by Jennise K
“I’ll say sorry if you do too,” I said.
Romanov stiffened, and his hands immediately found mine—keeping them attached to his chest. His dark, surprised eyes blinked once, twice before they narrowed. “Why do I have to say sorry?”
“For being mad at me when you didn’t even tell me you had Dom and Grayson over.”
“She was crying, and I didn’t know how to handle her alone,” Romanov growled darkly, his narrowed eyes now shining liquid gold.
“You could have woken me up,” I mumbled back softly. Romanov’s hand tightened around mine. I noticed his temperature increase crazily fast. Then suddenly, he was burning.
“I wanted you to rest.”
I sighed. I guess he was not going to hear to reason.
“I’m sorry.”
My eyes snapped to his, and Romanov’s jaw tightened.
“I just—you’re mine,” he said.
Then he finally snapped and slowly pressed his hot forehead against mine. I closed my eyes and felt him close, his warm breath on my lips.
“I’m sorry I forgot how revealing my clothes were,” I said. My breath hitched in my throat when Romanov’s warm lips brushed against my slightly cold ones.
His lips brushed against mine for the second time, and I shuddered when he pulled away and turned his attention to somewhere else, dipping his lips lower to the crook of my neck.
“Emerald green, by the way, is my favourite colour,” he whispered, his breath tickling my skin.
I shivered against his whisper. His hand left mine, and I stayed still as he slowly twirled my hair to the other side, revealing his favourite spot, and pressed an open-mouthed kiss on his mark.
“Isabelle!” I suddenly exclaimed.
Romanov paused, and I cringed. I was pretty sure I was already beetroot red.
“What?”
“M-My best friend Isabelle? She’s flying from L-London today. I have to pick her up by noon!”
“It’s almost eleven forty-five.”
“Shite.”
“More like late, but sure, whatever.”
Looking up at Romanov, I almost smiled in spite of his sarcastic reply. What have I done to receive such an amazing guy? I couldn’t help it. My hands moved around his neck, and I pulled him down, meeting his lips halfway.
It wasn’t long before I found myself moving out of his arms and towards the closet door. Getting to Isabelle was equally as important as kissing my hot mate.
~
Rushing down the stairs, my car keys dangling from my right hand and my purse dancing from the other, I stopped only when I reached the living room.
All three men sat on the sofa, while Letty settled happily on Romanov’s lap and held onto Grayson’s fingers. Dominic, on the other hand, sat opposite them, trying to carry out a mission every girl was normally an expert in, in real life: secretly taking photos of people around them.
As I walked closer, with a smirk on my face, Dominic’s eyes turned to mine. He winked mischievously, and I grinned. Reaching Romanov, I leaned down and pressed a warm kiss on Letty’s forehead, and at once, her hand found my cheeks.
“Olli’s got to go pick Aunt Issy Belle now, darling. Olli will be back in a bit, okay?” I cooed as I placed another kiss on her forehead. Still smiling, I made a move to turn away, but I stopped. I turned back around and sunk my fingers into Romanov’s hair, pressing a kiss on his forehead too.
Letty’s happy laughter rang around the room, and I grinned at how amused she seemed. Meanwhile, Romanov watched me with a very new look in his eyes. Slowly, he turned away from me and turned towards Dom.
“Dominic, accompany Olivia to the airport, please,” he commanded.
Dominic was happy to oblige. As he stood and made his way outside, he smiled at me in an approving way. I shook my head and followed him. Issy was waiting.
~
“Livy, you’re late! But oh my gosh, Berlin is beautiful!”
I sighed, cursing myself for the hundredth time as Dominic took another turn. It was typical Isabelle. She thought Berlin was beautiful, and all she’d seen so far was the airport.
“I know, Issy. I’m sorry I didn’t get your text on time!”
Isabelle seemed to sigh on the other side of the line before she replied, “It’s okay. I’m in a restaurant opposite the airport, getting takeaways. You want something?”
“Yeah, chicken. Anything with chicken. We’ll be there in five minutes!”
