Chapter 233 ROWAN I got myself a te and found myself a seat by the corner keeping to myself a little .


    That way , at that angle , only Aurora and Dane himself are clearly visible at the head of this hall .


    Auroraughed at something he had said the y of her light hand upon his arm .


    Suddenly my fingers struck on the edge of my te , my appetite vanished .


    Rowan , arent you having anything to eat ? The voice cut finally to me .


    It was Le , a young wolf with bright eyes and an endless supply of energy .


    She plopped down beside me , her te piled high .


    Im not that hungry , I muttered , shifting the food around on my fork .


    You should eat , she said matter of factly .


    Big day ahead .


    I nodded absently , my gaze drifting back to Aurora .


    Le followed my line of sight and tilted her head .


    You really admire .


    her , dont you ? Before I could utter a word , I heard Auroras low , serious lone across the room .


    Somethings not right about Rowan , she said to Dane , her eyes .


    Chapter 233 flicking momentarily in my direction .


    I turned away fast , my face burning .


    2/6 The days work started off like it usually did , the pack going off their separate ways to whatever tasks needed doing .


    I was sent to help with the housing repairs a menial task and an insult , if you ask me .


    Rowan , can you pass me that hammer ? he said finally , still barely turning towards me .


    I clench my teeth , hand over the tool .


    Why dont you let me do something relevant ? The foreman blinked .


    We all have a job to do , Rowan .


    And this is the task at the moment .


    I can handle much more than that , I cut back with a higher , sharper pitch .


    He wasnt given the time for a retort , because just then , Aurora walked toward us , interested on her face but calm around the edges .


    Whats going on ? she asked , her gaze darting between us .


    Nothing , I said quickly , stepping back .


    The foreman hesitated , then said , Rowans cager to do more .


    Thats all .


    Chapter 233 3/6 Aurora smiled at me , the kind of smile meant to soothe .


    We appreciate your enthusiasm , Rowan .


    The pack needs everyone .


    working together , no matter the role .


    Her words were but a pat on the head , an echo in my head , and I was beyond frustrated .


    I dont need a lecture , I muttered , stalking away before saying something I couldnt take back .


    The training arena was abuzz with activity , Piper and Warrick at the center of it .


    Their sparring matches had be a source of entertainment for the pack their yful banter drew in a small crowd .


    Is that all youve got ? Piper teased , dodging Warricks strike with ease .


    Im just warming up , Warrick shot back , grinning .


    The watching wolvesughed , but I noticed Alina standing apart from the group .


    Her gaze lingered on Warrick , her smile coy .


    Piper noticed too .


    When they took a break , Alina approached .


    and handed Warrick a towel .


    Youre really impressive out there , she said friendly , but flirtatious .


    Warrick blinked , for a moment looking like hed been punched .


    Uh , thanks .


    Pipers jaw clenched , and with a jerk , she moved forward , snatching the towel before Warrick could take it .


    Chapter 233 He doesnt need that , she snapped .


    4/6 Alina merely raised an eyebrow but said nothing , walking away with that aggravating calmness .


    You really didnt have to do that , Warrick said , Browning .


    Oh , didnt I ? Piper shed back , frustration finally bursting through to the surface .


    Do you like the attention or something ? What are you talking about ? Warrick said , really confused .


    I barely notice her .


    Sure , Piper muttered , tossing the towel at him before storming away .


    Warrick blew out a sigh , scrubbing a hand over his hair .


    What just happened ? Evening found me once again standing at the edge of the vige , my mind once again turning to the same ce .


    I heard footsteps , turned to find Alina approaching her expression unreadable .


    Rough day? she asked , stopping a few feet from me .


    I didnt respond , my frustration just too raw .


    She leaned her head then , her gaze piercing .


    Youre wasting your potential , Rowan .


    Letting them overlook you .


    What am I supposed to do about it ? I asked quietly enough .


    She smiled then a small , nearly predatory thing .


    Sometimes , you have to remind people of your worth .


    Show them what Chapter 233 theyre missing .


    5/6 Something inside me stirred , sparked with her words a fusion of determination and anger .


    The 1 night started falling , and the vige was in silence .


    I went through the shades , my step getting heavier and heavier .


    Stopping before the house of Aurora , I peered through its window ; some soft glow ofmplight spilled over me .


    She and Dane were sitting cosily inside ; theirughter rang with the warmth of that room .


    She hadid her hand on his ; nothing seemed different , as their ease had always been as it was .


    My fists clenched at my sides , Alinas voice echoing in my mind : You deserve to be seen .


    I stood there in the shadows , my chest tight , like the air itself was pressing in on me .


    Aurorasughter reached my ears again , soft and melodious .


    It was a sound that should have soothed me , but it only made the ache inside worse .


    I shifted weight , the crunch of the boots soft against the ground .


    Everything in me screamed to turn away , leave this ce , and bury emotions that wed at me .


    But my legs wouldnt move .


    I kept standing there , peering through this window as if some invisible force held me in ce .


    Inside , Dane had said something that again had Auroraughing , her head thrown back , her eyes sparkling in delight .


    He reached for her hand , his touch light , yet full of meaning .


    The way she looked at him like he was her whole world was too 6/6 Chapter 233 much .


    Why not me ? I muttered under my breath , bitterness tainting my tone and even surprising me .


    I clenched my fists , trying to push those thoughts away .


    This wasnt who I wanted to be : the wolf in the shadows , full of envy and bitterness .


    But the more I told myself this , the more I could not let it go .


    A twig snapping behind me whirled me back into life .


    I spun around , heart racing eyes scanning in rm to find nothing but the soft swaying of treetops in the night breeze .


    My breathing came out in shallow gasps while I tried to steady myself .


    I knew I was on the verge of losing control , and I did not know exactly how to contain myself .


    Her words still continued to ring within my head taunting .


    You deserve to see , she said .


    At what cost ? I turned back to the window , making a silent promise in my heart as I did so : I was not going to be one of those shadows forever ; somehow , someway , I would find a way to make them notice me .


    B