Chapter 6

My heart was squeezing painfully in my chest. Tears pricking my eyes. Granny Lou’s story had affected me more than I thought possible. I could feel my heartbeat picking up in my chest and the overwhelming feeling of loss flooding my system. It felt like she had just told me that a member of my own family had passed away. I shake my head trying to snap myself out of it.

All the while Granny Lou’s intelligent eyes looking down at me falling apart beneath her. Her hand resting over my own. I couldn’t understand why I was feeling this onslaught of emotions.

“Are you OK dear? I hope my story hasn’t upset you?” She held me too her, her arms the perfect haven of comfort. It did little to help me in my current state of mind though, all it made me do was think about the lack of love ever shown to me by my own mother.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry Granny Lou, but I must go.” I stood hastily and ran as fast as I could pushing through the crowd of people, my tears slipping down my face. Granny Lou's shouts of protest drowned out by the noise of families and children laughing and having fun around me.

Breaking free from the crowd, I found a quiet alley way between two buildings and rested my back against the cool stone wall. Breathing deeply trying to get my emotions in check. What the hell was that about?

My heart was hammering in my chest, and the spot at the junction of my neck and shoulder ached, like it was searching for something that wasn’t here. It was the spot where my mate mark would be if I had one and it was screaming in protest at why I hadn’t been claimed.

The rational side of my brain was telling me that my body was just yearning for the one thing it wanted. Or that my inner wolf was craving its lost mate.

The irrational part of my brain wanted to tear everything and everyone to pieces around me and search for the Alpha King. The same Alpha King who has been dead for hundreds of years. I fought with myself trying to suppress the wolf inside of me that was tearing at my brain to get out. Feeling at claw at my very soul in desperation. I choked back the pain of trying to suppress my wolf. I couldn’t let it take over now. I knew if I did, she would claim the first unmated male she found.

In twelve years of being of age and unmated, not once did I have such an overpowering urge to find a mate. I could feel my bones protesting, trying to change, but I fought back. I couldn’t afford to lose control.

“Rosie?” A confused voice rand out. My eyes were firmly shut against the pain. “Rosie, are you alright? Are you hurt?” A gentle hand rested on my shoulder. I registered briefly how they wondered down my arms and across my body checking for wounds or anything that would explain the pain that I’m sure was etched onto my face.

My wolf began to calm slightly, but I could still feel it pacing, urging me to claim someone, anyone. My eyes fluttered open to be greeted by the concerned green eyes of Landon Coombes. “I... I’m fine.” I huff out trying to get up from the cold dirty floor. His hand gently pushed me back down.

“Your obviously not fine Rosie, just take it easy for a minute and catch your breath, your hearts beating faster than a train.” His voice was firm with a hint of concern. His eyes always searching mine. I hadn’t noticed until now just how green his eyes were. They reminded me of the green lush forests of home.

“Mark him, make him yours.” My inner wolf whispered out to me. “He wants you, he’s unmated, he could be ours Rosalie.” My fingers elongated into claws before returning to their normal form.

“Really Landon, it's nothing. It’s silly really. I just needed a moment to myself, that’s all.” His hand dropped from my shoulder as I moved to get up again. I forced my wolf down. He hovered, reluctant to move too far away from his strong form, just in case I should fall to the floor again. I blushed under his attention, his body so close to me I could feel the warmth of his skin under his shirt, his scent danced around me like a perfume, earthy and fresh, a hint of lemon. I stumbled slightly against the new flush of feelings pouring through me, his hand shot out and wrapped itself gently around my forearm keeping me steady on my feet.

“Just take it easy.” He fussed. “You have a lot of adrenaline pumping around your body at the moment.”

“His necks there Rosalie, all you need to do is just lean into him...” my wolf whispered again, sounding almost menacing.

“Honestly, it’s not the adrenaline. Would you mind taking a step back please.” I lean my weight against the wall behind me for support. Trying to keep my mouth as far away from him as I possibly could. Not trusting myself or my wolf to keep her teeth to herself.

Landon stepped back with a cocky smirk plastered across his face. “I had no idea I affected you so much Rosie.” He joked.

“You don't" I replied bluntly, my cheeks still flushed with his earlier proximity. I took a deep breath of clean air, trying to get the smell of Landon out of my nostrils. “You were crowding me, I get claustrophobic.” I lie.

“Sure, Sure. I’m going to pretend that you aren’t lying through your teeth right now.”

Goddess was this man infuriating. He obviously thought far too highly of himself to actually think that I had any interest in him.

“Steph is looking for you, something about your late and she is going to, I quote, “hunt you down and kill you".” His hands flew up into the air and drew out quotation marks with two fingers.

“Oh Goddess, what time is it?” I ask banging my hand against my forehead.

“Uhh I dunno, I guess like two thirty maybe?” he shrugged in front of me.

“Shit.” Was all I replied before pushing past him and running off in the direction of the pack house. My earlier discomfort long forgotten. How long was I sat on that floor, I screamed to myself.

