When fate plays its hand

Chapter 19

Ashton P

POV

Leaving my office with Hunt and Sawyer, my thoughts are fully consumed by Rose. The urgency to check up on her intensifies with each step that I take leading back up the staircase.

My heart races, my concern growing as I replay images of her sweet her face in my mind. The situation is delicate; I need to ensure she’s alright.

As I approach my room where I had left Rose, my strides quicken slightly. I was gone fo

for longer than I had anticipated, but I’m sure she won’t mind….

I turn the handle, and when I open the door, the sight before me strikes me like a blow to the chest.

Rose lies on the bed, her body drenched in sweat, and her breathing laboured. She’s crying out and whimpering, her fingers clawing at her skin as if trying to escape some invisible itchy torment.

This is much worse than 1 had anticipated…

ther alone… her body is practically screaming out for

I should have fucking known this would happen! Of course the damn heat would worsen if I left h my attention to help take the pain away!

Im a fucking fool!

“Fuck, Rose!” I yell out, rushing to her side instantly, as she blinks up at me profusely noticing my presence.

Her watery eyes meet mine, before she slams them shut again as another wave of pain crashes through her… seeming to rip her apart from the inside

BUL.

My heart aches at the sight of her suffering, causing me to instantly scoop the small female up in to my arms, her body trembling against mine.

“Hey, Rose, listen to me, it’s going to be alright, I’m here now, I’ve got you!” I murmur sweet nothings, my voice a soothing whisper as I move across the room with her.

She seems to respond to the sound of my voice, her tight grip on my arms relaxing ever so slightly. But her agony is far from over. Her skin is hot to the touch, and her cries continue as she struggles to find relief from the itchiness that now plagues her.

Panic bubbles within me, my instincts driving me to do whatever it takes to help her. I was warned things would be much worse this time around, since we weren’t destined to be, however I still felt unprepared.

I carry her into the bathroom, setting her down on the cold tiles which she immediately curls up on at my feet.

I stroke her cheek slowly with the back of my hand, and the moment 1 touch her, I feel her tremors lessen slightly, as if my touch alone was now providing some form of solace.

“Rose, I’m here for you, I’m going to help you through this ok?” I assure her, my eyes locked onto hers. “We’re going to get through this part together!”

She blinks up at me with tear–filled eyes, her voice hoarse as she speaks. “Ash–Ashton, it hurts so, so much. Please help me.” She whimpers, causing my chest to tighten at the sound of her fragile tone.

My heart aches at her plea. I know there’s only so much I can do to ease the pain, that is, until we complete the mating process fully….only then will it stop.

Ill do whatever else it takes to ease her suffering until she gives me the proper go ahead…I don’t want to rush her in to anything…

Without hesitation, I turn on the cold water and begin filling the tub with the icy cool liquid. In the meantime, I offer her as much comfort as possible, by tracing soothing patterns across her delicate skin.

The tub finally fills up enough for her to get in, as I sigh in relief – hoping for this idea to

to work.

“I’m just going to put you in with your clothes on ok? It’s only a shirt and shorts, it doesn’t matter if they get wet 1 inform her, finding no use in trying to strip her in this moment since her clothes were practically wet already from the sheer sweat alone.

I nudge my hand under her head, before hooking my other under her legs – lifting her up to help her in.

Chapter 19

Her body meets the water, her clothing soaking up the liquid instantly, as she gasps and pants, rushing me to sink her in further.

She lets out a long sigh of relief once her body is fully submerged, using this time to steady her breathing. “It’s helping… she manages to say, her voice still strained.

I feel grateful for the plan, as I kneel beside the tub, my fingers gently brushing away the camp strands of hair from her forehead. “I won’t let you go through this alone Rose, but we don’t have much time before we need to put an end to this heat completely… by mating fully.” I clear my throat, telling her the truth of the matter as she nods weakly in understanding.

She tucks her head under the water for a few seconds, before resurfacing. She then lets out a shaky sigh of content, as her body relaxes more, the tension also leaving her face too.

