15.

**Rosaline**

The next morning I woke with the biggest smile on my face, so many reasons why but I knew it was because of one person. Caiden Saville. I saw how hard he was trying to take things slow and respected my boundaries which I was forevermore grateful. This powerful prince as his family noted to me was taking his time to know me. Being patient with me. I was truly impressed by him last night, he makes me feel so brave.

Turning to my side as I usually do to call out to Eva I was taken aback to see her empty bed. When I came to bed last night I texted and called her to find out her whereabouts but no luck as I waited then finally fell asleep. I heard an incoming message on my phone thinking it was Eva, I quickly rush to read it but was a little disappointed to know it was Caiden. 'Good morning my sweet, I would like to know if you're up for a lunch date with me today' he texted. A silly grin took over my face as I quickly replied, 'Yes, I would love to.'

Instead of replying by text, I got a call from him directly. "A simple text would of do" I answered with laughter in my voice.

"Then it defeats the purpose of hearing your voice before I go to work doesn't it?" he said huskily over the phone. A blush took over my face hiding my enflamed cheeks as if he was here with me.

"I guess it does. Where are we going for lunch?"

"At my office? I got a lot of work to catch up on do you mind coming over?"

"It's fine. I understand"

"Has Eva explained why she left so suddenly last night?"

"If she was here I would know the answer to that question. I'm worried Caiden. She hasn't been back home" Chewing on my nail, I looked at her empty bed wondering where she can be, I prayed that she's okay and not lying in a ditch somewhere.

"Baby, we'll find her. There would be a car outside waiting to transport you to work. Do you remember Seth?"

"Yeah, your guards?"

"Good. He shall be accompanying you to work while Stephen would escort you to my office"

He was all business now, I can hear how dominant he became and protective as I mentioned Eva's absence.

"Caiden. The bus stop is just around the corner same for your office. This is too much"

"Rosaline let me do this, please. I know these are normal routes for you but that won't stop any type of harm to come towards you. You're my mate. Just that one word. That one position is a threat to our enemies. I'm sorry for dampening your morning my love but I ... I must bring awareness to you."

He said all of this with a strained voice like it was hurting him to say it. The mention of his enemies did dampen my mood and caused me to think how cautious I would have to be in being his mate.

"Okay but just this once. Until we find Eva alright?"

"Thank you baby. I should let you go get ready for work. See you soon beautiful."

We both didn't want to end the call, those few minutes were comforting even with a mindless conversation.

"Bye" I whispered.

"Bye" he replied softly. After a few moments of not hearing the dial tone, I giggled. "I don't want to hang up. You know what. Keep this call going till you arrive at work." He said frustrated.

"Denny. That's silly. We are acting like kids" I laughed out.

I heard him take a deep breath. "What did you just call me?" he asked somewhat stunned.

"Um Denny" I realized I called him by a pet name, it came out so freely yet sounded like a lover's endearment. A name only I can call him.

"I like it. No one ever called me that only Cay. "

"Oh." I stupidly muttered while getting ready for work. "I'm going to put the phone down now. Gonna take a shower"

"You're torturing me, my princess" he groaned.

"You perv," I laughed out resting the phone on the counter.

"Your sexy perv, " he scoffed

"Let's take that ego down a bit there stud."

His laughter rang out in the enclosed area of the bathroom it would be wrong if I didn't laugh also.

"Who says that anymore. You my dear angel need to update your vocabulary" The teasing tone in his voice left me all giddy inside.

We kept up a lively conversation through my shower and getting dressed. He told me about werewolves and vampires also being the heir to the throne. Caiden wasn't too keen on being the next ruler but he said it's his birthright and want to make his family proud. I told him about growing up in foster homes but kept my personal experiences hushed.

Making my way out, Sister Raphael raised an eyebrow at me as she caught me blushing over the phone 'Talking to lover boy' she mouthed to me before letting out a wild laugh, I rolled my eyes and hurried out the doors. I found Seth leaning against the blacked out jeep looking totally bored, "Hi," I chirped.

He quickly stood up and opened the door for me, "Morning, Princess Rosaline" he said slightly bowing.

