RUM I stared at the two older Alphas and the scent in the air hit me. "Fuck. It's a trap." And Rose disappeared from my side. I spun around and caught a glimpse of her standing with Bell, who had her arms around that small frame and a victorious smirk on her face, and pure rage shot to my eyes. I lunged forward when four huge strapping guys appeared from nowhere, completely cutting Rose out of my sight. "Magnus!" Ellis shouted in rage from behind me. "You promised!" I straightened to the height of my four ambushers. "You fucking pieces of shit," I growled under my breath, glaring at them. "Yes, I did!" Magnus cried back in anguish. "And I'm also tired of waiting for this mutt to wake up from his stupidity!" "This mutt is Joe's cub!" Ellis grabbed Magnus by his collar. "And Rose is unwell–she can't…." I couldn't hear the rest of it because I needed to get to Rose. What if another vessel broke? PUNCH! WHACK! "GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY!" I grabbed the son of a bitch by
ROSE A few jumps later, we came to a stop and Bell immediately grabbed my wrist, locking it in her grasp, before she jumped off. “You want to come down, you answer my question, Rose.” “What’s the problem?” Hansel asked, his snout faced me, his eyes watching fiercely. And Bell pointed at my neck. “I asked her how she got that nasty wound around her neck and she ignored me!” I continued glaring at the pretty woman in a biker jacket when Hansel sighed wearily. “She can’t talk, Bell. That’s why.” A few blinks later and the smile was back. “Ah!” Two warm palms cradled my cheeks and her thumbs stroked my skin affectionately. “I’m so sorry, love.” Don’t call me that, I tried to tell this werewoman with my glare. But, clearly, she didn’t notice. “Come on. Let’s take a break.” She helped me down, making sure I don’t pressure my neck too much. “Stay here. I’ll get some water for you.” “Bell…,” called Hansel, a reminder in his tone. “Don’t worry. Magnus will understand. She’s wo
ROSE "DEITY'S ASS!" Elena was horrified by the sight of me—not that I was standing in the middle of her bedroom nor that Mrs. Hook had smuggled me into Cloud Throne Manor, but the awful shade of my throat. "WHAT HAPP—oh…OH! That MAGNUS!" The White Crown Luna grabbed her hands into tight fists as though her fingers were around the Alpha's neck. "I could kill him!" Mrs. Hook led me to the bed and had me lie down. Immediately, Elena left the room to make me some healing juice. "It's not as bad as I thought." The Luna sat next to the bed and smiled at me. She caught my wrinkled brows and explained, "Elena went to get some juice instead of using her hands, so I reckoned it's not that severe." I smiled and nodded. "I promised Keithen to look after you till he returns, so you'll be in good hands." She scanned the room and added, "Although you can't stay here—it's not nice to use the room of a committed couple." I couldn't agree more. "And I can't bring you back either. Cause… well
RUM Ellis stepped forward. “Keithen….” “Deity’s ass…,” growled Magnus in disapproval. “Magnus, please. Let me.” Ellis patted the Crystal Sparks Alpha’s and turned to me. “Keithen, we’re not asking you to reconnect with the deity. And I’m not going to lecture you about our natural bond with her.” “Sounds better.” I crossed my arms. “So why don’t we try this: you take Magnus’s training for three days—.” “One day.” “Two.” Ellis frowned at me. “Or we tell everyone” Fucking hell. I glowered at both werewolves. “FINE. Two days.” “Try Magnus’s training because that special ability requires some sort of stimulation to be harnessed and manifest.” Ellis flashed a kind smile. So they don’t know how to get that dumb thing out of me. They’re just trying their luck too. It makes sense since father was the only one who had it and the only one who knew how to unleash it. “What if nothing happens?” I asked. Since they are like Dan, I need to remove the stick which they would use on
RUM "I AM NOT GOING INTO THAT WATER." I turned away from the damn lake and its beautiful, deadly clear turquoise waters. "Keithen!" Magnus came after me. "Stop this childishness at once!" And Ellis put himself in front of me, and I halted, glaring at him, his mouth in a grim line. "Keithen," his smooth voice began. "I know this sounds crazy—." "Damn right it does." I was furious. "He really wants me dead, doesn't he? Like my predecessor.” "No, he doesn't." Ellis was as patient as a fucking kindergarten teacher. "We've already explained it to you—that special ability comes out when your body feels threatened." "That's just your speculation. You've got no proof." Magnus appeared beside Ellis, looking as pissed as Dan was when the press got hold of a photo of me with two naked models. "Alright, you’re right—we guessed it. But it wasn't a wild guess, you mutt. So you can quit that smile of yours " I spread my lips wider. Ellis interjected. "Joe once said that he started seei
ROSE Mrs. Hook didn’t show up for dinner. So I ate alone in my room. Potato stew with boiled carrots—at least that’s what I thought it was, based on the grainy texture, the starchy taste and the orange bits floating in my wooden bowl. The room was as large as Rum’s bedroom back at the penthouse, which gave me a cozy feeling and at the same time anxiety and worry. I still wasn’t sure if Rum would come back for me. I’m in a world completely new to me. Though I learned a few things from Rum, they weren’t complete. And his absence made me feel more like a speck of dust in a giant world; I have absolutely no idea what’s gonna happen or how I’m supposed to act to keep myself safe; I have zero control over my circumstances and my future, being blown around wherever suitable for the others. Even the slightest breeze could blow me away. Fuck. I turned from the moon outside the window and stared at the queen size bed, the wheels in my mind churning. I can’t stay here and do nothing.
ROSE Umberto grabbed hold of the chair. “Miss Rose! Let go now!” “NO, YOU LET GO!” I cried and pushed forward. How much of a failure can I be! Slam the chair onto the werewolf when he crashed through the door, it’s that simple. Yet, the second I swung the chair down, the werewolf caught it before it hit his head. Goddamn it! “The Luna says you need to rest! Goddess blast it, Miss Rose!” He tried to pull the chair out of my grasp. “Let go! This thing’s too much for you!” “I’m not a fucking wimp, you asshole!” I shouted back. But I knew he was telling the truth—if he weren’t holding onto the chair, I wouldn’t be able to carry it for this long. My neck is starting to feel a bit sore. “You let go!” I screamed. “You can’t carry it!” Umberto roared. “You’re hurt!” He could yank it away from me—but I could tell he was afraid that doing so would make me pull a muscle too. ARGH! Fine! I failed. I let go and he lifted it like a weekend bag and replaced it on the ground. The
ROSE “It’s just a bruise. I’ll get you a neck brace. Don’t strain your neck too much and the bruises will go away in a day or two.” The doctor closed his bag. “Are you sure?” Rum pointed at my neck. “One of her vessels ruptured!” And the doctor cast him a deadpan look. “You’re welcome to get a second opinion. All her vessels are intact. Her throat looks fine—.” “But you didn’t even use those machines to scan her throat!” “Look here, buddy. You need to start extending your trust beyond machines. I've done a thorough check on her: her throat isn’t swollen; her voice is weak but solid; she can talk without any sign of pain or discomfort. So her neck is well." Just as Rum opened his mouth to rebut, the doctor swiftly added, "Except for the bruises, of course. So a neck brace is my prescription.” The doctor maintained his frown at the displeased superstar. “Regardless of what you think, your assistant is in no life threatening danger.” With that, the older man disappeared behi