Chapter 17 Mischievous
The ride back home was silent.
Rosee sat behind the wheel of his sleek black Rolls-Royce, glancing occasionally at me in the passenger seat. My heart still hammered from the Council’s underground meeting. Hollow Ridge. The Mirror Realm. The idea of Vinc and Ryan trapped somewhere unseen. It all made my chest ache.
Rosee, as always, said nothing. His jaw was tight, eyes fixed on the road, expression unreadable. If I didn’t know better, I would have sworn he was calculating how much blood he’d make someone pay for crossing him.
The city streets seemed tame compared to the chaos of the Council chamber. But as we reached the estate, I realized some battles never leave you—they just follow you home.
Noah and Lia were waiting in the hall.
And by waiting, I mean plotting. Their little faces lit with mischief, wide-eyed and full of teeth-gritting grins.
“Rain!” Noah shouted the moment the car doors opened. “You’re back! Did you see vampires or lycans?”
“Or ghosts?!” Lia added, twirling her hair
Before I could answer, both kids lunged at me. Their tiny, yet impossibly strong for their size. Noah tried to tackle me while Lia yanked at my hair.
I stumbled back, letting out a shriek. “Stop! I’m tired! I just came back from the Council! You don’t even know what’s going on!”
They giggled, relentlessly circling me like little predators.
From behind, I heard it before I saw it: the low, dangerous rumble of a growl.
“Enough.”
It wasn’t a gentle command. It was the type of tone that makes grown men stop mid-step and reconsider their life choices.
Rosee stepped into the hall, tall, broad, imposing. His coat hung like black wings around him. He looked like a predator himself.
Lia froze mid-scamper, and Noah’s jaw literally dropped.
“Your games,” Rosee said, voice smooth, dangerous, each word a whip, “end now.”
The air thickened, and I felt the heat roll off.
Lia’s small fists trembled. “B-but Daddy.”
“I don’t care what excuses you have,” Rosee cut in, taking a step closer. “You do not touch her again. You are not predators in my house unless I allow it.”
Even I flinched a little at the sheer force behind his words. This was no mere billionaire showing off. This was a man who could, and would, crush anyone who crossed him.
The kids scurried back, whispering excuses. Rosee’s gaze never wavered. He bent slightly, closer to their eye level, a terrifying smile curling his lips. “Let me make this very clear. Anyone who harms her in this house will regret it. I promise you that.”
Noah whispered something to Lia, and both nodded rapidly.
Rosee turned to me, finally letting his gaze soften—just slightly.
“You alright?” he asked, voice low, almost intimate, but still commanding.
I nodded. “I… I think so.”
His eyes scanned me, from my hair to my shoes, like a predator assessing prey but the kind that chooses to protect instead of destroy. Then his expression hardened.
“Good. Don’t get weak in front of them. They are small, but they test power. You can’t let them win.”
He escorted me to my room, his hand brushing my elbow slightly. It burned on contact but it wasn’t painful in a normal sense. It was like electricity, warning, and power all at once.
Mykel had already left. He said hewould watch from a distance, keeping tabs on me while I rested. Rosee didn’t say this, but I felt it. He trusted Mykel more than anyone.
The room was larger than my first apartment. Ceiling high, walls lined with dark wood and gilded carvings, a massive bay window looking out onto the estate gardens. Even the bed alone could host a small army.
“You’re staying here,” Rosee said, tossing me a black robe.
“Don’t leave until I say so. And for God’s sake, do not wander into the gardens alone. I won’t protect you if you do.”
I swallowed, nodding, suddenly aware of how much danger followed me like a shadow.
As soon as he left, I sank to the cold floor, hugging my knees. My mind ran through everything and why Mykel saved me.
Noah and Lia were back—not innocent, not scared, just little tornadoes. They somehow slipped past Mykel’s observation and hid behind the curtains, whispering.
“Rain is sad,” Noah whispered. “Let’s cheer her up!”
I opened my eyes but before I could react, they dumped a bucket of cold water on me.
I screamed, scrambling upright. My hands slipped on the wet floor.
Rosee appeared, black coat billowing, eyes blazing with pure arrogant fury.
“What did I just tell you?!” His voice was a storm, shaking the room.
The twins froze, literally frozen, as Rosee’s fangs glimmered faintly, his aura radiating lethal dominance.
“I warned you,” he said softly, dangerous, leaning closer.
“One more act, and you’ll regret it for the rest of your lives.”
I blinked, half in fear, half in awe. This wasn’t someone to negotiate with. This was a king.
Noah and Lia squeaked apologies. I felt like crying but instead, I just clutched the robe to my chest and buried my face in my knees.
"It's fine."
"No it's not Daddy doesn't shout at us,now look at him now because of you!" Lia yelled and stormed off.