A PHASE OF HEALING

RYAN'S POV

There was another pup.

I still couldn't believe how lucky we were. Deep down, I knew Rosa was going through a lot of pains at the thought of losing our pup. I was only grateful to the goddess that she showed us some mercy.

Audrey had been kind enough to handle things in our stead. She had shifted the wedding by a day, giving Rosa ample time to rest.

Though Rosa had really insisted on going ahead with the wedding, claiming she felt very okay, we had to convince her otherwise.

She was currently asleep in my chambers, while I had stepped out to discuss with Logan. He had mindlinked me, saying we needed to talk. On getting to my study, I was glad to see Logan already seated and awaiting my arrival.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting." I apologized.

"Not at all. I shouldn't even be drawing you away from her at a time like this. How is she?"

"Sleeping soundly. She seems to be healing up fine, thanks to her healing energy."

"Which leaves me wondering....." Logan muttered mindlessly, making my forehead crease in confusion.

"What leaves you wondering?"

"Her wolf. Your mate's wolf."

At the mention of that, I released a deep sigh. I truly hadn't an idea that was the situation of things. Knowing we were a kingdom that prioritized strength and capability over other things, I couldn't help but wonder the kind of stigma she had experienced, growing up.

I, for one, have experienced what it feels like to be tagged 'not good enough'.

I was a late bloomer. Finally had my first shift when I realized that was my last hope of living and protecting Ralia.

I could relate to the pains and disappointing situations Rosa may have experienced. But more than anything else, I was so proud of her. She had proven that one's strength and worth didn't only lie in their supernatural form. She had gallantly fought the wolves of Theo and his accomplice courageously.

I guess I finally realized why she had met Ray for his help. I had not shown her how willing I was, to protect her at the time. She had to find a way of ensuring her own safety.

But that was going to change. From now on, I was going to ensure she never worried about her safety. I would give my life, to see she was never hurt.

"Something is off." Logan's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"What is?"

"I don't know...." He looked into space. "There's something off about Rosaline's wolf."

"Clearly." I shrugged.

"No." He shook his head. "Something happened to her wolf. That isn't normal! Don't you find it weird that someone with healing energy, has a deformed wolf?"

"How do you mean?" My voice went a notch lower, my total attention on Logan.

"I think Rosaline never underwent her complete transformation."

There was silence for a brief moment.

"But how? Then, she never would have had her first shift." I reasoned. "We both were only able to transform into our supernatural forms, when all our individual genes were ready to merge as one for our first shift. If her wolf was not ready to emerge, then it would never have. Or is there something you're not saying?" I muttered, eyeing him closely. "You think she's like us? A hybrid?" I whispered the last part, and he released a low sigh.

"I don't know. That's the only thought that makes sense."

"So how do we confirm our thoughts?" I asked. "I doubt she has any vampire parent, or witch...." I trailed off. That could be it!

"You think she has witch genes?" Logan asked.

"I mean..... How else does she manage to pull the truth out of anyone? How can she heal, even to the extent of neutralizing Zephyr's dark magic?"

"That actually.... makes a whole lot of sense. But then, I don't feel a kindred spirit when I'm around her. I am Chief Custodian of the witches, Ryan. I am able to sense my kind, when I see one."

"So what else could be the case?"

"I guess we would find out after I consult Hecate. My shrine is back at the palace, which is why I would love to speak with the power custodian of the MacQuoids. I could make use of their shrine."

"Thank you so much, Logan." I sighed, feeling so grateful for his willingness to help.

"You and Ralia are my family, Ryan. I'd do all I can to ensure that things are easier for you both." He assured, patting me on the shoulder. "Also, there's something else we must discuss." He gave me that look that had hairs standing at the back of my neck.

"What happened?" I asked, literally holding my heart in my hand.

"It seems to be that for some unknown reasons, some really bad persons seem to have their eyes on Rosaline."

"What are you talking about?"

"Early this morning, I had accompanied Audrey to pick up some new clothes from Rosaline's chambers, when I caught whiff of the hollow hound."

The Hollow hound. Why did that sound so familiar?

"And what is that?" I asked.

"It is one of the deadliest plant spells, used to prevent one from conceiving."

Gradually, the tip of my ears went hot and then, cold. What the hell?!

"H... how?" I finally found my voice.

