Home / Werewolf Short Story / A Rose That Refuses to Die / Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

All Chapters of A Rose That Refuses to Die: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

19 Chapters

Chapter 1

Avril's POV"I've made up my mind, Marcus."I stood by the lake, looking at my own reflection in the water, my gaze dim.As it turned out, making the most important decision in my life didn't require that much hesitation after all."Avril… are you really willing to be my mate? Are you going to accept my proposal?"Marcus Howler's voice was deep and firm on the other end of the call.I felt a sudden ache in my heart. As my tears began trickling down, I nodded lightly and said, "Yes, I am.""Avril, you're the most perfect mate the Moon Goddess has bestowed upon me. I fell in love with you the first time I laid eyes on you, and I vowed that you'd be the only one who'd ever be my Luna."My heart skipped a beat, and a bright smile spread on my lips."Give me two weeks, Marcus. I'll sort out everything here and then come over to you.""Alright. I'll be waiting."After I hung up, my Alpha dad, Jason Talbot, suddenly appeared behind me."Avril."He cleared his throat a little awkw

Chapter 2

Dad seemed pleased with my obedience, and Velma smiled happily too.Yet, even after both of them were gone, Layla never left.She followed me into my room."Let me help you pack up, Avril. I really never thought that Dad would agree to let us switch rooms."She stood before me, looking quiet and docile, and asked, "Are you mad at me, Avril? After all, Eric likes me now, and I'm also taking over the room that you've lived in for 20 years."I didn't want to talk to her, so I just turned around to pack my clothes.However, she suddenly exclaimed loudly and fell heavily onto the ground on her butt."Ah, Avril!"She happened to bump her arm against the edge of the table, and blood was trickling out of the cut."Avril Talbot! What the heck do you think you're doing?"Without my knowing, Eric Blackclaw had suddenly appeared at the door to my room. He happened to witness Layla falling onto the ground.His face darkened as he rushed up to us and carefully picked her up from the groun

Chapter 3

Layla suddenly began sobbing quietly in Eric's arms."Eric, please don't argue with Avril because of me… I'm fine. I swear I'm fine. It's normal for her to want to get mad at me like this…"She continued sobbing quietly as if she had suffered such aggrievances for a long time.In the end, Eric's gaze toward me turned eerily cold."Avril, I know that you're jealous that I like Layla. You're also jealous that I'm being good to her. You're even more jealous that the entire pack is very fond of her."You've changed. You're not the Avril I used to know anymore. Your soul has become so completely twisted by jealousy that I don't know you anymore. You've disappointed me so much!"Then, he turned and left with Layla in his arms.I watched their retreating backs and realized that my tears had already all dried up.That was a good thing, though. I had cried over Eric for far too many times over the past few days. I probably wouldn't have to shed any more tears for him again.…Later th

Chapter 4

I had only just arrived at home when Eric suddenly contacted me via our mind-link."Avril Talbot! Come back here right now!""Why?""Of course it's to apologize to Layla!""Why do you want me to apologize to her?""You left too suddenly! Layla thought that you didn't like her and burst into tears after that!"I laughed angrily. "Are you out of your mind, Eric? What does her crying have to do with me?""Because you left just like that! Do you even know what the rest of the pack members are thinking of her now?"Eric sounded hostile and aggressive."I refuse to let the pack slander Layla. I was the one who chose her and wanted to make her my mate. She's innocent! She should never have to bear the stigma of stealing someone else's mate just because of your impulsiveness!"Although I had long since stopped being emotionally affected by Eric's words and actions, I still felt a dull ache in my chest when I heard him say that.My fingers were trembling as I replied in an equally sh

Chapter 5

Layla moved into my room. However, I didn't move into her old bedroom. Instead, I just found a random guest room to stay in temporarily.The bedding that Velma had the maids prepare for me was cold and damp. Yet, I didn't tell Dad about it or cry and make a scene.There were only a few more days left, anyway. Everything would be over if I could just put up with it.However, as soon as I got out of bed the next morning, I saw that Mom's favorite little garden had been reduced to an utterly horrible mess.The swing Mom had made for me was thrown onto the ground, the planks broken and covered in muddy footprints. Even Mom's favorite apple tree had been chopped down by Layla.The maids had also uprooted the blooming roses and planted lavender sprigs instead, while Layla stood to the side, clapping and chuckling to herself.I stood there, feeling the blood rushing to my head.All of my reason, restraint, and rationality vanished at that very moment.My eyes turned bloodshot as they

