10 - ALWAYS AND FOREVER

A YEAR LATER

ROSA'S POV

I walked through the lonely path, heading towards our usual spot. I really didn't want to go today, considering the fact that I had the bruises of my father's anger, all over my body. I had expected the wounds to quickly heal before sunrise today, but I was hugely disappointed. Atleast, the big hoodie I put on was able to hide the bruises on my body. Luckily, the ones on my face were little, and I could easily lie that I had a domestic accident. It felt like I was some sort of experiment to him, and everyday he tried new methods of punishments and torture on me.

Yesterday's torture made me wonder if he was really my father. Even up until now, I still couldn't believe my own father had branded my skin with hot iron. Luckily, the wound would definitely heal, but the scars would remain all my life, reminding me of what a shitty life I have lived. I blinked back the tears in my eyes, trying to avoid a sour mood today of all days.

It was Theo's birthday today, and I had to see him and wish him well. I knew he wasn't going to be happy, if I ditched him on a day such as this. Moreover, he had a big party being hosted for him at the pack house, but he didn't mind ditching them, just to be with me at our favourite spot.

Getting closer to the green lake, my excitement grew a notch higher. I couldn't help being excited to see Theo, no matter how many times I did in a day. He was the only friend I had in the pack, save for priestess Ivana. And after the shadow moon festival last year, everyone who saw my handicapped wolf made it a mission to avoid me.

I mean, they weren't directly saying hurtful things to me. They just found a way of politely avoiding me, and I guess that hurt more. Theo was the only one who was actually proud to be seen with me, even in my terrible clothes.

Though during most social gatherings and events at the pack, he was always busy with one task or the other, as the Alpha's son. So, I rarely got to see or talk to him during those times. But he always made it up to me by never missing out on our special hangouts at the green lake.

I hastened my steps the closer I got, and my smile widened when I saw Theo sitting at the mouth of the lake, throwing peebles into the water. It seemed like he had sniffed me from a distance, and turned to me with a wide smile on his face. As I ran towards him, he stood up and made his way towards me, meeting me midway.

As usual, he casually lifted me off the ground, twirling me around.

"Stop!" I giggled. For the first time since last night, I felt genuinely happy again. Father had made the previous night hell for me.

"A frown? Why?" Theo whispered onto my cheek, making my entire face go hot. I mean, Theo and I were just friends, but I definitely wouldn't deny the fact that I had developed a little crush on him. Okay, scratch that. I had developed a huge crush on him. But it definitely wasn't something I was going to speak on, ever. He was turning 20 today, and it was a reminder that he was already within the age range of finding his mate.

No matter what feelings I thought I harbored towards him, it wasn't going to mean a thing when his mate came along.

'Can't we be his mates? Isn't that a possibility?' My wolf sighed sadly.

'It is possible, but who are we kidding? Once Theo finds his mate, he would be the next alpha. What makes you think that the moon goddess would make someone as such as me a Luna? I can't even defend myself, talk more about an entire pack'. Goddess! My pack members wouldn't even respect me as their Luna. Moreover, I hadn't even gotten to the age of finding my mate yet. I was just 16.

"Tell me." He demanded, gently dropping me to the ground and examining my face. I guess he got his answer when he saw the few bruises under my eyes and chin. I could tell he was sooo mad. For over a year we had been friends, he had not stopped trying to convince me to report my father's abuse to the Alpha; his father. But then, I felt it was all useless, because it was only going to make things worse for me. I had nowhere else to go, asides that place I had always called home. And there was no way in hell that my father wouldn't retaliate after being reported to the Alpha.

"Rosaline, I told you!" His voice boomed, making me flinch in shock. He turned his back against me, and I just stood there, lost for words. This was a very special day for him, and I felt so bad that we had started it with a misunderstanding, over my father.

"Theo, I'm sorry." I finally let out, slowing making my way towards him. "I'm sorry, but you should be used to this by now."

"Used to this?" He suddenly turned to me, so much rage in his eyes. "I can't be used to seeing you hurt. How does that even sound to you?" He shook his head in disbelief.

"It's your birthday." I whispered.

