Deanna Kinney - Raven's Rose

I have to admit, she turned an adorable shade of pink and not the disgusting shade of her hair. My guys were holding back their laughter. She stood and eyed them with annoyance before turning to me. “Fine! I have an addiction to romance novels! If you don’t like it, you can kiss my voluptuous rumpus!!”

My eyes widened and a laugh burst from my lips. “Um, what? I think that is the last thing I would call your tiny butt,” I said, twisting my head to take a look.

She jerked back and used her hands to cover her rear, her anger boiling over. “You are an overgrown, pig-headed dolt!” She pointed her finger in my face. “Don’t even think about talking to me again!”

I smiled. “Whatever you say, Trouble. Come along then.” I reached down for the now secure bag and made my way toward the exit. In that moment, something told me my life was about to take a serious detour—one that would kick me in the groin and make me wish I was born a girl. Unfortunately, Trouble was coming with me.

Hope

I hated him already—this guy called Wesley—my new alpha. How dare he criticize my romance novels—or my butt? However, as annoyed as I might have been, I couldn’t deny that he wasn’t all that bad to look at. He was very tall with a muscled physique, black, messy spiked hair, and an intimidating gaze. But this guy was a bigger jerk than even my dad was. His sharp tongue and arrogant swagger were proof of that.

Sitting in the back seat of the tinted limo, staring defiantly at Wesley and the Asian guy named Li, I already wished I was back at home. I missed my friends, Cathy most of all. She had always been a good friend to me and such a great listener. My dad thought she was trouble. Little did he know that I was the bad influence on her, not the other way around. I smirked when I thought about it.

“What’s so funny?” Wesley asked. “Did you just think of how much fun it’s gonna be when we wash that pink out of your hair?”

My face straightened. “If you touch me you will die.” I snapped, my face burning with anger.

He smirked, nodding. “A challenge. Nice.”

“No, I mean it! You will not touch me or my hair! You got it!” I was fuming, while he was still smirking.

“I’m going to enjoy teaching you some respect, little girl.”

“I’m eighteen! And now I know why Charity chose Levi!” His face fell, and I knew I had victory. Though in the next second I wasn’t sure that was a good thing.

He gritted his teeth and his face became red with restrained anger, his eyes shifting yellow. Li touched his alpha’s hand and whispered, “It’s okay, Wesley. Shake it off. Shake it off, dude.”

I watched Wesley’s eyes slowly squeeze shut as if he was trying to gain control and made a mental note to be more careful when using the Charity card in the future.

Thankfully, we didn’t speak the rest of the ride, and I was relieved when the ramp to the forest dropped down and we entered their parking garage.

“Home, sweet home,” the Asian guy said as I was ushered from the car. Wesley began walking and we all followed as we made our way through the halls of the facility. This place wasn’t all that different from my home at the Mason House. The walls were made out of the same material and the layout seemed to be very similar, which brought me a strange peace.

We continued to walk for what seemed like forever, taking turn after turn. I don’t think my home had this many turns. I focused, trying to memorize the way. We finally made one last turn and came to a door with a big fancy wreath on it with a sign that said ‘DO NOT ENTER’.

Wesley ignored it and swung the door open widely. “Nana?” Wesley called.

I could hear tenderness in his voice, which surprised me. Who was this Nana? Maybe it was his grandmother.

We all took careful steps inside and entered what appeared to be a greenhouse, although I’d never seen one underground before. It was relatively small with some kind of special lighting. The plants and flowers that surrounded and cascaded around me were really beautiful, with vibrant and rich colors of green, yellow, orange, red, and purple. I was in awe, until Wesley turned to peer at me, and I quickly shifted my expression to indifference and narrowed my eyes at him.

“Oh, there you are, sugah?” a sweet voice squealed in delight.

I glanced over in time to see a strange woman coming from the back of the room with flowers draping in her gloved hands. She was an older woman, wearing a long plain dress with orange sneakers and a wide brim hat with a wreath of fresh flowers wrapped around it. Despite her odd, hippie style, her face was fresh and lovely, her eyes kind.

She passed all the boys and stopped right in front of me. I shifted my feet, slightly nervous as she studied me from head to foot. I was suddenly annoyed. “See anything you like?” I knew the words were wrong the moment they left my mouth.

She straightened and her soft eyes turned hard. “Now let’s get one thing straight right from the start. I’ll not tolerate any disrespect or backtalk. I didn’t allow if from any of my boys, and I won’t allow it from you. Are we clear?”

My face flushed with embarrassment, and I found myself nodding in agreement.

She smiled and her soft expression immediately returned. “Great, sugah. I think we’re gonna get along just fine. Now why don’t you follow me and I’ll take you to your room.”

She continued to talk as she led the way through her lovely space. “This is my greenhouse which my sweet husband made for me years ago. He knew how much I truly missed the outdoors and how much I loved flowers. I spend most of my time in here. My name is Nana Butterfly, and you must be Hope.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m Hope Mason,” I said, nodding as I continued to stare in awe at all the pretty flowers as we made our way to the back and came to a door.

“This will be your room for the time being. It’s small, I know, but since you’ll be working with me in my greenhouse, I thought it would be appropriate for you to stay close.”

My mouth fell open. “I’m what?” I shouted. “No one mentioned that I’d be put to work here.” I spun and came face to face with Wesley. “And I don’t need a babysitter!”

His eyes turned hard. “Well, it appears that you do. And my Nana has been gracious enough to take the job when no one else would. You should be grateful.”

I clenched my hands to keep from punching him in the face. “Well, I’m not grateful—for any of you! I’m leaving!” I stomped passed him and the others, and hurried my way back the way I’d come and no one tried to stop me. I’m not sure how, but before long I found myself exiting the garage and entering the forest. It was raining, but I didn’t care. I hated this place, and more importantly, I hated its pack leader.

Hope

“Just where do you think you’re going?”

I spun, and had I not known him for his smug voice, I might not have recognized him at all. Wesley’s dark hair was wet and hanging longer around his face, covering part of his left eye, and his shirt was drenched and clinging tightly to his muscled chest. I stuck out my chin defiantly. “I don’t have anything to say to you! I’m leaving this crazy place and going home!”

“I don’t think so,” he laughed, grabbing my arm and spinning me to face him.

“Let go of me, you bully!” I jerked away too hard, slipping in the mud and landing hard on my butt.

Wesley began to laugh which only fueled my already hot temper. He reached out to help me up, but I slapped his hand away. “Get away from me!”

He towered over me, droplets falling from his hair and running down his face. “It’s a good thing you have that voluptuous rumpus to break your fall, huh, Trouble?”