Rosa POV.
“Thousands of years ago, when the world of the supernatural was still new. I lived in a beautiful cabin in the forest. I was out walking one day in the woods gathering herbs and ingredients. When I heard a growl from behind me. I turned and came face to face with the most beautiful man you would ever see. He was tall, hair the as golden as the sun. Tribal markings on his bare chest and arms, kind of like Charlie.” She smiles slightly and I cross my legs, listening to her story.
“He was a werewolf and my fated mate. I knew of the supernatural, with me being the first oracle at the time. So I knew what it meant. We instantly fell in love and the bond helped tremendously. He was an Alpha. I could never be his luna because of what I was, but it didn’t bother him. He said he would convince me.” she chuckles and I watch her.
“His name was Alpha Merrick. We grew closer to each other, and in time, we mated and marked each other. Life was simple and great back then. For years, we were together. Each time I failed to become pregnant, it would tear a small piece of my soul away. Even though he said it was ok. But I couldn’t give up. My mate, my husband, needed an heir. So we kept trying and failing. Our marriage became strained. But in my naivety I thought we were ok.” She scoffs and looks away as she composers herself.
“I started feeling pain when he wasn’t around and I thought it was just cramps. But the pain became worse over time. Until one day it stopped. Merrick and I were getting along again, and he seemed happier in himself. For years, this went on until one day the pain returned. I was in the forest gathering what I could when I collapsed in pain.” Her hand goes to her chest like she is reliving that pain.
“I woke up the next morning and I felt hollow. It was then that I realised something was terribly wrong. The herbs I was gathering were to help with morning sickness. I had finally become pregnant with his heir and wanted to surprise him, but I was the one who got the surprise in the end.” I move closer to her and take her hand in mine.
“I was on my way back to our cabin when I saw him. He wasn’t alone. Something in me broke. It was a different time back then. He was holding hands with another and she was pregnant, but what hurt more was the little boy by his side. His child. In my rage and heartache, I confronted them both. He told me he needed an heir, and that I was weak, so he took matters into his own hands. Not only did he get this she-wolf pregnant, he had marked her and her him.” I squeeze her hand. Please, Goddess, don’t let her tell me what I think she did. Please let me be wrong.
“What did you do?” she looked at me with no emotion in her white eyes.
“I did what I had to. I killed them. Him, his new pregnant mate, and his son. Then I turned my fury on his pack.” I gasp, my mouth agape as I slowly shake my head.
“I took it upon myself to kill every person, be it man or woman, who cheated on their mates. That is why I am called Jadara the Vengeful. I lost my child when he marked another. So I returned the debt in kind. I took his mate, his son, and his unborn. I was killed in the end after years of killing those who betrayed the bond. My soul was split in two. The gods decided to give me a chance. Until such times that my soul was whole again. This was never meant to happen, Rosa. I was meant to guide you the correct way, but when Charlie started to be horrible towards you and Cece. The half that was with you became angry and the half that was with him became malicious. So I had to act. I had to be whole again. The moment he betrayed you was the moment my other purpose was made holy writ.” She says and I stand, backing away from her, shaking my head.
“You’re evil, you’re a monster. I can’t let you fulfil what you are here for. Jadara, there has to be another way. Please.” I say to her when she stands and raises her hand, her fingers spread and I stop moving like I’m paralysed, and I feel like I’m choking when she walks to me. She kisses my cheek.
“There is only one way. I’m sorry, Rosa, but Cece and I have been locked away for too long. It is time we all become one. I can’t be kept from my purpose again. He betrayed you, he betrayed us. Think of all those people who are living with that pain every single day. Like you are. Don’t you want revenge?” she asks and I feel my eyes lining with tears as she chuckles.
“Fuck you!” I spit the words, and she sighs, shaking her head.
“You will forgive us in time, but right now. You belong to me,” she says as her eyes glow and I squeeze my eyes shut. When I feel her, re-enter my body and I fall gasping for breath as I look around. Something inside of me changes. I think back to everything that Charlie did to me. Something snaps.
