Chapter 2
“I hope it’s okay if I love you forever.” — Ally Maine
Rose's POV
"Rose! Wake up!" Auntie Hilda’s voice jolted me awake.
Groaning, I rubbed my tired emerald green eyes and turned to check the time on my digital alarm clock. It was already eight a.m.! Seriously? I was supposed to wake up an hour ago! I must have slept right through my alarm. Then again, it wasn’t surprising—I hated waking up early.
Dragging myself out of bed, I rushed through my morning routine, grabbed a piece of toast, and moved to hug my aunt good-bye before heading out. Today was huge—my eighteenth birthday—and I was planning to have my first ever girl’s night out with Erica. But I still hadn't asked Auntie Hilda yet.
Auntie Hilda grinned, hugging me back. She placed a kiss on top of my head before pulling out of the hug and wishing me happy birthday.
“Rose, darling, be home on time today!”
Her words made me stop halfway out the door.
“Why?”
“We have some people coming over for your eighteenth birthday party tonight!” Auntie Hilda exclaimed, ushering me out of the house.
I froze.
People? Who? My parents had died in a tragic accident when I was little, leaving me in my aunts care. We never had company.
Shaking off my confusion, I said,“But I was planning to have a night out with Erica.”
Stark displeasure wracked her features. Auntie Hilda didn’t like me going out much. She was paranoid I’d get kidnapped or something.
“Come back on time. It's important,” Auntie Hilda stated emphatically.
I wanted to argue, but there was a panicked look in her eyes that made me give pause.
I parked my car at school, lost in thought.
“What’s up, Rose?”
My eyes to landed on Jake leaning against his sleek red sportscar, surrounded by his friends.
Jake had sandy blond hair, light blue eyes, and that effortless confidence that made every girl swoon.
He was one of the most popular guys in school.
Meanwhile, I was the bookworm with only Erica as my best friend.
The only thing we had in common was that we were both seniors and shared a few classes.
Sometimes, he would ask me for help with his homework.
As a consequence of my social life being non-existent, I threw myself into school work. And while Auntie Hilda was thrilled I was in Advanced Placement College level classes, it did nothing whatsoever to help my popularity or luck in the romance department.
Faltering slightly, I took a breath and gathered my courage before walking toward Jake.
“Hey!” I called, forcing my voice to sound casual.
He scanned me from head to toe.
Was he checking me out?
“How’s your paper coming along?”
I winced at the nerdy question.
In my head, it had been an easy conversation starter.
“It’s going alright,” he said, then added, “Hey, maybe later we should get together and go over a few ideas?”
I almost choked. Was Jake actually asking to hang out?
“Yeah… let’s do it!” I blurted, probably way too enthusiastically.
His gaze flickered to my upper arm, and he squinted slightly.
“Did you get hurt or something?”
I followed his eyes and realized he was staring at my dark red birthmark. Oh. That.
“Oh,” I mumbled, feeling a little self-conscious. “It’s… nothing. Just a birthmark. I usually don’t wear tank tops, so no one really sees it. But this outfit…”
I twirled in place, showing off the white silky tank top and black ripped jeans Erica had convinced me to wear. Black leather combat boots completed the look.
“Erica picked it out for me, and I couldn’t say no to her.”
Shit. I was rambling.
“I think that birthmark looks cool,” Jake said with an approving nod.
I grinned stupidly before attempting to school my features into what I hoped was a nonchalant smile.
“Thanks,” I said, quickly composing myself. Be cool, Rose. Be cool!
“So, well… see you.” Jake nodded, adjusting his backpack before heading toward the school with his friends.
“See you,” I said softly, even though he was already gone.
Smooth Rose. I let my head sink down into my hands. Had I made a total fool of myself just now?
Aiden’s POV
I stood back in the shadows of the high school, watching my mate talk to Jake. What the hell was my cousin doing in a human high school?
I was tall at 6’1, but had no trouble blending into the crowd loitering around the building.
Maybe because I was only nineteen many people mistook me for a senior.
A couple of girls walked by, their eyes lingering on me appreciatively.
Typical. As an alpha and a werewolf, my frame was naturally more muscular and leaner than most of the human guys at this school.
But I didn’t care about them.
My focus was locked solely on Rose as she disappeared into the building.
There she was. The girl everyone claimed was supposed to be my luna.
I didn’t even know her. And everyone expected me to pledge my life to her?
I hadn’t foreseen this at all. I didn’t want some stranger as my luna.
Lexia and I had only been dating for six months.
But atleast I knew who she was! At least Lexia wasn’t being thrust upon me like every other thing in my life since Dad had died!
My fists clenched as frustration boiled inside of me. The mate pull was there, but not so strong that I couldn't fight it.
What the hell was I supposed to do now?
I couldn’t just flip a switch and suddenly develop feelings for someone else… Could I?
