So, I am behind in my Be Kind, Rewind chapter again. To apologise, I am posting an extra chapter of this one.
And there will be another chapter tomorrow as well :D
Part 11
Dimitri POV
I didn't like other wolves showing up to my pack unannounced, and I definitely didn't appreciate them showing up when I finally learned that Roza knew I was her true mate. If it was anything else, I would have ignored Ivan but I couldn't take the risk with this.
The rogues there were sighted last night were closer than I had led Rose to believe this morning. They were getting more confident, venturing closer to the pack boundaries, and now for someone to be approaching without giving prior notice wasn't good.
Our town was far enough out of the way that it was unlikely to be human, them visiting the town was rare and often only in the spring months for hiking the mountains around us.
As much as I wanted to stay with Rose and keep her close, I needed to be there in case there was any trouble. With the drug still in her system, I didn't want Rose near anyone that could hurt her. I connected to Viktoria, trusting my sister to be about to protect her.
"Viktoria. I need you back at the house and to stay close to Rose."
It only took a second for her to respond. "Sure. What's wrong?"
"Just get here and keep her safe." I didn't want to go into what was going on until I knew more.
I took Rose's hand, noticing her eyes watching me with curiosity and apprehension. Unable to stop myself, I cupped her cheek with my other hand, greedily enjoying the feel of her skin against mine. "I'll be back. Stay here, Viktoria will be here soon."
Her brows furrowed, leaning into my palm, "Is it bad?"
"I don't know. People don't often show up unannounced," I explained. I didn't want to coddle her, I had learnt Rose wasn't one to be placated by sweet words. So I told her the truth. "They are driving, so I will go with some others and stop them before they get closer to town. As soon as I know more, I'll let you know."
There was a hint of surprise in her eyes, I wondered if she hadn't expected me to keep her informed. Rose was strong and fierce, but she believed that she was worth less than she was, the years of abuse she faced affecting how she saw herself. I was determined to make her realise just how incredible she was.
"Dimitri?"
I sighed internally at Ivan calling for me. "I'm coming."
My wolf bristled at having to leave her side but knew I had to. I smiled, rubbing my thumb along her jaw. "When I get back, we can talk some more," I promised.
Her eyes lit up, "Okay."
I forced myself to step back, dropping my hands to my side and walking away. I passed Viktoria along with Eddie and Mason as I exited through the front door. I was glad she brought them with her. Not stopping to speak to her, I marched towards the forest striping my clothes as I went, shifting once I reached the tree line.
As I ran I called the others to meet me on the edge of town. I didn't want to take any chances, calling for three of my best fighters to be there and warning others to be ready to come out if needed. My main concern will always be to keep my pack safe. To keep my mate safe.
Ivan joined me as I ran, Mikhail and Emil meeting us there, each of them alphas and large wolves, just two of us could block the road. While it could cause some commotion, if it is a human, the sight of us would be enough to easily scare them away.
I could hear the car approaching, signalling to the others. The boundaries of our land were being carefully monitored, if this was a diversion I wanted to know.
The black car came around the bend, it was a newer model, sleek and expensive. Unlikely to be a rogue. The car drove closer until it slowed to a stop a couple of feet from us, I'm assuming they weren't human either.
I walked forward, watching carefully as the window wound down. Their scent hit me before I saw their face. She looked the same with her long black hair and striking blue eyes.
Tasha Ozera.
She smiled up at me, leaning her arm on the windowsill. "Wow, I got a whole welcoming party. Aren't you sweet, Dimka."
I huffed at her use of my nickname, stepping back from the car. I turned to Ivan. "Tell them it's clear." He and the others left, disappearing back into the forest. Tasha reached behind the front seats, pulling out a blanket and holding it out to me.
"I'll give you a ride back. I'm sure you have questions."
XxX
Rose POV
I was still pissed that when I was finally having a conversation with Dimitri, finally having an understanding, he got pulled away. I didn't blame him though, he was the Alpha and needed to protect his pack. No, I blamed whoever showed up and ruined my moment.
I was going to say something to Dimitri… I had no idea what I was going to say, but I would have said something in response to his confession. At least he confirmed we were in fact, true mates. I had so many questions I wanted to ask it, thinking of more as I paced the recreation room.
When Viktoria arrived with Eddie and Mason close behind, I wasn't too pleased. I hadn't spoken to Eddie since the night of the pack run and I didn't intend on doing so now. Though considering no one had brought up Jesse to me, I knew he had at least kept his mouth shut.
