ROSENow, she looked incredulous at my question. ‘I chose Ellis,’ the White Crown Luna said firmly. ‘When we met, I felt a connection. With him. And that’s how I know. It’s hard to explain. But I can’t imagine being with someone other than Ellis.’ ‘And she wouldn’t dare.’ A new voice spoke. We both turned to it and the White Crown Alpha, as charming as ever, was standing before us, with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. Immediately, Elena broke into the smile of a sixteen year old. ‘As you wouldn’t. What’s that?’ The Alpha strode forward calmly and placed the flowers on his wife’s lap. ‘I picked them up on my way here from the manor. I heard they would make a woman’s heart skip a beat.’ Elena was already admiring the vibrant yellow and purple petals, taking a good whiff of the sweet scent. Fruity? I’ve never seen those flowers before. ‘They’re lovely,’ she whispered as Ellis kissed the side of her forehead. I coughed inside. They’re lovely on their own, but not together. Is
ROSEBut his wide gaze of surprise told me he heard it. ‘Is this some new stupidity that you caught?’ I should want to punch him in the face. Instead, I stifled a giggle. ‘You really love me.’ ‘Yup, I do.’ He looked back ahead and moved on, towards the light at the end of the path we were on. ‘You’ve definitely caught the dumb bug.’ Cheeks flushing hard, I threw a fist lightly. ‘I did not!’ And then I hugged him tightly. ‘Do you love me then?’ he asked, trying to sound like he didn’t care what my answer would be. I… don’t know. Staring at his black fur, feeling all warm inside, my head a little fuzzy with the lovey-dovey air, I really wanted to ask him: how do you know that you love me? What is it about me that you love? That you can’t live without? That made you want to marry me? Is it because we’re mates? I pressed my face into his back and rubbed my forehead against the soft black fur, and he chuckled with satisfaction. ‘Yup. You love me.’ ‘Tell me something about yourself
ROSE The breeze of the mountain and forest blew gently past. A golden lining appeared where the sun would rise. Dawn. I couldn't remember when I dozed off. Was it on the dining table? Or at the bedroom door? Keithen. I remember his strong arms holding me up all the time. I hugged myself, recalling the feel of the Alpha's warmth filling me. My lips curled up in a smile. This is what peace feels like. I think Daddy’s dream will be alright. Joy will be alright. She’ll understand. Goddess or not, I think I'm done resisting it. I want Keithen. I want to be with him. I can't be with anyone but him now. ‘Fuck!’ I heard the sound of a bear landing on the wooden floor in a loud thud. Then more sounds of the bear scrambling off the ground, breaking into a dash. And then he appeared, right at the entrance of the corridor, his face worried and nervous. ‘Good morning.’ I spread my lips in the sweetest smile I could manage as the bear stomped forward. Without a word, he pulled me into hi
ROSEStumped. I was stumped beyond words. I couldn’t feel a thing—I don’t know what to feel. Relief? Sadness? Resentment? ‘I can’t do this.’ Was all I could manage. It was barely audible, meant for myself, but the Alpha King caught it. With his super abilities. ‘What?’ He grabbed my wrist. ‘You can’t be serious. The ceremony is starting soon, blast it!’ I couldn’t shake his grip off. Yet I know very well that I don’t want to be here anymore. I can’t be here. I don’t belong here. I’m not… I’m not a werewolf. He deserves my sincerity. ‘I’m sorry, Keithen.’ Slowly, he straightened, his fingers still latched around me. ‘What happened to ‘Keithen’s mine’?’ This time his voice was hoarse with pain. ‘That was before I knew we were mates, right?’ I smiled. He watched me meaningfully. ‘So you’re saying you want to reject me.’ All of a sudden, he looked cold and menacing—just as when we first met. Reject? I blinked hard. Words of Perri flooded in. No. If I rejected Keithen, he’d be exil
