The group walked by the line, getting jealous looks from the people waiting in line, and were let in by Ram. The inside of the club was fantastic. The seats, the booths, the bar, everything was perfect. It would have been perfect except for Rose, if not for the sea of people occupying the whole room. The dance floor was packed, and the bar didn't have a single stool free. The only space free was a booth and table elevated on a platform, that was clearly reserved for VIPs as showed by the big bouncer at the bottom of the five steps leading to the platform. It was empty for now, but it was probably for the owner and Ray.
"Monika, it's packed how can you have fun in a place like this?" Rose asked, nearly screaming in her sister's ear.
"Let loose Rose. This place is great. Let's go get you a drink and then you'll maybe loosen up."
Monika didn't even wait for a reply and made her way through the dancing crowd with surprising ease, while Rose was elbowed and shoved by the people dancing. Was it the Alpha aura that allowed Monika to naturally glide through the crowd because this was impossible to do as a regular person, Omega or not. As she finally made her way to the bar, she saw Simon and Monika cuddling at the bar. She slowly looked around and saw a lot of couples or people flirting, all of them human. It was really starting to get to her. God were they lucky. There was no mating in the human world, only werewolves had to deal with that. The Mating Run was approaching and since she was unlikely to find a mate, her parents would still try to pressure her into a match that would help their reputation. With all those dark thoughts, Rose didn't even notice the man staring at him from the other end of the bar.
"Why hello there beautiful!" Said the man once he had approached Rose.
Turning around abruptly, Rose looked at the man who had pulled her out of the swarm of dark thoughts that had her in a daze. What she saw nearly made her jaw drop. There, standing before her was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. A caramel tan skin, silky black hair combed up into a short and messy pompadour with golden tips, dark brown eyes with a glimpse of gold flakes lined with kohl, well defined lips framed by a close shaved goatee and a lot of jewelry. The man had a very flamboyant style. His electric blue silk shirt was open to reveal his smooth chest, with rows of different size golden chains resting upon it. He wore tight leather pants that made him feel very baggy in his skinny jeans.
"Do you like what you see? If you're going to stare at me so much, I think it would only be far to offer me a drink at least." The man said with a lopsided grin.
"Sorry. I... I didn't mean to stare. I got distracted and... Sorry."
"No problem, Doll, but what's your name?"
"I... I'm Rose. And you?"
"Why hello Rose, I am Sebestian. Is Rose is like flowers?"
"Ya. No, no one... I mean yes. But no one calls me that. Rose is fine. I'm...I'm just going to shut up now."
"Oh, what a pity I was hoping to get to know you better dear flower."
Rose cheeks turned red and started to heat up. Hopefully the colorful lights hid the blush from Sebestian gaze. Rose was nervous. It was the first time she felt this way because of someone. This gorgeous man was taking to her and seemed to actually want to know her. This was too good to be true. There had to be a catch.
Sebestian didn't smell like a werewolf, yet he had the presence of an Alpha and God was he good looking. There was no distinct gender smell, so he had to be a human. That meant that Sebestian couldn't be his mate. Wait what?!? Where did that thought come from? They had just met. They didn't know anything about each other, and Rose was already thinking about Sebestian as a potential mate. Great, she was officially crazy. Or desperate. All this Mating Run was really getting to her.
"Did you come here alone?" Sebestian asked while sipping his drink.
"No, my sister and our friends dragged me to this crazy place."
"Dragged?" Sebestian repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Did you not want to be here?"
"This isn't really my scene. I try to avoid these kinds of events full of people." Rose said, scratching her neck awkwardly. "I'm more of a good book and a cup of coffee kind of girl. Drinking and grinding with strangers isn't my idea of fun."
"Well, that's a shame. I was going to invite you for the next event. I thought we could get to know each other a little more."
"Invite me for the next event?" Rose asked. "Do you know the owner? "Darling"
"Darling, I am the owner. Welcome to 'DDL'! Where the wildest parties are held."
