18.

Caiden and Rosaline made their way to his penthouse on the upper side of the city. She didn't mind as long as she was with him, throughout the drive, he held her hand tracing small patterns on the back of it sending small smiles her way. She can tell something was bothering him but decided to wait till he brought it up.

"How is Eva?" she asked breaking the comfortable silence. "Uncle Noah is training her at the moment. She has a lot to learn to be your protector so she would be at the compound a bit longer. I'm sorry for keeping your friend away from you, love," he replied.

"It's okay its to keep me safe right. Plus I noticed she has been a bit distant with me for the past few days well since I met you." She said going over Eva's attitude towards her.

"My uncle thinks it's something that's bothering her. If she wants to talk about it uncle Noah is the person who would be there for her." Noah was always there for everyone when they need a listening ear even if he was busy on some mission or routine work he made time for his nephews and nieces when they needed him.

"You have another uncle?" Rosaline asked in surprise.

"Twin uncles actually, you would meet them soon. Oh and my little sister Rebecca they are so excited that I have found you" he answered her grinning from ear to ear as he turned into the entryway of an underground garage. The security guard tipped his hat as they drove by him. Rosaline thought over his words how excited his family was to meet her. He had this amazing family that embraced her as their own it was surprising to her but yet welcoming for once she felt wanted and it was all thanks to him. "Can't wait to meet them also," she honestly said.

Quietly they made their way up to his apartment lost to their own thoughts, the elevator doors opened up to a small foyer with black marble floors, two end tables on either side of the double black doors and expensive art pieces hung on the wall it screamed sophistication and that was just the outside. Rosaline was a little nervous to see what was behind those doors as he turned the key after punching in a code. "I haven't been here for a while. It has been my first home when I moved to the city" he explained opening the doors and allowing her to step in first.

"Wow. Great first home" she said out loud as she took in the spacious area before her. The spectacular view of the city was the first thing that greeted her then she realized the décor was the same as his house outside the city. Homey and comfortable. Beige-cream carpets for the living area, a large circular leather couch facing the city, soft lighting to the left was the kitchen area which was 100% oak in its furnishings from the cabinets to the hardwood floor. To the right was a hallway leading to his bedroom and bathrooms she guessed."You like?" he asked nervously.

"I love. You have such beautiful homes" she said running to the large window pressing her face against the glass. He threw himself on the couch watching his mate take in the view in wonder, watching every curve of her body, the way her hair moved with every turn of her body even when she tiptoed thinking she can see further while doing that. Micah and Noah were right she would be all he needs to keep a sane mind and to keep his wolf calm. She turned around and caught his gaze and was caught off guard by the adoring look he sent her way, he smiled at her as she made her way towards him. "Caiden. Are you alright?" she finally asked going to her knees before him. His facial expression changed instantly to fear and doubt. "I have something to tell you something about my family." He started sitting up and bringing her next to him.

"Sure go on" she answered urging him to go on.

"Every member of the royal family was born with a gift, a power you can say, and with every new generation, those kids become stronger. At the moment I'm the strongest in my family, well to everyone outside the immediate family, my gifts have been multiplying of late and its something no one can explain. Earlier for that rescue mission, I had to go to, I did things that I was unable to do, only my mother could have done," He explained as best as he can. Rosaline sat frozen waiting for the 'I gotcha' to come out of his mouth but frowned knowing he was being honest. If she accepted that werewolves and vampires do exist why can't she accept that he has supernatural powers him and his family.

"And also our mates gain a gift when we fully mate but for my dad, he gained his prematurely while protecting my mom from being kidnapped," he rushed out next. Rosaline's jaw dropped as she stared at her boyfriend. She stayed liked that for a few seconds then blurted out, "I'm going to get powers like Superman."



**********

Eva just finished Delta Noah's last obstacle course, her body was tired from the amount of work she had to do in her human form, she has been training since they brought her here. It was fun at first but when it became much more strenuous her mind shut down any thought of being happy here. Everything has been about protecting the prince and princess, keeping them secure in every situation it was driving her crazy. She didn't choose this life to be mate-less and being the protector of a princess who would be so in love with her very own mate in the future.

"It's not fair," she shouted repeatedly kicking the practice post over and over repeating her earlier sentence. The tears she was holding back came streaming down her cheeks blurring her vision. Not able to go anymore she fell to the gym mat giving in to her pain.
"I didn't ask for this. Why couldn't you just leave me to die?" she screamed out. Thinking she was alone she curled into a fetal position and let it all out. All the emotions she kept in for those seven long years. "My beautiful red. Why the tears?" she heard a familiar masculine voice saying softly as he touched her shoulder. "Micah" she cried out and quickly turned to him then took him into a fierce hug.