"Oh yes! And the highlight of it was seeing these terrible brusies on my bestfriend!" He scowled. If only he knew that there were worse on my body. Thankfully, this enormous hoodie was doing a good job. "Only the goddess know how much more are under that hoodie of yours." He eyed me, making me gulp. It was his ability to always read my mind though. But on a second thought, I realised that the hoodie I was putting on, was actually given to me by him.

"A cute hoodie from you." I smiled, trying to reduce the tension, but boy was I wrong!

"Oh yeah." He nodded vigorously. "Try reminding me how another one of his abusive behaviours, got you that." Instantly, my face fell. He was right though. He had given me this hoodie under terrible circumstances.

A couple of months back, I had returned so late from an errand that Lena had sent me on, and father decided to lock me out for coming back late. Unfortunately, a heavy downpour began, and I hadn't a choice but to remain out there under the rain. I still don't know how and why, but Theo had suddenly shown up that night. He had come under the rain, and had been so pissed to see me in such situation.

He pulled off his hoodie, and had me wear it immediately. I was a shivering mess, and felt quite thankful for the warmth his hoodie had brought me that night. He stayed with me until my father came opening the door, afterwhich he left.

"You still haven't told me why you had come that night." I muttered, and he looked down at me.

"For you, of course." He shrugged, not making any sense to me. "Meanwhile, information reaching us is that Alpha Ryan of the coldmoon pack murdered his mate last night."

"Goddess!" I exclaimed in shock. And here I was, thinking my father was a monster. How could anyone have done that to their own mate??! He was a monster!!! "He is the hybrid Alpha, right?"

"Yeah." Theo replied dryly.

"Why?!" I found myself asking, and quickly shook my head mild annoyance. "No matter what, no one should be excused for committing such a dastardly act!"

"Pheeeww!" Theo released a sigh. "It is what it is. Even I, cannot comprehend it. Word reaching us is that the castle has been shut."

"By whom?"

"That, I do not know." He shrugged, further throwing me into worse confusion.

"I don't understand." I furrowed my brows in confusion.

"Even I, do not."

The place was silent for a couple of minutes, while we just walked to the mouth of the lake together.

"How do we go about celebrating your birthday, after starting up with such a terrible news?" I frowned, and he gave a small smile.

"I guess where there is cake, there is joy!" He yelled, pointing at the cake that had been sitting where he had previously been sitting, by the lake. How come was I just seeing that now? We both looked at each other, giving ourselves a knowing look, before making a dash for the cake.

I got to the cake first and had planned to pick it up gently, but when I felt Theo's presence behind me, I made a rough grab for it. I had squashed the poor cake in the process, which had me sobbing and giggling at the same time.

"Give me that, you little...!!" Theo growled behind me, making me giggle much loudly. His hands firmly grabbed my waist, and just then, my breathe hitched in self consciousness.

"Let go!!!" I laughed, trying to appear unfazed by his touch.

"Why should I?" He suddenly went unmoving, still holding me by the waist. Actually, he had lifted me off the ground. So now, I was just suspended in the air, with the squashed cake in my hands.

"Because we have to get to the agenda of the day." I whispered almost inaudibly.

"This is the agenda of the day. Being with you, and having as much fun as we can." He muttered, gently dropping me on the soft sand. I carefully placed the cake on the ground, feeling extra self aware of the tension between us. Or was I just the one imagining things? Sitting and folding my legs, Theo sat beside me.

"Happy Birthday Theo." I sighed, now feeling the pains from my wounds, after the vigorous exercise we just had.

"Thank you, Rosa." He gave a small smile.

"I know I shouldn't bring it up, but I can't help but think on it." I sighed, scratching my brows.

"What is it?"

"What do you think about the hybrid alpha's situation?" I muttered. "I had heard he was so in love with his mate. I mean.... the news was all over when he found her."

"There are people who abuse love, Rosa. Someone who truly loves you, would never intentionally hurt you. Talk more of killing you."

"I guess my father doesn't love me then." I sighed, tears clouding my eyes.

"Don't do that." He shunned me. "It breaks my heart to see you sad."

"I'm sorry." I nodded, quickly cleaning the tears that had dropped down my cheek.

