Rosa POV.I wake up with a groan. Looking around the unfamiliar room. I sit up and wince. I chuckle to myself as I look at the cabin walls. Well, this is new.“You’re awake. How do you feel?” I look towards the door and see Kronos standing there with a mug in his hand. He looks like a lumberjack in his jeans and flannel shirt. His hair was in a bun at the back of his neck.“Like shit.” I say honestly, and he smirks as he walks closer to me and hands me the mug. I look at the contents and sigh.“Thank you, Kronos. I won’t ask where I am because I think I know. This is my punishment, isn’t it?” I ask him and he sighs as he sits on the armchair next to the bed.“It’s not a punishment. You need to be kept safe.” I look away as I feel the tears build, but I blink them away as I remember what happened. My chest hurts as I see the lifeless eyes and forms of both Jadara and Cece. The destruction that I caused. This is for the best.“You mean to keep them all safe? I understand. Where is Charl
Rosa POV.“How are you here?” I ask Jadara as she strokes my red hair, and she smiles at me, looking behind her and I see Merrick.“He brought me here. He knew Kronos was bringing you here. Why, did you think I would let you suffer in the fires of hell alone?” she chuckles and I chuckle despite the sobbing.“I wouldn’t have it another way. But Cece …”“Oh, don’t worry about her. She is fine.” I blink at her words, but I look back down. Feeling guilt like never before. I did this.“Hey, don’t even think about it. No more self pity. We are together, and that is what matters.” She reaches for my cheek and I lean into her touch.“Charlie, oh gods, Charlie. I need to get to him.” I say as I take a deep, shaky breath in. He is going to be beside himself and Kronos scoffs, and I turn to look at him.“Don’t even scoff. He is my mate and I need him. There has to be a way to get back?” I say as I look towards Bellious and he looks away. Oh, there is, and he knows it.“Bellious, you know how, do
Charlie POV.It has been four years since Rosa was taken from me. I have refused to speak to any of her so-called family and I have tried to find a way into Hell. But unless I want to die, I can’t find a way in.Shanti has been by my side as we scoured the earth looking for a solution to the problem. I could have gone to Gaia or Fen, but they let her go. So I’m not asking them.Turning the page in yet another ancient book. I start to become frustrated and slam it shut. It falls to the floor and I wince as I pick it up and my eyes widen. I move back to my seat and read the language.“Find anything?” Shanti comes to sit next to me. I nod my head. Because I have done. If what I am reading is correct, I think I may have just found the way in.“Well, what does it say?” she asks me, and I clear my throat as I feel my heart beating fast.“Mount Olympus. There is a portal there. Of course there is, but we need to get to Greece. If there is a portal there, then it may not lead to Hell. It coul
Charlie POV.The alarms blur all around the pack. Wolves looking confused as to why the sirens and Hades are attacking. I chuckle as we all run in formation. Asteria leading us. She runs and leaps over four wolves landing, slamming the trident into the ground, sending the poor sods flying backwards.“Get to the crypt.” She shouts and I nod my head and run in what I think is the direction. Shanti follows me. A hulking wolf runs towards us. Shanti shrieks and launches at him, tackling him to the ground, punching him in the face, effectively knocking his ass out.“Go!” she shouts as I run as she spars with more wolves. I’m tackled to the ground and look into the eyes of Skoll. Oh great.“Why are you attacking the pack, Charlie?” he holds me down and I am no match for him, not without my siren form. Fuck!“Do you still love Rosa?” I ask him and he looks at me strangely. He bites his lip and nods his head, fighting the tears that glisten in his eyes.“Then help me. There is a way to break
Rosa POV.Looking at the portal, with Jadara and Cece standing beside me. There has to be another way. That portal won’t open here. When it dawns on me. This is not the only portal. If Bellious’s insinuation is correct, I am immortal.I smirk as I think back to what has happened since I was brought here. Jadara watches me and I see a shadow of a smirk on her face.“You know what you have to do?” she says and I look at her in confusion, my brows deeply furrowed. Do I?“Close you eyes and listen to what you are being told.” I look at her like she has lost her mind, but I do as instructed and close my eyes. Drowning out all the surrounding noise. Meditating as it were. I hear it, I feel it.The call and hum of the Gate. The Gate is a portal.My eyes snap open and I smile at her and she pouts her arms crossed over her chest. Cece is looking bored as she looks around. She hasn’t changed.“Well, I take it you know now?” Jadara asks and I nod my head as I hug her and she chuckles.“Thank you
Rosa POV.I pull back and smile as tears leave my eyes.“Hey, baby girl. Gods, I have missed you. Four years Rosa, four years I tried everything to get to you,” he tells me and I gasp. Four years. I was in hell for four years. To us, it only felt like days.“I’m here now. I’m so sorry I left you behind. I …” He slams his lips on mine once more and I kiss him back. The kiss is frantic and filled with longing, love, and passion.“Don’t you ever apologise for it. It was not your fault. We need to get out of here. This crypt is going to collapse.” He says as another shock waves hits. The walls begin to crumble around us.“Climb on.” I shove him towards Cerberus, and Charlie climbs up and stops, looking at Merrick.“What are you doing here?” He snarls out, and Merrick rolls his eyes.“He has mated and marked Jadara, so of course he has to be here. Now move your ass.” I say as I climb up and he sits in front of Merrick and I move in front of Charlie.“Baby, we need to get out of here. Can y
Charlie POV.We all behind Cerberus as we enter the Waning mountains. Cerberus stops and Rosa climbs down, pats him before she walks away.I go to follow her when Asteria stops me and shakes her head.“Let her go. She has just walked away from the only family she has known. Give her some space.” She says, and I look at the retreating figure of Rosa. Shanti takes my hand, gives it a squeeze. Jadara and Cece move past us all and follow behind Rosa.“She will be OK,” Merrick says as he follows behind his mate and I’m left standing there like an idiot. I shake my head with a sigh and follow, anyway.I’ve just got her back. I’m not going to let her go through this on her own. I walk through the little town and make my way towards our home. I open the door and don’t see Rosa anywhere. I walk towards the bedroom and she isn’t there. I search every room but nothing. Casta has kept the house clean, so that’s a plus.I leave the house and look around for her. But nothing. I walk towards the jun
Rosa POV.It has been months now since I came back from Hell. The Williams family has stayed away from me and for that, I am grateful. I didn’t want to see them, so it has given me time to get over all the bullshit and toxicity that came with them.I have been focusing on myself and Charlie. Jadara seems happy with Merrick and Cece, well she is now with me all the time now. Occasionally Jadara comes back because we need to keep the connection going. I don’t know what would happen if she didn’t come back. But still, it’s nice that she has finally given love a chance.I have been helping as much as I can. Shanti has been coming to see us regularly with Asteria. Hades, too. I gather the vegetables and fruits and lift the baskets and move back towards the village. Cerberus has baskets draped over his back as we both move through the jungle.The residents were all wary about the three-headed beast, but they are used to him now. Little Matilda loves him her parent’s not so much, especially
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