THORNED ROSE: The Rising Luna

Rose

The next day, I was sent back to a villa in Urydale, north of Illedale. Alpha Magnus made sure I received special treatment—from him. His intentions were clear; he wanted to keep me from growing suspicious of his schemes.

Under the guise of my recovery, he confined me to this luxurious villa, mirroring the opulence of the Moonblade Pack penthouse. He assigned omegas to cater to my needs and stationed warriors to guard the property, leaving me with nothing but time to reflect.

There was no work for me to do here. Alpha Magnus had taken over all company matters, dismissing my offers to handle things remotely. I had to admit—he was cunning.

Slowly erasing my presence, first through my miscarriage, and now through isolation. For now, I was merely observing his deception, waiting for his next move.

Over breakfast on Monday morning, he casually brought up my company shares and an upcoming board meeting scheduled for three days later. The mention of it at the dining table nearly made me choke on my food.

Keeping my responses brief, I answered his questions about my stake in Lupenova.

I was beginning to see where this was heading.

“Rose, you can trust me to handle this. I promise, once everything is settled, we’ll take a trip to Poross—call it a second honeymoon.” Alpha Magnus wiped his mouth, then added, “Oh, I almost forgot—Stephenie asked me to pass along a message. She wants to know if she can use company funds to open a new bookstore branch.”

“Of course. She’s a Delaney. She still has the right to do so,” I replied evenly, ensuring I gave nothing away.

The last time Stephenie had asked for funds, it was for a game center expansion—one that ended in massive losses. My father had been furious at her incompetence. And now, here she was, asking for more—right when Lupenova was at its weakest.

“Thank you, Rose. I know you always look out for her. She was too nervous to ask you directly, so she asked me instead.”

“Yeah, that’s just how we are—always awkward when it comes to money.” I let my words hang in the air, deliberately vague.

“I have to go now. See you this evening.”

Alpha Magnus leaned in and kissed me, but I remained motionless. He still had the audacity to treat me like a cherished mate. It was nauseating. I clenched my fists under the table, watching as he strode out of the villa, oblivious to my silent fury.

I spent the day trying to distract myself—reading, scrolling through social media. When I opened the alumni chat from Bresea Academy, a message caught my eye: an announcement for a novel-writing class. My breath hitched when I saw the instructor’s name—Professor Caldwell.

Looking back on my time at the academy felt like opening a box of forgotten dreams. Once, I had aspired to be like him—to create stories that would stand the test of time.

Without hesitation, I signed up for the class. If I couldn’t change the course of my life right now, at least I could reclaim a part of the person I used to be.

My fingers continued scrolling absentmindedly until they stopped on Stephenie’s latest social media post. I had forgotten to block her, and now I was staring at a picture from eight hours ago—her showing off a crescent moon necklace, its amber stone glistening under the light.

A familiar pang hit me.

I had once wanted that very necklace, hoping to receive it as a gift to mark our bond. But now, it was nothing more than an unattainable memory—an exclusive, limited-edition piece.

I remembered Alpha Magnus dismissing my request with a gentle smile, saying I deserved something far more valuable. Foolishly, I had believed him and had waited for something that never came.

That evening, Alpha Magnus knocked on my bedroom door, greeting me with the same warm smile he used to give me—back when I had loved him blindly. He approached me, wrapping his arms around me from behind, pressing a soft kiss to my neck.

I should have felt warmth. Instead, his touch only made my skin crawl.

“Rose, do you have time tonight?” he asked gently.

I turned, offering him a small, indifferent smile. “I’m not willing to engage in any activities tonight. My plans consist of reading and watching Prime Video.”

Alpha Magnus chuckled, as if amused by my cold response. “Don’t you remember what day it is?” He raised an eyebrow.

I shook my head.

But I did remember.

This was the anniversary of the night he proposed—under the moonlight at Yore Tower, in what had once been the most magical moment of my life. But I had no intention of letting him use nostalgia to manipulate me.

Alpha Magnus sighed in defeat. “Alright. If you don’t want to celebrate, is there anything you’d like as a gift?”

I paused for a moment before replying, “A can of red paint, maybe?”

He gave me a puzzled look. “For what? I could have an omega handle whatever you need. You’re still recovering—I don’t want you straining yourself.”

“Just a little creative outlet, Alpha Magnus. It won’t wear me out,” I replied lightly, masking my true intentions.

He studied me for a moment before nodding. “Alright, if that’s what you want… though it’s an odd request.”

He wouldn’t understand. But at least I had successfully diverted his attention. After he left, I returned to my room, intending to lose myself in my favorite drama series.

But only a few minutes had passed before my focus shattered. Alpha Magnus’s phone rang from the hallway.

Curiosity gripped me.

I slid off the bed, my senses sharpening as his voice grew fainter. Carefully, I cracked the door open, ensuring it made no sound.

“I always love what you prepare for me, Stephenie,” he murmured, his voice sickeningly tender.

My body froze.

And then I heard it again. Stephenie.

My stepsister.

Alpha Magnus fell silent for a brief moment before turning toward my bedroom door. I ducked behind the sofa, holding my breath as his golden eyes scanned the room. He hesitated, then smirked.

“She’s probably watching one of those cliché dramas… might already be asleep. I can’t wait to see you, darling.”

He became blind because this broken bond. A wave of nausea rolled through me as I watched him grab his car keys and head for the door.

I didn’t need further proof.

My stepsister—so polished, so graceful during family dinners—had played me for a fool. Just months ago, she had raved about her blossoming romance with Alex—my ex-mate.

They were all despicable.

I must have cried for an hour, curled up in my room, the television flickering against the walls. The female lead on screen was sobbing too, mirroring my shattered state.

But did Alpha Magnus even deserve my tears?

Why did I still feel this way? Trapped between love and hate?

I reached for my phone, scrolling down to a number I had saved long ago—since the day my father died.

I had sworn never to call this guy. I had refused to show weakness.

But I couldn’t endure this alone anymore.

Taking a steadying breath, I pressed the call button.

“Hello, Sigma Memphis. I need your help.”