I just found a much better continuation than I had planned. So hold on tight it's going to get bumpy.

BTW I can't believe there is more than 200 reviews! You guys are amazing!

I'm spoiling you guys by posting this soon. ;)

Chapter 25

DPOV

I was nervous about seeing Rose again. It had been so long since I had last seen her.

I had missed her so much but I also knew I wasn't bringing good news to her and for that reason I had warned Christian I would be sleeping on his couch tonight.

I had made a lot of progress with Riley and I think she was almost ready to move on and talk to Sonya.

For that, I just needed a little bit more time, maybe a week or two. I knew that was not the reaction Rose was expecting and I could only hope she would give me the benefit of the doubt.

When I arrived, I was greeted warmly by Riley who came running to me for a hug. It was an awkward embrace where I simply patted her back twice. I was surprised to see that Rose wasn't here. Wasn't she always with Lissa? Maybe she wasn't on shift I thought.

"I'm so happy you're here," Riley said. I simply gave her a small smile and turned around to grab my luggage. I had just gotten it out of the car when Riley took hold of it.

"Please let me, it's the least I can do after all you have done for me." She said.

"That's unnecessary," I told her nonchalantly.

"I insist," she said clearly not budging. I sighted.

"Fine" I answered. I turned to Christian.

"I'll just drop my luggage off and then I'll come find you," I informed him.

"No you won't" he answered. I was genuinely confused and raised an eyebrow at him.

"You're going to go find Rose," he said looking at me if I was stupid. Riley tensed at the mention of Rose name, but I ignored it.

"I will," I said. I started walking back to my apartment. Riley in tow. We made small talk. With all of our sessions, I had discovered a new side in Riley, one that wasn't wicked.

She could be funny and nice. Of course, she would never measure up to my Roza, but to my surprise, she wasn't that bad of a company.

I was surprised to see Rose standing in front of Christian and Lissa's door, waiting for me. A small smile appeared when our eyes met, but it soon disappeared when her eyes fell on something behind me. I turned around. Riley. Of course, how could I have forgotten she was there?

Dammit, I should have insisted more and not let her come with me.

"I didn't know you were busy," she said "I'll leave you two to it" she put her guardian mask on, making all emotions disappear. I knew her too well, her mask didn't fool me. I could see sadness and betrayal in her eyes and decided to stop her before she walked past me. I grabbed her arm.

"Roza wait," I said. She stood still looking at me. Her mask still in place. I turned to Riley before adding. "I'll take it back," I said grabbing my suitcase from her.

"But-" she started.

"Riley, it's fine. I need to talk to Rose" I interrupted her.

She sighed before turning around and leaving. I turned to face Rose. She followed me to my room.

Once inside Rose went and sat in the chair next to my desk.

"Hey," she said greeting me again.

"Hey" I answered, not knowing where to start. "How have you been?" I asked awkwardly. I was talking to Rose for god's sake.

"Lonely" she looks at me. I stepped forwards almost standing between her legs. My hands grabbed each side of her head. Before tilting it up to face me.

"I missed you too Roza" I whispered. She stood up pressing her body to mine in the process. My head bent down to place a chaste kiss on her beautiful lips. "so much it hurts".

"Are you ready to talk?" she asked. I tensed. I guess I would have to tell her sooner rather than later.

"About?" I asked clearly stalling. Roza wasn't fooled. She lifted her eyebrows. I didn't answer immediately, the silent slowly answered for me.

"Why?" she asked almost pleading. "Why are you doing this? Didn't you just say you missed me?"

"I do Roza, I miss you so much and I don't want us to take a break anymore, ever for that matter," I answered.

"Then talk to me, Dimitri. Talk to me. Tell me what is going on. Help me understand!"

"I just need a little bit more time, I'll tell you everything, I promise. Just please trust me until then." I said.

"Why would you put her needs in front of mine?" she asked incredulously.

"I'm not Roza, it's just… you'll understand soon. Just please trust me like I trust you with Johnathan." I said.

"That's different! At least Jo doesn't try to get into my pants every opportunity he gets!" she raised her voice.

