Chapter 13 Where’s Rosaline?
Caden’s POV:
It was already 2 AM, and I was still wide awake in bed.
Finished
Rosaline still hadn’t returned. She didn’t know anyone here, so it was unlikely for her to stay out this late.
I closed my eyes and tried to shake off my thoughts.
What does it matter where she went! Why should I care?
But then, I suddenly remembered that distressing message she had sent. A fleeting memory popped into my head, and I immediately grabbed my phone, scrolling through the text history between me and my grandfather.
When my grandfather had asked me to pick up Rosaline, he had sent her phone number over. At the time, I’d been too busy to go and never bothered to save it.
I compared the number from the message to the one in my contacts. And then it hit me like a punch to the
gut.
That message was from Rosaline. Is she in danger?
I shot upright with panic bubbling in my chest. Without wasting another second, I called the number back. but the call went unanswered.
I tried again several times, but all I could hear was the dialing tone. An uneasy feeling crept up on me.
What if something has happened to Roseline?
I threw on some clothes and rushed out the door, driving straight to the company. She worked at Eclipse Group during the day, so I figured I could at least check there first. If she hadn’t been there, maybe someone would have seen her when she left.
It was completely dark when I arrived at the building.
“Alpha, it’s a problem with the building’s circuit. The repair crew will be here by morning. Don’t worry, it won’t affect the employees‘ work,” the guard on duty said, explaining the situation.
I asked about Rosaline, but the guard looked confused. He hadn’t seen her.
“She didn’t come to work today?”
“She came in this morning,” the guard said, “but I haven’t seen her leave. I swear to the Moon Goddess, I
didn’t miss it.”
Rosaline has become quite popular around here recently. Many people had noticed her, so someone would have seen her if she had left.
So, she was still inside the building?
But why would she send me a distress message?
The guard thought for a moment, then added, “Alpha, I heard a few people talking earlier. Ms. Dixon
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Chapter 13 Where’s Rosaline?
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The warehouse? Something didn’t sit right with me. I immediately ordered the guard to lead me there, and we headed straight for the warehouse with flashlights in hand.
The warehouse doors were locked, and the entire area was pitch black. It seemed the power outage had affected this place as well.
“Rosaline? Rosaline!”
I banged on the door, calling her name, but there was no response from inside. The quick–witted guard shined the flashlight through a crack in the door.
In the beam of light, I saw someone’s feet.
I quickly signaled for him to shine the flashlight on that spot. In the dim light, I saw Rosaline curled up unconscious on the ground a few feet from the warehouse door, her face was deathly pale,
“Open the door!” I yelled urgently.
The
guard scrambled to find the key, but I couldn’t wait any longer. With a loud growl, I shifted into my wolf form. Then, I smashed the lock on the warehouse door with a burst of strength.
The door swung open.
“There’s wolfsbane stored inside, be careful,” Edward warned, his senses sharper than anyone’s.
Without hesitation, Edward rushed in, clamped Rosaline in his jaws, and quickly retreated.
Once we were a safe distance away, I signaled for Edward to step back, shifting back into my human form.
“Rosaline! Rosaline!”
I cradled her in my arms and gently tapped her cheek. “Are you okay? Wake up.”
Having moved her far enough away from the dangerous wolfsbane, Rosaline began to stir.
She furrowed her brow and muttered something under her breath, though I couldn’t make out the words. “It’s so dark… don’t leave… don’t leave…
This bold girl is afraid of the dark?
A strange feeling stirred inside me, one I couldn’t quite place. It reminded me of a time long ago, of a little girl I had once known.
That night had been just as dark. Her face had been just as pale. There were two children, huddling together, giving each other warmth and comfort.
I looked at Rosaline. “Don’t be afraid. It’s okay. I’m here to take you home.” My voice came out softer than I had ever intended.
Rosaline’s shaking subsided, but she still mumbled under her breath. I couldn’t make out the words, so I could only hurry to get her to safety.
On the way to the car, I reassured her, “It’s okay. Don’t be afraid. I’m here with you.”
Once we got to the car, I gently placed Rosaline in the passenger seat, but she held onto the corner of my jacket, clinging to me. I removed my coat and draped it over her, hoping it would bring her some comfort.
Chapter 13 Where’s Rosaline?
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A pang of guilt hit me seeing her so fragile. She was totally different from the confident woman I had seen earlier that day.
I wondered if I had been too cold to her. After all, we were engaged.
If I had saved her phone number when Richard sent it, I could’ve come to her aid sooner.
Thankfully, I had found her in time. If I hadn’t, and if I’d left her alone in that warehouse filled with wolfsbane, the outcome could have been disastrous.
After taking her to the family doctor for a check–up, who confirmed there were no serious injuries, I carried Rosaline back to her room. Just as I was about to leave, I felt her hand tighten on my pants leg.
I turned to look at her. Her eyes were closed, but she was still restless and weak.
Wolfsbane had a damaging effect on every werewolf.
I reached out to gently remove her hand, but she gripped me tighter, pulling me into an embrace.
“Don’t leave… stay with me… please…
Her trembling voice sounded like a child begging for comfort.
A flash of the little girl’s face came to mind again.
From the very first day I met Rosaline, I had thought she resembled that girl. Now, it felt like it wasn’t just a passing thought–it seemed undeniable.
I hesitated, but in the end, I couldn’t pull away. I sat down on the edge of her bed in silence.
Rosaline slowly drifted off to sleep.
An indescribable feeling swelled in my chest as I watched her sleep.
If only my destined mate had been that little girl from all those years ago. I would have cherished her forever and stayed with her through every dark night that frightened her.
It was a shame that Rosaline wasn’t her.
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