Chapter 301: Chapter 301

The message had come long past dark, crumpled paper slipped under my door. The writing was unmistakably sharp and deliberate, belonging to Calla.

“Bring Rowan to the edge of the old quarry at sunset. Not questions, no games. This is your last task, Lila. Do this, and your secrets stay buried.”

I stared at the note, my heart beating hard against my chest as though it might jump out of it any moment. My fingers shook as I read out the words over and over, each word digging deeper into my resolve.

“This has to stop,” I said to myself whispering, pacing round the room. “But how?“.

It was as if my past had come down upon me, and the weight of Calla’s threats was crushing my will. Sinking onto the edge of the bed, my fingers clenched around the note as my head spun with

indecision.

Then, in one second, all that finally bubbled up and overflowed, and I just went ahead and punched the wall with my fist.

“Why can’t I make this end already?” I yelled out, sobbing. I went to the floor with tears streaming from my face, drawing my knees to my chest.

I thought of Rowan, how kind he was and how he wanted to change, how he even started to believe in me when I couldn’t. sometimes. And how was I going to betray him?

“But what other choice do I have?” I thought sarcastically, tugging at my hair furiously.

The next morning, I sought him out near the training grounds. Rowan stood beside a few young wolves, patiently offering them advice. He spotted me and softened.

“Lila?” he called, a note of concern creeping into his voice.

I faltered, my chest tight. “Can we talk?”

He nodded, stepping away from the crowd. We found a quiet. spot near the edge of the woods. I couldn’t meet his eyes as I spoke. “I. I just wanted to thank you. For everything.”

“Thank me?” Rowan’s brow furrowed. “Lila, what’s going on?”

I bit my lip, struggling to find the words. “You’ve been so kind to me. More than I deserve. And I. I don’t want to lose that.”

“You won’t,” he repeated with more feeling; his hand brushed mine. “Lila, you are far stronger than you feel. Whatever has been going on with you, you do not need to face any of it on your own.”

With a start, the words pierced deeper than expected, and