Chapter 0007

**Talon's POV

Looking at Vicky, I nodded for her to take over the situation.

Ethan was done with the girl for the night.

Vicky and Estrella still needed to get Rosalie to eat something and take some rest. There wasn't much need of me in the hospital at the moment, thus I followed my Alpha out.

Ethan wasn't just my Alpha.

He was my best friend, and the position of Beta was given with trust. However, no matter how close we were, I was first his subordinate, then his friend. Either way, he had my absolute loyalty.

I was quite surprised to hear what he told Rosalie just now.

I tried to catch up with him. He made his way down the hospital hallway before exiting the double doors which lead out into the front lawn near the pack house.

He was moving quicker than his usual pace, but I wasn't aware of anything else on his agenda tonight.

He turned quickly, and made his way towards his office. I followed him in, closing the door behind us.

Strictly executing every single one of his orders was my responsibility, but I needed some clarification.

"Alpha, was the plan changed for Miss Rosalie? I thought…"

"You know the plan, Talon, and it stays." Ethan turned his attention to the papers in front of him.

We had a war brewing and that had been his focus. Being on top of everything was important and the newspaper was one of the sources of information. However, I was the one who normally went through it and extracted the key information for him.

For some reason, I felt he acted a little abnormal today and didn't seem to be in a good mood. I had known Ethan since he was a boy. I remembered the day he became Alpha, and I remembered his father. My sister and I had known him forever and we supported him through the trouble he faced after his father's death.

Something was bothering him. I didn't know why I felt so, but it's not my place to ask.

If it was something he wanted me to know, he would tell me.

I got the confirmation of the plan and that's all I needed from him. The rest would be taken care of as he wished.

"Got it Alpha! I was just a bit surprised that you said to set her free. Normally you wouldn't say it unless you mean it. "

He put down the newspaper and looked me right in the eyes. His words were as cold as ice.

"Isn't death the ultimate freedom for her?"

***

"Rosalie, I promise this will be the last time for a while I need to stick you with a needle."

As I entered the room, I heard Estrella's voice. From Estrella's report, Rosalie obviously didn't like needles - well, me neither - but she had been a trooper.

"I'm sorry.." Rosalie replied softly.

I stood by the door watching the two.

She was a tender girl, and I was certain she made Estrella's heart melt.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, sweetie. I'm going to take care of you. You are safe here." Estrella had always been great with her patients.

Pulling pack the needle, Estrella placed it upon a silver tray before putting a bandage on the area she drew blood from.

Rosalie was getting some of her strength back just after a few days of being here. That was because Estrella was the best doctor in the pack.

"Estrella." I called her name. "Can I borrow you for a moment?"

"Of course, Beta."

She turned to Rosalie and smiled, "I will be right back. Try to drink the soup while I step out."

Rosalie nodded her head in understanding. She had been compliant with everything that was asked of her, but I knew it didn't mean that she had accepted her role as a breeder.

I sighed. I had warned Vicky to stay away from her, but Rosalie just seemed to have this power about her that made people want to befriend her.

"Talon, did you need me for something?" Estrella lowered her voice giving me a curious glance.

"How is she doing?"

I was put in charge of monitoring Rosalie. Although the last time Ethan asked about her was a week ago, I still needed to be on top of her status at all times.

"Um.. well she is doing much better. She still has a long road ahead of her, but she is making progress everyday."

"That's good. I see she is eating." I looked around the corner of the room towards Rosalie who was sipping her soup. "Can she be moved to her room soon?"

I sensed uncertainty from Estrella's delay in response. "Estrella, what's going on?"

She hesitated for a moment. I knew her too well to know what's going through her mind.

As expected, she said, "I know that the Alpha wants to breed with Rosalie as soon as possible, but it isn't time yet." She looked me in the eye. "In theory, Rosalie is well enough to go to her own room in a few days. However, I don't personally feel comfortable with it."

I raised my eyebrows.

She continued, "All the trauma she had been through isn't going to make her feel right at home. Rosalie is still recovering, and with her here I am easily able to ensure she is getting her fluids and eating properly. If she goes there.. Well it's going to be more complicated."

"Ethan stated three weeks, and he will expect that."

