ROSANNE“Here she comes.” “She's the breeder, she's the one Alpha Mikhail broke the rules for.” “She's the one who's been clinging unto him even after the announcement of his engagement.” Clinging unto him? “She's a bitch, are you even surprised?” A bitch now? I stared at the blonde who'd just blurted out her nonsense and smirked. “How would you like to say that in front of the Alpha?” My voice was sharp and loud, making the maids flinch in surprise. On a normal day, I could have ignored the maids and walked in the opposite direction, but I felt like doing something unusual today. “Mi…Miss Rosanne.” She stuttered, her eyes wide with shock. I stepped even closer and smirked. “Didn't you just call me a bitch? I bet Mikhail would love to hear it from your lips.” She tensed, her face turning pale. “I…I..” “What?” I furrowed my brows. “You can be rest assured the Alpha would do nothing. You just have to speak your mind, say the truth.” I placed a palm on her shoulders, “You can ju
ROSANNE“You've just been playing hard to get.” Throughout the whole night, Landon’s words kept replaying in my head. I couldn't sleep, couldn't think straight, his words just kept repeating like it was under some sort of control. I'd thought the next morning would make me better. But even as I stepped down for breakfast, his words echoed in my ears again. It was almost like he was there, present, watching me with his stormy brown eyes. Clutching the railing hard, I inhaled a deep breath. What if I was really just playing hard to get? What if I was slowly developing some feelings for Mikhail? That was impossible. I'd never love him. Not when I was this close to escaping from hell. Immediately I entered the dining hall, my gaze met Landon's. He was there, sitting next to Mikhail and staring at me with his stormy eyes. My breath caught in my throat as he kept his gaze on me. What was he doing here? He had his own mansion, only comes here to train or have private discussions wit
MIKHAILRosanne thought I wouldn't notice. She thought I wouldn't notice the way she stared at my brother, the way her fingers trembled when I mentioned his name, and how she pushed her plate away immediately he left. I saw everything. I saw how much his presence meant to her, how much his absence made her frustrated. She could hide her emotions from everyone else, but not from me. It was as clear as day. And hell, acting like I didn't care was like stabbing myself in the chest. I could have just allowed her to leave after breakfast, but instead, I followed her and cornered her in the hallway. With my fingers wrapped tightly around her wrist, I held her in place. “We need to talk.” She tensed. She was still wearing her pjamas, which further showed she was bothered with something that had to do with him—Landon. She tried to wrench her wrist from my grasp, but I tightened my hold on her. “I don't like repeating myself, Rosanne.” While she tried to resist again, I pushed her aga
ROSANNEUpon getting into my room, I slammed the door hard and leaned on it, trying to catch my breath. Mikhail's lips were so soft, I didn't want to pull away. His touch managed to set my whole skin on fire within seconds. I should hate him. I do hate him. But his lips still lingered on mine. I paced around my room, patiently waiting for Mikhail. For walking away from him, he'd punish me—even if he didn't, he'd be standing outside my door right now, but he wasn't. In my pale blue pajamas, I kept pacing around my room, waiting for the devil I hate. The devil I badly wanted to escape from. But he never came. For the first time, no one came in to drag me to his office. He didn't barge into my room to demand an explanation. I groaned and stepped into the bathroom to have a warm shower. I slipped out of my pajamas and tossed them on the bed, turning on the shower as the warm water cascaded down my back. It was soothing, relaxing, but as the water dripped, Mikhail's face flashed
MIKHAILFrom a tender age, I'd always enjoyed being alone. Silence was my secret weapon. It calmed me, made me process my thoughts faster—it was literally my medicine. Sitting down in my quiet office was meant to make me calm, relaxed—but my thoughts were too loud, it was almost overwhelming. I'd tried to pretend the while shit didn't get to me, but it fucking did. Lex was restless. I was restless. We both saw the way Rosanne looked at Landon. She never gazed at me that way. He was like the angel with some white wings, dragging himself from heaven to save her, but I was the filthy demon who would gladly manipulate her.For the first time in my whole life, I began to wonder if I was too rough on her—Rosanne. Perhaps that was why she found comfort in Landon, my own brother. The mere thought of them together was enough to drive me insane. I stared down at the file before me and raked my fingers through my hair. Trying to work when my thoughts were occupied with Rosanne is a death
ROSANNEI walked through the hallway, still irritated from my last encounter with Mikhail. He kept making himself feel sort of important, and the fact that he was really important was upsetting to the core. It was almost time for dinner, but I wasn't even in the mood to eat. Suddenly, a hand covered my mouth, pressing hard against it as I was pulled into a corridor. I tried to struggle, but the asshole was so strong, my efforts were futile. He'd dragged me to a dark corridor, his features completely hidden behind a mask. “Keep quiet and I'll make this painless.” “Who are yo—” my words died in my throat as the man aimed for my stomach. In horror, I dodged his attack and got my arm stabbed instead. He pulled out the dagger viscously and pain exploded my whole body. I whimpered, staggering backwards as I clutched my bleeding arm, but he didn't stop. He stared at the dagger and smirked. “You shouldn't have dodged the first attack.” He took a step forward, and I took one backwards,
