9.

**Eva**

What to do? How to do this?

This protector job for a human should have come with an instruction manual. Rosaline is one stubborn girl. Though she may look weak and vulnerable, that's far from the truth and her hardheaded stubborn one-way mind may lose her the love of her life.

I do get the reason why she rejected the prince but she hasn't given him a chance to show her how different he was from the other guys who want her attention.

Her past and present were the reasons that were hindering her to actually open up and I believe Caiden would be that one person to help her with that.

Not because he is her mate but anyone can see what a strong caring prince he is. He's dedicated to his people and has never let us down. Caiden has kept us safe from the hunters since he took over our district not that his father wasn't doing a good job before but he continued his father's great leadership with ease.

At this stage of getting the two together, I have to step up in my role as protector.

I hid the two phones I received from Beta Micah in my knapsack as we made our way to the bus-stop, Rosa has been ignoring me all day, she knows I want to talk about what happened between her and Caiden but I would let that go for tonight.

I followed her lead in being silent throughout the entire bus ride, we sat in a middle row as I suggested when I sensed another wolf on the bus.

This one wasn't dangerous he posed no threat just pure comfort and calmness. He was in the third row after behind us in a simple white t-shirt and jeans with headphones on, he sensed our arrival and simply nodded in acknowledgment then glanced ahead of us where another was slouched at the front.

Sentinels.

They really knew how to blend in.

Rosaline paid no attention to her surroundings. She was blankly staring out the window. I guess we have more to teach her. The first sentinel came off a block before us while the other stayed on as we reached our stop.

"Hey, how bout we do it like old times? Stay up late and tell stories" I asked her with a bit of enthusiasm in my voice.

"Sure. Whatever." She said shrugging.

I released a sigh and followed her into our makeshift home. My nerves were at an all-time high and her mood was affecting it.

Dinner was good as usual. We helped with the little ones then escaped to our room just for us. It was a good size enough to hold two beds and a drawer for our clothes. Two end tables and a recliner in the corner.

Rosaline still hasn't said a word to me. It was getting my wolf and I annoyed.

Settling in on my bed she gave me the okay to go on with my story.

I looked at my princess, the girl I have been protecting for nearly five years without her knowledge of how much danger she is in for being mates with the prince. She must know tonight of who I am and the world she would soon rule.

**
"Long ago back in the 1300s, there was a man by the name of Castio St. Leon, a poor man with the heart of gold. He lived with his wife and their son near the edge of the forbidden forest. It was said the forest was cursed by the Dark God Corvineus, and any mortal man who steps foot in it shall be cursed by him forever.

"No one knew what kind of curse it would be but the fear of being cursed by the Dark God who ruled over every dark thing on earth kept them away. One summer's night while the doctor was visiting St. Leon's wife and son at their home, Castio received the worse news that night. His family was gravely ill and would die soon. The illness that took over them was unknown to any physician then.

"Castio was distraught seeing his world crumbling before his eyes. He then remembered stories he had heard of the Dark God. Stories of how he had gifts to give life and also take it. Only caring for his family Castio went into the forest searching for the Dark God.

"He walked for hours in the vast forest calling out to Corvineus but no answer. Castio fell to his knees begging and pleading for help in which he would give anything to the Dark God.

"Corvineus sat and listened to the mortal and felt pity for the fragile human who risked his life for his family. He took the form of a wolf and approached Castio. Thinking it was a feral wolf Castio began to run for his life but Corvineus called out to him for him to stop.

"St Leon stopped then bowed to the wolf, ‘What is your greatest wish?’ Corvineus asked.

" ‘To save my wife and child’ he replied. The Dark God told Castio he was a brave man and asked what does he get in return.

"Castio offered the only riches he had for he was a poor man – his life. This is what Corvineus wanted a willing human to transfer his essence into. The Dark God agreed to save St.Leon's family in return for his life.

"Castio was happy that his family would live he didn't care what would happen to himself once his family was alive. The only words Corvineus said to him was ‘Come to me on the first full moon then you shall pay your debt.’

"Castio agreed and quickly returned to his family who was already shaking off their illness. Days passed by also the first full moon and Castio didn't return to Corvineus.

"The Dark God was not pleased one bit he found Castio and cursed him and his future heirs to be slaves of the dark world. They would be turned into wolves at the rise of the next moon, stripping them of their humanity. Bloodthirsty savages for the rest of their lives for breaking a promise made to him.

"The next night Castio and his son Darius were turned into the beasts Corvineus said they would be. They knew nothing of wrong and right, the savage thinking took overall they knew was to kill. Castio killed his wife ripping her to pieces they then took their thirst to the village killing anyone in their way.

"The Moon Goddess or Light Goddess saw what her brother had done to Castio and his son. The destruction of humanity was evident, a goal her brother wished to accomplish. Knowing of his good heart, the Moon Goddess approached him in a dream where his conscious was still human.

"She told him he can have his humanity back but only if he gives himself over to the light. The wolf would still be a part of him as a reminder of bending to the darkness. Castio agreed to follow the goddess but his son refused to give up the power and dominance.

"Darius carried out the Dark God's task, his father saw this and knew he had to be stopped. The Moon Goddess blessed him with the power to turn any human into a wolf for one purpose only to kill Darius.

"Castio chose carefully and created an army to take down his own son but few became corrupted with the dominance and power of the wolf. The corrupted joined Darius to dominate the human species, this began a war between light and dark. Good and evil. Father and son.