"Rose, why don't you sit down?" Lissa tried calling me over to join them again. She and Christian were on the couches with the other three.
I shook my head and continued to pace. A sick feeling was twisting my stomach into knots as I waited to hear something back from Dimitri. I didn't know if it was the withdrawal symptoms returning or if I was that concerned about him.
"I'm sure it's fine," Viktoria tried, "Dimitri is just being cautious."
I rolled my eyes, I already knew that. Of course Dimitri was fine. But I would feel a whole lot better if he confirmed it.
This just made it even more important that I get stronger. Dimitri left me here with Viktoria for protection because I was still too weak to protect myself. I need to be better so that I wouldn't be a burden, but instead, someone that could help.
Hell, we are true mates, I was going to be the Luna of this pack and I needed to be able to defend it as well.
I had to be better.
Just as I was sure that I was going to wear through the wood of the floor from walking back and forth, I heard the front door open. I slipped out into the hallway, catching Dimitri's scent along with another, an alpha.
"I don't know why you're acting so shy, Dimka. You never were before."
My stomach dropped at the woman's voice. Viktoria had said only family used that nickname for him, yet when I rounded the corner, the way the woman was staring at him, it was obvious she wasn't family.
Dimitri stood next to her in his jeans, doing up the fly and button while she held his shirt for him. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, his face guarded like always, but I could tell he was familiar with her. She was definitely acting real friendly towards him.
I felt myself shrinking back into myself. I was so often only around Dimitri with his family or others that knew we were mated. It hadn't occurred to me that there would be other women that were keen to catch his eye. Not that I could blame them, he was attractive and caring. He could have any woman he wanted, and yet, here he was stuck with the omega that needed protection.
"You should have let me know you were coming," Dimitri told her, taking his shirt and pulling it over his head.
The woman pouted, "I already told you I wanted to talk to the omega you have here now. You'll have to tell me how she ended up here."
Dimitri opened his mouth to respond but stopped as his eyes caught sight of me. I didn't know why I was still standing there, feeling my face flush in irritation at myself for thinking I would be enough for him and at him for letting me believe it.
Why would he ever choose me?
"Tasha? What are you doing here?" Christian stepped around me and up to the woman hugging her tightly.
So this was Tasha. I had heard of her through Lissa when she told me more about the protest she was pushing for omega's rights. I wanted to like her, but I couldn't if she kept looking over at Dimitri like that.
Of course, she had to be beautiful, her body was muscular and fit. I hated to admit they looked good beside one another.
My stomach twisted painfully again.
"Rose," Dimitri took a step towards me.
"Guess it wasn't anything to worry about. Thanks for letting me know," I scowled. He must have gotten all caught up and forgotten, or he wasn't going to actually keep me in the loop. Why would he need to? What could I possibly do to help with anything?
Guilt crossed his face, taking another step closer. I moved back towards the staircase.
"I'm not feeling well. I'm going to lay down," I told him with a blank face. I didn't want to stay down here and watch them flirt, and I sure as hell didn't want to be asked questions about being an omega. I felt Dimitri's eyes on me as I rushed up the stairs.
I was so stupid. Dimitri didn't love me, with everything he said earlier, he never said that. Sure, he thought I was irresistible, but that was probably just because of the mate pull. I may be his true mate but that didn't mean much, alphas took two mates all the time. What's to stop Dimitri?
I ran up the stairs to the third level only to freeze on the last step, Yeva standing before me with her arms crossed. I was surprised to see her up here, thinking the steps would be too much, but it seemed nothing stopped this woman.
She stared at me, eyebrows raised.
I frowned, "Is there something I can help you with?" I wasn't in a good mood and seeing Yeva didn't make me feel any better.
The silence continued.
I huffed in frustration. "If you don't need anything, could you move?"
I was going to regret how I was speaking to her later, that or Dimitri will tell me off. Maybe things would be better if he hated me.
Yeva shook her head at me in disappointment again. "Still weak."
My eyes narrowed, fists clenching. I had to take a deep breath and remind myself that I shouldn't punch old women. "I know, okay!" I bit out, pressing myself against the wall to squeeze past her. "I am well aware of how weak I am. I know I'm a terrible choice for your great alpha grandson. No one wants to be stuck with the fucking omega! I know!"
