The Fall Ball
Chapter 15

(Rose)

I’m frozen in time. Come morning I’m leaving for the palace.

“Do I not have a say anymore?” I ask my parents.

“I know it is sudden. But Alpha Jake thinks it is the best way to keep you safe while he is away,” Dad tells me.

“Keep me safe? I don’t need him to protect me,” I tell him.

“Rose, we just want to be sure you are safe. This is the best way to protect you right now,” Mom tells me.

“This is the first time anything like this has ever happened before,” I say to them. “I can take care of myself.”

“Besides, I haven’t been shopping for my dress yet, and it is way too late to do so now. So how am I going to find a dress for the ball now?” I ask.

Mom looks at me with big eyes. “Do you really think that Alpha and Luna won’t take you shopping while at the palace to get a dress for the ball? There are so many different stores, you will have too many choices to choose from,” Mom says while laughing at me.

“When Alpha first mentioned taking you to the palace with him and Luna, he asked if you had your dress yet. When we told him no, he said it wasn’t a problem and that Luna would love another lady to shop with.” Dad says to me.

“Well that is very kind of him. I will be sure to thank him. Do you really think it is wise that I go early with him?” I ask my dad.

“Yes we do, and this will give Ashlee the chance to wonder what happened to you. When she sees you at the palace she will be in shock,” Mom says.

I look at her and smile, “I didn’t even think of that. This way I get to go away from all my troubles for a week. Okay then.”

“Can we go home? I need to pack before I go to sleep. What time am I leaving in the morning?” I ask my parents.

“Alpha only said that he would be here personally to retrieve you.” Dad tells me.

“Great. Now I don’t know what time I need to get up. I’m sure it will be early though. It takes three hours to drive to the palace, so it’s not too long, but long enough. I’ll be sure to pack a book to read during the drive.” I say.

We get all the paperwork in order. Dr Owen said to come back and see him when I get home from the Ball. He wants to check on me again even though I seem fine now. The results of my b***d draw will be returned to him in a few days. We wave goodbye and walk out the door.

As we are walking through the pack house to the exit I notice that there is a pack warrior following us. Craig. I have seen him around with my dad. He is a few years older than me and has not found his mate, he puts all his effort into training.

We get to the door and walk out. Craig follows. Mom and Dad act like he isn’t there. Strange.

We walk a little way and Craig follows. What is up with him, why is he following us? I stop walking and turn to look at him. He just smiles at me.

“Yes miss Rose, is there a problem?” he asks me.

“No Craig, I don’t have a problem, just a question. Why are you following us?”

“Oh that’s easy, I was assigned as your bodyguard,” he tells me with a smile.

“My bodyguard? I don’t need one, but thanks anyways.” I say.

I turn and start walking again. He laughs and starts to follow again. I see my parents smile at the exchange between us.

I growl in frustration, when I notice him following us again. I turn and walk up to him. He is a good 10 inches taller than me, not hard to do. I’m only 5’4”. So I have to tilt my head to look him in the eyes.

“Alpha only said that he would be here personally to retrieve you.” Dad tells me.

“I told you, I don’t need a bodyguard and I sure as hell don’t want one. I want you to turn around and go back to the pack house. Stop following me.” I tell him angrily.

“Rose,” Dad gets my attention. “He can’t go back, he was ordered to be your bodyguard,” Dad tells me.

Craig laughs. “I may have been ordered to do it, but after hearing about what had happened. I would’ve offered anyways. Someone needs to protect the delicate flower.” He says with a smile.

“Delicate?? I’m not delicate. I may not have a wolf, but I train just like the rest of you. I can handle myself. I do not need protection. Who ordered you to be my bodyguard??” I ask.

Dad sighs. “Alpha Jake and I were talking about the best way to protect you. We both agreed that you have a bodyguard, until we can figure out why you have the smell of a wolf, but have no wolf. So once we agreed on it, Alpha made the order.”

“You decided this without me? I am an adult and don’t need my dad to make my choices for me. I am capable of deciding if I need a bodyguard or not myself. As I said, I don’t need one!” I exclaim.

“You may not need one, but you will have one.” Alpha Jake’s voice rings out from behind Craig.

“He will follow you everywhere you go, and make sure you are safe at all times. This is not up for discussion. So I suggest you keep walking and get home, so that you can get some sleep before we leave.”

“Yes Alpha.” I say and bow my head. I turn around and walk to my house. As I get to the door I see my parents talking with Alpha and Craig. Craig notices me watching, and he flashes me a smile.

I growl and turn around. Stupid. That’s what he is. I’ll show them all that I don’t need a bodyguard.