"Bone. Bone. Booooooone- Bone-" King repeatedly said that as he followed the obscenely stern man.

Bone groaned and turned around facing King. "Why are you bothering me?" he astounded.

"I need to talk to you," King answered.

"Then talk," Bone responded.

"I-"

"Do you two need a moment because I can leave?" Gabriel said as he was drinking coffee and reading the newspaper in the kitchen.

Bone rounded the counter and put his own empty cup in the dishwasher. "I'm busy today, King," he said. "If you need anything then I can help you after work."

"No, you can't," King said sternly. "Free the rest of your day. I need to talk to you."

Bone frowned with concern. "Is something wrong?" He asked.

"No, it's important," King said.

"Then I'm free on the Saturday," Bone told him.

King wasn't happy about it but he agreed and took a seat with Gabriel.

Today was as chaotic as it always is in the Centauri manor. Everyone was everywhere just as they all rushed out to go to work. It was finally quiet now in the house. The only ones left were Gabriel, King and himself, but he'd have to leave soon to open the Institute's library. King and Gabriel were discussing work, when suddenly, Bone heard Alister's name come up and it stopped him dead in his tracks.

"Is he coming today?" Gabriel said.

"You were the one who told me to invite him," King replied.

"I know I did." Gabriel's eyes may have been on the newspaper but he was focused on King too. "I just didn't think he'd agree."

Bone didn't either and he didn't want Alister coming here. That alpha was dangerous and unnerved Bone for some mysterious reason.

Bone left the manor and went to water his roses before he'd leave for the school. He was contemplating staying the night at the school so he wouldn't have to meet Alister at dinner. The anxiousness ran through Bone like a poison, he hated being this way.

Opening the garage door, he unravelled the hose and turned the small metal knob until water sprinkled out at the front nose. He walked out and went to the vibrant green bushes that had blooming white roses swaying in the direction of the soft breeze. He sprinkled the water into the dark soil beneath the bushes and let it soak into the plants.

Unknowingly, a smile tugged at his mouth. The fragrance of the roses was abundant today, it was sweet and comforting allowing all the anxiousness in him to simply slip away. The white rose was the epitome of purity. The colour of pearls and the shine of diamonds all in one single petal. Bone understood that he may be tainted but these roses weren't. They reminded him that there was innocence on this planet and not only the hollowness of the cage haunting him. Maybe, he didn't need to strive to fix himself and just live like these roses did every day. However, he couldn't change what he was or where he came from. These roses were pure but he was not. Nothing would change that.

Bone continued to water the roses surrounding the house when he heard the roar of a car. He looked behind him and a dark-blue Aston Martin raced through speedily. Bone didn't know who it was since the windows were tinted black. But other than King, no one drove an Aston Martin around here. So, Bone guessed it wasn't a pack member unless someone bought a new car, it could be Zoya. She loved cars.

The Aston Martin crossed the rounded pathway and parked right beside the white Tesla. The door pushed open and none other than Alister Black climbed out of the expensive car looking undeniably devilish. He stood powerfully in a polished steel grey suit, that fit to his muscular physique, and underneath was a tailored white shirt that was left unbuttoned with no tie or vest. Since it wasn't dark like it was at the club that night, Bone could see Alister clearly. He was painted gold in the sunlight, it shined off his bronze tattooed skin and dark windswept hair and groomed beard, it was almost unfair how perfect he looked.

Bone was just about to drop the water hose and hide in the garage, but he was too slow, Alister already saw him. He felt the man's penetrating gaze all the way to his bones, it was like Alister pinned Bone in his spot not letting him move an inch as he approached with purposeful strides.

"Good morning." Alister's voice was still that same low, deep tone that sent butterflies loose in Bone's stomach.

"Um- good morning," Bone said politely with an awkward smile trying to find a way to run away.

Alister suddenly laughed, it was surprising but also extremely hot. Bone didn't want to but his body betrayed him and forced him to look into Alister's dark blue eyes. That strident stare set a sinking sensation inside Bone's gut and he stepped back a little towards his roses.

"You look like a bunny caught in a wolf's den," remarked that same husky voice.