“Now Rosa. It is time. We move as one. We create carnage, we bring the god’s justice to those who are being hurt, we finally have become one. Don’t worry, I will not harm your family. But we will find Charlie and he will die for his sins.” She says and I feel myself changing, becoming stronger, becoming filled with hate as I stand and move to the edge overlooking the world below. I smirk when Cece comes forward.
“The land will bleed. The sins of those will cleanse the earth and then we will be satisfied.” She says in my head and I shift for the first time in five years. The tiny scales shimmer under my red fur. She throws her head back and howls as Jadara laughs.
We bolt as I become one with them both, allowing their thoughts to twist with mine. We run down the mountain and skid to a sudden stop. My eyes widen at the figure I see standing there. He turns and I growl at him. He raises his hands to me when his scent hits me. No, no, this is not fucking happening. No!
“Rosa? Is that you?” He asks and I snap my jaws at him, looks like I didn’t have to look far.
“Charlie. It isn’t every day the prey comes to the predator.” I say as I take slow steps towards him. My head is down, my lips pulled up over my sharp white teeth when we lunge forward, jaws open, claws out. When he grabs me by the throat and I shift back as I’m slammed into the snow.
“I have been looking for you for five years and now I have you. You little mate are coming with me!” I laugh at him. Mate? He is so fucking delusional. When everything goes black.
Charlie POV.After nearly five long and tiring years of searching, I have finally found her. Rosa my little wolf mate. I say mate she isn’t. I broke than bond five years ago, when I was such an ass to her. I know she will never accept me again for what I did to her and all the vile things I said to her. If anything, I want to just be her friend. But then again, friends don’t knock each other out and take them back to their home in hopes of gaining her trust again.The siren I marked and mated during her mating season lost our child, and she died during the process. And before anyone says serves you right, I know that, but still Rosa was my friend at one point and I was instructed by her family to bring her here.They believe the longer she is bound to the oracle, the more savage and bloodthirsty she will become. And I hate to say this, but I think I am too late.The look in her white eyes told me she has fully bonded with Jadara. The Rosa I knew back then would have never tried to att
Rosa POV.Why are they looking at me like I’ve got three heads or something? Oh no, what have I done?“Why are you all looking at me like that? Can you please remove the silver? It is burning my skin.” I scream as I thrash on the bed and pull as hard as I can, but it is futile. Cece is restrained and so is Jadara. I can’t even feel them.“We can’t do that, baby. This is for your own good. Please, Rosa understand.” I pull harder and scream as the smell of burning flesh makes me gag.“REMOVE THEM NOW! IT FUCKING BURNS!” I scream again when tears leave my eyes and my mom sobs as I thrash. Blood drips from the marks on my wrists. I kick my legs out and pull myself down, choking as I move.“PLEASE, what did I do?” I sob and scream.“Shhh, you didn’t do anything we need to keep them both under control Rosa, they have killed people!” my dad shouts at, me causing me to freeze. I turn and look at him, tears streaming down my face.“You’re lying. They are locked away in my head. Dad don’t talk
Rosa POV.I go completely still with his words. That conniving little bitch has been wiping my memories. So this is all true! More reason to put me down. If I’m dead, then neither of them can do jack shit!“Ok, I believe you. So what do we do?” I ask as my skin sizzles and I wince.“Please remove the restraints. I am willing to do what is needed to protect the world.” I say I look down and think if they release me, I can run again and then I can take matters into my own hands. I can jump to my death or I could poke a bear. Or anything, really. All I know is that I can’t go back into the world. I have been away too long for that to work.“I will remove the wrist restraints, but the collar needs to stay on.” Well, that is better than anything, really. If I go ahead with the plan to end myself, at least neither Cece nor Jadara can then stop me.My mom comes close to me with the key and I hold my arms out and she unlocks each cuff and they fall onto the bed, taking some of my burnt skin w
