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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAPikjmfiEBS
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANA24vTE489RD
“Rowan, are you okay? Rowan can you hear me?” 72Please respect copyright.PENANAGXf9QVxVRn
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAtnjpqnZtrJ
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANA9kFlIoz9sV
“Okay. You good now?”72Please respect copyright.PENANAX7E1RQwEi7
Rowan only managed a small nod. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAAy4jvMyaj1
“What was that all about?”72Please respect copyright.PENANAT9AFN3VSTb
“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.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAYHOMX7szkY
Ivy gazed into his eyes after he wiped them, and she helped him to his feet. 72Please respect copyright.PENANADy09Vn4APo
“How did it go with Emerson?” he asked, changing the subject. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAHTsBpOJJBF
Ivy sat in silence, avoiding answering the question. Rowan became concerned that it pushed it too far and fast, especially with today’s events. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAvLd2RkGpPL
“Umm yeah, I’m still processing, but what is going on now is more important.”72Please respect copyright.PENANARKX7pMLYnE
He cupped her cheek and kissed her hard on the mouth.72Please respect copyright.PENANAq0as443qVZ
“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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAmUIzjAqmbZ
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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAet2mbcF0N7
“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.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAR4WtBAfzlV
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAO9e65RsNWb
“Now, now we must all calm down. There will be an explanation of this once the Alpha is ready. Please be seated,” assured Alex.72Please respect copyright.PENANAxrZaXtEAnu
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANACbsm2IeRB3
“You are going to have to talk to this lot, they are scared and won’t even listen to a thing I’m saying.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAuFnewGU247
“You look much better than before,” Rowan grimaced. 72Please respect copyright.PENANA26qelFYg5Q
“I feel like it too, Luka and the Guardian have done wonders,” Alex beamed. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAZPaow7SkBm
“Good because I need you. No fighting at this stage though.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAeRhdSNS4gd
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAJl7rqEJRhQ
“All yours now buddy.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAo4nUlvmUpb
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANABxA5yrGs97
“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.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAXn1DjvIMhE
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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAUrfhmxz1zs
“You are all commanded to stay indoors until further notice. Brian, one of our Warriors was attacked this morning from inside the territory.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAl07jaSqlbI
The flurry continued and shocked faces that showed great fear presented on their faces. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAMQoQjaykhS
“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.” 72Please respect copyright.PENANAfwEhxUOzUd
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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAcgewlrA4M2
“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.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAC1hJVsUftk
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAtaiANvbEUq
“I must go now, my love. I need to take Alex with me to the training camp and have a chat with our Warriors.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAdaMm74I9Wx
Ivy nodded slightly, but her eyes scoured over the pack as they listened to Audrey tell them which rooms they’ve been assigned too.72Please respect copyright.PENANA5VtpTeifgg
“I don’t see him,” she said.72Please respect copyright.PENANA97IQaqOHIE
“See who? Emerson? He is in his quarters where I sent him.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAGGKJn5mM7X
“No, Dad,” she looked at him concerned. 72Please respect copyright.PENANALepuuntBzZ
“Hmph, that is odd.”72Please respect copyright.PENANA542dyIdIHc
“I will find him for you, my love,” Rowan growled. 72Please respect copyright.PENANA4nxcZcqpQo
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANADY8ZDr5MHl
“You don’t think that-?” she stammered. 72Please respect copyright.PENANASbkx9OZctx
He tried to comfort her and embraced her hard before he left.72Please respect copyright.PENANA7JC0AbCCpS
“Ivy, I don’t know, but let’s hope not. If I find out he has anything to do with this…”72Please respect copyright.PENANAMJprJ8E81j
