Chapter 14
“If you fall I will catch you, I’ll be waiting, time after time.” — Cyndi Lauper
Rose's POV
“So what’s the deal, Rose?” Jake’s voice dripped with curiosity.
We sat together on the campus grounds, stretched out in the grass.
I had a copy of A Game of Thrones in my hands—a change from my usual favorite, Count of Monte Cristo.
Jake, meanwhile, was flipping through a stack of my lab notes.
My legs were stretched out in front of me, my denim skirt brushing against my knees, matching the sleeveless denim top I wore.
The afternoon sun bathed my peaches-and-cream skin, but for once, it didn’t redden like it usually did.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, glancing up at him.
“You and Aiden. You guys are mates,” he stated bluntly. “Why aren’t you together? I thought maybe you had an agreement—date around before finally getting together—but…it doesn’t seem like that to me now.”
I snapped my book shut, my hair tumbling into my face in wild waves.
“It’s complicated.” I sighed.
Jake’s gaze flickered to my lips.
“Hey, if he’s stupid enough to let you go…” Jake trailed off, his voice dipping suggestively.
His hand reached up, brushing a stray curl behind my ear. I leaned into his touch, hoping—waiting—for the rush of excitement, the flutter in my chest. But…nothing.
I laughed, the sound almost bitter, pulling away to stare up at the sky.
Birds flew overhead, free to go wherever they pleased.
I envied them. Meanwhile, I was stuck—either under the ever-watchful eye of campus security cameras or confined to pack territory.
I couldn’t even ask Jake to go try out that new steakhouse at the mall without clearing it with my father or Aiden first. Shaking the thought away, I looked back at Jake. He was still waiting.
“You know,” I admitted, picking at a patch of grass, “I used to have the hugest crush on you in high school.”
I glanced at him sideways, wondering how he’d react.
Jake’s expression turned guilty. “I know.”
I blinked. “You…you knew?”
“I knew,” he confirmed, his mouth grim. “I was an idiot in high school, Rose. I knew, and I used it to my advantage. You were so smart, always helping me, explaining things I didn’t understand.
When you told me you were leaving, I wasn’t upset that you were going—I was upset that I’d have no one to help me anymore. ”
“Oh.” My voice was flat.
A cold, heavy feeling settled in my stomach.
Numbness crept through me, spreading like ice.
So that’s what I was to him. To all of them.
Just someone to help, never someone to love.
The only time I’d spent with Aiden was helping him with homework in the library.
And now? He wanted me to help with the pack account books.
“That’s why I asked for your number and email,” Jake continued. “But later, I realized it would be selfish of me to take up your time when you were trying to adjust to a new school, a new place.”
So that was why he never reached out. All those times I checked my phone, my email, hoping to hear from him—it was never going to happen.
My phone rang. Blinking away unshed tears, I grabbed it, answering without looking at the caller ID.
“What’s wrong?” A deep, masculine voice asked.
I froze. Alpha Aiden.
“N-nothing,” I stammered.
“It’s not nothing when I suddenly feel like Christmas got canceled,” he said. “Since nothing happened to make me this sad, it must be you.”
I didn’t know how to respond. My pulse pounded in my ears. He could feel my emotions. Panicking, I hung up. It rang again. I declined the call.
“Hey…hey,” Jake said softly. “Rose, I was an idiot. I’m not like that anymore.”
I swallowed hard, pushing down the lump in my throat.
“I…I have to go.” I scrambled to grab my things. Humiliation burned through me. Of course Jake never liked me. I was an idiot!
“Rose—Rose!” Jake called after me, but I ignored him.
By the time I reached my car, my hands were shaking too badly to drive. My phone buzzed again. This time, I answered.
“Now really isn’t the right time,” I huffed.
“I’m on my way,” Aiden said firmly. “Don’t try driving.”
“What? How did you—?” My confusion tangled my thoughts. “How do you know where I am? How do you know what I’m feeling?”
“This mate pull has its uses,” he said, and I could hear the smirk in his voice. “I can vaguely feel whatever you’re feeling.”
“That still doesn’t explain how you know my location,” I pressed.
A pause.
“I saw you on campus grounds on my way to the library,” Aiden admitted. “You were reading some book.”