Rosa POV.Ok Rosa, you can do this. It has only been five years since you were last around people. You can do this. I keep chanting to myself the closer we get to town.Mom and dad left us with instructions for me to behave and to Charlie, well, they told him good luck and then left. So now I’m stuck with him in a car and I keep repeating the same thing over and over, hoping it will help.I can do this, I can do this, I can … I can’t do this, I’m not ready. My breathing comes out hard and fast as I look out of the window of the car at the faces of curious people. Not just wolves, but humans, too.“Charlie, stop the car, please.” He looks at me, but I’m ready to flee.“Rosa, are you o …”“STOP THE FUCKING CAR!” I shout as I am in the throes of having a huge panic attack. This is not good, not safe. No one is safe if I stay here. Hand’s grip my face as my heart is trying to break out of my chest with pain like a heart attack. I begin to feel lightheaded.“Breathe, Rosy. Come on, in and
Charlie POV.I watch as she walks away from me and looks around the house. We will both be staying in until she has both Cece and Jadara under control. It pains me to see the life has left her pretty jade green eyes, and she is more that ready to give up. But I won’t let her.Rosy, I mean Rosa, was always so fun to be around and now she looks defeated and scared of her own shadow. I will do everything in my power to help her regain control. Even if it kills me.“Charlie.” I look up at her and her eyes glisten with the tears she is trying to keep at bay.“Yes, Rosa. What is it?” I ask her as I move slowly towards her, but keeping a respectful distance from her, not wanting to spook her anymore than she already is.“I don’t have any clothes and I’m kind of hungry.” She says shyly and I smile softly as I move past her and take her hand and she jumps slightly. I remove my hand, realising she has had no human contact in five years and has been completely alone. I don’t want to push her too
Rosa POV.I stand in the open doorway in to what is now my bedroom. I fidget with my fingers and bite the inside of my bottom lip. This is going to be ok. I step into the room and debate with myself if I should close the door or keep it open.If I keep it open, I can pretend I am back in the cave. If I close it, I can let myself believe that I am normal. I scoff at that. Normal! Ha, there is nothing normal about any of this, or me, for that matter. I chose to keep the door open.I look at the bed and reach my hand out, but pull it back as I blink and shake my head. This won’t last long, so I won’t get too comfortable. I sigh and move to the chaise and take the blanket that was on the back of it. I set it on the plush cream coloured carpet and lay down facing the open door. I place my hands under my head and bring my knees to my chest.This is only temporary until I can figure something else out. I move to sit and tug the hood of the bathrobe up and tighten the sash and lay back down.
Rosa POV.I sit on the windowseat looking out over the back garden. What am I supposed to be doing? Charlie gave me another shot of liquid obsidian, and I still can’t feel anything.“I need to take this damn collar off.” With that, I pout as I stand up and move to the bathroom. I have now decided it would be best if I could try to sort this out before resorting to ending my life.So if it means trying to get Cece out and reconnecting with her, then so be it. As for the murderous psychotic oracle, she can stay in a damn coma for all I care. When I’m strong enough, I will try to engage her. Maybe I can I show her the world again from that of love.I scoff to myself. Yeah right. I don’t even love myself at the moment, so how am I to show her?I look in the mirror and move closer. I tilt my head to get a better look at the collar. I reach up and spin it around, looking for a lock or a clasp. But there is nothing. How the hell did they get it on?I sigh and drop my head, shaking it as I ch
Rosa POV.“Rosa, is she ok?” Odessa’s voice pulls me back as Cece whines in her sleep.“She is exhausted and seems to be in pain.” I say as I watch Cece in my head.“That is to be expected. She has spent the last five years separated from you. It would seem she was only able to shift under Jadara’s command. The barrier that not only you placed but that of what Jadara placed will have taken a lot of energy for her to break through. She will be ok in time. The important thing here is she is now back with you. Let her rest.” She says, and I give one last look at my sleeping wolf and open my eyes.“You did good, sweetie. She will be ok and so will you. Give her time.” Dragus says and I nod my head, feeling a headache form. It is strange to know I have her back, but I didn’t know the damage I was inflicting by keeping her out. The damage that not only I have endured, but she has too.Cece has endured more being stuck with that psycho bitch and all the things she was made to do for her. Thi
