ROSANNE“I can't believe it.” I exhaled loudly, walking through the dense woods in my tank top and thick, skinny jeans. Tall trees rose out of the earth to brush the skies and sun dappled leaves created flickering shadows on the ground. I'd been walking for almost half an hour now, but I kept walking around in circles, bumping into the same mark I made on a tree several minutes ago. A small groan escaped my lips as I ran my fingers through my hair, messing it up. Mikhail wasn't just despicable and excessively naughty, he was such a pain in the ass. I heard the news of the hunt quite late, and when I figured he'd chosen me as well, I almost went berserk. I wasn't going to give in to him so easily. Caressing the rough bark of a tall tree, I inhaled sharply and willed myself to continue this journey. I had to find a rouge. I had to kill a rouge. “looking for something?” A familiar voice made a shudder run down my spine. I turned swiftly, meeting pale green eyes and fiery red hair—wh
MIKHAIL“There's a situation, Alpha Mikhail. It's been eight hours. Four men returned to the pack with a rogue each, six of them came empty handed, but we've not seen Irene and your breeder.” Since the pack warrior walked into my office, it was the first time I raised my head to stare at him. “What do you mean? Didn't you have CCTV camera’s stationed at some corners to ensure they were safe?” “All we heard was a loud growl before everything went dark. We lost the signal to the video as well.” Shit. I closed up the file I'd been staring at for a while and pushed my weight off the black leather chair. The pack warrior and I rushed outside my office, taking long strides towards the training field. If I had to find Irene and Ross, I'd need a few of my strongest men to get the job done.Almost immediately, as soon as I got there, a familiar red head collapsed on the ground with a dead rouge a few meters away from her. She got up again, dragged the rouge, but she had so many cuts and wo
ROSANNEA groan ripped out my lips as a splitting headache pinned me to a bed. Discomfort zapped down my spine, my chest tightening with every breath I took. My whole body ached like I'd been run down by a truck, and maybe I was. What the hell happened to me? The musky scent of blood mixed with the scent of sandalwood lingered in the air—almost like he was here. MIKHAIL. Slowly, I clutched the bedspread, trying to push myself up, then I saw it—the large bandage wrapped around my leg with slight blood stains on it. “What the—” then it started coming in—the memories. The rogue. Irene. That bitch. She'd taken advantage of the rouge, shot my legs with her crossbow and made a run out of the woods, leaving me all alone with the beast. The brown fur glistened under the sunlight—it was magnificent, but when it bared its teeth, I really thought that was the end. I didn't even want to think about what happened. I fought the beast and killed it myself, and Irene? She dragged it away, but I
MIKHAIL “It's got to be a joke!” Irene thundered, barging into my office like she always does, but this time, I sent a harsh glare her way, forcing her to quiet down immediately. Wrapped in a white, short tulip skirt and a grey bodycon top, she charged towards me, sharp heels brutally striking my tiles. “I heard something, Mikhail, and I'm here for some clarifications.”Placing my elbow on my desk, I leaned my head on my fist. “Is that why you've been throwing a tantrum?” She pressed her lips together and balled her hands into fists, pink nails sinking into her flesh. “It's important.” She gritted out, chest rising and falling, her red hair flowing down her shoulders. “I don't want to believe it, Mikhail.” Her voice became a desperate whine I didn't want to hear. “Tell me it's not true. Tell me you're not postponing the royal wedding.” “I am.” “No, No.” She took a few steps backwards, pinching the bridge of her nose as she found a balance. She clutched a leather chair before my
ROSANNEI overheard them. I overheard their entire conversation. Mikhail's voice still lingered in my ears, replaying like a bad song on repeat, and with how hard I tried to keep my tears at bay, I couldn't. He'd visited me almost everyday while I was still healing—silly me—and I'd thought he was finally changing towards me. I was beginning to see him in another light. I was beginning to understand him better. But now? I realized I was nothing but a breeder in his eyes. I wiped my tears harshly. I came to his office to tell him ‘thank you.’ It was a first, but really, he made sure to check up on me everyday. He made my heart race. Made shivers run down my spine. He made me laugh sincerely since the first time I stepped my foot into this hell, but right now, I figured he still wanted to use me. To fuck me. To ruin my whole life just so I could fill his whole house with pups. That was all he needed me for. Mikhail looked rather shocked to see me. It took a while for him to sh
MIKHAILThe annual banquet was in just a few days. For the rest of the week, I kept stamping invitations with my seal, handing them out to my Beta to make sure they were delivered to the Alphas of separate packs. Ross kept avoiding me like a plague. Her scent would linger in my nostrils for a brief second, but before I could step out of my room, it would turn faint—almost like she didn't just walk past my room. “How's the preparation for the banquet coming up?” Landon crossed his legs casually, his fingers loosely wrapped around a glass of scotch. The amber liquid glistened under the ray of the sun seeping through the windows, but that wasn't what caught my attention. It was Ross’s eyes. Amber. Just like the glass of scotch staring back at me. “Khail.” Landon snapped his fingers in front of me, a small smirk plastered on his lips. “You're not one to zone out in the middle of a conversation.” I groaned, running my hands through my hair. “Have you seen Ross?” I shouldn't be askin
