13 Lovers on the Side

Roselia always remembered a face. She might've not recalled their names, but she remembered every feature, every expression, and every action. Despite being pampered all her life, she grew up reading her Papa's emotions and catering herself to his irritation or happiness. 

Roselia learned how to act to please her Brother and what to say to make her Papa proud. They've never blamed Roselia for the death of the late Luna Fiore. It wasn't her fault, they promised.

Roselia knew better. She knew she was involved in her mother's death. Some way. Somehow. One way or another. Her family refused to tell her anything and she grew up with her paternal grandparents. 

In exchange, Roselia tried to live up to her brother and father's expectations. Even, if it meant being a little girl staring into the lifeless eyes of a boy twice her height and size.

The first time Roselia met Cruden, she was a little girl, and he was a reluctant guest. Their interaction lasted less than a second, but impacted them for the rest of their life.

"Rosie, this is Cruden," Cecil introduced as she clung onto his leg, hiding behind him out of curiosity. "Say hello."

Roselia still remembered how aloof Cruden was. He barely acknowledged her. Finally, when their eyes met, she gained consciousness of the world. Of the darkness beneath the light. Of the evil tucked between kindness. Of Cruden Tiberias who'd one day control the cruelest pack in existence.

Abruptly, a woman screamed. 

Roselia woke up instantly, huffing and gasping for air. Was that a dream? She heard a loud shrill that came from her side. Wide awake and panicked, she ran towards the window and threw it open. To her surprise, standing outside o the Tiberias Pack House was a woman in a white dress. 

"Don't bullsh*t me!" the lady shrieked, her voice so loud, it reached all the way up to the fourth floor.

Even from afar, Roselia could see how beautiful the stranger was. Long, blond hair that fluttered against sunlight, rosy lips and cheeks, and a body rivaling the Moon Goddess herself. 

The stranger was ethereal.

"Keep your voice down," Cruden snarled, the monstrosity of his tone sending both women reeling back in fear.

"I just want to see her," she cried out, stomping the grass angrily, her floppy hat flying off from a powerful breeze. 

"I already told you no. Don't make me repeat myself," Cruden hissed. 

The stranger opened her mouth, but paused and looked up. 

Roselia inhaled. She was out of breath by the beauty of the woman. She glanced into the bluest of eyes, sparkling brighter than an ocean under the brilliant sky. 

Not a second later, Roselia gazed into stormy grey pupils that pierced into her soul, as if knew all of her darkest secrets.

"Good… morning?" Roselia greeted.

Cruden's glare softened. Only for a moment. His fierce features were magnificent, despite squinting up at her. Abruptly, he clenched his jaw and furiously whispered something to the strange lady. 

The lady released a soft gasp, angrily shoving at his chest. Bitterness crawled into Roselia's chest upon the intimate scene. 

Roselia touched her heart, wondering why thorns sprouted and pricked her skin. What was this feeling? 

"You're the cruelest man I know! I hope karma bites you and you never find true love," she snapped at him, storming off, her dress sashaying in the wind as left the garden.

Cruden standing in the sun, hands in his pocket, irked. His blond hair was precisely styled as always, but wild strands framed his striking glare. The locks framed his sharp features resembling marble statutes forged by gods. Under the sun's scrutiny, his eyes shone brighter, burning with irritation. His jaw was locked, his muscles tense, and his tall shadow flickered like a ghost. 

'What a woman,' Roselia thought to herself, both impressed and worried for her. The woman must've mattered a lot to Cruden for him to tolerate her. Instantly, her chest ached and twisted.

"Don't stand there all day." Cruden tipped his head back with a soft frown, squinting under the glaring sky. The scowl that marred his handsome face was out of place against the serene backdrop of the blooming flowers around him. 

As Cruden stood there, the sun enveloped him in a brilliant glow. With his golden hair, he resembled a fallen angel, but it was his eyes that made demons fear him. On the day he graced hell for his sins, even the devil himself would bow down. 

"Come down," Cruden called out. "I'm not annoyed at you." 

Roselia wondered what this entire encounter was about. Even as she slipped out of his room and got dressed, the woman's face couldn't leave her mind. A scorned lover? An ex? A mistress, already? 

Roselia exhaled, touching her hair braided over her right shoulder, covering the "K" mark. She was only Cruden's wife in name. They didn't even consummate their marriage. She had no grounds to blame him for infidelity. He was a man of twisted desires. If she couldn't give it to him, it was expected he'd look elsewhere for it.

Roselia's heart fell. 

"There you are," Cruden mused when he saw her slowly descending the grand staircase.

Roselia blinked and glanced to the floor to avoid his piercing gaze. He approached her instantly. His strides, long and powerful. Polished black shoes stopped in her vision. 

Cruden towered over her.

"Don't lower your gaze around me." Cruden folded his arms across his chest.

Roselia hopelessly glanced up at him. Straight lines. Snug suits. Steel eyes. His hardened expression melted. Only for a second. 

"You're my wife, not my servant. Look me in the eyes—always." Cruden's muscles bulged from his sleek black suit. Strength radiated from his large form. Heat rolled off of him in waves that warmed Roselia from their proximity.

