Rael’s POV“You're a bastard, Rael Allston.”Her words came to me. Cutting and tear laden. It was the words of the young woman who was breathing soundly beside me, leaning onto me with her arm tightly linked to mine. I looked at her, watching every rise and fall movement of her frame.Her eyes, which had not fully recovered from the swollen mess it was due to last night, stood out more.She was right. I was a bastard. Probably the worst of them, but it wasn't for the reason she thought.I carefully extricated my arm away from her with ease. Her arm slipped off, resting on the couch.Standing up, I managed to gather her in my arms, lifting her up bridal style. She didn't wake up, not once.Carrying her brought her scent so close to me. I shut my eyes for a moment to reject the push my instincts gave.I walked slowly out of the library toward her room.On the way back, we crossed the dining room, where the pack members were packing the dishes full of unfinished food.When the older woma
Rose’s POV“No…”I struggled against the claws that were rending me to pieces. I couldn't let them catch me. I didn't want to die.A growl reached my ear. Turning, I saw a pair of open fangs, large and wide. They hovered over my face and prepared to snap at any moment.My body was like a stone. I was unable to move an inch despite the terror I faced.Then, in the blink of an eye, its mouth snapped shut.“No!” I screamed loudly as I rose, grasping at the air.My breath left me in heavy pants, my face began to turn cool in the wind.My gaze remained stuck on the blank walls of my room, the sun filtering through the windows.Immediately I slumped, relief flooding through me.Just a nightmare. It was all a dream.This time, it was all so vivid.I drew my knees toward myself, holding them tight against my chest before resting my head in-between.It may have been a scare. But I wasn't hurt this time. I was safe.The hint of mint made me open my eyes.Rael.He had saved me. He and his beta,
Rose’s POVSeveral days passed. After our discussion, George reverted back to usual, telling me all about his family and the packs. After a long time I was able to see and roam the pack areas with him as my guide. Kayla and Jade still chatted with me whenever they could, but I could tell that they were busy. Oftentimes, with a greeting and good luck their way, I was happy.What I was not happy about however, was Rael’s absence, starting from the day I had spoken with George.That night, I had spent my time considering George’s words long after he was gone. He had opened my perspective on things that I had thought trivial. In the end, I concluded that there were far too many things that I wasn’t aware of. And while his ‘safety measures’ were ludicrous to me, wasn’t it something I should have expected?In the end, Rael was only trying to protect me, and in my ignorance, I got angry and cursed at him.Although I still felt justified in my anger, I couldn’t help but feel chastised as wel
Rose’s POVI swallowed heavily at his proximity. In an instant, my instincts rushed in and I took several steps back, looking down at the carpeted floors.When I looked back up, there seemed to be some emotion swimming in his eyes that I couldn’t grasp. It all shut down before I could even try and his face turned cold.“So now that you’ve interrupted my meeting and gotten my attention, what are you here to tell me now? Do you have any other complaints? Do you want to insult me further?” His voice was so harsh that I couldn't help but flinch.He quirked an eyebrow, bringing a smirk to his lips. Looking at him, all I felt was incredulous.His expression wasn’t one of indifference or amusement. It wasn’t even the haughty smug look that infuriated me. No, this one was cruel, full of contempt.There was something off about it though. It didn’t even seem natural on his face. It felt strange… forced.I shook my head “No, that isn’t-“He cut me off before I could say anymore. “If that's exactl
Rael’s POV I must have been a fool when I shook hand with that woman in a gesture of friendship. Nothing else mattered other than knowing that what I was doing was wrong. To anyone else who somehow knew what was going on, I was sure that the kind of look they would give me would be that of a monster. Like looks that should be reserved for the worse of criminals. And the truth was that even if I caught anyone throwing that look my way, I wouldn't be angry about it.Why? Because I knew that was exactly what I deserved.I was supposed to stear clear of the woman, pending when she would go her way and leave me be. Instead, I accepted to be with her, even offering her my hand for support.True, it might have been the friendship route, but that still didn't mean a thing.I sighed as my mind went back to her expression again, to when she had extended her hand and asked for my cooperation with her. It was one that was genuine and filled with sincerity. I couldn't help but be moved by her hea
Rose’s POV“I am going to ruin your life.”This time, I was the one who had the upper hand, and he was the one distraught. A smile quirked up my lips, amused at best and challenging. I looked into his eyes, baring my smile.“You can try.”A few minutes passed in silence, only the tension standing out amongst all the other smaller noises. Suddenly, the place wasn’t so quiet anymore.“Why did you do that!” He cried out, fighting harder.I kept my face stoic, though smugness filled my veins “Because I could,” I answered.A few more minutes passed and the clicking sounds continued. A quiet sigh came, but my focus remained intact.He shouted again, frustration laden in his voice. “It doesn’t work like that!”I raised my eyebrow at the dawning feeling of victory taking over. I was so close…“Oh really? I'm pretty sure it does and it will,” I said, pressing the button that would end everything.In an instant, the screen displayed the win I took, with my name boldly shown under the senten
