"I don't know why it's so hard for me to say it. I've talked with Glen about it, but Glen and I always talk about everything. Davis knows, but talking with him is like talking to a brick wall sometimes. And Dr. Nesbitt, she only knows because Glen opened his mouth—” She looked up at Cheyenne. The stern look on her face told her she had been rambling.
"Sorry,” Rose quickly apologized. “I'm nervous."
"I can tell. Hon, there's nothing to be nervous about. Just tell me what's on your mind."
"All right. It has to do first off, with Simon and Jason."
Cheyenne nodded for her to go. Rose looked down at her hands and continued in a quavering voice. “The night the shit really hit the fan, when Claire was killed. Jason told me he found something there. It was what really pushed him over the edge.” Rose thought of the mating with Simon and shuddered. “Well, one of the things that really pushed him."
"What was it?"
Rose opened her mouth to say the words, but nothing came out. She had never been so worked up to tell someone something in her entire life. This was Cheyenne, a trusted pack member and her friend. She had never had trouble talking about things before. Maybe it was the nature of the topic, or the fact that she didn't want to be judged. Maybe she was afraid of Cheyenne's reaction, thought maybe she would think of her as a lesser person. Rose wasn't sure, but knew she had to get this off her chest.
There was no use hesitating any longer. Rose lifted her gaze to meet Cheyenne's.
"Jason and Simon are brothers."
At first, Cheyenne's face remained as before—calm and attentive, even a little concerned. Then, with the dawning news, her eyebrow slowly lifted and a smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. Her lips twitched with an oncoming chuckle.
Rose stared at her, completely unmoving. “I'm serious,” she said in a soft, solemn voice. She felt cold, scared.
Whether it was her words, the look in her eyes, or a combination of both, Cheyenne seemed to believe her. The smile dropped from her face and it appeared that all thought of laughter disappeared. Cheyenne's eyes widened.
"Brothers? You mean—"
Rose cut her off. “They're half brothers. They share a dad."
"How did he find out?” Cheyenne wanted to know.
"There was a letter, in a file that Claire had found. It was one of the files Simon had originally stolen. It was a letter to Simon, from his dad. He had written it before Simon killed him. He had met a woman before, a human and they had Jason, but he had to give him up. He had met Jason only once, and then he was going to introduce his sons and attempt to have one big happy family. But, he was killed before he had the chance and the letter was left unread. Jason told me about it, before Claire's memorial service ... after everything happened.” She said it all quickly then waited for Cheyenne to respond.
Cheyenne shook her head. “Wow, I had no idea. Did Simon know?"
Rose nodded. “Yeah, he found out right before Jason. The letter was already opened. They think Claire may have read it, too...” She sucked in a deep breath. “It was found next to her body."
"Oh no,” Cheyenne whispered.
"It was something we all couldn't believe.” Rose looked away from her again. “But there it was. All these years, they were related by blood. They were the same."
"No,” Cheyenne spoke up in a stern voice. “No, Rose, they are not the same. Simon, from what I've been told, was a sadistic and cruel son of a bitch. Jason is not like that. He may be a bit cruel, but aren't most males? No, they're not the same."
Rose was doubtful. For quite some time she had been thinking on this. There were similarities between Jason and Simon, things that should've been noticed earlier. Like the way Jason eerily looked like Simon when he was angry, and they both possessed the same half smirk.
Rose shuddered and shook her head. “No, there are similarities, believe me."
"That doesn't matter, because Simon is dead. And sharing blood doesn't make you family. We all know that."
"I know, but that's not all."
Cheyenne's eyebrows shot up in surprise. “There's more?"
"Yeah, I'm afraid so.” Rose took one more deep breath, held it a while and then exhaled in a sigh. “When Simon kidnapped me that last time—the time before, when I was at the cabin and he surprised us there, I mean—something happened."
Cheyenne tilted her head, her brow furrowing as she listened and waited for Rose to go on. Rose felt her heart begin to kick wildly in her chest. She closed her eyes.
"If you remember the night we had that last gathering—"
"I remember."
