ROSE Why is he laughing now? Jesus Christ, where’s the friendly Ambrose I used to know—has that all been an act? But Rum enjoyed his presence. And they really acted like buddies. ‘He really tried his best, the Alpha.’ Ambrose chuckled some more, the sound of it was getting to my nerves. ‘He really told you nothing.’ That pricked my pride. I dare say that I know things about Rum more than anyone in this world. ‘I beg to differ,’ I rebutted. ‘You, on the other hand, is the one he keeps the most things from. So how the hell did you know so much?’ Stupid Rose. Of course, the dark whims must’ve told him. The grin he was wearing made me feel lower and frustration rose in my chest once more. ‘He told you nothing. The things that he shared with you… they’re nothing. And because he told you none of the important stuff, you think my plan will fail.’ I glared at his stupid face. ‘I think your plan will fail because you’re stupid.’ Great, Rose. Stooping down to the means of four-year-ol
RUM Rose. She looked frightened as hell, trembling. Yet, she faced the threat head on, not backing away. And that made me angry. How many times have I run away, just because I think it's unfair? It's unfair that I have to face such shit. Then again, who gets to choose the shit they want to face in life? Everyone faces all kinds of mess. Rose did. So why did I think I should get a free pass? 'Run, Rose!' Run, you stupid girl! But I could tell she was bound to the ground as much as I was. Hmm? The pressure on my feet vanished—I can move again? CLICK! The sound of instant death struck the air and my decision was as clear as glass. I leapt forward—knock Goldie out first, then get to Rose. My hand swung a crescent curve, then something struck me in the chest—pain exploded inside me, and a chill streamed in and fused with my blood, killing it. Fuck… I should've known why the binds around my feet were removed. I was meant to take that bullet. ***** ROSE The fog cleare
ROSE The superstar looked dumbfounded, which greatly puzzled me. Then, it slapped onto me. ‘A-Are they back?’ I whispered fearfully. ‘They’re behind me, aren’t they?’ He swallowed hard and said in a low whisper, ‘Rose…is that you?’ What kind of a question is that? Of course, I’m me. My eyes narrowed into a frustrated glare. ‘Are they back? Tell me, Rum!’ I hissed. ‘They’re gone.’ He gulped, his blue eyes continued staring. ‘But we’ve got a bigger problem.’ ‘What is it?’ Then, it slammed into me. I knew it! It isn’t over! That much silver, he can’t suddenly be alright! ‘You’re not alright, are you?’ I lunged forward, wanting to grab his shoulders and check his body, but instead of my hands, two white furry paws appeared at my will. And I halted. Dumbfounded. I raised my right hand closer and the white paw moved closer, greeting me like a newfound friend. My chest clenched. A fearful realisation seized my face as it shot up, and I looked at Rum, hoping he could give me s
RUMI laid her down on her bed and then waited to make sure she was really alright. For the hundredth time, I traced her face with my eyes, drowning myself in the contours and forms of her features, getting drunk in the happiness I felt from being familiar with them and being able to discover something new about them. My thumb brushed across her brows, trying to sooth them. ‘Don’t worry, Rose.’ I heard my whisper. ‘I’m here.’ Stop frowning, cub. And a sigh left her lips, those slim brows relaxed. My own lips spread into a genuine smile. ‘You’ll be fine.’ Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed the corner of those fine brows then pulled back to study her some more. Of those times we made love, she’d always fall asleep first, and I would draw her in and wrap her in my arms, and listen to her peaceful breathing until the moon sets and the sun rises. Strangely, the wait for that darn moon to set seemed much, much shorter than before. ‘When you wake up, Rose, I’m not going to push y
ROSE Flashes of lights from cameras are blinding me. Bustling murmurs of eager reporters are giving me a headache. But amidst them all, I felt a sense of achievement. 'Thank you. This is all put together by Cintilar,' said the woman with a tiny waist and long slender legs. The man holding a mic laughed proudly. 'Cintilar? It's hard to get her these days! Everyone's gonna be jealous. How did you manage?' 'I begged her for months! Then finally her assistant put me on the waiting list a year ago.' 'You gotta catch this, guys. An ensemble by the mother of styling herself, Cintilar,' cheered the host of the annual movie awards ceremony. Me? Are they talking about me? Cintilar? 'There she is!' An explosion of gasps and sounds of awe, then the brightest spotlight shone on me. I look down and I'm in the softest, whitest gown that flows like water from a waterfall. The black bulb of a mic shoved into me and the host asked in a loud, enthusiastic voice, 'So Cintilar, your inspira
ROSE He slid out slowly, caressing my insides like a light feather, and a delightful shiver shot to my toes. My face jerked to one side and a moan slipped from my pursed lips. ‘Rum….’ My voice has never been this high. ‘Why are you looking away, cub?’ asked a deep voice. Hands locked above my head, knees raised high, body pinned hard against the mattress, I couldn’t feel a thing except the intense pleasure Rum was filling up in me. How do I move my head? ‘R-Rum….’ I need something. Him. I need him inside. My desperation is soaring rapidly. ‘Rum!’ He kissed the throbbing skin below my earlobe and grunted, ‘How many times must I remind you, Rose?’ The scorching tip of his tongue travelled down my neck. ‘Ha!’ I shuddered. ‘K-Keithen!’ His mouth closed over the bulge of my collarbone and sucked hard. ‘That’s right.’ And he rammed in strong and hard, drove to the hilt. ‘Remember it, Rose.’ More pleasure bolted through me, arching my back, slipping out another cry of bliss. ‘O
RUMJoy folded her arms, displeasure crossed her face. ‘She won’t go.’ ‘She’ll be in good hands,’ I said, looking straight at her.‘She won’t go.’ ‘She must go.’ I arrived at the table. ‘YOU—.’ She glanced at Rose’s room door then spun back, fierce hurt crossed her face. She lowered her voice and hissed, ‘she wants to make a name for her father and you keep deterring her from it! She’s spent close to four years and she’s still an intern.’ ‘I can assure you,’ I interjected. ‘She will not remain an intern.’ Joy chuckled dryly. ‘I didn’t think you’d make empty promises too. We thought you were different.’ This bitch. How can I convince her that I meant to stick to Rose and help her in every way I can? I want to help her understand her shifting first, then support her in her next step. If that was to return to the human world and achieve her father’s ambition, so be it. ‘But you’re just going to make her your lover—a secret lover—to fulfil your own needs.’ What the hell…. ‘You’re
ROSE A strong grip came around my wrist and I was roughly pulled back. I crashed against a hard warm body and looked up to see Rum glaring down at me with fear and anger. ‘What the fuck, Rose! You almost got yourself killed!’ His finger shot out, I followed its line of direction and saw the ground coming to an end just a step from where I stood. I almost walked off a cliff. His thick arm came around my waist clutching me tightly. ‘What the fuck were you thinking?’ He growled in my ear. I turned around in his embrace and hugged him. ‘I didn’t realise that I’d be on a cliff.’ A lame excuse but that was the truth. Honestly, I don’t know what to expect. Ever since I shifted and saw my so-called wolf form, I felt disconnected from my mind… from the present. ‘Jesus Christ… you’re sticking to me like a bubblegum, got that?’ I nodded and then something ruffled behind Rum. He stiffened and within the next second, pushed me behind him and faced the unknown creature who stumbled up