RYAN'S POV "Babe?" Brenda called me from the bathroom. "Yes love?" "My shower gel just got exhausted. Please could you look through the third compartment of my dress cabinet, for another one?" "Sure!" I nodded, regardless of the fact she couldn't see me. Quickly walking to the dress cabinet, I checked the third compartment and picked out one of the few cans of shower gel there. "Here." I called her attention when I got to the bathroom, stretching the shower gel for her to take. All the while, I tried my very best to act like seeing her naked body didn't do a lot of wicked things to my mind. I would have really loved to make a move on her, but decided not to. My mate could be so cranky atimes, and I couldn't really tell when she was just not in the mood. 'She's always not in the mood'. My wolf sulked, making me release a sigh. I turned and made my way back to the bed. Lately, cohabiting with Brenda had slowly started to feel like I was in a war zone. Brenda complain
RYAN'S POV "Ryan!" Brenda called my name in relief. Atleast, that was what I thought it was. Little had I known it was far from relief. It was fear. Charging towards the presently self aware bastard, I grabbed him by the collar and flung him across the room. With my vamp speed, I rushed to where he had landed, and grabbed him up on his feet again. I knew that my beast was beginning to take over, but I could care less. My beast existed for the sole purpose of dealing with treacherous people like him. "Ryan!!" I heard Brenda whimper behind me, and it only fueled my rage. How dare he assault my mate??!! I continuously hit the soldier until his body went limp, and I let him fall to the ground. Immediately, I rushed towards my mate to console her, but was met with her teary and shocked eyes. "Oh, goddess!!" She screamed. "What have you done?!!!" She yelled in what seemed like agony. I guess I was too slow to understand the entire situation, because I proceed to hug her and tel
ROSA'S POV I slowly walked past the gates of the pack house, a feeling of self pity coming over me. Today was Theo's engagement party, and I wasn't sure how to feel. After the unpleasant spat with his sister 3 weeks ago, and hearing all the sad things she had to say, I avoided him like a plague. I didn't avoid him because I hated him, I did because I hated myself. Why couldn't I just have been someone without faults? Someone who could be loved without conditions. 'But it's not your fault'. My wolf sighed in my head, making me release a complimentary sigh. I guess this was my fate. Forced to attend the engagement ceremony of the only man that had ever looked at me with the slightest iota of love. Yes, I know Vera had a lot to say to me the other day. She had made it clear that I was nothing but a 'rescue the puppy' project for Theo. But that didn't mean I would simply pretend that there weren't days where he had been extremely kind to me, just for the sake of it. Not because
5 YEARS LATER RYAN'S POV I opened my eyes, the blinding sun rays piercing them. Sighing in mental exhaustion, I looked across the room to see Beta Allister and Philip sitting on the settee. Seriously? "What do you both want?" I asked gruffly. "Good morning to you too." Philip sighed, standing from the settee and making his way to me. "A letter from the king." He said, stretching his hand towards me. I eyed the envelope he held in his hand, unsure if I really wanted to see the content. "Ryan, you have to leave here." Beta Allister muttered. Hearing him speak, I sat up on my bed to be able to get a clearer view of his solemn looking face. "Why?" I asked, already aware of what his response was gonna be. "You cannot remain here." He begged, trying to make me understand whatever his reasons were. Couldn't they just continue as they had been? The pack had done so well in my absence, what difference would my return make? "The east wing is still a part of my castle." I sho
ROSA'S POV Another shadow moon festival. Another night to lick my wounds over the fact that I was probably cursed to be alone forever. There I was, sitted in a secluded area from the main event. I could hear the cheers of the pack members celebrating with one of the newly selected shadow wolves, who had coincidentally found his mate a few minutes ago. "Must feel good." I whispered to myself, releasing a scoff. Crying? No, I was past that. If the last 5 years had taught me a thing, then it was to never waste my tears over something I couldn't change. "A fang for your thoughts?" I heard a familiar voice ask, and I looked up to see priestess Ivana. She had proven to be the only true friend I may ever be able to have. "I have good fangs." I managed a small smile, regardless of how much my heart hurt. My heart always hurt, if I was being honest. I couldn't remember anytime I was truly happy in the last five years. "A good limb could be a better bargain." I sighed, and watched
ROSA'S POV As I walked through the quiet garden, I muttered to myself continuously. "You'll be fine, Rosa. You'll be fine. You're in a better place now." I was in a better place right? Or was I just trying to convince myself that I was? It had been three weeks since I arrived at the blood moon pack with Andrew, and it was safe to say that I had become even lonlier. Atleast, I had priestess Ivana in my pack, but here, it seemed like I was all alone. The maids here in the pack house were either the least bit friendly, or they were just more concerned about their work. The pack members were either still trying to warm up to me, or they just didn't want to relate with me. Or with my mate's family, if I was being honest. I wondered why, because Andrew was the heir Alpha, and his parents were the current Luna and Alpha. Why would their pack members not relate so much with them? Since I came here, I could count the number of pack members that had visited the pack house. The pack hou
