Rose’s POVI groaned against the sensations that filled me, shutting my eyes even tighter against the slight glimpse of the sun.But a glimpse was enough already, and now I was slowly being drawn upwards into awakening.I opened my eyes again, seeing the lights everywhere as I stood up. There was not a single problem with the bed, yet I wondered.How did I end up here?Rael's musky scent came to mind. Blood rushed to my cheeks as the moment soon became clear to me. I had hugged him and somehow passed out in his arms.I groaned against my duvet. Had my voice not been hoarse, it would have been a scream instead, but I took what I could get.Okay then, after the whole debacle, I had fainted and he had carried me here. Yet as I looked around, the slight scent remained. It was as though he was here for more than a slight time, like he had… slept here.I shut my eyes tightly, instantly berating myself. ‘Stupid. How would you think he'll be here?’I shook my head, looking at the wrinkled
Rose’s POVThe decision was, unsurprisingly, easier to make than I expected.Looking in the mirror and seeing firsthand the severity of my bruises, I knew I couldn't stay.What was the abundance of money useful for when I was unsafe and my life was at stake?I turned away from my reflection in the mirror and moved toward the luxurious shower. I was going to spend a whole lot of time in it, because that was the last time I would ever use it.Fully bathed and dressed up, I removed my bags and began packing my things. I didn't even bother to arrange them in order, just piling whatever I saw into the bags. My actions were slightly frantic, but I didn't care. I had made the same mistake twice over. The first was trusting him initially when he had broken into my apartment, and I had paid for it dearly. Now I had played right into his hand's and accepted his deal only to be resulted with loneliness and apathy from him.Jade was right. I had no obligations toward him, not when he was the one
Rose's POVWhat?“What are you talking about? That's impossible. I never signed anything like that,” I said boldly. “I don't care what the hell that bastard told you, but there was nothing like that in the contract.”He didn't even flinch at my words. He seemed almost unshaken and unbothered. The sight of him looking so assured made me even more upset.“I have to ask, do you know what terms were in the contract you signed?" He asked.What was he saying? Of course, I knew. But as I tried to bring them to mind, I found myself coming up blank.It felt like I had been doused with cold water as I looked back up at him. His gaze didn't even waver, as though he was sure of what he knew.Was he somehow right?He seemed to read my face as he sighed, looking back up at me with an almost pitying gaze“Perhaps you should check again, Miss Bentley, before you make any more rash decisions.”I reared back at him for his attitude, calling my desire to leave a ‘rash’ decision when it was anything but.
Rose’s POVHis lips pushed against mine fiercely, leaving no time for me to think as I was swept up in his waves. His tongue entered without remorse, merging with mine. Dominating it.I was reminded of that day months ago. Even though I was in a drunken haze, the memory of his kiss and amongst all the other things couldn’t be forgotten.I moaned, muffled against his lips as he pulled me toward him. The moment I felt his hard body against mine, I didn’t hold myself back any more. I pushed myself with equal ferocity, wrapping one arm around his neck to pull him close to me whilst the other hand curled his bicep. Dear goodness, his arm could barely grasp it.He was just so big. So big and infuriating, and annoying. I hated him-Tingles flowed deliciously through my spine as he trailed his hand down until he reached my bottom. The squeeze he made sent another moan through me with heat bubbling up my core.I hated him, but god he was sexy.I felt him against me, pressing against my belly.
Rose’s POVThe next time I opened my eyes, an orange glow filled the room. The large closet mirror I faced reflected the window, showing that the sun was setting.I was laying on my side, and snuggled further into the sheets I was in, shuffling my body slightly.I groaned against the moist feeling in my legs, rubbing them slightly and hissing at the sensation. I was sore, but in a good way.That was when I noticed the hard body and erection pressing up against me, and the bands that trailed my chest and thighs.I definitely wasn't asleep now and I knew he knew by the way he grasped at my nipple, tugging at it which elicited a moan from me.His breaths ghosted against my neck, ghosting over the scar. His other hand was no longer trailing my thigh, instead, slipping in-between my legs.“Ah,” I moaned out loud as his fingers brushed against my core.“Look in the mirror, Rose.” His voice rumbled against my skin, further sending sparks of heat through me.I did as he said, and gasped at th
Rael POVEven as time passed, my eyes sat on her frame, watching every single detail.The slow rise and fall of her chest, and the tiny puffs of breath she breathed out through her slightly opened lips. She was in a deep sleep, one I had a feeling she wouldn’t wake up so easily due to her exhaustion. The flush on her cheeks has cooled the town, leaving only her pale complexion shining against the city lights that reflected through my window. Somehow, this felt stranger than the last time I had watched over her like this. Not the time in the room, but the first time, when I had broken into her house on instinct, watching her hand curl over her belly before she woke up. Perhaps then, from the craze of the full moon, I seemed unaffected, solely focusing mostly on my instincts, which had made me act so out of my control as I said those words to her. But right now, the full moon was far from present. I was clear minded, and as I watched her now, it felt too intrusive. Too… intimate.Yet
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 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