"I was in heat.” Rose opened her eyes. She waited, hoping she didn't have to say anything further, that Cheyenne would understand, but she merely looked at her with an upraised eyebrow.
"What does that have to do with anything?” No sooner had Cheyenne said the words, her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “Oh, Rose ... you didn't..."
Rose closed her eyes, but this time to keep a tear of shame from leaking out.
"Oh, Rose,” Cheyenne said again. Rose heard her push away from the table and stand up. She walked the floor. “You slept with Simon?"
"It wasn't my fault,” Rose began, but Cheyenne let out a huffing breath.
"It takes two to tango, but I don't understand. Simon?"
"When you're in heat, the wolf is uncontrollable,” Rose tried to explain. Cheyenne was a changed-blood and as far as Rose or anyone else knew, changed-blood females didn't go through a heat cycle like full-bloods. She wouldn't know how it felt. “You're body is fueled by sexual desire and there's not much you can do."
"You gave in to Simon?” Cheyenne sounded disgusted and when Rose opened her eyes to look at her, she saw the revulsion evident on her face. Her upper lip was curled in a sneer. “Rose, I can't believe it."
"It wasn't me,” Rose exclaimed. “It was the wolf. If you understand anything, you can understand that. It wasn't me, Cheyenne.” She was close to tears, feeling them burn her eyes. She blinked them away. “It wasn't me."
The disgusted look vanished from Cheyenne's face and she crossed the floor in two quick strides. “Oh, hon.” She knelt beside Rose and wrapped her arms around her. Rose broke then, sobbing against her friends shoulder. “I didn't mean to get angry with you. I know how it is, Rose. I know. It was just a shock ... It'll be okay."
Rose felt Cheyenne's soothing hands on her back. She leaned back, sniffling as she wiped her tears away. There was something about crying that made a person feel better afterwards, no matter what the situation.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I've been holding that in for so long."
"I believe it.” Cheyenne removed herself from Rose and took a couple of paper towels from the roll on the counter and passed them to her. Rose wiped her eyes with them.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it.” Cheyenne resumed her seat. “Sometimes you just need to cry it out."
"That's the truth.” Rose ran a hand through her hair. “I hate myself for it,” she said. “I didn't want to do it, but it happened and I can't take it back."
"Is that why Jason left?"
Rose looked at Cheyenne. “He told me he had to leave, to find out the truth about his family ... but I suspect that was part of it."
Cheyenne nodded. Rose watched as Cheyenne looked down at her glass of tea, watching condensation bead down the glass. Her eyebrows were still close together in thought and she hoped Cheyenne was figuring out the last part, that she might be carrying Simon's child.
Cheyenne lifted her eyes and meet Rose's stare.
"The baby,” she began then stopped. Rose solemnly nodded. She opened her mouth to speak but the words died before she had a chance. Someone began knocking loudly on the front door.
"Who could that be? I didn't hear anyone pull up,” Cheyenne wondered. She looked to Rose, clearly confused. “Hold that thought,” she said as she stood again. She had just made it to the kitchen door when Rose heard the front door open and some
one step inside.
"Aurora? What are you doing here?"
"Cheyenne, I didn't know where else to go. That—that woman, Nola—I had to get away, I needed a place to go and I thought—"
"Hold on, Aurora, you're going a mile a minute. Calm down.” Cheyenne stepped out of the doorway to reveal a slightly disheveled, wide eyes Aurora. Her gaze flew to Rose.
"Rose,” she said, ignoring Cheyenne completely. She pushed past her and hurried to Rose. “Nola—that woman—she's after you. She had a gun and—"
"Wait a minute,” Cheyenne said, moving forward. “What's going on? Slow down, girl."
Aurora stopped, catching her breath. Rose felt cold all over. Though her nose was still stopped up, she could smell through it just a little and the scent of fear saturated the air around her. Something was very wrong.
"What about Nola?” Rose asked.
"She came to the PRDI. She was looking for you and looking for Jason. I was talking with Dr. Nesbitt and she barged in. She had a gun and she wanted me to tell you where you were. I didn't know. I didn't know you were here. She shot Dr. Nesbitt and she was going to shoot me.” By now, Aurora was in tears. Rose exchanged worried looks with Cheyenne.
