by Jennise K
He took a deep breath in as he broke the kiss and slowly released the breath before he placed a peck on my lips, sealing it. My eyes widened when his fingers found my cheeks, and he wiped away the tears I didn’t even know I had shed.
“You can continue, Sebastian. Thank you for coming by at this hour,” Romanov murmured as he rested his forehead on mine.
“I am one of the pack doctors, after all, Your Highness. It’s my duty.”
“Dr. Lucian—” All eyes snapped to Grayson as he tried to school his expression. His eyes found the floor before slowly he looked back up. “How bad is it?”
A low growl left Romanov’s chest, then he turned back to me and pressed his forehead on mine again, slowly peppering tiny kisses on my temple and cheeks.
“It’s not as bad as it must feel. Thankfully, because of the royal mate bond, everything will be back to its normal appearance and function in a day or two.”
Romanov pressed a kiss on the edge of my lips, and I sighed again, enjoying the tingles.
“Grayson, can you have Finnigan and Adyl from your special security team attached to Olivia from now on?”
Everyone in the room froze. Romanov’s sudden words helped a frown settle again on my face.
“Alpha…”
Romanov cut Dominic with his hand up and said calmly, “If one can hurt another, then the other can also retaliate. That is the general way of things.”
Dominic cleared his throat just as Dr. Lucian finally finished bandaging my hand. His eyes now turned to Romanov.
“That’s correct. There must be a way to defend the queen, Alpha.”
I sighed. Everything suddenly felt too exhausting. I was getting tired of being chased by Edika. I was getting tired of almost being fatally injured or dying!
I tilted my head to the side, eyeing Romanov for a second before reaching and grasping his arm. Immediately, he looked down. His eyes held a silent questioning and alarmed look.
“I—err—I’ll go see what’s for dinner now!” Dominic suddenly cleared his throat loudly and began moving towards the large door of the room.
Grayson looked on as Dom fled before he nodded to himself and turned towards us again. Without making eye contact, he let out an awkward laugh. “I’ll get going too. Need to find Adyl.”
“I’ll be here the instant you need me. Since Olivia is fine, I’ll take your leave.” Dr Lucian cleared his throat as well, straightening his dark trench coat.
“Thank you, Dr Lucian,” I mumbled, smiling at him gratefully.
“It’s nothing. After all, it is my duty.” Dr Lucian smiled brightly before moving towards the door himself.
The click of the door shutting close echoed around the large, suddenly silent room.
“Let go.”
My eyes snapped up, Romanov’s dark pools peered into mine, his expression unreadable.
Slowly, my grip on his arm loosened.
I watched as he stood up instantly, his back facing me as he walked towards a large black leather chair and stopped.
My eyes widened when he suddenly pulled his sweatshirt off.
My gaze traced the silver lining of the scar from the car accident that ran angrily across his strong back, glistening under the light, contrasting with his slightly bronzed skin.
Having folded and placed the clothing on the chair, Romanov then turned back towards me.
I lay still while he made his way over, stopping near the edge of the bed before leaning down and getting in.
He moved closer until my right hand pressed against his hard torso, and I sighed, instantly feeling relaxed even just by the tiny bit of contact.
“Can I hold you? Or does it hurt to—”
“It doesn’t hurt when you’re near,” I mumbled out, cutting him off slightly. Dr. Lucian had said it. Somehow, the mate bond worked in the very mysterious of ways.
Silence fell over the room again.
I felt Romanov’s gaze on me for a second before his arm wrapped around my waist.
“What if it leaves a scar?” I whispered, knowing quite well about the tears that were now slowly beginning to pour down.
The impact of everything that had happened tonight was finally getting to me. It felt like a weight was suddenly released from my chest, and now I was finally letting someone see the load, see how much it had damaged my heart.
I was afraid of Edika—of death, or—even if I survived—of being only but a scarred mate, never good enough for Romanov.
“Then it will leave a scar. What’s the problem?”