"Still having the love of a father for his son, Castio fought between his wolf and human side whether to kill him or not. His wolf's side won and Castio killed his only son by piercing his heart with a silver dagger and burning his body.

"Castio's wolf saw the wrong of their ways and knew what had to be done. Both wolf and human learned from their ways, the Moon Goddess was pleased with this and vowed to watch over this new breed as her own. Over the years, the wolf kind grew in numbers as a result of the gift she bestowed on them – soulmates."

**

I looked at Rosa for any kind of reaction to what I just told her about my background. She blankly stared at me in disbelief but nothing was said.

"The soul mates part is another story," I said shrugging my shoulders.

Silence again.

"So that story you just told me is true?" she asked calmly. I nodded hoping that she would somewhat be open-minded to this.

Most humans prefer to stay in the dark, they believe the supernaturals who lives among them are just folktales and myths. The evidence can be given to them on a gold platter and they still refuse to believe.

" Oh puh-lease Eva. That's the worst made-up story I have ever heard." She rolled on the bed in laughter while I sat looking on not at all please and quite not surprised.

"Let's just go to bed. Alright."

In hindsight, I expected this.

It was one of the reasons why I refused to share my true identity. It annoyed and hurt me by her current action. It had me thinking of her reaction when I do have to reveal myself to her. Will I lose a friend?

"You actually believe in that stuff. Believe that there are werewolves and vampires among us every day?" she scoffed.

"There were witches but they were killed off for being evil and manipulative by the werewolf king. I think they may be a few still alive but pure ones."

Laughter was heard again, I sighed heavily and turned off the light, "Goodnight Rosaline"

I had my phone below my pillow and kept Rosa's in my knapsack. Giving her it now and telling her who it's from, it would be a long night ahead for me.

It wasn't a good two hours before the buzzing of the phone awoke me from my much-needed sleep. I was more irritable than ever. Making sure Rosa was asleep, I checked the phone. It was a message from Beta Micah sending a rendezvous point.

"What great timing," I muttered slipping on my sweats and an oversized hoodie.

Sneaking out was tricky, trying not to wake Rosa and the others in the building. The meeting point was not far, it was three streets away at a local bar which was pretty low-key. As I stepped in Micah greeted me instantly, "I hope I didn't wake you gorgeous" he said with a slow smile.

"Ummm sort of" I mumbled. He makes me feel wanted by just a few words, I have never felt like this to anyone not even by my family. Micah was very charismatic and being around him earlier, I felt safe around him.

He led me to the pool tables at the back where six men were talking and teasing each other. As we approached, they stopped and looked at me. Their stares were a bit uncomfortable but not intrusive.

"Men. This is Eva. Our princess's protector." Micah said introducing me to the men.

"You're a first, aren't you?" one said stepping forward. I remembered him from earlier as the backseat passenger on the bus.

"So I've been told by the moon goddess. It's hard being one to a human" I answered truthfully.

They all nodded understanding my plight of keeping my wolf at bay and also keeping the dangers away from our charge without them knowing.

"I'm Nicky. A pleasure to meet you. Though I wish we met in different circumstances." He said smirking at me. Micah growled lowly behind me which had the men stepping back. What in the world? Did he just put dibs on me?

I spun around and looked at him.

"What?!" he said innocently. That smile he now had on his lips was so adorable.

The other men introduced themselves. There was Steven. Ryan. Marc. Jessie. Stephan. They all were welcoming and told me of their protective detail and the three emergency escape routes if needed.
"Any progress with her?" Jessie asked.

"I told her about St.Leon and Corvineus" I simply said.

"And?" Nicky asked.

"She thinks it’s all a joke. Our history. Our allies. Who we are?" I said softly.

"Maybe you weren't convincing enough" Stephan suggested.

"Don't tell me what I haven't been trying to do for the past few years gradually" I spat at him.

My wolf was at bay we have been on edge for a few days and have been able to stay away from high tension situation since then. Stephan telling me that I didn't do a good job was simple but totally annoying.

"Shhh, calm down Red" I heard Micah said. His warm breath fanned my neck and gradually I calmed down, I felt his arm around my waist pulling me closer to him.

"When was the last time you ran that fiery wolf of yours," he said in my ear. Why does he affect me this way?

"Three weeks." I breathed out.

"No wonder we have a temper," he continued while kissing me below my ear.

I heard my wolf growled in perfect contentment.

'How can he calm us like this?' I asked my wolf.

*'I truly don't know. His wolf seems connected to us in some way. I cannot sense why,'* my wolf answered.

I pulled away looking at him in confusion he simply smiled and stroked my cheek with his thumb.

"I don't know why but I need you in my life," he said to me.

We were in our own bubble. This wolf was important to me in some way. He surely can't be my mate. I'm a protector, protectors are not blessed with mates.

Someone coughed and brought us out of our trance. "How about you go for a run at our compound. You can spend two days there where you can train a bit" Nicky said.

"I can't leave her just yet," I protested.

"We are here now. You know what happens when your wolf has been kept in too long don't you?" Jessie asked. He seems to understand how I felt about leaving.

I nodded shuddering at the thought of attacking without remorse and being executed.

"Then it's settled. We are giving you the rest of the week with Rosa then the weekend you come home with me" Micah said tucking my hair behind my ear.

I couldn't voice out my thanks.

Oh, goddess what game are you playing now?