I frowned. I’d been sitting here for an hour. If he saw me, why hadn’t he come over?
“I’m leaving the library now,” he said.
“It’s not necessary,” I insisted. “I’m fine now.”
“Too late, Princess. I’m already on my way,” he replied smoothly. “Tell me where you’re parked.”
I muttered my location, biting my lip as I hung up.
The last thing I needed was to deal with another guy.
But sometimes, when I lay awake at night, I remembered Aiden’s lips against mine, the way he kissed me—slowly, deeply.
I remembered his abs pressing against me when he leaned in after shifting back into human form.
I’d run away then. But in my head, I rewrote it.
In my head, I kissed him. And in the darkness, my hands would reach out, searching for something—someone—only to grasp at air.
A sudden thump against the car startled me. I turned to find Aiden standing at the passenger door.
“That was fast,” I muttered, unlocking the door.
“Werewolf speed,” he said, slipping inside. His gaze flickered over me, lingering on my skirt briefly. Did this man not like skirts or something? Every time he looked at mine, he looked like he wanted to sue the creator.
“You have class today?” I asked, surprised.
“Something like that,” he replied vaguely. Then, after a beat, his eyes snapped back to my face. “Have you been crying?”
“No.” I turned away quickly, but he reached out, his touch sending shivers up my arm.
“Look at me,” he said firmly.
I swallowed hard, shaking my head.
“I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s wrong,” he pressed.
“I don’t need your help!” I snapped, turning to glare at him, chest rising and falling sharply. He raised his hands in surrender.
“Tell me, Alpha—”
“Aiden,” he interrupted gently. “My name is Aiden.”
“Alpha,” I repeated coldly. “When was the last time you went to a college party?”
His brows knitted together. “A few weeks ago. I can’t just abandon my alpha duties to get drunk. But I go when I feel the need to socialize and unwind. Why?”
I took a deep breath. “I’ve never been.” My voice cracked.
“I’m in my last semester of undergrad, and I’ve never been to a party.
I haven’t been on more than a handful of dates.
I can’t leave on spring break because I can’t leave pack territory.
I…” I brushed away a tear. “I’m just a girl whom boys are only interested in when they need help. ”
Aiden’s expression darkened. “Where is this coming from, Rose?”
“You’re suffocating me with your rules, Alpha. I can’t do this anymore.” My voice trembled. “I have a right to live my life. I’m tired of being caged. I’m not interesting enough.”
My voice was small. But I meant every word.
“Interesting enough?” Aiden repeated, his voice hollow.
"I'm just a boring girl with a boring life!" I burst out. "I don’t go anywhere, I don’t socialize! No, wait, maybe a better word is can’t. I can’t go anywhere, and I can’t socialize unless it’s pre-approved by you or my father!
Goddess forbid I stay out late at a college party or hang out with friends after class off campus!
" My frustration boiled over into my voice, making it shake.
"It’s for your own safety," Aiden responded patiently. I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut me off. "Look... I don’t know what’s going on here but..." He sucked in a deep breath before exhaling slowly, choosing his words carefully. "Do you want to go… with me?"
"With you?" I asked incredulously.
"I get invited to all the frat parties," he said with a grin. "Do you want to go with me? At least then you can’t say you’ve never been to a college party because of me." His voice was light, teasing almost.
"It’s not just about parties," I mumbled weakly. "It’s everything. I’m sick of all these stupid rules.”
"Let’s start small, Princess," Aiden replied, giving me a smile that made his eyes crinkle.
I bit my bottom lip, missing the way his gaze darkened as it zeroed in on my mouth.
"Look..." He cleared his throat. "I have some things to take care of. I’ll message you tonight with the details."
I watched him get out of my car, and I caught him shaking his head.
"Interesting enough?" His mumbles reached my ears. "I’d say she’s plenty interesting for the both of us. Silly Rose."
I twirled in front of my mirror. "How do I look?" I asked Auntie Hilda. I smoothed my hands over my tight leather skirt and black V-neck halter top. It was entirely backless, save for a thin strap running across my lower back. "My legs don’t look chunky in this, right?"
"You look wonderful! Your legs look amazing!" Auntie Hilda gushed, reaching to fix a flyaway curl. "I’m just happy Alpha Aiden finally asked you out on a date!"