ROSEAm I hearing things?‘Y-You really mean it?’ I read through the document once more, making sure that every word was printed and sealed in black against white.B.A.D taught me a hell lot. One second, you’d be a royal, and in the next a dumpster. I need to make sure it's not a dream. Jewel Virtus did hire me as a full time stylist, and she had just handed me my first major assignment: Richard Black, a model turned actor—and the next big star of Virtus Talent agency. ‘This isn’t Disney. And I’m not an NPO,’ replied the Director curtly with the cold gaze of a businesswoman. Shame seared my cheeks. But before I could apologise, the slender finger flicked in a dismissive tone, like an executioner’s axe condemning me. Jesus, Rose, what were you thinking blurting out a question like that? Of course, she means it! She wants a stylist with ideas that can be plucked out of the air anytime. Not some eighteen-year-old with the insecurities of a Disney princess. I searched the Director’s
KEITHENI couldn't believe my ears. ‘A villain’s role?!’ I slammed both hands on the CEO’s desk. ‘What happened to the male lead? I'm the Best Rookie of the year, Goddess blast it!’‘Best Rookie?’ Good ol' Dan stared back with aghast, steamed up like a volcano. A fat finger shot out like a gun aimed at my forehead. ‘You son of a bitch put my ass out there to dry!’ Saliva pewed like hot rocks. ‘Do you have any idea what you've caused me? All the endorsements. Not to mention all the loss that comes with it! If you weren’t the nephew of a king, you wouldn’t be standing here talking to me!’The lump of embarrassment in my throat thickened. But I need to suck this up and go, or I'll lose Rose to some wannabe asshole! Gritting my teeth, head hanging like a wilted flower, I said, ‘Okay, I'm sorry I left without notice.’‘Goddamn right you did.’ The old geezer slumped defeated in his bosschair, but his knuckles were hard and white against the edge of his desk like a deathly reminder to not
ROSEThe strong grip around my wrist, and then two round, brown eyes of a handsome face stared back like a frightened deer. ‘Where are you going?’ asked Richard, his voice softer than usual but slightly nervous. ‘To get coffee,’ I replied without hesitation. And the grip loosened. He was smiling again. ‘I-I thought you were leaving me.’ I chuckled to dispel the awkwardness. I've never met a celebrity this clingy. ‘Technically, I am. There’s no coffee machine. So I thought to pop out for a cuppa,’ I said as my fingers nimbly adjusted his black collared shirt and smiled. ‘Do you want one?’ He nodded. ‘Latte with flower print and vanilla syrup.’ Is that he… pouting?‘Gotcha.’ I paused and looked down—he was holding my hands again—both, this time. ‘Err, you need to let me go first, Richard.’ Reluctantly, he let go. ‘Come back quick, okay?’ Err, okay? I nodded cautiously. Then, I patted his shoulder in reassurance. He flashed his charming boyish smile before returning apologetica
ROSE‘That’s who it was!’ Joy shrieked, jolting closer as the chocolate chip ice cream melted nicely across my tongue. ‘For a moment, I thought it was Ru—.’ Her smile froze like the first witness of a car crash and then she hastily said, ‘Rambo.’‘Rambo? As in Stallone?’ I laughed knowingly and knowingly added, ‘Doesn’t he look more like Rum?’ Joy scooped from her bucket of vanilla ice cream and put it in her mouth, refusing to meet my gaze. ‘Anyway the guy’s pretty nice for a celebrity, isn’t he? Virtus Talent’s definitely better than B.A.---. That darn company you worked for the last time.’ ‘You mean B.A.D? Rum’s company?’ Another scoop of ice cream went into her mouth, then a smile touched my own lips.‘You can say his name, you know.’ I licked my spoon. And she smiled with a weak chuckle. ‘That was dumb of me.’ ‘You were being considerate. I know. That’s why I love you very much, Joy.’ I beamed at her, to reassure her that I was truly alright. I am. The dreams have stopped.
