Chapter 232 ROWAN It was sundown by the time they finally began their way back toward the village .
The shadows across the clearing lengthened , heavy with the days weight tangled in frustration and doubt in my mind .
By the time they approached the packhouse , I could see Aurora and Dane were outside , her head bent so their foreheads almost touched , as if sharing some whispered communication .
The ache that throbbed across his chest was a pang of envy at a friendship or love which didnt have to keep its secret place in any shade .
Remember what I said , she whispered , low and unreachable , and yet riveting .
You deserve to be seen , Rowan .
The ache that throbbed across his chest was a pang of envy at a friendship or love which didnt have to keep its secret place in any shade .
Remember what I said , she whispered again , low and unreachable , and yet riveting .
You deserve to be seen , Rowan .
The hum of the village surrounded me , wolves chattering as they worked at repairs , laughter carrying on the breeze .
Yet I just wasnt focused .
There was a hole in my chest , not the good kind but like a shard that seemed to grow sharp every time Aurora and Dane were near .
Chapter 232 2/6 Alinas words replayed in my head : You deserve to be seen .
Did I ? Or was this , too , another mean joke , something to dangle before me while the pack celebrated their perfect leaders ? I stood at the edge of the clearing , my fists clenching and unclenching .
Across the way , Aurora oversaw the construction of new housing .
She stood tall and confident , her voice steady as she guided the younger wolves .
Hold the beam higher , Ronan , she called , her tone firm but patient .
It needs to line up before you secure it .
Yes , Luna ! Ronan answered , beaming like a puppy eager to please .
A few feet away , a young girl wrangled with a bucket of nails .
Aurora dropped to her knees beside her , shifting the weight so it wouldnt topple .
A look of gratitude spread across the girls face .
There you go , Aurora said , smiling softly .
Much easier now , isnt it ? She exuded an easy warmth the kind that puts people at their case .
And I hated how much I respected that .
Dane leaned against a post , his arms crossed , and watched her .
Even from where I stood , the pride was visible in his eyes .
Shes a natural , isnt she ? he said to Trajan , who stood beside him .
Chapter 232 Trajan chuckled , his head shaking .
You sound surprised .
Not surprised , Dane countered .
Just … lucky .
3/6 Their words burned a reminder of all that I wasnt .
The day trudged along in one agonizing moment after another .
I dove headfirst into the training as a means of trying to quiet the tempest that had built inside of me .
Here , too , reality could not be dodged .
Piper and Warrick were teasing and laughing in the clearing where they were constructing a new arena in which to train .
You call that a swing ? Piper mocked , dodging as Warrick swung at her .
Im saving my best moves for later , Warrick returned , grinning .
They were so easy with each other , a fact that infuriated me .
How could they make it so easy ? But when Warrick pulled out a knife and began to carve something into the wooden archway, my curiosity got the better of me .
What are you doing ? Piper asked , her voice half skeptical , half amused .
Youll see , Warrick said , not stopping what he was doing .
Chapter 232 4/6 When he stepped back , Pipers name was carved neatly in the wood .
She coloured up , and for a moment , she looked almost bashful .
Thats … sweel .
Dont get used to it , Warrick said , his grin faltering as his voice gentled .
I turned away , the image too much to handle .
When darkness fell , I felt ready to blow .
I volunteered for patrol , hoping some solitude would calm me .
It was just then that Alina found me .
Mind some company ? she asked lightly .
I hesitated , then shrugged .
Suit yourself .
We walked some little ways in silence , only the soft grinding of gravel underfoot , before Alina spoke up .noveldrama
You seemed a bit tight today , Alina said finally .
I am OK , I murmured .
She stopped and swung around , so I wheeled again , too .
Youre not okay , Rowan .
Youve been pushing yourself ridiculously hard to prove something .
What do you know about it ? I snapped , my voice more caustic than I had intended to be .
She didnt flinch .
If anything , her gaze seemed to sharpen .
More than you think .
I know what its like to feel invisible .
To Chapter 232 5/6 watch others get everything that you want while youre left on the sidelines .
1 said nothing , but her words struck a bit too close to home .
You have potential , Rowan , she went on .
But youre wasting it , waiting for someone to notice you .
What am I supposed to do , then ? I asked , my tone bitter .
She smiled , a small , predatory smile .
Sometimes , people need to be reminded of your worth .
And sometimes , you have to take it .
And as I finally called the patrol off , her words lingered in my mind long thereafter .
On the way to the village , my eyes .
immediately scanned for Aurora .
She stood near the packhouse with Dane , their heads inclined as they talked in hushed tones .
She laughed at something he said , a warm , rich sound .
It was an ache in my chest , one I couldnt get past jealousy and longing , a messy tangle inside my chest .
You deserve to be seen , Alinas voice whispered in my memory .
My fists clenched at my sides while I watched them from behind the trees .
For the first time , the frustration that had been boiling inside actually felt like it might spill over .
Rowan , standing in the dark , staring at Aurora and Dane , his mind drumming with Alinas words .
Chapter 232 To you ares 6/6 Of course , a sleepless night hadnt relieved the ache within my chest any better .
It was early morning already , more than I was ready for , as morning sunlight peeked from behind trees meaning I was due with the pack in the communal hall to have breakfast .
The air rang with laughter and talking , yet such a load brimming on my chest would never leave my lungs .