21.

The ride back to the penthouse was very uncomfortable to Rosaline; no one spoke and the tension was thick. Caiden opted for the same but by looking out the window lost in his thoughts, when he came into the car she expected him to pull her into his arms and whisper sweet loving words to her but he didn't, he didn't even hold her hand nor sent a smile her way.

Deciding to stop being a helpless insecure girl she reached out for his hand and held it in hers hoping this would start by him actually looking at her again he simply squeezed her hands and pulled away. Her heart clenched by the simple gesture, though it was simple, it caused enough damage to her already little path of love for him. She felt somewhat guilty for his distance towards her, taking a deep breath she copied his position and looked out the window.

Caiden subtly glanced across to his mate with the hunter's words tearing at his heart. He knew he shouldn't let it get to him but it did. Rosaline was his mate, the girl he loved till his last breath she was his but why were those words doubting that.

'Sir why didn't the hunter use the princess as bait to get to us? Isn't that always their plan?' Nicky asked utterly confused. It confused him also, the man who was so bent on killing him and his men the day before seem to be enjoying his mate's company? He didn't even react to his presence as a threat, he didn't go to his instincts in attacking a wolf. What was his motive?

'Keep an eye on him. He seems to have a somewhat attachment to Rosaline. I saw it in his eyes and his words,' Caiden said to his men looking at her. Something was up and he didn't like it, it riled up his wolf and himself, Rion was itching to be released from pent up anger and frustration but he also wanted them to stay close to their mate.

Arriving at the penthouse, Caiden quickly ushered Rosaline to the elevators, he spoke not a word to her only to his callers. She decided to stay quiet and let him be whatever it is that was troubling him he would soon share with her. Or so she hoped. By the time they reached his apartment, she was feeling more rejected after he coldly opened the door rushing in to disappear in his office. Standing in the middle of the spacious apartment loneliness was her only companion. She tried to think of reasons why he would be like this towards her, maybe not informing him about her whereabouts was wrong but his approach to it was a bit childish. "Guess I have to be the adult here" she muttered to herself going to the room she woke up in earlier.

Entering the room, expecting to be greeted by the common décor of a guest room, she was bowled over by the major changes. The color made its home there from the purple and cream comforter with matching bed-sheets and curtains to the new lilac carpeting. The door to the walk-in closet was open to reveal new clothes in various styles and for different seasons. What shocked her, even more, it were styles she would normally wear, shoes and jewelry were another shockers. In the center resting on a small chaise lounge chair was her duffle bag from the shelter. It looked so out of place with the richness of the closet, confused as to why her bag was here she went back to the bed to realizing there was a package on it with a note. 'My one last forward move to keep you safe. – Caiden' the note read. Intrigued as to what was in the package she quickly opened it to reveal a new Apple Ipad Air with four different cases also a pink Beats audio headset and the Beats Audio pill. Reverently touching them a tear escaped her eyes it brought back a silly memory when Stephen bought her gifts but this time she knew Caiden doing all of this was to make her feel comfortable. Recollecting her duffle bag in the closet she was brought back to reality hard, why would he make such a bold move without informing her?

How can he invade her privacy by going to her only safe haven and uprooting her life? The fact that she was his mate was fine but moving in with him. Anger surfaced combining with the hurt of his distance fueled her as she stormed to his office. Without knocking she opened the door with a force causing it to slam on the wall, Caiden was standing by the window trying to calm down before he approached her but it seems as she beat him to it.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" she yelled.

Caiden flinched by her anger much more her words. "Excuse me?" he asked truly confused.

"How dare you go to my home and move all my stuff here. Here to your place; a place where I didn't ask to stay. You can't do that without telling me Caiden." She argued stepping closer to him.

"I can do that because you are my mate, Rosaline. No mate of mine should be living miles away from where I can't protect her. Much less living on that side of town. Do you know how easy anyone can get at you even if my men are on a 24/7 watch." He said calmly while going behind his desk. Rosaline stood dumbstruck taking in his words, "Do you know how arrogant and stuck up you sound"

Caiden snorted at her question clearly not in the mood to fight with her on such a mundane thing. He moved her things and had Kiera buy her new things to have her comfortable as he wanted her next to him. He was going to tell her at lunch but that didn't come now didn't it. Also arguing now would only anger him more.

