As the clock struck 4 a.m., the heavy wooden gates of the compound creaked open, admitting Chris and his pack. The moonlight cast long shadows as they filed into the courtyard.
Chris scanned the area, his keen eyes searching for the familiar face of Rosalie, but she was nowhere to be found. Instead, he saw Alex striding towards them, looking like he had just rolled out of bed. His hair was tousled, and his clothes were hastily thrown on. The faint scent of Rosalie mingled with Alex's, which only served to stoke the fires of Chris's barely concealed anger.
"Chris," Alex greeted warmly, extending his hand. "Grace. Welcome. How was your journey?"
Chris forced a tight smile, shaking Alex’s hand with more force than necessary. "Long but manageable," he replied curtly. Grace stood silently besides him, her eyes scanning the compound, her expression unreadable.
Alex continued, trying to maintain a pleasant demeanour despite the palpable tension. "I hope the arrangements for your stay are to your satisfaction. My beta will guide you to your rooms."
He gestured for James, who stepped forward with a respectful nod. "If you'll follow me, I'll show you to the guest quarters."
The group moved as one, following James through the winding corridors of the compound. Chris's eyes roved over the surroundings, taking in the luxurious decorations and the strategic placement of guards. The guest room they were led to was spacious and opulent, with plush furnishings and a large window that overlooked the moonlit gardens.
"Here you are," James said, opening the door and standing aside to let them in. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call for one of the attendants."
Chris barely glanced at the room, his mind still fuming over the initial greeting—or lack thereof. He turned to Alex, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I must say, I expected to see Rosalie. It's unusual for her to miss a greeting."
Alex maintained his calm, though he could sense the underlying threat in Chris's words. "She needed her rest. The preparations for the festival have been quite demanding. She'll be refreshed and ready to see you in the morning."
Chris's jaw tightened, but he nodded curtly. "Very well. We'll speak tomorrow."
With that, Alex took his leave, closing the door behind him. Chris turned to Grace, his eyes still simmering with unspoken rage. "Get some rest," he said, his voice clipped.
Grace nodded, her face calm.
As she moved to unpack, Chris paced the room, his mind churning with thoughts of Rosalie. He couldn't shake the image of Alex's dishevelled appearance and the mingled scents. Alex had explained her absence, citing exhaustion. Chris had caught the cheeky glimmer in Alex's eyes, a look that had sent his blood boiling. Alex clearly enjoyed this small win, which was a subtle jab at Chris's pride.
Grace, on the other hand, had been completely silent. She sat by the window now, her face a mask of indifference. Chris had to admit that she was skilled at concealing her emotions. Either that, or she was relishing the opportunity to make him feel like a fool.
He wanted to turn his pack inside out to find the jerk who had slept with Grace, but his mind was too consumed with his preparations to capture Rosalie. Once he'd secured Rosalie, he'd catch that bastard too.
*********************************************************************
When Alex returned, he found Rosalie lying on the bed. He gently massaged the slight bump on her belly.
"Good morning, kids," he whispered to her bump, a playful smile on his face.
She wasn't sleeping, but her eyelids remained tightly shut as she chuckled at his remarks. She felt his lips press softly against her tummy. "Behave inside; don't kick too much," he murmured.
Rosalie giggled and finally opened her eyes, gazing up at his smiling face. "They are too small to kick right now. But maybe next month," she said with a grin.
"I saw your family last night. They're great, but they won't be able to meet you." Alex informed her.
Her face sagged as the realisation hit her that she wouldn't be able to see her family. Alex noticed the change in her expression and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," he reassured her. "You should just relax in this state."
Rosalie felt a pang of disappointment, but Alex's presence and words were comforting. He kneeled down besides her and nibbled playfully on her left ear before trailing tingling kisses along her neck.
"I am sure you will manage something," she said softly, her voice filled with trust.
Alex's eyes twinkled with determination. "Absolutely. I'll make sure you get to see them. Leave it to me."
Rosalie reached up to touch his face, her fingers tracing the familiar lines of his jaw. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'll never have to find out," he replied, leaning in to kiss her deeply.
Her eyelids remained tightly shut as she chuckled at his remarks. He kissed her tummy and said, "Behave inside; don't kick too much."
Rosalie giggled and opened her eyes to gaze at his smiling face.
"They are too small to kick right now. But maybe next month." She grinned.
"They had expected you to greet them, but I informed them you were, hmm, fatigued after a busy activity," he winked at her.
"I saw your family last night. They're great, but they won't be able to meet you."
Her face sagged as she realised she wouldn't be able to see her family. Alex gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it. You should just relax in this state." He gave her reassurance. He knelt down and bit her left ear before kissing her on the neck with tingling kisses.
"I am sure you will manage something." She spoke.
"And what about Chris ?" She asked a little fearfully.
"He was asking about you. I said you would meet them later on. There was nothing suspicious about his behaviour, but we will stay alert. It's just a matter of two days."
She nodded, feeling grateful for his protective nature. Alex smiled and held her hand. Neither of them knew that this was a lull before the storm.