I ended our call, excited to finally see my best friend once more. I turned towards Dominic, who was oddly silent. “We will be there b—hey, are you okay?”
Clearly distracted, Dominic took some time to reply and turned towards me. “Huh? Yes, sorry, just remembered somebody I once knew.”
I frowned.
Somebody he once knew?
Minutes passed before Dominic finally pulled in front of the restaurant, and I smiled catching sight of Isabelle at once in her all-white outfit, her deep brown hair flying over her face.
Seated between a couple of what looked like bandaged nine-year-old boys, she seemed to be having fun as they all shared a meal together right there on a bench outside the restaurant.
The car stopped, and I got out, immediately walking side by side with Dominic as we made our way towards her.
“She seems nice,” he supplied lamely, and I giggled.
“She is nice,” I replied, patting him on his arm.
Of course, Isabelle was nice. Circumstances around her had never been favourable, and instead of reacting, she had decided to be nice instead.
We walked towards her when one of the tiny boys said something, and throwing her head back, Isabelle let out a laugh. I smiled at the sight of my best friend having the time of her life.
Recovering from the laugh, her eyes caught mine, and she instantly jolted up, waving her hands, with a large grin on her face.
“No…”
I froze.
What now?
Instantly, my head turned to Dominic’s, and my eyes widened with surprise when he had stopped walking.
His eyes were fixed on Isabelle like he’d seen a ghost and his hands were clenched into fists. But what shocked me the most was what he said next.
“Emily?”
~
Isabelle.
I first met my long-time best friend back in nursery.
Seated on a swing, away from everyone else, she seemed down, and I had always been one to brighten moods.
I remember walking up to her, insisting that she scoot to the left—much like a bully, I now realize—and plopping myself on the other half of her swing. I’d offered her one of my spare chocolate bars—I was obsessed with chocolates—and the moment she had held onto the bar with a small smile on her lips and her eyes gleaming bright with unspoken gratitude, I knew we would be friends for a very long time.
A decade and six years had passed since then, and we had been through everything together—fights, tears, losses, heartbreaks, and failing grades.
Isabelle had never been to America. I had never been to America. Then—I turned to face Dominic again—then how could Dominic call her by his ex-soulmate’s name?
My eyes moved down to his fisted hands, and I sighed before grabbing hold of it. Instantly, his blazing golden eyes snapped to mine.
“That’s Emily!” he said, turning his head in Isabelle’s direction.
I shook my head. “No, Dom, I kn—”
“Hi!”
Two pairs of eyes snapped towards a smiling Isabelle, and I felt Dominic’s fists tighten underneath my hand.
Letting go of Dom, I pulled Isabelle into a hug and, pulling away, turned towards Dominic again, a soft yet unsettled smile on my face. His face was set in stone as he continued to glare at Isabelle.
“Issy—” I turned to my best friend then inclined my body towards Dominic “—this is Dominic.”
Then I turned towards Isabelle. “And Dom, this is my best friend of sixteen years, Isabelle.”
<
br /> “Hey!” Isabelle smiled brightly, extending her hand towards Dom. He stiffened, his eyes moving from her hand to her face.
And then, catching both Isabelle and me by surprise, Dominic quickly began moving towards Isabelle’s pile of luggage, completely ignoring her.
“I’ll just pack all that in the trunk,” Dominic muttered over his shoulder as he continued to walk away.
Isabelle turned to me with an embarrassed look, her cheeks rosy red. “Reckon hot boyfriend Dominic doesn’t like me then?”
An amused smile broke into my face, and I shook my head. “He isn’t my boyfriend. Dominic doesn’t date—” I stopped when I noticed a glitter of interest in Isabelle’s green eyes. My smile turned into a smirk. “I can see it, Issy. You always fall for the complicated ones.”
Isabelle gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. “That is so not true!”
I rolled my eyes, my smirk getting wider. “Sure, it isn’t.”
“You ladies ready?” Dominic asked.
Both Isabelle and I jumped up in surprise, Dominic’s blazing gold eyes remained glued on mine as he stood with his back deliberately turned towards Isabelle.
