At the Edge of War

(Rowan’s POV) He was closer. I could feel it now—clearer than before. That presence at the border. Controlled. Powerful. Persistent. Another Alpha. And not just any Alpha. My jaw tightened as I stood at the edge of the territory, my gaze fixed on the dark line of trees beyond. He wasn’t hiding anymore. He was searching. For her. “Scouts confirmed movement,” Lucian said, stepping beside me. “They didn’t cross the boundary… but they’re watching.” Of course they were. Testing. Waiting. Calculating. “So it begins,” Lucian added quietly. I didn’t respond. Because this wasn’t something I intended to let “begin.” Not here. Not on my land. Not with her involved. “Pull the outer patrols closer,” I ordered. “No one moves alone.” Lucian nodded. “You think he’ll come himself?” A pause. Then— “Yes.” Because I would. If it were me, I wouldn’t trust anyone else with something like this. Something… important. My gaze darkened slightly. Because whether I liked it or not— That’s exactly what she had become. I found her not long after. In the same place as before. Near the edge. Too close. She turned as I approached, her expression uncertain… like she already knew something was wrong. “You feel it too,” she said softly. Not a question. A statement. I stopped a few steps away from her. “Yes.” Silence stretched between us. Heavy with everything we weren’t saying. “Is it him?” she asked. I didn’t lie. “Yes.” Her breath caught slightly. And something in my chest tightened at the reaction. Not fear. Not exactly. But something close. Something unresolved. “I don’t understand,” she said, shaking her head. “Why now?” Because he realizes what he lost. Because he doesn’t want anyone else to have you. Because men like him don’t let go easily. But again— I didn’t say any of it. Instead, I stepped closer. “You don’t need to understand,” I said. “You just need to stay away from the border.” Her brows furrowed slightly. “You’re telling me to hide?” “I’m telling you to stay safe.” Her expression shifted. Frustration this time. “I’m not something you can just lock away, Rowan.” The words were sharp. Honest. And they hit exactly where they needed to. “I know that,” I said calmly. “Do you?” she challenged. “Because it feels like you’re making decisions for me.” A flicker of irritation rose—but I pushed it down. This wasn’t about control. This was about risk. “You don’t know what he’s capable of,” I said, my voice lowering slightly. Her eyes held mine. “And you do?” “Yes.” The answer came too quickly. Too certain. Because I recognized it. That kind of Alpha. Possessive. Dominant. Relentless. Dangerous in ways that had nothing to do with strength. Silence fell again. Then— “I won’t go back,” she said firmly. Something in me eased slightly at that. But not enough. “Good,” I replied. But the tension didn’t leave. Because this wasn’t just about what she wanted. It was about what was coming. And I could feel it— Closing in. A sudden shift in the air made both of us go still. A presence. Stronger this time. Closer. My instincts flared instantly. “He’s here,” I said. Seraphina’s breath hitched. “What?” I stepped in front of her without thinking, placing myself between her and the forest. Protective. Instinctive. Final. “You need to go,” I said firmly. But she didn’t move. “Rowan—” “Now.” This time, my voice left no room for argument. A beat. Then she nodded and stepped back. Reluctantly. My eyes remained fixed on the trees. Watching. Waiting. Because I knew— This wasn’t just a search anymore. He had found her. And now— He was close enough to take her back.