Rosie’s POV
I must have fallen asleep on the way back because the next thing I knew, Chris was patting me awake.
I looked around and saw that the car was parked not too far from the front gate of the penthouse. It was late. I would have to be quiet getting back in.
"Here," Chris offered, giving me a whiff and wrinkling her nose. She pulled a small perfume bottle out of her bag. "It's actually a scent remover. A lot of us wolves used it when we were younger and getting into trouble. You know, all those fun times you missed."
I made a face at her as she sprayed me down, but I was grateful. I hoped it would help because I really did smell like a bar.
"Tyler," Chris said, getting his attention in the driver's seat. "You should walk her up there."
He nodded, turning off the engine. "Okay, I'll be back to take you home, Chris."
He got out and came around to my door, holding it open for me. I climbed out, hoping I wasn't wobbly.
Tyler and I walked toward the door in silence. I turned to him about a foot away, not wanting him to get in trouble with me if I got caught. I was about to say thanks when he reached out and grabbed my hand.
He enveloped it in his gently, and my brain was so slow and shocked that I let him. He must have felt a burst of liquid courage because he said, "Do you remember when we first met?"
I nodded with a smile. It was a pretty funny story even now.
"The moment you saw me on the training ground getting attacked by a big warrior and you rushed toward me with your little body like you were going to protect me..." he smiled as he paused, then looked into my eyes. "I knew I liked you. I've had feelings for you all these years."
I fumbled for the right words not to hurt him. But I already found my mate, so it was hard. "Tyler, I am incredibly flattered. We're just good friends now, though."
He looked down at our hands and smiled before letting my hand go. "I'm willing to wait for you. And I really hope we are mates."
I felt emotions rushing into my chest. It was a sweet thing to say, more comforting than he knew right now. I gave him a bear hug before leaving him there to go outside without a second look back at him.
I tiptoed through the place, sneaking into my bedroom, able to unlock it from the outside. At least I'd only be a little trapped now.
I shut the door as silently as I could and reached for the light. But as I flipped it on, I jumped at the sight of a figure on my bed.
There was my uncle, waiting for me with a dark, brooding stare.
Mia squeaked in my head. 'We’re doomed!'
I watched his chest rise and fall dramatically, his nostrils flaring. "Where did you go?"
"I couldn't sleep. I went for a walk." I’d still be in trouble but not anywhere near as much as going to a club with friends.
'Good thinking!' Mia encouraged me, though I could feel her nerves.
In one swift move, he stood up and grabbed a hold of me, flinging me down onto the bed. As he held me there, pushing into me, my cheeks began to burn as Mia and I both felt excited and nervous.
"You're lying," he scolded, standing over me.
I pushed myself up and dared to turn around to face him, sitting down where he had just been on the bed moments before. I wasn’t going to give him any proof of that if I could help it. Even as my head throbbed.
Uncle sniffed my face, slowly and carefully. I wanted to get closer to him and touch him. I stayed still, though, watching his face. Something conflicted passed over it.
Suddenly, he was burying his face in my neck. Oh, goddess, I swore I could feel it. The mating bond dancing below the surface for both of us.
Mia was euphoric, and I wanted to grab him and pull him down to the bed with me. Despite having called him Uncle for years now, I wanted him.
‘He’s going to mark us!’ Mia squealed excitedly.
But he let go of me and sat down on the sofa beside the bed instead as a breath I’d been holding wooshed out of me.
“Wolfsip,” he snarled. “Club Fete’s specialty. You’d never go there. Who took you?!”
I kept my mouth shut.
Chris’s scent spray had obviously failed.
‘I told you not to sneak out,’ Mia snapped, but I couldn’t listen to her now—not with the storm building in Uncle’s eyes.
"Speak! Was it Tyler?!" He exploded at my silence.
I froze.
He’d seen Tyler walk me home. And Tyler was as good as dead if I didn’t stop him.
I leapt from my spot on the bed, hugging him from behind. It stopped him from continuing out of the room, but he didn’t react otherwise.
"You’re right! I went to a damn club!" I admitted from frustration and anger.
The rejection, the fight with Vivian, and Uncle's insistence on keeping me sheltered were all mixing into one big emotion. "You can’t just keep locking me up and punishing me like I don’t get a say in my own life. I’m seventeen—not seven!”
The words cut sharp, but I didn’t care. For once, I needed to be heard.
He stepped forward, his brows knitted. His finger raised at my face, ready for another lecture. “Just don’t,” I said icily.
“You are nothing of the sort,” he gritted out, his chest puffing up in true alpha form. “You’re still under my protection. It’s my duty—”
“No!” I shouted at him. My impulsive response came out of me like bile rising to the surface. “Listen! You’re Not My Father!”
