Rowan:
The slim silver hands of my watch ticked with a rhythm far too slow for my restless heart. I had just moved my wrist again, about to check the ti, when a familiar voice cut into my thoughts.
"That’s the dozenth ti you have looked at it in the past five minutes," the barista said as she placed a steaming cup of coffee on my table, her voice laced with quiet amusent.
I looked up, and there she was - Amara, the woman who had been serving coffee here longer than I had been coming to this place. Her arched brow dared to deny it, but all I could do was smile.
"You caught ," I admitted, leaning back in my chair.
Her gaze softened with curiosity as she wiped her hands on her apron. "Who are you waiting for anyway? Can’t be a date - you don’t look nervous enough for that."
I chuckled under my breath, shaking my head. "Not a date. My little sis."
Her mouth fell open, and for the first ti since I had known her, she was actually speechless. "You... have a sister?"
I didn’t get to explain because my phone buzzed on the table. My eyes darted to the screen, and my chest eased at the na flashing across it. Eva.
I picked up instantly. "Where are you?"
"Outside," her voice ca through, sweet and familiar. "At the café you told to co to. Are you inside already?"
My gaze swept beyond the glass windows, and there she was... standing near the curb, wrapped in a pastel blue sweater under a beige coat, slim beige pants softening her figure. The morning light caught in her silver hair, and even in the crowd, she stood out.
My wolf stirred, recognition and warmth spreading through as if the world had shifted just by her being here.
Before I could move, Amara followed my gaze. Her lips curved knowingly as she wiped her hands once more. "That must be your sister, then. I’ll get her."
I blinked, almost laughing. "Amara-"
But she was already striding away, her ponytail swishing.
Through the glass, I saw Amara approach Eva, say sothing that made her laugh softly, and then gesture toward the café. My chest tightened at that sound - Eva’s laugh. Pure, unguarded. The kind of sound that felt rare. Precious.
Seconds later, the bell above the door chid, and they both stepped in.
I was already on my feet.
"Eva," I said, my voice warm, as I wrapped her in a hug. She lted into it easily, her smile brushing against my shoulder. My wolf humd in contentnt.
When she pulled back, her amber eyes were glowing.
"You look happy," I said, aning it.
Her cheeks flushed pink. "I am happy. And I’m so looking forward to et this special person finally,"
I smiled and gestured to the seat across. She sat down, folding her coat neatly over her lap.
"Want anything to drink?" I asked, sliding her the nu.
She shook her head. "No, thank you. I’m still stuffed from breakfast. Draven made sure I was full."
I shook my head while my smile only beca bigger, happy that her mates were taking care of her.
We talked while I sipped my coffee. I asked her about how the last four days had been, if she was enjoying her ti at the Thorne mansion.
When my cup was empty, we rose to leave.
Amara wasn’t done, though. She fussed over Eva, scolding lightly that she hadn’t tried anything in the café, then complinting Eva’s beauty in the way older sisters did. Eva’s cheeks colored again, but she smiled with that gracious warmth that seed to disarm everyone she t.
Once outside, I opened my mouth to tell her we needed to stop by the florist shop before heading to the hospital... but she beat to it.
"Rowan," she said, pointing toward the shop. "Let’s stop there first. I want to buy flowers for your friend."
I stopped in my tracks, staring at her. Sotis I wondered if she could read my thoughts. But no... this was just her. Thoughtful. Kind. Always thinking of others before herself.
"Of course," I said, trying to hide how much it touched .
The bell above the florist shop chid as we entered. The air slled of lilies and roses, of earth and warmth. Behind the counter, Miss Elena looked up. Her wrinkled face softened instantly.
"Rowan," she greeted, her voice fond. "Right on ti."
"Miss Elena," I returned warmly.
But then her eyes shifted to Eva, and sothing flickered there... curiosity. Eva also glanced at , her brows raised in silent question.
"This is Eva," I introduced quickly. "My sister."
Miss Elena’s lips curved into a smile. "Well now. I see. Welco, dear."
Eva returned the smile, and for a second, the two won simply studied each other. There was no tension, just quiet acknowledgnt.
I chose the blue tulips as always. Eva insisted on paying, and despite my protests, she handed the notes over to Miss Elena with a proud little tilt of her chin. I couldn’t help but smile.
Soon, we were back on the street, tulips in hand, and then stepping into the hospital.
The familiar sterile scent of antiseptic filled the hallways as we made our way up to the seventh floor. My chest tightened with every step. Eva’s hand brushed my arm once, a quiet gesture, as though she sensed my unease.
In the room, Nurse Faye was adjusting the drip for the young girl in the bed opposite. She glanced up, offering a familiar smile.
"Rowan," she greeted. Then her gaze slid to Eva, and her brows lifted... sothing that had already happened twice before today.
Another round of introductions followed, and soon enough, Faye was smiling warmly at Eva as well. Eva seed to win people over effortlessly.
And then, my eyes went to the bed by the window.
Naira lay there, her chest rising and falling shallowly, her skin pale against the white sheets. Her dark hair spread across the pillow, framing her delicate face.
I swallowed hard.
"Eva," I said quietly, moving closer, "this is Naira."
The words almost broke in my throat.
Eva stepped forward, her gaze softening as she looked at Naira. Then she turned to , her eyes shining with sothing I couldn’t na.
The smile she gave next was warm... too warm. Because in her eyes, I could see the truth. She knew. She knew Naira wasn’t just a friend.
And yet, she didn’t ask. She didn’t judge. She just stayed by my side, steady and kind.
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