“No! Don’t do anything, I have questioned unanswered, and you will bring him to me,” she stated. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAUXfmCccU8c
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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAWRhcBWKmLl
“Alex, come on. We need to and make sure Brian is okay and speak to the others,” Rowan called. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAPjhwKmqGHN
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANASh3kP2QzME
“What the hell are you doing?” Rowan asked.72Please respect copyright.PENANAoXxTwABRFf
Clark stepped forward first. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAkEKiw56464
“Sorry Alpha, we were just reliving the event this morning and discussing how Brian is doing.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAm05IAtH7Eg
“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.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAHloxRTFX2h
Rowan ensured he made eye contact with each of them as he spoke, trying to get the message across. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAvbWM054k9S
“Oh, come on, Alpha nothing to be so serious about,” piped up another.72Please respect copyright.PENANABwE8Qop3F9
“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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANADpoAvunaBA
The others whimpered with their heads bowed, knowing they’ve done wrong. The Warrior barely moved an inch and Alex stood in disbelief. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAJdGzJ9yq3K
“Bare your neck to your Alpha, Warrior and follow command!” Alex bellowed and grabbed his head to bare his neck.72Please respect copyright.PENANAdF96nZDfIC
Rowan held his glare, like he read the Warrior’s soul.72Please respect copyright.PENANAHCq1Jfonmg
“Take him Alex,” he commanded.72Please respect copyright.PENANAlQLfgBxKfP
“You sure Rowan?”72Please respect copyright.PENANASdjxSvVRO1
“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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAExvtnDf62Q
They flinched at the sound of his voice.72Please respect copyright.PENANA8rCrdD29U7
“As for the rest of you, you will sit down and tell me what happened this morning.”72Please respect copyright.PENANApFlozi6b3W
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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAZm7LxFVBZ7
“Then out of nowhere there were at least five wolves that circled around us,” mentioned Clark. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAHSZ7h0mOj3
“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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAyL9fAVl5N6
From what Rowan understood, the Scouts fled and left the two unarmed Warriors to defend themselves and his attention turned to the Scouts.72Please respect copyright.PENANAjUF5AirTn9
“Why did not one of you come and get me?”72Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZaPhlrlTy
“We’re sorry Alpha, we knew they weren’t one of us and so we thought you would have felt someone cross the border.”72Please respect copyright.PENANARjCAV5npCa
“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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAp9aVz1FP2G
The group exchanged looks of discomfort at the news.72Please respect copyright.PENANABrLOyF6Gjv
“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.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAWRJk98235P
“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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAUGQjs6InyK
“We are here,” linked Alex.72Please respect copyright.PENANAFBpnvZXP9Y
“Almost there,” Rowan returned.72Please respect copyright.PENANAKgcvakIPhO
As he approached the tower, it seemed that Alex kicked the Sentinels out. They hovered around the door like they were missing out.72Please respect copyright.PENANAELNxfs3Qdf
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANArLI4NmyA7U
“Are you all on break at once, are you?” Rowan snarled as he approached the tower. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAHd7y3794dC
His snarl startled them, and they retreated to their posts, apologising. 72Please respect copyright.PENANABkNJIca8TG
“Get back to work, you need to be careful, report anything you see unusual,” he added.72Please respect copyright.PENANAXYYhvhXXl6
Rowan flagged down the Chief Sentinel before heading inside the building. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAgDJFTWaR8n
“Yes Alpha?”72Please respect copyright.PENANAtkEvedMuVd
“Where is Ivy’s father, Alan?”72Please respect copyright.PENANAxtTsJoCoK1
“I haven’t seen him in a few days,” the Chief shrugged. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAnPK6LOk9tS
Rowan thanked him and turned to enter the tower. As he opened the door the Chief called for his attention.72Please respect copyright.PENANANwnBiYY6na
“Alpha!”72Please respect copyright.PENANAHCNQHcBCsE
“Yes?”72Please respect copyright.PENANApPDtyYczHe
The Chief nodded at the door.72Please respect copyright.PENANAL2zQFF3ARm
“He’s one of Alan’s.”72Please respect copyright.PENANA1P4Bj6ukmX
