Rael’s POVShe was a minx.Coming to the place where she knew I was in the night, dressed so temptingly, the tenuous hold I had of myself broke the moment she turned back about to leave.Now I had her in my arms and I wasn't planning on letting go.I moved my lips against hers, slipping my tongue into her warm cavern. Circling my other arm down her waist, I pushed her further towards me.Against me, her soft body pressed up, reminding me of what exactly she was wearing. My instincts ran on overdrive. The urge to claim her then and there was far too overwhelming to bear.Instead, I slipped her night robe off one side of her shoulder- the unmarred side, free of my bite- and placed my mouth firmly onto her. I laced at her neck, the sweet scent she gave off driving me to suck harder.The squeal she gave off in return spurred me on. Her hands gripped my shoulder tightly, nails digging into my clothes. It wasn’t painful.My other hand on her lower waist pushed her closer against me, the urg
Rose’s POV“Mmmm.”Warmth surrounded me. I wanted to stay in it forever.Slowly but surely, I awakened.I lifted my heavy eyes open, lightly spotting a flash of brightness before shutting them again. What was the need of waking up at this moment? Right now, all I wanted to do was go back to peaceful oblivion.With a sigh, I moved towards the smooth warmth, snuggling further under it. Wait…warmth?My eyes immediately popped open. Adjusting to the morning light I finally realized.The memories of last night came back to me. His heated bruising kiss, his touches, and his words.“Prepare to be thoroughly disrespected.”I felt my cheeks rise up as the memories came on. Goodness, I had been so wanton. Lifting my hands to the mark on my neck, I hovered. A slight brush sent a sensation within me. The memory of him biting on the mark, right before I came… And speaking of last night, my eyes trailed down to the bed where Rael was sleeping. It felt too unreal to be true.Everytime we had spen
Rose’s POVHe looked dashing, to say the least. I was awestruck by his appearance.As if he could get any sexier.His presence here still confused me. Why had he called me out here? I was about to find out the answer soon.“Come.” He said.Confusion filled me with his words. “Why?” I asked. “Where are you taking me?” Though enticed by his fancy car and his handsome frame, I definitely wasn't going to just go out with him.“I'm taking you out.”His words dawned on me, and I looked down at what I was wearing. Thankfully I had not changed yet, however I wore a pair of faded and slightly ripped jeans with a yellow t-shirt. Though these were the outfits I was comfortable wearing at home, they did nothing to flatter my figure. Neither did it seem to belong anywhere near him, who looked like the epitome of fanciness.Looking up, I shook my head.“No.”His brows furrowed, and I hunched over myself more. “Can you just give me some time to change?” I pleaded, ready to turn back and run into
Rose’s POV“So, tell me more about yourself.”I looked up at him, surprise flittered over my face. “Don’t you already know about me?” I asked. I continued at his surprised look. “I got the hint the moment I went to your company for the first time. They knew my name already.” I said.“They could have gotten it from a news site.” He countered. “Yeah… but then again I figured rich people screen everyone around them.” I raised my eyebrow, daring him to prove me wrong. He didn't.“Touché.” He smirked lightly, raising his glass of water before drinking.For a moment, my eyes trailed down to his throat, where his Adam’s apple bobbed as he drank. The sight sent something curling within me.I shook my head immediately. How could I become so wanton?I managed to compose myself by the time he was done.“Well then, since you’ve already assumed that I know everything about you, humor me then.” He said.The gears turned in my head for what I was about to say.“Well…I like the color yellow,” I sai
Rose’s POVThe more I looked, the more frightening it became.Their figures revealed themselves to the light. Large hulking beasts with their teeth bared, and their jaws snapping with growls.Fear caught up my throat as they circled us. I I looked towards Rael beseechingly, wondering what he would do.He seemed calm and unruffled, if a bit annoyed. There was no fear in his eyes, even as the wolves - no, Dankehs - circled the car.“Rose.”I answered by humming, too terrified and dumbstruck to speak. He looked like he was already prepared.“Stay inside the car.” He said.‘Like I had any choice to leave’ I wanted to retort, but this moment was not the time nor the mood for any of that. Instead I nodded fervently, flinching at the growls I could hear even from the shut windows.“Once I leave this car, lock all the doors as fast as you can. Do you hear me?” As he mentioned leaving, my first instinct was to retort, asking for his sanity. But there was no need for this time, because I knew
Rose’s POVLife was good.Perhaps not in the traditional sense. Afterall my life had steered off course from the way I had initially planned it months ago, but as it seemed, this feeling was pleasurable.Months ago, when I had freshly graduated from college, I never expected that my life would change so much, or that the reason for the change was going to be a stranger I had met in a club.But here I was in the present, and I was living a completely different life than before.The moment I woke up, I stretched. I had a feeling that today was going to be a good day.I lived in comfort and Rael…Well, that was a whole other thing, wasn’t it?I stretched as I sat up, about to slip out of the bed, only to be dragged back down onto a warm hard chest. I smiled as his arms wrapped around me.“And where do you think you're going?” His voice rumbled beneath me. A smile unabashedly came onto my lips. So far, since our agreement, he had become unknowingly more affectionate. Though his countena
Rose’s POVDeep into thought on some questions, I was lost in thought. By the end of it all, I walked out of the cafe morose and sober. When I left the café, my mood was subdued and weary, too focused on my thoughts. During the drive, I felt Adian’s eyes on me several times, but I ignored it, too bothered to think.The view of trees went by, but it went back empty.I stepped into the house in the same sullen state, barely able to muster up a proper greeting towards the guards that greeted me. As I entered, I took the time to look around the large hall.All the previous strangeness had left me. I was able to easily weave my way in and out of the mansion, more familiar with it now. I had gotten used to the place, from the bright chandeliers to the library and all the other beautiful places. But soon, I was going to have to leave. This place would become a distant memory to me.Wasn’t leaving what I wanted initially? Then why did I feel something at the thought of leaving?“Miss Bent
Rose's POVI woke up more miserable than before when the next morning hit.I groaned into my pillow at the damned sun that broke through the window, immediately drawing the curtains up to shield myself from it.I couldn't go back to sleep anymore. My mind wouldn't allow me to.I stood up, moving towards the bathroom.I looked like a mess. That was my entire thought process as I looked at myself in the mirror.I didn't stay there for long however. Instead, I turned to the shower to relieve myself of whatever grime and sweat I had laying on my body. The moment I got out, I still felt just as miserable, but at least I was clean.There was nothing else to do today. I collapsed onto the bed, focused on the ceiling for a few minutes before I finally reached out for my phone. I still needed to check on all the messages I might have missed afterall.Kayla's message popped up first. I read it carefully and was surprised that she even messaged me in the first place.‘Hi. I'm not sure if you were
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