At a certain point, Rosette realized that "Don't go so fast" was not actually a warning, glancing back at the officer. Although she couldn't see much, it appeared as though something inside the patrol car was emitting a faint yellow glow.
Upon arriving home, she parked in front of the garage, adjusting her skirt self-consciously before briefly glancing at the patrol car. The officer genially waved back, grinning the entire time. Hurrying up her front steps, she swiftly entered her modest house. Once inside, she activated the alarm and double-checked the door locks. Without hesitation, she practically sprinted to the bathroom, shed her clothes, and stepped into the shower. While scrubbing herself, she seriously contemplated incinerating the outfit she had worn. Chiding herself, she attributed the unwanted male attention to the attire, vowing to avoid such encounters in the future. As she showered, she attempted to wash away the lingering sensations from her encounter with Mr. Tall and Dark, belatedly realizing she didn't even know his name. The embarrassment of this slip-up was unprecedented for her, especially with a man who seemed capable of having her trailed by the police. The thought was too bizarre to entertain fully; she must have subconsciously disregarded the revelation about him knowing her name, or she would have been in a state of panic. Soon, her scrubbing evolved into a different rhythm. Instead of attempting to erase Mr. Tall and Dark from her memory, she found herself seeking to rekindle the sensations he had stirred. Running her fingers over her sensitized nipples, she yearned for more of his touch. Despite knowing it was wrong, the pleasure she derived felt intoxicating. As she lathered herself, she lingered on her labia, gently stimulating before focusing on her clit, stimulating it with increasing intensity. Inserting a finger into herself and massaging her clit in slow, then rapid circles, she soon reached climax, leaning against the shower wall. Masturbating twice in one evening felt excessive, prompting her to hasten through the remainder of her shower. Emerging from the steamy bathroom, she kicked at her discarded clothes, deciding to address them the next day. Securing her old robe tightly around her waist, she made her way to the kitchen. Despite the late hour, sleep eluded her, leading her to rummage through the drawers until she located a familiar small bottle. These pills had served as her savior during her residency when insomnia plagued her. These potent pills could induce a deep slumber in almost anyone. She swallowed one pill, then another, acknowledging that it might not be the wisest choice, but her urgent need to unwind overshadowed the concern. Reflecting on resorting to medication to calm her nerves, she remarked on the downward spiral of the evening. Eventually, she drifted into a dreamless sleep, acknowledging the efficacy of the pills as her last conscious thought before succumbing to slumber. Rosette awoke the next morning with a heavy heart, feeling a mix of regret and longing. She was determined to push through and return to her normal routine at work, but thoughts of Mr. Tall and Dark persisted, refusing to be easily dismissed. Despite her efforts to convince herself that he was just a passing phase, the allure of his presence haunted her, especially during the lonely hours of the night. Each evening, Rosette found herself drawn to the lingering scent of her outfit from their encounter, indulging in memories and fantasies that only fueled her desire for more. The routine of reliving the previous night, coupled with her growing frustration, led her to contemplate a return to La Luna Eclipse in hopes of encountering Mr. Tall and Dark once again, yet fear held her back. As the week progressed, Rosette's restlessness escalated, driving her to seek solace in moments of intimacy and escapism, accompanied by a bottle of red wine. In a moment of vulnerability, she even found herself confiding in her grandmother's old wing back chair, reminiscing about the comforting conversations they used to share. The sense of unease and turmoil within her continued to grow, leaving Rosette feeling trapped in a cycle of longing and uncertainty. ....... On a peaceful Friday morning, Rosette awoke to the insistent beeping of her alarm clock. Confusion enveloped her as she realized she had no recollection of setting it. Tiptoeing toward the kitchen, she was taken aback by the sight that greeted her eyes. A vibrant bowl of fruit adorned the counter, and a delicate bouquet of flowers graced the center of the table, both of which she had no memory of acquiring. Her heart racing, Rosette noticed the red light