ROSANNEThe fresh scent of sandalwood assaulted my nostrils. I woke up with a slight groan, my head banging, whole body hurting like I'd been smashed by a truck. I knew this place. With the soft, dim lightening, the lingering scent of sandalwood and this large space, I could tell it was Mikhail's room. Mikhail's room. The demon's room. I got up almost immediately, pushing the comforter off my legs, but as soon as I placed my legs on the ground, my vision doubled, legs swaying like they had no more strength in them. “What's happening?” I whispered, placing a palm over my forehead, but I pulled away quickly, stunned by how high my temperature was. “I wouldn't stand if I were you.” Mikhail strode into his room with a covered pink tray, looking as magnetic as ever in his black shirt and pants. His dark hair fell over his face, the dripping edges indicating that he'd just washed them. It explained the fresh scent of sandalwood and shampoo. Reluctantly, I sat back on the bed and kep
MIKHAILRosanne kept picking on the chicken soup like she really couldn't eat it, but the pack doctor emphasized on the fact that she had to eat. I facepalmed myself and grabbed her wrists. “What are you doing?” “Eating, just as you instructed.” She replied plainly, her wet lips beckoning unto me. My lips curled up into a slight smile. “It's been half an hour, Ross, but you're still on a single bowl.” “I'm…I'm fi—” she rushed up suddenly, placing the bowl on the coffee table as she made a run towards my bathroom. I frowned, walking right after her. “Rosanne.” I called, watching as she gripped the sink so tightly, her knuckles turned white. I strode towards her, held her hair in my left hand and caressed her back with the other. “Rosanne, are you okay?” Strangely, my voice was soft, so soft I could barely recognize it as mine. She shook her head, her back stiff, she kept gripping the sink like her whole life depended on it. I just stayed there. Confused. Bothered. Worried. Seco
MIKHAIL I'd always loved the sound of war. I'd always loved watching Lycans shift, rogues squirling in pain, their blood splattered around everywhere like a masterpiece on a canvas. Hearing their groans was like awakening a beast that'd been locked up for far too long. It's like giving the beast in me the opportunity to go feral, to kill as long as he could, and that was how I felt by giving into Lex. We stood at the battle field, listening to the lost souls find their way to damn fucking hell. Lex was large, larger than any Lycan here, and as a rogue stood before me, in his wolf form, I could literally see the fear spread across his face. He took a step backwards, and I a step forward. My pack had been peaceful for way too long. We'd stayed out of every dispute for the sake of peace. As the Lycan king, I'd tried to solve things the right way—not all times—but these rouges still had the guts to drag a war to my pack? I wasn't just going to let it slide. I would take them, t
ROSANNE “I'm glad you're much stronger now.” Reaching for Anita's hands, I gave it a light squeeze. Her lips bloomed into a small smile. Anita's face was still a little pale. She looked frail, unhealthy, but she'd stepped down from the stairs alone. She'd eaten breakfast and lunch without puking her guts out. “I heard you saved my life.” “I just got the herbs you needed.” “You risked your life and your baby's.”“That's what friends do for each other, isn't it?” “Sisters.” Anita's smile widened. “Friends might not go to that extent, but sisters would do it a thousand times for each other.” No argument, she was right. It'd just been a few days since I last stepped out of this abandoned, shaky house. Axel had told me the patrols became even more strict, and people were more eager to find me. Soon, they'd be knocking on that damned door to get me out. Yvonne stepped out of the kitchen, wiping a sheen of sweat from her forehead. Wearing a brown apron we'd found in this house, s
MIKHAILThe hall was filled with Alpha after Alpha. Some stood with arms crossed, waiting to hear what I had to say. Others shifted uncomfortably, their eyes flickering with fear. None of them dared speak first.I stood before them, hands clenched at my sides, rage boiling just beneath the surface."She is a traitor," I said, my voice sharp like broken glass. "Rosanne. My mate. My wife."Murmurs stirred among them."She ran from me," I continued. "She took my child with her. And any of you who dare to shelter her will suffer the wrath of the crown."I threw the bounty file down on the long table, the signature of me, the Lycan King pressed scrambled boldly. "Find her, bring her back. Alive."The words tasted like poison.Somewhere inside, I hoped she would be dragged in, bloodied and breathing, just so I could see her again. I wanted to shake her. I wanted to hold her. I wanted to demand why she left me—and maybe, if she cried enough, I'd even forgive her.But none of that mattered he