She didn't say anything as I yelled, sharp eyes watching as I stomped away. I didn't care if the others could hear me, at this point I didn't care about much anymore. I slammed my door closed, my irritation spiking.
I was so angry, my body shaking from the rage burning through me. I didn't want to be in this house, confined inside, regretting my choice to come upstairs. What I wanted was to run, to let my wolf be free for a little while. Everything felt easier when I shifted last time, and I wanted to feel that again.
The smart thing to do would be to just walk down the stairs but there was too much of a chance of running into everyone, especially if they did hear me yelling at Yeva.
I threw open the window, not hesitating as I climbed up onto the ledge. Being more careful, I slowly made my way down the pipe, wary of the piece of metal I had cut myself on last time. Once I was close enough I dropped to the ground with a soft impact. Thankfully, there was no one standing at the window to see me this time.
Quickly glancing around, I took off into the maze. When I was closer to the forest I stripped my clothes, leaving them in a neat pile for me to find later. I wasn't going to be gone for long, just an hour at most to clear my head.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I shifted, feeling the tension leave my body. Instead of feeling weak, I felt strong as a wolf. I felt more connected to my senses, more so than normal, assuming that was because the drugs the academy had given me were wearing off.
Running through the trees I was able to forget about everything, just focusing on the smells and sounds around me. I kept close to the tree line, not wanting to risk going somewhere I shouldn't or getting lost. Eventually, I found myself near the town, my nose catching a familiar scent of apples—Alberta.
I followed it, my mood improving at the idea of visiting her. This was my first time being able to wander around like this, to choose to leave and go somewhere else. It was exhilarating.
After a couple of minutes, I found myself outside of a blue house, the sound of soft music drifting from inside. I noticed the withered garden on the side of the house, laughing to myself. Alberta was always terrible at keeping plants alive, it was nice to see that hadn't changed.
I carefully climbed the steps to her porch, the sound of my nails tapping on the wood was covered by the music. I didn't want to shift to open the door, it was too public and bright out to be standing naked in front of her house. Instead, I pawed at the door.
I remembered having to do this when I was younger, too eager to shift that I wouldn't undress first. Having to get Alberta to let me back in so I could get dressed. She had always sighed letting me, grumbling about having to buy me more clothes.
When there was no response, I barked, bending down to claw at the bottom of the door. That seemed to work. The music stopped, followed by loud footsteps.
"I swear to god, if you ruin my door I am going to–" Alberta's threat was cut off as she swung the door open, eyes widening in surprise. "Rose? What are you doing here?"
I nudged past her and into her living room. Times like this I was grateful for my small size, I didn't have to worry about knocking anything as I beelined for her couch, jumping up onto the cushions.
Her house was warm and comforting. I noticed with a burst of joy that her furniture was the same that she had at Court. Things were arranged differently but it was all familiar. The side table to the I had broken some of the wooden framings with my elbow when I was ten. The ugly quilt that was always the warmest in winter. Even the old paintings that she liked to collect.
It was like being home again.
Alberta stood before me with her hands on her hips, "Does anyone even know you're here?" I buried my face into the couch, making her sigh. "You aren't going to shift back and talk to me are you?"
It seemed she still knew me well.
"Fine," She relented, dropping down on the couch beside me, picking up the book she must have been reading when I arrived and turning on the music again. "If you get in trouble, don't blame me," Alberta winked at me, hand resting on the top of my head, fingers threading through the fur.
I shifted closer until my head was on her lap. It felt like before again, letting the scent of Alberta and the steady sound of her breathing lull me to sleep.
I woke up to buzzing in my head, it became a pressure as I became more aware. I forgot where I was for a moment until I heard Alberta exhale. The hand that had been stroking my fur stilled.
I realised what the pressure in my head was, he must have figured out I was gone. I cracked my eye open enough to see that the light outside had turned golden. It's definitely been more than an hour since I left.
"Rose, do you want to tell me why the Alpha is searching for you?" Even after three years, Alberta was able to use her stern voice that made me feel like a five-year-old caught stealing a snack before dinner. "I've told him you are here, so you may as well answer."
I whined softly, I didn't want to deal with Dimitri yet. I just wanted to keep pretending that everything was simple again. Not worrying about what I presented as, or Jesse, or withdrawals, or true mates.
The pressure was building in my head again but I continued to block it.
