ROSE “No reason? What about the contract? Our agreement?” His body pressed down on me, and I felt the butterflies fluttering madly again. “I just told you I wasn’t thinking.” “Then, I’ll give you something to think about the next time this happens, you ungrateful cub—.” I frowned. “Why do you keep calling me ‘cub’? I’m not a kid—.” “Shut up, Rose.” Rum grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head as his face came dangerously close to mine. “The next time you plan on leaving me like that, you better make sure that I can’t find you. Because when I do… I’ll make you regret even worse for doing it twice to me.” I didn’t dare to breathe. I couldn’t look away from those fierce blue eyes. And then, very slowly, I felt it—large, strong and pulsating like a violent heartbeat—entering me, pushing at my walls, stretching my insides nicely to its shape. A glorious sensation blew me over. My lips parted with a moan of surprise and delight escaping into the dimness around us. “Ah….”
ROSE Bright white light. A sense of comforting chill washed over me. It was like diving into an ocean of warmth—only it wasn’t cold and wet…and long. Sunbathed wood, grass and metallic stones swarmed into my nostrils as a wide stretch of calm green and calm blueness greeted me like an old friend. The familiar feeling felt strange and slightly frightening. Like I should be expecting something. Yet I had no idea what to expect. “This is….” I stared in awe at the span of peaceful waters laid before me like a blue mirror. “Is this…?” His silence gripped me. All of a sudden fear settled in me. I shifted closer, tucking myself into his back like a security blanket. It was then he turned to me. Surprised at first, then sympathetic. Or so I thought. “What’s wrong with you?” He squinted in slight irritation. “Never seen a lake before? They’ve got one at the—.” “Park.” I straightened, feeling silly. “I know.” I avoided his gaze and tried to survey the unfamiliar surroundings.
ROSE A cold chuckle followed by a—WHACK! My butt hit the soil with a thud—which would be louder if it was B.A.D.’s toilet floor—and then the side of my body slammed against something blunt—a tiny bump in the ground. “Ooph!” I winced, the sheer pain instantly shut down my reflexes. “Hold her,” the deep voice growled. And I was grabbed and flipped around harshly, then pinned to the ground. Fuck. Different place, same thing. Why can’t these people just be nice? Scarface knelt down, his smirk clear as the blue sky behind him, and then glided his fingers down the curve of my cheek. “I asked you a question, pup. And it’s rude to not answer it.” And Wacko burst into another series of high pitched cackling. “After you, me.” “Goddess bluff…,” groaned the female voice. “Must I be here?” “Can you speak?” Long, thick fingers slid around my neck, tightening. I pressed my lips together even tighter. And the fingers tightened some more. “Answer me.” Those dark green eyes came cl
ROSE “Rum….” I dashed over and knelt beside him, rubbed his back to help him breathe. “Breathe, Rum… Breathe….” “Ha!” He clutched the ground hard, as though begging it to give him some air, his knuckles turning white. “HA!” I was lost. Frightened. What do we do when someone in front of you has a panic attack? Think, Rose. Think! Air. He needs air. NO. His airways are blocked. He needs something to balloon them so air can go through. I grabbed the sides of his face, but he pushed me away. “Leave me alone—.” He coughed and gasped deeply and heavily, as though someone had his hands around his neck. “Get the fuck away from me!” “No….” I cried and grabbed his face once more, then covered his mouth with mine. He tried to push at my shoulders—but I slid my hands around his head to the back and pushed it towards me just as his lips parted more and I sealed his mouth with mine. Pain stung my throat from the inside, but I kept going, pressing my body against him so he’d breathe thr
ROSE Suddenly, I feel like an old motorcycle. Until, of course, I pulled down my hood and Rum tipped my chin. Ellis’s eyes couldn’t get any bigger while Elena rushed towards me with an even paler look. Both reactions told me that my condition has worsened. “Goddess me…,” muttered Elena as her fingertip lightly touched my wounded skin. I winced hard, the heat of pain seared the back of my eyes, tearing them. “Jesus Christ, stop touching her!” Rum shouted at the healer. “Can’t you just use your eyes?” “If I could just use my eyes, I wouldn’t touch it! I need to touch it to FIX IT!” The godmother blasted back. Glaring at her annoying godson, she ordered, “Lie down, Rose. It’ll be painful. But I need you to bear with it.” Rum was immediately by my side, about to help me get on the bed, when Elena snapped, “You–out. Now.” She glanced at her husband. “Both of you, men. Out.” “I’m not going anywhere without her.” Rum slapped Elena’s hand away when she tried to grab his wrist
RUM “Mmm….” I jerked my gaze to the bed. “Blast it, she’s awake. She’s going to move. Stop her,” the Luna ordered, both her palms still hovering over Rose’s neck—which didn’t seem to look any better, colour wise. I was right back on the stool and leaned close to whisper into Rose’s ear as she stirred some more. “Hey Rose, it’s me.” “R…am?” She was about to lift her hand to rub her groggy eyes when I gently pressed on her wrist to stop her. It’s still a little scratchy but thank goodness she can still talk. “Yes. Rum. You knocked out for quite a while there. Don’t! Don’t move. Elena’s still treating you.” And the poor girl froze—in a super adorable way that made me want to kiss her entire face. “You can relax, stupid girl. Just stay still.” I had to stop myself from reaching out to touch her. “Oh…kay…,” she whispered. “How do you feel?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking. “Less… pain….” But she was still wincing and I felt my heart drained. The wheels in my min
ROSE "Rose." Rum sidestepped his mother to the bedside. "Are you alright?" he whispered. I blinked at him and then at the woman beside him, her gorgeous features puckering with concern. "I… I'm alright." Rum sighed in relief. "Jes—." He halted at Elena's glare and said, "I mean, blast it. You gave me a scare." "Is she your mate?" asked the soft, silky voice. And Rum swung around at his mother while I stared at her, horrified. "No!" Rum retorted. Then, to her surprised doe eyes, he added, "She's my assistant." Quickly, I nodded. Fiercely. "Assistant?" Those slim light pink brows wrinkled with curiosity. "What is she assisting you on?" And the white couple coughed knowingly. "Rose is hungry," said Rum, moving to the table. "Can we eat first?" After a glance at his mother, the superstar werewolf sighed. "I'll explain everything to you as I eat." ***** Werewolves make the best beef stew. Now I know why Rum complains about them back home. Home…. Rum is definitely hom
ROSE He kissed the side of my head then pressed his lips into my lips to muffle his groan of bliss, and I felt his body tensed up. Then, it relaxed again. And I felt another kiss on my forehead then his lips spread into a smile. We sat there, in the dim glow of the oil lamp, in each other's arms, listening to our heavy breathing coming down, our heartbeats becoming normal. “There's something you need to know. This place is nothing like the human world.” There was a snigger in his voice. I breathed in and sighed. “I’m aware. I see nothing but trees and rocks. I mean, this inn is by far the only man-made structure I’ve seen.” And it’s made entirely out of rocks. “I mean the bathroom, cub.” He pulled back and kissed my cheek. “There’s no shower.” And he flashed a bright smile. I was shocked. Werewolves' existence is one thing. But no showers? “You’re kidding.” “I’m not. Want me to show you how to use the facilities?” I don’t like the smug smile on his face. ***** SPL