Suddenly feeling very serious, I nodded. This was a serious matter.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
~
It seemed like years before we finally drove into Prue’s driveway. The drive had been silent and unbearably awkward. Dominic refused to talk at all, and Isabelle had been too absorbed in observing Dominic’s silence to continue chattering.
I, on the other hand, spent the ride wondering if Isabelle and Dominic were soulmates. Maybe. Maybe there was still a way for them?
Moments later, my car now parked and with Isabelle’s luggage in our hands, we slowly walked into the house, wondering why it was so quiet.
Closing the front door behind us, we dumped Isabelle’s luggage beside the sofa, and both Isabelle and I proceeded to slump down on it. Dominic, on the other hand, was quick to leave our sight and stormed towards the kitchen.
Loud thumps sounded around the house announced Romanov’s entrance.
Romanov stopped in his stride, his blazing eyes on mine. I made a face, knowing it had taken us longer than it was supposed to and that he was probably mad because of that.
“Sexy, angry, young man seems mad at you. Who is he?” Issy inquired.
Sighing, I broke contact with the person in question and turned towards Isabelle, her eyes bright with interest and her face filled with unspoken questions. “Romanov.”
Getting up, I slowly made my way towards Romanov and stopped just in front of him.
“Upset?” I whispered and gave him a lopsided smile.
Romanov’s eyes narrowed dangerously before he reached out and grabbed me by one hand, and pulled me into his chest.
“Damn it, answer your calls next time,” Romanov grumbled, his warm lips moving against my hair. I smiled and pressed myself deeper into his hug as I nodded.
“I will. I’m sorry.”
“Hey, Alph—WOWZARANZER!”
I cringed. Grayson’s loud exclamation was clearly directed towards Isabelle. Giving him a sideways glance while still being held by Romanov, I watched as he openly stared at Isabelle with obvious interest while holding Letty cradled against him, his grin feral with the canines of his teeth sharp and shining white.
Isabelle watched him with a slight look of apprehension, and just as Grayson was going to take a step towards her, Dominic walked back into the room and let out a low growl. Instantly, everyone, except for Romanov, froze.
“Not yours, Gray. Not yours,” Dominic warned, his golden eyes blazing at Grayson.
A spark of hope lit in my chest, and I smiled.
There might still be a chance for them.
Maybe they were soulmates.
~
Tiny golden fireflies swirled around the backyard, harmonizing perfectly with the tiny lights decorating the trees, adding to the magic in the air.
The hot mug of tea sat on the armrest beside me as I continued to look at nature’s silent nightlife unfolding before me.
Something about the night was so soothing. Above in the moonless sky, tiny diamonds littered the black canvas, creating a piece of wondrous art, while down here on earth, the fireflies with their flickering lights illuminated the backyard, creating a magical atmosphere.
“Hey, Olivia?”
Moving my eyes away from the glowing bugs, I turned towards an equally silent Isabelle, who had a mug of hot black tea in her hand, too. “Hmm?”
Her eyes slowly moved to mine, and I blinked in surprise when I noticed that she seemed upset.
“Is there something wrong with my face?”
“What?” I mumbled back lamely, unable to comprehend why she would ask such a question.
Isabelle sighed before she brought her mug to her lips, took a sip then looked away. “It’s just…the way Dominic looks at me, and then ignores me…makes me think something is…wrong.”
I couldn’t help but sigh in response. Reaching forward, I patted her hand. Her eyes twinkled in amusement.
“Issy, this isn’t what you’re here for. You’re not here to wallow and overthink things, okay? You’re not here to feel like shite about yourself. Don’t worry, there is no Juliana here!”
At the mention of her mother’s name, she smiled.
I chuckled and, pulling back a serious face, continued. “Just let it go, Issy. Have fun and enjoy Berlin! Have an open mind! Because in new countries, you never know what can happen,” I told her, giving her a wink, which made Issy giggle.
“You don’t want to be in my position, my dear Issy,” I said melodramatically, which drew out a loud laughter from her.
