[Diego’s POV]I hold Rosalie close as we wait for the elevator to reach its destination. Neither of us speak, and she doesn’t move to break free, confirming just how traumatizing what just happened to her was.“It’s going to be okay.” I murmur, kissing the top of her head. “I won’t let something like that happen again.”“Mhm.”It’s all she says, and I don’t push for anything more, not when I know that she’s probably still reeling. All I could do for now was stay beside her and give her silent comfort until she was willing to talk about it or go back to her normal self.When the elevator doors open in front of us, I prepare to move but stop as Rosalie remains in place, staring straight ahead with a pinched look on her face. And as I open my mouth to ask her what’s wrong, I notice who it is she is looking at.Standing just ahead are Landon and Geo. Just like Rosalie, they stare straight ahead with mirrored expressions of worry.Frowning, I let my gaze move from the boys to Rosalie and b
[Rosalie’s POV]He’s my brother.Diego’s words hit me like a ton of bricks as I realize that my assumption from earlier on about Landon was correct. He truly wasn’t Diego’s son. Kate was a cunning woman who even went as far as sleeping with Diego's father in an attempt to trap Diego.“It’s going to be alright.” I murmur, feeling my heart break for Diego. “Son or brother, he’s still yours.”“Mmmmm.”It’s all Diego says before he places a hand on my head and gives my hair a ruffle.“Since the fun is over, we should head back up.” He says, starting to move toward Chanel and Giddeon, who remain with the kids. “Giddeon,” he continues when he reaches. “I’m going to need you to go down to the station and file a report.”“On it, boss.” Giddeon announces. “You can count on me.”“Shouldn’t we all be doing that?” Chanel counters. “Will just one witness be enough to hold her in jail? You know that her parents won’t allow her to stay there, and neither will...”“Let someone try to free her.” I gro
[Rosalie’s POV]I squeeze Gil’s arm as he leads me through the crowd that has already gathered for the evening's events. Even without looking, I know that they’re watching, they’re curious and judgemental eyes taking us in as if they are predators.“Don’t worry,” Gil murmurs, patting my hand and leading me to the refreshment table. “They’re just jealous of how beautiful you look.”“If only it was just that.” I sigh, knowing that wasn’t the case.Even if I never attended things like this growing up since I was kept far away from the hierarchy of packs, I knew how these events went down. Everyone was competing with one another to be the best. When they weren’t doing that, they were attempting to make connections that would better their packs.Shivering, I try to not let the memories of my arranged marriage just for this very purpose.Shaking them and the slowly growing pit in my stomach, I reach out and grab a flute of champagne as a waiter walks past. Bringing it to my lips, I let my g
[Diego’s POV]I stare from across the room, watching as Rosalie makes her grand entrance with Gil. It pisses me off to see them together, knowing that she should be here beside me, but for my plan to work, this needs to happen.“Quit sulking.”Chanel’s voice is full of amusement as she speaks, and the urge to tell her to shut the fuck up hits me. However, I simply ignore her while my gaze follows Rosalie.It’s clear from the tension in her shoulders and her face that she is uncomfortable with what is happening, and that alone only adds to my anger. Had she been properly brought up as the future heir of her pack, she would be used to these things, but because her bitch of a stepmother kept her hidden and treated her poorly, this was a whole new world to her.At the thought of her stepmother, I begin to examine the rest of the room around me, taking in each and every person who is present until I find the bitch in question laughing happily with some pretty high-ranking alphas who just h
[Diego’s POV]“I’m getting back at you for being such a smug bastard.”The words repeat themselves again and again, adding to the anger I’m already feeling over the condition my sister is in.“Diego,” Chanel whispers, touching my arm. “Don’t forget the most important thing here.”“Right,” I say, taking a calming breath.Right now, the most important thing is getting Annemarie to a doctor. I didn’t know exactly what that bastard Bernard did to her, but I had a feeling it had something to do with her baby. If I didn’t get her help, there was a good chance she would most likely lose it and follow it shortly after.“Take her,” I tell Chanel, gently passing Annemarie to her. “And when I say run, you fucking run.”“But…”“No, buts.” I growl, straightening out again and fixing my gaze on Bernard’s. “What?” I ask, focusing only on him. “Are you too fucking weak to face me head on, so you decided to bring my sister into this? I see that you’re still the little chicken shit that I remember.”As
[Rosalie’s POV]I look around, taking in the familiar space around me. Why was I back here, and what did that mean about my physical body?“You’re here,” a deep, soothing voice calls, drawing my attention behind me where Diego’s lycan is making his way toward me. “I’ve missed you.”Feeling a war beginning to rage between my heart and my head, I narrow my gaze and clench my fists.“Why?” I demand, remembering everything that happened before I found myself here. “Why did you do that?”When I felt Diego’s distress rush through me earlier in the night, I didn’t hesitate to move, leaving not only Gil but even my stepmother and sister to go to his side. How was I to know that I wouldn’t find Diego at all when I reached, but instead a terrifying beast that was neither wolf nor man?It was the first time I ever actually saw Diego in his lycan form since he never changed, even in the most dire of times. I was certain it probably had something to do with the need to remain in control while figh
[Rosalie’s POV]When we arrive at the hospital, where I can only assume Annemarie is being held, Giddeon gets out and comes around to open my door. Giving a smile, I step out and then take in the large building in front of us while wondering how Annemarie was doing.Deciding it was better to just see for myself, I start to move while Giddeon follows close behind. Once inside, I head straight to the reception, where a woman sits with a professional smile on her face.“Annemarie Aguilar.” I announce. “Could you point us in her direction?”Nodding, the woman starts to click on her computer. When she looks back up at us, a smile spreads across her face.“Labor and delivery.” She announces. “It’s just in that direction.”“Thanks,” I beam, heading in the direction that I’ve been pointed to. “Come on,” I continue, grabbing Giddeon’s hand and tugging. “Once we check on Annemarie, we can try to come up with a way to help Diego.”Settling on this, I continue to move until I spot Chanel, who sta
[Rosalie’s POV]How long do Chanel and I sit in the waiting room, waiting for someone—anyone to come and tell us any news in regards to Annemarie? I’m not sure, but when the first rays of morning light start to trickle through the single window behind us, I know that something can’t be right.Unable to remain in place, I get to my feet just as the door to the room opens and Diego’s parents come storming in. When his mother spots me, she surges forward, and her hand connects with my cheek.“YOU BITCH!” She shrieks, her clawed nails tearing my skin. “WHY ARE YOU HERE?”“Angela,” Diego’s father hisses, grabbing his wife as she moves in for another strike. “You need to calm down. Remember your condition.”“Devin!” She snaps, whirling on her husband. “Can’t you see that this bitch is a walking omen? Look what happened to our children, because...”“Because what?” Chanel challenges, coming to my defense. “Are you really trying to claim that this has anything to do with Rosalie? Instead, why