by Jennise K
“You two can go home for tonight,” Grayson suddenly said, breaking the silence, and I got reminded of Adyl and Fin still present. My cheeks went warmer realising they, too, had witnessed what just happened here.
“If so,” the two echoed together as they bowed somewhere to my side. I nodded blindly, trying to keep my embarrassed blush hidden from them.
“Grandma Liz wants to sleep with Olivia tonight,” Dominic said, clearing his throat as he got up from his former spot on the sofa and slowly made his way towards us.
Instantly, two arms wrapped around my middle, and I sighed as my back collided with the hard chest of my soulmate’s.
“Does she rea—” I stopped when his face blanked, knowing full well that he would be back in a minute or two. “Never mind. She says she’ll bunk in with Prue and Lolette for tonight.”
I sighed.
How long has Romanov invited them for anyway?
~
“Onwards! You young folks are too slow!” Grandma Liz yelled as she walked on the thin damp trail ahead of us.
I panted, pulling the sack of apples tightly over my shoulder. Turning to my right, I sighed happily, seeing River’s face covered in sweat as he struggled with his own apple sack, too. To my left, Michael panted quite loudly as he gave curious glances at the perfectly unaffected and untiring pair of Aby and Jay.
I was glad when Abigail suggested we add Michael into our activity today. The boy sure did need to take a break.
I let out another happy sigh.
It was cruel—feeling happy about seeing River and Michael in such conditions. But it felt better not being the only one sweating like a pig—almost on the verge of dying—walking on this stupid apple farm trail.
Besides, Michael had challenged me on hiking along this trail without giving up once. I could handle my own pain and weak muscles, but to see my opponent doing well would have been a far worse torture.
“I’m definitely going to beat you,” Michael wheezed out as he jumped on his feet, pulling his sack higher on his back.
Despite my lack of functional breathing, I scoffed, increasing my pace in a very foolish but arrogant manner. “Sure you will—to losing the challenge!”
“You guys need to stop.” River groaned, turning to look back at us while he dutifully followed Abigail and Jay.
“I can’t believe you haven’t been here since your early twenties, Mrs. F,” Jay commented from the front of our line, walking right beside Grandma Liz now. On both of his stone-hard shoulders were two sacks of apples.
“I left home as soon as I could. Then Father left me the estate when he passed away, and since I thought I wasn’t going to ever return, I turned it into a tiny live-in attraction.”
“Tiny? So, that’s why we have to live in the outhouse. It’s almost full in the main manor!”
Grandma turned back and smiled brightly. “Alright, I am quite rich, and the business is booming. Happy now?”
“I’m surrounded by rich people,” Michael said and sighed, and I grinned at the exhausted boy.
“My father is an accountant in a bank, and my mother stays at home,” Jaydin replied. My grin widened. I knew this was a bad move on Michael’s part.
“My mother and father are both nurses.” Abigail shrugged, following suit. I didn’t think it was possible, but my grin widened further.
“My dad is a writer, and Mum is the CEO of NXT. That’s one of Britain’s top modelling agency, by the way,” River said next, smiling shyly at the lot of us. The slightly confused expression on his face showed that he was probably wondering what was suddenly going on here.
“My pa owned an apple and a sheep farm, while Ma used to take care of us. They are both dead now. May they rest in peace.” Grandma Liz sighed, probably reliving her early years in her mind.
Go for it, Olivia!
“My dad was a super rich businessman, and Mum was a widely renown neurosurgeon. I, on the other hand, am unemployed and very poor if you only look at my own earned wealth.” I shrugged, glancing at Michael with a soft smile.
“Basically, we are all—except for Gran—poor if you consider it.” Abigail smiled at Michael comfortingly. Of course, she had heard as well.
“Why this sudden conversation, though?” River frowned, his eyes stopping at each one of us before they landed on Jaydin.
Jay shrugged, grinning at the clueless boy. “Thought we should get to know each other better.”
I glanced at Michael again and felt relieved when I saw the small smile playing on his lips. He looked much better than the last time when he had confessed about being bullied. I was also relieved that he hadn’t mentioned being bullied anymore. The dark circles were almost gone now, too.
“That’s it. Place it there! You kids are helpful after all.” Grandma Liz chuckled as she put her own sack of apples in a large cart.