Micah couldn't believe what he heard and saw when he decided to check up on the red-haired she-wolf who has been on his mind for the past few days. Seeing her in tears, his wolf and him felt the urge to kill whoever had hurt her, the urge to comfort her, and let her know everything was going to be okay. "I'm here now. I won't let anyone hurt you little red," He said standing up with her in his arms preparing to leave the training room. As he turned the corner, he saw Noah standing with arms crossed smiling their way. 'Take care of her kid' was all he said before leaving their sight.

Micah carried her all the way to his room trying to ease her crying but she didn't let up, he somewhat understood that the cause of all this ran deep. Deeper than being a protector. He was about to lay her down on his bed and leave but decided not to as his wolf and vampire wanted to be near her.

After a moment of her dying sobs they stopped, he felt her shift, which made him look down. Puffy red-rimmed green eyes were looking up at him in awe. "Are you through crying me a river there, little red?" he teased stroking her cheek. She was still beautiful to him even with her tear-stained cheeks. She giggled hiding her smile from him, "Don't hide something that I want to see every day" he said removing her hand from her mouth. She frowned at his words then slowly distant herself from him, Micah noticed and felt a tad bit hurt.

"Why are you so nice to me? What do you want?" she asked putting back up her guard. Eva cursed herself for allowing him to carry her and comfort her at her weakest time. No one couldn't see her like that they would take advantage of it, they always do.

"What do I want? Little red I only want to take care of you," He answered noticing how cold she quickly got. "Why? I'm a nobody. Just a protector" she said bitterly hating the word. Micah was confused about her change.
"Little red..." he called out to her moving towards her. Stopping when she quickly got off the bed and placed herself in a corner, his nickname for her always did something to her, made her feel special but why?
"Stop calling me that" she whispered turning away from him.
"Why? Why can't I call you 'little red' and why are you acting so cold towards me?" Micah asked with a bit of force and quickly went to her side in a flash. Eva cowered into the wall raising her arms as a shield a small whimper escaped her lips. He stepped back registering the defensive move she made, a move he saw countless times when...

"Eva," Her name came out in shock and disbelief. Who the hell laid a hand on his red?

"Eva. I won't hurt you. I promise." He said in a comforting voice. "Oh stop it, Beta Micah. We both know that's a lie. 'I would never hurt you, Eva. You're so special to me.' For once I wish no one would lie to me," She yelled at him but her eyes were distant, she was lost in her memories. "Why would I lie to you?" he grounded out.

"Cut the act, save it for some other she-wolf who would love to be in your bed" she snapped. "Damn it, woman, what is wrong with you. I just want you. I don't know why but I have the need to protect you. Be there for you. Care for you," He shouted then calmed down when he realized what he just said. She scoffed not believing a word that came out his mouth. "Excuse me Beta Micah but I think I should go to bed" she mumbled walking past him, he quickly grabbed her arm and brought her up to his chest. "I told you not to call me Beta Micah," he said harshly, "Why are you so bent on pushing me away?"

Looking into his beautiful blue eyes Eva was lost for good. "So I won't hurt again and also I know I can never have you for myself" she whispered as fresh tears escaped her eyes. Micah released her, feeling his heart aching for some unknown reason. "But I won't hurt you. I am yours, Eva," he whispered lowering his head thinking why her words hurt him so much and yet shocked with his last words.

"I refuse to believe that when everyone who I trusted in the past broke that promise. Just leave me alone Micah. Please. Let me just do this job I'm supposed to do. Being a protector." she said leaving his room.

"I can't leave you alone my sweet little red. I just can't" Micah said to himself knowing that his Eva was broken. He was willing to pick up the pieces.


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


**Unknown**



"You set us up, " I shouted at the dark-haired man who sat behind an overpriced desk.

"And how pray tell did I do that?" he calmly asked while shuffling some papers. It made me sick to know that these filthy animals were so comfortable and successful in our corporate world. They are in our schools, restaurants, hospitals you name it pretending to be real humans like us. Especially this sickening idiot in front of me, he came to me striking a deal for his own selfish purposes, a purpose we won't allow to happen. "That dog killed my men without even touching them. He fucking stopped bullets from hitting his wolf buddies. How in the world is that possible? Shit like that only happens in the movies," I answered him ready to slit his throat and be pleased with the blood flowing from his neck.

"Oh that. Well yeah. He's one of the most powerful werewolves." He said this in a manner one takes while ordering a meal from a diner. His words brought me out of my plans on how to slaughter his pack. "One of?" I asked afraid he would say yes. What he did earlier was unbelievable if more of them can do half of what he did all the hunters would be signing their own death warrant.

"Yes. The whole family to be exact and if you don't get this job done, your daughter would soon be part of that freak show family," he said. My blood ran cold, no daughter of mine would be turned a monster.

A freak show.

That won't be happening.