Bone shivered slightly, his skin although hot as fire. "Um- King's inside. You can go. If you'll excuse me," he said before he tried to make a run for it.

"There's no need to run," Alister remarked. "I don't bite."

Bone didn't believe that even for a second, especially from the way Alister's eyes blazed and that grin stole the very breath out of anyone that looked his way.

"King kept you hidden quite well," Alister continued. "I wonder what he will do when he finds out that you caught my eye."

Bone couldn't hide his astounded expression, which amused Alister further.

"Don't be so nervous," Alister said. "I'm not as scary as the world says."

Bone didn't believe that. "It doesn't matter what others say," he said. "I can tell myself when someone is dangerous or not."

Alister's grin lifted wider into a smile. "And what conclusions have you drawn about me?" he bemused. "Am I dangerous in your eyes?"

Bone looked into those bottomless eyes. "Dangerous doesn't cover what you are," he admitted.

A darkness seeped into those mesmerizing eyes. "You're right," he said. "Dangerous doesn't come close to what I'm feeling for you."

Bone's blood ran cold. "What does that mean?"

"Bone," King walked out onto the porch spotting them two together.

Alister's wicked grin dropped and he tucked his hands in his pockets. Bone quickly walked away into the garage, but the entire time the lingering sensation that he was being watched remained. He couldn't shake it off and it strangely beckoned his wolf to awaken from his restful slumber. What was going on? Bone was confounded. He quickly put the water hose back on its mantel and rushed towards the Institute's library where he knew he could seek solace and be left alone.

Once he reached the library, there were a few kids already sitting at the tables studying and reading. He walked passed them quietly and made his way to his table when he saw two trolleys full of books to be put back on the shelves. Nothing better than distracting his mind by climbing ladders and putting books in their respected spots. He rolled up his sleeves and got to work without hesitation.

As the day continued, more students walked into the library. Bone was as busy as a bee. Since the library was huge, it needed a lot of maintenance. Bone left to the back-room where all the books fell through a small window and slid down a rack onto a pile in a box. He grabbed the empty trolley that he just cleared and brought it back for him to get through this stash of books. He was quicker now that he learned how to do it efficiently.

Bone pushed the trolley through the room and back to the historical section of the library. He was sure that the senior students were researching for Viola's class from all the history books he organized. He rounded the corner and put the trolley beside him as he pushed the ladder over to his side. The tall dark brown shelves hid him from everyone in the library, but as he climbed up the ladder, he could see through the shelves over the books which allowed him to see that King had arrived.

Bone frowned. Wasn't King with Alister? Perhaps, Alister left. Bone pushed the two books in his hand onto the shelf as he continued to follow King. He discovered, to his dismay Alister was indeed still with King when he strode into the library. Bone's skin tingled and gooseflesh rose all over his body even though he was warm. He gripped the ladder and tried not to fall on his butt.

Since the library was always quiet, he clearly heard King ask a bunch of the kids where Bone was. The kids innocently pointed at the history section of the library. Bone panicked. He didn't know whether to stay on the ladder or get off. For some reason, he felt safer on the ladder and decided that he should stay up here out of reach. But he looked foolish on a ladder and decided that he should get down in case they needed something from him. But no one ever needed anything from him. God, his own thoughts tired him a lot lately.

"Bone," King's voice surprised Bone.

He hit his hand on the shelf as he turned and groaned silently. "What?" he responded without thinking.

Alister was right there, so close to Bone, watching as well. He looked like the God of debauchery with his wicked gaze, that smirk on his lips and the way he held himself with a bit too much confidence. Damn it all, this was a library. Alister wasn't allowed here, Bone decided nervously.

"Well, are you coming down?" King asked.

"I'm busy," Bone stayed on the ladder.

King raised a brow. "Alister," he looked to his side, "can you give me a moment with this guy?"

To Bone's surprise, Alister listened and stepped away from them giving his attention to the books on the shelf on the other side.

"Bone, get down from there," King said sternly.

Bone did get down.

"Why are you being weird?" he asked.

Bone hushed his friend's loud-ass voice. "I'm not being weird," he rebuked.