MIKHAILAfter dinner, Rosanne walked into my room. She looked hesitant, like she was walking into a trap, but this wasn't just about her. It was about me. I was slowly breaking my rules for her, allowing her Into my private space. The last time she was here for a reason, but now, she'd be right next to me—and I'd have to do without touching her. “You really promise not to touch me?” She asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she folded her arm over her chest. With her long hair down, she looked like an innocent little puppy I couldn't wait to ruin. She was tempting, and the mere idea of not touching her was like fire in my bones. Was she sure I made the rules myself? Cause I wasn't so sure if I'd keep my promise. Her stabbed arm wasn't visible from her pjamas, but from how pale her face was, I could tell she was still in pain. I leaned against the headboard, crossed my legs and smirked. “Do you think I'd break a promise in just a day?” Lies. Fucking lies from the pit of hell
LANDONI punched a guard's jaw. Hard. Brutal. It made my knuckles bleed, but I didn't care. Pain was a part of me, a tiny whisper lurking behind to drag me back to my present. I'd always been different from Mikhail. He was my little brother. The one who can't hide his demons. The one who badly craves control but doesn't beg for it. He gets whatever he wants. But me? I'd hidden the demons in me all my life. I was the eldest, the wisest, one who thinks before making a strike, but sometimes, I just wanted to be reckless. But I couldn't let my mask slip. I couldn't let the reputation I'd taken so long to build slip and crumble. The guard writhed beneath me, tapping my shoulder to give in, and I released him. Mikhail would keep on with the thrill, enjoy having someone beneath him. He called red his favorite, loved the way it spilled from the victim like a hobby. But I had control. A lot of it. But it was slowly starting to slip. I could feel it. Sense it. But I could still hand
ROSANNEMaverick coughed, the sound drawing my attention from Knox, who lay at my feet, blood pooled around him. His heartbeat was faint, in just a matter of seconds he was going to die a slow painful death.Maverick was afraid, his eyes flickering between Axel and me, trying to put as much needed distance between us.I moved away from Knox, my eyes glaring at the man, who had betrayed his people, “What was that promise you made again about my children?” I asked, my blood-stained hand tapping my chin just like he had done a few minutes ago.Maverick winced, his hand holding his rib tightly, hoping to dull the pain that was forming, “Rosanne…” he tried to plead.“Remind me, or should I say it?” I hissed, cutting him off.Maverick stared at the floor, fear etched on his face. I loved this power, the control that I had over him was next to nothing. “Oh! I remember you were going to cut them piece by piece, right?” I mused.I dropped to my knees, keeping my gaze even with his, as I looke
ROSANNEThe warriors barely had time to grasp what was happening, with their swords drawn it did nothing to protect them from the wild beast that had been set free.Axel tore thrown the men, his eyes burning with molten fury as he made sure that they all felt the vengeance of his claws.It was carnage, a scene out of a grotesque book, and I dwelled in it, enjoying it.“Rosanne! Look out!” Ryan yelled, pushing me out of the way as an arrow whizzed past my ear, its tip missing my head in an inch.“Thank you,” I breathed, my heart slamming through my chest.“Just be careful,” he mumbled, picking up a sword as he blocked the next arrow that was shot at us.Axel was surrounded, his eyes fixed on the lost souls that dared to fight him. The only difference about the scene was that, while they were fighting to defend their lives, Axel was hunting to kill.Axel let out a roar, the primal sound of it vibrating through the walls of the room.“Save the rest of your elders,” I commanded Ryan, pick
ROSANNEThe air in the room felt thick with tension, coupled with the tangy smell of blood. Derek was dead, the game had changed right before Maverick’s eyes. Gone was the smug-looking man who thought he had everything under control, now, he was reduced to nothing; kneeling before Knox with his head hung low in shame.Knox stood beside me, the aura around him felt smug, and the large grin on his face showed the obvious truth, he had won and no one could contend with him.“You have the girl and her blood mage, please leave,” Maverick moaned, clutching his hand that Knox had stepped on.Knox chuckled, the dry laugh sounded like a bunch of hyenas roaring in the night, “But I want something more,” he mused, smiling broadly at him.“There is nothing here,” Maverick coughed.“You don’t see it? The land you have accumulated all through these years, the vastness, the fertile grounds, I want it all. And I am sure you have enough ladies to keep my men warm at night, huh?” he mocked.Maverick st