The statement petrified Rose on the spot. She had just been bashing the event in front of the host. The amazing man standing before her was the one responsible for the event and here she was just going off about how the event was pure chaos. Great impression. Clearly, she had managed to insult the most gorgeous man that ever walked the Earth. Why was he not surprised?
"I... I didn't... I'm sorry. I... I'll just go. Sorry again." Rose said, head down and slowly turning away from Sebestian.
"Why the rush to leave? I thought we were going to get to know each other?"
"You still want to talk to me?"
"Of course. Even if you don't like these events, that doesn't mean I don't want to get to know you. How about you come to the platform with me so we can talk and get more familiar with each other."
Rose followed Sebestian to the VIP area and after a few beers, she was relaxed and happily socializing with Sebestian. The more they talked, the more she realized Sebestian was great, but they didn't have much in common. Rose wasn't very social and preferred a calm atmosphere, while Sebestian was a social butterfly. Still, Rose was drawn to him, and she hoped he felt the same about her. They were eventually interrupted by a Rose phone ringing.
"Ash. What's wrong?" Rose asked.
"Why do you automatically assume that something is wrong if I call you? I just wanted to know where you were. Monika and Simon are very drunk, and we were going to head back to the hotel."
"Oh ok I'm on my way. Meet you outside."
Rose turned to Sebestian with an apologetic look telling him her friends were waiting for her to leave. As she was going to go down the stairs, Sebestian caught her arm and pulled out a pen and wrote down his number on Rose arm and gave her a kiss on the cheek before wishing her a good night. Rose was so chocked and just wandered off towards the exit, still in a daze from the sudden kiss. As she exited the club, Ash and Jenny saw her strange expression and looked at each other in concern. Ash then asked:
"Rose, are you ok? What happened to you in there?"
Ash and Jenny had been too busy talking care of Rose and Simon to get an answer from him, and Rose was glad because she knew they would get too invested in this. She didn't even know what had happen herself. She was sure she had made an ass of herself and yet Sebestian had written his number on her arm and kissed her cheek. Doubt started to creep into her mind. Maybe it was a fake number, and the kiss was just a joke. Oh God. That must have been what happen. No man as perfect would actually want to go out with a girl like her. She started to panic but was interrupted by a knock on his door. Ash was looking at her in concern. "Hey. What happened to you at the club? You were really acting weird when you came out. And where had you gone, we looked for you but couldn't find you?" "It's nothing really I just started to talk with someone and lost track of time." Rose said rubbing her neck. "You met someone? You actually... Wait what is that on your arm? Numbers? That's the person's number
Rose was pacing in her room. She had agreed to go to New York to meet up with Sebestian but now the realization was starting to dawn on her. She would go to Sebestian's apartment and be alone with him.Alone! They would be alone. In his apartment. What would they do? What will happen? Did he expect something?She should cancel right now! But that would be rude. Sebestian would get offended. The thought of Sebestian being upset at her made her even more nervous. No, she couldn't cancel. What was she going to do?"Rose! It's time to go open the coffee shop." Ash yelled from outside her door."Coming!"Rose grabbed her jacket and her phone and joined Ash into the living room and they both left to open their business.At the café, Rose wasn't much better. She paced and went on a cleaning frenzy when there was no client. Ash eventually got sick of it and cornered him in the back-store."Ok! What is wrong with you today? You've been pacing and fidgety all day long.""It's nothing. It's just
Sebestian sat on one of the accent chairs, next to a small table with different alcohols already ready to be served. Rose sat stiffly on the sofa, looking around from the corner of her eyes. Pouring himself a cocktail, Sebestian broke the silence."What would you like to drink?""A beer would be good."Sebestian brought her a beer and sat back in his seat. After taking a sip out of his martini glass, Sebestian tried to start a conversation."So, what's new in city?""Not much. Same old small town was it had been for as long as I can remember.""I guess that they still have a limited choice in entertainment. Last time I was there, there was only four movies playing at the theater and most were boring and depressing." He said with a smirk."Sounds about right." Rose said feeling a little less nervous."Well, I understand why you and your friends came to the city to have fun. City wouldn't be the party capital in any state."Rose laughed lightly at the remark. She no longer felt nervous
