The Fall Ball
Chapter 35

(Rose)

I sit in my room. I haven’t moved since I walked in here and just slid down the door and cried. I am not even sure what it was that made me cry. I think I have way too much going on right now and I am getting more questions than answers.

I sit there until my mind becomes numb. I hear the vampires leave the room. And I hear Craig’s bedroom door open and close. He must be heading to bed. I don’t even want to know what the vampires are up to.

There is too much going on, so I decided that I was going to take a warm bath. I get up off the floor, my whole body feels stiff. I walk into the bathroom and turn on the water. I make sure it’s warm, and I add some lavender oil. It’s supposed to help calm your mind, and help with relaxation.

Once the tub is full, I take off my clothes. I step into the water slowly. I take my time adjusting to the water temperature and sit down. Once I am sitting, I lean my head back and relax. I close my eyes and focus on nothing.

I sit there for a while and I can feel myself drifting off to sleep. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep. I feel myself floating deeper and deeper. I open my eyes and without surprise, I am in the void.

Just like normal, I see nothing when I first get here. I walk around and before I know it I have found a stream. I sit down and place my feet in the water. As the water rushes between my toes, it tickles and I giggle.

I can hear someone walking up behind me. I look over my shoulder and I see Selene. She is alone, I smile at her.

“Hello Selene, how are you today?” I say to her and turn back to look at the water.

She sits down next to me. She also places her feet in the water.

“I am doing fine, my dear Rose. I just wanted to have a short visit with you. How are you doing? I know that you had some strange visitors today.” Selene says to me.

I look over at her. She is watching me to see my reaction.

“Yeah, they were a surprise for sure. But with everything I have going on I am not surprised by much anymore. I am learning to just go with the flow of things. “The things I thought were normal and expected aren’t happening.” I inform her with a smile.

“That is true, but I believe that you can handle everything that is coming your way. These new friends are reliable allies and know how to help you reach your full potential. Just listen to them and be patient with yourself. You are going to be learning a lot of information that most people in your situation learn at a younger age.” She says to me with a small smile.

“It’s almost time to send you back. I just wanted to check in with you. To make sure that you were okay. I am here with you, even when you think you are alone.” Selene says to me while standing up.

She reaches her hand out to me and helps me to my feet.

“Where is Lilly today?” I ask Selene.

She smiles at me.

“She is okay, just tired. She is going through a lot of changes and she has a big day coming up,” Selene says to me.

I nod at her. She reaches out and gives me a hug. As she lets go, I can feel myself being pushed back into my space.

As I start to wake up. I can hear that the door is being opened. I am so exhausted I can’t even open my eyes. I feel like I am in a trance. I can hear and feel everything going on around me, I just can’t open my eyes to see what is going on.

“Rose, I just came to make sure you are okay. Can you get out on your own?” I hear Ash say.

I want to answer him but I can’t. I start to panic and then I think about my new skill.

I open a mind link with Aspen, Ash’s wolf.

“I know this is strange, but I can’t open my eyes or speak. I can hear everything and feel everything. But I don’t know what is going on or what to do.” I say to Aspen.

“My Queen. This is the first phase of a royal getting their wolf. Your body shuts down to let your wolf gradually come to the surface. To make it easier to shift when the time comes. I will let Ash know for you.” Aspen says to me.

“Okay Rose. I’m going to talk to you so you know what I am doing. I don’t want to scare you.” Ash says to me.

“I’m going to drain the tub so the water is out. Then I will dry you off with a towel. Do you want me to put your PJ’s on you or not?” Ash asks me.

“Yes! Aspen please tell him yes. Just don’t get any funny ideas.” I say.

Aspen laughs. Then I hear Ash leave the bathroom. It sounds like he is rummaging through my drawers.

“Okay, I found PJ’s and undergarments. Let’s get you ready for bed” Ash says out loud to me.

I can feel him drying me off. Then I feel him place a shirt over my head and he places my arms through the arm holes. I feel him tense up when he puts my underwear on me. I blush at the realization that he has now seen, and touched every part of my body.

“I am just as embarrassed as you are. This is not how I wanted to get you naked.” Ash says under his breath.

I sigh at the feeling of him lifting me out of the tub. I can feel him walking into my room. He adjusts me so he can hold me up while pulling the covers back.

He places me on the bed and covers me up. I feel him step away and start to panic.

“Don’t panic Rose, I can hear your heart rate pick up. I’m just going to get my PJ’s and then I will be back in here. I want to be sure that you are protected when you are like this.” Ash says.

I hear the door open and close. Then I can hear Ash and Craig talking.

Within a few minutes my door opens and closes again.

“It’s just me Rose,” Ash says to me.

I feel him walk up to the bed and he moves my hair off my face. He leans down and hovers over my forehead. I start to panic a little.

What is he doing?

Before I can reach out to Aspen, Ash speaks up.

“Rose, may I k**s you?” He asks me.