Chapter 63 Sixty Three
FIVE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Rose was happier than she had ever been in her entire life. Nothing in her life had made her feel so joyous, so content, so…alive. Not in the way being in Andrew’s arms did.
She had never imagined finding such a feeling. Never even knew such happiness existed.
Now, she couldn’t imagine going back to a life where she didn’t feel like this.
But that was bound to happen and there was nothing she could do about it.
So she was going to live in the moment, soaking up every moment so she could keep the memories with her when she couldn’t be in his arms anymore.
It had been two weeks since she and Andrew became lovers. They were in each other’s beds every night, but for when Andrew had an overnight guard duty.
Every night felt like their first time together. His every touch, every kiss, every look–they all took her newfound feelings to new heights every time. Later, when he held her in his arms and slept next to her, panic would threaten to take over.
How was she going to move on when she had to leave?
“Rose.”
She turned to look at her sister who was sitting beside her. They were passing the afternoon on the back deck, knitting. The baby was asleep in the nursery, and Daisy was preparing dinner in the kitchen.
“Mmh?” she mumbled absent-mindedly.
“What’s going on between you and Andrew?”
Rose missed a stitch and jabbed her knitting needle into a finger. “What?”
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed,” Penelope continued, her attention on the baby blanket she was working on.
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Rose said, looking away from her sister. Her heart hammered furiously in her chest. Was she so obvious? Who else had noticed?
Penelope gave her sister a doubtful look. She couldn’t force her to fess up, but she felt she needed to say something. “Andrew is a good man. But you are mated.”
Rose said nothing.
“If Marcus found out–”
“He won’t,” Rose interrupted.
Penelope tilted her head. “Rose–”
“I think I’m in love with him, Pen.”
“Rose.”
Rose dropped her needles and half-made shawl to her lap and turned to her sister. “Tell me about him. I want to know everything about him.”
Penelope dropped her knitting stuff too and took her sister’s hand. “I don’t think you should. You have to leave soon. It’s better if you don’t get too attached.”
“I think it’s too late for that.”
“What about him? Does he think the same about you?”
Rose’s head fell. “I can’t ask that of him. After all, I’m the one who’s mated.”
“Yes. To the Alpha of the pack that massacred his family eighty years ago.”
The blood drained from Rose’s face. “What?”
“Andrew’s family were the original Alphas of the Mountain Blacks. It was his grandfather who tried to usurp the throne. As you know, Blood Moon led the charge against them. They murdered his entire family, but his grandmother escaped. She was pregnant when it happened. She hid in the human world and came back after fifteen years with a daughter. She left the girl with the Beaumonts and was never seen again. That daughter became Andrew’s mother.”
Rose pressed a palm to her chest. “Oh God…I…I didn’t know. I mean…I knew it was Blood Moon that retaliated against the Mountain Blacks back then, but I had no idea about Andrew’s family.”
“I shouldn’t be telling you this. Only the Beaumonts know about Andrew’s true lineage. If our family or Blood Moon knew who he truly was, they would want him dead.”
“That’s not right. Why should he be held accountable for the actions of his ancestors?”
“You know how it is, Rose. Blood Moon and the royal family would be afraid that he would try to get revenge.”
“Do you think he wants to?”
Penelope shakes her head. “If he had that kind of intention, he would first try to get back the Alpha position. He wholeheartedly supports Darius. He also puts the pack first, and knows we cannot afford a war right now.”
Rose nodded and picked up her needles. Her mind churned. She would never forgive anyone who massacred her family. Was it really possible to forget such a grudge?
She was Blood Moon’s Luna and a daughter of the royal family. The two entities that worked together to murder Andrew’s family and almost wiped out his pack.
He couldn’t fight against them because the Mountain Blacks were too weak. But what if he could take his revenge in another way…
Like by dishonouring their daughter, their Luna.
She shook her head.
No. She was overthinking.
What was happening between them couldn’t be a lie.
She didn’t expect anything from him, but she didn’t think he was with her out of some malicious intent to disgrace her and her family and pack.
Penelope gave her wrist a gentle touch. “Just…be careful, okay?”
She gave her sister a smile. “I will.”
***
That night, Rose went to Andrew’s room as soon as she heard him get back. She had been anxious all evening, wanting to know whether they were both having fun or if he had a hidden motive.
He had just stripped his shirt when she went in. The light of a single oil lamp illuminated the room, casting a yellowish glow on his skin.
“I was going to bathe first and then come to you,” he said as she approached him.
She halted when she was standing in front of him. Andrew studied her face. “What’s wrong?”
She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his body and resting her head on his chest. “Do you hate me?”
“What?” he asked, confused. “Why would I do that?”
“My family, and my pack…they are the reason your family–”
“Shh,” he silenced her. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he drew her from him. When she looked up at him, he said, “Don’t say anymore. The past has nothing to do with us.”
She swallowed. “Do you mean that?”
He nodded and brushed the back of his fingers on her cheek. “Do you think I would make love to someone I hate?”
She stared up at him speechlessly. He was so gentle with her, so loving. How could she think he hated her?
He bent his head and kissed her temple. “Want to bathe with me?”
She shut her eyes momentarily and took a deep breath to calm herself. It was okay. He didn’t hate her. “If you don’t mind.”
He took her hand and pulled her towards the tub that was already filled with steaming water. “I don’t.”
