Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers

Rowan:

The slim silver hands of my watch ticked with a rhythm far too slow for my restless heart. I had just moved my wrist again, about to check the time, when a familiar voice cut into my thoughts.

"That's the dozenth time you have looked at it in the past five minutes," the barista said as she placed a steaming cup of coffee on my table, her voice laced with quiet amusement.

I looked up, and there she was - Amara, the woman who had been serving coffee here longer than I had been coming to this place. Her arched brow dared me to deny it, but all I could do was smile.

"You caught me," I admitted, leaning back in my chair.

Her gaze softened with curiosity as she wiped her hands on her apron. "Who are you waiting for anyway? Can't be a date - you don't look nervous enough for that."

I chuckled under my breath, shaking my head. "Not a date. My little sis."

Her mouth fell open, and for the first time since I had known her, she was actually speechless. "You... have a sister?"

I didn't get to explain because my phone buzzed on the table. My eyes darted to the screen, and my chest eased at the name flashing across it. Eva.

I picked up instantly. "Where are you?"

"Outside," her voice came through, sweet and familiar. "At the café you told me to come to. Are you inside already?"

My gaze swept beyond the glass windows, and there she was... standing near the curb, wrapped in a pastel blue sweater under a beige coat, slim beige pants softening her figure. The morning light caught in her silver hair, and even in the crowd, she stood out.

My wolf stirred, recognition and warmth spreading through me as if the world had shifted just by her being here.

Before I could move, Amara followed my gaze. Her lips curved knowingly as she wiped her hands once more. "That must be your sister, then. I'll get her."

I blinked, almost laughing. "Amara-"

But she was already striding away, her ponytail swishing.

Through the glass, I saw Amara approach Eva, say something that made her laugh softly, and then gesture toward the café. My chest tightened at that sound - Eva's laugh. Pure, unguarded. The kind of sound that felt rare. Precious.

Seconds later, the bell above the door chimed, and they both stepped in.

I was already on my feet.

"Eva," I said, my voice warm, as I wrapped her in a hug. She melted into it easily, her smile brushing against my shoulder. My wolf hummed in contentment.

When she pulled back, her amber eyes were glowing.

"You look happy," I said, meaning it.

Her cheeks flushed pink. "I am happy. And I'm so looking forward to meet this special person finally,"

I smiled and gestured to the seat across. She sat down, folding her coat neatly over her lap.

"Want anything to drink?" I asked, sliding her the menu.

She shook her head. "No, thank you. I'm still stuffed from breakfast. Draven made sure I was full."

I shook my head while my smile only became bigger, happy that her mates were taking care of her.

We talked while I sipped my coffee. I asked her about how the last four days had been, if she was enjoying her time at the Thorne mansion.

When my cup was empty, we rose to leave.

Amara wasn't done, though. She fussed over Eva, scolding me lightly that she hadn't tried anything in the café, then complimenting Eva's beauty in the way older sisters did. Eva's cheeks colored again, but she smiled with that gracious warmth that seemed to disarm everyone she met.

Once outside, I opened my mouth to tell her we needed to stop by the florist shop before heading to the hospital... but she beat me to it.

"Rowan," she said, pointing toward the shop. "Let's stop there first. I want to buy flowers for your friend."

I stopped in my tracks, staring at her. Sometimes I wondered if she could read my thoughts. But no... this was just her. Thoughtful. Kind. Always thinking of others before herself.

"Of course," I said, trying to hide how much it touched me.

The bell above the florist shop chimed as we entered. The air smelled of lilies and roses, of earth and warmth. Behind the counter, Miss Elena looked up. Her wrinkled face softened instantly.

"Rowan," she greeted, her voice fond. "Right on time."

"Miss Elena," I returned warmly.

But then her eyes shifted to Eva, and something flickered there... curiosity. Eva also glanced at me, her brows raised in silent question.

"This is Eva," I introduced quickly. "My sister."

Miss Elena's lips curved into a smile. "Well now. I see. Welcome, dear."

Eva returned the smile, and for a second, the two women simply studied each other. There was no tension, just quiet acknowledgment.

I chose the blue tulips as always. Eva insisted on paying, and despite my protests, she handed the notes over to Miss Elena with a proud little tilt of her chin. I couldn't help but smile.

Soon, we were back on the street, tulips in hand, and then stepping into the hospital.

The familiar sterile scent of antiseptic filled the hallways as we made our way up to the seventh floor. My chest tightened with every step. Eva's hand brushed my arm once, a quiet gesture, as though she sensed my unease.

In the room, Nurse Faye was adjusting the drip for the young girl in the bed opposite. She glanced up, offering me a familiar smile.

"Rowan," she greeted. Then her gaze slid to Eva, and her brows lifted... something that had already happened twice before today.

Another round of introductions followed, and soon enough, Faye was smiling warmly at Eva as well. Eva seemed to win people over effortlessly.

And then, my eyes went to the bed by the window.

Naira lay there, her chest rising and falling shallowly, her skin pale against the white sheets. Her dark hair spread across the pillow, framing her delicate face.

I swallowed hard.

"Eva," I said quietly, moving closer, "this is Naira."

The words almost broke in my throat.

Eva stepped forward, her gaze softening as she looked at Naira. Then she turned to me, her eyes shining with something I couldn't name.

The smile she gave me next was warm... too warm. Because in her eyes, I could see the truth. She knew. She knew Naira wasn't just a friend.

And yet, she didn't ask. She didn't judge. She just stayed by my side, steady and kind.