"Okay, so since when did you not want to show off the library to anyone that visits?" King retorted.

Shit. It was true. He loved showing the library to everyone. But it was hard to articulate thoughts when his heart decided to take over and be so flipping loud when he was near Alister.

"I'm just-" he was stumped, "not comfortable."

King's expression fell. "With Alister?" he asked sternly.

Bone didn't know what to say.

"It's okay, Bone," King answered. "You don't need to force yourself if you're not comfortable. I'll handle it." He walked away and Bone heard King take Alister away.

Bone slumped back against the ladder with a weight of disappointment in himself. He was being childish and shouldn't have been rude to King when he came to him for help.

Bone went to search for King and Alister but couldn't find the two. They must have left, he thought.

He returned to the trolley of books and continued putting them away. Just as he reached the encyclopedia section for the remaining textbooks. He saw a dark figure leaning against the shelf with a book open in their hands. It was Alister standing alone with King nowhere to be seen.

Bone froze in his tracks.

Alister noticed him right away and looked up at from underneath those dark lashes. "So, I make you uncomfortable huh," he bemused.

Shit, he heard, Bone inwardly groaned. His grip tightened on the metal handle of the cart.

"Why is that, Bone?" he asked. "Have I done something to offend you?"

Bone mumbled. "Where's King?"

Alister grinned showing his pearly white teeth. He was obviously amused that Bone didn't answer the question.

"He's gone in search of his mate," Alister answered as he looked down at the book. "I don't mind being here alone."

Bone was glad that the trolley of books was between them. "Do you like the library?" he asked.

Alister nodded. "Nothing is more special than a place with books, right?" he replied.

Bone felt a small smile tug at his lips. "I won't bother you then," he said and was about to leave when he forgot about the books on the trolley.

Bone grabbed three books at a time and quickly sorted them out. Thankfully, the books he had weren't the ones from where Alister stood with a book held open in his one big tattooed hand. He noticed that Alister's hand was rugged and scarred, the pale cuts were underneath the dark ink but visible enough. His fingers were long and thick and so was his wrist that had a metal watch strapped to it. Unlike Bone's hands which were lean, bony and pale with no tattoos in sight. As Bone slid the book between the shelf, he remembered that there was only one tattoo on him, that had been scarred into his skin forever...

Suddenly, a chill crawled down his body sending every nerve to stand on guard. Alister stepped behind Bone, his body so close that Bone could feel his heat radiate around him. Bone stiffened and couldn't move even if every nerve in his body told him to run and get away. Bone glanced as he sensed Alister's arms cage him against the shelf. They stood all alone. Bone's back faced Alister, but he could tell that Alister was a lot taller standing this close together.

Bone didn't notice before but he did now. Alister's wolf was violently dominant once it showed its presence, and right now, it was like the wolf was standing with Alister. Bone could feel the hungry eyes of a predator trapping Bone like a target. However, the stark bitter scent had changed from before. There was a warmth to this scent now: darkly spiced oak with the sensual allure of deep whiskey, it was intoxicating as a drug. Bone felt it seep into his skin marking him to remember this scent until his dying breath.

"White roses and books," Alister's hushed voice tickled the nape of Bone's neck. "How can those two scents on you drive me insane?" Bone flinched when he felt the softness of Alister's lips on his neck. "So pure," Alister whispered.

Bone's entire body filled with ice. I'm not pure, he thought as his entire life flashed before his eyes. A cage was where he was born. A cage was where he spent his time. A cage was where he was meant to die. He didn't know why those words drowned his thoughts after such a long time but they had and they made him feel sick. Don't touch me. Don't touch my tainted body. You'll burn.

Bone moved without thinking. Turning on his heels, he shoved Alister back and found himself unable to breathe. But he remembered his roses and where he stood; among the books safe and free.

Alister surprised that someone dared to do that to him. But he didn't say anything. He straightened his suit and took a step back. "I've gotten everything I've ever wanted," he said. "Sometimes with money or killing a few people."

"What does that have to do with me?" Bone asked as he faced those inquiring arctic-blue eyes.

"I want you," Alister stepped closer, "and I'm going to have you one way or another."