Sebestian let Jasmine and her husband into his house. He had never liked the man due to the strange creepy feeling he got every time they met. He was far from thrilled to see Jasmine especially when he had a great night with Rose but being stuck with both Jasmone and her weirdo was even worse. And to think that the evening had gone so well."What do you want Jasmine? It's been almost a year since you came over and I was actually quite happy about it.""Sebestian, I know you missed me, but I was busy. I made time for you because I heard that you got yourself a new playmate.""She is Not a playmate. Not that it's any of your concern." Sebestian replied clearly annoyed but her words and tone of voice."Well, it's kind of is since she's an old friend of Adom. They both grew up in Moon-land together, so he knows her quite well.""I just thought I should warn you about her and what he's like. Since you were such an important part of Jasmone's life. Before she met me." Adom added with a smug
Sebestian exited the room and made his way towards his own bedroom. What Jasmine and Adom had told him made his blood boil. How dared they slander Rose's name. He had stayed calmed with Rose but now that he was alone, his anger came back in full force. Once in his room, he paced around, and his body started to quake. He fell on his knees and suddenly he was in wolf form. His wolf started to take control of his actions, and he trashed his room, ripping his bed and curtains to shreds and leaving large claw marks on the furniture. Thankfully, his wardrobe was closed off so none of his clothes were destroyed in the carnage. Sebestian also like to think that his wolf wouldn't destroy his clothes either way.After an hour of letting off some steam, Sebestian shifted back to his human form and went to his ensuite to take a hot shower. The drops of water hitting his skin undid the knots in his shoulders and made his muscles unwind. As he got out, he heard a noise coming from his room. Rapping
The restaurant wasn't very busy, but the food was great. Sebestian had some egg benedict and Rose ordered a crepe. The conversation was light and fun, and Rose wasn't as nervous as she usually was around Sebestian. They stayed there for almost two hours before leaving, since Sebestian had a meeting to go to and Rose had to go back to town.As they parted ways at Rose's car, Sebestian felt Rose becoming restless and nervous. Unsure of the cause of this reaction, he asked if the omega was okay. Rose's eyes darted to the ground, and she stuttered a mess of words. Sebestian looked at the young Omega with a questioning look. This time Rose repeated what she said a little more clearly."I didn't know how to ask when we could meet up again. If you want to.""Of course I want to see you again, Rose. I had a great time with you even if there were some unplanned nuisances who interrupted our time together. How about you come over on Friday night? You can stay for the weekend."Rose's face becam
Rose woke up screaming. She was covered in sweat and in a state of panic. Ash rushed in the room asking what happened, Monika closely following him. They sat on each side of her bed concern looks on their faces."Rose are you okay? What happened?" Monika asked."It was just a dream. Sorry to have woken the both of you." Rose spoke. Trying to brush her off."That was one heck of a dream if it led to you screaming like that and your sheets are drenched with sweat. Get up we need to change them if you ever want to go back to sleep."As they changed the bedding, Monika pressed Rose for information about her dream. Ash kept silent, not wanting to pressure her anymore. He was worried but knew that both Monika and him pressuring Rose would be too much."Rose, look we're just worried. You've never had such a reaction to a nightmare since I can remember. We want to help." Monika said with a calmer voice in which Rose could feel the concern and the love her sister had for her."It was at the Ru
