[Diego’s POV]I wait as Rosalie stares at my hand. Though she asked for permission to touch it, it was clear that she didn’t actually expect me to say yes.“Go on,” I urge her, enjoying her expression of discomfort. “You’re going to make me embarrassed too if you don’t do something soon.”At my words, a blush creeps across her porcelain cheeks, causing my lycan to start to stir and my desire to flare.Goddess, she was beautiful, and I truly missed getting to see such things from her.Swallowing, Rosalie reaches out and touches my palm, causing our connection to come alive, and once she lets her eyes flutter shut, I do the same.Instantly, I’m there—the time and place where she saw Annemarie. She looks the same as I remember, except for being exhausted and strained. Could the man she was with be holding her hostage? If so, who the fuck was he, and what was his purpose?Tearing my gaze away from her, I look around until I spot him, and I feel rage rush through me. Although the chiseled
[Diego’s POV]I wait while Giddeon plops down in a chair with a look of curiosity on his face. Once I’m certain that I have everyone’s full attention, I let out a breath.“Do you remember that bastard Bernard?” I ask, letting his fucking face flash in my mind. “The one who was in the same year as Annemarie?”“The one that worshipped the very floor that she walked on?” Giddeon asks. “Vaguely. Are you saying he is the one who has been keeping her hidden for the past five years?”“That’s right.” I confirm. “So does that mean that he had something to do with the plague that found its way to Moon Storm?”Growing quiet, I try to find a way that the two could possibly be connected. Back at the academy, Bernard and I were rivals. Our grades and strength were on par with one another, although in the end I was the one who usually came out victorious.If he were responsible for the darkness, wouldn’t he have attacked Moon Storm during that time, or was there something that changed during that ti
[Rosalie’s POV]I walk slowly, keeping pace with the tiny boy beside me. He squeezes my hand almost as though he’s afraid that I will run away if he were to let me. Behind us, Diego walks slowly, taking in the scene, and I can almost feel the desire that he is radiating.Meeting again was never part of my plan, nor was getting close to that child that he and Kate created. So how was it possible that this was happening right now?‘He wants a proper mommy.’ Hana murmurs, letting her emotions flow into me. ‘But don’t get his hopes up, Rosalie.’‘I know.’ I respond, looking down at Landon as he skips happily.Just seeing him so happy over simply being beside me makes my heart ache because it makes me certain that Kate treated him terribly. How was it possible for a mother to be so awful to her own child?As this thought hits me, I think of Geo being alone with Gil while he waits for me. I was sure that he too would love some ice cream, but my wanting to keep distance from Diego made me ma
[Rosalie’s POV]When we arrive at the ice cream shop, the street just outside of it is empty, aside from children eating ice cream cones.“Where?” I gasp, my heart rate kicking up. “Where did they...”Moving forward, I feel my panic building as I picture Diego taking off with Geo in tow.“No.” I whisper, continuing to take in the street around me. “He wouldn’t. He definitely wouldn’t…”“Rosalie.”Gil’s voice is soft and comforting, as is the hand that touches my shoulder.“Look.”Swallowing down the knot that has formed in my throat, I shift my gaze in the direction that Gil is pointing so that I can see Diego standing at the counter with Geo and Landon cradled in each arm. To my surprise, Geo even has his arm wrapped around Diego’s neck, and if I look closely enough, he wears a small smile.Instantly, I feel my heart squeeze as I realize that if Diego and I weren’t from such different worlds, what I was seeing would have already been a regular thing.‘Don’t start to feel bad for your
[Rosalie's POV]“One.”I swallow down the knot that is beginning to form in my throat.“Two.”My body comes alive in anticipation of the chase that is about to come.“Three.”I burst forward, throwing myself into the labyrinth ahead of me while the blare of trumpets ring out around me.Together with many others, I rush forward in hopes of gaining my freedom and escaping doom. From this point on it is every man and woman for themselves and if you dare get in anyone's way they'll trample you.“You better run and hide, because when I catch you, you're mine, little criminal.”I don't look back as the cold voice echoes around me. It causes my heart to leap and my stomach to churn while I continue to move further into the labyrinth ahead in hopes of evading capture.This was how it worked at the auctions. You were sold to the highest bidder, but before you went to them, you were given the opportunity for freedom. Once you are sold, you are sent to the labyrinth and set free. Then it all cam
[Rosalie’s POV]“Rosalie, sweetie, this is your father,” my mother cooes, urging me from behind her. “Come out and say hello.”In the beginning, life wasn't so bad. I lived a modest life with a loving mother who worked hard to give me the things that I needed. It wasn't bad and we had each other, but even that wasn't enough and eventually led to the start of a dark spiral into despair, lies, deceit, and a struggle for power.I was born to a maid who lived in the countryside. This particular maid fell in love with a handsome warrior who just so happened to have a secret identity that he never revealed to her. And because of that, I didn’t meet my father until I was five years old. All I knew of him were the stories that my mother told, and although I hoped one day he would return and save us, I knew deep down that he wouldn't, and I had in the end convinced myself that he was a liar who tricked my gullible mother.Slowly, I began to move while clutching my mother’s skirt so that I had
[Rosalie’s POV]“You're shaking like a limb,” Diego chuckles, finding amusement in my fear. “What exactly do you fear I will do? Do you think I will fuck you here in the open for all to watch? Or do you think I will kill you?”Opening my mouth, I prepare to respond with the latter but remain silent, knowing my response didn't matter.“Just do it!” I hiss, closing my eyes. “Why waste time taunting when you've already won?”For a moment, Diego doesn't speak, and all that can be heard are groans and guttural snarls that indicate that the hunt is over and all those who have been auctioned lost. And when he continues to remain silent, I open my eyes to find that he is looking down at me with disgust in his eyes as he too listens to what is happening around us.“Is that what you want?” He suddenly asks, taking me by surprise. “For me to rape you right here and now?”My eyes widen as I take in each and every one of his words, which are laced with venom. Wasn't that why he bought me so that h
[Rosalie’s POV]My first week in the Moon Storm pack was exactly as I expected it to be. I was treated like nothing more than a pet, as Diego promised.When I wasn't leashed to his side, I was in a cage in his room, where I had to bear witness to everything from him fucking to his daily routine—wake up, workout, shower, disappear for a few hours, return, and repeat—and even his nights alone, where he seemed to be haunted by unseen demons when he tried to sleep.It was always the same no matter how many days passed, and I couldn't help but wonder why exactly I was brought here.To this point, he didn't say another word about my being a tool, which made me question if what he said from the start was true or not, but by day seven, instead of leaving after finishing his morning routine, Diego came to get me.Remaining silent, I wait until my collar is put in place before getting up so I won’t be dragged.“You're obedient this morning,” he murmurs in satisfaction. “Are you trying to get on