Chapter 244 Ruins


    “Mom and dad will have to leave, is that okay?” I asked softly, brushing Ca’s hair back from her damp cheeks. She was crying so hard, her fists clinging to me and Rowan like letting go would mean we’d vanish forever.


    “It’s dangerous for you, baby,” Rowan said, crouching low so he was eye–level with her. His voice was gentler than I had ever heard it. “Mom and dad will be back.”


    Her lip trembled. “You promise?”


    Rowan didn’t hesitate. He kissed her wet cheek and whispered, “I promise.” He paused, then added, “And when Ie back, I’ll buy you a lot of bears. A whole army of them if you want.”


    Her eyes lit up, tears still clinging to hershes. “Promise?” she asked again.


    “Promise,” Rowan said firmly. He hooked his pinky with hers and sealed it.


    Ca sniffled, nodded once, then leaned forward and kissed us both on the cheek. The sight broke me to the point that I almost told Rowan we couldn’t go. But I knew the South needed <ol><li><b>us</b><b>. </b></li></ol>


    Just then, Noelle and Sol appeared at the door. Noelle looked immediately to Ca, her gaze softening before she turned to Rowan and me. “Do you think it’s Kyle again?” she asked, folding her arms.


    “It’s not unlikely,” Rowan answered grimly. His hand lingered on Ca’s back until Noelle gently coaxed her away.


    “They say the damage to the forest is extensive,” Rowan added with a heavy sigh, his brows knit.


    “What is their objective, really?” Sol grumbled. “None of this makes sense anymore.”


    “We don’t know yet,” <b>I </b>admitted. “But for now, we have to go and help them.” My eyes went toward Ca, who was nestled against Noelle, still sniffling but calmer.


    Noelle gave me a nod. “I’ve got her.” That was the only reassurance I needed.


    Soon, Rowan and I made our way down the narrow path to Winston’s boat. Rowan was the one who took the oar. He didn’t want to risk meeting others who might stir up more trouble. Thest thing we needed was unnecessary conflict.


    <b>13:31 </b>Tue, <b>Sep </b>16 N


    Chapter 244 Ruins


    :


    47


    +10 Free Coins


    As the boat cut across the water, Rowan nced at me. His hair was messy from the breeze, and his eyes held that unspoken storm I knew too well. “My parents still haven’t changed,” he muttered. “Ignore them when we get there please.”


    “It’s fine,” I said quickly. I ced my hand over his. “I’m not there for them. I’m there to help the others. If it bes too much, then… we’ll see. But right now, they’re not my priority.”


    He nodded slowly, and his grip on the oar finally steadied. “You’re right,” he murmured. “Wilder must have not acted with care. That’s the only exnation.” He sighed heavily, eyes on the horizon. “I hate going back there. To the South. To… everything.”


    I knew what he meant. The South was a ce that bore a lot of our heartbreaks. Still, we were going back. Together.


    The waves pped against the sides of the boat, carrying us closer and closer to a ce neither of us wanted to see again, yet both of us knew we had to face.


    The moment Rowan docked the boat, my stomach sank. It was obvious, even before we stepped off, that the South had been attacked. The trees along the edge of the shore had copsed in piles, their roots torn from the ground. Rowan cursed under his breath.


    We stepped onto the soil together, and what greeted us made me pause for a moment. Houses stood crooked, some with copsed roofs, others already reduced to rubble.


    The once bustling vige square was unrecognizable–tables overturned, stalls destroyed. And everywhere, doctors and workers moved about frantically, tending to the wounded, clearing the debris, trying to piece together what had been shattered.


    Rowan’s eyes went to mine. This is worse than we thought.


    Before we could move further, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. “Rowan.”


    We turned to <i>see </i>Francis approaching, his usually yful demeanor worn down by exhaustion. His shoulders slumped, and his hair was damp with sweat. Even so, when his gazended on Rowan, he managed a dry grin.


    “Lucky bastard,” Francis muttered, shaking his head. “You look great. What is Tessa feeding you over there?”


    Rowan didn’t rise to the bait. He just stared at Francis. “What happened?”


    Francis let the grin slip away. His face hardened as he bowed briefly to me. “Tessa.” Then he straightened, exhaling sharply. “A group of cloaked men and women came this morning. They demanded we bow to them.”


    <b>13:31 </b><b>Tue</b>, <b>Sep </b>16 N


    Chapter 244 Ruins


    Rowan’s jaw tightened. “It’s them again.”


    47


    +10 Free Coins


    Francis frowned in confusion at Rowan’s statement. However, he continued his story. “Wilder wasn’t there to guard the borders. He insisted we needed to heed their warning, that it would be easier to buy time, but your father, of course, refused. He wasn’t about to bow down.” His


    gaze


    flicked toward the ruins around us. “So we fought. But we underestimated their strength. They weren’t ordinary.”


    A bitter taste filled my mouth.


    Francis went on. “Thankfully, the West Alpha was near. He arrived quickly enough to help us control the situation, but…” His face faltered. “Even he was injured. He’s being treated right now, along with the others.”


    I felt Rowan stiffen beside me. He raised a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing through his teeth. “Wilder,” he muttered, shaking his head.


    I crossed my arms tightly. “Where’s Zaria?”


    “In Elite,” Francis answered without hesitation.


    I clicked my tongue. “Why is she even juggling two things she cannot do?” My words came harsher than I intended, but I didn’t take them back. It was true. Both Wilder and Zaria wanted the titles and the recognition. However, that was all there was to it.


    Before I could say more, another voice joined the scene.


    “We came to see what had happened.”


    I turned, startled, and my breath caught. Standing there, side by side, were Arden and Cade. Arden’s gaze swept over the wreckage, pain seen in her eyes even as she held herself strong. Cade’s posture was sharp, though his hand hovered protectively near her and her growing baby bump.


    Rowan straightened instinctively as he met Cade’s eyes.


    “Cade,” Rowan said.


    Cade pursed his lips. “This isn’t merely a matter of the South anymore. I’m afraid we have to interfere with everything that is happening.”