Alberta stood from the couch throwing the quilt over my body. "I'll go find some clothes that will fit." She gave me a fond smile, turned and headed further into the house, but not before unlocking the front door.
Great. Dimitri must be close.
I didn't have to wait long before the door was thrown open and said man marched through, his eyes narrowing in on me. His jaw was clenched, nostrils flaring. He was mad.
"What do you think you're doing? You can't just run off like that and not tell me!" He yelled.
I didn't expect him to yell, flinching back out of habit as his alpha presence rolled off him hitting me like a wave, closing my eyes.
He muttered something in Russia, taking a step close, voice softer. "I'm sorry, Roza. I shouldn't have—I was scared something happened to you." His hand rested on the top of my head, gently moving down my neck. "I thought you ran away again."
The hurt in his voice made me feel guilty, I had let my anger and insecurities take over and made some choices that weren't great. I slowly opened my eyes, looking up at him. Now closer I could see the worry in his eyes.
"Can you shift back so we can talk?" He asked.
I huffed, looking away.
"Roza," He sighed, a small amount of irritation coming through.
"Good luck getting her to do something when she doesn't want to," Alberta commented, returning to the lounge room with a handful of clothes, placing them beside me. "These should fit."
I nudged them with my nose, knowing I wouldn't be able to put it off much longer. I picked the clothes up in my mouth and stood from the couch. They both shuffled back so I could pass them, choosing a random room to disappear into to change. No way would I let them both see my scars, I was nowhere near ready for that conversation.
I took my time dressing, trying to figure out what I was going to say.
To make matters worse, the sleeves on the shirt Alberta gave me stopped just short of my wrist, leaving the scars in full view. I kept tugging at the material in a futile attempt at covering them.
I crossed my arms over my chest, tucking my hands into the crooks of my elbows, walking back into the lounge room. Dimitri had a frown on his face, still agitated, while Alberta stood by the couch with a cautious look. It didn't escape my notice that she was standing between Dimitri and me, it seemed she was willing to go against her Alpha for me.
"Why did you leave?" He asked in a clipped tone, though his eyes were pleading.
I scowled, the anger I felt earlier returning. "What? Am I not allowed to go anywhere?"
His lips pressed into a firm line, "Not without telling anyone. We were all worried."
"Well, I'm fine, okay. I just wanted to get away for a while. I needed a break."
"It's not safe for–"
"I can take care of myself. I'm not as useless as you think!" I yelled back. Sure, I wasn't able to fight like I used to, but I could handle myself. I didn't fall for the sweet words and flirtatious smiles anymore. I had let myself become complacent, letting down my guard with Dimitri all because of a mate pull.
Dimitri's face softened, "I don't think you're useless. I just want you to be careful and I want you to stop running away. Why won't you come to me if something is troubling you?"
"Because I don't trust you!"
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Dimitri's expression crumbled, the look of anguish as if my words were cutting like a knife. I regretted saying them but I couldn't deny it was true. My ability to trust those around me had been lost the day my mother abandoned me. I couldn't even let myself open up to Alberta and Lissa like I used to, I couldn't tell them of everything that happened because I couldn't trust them.
I couldn't trust anyone.
My stomach twisted painfully again, my body yearning to reach for Dimitri for comfort, to comfort him and take that expression from his face. Everything was so confusing and muddled. It felt like each time I found some stability, the ground under me would crumble again.
"Maybe it would be good if Rose stayed with me tonight?" Alberta offered, looking over at me in question.
I nodded my head, refusing to look at Dimitri. He didn't respond straight away, and when he did his voice sounded broken.
"If that's what you want," He paused, giving me a chance to change my mind. I nodded again with my eyes firmly on the ground. "I'll let the others know."
I didn't lift my head until he was gone, the door closing softly behind him. I stared at the spot he had been standing in, feeling my heart ache at it being empty.
"I'll get you a coat," Alberta spoke softly, I almost missed her words.
"Why? I thought you said I could stay?" Panic built in me, wondering how I was going to face everyone back at the house.
She opened the coat closet pulling out black zip up and passing it to me, "You can, but I have no food. What do you feel like?"
I was grateful for Alberta for not pushing me to tell her what was wrong, I shrugged on the coat, pulling the material close around me.
"I'm thinking tacos," She grinned, placing her arm around me.
It's Tasha! Woohoo...
I love Alberta and am giving her the love she deserves!
