Heart of Iron

Chapter 7: Signs of Affection

CASIMIR

I'd made a real good mess of things. Thalia warned me and it had all gone exactly as she predicted. And it didn't help that I couldn't get the sound of Rowan's bones breaking out of my head. Over and over, it replayed. Which made my wolf a snarling and growling monster. To him everything was a possible threat to his injured mate.

It had been a long time since I felt this way. Being an Alpha was a heavy burden, but this was more personal, deeper than pack bonds. And knowing that I was the main reason for why Rowan was hurt at all had me disgusted with myself.

I hadn't even apologized because she made it clear she was in no mood to humor me. Not that I blamed her. She had every right to be angry.

Hell, if she decided to go back to Blackstone after that welcoming, I'd completely understand. Though that thought had the bond screeching in dismay, the aching chasm in my chest yawning wide. A growl rumbled low in my throat as I continued to pace back and forth in my office.

There had to be a way to make up for this mistake, as epic as it was.

My eyes caught on the sign language book sitting on my desk. A spark of understanding gripped me.

The answer was simple. If Rowan was feeling unwelcome and out of place in Ironmoon, I needed to show her that she could make a home here with us; with me. I snatched the book off my desk and headed out to right my wrong.

Though I wanted to go straight to Rowan, I knew that I couldn't go to her empty-handed.

So, I made my way back to the Pit, in search of the one person I knew could give my mate what she needed most right now—confidence and skills to stand amongst the rest of the pack without feeling inferior because of her disability.

Any one of my warriors could teach her fighting techniques but she needed a training circuit that was more accessible for her. Something that would help her flourish. And it needed to be with someone who could lead by example and understand her situation.

She wasn't weak. She had proven she had enough skill to keep up with my warriors, despite her loss in the cage. A little bit of help and direction and I was confident she would be a force to reckon with.

She had shocked me when she allowed her arm to be broken for a small chance to get the upper hand on Sophia. My mate was fierce and maybe hated to lose just as much as me.

I had underestimated her like everyone else. But that was something I never intended to do again.

The Pit was quiet at this hour of the day; most of the warriors were either on active duty, patrolling or out running circuits on the obstacle course. There were a few stragglers who greeted me as I passed.

I made my way to the basement where we had set up target training. The soft thwack of a blade driving through a board grew louder as I neared the bottom of the stairs.

My brother Milo was flushed and sweating when I entered, a dagger flying from his fingertips with ease and finding purchase in his target on the other side of the room. He didn't even look my way as he picked up another dagger from the table beside him.

"What happened now?"

"Why do you think something happened?" I asked, curious.

He lined up his throw before letting it fly.

"Because you're here. Unless you're here to practice your dagger work..." He glanced my way, gaze fixating on the book in my hand before he turned back to the table. "...but from the look of things, I'd say that isn't the case."