Rosa POV.
For five years, I have lived in exile. For five years I have stayed away from my family, and other packs. I can’t be around anyone. I don’t want to hurt anyone. I am not just a werewolf, no I am something else. I have the soul of a very hateful oracle inside of me. Her name is Jadara the Vengeful, and she is evil.
I have not shifted since that day when everything went to shit, too afraid that if I do, Jadara and Cece, my wolf will go on a rampage. So I have shut them both out and have been living off the land away from civilization.
The day plays back in my head. The day I left home; I left my family to go and start my training full time at the settlement at Moonlight Cove. My mate betrayed me and in doing so called on the oracle within to pull the other half of her soul from him, becoming a monster.
Charlie was an orphan, like me. He was abandoned at the orphanage as a baby whereas I was there because my birth parents died in a rogue attack. That is where I found my new family. They took me in and raised me as their own. They never treated me differently and for that, I will always be grateful.
Charlie, however, is a siren and so my mom Gaia, the Wolf Goddess of Hell, took him to Queen Asteria, Queen of the Sirens, to be reunited with his people. When he returned months later, the little five-year-old me was shocked at how fast her best friend had grown and changed. He was an adult. But we were still close. Because he had the other half of the oracle in him.
Then, as time went on, he started to change towards me. A few months before I turned eighteen, he was awful to me, so filled with hate that I didn’t understand why. He told me we were mates and that he would never be mated to an orphaned mutt like me. I ignored him and continued my weekend training in the settlement with Odessa; she is the sister of not only Fate but Karma too.
A few days after I turned eighteen, it was then the shit truly hit the fan. He arrived at the settlement with a pregnant female at his side and they were both marked. This caused the half of the oracle in me to become angry. He rejected me and during the rejection; she took over.
She pulled the other half from him and she was restored, but not only that, she combined with my wolf Cece. Cece is now a hybrid. The sirens use oracles and so technically; she is part siren.
She told us all who she was. She declared that Charlie would be responsible for the deaths of thousands, all because of his betrayal. She forced Cece to try to attack the people in the settlement until I pulled my wolf back. We fled to keep everyone safe.
But Cece had changed. She was no longer the fun loving kind wolf she always was, no. She is now a monster, just like Jadara.
I miss home, but I know this is for the best. I can’t be around anyone. So I rejected my pack, my family, and shut the world out. It is better this way.
I sit at the top of the world in a cave high up in the mountains. Noone knows where I am and that is a good thing. The world below looks so peaceful, but up here, they don’t know of the sacrifices I am making for them all.
Up here I can be free, but what I wouldn’t give for a hot shower and a comfy bed? But living out in the wilderness isn’t always so bad. I hunt, fish, move regularly, especially during the summer months. If I’m lucky, I find abandoned cabins to stay in but never for too long. I wash in streams and lakes. I have become a woman of the wild and I love it.
Grabbing my backpack, I open it and pull out an old sleeping bag I found in one of the abandoned cabins and roll it out next to the campfire I built. Looking up at the stars, I smile, knowing I am keeping everyone I love and care for safe. I can never be reunited with the world because, if I do, then the world will bleed.
I feel movement in my head and close my eyes. They are both trying to break the damn barrier I have created to keep them away from me. A wolf who has not shifted in five years should be weak. But I’m no ordinary wolf.
A headache begins to form and I know it won’t be long before they will successfully break through that barrier and I won’t be able to stop them.
Maybe it is time to talk to them, but not let them take full control. But I’m being a pussy. But then again, we are too far away from people.
I sigh, shaking my head as I roll over and face the fire. The crackle of the wood brings me out of those thoughts as my eyes begin to close. I hear her, Jadara.
“Rosa, we need to talk.” I open my eyes and watch the flames.
“We have nothing to talk about. You have destroyed my life, Jadara. I can’t allow you to do whatever the fuck it is you have planned. So please just stop ok. Please, just stop.” My bottom lip wobbles as I fight back my tears when she sighs.
“It is time you knew the truth about why I am here. Let me forward so I can speak to you properly. I don’t want to do this, Rosa. Please believe me, I never wanted to do this.” I scoff at her. Yeah right. I’m not falling for that bullshit.
“Fine, you leave me no choice.” My back bows and I scream out as I claw at the earth around me when I feel her leave my body and I slump back down and I see her.
The white of her long hair and her eyes, her pale skin, and perfect complexion. She is tall, beautiful, everything I am not. With my red curly hair and green eyes, I’m short, five foot five inches. She smiles at me as she moves closer towards me. I move backwards away from her when she stops.
