Rosa POV.“Well, that went well.” I hear a voice and open my eyes and see Rosalie standing over me. I move to sit up and she helps me to stand.“Am I dead?” I ask her, fighting the tears, and she sighs.“You are in limbo …”“Oh, I love limbo. How low can you go?” I turn and see Cece shaking her ass. Rosalie chuckles at her antics, but I don’t find it funny. We are at war. I can’t be stuck in limbo. I need to get back.“Why did the Moon Goddess give you to me? Can’t you act seriously for one fucking second? Our family is dying and here you are thinking everything is a fucking joke!” I snap at her when she stops and whines before she backs up, her head bowed.“I’m sorry, I didn’t …”“That’s just it Cece. You don’t fucking think not everything is a game. For once in your life, take it seriously!” I scream at her when she whimpers and runs away. I reach for her to stop her, but she is gone. I feel like shit for snapping at her. There is a time and place and that isn’t here or now.“Real s
Charlie POV.Seeing the angel fly towards us, snatching a screaming Aberdone up and rocketing into the sky. I stand looking up, trying to see through the clouds.Everyone watching in anticipation, when we all see Aberdone falling at speed just before he hits the ground, white wings rip out of his shoulder blades and he hovers.With almighty scream no, battle cry. Rosa flying down. Aberdone flies up to her at speed and they both clash in the sky. Pulled out of the spectacle above our heads, the war on the ground resumes.Fighting the fae doesn’t feel as exhilarating as I thought it would. With each fae life, we are taking the looks on their faces when they realise they are dying is soul shattering, like they are under some sort of spell.I look at Asteria as she takes down six fae with her trident. I look for the others and they are noticing the same thing. When I get an idea.“Don’t kill them. They are under a spell. Knock them out.” I shout, and Asteria looks at me and nods her head.
Rosa POV.It has been a few days since I killed Aberdone with Jadara and Cece. And here we are back at the Waning mountains. We have been cleaning up the devastation after what Aberdone and Cora did. But we are getting there.Asteria has helped with her magic. As for Gaia and the rest of them, I haven’t seen them. For the time being, I think that would be for the best. I am not being selfish because I will always be grateful for what they did for me. But Alpha Nicholas was right, I am not their blood.“Rosy.” I look down from what I’m doing to see my new little friend Matilda standing next to me with her dolly.“Hey, sweetie-pie. What’s up?” I ask her as I lift her in my arms and she snuggles her head on my shoulder.“Can I play with Cece today?” she asks and I hear Cece yip in my head.“Once I have finished doing this, then yes. Oh, look, there’s your dad.” I say, pointing to Bogo and he waves at us and Matilda wiggles to get put down and, like that, she runs off to her dad.“She wil
Rosa POV.“They can’t lock you in Purgatory. You have redeemed yourself when they sent you back …”“No, they set me up. They knew my nature, and they exploited it by using my pain to fulfil their demands.” Why can’t anything be simple?“Then we find a way. You are not controlled by them Jadara, hell even I couldn’t control you.” I say with a chuckle, and she just glares at me.“That’s the point I can’t be controlled. But they used me regardless. I don’t know what to do. What can I do? I can’t go to them and they sure as hell can’t come here. If they do then, I’m fucked for a better word.” She says like all is lost, but it isn’t.“You say you can’t be controlled, then take back your control from them. Rub it in their faces. You haven’t killed anyone in a while …”“You saying I should give into my nature?”“No, that’s not what I’m saying. Look at it this way: you haven’t killed anyone recently who has tainted their bond. So you are taking control. If anything, that will piss them off mo
Rosa POV.I can’t believe this. Zeus wanted her. No, me, us dead! Why?“Why now?” I ask nothing making sense to me at all. I have never done anything to them. I was a good pup growing up, even after what happened to my parents. Even when Gaia took me in. I have never warranted this kind of pain.“What did I do to deserve any of this? Tell me Hades, what did I do?” I feel like I’m going to break down, but I won’t. I can’t.“It was never meant to get this far. You were supposed to die in the attack when you were a pup. Until Odessa intervened and took you to the orphanage. She is also responsible for guiding you and Gaia to each other. I’m sorry, Rosa, this isn’t personal.” He mumbles, looking guilty.“Not personal? Are you fucking kidding me? Not personal. Your brother wanted to kill an innocent pup! What for? Because I was part oracle? I hope the heavens fall.” I say as I step back, feeling my knees knock as I stagger back. Charlie reaches for me, but I hold my hand up and he stops, t
Rosa POV.My back hits something soft, as Charlie kisses me deeper and with urgency. He knows. He knows what I have to do.“You’re so beautiful Rosa. I am lucky to have you as my mate,” he says as he kisses my neck. His hands work to remove my clothes and I do the same with him. He looks at me. The love and sadness in his eyes makes my eyes fill with tears.He leans over me and kisses my tears away. His hands move down my body to my pussy as he plunges his fingers inside of me. But he isn’t being rough, he is taking his time. Savouring how I feel, my taste and scent. He devours me slowly.“I love you. Never forget that.” He says as he kisses down my body as his fingers move in and out of me. I moan as his mouth latches onto my throbbing clit. He moves slowly and I feel the urge to tell him to move faster, but I don’t I know he needs this just like I do.“More, Charlie. Please.” I pant and moan as my stomach tightens. He removes his fingers and mouth.“I want you coming on my cock. I w
Charlie POV.Waking to the bed cold and empty, my heart breaks. The look in her eyes last night told me she was leaving. I knew if I tried to stop her, she would fight me. I had to let her leave, but it didn’t make it any easier. I reach for her pillow and hug it to my chest, breathing in her scent.“Come home to me, Rosa. I will wait for you.” I say to myself as I try to feel her through the bond, but it’s empty. Like she was never been there in the first place.I climb out of bed and look around the room. Everything is the same as it was last night. Only a few of her things are missing. I will find her. I enter the bathroom and into the shower. I lean my head against the shower wall as the water cascades down my body. Why did this have to happen?A sob escapes me when I scream and punch the tiles. I keep punching until my knuckles are bloody and I collapse onto the shower floor. I sob on to my knees. When I feel someone has entered the house. I shoot up and turn the shower off. Reac
Charlie POV.Kronos, the titan. The father of the three-main gods. Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. The destroyer of worlds. I look at him, my mouth open, and Gaia giggles. Fucking giggles like I’m not sitting opposite the one man who can kill the Gods.“Surprise!” I look at Gaia and she smiles at me like the bomb that was just dropped wouldn’t annihilate everything.“Kronos? As is the real Kronos?” I ask in disbelief, and he rolls his eyes with a groan.“Yes, the real Kronos. Now we have the introduction out of the way. Why are you both here?” he asks, moving back to address Gaia.“Well, we need your help. Plus, I missed your grumpy ass.” Gaia speaks with such familiarity, not that she is talking to the one man, God, Titan, then can destroy the world if he was released.“Let me guess, my sons have done something that requires me coming out of retirement?” he scoffs like this is nothing new for him. That his son’s causing trouble seems like he is used to this.“Not out of retirement, but ye
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