Rosalee's Point of View Sunlight filters in through the tall windows of Jensen’s, home office. Wel more like my office now, casting warm gold patterns across the hardwood floor. It still feels surreal, calling this space mine. The scent of pinewood and paper lingers in the air, blending with the soft floral aroma from the vase of fresh wildflowers Piper brought this morning. I sit behind the wide mahogany desk, a stack of papers and color swatches spread out before me. Across from me Piper and Nyx are sitting on their chairs. The desk between us is also cluttered with notebooks, pens, fabric samples, and half drunk cups of tea and coffee. Piper is the picture of calm elegance, her blond hair swept up in a loose braid, her expression thoughtful as she flips through a leather bound planner. Nyx, still recovering but already looking more like herself, lounges comfortably, one leg tucked beneath her, a mischievous glint in her eye as she teases me now and then. “You’ll need a bles
Rosalee's Point of ViewI leave the house with a purpose, my black dress now folded away, the heaviness of last night’s ceremony lingering just behind my ribs. The air this morning feels lighter, though, like the pack has taken its first breath after holding it for too long. There’s healing in motion now. And part of that is helping Nyx.The hospital isn't far, but I walk slowly, letting the quiet morning settle over me. When I reach the familiar white brick building, I find Nyx sitting on the edge of her bed, already dressed, her duffel bag at her feet. She looks up as I enter and offers a tired smile, one that still carries strength behind it.“You’re right on time,” she says.“Of course I am,” I smile, stepping inside. “Ready to break out of here?”“More than ready.”I grab her bag while she stands carefully, moving slow but steady. I hover a bit, prepared to catch her if she wobbles, but she straightens and gives me a mock glare.“I’m fine,” she says.“I know,” I say, grinning. “B
Jensen's Point of View The morning light filters softly through the curtains, golden and quiet. I wake slowly, not in a rush, not startled, just eased into consciousness by warmth, by comfort. Rosalee is curled against me, her leg thrown over mine, her head resting on my shoulder. My arm is wrapped around her, keeping her close like my body instinctively knows she belongs there. There’s a quiet intimacy in the way her fingers move, absently, softly, tracing slow, looping shapes across my bare chest. Tiny circles, lazy figure eights, lines that go nowhere and everywhere all at once. It’s not conscious, not purposeful. She’s still half asleep, I think, her breath steady and warm against my skin. But each delicate stroke grounds me more than words ever could. I don’t move, don’t speak. I just lie there and feel. My other hand comes up slowly, brushing through the strands of her hair that spill across my shoulder and chest. It’s messy and soft, smelling faintly of whatever soap sh
Rosalee's Point of ViewThe scent of dinner still lingers in the warm kitchen air when I hear the front door open. My heart gives a little leap, and I glance up just as Jensen steps inside. His hair is a little tousled, a tired but content look on his face. When he sees the table, his expression softens further into something warm and full of affection."You cooked dinner again?" he asks, a bit surprised, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.I nod my head, wiping my hands on a towel. “I got bored being alone, and I thought you might be hungry.”“I’m always hungry when it’s your cooking,” he says with a teasing grin. He walks over to the cabinet, grabs two wine glasses, then heads to the small wine rack in the corner. He studies the labels for a second before picking a bottle and holding it up. “Think this will go well with dinner?”“Perfect,” I say, smiling as I pull out a chair.Jensen pours us each a glass and sits down across from me. The flickering candlelight glows betwee
Rosalee's Point of ViewI stand on the porch, watching Jensen walk away towards the pack house. His stride is sure, purposeful, the sun casting a soft glow along his shoulders. There is something about the way he moves, like he is carrying the whole pack, yet he still made time to carry me.A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth, warm and full, and I let out a soft sigh. The good kind. The kind that tells me, for the first time in a long time, everything might actually be okay. I glance down at the shoes dangling from my hand, dirt clinging to the soles from our walk, and laugh quietly to myself. I turn and step back into the house, the silence wrapping around me like a gentle hug.I spot my clothes exactly where he left them on the kitchen table. He even folded them for me. My skirt underneath and my blouse placed neatly on top. I pick them up carefully, the fabric cool between my fingers, then I head down the hallway towards my room.Once inside my room, I set my clothes aside and
Jensen's Point of View The sun hangs low as we walk slowly back from the lake, the light catching in Rosalee’s hair. The path is quiet, lined with trees whispering with the breeze, and for once, everything feels still, not tense or uncertain, but calm. Real. Rosalee walks beside me, barefoot, carrying her shoes in one hand while the other is still nestled in mine. There’s a faint flush on her cheeks from the sun, or maybe from what we just shared in the lake. My shirt looks far better on her than it ever did on me, hanging off one shoulder in that effortless way only she can manage. Neither of us says much. We don’t have to. The house comes into view, and I feel a strange resistance in my chest, like part of me doesn’t want to let go of this moment just yet. But I know I have to head back to the office. Duty calls, even on days like this. We reach the house, the quiet hum of the forest trailing behind us as the afternoon sun warms the porch steps. As much as I want to linger