17.

After the encounter with the group of hunters, Caiden had been a task to calm down, his men stayed with him in the deserted area of the forest as his wolf released his fury at what the hunters were doing. Caiden's human side was aware of what was happening when he noticed the off feeling and spotted the cameras. The hunters would never be so careless into leaving wolves alive after an attack, they wanted more.

Their attacks have been sequenced only designated to his prime areas, close to him. That was anomaly number two, the question that burned in all their minds why now? Why the prince's territory? Only wolves knew of his prime areas. To Caiden his fears had become a reality after that hunter attack; they had a traitor among them but who. To find that person would be like a needle in a haystack. There were thousands of wolves on the east coast alone and one of them has betrayed them.

They drove in silence back to their home recapping the day's events the sentinels knew how badly it affected their prince when he HAD to end another person's life. He always felt guilty at how easy it was for him to kill, to have his given powers take over in times like those.

Caiden was the first to leave the van, with that he went in search of the one person he can count on to calm his fears. Striding purposely to the left-wing he sought out their indoor training room.

"Again!" The powerful voice rang out as he pushed open the doors. He took in the scene before him as he walked to stand beside his uncle.

"How is she?"

"Needs a lot of work but she knows the basic defense combinations. I have to keep up with her training she's not ready to be a protector 24/7 at this stage. Her wolf is willing but her human side... Something is bothering her," Noah answered glancing at his nephew. He was tense, his body was rigid he kept on clenching and unclenching his fist. This part of protecting his people was what his nephew hated the most. Caiden was pure in every way, his gifts were pure, and using them to take away a life does a number on him. They assessed it as him being solely part of the Moon Goddess he always saw the good in everything and now he has found his mate his gifts would get stronger.

'How bad was it'? he asked Caiden.

'I can now break a man's bones with no effort. My wolf. He... he's overpowering me, uncle.' His nephew weakly said.

Noah knew at that moment he can no longer help reassure his nephew, the kid was insecure of himself and losing to his wolf. Not a good thing to happen.

'Go to your mate. You two need her now. The closer you and Rosaline get the more you would need each other,' Noah said taking in the rush of emotions that ran through Caiden at the moment. He was afraid that he might hurt her but overwhelmed by the fact of how much he needed to hold her.

He growled and stalked out the training room.

Delta Noah watched the retreating back of the young prince and released a sad sigh, it wasn't supposed to be this way, life always has some wrong turns and now this one in Caiden and Rosaline's life would test their strength and willpower just as it did with Michael and Emma. When he revealed what the goddess showed him in a dream those few years ago to his sister, she made it her duty to keep him pure and not let his wolf instincts corrupt him. Emma knew if she didn't do that she would lose her firstborn to the darkness.


**********


"Cay!!!"

Caiden stopped abruptly at the sound of his best friend's voice, he spun around to see his blonde-haired brother bounding up to him with his signature grin on his face. Some of his worries dissipated instantly. "Brother. You're okay. Thank goddess. I'm sorry, dude." He said as they both gave each other brotherly hugs.

"Don't worry about it, man. I understand. I'm just glad to be back home," Micah said ruffling Caiden's hair. He playfully swatted away his friend's hand and led him up to his office.

"Where were you headed? You looked like you were in a rush......" Micah started to say but stopped when he saw Caiden's whole body got rigid. He got the images of what happened at the rescue mission from him.
Unconsciously, he stepped away hitting the closed door. "Even my best friend thinks I'm a monster," Caiden said softly as he went to sit on the sofa. "No, I don't. It's just... How... Why... Why are your gifts multiplying when you haven't mated yet? Caiden something is up and it seems like he knows he's getting stronger with...." Micah said.

"Every kill," Caiden finished. Frustrated, he held his head in his hands. "What if he loses control while I'm with Rosaline. I won't forgive myself if she's hurt. I would be a failure if I can't control my own wolf," he rambled on. Micah stood looking at his friend, the guy he called his brother for most of his life, who was once a confident prince is now a scared insecure man. How can he get that confident and brave friend once more?
'His beloved,' his wolf and vampire said to him, Micah agreed with them. Rosaline can help, they all knew how attached she was becoming to their prince. Their pack has been feeling a bit more powerful and that only happens when a mate of the royal family is slowly becoming a member of their fold.

