Wolves

Reyna used to fear the woods. She had heard many creepy tales about it as a child and there was nothing worse than a little girl's imagination. As she grew up, however, she learned that there were worse fears than imaginary monsters. Real monsters were the ones you saw every day in human forms, and so she always felt safer when she was alone.

It was different with Rowan. She had enjoyed his company more than any other, and the trip had been pleasant until he ruined it with a stupid kiss. Her mother had always talked about how magical the first kiss would be if it was given to the right person. "No matter how clumsy, simple, or crazy it is, nothing else would ever compare. And even if you've never been kissed before, you'd just know you would never experience something like this again with anyone else."

Reyna kept replaying those words inside her head when she ran from the house. She could not believe she had lost her first kiss to someone who didn't even want it. And the worst part was, she had felt exactly how her mother had described.

No, don't be stupid, she told herself, you barely know this man. He's still hung up on someone else, possibly the true love of his life. So don't even think about it.

The howling of the wolves in the distance pulled Reyna out of her thoughts. She slowed her horse, feeling the darkness drawing closer and gradually engulfing the two of them. She and Thunder had gone pretty far from the village and she had no idea where they were now. The silvery moon was obscured by the full branches above and she had to squint in order to see the path they were on.

"I think we've gone far enough, boy," Reyna told Thunder as they stopped to navigate. "If we die today, it's Rowan Zuko’s fault."

Thunder pawed the ground as if to agree and Reyna pulled the reins, turning the gelding around. She'd only run into the woods to be alone and maybe give Rowan a good scare. She hoped he felt guilty about what he'd done. Being hurt by someone he loved was not an excuse to hurt someone else who cared about him.

She kicked her horse and followed the same path back to the village, head filled with many different scenarios for when she saw Rowan again, what she would say or do to him. Maybe she shouldn't say or do anything at all. Maybe a silent treatment was exactly what he deserved.

Satisfied with the thought, she raced faster. She could finally see the lights in Stefan's house, thinking she would get there in no time. But all of a sudden, Thunder reared and neighed loudly. The princess was thrown right off his back. Her body hit the snow. She groaned in pain and struggled to sit up, but the first thing she saw was a big white wolf jumping right at her. She screamed. The beast howled and collapsed right on top of the princess as an arrow went straight into its head.

"Peach!"

"Rowan!"

Stefan arrived on Lighting with Rowan and shot down another one so Rowan could get off and help Reyna. She pushed the animal's body off her just in time another wolf jumped in. Thunder killed it with a hard kick in the throat, rearing and neighing aggressively to scare off the rest of the pack and protect his rider.

Reyna's head was still spinning. Somehow she managed to draw out her sword and take down another wolf before Rowan grabbed her by the arm and helped her get on Lightning's back.

"What are you doing?!" she screamed when he let go. Stefan held her tightly as she attempted to jump off while Rowan told them to go without him.

"Wait, stop! Stop! We cannot leave Rowan!"

Her screaming was pointless. Neither of the men cared about what she said as Stefan kicked Lightning and rode off like the wind.

"Rowan will be fine! Lightning is injured, we cannot risk it!"

He sounded so sure that she wanted to believe him. She had to believe him. She looked back over her shoulder, eyes filled with tears and kept telling herself, Rowan will be fine. Rowan will be fine. Rowan will be fine...

.

.

.

Rowan watched them go and quickly mounted the black horse. Thunder took a giant leap to free them from the wolves, but one was fast enough to catch up with them. It bounced at Rowan. His blade went straight for its head, right as its sharp claws dug into his arm. Its body fell onto the snow, and Thunder kept prancing across the open field, back to the village.

Rowan's arm was covered in blood when he got back to the house, and he immediately went to the stable to rinse his fresh wound. The pain made him want to cry, but it was better to clean it than have it infected. Before going in, he tore a piece of his shirt and wrapped it around his arm. He didn't want to let Rain know he was hurt.

To his disappointment, she didn't seem very concerned when he entered. She and Stefan were sitting by the fireplace. The room was too peaceful compared to the chaotic scene earlier.

