Chapter 91: Finding a True Friend

Words : 1110 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 91: Finding a True FriendEvaline: By the time we left the city behind, the wind had calmed my nerves. The bike ride with Rowan was smooth, fast, and strangely comforting. No words were exchanged, but something about the silence didn’t feel heavy like it usually did. Maybe because it wasn’t the kind that judged. Instead of heading straight for the Academy, he slowed down as we passed the first town nestled at the base of the Academy mountains. The streets here were quieter, cozier, lined with small shops, bakeries, and warm yellow streetlights that were glowing like fireflies in the night. Without warning, he pulled into the parking lot of a small diner that was looking like it had been pulled out of another era. Red booths were lining the windows. A neon sign was buzzing above the glass door, casting a soft pink glow. He turned off the engine and looked over his shoulder. "Come on. Let’s eat." I blinked. "Shouldn’t we... go back?" He shrugged. "The gates are open till midnight. We have got time." I hesitated only for my stomach to let out a sudden, loud growl. And while I was busy feeling embarrassed, he grinned. "Thought so." As we stepped inside, I was hit by the warm scent of butter, spices, and freshly brewed coffee. It made my mouth water. I hadn’t even realized how hungry I was until that moment. We slid into a corner booth, and the moment the waitress came by, Rowan rattled off an order like he had been here a dozen times before - burgers, fries, something called "dragon-spiced dumplings," a large plate of garlic butter pasta, and strawberry milkshakes. "You didn’t ask what I wanted," I muttered once the waitress walked away. He just leaned back and grinned again. "Didn’t need to. You’ll like them all. Trust me." I narrowed my eyes. "And what if I don’t?" "Then I’ll eat what’s left. Win-win." He said it so casually, so cheerfully, that a laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it. This made him grin wider. "There she is." When the food arrived, it was steaming and colorful. And to my surprise, every dish was amazing. The first bite of the dumpling was spicy and savory and just the right amount of crispy. I didn’t even realize how much I was eating until half the table was cleared. "Slow down," he chuckled. "No one’s stealing your plate." "You ordered too much," I replied with a small smile as I wiped my mouth. "I planned to order too much," he replied in a light tone. "You needed it." I paused at that for a moment before asking, "You knew I hadn’t eaten?" He shrugged again, but his gaze softened. "You looked like someone who forgot how to breathe, let alone eat." That... made something twist in my chest. "I’m paying you back for this once I get my salary. Just give me few days," I said quickly. But he was quick to shook his head. "No, you are not. It’s my treat. Let me have this one, alright?" "Why?" He tilted his head slightly, expression unreadable. "Because it’s what friends do." Friends. That word shouldn’t have meant so much. But right then, in that quiet diner where the world felt far away, it did. We finished the meal in comfortable silence, and when we stepped outside, the night air was crisp again. I turned toward his bike, but he shook his head and pointed toward the gravel path beside the diner that led toward the forest trail. "My friend’s picking the bike up later. I figured we could walk. It’s only half an hour to the Academy." I nodded, liking the idea of a walk. We walked in silence while the sound of our footsteps crunching on leaves, the occasional hoot of an owl, and the rustle of wind through the trees surrounded us. After a few minutes, Rowan finally broke the silence. "So..." he said gently. "Want to tell me what happened back there?" I didn’t answer right away. I wasn’t sure why I was hesitating. Maybe because telling the truth meant admitting how deeply it hurt. Maybe because I wasn’t used to people caring. But then I glanced sideways. He wasn’t looking at me with suspicion. There was no pressure in his voice. Just... genuine concern. And something inside me cracked. So... I told him everything - from the unexpected invitation to the Alpha Gathering, to River’s cold games in front of the others. I didn’t spare the details. I expected Rowan to laugh, or roll his eyes. Maybe to say I was being dramatic or to accuse me of lying as I was talking about not some random guy but the respected Rogue Alpha King. But he did none of those things. Instead, his expression darkened. "River’s a bastard," he muttered. "I don’t care what title he holds. That wasn’t right." I stopped walking. "...You believe me?" Rowan blinked. "Of course I do." "But... he’s the Rogue Alpha King." "So?" he said with a frown. "He’s not God. He’s still a man. And a man who humiliates an eighteen-year-old girl in front of a ballroom full of wolves deserves a good punch in the jaw." I stared at him, feeling overwhelmed. Not because of what River had done... but because of this. Because of Rowan. Because he didn’t doubt. Didn’t question. Didn’t tiptoe around my pain like it was something he couldn’t touch. And before I could stop it... a single tear escaped. I quickly wiped it away, embarrassed, but he still ended up noticing. "Hey..." he said softly. "What’s that for?" I shook my head. "I don’t even know. It’s not about what River did. It’s just... I guess I didn’t expect you to be like this." He stared at me for a moment, then stepped closer. His hand rose and gently patted my head, fingers brushing through my hair like it was the most natural thing in the world. And then, without asking, he pulled me into a hug. It was warm. Solid. Safe. I stood there frozen for a second, but then slowly melted into it. "Everyone thinks you are cold," I mumbled against his shoulder. "Quiet. Dangerous." He chuckled. "They are not wrong." "But you are kind," I whispered. "You are one of the kindest people I have met." He didn’t say anything, just held me before we finally pulled apart moments later. We continued walking, slower than before, and didn’t say much this time. But something had shifted between us. Rowan wasn’t just a roommate anymore. He was my friend.

Chapter 91: Finding a True Friend

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