~ RONAN ~

She nods, a small but certain movement, her eyes soft and trusting. A taste, that’s what I told myself. Just one taste of her lips. That’s all. But the moment my lips meet hers, that plan falls apart.

Her lips are soft, warm, and inviting, reminding me of what it feels like to have adrenaline being pumped into my system, to have my blood gushing hot, to have Kael sinking and swimming in my head, all calm and coy... to have the world disappear before me, to see shooting stars.

I kiss her deeper, my mouth crashing against hers with all the hunger I’ve been holding back. Fuck. She tastes even better than I had imagined. Sweet, addictive, and far too easy to lose myself in.

I thread my fingers gently into her hair, tilting her head as I slow it down again, savoring every second.

She nibbles innocently on my bottom lip, and fuck, that little move shoots straight to my dick.

A low groan escapes me before I can stop it. The sweetness from moments ago is quickly burning into something hotter. I kiss her harder, my hand sliding to the back of her neck as I pull her closer, deepening the kiss until I can feel her breath hitch against my mouth.

Every soft, shy movement she makes is driving me insane.

By the goddess, I want more. I want to taste everything she can give me and then take even more. I know this isn’t going to stop here — I’m going to need all of her. The sudden dark urge hits hard: the need to wreck her, ruin her, taint every last bit of innocence she has and drag her into my world.

"Fuck," I growl, pulling back as fast as I can.

But it’s already too late.

My fangs had brushed her bottom lip during the kiss. A thin line of blood wells up, bright and tempting against her swollen mouth. My eyes lock onto it, chest heaving as I fight the overwhelming hunger surging through me.

"I’m sorry..." I say. "I didn’t intend to..."

"It’s fine," she immediately signs back, already licking the blood off her lips. I lean in closer, trying to get a better look at the cut, my stomach twisting. Maybe I should call Elias...

"It’s fine, Ronan," she says again. "It’s not that deep... and it doesn’t hurt."

The relief that washes over me is instant. I let out a shaky breath and gently cup her cheek, my thumb brushing just beneath the tiny wound.

I pull back slightly, still cradling her face in my hands, my thumb gently stroking her cheek. My voice is low but steady as I look into her eyes.

"I need you to know that I’m never going to hurt you. Not for any reason. I can say this a thousand times, and I will — even if you want me to swear it by the Moon Goddess, I would.

I need you to be completely honest with me. I don’t care what happened in your old pack. It’s understandable if you’re still protecting people. I’m not going to force you against your will, and I’ll respect whatever choice you make. I won’t cross those boundaries.

But here... you’re in my pack. Under my care. And as much as I can say I run a good pack, not everyone wants me as Alpha. Eventually, when you’re ready, we’re going to wed. You’ll be my Luna. That means some of them will try to use you to get to me — one way or another.

So I need you to be completely honest with me, Roselle. Always."

She nods slowly, her face already clouded with remorse.

"Okay... I promise," she signs, then speaks softly. "And I’m sorry. I was scared of you. I was scared that you were too perfect for me... that you’d end up..."

She hesitates, tears already glistening in her eyes.

"Leaving me. Or turning against me." Her voice cracks. "I’m a mute. I kept telling myself I don’t have any value to you and that I—"

My jaw clenches hard, my fists tightening at my sides. This has everything to do with Warren. One way or another, I’m going to uncover every fucking secret he’s hiding and make him pay. I’m just waiting for the right moment for him to slip.

I cup her face with both hands, gently wiping away the tears threatening to fall.

"You’re everything, Roselle," I say fiercely, my voice thick with emotion. "You’re beautiful... too fucking beautiful. Soft, kind-hearted... you’re everything I could ever ask for. I don’t care that you’re mute. None of that matters to me.

I don’t want you to have even a single doubt. Can’t you see it? You’re too perfect for me. I’m the mess here. I’m the one who’s scared that you’re too good for me."

"Take my word for it," I tell her, my voice steady and low. "I’m never going to hurt you. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you. I know you don’t fully trust me yet... but trust me on this."

I pause, searching her eyes. "Were you trying to escape with those two guys?"

There’s a brief, heavy silence. Then she nods.

I exhale sharply, my heart hammering in my chest. Inside, Kael is suddenly thrown into a frenzy. Does she detest us? Why does she want to leave?

"Why?" I ask, the word coming out quieter than I intended.

She hesitates for a long moment, fresh tears gathering in her eyes. It feels like a knife twisting in my chest. I know this isn’t the right time to push too hard.

"It’s fine," I say gently, brushing a tear from her cheek. "I’ll wait until you’re ready to tell me everything. But I need you to tell me who it was... Who helped you?"

I pause, watching her carefully. "They admitted they were acting on orders. That means someone was behind it. Do you know the person?"

Another heavy silence stretches between us.

Then she nods.

"Yes..."

"Who is it?" My voice is low, protective. "You don’t need to protect them. They’re going to hurt you again if I don’t do something about it. Tell me who it is... and then we’ll decide what to do with them."

Her hands tremble slightly as they come up. She signs slowly: "Mara."