Rowan took a long moment to watch them from the door. The physical pain was nothing now that he'd seen Rain shaking in Stefan's arms. Her face was paler than usual. She looked like a corpse. He knew she might not want to hear his apology; still, he owed her one. He just didn't know where to begin.

"Were you hurt?" Stefan looked up at him.

"No," he lied and quickly hid his wounded arm behind his back.

Stefan only gave a nod before turning back to Rain. "You're okay now," he whispered. "I got you."

She let go of a shaky breath, holding Rowan's gaze for no more than a second before looking away. "Can you get the cloak in my satchel for me? I'm cold."

Rowan assumed she was talking to him, so he walked over to the table and took her leather satchel. As he pulled out the cloak, something else fell out, causing them to freeze altogether. Rain and Rowan blanched as Stefan widened his eyes at the shiny object now lying on the floor.

"Is that...a crown?" He swallowed, gawking at his friend and then Rain, but neither could give him a response. He let go of the girl and bent down to pick it up. After taking one long look at it to make sure it was real, he shot Rowan a glare. "What have you done?"

"That was--"

"Mine," Rowan interrupted Rain and ignored the look on her face as he told Stefan, "I stole it from Willem's castle."

"What?!" Stefan's mouth fell open. "You fucking stole a king's crown?!"

"It belongs to the princess, actually," Rain mumbled, eyes on Rowan, who was studying Stefan's expression to decide if he should go on.

"I stole from them and they had me locked up," he said. "I was going to be executed but Peach helped me escape and in return, I promised to take her back to Theros."

"Does it mean Willem's men are after you two?!"

Rowan replied with a nod. That was clearly not the answer Stefan was hoping for.

"We're so sorry we didn't tell you sooner," Rain said as the colours drained out of Stefan's face. "But we'll leave tomorrow. We won't trouble you anymore."

"You can't. Lightning needs at least two more days to heal," Stefan said, looking at Rain and then Rowan. "Don't worry. I won't abandon you two."

"Thank you, brother. I owe you this once." Rowan smiled. He put the crown back into the satchel and handed Rain her cloak, but it seemed like she didn't need it anymore.

She wrapped both arms around Stefan's neck, mumbling "thank you" as he chuckled and hugged her back tightly. Rowan stood there awkwardly. He felt like he was interrupting their moment, so he left the cloak on a chair and quietly left. He didn't think they noticed that he was gone, and he tried not to be upset, but he was. He was bitter, too.

He went back to the stable to check on Thunder and Lightning. He didn't really have to though. They were doing much better than him, and at least they had each other. He was alone. Now he couldn't stop thinking about what could've been if he hadn't kissed her. He could've lost her tonight. He felt so fucking stupid.

After a moment of self-reflection, Rowan returned to the house and stayed outside until the cold became unbearable and he had to come back in, only to find Rain and Stefan cuddling on the mattress on the floor. They were fast asleep. Watching them triggered something in him, though he wasn't sure what it was, it wasn't something he was supposed to feel. So he tried to shut it down by pretending he was fine and decided to go to sleep.

He came to lie down on his side next to Rain. He lay still while staring at her face, mostly her lips, where his lips had been, and then recalled the feelings he'd been dying to shake off.

By the time his eyelids grew heavy, he had memorised every feature on her heart-shaped face. The rhythm of her breathing eased his mind, slowly and easily sending him to sleep.

.

.

.

Rowan was so exhausted he slept until noon. When he woke up, Rain and Stefan were gone. Stefan had left him some food on the table but he didn't bother to touch it. He wasn't hungry. He was worried.

He wasn't a team player, but suddenly he hated how they had excluded him from whatever they were doing at the moment. Neither had bothered to wake him up so he could join them, even though he had literally saved their arses last night in the woods.

Not knowing what else to do or where else to go, he sat at the door and waited for them like a sad puppy. A few hours later, Stefan returned with a cart full of wood.

"Sleep well?" he asked, but Rowan didn't bother to answer.

"Where's Peach?"

"I don't know." Stefan gave a shrug. "She was here when I left the house."

"What?!" Rowan was about to run when Stefan held him back by the arm.

"Don't worry. She left her stuff here so she probably went for a walk or something."

