AllFreeNovel
Share Us
2
ROSIE
The sun was setting by the time we finally reached Kingsrose. Judging from the lack of dead bodies littering the streets and the absence of blood painting the sceneries, I could only assume that we made it here before Pierce. Now the question was how long we had before Pierce showed his face back here, only to find out that the Kingsrose Renegades Pack were now taking over this territory. Not too long, I was willing to bet, which meant we had a lot to do before we could expect our former alpha. Even with the seriousness of the situation, I couldn't deny the feeling of nostalgia running through me at being back at Kingsrose. Before joining Pierce's pack, this was the town I grew up in. Then I came back a month ago in hopes of starting over with my life and forging my own path.
I guess in a way, I accomplished that. I was returning to Kingsrose as pack alpha. Talk about a plot twist.
We drove along the expansive rose gardens, inhaling their floral aroma for what felt like an eternity. Rowan seemed to enjoy the view as well as his head whipped this way and that, taking in our little town. We all parked our vehicles off to the side of the large wooden loft set in the middle of spacious land that overlooked the rose fields. As everyone began getting out of their cars and grabbing their camping gear, my new betas cut through the trees and descended towards the front of the lodge. Shifting back in all their naked glory, they entered the lodge where I'm sure they must've had spare clothing lying about somewhere.
"Home sweet home," Kao said before opening the back of the truck. With Kai's help, they slowly carried Joaquin's body out and into the lodge.
Yeah, home sweet home...
I went and helped my grandma out of Javier's car, trying not to get overemotional about having her back safe and sound. I already cried enough when Pierce took her, and again when she showed up in Rowan's cabin. At least she was in better condition than Joaquin, but maybe someday I'll ask what went on since her capture. "Abuelita, do you want me to take you back to your house?" I asked.
Grandma shook her head. "Not right now, honey. I know I should, but I want to make sure you guys are all taken care of."
"Grandma, we're not kids anymore. We can look after ourselves," Javier said, stepping over to where we were.
Grandma lightly patted his chest. "I know that, but you all have been through a lot."
"We've been through a lot? You're the one who was captured." I wrapped my arms around the frail older woman, grateful she was still here but nervous she'd be taken from me again. "You have no idea how scared I was for you."
"Me too," Javier muttered, wrapping us both in a tight embrace.
"I know you guys were, but I'm fine now. It's all over now," Grandma said. If only she was right. It was nowhere near over, not with Pierce and Mordred still out there. Not to mention that red-eyed wolf from my vision. Oh, how I wanted this shit to be over with. I wanted my life back, and I wanted to be able to share it with the men I love. I wanted my family to be safe. I wanted my happy ending, but would I ever get it was the question.
"Alpha Rosie." The three of us pulled apart just as Thomas and the other betas exited the lodge, fully dressed, and with someone I didn't recognize tailing them. Curious, I walked over to my betas, my eyes never leaving the man. Thomas introduced me to him. "Alpha Rosie, this is Scott. He's the one I called to guard the lodge while we were away."
"Oh, well, nice to meet you, Scott. I'm guessing you know what's going on?"
Scott regarded me with a pinched expression. "W-Well, Thomas just now gave me the short version, but maybe you can help me fill in the blanks."
I didn't even know where to begin to pull that off. It wasn't just Scott who needed to know, the rest of the pack had to be informed of the severity of the situation. The betas may have sworn their loyalty to me, the same wasn't said for the many pack members who resided in Kingsrose. There was no telling what would happen once they learned of Pierce's plans.
"I can try, but I think it would be best to hold a pack meeting so I can tell everyone at once. This is too important."
"Rosie's right. Can you get a hold of everyone in town and let them know to meet us at the lodge tonight?" Thomas asked Scott. "I'd do it, but my mental bonds were cut off when I renounced my loyalty to Pierce and joined Rosie's pack."
My mouth formed an "O" shape. Fuck, why didn't I think about that when I accepted the betas as mine. That alone would've tipped Pierce off on what happened. How on Earth we still managed to make it back before him was a mystery. Maybe he wasn't worried about it? Maybe he knew Whitney would fail. With Pierce, there was no telling what he was planning. He was too smart and had a knack for being two steps ahead of everyone.
"Sure, I can do that," Scott seemed uneasy when he said that, then added, "Just tell me one thing. Is it true that Pierce is planning to kill all of us with a pack of rogue wolves?"
I nodded. "I'm afraid so." I turned my head in Byron's direction as I said, "Byron heard it himself, which was why he came to warn me."
"She's right," Byron added. "Alpha Pierce is planning to kill anyone he deems unfit to follow him. Nobody is safe from his wrath. He's already had one of our own executed."
"Mother Moon, save us," Scott breathed out, running his hand through his hair. "And you're planning to stop him?"
I stood taller, feigning the confidence I didn't quite feel inside. "Pierce will not get his claws on anyone here, no matter what. I'll kill him myself if I have to."
Scott nodded approvingly before taking off to warn everyone about the meeting. The stress of the whole thing was threatening to sink me to the bottom of the abyss. I'd have to put on a brave face and act like the alpha people want me to be and tell the Kingsrose pack that their alpha plans to kill them off.
Sensing my distress, Byron rested a hand on my lower back. "Rosie, it's going to be okay."
I bit my lower lip and stared down at the floor beneath me. "I'm not so sure about that."
"I'm sure. Rosie, you've gotten this far when everything was stacked against you. You held on while your grandmother and Joaquin were held hostage, and I'm sure you knew that Pierce was baiting you with Joaquin, right?"
