Chapter 237 After The Confession


    Chapter 237 After The Confession


    TESSA


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    I didn’t sleep. All I could hear was his confession echoing in my mind. It was maddening. My chest ached, caught between the sharpness of old wounds and the unexpected softness that came when he said he loved me.


    I tossed and turned quietly, careful not to disturb Ca who slept peacefully between us. Finally, with a sharp exhale, I gathered enough courage to nce at him.


    Rowan’s features were calm at first nce, but as my eyes lingered, the illusion fell apart. His skin was flushed, a faint sheen of sweat dampening his hairline. My brows furrowed, and when I reached out to ce my hand against his forehead, my heart sank. He was burning hot-even hotter than yesterday.


    I pulled my hand back quickly. How did it get this bad in just a single night?


    I sat up abruptly, the movement waking Ca. She rubbed her eyes and looked up at me sleepily. “Mommy?”


    “Sweetheart,” I said gently, brushing her hair back. “Go to your Aunt Noelle for a while, okay?”


    She frowned, concern coloring her small face. “Okay, Mommy… Is mister okay?”


    “He’s going to be,” I assured her. “I’ll make sure of it.”


    She gave a tiny nod, I dressed her quickly, buttoning her little dress then led her outside. Noelle’s small hut wasn’t far-it stood near ours, ever since she moved out from Edith and Winston’s. I stood still for a moment, watching until Ca disappeared safely into Noelle’s doorway. Only then did I allow myself to turn back.


    The moment I stepped inside, his groans reached me. I hurried to his side, wetting another cloth and pressing it to his forehead. His skin was scalding.


    “You should have rested yesterday,” I muttered. “You shouldn’t have yed with Ca so hard.”


    His eyes opened weakly, but a smile tugged at his lips anyway, “Worth it,” he murmured.


    “Worth it?” I repeated, scowling at him.


    His gaze softened. “ying with Ca and seeing herugh is worth every second.”


    I huffed in exasperation and gave his shoulder a light smack.


    Chapter 237 After The Confession


    His eyes lingered on me then. “I meant what I said yesterday night,” he whispered.


    I shook my head quickly, looking away. “Don’t say those things now.”


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    “I’ll make it up to you,” he continued, stubborn as always. “I’ll be here by your side until you get used to me. I’ll work so hard to be the man deserving of your love.”


    “Rowan,” I muttered, exasperated. I pressed my hand firmly over his mouth. “Talking takes a lot of energy. You need to rest.”


    His lips moved under my palm, and though muffled, I caught the words-“Another kiss?”


    My eyes snapped wide, and I red down at him.


    He chuckled hoarsely, shoulders shaking just slightly under the nket. “I’m kidding,” he said, voice faint. “I’m going to get more sleep. I can’t keep my eyes open.”


    I let my hand fall away, sighing as I watched his eyelids flutter shut. His breathing steadied as exhaustion imed him once more.


    I sat there for a moment, just staring at him. Carefully, I adjusted the nket over him, tucking it around his shoulders, then rose to my feet.


    There was still work to do.


    By midmorning, I decided I couldn’t sit idle and worry endlessly. If he was asleep, then I could slip away for a while. I would check on him againter.


    I made my way to the pack clinic, the familiar wooden structure standing sturdily under the warm sunlight. The moment I stepped inside, I spotted Noelle. She was already there, sleeves rolled up as she wiped down a counter. Ca sat nearby with a wooden toy, humming softly to herself.


    The instant Noelle saw me, a smirk curved her lips. “Well, you sent Ca to my ce pretty early?”


    I shot her a sharp look. “Don’t start,” I warned, setting down the basket of supplies I’d carried with me.


    Her smirk only deepened, though she didn’t push further-yet.


    “Rowan’s sick,” I exined briskly, focusing on the shelves rather than her knowing eyes. “I just took care of him.”


    “Mm-hm,” she said, drawing the sound out far too much. “Whatever you say.”


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    Chapter 237 After The Confession


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    I closed my eyes for a brief second, breathing through my exasperation. “Is there a lot of work?” I asked, quickly changing the subject.


    “Not really,” she said with a shrug. “The warriors are getting better. And they haven’t encountered any rogues when visiting other territoriestely.”


    “That’s good,” I muttered, my shoulders easing slightly.


    I brushed my hands against the fabric of my pants as we walked. “Want to see the new pack clinic? It’s progressing pretty fast,” she said, and I nodded.


    The old clinic had always been tucked away, wedged into the corner of the packnds. Every time someone got sick or injured, it took too long to reach, and I’d long thought it was ridiculous. So, we decided to build a new one right in the middle of the territory, essible from every direction.


    As we drew closer, I could already hear the faint hammering. The frame of the new clinic stood tall, wooden beams reaching toward the sky, the faint outline of walls already taking shape. The smell of sawdust lingered in the air, blending with the pine.


    The carpenters noticed me before I even opened my mouth. “Where’s Rowan?” one of them called out, dusting his hands off on his pants.


    I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms, giving them the sharpest look I could muster. “Stop asking for Rowan,” I scolded. “He’s sick because you keep asking him to do things.”


    Theirughter broke out immediately, filling the clearing. “Eyy, protective wife!” one of them teased, leaning on a half-finished beam, his grin wide.


    Heat rose to my cheeks before I could stop it, and I instinctively turned my face away. “I’m not I started to argue, but the words tangled in my throat. My heart gave a quick, stupid skip, and I forced my tone back into its usual bite.


    “Seriously, though,” I said more firmly, ignoring their teasing looks. “Let him rest.”


    “Got it!” they eximed in unison, stillughing but with a note of genuine respect in their


    voices.


    One of them, a younger carpenter, rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “It’s just… he’s reallypetent and easy to get along with. He makes everything smoother.”


    I was taken off guard by the honesty in his words. My chest filled with both pride and tenderness. I gave a small nod. “I know. But he’s not made out of iron. Don’t forget that.”


    They chuckled again, a little softer this time, before turning back to their work. I exhaled


    Chapter 237 After The Confession


    ? ??


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    slowly and followed Noelle farther down the clearing, weaving through the scattered logs, the busy workers, and the chatter of pack members gathered for the weekend. Children darted between adults, ying games, theirughter ringing like bells. Families had brought baskets of food, and some women were alreadyying out meals under the shade of the trees.


    But then, cutting through the chatter andughter, came a scream.


    My heart lurched.


    My eyes shot toward the other side of the clearing just as the pack members fell into stunned silence, heads turning, conversations breaking off mid-sentence.


    Ronnie.


    The warrior who had only recently healed enough to rejoin us stood there, wild-eyed, his chest heaving as though he had sprinted the whole way. His voice cracked as he shouted, panicked—


    “Intruders!”