The Distance He Creates

Rowan’s POV I shouldn’t have touched her. The thought replayed in my mind for the third time that day as I stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching from a distance. Seraphina. She was laughing. Softly. Nervously. Speaking to one of the younger wolves who had clearly been sent to keep her company. She looked… different. Lighter. And that was the problem. My jaw tightened. This was exactly why I needed to stay away. Because the moment I got too close— I forgot myself. The way she looked at me earlier… the way her body responded to mine… Dangerous. Not for her. For me. “She’s settling in quickly.” Lucian’s voice broke through my thoughts as he stepped beside me. I didn’t respond immediately. “I told you to keep an eye on her,” I said instead. Lucian smirked slightly. “I am.” “That’s not what I meant.” His smirk widened. Of course he understood. He always did. “You’re avoiding her,” he said casually. “I’m busy.” “That’s not an answer.” I turned to him slowly, my gaze cold. “Careful.” He raised his hands slightly, unbothered. “I’m just saying… for someone who ‘doesn’t get involved,’ you seem very involved.” Silence. Because again— He wasn’t wrong. I looked back at her. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her expression soft, unaware of the effect she had just by existing. My wolf stirred. Restless. Drawn. Go to her. I clenched my fists. No. “She leaves soon,” I said firmly. Lucian didn’t reply this time. But I could feel his doubt. And I hated that part of me… agreed with him. Because deep down— I didn’t want her to leave. Not yet. Not like this. A quiet shift in the air caught my attention. My eyes snapped back to her. Seraphina had gone still. Her gaze searching. Looking for something. Or someone. For me. Our eyes met. Even from this distance… I felt it. That pull. That unspoken connection. Her expression softened slightly—like she had found what she was looking for. And something in my chest tightened. I looked away first. Deliberately. Cold. Distant. Necessary. “She noticed,” Lucian said. “I don’t care.” “That’s a lie.” I didn’t respond. Because if I did… I might admit something I wasn’t ready to face. I forced myself to turn away completely. To walk. To put distance between us. Every step felt heavier than it should have. And yet— I didn’t stop. Because getting closer to her… Was no longer just a risk. It was a mistake waiting to happen.