ROSANNETrust is a luxury, and now I have learnt the hard way that it is one luxury that I can’t afford, “I am sorry,” I mumbled in a low tone, my hand pressing his side trying to stop the bleeding.Ryan smiled a bitter smile, his lips paling as he struggled to speak, “I know, you wouldn’t have thought of me any less,” he said.His words were meant to comfort me, but rather they sliced through my chest like a dagger had been plunged through me. I had been so blind with anger that I had failed to see through Maverick’s façade.“We are going to get out of this,” I swore, my voice filled with determination.Ryan’s eyes were closing, from the way he was losing blood, I could tell I was going to lose him, “Stay with me,” I said, my hand gently tapping his cheeks to keep him awake.The silver chain burned into my hand, and I hissed at the pain. Not only was I bound with silver but I was locked in a silver cage, it was like he was trying to make sure that I suffered through my last minutes w
ROSANNEThe elders froze, their eyes wide as they watched Maverick drag me into the room, screaming and kicking.“Let go of me you rascal!” I yelled, my eyes wide as I looked around the room.Just like I had expected, the mole had been the first to move forward, “What is happening?” he asked, looking at me with an unreadable expression on his face.“I am doing what I think is best for my people. Alpha Knox only wants her, I see no reason in trying to harm my people,” Maverick replied.Something struck me, his tone, he addressed me with some much venom in his tone like he hated the sight of me. I must say, he was really playing his role right.“You can’t do that!” the man hissed. “We have a solid plan, a fail-proof one,” he hissed.Something didn’t sit right with me. The mole wasn’t meant to defend me, he should be excited about this plan.“Would you rather, Alpha Knox and his men massacre our people for some bitch?” he spat, his ring digging into my wrist.The man tried to speak furth
ROSANNEMaverick’s call to action was to storm into the room and expose the traitor. But I knew we couldn’t do that, not when we still needed the upper hand.“This is perfect,” I smiled, snapping my fingers as I plotted out a new plan in my mind.“What is perfect?” Maverick hissed, his eyes burning with hurt from the betrayal he had just discovered. “These men have been with me right from time, and now, one is a mole? That is if the whole crew isn’t corrupted,” he spat shaking his head in disapproval.It hurts, and I knew that. But he had to face it, nothing lasts forever not even friendships and loyalty.“I am sorry about all this, but now isn’t the time to stand and mourn some lost friendship. Now is about making sure that your people are safe,” I said.“What do you have in mind?” he asked, staring at me with slumped shoulders.I wasn’t scared of the way he had subconsciously handed me the reins of leading his group, “The defence plan that we had set up still stands, but rather than
ROSANNENo one was brave when it came to war. No matter how hard you plan or prepare something is always going to go wrong.“You have to go with the women,” I said to Anita, placing soft kisses on my baby's head.Anita shook her head, “Come with us, I can’t let you fight,” she said, tears gleaming in her eyes as she held onto my children.I understood her fear, she couldn’t image me out there fighting, but I had to. I had to step up and protect my children. I needed to prove to them that I could do it. I could be strong.“Anita, they are here because of me, if something happens to me, I need to be sure that they are safe,” I said, my voice cracking as I thought about the possibility of not being around them when they learn how to take their first step.My voice croaked, "You are their godmother, protect them," I said.Axel moved forward, an unreadable expression on his face, “Take care of yourself, I will see you soon,” he mumbled, placing a kiss on her lips.I smiled, watching the wa
ANITAThe door banged open, my heart racing at the sudden intrusion. After my last encounter with Maverick, I had expected him to be the one.“What is going on?” I asked the soldier, my heart racing as I noticed the panicked expression on his face.“Where is Maverick?” he asked, looking around the room.Beats me, the last I had seen of the man was before Rosanne had given birth, and after that, things have been on a hush-hush around here. No one was saying a thing.“What is wrong?” I repeated my heartbeat spiking at the way his hand trembled.“They are coming,” he replied, with a slight tremor in his voice like he couldn’t bring himself to say the name.“Who? What?”“The Golden Rise pack, they are marching down here, Alpha Knox leading the troop,” he said, rushing out of the room.I staggered, my breath caught in my throat, it couldn’t be.The world tilted. It was spinning out of control.“Rosanne!” I gasped, rushing towards the room she had been holed up in.There was no time for ple
ROSANNEThe raw shrilling cries of babies filled the room, it was real, filled with emotions.My children.I groaned, my body groaning in pain as I tried to rise to my feet, through my blurry vision I noticed the nurse from earlier, holding onto my children’s cot, her eyes devoid of the warmth they once had.I couldn’t remember much that had happened after the birth of my third child, the one that had been hiding behind his siblings, surprising the midwife and me. I had thought I was having twins, but the little shocker had decided to finally make himself known.And from how loud the cries were, I knew it was him, my firecracker; Aiden.“Let me hold them,” I whispered, my body still struggling to recover from everything that had happened.I looked around the room, expecting to find Axel or Anita, but I was shocked to find Maverick, standing by the side, his eyes staring at me with untold emotions in them.“Good to see that you are awake,” he muttered, smiling slyly at me as he moved c