"It’s not a date," I muttered, dabbing at my lipstick.
My phone buzzed. Aiden was outside. He’d insisted on picking me up, and the only reason my father agreed to let me go was because Aiden would be there.
Dad had been paranoid lately, convinced someone was following me.
He’d even picked up a strange scent around my car a few times, but I figured it was just random college kids leaning against it.
Still, I made him promise not to tell Aiden—he’d just worry, and I didn’t want him canceling tonight.
Shrugging on my leather jacket, I waved at Auntie Hilda before running outside. The moment I got into Aiden’s car, I turned to greet him—only to catch his dark eyes lingering on my cleavage before quickly darting away. Then he glowered at me.
"What’s wrong?" I asked hesitantly. Did he hate halter tops just like he hated skirts?
"Nothing." His jaw tightened as he backed out of the driveway.
I knew that look. He was pissed. But why?
"So..." I tried to change the subject. "Where’s the party at?"
"At a frat house," he replied. "Things can get a little wild, so just stick with me, okay?"
I nodded, adrenaline rushing through my veins. I knew it was silly, but I’d been wanting to go to a real college party for so long. I wasn’t interested in getting wasted, but I did want to experience the epic parties our university was famous for.
As we walked toward the house, a slurred voice called out. "Oh, wow."
I turned to see a drunk girl, leaning heavily on her boyfriend. She looked vaguely familiar from campus.
"You guys make a beautiful couple," she said, pointing at us.
"Oh, no, we’re not—" I started, but Aiden abruptly grabbed my hand and pulled me along.
"You know she’s not going to remember this tomorrow," he murmured in my ear. "She’s so drunk she’s probably going to black out soon."
His breath was hot against my skin, lips close enough to brush my ear. If I turned my head, our lips would be inches apart...
"Have you ever blacked out?" I asked.
"No," he said honestly, his voice still near my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "I have a pretty high tolerance."
I stopped mid-walk, needing some space to steady my fluttering heart. He still had a firm grip on my arm.
Looking back, I caught sight of the girl leaning against her boyfriend, raising up on her toes to kiss his cheek.
He smiled down at her, squeezing her butt playfully before helping her along as she talked about needing ramen when they got home.
She went on to complain that he better not hog the blankets tonight.
Something in my chest ached at the sight.
The guy was sober, taking care of his drunk girlfriend. It was... sweet.
"That really is the worst thing," Aiden commented, following my gaze.
"What? Caring about someone?" I challenged him.
"No." He raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Babysitting a girl who clearly can’t handle her alcohol. I feel bad for her boyfriend."
"He’s being chivalrous!" I argued.
Aiden rolled his eyes. "He’s going to be cleaning vomit off the carpet in an hour."
I should have expected that. Typical cynical man.
I yanked my arm from his grip and stomped the rest of the way to the frat house. How could he not see how sweet that was?
"What would you do if it was Lexia?" I asked as we neared the house. Music boomed through the walls, making me raise my voice.
Aiden shook his head. "Lexia can handle her alcohol." His smirk widened.
I tossed my head back in annoyance, curls tumbling down my back.
When we reached the entrance, a group of guys loitered outside smoking. They fist-bumped Aiden, one offering him a cigarette.
"You smoke?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.
He took one, lighting it and inhaling. "Occasionally."
The half-empty pack was offered to me, but I shook my head jerkily, declining.
"Aiden, dude, where’s Lexia?" A guy with platinum blond spikes asked.
Aiden shrugged. I knew they were used to seeing Lexia with him at these parties. I was the anomaly here. The interloper.
Not for the first time, I felt like I didn’t belong.
And yet... I wanted to.
Something inside me wanted to wedge myself into Aiden’s life so completely that there would never be room for Lexia again. But I had to be stronger. I had to remind myself that wasn’t fair.
Greg, the blond guy, eyed me up and down. "Who’s this babe?"
Aiden’s arm wrapped around me in a swift, possessive motion. "Mine," he growled.
Greg and the other guys immediately backed off.
Mine.
That singular word echoed in my brain.
It sent a delicious thrill down my spine.
But what did it mean…to truly be his?