"What now? No please. Rosaline. Just Rosaline" I quickly corrected him.

"Baby. Don't correct him. You're my mate that automatically makes you their princess. Their leader" Caiden said sternly in my ear.

"Caiden," I said in the same tone as his. He released a sigh and said, "Only until we fully mate they can call you Rosaline"

Seth stopped his movements for a moment then a smile came across his face, "Sorry.. pri... I mean Rosaline" he said.

"Thank you" I said to Caiden.

"Anything to make you happy" he simply said, a female voice in the background called out to him in a business-like tone. "Crap it all, I gotta go baby. I forgot about my meetings for this morning. Be safe and I would see that beautiful face of yours in a few hours. Bye"

"Bye Denny" I teased. A low growl reached my ears and I knew it was him being playful.

"You're killing me, my princess" he rushed out before hanging up. I released a sigh and looked out the window and thought how can one guy make me feel so special in a matter of days.

Work was a bit nerve-racking for me because Eva hasn't shown up and I was really worried. She still refused to answer my calls in which I know thanks to my phone that she has been rejecting them. What can it possibly be to have her disappear like this?

"Penny for your thoughts," a masculine voice said to me. Looking up I saw it was a tall dark-haired man with deep brown eyes smiling down at me. "Oh, I'm sorry. What can I help you with?" I asked blushing a bit, embarrassed that I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. He offered me a warm smile and turned his head slightly."How about a cup of coffee and a scone please?" he ordered. "Sure" I replied getting his order. Returning with his order I spotted Stephan coming through the door, he sent a smile my way and tapped his watch. Lunch? Already?

"Give me a sec okay?" I called out to him. "No rush needed, I'll be waiting for you over by the sofa" he returned walking over and grabbing a paper.

"Am I keeping you back from your boyfriend? " the man said looking intrigued.

"Not .... Umm No... It's just my lunch hour starts in a few," I answered while leaving him with his order to go find my boss. What is Caiden to me? Since the whole soul mate thing is more taken seriously by his kind what do I tell my people what we are. We only found comfort between each other a few days now. Though my feelings for him are spiraling fast I somewhat like the idea of being his.

***********************************


**Caiden**

I was sitting in my meeting room with one of Seattle's Alpha. Alpha Janovich. My father and he were somewhat always butting heads and now I see why. He was arrogant and very belittling. Alpha Janovich always saw his pack as the most dominant one on the east coast and wanted us to bring him under the royal seal. My father and Grandfather did admit that a pack full of purebred wolves was rare but their way of thinking is destructive not only to themselves but to anyone that is tied to them. Dad kept him under our territory as great reinforcements and nothing more.

"I have heard you are still mate-less? How is that so? If I may so boldly ask your highness" he asked of me as I was picking up notes of our now ended meeting.

Seems like his daughter haven't informed him. I studied Katie's father as he also studied my movements and my expressions. Dad has taught us a great deal in sensing our enemies or any threat to ourselves and our kingdom and I won't strike out this Alpha. Something about him was off. He was truly interested in my answer but for a reason, I refuse to admit.

"My personal life is none of your concern Alpha Dennis. That's my parents' job and no one else's" I said in a monotone voice.

"You're right but it was just a question from a concerned heart. We are near your 25th birthday and you are to take the crown soon. Maybe you should think of a second mate... My daughter is also mateless you two..." he started to say.

"With all due respect, my mate is not dead nor is she non-existent to my destiny so, therefore, the thoughts of a second mate are completely out of the question. And as I said before. MY personal life doesn't concern you. Do not take my lack of dominance as a weakness Alpha Dennis. Now. Please leave I have an important appointment soon" I said allowing a bit of my dominant side to be heard in my voice.

Fear shown in his eyes as he stiffly bowed to me, "Oh, and give your daughter Katie my best after she helped me the other day in the coffee shop" I said to him as he turned to leave.

He became tense at the mention of his daughter, it seemed she did mention something. "Yes, your majesty" he grounded out and left.