"Your father may not love or value you, but I do." Theo said, taking my hand in his.

"You promise to always be friends?" I found myself asking, feeling the need to be reassured that my one and only friend, whom I had developed feelings for, wasn't going to desert me too.

"Of course." He nodded, stretching his hand to clean away some more tears on my face. I didn't even realize I was crying. "In fact...." He flashed me a tight smile. "Let's make a pact."

"What pact?" I asked cluelessly.

"Always and forever. A pact to remain in each other's lives, always and forever."

"I would like that." I said, feeling lighter.

"Alright then, let's pinky swear." He giggled, displaying his well arranged sets of teeth.

"Always and forever?" He asked, stretching forth his little finger to me.

"Always and forever." I nodded, hooking my own little finger around his. With that we sealed our deal. A deal I really thought would last a lifetime and stand the test of time. Wishes were never horses after all.

We stayed silent for sometime, just appreciating each other's presence.

"How do you feel about today?" I finally broke the silence.

"To be honest, it was basic at the beginning." He sighed, his smile turning sad. "But then, being with you makes it all better." At his words, I blinked a couple of times, readjusting my sitting position.

"I'm glad I make it all better." Plunging my index finger through it, I took a small piece of the cake and put it in my mouth. Goddess! It tasted soooo good! "You should have a taste of this!" I grinned.

"I would prefer a taste of you." He whispered, knocking me off my breath. Where did that come from?

"What?" I asked, my lips quivering in a mix of confusion and shock. Instead of answering me, he leaned closer, making our breath mix with each other's. I knew I was supposed to stop him, but I found myself immobile. He continued to come closer, until our faces were a mere inch apart. Just as he was about to do what I knew he had in mind to do, someone's angry voice interrupted us, making me jolt in shock.

"Theo! So this is where you are?!" I looked up to see Theo's younger sister; Vera. Vera had never really liked me, and she didn't fail to show it.

"Vera. What are you doing here? How did you know I was here?" Theo shot back at her, standing from the ground.

"Wow! You even brought a cake for you both?! You have been here the entire time, when our family hosted a birthday party for you? You rather spend your day with this loser girl?"

I knew Vera never liked me, but that hurt a lot.

"Vera, don't push me." Theo warned, and I took that as my cue to leave. But then, Vera's next words stopped me in my tracks.

"Wait until father hears that you're still hanging around the very same deformed girl he has asked you to avoid." What?

Immediately, I looked up at Theo for some form of assurance that his father didn't really say that, but his face had all the answers I needed. His sister was right. Immediately, I began to walk away, tears threatening to drop from my eyes.

"No! Rosa, please wait!" He called after me, trying to catch up with me. Frustratingly, Vera followed us, suddenly overtaking me and blocking my path.

"You shouldn't just leave, Rosa. Run!" She yelled in my face, causing me to flinch. "I saw what you both were about to do, but thankfully, I got here in time." She smirked, making me bow my head in embarrassment. "Just so you know, you're just a project to Theo." She chuckled.

"Vera..." Theo growled lowly, warning his sister, but she didn't seem to care.

"He is just being the usual kind boy who doesn't like to see a helpless disabled girl. You have no friends, and he feels pity for you. You're like a wet dog that needs shelter."

"No." I whispered under my breath, the tears finally falling from my eyes. I didn't want to believe whatever she was saying.

"That's enough, you brat!" Theo growled, grabbing Vera by the arm and pulling her along with him, but she violently pushed him away, and turned back to me.

"If you ever think you have a chance with the future Alpha of shadow moon, then your existence must really be a shame indeed. You think he is proud of being seen with you?" She chuckled mockingly.

"He never sits or hangs around you during social events, and he chose here..." She waved her hand over the green lake. "...as the perfect spot for you both? A secluded environment where anyone hardly visits?" She tapped her finger against her chin, trying to act like she was thinking, but we both knew everything she had said to me today, was all premeditated. And it hurt like hell. "Theo is ashamed to be seen with you." She finally said, shattering what was left of my heart. Slowly, I looked up at him, and the tears in his eyes only proved Vera right. Here I was again, a fool.

How could I have ever thought that anyone would genuinely love me?