RYAN'S POV The moment I stepped foot into the wedding hall, all eyes fell on me. I wasn't one bit surprised. I was a hybrid, and exuded excess energy wherever I went. 'Everyone is looking at us'. Philip mindlinked me, and I nodded in agreement. 'Of course, they would. They should'. I replied, holding my head high, and walking through the aisle. Seems we couldn't make it in time for the joining ceremony, but we were able to meet up with the wedding party. 'It's him. The hybrid'. 'I think it's Alpha Ryan'. 'Goddess! He's been released?'. 'It's really him!' 'Did you have an idea he was out?' 'Is he here for the ceremony?' 'Was he invited for the crown prince's wedding?'. 'He feels very deadly'. 'He's so cold'. 'The coldmoon Alpha'. 'Monster hybrid'. I heard a lot of whispers all around, my vamp hearing making them all the more audible. I couldn't help but turn to the lady who had whispered to her mate, calling me a mo
ROSA'S POV "Arghh! Fuck!" He panted heavily as he pulled out of me, and collapsed beside me on the bed. I tried to conceal my dissatisfaction, facing the other side of the bed. Each day that passed, he seemed to have become faster at chasing his release. He didn't spend so long moving inside me, and it made it difficult for me to enjoy it as much as I hoped to. "You should put on some clothes." I heard him say behind me, and I turned to him. I was surprised to see that he was still awake, having expected him to be fast asleep by now. He always went straight to sleep, immediately after sex. "Go." He nudged me by my shoulder, making me frown slightly. "Put on some clothes." I didn't have to ask why he insisted that I put on some clothes, because I guess I already knew. He was repulsed by the scars all over my body. "Okay." I whispered, trying so hard to not let the tears in my eyes drop. Slowly, I stood from the bed and made my way to the closet. It was still early in the
RYAN'S POV The entire place? Chaotic.My heart was beating so fast, and couldn't help but let worry overcome me, after watching Audrey draw back her hand in her attempt to take the pendant off Rosa. What exactly was that pendant?"Come forth!!!" Hazel suddenly yelled out from the midst of the MacQuoids, who literally surrounded her. Almost immediately, one of the glasses containing a relic burst open, leading to the ultimate escape of the most feared MacQuoid relic. The ice sword.A lot was happening at once, because the next second, Rosa began shaking furiously. I was caught in between rushing off to wield the ice sword, before any damages were done, or staying back to ensure my mate was safe."Ryan!! Do something!!" Audrey yelled out, fear in her eyes as she made to hold Rosa still. She and Austin had made an attempt to hold Rosa at the same time, and the most shocking scene unfolded.I had never thought she could possess such strength. One minute, they were reaching out for her,
ROSA'S POV "Are you fine?" Ryan asked me for the hundredth time today."Ryan!" I whisper-yelled. "I am fine. We are in the middle of something here." I reminded him, as he seemed to be easily forgetting that.It was late in the evening already, and we had just finished the first stage of the coronation ceremony. The next stage was the procession of the ice relics, by the Honourable families. It was also a reminder that the MacQuoids had failed to produce a new custodian, and the power as head family may be conferred upon the Kennedys tonight. Quite sad."Are you scared, love?" Ryan suddenly asked, and I frowned slightly. "Why would I be?""Wielding the ice sword." "Oh...." I let out a chuckle, hoping I didn't sound nervous. I was supposed to wield the ice sword and absorb its energy, as Luna of the coldmoon pack soon. I learned Ryan had done that as well, at his own coronation. "Should I be?""It isn't so easy, but I'm sure you'd be able to handle it." He encouraged, gently patti
ROSA'S POV "Oh myyyy!! You look so pretty my love." Audrey gushed, the moment she walked into my chambers. "Good job girls." She patted the shoulder of one of the many maids present in my room with me."Thank you." I muttered. "They did a great job indeed." I said, looking at myself in the mirror."You don't seem fine." Audrey caught on, making me release a low sigh. Who was I kidding? Audrey would always catch on to these things."I'm fine." I gave a small smile, but she shook her head in negation, refusing to believe me."You all, leave at once." She ordered, and the maids all exited my chambers in a file."Laura, you can stay." I called back."No, it's fine Luna. I will....""I said, stay." I cut her off firmly, making her shut the door and walk back to my side.'And you trust her enough?', Audrey's voice filtered through my mindlink. 'I do'."And for the sweet love of the goddess, please don't tell me you and Ryan had another fight." She sighed in frustration."Not at all" I deb
