~ RONAN ~

When I pull back, we’re both gasping for air, our foreheads touching as we breathe each other in.

"We need to talk," I say quietly, my voice rough with emotion.

She nods, and I scoop her off the floor and into my arms, cradling her against my chest as I carry her to the bed. She weighs almost nothing, and the need to protect her burns through me like wildfire.

I place her gently on the bed and settle beside her, my hand never leaving her waist.

"Come here," I murmur, and she shifts closer, her body fitting perfectly against mine like she was always meant to be here.

I can’t help but laugh softly when I see her cheeks redden at the intimacy of the moment. I kiss her forehead again, unable to help myself.

"I can’t just have enough of you," I say, the words tumbling out before I can stop them.

She signs something that looks like a question, her eyes searching mine.

"We need to talk," I repeat, my voice taking on a more serious tone. "And you need to trust me enough to tell me the truth. I’m not going to judge whatever your past is. I’m not going to abandon you. But I need you to stop lying to me."

Her body tenses slightly. "Remember, you said no more lies," I continue, my hand coming up to touch her cheek gently.

"I know I said I was going to protect you, and yet my pack guards harassed you again. I’m sorry for failing you," I say, guilt weighing heavily on my chest. "But now, we have this room to ourselves, and I promise... from this moment on, I’ll protect you."

I pause, swallowing the lump lodged in my throat.

"Elias said you have a wolf..."

Her mouth falls open, her brows knitting together in confusion as she stares at me, clearly wondering what on earth I’m talking about.

I force down the anger threatening to rise inside me.

"What do you mean?" she signs, confusion written all over her face.

Since she’s reacting this way, it can only mean she doesn’t know about it either.

"Your wolf is being suppressed by some kind of chemical. Elias is still running tests to identify exactly what it is. Once we know, we’ll figure out how to get the antidote and bring your wolf back," I explain calmly.

My hand rises to stroke her cheek, trying to keep her from worrying.

"That’s also the reason you experienced your first mini heat," I add gently.

She’s silent for a moment, her face scrunching up as she tries to process my words.

"Do you know anyone who would want your wolf gone?" I ask carefully.

She stares at me for a long moment, her hazel eyes searching mine as though she’s fighting an internal battle. It’s as if the words are lodged in her throat, desperate to come out, yet held back by fear.

I can practically see her struggling with herself, trying to decide whether to speak while still keeping the promise she made to me—not to lie.

I know this is hard for her. Goddess, I know it is. But this can’t keep going on. Not anymore. I need to know what else they’ve done to her.

"I’m scared..." she signs.

My brows pull together. "I don’t want you waging war against my pack."

It takes me a moment to process her words. She’s protecting them.

The very people who hurt her. The people who left bruises on her body, stole her voice, and somehow managed to suppress her wolf. And she’s worried about them.

Worried I’ll lose control and bring destruction to her pack.

A heavy sigh leaves me as I shake my head. Taking both of her hands in mine, I gently tilt her chin upward until those hazel eyes meet mine.

"I promise, Rose," I say softly. "I’m not going to start a war."

Her shoulders visibly relax.

"We signed a peace treaty, and I can’t just march into Westbrook and attack your pack."

I pause, a small smirk tugging at my lips.

"But..." I add, squeezing her hands lightly, "I can’t give you my full assurance that I won’t break a bone or two if someone deserves it."

Her eyes widen slightly, and she straightens, moving away from my arm. A frown etches itself onto her face as she stares at me.

"I’m not the saint you think I am..." she signs. "I... I’m a murderer. I killed my father."

Her eyes narrow on mine, as though she’s waiting for some sort of reaction. Maybe disgust. Maybe disappointment. Maybe even hatred. But my face remains blank.

"How did it happen?" I ask.

She swallows hard and looks away. "I can’t really remember all the details. There was a fire, and I was the only one they managed to save. They couldn’t get to him in time. The only thing I remember is starting the fire."

None of it makes sense. Warren mentioned it before, but it still doesn’t add up. Then I remember something else he said.

He had used the term ’The late king and not our father.’

"The late king was your father?" I ask.

She nods. Her eyes suddenly widen as realization dawns on her.

A dark feeling settles in my gut. "You don’t need to keep covering up their fucking lies, Rose. That means you aren’t Warren’s sister?"

She shakes her head.

Well, fuck. Warren lied to me.

"So how are you related to Warren?"

A look of hesitation crosses her face. Her fingers twitch nervously, and for a moment, I think she’s about to retreat into silence again.

I wait. Slowly, she signs, "He’s my mate."

Anger explodes through my veins. Mate?

The shock that slams into me is unlike anything I’ve ever felt.

Mate? Roselle has a mate? And her mate is Warren?

Kael goes eerily silent. So much for calling her ours.

Warren not only lies to me, but sends his own mate to me. Which can only mean one thing.

He wants her gone. "Did he reject you?" I ask, even though I know I’m pushing.

She quickly shakes her head. Which means they’re still mates. If he hasn’t rejected her, and he hasn’t marked her, then the bond still exists.

Hell fucking fuck. "You aren’t going to hate me?" she asks, her hands trembling slightly.

I shake my head immediately.

"No." She stares at me as if she can’t quite believe it.

"We’re going to Westbrook."

Fear immediately washes over her face.

"Please," she signs frantically. "I know I did a horrible thing, but I don’t want to go back there. I can start over somewhere else. Any pack. The forest. The wild. I can be a lone wolf... just not there."

The desperation in her eyes punches the air from my lungs.

She’s terrified because she thinks I’m sending her away. Hell no. I’m not sending you away, Rose.

"Tell her, then," Kael finally says.

It’s the first time he’s spoken to me since our argument about Roselle’s heat.

The stubborn bastard has been sulking for days because I refused to listen to him and help Roselle through it. According to him, she was our mate, and I was too blind to see it.

I want to throw a sarcastic jab at him, but I hold it back.

"I’m not sending you back, Rose. I’m not."

A relieved sigh slips past her lips.

"Then you’re not upset... I’m someone else’s mate and..."