on the alarm pad, indicating that the security system was armed. A sudden knock at the kitchen door sent her heart into a frenzy, her nerves on edge. Opening the door cautiously, she was met by a man in a dark blue police uniform, holding up his badge for her to see. "Police, ma'am. Is everything alright? I heard the alarm and had to check," the officer inquired, his eyes scanning the kitchen before settling on her. Caught off guard by the unexpected intrusion and the mysterious additions to her home, Rosette struggled to find the words to explain. Opting for silence, she simply stared at the officer, uncertainty clouding her thoughts. Sensing her unease, the officer politely asked to enter, reassuring her of his intentions. As the officer inspected her surroundings, Rosette found herself fixated on the flowers, her mind a whirlwind of questions. His sudden return to her side startled her, his compliment on the flowers catching her off guard. Attempting to maintain her composure, Rosette questioned the officer's presence and how he had heard the alarm. With a mischievous grin, he offered a vague explanation before bidding her farewell and retreating to his awaiting vehicle. Alone once more, Rosette pondered the unusual situation. The fruit looked tempting, but the strange circumstances left her wary. It was then that a realization struck her - the sleeping pills must have played a role in the surreal events that unfolded before her.Those pills have been associated with extreme cases of sleepwalking and sleep driving. The addition of alcohol seemed to be the tipping point for Rosette. It appeared that she had unconsciously gone shopping the previous night. Deciding to forgo the pills, Rosette indulged in a juicy pear, rediscovering her love for fruit. She chuckled at the thought of keeping fresh fruit at home, a departure from her usual reliance on microwave meals.Upon opening the refrigerator, Rosette was astonished to find it stocked with fresh meat and vegetables. Delving into the supplies, she discovered eggs, bacon, and fresh bread. Notably, her staple milk and mustard were now placed on the door, a deviation from their usual prominent position. Puzzled by where she managed to shop at such a late hour, Rosette proceeded to cook eggs and bacon, relishing the meal.Feeling pressed for time after focusing on non-essentials that morning, Rosette hastily prepared for work, opting for a blue sweater and tailored
"I'm taking sleeping pills when I'm stressed and anxious, unsure if i'll ever fall asleep. Like when someone pulls me into a bathroom stall for... reasons," she glanced at the front seat, faltered, then continued, "or suddenly knows my name or has me followed by the police. For the record, I never expected to be entertaining company last night after going to bed in my own house!" Her voice rose on a crescendo that Pavarotti would be proud of as she stared directly into his eyes. They were blue-grey, she noticed, and very pleasant to look at.The low growl emanating from his chest was definitely not a laugh this time. "No more pills. They aren't good for you," he stated with finality, "and please call me Kyle."Rosette stared into those gorgeous eyes, "I'll take whatever I damn well please. I don't know you. I don't know why I'm here with you, and if I'm correct, this is the first actual conversation I've had with you. I won't stand to have you bossing me around. You don't even know me
Kyle talked about his family with love and pride. He said he was the head of his family, and it was his job to protect and nurture them. Having grown up with a distant alcoholic father, she was appreciative of his noticeable dedication. She couldn't hold back the comment that ran through her head, though."You don't look old enough to be the head of your family," she told him bluntly."In my community, head of the family is a designation of skill and genealogy; it doesn't necessarily mean I'm old, Rosette," he laughed at her.Kyle wanted to know about her family, her friends, and even her job. He seemed genuinely interested in what she did all day. She had never told a stranger as much as she told him. His presence was comforting, and she forgot to be nervous. She even found herself laughing at his jokes and swatting at his hand as he reached over to take a piece of artichoke off her salad."I've never tried it," he said, popping part of the artichoke heart in his mouth. He grimaced a
