Fate of the Lost Moon

Chapter 2

The town center buzzed with the sounds of pack members busy with their errands. I glanced down at the list my father had scrawled out for me, mentally checking off each item I’d already picked up: supplies for the training grounds, repair items for the pack house, and, most important of all, the herbs our grandmother needed for her remedies.

It wasn’t my usual chore, but the excuse to escape the house was a welcome one. Between Cassandra’s joy over being back and my own unease about our upcoming birthday, I’d felt stifled, like the walls of our home were closing in on me. Out here, I could just be another face in the crowd.

“Fancy running into you here, Ghost.” Rowan’s voice cut through my thoughts, teasing and familiar. I looked up to see him leaning against a storefront, arms crossed and a lazy grin stretching across his face.

“Rowan,” I sighed, raising an eyebrow. “Lurking again?”

“Lurking? Me?” he shot back, mock offense in his voice. “I’m just a friendly face on Main Street, same as you. Though, I have to say, seeing you actually running errands is like spotting a unicorn.”

“Ha. Ha.” I folded the list and stuffed it in my pocket, turning to walk away, but Rowan fell into step beside me, undeterred.

“You know, you’ve only been back two days, and already the rumors are flying faster than rogues. Do you know what people are saying about you and Cass?”

I rolled my eyes. “Should I even ask?”

He leaned closer, like he was sharing a secret. “According to Mrs. Hodge at the bakery, you two went off to train with an elite pack of warrior wolves who live hidden in the mountains. Supposedly, you’ve both come back with secret powers that make you unstoppable.”

“Right,” I said, trying not to laugh. “Because a warrior wolf would obviously spend their time carrying bags of flour.”

“That’s only the beginning,” he continued, clearly enjoying himself. “Mr. Valen has it on ‘good authority’ that the Lunaris twins have returned to challenge for Alpha, hoping to put a new bloodline in charge.”

“Oh, sure,” I said dryly. “Because I’ve always dreamed of leading a life of paperwork and meetings.”

He chuckled, glancing over at me. “Oh, don’t sell yourself short. I could see you up there, ruling with an iron paw.”

I laughed despite myself. “And your favorite rumor? The one even you almost believe?”

He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “There’s a good one going around that you’re secretly a witch. You went to learn spells and potions, and your wolf hasn’t shown up because you’re ‘too busy with magic.’”

“A witch?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

“Yep,” he nodded, clearly amused. “And apparently, Cass is just your decoy to keep people from finding out your ‘true nature.’”

The absurdity hit me, and I couldn’t help but laugh—a real laugh. Rowan joined in, his own laughter breaking through the teasing front he always wore.

“Why do people even make this stuff up?” I asked, shaking my head.

“Boredom, I guess? Curiosity. You two have been gone for two years.” His grin faded, a hint of something serious in his eyes. “People are wondering… about why you’re not like Cass.”

The familiar ache tugged at my heart. He didn’t mean it as a jab, but I could feel the weight of it, especially with our eighteenth birthday just weeks away. Everyone in the pack knew that they were supposed to find their mate once a wolf reached eighteen. Cassandra and I would be drawn to our mates by scent, the mate bond snapping into place like a pulse through our veins.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Rowan jumped in, smirk back in place. “Look, if they’re already talking about you, why not give them something to talk about?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as he continued, voice light but his eyes serious.

“Fake date me.” His grin widened as he leaned in conspiratorially. “Think about it—if we fake it for a while, it’ll get everyone off your back. They’ll forget the witch stuff, stop wondering about Silverpine, and you’ll get some peace. Plus”—he shrugged—“I’m practically doing you a favor.”

I narrowed my eyes, half amused and half skeptical. “So you’d really put yourself in the middle of the rumor mill just to help me?”

The playful smirk faded from his face, and he rubbed the back of his neck.

Rowan’s POV

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what made me suggest it, other than that she looked like she needed the rescue. Coming back without her wolf, surrounded by rumors and expectations—it wasn’t like she could escape it. And, maybe, I was curious to see her without that guarded, lonely expression she always wore.

She looked different from Cassandra, even though they were supposed to be twins. Where Cassandra was vibrant and outgoing, Stephanie had a quiet strength, an edge that made her seem untouchable. She had these rare lilac-colored eyes that seemed to look right through you, something that only added to her mystery and set her apart from her siblings. Her long, blonde hair fell over her shoulders in a way that made her look both soft and untamed. Steph was beautiful, sure, but not in the same way most pack girls were. She had a sort of restless energy, like she’d rather be anywhere but here, and that only made her more intriguing.

“Let’s just say that I think you’re better off with people talking about me than about what you may or may not have done,” I said. “Besides, Steph, when have you known me to do things the easy way?”

Stephanie's POV

I crossed my arms, eyeing Rowan as he waited for my response. This was typical of him—always so sure of himself, as if he could suggest something as ridiculous as “fake dating” and assume I’d go along with it. Still, the idea was tempting. The rumors about me were already out of hand, and if this took the heat off... maybe it was worth it. But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t get a little dig in first.

“Alright, but tell me,” I said, a teasing grin tugging at my lips. “What’s in this for you, exactly? Need a new project? Or do you just enjoy causing chaos?”

He smirked, the same devil-may-care look in his eyes that he always had when he thought he’d outsmarted me. “Oh, just a mix of altruism and my charming, selfless nature. And, I won’t deny it, watching everyone’s reactions is bound to be entertaining.”

“Right,” I replied, rolling my eyes. “And here I thought you were trying to rescue me from the horror of being wolfless.”

He leaned in, lowering his voice. “Well, there is that. Can’t have you stealing my role as the pack outcast now, can I?”

I laughed, shaking my head at his audacity. “Fine, if you think you can pull it off, I’m in. But I’ll be holding you to that entertainment you promised.”

“Great.” His eyes glinted with excitement as he stepped back. “How about tomorrow? We’ll go somewhere everyone can see.”

Of course he had a plan. Rowan never did anything halfway, especially when it came to causing a stir. Still, a part of me was oddly intrigued. This might just be interesting.