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"Is it a rebound if you liked him the whole time?"
That was a good question, but I still had to nod yes. "I feel like it still is since I picked you over him first. I don't know, it's so complicated. Damn it, why did it have to be four mates, and not five? And why couldn't I pick you? If it were five mates, and I could pick you, then there's no question I'd want you both."
"Instead of expelling all this energy on things we can't change, how about you use it for something more constructive. Like your training. As for Byron, if you're that worried about him being a rebound, then take the time to get to know him better before asking him to be your mate. Spend time with him, connect with him, fall in love. Then you'll know in your heart you made the right choice."
"Wow," I deadpanned, amazed at how he easily he was able to give advice. "Wisdom really does come from old age."
Rowan scowled. "Did you just call me old?"
I found the roses off to my left and my right quite fascinating to look at while trying my damndest not to smile. It wasn't working at all. "Nope."
"Yes, you did." Rowan took a step forward. "I'm not that old, young lady."
I snorted out a laugh. "Young lady? Really? What are you, my daddy now?"
Rowan leaned forward, his lips lightly touching the rim of my ear as he whispered, "You wish I was. Be glad Daddy can't spank you for being a naughty girl, Rosie."
Fuuuck me, that was so fucking hot! I was pretty sure I was soaking my pants right now. Yep, pretty damn sure, and the vivid images playing in my head of being bent over his knees so he could spank me was not helping my case.
He's. Not. Available! Fuck!
"Right," I squeaked, then cleared my throat. "Sooo how about that training, huh?"
Rowan laughed before stepping back a few steps to give me space. Thank Mother Moon for that.
"All right fine. Sit down and let’s begin."
Feeling like I could breathe normally again, I sat on the ground and crossed my legs. Rowan mirrored my posture then reached out as we held hands to form a circle.
"Close your eyes and focus on that source of power from the Wolf Moon's gift inside you."
I did as he said, having already gone through these steps several times this past month. Practice and a repeated routine led me to find the source of my power with relative ease. The wisps of turquoise energy approached me when I beckoned for it. My psyche continued traveling down the rabbit hole. The Wolf Moon's energy wrapped around me like a blanket of moonlight. There was light at the end of the tunnel, and I reached for it. Once I broke through, I opened my eyes, finding myself in the dream version of the hidden creek where the Moon Dial was located. I looked up into the night sky, seeing the Wolf Moon in all its glory, shining brighter than any star could hope for. A beam of moonlight shot down to the middle of the water, the moon's reflection shown clear. I knew what I needed to do.
With my clothes still on, I waded through the water, stepping into the center of the moon's reflection, its ray of light shining right at me. I looked up again, my eyes trained on the Wolf Moon, letting it recognize me as its chosen queen. I felt the burn on my forehead seconds later, the faintest trail of turquoise light could be seen shimmering as the mark appeared. Then it began. Remnants of the Wolf Moon descended from above, flittering like snowflakes but glittered like diamonds. They rained down on me, my mark absorbing its essence, fueling me and my wolf with its energy. I willed more to come to me, to energize me. To give me the strength to not only help my mates reach their Lycan form, but to be able to pass it on to my pack. To protect them from the New Moon's curse should it finally make its debut appearance.
My body began to slow with the turquoise mist of the Wolf Moon's gift. My body felt lighter. Stronger. It was amazing, but I needed more. I needed to be strong enough to protect everyone.
"Please," I whispered to the Wolf Moon. To Selene. "Give me the strength I need. Help me protect not only my mates, but my pack. Help me rewrite the future that Fate has shown me. Help me change Fate’s design for us!"
"My, my, Rosie, look how much you've grown."
A voice I hadn't heard in a long time rang from a distance. A voice that shouldn't have been in here. Being caught off guard, I broke my concentration. The Wolf Moon's remnants retreated to its domain, and the turquoise veil that coated my body like a second skin faded. I looked off to the other end of the forest where my wolf mates usually were. They weren't there this time, but somebody else was. He walked through the valley of trees, his form breaking through the shadows that concealed him moments ago. In perfect view stood my rejected fated mate.
"No," I breathed out in disbelief.
Pierce smirked at me. "Hello, mate. Did you miss me?"
18
ROSIE
I didn't know what to think. This was something I wasn't expecting to happen in this space. Only the Wolf Moon's Chosen and her chosen mates were allowed in here, so how the fuck was Pierce here?
"I don't believe this," I said, though I knew it was real. "How did you get in here?"
Pierce stuffed his hands in his pockets and shrugged. "What can I say, I'm full of surprises. Perhaps you forgot what I told you before, Rosie. I'm always going to be one step ahead of you."
Seeing his face brought back a lot of memories, the kind that brought out my rage, and let it be the virus that spread throughout my body. Him threatening to kill my grandmother if I rejected him. Him almost killing Kai during their challenge. Him torturing Joaquin in the basement cellar. Him wanting to steal the power that Selene herself entrusted to me to protect. It all came flooding back to me.
