Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 227

Chapter 227 Errrands After Errands.

Chapter 227 Errrands After Errands

TESSA

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The clang of the axe against the block of wood echoed in my ears, even as my thoughts scrambled to catch up with what was happening. Rowan was going to stay here? In this pack?

“I’m going to chop more wood,” Rowan said calmly. The tone of his voice already insinuated he was getting comfortable in the pack.

Edith turned to me and beamed, tightening the apron around her waist. “I’m going to cook for everyone,” she said, then glanced at Rowan. “He says he’ll start the fire for me, too.”

I glared at him, my eyes instantly flicking to the shirt draped casually over his shoulder. His body was slick with sweat from chopping, and I cursed myself for noticing.

His eyes widened slightly when he caught me staring, then he tugged the shirt on. “Sorry,” he muttered, his voice rough. “I got hot and this is… too tight.”

I clicked my tongue and crossed my arms. “Go and borrow a shirt from Winston.”

Rowan nodded quickly like a chastised pup, and without another word, he jogged off in the direction of Edith and Winston’s house.

Edith, beside me, tried and failed to cover her giggle behind her hand.

I groaned. “Don’t encourage him.”

Before Edith could answer, two familiar voices drifted behind me.

“Well, well, well.” Noelle’s whistle pierced the morning air as she stepped up, arms crossed, with a smirk on her face. “Now I know why you couldn’t get over him for a long time. That man is a hunk.”

I whipped around, glaring at her, but Sol was standing there too; his eyes, despite being cloudy, lifted in Rowan’s direction. He sighed wistfully. “I can’t see him, but I know he’s a hunk. I wish I had my sight for this.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “Seriously? You want your sight back just for that?”

Sol turned toward me with the most innocent expression I’d ever seen on him. “Yes. Why?”

I groaned again and dragged a hand down my face. Honestly, the people around me had completely lost their minds.

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39

Chapter 227 Errrands After Errands

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When I turned my head again, Rowan was back in view. He’d returned with a fresh shirt clinging to him now. However, it still didn’t stop the way people swarmed around him. The other residents of Eternal Woods had started to wake, and already they were circling him like curious birds.

I watched as Rowan shifted awkwardly under their attention, his hand scratching the back of his neck. Despite his unease, though, he managed to keep a faint smile on his face, answering their curious questions with quiet patience.

The sight made something in my chest pinch. I quickly shook the feeling away.

I turned on Edith. “Are you serious about letting him stay here?”

Her playful expression fell, and her face grew solemn. “He seems serious,” she said with a soft, knowing smile. “You know I won’t let him stay here after everything he put you through. I know your story, and I know how much he hurt you back then.”

“But,” she exhaled slowly, “I see in him what I saw in the people who wanted to stay in Eternal Woods.”

“Desperation,” she added quickly.

Edith leaned in a little closer. “You know what he said to me last night?”

My throat suddenly felt tight. “What?” I asked. I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear the answer.

She studied me for a moment, then said quietly, “He told me what a bastard he was. And if he could turn back time, he would. But he can’t. So all he can do now is make up for what he’s done. He said he was willing to do that–for you, and for your family.”

I froze. My chest ached, but I stayed rooted to the spot.

Edith wasn’t finished. “He also told me that he hasn’t thought about the title in a long time. And that the only title he needs now… is the one next to you.”

I felt the blood drain from my face.

Behind me, Sol and Noelle were exchanging not–so–quiet commentary,

“Eyy,” Noelle teased, elbowing Sol. “That’s a man right there.”

Sol chuckled. “Sure sounds like it.”

I groaned again and shook my head, refusing to meet either of their smug expressions. Still, my eyes betrayed me.

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Chapter 227 Errrands After Errands

They wandered back toward him.

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Rowan was back at the chopping block, splitting wood with powerful swings. His arms flexed with each strike, but what made my stomach twist wasn’t his strength–it was the way he kept glancing in my direction. Every time his eyes met mine, he gave the faintest of smiles before returning to his task.

The women who had gathered around him squealed and gushed at his every move, their voices high with excitement.

And my heart… my traitorous, foolish heart skipped a beat.

I pressed a hand against my chest, scowling at myself. Even after all these years, one thing was

true.

Rowan Wrenmoor is still bad for

my

heart.

***

The atmosphere in Eternal Woods had always been lively, but today it felt different. I didn’t even need to guess the reason. The moment I looked around the clearing, I could see that all eyes were on Rowan.

It was ridiculous. He had only arrived yesterday, yet this morning it was as if he had slipped into the rhythm of the pack. After chopping wood at dawn, Edith had roped him into helping her cook, which was already odd enough because Edith rarely allowed anyone near her kitchen. Then, as though he hadn’t done enough, he’d gone on to clean up the utensils alongside Winston, sleeves rolled up, soap bubbles clinging to his forearms while a gaggle of girls stood nearby whispering and giggling.

And now, even after all of that, he was being pulled in every direction by the residents. Someone wanted him to lift a barrel, another to fix a broken bench. I pressed my lips together and shook my head. It had been a long time since Eternal Woods had housed an energetic bachelor, and Rowan wasn’t just any man–he was Rowan Wrenmoor.

My eyes lingered on him longer than they should have. He had worked all morning without stopping, and even now he was helping someone haul sacks of grain despite his obvious exhaustion.

I forced my gaze away, chewing my food a little too hard.

Beside me, Calla was still eating, her tiny hands clutching her spoon. Suddenly, she looked up

at me.

“Mommy,” she said softly, “has Mister eaten?”

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Chapter 227 Errrands After Errands

38

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I froze, spoon halfway to my mouth. Trust Calla to notice. My child had always been too empathetic for her own good. She saw through people, even when I wanted her to ignore them.

My lips pressed into a thin line. I didn’t want to admit it, but… she was right. He hadn’t eaten. My gaze betrayed me again, sneaking in his direction. He was still smiling at the people asking for his help, but I realized with a pang that his plate had been left untouched.

I clicked my tongue, muttering under my breath as I stood.

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