect copyright.PENANAddm9CRa7NM
As he approached the tower, it seemed that Alex kicked the Sentinels out. They hovered around the door like they were missing out.74Please respect copyright.PENANAUTdFMmFtBV
Whilst Ivy had her chat with Emerson, when the siren rang, Rowan link with the Sentinels, the Guardians, and the Elders regarding the day’s events. He made sure they too garrisoned their temples awaiting further instructions.74Please respect copyright.PENANA28GdLRCpse
“Are you all on break at once, are you?” Rowan snarled as he approached the tower. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAQK00NQX2kb
His snarl startled them, and they retreated to their posts, apologising. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAe3eaIu7Crt
“Get back to work, you need to be careful, report anything you see unusual,” he added.74Please respect copyright.PENANA9L4LjkgPSh
Rowan flagged down the Chief Sentinel before heading inside the building. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAyf8YJUwXzN
“Yes Alpha?”74Please respect copyright.PENANARhRBpt8561
“Where is Ivy’s father, Alan?”74Please respect copyright.PENANAryRz5GmDSa
“I haven’t seen him in a few days,” the Chief shrugged. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAj8f1yYiA41
Rowan thanked him and turned to enter the tower. As he opened the door the Chief called for his attention.74Please respect copyright.PENANAnmeS8BwIUp
“Alpha!”74Please respect copyright.PENANAqeq4XqCGeS
“Yes?”74Please respect copyright.PENANAZlrmUam0fI
The Chief nodded at the door.74Please respect copyright.PENANAnhlOtwt71F
“He’s one of Alan’s.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAQxfhd85TkD
“Are you sure?”74Please respect copyright.PENANAYid3MOTJs2
“Positive.”74Please respect copyright.PENANApSE72IBClo
Anger surged through Rowan’s veins as he barged through the door. His heart sank at the same time because he wanted to give Alan the benefit of the doubt, for Ivy’s sake. Rowan flew down the stairs and skipped steps as he ventured further down. He reached the bottom and was more than ready to face the idiot that questioned his authority.74Please respect copyright.PENANAiQKZUeVI4h
“WHERE THE FUCK IS HE?” Rowan screamed as he rattled the cell bars in front of him where the brute was caged. 74Please respect copyright.PENANATIN5EbIW7U
“Who?” said Alex from the corner of the room.74Please respect copyright.PENANAVX6MNGVzd0
“He knows who!” Rowan yelled and pointed his finger at the caged man. 74Please respect copyright.PENANACk8NlK8UMu
“I will not ask you again, where the fuck is he?” 74Please respect copyright.PENANAYbSZ6w2nOJ
The man sneered at the Alpha, and it made Rowan want to kill him then and there, however, he knew it wouldn’t put him in the best position to find answers. The Warrior remained silent.74Please respect copyright.PENANA3kOkj6TOtO
“Open the cell Alex and tie him to the bench.”74Please respect copyright.PENANANR8q183xU8
“Rowan…”74Please respect copyright.PENANAyhAsG9S8FN
“Alex, I said DO IT!” 74Please respect copyright.PENANAGYuwSdO6BQ
He stood back and watched Alex unlock the cell. The man didn’t move a muscle and allowed Alex to walk him over to the middle of the room and tie his hands and feet to the legs of the table. Alex stepped back once his work was done. The basement of the tower was nothing by cold, grey, dark steel. The table in the middle of the room was barely used but at this point Rowan was ready to torture anyone for information. 74Please respect copyright.PENANACi20wX3WUB
“If you will not tell me where Alan is, I will make you tell,” he whispered in the man’s ear.74Please respect copyright.PENANAo2jBZQdvV8
The response to Rowan’s threat ended in a large gulp after the man thrashed around for a few seconds. He realised that his hands and feet were tied tightly and there was no room for escape. Sweat started to form around his forehead from fear and his heartbeat increased rapidly. Rowan stood upright and walked to the bottom of the staircase, gesturing Alex to follow. They reached the top and the Alpha turned his back to face his Beta. The man screamed for help from below and it brought smiles to their faces.74Please respect copyright.PENANAYj4hMVX2wz
“Rowan, I’m scared for you,” said Alex. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAMI4NhyJLF3
“Don’t be, I need this information to make sure that this pack stays safe. If this is Alan and Harold’s doing, I need to be so God damn sure before we make any moves. The idiot down there is the only one that confirm anything.”74Please respect copyright.PENANADliJ2tuoF9
The revelation regarding Harold made Alex take a step back.74Please respect copyright.PENANA255V1COApt
“Whoa, Harold?”74Please respect copyright.PENANAT689n9eixe
“Sorry. I spoke to Ivy this morning about what happened after I got her to the room. I mentioned the armour and how we’ve never seen anything like it. She told me that Harold’s men wore armour.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAwdVHTTAQBM
Alex’s eyes grew large, and his mouth gaped open.74Please respect copyright.PENANAJ29KwLQ2QS
“You don’t think that he’s come back for Ivy, do you?” he whispered. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAAXW1of50sk
“I don’t think Harold has done anything but provide Alan protection.”74Please respect copyright.PENANARieobhE4u6
“What do you mean?”74Please respect copyright.PENANAEGu71gz4Vr
“It was Alan who made the initial deal with Harold to hand over Ivy and we can’t find him. I have suspicions that Alan is in on this.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAa8SgPfe0gO
“You don’t act on suspicion though,” Alex teased. 74Please respect copyright.PENANA0fuVPcvBHP
“I know. Which is why you’re going back down there to get the information we need, while I try and find Alan.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAYyEVShvFSX
Rowan made Alex promise to connect with him when he got any ounce of information and headed outside to visit his father. He needed to make sure the Elders didn’t need anything before going to the Guardian’s Temple.