“I will never harm you Rosa, I have always been a part of you. I’m sorry for everything, but please let me explain why I am here.” She says when I feel Cece in my head and she whines.
“Ok, I’m listening, but don’t make me regret this.” She smiles at me, but it’s a warm smile as she sits down in the dirt and crosses her legs. She watches me and I watch her.
“You only know me as Jadara the Vengeful. I will say that how we met was not my finest hour and I don’t blame you for how you reacted. So for that I apologise. I have been speaking with Cece and we both have come to an agreement that you, Rosa, need to grow a damn backbone and do what you were created to do.” She says, and I narrow my eyes at her.
“Oh really? Well, fuck you and her. I am not going to allow either of you to do what you tried to do all those years ago.” She shakes her head, chuckling to herself.
“You have no choice. The gods brought me back for two reasons. The first was to well to see love and innocence through the eyes of two children. Granted, your starts were anything but that, especially Charlies. But you showed me love and kindness. So I was, for once, at peace, a peace I hadn’t felt for a very long time. So thank you for that.” She says and I sit up and watch her as she gazes from me to the flames. Her eyes eery as I see the flames reflect in her white eyes.
“And the other part?” I ask her and she looks back at me. The look in her eyes sends a shiver down my spine. Why the fuck did I have to ask that?
“Well, the other part is from the gods themselves. Do you know how often the gods hear prayers asking why? Why things were happening to them? Why did their mates hurt them? Why things never went their way? Why they weren’t loved? Why they aren’t good enough?” I shake my head at her words and she looks down.
“Millions, not just supernatural creatures, but humans too. They all ask the same thing. Why aren’t they enough? Why were they cheated on? You get the idea. When the gods brought me back, they told me what I had to do.”
“Which was?”
“To see the love and life through the eyes of two innocents. But if things did not go the way, we hoped. Then I was to become their weapon. I was to punish those who betrayed their mates and partners. I was to be their executioner. The gods can’t intervene directly, so they sent me because of my past, so to speak.”
“What past are you speaking of, Jadara?” I ask, not knowing what the fuck is going on. Either way, I don’t think I’m going to like where this is going.
Rosa POV.“Thousands of years ago, when the world of the supernatural was still new. I lived in a beautiful cabin in the forest. I was out walking one day in the woods gathering herbs and ingredients. When I heard a growl from behind me. I turned and came face to face with the most beautiful man you would ever see. He was tall, hair the as golden as the sun. Tribal markings on his bare chest and arms, kind of like Charlie.” She smiles slightly and I cross my legs, listening to her story.“He was a werewolf and my fated mate. I knew of the supernatural, with me being the first oracle at the time. So I knew what it meant. We instantly fell in love and the bond helped tremendously. He was an Alpha. I could never be his luna because of what I was, but it didn’t bother him. He said he would convince me.” she chuckles and I watch her.“His name was Alpha Merrick. We grew closer to each other, and in time, we mated and marked each other. Life was simple and great back then. For years, we wer
Charlie POV.After nearly five long and tiring years of searching, I have finally found her. Rosa my little wolf mate. I say mate she isn’t. I broke than bond five years ago, when I was such an ass to her. I know she will never accept me again for what I did to her and all the vile things I said to her. If anything, I want to just be her friend. But then again, friends don’t knock each other out and take them back to their home in hopes of gaining her trust again.The siren I marked and mated during her mating season lost our child, and she died during the process. And before anyone says serves you right, I know that, but still Rosa was my friend at one point and I was instructed by her family to bring her here.They believe the longer she is bound to the oracle, the more savage and bloodthirsty she will become. And I hate to say this, but I think I am too late.The look in her white eyes told me she has fully bonded with Jadara. The Rosa I knew back then would have never tried to att
Rosa POV.Why are they looking at me like I’ve got three heads or something? Oh no, what have I done?“Why are you all looking at me like that? Can you please remove the silver? It is burning my skin.” I scream as I thrash on the bed and pull as hard as I can, but it is futile. Cece is restrained and so is Jadara. I can’t even feel them.“We can’t do that, baby. This is for your own good. Please, Rosa understand.” I pull harder and scream as the smell of burning flesh makes me gag.“REMOVE THEM NOW! IT FUCKING BURNS!” I scream again when tears leave my eyes and my mom sobs as I thrash. Blood drips from the marks on my wrists. I kick my legs out and pull myself down, choking as I move.“PLEASE, what did I do?” I sob and scream.“Shhh, you didn’t do anything we need to keep them both under control Rosa, they have killed people!” my dad shouts at, me causing me to freeze. I turn and look at him, tears streaming down my face.“You’re lying. They are locked away in my head. Dad don’t talk
