Heart of a rogue

* Chapter 8

As the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, I rose from my bed in the cozy wooden cabin I now called home. Stretching my limbs with a contented sigh, I padded across the creaking floorboards to the small dresser nestled against one wall. With practiced movements, I selected a simple outfit from my modest wardrobe—a soft knit sweater and a pair of worn denim jeans—before slipping into them with ease.

As I laced up my boots, my thoughts turned to the task ahead. Today, I had resolved to confront my fears head-on, to speak to Declan about our future and the traumas that still haunted me. The thought of baring my soul to him filled me with a potent mix of apprehension and determination, but I knew it was a conversation that needed to happen, no matter how daunting it might feel.

With a resolute nod, I gathered my belongings and made my way out of the cabin, the crisp morning air tingling against my skin. The path to the pack was a familiar one, winding through the dense forest that surrounded my home. As I walked, the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds provided a soothing backdrop to my thoughts—a welcome distraction from the weight of my worries.

Arriving at the bustling marketplace near the pack, I set about gathering the supplies I needed for the week ahead. The vendors greeted me warmly, their stalls overflowing with fresh produce and artisanal goods. With a smile and a polite nod, I selected the items I needed, my mind focused on the task at hand even as my thoughts drifted to the conversation that awaited me.

When I finally made my way toward the pack house, my heart pounded in my chest with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. As I approached the familiar building, I caught a glimpse of Declan through the window. He was seated at a table with Joshua and Nova, their laughter echoing faintly through the crisp morning air. The sight of them together, sharing a moment of camaraderie, sent a pang of jealousy shooting through my chest.

Through the window, I watched as they exchanged jokes and shared smiles. A knot of unease tightened in my stomach. It wasn't just the proximity between Declan and Nova that bothered me—it was the easy familiarity they seemed to share. Sure, as his best tracker, they met up often. But lately, I had been seeing Nova more and more. When we were at camp, I had never seen this she-wolf. But now she was always around my mate. I hadn't seen Declan like that with another female before. Amalia had been a threat back when Declan wanted a mate to start a family, and his sister had tried matching Amalia to him. But even so, I had never seen Declan really laugh with Amalia.

I knew I couldn't let my insecurities get the better of me—not now, not when I had something important to discuss with Declan. With a determined exhale, I pushed aside the gnawing doubts and squared my shoulders, resolving to confront my fears head-on.

Instead of lingering outside and allowing my jealousy to fester, I took a deep breath and rapped my knuckles against the wooden doorframe. The sound echoed through the room, drawing the attention of Declan, Joshua, and Nova. Their laughter tapered off as they turned to face me. I walked in, feeling a surge of nervous energy coursing through my veins.

"Declan," I said, my voice steady despite the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. "Can I speak with you for a moment? Alone."

Declan's gaze met mine, his expression shifting from surprise to concern as he registered the determination in my eyes. Without a word, he rose from his seat and motioned for me to join him at the table. Joshua and Nova took it upon themselves to leave. Joshua smiled at me, but Nova kept her head down as she rushed out. A strange feeling stirred within me at the way she did that, but I brushed it aside.

Declan's concerned gaze lingered on my face, searching for any sign of distress or discomfort. His hand reached out to gently grasp mine, a gesture of reassurance that sent a warm flutter through my chest.