AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It wasn’t something I could expect them all to get over in such a short time. Even if he was working hard to make things right, that forgiveness couldn’t happen overnight.
As much as I wanted everything behind us, that reality was one we couldn’t run from.
Focusing on my work again, I tried not to let it bother me.
There had never been issues between me or any of the shifters before, since we witches were closely tied to them through traditional ceremonies and our holistic approaches to things. We were like their connection to the divine, and I always took pride in that.
But knowing many of them didn’t trust my mate left a sour taste in my mouth that I couldn’t get rid of.
I wanted them all to see Rowan for the man he was, not the terrible acts his father orchestrated and committed.
“If it’s any consolation, I did have a fae lord attempt to poison everyone in town just to get to me. But that ended up fine in the end,” Alora said, offering me a knowing look. “I’m sure everything will work out in the end for you two.”
While it was a serious matter, I couldn’t help but stifle a laugh at how simple she made it sound when it had indeed been an awful thing that plagued Rose Valley for a time.
Putting a hand over my mouth, I tried to reign myself back in. “I’m so sorry, I don’t mean to laugh.”
But Alora gave in and giggled at how ridiculous it sounded. “No, it’s all right. I still can’t believe it happened some days, and at least it’s over.”
We shared our amusement while we worked, and the heaviness in my chest lifted.
“Most of our friends have experienced something pretty intense for the one they love, huh?” I asked, tying another piece of string around a table leg.
“It’s almost like an initiation at this point.”
There was truth to her words, and while I wanted to be upset at the others for not accepting Rowan right away, I knew it wasn’t the most ideal situation from the start.
More wounds needed to be mended before he could be absolved entirely of his father’s wrongdoings, and that was a delicate process, especially because of the current rift.
But talking to Alora made me more hopeful about it.
“I’m just glad Rowan is on board with having this baby,” I said, taking a momentary break as I rubbed at my belly thoughtfully. I found myself feeling more excited for my bump to grow.
Alora smiled kindly, strawberry-blonde hair tied into a long braid with a thin satin bow. “He has such a strong instinct to protect you and the baby, and I can already tell he’ll be a great father.”
“Me too,” I returned, sharing that mutual expression.
“Have you agreed on a name yet?”
I snickered at the question, aware of how that was a topic of much debate between the two of us. “Heavens, no. I’ll be amazed if we can agree on a name before the baby arrives.”
Alora laughed at that and stood from her place once the decorations were in place.
Before she could say anything, I tensed once I spotted Finn and a few shifters approaching.
But that reaction melted into confusion and slight amusement the moment I noticed he was practically being dragged over by the ear with River on the other end.
She still looked annoyed by his antics, which I appreciated. It was a good thing Finn had his wife to keep him in line.
He looked shamed as he approached, averting his eyes at first.
“Willow, Finn has something he wants to say to you,” River said, looking at me, then back to her husband. “Go ahead.”
Like a mother scolding her child, she stood there with her arms crossed, brows lifted in anticipation. I could only imagine the speech he received at home after everything happened outside of the pack gym.
Finn looked somewhat annoyed by how River was so effortlessly humiliating him in front of the others, as well as some of our coven sisters who stopped to see what was happening, but he sighed.
Finally meeting my eyes, he pulled himself together. “I’m sorry for how I confronted Rowan the other day. It wasn’t the right thing to do, and I shouldn’t have reacted that way after learning about the big news.”