RYAN'S POV There was another pup.I still couldn't believe how lucky we were. Deep down, I knew Rosa was going through a lot of pains at the thought of losing our pup. I was only grateful to the goddess that she showed us some mercy.Audrey had been kind enough to handle things in our stead. She had shifted the wedding by a day, giving Rosa ample time to rest. Though Rosa had really insisted on going ahead with the wedding, claiming she felt very okay, we had to convince her otherwise. She was currently asleep in my chambers, while I had stepped out to discuss with Logan. He had mindlinked me, saying we needed to talk. On getting to my study, I was glad to see Logan already seated and awaiting my arrival."Sorry for keeping you waiting." I apologized. "Not at all. I shouldn't even be drawing you away from her at a time like this. How is she?""Sleeping soundly. She seems to be healing up fine, thanks to her healing energy.""Which leaves me wondering....." Logan muttered mindlessl
ROSA'S POV My hands shook badly and my lips quivered. I debated within myself if this was the right thing to do. The moment he had picked me off the ground and shielded me behind himself, I knew in my heart that he would always protect me. Most importantly, I knew that if I didn't show him the weakest part of myself now, I may probably never have the courage to do so again.Moreover, he had asked the reason why I hadn't fought in my wolf form. I knew this was just the opportunity to let him know why. In that moment, I knew we had company, but the only person I could see was him. Ryan."Come, love. We'll talk inside." He said, but the distance from the garden to our chambers could be enough for me to lose this confidence. Maybe going through this near death experience a few minutes ago, made me realize I could die so cheaply, and the person I loved the most would never have an idea who I really was."No...." I shook my head in refusal, stepping away from him. "L...let me sh..sh...sho
RYAN'S POV Philip and I had discussed my plight two days back, and all he had said was to give Rosa the space she was asking for. According to him, I would be selfish to want Rosa by my side, without giving her the choice of making that decision to be with me, just like I had made mine.No matter how painful it was to hear that, it was the truth. And I didn't want to be the selfish one in any way. Especially not towards Rosa. She had penetrated my heart and broken down my walls completely in ways I couldn't explain. Something I never thought would happen again. But somehow, she had achieved it."At this rate, you'd burn holes into her skin." Logan whispered beside me, making a smile break out on my face as I pulled out of my thoughts.At the moment we were all seated at the dinning hall, having dinner. Somehow, I had found it difficult to take my eyes off of her, ever since she showed up for dinner. I couldn't tell if it was worry, after seeing her cry to Audrey a couple of hours bac
ROSA'S POV "I do not like the sound of this child being in danger. Rosa, you have to protect this one." Audrey grabbed my hand, shaking it furiously, as if trying to shake up my brain. "You have lost a lot already, you can't lose this one too." The moment she said that, I instantly felt goosebumps all over my body, my senses going alert. What was going on with me? Just three days ago, I'd rather Ryan cared more about me than this child, even after hearing what Isobel had to say. Now, I couldn't explain the possessive feeling that engulfed me, at the slight mention of losing it. "Audrey..... I love my child." I whispered, and she nodded in understanding. "Of course, you do." "Was I dumb?" I asked, unsure she was going to understand what I meant. "I'm such a bad mother." I began sobbing. "Noooo, Rosa." She shook her head in negation. "You're not! Recently, a lot has happened. It is okay if you feel confused about your feelings, including the ones you have for your pu
ROSA'S POV Everywhere was noisy. The castle was the busiet it had ever been since I arrived here. It was the eve of my wedding. Preparations had been in full swing for three days now, but I guess today was just something else. It was understandable, seeing as most of our guests were arriving today, against the wedding ceremony tomorrow. I still couldn't believe it was here. Ryan and I were getting married tomorrow, but..... Oh, goddess. I felt lost. So lost. I had taken up Dean's advice to emotionally distance myself from Ryan, and it had been hell. I went through different stages of hurt. Well, the first night was hell for a different reason. That was the night I had discovered Ryan's actual intent on keeping me close. It wasn't really for the sake of a pup. I mean, he had made a request for Isabella to be his breeder, before I showed up. He would have probably rejected me, if I hadn't any other use to him. But after crying for a better part of the night and thinking
ROSA’S POVI had spent a better part of my day with Philip, Lily, and the new baby.I had also taken out some time to discuss with a few maids, and reassign a new personal maid to Ryan's chambers, seeing as Aliya was.....I wondered if Ryan was going to break the news to the occupants of the castle, just yet."It's time for dinner, Luna." Laura informed, taking out a simple long dress from my closet, and laying it on the bed. I had just stepped out of shower after a long day, and all I really wanted to do was sleep.But then again, I wasn't the only one I was supposed to be looking out for now. There was a little one inside me, so I had to go down for dinner.I guess I was also unsure of what to expect. Was that woman still in the castle? Would she join us for dinner tonight?Nonetheless, I dressed up and went down for dinner. The moment I showed up in the hall, all eyes fell on me. "Good evening, all!" I greeted, receiving their greetings in return. I saw her sitting just opposite R