The Found One

Chapter 42

Rowan POV

He wasn't sure which was more worrying, or he corrected himself should have been more concerning; his relief that Izzy would finally know his whole past, or that his mum was the one to tell her. It wasn't that he didn't want to be the one to explain to her about Rebecca, but that involved speaking of Willow, and he just couldn't. As much as it was his story to tell, it was also his mum's. And then, there was trying to tell Izzy, his second chance, about his first mate, and it just felt like betrayal – to both of them. He knew it was cowardly of him, that it was the easy choice to let his mother do the task, but as much as he hated himself for it, he just wasn't ready to watch as the way she looked at him changed. He couldn't face the look of disappointment and judgement cloud the way she saw him, as warranted as it would be - he still wanted to hide from it a little longer. From anyone else he could stomach the pity and questions, the failure. But, from Izzy? He couldn't do it.

"She isn't Rebecca." His dad's voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him from musing about the women in the next room. Looking down at his dad he quirked an eyebrow in question. "Don't get me wrong, we all loved her. Rebecca was right for you, made for you – at the time. And if she had lived you two would have been happy together, perfect for each other. But you aren't the boy she met, and you no longer need the girl she was." Nodding his head towards Izzy and his mum he continued. "That girl is your future. And as much as you might want to - don't ever confuse her for Rebecca. Because even from the little I've seen, I can tell you they are two very different people."

"I don't know why she hasn't bolted yet." Rowan admitted his voice low. The fear that had been gnawing at him for days slipping out. His head snapped up to look at Hayden and Derek, eyes narrowing as the two jumped at his words, Hayden fidgeted on the couch while Derek pointedly refused to meet his gaze. Rowan scowled as he pieced it together. Apparently, he'd been missing something. Something they knew, and had chosen not to reveal or clue him in to. He had to give it to her; she barely tolerated them, and yet she had some of the most powerful wolves in their world not only on her side, but twisted around her little fingers. His mate was a force.

Kaiden let out a low rumbling laugh, and Rowan felt his friends relax as he turned his gaze from them and back to his dad, whose own stare had taken on that faraway look that meant he was remembering something fondly, "Your mother tried to run from me. A few times." 

Rowan was shocked at the words, not at all expecting his father's confession. His parents had always been inseparable, their bond unflinching and unmatched. 

"But not for the reasons Rebecca once ran from you. And for a lot of the reasons Isabelle will now not run." Patting the chair beside him, the King waited until Rowan was sitting before continuing. "That one's a fighter. For everything that Rebecca was, and despite what her parents tried to force her to be, she never was one. It's not a bad thing, and at the time that isn't what you needed. But Isabelle won't be sidelined, and she won't let you determine her life for her. And now, we're offering her the biggest challenge yet - a world she doesn't belong too. Don't underestimate her son." The words were gentle but strong, pride and concern in the King's voice as he smiled at his firstborn.

The words settled around them and Rowan took a deep breath before clearing his throat and changing the subject. "We need to talk about Solani." He wasn't ignoring or dismissing his father's words, but rather needed time to digest them. To consider what his father was offering him. The possibility he was presenting, if it was true, gave him a hope and chance he'd barely ever let himself consider.

Understanding shone in the King's knowing gaze, recognizing Rowan's need for time and space, scratching at his chin in thought before speaking. "I know why you didn't visit, and we all agreed it was for the best at the time-"