Rosie’s POVWhen my eyes opened, I was in the hospital wing. Sunlight spilled in through the tall windows, and the scent of clean linen and herbs in the air. My body still ached, but it was distant now, dulled to a low throb. How long had I been asleep?I couldn't tell.Then, I remembered my dream. The dream Uncle had insisted was not one. I turned over, and he was there.Uncle sat slouched in the chair beside my bed, his elbows braced on his knees, his head tipped forward slightly as if he’d been watching me even while I slept. Dark smudges shadowed his eyes, and there was a tension in his jaw I’d never seen quite like this. “You’re awake.” His voice was rough, as though it had been used too much in the past day—or not at all.“You stayed.” I came out husky and dry.“Of course I stayed,” he adjusted, leaning back in the chair with a slow exhale as if he had been holding his breath for days. I watched him with caution, unsure what to expect now.“I have things I need to tell you.
Rosie’s POVMy whole body throbbed—sharp, deep aches that pulsed with every heartbeat. I was sprawled on the cold stone floor, the air damp and stinking of rot and enemies.Not to mention my own blood. I tried not to think about what that meant.The silver chains bit into my wrists and ankles, the burn constant and unforgiving. The metal had leached into my skin, sending that awful, heavy weakness through my limbs until even lifting my head felt impossible.The days and hours had blurred together. I forgot how long I'd been here. How long would it be until I died?Somewhere far away, I thought I heard my name. “Rosie!”I flinched, my head tipping to the side. For a second, I almost laughed at myself. Of course, I was hearing things. My mind was trying to be cruel before the end, making me imagine the one voice I wanted most.But thank goodness it couldn't be him. I would rather die than see the Rogue king succeed in putting him in danger.I heard it again, though, my eyes closing and
Nikolas’ POVEverything moved in slow motion as I got ready to unleash Saint. I could feel his anger and excitement, having been so repressed this whole time.The air was coated in the heavy mist curling between the pines. Rogues poured from every shadow, their eyes menacing in the dying light. But I wasn't afraid, not of them. I carved through them with Saint’s precision, blade and claws moving as one, but my gaze never left the gap in the tree line ahead.I felt Marco ten paces behind, shielding Selena as if she were a precious thing. I had told him to treat her as Luna. The pack all respected her as that now that she had the token like she wanted. She would be safe in this, preserving the pack. And if this alliance with her pack saved Rosie, it would be worth the life I would have to live with her.When her weakness started holding him back, I wanted to snarl at him to leave her—but I didn’t have the luxury. Every second I lingered meant more rogues at my back and fewer breaths i
Nikolas’ POV“After they left the borders of their pack territory, the Rogues slaughtered the Dark Moon Pack,” Marco said. He’d rushed into my office out of breath, and the story had come spilling out, “Alpha Jason is dead. Rosie is missing.”Marco winced telling me the information, like he was expecting an answer from me.The words felt like a bolt of lightning right to the chest. It was physically painful.The Dark Moon Pack was supposed to keep her safe, and now she could very well be dead. It hadn’t even been that long since the wedding, since I felt like things were even a little bit settled."Where. Is. She?"Saint was screaming, trying to rip me to shreds from the inside out.I already mind-linked to the warriors," Marco explained. At least there was that. "They have rushed to the border crossing. They found nothing but blood and followed the scent the best they could. They said..."He trailed off, and I glared at him, punching my desk so hard it cracked down the middle. Papers
Rosie’s POVJason and I stood in front of our packs, hand in hand. Selena had found a beautiful dress for me to wear– frankly, she’d relished in wedding preparations, probably thrilled I was finally out of her hair.I'd already heard rumors from the female staff. It was as Mia had suspected; Jason was a womanizer through and through.Not unkind, just unfaithful and full of games. It wasn't what I would want in a marriage.We were here now, though, and there was nothing to do.I scanned the crowd for Uncle, who was lurking in the back, for Chris, who gave me an encouraging smile. There were so many faces I didn’t recognize either.Jason leaned in close as he slid my wedding band onto my finger. Everyone must have thought he was kissing my cheek, but he just didn’t want to be overheard.“Smile,” he said firmly, “I know you like Alpha Nikolas. I don’t care about that. This marriage will be good for both of us.”I smiled in spite of myself. At least he had agreed to give me the freedom an
Rosie’s POV“Alpha Jason is quite taken with you,” Uncle said. I was desperately searching for any sign of annoyance in his voice.Another Alpha was interested in his mate. Uncle should have been angry. He should have challenged him then and there for my hand. But Uncle wouldn’t do that. He’d refused me again and again.“He’s very nice,” I admitted, wishing it would get a rise out of him all while Jason beamed next to me.While that was true, I wasn’t bonded to him. I would never be fully content with him like I would be with Uncle.Uncle nodded. “If you’ll agree, I think it’s a good match. It will further solidify alliances between our two packs. We’d do well to pair you off with him.”“What?” My voice cracked, and I had to stop myself from going further.Selena clapped her hands together. "This will be so good for both of our packs! And for you too, Rosie."I pursed my lips together but nodded at her and her celebratory show, knowingly disregarding my feelings and all.Of course she