[Rosalie’s POV]I’m left speechless by Diego’s words and his actions. What was it that this man was trying to get at, and why did they make my insides tingle with anticipation?“I think you may have gone mad from exhaustion.” I offer, refusing to get my hopes up. “Maybe you should...”“Is that what you truly think?” He challenges, leaning closer. “Or are you trying to convince yourself of that?”“I…” I begin, but falter as Diego’s dark gaze begins to swallow me whole.Gulping, I try to ignore the pull beneath my belly button from anticipation. To say I wasn’t attracted to this man would be a lie, but what would happen if I did reach out a hand in an attempt to touch him? Would he actually allow me to do so, or would he shift back to the man who hated me so much?I couldn’t trust anything when it came to him since his personality shifted so quickly.“You’re engaged,” I repeat, trying to draw a line between us as he grows dangerously close.For a moment, neither Diego nor I speak as we
[Diego’s POV]I allow Kate to lead me out onto the street and toward the hut that she was staying in during her visit. When we arrive at our destination and I’m sure that we are out of the view of prying eyes, I yank my arm free of hers.“Have you done enough?” I ask, narrowing my gaze on her.“Don’t tell me you’re mad at me,” she says, reaching out in an attempt to touch my chest but stopping as I let out a growl. “I was just making sure that woman knew her place.”Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue with what she said but stop as I remember that I’ve been doing the exact same—at least, up until this point. However, things were changing with the time we spent together, and honestly, guilt was starting to get the best of me.“Anyway,” Kate continues when I don’t speak. “Was I wrong?”Once again, I want to argue with her, but I know that that was the exact same thing I had said to the woman until now. Once she was done with her purpose, if she wasn’t dead, she would go back to prison.
[Rosalie’s POV]I lay with my back to the door of the hut while keeping my gaze fixed on the window. I know that it is crazy of me to wonder if Diego will appear there again, but I just couldn’t stop the hope that was welling inside of me, especially given his sudden change of heart.Sighing, I slowly get up and make my way over just as a figure appears, causing me to crash backwards.“Ah!” I gasp as my ass hits the hard ground. “What the… Who…”Lifting my gaze, I find Chanel standing there, watching me with a look of amusement. And when I remain silent, her smile just broadens.“Am I not who you were expecting?” She giggles, hoisting herself inside. “That hurts me, dear Rosalie.”Leaning down, she grabs my hands and pulls me to my feet while I remain stunned. Was it that obvious on my face that I hoped she would be Diego? Dammit. I needed to be more cautious.“Forget that pig and fall in love with me.” She sighs, straightening my clothes. “I’ll treat you so much better than him.”Ope
[Rosalie’s POV]Growing quiet, I watch on as Diego and Anthrose strengthen their attacks. It was clear that they were both getting tired from the sweat that pours down their skin and the way their chests heave. However, neither were willing to give up.Gritting my teeth, I try to ignore the cuts that are beginning to cover Diego’s skin from each of Anthrose’s attacks. While I watch on, Hana begins to come alive and let out growls of annoyance over what is happening.‘You should stop them,’ she huffs in frustration. ‘Before he gets hurt too badly.’He. I didn’t have to ask who it was that she was referring to since I already knew. I could no longer deny the attraction and possessiveness I was beginning to feel for Diego. Why was it happening? I didn’t know, but if I had to guess, it was the one thing I absolutely didn’t want to form between us.‘He’s a grown man.’ I counter, trying to ignore her. ‘He can do whatever he wants, and I don’t have any place to tell him what to do.’At my wo
[Diego’s POV]I stare into the eyes of the woman in front of me while they sparkle from the tears she is trying so hard to keep in. Just below them and her nose, her lips tremble, and her throat moves with each swallow she makes.Fuck. How could simply being touched like that reduce her to this? I knew part of it was my fault for the horrible thing I did to her in the beginning, but most of it was due to that bastard she was married to before she met me.“Come on,” I murmur, slowly getting up and reaching out a hand. “We should get you back to healer Murdoch before he comes hunting you.”“Can...” she begins, but stops, seeming unsure of herself. “Can I please stay here?”Stay here. Even after what I did to her in the past, and just now she wants to stay with me? Why did that leave me with such an unpleasant emotion?Did this mean that she was so used to being mistreated that she was fine with sticking beside me even if I decided to continue to treat her poorly?Goddess, it was becomin
[Rosalie’s POV]“Uh… Chanel.”I look up at the woman who holds me against her body as she sits on a fluffy white couch with her legs crossed. In the beginning, I realized the difference in our sizes, but with her holding me like this, I truly felt like a child.“Could you maybe...”“No,” she snaps, tightening her hold. “I’ve already said this, but forget that big broody asshole and become mine.”“But…” I begin, trying not to remember the few times I walked in on them being intimate.Honestly, the way she was acting right now still didn’t make sense to me, but I guess you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.“Aren’t you and Diego... You know...”“What?” Chanel asks, giving me a curious look. “Aren’t we what?”“A couple.”As the words leave my lips, a bark of laughter escapes Chanel, causing me to jump.“A couple.” She repeats between puffs. “Me and that unpleasant fella?”“Then what…” I begin flushing. “You seem to be the only woman he actually treats nicely.”“That’s because we are ch