But deep down I knew, that this was only a temporary fix. I know that the ultimate solution lies in completing the mating process and so does she. It’s the only way to truly end her suffering

“Rose,” I speak softly, my eyes searching hers. “There’s something you need to understand. The only way to completely ease your pain here is for us to complete the mating process. I know it’s not ideal timing, but it’s the truth. I won’t force you into anything, but I want you to know that I’m here for you when you’re ready.” I continue on, as her eyes meet mine.

She looks up at me for a moment, blinking through her long lashes as her eyes fill with a mixture of both fear and what seems like longing. “Ashton, .. I don’t want to go through that again. If completing the mating process will end this pain, then I’m willing to try… but just know that… I don’t really know what I’m doing Rose admits shyly, as I smile slightly at her honesty

A surge of emotion courses through me–relief, gratitude, and an overwhelming desire to fully make her mine. I was thankful that another male hadn’t yet touched her… especially someone as sinister as Derrick Colt!

“I do all of the work, Rose. We’ll take things slow. One step at a time. Are you sure you’re ready? 1 ponder, tracing a finger up and down her forearm

for comfort.

“O–Ok… yes I think I’m ready… but could you give me ten? Just to uhh… freshen up a little? I feel really disgusting and sweaty after all of that… I’ll call you back in when I’m done?” She asks me quietly, as I nod and push myself up to stand.

“Of course,” I reply gently, giving her a reassuring smile. “Take all of the time you need. I’ll be right outside the door.”

She offers me a small smile in return before turning her attention to the bath. As I exit the bathroom, I quietly close the door behind me. My heart was pounding in my chest, desire, and anticipation both swirling within me. This is the next step, the one that will ease her pain and bring us closer together completely…

I pace back and forth outside of the bathroom, my thoughts consumed by Rose and the journey we were about to embark upon. It’s a lot to take in, both for her and for me.

I had never envisioned myself with another female after Vanessa… yet here I was… and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it yet either.

Sure I was happy that someone as innocent and as pure as Rose had sauntered into my life, but I still felt a great sadness to think that I had missed out on a future with my true mate…

Vanessa would have wanted this for me. She was also a genuine and pure soul. Perhaps, due to the pair of them sharing similar qualities, could be the reason why I had chosen Rose for the role in the first place?

Perhaps it was just meant to be….

After what feels like an eternity, I hear Rose’s soft call spill out from behind the bathroom door. “Ashton? I’m done…could you um… bring me in a towel please?” She requests, as I nod and enter–grabbing a towel on passing.

I look to Rose, finding her light hair now tied back in a loose braid – keeping it out of her face. The scent of honey

ry fills my

senses, telling me exactly which body wash she had chosen to use. I almost groan from her scent alone, however I try my upmost hardest to hold it in- not wanting to scare her

I open up the towel, gesturing for her to step out into it, as she clears her throat slightly, covering her body with her arms having now stripped herself of the wet clothes in order to wash herself properly…

I take that as my sign to look down, understanding that the girl had never experienced anything like this until now… I have to control myself here or 1 could ruin a good thing before it even starts!

Chapter 19

I hear the water swish, as she climbs out from the large jacuzzi tub, before shuffling into the large fluffy towel, which I instantly wrap around her.

“How do you feel?” I lift my head, seeing my large towel practically covering her from head to toe as she holds it to her wet skin.

“I uh… I feel ok… but I know that the pain will just creep back up on me soon won’t it?” Rose questions me quietly, looking up at me as I nod in

confirmation.

“Sadly yes… but you know that I can take it all away for good don’t you?” I mumble, my eyes growing heavy as a sudden jolt of lust creeps up on me.

I hate to admit it, but it’s been a long time now since I’ve actually had sex….

Until now, I had felt repulsed at sleeping with anyone who wasn’t Vanessa… that was until Rose got here…

I shuffle towards her, placing my hands on her hips as she tenses under my touch slightly–evidently nervous and flustered.

“I… I want you to take it away please… I can’t go through that again… Rose admits, pulling her lip into her teeth as she bites down on it anxiously. causing my wolf to go insane from the gesture.

If he had it his way…

..I’d take her against the wall in this bathroom… we wouldn’t ev

even make it back to the damn bed!

With that thought, I move to scoop her up again, eaming a small gasp followed by a shy smile as she allows for me to carry her out of the bathroom and towards my large bed…

Little does she know, I needed this bond more than her…

Chapter Comments

pool Girl, she is getting used again