"I beg to differ" I crossed my arms.

"He's not interested in me, I know that for a fact!"

"and why is that?" I asked. She stayed silent, not answering. Clearly, I wasn't the only keeping secrets. I sighed and went to sit on the bed across the room.

"What are we doing Rose?" I ask running my hands through my hair.

Silence.

She mumbled something I didn't hear.

"What?" I asked.

"He's gay." I sat there in shock. Johnathan was gay. I shouldn't have been. Now that I knew, the signs were easy to see.

RPOV

I decided to tell him, despite still not having heard back from Jo on the subject. I trusted Dimitri, I knew he wouldn't tell a soul. I made the first step, I just hoped he would make the second.

"Please, Dimitri tell me" I asked again.

"I can't Rose, I really can't she asked me not to tell you specifically because the both of you work together."

I laughed of course she did.

"Don't you see what she's doing? She's purposely trying to pull us apart!" I accused.

"Roza I swear to you I will tell you soon. Why can't you just trust me for two more weeks?"

"Why so you can spend more time with her, so she can slowly lure you into her bed," I said frustrated. Dimitri was such a smart men, but these days I just didn't know where that intelligence went.

"Of course not Rose!" he was outraged by my suggestion. "She's not like that if you would actually try and give her a chance instead of always seeing her as the enemy."

It was now my turn to be shocked. I couldn't believe the words that had just left his mouth. I had enough. I couldn't keep going in a circle like this with him. It's not that I didn't trust it' just that I couldn't understand why he would risk our relationship for Riley after all she did in the past, how he could defend her and keep secrets from me in her favor. I was done. I couldn't keep torturing myself. If he wasn't willing to come clean like I had then I didn't know what was left of our relationship to salvage.

"Well since you seem to understand so much better, why don't you date her instead?" I said bitterly. "I'm done." I finally said walking out the door. I power walked away, tears rolling down my cheeks. I heard Dimitri calling but I didn't turn around. What would be the point if he was simply going to keep withholding information from me?

**VA**

Lissa had outdone herself once again. I couldn't believe the reflection of myself the mirror was giving me. I looked gorgeous. My hair was up in a bun revealing my shoulder less black dress, which hung to my body. I looked extremely sexy yet very elegant as well. Dimitri would regret ever letting me go. I thought to myself. Tonight I wouldn't be sad. I had decided that if needed I would be angry but I wouldn't shed another tear. I didn't even think that would be possible after all the crying I had done this afternoon.

That thought quickly went away when Riley came into view. As strange as it was the three of us were getting ready together. Riley was looking just as beautiful as I was if not more. Her dress was red and elegant and her hair was out and flowing down her back.

Any man including Dimitri would not be able to deny the simple fact that Riley was stunning.

I hadn't addressed Riley the whole time we had been here. I would simply ignore all questions or remark she would make.

We were about to leave when Lissa snapped at me.

"Why are you being such a bitch Rose? What is your problem with Riley? She's my friend. Why can't you treat her as such?"

"I haven't said anything to her" I defended myself. I could have yelled, hell I could have beaten the crap out of that slut, but I had kept my cool.

"My point exactly. Why can't you just be happy I have another friend? Or did you expect me to only have you as a friend for the rest of my life? How selfish can you be?" she asked. Behind her back, I could see Riley leaning against the wall smirking.

"Of course not! I'm glad you found a new friend, I just wish it hadn't been her" I said in disgust.

"I've had enough of you attitude towards Riley, Rose. Until you learn to play nice don't bother coming to see me." She finally exploded. I was taken aback by her statement. What was up with everybody today? I could only take rejection so many time in one day. I walked out the room and headed to a garden nearby the ballroom. The ball would start soon, there was no point in heading back to my place.

I took a few deep breath looking up at the stars. Everything would get better, after all, they couldn't be worst now could they?

When the ball finally started, I talked to some of my classmates, while still keeping an eye on Lissa and Riley.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Riley's hand reach up to place it on Dimitri's biceps as he laughed. This felt like Tasha and Dimitri all over again. Except for this time he chose her. He chose to be by her side rather than mine.

