Roselie had just managed to put on her clothes when she heard James mention her family. She came rushing towards the door.
"Mum and dad are here ?" James nodded, a smile spreading across his face.
He spoke to her in a tone that contained a hint of humour and informed her that "Madam Luna, your parents, and a certain Miss Melissa are waiting for you in the guest quarters."
She squealed with excitement.
"Alex, please get dressed quickly. We don't want to keep them waiting too long," she said, already making her way down the hallway towards the guest quarters.
"Are you sure you want to meet your parents looking like that ?"
Alex said this while putting on his pants.
Roselie looked down at her crumpled shirt and messy hair, realising she needed to freshen up before seeing them.
"I will have to take a shower because I am smelling like you."
Both Alex and James could not contain their laughter.
"You smell lovely, but a shower wouldn't hurt," Alex said with a grin, motioning for her to hurry up. "We don't want to keep them waiting."
Roselie rushed towards her bedroom to take a quick shower and change into fresh clothes. When she reached the guest quarters, Roselie took a deep breath before stepping inside. She had waited for this moment for so long. As she opened the door, the familiar scent of her mother's lavender perfume filled her senses, bringing a rush of memories.
Inside, Alex was already there, engaged in conversation with her parents. He had changed into fresh clothes, and his neatly combed hair indicated he had taken a shower. He looked up and smiled warmly at Roselie as she entered.
"Roselie!" her mother exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy.
Without hesitation, Roselie ran to her parents, tears welling up in her eyes. She threw her arms around her mother, holding her tightly as if she never wanted to let go.
"Mum, Dad! I've missed you so much," Roselie said, her voice choked with emotion.
Her father joined in the embrace, wrapping his strong arms around both his wife and daughter. "We missed you too, sweetheart," he said softly. "How have you been?"
Roselie pulled back slightly to look at their faces, studying the familiar lines and expressions she had longed to see. "I'm doing well; I'm just busy with everything that's been happening. How are you both?"
"We're fine, dear," her mother replied, brushing a strand of hair from Roselie's face. "But we missed you terribly. It's been too long."
Roselie nodded, wiping a tear from her cheek. "It has been. I'm just so glad we're all together now."
She turned to see her best friend, Melissa, standing nearby with a beaming smile. Roselie let go of her parents and rushed to hug Melissa.
"Melissa! It's so good to see you," Roselie exclaimed, holding her friend tightly.
"It's great to see you too, Roselie," Melissa replied, her voice filled with warmth. "I was starting to think we'd never get the chance to catch up."
As Roselie pulled back from the hug, she noticed Martin leaning against the wall with a grin on his face. She walked over and playfully punched his arm. "Hey, bro, you look taller !"
Martin chuckled and ruffled her hair. "I've grown."
They all settled into the cosy seating area, and the room was filled with the comforting sounds of laughter and conversation.
"Rosalie, how are things going for you now that you're a Luna?" With a cheery expression on her face, Melissa asked.
"Everything is going wonderfully, although it's extremely hectic; how are things at home?" Rosalie inquired.
"Since the Council gave its blessing to your relationship, Grace has been acting like a b*tch. When she first arrived at the pack, I ought to have recognised that she was just acting sweet and naïve to get brownie points. What a jerk!"
As Rosalie looked at Melissa, she couldn't help but feel confused. "What on earth has she been up to?"
To get her attention away from the men, Melissa led her to the other side of the living room and seated her on the plush sofa there. Rosalie's mother sighed as she sat down next to her and combed through her daughter's hair with her fingers, just as she had done when Rosalie was a child.
"Life at the Silver Moon Pack isn't the same now that you're gone." Melissa began. "Grace..." She paused, unsure how to phrase her words now that Rosalie was no longer a member of her pack.
Melissa paused, chewing her lower lip, before deciding to reveal everything. "Chris wasn't willing to let you go," she revealed. "Grace knows everything about both of them. She was furious about this, and she is now taking her anger out on the pack members.
Rosalie was repulsed. "He mated with Grace," she said angrily. "Did he expect me to stick around while he rutted all over the place with Grace?"
She shot a sidelong glance towards Alex, who appeared unconcerned about the tension, but she knew he was aware of it. He was a natural at remaining cool and composed.
"Now I'm in love with my Alex. I am his Luna now. Chris should also move on."
Alex turned towards her briefly before returning his attention to the conversation he was having with her father and flashing a knowing smile in her direction. He took the men away to show around the pack.
Once they had left, Melissa quickly said, "Roselie, there's something else you need to know," she began, her voice steady but grave.
"What is it, Melissa?" Roselie asked, bracing herself for more bad news.
"Chris hasn't moved on. He's been taking his anger out on the pack members. It's getting worse, Roselie. He's using his power to make everyone's lives miserable."
Roselie felt a hot surge of rage. "How could he do this? Doesn't he care about the pack at all?" She clenched her fists, struggling to contain her anger.
Her mother sighed deeply, her expression weary. "I told you not to bring it up with Rosie," she murmured, looking at Melissa with a mix of reproach and understanding.
"Bring up what, mum?" Roselie asked.
Amelia hesitated, then decided to tell her daughter the truth. "Things are not very good back home. But you don't have to worry. We will figure out a way to handle it."
Melissa couldn't control herself anymore.
"Grace is also getting worse day by day. She is taking out her anger on the pack."
"Grace is also a victim, Melissa." Amelia added.
"She is not a victim, auntie," Melissa argued. "She's just as guilty as Chris for what's happening."
She turned towards Roselie.
"Grace is specially harsh on your parents, Roselie."
Rosalie's own anger flared up, her eyes glowing with an intense rage.
"What the hell is wrong with her? Does she have no shame?" Rosalie let out a hiss.
"Grace had been irritable for a reason." Amelia interrupted. "Chris has been mistreating her too, and I've heard that he assaulted her after you and Alex left."
"What?" Roslie whispered in shock, her voice barely audible.
"Chris is a moron! He has not just assaulted Grace; he is also cheating on her openly. He is sleeping with anyone who is available. The pack sluts are having a blast." Melissa
Roselie covered her mouth in shock. This wasn't like the Chris she knew.
"Mum, why didn't you tell me about this?" She asked, feeling a mix of anger and concern. Amelia sighed. "I didn't want to worry you. And it's not that bad; I am sure things will improve."
"She deserves to know the truth, auntie." Melissa stated it firmly.
Then she turned towards Roselie.
"Your parents have been demoted to omegas."