The next morning was a nightmare.
I didn’t sleep. Couldn’t. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Rowan. Lost. Scared. Surrounded by rogues. My heart hadn’t stopped pounding since last night.
Someone hurried in, a note in their hand. "Alpha! They sent this over!"
Kade took it from him, his eyes scanning the note quickly. His jaw set, his fingers crushing the paper.
"Fuck!" He swore through gritted teeth.
My heart dropped. I already knew. I could feel it in my bones.
Still, I had to ask. "What does it say?"
Kade’s eyes met mine. "The rogue leader sent a challenge." His voice was quiet, but I could hear his anger. "He wants to fight."
A chill ran through me. My throat tightened. "And?"
Kade hesitated for a second.
"Tell me!" I cried, panicked.
Then he said it. "He has Rowan."
The world tilted, the room closing in on me. I couldn't breathe. I gripped the edge of the table to steady myself.
"He’s lying," I whispered. "He has to be lying."