“Don’t forget to save me a dance later Rosie!” Landon calls out after me.

Huh! As if I’m going to let him put his paws anywhere near me later. I tell myself bitterly. My wolf’s taunting remarks lingered in the back of my mind, but I pushed them back. Refusing to allow temptation to take over and do something I know I would regret.

I make it back to the pack house and bound into Steph’s room a couple of minutes later.

“I’m sorry.” I manage to get out between gasping for air, trying to catch my breath between words. My chest heaving heavily.

“You are totally in trouble right now.” Steph stands dressed in nothing but her underwear in front of me, an annoyed look on her face. “But I don’t have time to yell at you, so just go shower.” She turns back to her mirror and carries on applying her makeup. Heading back to my own room to jump in the shower, I cross the landing to hear the door open below me.

“Did you find her man?” I hear Drake’s voice ask.

“Yea man, she was on her way back from the village square.” Landon’s voice replied. I was half expecting him to tell Drake about her episode in the alley way, but he said nothing else about their meeting. For that, I was truly grateful. Instead, they started rambling on about how they were going to get a keg up to Castle Black ready for tonight’s bonfire party.

I showered quickly, not wanted to keep Steph waiting any longer than I already had, donned in a towel, wet hair dripped down my back, I head back into Steph’s room. She had already finished getting herself ready. She was just finishing pulling up her tight red dress, which fitted her like a second skin. The hem finishing mid-thigh. It was spaghetti strapped, showing off her full tattoo sleeve down one arm. It was even more beautiful complete, a wolf howling at the moon surrounded by Celtic knots and flowers. And a large slit ran up her leg. Her dark hair framing her face, bright red lipstick matching her dress perfectly.

“Zip me up?” She asks with a smile.

“Sure.” I zip up her dress “You look amazing Steph.”

“Thanks. So will you once I’m done with you. Better get started, we have just over an hour before we are due to leave for Castle Black.” She pulls me over to a chair in front of the vanity unit.

She starts by drying out my hair with a blow dryer. Hating watching myself in a mirror I close my eyes and let her do whatever she is going to do to me. After all, it can’t be any worse than what I would do to myself. If it were down to me, I would throw on a pair of jeans and a thick jumper, throw my hair back into a messy bun and be done with it. But somehow, I don’t think I would be getting away with that tonight.

She had buffed and slathered my face with all sorts of creams, make up brushes had poked and probed me to the point I was sure I was going to look like a clown when I opened my eyes, and then she pulled and brushed my hair until it felt like I had no hair left in my scalp before announcing “There, what do you think?”

I peeped out from under my lashed, too scared of what I might find, but it was nothing like I thought it would be. In fact, I looked good. I looked into the mirror in shock. Steph had pulled my hair up into a large bun at the back of my head, a beautiful golden hair piece slotted into the side. I looked closely noting how it almost matched my new bracelet, golden roses entwined around one another.

My make-up was flawless. She has given me a smoky eye that brought out the green perfectly. Any blemishes had been smoothed out and my lips coated in a light lip gloss

 Wow Steph, you could make a pile of rubbish look good." I reply in awe of my reflection.

“I hope you aren’t talking about yourself Rosie, your gorgeous just as you are, you don’t need make up to make you beautiful. It just helps.” She winks at me before turning to her wardrobe and pulling out a dress bag. “Here this is for you. Granny Lou also sent over a box with some jewellery earlier this morning, that’s where the hair piece has come from. It’s over on the dresser. I'll leave you to get changed. Come down when you are ready, and do not ruin my masterpiece.” She gestures to my face in warning.

Left alone in Steph’s room I unzip the dress bag on the bed to reveal a stunning midnight blue velvet dress. I shimmied into it. It was off shoulder but long sleeved to protect against the chilly autumn air. It was fitted and fell to the knee, with a small slit in the back to allow for walking easily. Steph had remembered to leave out a pair of black strappy stilettos. Looking in mirror at the finished result I couldn’t quite believe it was me. Anyone who knew me, knew that it was a very rare experience to see me in a dress. Usually, it was under duress. Let alone with a full face of make-up and my hair done up. I trailed a hand over my figure, revelling under the feel of the soft velvet. The midnight blue highlighting my red hair perfectly.

I couldn’t help but wonder what Landon would make of me all dolled up. A thought which I quickly repressed with a mental slap and shake of my head.

Remembering the box on the dresser I picked up the satin clad box. Prying it open with and audible groan to reveal an exquisite, yet simple necklace. Pulling it out of the box and fastening it around my neck. It was a simple chain, but there dangling just above the dip of my cleavage was a small rose, like those in the hair piece and on my bracelet. They looked as if part of a set. The fact that the woman at the stall had said that my bracelet was rumoured to be a Black heirloom, it didn’t take much to realise that it did, in fact, belong to this set. The question was, why did the Black family feel the need to sell the bracelet in the first place.

Grabbing the purse and shawl from the bed, I made my way out of the bedroom and downstairs to meet Steph and the others. For the first time, excited about going to a party and the possibilities it might hold.