THE TINY BITS

ROSA'S POV

"I am worried, Ryan." I sighed, putting on my dress.

"You know that I prefer you nude." He muttered, a naughty smile on his face. For a moment, I paused my movements and a small smile broke onto my face.

"You have repeatedly told me that for the past couple of days."

"I won't tire of saying it, until you truly believe that I adore your body." He grinned, making such a touchy subject very light hearted.

"I do believe." I sighed, a shy smile on my face. Who would have thought that I'd be smiling while having a conversation about this?

He stood up from the bed, walking up to me and pulling me by the waist.

"Oh, my Rose." He sighed, tucking a stray stand of hair behind my ear. "I miss you already." He whined, suddenly sounding like a baby.

"Move away!" I giggled, walking out of his hold, when he pulled me into him again. His hands laid on the slightly protruded pouch on my belly. Yes, I was being to show now. It was still a bit hidden beneath my dresses but soon, it will no longer be invisible.

"Hmmmm...." He released a deep guttural growl of satisfaction, his voice reverberating through his chest. I could feel the vibrations on my back, which was just against his chest.

"I will only be gone for a little while. I need to say my goodbyes to Amelia, before she leaves for Golden Heights. I also need to see Audrey, giving the situation of things and her decision as of this morning, to stay back."

"Of course." He sighed, kissing my temple. "Of course, my love."

"I'll be fine, Ryan. I'm still within the confines of the castle." I reasoned.

"I would rather follow you everywhere you intend on going, Rosa. Moreover, you did admit that you were worried."

"I was worried about Blaze and our child, especially now that Audrey and king Logan have made the decision to remain here. I'm never worried about my safety. I know I would be just fine."

"But....."

"No 'buts', Ryan. In case you haven't noticed, you have unconsciously began to isolate me in here."

"What?" He whispered, a small frown on his beautiful face. Now I felt bad.

"Fine." I sighed. "I admit that we have been getting all loved up in here, for the past couple of days. But do you also realize that you haven't let me take a single step out of our chambers?"

"Because.... like you said, we were getting loved up. We were bonding." He claimed. I could clearly see the uncertainty in his eyes.

"You and I both know that you know that is not the case. And you do not actually intend to!" I quickly added, raising my hands innocently. "You don't intend to isolate me, but sadly you are. When I make the move to leave here, you always tell me not to worry myself about anything and just rest. We both know that I have had more than enough rests lately." I sighed, feeling even worse as he stood there tongue tied. "By the way, don't you think we have to start piecing evidences against Guilford. How do we achieve that if I remain in here?"

"I am working on that, Rosa. I can protect you." He said, his eyes reflecting so much desperation. Desperation for me to believe his words.

"I know, my love. You don't have to convince me." I gave a small smile, stepping closer and caressing his cheek. In that moment, I realized that Ryan might still be somewhat affected by the fact that I had once gone to Ray for help. "Ryan...." I began, looking into his eyes. "Yes, maybe I did want to learn how to protect myself at some point, but then... I never went to Ray for protection, I went to him for assistance. There is a large difference between both." I pointed out.

"And I never went to Ray because I thought you couldn't assist or protect me. I went to him because I knew you had all it took to protect me, and I badly wanted to see you want to protect me. I wanted you to....." I sighed, tears clouding my eyes. "..... to show me that I mattered to you. I wanted you to act like I was truly yours. I wanted to be yours. I had always wanted you, Ryan. Long before you..."

I was still speaking when he attacked my lips with his, shutting me up in the process. We shared a deep kiss, his hands holding my neck.

"Goddess." He sighed after breaking our kiss, a smile on his face. "I love you."

"I love you too." I whispered.

"Please be safe, and if anything seems off at any point, mindlink me. This might be my castle but lately, strange things have been happening."

Why did he sound like he had no control over that?

"But you knew when Theo used a dark spell here."

"Yes. But what about when Guilford did whatever he did to you, without anyone having an idea how you got back to your chambers unconscious?" He asked, and I went silent. "As long as Guilford is still alive, I must be on my toes."

"I understand, I'll be safe." I nodded, pulling away from him and heading towards the door.

"No goodbye kisses?" He called out from behind, and I released a long string of laughter, as I walked away.

*************

*************

"Oh, I really wish you weren't leaving just yet." I muttered, hugging Amelia tightly.

Turns out Amelia and some other Golden Height chiefs were all ready to leave before I showed up, requesting to speak with Amelia for a bit.

We had both walked to the garden, where we conversed for a short while.

"I have no choice, hon. I have been away from the pack for almost a week."

"I totally understand."

"But I'll definitely be back when this little one is born." She grinned, her eyes on my belly. "I'm so happy for you, darling. Alvira will be excited when she hears this."

