TINOTAURS

ROSA'S POV

I woke up to a very quiet room.

The first thing I had done was to look beside me, but I didn't see him.

"Ryan?" I called out, but got no response. Just as I was about hopping down the bed, the door to the bathroom opened, and Ryan stepped out, his towel loosely wrapped around his waist.

"You're up." He muttered, walking towards me. I didn't see it coming when he leaned down and kissed me deeply. After some seconds he pulled away, releasing his hot breath against my face.

In that moment, I was very self conscious, knowing I unavoidably had morning breath.

"Good morning." He whispered, a small smile on his face.

"Good morning."

"Ready to shower? I prepared a warm bath for you."

"Okay." I nodded.

"I'm here to talk, if you need me." He added, making me go silent for a moment.

"There's nothing to talk about." I finally replied, hopping off the bed and making my way into the bathroom.

There was nothing to talk about.

There was definitely nothing to talk about....

I closed the door of the bathroom shut, and peeled the gown I had worn for the coronation, off my body.

Lazily, I placed one foot inside the bathtub, the other followed suite.

"Haaaaa...." I released a low sigh, as my body got immersed in the large tub of warm water. I felt my eyes prick with unshed tears.

No, don't think about it. Don't think about it, Rosa!

As much as I tried to block my mind completely, the image of his face appeared in my head, and I let out a low but mind shattering sob.

Oh, Goddess..... Dean was my father! He was..... he was my dad.

Those words resonated in my head, and my silent sobs increased.

When I had woken up this morning, I really believed I could pretend nothing so significant took place yesterday. Maybe, avoiding the truth was going to let the realization that my life had been a lie, hurt less.

Never had I actually been given such a good news, which hurt me so bad.

Dean was such a great man. I mean.... he was DEAN MACQUOID. One of the few chiefs that I had always admired for his ability to not cower before Ryan. I almost felt unworthy to be called his own.

I reached out to the shelf and picked my shower gel and soft sponge, releasing another low sigh as I began to gently scrub my body.

As I did, I thought about the dream I had last night. I wondered if it was going to be a continuous thing from now on.

Undoubtedly, the events from last night were what triggered such dream. The last time I had ever dreamt about such, was at the bloodmoon pack, after Andrew had died.

More than anything else, I was very shocked to know that my father......

No, he wasn't my father. That man never had a single positive thought about me. He had never given me the crystal to protect me. He had crippled my wolf!

More tears seeped out of my eyes, as I realized I had eventually found closure. Realizing I was never really his blood, was all the explanation I had ever sought.

Atleast, letting go of the singular kind act he had ever done for me, wouldn't be so hard anymore, now that I had found out it wasn't really a 'kind' act.

I finished through the rest of shower, and eventually stepped out with a robe around me.

"You're done." Ryan said, the moment I stepped out of the bathroom. Before I could respond, he walked up to me and pulled me into his warm embrace. That felt.... good.

"Soon, my Rose, you'd cry no more. I would make sure of that." He whispered into my ears, making my heart leap with profound appreciation.

Ryan had clearly heard me cry in the bathroom. With his vamp hearing, most certainly. I was thankful that he thought it wise to let me have my own space in that moment, because truly, that was all I wanted.

"Thank you." I sobbed against his chest, my appreciation increasing as he patiently rubbed my back until I went calm.

"I wasn't able to tell you yesterday." He called my attention, making me pull away in order to look at his face.

"What is it?"

"Logan sent for your father. Your stepfather, I mean."

"Okay." I simply nodded, walking towards his wardrobe to pull out one of the few dresses that had been moved to Ryan's room right after the wedding.

"O.... okay?" He asked, sounding bothered.

"Yes, Ryan." I nodded, giving a very small smile of reassurance. One I wasn't sure reached my eyes.

Just then, there was a knock on the door and few seconds later, Audrey stepped in.

Instantly, we both locked eyes and hers softened in sympathy.

"Oh, my love." She sighed, making her way towards me and hugging me so tightly. I watched as Ryan quietly exited the room, giving us some space.

"It's a whole lot to process." I muttered.

"I know, my love. It is just same, for us all." She nodded. "Ryan is also having it really hard."

"Of course, he is." I wasn't sure how I felt. "I'm bringing so much drama into his life."

"You think?" She quickly pulled away from our hug, eyeing me in disbelief. "Rosa, you really think that?!" Now, her tone was chastising. "I know you're going through so much right now. Making things work with Ryan, the pregnancy, finding out about your true heritage, your not-father showing up here today, and a lot more we would eventually discover today. But in all of these, I just want to beg, that you don't downplay the level of Ryan's love for you. Gosh!! I have been here for just a couple of days, and I'm so mesmerised by how much he clearly cares for you."

