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

Chapter 76: 076: What A Psycho

~ ROSELLE ~

With Ronan gone, I don’t know what becomes of me in this pack.

My biggest fear is running into Ravenna after she told me to leave... or crossing paths with Mara. I’m not scared of her exactly. I’m just trying to ignore the whole "I slept with your man, I’m his mate, and you’re nothing more than a placeholder" situation. I keep hoping Ronan’s investigation will prove it isn’t true. That it was all a cruel lie.

I already have my day planned.

I’ll have breakfast with Celeste, who’s probably already waiting for me in the dining room. I’m actually looking forward to the day I’ll be able to cook my own meals. Celeste has been teaching me, and I can’t wait to get good at it.

After breakfast, I’ll head to the library to pick out a few books and work on plotting my own story. I always think more clearly in the library. It’s easier to focus there than staying in this room... where every corner, every piece of furniture, every lingering scent reminds me of him.

I move to the table, helping set everything up.

"What do you think about pack training?" Celeste suddenly asks as she joins me, picking up her cutlery with a bright, hopeful smile.

"I don’t know..." I shrug, poking at my food. Ronan hadn’t let me attend one yet, and part of me was grateful for the excuse to stay hidden.

"I think you should attend," she says gently, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. Her eyes are full of that warm, emotional support she always gives so freely. "Instead of spending your days indoors or hiding away in the library... it’ll help take your mind off Ronan. You need to move, to feel strong again. I hate seeing you like this, My Lady. You’re hurting, and I wish I could take it all away."

Her voice falters a little at the end, and I feel my own eyes sting. Celeste has been my rock these past few days — always emotional, always ready with a hug or a kind word.

"Maybe tomorrow," I murmur, forcing a small smile. "I’ve already got my day planned out today..."

She nods, but her expression stays soft and concerned. "I understand. Just... promise me you won’t shut yourself away forever? You’re stronger than you think, Roselle. And Ronan will come back. He always does. He loves you too much to stay away."

We spend the rest of breakfast talking about random things, the latest pack gossip, her favorite recipes she wants to teach me, even silly stories about her childhood in the pack. Her laughter is infectious, and for a little while, it eases the ache in my chest. She’s so supportive, so genuinely invested in my happiness, that it makes me want to cry all over again.

After breakfast, I head to the library.

The moment I step inside, the familiar scent of old books and polished wood wraps around me like a comforting blanket. I pick out a few novels and settle into my favorite armchair in the far corner, losing myself in the pages. For a while, the story pulls me in completely, letting me forget the emptiness Ronan left behind.

Then suddenly I feel someone behind me, with a cologne so familiar, my chest resenting it already. I turn slowly, heart picking up speed.

Ethan stands a few feet away, leaning against a bookshelf with that same predatory smirk he always wears.

"Why are you suddenly stalking me?"

He chuckles lowly, stepping closer. "I heard my cousin had to leave. Terrible timing, isn’t it? Poor little Roselle, all alone in this big pack."

I stand up, putting the chair between us. "Stay away from me."

He doesn’t listen. Instead, he leans in closer, voice dropping to a low, filthy whisper that makes my skin crawl.

"Who’s going to warm your bed while he’s gone, little Roselle? You need someone to fill that aching pussy, don’t you? I have a long, thick dick that’ll stretch you so good. You’re going to love it when it’s milking your tight little cunt, pounding deep until you’re dripping down my balls. I want to hear those pretty moans of yours while I fuck you raw. If you need me... just put in a call. I’ll take real good care of you, baby. Better than he ever could."

My cheeks redden instantly, heat flooding my face as I realize exactly what he thinks of me — just another conquest, another hole to fill while Ronan is gone. The crude words make my stomach turn with disgust and fury.

Anger surges through me like wildfire. I raise my hand and slap him hard across the face, the sharp sound echoing through the quiet library like a crack of thunder.

"Stay the fuck away from me," I warn, my breathing ragged.

"I’m not some fucking slut." I take a step back, glaring at him. "Now leave... before you push me into telling Ronan about this."

He smirks, touching his reddened cheek like he actually enjoyed the hit. His eyes gleam with dark amusement as he leans in again, undeterred.

"Ronan? Oh, spare me..." he drawls, voice dripping with mockery. "I mean, he didn’t tell you when he was fucking Mara, did he? Of course he didn’t. And like some understanding little wife, you’re going to take him back while he goes around fucking whoever he wants. That’s how it works with Alphas, sweetheart. They get their needs met, and you smile and pretend it doesn’t bother you."

He steps closer. I take a step back, my back already hitting the edge of the table. Before I can find any space to run, he pins me against it with his body, one hand braced on the wood beside me, the other gripping my waist in a bruising hold.

"You could do it too... y’know," he murmurs, voice low and filthy, his breath hot against my ear. "Get down on your knees right here and I’ll teach you some pretty nice things. Trust me to keep my mouth sealed. I’ll make you feel so good, Roselle. Better than my boring cousin ever could. I’ll have you dripping and begging for my cock in no time."

The words he says are fucking burning, making me angrier than I’ve been in a long time. It’s condescending in its truest form, like I’m some desperate, pathetic little thing who needs him to "teach" me.

I lift my hand to slap him again, but he catches it mid-air this time, his grip tight and unyielding. I don’t hesitate, I use my other hand to shove him away as hard as I can. He barely budges.

His bigger frame still towers over me, imposing and dangerous.

Then, just as suddenly, he releases me and steps back, that psychotic smirk still plastered on his face.

"Soon, when you get your wolf back... you’ll see the truth. We’re mates, Roselle. The Goddess has plans for us."

"The Goddess forbid that we’re mates," I snap. "And even if it happens... I’ll reject you."

His expression darkens dangerously. He grabs my hand and pins me back against the chair with surprising strength, no escape. His face is inches from mine, eyes cold and menacing.

"When that time comes, you’ll have no other choice."

Then, just as suddenly, he pulls back. The dangerous mask vanishes, replaced by a charming, almost normal smile. "Have a good day, Roselle."

What an actual psycho...

I watch him walk away, heart hammering, wondering what he meant by "when that time comes."