Chapter 70: The First Anniversary

One year after the airport, Rowan brought me red roses.

I stared at the bouquet.

"You remembered the exact date?"

He looked offended.

"Nessa."

"What?"

"I remember your cycle."

"That is not the romantic defense you think it is."

He turned bright red.

I laughed and took the flowers.

A year.

It felt impossible.

One year since I had dragged my suitcase through Greyhaven International Airport expecting to expose a liar.

One year since a ridiculously handsome stranger had looked at me with complete indifference because he thought I was hitting on him.

One year since I fell into his chest and my wolf whispered one word.

Mate.

Rowan had planned dinner.

I had planned nothing.

That made me feel guilty until he told me anniversaries were not exams.

We returned to Greyhaven anyway.

Not for drama.

For coffee.

The arrivals hall looked smaller than I remembered.

People rushed around us carrying luggage.

Nobody knew this was where my entire life had tilted.

Rowan pointed toward the place where he had waited.

"Right there."

"You were hiding behind flowers."

"They were large."

"You looked terrified."

"I was terrified."

"Of meeting a two-hundred-pound girl?"

"No."

He frowned.

"Of you not liking me."

I looked at him.

That detail still surprised me.

At the time, I had assumed the person behind Knox's account held all the power.

He knew what I looked like.

I didn't know him.

He knew the relationship wasn't what I believed.

I didn't.

Yet Rowan had been afraid too.

"Why?"

"Because by then I was already in love with you."

I rolled my eyes.

"You hadn't met me."

"Neither had Knox."

"Bad example."

"Fair."

We sat near the arrivals windows.

Rowan pulled out his phone.

"I saved something."

He showed me a screenshot.

The first message he had sent after taking over Knox's account.

Babe, I checked the records and your period is coming up soon. I bought you raspberry ginger tea.

I covered my face.

"You saved that?"

"It was romantic."

"It was invasive."

"You told the account your cycle."

"I told Knox."

His expression changed.

That old complication still existed.

Rowan had inherited access to conversations meant for someone else.

Even though he had treated the information kindly, the deception itself hadn't been harmless.

"I should've told you earlier," he said.

"I know."

"I was scared."

"I know."

"Does that still bother you?"

"Sometimes."

He nodded.

No defensiveness.

That mattered.

I had forgiven him.

Forgiveness didn't require pretending every part of our beginning was beautiful.

"I wish we'd met differently."

He looked down.

My chest tightened.

"I don't."

His eyes lifted.

"I wish you had told me the truth sooner. I wish Knox hadn't traded me. I wish I hadn't been humiliated."

I touched his hand.

"But I don't wish you away."

He smiled.

"Good."

"Also, if you get dramatic, I'm leaving."

"Supreme Alpha abandoned at airport anniversary."

"Excellent headline."

We walked through the terminal.

A young woman nearby was crying into her phone.

Her suitcase stood beside her.

I tried not to listen.

Then I heard:

"You said you wouldn't care what I looked like."

My steps slowed.

Rowan noticed.

The woman ended the call.

She wiped her face angrily.

I hesitated.

I didn't want to intrude.

Then she looked at me.

Recognition flashed.

"Alpha Nessa?"

"Hi."

She laughed once through tears.

"Of course I'd meet you today."

"Bad day?"

"My online boyfriend just saw me."

I didn't ask for details.

She volunteered them.

He had accused her of misleading him because she was taller than expected.

Not weight.

Height.

Same cruelty.

Different measurement.

"I know this sounds stupid."

"It doesn't."

"I flew six hours."

"That part sounds exhausting."

She smiled weakly.

I didn't tell her everything happened for a reason.

I hated that phrase.

I didn't tell her she'd meet someone better.

Maybe she would.

Maybe not soon.

I simply said, "You don't need to convince someone to treat you decently."

Her eyes filled again.

"Was it easy for you?"

"No."

That seemed to help more than inspiration would have.

Rowan and I left her after making sure she had a safe ride to her hotel.

Outside, evening light covered the airport road.

He squeezed my hand.

"Happy anniversary."

"Happy anniversary."

"No dramatic surprise?"

"Please don't."

He grinned.

Then a black car pulled up.

Tessa, Rhea, Cassian, Mom, Dad, and half of Lunaris jumped out holding balloons.

I stared at Rowan.

"You said dinner."

"It is dinner."

"Why is Rhea holding a sign that says ONE YEAR SINCE NESSA FAILED TO EXPOSE THE CATFISH?"

Rhea raised it proudly.

"I made it myself!"

I turned to Rowan.

He backed away.

"Her idea."

"Traitor."

I chased him around the car while everyone laughed.

Maybe our beginning had been messy.

Maybe parts of it would always be.

But the life that followed belonged to us.

Not Knox.

Not fate.

Not the Moon Goddess.

Us.

At dinner, Dad gave a toast that embarrassed me so badly I considered revoking his speaking privileges. He talked about the girl who used to hide behind oversized sweaters and the woman who now argued with Supreme Alphas for fun. Then he corrected himself. He said the girl and the woman were not opposites; one had simply been given more room to grow. I looked down at my plate because crying during two anniversary events in one day felt excessive. Rowan squeezed my hand under the table. Rhea noticed and photographed that too. I planned revenge.