Rosa POV.I go completely still with his words. That conniving little bitch has been wiping my memories. So this is all true! More reason to put me down. If I’m dead, then neither of them can do jack shit!“Ok, I believe you. So what do we do?” I ask as my skin sizzles and I wince.“Please remove the restraints. I am willing to do what is needed to protect the world.” I say I look down and think if they release me, I can run again and then I can take matters into my own hands. I can jump to my death or I could poke a bear. Or anything, really. All I know is that I can’t go back into the world. I have been away too long for that to work.“I will remove the wrist restraints, but the collar needs to stay on.” Well, that is better than anything, really. If I go ahead with the plan to end myself, at least neither Cece nor Jadara can then stop me.My mom comes close to me with the key and I hold my arms out and she unlocks each cuff and they fall onto the bed, taking some of my burnt skin w
Rosa POV.Ok Rosa, you can do this. It has only been five years since you were last around people. You can do this. I keep chanting to myself the closer we get to town.Mom and dad left us with instructions for me to behave and to Charlie, well, they told him good luck and then left. So now I’m stuck with him in a car and I keep repeating the same thing over and over, hoping it will help.I can do this, I can do this, I can … I can’t do this, I’m not ready. My breathing comes out hard and fast as I look out of the window of the car at the faces of curious people. Not just wolves, but humans, too.“Charlie, stop the car, please.” He looks at me, but I’m ready to flee.“Rosa, are you o …”“STOP THE FUCKING CAR!” I shout as I am in the throes of having a huge panic attack. This is not good, not safe. No one is safe if I stay here. Hand’s grip my face as my heart is trying to break out of my chest with pain like a heart attack. I begin to feel lightheaded.“Breathe, Rosy. Come on, in and
Charlie POV.I watch as she walks away from me and looks around the house. We will both be staying in until she has both Cece and Jadara under control. It pains me to see the life has left her pretty jade green eyes, and she is more that ready to give up. But I won’t let her.Rosy, I mean Rosa, was always so fun to be around and now she looks defeated and scared of her own shadow. I will do everything in my power to help her regain control. Even if it kills me.“Charlie.” I look up at her and her eyes glisten with the tears she is trying to keep at bay.“Yes, Rosa. What is it?” I ask her as I move slowly towards her, but keeping a respectful distance from her, not wanting to spook her anymore than she already is.“I don’t have any clothes and I’m kind of hungry.” She says shyly and I smile softly as I move past her and take her hand and she jumps slightly. I remove my hand, realising she has had no human contact in five years and has been completely alone. I don’t want to push her too
Rosa POV.I stand in the open doorway in to what is now my bedroom. I fidget with my fingers and bite the inside of my bottom lip. This is going to be ok. I step into the room and debate with myself if I should close the door or keep it open.If I keep it open, I can pretend I am back in the cave. If I close it, I can let myself believe that I am normal. I scoff at that. Normal! Ha, there is nothing normal about any of this, or me, for that matter. I chose to keep the door open.I look at the bed and reach my hand out, but pull it back as I blink and shake my head. This won’t last long, so I won’t get too comfortable. I sigh and move to the chaise and take the blanket that was on the back of it. I set it on the plush cream coloured carpet and lay down facing the open door. I place my hands under my head and bring my knees to my chest.This is only temporary until I can figure something else out. I move to sit and tug the hood of the bathrobe up and tighten the sash and lay back down.
Rosa POV.I sit on the windowseat looking out over the back garden. What am I supposed to be doing? Charlie gave me another shot of liquid obsidian, and I still can’t feel anything.“I need to take this damn collar off.” With that, I pout as I stand up and move to the bathroom. I have now decided it would be best if I could try to sort this out before resorting to ending my life.So if it means trying to get Cece out and reconnecting with her, then so be it. As for the murderous psychotic oracle, she can stay in a damn coma for all I care. When I’m strong enough, I will try to engage her. Maybe I can I show her the world again from that of love.I scoff to myself. Yeah right. I don’t even love myself at the moment, so how am I to show her?I look in the mirror and move closer. I tilt my head to get a better look at the collar. I reach up and spin it around, looking for a lock or a clasp. But there is nothing. How the hell did they get it on?I sigh and drop my head, shaking it as I ch