"It was kept behind one of the shelves in her closet, and I can't help but wonder who did."

"What the hell?" I whispered to myself. "So... what does this meaning?" I blinked a couple of times, trying to make sense of this new information. Could this be the reason....? The reason why we had miscarried....

"No, that isn't the reason she miscarried your ectopic pregnancy, Ryan. If it was, then she could have also lost the uterine pregnancy too. If anything, I am really wowed. Rosa's healing energy had been strong enough to nullify the effect of the spell. That was why it was still possible for her to conceive in the first place, or even keep the already conceived pup."

"I am pissed, Logan." I muttered, looking hard at nowhere in particular. "Someone is toying with my mate, and it irks me to no end that I'm pretty much useless. I need to find whoever is behind this."

"Calm down. All I need you to do, is focus on ensuring Rosa and the pup are safe for the next few days. I am so sure that we will have a good lead on things, by tomorrow. I am hoping to consult Hecate after the coronation ceremony tomorrow. We've never lost a fight, Ryan. Never." His said firmly, making all my fears turn into determination.

He was right. We had never lost a fight.

******

******

I walked into our chambers later in the day, quite excited it was evening already. We had a few more hours to our wedding day, and it was so surprising how much happiness bubbled within me. I knew we were mates already, but being married meant we would share a much deeper connection.

There was still a whole lot I needed to know about Rosa. So much I knew she was yet to tell me, and I, her.

I was so thankful she had finally found the courage to let me see her wolf. I knew with time, we were both going to be able to lay bare before each other.

I suddenly craved to know her so much more than I do, and truly hoped to share my own fears and experiences with her. I was yet to really tell her the details of Brenda's death, and I knew she was curious about it. I knew it wasn't going to be an easy ride, but I was ready.

Releasing a sigh, I opened the door to my chambers, and walked in. There in the middle of my bed, was Rosa, wide awake.

"You're up." I muttered. We hadn't really spoken since after the Doctor announced the news of our pregnancy early this morning. He had administered some pills to her, which had her in and out of long naps, the entire day.

I had remained by her side all through, until I had to step out to see Logan.

"I'm up." She nodded, pushing the duvet off her thighs. She hopped down the bed and made her way straight into the bathroom.

I heard the sound of water trickling, and after a while, she stepped out of the bathroom in one of my robes. I guess more than anything else, I was happy she was slowly getting accustomed to doing stuffs in my chambers, seeing as she'd have to move in with me after the wedding. If she was cool with that, of course.

"Let me help you with that." I rushed out, pointing at her damp hair.

"With what....?" She asked, looking clueless.

I simply made my way to her, pulling her alongside me, and helping her settle onto the seat in front of the vanity mirror.

My actions had honestly not been pre-thought. I guess I just wanted to rid off the potentials of any having awkward silence between us.

"What are you doing?" She whispered, the moment I picked up the hair brush from the vanity.

"Taking care of you." I replied, going ahead to start brushing her hair. It wasn't really tangled, which made my work hassle free.

She had an initial look of shock on her face, which gradually disappeared.

I took one of the menthol hair oils on the vanity, and gently massaged it into her scalp. I could swear that I heard her release a moan at some point. I guess I was doing great, then.

"Would you like me to use the voika powered dryer on your hair?" I asked, and she slowly shook her head 'no'.

"It may sound weird, but I enjoy having menthol on my hair, when it is wet. Gives this extra cooling sensation I really love." She gave a nervous smile.

"Of course, I understand." I smiled in return, bending to her level and dropping a chaste kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"My pleasure."

Right there, I stripped out of my clothes, making her eyes go wide in shock. I couldn't help but laugh.

"You just underwent a very serious stuff, Rosa. I would be a very foolish man, to want to do what you're thinking right now."

"Yeah." She nodded, swallowing hard as she tried not to look downwards. Taking that as my cue, I headed for the bathroom.

"I am fit now." She suddenly said, making me turn back to look at her in slight confusion.

"What?"

"I mean....." She awkwardly scratched her brows. "I can do that now. Have sex." She bit her bottom lip shyly. "The Doctor says I'm perfectly fine now."

"Ahhh.... Rosa." I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief and amusement, as I walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind me.

She definitely didn't think I was gonna fall for that. No matter what, I wasn't going to make that move on her, until I was beyond convinced that she was very fine. She may have healed physically from everything that occured, but not emotionally.

