I watched as he moved toward the back of the room, completely ignoring his surrounding and sat down opposite Emma. I turned back to look at Granny who was laughing at me "is that Henry?" I asked, I heard Granny chuckle as Belle sat down next to me "what did I miss?" Belle asked looking around the room. Granny laughed as I shot her a warning stare "you just missed your daughter gawking at Henry" Granny piped up, I groaned and buried my face in my arms which were sitting on the counter. I felt Belle touch my shoulder "it's okay Rose" she said, I looked up and she smiled. She shifted in her seat "he took you leaving the hardest" Belle said honestly "he hasn't really been the same since you were kicked out" she continued, I shuddered. Henry was my best friend, within the two years I stayed with Belle I got to know the boy. I frowned "Regina and Emma started dating shortly before you were kicked out and decided to tell Henry merely an hour before they had to tell him that Rumple made you leave town" she explained, I watched as Regina came in and walked swiftly to the back of the room where she was greeted with a quick kiss from Emma and a smile from Henry. I shifted in my seat "it must have been hard for him to process" I mumbled, Belle and Granny nodded. Ruby stood next to me whilst waiting for Granny to give her a few drinks that were ordered "Ruby, I..." I started but she cut me off "save it Rosie" she snapped before taking the tray and walking away, I whimpered slightly "don't mind Ruby, Rose. She couldn't get over it either" Granny told me quickly. I shrugged "she's right to be mad at me, I mean, I hurt her best friend" I mumbled softly, Belle gave me a quick hug. Granny slid a mug of hot cocoa with cinnamon over the counter towards me "this is Henry's" she said flicking her gaze across the room, I followed it to see Ruby serving the family at the back but not having Henry's. I looked back at Granny who was laughing with a massive smirk on her face "wow, you guys hate me don't you?" I joked, Belle laughed as she gave me a playful shove. I couldn't help but giggle as I got off the stool "fine" I snapped playfully as I picked up the hot cocoa. I stood for a moment before making my way over to the table "here you go" I said with a smile while setting it down in front of him, he smiled "thanks" he said as his gaze met mine for a brief second. I pulled away and shot Regina and Emma a kind smile before swiftly walking away. None of them recognised me, that's.... Reassuring. I sat back down on the stool next to Belle and Granny smiled "thanks Rosie, let me know if you want a job" she said shooting me a wink, I laughed "I think I'm good for now Granny" I said with a laugh. I turned to Belle who was smiling at me "next order of business" I started which grabbed Belles attention "this" I said fiddling with with my hair "needs to go" I joked, Belle laughed and shook her head "it's pretty long though Rose" she offered, I laughed "it's annoying" I finished. She laughed and nodded "okay, come on" she said getting down off the stool, I hopped down off the chair "see ya Granny" I said before following Belle out.
I wandered around, it felt a lot better having short hair again. It was around 9pm and I was wandering the streets, I didn't know what to do. I stood across the street from Granny's and saw Henry, he was sitting outside by himself. I sighed, I couldn't understand why he was alone. I wandered over to him "hey Henry" I said once I was standing next to him, his eyes flickered up and his gaze met mine "do I know you from somewhere?" He asked, I laughed and sat down opposite him. I smirked "you do, why don't you take a guess" I challenged, he laughed and smiled. He watched me for a second before his smile faded "is that really you?" He started, I smirked "don't know, depends on who you think I am" I joked. His gaze met mine "Rosie?" He offered, I smiled and nodded. He was on his feet in seconds and quickly engulfed me into a hug, I laughed and got to my feet. I quickly returned his hug, my wolf barked happily. He pulled back "why were you kicked out of town?" He brought up. I sighed and nodded "I bit Belle and almost tore of her arm and leg" I mumbled quietly, he was lost for words. I smirked "wanna go for a walk?" I offered, he nodded and we walked away from the quiet diner. He walked close to me as we wandered around "when did you get back?" He asked breaking the silence between us "this morning" I stated. He stopped dead in his tracks "you gave me my cocoa earlier!" He exclaimed, I laughed at his sudden realisation and nodded "yeah, Granny made me take it over to you because I apparently needed to talk to you after and I quote 'gawking' at you" I explained quickly. He chuckled softly "and were you?" He challenged, I bit my lip and met his gaze "maybe" I played. We were walking along the forest edge when I heard a twig snap, I jumped and looked around quickly. Nothing. I felt Henry's hand on my arm "you okay Rose?" He asked, I nodded and we quickly resumed our conversation.
We wandered around for who knows how long before he muttered "I should probably get home before my moms start to wonder where I am" he spoke softly, I nodded "I'll walk you home" I claimed which caused him to laugh. "Isn't me who should be walking you home?" He offered, I shook my head "there's someone threatening to kill people I love, I need to make sure you get home safe" I explained softly. I heard his soft chuckle as we started the walk to his house. As we neared the gate he spoke up "your being very protective" he joked, I smiled and blushed nervously "it's a wolf thing" I muttered. He chuckled "what kind of wolf thing?" He asked as we reached the door "well, I uh.." I was cut off when his lips gently touched mine. It set my entire being alight. I returned his sweet kiss and he pulled back "I read every book I could find on Children of the Moon trying to find an explanation on how you lost control and I picked up on a few things" he explained, I felt nervousness build in the pit of my stomach. He pulled me in for a hug "I'm not gonna reject you, I know what that'll do" he muttered softly, I sighed. Yeah it's great, all it will do is suck me into a giant pit of depression where I question my entire existence but ah well. I sighed in relief "to tell you the truth, I had a bit of a crush on you when we were younger. I was gonna tell you before..." He trailed off, I nodded. I understood what he meant. I couldn't help but smile "goodnight Henry" I said softly, he smiled before placing a sweet kiss on my cheek "sleep well Rose" he said before walking inside.
I made my way home when I heard rustling in a bush and Mikael's wolf jumped out at me, I quickly turned before he reached me. I heard a deep chuckle come from him "your making this all too easy Rosalinda" he said in a gruff tone, I growled in response "I wouldn't go there if I were you" I snapped, he chuckled. I watched as he inched towards me "but this time you have someone more important to you than family" he started, I let out a growl "your true love" he hissed. I growled and slashed my paw at him creating a small tear in his ear, he hissed In pain "that's just a warning Mikael,I nearly killed you once and this time... I won't hesitate" i promised. He growled before taking off into the woods.