ROSANNEBy dawn, Anita suddenly started burning up. Axel had barged into our room to get our attention.While Yvonne and I checked her out, we realized her breathing was shallow, and her pulse? It felt weak. “She has a fever.” Yvonne whispered slowly, her palm resting on Anita's temple. “She just needs to rest, it's nothing serious.” “What if it's the wolfsbane?” Axel asked, his lips pressed together in a tight line. “What if the wolfsbane in her system did this to her?” “Then—”“She needs some herbs.” Axel’s voice rang out. He was leaning on the slightly cracked wall, his brows furrowed with worry. “Tyland herbs, right?”Axel nodded. “I'll go get it, it shouldn't be far off.” Yvonne looked up, her expression tired but. “They’re checking out women now. The patrols are getting smarter, they’re sniffing out pregnant females, checking faces. If you step out of here, you might risk more than your own life. You might risk hers too.” She nodded toward the bed, where Anita shifted sli
CHAPTER 72 MIKHAILThe silence in the hall was maddening.It wasn’t peaceful, it wasn't calming. It was slowly killing me, slowly driving me insane—more like the walls were closing in on me, the silence creeping into my bones. It felt like I could hear her voice in it, like her laugh was somewhere in the still air and I could almost taste her. But she wasn’t here.Rosanne.“You’re losing yourself,” Hudson muttered from the other end of the room.I turned, slowly. “Have they returned?”“No.”Of course they hadn’t.Only one of the scouts I sent to the borders had returned, but I'd heard nothing from the three spies I sent to the nearby rogue territories. From a source, I figured out that Anita and the girl she escaped with were rouges. It was why I kept checking through rouge territories, and if those scouts didn’t return soon, I’d burn those fucking forests to the ground myself.Rosanne was out there, somewhere, with that damn pack warrior and his mate. “Bring him in,” I said col
Chapter 71ROSANNEThe scent of roasted meat and firewood lingered in the air, soft rays of morning light seeping through the lacy curtains we'd washed last night. It wasn’t much, but it felt… peaceful. Too peaceful, almost. The kind of peace that makes your stomach tighten because you know it won’t last long.I sat on one side of the small wooden table with Yvonne beside me. Anita hadn’t joined us yet, probably still curled under a blanket she found comfortable. Axel sat across from me, half-smiling like he always did when things were calm. A loaf of bread sat between us, torn into uneven pieces, and the meat tasted like heaven compared to the crap we’d been eating in the woods.“I can’t believe you actually went to the market,” Yvonne said, chewing thoughtfully. “That’s got to be the fastest trip in history.”Axel smirked, licking a bit of grease from his thumb. “Didn’t go to the market.”We both paused.“What?” I asked, brows furrowed.“It was still dark, the pack market wasn’t
ROSANNESince there were two rooms in the abandoned house, Yvonne and I shared a room, while Axel and Anita took the other. Last night, we'd spent the whole time cleaning up the whole place—the underground layer, the basement and the rooms. Strangely, I found out about a small library just a few meters away from the basement. Who placed a library next to a basement? I'd been awake for the last hour, but I just sat there, on the bed, watching the large trees keeping the house a bit hidden. It was still quite early, still dawn, it was why Yvonne slept quietly next to me, but I couldn't bring myself to lay back on that bed. Not when Mikhail appeared in my dreams. Not when he threatened to bring me back no matter what. It felt so real, like he was carefully watching me, waiting for the time I'd slip and expose myself. It was a nightmare, the most terrifying I'd ever had. My mind travelled to the day I had the wedding, our wedding, how perfect he looked with the heart of a demon. M
ROSANNEI didn’t move, none of us did. The air was thick with the weight of Leonard’s confession.“You are the reason I’m living like this!” he spat again, his voice shaky but loud, almost like he needed us to hear it—needed to hurt Axel with those words.Axel stood still, eyes fixed on Leonard. I saw his jaw clench, his hand curl into a fist. But he said nothing.It was too much.My heart ached for him, but I couldn't say anything either.Yvonne's hand still held the dagger near Leonard’s face, but now her expression had changed. The anger was still there, but something else slipped in—confusion maybe. “You’re blaming him,” she said slowly, lowering the blade just a little, “for something he had no control over?”Leonard looked away.There was silence again. Then a soft voice broke through the tension. It was weak, barely above a whisper. “…Rosanne?”I turned sharply, my breath caught in my throat. Anita.She was standing at the top of the stairs, one hand gripping the wooden rail
ROSANNE Last night, after much persuasion, the old man—Leonard—eventually gave us the wolfsbane for Anita's treatment. Axel had stayed with her throughout the night to make sure she was okay, since the wolfsbane could be quite harmful as well. I hadn't seen Leonard today, but I was sure he'd be carefully thinking of other ways to drag me back to the Bloodmoon pack. “Axel, are you there?“ I knocked on a wooden door, patiently waiting outside with a small bowl of warm soup. Yvonne and I woke up quite early to prepare this delicacy for Anita, just so she'd feel a little strengthened. It took a few minutes before Axel opened up the door, looking in a brighter mood. “Hey,” he smiled. My lips curled up, “she's awake?“ His eyes trailed over the small bowl of soup I held. He reached and collected it. “Thanks Rosanne.“ He sighed, holding it carefully. “She's not awake, but her wounds are healed. She should be awake soon.“ “Okay.“ I wrapped my warm hands around myself, taking a step back