ROSECarefully, I picked up my iPad and the impatient phone and turned towards the exit of the office. I thought to answer the call once I’m outside, but it stopped buzzing. So I moved cautiously towards the elevator, when it arrived just as I halted to push the button for it. The doors opened and my handsome Alpha King appeared, worried as hell. ‘Why didn’t you answer my call?’ he demanded.I rolled my eyes. ‘Because I’m getting through a door with this.’ I pointed at my huge belly. He was about to carry me like a bride when I slapped his hands away. ‘Stop it!’ I hissed. ‘You want everyone to know?!’ ‘Wheelchair. If you ever missed my call again.’ He stepped aside for me to enter the metal carrier. ‘Alright, alright…’ I chuckled. ‘So how was it?’ He asked, glancing at my iPad. ‘Did she approve it?’ ‘No.’ I sighed. ‘It’s too extravagant. The actress specifically asked for more grounded styles. She wants people to relate more to acting than her beauty.’ And Keithen scoffed. ‘Goo
ROSEI rolled myself onto him, loving the way my skin rubbed against his, feeling his warmth and heartbeat against mine, as well as the vibrations of his chuckle. He swept the sticky damp strands off my face, hooking some around my ears, then combed the rest to the back of my head with his fingers, and all the time, I had my eyes closed, savouring the moment. And he chuckled some more. ‘You want another round?’ he whispered. My eyes burst open, and his arms squeezed my bare waist as he laughed. ‘I’m hurt, cub. You look like a car was about to hit you.’ I shifted closer to his face—my breasts scraping his hard chest, and he grunted a little—and kissed him on the mouth hard, delivering all my passion, all my apologies. Immediately, his mouth opened and he shifted to push me forward, so that his tongue could dive in a little more, consuming me breathless. Just as the familiar desires stirred inside me, I pulled back, tore my lips from his and captured his face with both hands, tryi
ROSEI’m a werewolf, aren’t I? Okay, not entirely. Just half wolf, half human. But that still counts, right? There’s still some wolf inside me to make this work! This has to work! Concentrate. Focus, Rose. Think of the gate. I could be at the beach, or the back alley. Does it relocate to the same place twice? Or does it choose a new place each time? ‘Rose, are you having a headache?’ asked Joy. I opened my eyes and evaluated my best friend for a while. Then, I made up my mind. ‘Joy.’ I grabbed her shoulders. ‘I’m about to tell you something that nothing in Science can ever explain.’ ‘O…kay?’ I could see the wheels of her mind churning to come up with the plausible reason for my sudden strange behaviour. ‘Is it Harry Potter kinda something?’ I nodded firmly. And she mouthed ‘O’, with a knowing gaze. But behind that gaze, I still caught her disbelief. ‘It’s alright to not believe me. Just promise me that you won’t tell a living soul.’ I was staring at her so hard, I could almost
RICHARDA video showing Richard in his midnight blue shirt with his arm stretched across the desk. The files shifted and a sketch of a female figurine in a puffed up flowy gown with petals in her hair and on her lashes and lips. Richard was flabbergasted. He turned back to the CEO, his mind churning furiously to come up with the best excuse to save his ass. ‘When Rose brought me that design, I thought to myself: this is something that ambitious Annie would use. It’s extravagant and flamboyant. Wouldn’t it be nice to distract her with this, so my precious gem can focus on levelling up her skills? She can’t be stuck in the B.A.D. crap all the time.’ Richard felt deflated. His world was crashing down into dust. ‘Y-You set me up.’ The CEO laughed heartily. ‘You flatter yourself too much, Richard. Set ups are for my equals. This is just a test. But you scored full marks.’ The young rising star slammed his palms on the desk and glared at the CEO—the woman who had previously doted on hi
ROSE‘... the winner of this styling face off is—.’ The emcee’s eyes rolled left to right repeatedly as he read the card. His brows knitted as a mutter of disbelief spilled from his mouth, ‘Annie from B.A.D.’ My insides sank to the deepest parts of my spirit. ‘YES!’ Annie shrieked out victoriously. With a smugful grin, she cast a look of condemnation in my way. ‘I told you she’s a fake! She can’t style at all! Extraordinary—ha!’ That was… … unexpected. I thought I had a good chance. I really did read Miss Jewel’s comments wrongly. ‘Oh! The main judge has something to say!’ The emcee shoved Annie aside to make way for the retired supermodel, Jinda Avengelistford, who gracefully took the centrestage at an astounding height of six feet. ‘Based on the styling standards, Miss Annie has met every single one.’ She turned to the head of B.A.D.’s styling team and flashed a warm smile. ‘It was exciting—your unexpected. There is still a difference between professional and personal styling.