[Diego’s POV]I stare into Rosalie’s eyes while she processes what it is that I have just told her. I have to admit, her bewildered expression is adorable, and I can’t help but want to see even more expressions from the tiny creature in front of me.As I continue to stare, I can feel my lycan beginning to stir, and that unexplainable draw that I’ve begun to feel starts to bubble up.“If you don’t say something, I’m going to kiss you.” I warn her, leaning in so close that her breath tickles my skin.Eyes widening, she brings her hands to her lips, and I let out a laugh before straightening out.“You didn’t have to reject me so openly.” I sigh, looking towards the door. “I’ll leave you alone to process for a bit. I’ve got something to do.”Nodding, Rosalie doesn’t speak as I give her one last look of longing before beginning to move.Once I’m outside, I let out a breath while wondering what in the hell I’ve gotten myself into. However, I didn’t have time to dwell on this, not when there
[Diego’s POV]The next morning, I make my way toward Kate’s hut, and with satisfaction, I take in how empty it is. Good. She took me seriously, and now I just had to wait to see if she actually blabbed to our fathers about my intentions with Rosalie.Turning, I slam the door shut and make my way onto the street, where the villagers are going about their day. Their eyes follow me as I pass, but I don’t stop. Instead, I head straight for the hut that Chanel is occupying and bang on the door.“What is it?” She growls, appearing with a severe case of bedhead and in nothing but a t-shirt. “What the hell do you want so early in the morning?”“It isn’t morning anymore.” I point out, eyeing her curiously. “Why are you wasting time sleeping in so late?”“Why?” She repeats, looking at me as if I’m stupid. “You know damn well what will happen tonight. I was getting my beauty sleep since I won’t be getting any sleep tonight.”“And who are you planning on visiting to help you with that?” I counter
[Chanel’s POV]I stare on, watching as Anthrose and the rest of his group surge forward, attacking the guards who were just sneering at me, and I can’t help but laugh at the difference in their demeanors.“Cowards,” I spit, sitting up and snapping my thumbs back into place. “Acting all high and mighty until actual danger appears.”As I speak, I grab the chains that are holding my ankles and begin to pull while ignoring the pain that shoots through me. Fuck, they were strong, but I was stronger. Soon enough, they begin to crack and then break apart, allowing me to finally get up and move to Gil’s side.“Just hang in there a bit longer, alright?” I tell him, clutching his cuff and starting to fight with it. “Then we will get you out of here and…”“No!” Gil gasps before breaking into a coughing fit. “We can’t just leave!”Frowning, I take in his words, trying to make sense of what it is that he is saying, but I don’t get to question him further before pain shoots through me and my body a
[Anthrose’s POV]The next morning we move out the minute the warm sun begins to paint the ground that we sleep on. After a quick breakfast, we head out with me leading the way since I’m the only one who can get a feel for the location that we are searching for.Together, we silently move across the island while keeping our senses alert in case of a surprise attack. However, the expected never happens, and by the time we are close to our destination, I can’t help but feel like all of this is too easy, and by the tension I feel from my companions, I know that they’re feeling the same.“Up ahead,” Sam murmurs, coming to my side. “I can see it.”Nodding, I take in the shining figure that I’m certain is the temple, noting the dark aura that radiates around it. Even from here I could tell that the things residing within were something the normal wolf wouldn’t want to approach, but given what we were fighting for, I wasn’t going to let it stop me.“Prepare yourselves.” I announce, letting my
[Anthrose’s POV]For the rest of the day, I search the island for a sign of where Chanel and Gil may be, but come up empty. And when my group can’t seem to move anymore, I have to call the search to a halt. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t continue to keep my connection with the earth, searching while dinner is made.It’s a silent ordeal, as I’m certain that the entire group is feeling the weight of what is at hand and what we may encounter when we find the ones we are searching for. I could only assume that a fight was waiting for us, and it was because of that that I even agreed to res.Sighing, I close my eyes and let myself slip deeper into a trance, searching until I feel something press against my consciousness that snaps me to alertness as hope flares through me along with a longing that I’ve never felt before.‘Chanel,’ I whisper, not daring to truly believe that I’m feeling what I am. ‘Is that you?’For a moment, all I’m met with is silence, causing me to believe that
