Rose

Chapter 7. A Difficult Discussion

The meal tonight is more subdued and sombre than it could have been, the fact Rebekka healed the pups and removed the memories was widely discussed. Tol is amused “How do you think we get away with it?” He asks “we fed and then we heal, they forget.” This does make sense, I’m sitting at the main table with Pops, Ma and Wayland, Tol and Rebekka have been invited to join us, Rose sits with Edward at another table, a couple of other vampires have joined them, and much to my surprise James and Letty are also there. James keeps sneaking looks sideways at Letty. I keep looking at Rose. But we do have a blood link. I need to find out more about that, urgently.

“Tol?” I start, the Pharaoh turn his head and tilts it in inquiry “Pops told me to give blood to Rose, you said it will tie us, how does it work?” Tol sits back, takes a deep breath through his hooked nose and squiffs his lips while he thinks.

“Let me see if I get this right.” He says “You know how a mate pull is total? Ultimate? No questions asked? How once you see that one person its all over?” I nod “well, this is like that. You are now tightly blood bound to Rose, you cannot reject it, you cannot fight it. This is why I told your father to use a weak or old wolf not a fit young one. Nor can you break it, it will never fade, and I do not believe that you will have another mate through your life. Only death will end it.” Ma stares at him as he speaks, her head whips round and she stares at Pops, a look I cannot see on her face, but I can read her body language. Pops forgot to mention to her he did this “Oops” he says and sips his drink looking anywhere but at my mother’s face.

Tol looks amused by my mother’s sudden turn towards Pops. “I understand you haven’t got a mate?” he asks “If you did, I’m sorry but she’s no longer ‘the one’ if there was one?” I shake my head “The only thing I don’t know” he continues “Is how this will work.” I’m confused, didn’t he just say basically it replaced the mate bond forever? Thing is I’m ok with that. I’m surprised by myself but I have no issues going through life with Rose by my side, dancing along with her ballet steps and her graceful movements. I mean obviously she might have something to say about this but for me there is no issue. I am happy to offer her blood transfusions when she needs it. I know she will never age and eventually I will die an old man with this beautiful girl beside me. And I will one day leave her. Release her to live a whole new life again. I wonder if she will miss me?

“What do you mean ‘how It will work’?” I ask, I lean forwards towards Tol, we are speaking quietly I guess only the very closest to us will hear. Both vampires and wolves have exceptional hearing, I see Edward and Rose both still, I guess if they can hear us pretty much everyone can. Oddly enough I’m not bothered for myself, embarrassed for Rose, she is being discussed without being in the conversation. I suddenly push back my chair and walk across the room, I stand before Rose just wondering how I’m going to start this conversation, all eyes are on us, I’m sorry if this is too much for her. I hold out my hand, “Excuse us Edward, can I borrow Rose?” Edward raises one eyebrow and smiles a private joke smile. Rose puts her hand in mine and rises gracefully from her seat. We walk hand in hand back across the room, I faulter when I realise there is no extra seat for her at our table. Rebekka tilts her head and smiles. Rose smiles as well. “Sit” she says. So, I do, and I think my heart will pound out of my chest when Rose sits on my lap. I cannot believe her; she is so light I almost cannot feel any weight on my thigh. She turns to Tol “What is your concern? That I would be unhappy? You know I have no ties except your Turn. I am happy to have Daryn, if he is happy with me?” She looks at me. I’m dumb, nodding and grinning like an i***t. She wants me too; she is happy to be tied to me. I don’t think I can stop grinning like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. I might fade away and just leave a huge happy grin.

Tol laughs and picks up his wine glass, he takes a thoughtful sip of the wine and then leaving the glass against his lower lip rubs it back and forth while he thinks.

“That isn’t my main concern.” he says “Although Edward may sulk for a hundred years you’ve taken his best friend, I’m more worried that I don’t think this has ever happened before – I don’t know how it will work out.”

I look at Edward. Best friend? Didn’t he moan about the car? I didn’t get any best friend vibes from the Englishman but then I don’t know if vampires really give off vibes so to speak. And if this has never happened before how does he know so much about it? I frown and open my mouth… as usual Tol beats me to it. “Rose never fully transitioned,” he says “I do not know how the strong wolf blood will affect her without the full vampire transformation to protect her.” My head snaps up. I forgot Rebekka said Rose never drank, was weak and, to her, useless. I feel Rose stiffen on my lap. Her back is ridged. Ma leans over.

“Whatever she is, whatever this does to her, she will always be welcome here, should she need it. Rose was the one who braved a full pack and got us the message. Oh, you are all welcome but I do hope Rose will consider herself part of the family, wolf blood now flows through her veins, as it does all of you! She is considered pack now especially as she is linked to my son!”

Tol sighs “That’s what I’m afraid of!”

I gently rub circles over Rose’s back, she stiff under my hand, I can feel her ribs expand and contract beneath my fingers, she is staring at Tol and Rebekka. She looks back at Letty and Edward.

“Oh s**t!” she breathes. Suddenly this isn’t going to plan. Is she unhappy? I promise to release her if she wants, I’ll allow her to walk away from me, after whatever happens tomorrow, she is free. I’m not going to hold her against her will. I hope she stays. I hope she wants to be with me. It feels like someone just asked me if they can turn the air off in the room.

“Perhaps we need to talk?” I ask. Rose nods, she doesn’t move off my lap though. That’s a good sign. I hope. Isn’t it?