25.

**Rosaline**

No one has heard from Caiden for almost a week, no calls, text nor mind link between him and his wolf kind and that was including me his mate. To a point I don't blame him for abandoning me I practically threw his love back in his face, those sad grey eyes haunted me in my sleep the pain I keep on seeing over and over in my dreams gave me nightmares, got me waking up screaming in the night, thank heavens for Eva and Angelo for being by my side.

Eva seems to be a new person towards me she no longer sends me death glares nor gives me the cold shoulder as she was doing before Caiden and I got to this stage of our weird relationship. I got a bit of knowledge as to why she was that way from the way I caught her looking at Beta Micah whenever he was near us at the apartment also the fact when she opened up to be about not being able to have a mate because she was my protector. Though in my gloomy state I felt somewhat guilty for taking away something she longed for.

Angelo explained to me as to why this was done by their 'Mother' the moon goddess while he was explaining all this I was still in awe from hearing his husky yet smooth voice, he was actually talking to everyone. The day he spoke to me was the last day we all stayed at Caiden's apartment, the day Beta Micah's elder sister Anais came to accompany us to the castle. I was amazed and felt so little and frumpy beside the honey blonde beauty her blue eyes were so identical to Micah's though she didn't flaunt her beauty or looked down at Eva and me, but she still made me feel a bit uncertain. No one gave me a reason as to why I was going to their home and I didn't ask I was still lost in my world thinking of Caiden.

I missed him dearly.

I wanted to be near him once again, to feel his arms around me as he showers me with the love I refused to accept, the love I know that would make me feel wanted and also whole. The third day of him being gone I came to the realization of how stupid I was to push him away when he was only trying to make me see that he doesn't care where I live, who I was all my baggage he just wanted me. I should have told him everything when he begged me to tell him but I was too stuck in the past to open up to him. The question that now lingers in my head as I sit in this princess-like bedroom is would I ever see him again.

It was near midnight when I finally gave up and went to bed it didn't make a good five minutes before I heard shouting and the loud noise of a helicopter overhead. Even before I went to bed a flurry of activity was happening within the hallways of the stone castle and outside. I was notified that guards have been posted outside my door, which I didn't care about, I just wanted to be left alone. I didn't deserve to be in Caiden's beautiful home and being called Princess Rosaline. I was the reason they all were so tense, so on edge and worried. They have been looking for him incessantly as Eva reported to me patrols have been sent out in their numbers, sentinels have been recruited to beef up security and the castle has been on alert if any word should come of the prince they love.

I sat up in bed as I heard the thundering sound of boots running past my door I hugged my knees closer to be chest as the shouting began.

"Get the doctor up here now." A loud bellowing voice was heard I couldn't register the voice but he sound authoritative. They had so many leaders it was had to keep up. Someone stopped before my door and timidly knocked, "Come in" I croaked out. I didn't make out who it was in the little light the hallway gave out but the comforting nature of the person I knew who it was.

"Angie?"I called out.

He turned on the lamp beside me and smiled softly at me but it didn't reach his eyes, my heart began to race in fear something was wrong and I knew it was about my Caiden. "Where is he?" I asked softly and the tears that stopped an hour ago came back burning my eyes in the process.

"We found him a few hours ago."

I released a heavy and relieved sigh. He was safe and home. What stopped me from asking my next question was Angelo's action. He held my hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

"He's hurt though in more ways than one. I had to put him in a trance-like sleep in order to bring him home we really had to. It wasn't the Caiden we know." He started to say.

"But I can see him right?" I asked quickly.

"When he's stable."

"Stable?" That term was usually used when someone was hurt really bad. My mind began to think of what can possibly happen to him.

"While we were trying to get him we were attacked by hunter's leader, unfortunately, got a lucky shot at Cay and now we are trying to get the silver out of him," he said running his fingers through his dark locks. Anyone knew that silver was deadly to wolves whether one believes in them or not. Without thinking, I snatched my hand away from Angelo and rushed towards the door, I had to see him. He had to know that I was sorry for causing him so much pain. He had to know everything. But I didn't get to reach the door as I felt Angelo's warm arms circled my waist, "Not now, little princess. You can't see him like this. " His words met my ear but didn't bode well with my heart.

"I need to see him now. He needs to know that I'm sorry for everything. All the pain I caused him. It's my fault he's like that. Please, I need to see him" I lost all the fight I had in me while I was struggling out of his hold. It all took hold of me the pain of loss and regret, I sank to the floor crying into the chest of the brother I longed for and now have because of the man I rejected.

