The car rumbled quietly as it made its way through the winding roads that led to the Blood Stone Pack. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with silence. Roseanne sat rigidly, her bag placed beside her, serving as a small barrier between her and Alpha Davian. She stared out the window, her fingers playing nervously with the hem of her dress. The view of the dense forest passing by did little to soothe her nerves. She didn't dare make a sound or attempt to strike up a conversation.
Davian, seated beside her, was a silent presence. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, his expression unreadable. His aura exuded power and control, making Roseanne even more anxious. She bit her lower lip, hoping the journey would be over soon.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by the driver's cheerful voice. "Hello there, miss. I'm Ian," he said, glancing at her through the rearview mirror with a friendly smile. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced."
Roseanne blinked, momentarily startled out of her thoughts. She managed a small smile in return. "Hello, Ian. I'm Roseanne," she replied softly. "And please, just call me Roseanne."
Ian's smile widened. "Alright, Roseanne. Nice to meet you. I'm one of the warriors of the Blood Stone Pack, but I also sometimes drive for the Alpha. Figured I should make myself useful in more ways than one."
Roseanne nodded, appreciating his attempt to lighten the mood. "It's nice to meet you too, Ian," she said, her voice gaining a bit more confidence.
Ian continued, clearly determined to fill the silence with his chatter. "You'll love the Blood Stone Pack. It's a beautiful place, especially this time of year. Lots of greenery, open spaces... And the people are great too. Everyone is really excited about the Alpha getting married."
Roseanne felt a mix of emotions at Ian's words. She wanted to believe him, to imagine a future where she could find some happiness and acceptance. But the uncertainty of what lay ahead kept her anxious. "How long until we get there?" she asked, needing to know how much longer she had to endure this anxious silence.
"About two hours," Ian replied. "Not too long now."
As Ian's chatter started to ease Roseanne's nerves slightly, Davian's deep voice interrupted. "Ian, you talk too much. Focus on the road and make sure we get there safely," he commanded.
Ian chuckled, not intimidated at all. "Ah, come on, Alpha. If I didn't talk, I'd be bored out of my mind. Besides, I want to have a little chat with your soon-to-be wife," he quipped, glancing at Davian with a mischievous grin.
Davian's expression remained stern, his eyes narrowing slightly. "How about I drive, and you can chat with her to your heart's content?" he offered.
Ian grinned wider. "I wouldn't dare, Alpha," he said playfully, then turned his attention back to the road.
Roseanne watched this exchange with a mixture of fascination and unease. She had never seen anyone interact with her father like this—always serious, never a hint of playfulness. The bond between Davian and his pack members seemed different—more relaxed yet still respectful.
As she watched them, she realized Davian had noticed her gaze. He turned to look at her, his eyes locking onto hers. She quickly looked away, feeling a shiver run down her spine and a slight tremble in her hands.
"Are you scared of me, Roseanne?" Davian asked, his voice unexpectedly gentle.
"N-no," she stammered, her heart racing.
Davian's lips curved into a slight smile. "You're a terrible liar," he said softly.
Ian chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't be afraid of him, Roseanne. There are plenty of rumors about our Alpha, some true, some completely wrong," he said with a wink.
Roseanne thought again about those rumors, the whispers that followed her every step since the announcement of her marriage. How they must know about the stories of Davian's exploits and his fearsome reputation. Yet, the reality seemed to diverge from the tales.
Davian turned his attention back to the road, his expression becoming serious again. "If you have any second thoughts about this marriage, we can turn back now," he offered, his voice steady but sincere.
Panic surged through Roseanne at the thought. "No!" she exclaimed, reaching out instinctively and grabbing Davian's hand. Realizing what she had done, she quickly let go, her face flushing with embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry," she murmured, looking down at her lap. She had done it reflexively, not wanting to jeopardize the arranged marriage. The last thing she wanted was to seem ungrateful or hesitant.
Davian remained silent, his gaze shifting away from her. Roseanne felt a surge of panic at the thought, her heartbeat loud in her ears. She glanced at Ian, who gave her an encouraging nod and a reassuring smile.
The journey continued without much conversation. Roseanne kept her eyes on the passing trees, her mind racing with thoughts of what awaited her. She was determined to prove herself useful, to not be the worthless girl her family had always deemed her. Yet, doubt lingered, gnawing at her resolve.
The landscape changed subtly as they neared the Blood Stone territory—the trees denser, the air crisper. After what felt like an eternity, Ian broke the silence again, his voice more subdued this time. "We're almost there. Just a bit further."
Roseanne's heart pounded in her chest. She tried to steady her breathing, reminding herself of the little reassurances Ian had given her. But her thoughts were abruptly interrupted as suddenly, there was a loud pop, followed by the sound of something scraping against the road. The car jolted violently, causing Roseanne to grip her seat in alarm.
The car gradually came to a stop, the engine idling as Ian muttered a curse under his breath.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Ian peered into the rearview mirror, looking frustrated and concerned. "I'm not sure. Probably just a flat tire. Let me check."
As Ian stepped out of the car, Roseanne noticed Davian's eyes flickering with irritation. She could sense his impatience, and it made her even more nervous. She continued to watch as Ian walked around to the front of the car, bending down to inspect the tires.
After a few moments, Ian straightened up, his face grim. "Nails," he called out, "a bunch of them. Looks like someone scattered them on the road."
Roseanne's stomach churned. Nails on the road? That didn't sound like an accident. Davian's expression darkened. Without a word, he opened his door and stepped out. Roseanne hesitated for a moment before following suit, her curiosity and unease getting the better of her.
As she stepped from the car, the fresh air hit her face, doing little to calm her racing heart. knelt by the front tire, picking up several long, rusty nails. "Who would do this?" Roseanne wondered aloud, more to herself than anyone else.
Davian's eyes scanned the surroundings, his body tense and alert. "Trouble," he muttered, his voice a low growl. "Stay close to the car."
Before Roseanne could respond, she saw movement in the trees lining the road. Her breath caught in her throat as several men stepped out from the shadows, their faces hard and menacing. They moved with a predatory grace, their eyes locked on the small group by the car.
"Rogues," Davian spat the word like a curse. He turned to Roseanne, his expression fierce.
Roseanne's heart skipped a beat. She had heard stories of rogue werewolves—lawless and dangerous. The reality of encountering them was far more terrifying than she had imagined.
She wondered what they wanted. Was it an ambush? A robbery? Or something even more sinister? Her mind raced with possibilities, each one more frightening than the last.