"That's not going to happen," Bone said sternly.

Alister smirked wolfishly, those sharp canine teeth exposed.

"Alister," it was King's voice.

Bone stepped to the side and hid his expression from King by pretending to see to the books on the trolley. He didn't know what King said to Alister because Bone wasn't paying attention, but Alister left shortly after with him.

Bone couldn't calm down for the remaining hours he was at the library. He kept himself busy but when the day ended and he had to go home now, he dreaded every step he took.

"Yo, Bone." It was Azura.

"Hello, Azura," he greeted as he stepped onto the porch.

"What's with the doom and gloom?" she asked as she put her cellphone away and faced him with a stern frown.

"It was a long day," he admitted with a weary sigh.

"You want to talk about it?" she offered.

Bone shook his head. "I think I'm just gonna take a hot shower and go to bed," he said.

Azura nodded.

Bone went inside quietly. He knew most of the members would be in the kitchen getting ready for dinner. He just wasn't sure where Alister was in the house. He peeked in the living-room but it was empty apart from Viola and Sabrina chatting over the new the Vogue cover. Bone crept up the stairs and that was when he heard Alister's voice from Gabriel's office. He stopped in front of the door that was kept slightly open. In the dark hall, the golden light from the room spilled out on the floor.

"I haven't spoken to Zero in months," Alister said.

"You're acquainted?" Gabriel asked.

"She visited my pack a while back on one of her missions," Alister told him.

"Do you know why she was there?" King asked.

"She never told me," Alister said.

"That's Zero for you," River was in there too.

"Does anyone know where she is?" Hunter asked.

"Marcello told me..."

Bone snuck away from the door before he heard King's answer and he went to his own room. He wasn't keen on bright lights, so he turned on the lamp by his bed and went to the bathroom. He took out the matches and lit the candles by the sink before he turned the tap to the tub and let the water fill up the marble basin. As he waited, he stripped out of his clothes and stared into his reflection on the huge mirror. The first thing he saw were his blue eyes that were darkened, but the shine of the candle showed his pale skin that was thin against his lean muscles. Burn marks, scars, cuts, gunshot wounds covered every inch of him. Perhaps, he should have listened to King and got tattoos to cover the mess on his body. But even tattoos wouldn't erase the truth.

The water filled to the top of the tub, Bone quickly shut it off and stepped into the hot water. He was engulfed in the warmth that soothed the aches in his body. He closed his eyes letting the flicker of the candles disappear behind his eyelids before he submerged underneath the heavy weight of the water and stayed until his lungs allowed it...

Death was all around him. Bodies piled on top of each other were thrown into the incinerators one by one. People that they considered friends were dead because their only crime was that they didn't fight hard enough.

Bone used his own hands to pick up those bodies and throw them inside the hot ovens. They were cooked until they were reduced to ash, it was as if they weren't even real people in the first place.

Whenever Bone was stationed here, he was already used to the sensation of cold, limp and heavy bodies against his warm skin. The new slaves always had a hard time overcoming the putrid smell of rotting flesh and blood. Bone usually worked harder on those days so the new slaves wouldn't get in trouble for not getting the task done. He made sure all the bodies were thrown into the ovens before the guards returned, because their form of punishment was picking the youngest slave and using him as an example by throwing him into the fire alive. Bone had seen it done way too many times to let it happen again... but sometimes even he couldn't save every child from that fate...

Bone got out of the water gasping for air in his lungs. He wiped his face and pushed his blond hair back. He was in the Centauri manor in his bedroom, all alone, safe and... free of that cold cage.

He lingered in the water until it cooled down. Finishing off, he stepped out of the bathroom after blowing the candles out. He opened the cupboard that had all his matching pyjamas neatly ironed and folded into the drawer. He grabbed the black pair that had white piping- his favourite. He put on his slippers and went downstairs, but he was sure that everyone was already eating dinner in the dining-room. He wasn't hungry and just slipped away into the garage through the door under the stairs.