Turning away, I pulled out my phone as I walked back to my car.
My screensaver lit up—a picture of Lexia and me smiling at the camera, arms wrapped around each other.
Her long blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her bright blue eyes sparkled with happiness.
She had been there for me when Dad died.
I ran a hand through my dark brown hair as my chest tightened with guilt.
How could I leave her?
“I wish you were still here, Dad,” I muttered, lifting my gaze to the sky, as if expecting an answer.
As always, there was none.
Sighing, I slid into my car, started the engine, and drove away.
Rose’s POV
By the time the school day ended, I was exhausted and more than ready to get home. Erica followed me out to the parking lot.
“So, you didn't even talk to Hilda about our plan?” Erica asked with a frown.
“I tried to… but Auntie told me about some guests that are coming tonight.” I said slowly.
“That's not fair… we’ve been planning this night out for months.” Erica said in an irritated tone.
“I know, but she didn't even listen to me.” Then I offered Erica a ride as I slid into my car.
"Why don’t you come over today? Auntie Hilda mentioned about a… a birthday party for me… so, if we can’t go out, let's have fun at my place," I suggested excitedly.
Erica agreed without hesitation.
She pulled out her phone and quickly called her mom to let her know she was coming over to my place.
Not that her mom would mind—she was rarely home, always out partying with whatever guy she was currently seeing.
Her mom was a recovering alcoholic, but recovery wasn’t always a straight path.
She bounced from one man to another, and just when things seemed to be improving, she’d fall back into old habits.I often felt bad for Erica, but I never let it show.
Pity was the last thing my dear friend needed.
The entire ride home, we jammed out to our favorite songs. I laughed as Erica belted out the chorus to Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne, her voice way off-key but full of energy.
When we got inside, Auntie Hilda greeted us both. Maybe I was imagining it, but the moment she realized Erica would be staying for the party, her anxiety seemed to spike.
"Oh..." Auntie Hilda’s smile wavered slightly.
Erica, picking up on the hesitation, immediately backtracked. "I can come over another time if tonight is family only," she said slowly, as if realizing she might not be welcome.
"Don’t be silly, we don’t have any family," I said brightly. "It’s always just been Auntie Hilda and me… Isn’t that right?" I looked at my aunt cheerfully.
But her expression made my stomach drop.
She was gulping, shifting uneasily, her guilty eyes darting away from mine.
"Right?" I asked, my voice suddenly shaky.
Auntie Hilda sighed, fidgeting with the hem of her grey silk shirt.
"Rose, honey… I think we need to have a talk. And… Erica, we love you, you’re always welcome here, but tonight…
Tonight I need to speak with Rose alone.
We have some people coming over to discuss some…
things… regarding her—ah—parents." She finally landed on the last word after some hesitation.
Erica threw me a quick glance. "Don’t worry about it, Rose. I’ll hang out for a bit and leave before your guests arrive. Save me a piece of cake, Auntie Hilda!" she added with a grin.
"I’ll send some with Rose for you tomorrow," Auntie Hilda promised.
For the next hour, the only thing Erica and I could do was speculate on who was coming over tonight.
"Maybe…" Erica said playfully as I drove her home. "Maybe it’s your parents’ lawyers coming with a will saying you’re secretly a millionaire."
I glanced at her sideways before turning into the dreary trailer park where she lived.
"Highly unlikely," I said flatly.
Auntie Hilda was behaving so weird! First, she didn't let me hang out with Erica and now she wasn’t even being forthright about who was coming over tonight for my birthday party.
Erica hopped out, waving me off with a chirpy "Good luck!" before heading inside.
She was a wonderful friend, and I knew her life wasn’t easy. Some nights, Erica would just show up and tell me she needed to stay over, and I always understood what that meant. No questions. No judgment. Auntie Hilda and I always welcomed her with open arms.
On the drive back home, my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the mystery guests coming over for my birthday dinner tonight. As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed an SUV already parked behind Auntie Hilda’s convertible.
If there was one luxury Auntie Hilda allowed herself, it was an expensive car.
She had always had an affinity for high-end things, and I knew for a fact that she had never worked a day in her life.
Any time I asked how she provided for us, she would alway say she lived off the returns of various investments my grandparents had made for their two daughters—Auntie Hilda and my mother, Estelle, who had died when I was just a baby.
The cool September night air made me dig my hands into the pockets of my white leather jacket. My boots clapped against the wooden steps leading to the old wooden patio of the only home I had ever known.
The first thing I noticed when I walked casually into the living room was a young man with wavy jet black hair and a muscular build sitting in my favorite recliner chair. His deep blue eyes gave me a quick once-over before looking away toward... toward...
My keys slipped from my hands.
The man sitting on the sofa was an exact replica of the picture of my dad I kept in my room.