Rosie’s POVThe faint rays of dawn spilled across the corridor as I tiptoed toward the kitchen. My only reason to get up earlier than usual was led by the rumble in my stomach rather than any real motivation to start the day.I hadn’t eaten much last night… how could I when I already wanted to throw up the non-existent food inside me?My thoughts had been a snarled mess, and my poor appetite had been buried way beneath all of them currently raiding my head.But the moment I reached the kitchen, the sight in front of me made me freeze mid-step.Selena was already there. Why…Miss Perfect was perched on a stool in such poise, like she had a claim over everything already, clad in silky pajamas that shimmered with every flicker of movement.A few of the guards stood nearby, lazily keeping watch over her while she nibbled on warm pastries and sipped something from a delicate porcelain cup.“Morning!” she chirped, as if this was a normal, everyday morning interaction. “Hope I didn’t steal
Rosie’s POVI blinked twice. My throat closed up. Uncle exhaled lightly under my gaze, tapping his fingers once against the table. Apparently, that was all it took for him to turn all eyes to him… “She hasn’t,” he answered flatly, not even looking in my direction.But Selena wasn’t done yet. Her smile curved with newfound glee, resting her chin on the palms of both her hands and leaning over slightly with pretend interest.“Oh…Then I guess I’d like to hear from her.” Her eyes glimmered with something sharp under all that polished charm. “A girl like you must have some preferences. Tell me. Who’s your dream prince?”I cleared my throat, swallowing the lump there. “I’m looking for someone who... sees me for me. Someone who doesn’t try to change what I am. Just... accepts it and loves me nonetheless.”Uncle stiffened out of the corner of my eye, and I tried not to bring attention to it.If Selena noticed, she gave no indication as she continued, letting out a small laugh. “That’s so cu
Rosie’s POVOnce the dancing was over and the banquet began, I made myself small. I hoped to sneak away soon, blending into the walls and looking like any other maid.That's what he had allowed me to be called, wasn't it? I looked out from my little corner at the impossibly long table holding council members and their mates for those who had them. Uncle sat at the head of the table, the seat to his right filled by the princess and the one to his left empty. I glared at the spot as if I could make it burst into flames. The food smelled delicious and filled the entire table. But my stomach was not in the shape to even think about partaking in the meal. Not the way Selena kept hanging on Uncle like that. But I didn't want to move to stop it either. The parts of me that loved him unconditionally, tangled between the familial love and being his mate, wanted to see him happy. He deserved a moment like this. ‘But you’re his mate,’ Mia hissed. ‘Not a maid.’ Her moping had turned to fiery
Rosie’s’ POVThe moment I opened my eyes, the warmth was what I noticed first. The fog in my mind was a distant memory, but it was there. Uncle’s back protruded from the doorway. It was the only part of him I could see. His presence made my heart ache and flutter all at once. He was here for me. As all my senses awoke, I caught low voices drifting in softly from just outside the door. The voices belonged to my uncle, “…planning a Luna selection ball next week.”That comfort I felt vanished in an instant.“Uncle?” I croaked out. He turned around with a small smile across his face. A chill ran through me as he approached. “Rosie, you are awake,” he said.I swallowed hard, voice trembling. “Is it true?” I had to know now. Like ripping off a bandage.He paused for a second and knew what I asked for. “Yes.” There was no emotion one way or the other in his voice. The one word hit like a blade between my ribs. He placed a hand on mine. “I hoped you’d be happy for me.”Mia scoffed. 'Happ
Nikolas’ POVDoctor Cameron She cast a quick glance at the nearby nurses and pack members, then lowered her voice."We'll speak about it later, Alpha."I forced a nod, trying to appear calm, but my pulse was already racing. Did she know? Could she tell I was Rosie’s mate?“Rosie’s heat is stable for now,” She told me, her voice quiet but firm. “We administered the suppressant just in time.” At least there was that.My eyes never left Rosie’s flushed face as she lay unconscious on the hospital bed. Strands of her hair were slicked with sweat that clung to her forehead.“Marco,” I said without turning, “take Tyler and Chris back to the patrol team. You’ll continue with the trip as planned.”Marco hesitated, only for a moment. I couldn't begrudge him his concern. “Are you sure, Alpha?”“I’ll stay with her, she will be alright.” The last thing I needed right now was an invasion because Marco couldn’t complete his duty. He left without another word, taking the others with him.Doctor Came
Nikolas’ POVI lingered at the door as Marco zipped up his bag, his expression calm—at least on the surface. I leaned against the frame with my arms crossed. “You’ve packed light.”He gave me a side glance, then a crooked grin. “We'll be back in no time. You'll see."I wanted to believe that. He was an excellent beta. Maybe he would achieve the impossible, and he and the warriors would nullify the threat. My thoughts were so tangled as I told him to be careful out there. Rosie's father came to mind as Marco slung his bag over his shoulder.He paused, then nodded once. “I will.”There was a beat of silence between us before he added casually, “You sure you’ll be alright here? With… everything?”I knew it wasn't my ability to protect the pack without him that he was questioning. He didn’t say her name, but he didn’t have to.“Rosie,” I said, breaking the tension myself, “is hurting. And truthfully, so am I.”Marco turned, surprised.“I know I can't mark her, but I also don’t want to le