It was eerily quiet in the village with most of the pack in the house and Rowan’s senses were heightened. He sensed movement all around but nothing too out of the ordinary. He constantly checked behind his shoulders and stopped every few steps to listen for anything that wasn’t meant to be. Rowan should have listened to the silence instead and the warnings it brought but instead he knocked on the double oak doors to the Temple. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAZTuXO8QDym
“Father, its Rowan. Open up.”74Please respect copyright.PENANACqVLgaAcgF
He heard the dead bolts lift from the doors and was glad to hear the door unlock. He was eager to get out from the open. The doors opened widely and greeted with two armoured wolves and none other than a gleaming Alan.74Please respect copyright.PENANA3nR3M1Ffvf
Fuck.74Please respect copyright.PENANAL0QOUZ0iFF
“Welcome Rowan, we have been waiting hours, honestly,” sneered Alan. 74Please respect copyright.PENANA1DhNscvbKZ
The Alpha took in his surroundings and saw that his father and Adrian had put up a good fight for their age but were bound and gagged in the back corner.74Please respect copyright.PENANACxRh9DX9N2
“What are you doing Alan?”74Please respect copyright.PENANAKsgM57Z0Hs
“Protecting what was promised to me,” he spat.74Please respect copyright.PENANApyhxJZVvQN
“A territory that no longer exists? Or your pack that is now pledged to me?” Rowan snarled.74Please respect copyright.PENANAHmUPtg17CJ
“Money you idiot! So that I can settle down somewhere and eat and live until I can’t anymore.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAGmsBqgOmux
“Why don’t you go and do that? Why kill my people in the process, why not leave quietly?”74Please respect copyright.PENANA5bOagNT8Pu
“Because Rowan, I need Ivy to finalise the deal. It was almost set but she escaped.”74Please respect copyright.PENANApe7myRkunJ
“So, you are working with Harold. After the man killed a quarter of your pack and desecrated your village, you’re seriously still going to trust the man to hand over the money once he has Ivy?”74Please respect copyright.PENANAPIEDu8GgwM
Alan was too far into his plan. The man couldn’t be reasoned with, and Harold held something over Alan that seemed to be of value for him to act like this against his Alpha. The armoured wolves grabbed Rowan and pulled him inside, closing the heavy door behind them.74Please respect copyright.PENANA8If4EZ2pkF
“Rowan you are the only one that is standing in my way of taking Ivy back to where she belongs.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAH5rvUTSVjI
“That’s a lie and you know it. You know what she is.” Rowan scoffed. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAPaifAw0MLX
“So does Harold though, my dear boy, and you don’t want to piss him off, trust me.”74Please respect copyright.PENANAsdfnZKtoUy
When Alan finished his sentence, a heavy blow connected with the back of Rowan’s head. The pounding sound within his head was deafening. He could still hear Alan’s laugh and felt Ivy trying to push through and link with him. She knew that something happened to him. It was followed with another blow to the back, and he heard the crack in his spine. Rowan cried out in pain and realised that his head and back bled, as it dripped on the floor. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAj67fe9H5o9
“You are pathetic Alpha, to allow something like this happen to your Luna,” Alan spat.74Please respect copyright.PENANAO9BoR78FiO
Alan looked over and noticed Rowan’s body quickly healing. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAV5XJuVGSOe
“Quickly, time him up and knock him out, she should come to us on her own.”74Please respect copyright.PENANACpIlp4kzzs
“DON’T YOU DARE ALAN!” Rowan tried to force Olcan to shift but to no avail. 74Please respect copyright.PENANAVpjHfHP089
“Wolfsbane Rowan, too weak to shift.”