"Right now, she isn't able to conceive safely. Her body is much too weak. Don't get me wrong, she has been cooperating and done everything I asked her to do, but whether her body heals at the speed we want…that's not something I can control."

I knew Estrella had a point, but at the same time my hands were tied on this topic.

"I honestly don't know if she will be ready by the Alpha's deadline. Do you really want to see his wrath if she loses his child?" Estrella was pushing the issue. ".. or better yet.. If she dies in the process."

"That isn't for you to decide, Estrella." I frowned and ended the conversation.

This was one of the Alpha's top priorities and there was no negotiation on what needed to happen.

I looked towards Rosalie, she wasn't the plain Jane kind of girl. She had a natural beauty about her that reflected her kind hearted nature. Reddish brown hair cascading down in waves over her shoulders, and gentle blue eyes. She was a pretty woman.

Most pretty women with Alpha blood like her would be treated like princesses. While she certainly wasn't spoiled, it didn't change the fact that she still easily attracted everyone's attention, just like any other young lady with Alpha blood would.

Estrella and Vicky had made friends with Rosalie and I know they like her. Maybe to them Rosalie was somewhat different from other she-wolves that the Alpha had ever interacted with. But neither of them knew what the Alpha's plan for Rosalie was.

Estrella sighed. "I know."

"I need her moved to her room as soon as possible. That's an order."

"Yes, Beta, I understand." I could see her reservation, but Estrella never once failed the task she was given. "What room should I have her prepare to go to?"

"The suit directly next to the Alpha's. He wants to keep her as close as possible."

Estrella was surprised. But then so was I when I learned about it.

For generations. That was the suite reserved for one, and only one female.

Our pack Luna.

Knowing Ethan as well as I did, that suite would probably never be filled. He put Rosalie there only because it was more convenient for him to complete his breeding task. That was it.

"...But.." she began to say, but I gave her a look to stop her.

"I'm aware, Estrella. It's irrelevant where she is going. Also, from now on all of the information on her goes through me. I need to know when every detail of her health comes in."

She was a little taken back, but she didn't question me.

"Yes Beta. The last batch of tests will be back in three days, after that she can move if required. Just precautions need to be made."

"Good. Keep me posted on the new test results."

I walked past Estrella as she followed me to where Rosalie was sitting.

Rosalie greeted me with a warm smile, "Beta Talon."

"Miss Rosalie, just Talon, please."

She was still weak, but more energetic compared to before. I could even see a healthy glow on her pale face. The bruises over her neck had faded. She was like an elegant and fragile China doll that should be treated with care.

"So… am I moving soon?"

Being a wolf she would have heard what we were talking about. She had a werewolf hearing after all. I didn't specifically plan to hide the conversation we just had from her. Sooner or later, she would have to know.

"Yes. They'll have your room ready next week."

"Oh.. okay." Was the only response she gave as she looked down at her lap. She was showing all displays of anxiety, and self induced panic. Estrella was right, she wasn't mentally stable enough to be a breeder yet.

"It's going to be okay. I am still going to come visit you, and Vicky will be there for you as well. Just a lot closer than the hospital. Plus, you will LOVE the beds they have there. It's like sleeping on clouds."

Estrella tried to lighten the situation, but I could tell it wasn't really working.

"I promise, Rosalie. I will help take care of you. You can trust me."

I looked at Estrella with disapproval. She didn't notice - or maybe she did, and she just chose to ignore it. She shouldn't be telling Rosalie this, it's not helping her. We had a plan, and that's all that it was to it.

Looking towards Rosalie, however, a very small voice inside me tried to tell me she didn't deserve this.

"I don't want to be his breeder." She whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

Estrella sighed, "I know you don't."

I watched the tears roll down her cheeks, and Estrella couldn't help but hug her.

Rosalie flinched at Estrella's touch and was tense, but after a moment she gave in and surrendered herself to tears within Estrealla's arms.

Sometimes the world was unfair. Maybe an innocent girl like her really didn't deserve what happened to her, and what would happen to her.

I heard Estrella mindlinked me, "I didn't know how she felt, but I can only imagine how heartbreaking it was."

I frowned, then I waved away the uneasy emotion that grew inside me. The world wasn't fair for Ethan either, so what. What should be done needs to be done.

With this thought, I hardened my heart again.

Ethan's order must be executed. We were running out of time.