The Twin Alphas’ Fated Mate
Chapter 30

ROSE'S POV

The time I called "Me Time" lasted for hours.

At first, I walked around the pack, masking my scent so as to blend in with the pack members that were going on and about their daily activities. I found myself admiring the unique way Alpha King Josh ad built his pack houses even though I was still mad at him for saving Nora and humiliating me instead.

By the time I passed through the pack's local markets, I realize that this particular pack was leading within the territory. It wasn't a mistake that this pack was the Royal pack where the throne seat.

Later, I found myself beside an isolated lake after I walked aimlessly and mindlessly for goddess knew how long. I couldn't explain how I got here and neither did I take note of the path that led me to the isolated lake that was in the middle of a dense forest. I have been laying by the lakeside since I got here.

Initially, I lay on my back and look up at the green leaves... and also the sky through a small space that the trees had speared but now, I couldn't take my eyes off the stars that decorated the night sky, twinkling beautifully and reminding me of no one else but my dear late mom.

"When you feel lost, stare at the stars. They will guide your path."

My mom had said to me sometime in the past when I caught her staring at the sky at night. She told me that her mother told her the same thing when she was my age at that time.

That night was one of those nights that I would forever remember because the memories of those nights have my Mom in it and keeping my mom alive within me was important. So I stared at the stars freely without being interrupted by Irene's annoying voice and endless requests for help... more like commands.

I could freely look at the stars from an open space without the constant fear that my mate would walk past me with a fling hanging in his arms while I remained a virgin with no hope of ever shagging a man.

"I understand that you like the stars, Rose but we should leave the forest now."

Cali let out after what felt like hours. She was calmer now though. The effect of laying by a lakeside and staring at the night sky. What a beautiful effect.

"Why will I want to leave such a peaceful place? Tell me you don't like the silence, coolness, and peace this place has to offer."

I murmured back to my Wolf beast.

Cali answered, "I love it and we can come back some other time. It has been over three hours since you started staring at the stars and if I remember correctly, you haven't showered today neither have you eaten." "Are you saying I am stinking?"

I questioned and chuckled.

Cali answered, "You stink, girl. How could you not think of having a bath ever since you arrived by the lake? You participated in a duel too in case you have forgotten."

"Don't remind me, Cali." I rolled my eyes and rolled on my side, facing the lake and admiring how the moonlight reflected on the surface of the lake.

"I won't remind you but you still have to leave here but before you do, kindly use the lake to wash yourself."

Cali announced but I disagreed, saying, "I don't even know the way back. Plus I don't want to leave this place or bath in a lake that is sure to be cold and probably unsafe despite the beauty of its surface."

"I never knew you have become a chicken after fighting Nora but okay. You don't have to bathe here and I know the way back to Alpha King Josh's home. I will guide you."

Cali let out.

I retorted stubbornly, "I don't want to leave this place, Cali. I also don't want to return to his home."

Even though I felt this way, I knew I had to leave the lakeside soon and I had nowhere else to go if I didn't return to Alpha King Josh's place. Alpha Richard's house was a no-go area and I couldn't go to my birth pack- my father would probably throw me out before I can cross the border into his pack.

"In fact, my legs are tired. Can't I sleep here and hide from everyone?"

I asked Cali who snorted, "I will take you back since you are tired. Let's shift."

I gladly accepted that idea. Since I didn't want to rip the crop top and bicker shorts I was wearing, I decided to undress before shifting into my wolf. Cali was a big wolf with white fur. She was more like a huge teddy bear that every child would like to snuggle and I liked being somewhere within her every time I shifted into her frame.

Cali strolled towards the lake as my senses blended with hers. Her eyes became my eyes, her nose became my nose and everything about us aligned. From the clear surface of the water, I could see the red fur in between Cali's eyes.

If my mom had seen me shift before naming me, she would have had a good reason to name me Rose. the red patch in between Cali's eyes would be a good reason... a better reason than, "I named you Rose because the moment you were born, I perceived roses. You smell like white roses and still, I could perceive the red roses on you."

"But you smell like roses. Mom was right."

Cali said to me as she used her tongue to lap water from the lake, swallowing before I could show my objection to drinking water from an unknown lake.

"Disgusting!"

I yelled as Cali swallowed. Did she even think about why the lake was isolated even though it was beautiful?

"Perhaps it's a poisonous lake that no one should drink from. You couldn't control your stomach for a minute!"

I yelled again but Cali ignored me until she had a satisfying gulp. I couldn't be more grateful that, the water was going to her stomach, not mine.

"Let's take you home now."

Cali's wolfy voice ranged in my head as she began to sprint away from the lake after drinking to her satisfaction of course.

I snorted, "Let's hope you don't see a rodent on your way-"

Before I could complete my statement, Cali swiftly turned and her speed increased. I could feel her stomach singing joyfully which could only mean she had seen a rodent. Heck! I shouldn't have shifted in the first place.

"You said your legs are tired, Rose. I am simply going after my meal as I take your home and it's not a rodent. It's a hare. A big one at that- gotcha!"

Cali exclaimed and growled when she finally pinned the big Hare under her paw. Cali had always been a proud wolf. She killed the Hare without staining her fur with its blood and ate carefully.

Once again, I was happy we didn't have the same stomach or mouth, or tongue. I would have fainted.

"Do you want me to share the taste with you and send some of the meat to your stomach-" "Don't even dare, Cali. I mean it!"

I interjected. Cali laughed, quickly finished her catch, and began journeying back to Alpha King Josh's home. I didn't know how far from his home I was until Cali sprinted longer than I expected.

My wolf beast avoided every path that had patrols and soon enough we arrived before Alpha King Josh's mansion. I thought I should tell Cali to move into a dark corner where I could shift back to my human frame and wear my cloth which Cali had picked with her mouth and placed on her back before we left the lakeside.

But before I could say that to Cali, a strong frame slammed into me, knocked Cali's frame to the ground, and pinned my wolf down as he snarled, "Who the hell are you!"

The familiar face of the man I shared every space with within the past few days was dark and serious as he glared at me, unable to recognize me in my wolf form. "Shift now or have yourself to blame!"

Shift? Before him? Here in the open... under the night sky?

No way, I would rather have myself to blame. I growled, showing that I wasn't ready to compile.

Before I knew it, I felt a sharp prick in my wolf's neck and the world became blurry as hot liquid was released into my system.

Obviously, my "Me Time" has come to a painful end...