"Are you even listening to me? What you did requires permission. Not because you're my so-called mate it gives you the right to make any decisions for me"

"It does. I'm your mate. Your Alpha, what I say goes. If you made the right decision earlier you wouldn't be in that fucking rogue park unprotected and being all chummy with a god damn hunter. A stranger no less how can you be careless. Do you know how worried we were when we couldn't find you? Why do you think you have a fucking cellphone? It's to tell me where you are at all times and who you are with. What you did was stupid Rosaline?" Caiden was no longer in control. Rion took over his human body, his anger being fueled by her own anger and the fact of the hunter being so bold.

His eyes were dark as his claws and fangs threatened to make an appearance his anger was high all the pent up fury from the hunter attack on them and the packs now this it all came rushing out, the force of it all broke the glass frames around the room.

Rosaline screamed in fear covering her face from the broken glass flying about the room, what put fear in her heart the most was the anger in his eyes. Anger towards her, it was a side she never knew he would ever show her, gone was the loving Caiden now, before her, was the possessive angry wolf he warned her about. Tears flowed down her cheeks once again as she took one last look at him."Rosaline... baby" he breathed out before she ran out of his office.

She ran towards the door but was cut off by a black wolf that sped past her and placed himself in front of the door blocking her exit.

"Caiden please let me go. I can't do this," She cried begging him to move. His possessive side was too much for her it was too similar to Stephen. He was just as angry when she defied him. She couldn't go through that again. Not with Caiden.

"I can't be yours. Not like this. I can't go through this again" she cried falling to floor lost in memories of Stephen.

Caiden stood conflicted not knowing what to do; her tears and fear brought him out of his anger, he didn't mean for it to go this far. He shouldn't have let it come this far, his mate wanted to leave, couldn't blame her his anger nearly hurt her. Not finding her earlier then her being such close proximity with the hunter who called the attack on his men and the packs were gnawing at him, the hunter was right he was to keep her in sight at all times no matter what. Caiden promised to protect and never hurt her but it seems like he can never do that. Back in the office he let his wolf and his anger got out of control, it was getting worse. Little things like that shouldn't anger him so much. What is going on?

'Rosaline' he called out softly to her mind.

"Stop that" she screamed at him, he flinched visibly. His heart broke a thousand pieces as the hurt and pain were heard in her voice, the tears didn't make it hurt any less. Shifting back into human form he attempted to get closer to her but she stepped away from his touch. That simple movement came as a sharp pain to his chest. "Rosaline. I'm sorry. Baby, I didn't mean to ... I was scared you were hurt. I- I – Rosaline please don't leave. I can do better. I promise never to get angry like that ever again. Baby, I'm sorry. Just don't go," Caiden said trying to get closer to her again and she repeated her same action.

"No. No. I thought I can handle the possessive dominant side you told me about but it only brought back bad memories. I can't do this. Please forgive me. I'm sorry for leading you on," Rosaline cried trying hard not to look at him, not to run into his arms. Her heart was in pain, her mind was in turmoil not knowing what to do. She wanted to be with him but the side she saw back in the office put her back too much in the dark.

Caiden said nothing, his wolf was in pain whimpering in heartache but he was able to steel himself not wanting to breakdown in front of her. Nothing he could say can make her stay, she made a move to return to the room he fixed for her but he rushed to her side to stop her.

"Tell me what's wrong maybe we can talk things out. Tell me what happened so I won't make that mistake again. Baby, please. Please, Rosaline."

"It's just... No, I can't. Just let me go!" She couldn't tell him what really happened those years ago even Angelo didn't know all, she confided in him that her last boyfriend she loved hurt her badly. She couldn't tell Caiden she was raped after she was given up like an offering by her boyfriend, he won't want her after he finds out it's better she just cut it now.

"No. You don't leave. I will," he said with a shaky voice, Rosaline felt how bad his hand was trembling as he held her wrists.

