ROSE 'See you on Tuesday!' smiled the sweet receptionist, who's twice my age with loads of experience working with the Director of the agency, Miss Jewel Virtus. I returned her a cheerful wave before pushing at the heavy glass door and stepped outside onto the concrete pavement, my insides couldn’t stop smiling. I like it here. Compared to B.A.D, the vibes here are definitely more positive and encouraging. One year with my supervisor—one of the full-time stylists here—was more enriching and fulfilling than three years with Annie. '... but it's the most hated song by all who love Rum! Here—listen!' Two models strolled past me, one of them giggling at her phone while the other wore a repulsive look as the music and a silky voice hit the air. ‘...I… Want to…love you but I can’t…Kiss your heart but I can’t….’ And then a bullet pierced through my brain—no—a sharp piercing sound. It silenced my surroundings—forcing me into a bubble of deafness—and then the same images burst throug

ROSE A strong green megawatt spotlight of Rum’s concert burst through, illuminating the wound like it was a solo artist on the stage. And the strangest thing happened: red yarns spurted out from the flesh of each end and joined hands, working together, pulling and sucking, to seal up and form a scar. My face shot up, eyes widened with shock at the two shouting ladies, but they couldn't seem to see what was happening. Not even Ellis, who was now screaming like a burning victim. I looked down at the wound: everything that should happen biologically in wound healing with humans is now happening at super speed; it was like watching a video fast forward. And then, it was over. The green light retracted, having done its deed, and Ellis had stopped tossing about screaming, fainted, fallen into a healing slumber. Both women, and myself, stared at the reattached arm in utter disbelief: it looked exactly as it was before. With shaking fingers, and more tears gushing down her face

ROSE He slammed in hard and strong, his blue electrifying eyes glaring with the same intense passion that shot from my belly to my dangling toes, ripping me apart. ‘Keithen!’ A whisper broke through as I clung onto him with my life, my nails digging into his shoulder—has he gotten bigger? A grunt of pleasure answered me. Then, his forehead pressed harder onto mine as his thick, hard shaft slid back a little, sending tingles through me, then rammed in again, hitting that sweet spot in full strength. An explosion of bliss tore through me, sinking my teeth into the pale skin between his neck and his shoulder. And a loud satisfying moan caressed my ear before he thrust in a few more times and tensed up in his own climax. He kissed the throbbing skin below my earlobe, sucking as hard as he came, sending me to another soaring euphoria. Amidst our hard panting and deep breathing, he took my lips once more and kissed me fervently. When he finally tore his lips away, my knees lifte

ROSE Realisation filled those evaluating eyes, and, knowingly, Erasmos whispered, ‘I know what you’re thinking. And I’m not.’ ‘Not what?’ I feigned ignorance. If Erasmos was really with the dark whims like Ambrose once was, then he mustn’t know that my suspicions. A sudden look of surprise and then the same eyes narrowed with earnesty. His voice lowered some more when he spoke. ‘I’m not with the dark whims. In fact, I’m building an army—.’ ‘An army?’ Krissy exclaimed. Shit! I’ve forgotten that the wolves can hear from miles away. After a quick exchange of the bewildered gaze of being caught red-handed, Erasmos quickly rearranged his expression to a neutral one before turning away. Nodding truthfully, he replied in a sure tone that would burn all suspicions, ‘Yes, Luna Kristen. Alpha Errick has left this at my disposal. He’s bent on defeating the dark slave.’ ‘Keithen?’ I blurted. Ignoring the glare from the Omega, I rushed forward to grab the Beta’s arm. ‘What exactly do

ROSE Ah! Terror struck my heart and burst my eyes open, and a bewildered look stared back at me. ‘I swear I only tapped your shoulder,’ explained Umberto, his face a hint of red. I scanned around frantically, as though dark Keithen was hiding and waiting for a good chance to pounce on me and kill me. ‘Luna Kristen is out to fetch us some water,’ updated the Omega. When I said nothing, he added in an awkward tone, ‘Beta Erasmos has set the date for the attack. In two days. After lunch, we’ll head back to inform Alpha Ellis.’ Two days? There isn’t time then! Oh why did Keithen send me away? I could’ve used that year to train and conjure Quinn’s abilities at will. Goddamn it! ‘Are you… are you alright, Miss Rose?’ I finally looked at him and saw the medicinal green patches around his neck, and instantly felt remorse once more. ‘How do you feel?’ ‘Much better.’ ‘God, you sound like the desert.’ I smiled at the bandage around his wrist. ‘How do you feel?’ he asked in a qui