"We need to keep Sebestian away from the preparations today. The café and the apartment are the only places that are safe since the café is closed today. At least this stupid event doesn't come with huge banners and posters. But then we can't let anyone mention it in front of him. Tell Jenny and Simon so they don't ruin it. Especially Simon. Monika." Rose added while looking at her sister."I'll tell her and make sure he doesn't let it slip.""We'll just pretend it's a town historical event. Those are naturally boring for people and Sebestian shouldn't question it.""You know that you could just tell him, right?" Ash said. Making Rose look at him with a look of disbelief."This is the Mating Run. A ceremony to find a mate and spend the rest of our lives together. How does that say casual circumstance when dating?" Rose's voice was rising in tone and pitch. "I finally find someone that I like and seems to like me, and you want me to just say that I can't go on a date because I have to
Cristina was stunned momentarily. Sebestian therapist before her complained that even after fifteen sessions he didn't manage to get through to the man, didn't make any progress at all. She wasn't arrogant enough to deem herself the right person to help. But perhaps she was lucky enough to stumble into his life at just the right moment. "You know that none of that is true", she was bold enough to proclaim. Sebestian' anger wasn't aimed at Rose. "I only saw you two together for... what, ten seconds before he left the room. And I could already see how much he loves and values you." She saw the fight rising from deep within Sebestian and catalogued that as a good sign. "He almost lost you. A part of him must be scared that she still might." She gave him a moment. "Rose knows how strong you are. Be patient with her while she tries to remember it again."Sebestian smiled wryly. His eyes softened, though. "I'm not a patient man.""What kind of a man are you, then?" Cristina threw back.Sebe
When she pulled her a hug he clung to her tightly. It made her feel a little less like the world was falling apart but she retracted from the comfort quickly. She was still shaken from the mild panic attack he'd have to postpone dealing with until later. Resolute to push through and put one foot in front of the other Rose headed out of the room with her sister following her. She was putting on a coat when something occurred to her. "Thank you, for everything. How did you know that I was having a...?" She didn't want to say it oud loud."You were shouting to your phone." Monika went on before she could panic. "You know the boys; they wouldn't wake up to a bomb going off when they're tired enough. They're fast asleep, I checked." After her reassurance she focused on searching through his coat's pockets, so she didn't see her frown. "What are you doing?"Rose's brows furrowed while she spun around wildly. Her head whirred and her hands were shaking along with her whole body. "My car keys
Rose had no idea what happened next. By some miracle she managed to get the boys to calm down, at least to an extent. Apparently, she also ordered takeaway none of them really wanted because suddenly there were cardboard containers all over the kitchen. She did have a far too vivid memory of the lead heavy silence that lingered as they ate, all of them much too aware of the empty seat at the table.It wasn't until later, as she stared at the kids while they watched cartoons huddled together, the full gravity of the situation fell mercilessly on Rose's shoulders. Everything she'd almost lost and could still lose... It weighed too much.Rose's stomach rolled violently. She dashed as fast as she could to the toilet connected to the bathroom, knowing that the boys wouldn't have to hear whatever noise she made there. As soon as she fell to her knees, she threw up loudly, feeling the world falling apart around her yet again.How was she supposed to keep fighting when every time she thought
Ray continued to avoid mentioning his daddy for a couple of more days. Did his best to not even think about his other parent because it hurt too much. But in the end the whole situation got too much on him.He'd had a lot of nightmares since his daddy's accident. They haunted him almost every night. Something about the one he had one particular dark night made it worse than others.In the horrible dream he and his papa were in a forest, where thick fog began to engulf them. Ray was terrified and did his best to keep up with the man walking in front of him. In the end he found himself standing paralyzed while the fog swallowed his papa."Daddy?" There was no response and fear squeezed his chest mercilessly. Tears filled his eyes. "Daddy? Daddy!" Only silence answered him.Ray woke up crying, with his entire body covered in cold sweat. His heart hammered while his wide eyes darted around, trying to convince his mind that he was safe. That he was home and his daddy was safe, too. He want
