Rose
One 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.
Thank you for reading Once Upon An Alpha and coming along this journey with me. This is the last chapter of this book. The story of Rose, Orion, and the rest of the Black Moon pack will continue on in my new book, Once Upon A Luna. I will be taking a couple of weeks off to give myself a little mental break before I begin writing. If you haven't taken the time to follow me on ***, please do so. I will announce there when Once Upon a Luna has officially begun. I just wanted to say thank you again. If it hadn't been for your lovely readers I don't know if I would have ever been able to write this book. You are all so wonderful.
Once upon a time, in a faraway land in an unknown time, there was a hidden forest shrouded in mystery and magic. The forest was full of mysterious flora and fauna, unlike anything any human had ever seen. In this unique forest, on this particular night, a soft breeze slowly slipped between branches and ruffled the grass. The breeze tickled a weeping willow in the heart of the forest, and its iridescent blooms danced in the cool spring air clinging to their home. The smell of honeysuckle and moss coaxed a single iridescent flower from its perch and gently cradled the flower to the lake. As the flower nestled onto the lake’s surface, a set of delicate fingers reached out towards the blossom. The fingers caressed the flower lovingly before scooping it up from the glistening water. “Hello, little one,” a pure and sweet
Rose The sun shone in through the open window as a gentle breeze tickled my nose, wafting the comforting scent of my old books around my room. I cracked my eyes open and wiped them, trying to adjust to the morning light streaming in the room. It seems I had fallen asleep reading in the old worn-out leather comfy chair in the corner of my bedroom. I felt my wolf Delilah stir, but she gave in to the laziness and went back to sleep. I peeled my skin from the chair as I stretched. I closed one of my favorite fairytale books that I put myself to sleep with last night. As I climbed out of my chair, I put my book back on the bookshelf. My fingers grazed across the spines of my books as I wandered into my bathroom. I glanced into the mirror and grimaced. A red mark from my book and drool were present o
Rose The Starlight Carnival came around to a few packs during the spring and summer months. This was the first time in over a decade that the Carnival came to Silver Crescent. We were a small peaceful pack tucked away in the dense forests of the Appalachian Mountains. Most of the human towns around us were run down and honestly depressing. I had wandered into towns when my parents first started to let me roam. They typically reeked of sadness and broken dreams. Typically storefront windows were smashed in. Creepy cobwebs hung down from the eaves like streamers as if the spiders were throwing a party for death. I tried to avoid the human towns after that. We rarely had werewolves from other packs visit. The Starlight Carnival was one of the few c
Rose I woke up the day before my eighteenth birthday with the same familiar sweaty skin stuck to leather feeling. “Why do I even own a bed?” I muttered to myself as I pried my skin from the leather-like I did most mornings. I stretched before placing one of my well-loved books about the moon goddess back on the bookshelf. The songs of the cicadas crept into the room, letting me know that today was going to be hot. I opened my bedroom window further, desperately hoping a breeze would circulate the dead air. Nothing....nothing at all to ease the stifling atmosphere. I groaned before making my way to my dresser. “Let’s go for
Rose After the crazy dream, I decided to hang out with Matt until the sun started to edge behind the trees. He walked me home and only playfully tried to hit on me about ten times. That was an early birthday miracle in itself. Nothing of interest happened the rest of the day. As always, I reported back to Harriet about her boy toy before I read myself into a deep, peaceful slumber. Not a single dream of smoke or burning flesh, which I never knew was such a blessing until then. The sun crept through the window on the morning of my eighteenth birthday. It danced across my eyelids, encouraging me to greet the day. As I stretched, I accidentally fell out of my cozy chair and hit the floor with a grunt. I rubbed my butt as I sulked.
RoseAfter the mind link ended, all the magical sounds of the carnival ceased to exist. Matthew grabbed Harriet’s face pulling her lips against his and stole a passionate kiss. Heather and I turned away to give them a moment. We only turned back when we heard him say four words.“I love you, Harriet.” He choked out as a tear ran down his cheek. He shredded his clothes as he shifted into his large molasses wolf with a white underbelly. He bolted towards the southern border visibly forcing himself to look to the border as Harriet crumbled to her knees.“You asshole! That’s not fair! That wasn’t part of the agreement !” She screamed after his wolf as the tears streamed down her cheeks. “I love you, too.” Harriet whimpered into her hands. Heather leaned down and hugged her sister from behind. To other packs, this probably would be no big deal. We are just a small pack in the middle of the mountains. We aren't a fighter rich pack, we are peaceful. What did we
Matt After the mind link ended, an eerie silence engulfed the carnival grounds before people started to panic. Families took off running away from the Southern border, but the only person I could focus on was Harriet. I saw the horror beginning to take hold of her. I had to do something to distract her. I grabbed Harriet’s face, pulling her lips against mine as I stole a passionate kiss. I needed her to feel anything but fear. Harriet and Heather didn’t have a dad anymore because of the last attack on our village. Fifteen years ago, there were the hunters. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it out alive. ***Come on, Matthew. It’s an infestation of rogues. Leave your girlf
RoseI whipped my head around after Harriet whispered his name. His back was macerated, claw marks exposed raw skin. Thin trails of blood trickled down his body. I just saw this body yesterday...the current sight made me recoil and gulp. His head started to twitch like he was searching for someone. His body slightly turned; only then is when we realized he was holding someone in his arms.“Heather,” Harriet gasped, and she clambered to her feet. Matt whipped his head once he saw her voice. Matt immediately ushered Heather to us. “Is she okay?” Harriet croaked, and she reached her hands up to her baby sister’s cheek.“Just knocked out. I found Heather unconscious near the flower and herb fields. There were some burning branches on top of her. I think she will be fine. She has some burns, but I think the smoke got to her. It was the worst area I had been in.” Matt kneeled and gently laid her on the ground as Harriet brushed Heather’s hair out of her face.“
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