"You don't have to that. It's your place I can always go back to the shelter" She held her head up high begging the tears to stop but they wouldn't. He looked down at her, his body begging to hold her in his arms and keep her there. "What can I do to make you stay? Tell me and I would do it. Anything." He said desperately while cupping her face in hands.

His eyes spoke everything hurt, love, and regret she wished that all the bad she endured could just disappear so she can face this man with all the love she knew she can give to him. "Nothing" she whispered. He took a deep breath trying to keep calm, in a rush he went and donned shorts and hoodie to come back out to her.

"Stay here the night. Please. I just want you to be safe." He said in a firm tone. Caiden was fighting his wolf if he looked at her once more he would surely break down.

"I wish I can help you, Rosaline. I will do anything for you. I would never hurt you like whoever in the past did. I'm sorry. I love you, my princess." He kissed her head one last time taking in her scent before he left hoping the time away from him would make her think over her decision.



Being in the solitude of the elevator wasn't helping to calm him down, he needed a run, he wanted to kill.

Kill.

The thirst for blood was strong he wanted to release it all. All the anger, frustration, and now the inevitable loss of his mate. His men were calling out to him as they felt how tormented he was over their bond, it was worse than before.

'Watch over the princess.' was all he said to them as he jogged to the nearest park that leads to the forest. It was near sundown and the place was getting deserted but that didn't mean anything to him all that matters was he need to let out Rion.

'Don't do this, Caiden.' His best friend shouted at him through their link.

'Rion needs to be let out. We nearly hurt her. Please look after her. I need to get rid of this anger and darkness, it's becoming too much' he said in a weak voice before shutting them all out. Caiden stood in the middle of the heavily forested area looking up at the darkening sky. His body felt different, heavy, conflicted, he replayed what happen between himself and Rosaline and the pain took over him again. The fear in her eyes was one memory that stuck in his mind. He sat on the rough ground and let the tears flow freely.

"I'm a failure, Mother. What is wrong with me? I lost my mate all because of these stupid gifts I can't control. My wolf and I can no longer control them. It's like someone is forcing us to do this all we want to do is kill." He said out loud. Rion was fighting to be released in which Caiden easily gave into. No longer was Caiden in control but Rion was.

In his wolf form he angrily growled in frustration marking the trees, he ran deeper into the forest until he reached a stream, howling into the night he released his anger and his heartache. Rion howled loudly to the skies, every wolf that was within earshot heard him they knew who it was, the ones closest to him scurried away in fear of what he would do. His howls were of loss which would build back up to anger. An angry wolf can wreak havoc on any unsuspecting person. Human. Wolf. Vampire. No one would be spared his wrath.

'This is not us, Rion' Caiden pleaded with his wolf.

'Nothing is wrong with us. Don't you feel it? Don't you feel how much stronger we are? Our gifts are multiplying. With this much power, we can get rid of the hunters for good. No more threats to our people. Most of all, our mate will be safe. This is a good thing.' Rion said to his human, his voice was deeper and was somewhat darker. Caiden thought about it for a few minutes then gave in his only focus on Rosaline.

'To protect her' he said.

The breaking of a twig caught their attention the scent that made it's way to their nose had them growling in pleasure.

'Starting with rogues' Rion said before leaping towards the direction of the rogue.



**********

"Who would have thought a simple human girl can break a wolf that strong," Corvineus said looking on from a distance as the young prince took on three rogues. Patiently for centuries, he waited to find a wolf who was deemed fit to be his heir to the dark kingdom, what he searched for was a selfless wolf who will do whatever it takes for another. The wolf prince was perfect. His purity was rare and was easily corrupted by every kill he made now his broken heart and love for Rosaline was the icing on top everything.

With the help of his wolf, Caiden will be soon taken over with the dark lord's curse. It was easy to get his dark gifts into the prince after all he has the life of the Moon Goddess in him. Corvineus' twin sister. "What a surprise it would be for my sister to see her own son be the downfall of her perfect world," the dark lord said turning away from the now three dead wolves.



Caiden stood above the rogues, blood matted his fur, his snout was dripping with the fresh blood from his kill as the darkness slowly took over his gifts. He felt invincible. Once it reaches his heart and mind no one would be able to stop the then Dark Prince.