Rowan gave a nod as his brows furrowed but he actually felt relieved.

"I'll be staying with my cousin tonight," Stefan said as Rowan helped him unload the cart. "She's pregnant and she needs someone to look after her and the baby while her husband is away."

"Oh, it's all right. Peach and I will be fine on our own," Rowan said.

"My cousin owned an alehouse," Stefan added. "Rain said she had never been to one so I'm going to take her there. You could come with us if you want."

Rowan stopped as soon as he heard. 'You could come with us if you want'? Since when did they become an 'us' and he became someone who just 'came along'?

Inside, he was fuming, but he covered it up with a smile and said, "I'd love to come," and didn't forget to add, "just so you know, Peach cannot drink."

"We'll make sure she won't." Stefan smiled, completely ignorant of Rowan's attitude. "Watch the cart for me."

"Okay," Rowan said as he ran his hands over his face.

As Stefan carried some wood inside, Rowan took the chance to pull up his sleeve to check the wound. It didn't look any better, especially in the daylight. The blood had dried but it was redder and aching more than last night. He didn't know how long it would take for such a wound to heal, but he might not be able to hide it until then.

"How's your wound?"

"Fuck, Stefan! You scared me!" Rowan gasped as he tucked down his sleeve but it was no use as Stefan had already seen it.

Stefan arched an eyebrow and nodded his head toward Rowan's arm. "It looks bad. I'll get you some herbs to put on it and it'll heal faster."

"Thank you."

"I think if Peach knew—"

"It's Rain for you." Rowan picked up his sword and strapped it to his waist, glaring at the poor fellow who had to correct himself.

"Sorry. Rain." He smiled. "If Rain knew you got wounded, she wouldn't be mad at you anymore."

"No." Rowan shook his head as he put up a finger. "If you tell her, I would literally kick your arse."

"Why not?"

"I don't want her to think I'm this...this weak bastard who cannot protect her," Rowan blurted as his eyes fell to the floor and his cheeks turned pink. It wasn't like him to admit something like this aloud, but Stefan only chuckled.

"From what I saw last night, she doesn't need anyone's protection."

"That's what she wants you to think," Rowan said and turned to head for the stable.

Stefan quickly followed. "What were you two fighting about anyway? It seemed serious."

"It's none of your business." Rowan rolled his eyes.

Stefan didn't give up. He rushed forward to stand in front of Rowan and both men stopped before reaching the stable doors.

"I'm going to court her."

"What?" Rowan scoffed. "No, you're not."

"I wasn't asking."

"Neither was I."

Confused and a little bit offended, Stefan followed Rowan as he kept on walking. He didn't wait for Stefan to ask and just continued, "I don't think Peach is interested in romantic bullshit at the moment, brother. She's going to Theros with me to reunite with her uncle. That's where her heart's at."

"I can give her a good life here," Stefan insisted. "It's not safe for her in Theros nor Isolde. I'll take good care of her."

"You barely know her."

"And you do?"

"Better than you ever will." Rowan exhaled sharply as he walked into the stable, towards Lightning's stall.

The horse neighed happily when she saw him. Risking their lives for the same girl had really helped them bond, even though they didn't receive the same treatment for it. Rowan supposed Rain had come to check on Lightning earlier that morning, but she didn't even want to look him in the eye or bother to ask him if he'd been hurt too. Though he believed he deserved that, he was heavy-hearted still.

"She'll have a family, Rowan," Stefan spoke after Rowan had stopped giving him attention.

Without looking at him, Rowan lowered his voice, "she has a family in Theros. She'll be happy there."

"What if her uncle is dead? Have you thought of that?"

The question froze Rowan to the spot. He stopped petting Lightning and looked over his shoulder to meet Stefan's worrying eyes.

"She hasn't met him in so many years. He could've died in the war like my whole family, Rowan. She'd be risking her life for nothing."

Rowan's eyes fell to the ground. He was quiet for a moment and then squeezed his eyes shut.

"I said no," he said. "A marriage doesn't always bring a woman comfort and happiness. Peach grew up in Willem's court so she knows that better than anyone."

