Rose
“Watch it! Focus!” Iris barked at me as Heather almost connected her fist to my jaw. Sweat streamed down my back as I threw myself to the side to avoid Heather. The summer sun streamed through the trees, roasting us as we sparred against each other.I had been training with Iris for the past couple of days. The fun-loving, bubbly, and laidback shopaholic was almost a faint memory. When it came to the training, she was a hard ass. Part of me kind of wished that Orion was training me, but he made it clear he was scared that he might accidentally hurt me. Iris was who he had entrusted with training me until she felt confident I was better prepared.Today was the first day that Heather joined us, so Iris could watch how much I had progressed. Heather and Harriet had been training daily since we arrived. Both of them had grown so much already and began to train with the pack warriors like it was no big deal.Heather rushed me, her fist making iMatt “Happy birthday, kid.” Hodges greeted me when I plopped down at the kitchen table. Hodges slid a plate of scrambled eggs and sausage at me. “Thanks.” I nodded before poking at my breakfast. “Come on, I made sure they didn’t have any shells in the eggs this time,” Hodges muttered before taking a swig of his steaming cup of coffee. “I appreciate it, Hodges. Really, thanks.” I scooped a fork full of eggs into my mouth. No salt, no pepper, and a little bit of eggshell. Poor guy couldn’t cook to save his life. “You gonna go wander around and see if you catch a whiff of anything?” Hodges cocked his eyebrow and gave me a slimy grin. His tone was that of a creepy middle-aged man. He was harmless, but at that moment, he even gave me the heebie-jeebies. “Yeah, I’ll take a lap.” Silence settled over us; I quickly shoved his attempt at cooking down my throat. The faster I ate it, the faster I wouldn’t have to taste it again. Once I cl
RoseThe summer days were slipping away quickly. I had been training daily with Iris and Heather. The soft, almost squishy flesh I had at the beginning of Summer slowly strengthened into muscles.Today Orion was going to be spending time in the training center with the pack warriors and considering adding some of my original pack members to the official pack warriors. Iris, Damian, Alastor, Harriet, and even Heather were there.Orion had left before the sun rose. Leaving me clinging to his spot in the bed, trying to take in all of the warmth I could before it disappeared. Laying in our bed alone felt unnatural.I used to love the moments where I could find peace and quiet. Orion didn’t even assign me a babysitter today. I could do anything I wanted, but now this freedom felt so odd.I rolled out of bed and began to put myself together for the day. I decided that I would stop by and see my parents first. Then I would probably let Delilah out to stre
RoseIt was a warm sticky afternoon as I sat on Brigid’s little front porch with Brigid. She sat in a rocking chair, gently rocking with her eyes shut. I sat on a wooden swing, lazily pumping my legs back and forth. I couldn’t wait for autumn to come and vanquish the humidity.“Hey, Brigid?” I broke the silence. It had been about a week since my dream about the witch, but I hadn’t been able to make my way back to the ethereal realm to see Selene.“Yes, little Luna?” Brigid continued to rock with her eyes shut.“When you watched over Luna Leto,” Brigid’s eyes popped open as Leto’s name escaped my lips. “Did she ever tell you how she was able to go to see Selene? Selene told me that I showed up before she thought I would, but I never knew what she meant.”“Hmmm,” She stroked her chin as she mentally unboxed her memories of her time with Leto. “One time when I asked her about it. She said the darkness was the key. Is that helpful?”“I wonder if
Rose “Rose...where are you?” A deliciously familiar voice called to me. When I fully came to and was aware of my surroundings, I found that I was locked in a warm embrace. My eyelashes fluttered open to an unruly tangle of honey locks. My head was tucked into the crook of Orion’s neck. He was sitting on the bed but had pulled me onto his lap. “Right here.” I wrapped my arms around Orion’s neck, squeezing him tightly. A comforting frequency of electricity buzzed through me. “You know you scare the shit out of me every time…” Orion muttered into my hair as he fisted my hair, pulling me as close as possible. “I’m sorry.” I sighed and nuzzled my face into his neck. “I’m not trying to.” Orion’s hand relaxed and began to stroke my hair. His other hand loosened its grasp on my waist. I was finally able to pull away a little bit to scan his face. The sadness that lingered in his eyes made my heart twinge. “S
Unknown The forest was noiseless tonight as if nature and all of the animals knew a predator lurked in the shadows. Quickly I darted through the night, each step with a purpose. Must not be caught. No noise. Not a single twig or leaf snapping would be tolerated. I silently jumped from branch to branch in the canopy. I wasn’t like everyone else, the height did not put me at a disadvantage. It was a second home to me. I wasn’t scared of the branches, my feet knew where to step, when to leap, and where to land. I was just a deadly breeze in the moonlight. My pace slowed as my eyes scoured the limbs in the trees near me. The perfect perch was my goal, where I was hidden in the shadows, but able to monitor the forest floor. There it was, approximately two hundred f
