The Alpha's Silent Bride: Seventh Time's The Charm

Chapter 42: 042: Hopelessly hers

~ RONAN ~

It’s been a week since Roselle has been in the medical wing, and luckily, the past two days have gone by without any sort of drama. Other than work, I’ve spent all my time by Roselle’s side.

I’ve already made up my mind—she’s moving in with me. That way, I can keep an eye on her myself. I’m not trusting anyone with her again.

Caius finally got back to me a few days ago. As expected, the case will be filed in court, and Warren is willing to push it further, which I honestly don’t mind.

I’ve been waiting for Dr. Elias to discharge Roselle, and now that he finally has and confirmed that she’s fine, we can finally have a talk. I just hope she opens up to me and communicates.

I’m standing right in the center of my room, my eyes fixed on her as she stares out the window. Her eyes are wide with fascination, a spark lighting them up as she turns to look at me, as though she can hardly believe what she’s seeing outside.

I don’t blame her. My window offers a clear, breathtaking view of everything beyond it.

I’m more than relieved to see those sparks in her eyes again. These week has been torture—watching her lie there while a thousand thoughts clawed through my head. Keeping Kael from marching into Westbrook and ripping Warren’s head clean off his neck has taken more restraint than I thought I possessed. But doing that would shatter the treaty between our packs.

I need the truth from her.

I don’t know why she’s protecting them, and I know I promised never to push her for answers... but I can’t do it anymore. I don’t think I can stomach any of this for another second.

Warren hurting her. His bitch of a mate speaking about Roselle like she was nothing. The bruises and injuries covering her body. The trauma-induced mutism that stole her voice.

It’s already far more than I can bear.

And just when I thought all I had to do was help her heal and move forward, I find out there’s a fucking chemical in her system designed to suppress her wolf. How much more can I take in?

Dr. Elias says he’s running tests on her blood to identify exactly what it is. But until then, I want answers.

No. I need answers.

I need her to tell me everything. Every detail, ugly truth, and every fucking intricacy of what’s been happening to her.

I kept a flower in my room while she was in the medical wing, a white rose I found in the gardens, the kind that reminds me of her.

I approach her slowly, watching as she continues to stare out the window with that expression of wonder on her face. My neck nuzzles into her scent, breathing her in, letting the familiar sweetness of her wrap around me.

My dick chooses that exact moment to rise, hardening against my pants at the proximity to her, but I tone it down, focusing on what needs to happen here.

I pull back just enough to hand her the flower.

"For you," I say softly.

Those hazel eyes widen, her hands reaching out to take it with a gentleness that makes my chest ache. She stares at the white rose like it’s the most precious thing she’s ever seen, turning it slowly, examining every petal.

"Do you like it?" I ask, already knowing the answer from the way her eyes light up.

She nods, her cheeks flushing a soft pink as she brings the flower to her nose and inhales deeply.

I lean forward and press a kiss to her forehead, my lips lingering there for a moment longer than necessary.

By the goddess, she’s going to be the death of me. I can feel her heart racing, pounding heavily against me. Those hazel eyes bore into mine, full of innocence, yet they only scream two words to me... Taint me.

The room suddenly feels tense, the atmosphere charged. My eyes dart to her lips, and fuck, they’re tempting... so fucking tempting, inviting me to taste them.

Before I can ask, she moves closer, urging me on. I claim her lips with mine.

The moment our mouths meet, a growl rips from deep in my chest. She tastes like honey and wildflowers, sweet and intoxicating, and I devour her like a starving wolf. My hand slides into her hair, fingers threading through the soft strands as I tilt her head back, deepening the kiss. My tongue sweeps inside, stroking hers with urgent, filthy need. She whimpers softly into my mouth.

"Roselle..." I rasp against her lips, barely pulling back enough to breathe. My other hand grips her waist, pulling her flush against me. I can feel every curve of her body, the way she trembles yet presses closer, like she’s been starving for this too. My cock strains painfully against my pants, throbbing with the need to bury myself inside her, to claim her in every possible way.

Her small hands fist in my shirt, tugging me down as if she’s afraid I’ll stop. Innocent hazel eyes flutter open for a second, dark with desire, before she kisses me back harder. There’s no hesitation anymore — just pure, desperate hunger. I walk her backward until her back meets the wall beside the window, caging her in with my body. The white rose slips from her fingers and flutters to the floor, forgotten.

I break the kiss only to trail my mouth down her jaw, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin of her neck. Her scent floods me — sweet, warm, mine. Kael surges forward, clawing at my control, demanding I mark her, fill her, remind her who she belongs to.

"You have no idea what you do to me," I growl against her throat, pressing my hard length against her stomach so she can feel exactly how badly I need her.

Her breath hitches. She arches into me, silent but so damn responsive. Her fingers slide under my shirt, tracing the ridges of my abs, and I hiss at the contact. I capture her lips again.