Chapter 6

Later that night, I was jolted awake by loud crying and screaming.I'd only just sat up in bed when my door was kicked open, and Velma rushed in, crying.I hadn't even realized what was happening before I suddenly got slapped in the face multiple times."Avril Talbot! How could you be so vicious? I know that you don't like me or my daughter. But didn't you already hurt her enough earlier today? Are you still trying to kill her now?"Velma then threw herself into Dad's arms, wracked with sobs. "Avril knew all along that Layla's deathly allergic to roses, and yet, she deliberately soaked her entire mattress with rose oil! She's trying to kill my daughter!""Alright, alright. Layla's already taken the medication for it, so nothing bad will happen to her," Dad said, comforting Velma affectionately. He then shot me a disgusted look and said, "I'm thoroughly disappointed in you, Avril. You will be moving out tomorrow. This household will never be peaceful as long as you're still here.

Chapter 7

Next were the gifts that Eric had given me over the past three years.There were novel little trinkets and also valuable diamonds and other jewelry.I picked out the valuables, intending to ask one of my friends, Emma Barker, to keep them for me for the time being. Once I'd left Northpine Woods, I'd ask her to return them to Eric on my behalf.That way, we'd be even.As for the less valuable trinkets and worthless items, I packed them all up without hesitation and threw them out.There was also the wolf fang pendant that Eric casually gave me one day. I used to treasure it and guard it with my life. But now that I was getting rid of it, I realized that I didn't feel a ripple of emotion about it at all.After I was done with everything, I carefully wrapped up Mom's photograph and placed it in a hidden compartment of my suitcase. Then, I left the pack I'd called my home for the past 20 years without another backward glance.Eric happened to walk past me while I was crossing the bo

Chapter 8

Third-Person POVIt was already 7:00 pm. Eric sat on the couch, toying with a lighter in his hand, his expression indifferent. However, he occasionally checked the time on his wristwatch."Eric," Layla said, biting on her lip while tugging at his sleeve. "It's getting late. Everyone's getting hungry…"Eric just glanced at her with a light smile that didn't reach his eyes."You're the one who's hungry, aren't you?" he asked playfully, teasing her while pinching her cheeks."Yeah. I'm about to die from starvation," she said, snuggling into his embrace.Eric caught a whiff of a faint but familiar scent. He froze for a second before asking in a low voice, "What perfume are you wearing?""I don't remember. I just grabbed a random bottle on the way out," Layla said, looking at him in surprise. "What is it, Eric? Do you not like the scent?"He shook his head and said, "No. It's a nice scent."It reminded him of the perfume Avril used to always wear. However, he suddenly couldn't reme

Chapter 9

Avril's POVAfter arriving at the new territory in Frosthill Mountains, I didn't get in touch with Marcus immediately. Instead, I met up with Heather Winters, my best friend since our college days.I wanted to share my secret with her, but I still didn't know how to break the news to her yet.However, I didn't expect to run into Marcus at the party she threw for me.He was wearing a black suit as he stood at the entrance of the castle's dining room, a matching coat draped over his arm.The crystal chandelier behind him cast warm shadows onto the ancient tapestry on the walls. Yet, he stood beyond the shadows, as though everything around him had turned into a backdrop especially for him.We hadn't seen each other in years. He seemed to have become a lot more handsome and composed since we last met in college.And now, he was going to be my mate.My cheeks flushed slightly at the thought.I lowered my gaze as I tightened my grip on the lace hem of my dress. Even my back began to

Chapter 10

"It's been a while, Avril," Marcus said, giving me a deep look as he clinked his glass with mine.I took a sip of wine and slowly sat back down.Heather tugged on my sleeve and winked at me. "There's something off about both of you tonight, Avie.""Huh? What is it?" I asked."Marcus' eyes have never left you since he stepped into this room.""You're mistaken, Heather.""Avril! Who do you think I am?" Heather exclaimed indignantly. "I'm Heather Winters! I can see through every couple with just a single glance!"I couldn't help but purse my lips at that, feeling my heart pounding wildly in my chest.After graduating from college, I'd followed Eric back to our pack in Northpine Woods and had never seen Marcus ever since.However, we would still occasionally send each other holiday greetings via text messages, but that was all.It wasn't until recently, when Eric began openly pursuing Layla, that Marcus suddenly got in touch with me. Even until now, we'd just talked to each other

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