Chapter 199 A project
_Rowena’s POV_
After I dropped those harsh words in front of everyone, I turned around on my heels and walked straight out of the Logan mansion. I didn’t look back once, my head was held high, but as soon as the night air hit my face, a pang of hurt settled deep in my chest as I realized something.
Alaric hadn’t followed me.
He was the Alpha King, and he was stuck dealing with the public mess Brielle and her furious mother had created. I understood that logically, but emotionally, it still stung. I had stood there alone, waiting for him to step up, and instead, I had to walk out by myself while the media cameras flashed in my face outside the gates.
I reached the driveway when a sleek dark car pulled up in front of me. The window rolled down, and to my absolute shock, Ezekiel was sitting in the driver’s seat.
"Get in, Rowena," Ezekiel said, without his usual goofy smile.
I didn’t ask any questions and just opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. We drove back to the Ashthorne residence in total silence. Ezekiel didn’t push me to talk, which was the kindest thing he could have done for me right then. He simply let me sit with my thoughts until we arrived at my gates.
I went straight to my room, washed off my makeup, and fell into a restless sleep.
Early the next morning, I was sitting in my private study sipping hot tea when the maid announced Alaric’s arrival.
He walked into the room looking completely exhausted. His suit was gone, replaced by a simple shirt, and his eyes carried heavy circles. He stopped in front of my desk, looking down at me with an expression filled with deep regret.
"Rowena," Alaric said, his voice rough. "I am so sorry about last night. I should have walked out with you."
I kept my face entirely calm, I didn’t scream, or lash out."It is fine, Alaric."
"I stayed because of the deep respect I have for Brielle’s parents," he explained, stepping closer and reaching for my hands. "Her father has done a lot for the pack over the years. I had to quiet the media down before the news completely blew up."
"You don’t need to explain," I said smoothly, pulling my hands back gently. "It is really okay. I don’t care. After all, Brielle was once your girlfriend. It makes sense that you would handle her family with care."
Alaric’s brows pulled together into a heavy frown. "She was never my girlfriend, Rowena. We were never dating."
I stared directly into his dark eyes, about to open my mouth and say something back to him. But before a single word could leave my lips, Alaric leaned down, grabbed my waist, and pulled me flush against his chest.
He captured my mouth in a deep intense kiss.
It was breathless and completely wiping away the distance I had built up between us all morning. My heart hammered against my ribs, and just as I melted into his touch and tried to deepen the kiss, Alaric suddenly pulled away.
I frowned up at him, my lips still tingling. I wanted to ask him why he stopped so abruptly, but I kept my mouth shut.
Alaric took a deep breath, smoothing down my blonde hair. "Come with me to the hospital. My aunt Kristy wants to see us."
I nodded in agreement. "Alright. Give me five minutes to get ready."
Twenty minutes later, we stepped into the private VIP wing of the city’s central hospital.
Aunt Kristy was lying in a massive hospital bed, her upper body propped up on big white pillows. The lower half of her right leg was completely gone, hidden under white blankets. The moment we walked in, her bitter, grumpy eyes snapped toward us.
"Good morning, Lady Kristy," I said politely, offering her a respectful bow.
She didn’t smile, she just let out a loud, miserable huff and turned her head toward the window.
"Don’t ’good morning’ me," Kristy snapped, her voice raspy. "I am miserable. The doctors keep bringing me these ugly crutches! I told them I don’t want crutches anymore! I refuse to look like a wolfless weak old woman!"
I stood near the end of her bed, staring at her for a long moment. I looked at the clean cut of her missing leg, and then thought about the advanced engineering and modern technology we had access to today.
"I can try to build something for you, Aunt Kristy," I said calmly.
Kristy turned her head back around, glaring at me. "What did you say? Build what? A magic leg?"
"The world is indeed very advanced now," I explained in simple terms. "I can design a modern mechanical leg for you. Something comfortable that moves with your muscles. But I will need three weeks to finish the project."
Before Kristy could even digest my words, the hospital room door swung open.
Brielle walked in carrying a bright bouquet of fresh flowers. She was wearing a white dress, and the red handprint I had left on her cheek last night was gone. The story of our fight had already made it onto the morning news, and she was clearly playing the victim card again.
"Hello, Aunt Kristy," Brielle said in a sweet, gentle voice, completely ignoring me as she set the flowers on the side table.
Kristy’s sour face instantly lit up. "Brielle, my dear! Oh, thank goodness you are here!"
Kristy grabbed Brielle’s hands, completely ignoring my presence as she practically begged for help. "Brielle, you are a brilliant doctor! Please tell me you can fix this! Rowena is talking about making me some artificial leg in three weeks! A wolfless woman who didn’t finish school, how can she achieve something like that!”
If I heard the words, I pretended not to so I wouldn’t get angry.
Brielle gave a sweet humble smile and patted Kristy’s hand softly.
"Do not worry at all, Aunt Kristy," Brielle said smoothly, throwing a quick, victorious glance at me. "I am actually working on an advanced medical prosthetic design myself. Coincidentally, it will also take me exactly three weeks to complete."
She then turned toward Alaric with a completely fake gentle look on her face.
"Please, still let Rowena try her design too," Brielle added, acting like a saint. "Even though she was so cruel to me last night at the party, I don’t mind a little friendly competition if it helps Aunt Kristy walk again."
Kristy looked at Brielle with pure admiration.
"You are such a sweet, nice girl, Brielle," Kristy praised loudly, shaking her head. "So kind and forgiving, despite what Rowena did to your poor face last night. Some people truly have no manners."
Alaric glanced at Brielle and replied calmly as he stepped closer to me. “You don’t need to tell me what to do and what not to do. Even without telling me, I would let Rowena do her project for Aunt Kisty. I don’t need your opinion.”