Evaline:
I woke up with a dull ache in my spine and a stiffness that reached from my neck to the soles of my feet. My body was feeling like a block of stone - sore, heavy, and completely drained.
My head was throbbing, and my eyes were burning as they adjusted to the muted morning light filtering through the windows.
For a mont, I was disoriented.
Then, slowly, like dust settling in an empty room, last night’s mories ca crashing in.
The confession.
The silence.
The heartbreak.
I had cried myself to sleep.
On the floor.
But I wasn’t alone.
I blinked, realizing with a jolt that I had been using soone’s shoulder as a pillow, their arm around , and their warmth grounding through the night.
It was Rowan.
He was seated awkwardly against the wall. His back was slumped, legs were half-stretched out, and one arm was loosely draped around my shoulders. His other hand had fallen limp over his stomach, and he was definitely not sleeping comfortably.
And I had been treating him like a living mattress all night.
I slowly and carefully peeled myself away from him, guilt washing over as he winced and shifted, and a soft groan escaped his lips.
"Ugh..." he muttered, cracking one eye open. "What the hell did I sleep on? Concrete?"
I couldn’t help it.
Despite the ache in my chest, despite everything I had gone through the night before, a tiny smile slipped onto my lips.
He caught it instantly.
"Was that a smile?" he asked with mock disbelief, rubbing at the back of his neck. "Goddess, maybe I should start sleeping on the floor more often if that’s what it takes."
I let out a soft huff and shook my head. "You are such an idiot."
"True. But I’m your idiot," he said, nudging my knee lightly with his. "Feeling any better?"
The smile died before I could answer. I stared at my hands which were tangled in my lap.
How was I supposed to feel after losing my mates all over again?
Ethan’s rejection had felt like a blade to the chest. But Oscar and Draven’s silence... their absence... that was sothing else entirely. They hadn’t rejected outright. They hadn’t shouted. They hadn’t said cruel words.
But they had left. They had gone quiet. And sohow, that was worse.
It was hurting deeper than a rejection.
It made feel like I wasn’t even worth their anger.
I didn’t speak, just shook my head again as the knot in my throat swelled too thick to swallow.
Rowan didn’t press. He didn’t ask what had happened. He didn’t need to.
He had seen last night, shaking and sobbing and barely able to breathe. I vaguely rembered him pulling in his arms, whispering calming things, and eventually sitting beside in silent support.
I also rembered, sowhere in that haze of tears, him muttering sothing like, "Just say the word and I’ll go punch them both."
And honestly... that had helped. Even if just a little.
I glanced over at him now as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He was looking like hell himself. His shirt was rumpled, hair was a ss, and his neck was bent at a weird angle that probably made everything hurt.
"Thank you," I whispered softly, aning it more than I could ever put into words.
He smiled at gently for a heartbeat before letting out a dramatic groan. "But next ti, if you are going to use as a bed, at least let lie down first. My spine’s probably shaped like a pretzel now."
A real laugh escaped then. It was short, tired, but real. And that made him grin wide enough to show his canines.
"Saturday," he said, stretching. "You have got work today, right?"
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Yeah."
He raised a brow. "You sure you should go? Take a day off. Call in sick or sothing."
I shook my head firmly. "I have only been working there for two months. I’m just an intern, Rowan. Taking a day off, especially without a valid reason, isn’t a good idea."
He frowned. "Being emotionally wrecked is a valid reason."
"Not one I can put on a report," I said with a tired smile. "Besides... maybe being at work will help. Keep my mind busy."
He didn’t like it, but he nodded slowly. "Alright. But only on two conditions."
I blinked. "What conditions?"
"One - you eat a proper breakfast. No arguing. You barely ate anything yesterday, and you need to eat sothing to function."
I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut off.
"Two - I’m driving you. No sneaking off on your own."
"Rowan-"
"Nope. I’m not budging. You are not in a state to pretend you are fine."
I groaned softly but relented. "Fine. But we are not making a big deal out of it. Quick, healthy breakfast, then you drop off. Deal?"
"Deal," he said, standing up and stretching his arms with a wince. "Now get your ass up and get dressed. I’ll et you at the gates in half an hour. We will eat in town."
I did exactly that.
Showered. Threw on fresh clothes that didn’t look like they had just witnessed my breakdown. And got ready for the day.
When I stepped out of the Academy gates, the sun had just crested over the edge of the dorm buildings, and Rowan was already waiting with his monstrous bike.
The drive to the town was quick.
We stopped at a little café tucked between a bookstore and a flower shop, one that was slling like cinnamon rolls and toasted oats. Rowan ordered for both of us - smoothies, oatal with honey, so fruit on the side - and made sure I finished every bite.
I hated how my stomach churned with every spoonful.
But I ate.
Because he was right. I needed to take care of myself and the baby.
Even if it felt like the world had fallen apart.
By the ti he pulled up outside the Werewolf Council headquarters, I was feeling a tiny bit more human.
Still bruised.
Still fragile.
But breathing.
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