I turned my face to look at him but then looked away, my face burning when I found his eyes watching me.
Silence one again settled in the room, and I felt myself sigh as I felt Romanov’s arm around my waist tighten, his fingers lightly touching the hem of my shirt.
“Rome?”
Romanov let out a breath as he snuggled his nose closer to my cheek.
“Hmm?”
“Back there…in the fire…for a second I didn’t know if I was going to make it. I heard her laugh. It felt like death—” I stopped when a low growl rumbled from Romanov’s chest. My good hand covered his arm, and I waited for a second before I continued.
“Back there…in that moment, I didn’t know anything. Everything felt like it was coming to a halting end. In that moment, I realised how much more I still had to do. And how much I have not done yet. I could have died there. But if I had, my biggest regret would have been that I’d never get to tell you—”
“Olivia, you should really just sl—”
“I love you, Beasty.”
~
Morning glided into the room through the swaying sheer curtains. Cold air swirled around with the light, tickling my bare arm into hurrying under the blanket. The sounds of the birds beginning their day slowly filled the air with a beautiful music.
And as the dark, silent touch of sleep slowly began retreating, I began to notice the scent of the morning smoke from chimneys drifting in with the wind.
Rubbing the back of my hand over my eyes, I peeked an eye open, groaning as I realised it was still fairly dark outside. The weight of the solid arm around my middle heightened as Romanov tightened his grip and dragged himself closer. I smiled as he snuggled his face into my neck and sighed.
My wounded arm was slowly beginning to sting, and I gritted down a groan each time the pain got worse. Suddenly, I wasn’t really pleased with being awake anymore. My eyes scoured the room before turning to the table on my bedside. It couldn’t be helped; I had to take the painkillers again. It had been eight hours already.
I dragged myself into a sitting position, sighing when Romanov growled in his sleep, and tore out two painkillers before gulping them down with a large glass of water placed by my bed.
It didn’t take too long—and I was grateful—before I began sinking right back into sleep’s dark arms. The pain faded slowly, and the sense of calm settled back into its place. Suddenly, I wasn’t afraid or hurt. I was just sleeping.
~
The first beam of light hit me right in the face, and I groaned as I turned away, immediately noticing the absence of a warm solid chest.
Romanov.
My eyes tore open, and I blinked crazily, trying to see where he was. I sighed in relief when I saw Romanov still sleeping soundly—on the other edge of the bed.
My arm had gotten better, and I smiled, glad to know of Dr. Lucian’s expertise. I then slowly dragged myself towards Romanov, stopping only at a palm’s distance from him.
I slowly took him in with my eyes—from the dark strands of his hair to his eyebrows, to his straight sharp nose, to his long thick eyelashes that I envied, to his cheeks—I could see where he had a pimple lately, the scar gradually fading—to his lips, chapped and dry from the chilly morning air.
This was my soulmate.
He wasn’t normal. Neither was he perfect, but he was always there. He protected me and he cared.
This was my soulmate. And I…I loved him.<
br />
I smiled as I eyed his jaw, the growing stubble quite evident now in the morning light.
As if sensing me near him, Romanov’s arm shot forward and he pulled me close. My smile broke into a grin as I rested my wounded arm over his, hugging him back while he buried his face into my chest.
“Stop staring. You’re making my cheeks burn,” Romanov grumbled into my tank top, and I couldn’t help but giggle.
“Good morning.” I chuckled as I ran the fingers of my good hand through his hair.
Romanov’s arm around me tightened, and he sighed.
“Sleep.”
~
The next time consciousness found me, the sun was up in the sky again and there was so much more hustle and bustle in the air than just the scent of smoke from the chimneys.
Where’s Romanov?
My eyes snapped open just as I shot up in bed, staring at the room.
What time is it?
A throat cleared somewhere to my left, and my head snapped towards the sound before I let out a sigh of relief.
Romanov stood by the sofa, his hand working on fixing his tie as he looked at me with a concerned face.
