Chapter Hundred and Thirty-Two – Thorned Roses.
Rihanna’s POV
The energy that came with being free had been starved from my veins for almost a week since Chris’s letter circulated.
Good thing had happened, for one, Blue Bloom Alpha got married and actually invited me with a honorary introduction.
I was glad to be at the wedding as I doubt I’d be at another. My brother was already married.
However, I felt stiff and conscious there because of the direct threat over my life and Silver energy. Even Lana felt drained.
But now, I was free again. And Logan would soon be the one suffocating.
I was strolling happily along the forest when a distinct growl resonated around me. I halted then tried following it.
It wasn’t intimidating like the ones I knew but a great energy came from it.
My breathing hitched when I saw the bare back of a male in human form.
What was all thus muscles for? My cheeks redden a bit till I caught the scent of the wolf.
“Beta Ralph! I should kill you for coming close to my boundary!” I scolded, walking to him.
His legs were without shoes and he seemed injured. I looked and saw he dipped his legs in a nearby river which had silver particles.
“Oh sorry about that. The river is connected to the river and Boots and Rivers market so it’s silver infested.” A snicker left my lips.
He glared at me, and I tilted my head. “What injured you though?”
“Roses’ thorns. I tried picking some wild ones but there were filled with thorns.” He muttered, putting on his shirt.
He must have entered the little farm that had wild roses around us because he had scratch marks at his back too.
“Don’t Black Rose have a literal rose valley? Why come here to pick some?” I enquired.
He glanced at me, then at the water. “I travelled, as you know with your mate, Jaden.”
He knew Jaden was my mate? My eyes widened but I dilated them to not show my surprise.
“But then my mate was mad at me for leaving on short notice. So my punishment was getting her roses, that are not from rose valley!”
He sounded so pissed! I chuckled to fuel his anger and he snapped his head at me. “Of course, you females are all evil!”
He wore his shoes and began stomping towards Boots and Rivers market. “I’d just go buy from the market and go home. I’m done with this.”
Imagine fighting anyone who touched your roses only to be prohibited from touching them to pay your debt. Because of your mate.
The mate bond really made him do crazy things. Or was it love? Or was it his petty mate? Either ways, to each their own.
“Why are you following me?” he paused, seeing I kept walking behind him.
“I’m heading to that market too.” I answered.
“You should be careful about Logan, and Jaden had something to tell you about him.” He continued walking.
I shrugged. “Logan should try. I can’t back away from what I started cos of fear of losing my energy. I also doubt he can just have it.”
Ralph’s lips curled up. “Yeah, that. Jaden was going to tell you about that.”
So Logan couldn’t just take my energy after all? “Why not tell me?”
“He would do the telling. Could also be a bond time for you two because I don’t think you two are ready to be mates.” He replied.
I frowned. “It’s not the time. Who chase after a mate at a time when we should be chasing after a Lycan?”
“Princess Vanessa of Black Hills. She’s right now at my pack trying to meet with Jonah, who isn’t interested.” Ralph cackled.
Poor girl. “Good for her.”
I increased my pace, sliding down the hill that would lead me to the market. “The flowers direction is that way.” I pointed.
He turned there but froze. “Can I ask what you want to get? You seem like you don’t want me to know.”
“Exactly!” I huffed. It was my own little surprise for Logan.
I made few steps forward but he followed. “What?”
“Jaden was worried you’d be troubled. He said that when you were, you make hasty decisions. I want to be sure this isn’t one of them.” He noted.
Jaden knew me that much? And how close was he to Jaden to speak about his mate like that? Maybe I should be closer to Beatrice, right?
“I am actually going to pick a charm. One I heard infect the blood.” I hurried after him.
We walked side by side through the stalls while I was using my eyes to check for charm stalls. I knew they weren’t much.
Ralph stopped in front of an old small shop. “Wait, I want to drop by here!”
I gazed at him then the shop. It was a palm reader’s, one I was once met as a rogue.
“To tell your future?” I think I might need it.
“Not really, she already did and said I’d die soon. I’m going to show her I’m still alive.” He knocked on the shop.
My heart sank in. Did she really say that?
That old lady once told me my parents would return to me and apologize. I had rejected it but it came true.
The lady said to come in. With a smug grin, Ralph barged in. “Remember me?”
“We don’t have time for this Ralph.” I pulled him from the lady’s shop, not wanting another prophecy to be said about him.
“Who are you?” the old lady asked as we left.
“The man you said would die!” Ralph yelled.
“If I said you will, you will.” The lady mumbled.
With our wolf hearing, Ralph and I heard it.
My fists clenched. Did she have nothing else to say? She should try shutting up then.
“Ah, ignore her. Jaden was right, I shouldn’t believe in such nonsense!” Ralph pulled my hands off him and turned. “I’d go get the flower.”
“I’d go get the charm!” I replied, waving goodbye as I might not see him when I’m done.
I glared at the old woman’s store before moving out. My eyes once again searched for charm stalls till I saw one.
With her attire she was from Red Moon.
“A charm that infects the blood, please.” I said, bringing out a pair of golden boots. I never had money so I traded with my gold properties.
Her eyes sparkled as she saw it and she began searching her table. “Rihanna of Silver Pack, you usually buy cure, why charms…”
“None of your business.” I hushed her. “And it’s Alpha Rihanna to you.”
I noticed her eyes roll but ignored it. I was her customer not friend.
“Here, apply directly on an open injury. Or mix in water or wine and let the victim drink.” She held up a powdered substance.
I took it and kept it in my bag. “You are from Red Moon, aren’t you? Why don’t your people use this charms to fight Logan.”
She smirked. “They are somehow related to sorcery so our Alpha doesn’t want it at all, his father would.”
The new Alpha was trying his best to stay in the good books, it was commendable.
Maybe when there’d be a new Alpha King, Red Moon could join the kingdom again.
“Thank you!” I left her and sped off, hoping to catch Ralph, but I couldn’t feel his energy.
I breathed in and out, glad that, at least, I got something that’d soon rot Logan inside out!