Rosalina's Hope by D.D. Dass (free novel 24 .txt) 📕

“You dress like a nerd.” He glared. Oh, no.

“It’s because I am one.” I shook my head, pushing back the urge to stick my tongue out like a five year old. Instead, I extended my hand. A deal breaker.

With obvious reluctance, he accepted my hand lightly. Instantly, I wanted to recoil, but forced myself to stand still, trying to keep my brain in order.

It’s just a handshake Rosa, get used to it, my conscious snapped. Now.

With that, we split ways, agreeing to meet back by the entrance in an hour. With a small smile, I wandered towards Aeropostale, noticing all the diverse lines of clothing for men. Isaac wouldn’t be considered anything less than goodlooking anymore, not in those clothes. Knowing that, I began to look through the racks, picking up anything caught my eye, anything that reminded me of a certain Frenchman. That made me wince, realizing that I was becoming hopelessly infatuated…and fast.

An hour later, I was seated in Isaac’s truck. It was nicer on the inside than the out, much like my house amongst other things. Insisting he wait to see what I’d bought until we reached my house, he’d applied the same, annoying principle to me. No matter how much I complained or prodded, he refused to budge, so finally, I gave up, unwilling to pout about it, though I did, just a little.  

As the ride continued, the suspense nagged at me, that why as soon as we parked in the driveway, I jumped out of the passenger side, grabbing all six bags. Isaac shockingly held about ten in both hands, which was slightly frightening. Please, I thought, let it be at least somewhat appropriate.

Fumblingly, I unlocked the doors with the key under the mat, noting that nobody seemed to be around. I figured they were all in their rooms. Isaac followed me as I led him up to my bedroom, switching the lights. He looked around, much like Iris and Bastien before hi, but didn’t comment on the lack of technology or character.

It was weird for me, having another guy in my bedroom…but different than with Bastien, who’d seemed to have taken it up, consuming the space with his size. The thought of Bastien being here made me blush foolishly as I recalled the feel of his handsome features…My hands began to sting, aching for the feel again.

I swept the thoughts under a mental rug quickly, shutting my door behind me softly without bothering to lock it since I didn’t want to give my parents another reason to distrust Isaac, my mother was already overbearing as it was. Silently, Isaac dropped the bags, sighing as he toed off his shoes, socked feet smaller for a guy. Almost smaller than my size five.

Shaking my head sat on my rugged floor, pushing my bags toward him. Immediately, he grabbed one, pulling out a few v-neck shirts, eyes bugging out of his head. I giggled nervously, and it sounded rusty since I barely laughed anymore, but it felt good, refreshing even. Isaac didn’t comment, so I began to pull out the clothing in my bags, pleased that they weren’t all the scanty. Lots of them consisted of ripped jeans, stockings, skirts, pretty blouses.

I must’ve jinxed myself because at the last bag, Victoria Secrets, I drew out pairs of lacy underwear, and a very flimsy lingerie in bloodred. Whoa…

“What is this?” I pointed to the thing, distaste heavy in my tone. When would I ever wear something like that?

“Something sexy,” he replied simply, picking up the leather jacket I’d gotten, his question obviously the same as mine. My cheeks flamed, because all I could think of as I’d purchased that was how good Bastien had looked, a dangerous mix of rugged and mysterious.

“Hellllloooooo! Earth to Rosa!” Blinking, I stowed the daydream away for later, smiling apologetically at the others searching green eyes. Before he could ask I spoke, unwilling to tell that I was foolishly fantasizing about a guy that was painfully out of my league. Nope, that was too pathetic, even for me.

“What?” I muttered. “Lots of people wear leather jackets.” He shook his head sadly, eyes ashamed.

“Not me. I wouldn’t look good in it,” he mumbled. The thing about Isaac, I noticed, was that he was insecure, probably from past bullies. He needed an ego to match his looks.

“Hey…Stop it. You’re gorgeous.” Abruptly the look vanished, and he smiled evilly.

“So are you! Problem solved for the both of us. Hooray,” he said happily. I’d been tricked. 

And here I thought myself clever. Yeah, funny.  

“Thanks…For all the stuff…It’s actually not so bad,” I teased gratefully.

“I should be thanking you. I haven’t seen so many decent things since my dad insisted I wear these horrible outfits.” I laughed lightly, jumping up to ask if he was hungry, insisting he ate. He was almost as skinny as me, which said a lot.

While eating, spaghetti and noodles, Isaac sighed. “So…what were you thinking about back there?” My eyes widened. Why did he have to be so perceptive?

“Some guy,” I shrugged, my appetite leaving me at the thought of Bastien. His affect on me were unnerving, I really needed to get a grip.

Isaac raised a blond brow. “Who?” I groaned.

“It’s nobody, just a friend,” I made sure to emphasize the friend part. Thankfully, he let it go after that, though not without a contradicting snort.

