Chapter 22 Markus I tried not to growl as Rose and I exited the hospital . Amalie was spiraling and I was charged with babysitting duty . Cal got to stay and calm Ama down . He got picked and I had to leave with Rose . It wasn't fair ! I should be there with them . She was my mate too . " Mommy be okay ? " Rose asked , her voice barely even a whisper . She was waking beside me . If I hadn't been a werewolf , I would have missed her question . I stopped walking and so did Rose . Kneeling down so I was closer to her eye level , I stated , " Your mom is so strong . She will be okay . It just might take time . " Rose launched herself into my arms and started to cry . " Hey , hey , it's going to be okay . She loves you so much and will be okay , " I tried to sooth as I picked up Rose . She snuggled into my neck and wrapped her arms around my neck . " Want mommy better , " she whispered . " I know Rosebud , " I said as I hugged her . " Hey , how about we go get a present for your mom ? " " Present ? " she asked in confusion . I had to bite a growl for a different reason now . This was not the first time , and I highly doubt that it would be the last time , that Rose became confused at a term that we used . I wanted to go demand how Thomas , Marie , and Mellisa could have such a sweet girl and abuse her . I would have to attribute Rose's good behavior to Amalie's love and parenting skills . " A present is an item or something for a person . We can go pick out flowers or something for her ? " I offered Rose . " Something pretty ? " Rose asked , hope shining in her eyes " Something very pretty . Something as pretty as your mom , " I tickled Rose's belly . She let out a giggle as we continued to walk . Okay , a plan . I could do this . Ama wanted me to watch Rose because Rose is important to her . Ama was stuck in the hospital and Calyx was needed there . I was needed here with Rose . I was needed to watch , entertain , protect , and take care of Rose for now as Ama couldn't . " Let's go to the flower shop ? " " Shop full flowers ? " Rose asked in awe . square , " It's a big shop that is so full of flowers , " I told her . I took off towards the center of town . On our main there is a couple that own's the Rustic Florist . I walked the few blocks from the pack hospital to the center of town . I walked into the shop with Rose still in my arms . The smell of flowers was slightly overpowering . " Hi , welcome to the Rustic Florist , " Vickie said from where she worked the counter . Vickie looked up from her book . She was in her thirties . Her and her mate , Jimmy , ran the shop as well as the both of them being warriors . Whoever said warriors couldn't have a soft side had never met Vickie and Jimmy . They would beat someone seven ways from Sunday and then start professing their love to each other . Sometimes they would 1/3 start talking about how much they loved each other in training and other times ; it was on the battlefield . It was very cute in a sickening way . " Hi Vic , " I smiled as I adjusted Rose . " Hey Alpha , what can I do for you ? " Vickie asked with a smile . " Well , Rosebud and I need to pick out flowers for her mom , " I said as I tried to get Rose to look at the flowers . " She's in the hospital at the moment . " " Ooh , special lady , " she teased as she set aside her book that she had been reading . " She is , " I smiled , finally able to coax Rose to look around . " You found your mate ? " Vickie asked , excitement lacing her tone . " We did , " I confirmed . " I know that there was rumors flying around when you and Calyx took over the pack . But we had hoped ! " she shouted in excitement . " I need to send out a message to everyone ! " " Wait ! " I shouted , fear tinging my tone . Calyx and I did not want to confirm rumors until we had time to talk with Ama . I watched Vickie give pause and Rose jump in my arms . " Sorry , I didn't mean to shout , " I apologized . " Cal and I need to talk with Rose's mother a little bit before we make the official announcement . We're hoping to make the announcement by Friday . " " That's four days away . Fine , I can live with that , " she huffed playfully . " Alright , let's get back to business . Flowers for a pretty lady from her beautiful daughter and strong mates . " She got out from behind the counter and started to move around the shop . " Miss Rose , what color does you mom like ? " " Green ? " Rose asked . " Any other colors ? " Vickie asked as she picked out greenery to fill in the bouquet . " Blue , " she said with more confidence . " Hang on , let's go to the back and make a bouquet , " Vickie said as she was not finding what she wanted . " Jim ! I need you to run the shop ! " " Busy darling , " Jimmy shouted from the back room . Vickie huffed and stormed into the back . She came back dragging Jimmy into the front room . " I need to help the Alpha , and you need to run the front . " " Alpha ? " Jimmy asked me in confusion as he looked between us and his mate . " Hi , we're just picking out flowers , " I tried to dismiss . 2/3 " Nope , we are making a hand - crafted bouquet from the two of you for your mate , " Vickie laughed as she walked into the back room . She had a pronounced pep in her step as bounded into work shop . " Well , you better follow her , " Jimmy sighed with a fond smile as he watched his mate . I just nodded and followed her into the back . Rose was snuggled into my arms as she finally started to look around the shop . " Okay , let's get to work , " she smiled excitedly . 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