Rosa POV.It has been eight long years since we last saw Asteria, and we all mourned the loss of Shanti. Charlie went into himself and I pulled him out of the spiral he was in. It wasn’t just me who pulled him out; it was Roman and the arrival of our little princess. She is, of course, named after her aunty. Shanti. She is beautiful; she has my red hair and her father’s blue eyes.Roman is ten now, and he is a good boy. Even when Shan was born he was her little shadow, always helping and even now he still does. He loves her so much, just like everyone else does.Over the last eight years I have been having more and more visions and Jadara has helped interpret them, but the strange thing is she has had the same ones I have. So this means something big about to happen.Life at Waning mountain has been peaceful, but then again, when you are on an island that only shows itself to those in need, it will do that. I look at my husband as he teaches the kids how to spar. I laugh when they all
Rosa POV.It has been two years since Roman was born and boy is he a little spitfire. He has everyone wrapped around his little finger. He is on the go and never stops. It doesn’t help that I can’t chase him, as I am expecting our second child. We got married six months after Roman was born and moved back to Waning mountain.There is still no word on where Asteria is, but we haven’t given up hope. Charlie is still searching for her. But he hasn’t made the same mistake again. Jadara had a beautiful little girl, and she is like her, with the long white hair, but she has Merrick’s brown eyes. She is stunning.They named her Rana. After Jadara’s mother. Her and Roman are the best of friends and they cause trouble together. Casta found a second chance mate and sunny had twins. Is it wrong that life continues on even without Asteria being here?There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss her.“Roman, put you pants back on little man.” He giggles as he streaks through the living room. J
Rosa POV.It has been two weeks since Charlie returned. I know he is still working on finding Asteria but he hasn’t left the packhouse, but each lead is leading to nothing. We have been slowly getting back on track. He is right behind me like a lost puppy.He works when he thinks I’m sleeping, but I don’t mind. I know how important Asteria is not just to him, but to us all. She needs to be found safe and sound. I can’t think of what they are doing to her.We have been preparing for the arrival of our son. I have been able to nest properly now that he is here; he watched in fascination as I built my nest and helped by handing me things. It may look a mess to others, but it is perfect for me and Charlie. So that is where we are, in my nest.My family comes to see me every day, but once it gets too much, they leave. I apologised to my nanna. But she waved it off, saying she completely understood. Mom and Jadara have been helping with preparing for our son’s arrival. Jadara shared her own
Charlie POV.Every day I have entered the room and stay in the same space as her and each time she watches me, I know she doesn’t believe I’m really here and I’m a threat and I have no-one to blame but myself.But today is different. Today I am sitting by the door reading a book. When I see her out of the corner of my eye as she moves closer to me. I don’t look at her. I continue doing what I’m doing as she moves to sit beside me.She has started to eat again, little and often. So that is progress. She isn’t vocal, though. She is watching me and I continue to read, keeping my heartbeat steady. Valour purrs and it rumbles in my chest at how close she is.She doesn’t flinch; she blinks and watches my face. I turn slowly to look at her and smile at her. She blinks her beautiful green eyes at me and moves back, but she is still looking at me.“Rosa, are you ok?” I ask her gently and she gulps and tilts her head. I know she is in there somewhere.“Cece, are you ok?” she pulls her face away
