RYAN'S POV I watched as she sluggishly stepped out of the bathroom, avoiding my gaze. It would have definitely taken so much emotional and psychological will, to do what she had done, yesterday. But more than anything else, I was glad she had finally stood up for herself.She didn't have to say much, for me to deduce the kind of life she had as a growing child. She was most certainly bullied, humiliated, taunted by others. To make things worse, the very man who was supposed to care for and protect her, only ended up being her worst nightmare. Whenever I replayed that seen from her dream in my head, my blood boiled. Seeing her kill that man, had satisfied me in a way that killing him myself, wouldn't have.Deep down, I knew she had set herself free from a lot of emotional pain and baggage, especially after finding out that the same man had locked her powers and killed her mother.Rosa was so strong and my admiration for her had increased, if that was even possible. With how much my h
ROSA'S POV Great 'congratulations' to me, for finding my second chance mate three weeks ago. He turned out to be an Alpha, and not just any. He is the famous Hybrid Alpha Ryan of the cold moon pack. The strongest Alpha in the werewolf kingdom, save for the king, who is a Tribrid. After the terrific and horrible abusive relationship I was caught up in, with my first and late mate; Andrew, I decided I wouldn't have any business with mates, love, or romance again. Who was I kidding though? The moon goddess? She always did what she wished. Like mating me to such a powerful man, who made me feel like shit, and proceeded to admit that he didn't want me in his life! Hurt? I thought that was an emotion Andrew had killed within me before he died. But somehow, that idiot called Ryan, managed to make me feel hurt again. I hate myself for being so weak. For feeling sad that my second chance mate had aired his dislike over my sudden appearance in his life. I may not have wanted a se
11 years earlier. ROSA'S POV "You have it all in you, my love." Mom said to me with obvious difficulty. "Its all inside...." Her words were cut short, as she began to cough out non stop. I held her hand in my much smaller ones, the scary beeps coming from the ECG machine intensifying. Her hands shook so badly as I gripped onto them harder, scared to be in that part of our life's journey, where we say our goodbyes. My lips opened in reflex, but I couldn't make any words out. My mind had yelled at me to call the doctor, but no words came forth. In a way, it wasn't just because I was shocked. It was because deep down, I knew there was probably nothing the doctor could do. My mother was halfway gone already, and I could feel it. All I could do, was let the tears of fear and self pity, fall from my eyes. Eventually, I saw the lines on the ECG machines go flat. I wasn't dumb. Matter of factly, I was the best student in the pack's academy. I knew what that meant. My mother's heart
RYAN'S POV "Mother!!" I yelled in agony and mental confusion, as I Iooked at the lifeless body of my..... mother? My heartbeat accelerated drastically as I realized I didn't really recognize the person I was holding in my arms anymore. It was all shocking and confusing to me. Where was her 'smooth as glass' skin? How... and why? Why did my mother petrify? That phenomenon was associated with the death of.... vampires. Oh no! Oh goddess, please! Let this not be true. A lone tear fell from my eye as I looked at my mother's petrified face. "Traitors!" I heard someone yell from the crowd, and my heart did a flip. Traitors? "Yes! They are traitors! The Luna is a vampire!!" Another person said, and my blood ran cold. This was the exact reality I had been shying myself away from believing, just few seconds ago. If you were me, you would, also. How would you react after finding out that your whole life was a lie? That in a world where the different supernatural races detested themse
RYAN'S POV "B..but... but I thought they killed my mother because she was a vampire?" "Yes, and no." Beta Allister muttered, further confusing me. "You see, it's a bit complicated. They did kill your mother because she was a vampire. But that was only a means to what they plan on achieving. They thought of possible ways to rid your father off the Alpha position, and also make you unqualified to take over, after him." It seemed to be that I knew where he was headed. "What other way, than to kill your vampire mother in front of her subjects, then make the pack lose trust in your father due to his deceit even as their Alpha, and make them think you're unfit to be Alpha because you may also be a vampire? And to solidify their reasoning, you haven't actually had your first shift." "And I don't know what to do!" I hit the edge of my father's bed in annoyance. "There's nothing more you can do, than to wait it out." Beta Allister muttered. "But I don't have the luxury of tim
ROSA'S POV With shaky hands, I combed my fingers through my hair. I wasn't trying to appear more presentable, no. I was simply nervous. Actually, I was scared. Tonight was the shadow moon festival. It was a very significant event that was celebrated annually in our pack, and today, the shadow wolves were to be chosen. That was why I was nervous. The pack's priestess had somehow selected me as part of the few wolves who had the potentials of being shadow wolves. It came as a surprise to my step mother and siblings, seeing as they never thought that I had what it took to become something great. I guess my father was more shocked because he knew that my wolf was deformed. So how could I possibly be a shadow wolf, when my wolf could hardly defend itself, due to its deformity, talk more of being a part of such a formidable army? If not for anything else, I was grateful to my father for not having said a word about the deformed nature of my wolf, to anyone. It had been a year si
