CHAPTER 11
A Night of Thorns and Shadows
Rosa's POV
It had been weeks since the coronation party. Weeks since I last saw him. Not a word. Not a glance. Just titles, meetings, and relentless formality.
My schedule had become suffocating — morning etiquette training, noon meetings with noblewomen, evening tea with the council's wives. I was being drowned by a crown I never asked for.
Tonight was no different. The Noble Women's Council meeting had dragged on until twilight. I returned to my chambers utterly drained.
After changing into a light silk robe, I waved a hand toward my maid.
"You can retire, Paige," I said softly.
"Yes, Luna," she curtsied and quietly stepped out.
I picked a random book from the shelf and sat by the reading desk. The words blurred. My eyes skimmed across lines I didn't absorb. My heart wasn't here.
I missed my parents.
My Pack.
I missed being Rosa.
I closed the book with a sigh and stood. The air in the room suddenly felt too tight. I needed space. I needed to breathe. I grabbed my fur-lined jacket and quietly slipped out.
The palace was silent, wrapped in the hush of midnight. I found myself walking toward the garden — the only place I'd found some semblance of peace.
The moonlight bathed the blossoms in silver. I traced my fingers across the petals of a fire lily, admiring its brilliance. Maybe if I could just scream into the night—
Crack.
A low rustle behind the bushes startled me.
Then I saw it.
A brown wolf stepped out from the shadows, his eyes glowing with hunger. My heart leapt into my throat.
I turned and bolted, but he was faster.
He lunged.
I hit the ground hard, my breath knocked out of me.
"No! Let me go!" I screamed, trying to claw myself free.
But he was too strong. His claws shredded my robe, and his heavy paw pinned me down as his snout traced along my neck.
Tears filled my eyes. "Please…"
Suddenly, a thunderous growl tore through the air.
Bryant's POV
Insomnia. My most loyal companion.
For years, sleep had eluded me. And tonight was no exception.
I've tried reading. Then working. But none of it helped.
I finally gave up and decided to take a walk.
The sky was clear. The stars looked like scattered diamonds on velvet. Sometimes, just standing beneath them gave me clarity — even if only briefly.
As I wandered through the palace grounds, the scent of garden roses lingered in the air — but beneath that…
A smell.
A distinct, intoxicating fragrance. Warm honey and fresh lavender.
Rosa.
She was here.
I turned toward the direction of her scent, my pace quickening.
Then I saw it — and my blood boiled.
Her robe was torn. She was pinned beneath a brown wolf, struggling, crying.
My vision went red.
Without a second thought, I shifted.
The pain of transformation was nothing compared to the rage that coursed through me.
I lunged at him — claws slashing, teeth snapping.
We fought viciously, the ground beneath us tearing apart from the impact. He snarled, but I was fueled by something far deeper — fury.
Just as I gained the upper hand, he transformed into his human form and teleported away.
Coward.
I turned immediately and rushed to Rosa.
She was limp.
I shifted back and lifted her into my arms. Her skin burned — she had a fever.
"Rosa…" I murmured, panic squeezing my chest.
Once in her chambers, I gently laid her down, fetched a dry gown, and began wiping her skin with cool water. My hands trembled. Her breaths were shallow. I did everything I could to comfort her.
All. Night. Long.
Rosa's POV
Sunlight streamed into the room, warm against my cheeks.
My eyes fluttered open.
Where…? What happened?
I sat up with a jolt, but pain shot through my shoulders. My body ached.
My robe was different. Who changed me?
Did that wolf…?
No. No, no, no.
My heart raced as fragments of the night returned.
I turned and saw Bryant asleep on the couch nearby — his face relaxed in a way I'd never seen before.
He stirred.
"Rosa," he said groggily, standing quickly. He moved to my side and touched my forehead.
Still warm, but better.
"What happened last night?" I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady.
He looked at me, jaw clenched. "Don't step out of your chambers alone again. Not at night."
I stared at him. "You didn't answer my question."
He averted his eyes. "He didn't get to you."
A breath of relief escaped my lips, but the fear lingered.
"Thank you…" I murmured, unsure of what else to say.
He didn't respond. He just poured me some water, handed it to me, and quietly turned toward the window.
The silence between us said more than words ever could.