"It wasn't you nor him, Rosaline, its... It's hard to say what's really going on but please don't blame yourself for all this. Soon we will explain it all to you but now I need you to stay put. Go back to bed and try to rest. I will come back to check up on you soon," He told me in a comforting voice. I nodded weakly and accepted his comfort.

"Hate to see you so broken little princess." I heard him say as he lifted me in his arms to place me back in bed. Angelo knelt beside the bed holding my hand tightly. "Angie. Where is your mate? I've met your sister's mate but not yours" I asked cautiously. He was so protective and kind that the girl who has him as her own would be very lucky but he didn't answer.

"Sleep well sis," He said softly kissing my hand avoiding my eyes, I nodded trying to force the images of Caiden being hurt away from my already torturous mind. He left quietly through the door as I wept silently to sleep.





It's been two days that Caiden has been brought back home and no one allowed me to see him I was going out of my mind with worry. I constantly asked Eva to go find out whatever information she can but no one was telling her what was going on with their prince not even Micah. We both can tell it wasn't good as we saw the worry and strain on his face and Angelo's. I have been sitting on the balcony trying to read a story on an Ebook app about werewolves but my mind was solely on Caiden. Since I came here at the castle I took to reading the fictional stories of these amateur writers. They seem awfully in the know about wolves even if it's their imagination. From what I've been told to what I have been reading it seems so similar. "Princess Rosaline?" someone called out behind me. My eyes widen in shock as I took in the twin exotic men standing with their arms behind their backs, their black hair was long and held into messy ponytails above on top of their heads, their eyes were dark, eyes to make any woman weak, their facial features were handsome with a simple smile on their lips. They seem to be appraising me as I walked forward to them. "Hi?" I said hesitantly. I haven't met these two before but they screamed authority.

They slightly bowed to me as I stepped back unconsciously "P-Please don't do that. It doesn't feel right" I said looking down at my feet.

"It's okay. We understand." They both said in unison. My head snapped up by their words.

"Firstly, we are Caiden's uncles. I'm Noah and this is Jonah," the one on the right said, his eyes spoke volumes of humility and kindness while the other twin eyes spoke of power and protectiveness but his smile was welcoming.

"Okay. Is he alright?" I asked wringing my hands awaiting their answer.

"He's a fighter just like his parents. He'll be fine. We came to speak with you about him and another matter. Have you been to the lake?" Jonah said turning his head slightly to the side, watching me intently.

"No. I haven't had the urge to go out exploring" I sat back down looking over the rail to the wide landscape dotted with flowers and various topiaries.

"Walk with us. You need the fresh air" Noah simply stated. I didn't argue but simply slipped on a pair of shoes and followed them out.

Walking down the hallway, I noticed two of the sentinels at either side of a dark double door with stern faces. I notice one as Nicky then it clicked that it was Caiden's room, Nicky offered me a sad smile and bowed my way as the other followed. I didn't realize I stopped and stared blankly at the door wanting to go in. "Soon Princess," Noah said from behind me and ushered me away from the door.

The walk was quiet yet comfortable as we walked to the lake; I was delighted to see the untouched beauty before me, butterflies flew around us the call of nature was calming as the birds chirped happily, squirrels and chipmunks chattering and scurrying from tree to tree. They turned to a beaten path with wildflowers that opened up to a grand blue-green lake. "Wow," I breathed out taking it all in. Three garden benches were properly placed around the lake and we occupied the one closest to us.

"It's so peaceful here," I said welcoming the warm sun on my skin.

"It's the one thing untouched by the outside world. We all come here when we just want to think or just be alone." Jonah said leaning back while putting his arm on the back of the bench. We all stayed quiet left to our own ramblings in our mind until Noah broke the silence.

"Caiden isn't doing too well, princess. Most of the silver are out and the blood from his mother is helping but that's not the problem......" he began.

"Caiden's wolf Rion has taken over Caiden's body and refuse to back down. Something or someone has pushed Rion to this. " Jonah finished.

My brows furrowed in confusion.

"We are part human and part wolf. A balance is needed of both man and wolf to avoid any sort of chaos. Have you heard of our history?" Noah said noticing my confusion.

I nodded yes so he continued.

"We need balance to avoid the dark beginning our people came from. Rion has taken complete control over Caiden which resulted in major cleanups. For the past week, he has been on a killing spree. Any Rogues or hunters that came in his way, they met their deaths.