Quickly washing up, I rushed out of the bathroom, eager to be in her presence again. A part of me worried that when I finished bathing, she would have left for her own chambers.

I was very glad when I stepped out to see her still sitting before the vanity table.

"I wanted to let my hair dry a little, before going to the bed. I hate my pillows damp." She explained, and I nodded in understanding. I loved that she was telling me that, without me asking. I looked over her form, to see that she had clearly changed into her night dress while I was inside the bathroom.

Cleaning my body with the towel I wrapped around my waist, I walked to my wardrobe to pick out some pants.

"Thankfully, I have a connecting room to my chambers." I said, pointing towards the closed door beside my wardrobe. That was where I had my blood stack.

"For what?" She asked.

"To be your new closet. You would be moving in together with me, after the wedding. That is if you're fine with it, of course." I quickly added.

"Totally." She blurted, before quickly clamping her lips together.

I found that really cute. Everything about her, was cute. Starting from each strand of her beautiful hair, to the very nails on her toes.

"Great." I grinned. "I hope you don't mind though. I kinda have my blood bank there. It used to be my late mom's....." I trailed off, realizing this was actually the first time I had spoken about either of my parents in a long while.

"Y.... you drink bl.... blood?" She stuttered. "I mean, it's totally fine by me. I just didn't...."

"I know. You're not the only one that wonders if I feed on blood." I managed a smile.

"I'm a hybrid, love. I still have to keep my vampiric side energized. I don't have to feed regularly though. Just once in a while." I shrugged. "Not to worry, I wouldn't eat you up." I chuckled, and was very delighted when she joined in.

"Of course, I don't mind." She smiled. "You can still have your blood bank safely kept in there."

"I could actually have a separate compartment built for your....."

"It's fine, Ryan." She cut me off, giving me a convincing nod.

"Thank you." I released a tired sigh, before making my way to the bed.

I expected her to join me, but she remained seated before the vanity. "Is your hair still wet?" I asked, but she just stared at me blankly.

"Are you ready to talk about it now?" She suddenly asked, making me somewhat lost.

"Talk about what, love?"

She went silent again, probably thinking of a perfect way to say what she had in mind.

"I noticed.... you have acted like nothing happened. Like you didn't see my wolf."

Ohhh... Was that what this was all about?

"Of course, I did see your wolf. She was really beautiful." I held her eyes, watching as her chest rose and fell so quickly. She was nervous. "And strong." I added, never having felt more honest in my entire life. "But not as strong as you are." I muttered, hopping down the bed and making my way to her. By the time I got to her, she was pretty much teary, but was clearly trying not to let the tears fall. I squatted before her, looking up at her face and continued my speech.

"I can only imagine the pains and loneliness you must have faced, growing up. I know how hard it is to be perceived as 'different'. But you made your way through such a tough journey, emerging as this beautiful and kind woman that you are. I'm so proud of you."

Eventually the tears fell, and I quickly hugged her. I guess this was the first time she was trusting me enough, to cry on my shoulders.

She cried for quite a while, within when I picked her off her seat. Her legs wrapped themselves around me, and her arms tightened around my neck, as I walked us to the bed, gently sitting down with her on my thighs. My back hit the headboard, and we remained in that comfortable position until her cries turned to sniffles.

"I hope you feel better." I whispered against her ear, and she nodded.

"Thank you." She managed in between sniffles. "Andrew never....." She didn't need to complete her statement, for me to understand what she meant.

"Andrew wasn't deserving of you." I said. "I am not, either. Just lucky, I guess."

"My Ryan....." She whispered, pulling her face from my shoulder, and looking into my eyes. This was the first time, she had ever called me hers. It made my heart jump in excitement.

"Thank you for being able to share such important part of yourself with me. I hope that with time, you'd get to trust me better to share your other burdens with me. I'd never do anything to hurt you, Rosa. I swear on my life."

She leaned in, and we shared the most passionate kiss ever.

"I hope you can also find me worthy enough, to share your complete past with me. I want to know you too, Ryan." She whispered, placing a chaste kiss below my eye.

"I want you to know me too. Just you." I smiled, dropping another kiss on her lips.

"Tomorrow is our wedding." She whispered, completely changing the topic.

"Tomorrow is our wedding. And your coronation too." I chuckled. "I cannot wait to make things official."