"He won't hurt her. Like all wolves, they undeniably love their mates and won't hurt them in any way. Go to her, Cay. You both need her," Micah said smiling down at him. Weakly Caiden nodded in agreement and left in a daze. 'Let's hope for the best you guys.' Micah told his wolf and vampire.



**********

"Double expresso, grande cappuccino, and two dark chocolate chillers. Here you go. Enjoy." Rosaline recalled for her customers as she approached them with their drinks. It was an hour before closing time and the flow of patrons was fair to fine. Mrs. Winchester and her niece, Shawna were behind the counter tending to a few leaving customers. After explaining Eva's absence, Shawna agreed to come and help her favorite eccentric aunt, she was around Rosaline's age and was very much into gossip as much as her aunt. Throughout her evening hours at work, Rosaline couldn't help but think about her boyfriend. His smile. The way his eyes light up when he sees her even his touch, his touch left her feeling safe and contented. She was scared of falling for him but brave enough to accept the love he had to offer. To her, Caiden was too good to be true just like him. Rosaline took a deep breath trying to let the bad memories fade away, yes it happened in high school but it left a bad impression on her and took away one thing she wished to give Caiden.

Love.

The tinkling of the over-head bell of the shop door brought her out of the dark, looking up to see the new customers but she was surprised to see who it was.

Caiden stood in the entryway in basketball shorts, a grey hoodie, and trainers looking around the shop. Shawna and Mrs. Winchester stood in shock as they instantly recognized him even in his disheveled state. "Can we help you, sir?" Shawna asked flashing a 100watt smile his way. Rosaline didn't like the way she was looking at Caiden, a pang of jealousy coursed through as she quickly made her way to her boyfriend.

"Rosaline," he breathed out as she came into view, he rushed to her and held her in his arms. He took in her scent and mumbled how much he missed her into her hair, Rosaline heard the hitch in his voice and pulled back to look him in the eyes. All she saw was the love he had for her and fear? "Denny what's wrong?" she whispered to him trying to figure out what is wrong with him. "I just need you okay. Please. I just need you," He rushed out before kissing her cheeks and lips. Hearing the desperation in his voice and how tight his hold on her was, she knew he was telling the truth.

"Baby. Look at me," she said between a kiss. Caiden stopped and looked deep into her eyes. "Let me get my things and we would go anywhere you want, okay?" she said stroking his cheek. He leaned into her touch a low growl escaped his lips as his wolf was now at ease. 'Mate' his wolf said loving the feel of her soft skin against his.
"Okay," he said letting her leave, his eyes followed her as she ran to the backroom to get her bag. Shawna came before him smiling up at him, Caiden took a step back looking down at the overly perky blonde. "What do you want?" he snapped at her. He wasn't in the mood to be polite to her he just wanted to leave with his mate and be comforted by her. "Just saw you with Rosa and wanna know how long you two been seeing each other," she asked stepping closer.

"We've been seeing each other indefinitely and that is not of importance to you. Now please leave" he said easily and took another step back.

"Well when you get bored with her, don't hesitate to call me," she said running her forefinger against his biceps.

"That, he won't be doing. Now get your hands off my boyfriend," Rosaline said angrily behind Shawna who quickly spun around to face her.

"He would be bored with you soon enough. That's what his type does. Plus I don't know why he's with a simple poor girl like you. Or maybe you're just a little gold digger clinging to him. Poor guy probably fooled by your sob stories," Shawna sneered.

Rosaline was surprised at her words and how quickly she turned into this snob just because of how rich Caiden was. She looked over Shawna's shoulder and saw how dark Caiden's eyes were getting, he was angry. "I may be poor and pathetic to you but I know I'm not some backstabbing bitch who instantly turns at the sight of money even if it's the form of someone else's man. Caiden is mine and he loves me that's all that matters. Now if I see you near him again I won't hesitate to turn you back into a natural brunette. Oh by the way your boob is showing," Rosaline spat at her before pulling out the artificial silicone cup from her too-tight cami. Her eyes widen in embarrassment as Rosaline waved the cup in front of her face. Everyone in the shop snickered as she fled to the backroom as a safe haven.
"Come on. Let's go" Rosaline grounded out pulling Caiden out with her.

"I love this possessive side of you," he said grinning as they walked to his van.

"You're mine and no one else's. You're my man," she said poking his chest angrily. He knew she was still worked up.
"I'm yours" he growled before crashing his lips to hers. She will always be his, no matter what.