"Audrey...."

"Rosa, that man almost killed Theo in the early hours of this morning...." Audrey blurted, before quickly placing her hand across her lips. She obviously had no plans of saying that. But then again, Ryan what?!! "I wasn't supposed to say that."

"Clearly." I muttered.

"I promised Logan I wouldn't say a word." Her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"What is this thing you were speaking of?" My forehead creased in a mix of worry and confusion.

"Ryan had sped off to the dungeons to kill Theo."

"What?" I whispered in disbelief.

"One of the palace guards stationed at Theo's dungeon, had called the attention of Logan. Apparently, Ryan was in his complete beast form. Seems he didn't have a restful night, and had rushed at Theo when his emotions overwhelmed him."

"But.... but he...." I stuttered, very shocked at everything Audrey was saying. "He never showed a sign that something like that happened, this morning."

"He didn't want you to know."

"But why?! Why did he do that? I thought we all agreed that Theo and his sister were going to be punished accordingly?"

"Well..... I guess he was triggered by something last night. Not so sure, but I think I heard him say that Theo had let 'him' hurt you. I wasn't sure who 'him' was, but I'm guessing it's your.... not-father." She sighed, making my brain spin for three long seconds.

But..... how?

Why?

"Rosa, I know a lot is going on, but trust me when I say that Ryan loves you."

"I don't doubt that!" I quickly responded. "I do not doubt it, Audrey. I just felt bad about dragging him into my complicated life issues, especially now that our relationship is taking a great turn."

"We are saying just the same thing, Rosa. You're worried, and it shouldn't be. Ryan loves you and because of that, he takes your issues as his. Hell! He'd probably even feel pathetic, if you tried excluding him from walking through this with you. That is what it means to love someone wholesomely. That is what he wants." She whispered, taking my hands in hers.

For a moment, Audrey's eyes seemed lost in thoughts, and I knew she was mindlinking someone.

"Logan says to meet at Ryan's study immediately." She informed me.

"Sure!" I nodded. "We can always talk when you both are done."

"No, Rosa." She shook her head. "You are coming with me. He asked that I come with you. Ryan and a few others are also waiting for us."

*********

*********

As we both reached the door of Ryan's study, Audrey halted her steps, as if giving me ample time to prepare myself for whatever.

"Should I?" She whispered, and I nodded. Without further delay, she pushed open the door, and led the way in. I followed her behind, the faces of everyone in the room fitting into my line of sight.

King Logan, Ryan, Ralia, Hazel MacQuoid.... Dean.

Our eyes locked, and I felt my heart constrict painfully.

Seeing how lost and sad he looked, I didn't know how to feel at that point. I could see the eyes bags and dark circles underneath his eyes, which had me wondering. Had he stayed up the whole night, worrying about me?

Slowly realizing that I was probably right, I felt this helpless feeling of anger overwhelm me.

Why the hell wasn't he there??!! Why did destiny have to keep us apart for so long?!! Why didn't I get to experience him from childhood?!! Why....? Why?!!!

Why wasn't he the one I called, 'Father'?

My heart was physically aching. I wanted to run over to him, and just hold him for just a moment.

Heading over to where Ryan sat, I lowered myself onto the empty half of the couch, as his hands instinctively went around my waist. Subconsciously, I leaned in to him, taking a deep breath and appreciating how nice he smelled.

I wanted so badly to ask him about all that Audrey had told me, but this clearly wasn't the best time.

"Good morning Rosaline, I hope you feel better than you did yesterday?" King Logan asked, and I simply nodded. "There are a couple more things that I'd love to share with you. But for clarity sake of certain things we may not understand, I decided to send for your stepfather. I figured he'd have the answers to many questions in your head."

"I guess so too." I nodded. "Thank you."

"I was initially skeptical as to how you'd take it, seeing as you have a whole lot on your mind right now. But certain situations demands swift actions, and that is why we have to do all of these immediately."

"I understand, your majesty."

"Thank you." He gave a small smile. "Yesterday, when I had made use of the MacQuoid shrine, a couple of things were shown to me. Some, that I do not really grasp its meaning. But I do believe that we could discuss them and probably make some sense of it."

"Of course." Ryan agreed.

"Great, then. The first thing I'd like us to discuss is about Guilford Kennedy. I believe we would talk about Rosaline being a MacQuoid, when her stepfather arrives."