ROSA'S POV I regained consciousness, but kept my eyes closed as I tried to get familiar with my surrounding. The place seemed quite serene and too quiet for where I was supposed to be. I heard a couple of light footsteps, and could feel someone drawing closer to me. Just when a familiar scent hit me, my eyes flung open in curiosity. "Thank the goddess you're finally awake." I looked beside me, to see a worried looking priestess Ivana. What happened? Why was she worried, and why was I here? Looking around the room, I could tell for a fact that I was in the priestess' shrine. "What happened?" I whispered. "The shadow moon festival...." "Ohhh dear...." She began, but paused midway. "About last night..." Last night? Was it a new day? What happened? "What happened...... last night?" I sat up on the bed. My heart was beating so fast, because I didn't need anyone to tell me that it was a disaster on my own end. Her face said it all. "You.... you...." She sighed, clea
RYAN'S POV I stood by the window of my study, and hummed ceremoniously, as I watched the maids and soldiers get busy arranging the castle for festivities later tonight. It was the cold moon festival today, and the pack members were all in good spirits. They were always in good spirits by this time of the year. I felt a familiar pang of pain overwhelm me, the moment I realized that this was the first cold moon festival without my parents. "Ryan!" I looked towards the door, to see Ralia beaming with so much happiness. "The royal carriage is here!" Oh wow! I didn't think they were going to get here so fast. The journey from the palace to our pack, was half a day's ride atleast. "Come welcome them already!" Ralia beckoned, and I stepped away from the window. Together, we both made our way through the busy castle, and I kinda lost her in the midst of the chaos. Nonetheless, I continued on my way to welcome the crown prince. I walked through the doors of the castle and stood in
RYAN'S POV I watched as she sluggishly stepped out of the bathroom, avoiding my gaze. It would have definitely taken so much emotional and psychological will, to do what she had done, yesterday. But more than anything else, I was glad she had finally stood up for herself.She didn't have to say much, for me to deduce the kind of life she had as a growing child. She was most certainly bullied, humiliated, taunted by others. To make things worse, the very man who was supposed to care for and protect her, only ended up being her worst nightmare. Whenever I replayed that seen from her dream in my head, my blood boiled. Seeing her kill that man, had satisfied me in a way that killing him myself, wouldn't have.Deep down, I knew she had set herself free from a lot of emotional pain and baggage, especially after finding out that the same man had locked her powers and killed her mother.Rosa was so strong and my admiration for her had increased, if that was even possible. With how much my h
ROSA'S POV "I dare you to call my daughter a bastard, one more time!!"I guess I had gotten so used to seeing the jovial and sweet side of Dean, that it came completely shocking to see him in this mood. Moreso, the fact that he was this way because of me, had my stomach twisting in aggressive delight."Dean, please calm down." Audrey muttered, and Hazel quickly reached out to her brother, pulling him back to his seat.It was only then, that I realized how tight Ryan's grip had gotten around me. Instinctively, I looked up at him, and his eyes bore into mine. He was mad. Fuming."Oh?" King Logan said, looking lost in his thoughts. "So you mate never loved you? She was in love with another?" He taunted, and that seemed to have pushed Eli."She never loved that bastard! She was mine!!""You sound like you love and respected her!!" I yelled out, not able to bottle up my feelings anymore. "You humiliated her! You abandoned her when she needed you the most! Hell! The moment she died, you w
ROSA'S POV "But what exactly did you see, Logan?" Ryan asked, and everyone waited for Logan to give a response. "Rosaline appeared really huge in that vision. Like, she were some sort of giant. Or.... goddess." I didn't know how I felt at the sound of that. I probably thought Logan had exaggerated. I was no where near a demi-goddess, talk more of a goddess."What makes you say that?" I asked, and he released a sigh."I'm not sure." He shrugged. "Maybe it is because these large number of Tinotaurs, stood beneath you. They looked up to you, almost as if they were seeking your mercy. For a moment, it seemed like you were in alliance with them, until The Flaming Wolf appeared beside you. That particular vision was cut off, and I was taken to centuries back. Right where the first Flaming wolf emerged. I watched as it burned all the Tinotaurs to mere ashes.""I think I'm a bit confused here. Who really, are these Tinotaurs? I mean, I've heard of them before, and I know they share a histo
ROSA'S POVI woke up to a very quiet room.The first thing I had done was to look beside me, but I didn't see him. "Ryan?" I called out, but got no response. Just as I was about hopping down the bed, the door to the bathroom opened, and Ryan stepped out, his towel loosely wrapped around his waist."You're up." He muttered, walking towards me. I didn't see it coming when he leaned down and kissed me deeply. After some seconds he pulled away, releasing his hot breath against my face. In that moment, I was very self conscious, knowing I unavoidably had morning breath."Good morning." He whispered, a small smile on his face."Good morning.""Ready to shower? I prepared a warm bath for you." "Okay." I nodded. "I'm here to talk, if you need me." He added, making me go silent for a moment."There's nothing to talk about." I finally replied, hopping off the bed and making my way into the bathroom. There was nothing to talk about.There was definitely nothing to talk about....I closed th
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