Chapter 15 - Rosalia #2
“Stay behind me,” she whispered to Eva, who clutched at her dress with frightened fingers.
Her throat tightened in panic and confusion as her father’s keen eyes explored the room, something vicious and wild in them.
She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t find words.
Only the pulse of her wolf thrumming, protect, protect, protect.
And then a shadow fell over them.
Rick.
He stalked from the chamber like a storm given form, fury carved across his face. His eyes locked on John with such cold violence that the entire lobby seemed to hold its breath.
“Get away from them,” Rick snarled, voice low, dangerous, the kind of sound that made every predator in earshot take note.
Rosalia’s breath caught.
John smirked, tilting his glass in a mocking salute. “Touchy, Reinhardt. Careful, your temper doesn’t bleed you dry.”
What the hell is going on?
Rick stepped forward, every line of his body taut with the promise of violence. Rosalia saw the flicker in his eyes, the wolf clawing beneath his skin, begging to be loosed.
John only chuckled, turning to his retinue. “I think we’re done here. The humans won’t risk continuing the meetings, not after that shitshow. Let’s get back to our territory before Rick here decides to pull any more poorly considered little tricks.”
Rick’s answering snarl, deep and primal, turned the heads of nearly every alpha in the room.
John merely smirked, eyes passing one final time over Rosalia, his lips curving into a sneer, before he turned and strode out of the room, several wolves on his heels.
The moment he was gone, the tension snapped. Rick’s jaw clenched, breath harsh, and for one terrible heartbeat, Rosalia thought he might pursue. But then Felix’s broad frame appeared, sliding between Rick and the dispersing alphas with the easy authority only he carried.
“That’s enough,” Felix said firmly.
Rick’s lip curled, but he did not move.
Felix’s gaze softened as it flicked past him to Rosalia and Eva, still pressed against the wall.
“It’s handled,” he assured her quietly, before focusing back on Rick.
His fists were clenched, his face a storm cloud.
He was breathing slow and deep, muscles trembling, eyes fixed on a point in the wall.
Rosalia hadn’t seen him this angry since John had demanded their marriage so many months ago.
“The Black Claws,” Felix explained under his breath, “got wind of…of our plans. Called us out on it in front of everyone.”
Rosalia blinked, heart still thundering. She did not understand, not entirely, but she heard the weight in Felix’s tone.
Rick bared his teeth, his voice more animal than human. “We’ve broken no law.”
“I know,” Felix’s voice was calm, measured, as though soothing a feral beast, “and thankfully you had your contingencies in place. We’ve covered every angle.”
Rick’s fist clenched at his side, the leather of his glove creaking. Fury radiated off him in waves, so thick Rosalia could taste it on her tongue.
Felix sighed, raking a hand through his hair. “Cool off before you do something stupid. Go. Take them to the hotel.”
For a moment, Rick didn’t move. Then his gaze cut to Rosalia and Eva, her arms still wrapped protectively around the girl, her heart still racing. Something shifted in his expression. His fury did not vanish, but it turned, sharpened into purpose.
“Come,” he said gruffly, holding out a hand.
Rosalia hesitated, then slipped her fingers into his. His grip was warm, solid, unyielding. He gathered Eva with his other arm, the child clambering trustingly against his side, and together they left the stifling stench of dominance and fury behind.
***
The limousine door shut, cocooning them in leather and muted city sounds. Rosalia let out a shaky breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
Eva nestled against Rick’s chest, already drifting back toward sleep, her little fingers curled in the lapel of his jacket.
Rosalia smoothed her skirt with trembling hands, then glanced up at him. His expression was still thunderous, his jaw locked tight, but the hand holding hers had not loosened.
“Thank you,” she whispered, surprising herself with the words.
His eyes flicked to her, dark and unreadable. For a moment, she thought he might brush her thanks aside. But then he said, voice low and rough, “You don’t thank me for that. It’s what I do.”
Rosalia swallowed hard, turning her gaze to the window where city lights blurred into streaks. “We’re not staying at the Willard?”
Rick’s teeth clicked together. “So many packs sleeping under one roof? Not a good idea. We’re in one of Nicolas’s hotels. We’ll head back to Silvermist in the morning. Your father was right about one thing. These talks are over.”
Rosalia nodded, more to herself than to him. It made sense. Shifter hearing, and all. And the natural disposition towards territorial disputes.
She listened to the thrum of Rick’s heart, heat rolling from him. She was desperate to ask what had happened, how the Black Claws had discovered his plans. It had been such an elegant idea. Exploit the charter on their territory claim expiring. Delegitimize them before they can rally support.
But it had been a risk. Rick had known that.
And now there would be war.
Her heart tripped over the thought, bile rising in her throat.
At least, here with Rick, she was safe.
He would protect her. And she would do all she could to protect him.