Rose's POVA sharp ringing filled the static air suddenly.The sharp trill startled me awake, reaching out for my phone to switch off the alarm I had set. In spite of the lethargy keeping my eyelids heavy, waking up was inevitable now.With a sigh, I lifted my crusted eyelids. Finally, I took my phone in hand. As though on instinct, the first thing I checked was Rael's texts.Despite how much I resigned myself to the fact, it never failed to send a spark of dissapointment every time I would see nothing but my texts.The last time I had heard from him was the day he told me that I could text him for anything. A week had passed since then.I had still sent messages his way in spite of his lack of response. True to my past words, I treated it like a diary of sorts. Aside from the last memory-based nightmare I had days ago, I told him of everything. And even though he didn't reply, it still eased my mind.In a matter of time, another week passed without much fanfare.There was one new tex
Rose's POVIt felt like an eternity had passed before I felt his arms loosen around me.Taking his cue, I stepped back, looking at him. I didn't know the expression I made, but from the way my face ached, I was likely still smiling.His expression was soft before it tightened for a moment. What was he thinking?I parted my lips, but before I could say a word, he moved past me. I stumbled from the sudden shift, but regained my balance quickly, eyes darting to him.He moved toward Aidan who stood amongst the other guards. Said man looked composed as Rael came to him. In contrast, the other guards were more organized, standing at attention as Rael came closer. “Where's Kayden?" Rael asked.I watched as Adian shrugged in response.“In Albrecht. He's been holed up there since you left." He said.I blinked in response. It was true. Then again, I hadn't seen the man throughout.From a distance, I watched Rael lean closer. Although I couldn't see or hear anything, I noticed how Adian straigh
Rael's POVThe moment she gave her assent, I didn't hold back anymore.I pushed forward, engulfing her in a kiss, her slight gasp brought satisfaction through my body as I pressed her closer to me.The reminder of her words, confusion mixed in with her complaints still rang in the back of my mind.In contrast to whatever she was thinking, I saw her texts. But I never answered a single one. That was on purpose too.No matter how hard I tried fighting it, I could see the sense and worry in Felicity's words back then. Mixing with the overwhelming conflict I had, I came to a decision.I couldn't reverse everything I felt, but maybe I could take a step back.I stopped myself from replying, from asking more of her life and demands. No matter how hard my fingers itched.I was often good with control. Had mastered it in order to become the leader my pack deserved. And yet every time a new message came up, it took all my willpower to not try to contact her. Or better yet, forget everything al
Rose's POVSoreness filled my body as I slowly returned to reality.Forcing my heavy eyes open, I squinted at the bright light that shone the moment I did so. I shut them back in turn, groaning at the almost painful feeling.I wish I could have gone back to sleep, but that wasn't in the cards. Slipping them open once more, I slowly adjusted to it, letting myself relax till I could fully open my eyes.It was daytime and this…This was not my room.Moving my body slightly, I hissed at the ache that soaked through. What had happened to make me feel like this? I…...‘Oh'The heat was rising to my cheeks. Every single detail about the night before came back. After both times in the library, he had taken me to his bedroom, where he proceeded to continue on his path.I couldn't count the number of times he had made me climax, or the amount of times I almost felt like passing out. There were times I could have sworn I did or wished I did.I remembered my taunt last night and almost groaned
Rose's POVAnother day, the same routine.Aside from Rael's arrival, my current schedule didn't change. I still moved on with the work in the school before heading back. In spite of that, his presence made all the difference.For the first few days, he stayed at home. In the evenings, we had dinner together before he took me to 'burn' the food we had just eaten in the bedroom. I savored every bit of his attention, keeping my happiness and feelings inside as I did.For the past few days though, things had taken another turn. Just like before, he had been going to work. I brushed it off. It helped that now I had an occupation of my own, whether it be voluntary.At least, he had kissed me goodbye last night. By the time the morning came, he was long gone, leaving only the shadow of his warmth, rumpled sheets, and his sticky spend on my flesh.I yawned as I threaded through the hallways, moving to my room. It was another usual day after dealing with children. The sky view from the large w
“Bitch, you're still not done?” Even muffled through the door barrier, Jade's voice still rang clearly.“Almost. I'm coming!" I spoke loudly in the bathroom whilst I applied the cherry lip tint Kayla had given me. This moment gave a feeling of deja vu.The door opened suddenly, prompting me to turn my head. Kayla stepped in, fully decked up in a short red number and her hair braided intricately. “I'm here for moral support. Jade's going ballistic back there." Her words brought a chuckle.It definitely felt like the last time too.Finally putting the makeup down, I took a quick check on myself before turning to her.“How do I look?" I asked.Kayla teasingly rolled her eyes before smiling at me.“You look perfect." She said, reaching for my hand. “Now, come on. Let's get out of here.”Together we stepped out, meeting Jade who wore an emerald green dress.“Took you long enough." She drawled out before her lips curled into a smile to show that she wasn't angry.Kayla immediately crossed
Rose's POVI stood frozen as I stared at them through the lesser crowd.It wasn't a trick of the lights or a mistake. She was right beside him.I had never seen him with another woman. Even though I knew he had his paramours as the billionaire he was - it would be foolish to think he hadn't gained those bedroom skills from anywhere - it wasn't something I thought much about. I still remembered the bitter sensation I had back when I didn't fully recognize my feelings after Lily told me about Emmeline. Even though I had only conjured the possibility in my mind, it ached to think about.None of that compared to the stabbing feeling of looking at them.Even from afar under the club lights I could see her features. Her dark hair stood out, matching with the sleek black dress she wore. She looked like a femme fatale.And she was leaning toward him.Hot bitterness washed over me, replacing the initial heat I felt with something more revolting as I looked at him.If the clothes weren't enough
Rose's POVMy pulse raced in my chest. Somehow, even though I stared at him from afar, his presence filled the entire room.The look on his face especially, made my legs jelly. It was a wonder how I was still standing.I had seen him in many states, and had witnessed the dark intense look in his eyes. This however was far from it.His eyes blazed in a way I had never seen before. His entire expression hardened from every slight line. Though his face looked stony, his expression told a different story like a storm.Trepidation filled me. Glancing at all the restroom doors, I could tell that the place was empty and we were the only ones present. With him at the entrance, there was no way I was escaping from this.I suddenly reminded myself of how I got here and why exactly I did so, rejuvenating my anger. The fear and trepidation that stunned me melted away under my annoyance. ‘How. Dare. He?’ I seethed.After he had shunned me with another woman - goodness knows how long that had been
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