Rose’s POVI watched as the other two followed along. Kayden didn’t look pleasant whilst Adian looked more amused and even a bit pleased? I couldn't tell what had gone on in his head or why he had suddenly left like that or why Adian had passed me a look.Moments after they left and it was only us three, we awkwardly sat back down on the couch to continue from where we stopped. Strangely, this time I couldn't find it in myself to move close to George. He didn't ask either.A few minutes later, only two of them came out. Kayden passed us without a word. Adian, on the other hand, moved towards me in particular.“You should probably go to comfort the dear Alpha.” He whispered in my ear. Shifting away, I eyed him and looked at George and Lily, who were no doubt aware of his presence but decidedly ignoring our interaction.Usually I tried to not give Adian the time of the day, but since it involved somebody I knew , I swallowed in response.“What was up with Rael?” I asked.He smiled, quir
Rose’s POVIn the cold night, that moment was all I could think of.My thumb dragged across my skin, the sensation a constant reminder as I replayed the moment deep in my mind.His hot breaths, lightly brushing against mine. The faint scent of mint and that extra something I couldn’t decipher as he was so close to me. His dark eyes, piercing mine and sending a heat through me. We were so close. We were about to-I shoved the thought away, shutting my eyes tightly.So far, I have had two -technically three - encounters with him. The first time was a drunken romp, one which was hazy aside from the reminder of constant pleasure. The second had been intense, borne out of the pent up emotions all colliding into a rushed field of sensations.The third, or second half so to speak, was the most intense. Slow and sensual. I remembered the images on the pillow, the sight of the movement below as he…I whimpered as the heat in my core became more intense. It took willpower to not let my hand go
Rose's POVI sighed, looking up at the night sky. The chill of the night sky made me shiver, but I embraced it.The hospital region looked so different from the places I was used to, but the sky always remained the same.I had stayed in the hospital for four days now. Even though in theory there was no longer any need to. Real had insisted on the hospital staff who allowed me to remain here, even without the needs for medical attention.I was grateful for it, and I was sure he knew why I didn't want to step into the mansion again.And so my nights were spent within the place, no dankehs in sight and Real being a constant presence. Despite staying in the hospital, he brought food from the pack house daily which I accepted.Adian visited another time on one occasion, and Rael stood by, acting more like a watchdog. Amidst their jabs I could see what I had been blind to for so long. The easy camaraderie between them. And Rael seemed lighter than I had ever seen him before.Now, four days
Rael's POVTracing her contact and the texts she sent was the hardest part, everything aside from that was easy.Location in hand, I arrived to find him, said ex boyfriend, sipping tea in the cafe waiting for her. I stepped in, facing him.I could tell that he was one to be easily intimidated, proven by how he palmed immediately after he recognized me. In no time, he scrammed out of the cafe, garnering many looks for a moment. I waited in silence for the main reason for my presence.It took almost twenty minutes, before Jade stepped in, eyes searching through the tables. Despite her almost innocent appearance, she was definitely sharp minded. The moment she spotted me, surprise flitted onto her face before morphing into dislike.She indeed loathed me. I had never been close or bothered with any of her friends aside from listening whenever she talked about them, but whether I caught it or not wouldn't have mattered either way if not for this.I partly expected her to walk away or try t
Rose's POV Rael left shortly after bringing me breakfast, leaving me with a kiss on my forehead and whispered promises.Full and completely awake, there was no way I was going back to bed anytime soon. With nothing left to do, I walked around the large hospital room I had been given, admiring the skyline view in peace. I tried not to think too much about Jade and whatever measures Real was going to take, only hoping that both of them were alright. Instead, I looked down at my belly.A baby was growing in there and I never noticed. Slowly rubbing it, I smiled to myself at Rael's past words. Indeed, this baby was resilient to have gone past the alcohol and malnourishment, only to remain healthy.Strong, but that didn't mean I was going to let anyone harm it. “I don't know what will happen between your father and I, but I promise you I'll protect you the best I can. Even if it costs me.” Shutting my eyes, I repeated it several times, keeping it etched in my bones.I would do my best t
