46. A Mother's Concern.

POV – Rose

The moment I had a free second in my new apartment, I reached for my phone. My fingers hesitated over her contact, my mother’s name blinking softly on the screen. I wanted to call her, to tell her everything, yet the words wouldn’t come. How could I explain any of this to her without frightening her? How could I tell her about Adrian, about the packs, the vampires, the rituals, and all the chaos I had been dragged into?

Still, I dialed. The line rang twice before her familiar voice answered, soft and warm, yet laced with worry.

“Rose? Is everything alright, dear? You sounded… different when you left your messages. And why have you been so quiet lately?”

Her voice made me pause. She didn’t even know what had been happening. My chest tightened at the thought of how much she cared, and how far removed she was from the mess of my life.

“I… I’m fine, Mom,” I said, keeping my tone light. “I just… had to make some changes.”

There was silence on the other end for a moment, and I could almost hear her heartbeat echoing through the line. “Changes? Rose… honey, what kind of changes? You left your job, your apartment, and now you’re in another city. You didn’t even tell me. You know you can tell me anything, right?”

I swallowed hard. My fingers tightened around the phone. I wished I could tell her everything—the overwhelming presence of Adrian, the way he made me feel alive and terrified at the same time, the dangers I had narrowly avoided, the supernatural politics that dictated everything around me. But I couldn’t. I had to protect her from this world she didn’t belong to.

“I’m fine, Mom,” I repeated, forcing a smile she couldn’t see. “I just… needed a fresh start. Some time to think, to settle things.”

I heard her sigh. “Rose… I know you’re independent, and I know you can handle things on your own, but this sudden move worries me. If there’s anything going on—anything at all—you have to tell me. Please.”

Her words cut through me, a reminder of the life I had outside all this chaos. The life I once had, before Adrian, before the packs, before everything spiraled into madness. I wanted to tell her that, yes, there were complications. That I was… scared, confused, and exhausted. But I couldn’t. Not yet.

“I… I promise, Mom,” I said softly. “After I settle things here… I’ll come to see you. I’ll explain everything.”

“You promise, Rose?” Her tone was gentle, but there was an edge of worry I couldn’t ignore.

“I promise,” I whispered, almost to myself. “I just… I can’t right now. I wish I could. I wish I could tell you everything. But it’s not safe… not yet.”

There was silence on the line, filled with the warmth of her concern and the weight of her love. “Alright, sweetheart,” she finally said. “Just… don’t shut me out. And if you ever want to escape from everything… from this world that seems too heavy… my house is always open for you. You know that, right?”

Her words made my chest ache. I wanted to tell her that yes, I was terrified, and yes, I was lost, and yes… I wished I could run to her and let her protect me from all the chaos surrounding me. But I couldn’t. She didn’t need to see this side of my life.

“I know, Mom,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “Thank you. And after everything is settled… I’ll come. I’ll come to see you.”

“Good,” she replied softly. “Just promise me you’ll stay safe, Rose. And remember… I’m always here for you. Always.”

“I know,” I whispered. “I know.”

The call ended, leaving me staring at the phone in my hand. My heart ached for the life I had once known, for the safety and simplicity of her world. I wanted to step out of this chaos, to run far away and let someone else deal with the supernatural world I had been dragged into. But I couldn’t. Not yet. Not until I figured out my own path… until I figured out Adrian, until I faced the packs, the council, and everything else I was trying to outrun.

I set the phone down on the table beside me and sank into the chair, letting my head fall into my hands. Her concern, her love, weighed on me, reminding me of everything I had left behind to survive in this new reality. And though I couldn’t tell her the truth yet, I made a silent promise to myself: once I settled things, once I survived this world… I would go back. I would see her. And maybe then… maybe then I could finally tell her everything.

For now, though… I had to be strong. I had to survive.