Turning the light on in the dark room, he closed the door behind him and went outside to fetch some fresh roses. Cutting a dozen of them from the bushes, he gathered the stems in his hand and took them into the garage. He went to the table that had all his supplies and got busy. He cut off the thorns before placing each stem side-by-side on a cloth. Each rose bloomed to perfection. Their petals soft as silk gleamed under the low light of the bulb hanging over him.

Bone didn't know how much time passed...

"It's a nice place to hide. I almost didn't find you-" Bone jolted in surprise and turned finding none other than Alister Black standing inside the garage. "What are you doing here all alone?"

Avoiding you, Bone thought it but didn't say it. "I was tending to my roses," he replied.

Alister closed the space between them and saw the roses on the table. "Why roses?" he asked.

Bone picked up the dark green stem that held the perfectly sprouted rose. "They remind me that maybe this world isn't such a dark place after all," he confessed softly as he stared at the petals. "Here-" Bone held out the rose to Alister- "a gift for visiting the library. And, I'm sorry for treating you that way earlier. I shouldn't have pushed you." His tattooed hand lifted and he gently grabbed the stem with his thumb and fingers. It was strange, but the wicked grin that Alister always had dropped. He was genuinely smiling at the rose, he appeared boyish and young.

"Thank you," Alister said as his blue eyes shifted off the rose onto Bone. He stepped closer, trapping Bone against the table. His hand skimmed the lapel of Bone's shirt before he brushed Bone's clavicle.

Bone froze, he forgot to breathe too. Suddenly, Alister leaned in tilting Bone's head back. Alister's lips brushed his, it was warm and soft. Bone flinched back, gripping onto the table for support. No one touched Bone like this. He was used to the sting of a hot cigarette or the end of a blade across bare skin. He didn't understand the drowning pleasure of Alister's lips against his own. All the fear, the disgust of skin against skin wasn't here. Bone lost himself to this gentle sensation, it was heavenly. Nothing like the way he was used to in the past. His body was his own and not some vessel to abuse. Alister calmly, sweetly touched Bone. No one did that before.

His heart ached... tears streamed down his eyes without realization...

Alister must have noticed because he pulled back and wiped Bone's cheeks. "Why are you crying?" he asked searching Bone for answers but Bone had none.

The tears wouldn't stop and instead grew. "I'm sorry," Bone cried out as he wiped his eyes that wouldn't stop crying. He couldn't even breathe right as he tried to remind himself where he was and what was going on. He was probably freaking Alister out about now, but surprisingly he didn't leave. He stayed close to Bone, his arms still around him.

"Breathe," Alister whispered as he held him gently. "You're not breathing, baby." Bone closed his eyes and tried to move but Alister didn't let him. He laid Bone's head on his shoulder and kept him there until he calmed down and breathed properly.

Bone gave in and slumped against him. He gripped onto his suit's jacket and tried to overcome the cold shivers that broke out all over his body. He used Alister's strength and found a sudden stream of comfort in his scent too.

"You know, no one's given me a rose, kissed me and then started crying before," Alister bemused.

"No one's kissed me before," Bone revealed without thinking.

Alister stiffened and Bone sensed it. "Now I feel like I need to apologize," he remarked.

Bone couldn't help it but he laughed and Alister smiled again.

"Will you walk me to my car?" Alister asked as he stepped back.

Bone felt a flutter of nerves fill his stomach, but he still followed Alister out of the garage to his car. It was dark out and most of the lights were switched off around the territory. The porch light for the manor was the remaining one left on. Bone silently followed behind Alister to the car parked in the same spot since this morning.

The car blinked alive and unlocked the moment Alister was close enough. He stopped in front of the door and opened it.

"Bone," he called out and turned to face him.

"Ye-yes," he stuttered not expecting him to converse again after what happened in the garage.

The muscle in his jaw twitched as his blazing blue eyes appeared almost black in the dark. "Have you sensed it like I have?" he asked.

Sensed what? Bone thought. "What are you talking about?" he asked nervously.

Alister's gaze darkened. He shut the door and closed the space between them, he towered over Bone and his warm scent turned bitter cold in seconds. "You're my mate," he said gravelly.

Bone's blood turned to ice as fate played a cruel joke on him yet again...