KEITHEN ’CUT!’ The director’s frown was as clear as the blue sky outside. I could tell that he’s been trying to hold it in. But the shit’s about to explode. ‘Rum.’ He forced a smile. ‘Are you sure you’re not unwell?’ I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve said this: ‘I’m fine.’ ‘Then what’s the problem?!’ The older guy grabbed his hair, about to go crazy. I stared at the line of the script that was shoved into my view. Instantly, the clog in my throat grew real. As real as the reality I’m about to face in an hour’s time. ‘Maybe Rum’s upset that this is all going to end for him soon.’ I looked up and a pair of kind eyes smiled back at me. Sherry patted my shoulder as that sweet smile turned into a sympathetic one. ‘I bet he misses all this. Don’t you, boss?’ I chuckled dryly and looked down again. ‘I’m not your boss, Sher. I’ve said it many times.’ That’s it. No matter how hard you try. You can’t fight reality. You just can’t. You can stay hidden around her. It won’t ma
RICHARDA day before the styling competition… ‘Go right in. She’s wrapping up the conference call,’ said the lovely PA of Miss Jewel. The young man in his stylist’s midnight blue shirt and grey bubble pants grinned sweetly and nodded. ‘Thank you, Celia. You look lovely today.’ And the PA gave her usual polite smile. Richard entered the glasshouse of an office and settled himself in the same chair he’d always been in whenever he’s here. A minute turned to three… and then it felt like ten. Richard’s fingers began to tap with impatience. He thought of checking his phone for an update from the private investigator he’d sent to tail Rose. The thought of Rose brought a grin to his glossed lips. Miss Jewel must have called him in to talk about Rose’s resignation, and he was prepared to sacrifice his precious time and help the agency convince Rose to retract it. There is no way the CEO wouldn’t agree to his one and only condition: that Rose stays as his stylist for as long as he’s wi
ROSEBANG, BANG, BANG!I stared at the door, unable to breathe. Unable to stop the tears. Unable to shut him out. ‘OPEN THE DAMN DOOR, ROSE!’ thundered the Alpha King. ‘YOU BETTER GIVE ME AN EXPLANATION RIGHT NOW!’ Hands clamped my ears. My head kept shaking in disagreement. My chest screaming: go away! Please, go away! ‘I know you’re in there! Open the fucking door!’ The banging continued. The same hands now clamped my mouth. To stop me from telling him to stop. Stop the noise, or someone will report him to the police. You’re a fucking celebrity! Stop it, Keithen!‘I’m counting to three. No open door, and I’ll fucking shift right here! Hear that, Rose? Footsteps! People are coming out. They’ll see me—.’ The hands were back on my ears. Shutting out his voice. My feet shuffled back, away from that enraged door. Hide. Go and hide, my mind told me. And I did. I scampered back to my room and slammed the door shut. Locked it. Then backed away, towards my bed. The second my calves bum
RICHARD‘I told you it’s not going to happen!’ the young man hissed into his phone. The female voice at the other end of the line screamed curses. ‘Everyone’s been talking about your peach silver outfit—more than mine! What happened to the black jacket! You said you’d wear it.’ Richard Black rolled his eyes at his reflection in his bedroom mirror. ‘She wanted to change it. What else can I do? Say no? Has your precious Rum ever said no to you regarding his outfit?’ ‘I can’t let her win that competition,’ chanted Annie. ‘Dan’ll have my head!’ ‘I’ll get you a chopping board then.’ ‘You lying son of a bitch! You didn’t keep your end of the deal—have you any idea the sacrifice I made for that article?’‘Sleeping with a reporter instead of some big shot? You call that a sacrifice?’ Richard scoffed. ‘You’re a whore, Annie. Everyone who knows you knows that. The models—they talk. A hell lot.’‘And you think your Rose is a virgin?’ ‘SHUT UP!’ Richard shouted back, and the ugly chuckle r