“Are you sure?”72Please respect copyright.PENANAnTLbeYyIyq
“Positive.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAPE9ZqnNSdj
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAnyQdo14yPZ
“WHERE THE FUCK IS HE?” Rowan screamed as he rattled the cell bars in front of him where the brute was caged. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAeQRKsr38nE
“Who?” said Alex from the corner of the room.72Please respect copyright.PENANASmn5AQJetl
“He knows who!” Rowan yelled and pointed his finger at the caged man. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAROFJ6FeDXJ
“I will not ask you again, where the fuck is he?” 72Please respect copyright.PENANAhyexIWJ8Qe
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAMCN0RsJYaF
“Open the cell Alex and tie him to the bench.”72Please respect copyright.PENANASwlVXpdVzg
“Rowan…”72Please respect copyright.PENANANCroEXsfar
“Alex, I said DO IT!” 72Please respect copyright.PENANAEGaX0ocbTz
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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAb9X3yO54Y6
“If you will not tell me where Alan is, I will make you tell,” he whispered in the man’s ear.72Please respect copyright.PENANAMyCeEAYwgp
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAH8Atq7kSeP
“Rowan, I’m scared for you,” said Alex. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAsbwGKe3bIl
“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.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAmHXRxkSBIS
The revelation regarding Harold made Alex take a step back.72Please respect copyright.PENANAg8kXNzQPoU
“Whoa, Harold?”72Please respect copyright.PENANAimbVnB46NH
“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.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAzULRoA8fcl
Alex’s eyes grew large, and his mouth gaped open.72Please respect copyright.PENANAldK7XrPdQh
“You don’t think that he’s come back for Ivy, do you?” he whispered. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAzRZGigb34y
“I don’t think Harold has done anything but provide Alan protection.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAgtlLmrNK7t
“What do you mean?”72Please respect copyright.PENANAbVrgo4CA0G
“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.”72Please respect copyright.PENANARoNZ7CsjD6
“You don’t act on suspicion though,” Alex teased. 72Please respect copyright.PENANADoLu0eDzTA
“I know. Which is why you’re going back down there to get the information we need, while I try and find Alan.”72Please respect copyright.PENANALy102rEShY
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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAxvb8IkNX1P
“Father, its Rowan. Open up.”72Please respect copyright.PENANA9QPhHXNeRA
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANAhNyp25Hmob
Fuck.72Please respect copyright.PENANARuViQfbjNt
“Welcome Rowan, we have been waiting hours, honestly,” sneered Alan. 72Please respect copyright.PENANArqCrK0cCWn
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANApdkmmLqk1v
“What are you doing Alan?”72Please respect copyright.PENANAHmxmHXszrI
“Protecting what was promised to me,” he spat.72Please respect copyright.PENANARCKNG87GZX
“A territory that no longer exists? Or your pack that is now pledged to me?” Rowan snarled.72Please respect copyright.PENANAkJ177aBN8q
“Money you idiot! So that I can settle down somewhere and eat and live until I can’t anymore.”72Please respect copyright.PENANADPp4TKhNDJ
“Why don’t you go and do that? Why kill my people in the process, why not leave quietly?”72Please respect copyright.PENANAvdUo0s3g5y
“Because Rowan, I need Ivy to finalise the deal. It was almost set but she escaped.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAIpQHsFY5Qj
“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?”72Please respect copyright.PENANAuESnS7vazX
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.72Please respect copyright.PENANATFBwtY2XQq
“Rowan you are the only one that is standing in my way of taking Ivy back to where she belongs.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAfUPLfAVtg5
“That’s a lie and you know it. You know what she is.” Rowan scoffed. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAVNqnnBMAaU
“So does Harold though, my dear boy, and you don’t want to piss him off, trust me.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAeaZw7hXIlx
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. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAtv6t3pgd2q
“You are pathetic Alpha, to allow something like this happen to your Luna,” Alan spat.72Please respect copyright.PENANATjWA2k24aH
Alan looked over and noticed Rowan’s body quickly healing. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAWel0zPTu7I
“Quickly, time him up and knock him out, she should come to us on her own.”72Please respect copyright.PENANAUI8vIjYWwY
“DON’T YOU DARE ALAN!” Rowan tried to force Olcan to shift but to no avail. 72Please respect copyright.PENANAjiQZLxtz74
“Wolfsbane Rowan, too weak to shift.”