"Just because it didn't work out between you and Kenny it doesn't mean it'd be the same for everyone else."

Stefan's face went pallid as soon as he realised what he'd just said. He expected Rowan to draw out his sword and stab him right in the guts. But surprisingly, Rowan didn't say a word. He already knew him being against Stefan courting Rain had nothing to do with Kenny. And maybe it had never been about Kenny...

"Hey."

The soft voice pulled their attention back to the entrance. Rain stood there with her eyes wide, but she didn't look at Rowan for more than a second before turning back to their friend. "I'm ready. Let's go."

"Where were you, Peach?" Rowan asked, but she completely ignored him.

"Is it far from here?" she asked Stefan, who awkwardly scratched the back of his head as he saw the irritation on Rowan's face.

"No, we can go on foot," he said and repeated the same question, "where were you?"

"I went to the market." She smiled. "Everyone was so nice to me even though they don't know me. I wish I could stay here forever."

When Rain walked out, Stefan hurriedly followed. He was grinning from ear to ear but Rowan couldn't even move his lips. What did she mean by that? Would she even consider staying here with Stefan if he asked? After all, family and love were two things she'd been searching for, and she could have both if she stayed.

He exchanged looks with Lightning who seemed to understand the situation he was in. She snorted and shook her head, making him chuckle.

"This is not about me. This is about Peach reuniting with her uncle," he told the horse and rolled his eyes when she turned away. Maybe even she could tell he was just lying to himself.

.

.

.

"Are these people friends? What are they laughing about?"

"They're drunk, genius," Rowan scoffed, making Rain glare at him.

"Wow, you weren't kidding when you said you'd never gone to a place like this." Stefan chuckled as he took them to an empty table in the corner.

Rowan rolled his eyes, pushing his way through the crowded room as he followed Stefan and got annoyed by almost everything he saw. He had always loved this kind of atmosphere, but he wasn't in the mood to have fun tonight, not when Rain wasn't talking to him, and Stefan could pop the 'big question' any minute.

Why did he even care though? It would save him so much trouble if she agreed to stay here? He would make it home faster on his own, and once he'd crossed the South's border, he'd be safe. Willem had no authority in Theros and, therefore, had no right to arrest him. That would be the perfect picture, and yet, one big puzzle piece was still missing.

He looked at the girl -- the burden he'd been wanting to get rid of since they met outside his cell. Now given a chance, why did he hesitate? If he'd been so sure it was simply lust that drove him to kiss her, then how should he explain this -- the way his heart started racing and him forgetting to breathe whenever their eyes met?

He had felt something similar with Kenny, but definitely not the same, never as intense. And suddenly he feared that he might never get to feel it again if they ever parted.

"I'm getting an ale." He quickly got up. "You two want some?"

"I'll have one, please," Stefan happily said.

"Is it good?" Rain asked Stefan, her eyes went round, making him laugh.

"It is. Do you want to try? Bet you'd love it."

"Oh, then I'll have one as well!"

Rowan scrunched up his nose as he looked at her. "Peach, you cannot drink."

"You know what?" She smiled at Stefan and stood up instantly. "I'll get it myself."

As Rain made her way towards the bar, Rowan and Stefan exchanged looks with each other. Stefan was rather confused whereas Rowan was frustrated. He combed his fingers through his hair and flopped back down onto his chair.

"You should go after her," he told Stefan, not even looking at him. "You want to court her, right? The least you could do is keep an eye on her."

"Right!" Stefan plastered a smile on his face and patted Rowan on the back. "Thanks, brother. I'll be right back."

Rowan was finally left alone at the table to regret the things he'd just said. He should've come with her, and now Stefan was going to have a chance to shoot his shot.

"Fuck, I don't care," he murmured and crossed his arms in front of his chest, pouting like a little boy.

"Hey, handsome." As a shadow towered over him, he looked up and wasn't too surprised to see a familiar face.

"Hey," he said in an indifferent tone, thinking the girl would take it as a sign to leave him alone. But she didn't. She pulled up a chair and sat down next to him, resting her chin on her knuckles as she studied his hardened expression.

"Where's Stefan?" she asked.

