Chapter 565
Evaline:
The sound of that voice pulled me so sharply out of my thoughts that I actually gasped.
I twisted in my seat, my heart leaping straight into my throat, and nearly smacked my elbow into the door as I turned to look behind me… only to find Rowan.
He was sitting far too comfortably in the back seat, one arm draped over the headrest, his expression calm… no, smug. The kind of smug that meant he had been waiting for exactly this reaction.
His lips curved slowly. “There it is,” he said. “I was wondering how you would look p>
“You-” I stared at him, blinking once, twice. “Rowan p>
Oscar’s hands remained steady on the wheel and his eyes on the road. But there it was… a faint smile tugging at his lips, barely visible in the glow of the dashboard lights.
I whipped my head toward my mate. Accusation loud and clear in my voice. “You knew p>
He hummed. “Of course p>
“How could you not tell me?” I muttered, then turned back to Rowan. “What are you doing here p>
Rowan lifted a brow. “Ouch. No ’good evening’? No ’I’m glad you are here and joining us p>
“This is not funny p>
“It’s a little funny,” he corrected gently.
I crossed my arms, trying very hard not to let relief override my shock. “You weren’t supposed to be here p>
“And you weren’t supposed to sneak out of the resort with your mate and investigate something so dangerous on your own without letting me know anything,” he shot back lightly. “Yet here we are p>
I opened my mouth… then closed it again.
Because he wasn’t wrong.
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. “So. Care to explain why you thought you could go on tonight’s little adventure without me p>
My throat tightened.
“I-” I started, then faltered.
I hadn’t thought this through. Not properly. Somewhere between finding out about West Tower’s secrets and helping my mates plan tonight’s investigation, I had completely failed to consider one very important detail.
Rowan was part of this too.
He had been from the moment he told me about me about his girlfriend.
“I didn’t mean to leave you out,” I said quietly. “I just… I didn’t want you involved p>
He tilted his head. “And since when you got to decide that p>
I looked away, guilt pressing heavily against my ribs.
The silence stretched.
Then suddenly… there was warmth.
Rowan leaned forward and gently rubbed the top of my head, his fingers brushing through my hair the way he had done probably a hundred times before – comforting, familiar, grounding.
“Eva,” he said softly, the teasing edge gone. “I’m kidding. Mostly p>
I glanced back at him.
“I know why you didn’t tell me,” he continued. “I’m fully aware of how much you worry about me. And I appreciate it. Truly. It means a lot that you care so much p>
My chest tightened painfully.
“But,” he added, smiling now, “I’m not sitting this one out p>
I sighed. “Rowan p>
“Nope.” He straightened. “This is bigger than all of us. Bigger than comfort. Bigger than safety p>
He looked between Oscar and me. “Tonight’s plan is to investigate the soul deaths. So that makes it my fight too p>
Oscar spoke then, calm and measured. “Don’t worry. We weren’t going to let you sit on the sidelines forever p>
Rowan smirked. “See? He gets it p>
I let out a soft sigh. I wasn’t mad at Rowan or anything. I had no right to. He was right… I was no one to decide whether he should be kept out of such dangerous plans or not. That’s totally his call.
Just like I wanted my mates to respect my decisions regarding this investigation, I needed to respect Rowan’s decisions as well.
“Did I make you feel bad?” Rowan asked when he noticed how silent I became.
I looked back at him and found his face covered with worry. I immediately shook my head and smiled genuinely. “No.” I told him. “Instead, I’m really happy that you are coming with us p>
That made him relax and he returned the smile.
The car continued down the darkened road, its headlights slicing through the night.
The ride stretched on, the silence growing heavier the closer we got to the Academy. The emotions from earlier had faded, replaced by something sharper… something coiled tight in my chest.
Two hours.
Two hours of watching familiar roads reappear. Two hours of the ocean breeze giving way to mountain air. Two hours of knowing exactly where we were headed.
Silver Moon.
I tried to keep myself steady. Tried to focus on breathing. On the steady hum of the engine.
But my hands betrayed me.
I hadn’t even realized I was fidgeting… my thumb worrying at my fingers, nails pressing into skin… until warmth settled over my hand.
Oscar covered my fingers where they rested on my thigh, his grip firm but gentle. A silent gesture. A silent reassurance.
I exhaled slowly.
He squeezed once, grounding me instantly.
I leaned slightly toward him, letting that contact anchor me as the Academy gates finally came into view.
The car drove past the iron gates and stopped right outside the administration building.
The building loomed ahead, dark and quiet, the familiar towers outlined against the night sky like watchful sentinels.
Kieran and River were already there.
So was Jasper.
A group of elite warriors stood nearby, alert and armed, their presence sending a clear message… this wasn’t a reckless venture. This was calculated.
Prepared.
Serious.
I stepped out of the car, the cold night mountain air biting through my clothes, and immediately felt the shift inside me. The weight. The purpose.
There wasn’t much to prepare.
Weapons were checked. Final words exchanged.
Rowan lingered close, and before I could say anything, he pulled me into a tight hug.
“Be careful,” he murmured against my hair.
I nodded, pressing my forehead briefly to his shoulder. “I will p>
He stepped back and met my gaze, then nodded at the brothers. “All of you p>
They returned the gesture solemnly.
Rowan took a step back, joining Jasper and the warriors outside as we turned toward the looming entrance of West Tower.
My mates closed in around me immediately.
Oscar at my side. Kieran and River just behind.
Together, we crossed the threshold.
And the darkness of West Tower swallowed us whole.