Rose's POVWhen I woke up, the sun was up and it was far warmer than before. Yawning, I looked around as it eased upon me.The chair Rael was on was completely empty. I properly looked around at the surroundings.The place was large, filled with couches and chairs with a dining setting right beside them. Save hospital beds, it looked more like a hotel.This definitely wasn't cheap.I let out a sigh, shaking my head. There was nothing I could do about it now.Even with his absence, I could still hear his words.He loved me.There were still plenty of things to deal with, especially with my pregnancy on the way. But instead, I laid back on the mattress, closing my eyes. At this moment, I was content.I spent my time taking deep breaths, lost in the blank zen state when a sudden vibration pulled me out.Blinking, I looked around for the source, only to see my phone in surprise.‘He'd taken it too, I reasoned. I looked at the screen in surprise. Jade was calling.I gasped, recalling how I
Rose's POVI squinted in the face of the blinding lights, taking time to adjust as I slowly returned to reality.Beeping filled my ears, closer than ever. The sting of disinfectant woke me up even further.‘Where was I?’ I faintly wondered as I drifted out of dreamland. I tried sitting up when suddenly a pair of warm hands circled me.“Wait." All vestiges of sleep erased at his voice.His words and our unfinished discussion before my fainting still rang clearly in my mind.‘Of course,’ I thought. He was the one who no doubt brought me here.I remained silent while he helped me sit up, avoiding eye contact. Tingles grew from his penetrating stare, but I ignored it.“Where am I?" I asked, breaking the tense silence.“You're in the hospital." He said, confirming my thoughts.A slight twinge of relief filled me that I wasn't back in the mansion, no matter how much my heart lurched for it. This was more neutral ground.Those thoughts went away once I remembered why I was in the hospital.
Rael's POVPanic grew in my throat the moment I caught her in my arms. She was out cold, her breaths shallow.Damn it all. I hadn't thought about her condition. The fact that she hadn't been eating for the past few days.None of that will do. I had to take her to the hospital.Hefting her body up, I moved against the fallen bodies in the hallway. That would be taken care of later.I had rushed in, feeling the warning instincts. She wouldn't forgive me if I left her friend there.‘She may not forgive you at all.’ Ny hands tightened on her at the thought.Rose's friend was knocked out cold on the floor, but otherwise, she was safe. No doubt she would wake up in a matter of hours.Laying Rose on the couch, I picked Jade up, tucking her into her bedroom before leaving just as quickly.Picking her up again, my gaze was fixated on her face, how peaceful she looked even now.Without another word, I sped back to my car.Driving into the hospital gave the feeling of deja vu, but I ignored it i
Rose's POVI almost couldn't believe it, but it was undeniable.The man I was hurt by, whom I thought wouldn't rescue me, was there. His eyes treaded across them.“Let her go.” He growled, body poised in a way that made him seem larger than life.The man that held me and his henchman were both stuck in place. I was too stricken to try struggling against them, which wouldn't have amounted to anything considering the still painful grip they had on me.In a flash, everything changed.The whiplash was painful as I was pulled away, the man holding me running as fast as he could out of the hallway. The movement sent a wave of dizziness through me.A loud growl, and everything holding me disappeared. I was light, flying freely in the air for a moment before I collided harshly with the ground. I whimpered as my injured arm burned before I slumped back to the floor.A choked noise and the sound of flesh colliding were all I heard before everything fell silent.Harsh breaths came up behind me,
Rose's POV I followed Jade through the door, shutting it behind me.I had sneaked out of the mansion, thankfully taking advantage of the lack of presence. Even with fear creeping from me, I walked until my legs hurt, moving until I reached the asphalt streets I had told Jade to wait for me in. Jade had taken a taxi all the way to the far end of the place where I met her. I looked away from her gaze, knowing the poor sight I looked like at the moment. It all went away after I entered the taxi, watching the mansion move farther and farther away. It was past midnight when we finally arrived in the city and even further when we got to her place.The timing was unexpected, but it all made sense when the destination wasn't the same one I knew.This apartment was new and different. From the minimal tones and the slightly more expensive look, it was a complete change from her former space throughout college.I looked around in awe. “I didn't know you had a new place,” I said, looking around
Rael's POV.I took in the cool air, letting the heat simmer down.Finally, the anticipated meeting with the Alpha Council had taken place and it was anticlimactic.I had welcomed them, pushing away all my worries easier than expected. After giving them the information and discoveries gathered, thanks to Mira, they were equally ecstatic.That was my chance to state my sole condition to continue this project.Let Rose go.“There is no need for us to use an innocent human as bait for the Dankehs anymore.” I had tried reasoning with them.The backlash was expected, but I physically had to hold myself back from losing control in the face of their disparaging comments.‘A mere human?’Rose was far more than that. She was more than anything else I had seen. I, who had taken advantage of her naivety and kindness, had tried seeing her in the same way in the beginning and failed miserably. None of them would understand though. They just saw her as a tool to gain victory over the threat plaguin