“Good morning,” he commented as he raised an eyebrow up in question.
“What time is it?” I mumbled, already beginning to shift out of bed.
Wait.
I stopped, my head snapping towards my wounded arm.
“It’s eight in the morning. Your wound is fine now.” Romanov’s voice was calm, quite the opposite of how my heart felt at the sound of fine.
Steadying myself for pain, I nervously brought up two of my fingers and tapped the bandage lightly.
My eyes widened when I felt nothing. This time, I smacked the bandage a little harder.
Still, no pain.
My eyes wide, I grasped the bandage by the edge and unwrapped it as quickly as I could.
“No scar,” I said. It was unbelievable. There was no scar. None at all. No dark blob or an angry red strike. Just normal skin.
From the corner of my eye, I sensed Romanov beginning to make his way around the bed towards me. He stood in front of me, leaned forward, and braced his hands on the bed, his face just in front of mine.
I blinked.
“There aren’t any scars, so I think you should get out of bed and freshen up, right?”
Right. I probably look like I’ve been lost in the Amazon for a year.
Don’t speak. Don’t speak.
Bringing up both my hands up in an “okay” sign, I nodded, hoping he would accept that and go back to standing.
An amused smile settled on Romanov’s lips as he took in my reaction before suddenly leaning in and pecking my lips. “You’re so cute.”
I blinked. And Romanov’s smile widened before he caressed my wild hair away from my cheeks. “Okay. I’m going to go sit on the sofa now.”
I nodded again, and Romanov chuckled, looking at me with an amused expression for a long second before moving around the bed again and settling on the sofa.
Oh my God…
In one go, I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding in, blinking dumbly before shuffling out of the bed and sprinting towards the bathroom door.
Romanov was acting very differently today.
By the time I was done brushing, I decided on washing my hair. The smoke and muck from last night was definitely something I wanted gone, which made me wonder. I was lousy and dirty from the fire last night, and yet Romanov slept beside me.
That made me smile. “Cute.”
Stepping under the shower, I let out a sigh of relief at being alive. I’d never considered the importance of life before Mum and Dad had passed away. I’d always thought that if I died, I’d die. That’s it. No great deal.
But after Mum and Dad, my sister Liz and my brother-in-law, River’s near-death experience, and the scare with Jaydin, and personally escaping death more than twice, I was suddenly grateful at being able to breathe and walk and love for another day.
The shampoo washed down with the water, sliding down my back and down to the tiles. Once all the shampoo was gone, I began lathering in the conditioner, and I sighed as I turned to face away from the shower, watching the water droplets slide down the foggy glass as I continued thinking.
I knew with no doubt that Edika was real. I’d just escaped her grasp last night. I didn’t even know how many more times I’d have to escape from her claws. There was no game plan. But I did know that I’d try my hardest to escape.
I wasn’t ready to die yet. I wouldn’t just accept it just because that’s what she wanted. I sure as bloody hell wasn’t going to.
Yesterday might have been a nightmare, but today was a new day, and I had a life to live to the fullest.
~
Walking out of the closet, my hair parted in the middle and pulled back into a messy ponytail, I sighed as I held the cold knob of the door in my hand.
After everything that had happened yesterday, everyone around me was probably weakened emotionally. Everyone was probably afraid, nervous for the future and frightened for mine—for their alpha king’s and their own.
After everything that had happened yesterday, I had to be strong. I had to smile so that seeing me smile, they could find the strength to smile, too.
It would be all right. As long as we breathed and believed, it would be all right.
The door opened with a twist, and I walked out into the room with a smile on my face.
Immediately, Romanov’s face turned towards me, and he stood up, striding forward to meet me halfway. The flat of my palm found his chest, and I felt the nervous beat of my heart calm down as I felt his steady thumps.
“Are you okay?”
I lifted my head and smiled at him and his concerned, crooked brows. His worried frown made me want to hug him and never let go. Instead, I nodded, still smiling brightly at him.
