Love & Tribulations

Chapter 12

Ezra's POV

I sat down in my office trying my best to go through some documents. I couldn't concentrate on anything as Rose had a permanent place in my thoughts. It's been almost two weeks and I haven't heard a word from her since she left. I've asked members of her clan but they didn't know any more than I did which left me frustrated as well as worried.

I've been feeling agitated for a couple of days, which could only mean she'd been hurt, but I don't know how badly since we're not bonded yet. The dreadful feeling had me up all night, I couldn't stop filling my mind with all the possible things that could've happened to her.

I know that she can take care of herself, she's strong, some would even say invincible. I've heard the stories of the relentless vampire queen. Funny that I've yet to see that side of her, she's so kindhearted that I find it hard to believe any of those rumors.

I can feel myself becoming more attached and I don't know if I'm prepared. She already has me wrapped around her finger. Everything about her drives me crazy, the way her smile melts my heart, the way her eyes light up when she sees me. I get butterflies at the sound of her voice, my heart skips a beat whenever she laughs.

I just wanted to know that she was okay, I know she's still alive because I would've felt if she had... I shook my head trying to rid myself of those thoughts, hearing a knock on my door.

"Come in", I voiced, looking up as the door swung open to reveal James.

"I brought you something to eat", he cautiously told me, making me sigh deeply. I've been rather on edge, snapping at anyone who causes me minor inconveniences. I know that they're just trying to help look out for me, I didn't intend to be such a nuisance.

"Thanks...I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier", I apologized genuinely as he walked over to take a seat, placing the food on my desk.

"I know. Are you going to eat this time?" he asked in concern. I couldn't meet his eyes as I decided to remain silent. I heard him let out a heavy sigh already knowing my answer. We've been doing this same routine since these wretched feelings started.

"I miss her", I whispered unconsciously, feeling my heart hurt as the words left my mouth. I never admitted it to myself, let alone say it out loud before. Even though I'm her mate she doesn't have to be with me, I understand that, but I also don't want to lose her. Maybe it's my mind unconsciously creating emotional issues for the endangerment I feel.

"Do you want to join me for a walk?" He suggested, bringing me out of my thoughts. I nodded, getting up from the chair with James staring worriedly at me. I froze in my tracks as a familiar smell of lavender engulfed me, dismissing all negative thoughts that had previously plagued my mind.

"I swear they never fucking listen!", Tris voiced angrily as she burst through the door with Rose following behind her. Rose's eyes already locked with mine, concern evident on her features as she traces over my face. A part of me never thought I'd get to see her again. She looked a mess like she hadn't been feeding.

Tris slammed the door shut and walked over to James, rambling on about something. Rose cleared her throat as I stared at her, still anchored in place. "Hey, I...we couldn't get a signal out. By the time we could, I just thought it was better to come straight here and-", she stopped talking as tears started to pool in my eyes.

My feet moved toward her, wanting to hold her and make sure she was really there. I wrap my arms around her, finally letting my tears fall as I buried my face in her neck. She's back. "I'm so sorry", she said softly as I took in her scent to help calm myself. "It's okay, I'm right here", she whispered, cradling me in her arms.

I pulled back to look up at her and I instantly melted in her eyes. "I'm sorry for leaving you like that", she spoke, taking my face in her hand, a soft look in her eyes as she wiped my tears. She kissed my forehead and both my cheeks, letting her lips linger each time. My heart beating wildly in my chest from every touch. She pulled back just enough to make eye contact.

Slowly I drifted down to her lips before meeting her eyes again. Hesitantly, she started leaning forward and stopping just before our lips connected. I carefully placed my hand behind her neck wanting to close the distance between us. Stopping abruptly when I heard James awkwardly clear his throat. Shit, I completely forgot they were here. Retracting my hand, I turned to see both Tris and James smirking at me.

"We're gonna give you guys some privacy", James announced.

"We are?" Tris questioned with a disappointed look on her face. She sighed after James glared at her. They were gathering up some files as I returned my attention to Rose who was already looking right at me. I squirmed a little under her intense gaze falling further into her soft smile.

Just then someone barged into the room. I swear if one more fucking person interrupts I'm going to rip their fucking head off. I looked over at the door to see Asher with a concerned look on his face. I took a deep breath to calm myself before talking.

"What?" I asked, sounding harsher than I intended, causing James and Tris to stifle their laughter while Rose smirked at me.

"You're needed in the medical wing", Asher stated. I looked over at Rose intently.

"It's okay, I just wanted to let you know that I'm back. I can't stay either", she informed. I gripped her hand feeling my stomach starting to churn. As if she could read my mind, she pulled me into her arms. "I have to take care of some things, but I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Promise?", I queried.

"I promise", she agreed, making me smile into her neck.

"Just don't take two weeks this time", I added, making her chuckle. The reverberations rippling through my body were an unexplainable sensation.

Asher cleared his throat reminding me that there's an emergency that needs my attention. I reluctantly pulled away from Rose as she eyed me softly. "I'll walk you out", she smiled.

"Tris and I have something to take care of, we'll meet up with you later", James voiced before leaving with an annoyed Tris.

There's not enough time in the day for me to be satisfied with her presence. Each step we took was one closer to her leaving. I felt miserable that I couldn't hold her hand, keeping us a secret from my pack is more painful than I thought.

Before I knew it we had reached the medical wing. Rose looked over at me before sighing deeply, causing me to crease my eyebrows. "Please take care of yourself while I'm gone." Oh, Tris probably told her about my recent lack of self-care. I felt guilty for making her worry about me.

I nodded before she wrapped me in a warm embrace, planting a prolonged kiss on my forehead. "I'll be right back." And with that, she was gone again. I turned to Asher who had a smirk plastered on his face making me roll my eyes at him.

"So, what's the emergency?" I inquired as he led me down the halls.

"Some of the pack members were poisoned. Thankfully it's not contagious", He briefed me as we stopped at the intensive care unit. The only thing I could think of at that moment was the night my father died.

"Ash, ...is it...", I mumbled, not able to look at him. My eyes were fixed on the wall as I struggled to form my words. Understanding my unfinished sentence he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"We don't know if it's the same, we just sent a sample to be tested", he told me in a gentle voice. I clenched my jaw as he handed me a clipboard with information about their conditions. I signed the papers and returned the clipboard to Asher.

"I'll finish up here. A Sophia Davis is waiting for you down the hall first door to the left", he informed me before we parted ways.