"Sure." I muttered.

"About Guilford, what was shown was quite confusing....." King Logan's forehead creased into folds. "He had over five dead and blodied babies laying around him. All males, might I add?"

"That's insane." Ralia muttered.

"Same thing I thought." King Logan whispered. "I couldn't help but wonder if his true motives were tied to this children. Or was he taking the lives of children to access black magic?"

"You may not be wrong about that." Ryan said. "From my investigations and findings just after your wedding ceremony, Guilford has been in touch with some rogues. Apparently, he is responsible for the attack against Golden Heights."

"Come to think of it....." Ralia began, and everyone listened attentively. "Ten years ago, when my brother was imprisoned by the witch elders, I had been attacked by a rogue wolf and spelled with black magic. I wasn't allowed access into Coldmoon, but I could access other packs."

What was she talking about? There was a time she couldn't access Coldmoon? I looked up at Ryan, and he had this sadness in his eyes.

'Would you tell me about this?', I asked through our mindlink. All he did, was flash me a small smile, and nod his head in agreement. That was all I hoped he'd do.

"The goal was simply to keep me away from my brother. Only someone with a score to settle, would have done that. It may not have occured to us then, but it does now." She released a low sigh, looking at Ryan. "I think Guilford is responsible for that. That was part of his retaliation for the death of his niece. Brenda."

"I would agree with you on that one, Ralia." Ryan nodded.

"I think Guilford had/has a bigger plan." Hazel spoke up for the first time this morning. "Guilford wants a certain level of power, and dare I say, that he wants the Alpha position."

"That's not possible." Audrey shook her head in disagreement. "Guilford isn't even amongst the potential people to be selected for the Alpha position, if anything happens to Ryan today. First, there is Beta Philip, Gamma Ray, before any other person could be considered. Moreover, Guilford is past the age of being appointed Alpha. A man his age should be handing over to his offspring instead."

"You're right." Hazel nodded. "But who says he may want the Alpha position for himself?" She asked. "He may simply just want the Kennedy bloodline to take over."

Silence....

"I believe my sister is making a lot of sense." Dean eventually spoke up. "Alpha, do you remember your late mate's motive to fill the castle with guards trained by the Kennedy clan?" He asked, and Ryan seemed to be lost in thoughts. "Let's not forget that the late Luna Brenda, was the major reason why I, Guilford, and the other Honourable family members are presently part of the council. Initially it wasn't a thing for the Honourable families to get mixed in the business of the council. But somehow, Luna Brenda insisted on changing the norm, which you succumbed to."

Ryan loved her that much?

I tried my best to not look at him, not wanting to seem threatened by a dead woman.

"I had always thought the Kennedys were steadily plotting a way to gain power within the inner council, and garner some chiefs to support their cause. Now, this may not make sense, but....." He was still speaking when Ryan cut him off.

"It makes sense. It definitely makes sense. The Kennedys are truly on a quest for power. That is the only reason why they'd want to acquire the MacQuoid relics for themselves."

I just couldn't help but agree with them at this point. Everything seemed to be adding up, and nothing made me more satisfied.

"So what do we do from here on, with these speculations?" I asked, and everyone's eyes fell on me.

"Not to worry, Rosaline." King Logan smiled. "I have someone on Guilford Kennedy's tail. A little more time, and we'll be sure what he's up to. We are not making any move now, not because we aren't sure he is the villain. We just want to know everything he is planning, and those he works with, so we can exterminate them all at once. Capturing such a man with the aim of torturing the truth out of him, may be slippery. He may prefer to die, rather than spill."

"Okay." I nodded.

"Which brings us to the next topic of discussion, Rosaline." He sighed, locking eyes with mine. "Hecate showed me your fate. For some reasons I'm yet to understand, you share a fate with my daughter and the Tinotaurs."

Another pin drop silence.

If I heard him correctly, he mentioned the Tinotaurs. I have heard of them before. Just not in details.

"But the Tinotaurs do not exist anymore." Audrey said, her forehead scrunching up in confusion.

"I think the right word is 'Extinct'. There are some survivors whom apparently have never been seen since the first emergence of the Flaming wolf, centuries back." Ryan replied. At that point, I was lost. Very lost.

"Well, Hecate has never been wrong." King Logan sighed. "This all simply means one thing. We all probably thought that the Flaming wolf returned mainly for the great war against the rogues. I guess we were wrong. The Flaming wolf returned for a final business with the Tinotaurs, and Rosaline has a huge role to play in it all."