“As long as you’re right here,” I replied sincerely, placing another hand over his chest.
His hands found mine, and Romanov smiled as he squeezed my hands comfortingly. “You’re going to have to take me to the dentist soon if you continue being this sweet.”
I couldn’t help but let out a laugh at that.
Walking down the stairs and into the main living room, I stopped in my steps at the sight of everyone who were gathered around, some seated and others, standing. I noticed there were two fresh faces amongst the close-knit group.
I stayed close to Romanov as he pulled me closer into the middle of the room, his hand now protectively holding me around the waist.
“Livia, these are Finnigan and Adyl. They will be your protectors everywhere you go when I’m not around.”
I looked first at the extremely tall, dark haired man first. His piercings and tattoos that covered his body reminded me very much of an abstract painting. I noticed a dimple on each cheek when the guy smiled and bowed, the thin silver snakebite piercing on his lips shining in the light.
“Your Majesty, I’m Finnigan. It’s an honour.”
I felt myself blush, and I moved closer to Romanov. “Your Majesty” was still something that felt really weird to my ears, especially when it was directed to me.
I smiled at Finnigan and replied, “Thank you for helping me.”
The second man stepped forward, and my eyes snapped wide open at the sight of his familiar features which I’d come to know all too well. I was staring at him as much as he was staring at me.
Romani. Gypsy blood.
I knew all the telltale signs—the pitch-black hair, golden skin, the pierced ears. His light grey eyes, however, cut through his whole appearance like a shard of glass.
Special Romani.
He extended his hand forward, and I took it, our eyes still connected. Pompy always did mention not to break eye contact with a gifted Romani.
“The curtains are still covering the whole picture. Take them off.”
“What do you mean?” Romanov’s loud gruff voice asked as his arms
slipped around my middle and pulled me back, breaking me away from the handshake not-too-subtly.
The man, who was probably Adyl, blinked as his attention turned to Romanov, and he smiled, bowing slightly. “Oh, just nonsense, Alpha. Apologies.”
His gaze found mine again, and I bit back a gasp when I saw light flash in his eyes. His smile brightened slightly at my recognition. “It’s an honour, Your Majesty. I’m Adyl.”
“Thank you for helping me, Adyl.”
“I serve to be able to help, Ma’am.” Adyl bowed again slightly before he took a step back and stood beside Finnigan.
My eyes moved to everyone else standing behind Adyl and Finnigan, and suddenly, I grinned.
The mantra “be stronger for them” repeated in my mind as I tapped my palm on Romanov’s hold and broke away, walking calmly into Marsha and Aunt Meryl’s joined embrace. Both their hands caressed my hair, and I held them, smiling while they sniffled quietly.
At the beginning of this year, although I was probably a thousand times safer than I currently was, and I was probably one of the humans who didn’t know about this whole new world, I didn’t have these many people caring about me.
Now, I felt like I had a dozen more family members ready to fawn over me.
Suddenly, I felt sad. I missed Letty.
“You all right, dear?” Aunt Meryl sniffled again as she finally moved back, her hand still holding me, and Marsha moved back as well to see my response.
I nodded solemnly. “Yes, I’m good! Now you two wipe those tears. I’m hungry. Let’s go eat something!”
Seeing me rub my tummy, Marsha shook her head as she chuckled and turned towards Aunt Meryl. “I suppose we should get headed to the kitchen then, shouldn’t we, Meryl?”
Aunt Meryl sent me a wink, and she told Marsha, “I’ll make some chocolate banana pancakes. Let’s go, Marsha! Sophia, dear! Rose!”
Turning my gaze towards the two girls, I smiled brightly at both the waving pair of Sophia and Rose. I watched them walk away with Marsha and Aunt Meryl.
Seeing an entry, Grayson and Dominic sneaked in beside me and put their arms around me, pulling me in an embrace as they walked towards Romanov, who thankfully looked calm. It was surprising. He even looked almost relieved as he watched me interacting with the boys while we were walking towards him.