The group continued to look at Rosette solemnly, as though expecting her to say something."That's really weird," she started slowly. "I'll have to pay attention.""No," Ryana interrupted. "He is a wolf. You need to run, okay. You need to get out of here before something terrible happens to you. Or has it already?"The group took a collective step backward and eyed her."Nothing has happened," Rosette stated, putting her hands up. "I can't just run away," she told them. "I owe a lot in student loans and I have a contract here, I can't just disappear. Frankly, if he's planning to hurt me, I can't imagine what his motivation would have been for coming in here and meeting everyone. He's really put himself in a position where he'd be implicated if something happened to me." She continued to plead silently with her eyes, hoping the rest of this weird conversation would be quick."He's a wolf," Ryana repeated. "He came here today to make his presence known. He was here to mark his territory
Deep inside, Rosette mourned, regretting not fleeing when the opportunity arose."Leave the woman alone," a voice from the front of the van commanded. "You're leaving too much scent on her, and the Kook may turn on us. I don't want trouble from that erratic stray."Rosette shuddered at the mention of the Kook, which halted the rough handling.After what felt like an eternity, the van stopped. Distracted by her captors, Rosette had lost track of her surroundings. Dragged out and hoisted over a hairy shoulder, her blindfold slipped off, revealing a mass of fur. In the darkness, the rustling of leaves filled the air.As she turned her head, fear gripped Rosette. Bright golden eyes stared back at her from the four creatures accompanying her captor. Walking on two legs with wolf-like faces and fur-covered bodies, they moved with a silent grace. Startled by her gaze, one of the creatures lunged towards her, snapping, and eliciting barking laughter from the others.Dumped unceremoniously ont
Rushing back into the cabin, Rosette dried off with a clean blanket she retrieved from the bedroom. Surveying the room, she discovered a fragile dress in the closet, its fabric on the verge of disintegration under her touch. In the dresser, she found several sets of newer men's undershirts and boxers that smelled fresh, prompting her to change into them.Returning to the kitchen, Rosette absently stirred the pot by the fire with the large hunting knife, unsure of what culinary actions were required. Gradually, her shivering subsided, allowing her to reflect on the events of the past twenty-four hours, seeking a semblance of normalcy.Contemplating her situation, Rosette pondered the reason for her presence. Kyle Luther was evidently not the instigator, as Roel had confirmed. A profound sadness enveloped her at the thought of never seeing Kyle again.As dusk descended, a faint memory surfaced from her ordeal in the van. Recalling a whispered conversation, Rosette strained to recollect
Kyle finally returned, exchanging nods with Ethan. Ethan bowed his head to Kyle and left the cabin.Kyle picked up Rosette and guided her outside. They headed towards a series of dark-tinted Suburbans that now filled the entire front yard of the cabin.Kyle settled Rosette into the back of one of the vehicles and then disappeared briefly. Rosette recognized his driver from her previous encounter and managed a smile at him. When Kyle rejoined her, he pulled her onto his lap. Rosette wrapped both arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder."What did you do with Roel?" Rosette asked him. She felt protective of the eccentric giant. Without him, the kidnappers might have subjected her to terrible things."We had to restrain him, and he's coming back with us," Kyle sighed.Looking up into Kyle's eyes, Rosette saw the conflict within him."Look, I get this is probably a big secret, but I saw those creatures that brought me here. I saw Roel change in front of me. I know you are
"Love, wake up, we're home. Open your eyes," Kyle's voice reached her, bringing a sense of calm amidst her turmoil"Sir, the pack is assembled as you requested, several are unaccounted for as you suspected. What would you like us to do?" inquired a man with a clipboard as he approached them.He seemed unperturbed by Kyle carrying a disheveled woman clad in men's attire. Rosette felt a twinge of discomfort and instinctively raised her hand to smooth her hair."Rosette, I have some pack business to attend to. This is the den, our home," Kyle gestured towards the imposing structure nearby. "Ethan will escort you to my quarters. You may freshen up with a shower if you wish; clothing and food will be provided. However, for the time being, you are to remain in my quarters and not accompany anyone other than Ethan or myself."Setting her down, Kyle gently lifted her chin with his finger. "Do you understand me?"Numbly nodding, Rosette tried to orient herself. The unfamiliar surroundings in t