I looked around and saw Jo talking actively with Lissa and Christian. He was near guard during this party. 'They'll be okay I thought to myself' that's when the realization hit me. They'll be okay. I wasn't needed here. Lissa and Dimitri were now both relying on Riley. I had been demoted and no longer had a place guarding Lissa. What was I doing now?

Riley would be Lissa's head guardian which was nice for Lissa, it would allow her to have a girl by her side. However, I did wish Jo had won because he would have been a much better captain to our team. I truly hoped no one would get killed under Riley's command. She was too spontaneous and didn't necessarily think through all her decisions. Like Dimitri had once said she was a lot like the old me. That thought added to my gloominess.

I needed some time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life now. I looked outside. It was human night time meaning I wouldn't be leaving until morning. Where would I go? I didn't have to think about this question for a long time. I had and on standing invitation to Abe's place in Istanbul. I had always wanted to visit Turkey.

I decided to head out for some fresh air. I felt suffocated in that room. He was constantly glued to Riley's side. Or at least she was always at his side. Although he didn't seem to mind that much anymore. It was obvious he enjoyed his company.

DPOV

I wanted to talk to Rose all night and had made a few steps towards her before rethinking. She glared at me almost all night. Perhaps it was wiser to talk to her tomorrow when she had calmed down sooner.

I had just informed Riley about her surprise. She would soon start talking to Sonya. I thought she would have been happy but she had accepted reluctantly saying she still wasn't familiar with her. I reassured her I would stay with the two of them for a few more weeks just to make sure the transition went smoothly. Riley was still quite traumatized and emotionally scarred by her time as a Strigoi. She still had a long way to go. I just couldn't keep this on if I wanted to be with Roza, and I wanted more than anything for us to get back to how we were.

Rosa was smart, once she would find out Riley was now relying on and spending a lot of time with Sonya pieces would click and she would understand. Hopefully, she would also understand why I couldn't have told her. If she knew Riley could easily get kicked out of the team not that I think she would do it. But you never knew what could happen when things got heated. In addition to that Riley didn't need people looking or treating her differently. I knew it had been hard for me and I respected her need to keep it secret.

She had gathered a lot of courage to share this with me and I wasn't going to laugh at it.

When Roza left the ballroom. The decision was made for me. I would speak to her tomorrow.

RPOV

Morning came quicker than I thought, I grabbed the bag I had prepared the night before and jumped into my car. Perhaps they had figured out I had left already, I couldn't know. They hadn't been to my room in a while it might actually take a few days for them to notice I was gone. I laughed humorlessly at how absurd that was.
I couldn't help but think about what I was doing. I had left in a rush after the ball, I couldn't stand the sight of Dimitri anymore.

The airport was slowly coming into view when the reality of what I was doing finally hit me. I was running again. I wouldn't do this to Lissa. Not again, I couldn't. And Dimitri? I had enough of all this silent I was going to demand an explanation and we would figure it out, together. He would tell me, I guarantee you that, and if he didn't I would trust him. I would trust him because that's what I should be doing, not pushing the only man I have ever loved away from me. Wasn't I Rose Hathaway? Since when does Rose Hathaway go away? No Rose Hathaway fights till her last breath for the people she loves and for what she wants. What I wanted was to be Lissa's guardian, what I wanted was to be wrapped in Dimitri's loving arms again. I would show Hans I'm the best there is. I know he doubts the darkness but I'll figure a way to make it my strength, I will show him there is no one better to guard Lissa than me. And finally I had had enough of these notes and threats. This was going to end. Soon. What in the world had I been thinking for the past month? Where did the fearless Rose Hathaway go? I was done taking the high road. Riley was no longer part of my team and she would see hell!

I made a U-turn and sped back to Lehigh. I wanted to get there before they discovered I had left. I had just started heading back to Lehigh when my window shattered and my car went flying off the in the world?

AN

Dimitri, Dimitri, Dimitri... What are you doing?

Who is attacking Rose? Will she make it back? It's daylight for Christ sake!

What will Rose do regarding Riley?

How can Rose convince Hans to give her her job back?

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xoxo Cloclovilla