Chapter 148 It Might Be You
ROWAN
My father came in without knocking, his shadow falling over the room before I even turned around. He stood there, arms crossed, his expression clipped.
“Happy birthday,” he said.
It was awkward. My father didn‘
usually bother with birthdays. He wasn’t the type to hand out greetings unless it was attached to some sort of lecture or order. I straightened up from tying my shoes and turned to face him, bowing slightly out of habit.
“Thank you,” I replied..
He stepped closer. “You might meet your mate today,” he started off. “You might not. But with you nearing the age to attend Elite, I hope you remember how your older brother was.”
The inevitable comparison was
going to disappear.
I kept my face neutral even though I sighed internally.
“Yes, Dad,” I said simply.
He studied me for another moment. Then he stepped aside and gestured toward the door. “Someone’s here for you.”
I walked past him, already guessing who it was.
Ellana stood in the hallway in a soft white dress that made her look ethereal. Light caught in her hair, and for a second, I forgot to breathe. My wolf stirred immediately, drawn to her presence as always.
“Hey,” I said, a smile tugging at my lips.
“Hi,” she replied softly. Her voice trembled a little, and I noticed the way her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress.
I stepped closer, leaning down to kiss her cheek, letting my lips linger just a moment longer than usual. “You look incredible,” I murmured.
She gave me a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, studying her face. Her eyes darted away from mine, and I instantly knew why she was acting that way.
The mate bond.
It was the reason she was nervous.
“It’s going to be us,” I told her immediately, my voice firm with certainty. I reached up and cupped her cheeks in my hands, tilting her head up so she had to meet my gaze. “Okay? We’re going to be together
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn’t look relieved.
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Chapter 148 It Might Be You.
“What if…” she hesitated, her eyes softening. “What if we’re not each other’s fated mate, Rowan!”
I felt a pang at the thought. 1 shook my head instantly.
“That won’t happen,” I said. “My wolf already likes you. He’s sure. I’m sure.”
કરી લો .
Ellana bit her lip, her hands coming up to hold my wrists where I still cradled her face. “If it does happen…. I want you to be happy with your mate.”
The words felt wrong. Like a puzzle piece forced into a space it didn’t fit. I didn’t want to think about anyone else.
“I’ll be happy with you,” I told her firmly. “Don’t think about anything else. Don’t let your mind go there.”
Her gaze searched mine. I held her closer, letting my thumb trace along her cheekbone.
“At midnight,” I said softly, “we’re finally going to be bound by fate.”
She swallowed, and I could feel her heartbeat quicken under my touch. Her eyes glistened in the light, and
But instead, she nodded. for a moment, she looked like she was about to cry.
“Okay,” she whispered.
I smiled, leaning forward to press a kiss to her forehead. The faintest scent of her perfume filled my
senses.
Tonight, everything would change. And in my mind, there was no room for doubt.
It was going to be her. It had to be her.
***
The hall was buzzing, filled with faces I knew and others I only vaguely remembered from past gatherings. My father’s voice carried over the chatter.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I present my son–Rowan Wrenmoor.”
A polite wave of applause followed. I stepped forward, bowing slightly, and offered the formal greeting that had been drilled into me since childhood.
“It’s an honor to have you here tonight, I hope you enjoy the celebration.”
One by one, I moved through the crowd, exchanging the usual handshakes and pleasantries. My uncles, aunts, distant cousins–they were all here. Some genuinely smiled; others studied me like I was a victim at
auction.
“Rowan.”
The voice made me pause. I turned and came face–to–face with Wilder Wrenmoor.
“Wilder,” I said evenly.
“It appears you’re going to be the Royal Alpha,” he replied, tilting his head.
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Chapter 148 It Might Be You
I narrowed my eyes slightly. “It appears so
He leaned in just enough for his words to be meant only for me. “A lot can change, cousin. People make mistakes. Positions… shift.”
I didn’t take the bait. “And yet, here we are.”
Wilder’s smirk widened. “Good luck.” He clapped my shoulder like a friendly gesture, but his grip was firm enough to feel like a warning before he walked off into the crowd.
I let out a slow breath. Even from before, I knew Wilder had always wanted this position. It wasn’t too bad when Elijah was still around. However, the moment he died and Wilder became the oldest son in the Wrenmoor family, his intentions were clear.
It didn’t help that my parents also compared me to him from time to time.
Before I could dwell upon my thoughts, my gaze drifted to Ellana again
She caught my eye and smiled–hesitant, but still beautiful. I made my way over, ignoring the way some relatives‘ eyes followed me.
“You look like you’re ready to disappear,” I teased.
Her laugh was small. “I feel like it.”
“Don’t,” I said softly. “Tonight’s supposed to be good.”
Her gaze flickered away. “Midnight’s getting close.”
I grinned. “Exactly. And you’re still nervous?”
“I just…” She exhaled. “I don’t know what to expect.”
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Expect it to be us. That’s it.”
Her lips curved faintly, but I could still see the uncertainty in her eyes.
The band in the corner shifted into a slower tune, signaling that the hour was drawing near. People were beginning to pair off or wander toward the gardens for some air. I glanced at the clock–five minutes to midnight.
“Come on,” I said, offering her my hand. “Let’s go outside.”
She hesitated, then slipped her fingers into mine. We stepped out into the cool night air, the noise of the party dimming behind us. Lanterns lined the garden path, casting soft gold light over the flowers.
We stopped by the fountain, where the moonlight reflected across the water. I checked the time again.
“Two minutes,” I murmured.
Ellana bit her lip. “What if it’s not us?”
I shook my head. “It will be. I know it.”
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Chapter 148 It Might Be You
“How can you be so sure?” she whispered.
“Because I’ve already decided.”
“That’s not how fate works, Rowan.”
I smiled faintly. “Maybe not. But I don’t care.”
The seconds ticked by. I could feel my wolf pacing inside me, restless, waiting. The bond should ignite any moment now–the instinctive pull that says she was mine.
Midnight came.
Yet nothing happened..
Her eyes widened. I searched her face for an ounce of recognition, some spark–but there was only stillness.
No rush.
No heat.
No bond.
The sound of the fountain filled the silence between us.