"It's a force of habit," Roselia found herself saying. "Training of an Alpha's daughter…" 

Cruden quirked a brow. "I thought they trained Lunas, not omegas who are the runt of the pack." 

Roselia hesitated. Her training was much more different than normal Alpha daughters. "I am to be an obedient wife and loving mother, serving the Alpha and pack selfishly." 

"Abandon those stupid morals and behave like you normally would," Cruden scowled. His presence darkened, a vein ticking on his jaw. Displeasure and hatred seeped from his figure. 

Roselia grew anxious with each second that passed like the ticking of a time bomb. What he wanted from her was easier said than done. Obedience and perfection were instilled into her since birth. She inhaled, but choked, her vision shaking and her fingers trembling.

"Don't think too much of it," Cruden finally said. Whether he intended to soothe her or not, her shoulders relaxed.

"You missed breakfast." Cruden's soft voice grew cold towards the end as he gritted the words out. She could feel the underlying warning. "Are you trying to starve?"

Roselia furiously shook her head. She loved food. 

Cruden's tense shoulders briefly dropped. "Good. You're right on time for lunch." He suddenly offered his hand for her to take, satisfied by her answer. 

Roselia stared briefly, at his tanned skin from all the time he ran in the forest with his wolf. She took his palm, and he grabbed her instantly, his limb so large, that she could feel his thumb pressing against the pulse of her wrist. 

Thump.

Thump.

Roselia hoped Cruden didn't feel how quickly her heart raced in his presence. His grip was like fire despite his cold presence. 

Despite his towering height that walked at double her pace, Cruden slowly guided her to the dining room. Roselia blinked. Was he being mindful of her short stature compared to his freakishly long legs? 

"Did you sleep well?" Cruden asked, their eyes meeting briefly. He saw the forest trees tremble as she quickly glanced away, afraid to look at him for too long. He frowned.

"Yes, thank you," Roselia muttered as a question lingered in the back of her mind. "Uhm… about what I saw…"

Cruden leaned down, pressing his lips against her ears. She softly gasped, her body shivering at his soft touch. 

"She's no one," Cruden whispered, his voice low and husky. "Don't worry." 

Roselia bit her bottom lip, frozen in time from the warmth of his breath on her quivering skin. She needed to know more. "Who is she to you?"

Cruden's brows lifted at her abrupt response. This was new. She rarely speaks this much. 

"To me?" Cruden repeated, incredulous at her question.

Roselia flushed. She couldn't hold back her curiosity and chastise anymore. This may not be a traditional marriage, but she knew better. She knew Alphas always had mistresses. Not one, but multiple to ensure the biggest chances of heirs. And since she wasn't satisfying him…

Roselia finally glanced up at him. "If you have lovers on the side, please get yourself tested…"

His brows shot up.

Roselia reddened even further. "I just…" she panicked.

"You…?"

"I am afraid of contracting a sexually transmitted disease!" she blurted, immediately regretting it.

Cruden burst out laughing. 

Roselia grew bright as a tomato. She furiously yanked her hand back from him. His entire shoulders shook from amusement. 

Cruden's laugh was deep and masculine, ringing in the foyer. He was blatantly mocking her!

Roselia glared, but not for long. The sound of his laughter was wonderful, as bullying as it was. She had never seen him smile like this before. His beauty stole her breath away, leaving her dizzy and wanting more. 

"She's our cousin," Cruden chuckled, his mouth twisted in a grin.

Cruden was heartbreakingly handsome. He knew it too, in the way he carried himself. Self-assured and serious, with the knowledge that women would fight amongst each other to fall at his feet and serve him. 

Finally, Cruden's gaze met hers. Blue. Soft as the sky on a spring day. 

Roselia had never experienced this kind of warmth before—from him. She was mesmerized. Lost for words. 

Cruden cupped her waist, the spot growing warm instantly. He pulled her closer, satisfaction dancing upon his pupils. She could see flecks of black, twisted and beguiling. She was a prisoner to his beauty.

"I don't have lovers, little petal," Cruden murmured, lowering his head to look directly at her. To let her stare through the windows to his soul and see the truth in his words. "And I never will."

Roselia gripped his belt loops to steady herself. She was growing light-headed from how powerful he appeared up close. He knew how to use his face, his mouth slack with a loose smile, as if pleased by her reaction. 

Did he just give her a nickname?

Cruden steadied her and gave her cheek a soft pinch. "Forget the takeout we just ordered. You deserve brunch at a nice restaurant."

Roselia blinked as Cruden took her out of the house. Even with the sun on her skin and her blue dress billowing around her, she was at a loss for words. He opened the door of a sleek black car and helped her in. His freed hand hovered over her head, as if worried she'd hit it on the car opening. She entered wordlessly, still lost in the moment of his joy.

Roselia only snapped back to reality when he gripped her thigh. Like second nature. Like she had ridden with him before. She wondered where he learned to be this smooth. A part of her was giddy with the idea of brunch.

Dare she ask… was this a date?