[Anthrose’s POV]My body screams at me, begging me to stop, to take a break, but I can’t stop moving. Behind me, I can hear noises of complaint and exhaustion escaping my companions, making it clear that they’re feeling the same thing as me. However, I can’t stop moving; I won’t stop moving; just the thought of stopping makes me so damn anxious I want to fucking destroy something. I can’t stop the feeling that if I stop looking even for a second, Chanel will vanish completely.Shivering, I try not to think of a world where she doesn’t exist somewhere. Sure, it was one thing to keep my distance and allow her to live the life that she deserves, but to even think of her not being somewhere alive and happy damn near kills me.‘Chanel.’ I call to the darkness, hoping and praying that by some miracle she will respond to me. ‘Where are you? Why aren’t you answering me?’“Anthrose.”I immediately freeze as the voice reaches me, but I realize a moment too late that it wasn’t Chanel’s voice, it
[Chanel’s POV]I look around me, taking in the stone walls around me, noting how they’re cracking, allowing vines to grow through them while my intrusive thoughts try to get the better of me. They’re screaming things like what if this place were to collapse. What if you find yourself at a dead end? What if you run out of air? It’s irritating as fuck, and even though I keep telling them to shut up, they just won’t.“Hey,” I call to Tyson, who leads the way in hopes of distracting myself. “Are you certain that we are going in the right direction?”Since he was the one to choose our path and take the lead, I could only hope that he somehow could track the way out of this place, but what if he was just leading us deeper into this underground labyrinth?“Hey,” I repeat when he doesn’t respond to me. “I’m talking to you.”Frustration growing, I move forward and grab his shoulder, forcing him to turn and look at me, but I’m not met with the same gaze that I was used to. Instead, I’m met with
[Anthrose’s POV]We spend the rest of the day searching for any sign of Chanel or Tyson, but all we come up with is nothing. It’s almost like neither of them existed or were somehow spirited away from earth.“We should rest.” Henry, one of Ulrick’s warriors, suggests later that evening. “We will be useless in helping them if we are exhausted.”“Are you saying that this little bit of action exhausts you?” I demand. “If that's the case, you are more than welcome to rest, but I’m going to keep searching.”“But, sir…”“I said I was going to keep searching!” I growl, not giving two fucks if I came across as argumentative or defiant. “There’s no fucking way that I’m going to stop until I find her.”Even though only a couple of hours had passed, I couldn’t help but feel like days, even weeks, had already gone by without Chanel’s presence. It was fucking maddening, and I was beginning to feel like a crazy man. How the hell did I manage to stay away from her for so many years in the past?No.
[Chanel’s POV]I watch as the crevice above me grows farther and farther away until my body is hitting the wolf beneath me, who takes most of the impact. Together, we lay there, watching as the ground slowly begins to close once more, eliminating the little bit of light around us until we are plunged into darkness.Snapping out of it, I jump up and then look to the wolf beside me, taking him in while wondering what exactly he was thinking. And once I shift back into my human form, I wait as he stares at me.“What?” I demand, my annoyance flaring. “Don’t look at me like that.”Letting out what sounds almost like a huff of annoyance, he begins to shift until Tyson is lying on the ground in the wolf’s place.“What?” He asks as I narrow my gaze. “Why are you looking at me like that?”Why? Because he was the reason we were here right now. He wasn’t paying attention to where he was going when he saved me.“Do I really need to answer that?” I sigh, beginning to look around, taking in the tun
[Chanel’s POV]“Right.”I give Anthrose one last look before turning my gaze toward the creatures that are slowly making their way toward us. They’re different from the beasts that we’ve encountered until this point, but they’re also the same.These look almost like worms, but they have legs and buglike faces. I guess if I had to compare them to anything, it would be centipedes. Just watching them move gave me the heebie jeebies, but I wasn’t about to let them stop me from getting to what I wanted.Giving Anthrose one last look, I begin to shift, and once I’m in my wolf form, I move, surging forward and attacking the creepy crawly closest to me. When we clash, it immediately attempts to roll its body around me, but I leap out of the way.Landing on top of it, I watch as the rest of our group joins in the fray, beginning our first official battle since arriving on the island.‘Don’t get yourself killed.’Anthrose's voice reverberates in my mind, causing my heart to race and giving me t
[Anthrose’s POV]I don’t speak as Chanel’s question flows over me, settling into the deepest pits of my soul along with the loathing and disgust that I’ve felt since the day the thing she is asking about happened, and as much as I would like to say, I know that I can’t.“The plague.” I respond instead, deciding that was a good enough explanation. “It affected my eyes.”“You’re lying.”Chanel’s response is firm, and I know that due to our bond, there was just no way that I would be able to get away with lying to her.“How did it really happen?”How? That was an easy fucking response, but again, I knew that if I were to speak it out loud, then there was a good chance it would dig out the skeletons that I was trying so hard to not think about anymore.“Anthrose,” Chanel’s voice drifts through my muddled thoughts. “You can tell me anything. You know that, right?”I did. But this was something that didn’t only involve me. It also involved her, and I knew if I were to open up about it, then