"But why? Why would Rion do all that you said he did?" I asked thinking back how loving and protective the bashful wolf was.

They both looked at me with sympathetic eyes.

"Because of me" I breathed out. "Not because of you but for you. Caiden spoke to Angelo before he was lost. To Rion, he's protecting you. He's making it safe for the mate he loves but his killings are not of protection more like willful." Jonah countered trying to reassure me.

"So he's a danger to us now?"

"You can put it that way. We must keep him in a deep sleep till we figure out how to get Caiden and Rion back to normal. You can visit him after we are through here" he continued.

Through everything, they told me I can only register that this was all my fault even if Angelo said it wasn't it still felt that way.

"Can you remember what happened that day he ran off? For Rion to go into this protective mode someone has to be threatening you. Caiden would handle things peacefully but with Rion being a dominant wolf it would be a bit of a fight for both of them" Noah asked standing up and began pacing.

I shrugged and told them about that day, Noah then paused in front of me and released a tired sigh. "Princess describe that man you were talking to in the park," he asked. Confused as to why he asked me such a question I described Reynaldo to them.

Jonah and Noah both swore under their breaths. "Sweetie, what do you know of your parents?" Noah asked crouching before me and held my hand in his just like Angelo.

How did it go from Caiden to Reynaldo now my parents? "I can't remember them all I know I was put into foster care when I was twelve," I said softly.

"And you haven't tried to find them" Jonah stated like he was confirming my decision in the past. I shook my head no to confirm his statement.

"This is so fucked up" Jonah said moving off the bench. They both stayed quiet while avoiding my eyes. There was something that they were refusing to tell me as I watched Jonah clench and unclench his fists, Noah's jaw was shut tight as he closed his eyes tight also breathing through his nose heavily.

"What is it? Why are you asking these questions?" I asked a bit uncertain that I wanted to know the answer for.

They looked at each other before both their eyes glazed over, Noah was the first to finish his conversation with whoever he was mind-linking with. He released another heavy sigh before looking at me. "The hunter who shot Caiden was Reynaldo," he said in a flat voice but I knew he was brimming with anger.

"What?" was all I was able to say but then remembered how tense Caiden was when he called me over from Reynaldo.

"I-I didn't know. He knew who I was?" I rambled.

"Yes he did," Jonah growled out.

"Aren't hunters the ones who play games to get y'all?" I asked remembering what Eva told me about their enemy.

"Correct but he wouldn't use you. He just wants you." Jonah said looking down at me with a look I didn't fully get.

I shot up from my seat. "What would a hunter do with me? I'm just a simple human just like them. "

"Because even the most ruthless hunters would never harm their daughter." Noah said pinching the bridge of his nose.

The word daughter caused me to freeze in my position in shock, that couldn't be right. "Wh-what? D-daughter?" I stuttered.

"Reynaldo is your father." He breathed out.

I stumbled away from them in shock shaking my head denying their words. "No. You're lying. My parents don't want me. They left when I was twelve. That man isn't my father. He nearly killed Caiden. I-I ...... no. NO!!!" I cried out falling to the ground.

"I'm sorry, princess but he confirmed that you are his daughter. A DNA test was the next step but he told us where to find your birth certificate everything that links you as his daughter"

My breathing became labored as I took it all in. A hunter. A hunter that tried to kill my mate is my father. My body began to tremble as I try desperately to calm myself but couldn't. My chest began to pain as I tried to take in deep breaths, the procedure I learned wasn't helping, it was getting so hard, I was on all fours taking deep breaths. "Princess." The twins called out frantically but they sounded distant.

"In-haler. .......... Room" I tried to say but it came out in wheezes. I clutched onto the person next to me fighting to stay awake but my body just wanted to give up. My eyes were getting heavy but I knew I couldn't, I couldn't give in. Words for me to calm down was heard from them but I was trying so hard but couldn't it all were fresh in my mind, tears fell down my cheek. I didn't know how long I've been trying to get my breathing back to normal but my lungs burned as my chest felt heavy. "Rosa" someone yelled. They took me in their arms forcing something in my mouth but I was too far gone the darkness was coming in slowly as the familiar metallic taste of artificial air was pumped into me.

"Don't close your eyes. Come on Rosa please" It was Eva she was tapping my face for me to stay alert but couldn't I just wanted to sleep.

"I'm.... fine" was the last words I was able to say before I blacked out.