Bound by Fate, Freed by Choice

Chapter 3

Rowan's POV.

The Blackwood Pack was my pride, nestled between the shadows of the tall, ancient trees and the bright gleam of the mountain rivers. The land here was both rugged and beautiful—wild cliffs, hidden valleys, and dense forests that seemed endless. Life in the pack was lively, the kind of home that felt real and solid, filled with traditions we all lived by. Every member here had a place, a purpose, and we protected our own fiercely.

Not too far beyond our territory lay the Darkmoon Pack, close enough to remind me of a friendship that once was. Kaiden and I had grown up together, once brothers in arms, but time had twisted that bond. Kaiden was no longer the man I remembered. Ambition had turned him cold, selfish, ruthless even. And now, some people whispered we were enemies. Maybe they were right.

A knock on my past came back to me when one of his pack members, Lyla, found her way into Blackwood, crushed and desperate to get away from him. When I learned why she had run, I couldn't say I was surprised, knowing Kaiden's ways all too well. But it still made my jaw clench.

As I leaned back in my chair, running these thoughts through my mind, the door to my office suddenly swung open. My gaze shot up. It was Dalia. She stormed in, her face dark with irritation, lips pursed, arms crossed tightly.

"Who is she, and why did you bring her into our pack?" she demanded, her eyes flashing as she stood before me.

A heavy sigh escaped me. Dalia wasn't subtle when it came to her feelings, and today, she clearly had something to rant about. I scanned her face, noting the way her eyes narrowed, the pinch of her brows as she waited. She seemed to forget who she was speaking to, which only made the situation more irritating.

"Good morning to you too, my love," I said, my voice calm despite the anger simmering beneath the surface.

"That is not what I asked you, Rowan. Who is she?" Her voice rose, loud enough that anyone passing by could probably hear her. She crossed her arms tighter and stepped closer, her eyes sharp and unyielding.

I let out a longer sigh and settled back in my chair, willing myself to stay calm. "She needed shelter," I replied, trying to keep my voice even.

"She can find it somewhere else—not here," Dalia snapped, her voice biting. Her face was flushed, eyes blazing as if Lyla's very presence was an insult.

I took a moment to look at her closely, this woman I had chosen to stand by my side. Her jealousy was unmistakable; it flared every time another woman came within a foot of me. And now, with Lyla here, she was angrier than ever. A chuckle escaped my lips. I knew this jealousy too well, but this time, it came with something else—a harshness, a coldness that didn't sit right.

Getting up from my chair, I walked around the large desk until I was in front of her. I reached out to touch her arm, trying to soothe her, but she swatted my hand away, igniting my own anger. "Why do you always have to be this way, Dalia? You know, I never thought of you as someone who'd be heartless."

Her lips tightened, and she tilted her chin up. "Get that girl out of our home, or I will," she warned, her words low and venomous. With that, she turned and stormed out, leaving me alone in the silence of my office.

I stood there, fists clenched as I watched her leave. A bitter feeling settled in my chest, mingling with anger. Was this really the woman I wanted as my Luna? If she couldn't find it in herself to help someone in need, what kind of leader would she be? Dalia's scorn for those less fortunate, her unwillingness to show compassion, it all troubled me.

I smirked, a bitter scoff escaping my lips as I turned and left the office, trying to shake off my wrath.

Walking through the packhouse, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Blackwood was alive with the hum of pack members going about their day. The courtyards were filled with laughter, the warmth of camaraderie echoing in every corner. Warriors trained under the open sky, children played in the gardens, and the kitchens bustled with the smell of fresh bread and roasted meat.

But my destination was the visitor's wing, where we'd placed Lyla. She deserved more than Dalia's hostility, and I was going to make sure she felt safe here, no matter what anyone else thought.

I knocked softly on the door, waiting as I heard a gentle voice from the other side, almost like she was singing. That voice, soft and soothing, seemed to drift through the air and settle in the quiet of the room. I opened the door and stepped inside, shutting it behind me as my eyes found her.

Lyla stood there, dressed in the new clothes I'd ordered for her—a knee-length floral dress that swayed lightly with her every movement. The colors of the dress brought out the beauty of her vibrant green eyes, which sparkled like fresh spring leaves, yet held a depth, a hidden strength that lay just below the surface.

Her raven-black hair, streaked with hints of silver, cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, giving her an almost otherworldly appearance. But even in her beauty, there was a sense of quietness, a hint of fear lingering around her, like she was always ready to obey any command thrown her way.

"Good... morning," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper, fiddling nervously with her fingers. My eyes caught the silver bracelet on her wrist, a delicate piece adorned with a small emblem—the symbol of her old pack, Silverclaw. Seeing it stirred something within me. I wondered if she knew the whole truth, if she was aware that it was Kaiden's father who'd destroyed her pack, or if she still believed that Darkmoon had somehow saved them.

Pushing my thoughts aside, I asked, "Did you sleep well?"

Her eyes shot up to meet mine, wide with surprise, as if I'd just asked the most shocking question. Instead of replying, she nodded quickly, ducking her head in a shy, almost startled way. I smiled, finding something endearing in her calm, gentle nature.

Glancing around the room, I noticed a half-eaten breakfast on the side table, and I pointed at it. "Not to your liking?"

She looked over at the plate, then back at me with those bright green eyes that held a softness I hadn't expected. For a moment, something moved in me, something I ignored but couldn't entirely shake.

"Oh... I... I'm so sorry," she stammered, her voice innocent, almost apologetic. "I was eating, but someone came in, and I had to leave it."

"Someone?" I raised a brow, suspecting Dalia. It wouldn't have been the first time she barged in uninvited. "A woman?"

To my surprise, Lyla shook her head. "It was a guy... He said I had to leave today, but I'd already decided since last night that I was leaving today," she said calmly.

She glanced at me, then her gaze dropped, almost as if she felt guilty. "Thank you, really... I mean, for all this. I don't even know your name," she added softly.

I furrowed my brows and gave a slight shake of my head. "My name is Alpha Rowan," I told her firmly, "and you're not going anywhere." I reached out and rested my hand on her arm, feeling a strange warmth ripple through my fingers at the contact. The sensation was unexpected, like a spark flaring between us, but I ignored it, pushing down whatever that feeling was.

Guiding her gently, I sat her down on the edge of the bed, then settled beside her. "I'll handle whoever dared to disrespect you. But you need to understand something, Lyla. This is Blackwood. Here, we treat everyone with respect, no matter where they come from or what low ranking they hold," I said, my tone firm but sincere.

I wanted to say more. I wanted to tell her that I knew about Kaiden, knew he had been her fated mate but had rejected and humiliated her. But I kept silent on that front. "I'm offering you shelter here, a fresh start, a new home. It's your decision. I'll give you all the time you need to think it over. But remember, Blackwood's doors will always be open to you."

She remained quiet, her eyes searching mine as if she was trying to peer into my very thoughts. "Alpha Kaiden... he never even wanted to be close to me. He wouldn't sit with me, wouldn't look at me," she murmured, her voice laced with a kind of pain I hadn't expected. "But here you are... sitting beside me, speaking kindly." Her words tugged at something deep within me, a growing anger at how Kaiden treated his people. And Lyla, this sweet, innocent soul, didn't deserve any of it.

"Do you want to stay here?" I asked softly.

Before she could answer, the door burst open, slamming against the wall with a force that sent a jolt through both of us. Dalia stormed in, her eyes blazing.