Holding Max... It felt so good that had hard time controlling his emotions, especially because the brain injury seemed to enhance all feelings. But listening to his son's excited babbling was also a bit much on his still recovering head."... got a new class hamster. And guess what, papa! He has a missing leg, too. I said that he's just like my papa, and Miss Pen gave me a big hug." Max sounded endearingly proud of him, himself and the little creature the child now had a special connection with.Carefully avoiding Max noticing, Sebestian cast a slightly panicked look at Rose. 'Miss Pen?' How many people were there in his son's life he had no idea of? 'His teacher, Aline', Rose mouthed back.Max went on, completely unaware of the adults' exchange. "... named him Skunk, because he's black and white. He likes cuddles, I can tell. But Miss Pen says that we can't cuddle him too much because he's so small and fragile."Sebestian listened to Max babbling as intently as he could, his new limi
Monika likely noticed what she'd done to her hands but didn't call him out on it at the moment. Instead, she moved to hug her, but he refused her with a shake of head. "I'm... I can't." Her voice was so hoarse that for a second, she wondered if she screamed out loud, after all. "If you touch me, I'll lose control and..." She trailed off. She couldn't lose control; too many people she loved needed her to stay strong right now.Monika nodded. Not necessarily happy but understanding. "As long as you know that you're not alone in this. We're all here for you, all of you. Got that?"Rose nodded, dangerously close to losing control over herself. After that... she didn't have very clear memories. She took a cab to the hospital, even on such a day sensible enough to know that she shouldn't drive. Her feet led him to the ICU. The sterile reek and suffocating silence that smacked her across the face at that ward just about tore her new numb bubble to shreds.There was no one around to update he
That night Ray woke up needing to use the bathroom. He yawned and left the comfort of his bed reluctantly, then began to tiptoe towards the toilet. Halfway there he froze at what he saw on the balcony.His mommy stood there with his grandma. Crying while she hugged her and whispered comforting words, appearing distraught herself. Even a child could see how heartbroken his mommy was.It terrified Ray more than he would've cared to admit. Things were supposed to be improving. His daddy was awake. There was supposed to be no need to be sad anymore. Did something go wrong again?Ray managed to retreat to his room unseen. He hid himself under a blanket entirely, trembling miserably. He couldn't sleep while his thoughts whirred.His therapist had helped convince Ray that he wouldn't be sent away, that he wouldn't lose his family. But the insecurities and fears lingered, ready to resurface at any given moment. He hadn't seen his papa in what, to a child, felt like a lifetime. He missed his p
Sebestian felt like he was held under water while he listened to Rose, eyes fixed on the opposite wall. "Ray is another child." It was all told with the kind of paternal love that'd already showed itself once.Rose tried to show a picture from her phone, but Sebestian was too ashamed and overwhelmed to look at it. The Alpha closed his eyes and tried very hard to breathe properly. "How long?" How much time had he lost? How many precious memories? What kind of a parent was he, to forget his own son? He wanted to scream from frustration when the words got tangled together and were nearly impossible to spew out coherently. "... long?"Rose frowned before finally figuring out what he meant and answering tentatively. "He's been our son always." The full weight of those words crashed down on them both simultaneously.Sebestian struggled to make sense of everything. It was like getting sucked into an alternative reality. Like waking up from long sleep, to find that someone else had been livin
The whole family was in an agreement that Rose shouldn't be left alone at the hospital for long. They knew how bad off she was, while trying anxiously to support others. And Sebestian... They didn't want to imagine Samantha without him, for even a second. Because it'd be a loss she wouldn't survive, at least as herself.Monika braced herself for great many things on her way from her workplace at the morgue to the ICU. Her chest clenched and she almost dropped the takeaway coffees she carried when she saw her sister sitting on a bench, wiping his eyes. Then she realized that the tears she fought back were those of joy.Rose's eyes shone from tears and happiness when they met hers. "He... He woke up, Monika. Sebestian woke up and talked to me."Monika decided that it was time to ditch the coffee. She tossed the mugs aside, not really caring where they ended up. Then she pulled her sister to a tight embrace. Which she returned with equal vigor. She could practically feel the relief radia