RoseAfter the discovery of David’s body, the night slipped away at an unrelenting pace. It was moments before the sunrise, and Orion, Harriet, Alastor, and I were numbly sitting at the breakfast nook table, staring into cups of coffee. Silence had settled over us after we walked back to the packhouse. We were broken and raw. Questions loomed over everyone, but no one had broken the quietness that suffocated the room.I leaned my head against Orion’s bicep, letting an exhausted sigh come out as I ran my finger over the rim of my coffee cup. I felt Orion’s firm hand stroke my hair aimlessly, just an attempt at comfort.Harriet cleared her throat, shattering the atmosphere in the room. “So you say you are a blessed wolf? What is that, and why have you been keeping it from me?” I felt Orion’s body become rigid underneath my head. I placed a hand on his forearm as I sat back up to face Harriet.“I guess since the day before my birthday, but I didn’t know what
Harriet“Why didn’t she tell me? We never keep secrets from each other. We have always been completely honest with each other.” I fell backward on the bed with a soft thud and stared at the ceiling fan. My eyes darted to follow a single blade around and around. The soft light that began to creep through the room was snuffed out with the flutter of fabric. My eyes dropped from the ceiling towards the windows. Alastor pulled the curtains over the window.“Why does it matter?” Alastor turned away from the windows and leaned against the wall.“She’s MY best friend!” I sucked through my teeth and rolled over onto my stomach burying my face into the bed.“And he’s her mate.” I felt the sting of his rational thinking hit me. “He is your Alpha, after all.”“You are supposed to be on my side, Alastor,” I whined and hit my fists on the bed.“You are supposed to be the beta female of the pack.” I whipped my head up from the bed.His touch had ca
Rose"Come on, try to focus on something." Harriet sat across from me on the floor of my room, staring at me."Like what?" I sucked through my teeth. We had been trying to strengthen my premonition powers on top of my training with Iris and Heather."Try focusing on the misty forest.""But only two out of my three premonitions had the misty forest." I sighed."Rose, just try."I rolled my eyes before closing them. I tried to focus on the eerie fog that flowed through the tree trunks. The faint feeling of confusion and disorientation. I was about to give up when I thought I heard a rustle of leaves. I went to open my eyes, but before I could, I heard a blood-curdling scream. "Help me!" My eyes flew open."Did you hear that?" I gasped at Harriet as I scrambled to my feet, looking around the room."No, I didn't hear anything." Worry was etched on her face. "What did you hear?'"Someone was screaming for help." I chewed my l
RoseOne moment I was floating in my bathtub daydreaming about Orion, and then the next thing I knew, I was lying on a bed of damp earth, twigs, and fallen leaves on the forest floor. The sweet aroma of honeysuckle and moss tickled my nose.
RosePru sat across from me at the breakfast nook table. She gently shook her leg as she wrapped her fingernails on the table. We had been sitting like this for an hour. I was scared her leg was going to fall off.“What time is it?” Pru broke the silence.“Only a quarter past five.” I sighed. “You are going to be fine.”Pru wasn’t precisely scared to join the pack, but she was a ball of nerves. She was so calm that night with the Fallen Moon rogues. I found her fascinating; she was almost the complete opposite of Harriet.“I know, I know.” Pru offered a halfhearted smile. Matt was in a meeting with Orion, Alastor, and Damian. Orion had told me I could join in, but my heart told me to keep Pru company.“I think you are overthinking it.” I reached across the table and placed my hand on top of hers. I hope I was able to offer her some shred of comfort.“I know.” I heard that response way too many times in the past hour. She was just focu
RoseBeams of late morning sun danced across the hardwood floors. I snuggled deep into Orion's chest as if he could make the morning go away.Last night after the 'bonfire,' Orion had carried me on his back to the packhouse. I never thought I would get used to being carried around on someone's back so much. Now it was second nature.I pulled the duvet up over my shoulder, trying to fight off the slight chill in our room. I guess it was time to either start wearing more clothes to bed or either crank up the heat more."I suggest the heat. I would hate for Orion to have to wear more clothes. I prefer him naked myself." A voice echoed in my head. She was there; Delilah was back. I felt my breath catch in my throat."You are back!" I squealed at my wolf."I am.""I missed you." I really had. I was lonely without her. Everyone else had been trying to prevent it, but it couldn't be helped. I saw through the movie afternoon with my girls. No
