Chapter 206 We’re Not Together
Chapter 206 We’re Not Together
TESSA
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I cursed under my breath endlessly once we were finally on the boat, my fists clenching the hem of my coat to keep myself from kicking the wooden boards just
to vent.
Winston was behind the wheel, his eyes steady on the waters ahead, while Sol leanedzily on the rail,ughing like nothing had just happened back there. His voice carried too easily over the water even though he nearly died at the hands of the South!
“I thought the people in the South were bad,” Sol said between chuckles. “But you have it good in Fenra, you know that? Francis and Emma are so kind. Emma makes the best cookies. She even let me pack some.”
He pulled out a small wrapped parcel from his pocket as proof, grinning as though this entire thing was some kind of field trip. Well, he appeared excited.
Meanwhile, I was still livid. My thoughts burned hotter with each wave that pped against the boat. Rowan wants our crops!
They had so much more in the South–vast forests and wild–grown fields no one in rc could ever hope to match. Granted, most of it was rougher, wild vegetables with tough skins and bitter vors, but still! Wolves didn’t even eat that many vegetables. Meat, yes. But leafy greens? Roots? It felt like mockery.
Winston chuckled, breaking through my inner tirade. “Well, I’m d nothing happened,” he said, adjusting his grip on the tiller. His voice carried warmth, a fatherly tone that usually soothed me, but not today.
Sol cleared his throat then, capturing my attention. He had a grin on his face, soft but no less irritating. “Alpha Rowan is actually kind,” he said. “He appeared to be very attentive to you, too, I can even smell him on you.”
Heat shot straight to my face. I cursed aloud this time, shaking my head violently. “Don’t say that. He came onto me.”
Sol only chuckled. “Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
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ed, 3 Sept
Chapter 206 We’re Not Together
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I pursed my lips into a tight line. “You’re not better than Noelle,” I muttered bitterly. “You keep teasing me just like her.”
He onlyughed harder,pletely unbothered. I wanted to shove him off the boat and watch him il in the water.
Thankfully, Winston cleared his throat and changed the subject before I actually followed through with that thought. “So you’re going back there tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
There was no room for choice in this.
Winston smiled faintly, the kind that crinkled the corners of his eyes. “I’ll ask them to harvest the best crops.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I muttered, lowering my gaze to the ripples of the
water.
Winston only chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m already on it,” he said gently. “I want to join you, but I’m afraid some people will find out I’m still alive. After all, Edith and I were also from Fenra before the Breaking happened.”
“It’s okay,” I sighed. “I can handle it. It will be quick.” I forced the words out with more conviction than I felt.
Winston cleared his throat again, this time slower. “You don’t have any ns on telling him about Ca?”
The name pierced through me like an arrow. I swallowed hard and shook my head. “He’s not interested,” I muttered. “After this deal is over, we don’t have any reason to see each other again.”
I forced myself to meet Winston’s eyes for a moment. “I won’t introduce Ca to someone who will hesitate to ept her or someone who won’t be with us forever.”
***
I was on my way to Fenra again with a bunch of fruits and vegetables. The entire gang came with me this time, with Noelle and Sol eager to meet the others. They wore hopeful faces, like kids pressing their noses against a window to a world they weren’t allowed into. But I shook my head despite their pleading.
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Chapter 206 We’re Not Together
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They didn’t understand. I knew they wanted to meet the people here, especially after Sol met Francis and Emma, but I couldn’t allow it.
I didn’t want to merge these two pieces of my life together because it felt as if I lost one, then I’d lose all.
“I won’t be long.” I said as we docked. My voice came out firmer than I intended, but it needed to. “You can stay here for a while if you want.”
They exchanged nces, uncertain but trusting me anyway. Winston finally gave me a nod, his voice calm as always. “Take your time, Tess.”
I adjusted the basket against my hip and started walking alone, my boots pressing into damp earth as the scent of pine wrapped around me. My thoughts should have been steady, focused on the errand, but my chest already felt heavier the closer I got to the clearing.
That was when I saw Rowan.
He straightened when he saw me, and immediately, I noticed the exhaustion around his eyes. My brows furrowed.
“Since when have you been here?” I asked, feeling suspicious.
He didn’t answer. He just stood there, tall and silent.
I shook my head, scanning him over. His shoulders were rigid, his stance still, and the air around him was a bit colder than it should have been.
Then I held out the basket to him, and when his hand brushed mine, my breath caught. His skin was freezing.
Rowan didn’t get cold easily. That could mean only one thing. He had been waiting here for a long time.
I clicked my tongue, irritation ring despite the strange tug in my chest. “I told you yesterday I would arrive after lunch.”
He still didn’t say anything as he grabbed the basket from my hands.
“Sol has Francis‘ number,” I continued quickly, ignoring the way his gaze was pinning me in ce. “He’ll inform you when our hunters wille again.”
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Chapter 206 We’re Not Together
I was about to turn away when he spoke.
“Your number,” Rowan said. His eyes searched mine. “Can I have it?”
s
Heat rushed to my face, but I didn’t let him see it. Instead, I deadpanned, “No.”
His lips tugged slightly, like my refusal amused him. But I turned away before he could read me further.
“Now, I will go,” I said tly, spinning on my heel.
“Wait.”
The word stopped me in my ce. I turned just enough to see him step forward, his expression appearing… wounded?
“You’re not going to eat?” he asked.
“I’ve already eaten,” I replied. “Just go. I’m sure Zaria is waiting for you.”
The name slipped out before I could stop myself. His frown deepened, lines creasing his brow.
“Zaria?” he repeated, his voice careful.
“Whatever,” I muttered. “I’m going.”,
However, before I could take another step, his hand closed around my wrist. Cold and startling, his touch shot straight through me and made me gasp.
“Tessa,” he said, his grip firm but not hurting.
I turned to him, my lips parting, confusion written all over my face.
“Zaria and I are not together.”
“Huh?” was all I could manage, the disbelief spilling out before I could swallow it.
Then, he smirked.
“We’re not together. We never have been.” He tilted his head, eyes glinting with
amusement.
O
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Chapter 206 We’re Not Together
“Have you thought like that for a long time?”
“Is that the reason why you’re jealous?”
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