An hour later, Isaac left, promising to see me tomorrow. I agree, an uncontrollable happiness flooding me. I liked having Isaac around. Not the same as with Bastien, much less…heated, but nice all the same.

With a light heart, I started up the stairs, just when my mom called me to her room. Sighing, I opened the door, lingering unsurely in the doorway. She sat on her bed with something I couldn’t make out in her hands and an unusually cheery smile on her face…In her eyes. I wondered absently where my father was, he really, really needed to get a picture of this.

“Did you have a good time today?” It was an awkward thing, talking to my mom.

“Yeah,” I answered sincerely. “Isaac’s great.” My mother’s smile deepened as she extended her hand to me. I walked sluggishly forward, gripping what she had without the contact to find an IPhone, one like my sisters, in my hand.

“Um…Mom?”

“If you’re going to be spending time with Isaac I want to know where you are and that I can get ahold of you…” I smiled fondly before thanking her and escaping to my bedroom, claiming to be tired.

The phone was all right, but it held little interest to me. Instead, I quickly showered, eyes shut under the hot water, finding I really was exhausted as I dressed and climbed into bed. In a little ball, I was surprised to find that addicting, peppermint scent in my blankets. It thrilled me to have it there, though it really shouldn’t have.

Like it shouldn’t have made me sad it was faded, so light it was barely there at all. Snuggling deeper, I instantly fell asleep. That night, I dreamt of a large, black wolf, my protector.

When I woke up, the sun burned at my eyes, making me whimper and cover my face with the blankets. I’d slept…soundly last night with no memories of Him. Forcing myself to sit up, I shook the probing dreams of the wolf off, showering hastily and brushing my teeth, leaving my hair down. In the mirror, I noted that this morning, my eyes were a little more blue, my skin a little less pale.

Before I could think into it, the doorbell rang and I ran downstairs, brushing passed my sister to fling the door open myself. As expected, Isaac stood there smiling, in his hands: movies and candy. I grinned, gesturing for him to come inside. Iris, who’d followed me, glanced between us questioningly.

“Isaac, meet my sister, Iris,” I introduced. Iris smiled, extending her hand.

“What are you guys doing today?” She seemed truly interested and I opened my mouth to answer, but Isaac spoke first.

“Watching movies, swimming…Just lazing about, would you like to join us?” I nodded in agreement. My mood was super today, though I had no idea why.

“Sure…” Iris said. “But only for the movies…Swimming’s not my thing.” I rolled my eyes fondly.

Today was already turning out to be a good day. 

Practice was tough, not exhausting, but restricting. It was hell, being unable to use my abilities, my strength, my speed. It was hell, being a human, I decided, though I managed, growling as I stormed out of the locker rooms. Maybe my football days were over. It wouldn’t be much of a loss.

Besides, I had better ideas to keep fit. I smirked; sure that Rosa would run, screaming for the hills if she caught the thoughts, the sexuality going through me right now. I was such a mated male.

The deep, carnal instincts within longed to claim her as mine, but I would only if she desired it. I wasn’t the type of male to force myself on a female, yet I winced at the prospect of never being with Rosa that way. The idea of her being with another male that way, whenever she wanted, while I was incapable of even being attracted to another goaded me. What had I gotten myself into here? No, what had the damned wolf pushed me into?

Nothing you didn’t want. I gritted my teeth, speculating his sudden strength. His domination over my mind. Of course, he would not answer, he enjoyed having power over me; craved it.

Hours later, I prowled the forests, intently heading in the direction of my mates house. I needed, rather than wanted to see her. It’d been too long already.

Caught up in my thoughts, I didn’t notice the loud sounds of claws digging into the Earth, growling echoing throughout the trees until I was equally surrounded. Stopping dead, I pivoted, listening to the heavy breathing from the wolves, smelling their revolting testosterone in the air. Baring my teeth in warning, I waited, testing them to reveal themselves and they took unwell to a challenge, emerging from the hooded trees.

Three wolves, small compared to me, one grey, the other two brown, stalking forward, teeth bared, eyes pointed back, eyes blazing. I made out one instantly: Robert. He was so tiny that it was most certainly a blow to his pride, it was no wonder he’d brought the two flanking Omegas. I questioned if they knew just how easy it’d be for me to kill them…Hmm.

'Really, Rob? D’you want your friends to die too?' I knew he’d heard my voice loud and clear in his mind because his steps faltered, providing me the advantage I’d aimed for.

Pouncing the largest of the Omegas, I slammed my paw into his side, as my father had once done to me, digging the claws into his flesh. He yelped, but I didn’t give the chance to run, stabbing the sharp points of my teeth into his revealed throat, grimacing at the metallic taste of his Omega blood. Revolting. I took everything in me not to just spit the shit out on him.

Let him go, the inferior part of me advised,