8.

**Rosaline**

I had to do it.

A guy like him can never be with a poor homeless girl like me. Him calling me his 'love' his 'sweet' made me feel so undeserving of any kind of affection from him. Why would Caiden Saville a rich CEO want me? I would have been a week-long fling to him then he would go back to his blonde hair friend Katie.

But why does it feel like I made a mistake?

How can one guy have me so attracted to him after one day?

It’s just lust, Rosa.

He is too damn good looking. I groaned remembering his sexy smile as he looked down at me with those eyes that promised me the world. The way his muscles moved beneath his shirt sent me into overdrive. When he was close his scent got me weak and erupted feelings below my waist that I didn't know existed.

"Arghhhhh. What the hell is happening to me" I grumbled kicking a box of plastic forks in frustration.

I told him what I want and I'm sure he would just go away. He can have me replaced in a second.

Composing myself, I went back out. The shop wasn't busy just a few readers and walk-in customers. Eva was making coffees and Mrs. Winchester was talking to a customer.

No sign of him.

Good.

I stood behind the counter aimlessly and watched the people walked by outside the shop, getting lost in my own world as usual. "Hey" I heard Eva say.

"Hmmm. What's up?" I answered distractedly.

"You alright? You seem out of it," she asked.

I shrugged and stepped away from her to tend to a customer. I know she wanted to talk about what happened earlier but I sure didn't. I kept myself busy and avoided all the times she approached me.

"Hello. I would like to speak with Miss Eva please" a patron asked of Mrs. Winchester while I was mixing a smoothie.

"Sure thing, sweetheart. She's at the back. Let me get her." She said rushing past me.

I turned to look at Eva's visitor and right off the bat I knew this guy wasn't some typical street kid. He was dressed in loose black slacks and a white dress shirt with a few loose buttons showing a bit of his toned chest. His leather jacket fitted him snug it truly complimented his bad boy look. Not to mention his long blonde hair held up in a messy ponytail.

His blue eyes sparkled when he caught me looking at him, he nodded his head in acknowledgment with a bright smile.

I simply nodded and went to serve my customers.

"Hi. I'm Eva" I heard my friend called out to the guy.

"Pleasure to meet you, shall we?" the guy said motioning to the back booths when I turn to face them. She kept her head down which was again odd.

Who was this guy and why Eva seems to be at ease with him when she's cautious about everyone around us?


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


**Micah**

Caiden was right. She was beautiful and would make a great queen from what I can sense from her. I know Aunt Emmy would be ecstatic when Rosaline comes home with us.

But first, we have to make her see that she belongs with Caiden.

"First I want to say. Wow. This is the first time we have heard of a female protector and to be given such a high ranking charge is amazing" I said to the red-headed beauty.

"Thank you, Beta Micah," she said keeping her head lowered.

"You can look at me. You are not beneath me we both have a duty and that is to protect the throne. Please look at me," I asked of her softly. Something about her was simply different from other she-wolves I've encountered. She had a strong yet soft air about her but cautious, even of me.

Slowly she raised her head and gave me a shy smile.

"There. Isn't that better?" I asked her.

"Yes Beta" she answered. This woman was simply gorgeous. A natural beauty you can hardly find.

I had to clear my thoughts before I say anything stupid, don't want to embarrass my brother.

"We need to keep in contact with you and the princess at all times. His Majesty has sent two cellphones for you. Keep it on you at all times" I began.

"Why?" she asked.

I smiled at her and shook my head, "Just do as I ask" I simply said.

She nodded and asked nothing else.

"Where do you live?" I asked taking out my iPad ready to plot in the information.

She didn't answer. "Miss. Where do you live?" I asked again thinking she didn't hear me.

"We don't exactly have a home," she said quietly.

"Okay. Then what's your friend's address?"

No answer again.

"Eva, I need to know where you stay so our men can be put on the watch. You can do this the easy way or the very creepy way and the invasion of privacy is what we don't do. So I would ask you again. Where. Do. You. Live?" I asked with authority.

"St. Catherine's on Prospect St," she answered quickly.

"St. Catherine's on Prospect St" I repeated putting it in on our database.

Seeing the location on the map and the establishment I paused and looked up at her. It was one of the most favored establishments of my aunt.

The shelter was built after encountering a human family in Seattle who truly needed a safe haven, not known to any of their friends.

Emma wanted to help them in many other ways but she respected their need to do things for themselves.

"Is this why she won't accept him?" I asked. The understanding was there for her embarrassment but I still felt the need to defend my brother's character.

"What do you think? What homeless girl would think a rich CEO much less a prince would want her," she whispered harshly to me.

"I, myself, is embarrassed to tell you the Royal Beta this. We haven't had it easy. For the first time in years, we are actually making money to survive. Now tell me how do I tell a human that she is the soulmate of a werewolf prince, a prince who has had everything given to him and doesn't know about hunger and sleeping in the cold alleys at night" she went on.

I didn't know what to say. This was more than trust it was more of social status.

"Caiden would never look down on her because of that..." I spat at her.

"We know that but she doesn't. What she sees is a rich playboy who can get any woman he wants" she retorted.

I growled under my breath, for once in my position as Beta I did not know what to do. If I tell Caiden this he would want to go and give her the world. I'm sure he would buy her a damn house with a white picket fence and a puppy to make the deal sweeter.

Doing anything extravagant for the princess would push her away more. I rubbed my face in pure frustration.

"Okay here's what would happen. I'll try not to let Caiden go all Knight in shining armor to her for a few days. You try to get her to see that stepping out of the box would be good for her. From tonight six sentinels would be guarding St. Catherine's. This won't be limited to just the two of you but also the other inhabitants that stay there.

"Two of the six will be moonlighters meaning following you home though we respect you as her protector more manpower can be of use. There shall be a rotation every other night. In the aspect of getting her to know and accept us, that may not be easy but we can try." I stated.

"Understood. Would I be introduced to these men? I don't want to mistake any as a threat," she said.

I slid the latest model iPhone to her, "This is yours. It's preloaded with all emergency numbers from the team leader of sentinels to King Michael. Prince Caiden's number is on speed dial #1 while I'm on #2. Don't hesitate to call if there is trouble. Also, the directions to our place if the need arises to get her safe is already stored in the GPS." I explained.

She took the phone and looked at it in awe. "I gotta find a way to explain this to Rosa," she muttered.

"The second phone is hers. Just as yours the speed dial numbers are the same on her phone. I will text you when you arrive home where to meet us so I can introduce you to the men you would be working closely with" I continued.

She nodded in agreement. We stayed quiet for a moment.

"Thank you for all of this," she said softly.

"Hey" I called out to her raising her face to mine. Feeling her skin brought a sense of calm to me. Her porcelain skin was immaculate and carried the telltale sign of a blush on her cheeks.

"Even if you weren't the protector of our dear princess, we would still do what we are doing for you two. I think you guys need to do some real research on us," I continued ending it with a wink.

She blushed and stood up after I did.

Placing the bag in her hand, I kissed her cheek and told her goodbye. Goddess above I wanted to kiss more than her cheek. Walking to the exit I saw Princess Rosaline at the counter.

"Till we meet again Rosaline," I said leaving her with a confused look.

Now. Caiden.

He will definitely need some coaching in taking things slow. He has been waiting for years for her and to have her reject him, it's a new experience for him. A human and wolf mating was never seen by him. It has always been between supernaturals who knew what to expect and how to deal with the fast growing feelings. I can't do this alone.

This would take some reinforcements and I know the right person to call.