CHAPTER FOUR

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!”