"So I ran. I took the keys to Davis's car and I drove here. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know where to go."
"It's okay, hon.” Cheyenne placed a hand on Aurora's shoulder. “Just sit down. Breathe. I'll get you a glass of water."
Aurora nodded and sat in the chair Cheyenne had occupied only moments ago. “I don't know what she's trying to do. She's crazy!"
Rose didn't know what to say. She was starting to feel nauseous again. Aurora's retelling of the events was testament enough. Nola was behind the accidents, but why?
"I feel sick,” Rose said. “I think I'm going to puke."
"Oh no, not in my kitchen...” Cheyenne groaned. She set Aurora's glass of water down on the table in a hurry and rushed to Rose's side.
"I'll be fine,” Rose said. “It's just—"
The baby kicked her suddenly, hard and Rose groaned. She felt a surge of adrenaline and her heart began to race. Rose didn't have a moment to think on it when the pain hit her again.
It was just like before, just before the car exploded. She doubled over, almost falling out of her chair. If Cheyenne hadn't been there, she might've hit the floor. The pain blinded her.
"Oh God, it hurts,” she cried out through the pain.
"What is it? Is it the baby? What's wrong?” She heard Cheyenne ask. Rose couldn't speak. Another wave of pain hit her.
Then she saw it, clearly as if she were seeing it happen right before her eyes. Simon was staring at her, with that leer on his face. His dark hair was unruly and he held a gun in his hand. They were in the warehouse, where Jason and Simon had fought years ago. Beside Simon there was a woman, her auburn hair barely touching her shoulders. Her green eyes regarded Rose with hatred and a smirk of disdain crossed her lips.
It was the woman she had faced off with, the one who had been changed. Rose couldn't remember if she ever knew the woman's name, but she knew the woman's anger for her was strong.
Then, as if it were really happening, the woman's face morphed. Her hair became longer, darker and her eyes turned brown. Her nose became smaller, lips fuller and in an instant Rose recognized who she was looking at. It was Nola.
The changed-blood female she had fought with was Nola. They were one and the same. She had been in league with Simon.
"Oh God.” She wanted to tell the others about her, about her associations with Simon but she could only get out his name before the image in her mind shifted. Nola was no longer standing there, empty handed. She was holding a rifle and pointing it at her.
"Simon?” Rose heard Cheyenne say and she was brought out of these horrifying visions. “What about Simon? Is it Simon's baby?"
Rose could see again and both Cheyenne and Aurora were looking at her with expressions of fear and disbelief.
"Simon's baby?” Aurora asked. “The baby is Simon's? How—?"
"What is it, Rose?” Cheyenne asked. “What's happening?"
The pain hit her again. Rose tried to yell, but no sound came out. She saw Nola lifting the weapon. Saw her taking aim. Saw her pull the trigger.
She knew it was going to happen, but Rose couldn't speak to warn them. She tried to grab for Cheyenne, but it was too late.
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Chapter Twenty-Four
Glass shattered around them as the bullet hit the window, the gunshot silent. Aurora screamed and fell out of her chair. Blood sprayed into the air, the scent of it thick and strong. Rose felt it splatter across her face and chest.
"Get down,” she cried out, though it seemed useless to do so. They were already on the floor. Rose cradled her arms around her swollen belly. Cheyenne was crouched next to her.
"Who was shot?” Rose asked, panic in her voice. Aurora was huddled near her chair, tears streaming down her face. There was no blood on her, or near her. She was fine. Rose turned to Cheyenne. Blood poured from a wound in her arm.
"Me. Shit!” Cheyenne's hands trembled as she lifted them. They were covered in blood. She was covered in blood. “Why are people always shooting at my house?"
"Are you all right?"
"It hurts, but—” Cheyenne inhaled sharply, “but I'll heal."
"She's here. Nola is here. She must've followed Aurora."
"I'm so sorry,” Aurora blubbered. She crawled to them, broken glass crunching under her hands and knees. Her palms were bleeding, but she didn't seem to notice. “I didn't know she would follow me. I'm so sorry!"
