Rose’s POVI watched the trees pass by in a flurry as the car drove on, bringing me back to the mansion.Passing a glance at Rael, who sat beside me, his face seemed surprisingly contemplative. It was the most emotion I had seen from him aside from the stone cold indifference, infuriating amusement and the occasional smaller things. Now, he seemed a bit different. Vulnerable, if I dared to say it .I wasn't sure why he never pointed out my stares, but I didn't care. My eyes leisurely traced his face, from his sharp jawline to his eyes, to those plump lips.I gasped as I jolted slightly, looking forward to see that the car had stopped. Goodness, was I so entranced by his face that I didn't even notice the environment?Shaking my head slightly, I looked at the front of the car, where the front of the mansion showed. To my surprise, two people stood in front. Adian's familiar face wasn't hard to forget, but the second man I hadn't seen before. He bore dark hair with a large frame. Even
Rose's POVSomehow, a full week passed without a hitch. Those two days were granted with silence. Strangely, it felt like the first day I came. It was as though none of the things that had happened never occurred, and I was back to square one.Well, not fully. The day after I had agreed to stay, another contract was sent to me. Not through Rael, but his Gamma, Adian, in return for the change in terms.Once bitten, twice shy they say, and I wasn't one to make the same mistakes. This time, I read every nook and cranny of the contract before I finally signed, ignoring Adian's amused gaze as I did.As he packed it up, he spoke to my chagrin.“Usually, Alpha Allston isn't as frequent in the pack as before, leaving Kayden and I. So if you need anything, you can come to meet us.”‘I'm sure I won't need it,’ was what I wanted to say. Instead, I turned away in silence, ignoring the sigh that came from behind as I retreated to my room.I stayed withdrawn in my room after. Surprisingly, there w
Rose's POVWell, that was far from what I had expected.I cleared my throat in an attempt to break the current silence. His words were unexpected, unreal. A part of me wanted to pinch myself to make sure that I wasn't in an alternate dimension.“I thought those only worked in dreams.”I looked up in surprise, meeting his dark gaze as I heard him say those words. Did he read my mind?Rael quirked his eyebrow at me for a moment, and all I thought of was : ‘Ah, that's regular Rael.’His gesture brought a wave of confusion in me before he spoke. “You were speaking out loud. Even now.”My eyes widened like saucers before the flush came as I processed it. I looked back down at my plate, unable to face him.How could I even make such a mistake? Had I suddenly become dumb? Stupid Rose. Stu-Another sound came. A deep, dark chuckle I hadn't heard before. My heart skipped a beat at the sound.Slowly, I raised my head, to see if my ears were truly fooling me.He looked amused. Not in the arroga
Rose’s POVThe moment I woke up, I questioned whether the day before was real.If anything, it felt more like a fever dream that I had somehow crafted up.However, my memories didn’t fail me. I recalled everything, including the awkward and embarrassing parts.However, I could also remember the warmth of his hand holding mine as he introduced himself, and how it rubbed against my back while I was choking…I flushed as a spark of heat ran through me. Instantly shaking my head, I got rid of any thoughts. No thinking about big hands or warmth.“I want to make it up to you.”His words rang clearly in my mind. I knew I shouldn't be as naive, but hearing that, I felt it was sincere. Somehow, I felt lighter now. With Rael’s words, it was as though we were now on equal ground. I didn’t know. Was it even possible to be friendly with him after all we did?The day before brought me a new kind of hope, a strange one that I couldn't even decipher. Was it the mating bond or the loneliness that ma
Rose’s POVThe place was marvellous.As the lights turned on, I hadn’t known what to have expected from this mysterious room, but not this.I took a step inside, slowly taking in the sights. From the bright lighting, the intricately carved wooden bookshelves, and the height of all the books that were within the vicinity, I could only stare in awe.It was a library, one unlike any library I had ever been to. It was beautiful and seeing it brought a rush that filled my mind.I took in a breath, and was surprised at the dewy fresh air I got in return. What I expected would be stale and dusty otherwise, but from the floors to the places I spotted, there was no hint of dust.“What is this place?” I asked, turning toward him. He had been walking in silence behind me the whole time.‘George never showed me this.’ I thought to myself.“This is my personal library. Whilst there's another library in the mansion reserved for the pack, only very few of my pack members are allowed in here.” He exp
Rael POV“Work on all of these,” I instructed the scientists who stood along with Kayden.It was nearing midnight already, and nobody was working in the company. Well, nobody human anyways.The people I instructed left with a bow, leaving me with Kayden in the hallway. As soon as they were out of sight, I looked to Kayden.“Has the Council called?” I asked the man, who shook his head in response.“No, the Elders haven’t either. They seem to trust in your word since the last meeting.”“Good.” My jaw clenched as the thought of them nitpicking me. I knew what I had to do already. I was focused and devoted to the mission, so I didn’t need their interference or doubts.I was Rael Allston, leader of one of the most powerful packs. Pressure was the last thing I needed.A flash of red hair came to mind.I stopped in my tracks.No. I must fight this. Not tonight.“Rael?”My head snapped to Kayden at the address. Despite knowing beyond all reason that it wasn’t possible, something akin to disap
Rael POVI jumped out of my seat, sprinting out of the library. My heart raced, the blood rushing through my ears. Breathing in deeply, I did my best to block out all the sounds to trace her. My instincts didn't fail me as I traced her scent and rushed toward it. There was no time for me to call, or inform anybody. My mind had become a tunnel vision, with only one mission in mind.Save her. Save mate.Desperation hinged around me like a cloak as I rushed through tracking the scent. Strangely, there was nothing else mixed with her scent. No sign of any extra scent, wolf or dankeh. But I was far from satisfied, not until I saw her safe.Finally I tracked her to her room, the screams emanating from the door. The moment I twisted the door lock, trying to enter, I found that it was locked.The image of the dankeh standing over her bed came to my mind, as vivid as it was on that day. The thought reappeared and intensified with every scream I heard, inciting more rage and something more co
Rose’s POVThere was darkness.I ran around the cold forest, around the halls, around places I didn't know. I didn't know where I was, the images were all mixed, but I ran from something. Something that was behind me.The growl came again before I found myself on the ground, suffocating under the glowing blue eyes. More growls came filling my ears until I could barely hear myself.“You can't escape.” They said.Still I struggled, even though I felt their growls and laughs and hot breaths against mine. I screamed and still fought, even as pain bloomed from my body and I felt myself rendered.Something pushed up against me, and a muffled voice came out of nowhere. I couldn't notice it. Not against the loud growls that sent me screaming.“Rose!” I stilled, meeting darkness.“You're safe.”The rest became muffled, as though I was drifting through. I had said something, I heard something in return. A comforting voice told me a story.Something threaded through my hair, sending comforting
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