Chapter 9

Rose's POV

I could feel my face turning red as I reached up to touch my neck, my fingers brushing against the tender spot where I had felt the mark earlier. But as I looked closer in the mirror, I realized with a sinking feeling that it wasn't a mate mark at all.

"Mom, it's not what you think," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "No, Mom. It's just a hickey..." I answered, trying to hide the embarrassment in my voice. I knew that she wouldn't approve of it, but I couldn't say the full truth to her.

"A hickey?" She repeated, her eyes narrowing. "Did the man give you a hickey, Rose?" She asked and I nodded before going to join her on the bed.

"Mom, please don't be mad," I pleaded, feeling a sense of shame wash over me. I knew she would disapprove, but I never thought she would react this way.

"I'm not mad, Rose. I'm just...surprised," she said softly, her eyes never leaving the mark. "I just wish you would have told me what you were going through, that's all."

"I'm sorry, Mom. I didn