“You kill me, Olivia. ‘My dear Issy?’ Seriously?” she asked, laughing her heart out and almost falling off her chair.
At least she had ridden herself of what’d been bothering her. I smiled and continued. “Yes. Anyway, the castle I’m living in right now is actually haunted. And the ghost? Well, it wants my blood. Better live each day to the fullest, right?”
A heavy silence settled in the night air. I took another sip of the tea, wondering if telling Isabelle had been a little too soon.
However, a quick glance at Isabelle’s way made all my thoughts stop.
“So, you finally believe, huh?” she asked, sounding somehow relieved about it.
I frowned, confused about her reaction. “Believe? Finally? What do you mean?”
“Remember back in class seven when I was absent from school for a week?” Isabelle murmured, moving closer, her knuckles now white from holding the cup.
My frown deepened. “Yeah?”
Isabelle moved her hand forward and turned her hand, so I could see her wrist. She opened her palm, the pads of her fingers pink, blue, and green veins mapping out her whole palm and wrist. In its midst, I noticed three long white scars running from the centre of her palm all the way up to the middle of her arm.
“It wasn’t really a bear.”
I blinked, dread already spreading in my chest, rooting itself in the pit of my stomach.
“Then what was it?” I managed to whisper, praying it wasn’t what I thought she meant.
Isabelle’s serious green eyes bore into my brown ones before slowly, she smiled sadly.
“My cousin Lance.”
My jaw fell ajar. “What?”
I knew Lance. I had met him a handful of times at Isabelle’s. The image of the tall rugby player flashed in my mind, and I tried to make sense of what new species Isabelle was going to introduce to me.
“Lance is a—” Isabelle stopped, her eyes quickly darting to mine, trying to gauge my reaction before proceeding. “And please don’t freak out, but Lance is a…werewolf.”
I blinked and did not reply. Isabelle seemed to take my response wrongly. Her whole body immediately froze before she moved forward and held mine in hers.
“I swear, Livy. They are real! I promise! When this happened—” she
showed me the scar again, and I felt my lips purse, “it was his first time—changing, I mean—and he apologised. He still does. That’s why he acts like my bodyguard all the time. At first, I thought I needed to get myself into a mental health facility, but he begged me I wasn’t crazy. And eventually, I believed him.”
I sighed, putting the cup of tea on the hand rest. “So, you know about werewolves?”
This time, Isabelle was the one to blink. With her eyes wide, she whispered, “You know about them?”
Looking out into the darkness, I nodded.
I didn’t know how much I should tell Isabelle. This part of me wanted to tell her everything, but then the other part of me wanted to protect Romanov and everyone else. I didn’t even know if Romanov wanted this information out to a lot of people. After all, this was not my secret to tell.
“How?” Isabelle whispered again, her voice an octave higher with her curiosity.
“Because all the men in the house are wolves.”
Both Isabelle and I turned, our eyes snapping towards the patio door. Romanov’s eyes was on mine as he moved out into the patio and slowly came to sit beside me.
A loud gasp ripped through the silence, and I cringed when Isabelle spoke next. “You’re her mate, aren’t you? Lance’s mate is Lucy, the girl who lives next door to me.”
Beside me, Romanov paused before he nodded. “Alpha King Romanov Naight at your—”
“Alpha King!” Issy exclaimed.
“Will you keep it down, Issy!” I hissed, not entirely comfortable with the volume of her voice. The night had an awful lot of ears and eyes.
Isabelle cringed, her eyes darting from Romanov to me, and apologised. “Sorry!”
This time, Romanov turned towards me, “Since the discussion is over, I suggest we now get inside, as tomorrow, we’ll head back to the castle.”
My eyes widened, and I shifted in my seat to face Romanov completely. Sensing that we might need some privacy, Isabelle quickly rushed back inside and, waving her empty mug in the air, yelled, “Need another cup of tea!”
The patio door closed with a soft click, and I looked up at Romanov. “Everything has been so…good here. Why can’t we just stay?”
Romanov seemed to hesitate before his hand found mine, the pad of his thumb rubbing soothing circles on the back of my wrist.