"Oh, she will. That's her little brother or sister right there." I chuckled. "Thank you Amelia."

"Would you walk me to the carriage?" She requested, to which I agreed.

Hand in hand, we headed out of the garden, towards the west wing courtyard. After some seconds, she randomly brought up a conversation.

"I didn't know you knew my sister." She said.

"Your sister?" I asked, totally at loss. That was until I remembered the other time in Golden Heights, when she had told me about her family. Amelia had mentioned how her parents had almost tricked her late mate into choosing her elder sister over her. They felt her sister was more deserving.

"Oh, I do remember that we both had a discussion about her. You said she tried to seduce Conrad." I couldn't help the frown on my face. "She is here?"

"Yes. I'm surprised you didn't know it was she, judging from how freely she carried herself around. I figured she was a familiar face here. I mean, maybe she is. Moreover, she is a member of Alpha Ryan's sister's pack. Silver Heights. She was mated to one of the sons of their high officials a couple of years back, but the man died roughly a year after they met."

"Who is she exactly? What is her name?"

"Isabella Beaufort."

The moment she said the name, I halted my steps.

"Isabella?" I was quite surprised.

"Yes, you seem shocked."

"I mean...." I shrugged, unsure if I should say what I was about to. I trusted Amelia, not so? "She had a thing with Ryan, a while back."

"She did?"

"Yes. But Ryan assured me it was all in the past."

"I do believe him, he loves you." Amelia nodded, making me stare at her suspiciously.

"Fine!" She grinned. "Ryan had come to Golden Heights some time ago. He seemed quite frustrated and out of sorts, which was unusual. Turns out you were the one who had him that way."

"How?"

"He was in love with you, but didn't know how to tell you. Added to the fact that his Gamma kept making things difficult for him. I may have been the one who urged him to go back home to you, and sort things out."

"Awwwnn...." I cooed, giving her puppy eyes. "Thank you Amelia."

"But what is Isabella doing here then, if it isn't to cause a strain on your newly found love?"

"I don't know." I shrugged. "She claims she came to offer her congratulations."

"Hmmm.... That doesn't sound true to me." Her brows furrowed as she frowned. "The Isabella I know, isn't so nice. She is..... how do I mildly put it....?" She trailed off for lack of better words. "Vengeful."

"That doesn't sound mild at all." I muttered, feeling both agitated and cracked up.

"But that is the best way to put it. Isabella attended my wedding to Conrad, with the sole aim of seducing him and crashing the wedding, after unsuccessfully trying her luck the first time. I would be weary of her, if I were you. She's my blood sister, but I don't trust her."

"We were never even buddies." I scowled. I just had to tolerate her presence, simply because I didn't want to come off as 'insecure' to Ryan. Moreover, I think she is long gone. Didn't even see her at the wedding." I shrugged.

"Oh? But she was there." Amelia nodded. "How else did I know she was here? She avoided me like a plague throughout the entire ceremony, and later walked off with one of the council chiefs. They kinda looked like they were having a misunderstanding. Not sure."

"One of the council chiefs?" I asked, my scowl increasing.

"Yes." Amelia nodded, half distracted by her pack's chiefs who were patiently waiting for her by the carriages. "The one who is from the honourable Kennedy family, I'm sure."

Wait a second....

"Guilford Kennedy?" I asked, and she nodded in agreement.

"Yes, that's the one." She confirmed, and blood most certainly visibly drained off my face. "Are you well?" Came her worried voice, and I managed a small smile, nodding my head in agreement.

"Have a safe trip, love." I gestured for her to join her party, before quickly turning on my heels.

I had an intuition. A very strong one.

Isabella wasn't here for the reasons we thought. She also couldn't just randomly be acquainted with Guilford. There was more to their familiarity and assumed spat.

"Bye, Rosa!" Amelia yelled behind me, and I turned back to give her a quick wave. I had to get to Ryan now. We had to find out where Isabella currently was.

'Ryan', I mindlinked him, and he responded almost immediately.

'Love? Are you fine?'

He sounded worried.

'I'm fine. I need to speak with you'.

'Are you okay?', he asked for a second time.

'I'm fine. I may have stumbled upon a piece of information that may lead somewhere with Guilford's investigation.

'Are you with Amelia?'

'Not anymore. She just left with the other chiefs, for Golden Heights'.

'Please get back to our chambers, I'll join you soon'.

'Ryan....'

'Please just listen to me, my love. I may also have stumbled upon a vital information'.

'What is happening, Ryan?', I asked, feeling my heartbeat drop.

'I am with Henry. One of the soldiers who stood guard at your chambers...' He gave a worrisome pause. 'Rosa, he was Aliya's mate'.