[Rosalie’s POV]“That’s enough.”Diego’s voice rings out as I open my mouth to argue more, and with it, I feel almost as though my throat is being constricted. Shit. Having his mark on my skin was going to prove to be an issue, but this wasn’t the first time that he used his command against me.Shivering, I try not to remember how fucking helpless I felt laying on that floor, fingering myself for his enjoyment. As long as I was more cautious, something like that wouldn’t happen again.“The two of you arguing isn’t going to get us anywhere,” Diego says now as his father fixes his narrowed gaze on him. “We need to act soon.”“Then you and the woman go stay in the village until you can find the source of the plague,” his father announces.“Are you really suggesting that?”“Fine,” I snap, cutting Diego off before he can finish. “We’ll do just that.”At my words, Diego’s disbelieving gaze comes to rest on me. I have to stop myself from smirking at how annoyed he looks, but if he truly wan

[Rosalie’s POV]The ride to the borders of Diego’s pack lands is silent as the heaviness of the situation weighs on all of us. And when we grow closer, the damage from disease and famine due to the darkness becomes evident in the gazes that watch us as we pass. They scream a silent plea to be saved from that which is tormenting them, and it is so damn loud it makes my heart ache.Beside me, I can feel Diego’s aura shift as he too takes in what I’m seeing, and despite his seeming indifferent earlier on, it becomes increasingly clear that he does truly care for these people, even if he doesn’t believe he can save them.When we arrive at our destination, we are greeted by elder Marin and healer Murdoch. Both men look as exhausted as the villagers that stare at us from their homes—at least the ones whose homes weren’t destroyed by the giant snake. Those who were left with nothing huddled together inside tents that lined the streets, making it impossible to travel any further by car.“Welc

[Diego’s POV]My gaze stays fixed on the woman as she continues to cradle the deceased child in her arms. Her expression screams everything she is feeling, and I can’t help but wonder how she can care so much for someone she doesn’t even know. It was unsettling and inspiring. Even despite everything, she was still capable of having so much compassion, unlike me, who became a cold-hearted bastard.Did you really? The small voice in the back of my head counters. Since the very beginning, you’ve only wanted to do what was best for your pack.Did I? I push, knowing that my reasons for trying to find a cure were selfish and were only because of my sister falling ill from the plague. Or did I just use that as an excuse to hide the very compassion that could make me a target?Tearing my gaze away, I turn to Giddeon, who is giving me an annoying look.“Why are you just standing there?” I snap, causing his creepy smile to broaden. “Shouldn’t you be helping prepare the child for her sendoff?”“

[Rosalie’s POV]I stare in disbelief at the door as it closes behind Diego. The man truly was hot and cold. One minute he was kind and caring; the next he was venomous as a snake. Did he have multiple personalities or something?Sighing, I collapse on the couch while pressing my fingers against the cuts on my cheek and pulling away so I can examine the blood on them.“He went all out,” I sigh, rolling over and curling in on myself. “I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.”Closing my eyes, I once again see his enraged expression, but it quickly shifts to that gentle one that he has used around me a few times. I truly was a fool to let my guard down even for a second just because he showed that expression, but it wasn’t only that expression that was making me do something so crazy.“What is it that I keep feeling?” I whisper, touching my lips as if that thrum of delicious energy would come from my own touch. “Is it a desperateness for some sort of human connection?”I didn’t know, and hon

[Rosalie’s POV]I don’t move as the woman throws herself against Diego, wrapping her arms tightly around him. With a sigh of contentment, she squeezes him before peeking around his large body and eyeing me.“Oh,” she gasps, as if remembering once again that I was there. “How rude of me!”Releasing Diego, she moves forward and holds out a hand.“I’m Chanel; it’s nice to meet you, uh...”“Rosalie,” I say slowly, eyeing her.Now that I was getting a better look at her and she wasn’t bent over Diego’s desk with her face contorted with passion, she truly was a beautiful woman. With her long, raven black hair and glowing golden eyes, she was quite a looker. Add in her lean frame and height, and she truly was a knockout.“It’s nice to meet you, Rosalie!” She beams, shaking my hand vigorously.“Chanel,” Diego warns as she releases me and takes a seat beside me. “What do you think you’re doing?”“I already told you,” she responds, leaning against me while grabbing my chin so she can get a good