"Stop it,” Rose and Cheyenne both said at the same time. Cheyenne looked at Rose as she pressed her hand to her wound. “I think the bullet went clean through."
"That's good,” Rose said in a voice calmer than what she really felt. “We have to go."
"This way.” Cheyenne crawled out from under the table. “Through the living room. We can—"
They had just climbed out from under the table when the back door burst open.
"There you are, you insufferable bitch,” she said, pointing her gun down at the floor. Her brown eyes—green eyes—were yellow in anger. Rose looked up at her, freezing where she was.
"You fucking bitch. You slut. You whore!” she screamed. She crossed the floor in two steps and smacked the butt of the gun against Rose's face.
Pain shot through her head and Rose clenched her teeth. The force of it would've broken the jaw on a normal woman, but Rose was resilient. It hurt, but she wouldn't show any lasting damage.
"You whore,” Nola screamed again. “You fucked him. You fucked my mate and got knocked up!"
Rose had never seen anyone so livid when she looked up to meet Nola's stare. She was inches from her face, forced to stare into her golden, blazing eyes.
"You fucked him,” she said in a lower voice, a hint of hysterical laughter in her tone. “He always wanted you and I guess he finally got you, finally got what he wanted. He got you pregnant and you got what you wanted. Then your fucking mate killed him and he got what he wanted. But what about me? What did I get? Nothing!"
She shoved Rose back and lifted the gun. She tore her gaze away long enough to look at Cheyenne and then to Aurora. Her eyes lingered on her for a long while. Rose tried to ignore the dull throb in her face and head.
"You think this is what I wanted?” Rose whispered, finding her voice. Nola looked back to her.
"Of course it's what you wanted. It's what you all want. Power. You want the damn power. That's why you're the alpha bitch."
"I never wanted any of that,” Rose said through her clenched teeth. Her heart was still racing, adrenaline pumping. The baby was kicking her like crazy. Rose felt a surge of the protective instinct. She had to do something or she was going to die and her baby with her. She couldn't let that happen.
"Oh, don't give me that,” Nola laughed. “I think I know you a little better than that. You think I ju
mped into this without knowing about you and who you are? I did my research, just like Simon did."
"Bitch.” It was Cheyenne who said it this time. She was crouched on the floor near the fridge, Aurora beside her. Blood was all over the floor around her. Her hands were crimson with it and she was looking very pale, but her eyes were still bright and she narrowed them angrily at Nola. “You fucking bitch. You're the one who's been behind it all. You're the one who tried to blow up the car."
"You're damn straight. Now shut your mouth before I make a hole in your damn head. And this time, I won't miss who I'm aiming for."
For a moment it looked like Cheyenne was going to make a witty comeback, but she didn't. Instead, she looked to Aurora and nodded to her.
Rose shook her head at them, knowing that whatever passed between them would end badly. She couldn't risk her packmates being killed either. Nola was clearly unstable. There was no telling when she might fully snap.
But Aurora didn't look in Rose's direction and didn't see the shake of the head. Nola didn't either, for that matter. She turned back to Rose.
It was the moment the others were waiting for. Aurora bolted upright and began to run for the living room and the front door.
"No,” Rose screamed. Nola lifted her gun and took aim. Cheyenne shouted something Rose couldn't hear, but Nola didn't have a need to shoot. The front door burst open. From where Rose sat on the floor, she could just see the corner of the foyer. A male figure stepped into the room, blocking Aurora's path.
Aurora came to a halt with a gasp. The man grabbed hold of Aurora without hesitation and pressed her close to him. He said something to her that Rose couldn't catch and Aurora began to march forward.
They stopped in the doorway. The man was Hispanic, his dark skin glistening with beads of sweat. His long black hair was tied back in a ponytail. His bare biceps flexed as he moved quickly, grabbing the gun at his hip. He aimed it at Cheyenne as she crouched on the floor. In his left hand, he held a glittering knife, the point of which was pressed against Aurora's pale throat.
Her eyes were wide and fearful as she was pinned there with his strong looking arm and a blade to her neck. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Rose felt cold all over.
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