"Don't know," he answered, sounding rather bored, but she wasn't offended.

"When did you get back?"

He stayed quiet this time. Honestly, he didn't even remember her name. He had only met her once when he was here the last time. Stefan had said she was the most attractive girl in the village and he must admit it was true. Still, he'd turned her down for he'd been loyal to Kenny back then. Now? He didn't really know...

"I'm so sorry about your girl."

This time, she'd got his full attention. He turned to see her arrogant smirk and released a slight laugh. "Did Stefan tell you?"

"He couldn't help it," she said in a seductive tone while circling the back of his hand with her finger. "I have my ways with men."

"Not all men."

"Wanna bet?"

He could. After all, he was single now. He could take her to the back, bend her over and fucked her good. He hadn't been with anyone in so long, so a night with this girl didn't sound like a bad idea. But after thinking for a second or two, he said, "how about we talk for a bit?"

"Talking isn't my thing," she said, "but whatever pleases you, love. We've got all night."

She kissed him on the cheek, got up and told him she'd be back with some ales. This is good, he thought, I'm going to have a great night, and nothing can stop me from having fun. But then his eyes travelled across the room to where Stefan and Rain were, and suddenly it didn't feel as good anymore.

The girl returned with drinks for both of them. They talked about random things and he had to beat around the bush whenever she came close to asking him questions about Kenny or his family. He had never been comfortable talking about them to someone he barely knew. Rain had been an exception. He didn't understand why, but it was always different with her.

"Who was the girl that came here with you?"

"A friend," he said, wanting to turn around to check on Rain and Stefan, but the voice inside his head told him not to.

"She's really pretty," said the girl, who was slightly tipsy now. "Is Stefan courting her?"

"No. Does it look like it to you?"

"Well, yeah? Why are you so offended?" She laughed and poked his dimple with her finger. "Are you jealous, handsome?"

"Not."

"You soooo are."

"Whatever." He snorted, rolling his eyes. "I'm not having a debate with a drunk lady."

"I'm not drunk. She is drunk."

"Huh?"

The girl gave a shrug and Rowan snapped his head to where her finger was pointing at. Stefan and Rain were laughing loudly with a bunch of middle-aged men. Her face was bright red and Rowan had seen her blush too often to mistake her being drunk for her usual shyness.

"I fucking told him not to let her drink!" He slammed his hand on the table, making the girl flinch. He was sure she commented something on his reaction, but he didn't hear it as his jaw dropped and his eyes popped out.

Rain was listening to Stefan's story when one of the men took advantage of her distraction and groped her breast. She instantly snatched his wrist, bending his arm backwards until he started shouting in pain.

"I'll finish your ale then!" said the girl as Rowan got up, but he couldn't care to reply. He swiftly made his way to Rain before something worse happened like he knew it would.

"Touch me again and I'd break your arm!"

"This little bitch!"

Rain caught the man's other wrist before he could slap her, and before anyone could react, she thrust her knee right into his crotch and he collapsed onto the floor, grunting while holding his balls. Another fat guy stepped up but Rowan was fast enough to take his hunting knife and put it to his throat.

"You lay a finger on the lady and I'll slaughter you and your friends like pigs, ya hear me?" he murmured into the man's ear, pressing the blade harder until he begged him to stop.

"Ay!" shouted the big lady behind the counter, "no fighting in my house! Take it outside!"

"I'm sorry, Rowan—"

"It's okay, Stefan." Rowan sighed as he shoved the man out of the way. He was angry at Stefan for being careless but he knew it wasn't entirely his fault.

"You stay here with your cousin," he told Stefan. "I'll take Peach back to your house."

"What are you doing?" the princess cried out when Rowan grabbed her hand and pulled her with him. "No! I'm having fun! Stop making me go! I don't want—"

She let out a high-pitched scream when he picked her up and tossed her on his shoulder.

"Let. Me. Go!" She hit him with each word but he was unfazed.

"There's nothing to see here, folks! Enjoy your ale!" he told everyone, carrying her on his shoulder and heading for the entrance.

Once they had left, the big lady, who was Stefan's cousin, turned to him and said, "give them another month into marriage and they'll eat each other alive."