The identity of my mate would have to stay hidden since she isn't near me, maybe I should stay in the city to be closer to her. The thought of someone hurting her because she is human didn't settle well with my wolf and I. If my vision is true, I have to convince her to stay in one of my homes, I can't lose her nor my family. She may distance herself after what I'm about to do but it must be done.

'Sir. We have Miss Hart.' Nicky linked to me.

I released a frustrated sigh yet was relieved at the same time. 'Take her home. He's waiting for her' I replied going into my main office. I was pleased to see that Kiera was able to set up a table for two with our lunch. Nothing too extravagant just simple Italian and white wine. Simple is what she needs as my brother said. Standing by the large window overseeing the bay area , I tapped into the link of my people. Its been a while since I've done it but we as royals do it from time to time to reach out to the less fortunate wolves. The wolves who have been wronged by their alphas or who have turned rogue due to their own personal situations, they are the reason why we do this. I was talking to a young male wolf who was exiled because of wrongfully mating a she-wolf in his pack when Stephan cut through our conversation. 'The princess is on her way up, your majesty' he abruptly said.

'Thank you' I quickly said to him and then ended my conversation with the young man. I rushed out to the elevator entrance surprising Kiera, she quirked her eyebrow at me as in to question what is wrong. I scowled at her in return just as the elevator doors opened.

"Rosaline," I breathed out as I took in her appearance. Her hair was loose with wild curls around her face. She was dressed in a faded ripped jeans with a graphic tee and a converse. Rings adorned her fingers and one simple long beaded chain around her neck. Simple yet gorgeous.

"Hi," she returned giving me a bright smile that had my heart racing. 'So beautiful,' my wolf said in awe. It was great knowing my wolf was accepting of her. Taking her hand and leading her to Kiera's desk I couldn't help but smile at the shocks I felt just by her touch, I can tell she felt it too by the sharp intake of breath she took, her hand tighten around mine as I looked down into her mesmerizing brown eyes.

"Keira. This is Rosaline Montoya my girlfriend. Sweetheart this is Keira, my personal assistant"

"Hi. Welcome to Ellis-Saville Inc." Keira greeted Rosaline in the friendliest way like they were old friends.

"He's your boss? What a small world. " Rosaline said laughing. I couldn't help but listen to her laugh and the way how animated she was when she talked to Keira.

"Okay, you two. Hungry boss here and I'm sure hungry girlfriend also?" I asked smirking at my mate. The blush that took over her face was priceless. Leading her into my office was somewhat amusing.

"This is your office. What the hell Caiden it's like the size of a house," she exclaimed rushing over to the window. "This view is so amazing"

In the rays of the midday sun she looked so radiant, the sun made her eyes sparkle like a thousand gold pieces, "Yeah amazing view," I said out loud like a lovesick puppy.

She turned and shyly looked at me. "I'm your girlfriend huh," she said walking slowly to me.

"Do you want me to say that you're my princess, the love of my life" I breathed out as I realized how close she was to me. I can smell the shampoo she used in her hair and the lotion on her skin – lavender.

Her eyes widen at my words, brushing my fingers against her cheek I leaned closer to her. " I can say all that and more," I whispered against her ear.

"Girlfriend is more suitable," she breathed out as my hands found their place on her waist.

"I've been wanting to do this from the first day I've found you" I watched as she unconsciously licked her lips.

"And that is?"

I pulled her closer to me waiting for her to push me away but she didn't. She didn't shy away in fear nor rejection, my mate wanted me. Rosaline was accepting me.

"This."

Slowly I lowered my lips to hers, lightly brushing against her soft pink lips then finally claimed them as mine. The kiss was gentle, my hands found her hair as she tensed a bit then gave in to it by slowly returning the kiss. I fought hard to calm my wolf as the kiss deepened. Her arms were around my neck pulling me closer to her. I was in heaven. I loved the way how her lips felt against mine so perfectly. She released a soft moan that had me holding onto her tighter if she only knew what that just did to me. Gently biting her lip I ended the kiss and placed my forehead against hers. A soft whimper escaped her lips as she ran her fingers through my hair. "Too forward?" I asked.

"Never" she rushed out and crashed her lips against mine.

Mine.