RoseAfter a couple of hours of blanket forts and cuddles, a knock on the door sounded, reminded us that there was a world outside of this room. I peaked over the top of the couch to see Orion and Alastor lingering in the doorway.“Okay, ladies, you have stolen my mate for long enough. It’s time to get ready to go.” Orion walked over and gently poked my nose. I stuck my tongue out at Orion as I crawled out from under my blanket.“We did not even have her that long!” Harriet whined, and she dramatically clutched my blanket to her chest.“You are going to see her again in ten minutes,” Alastor mumbled as he leaned up against the back of the couch and ruffled Harriet’s curls.I gently stretched my arms up and out as I stood up. My muscles ached, and I silently prayed that Delilah came back soon. I hadn’t felt this bad since I had the premonition when I was Pru ran in the woods.I let my fingers intertwine with Or
Rose“Anyways, we have gathered to discuss Alaric and Pru.” Orion cleared his throat.“What’s there to discuss?” I almost jumped to my feet; my heart frantically hammered in my chest. I couldn’t live with myself if they were punished or turned away from our pack. I turned to look at Alaric, Pru, and Matt. Pru and Matt had their fingers interlocked. Alaric had his head tilted to the side; his curiosity had been tantalized. I could see the cogs turning behind those gray eyes. Why were they so calm?“Luna,” Alastor spoke up. I whipped my head to face him. The sudden movement made my neck muscles scream in pain. I winced but tried my best to hold my composure.“Pru saved me. Pru saved Matt. It’s not like Pru asked to be there. They kidnapped her, too! She was taken; they stole her life and her grimoire. Alaric undermined his Uncle, his Father, and all those rogues whenever he could! He put his neck on the line for us when he didn’t have to. If it wasn’t for P
RoseOrion and I didn’t get back to Black Moon until past sunrise. Orion wanted to stay and help dispose of the bodies, but Alastor and Harriet wouldn’t have it. They took care of the bodies and the fire, erasing the presence of the war the best they could. I rode on Orion’s back during the journey home. Clutching Pru’s jacket for warmth and some sense of modesty. I didn’t really want to have a Lady Godiva moment after the night I had.I honestly didn’t remember much of the trip back home. Once I was on Orion’s back, I knew I was safe and didn’t have to worry about anything. I do remember my parents smothering me, though. My father checked me over at least twice, and my mom almost threw me into the bathroom. After they were satisfied I was clean and not going to die, they went home. I knew that they would be back as soon as they had a catnap.Orion had asked me if I wanted to stay in the guest room, but it was time to go back to our room. Kroll couldn’t touch us
Rose Greta’s hands wrapped around my neck, trying to squeeze the life out of me. If she was trying to scare me, it wouldn’t work because I had already seen the darkness that waited to consume anyone it could. Compared to that, she was nothing.Her fingers dug into the flesh of my neck, a small stream of blood escaping. Greta was desperate; air bubbles escaped from her mouth.I elongated my claws and slashed through her jacket to her forearm. Greta let go of me and clutched her arm in pain. I grabbed her hair in my hand and violently yanked it.In the water, I had the advantage. Greta was dressed for the Autumn weather; her boots and jacket would do nothing but weigh her down in the water. The best part, though, was that she couldn’t use her fire.I may have been naked, but I would rather be exposed to the cold water than to have anything on me slowing me down.Greta threw a punch at me, causing me to lose my
Orion“Oh, hello, little puppy, have you seen the pathetic Alpha of Black Moon? I was thinking his head would be a delightful souvenir of this battle.” Kroll’s voice rang through the air as clear as a bell. Every word was peppered with cruel satisfaction.I shifted back to my human form and stood tall in front of the disgusting excuse of a wolf. “Is that what my mate was? Just a souvenir?”“Oh, of course not. Your little flower? That’s what you call her, right?” Kroll’s lips curled up into a disgusting grin. “Well, she is the crown jewel in my little collection.”I let out an earth-shaking growl. My mate was a Luna, not a cheap tchotchke for a lunatic’s shelf.“Down, boy,” Kroll smirked; he knew he struck a nerve. “Is that how you treat your superiors?”“The only thing about you that is superior is that distorted God complex of yours.” I casually ran my fingers through my hair. “It’s a shame you are such a sociopath.”“I am not a soci
RoseWith every stride my paws made, I could feel the demonic warmth of Greta's rage encroaching on me."You can't run forever, little girl!" Greta cackled from behind me. A crack of her whip cut through the woods coming after me. Just a little bit further. I skidded out of the woods onto the road I had been on in a different time. Its course seemed unchanged, thank Goddess. The path from my premonition was the same except for a layer of asphalt.I ran down the road as fast as I could. The asphalt gnawing on the pads of my paws. If I wasn't in a life or death situation, I would probably love to wander through the area.My back left paw was ripped out from under me as Greta's fire scorched my fur. My jaw crashed into the street. The taste of metallic blood rushed into my mouth; I had bitten my tongue on impact. I jerked my leg away from Greta's fire, scrambling to get away."Just give up. You will never win against me." Greta taunted me. Her