Rowan
The stack of papers and books on my desk had reduced.
I had been at this for hours now, working through reports, petitions, and correspondence that had accumulated over the past four months. As always, Telsid and Ezra always did a good job keeping things afloat.
Telsid sat in the chair across from , receiving the slips I had approved and gone through. It would take the whole week for to completely go through everything before going to the places to see what had been implented and how certain disputes have been solved.
Telsid had been quiet for the most part, only speaking when necessary to clarify sothing I ntioned or point out an issue that required my imdiate attention.
The door opened, and Ezra stepped inside.
"I have had refreshnts sent over. She is still with her companions," he said, closing the door behind him.
I nodded, the weight in my chest loosening slightly at the news. Maybe she would open up to a bit more now that she had reunited with those three?
"The council mbers have been inford of your return," Ezra continued, moving to stand beside Telsid. "Most are content to wait until you’ve had ti to settle, but Lord Varen has requested an audience this evening."
I handed a sheet over to Teslid who took it.
Lord Varen. One of the older council mbers. He was quite persistent, but whatever he wanted to discuss, it could wait.
"Let guess, it has to do with money?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the record book I flipped open.
Ezra weakly responded, "Yes..."
"Such poor taste to bring sothing so insignificant when I just returned." I lightly frowned. "Move it to tomorrow. I have other plans this night."
Telsid’s head lifted sharply.
Ezra looked surprised, but said nothing.
A beat of silence passed before Telsid spoke up.
"Rowan..." He hesitated, his fingers tightening around the papers in his hands. "Should you really be getting so involved with her?"
Ezra turned to him, eyes widening. "Telsid—"
"She is also mated to Fresna’s Supre Alpha," Telsid pressed on, his voice strained but determined. "And she seems... reluctant. Would she even be comfortable with—"
I closed the book in front of , loud enough to silence the room.
I was not angry. But his words had pulled a knot taut beneath my ribs.
Telsid and Ezra exchanged an uncomfortable glance.
"I apologize," Telsid said quietly. "That was out of line."
I exhaled slowly, pushing back my seat and shifting sideways to gaze out the window.
"I know she has reservations," I said finally. "And I know she will be more guarded now, especially with Kael’s wolves here."
Neither of them spoke.
"Even if she leaves ..." I paused, the words catching slightly in my throat. "I will not regret our ti together. But I am not ready to give up yet."
I turned back to face them.
"I want to take her into the capital and enjoy so ti with her. Maybe even give her the opportunity to take her mind off things, even if only for a few hours."
Telsid’s brow furrowed deeply.
"Rowan, I must speak plainly." His voice was careful but firm. "This situation has political implications. Fresna is our ally. What you did to his wolves... and now pursuing his mate so openly..." He shook his head. "It could strain relations between our nations. And beyond that—" He hesitated, his expression softening with genuine concern. "I do not want to see you hurt. If she rejects you..."
"I know the risks," I said quietly.
"Do you?" Telsid leaned forward. "I may be too forward about the dynamic between the both of you, but it seems like she keeps her distance. She even asked you not to tell anyone about the bond." His voice dropped. "Are you certain you are not... inconveniencing her?"
The question landed harder than I expected.
Was I?
I thought of various monts where that might have been the case.
Perhaps I was pushing too hard?
The thought made sothing in my chest ache.
"I might be. I really am not sure..." I admitted slowly.
Telsid’s expression flickered with surprise. He had not expected to agree.
"But even so," I continued, running my hand through my hair. "I want her to be comfortable here and feel safe. I would like for her to enjoy herself, even if it is not with ." I paused. "If taking her into the capital tonight would only make her uncomfortable, I will not force it."
The room fell quiet.
Ezra studied for a long mont, his weathered face thoughtful.
"The situation is complicated," he admitted slowly. "Her bond with Fresna’s ruler... from what I noticed, it is not sothing that can be simply ignored. But that does not an she should be denied the chance to explore her options." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "From what I understand, he must have helped her during a difficult ti. It is possible that so of what she feels toward him is gratitude. A sense of debt, perhaps, rather than—"
I glared at Ezra and growled. "Kael did not make things easy for her."
Ezra fell silent.
I turned back to the window, wearing a deep-set frown.
"I have visited Fresna three tis," I said quietly. "The first was with my father, when I was still young. The other two were diplomatic visits after I took power."
The mories surfaced.
"Their wolves view the weak as useless. Ogas are treated as though they do not exist."
I have never understood that way of thinking.
Everything in this world had a use and a purpose. Even those deed as weak served a role. Ogas were not useless, they simply filled different roles and positions that other pack mbers could not.
And different roles existed for a reason. A society that discarded its own people for perceived weakness was a society that failed to understand the value of what it had.
Fresna had never grasped that.
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