~ Roselle ~

It’s been three weeks since I’ve come to this pack, Blackshadow. Two weeks ago, Dr. Elias said I’ve improved. I’ve already been assigned a therapist, a speech therapist... and no one told me it’s a moment where you bare down all your thoughts and let go of every worry forming in your head.

Not like I would want to.

The thought of someone knowing I’m a murderer, or some sort of cursed child who killed her mother during birth and set her father ablaze makes shivers creep down my spine.

I’ve been on a healthy diet, with Celeste ensuring my meals arrive on time and Ronan checking in from time to time. He’s always there for me, ready to feed me, listen attentively to everything I say, or read a book to me.

He’s sweet, and I’ve been the biggest fool for thinking he was doing all of that as some sort of facade.

Even though he told me I’m too innocent for him, and that he’s scared I’m too perfect for him, I want to know what his darkness is... what he’s hiding... what makes him think he’s somehow less than the man I see every day.

When he had asked me to come up with a punishment for Mara, I couldn’t do it... I just had to let it pass, and even then, he didn’t let it go.

Instead, he stripped her of her rank, which I think is worse, and I still can’t believe he did that for me.

Warren never stood up for me when I got bullied by Nova. Instead, he blamed me for it, somehow making it my fault every single time.

The door opens, and Celeste steps inside with two other women accompanying her.

"My Lady," Celeste says with a warm smile, "I hope you’re ready for the Blood Moon Ceremony. These ladies are here to help you prepare. Alpha Ronan personally asked that they attend to you."

I glance at the two women. Their smiles brighten the moment our eyes meet, and they both dip into respectful bows.

"It’s an honor to assist you, My Lady," one of them says.

"We’ll make sure you look absolutely stunning tonight," the other adds with a grin.

I’m nervous. I haven’t been to a proper ball since I was a child and was asked to play princess. I don’t know what it’s going to be like, and I’m worried.

As if reading my mind, Celeste smiles.

"You don’t have to worry about how it’s going to be," she says reassuringly. "You just have to show up and be yourself. That’s all. It’s going to be filled with a lot of people, and I have a feeling you’ll like it."

Gosh, Celeste has become more than just a caretaker. She’s been a source of moral support, a friend, and one of the few people who always seems to know exactly what to say when my thoughts start spiraling.

I smile and then sign a thank you to her as I head to the vanity table for the ladies to do my makeover.

A few minutes later, staring at the woman in the mirror, it’s almost impossible to recognize that I’m Roselle. I’m this beautiful...

I don’t know what sort of magic they pulled, but I look elegant, poised, and graceful. The woman staring back at me looks like she belongs in a fairy tale, not the broken, frightened girl who arrived at Blackshadow weeks ago. I’m wearing a beautiful silver gown adorned with lace and tiny sparkling details. Around my neck rested a pearl and crystal necklace that looked like it belonged to a princess. My hair was swept into a soft, curly bun, with a sparkling tiara perched delicately on top. Long silver earrings with pearls dangled from my ears, completing the elegant look.

For a moment, I could only stare at my reflection, hardly believing the woman looking back at me was really me.

The ladies complimented my appearance before finally giving a respectful bow and taking their leave, leaving only Celeste and me in the room.

"You look stunning, My Lady. I doubt the Alpha will be able to take his eyes off you."

My face burns a deep crimson at her words. Would he really do that? I can’t help but wonder.

Celeste lets out a soft laugh at my reaction.

"The Alpha has changed so much because of you. I don’t know what you’ve done to him, but even I can see it." She shakes her head in amusement. "Honestly, I never would have believed it if someone told me he’d visit a woman’s room every single day."

She moves behind me, adjusting a loose strand of hair.

"And, you know... he’s never been like that with the others."

I blink. Really?

We’re suddenly interrupted by a knock on my door. My eyes widen, and Celeste and I exchange a look.

"That must be him," she says with a knowing smile.

The door opens, and it’s almost like the breath is knocked straight from my lungs.

Standing before me is Ronan.

He wears a dark royal coat embroidered with intricate gold patterns, decorated with elegant medals and deep red gemstones. A crisp white cravat is tied neatly around his neck, adding a noble touch to the outfit. His black and burgundy attire makes him look less like an Alpha and more like a prince—or perhaps a young king. The gold-trimmed shoulders and detailed buttons speak of wealth, power, and status.

The entire look is refined, regal, and effortlessly commanding. For a moment, I can only stare.

He’s breathtaking. And judging by the way his gaze suddenly fixes on me and doesn’t move, I’m not the only one affected.

Those grey eyes peer deeply into mine, and for a second, I can’t say a thing. I can only stare.

His gaze is mesmerizing. A spark shoots through me, and my entire body feels as though it’s being electrocuted by the intensity of his stare alone.

Hell, how can someone be this handsome? Is it even legal?

Celeste clears her throat, breaking whatever spell had settled between us.

I blink rapidly, heat rushing to my cheeks as I quickly look away, suddenly finding the floor far more interesting than meeting Ronan’s eyes again.

"I need to head out. If you’ll excuse me, Alpha," Celeste says.

Ronan, who has been standing by the doorway the entire time, moves aside immediately.

"Sure."

Celeste gives me a wink that only makes my cheeks heat up even more before slipping out and quietly closing the door behind her.

Silence settles between us.

"You look breathtakingly stunning."

My heart skips a beat.

"You’re so beautiful..." He shakes his head, a soft laugh escaping him. "Oh, crap. I don’t even know if that’s the right word to use anymore."

His grey eyes roam over me, filled with something that makes my stomach flutter.

"I can’t seem to form words again. Your beauty is..." He trails off, visibly struggling. "It’s unreal. Honestly, I think you’ve completely stolen my ability to think."

The blush spreading across my face deepens. "You look handsome too," I sign.

A smile tugs at his lips. "Can I?"

I nod, placing my hands in his. He gently pulls me closer, wrapping an arm around my waist, and electricity zaps through me instantly.

His eyes find mine, but then his expression shifts into a frown.

My stomach drops. What happened? Did something go wrong?

"I have something to tell you..." he says. "Since it’s the Blood Moon Ceremony, every pack we’re allied with will be attending."

He hesitates, and I immediately know I won’t like whatever comes next.

"Warren is going to be there."

My breath catches. Ronan’s jaw tightens.

"I didn’t check the guest list in time to stop him, and that’s my fault. If you don’t want him there, I can have him removed from the event."

I stare at him for a moment before slowly shaking my head.

"No. It’s fine."

His brows pull together.

"Are you sure?"

I nod. If I were going to spend the rest of my life running from Warren, then he would always have power over me.