Charlie POV.It has been three months since Rosa told me about Asteria being captured and Shanti and I have been searching every lead we have received and, so far, nothing. I have not spoken to Rosa and I know if I did, it would hurt her more.Valour has been telling me we need to get back to her, but I can’t when I don’t know where Asteria is. Rosa will understand. Asteria is my mom, just like Gaia is hers.“Wrong hooman, mate needs us. She is in distress.” He tells me as I stop reading the latest report from the shifters on Waning mountain. I have asked Brody and the others to help. After all, they are bounty hunters.“She is safe Valour, please. We will go back to her soon, I promise.” I tell him when he huffs and disappears further into my mind.Hours later, I stand up and stretch my back and it pops and cracks. The door to the house bursts open and I growl as Gaia and Fen stalk inside and look right at me. Both look pissed.“What’s happened?” I ask, and Gaia walks to me and punch
Rosa POV.It has been a month since I found out Asteria was captured by the humans. Since then we have found out it is the human military that captured her and we have searched the earth looking for her, but nothing it is like they have completely disappeared. I told Charlie the day I found out.He didn’t blame me; he told me that the humans have been after her for a long time. But that doesn’t make it any better. He went to Moonlight Cove and spoke to Artemis and Shanti.Artemis has evacuated the underwater kingdom and fled with the sirens. Charlie and Shanti have been following leads and I am here on the ground finding anything that could lead us to her. Pops was pissed, but he said he would help in finding her.So we are all looking for her or any sign of these military scumbags who have taken her. But so far nothing.All we know is that they would have to be keeping her near water. They won’t be out in the open that would cause a war with the sirens. If we find her, then it will b
Rosa POV.I’m numb after what we have been told. That experiments have been performed on shifters. How could the humans be so cruel? I wander the pack grounds deep in thought as I try to understand why. But nothing is coming to me.If they are studying each different species, then who is to say that the hybrids won’t be on their radars in the future? We need to keep everyone safe. But how? How do you keep each and every shifter species safe from an unknown threat?Simple answer is you can’t. You can prepare, but it would be easier if we knew who it was we were preparing for. Do we say something and create mass panic and force the shifters back into the dark? Or do we let them live, not knowing what kind of danger they are in?I have a gut feeling that all this is no coincidence. The humans were fine and the human governments were fine with us all living in peace. But to pick out shifters that is premeditated, and they knew who to target. They have had years to put this together. So wh
Rosa POV.Waking up, I stretch and realise we are in our room in the packhouse. I reach across the bed to find it empty; I roll to my side and stare at the empty space beside me.Rolling on to my back, I look up at the ceiling and smile to myself. Charlie shifted last night. We ran in our forms; we played and we fu … mated in our forms, but I do remember falling asleep in the forest. So Charlie must have woken up and carried me back here. He is a sweetheart.The bedroom door opens, and in he walks carrying a breakfast tray. He is a sight for sore eyes. With his chest on display and shorts hanging low on his hips, showing off those rippling muscles and the deep V line that makes a girl hot with need.But I’m sorry ladies, this hunk is mine, all mine, and will be forever.“Morning, baby girl. I thought I would make you breakfast.” I hear Cece swoon. She is a hopeless romantic when it comes to this kind of stuff. I will admit I am too.“You didn’t need to do that. I’m surprised you are u
Charlie POV.Every nerve ending is on fire. Every cell is burning and changing. My eyes hurt and things sound sharper and I place my hands over my ears as I double over in pain. My insides feel like they are being torn out.I have no idea where I am. I feel the sparks and open my eyes to look into the calm green eyes of my mate as I try to reach for her when I whimper, but roll onto my back as my spine breaks and I scream out.“Breathe Charlie. Imagine Valour. Imagine his coat and his eyes. Let him take control, baby.” She tells me, but right now I’m too focused on the pain and the sound of blood rushing into my ears.“Let me forward, hooman.” Valour’s calm voice is louder than before and I whimper again my spine rearranges as I arch my back and I vomit on the floor.“NOW HOOMAN, LET ME FORWARD!” I try to speak, but my jaw snaps and blood coats my tongue. I would not recommend this at all.All I can feel and focus on is the pain and my cheek bones snap and my face burns as it grows lo