Finally, happy to be free of the back-breaking load, the rest of us quickly followed suit.
~
Afternoons were prettiest in Grandma Liz’s estate. The sky turned into pretty hues of orange, navy blue, and yellow, the sun setting slowly over the horizon. I secretly cherished the peace and beauty of everything around the estate.
It was my first time visiting, and considering Grandma Liz hadn’t been to Germany for years, it was probably her first time visiting in a long time, too.
When Grandma Liz had suddenly sprouted her plans up on everyone the very next morning, I had been a little shocked. I hadn’t even known that Grandma Liz even owned a property here in Berlin. I suppose I couldn’t blame anyone; our conversations about this city had always been nonexistent, after all.
Romanov had taken the news quite badly at first. His hand had gripped my thigh under the table, and I had almost thought he wouldn’t be able to control himself and make a grave mistake. It was quite clear then that Grandma Liz didn’t like werewolves.
By the end of breakfast, Romanov had thankfully bitten his tongue and nodded along with a very excited Grandma Liz on her plans for the coming week. By the end of breakfast, Adyl and Fin were also given a holiday for a week. Abigail and Jaydin thought it was a better idea not to let Grandma Liz see two tall men following me around. She would only get worried and think I was in some sort of danger—which I was, but she didn’t need to know that. The two boys seemed gutted to be left out. Abigail and Jaydin, who had just joined the table for breakfast, were quite content with their one week long “duty” of looking over me.
“How did that fiancé of yours let you come along is still a mystery I’m trying to solve.”
My head snapped towards the voice, and I smiled at Grandma Liz as she lowered herself to the wooden floor of the veranda. Her eyes took in the scenery, and she smiled.
“I’d forgotten just how beautiful the sunsets were here.” Grandma Liz sighed dreamily as she took in the slowly changing view. I turned my attention towards the sunset, too. It truly was soothing.
“Does that fiancé of yours control you all the time?” Grandma Liz spoke up in the silence.
I shrugged. “He doesn’t necessarily make me do anything I don’t want to do. I guess he just has a big say on anything related to me. Like I have on anything related to him.”
“I still see no bling-bling. You sure you two serious?”
I smiled. “Bling-bling? Really, Gran? Where did you pick that up from? There is no bling-bling yet.”
“If this guy knocks you up and leaves you, I’m coming for his entire existence. I’m warning you.”
This time, I couldn’t hold it in. I let the loud laugh escape, falling over my grandma as I held on to her and dissolved into fits of laughter.
“I’m serious.” Gran sighed as she patted my back. I was sure she was rolling her eyes as well, and that made me laugh harder.
“I understand.” I coughed between the laughter, noticing the dusk bring in the very first signs of a chilly breeze.
“It’s been two days, though, and the kid hasn’t even called you. A little strang
e for his shadow personality, I say.” Grandma Liz sighed as I let go of her and settled back on my spot, looking at the quickly darkening skies.
“Gran, have I ever told you you’re very judgemental?” I chuckled. Truthfully, I was slightly hurt that she was actually right. Romanov hadn’t even texted, too.
“Everyone is judgemental, dear. The difference comes when some judge silently, and the others judge quite loudly.”
“You’re right, though. He hasn’t texted or called.” I sighed. It felt lighter telling Grandma Liz what had been silently bugging me for the past two days. Romanov was clingy; it was in his DNA. And it was discomforting not hearing anything from him; I kinda liked him being clingy.
“Maybe the kid just wants you to have fun without him being clingy and texting you all the time,” Grandma Liz replied softly, her arm coming around my back and pulling me close. I sighed thankfully at the comforting gesture.
“But I like him being clingy.” I sighed sadly, leaning my head on Grandma Liz’s shoulder. I had a feeling I was throwing a bit of a teenage tantrum, but I knew just telling Gran would make me feel better.
Gran let out a laugh, patting my arm as she nodded. “Don’t let the kid know that. I have a feeling there is a whole new level of clinginess he can ascend to.”
I felt myself pout at that. I suppose Grandma Liz was right. Romanov could turn into a whole new level of scary possessiveness and clinginess; I’d witnessed that the first time we had sex.
Slowly, I nodded. “I think you’re right.”
“What are you two beautiful ladies doing here outside?” River grinned as he and the others walked towards the house, bags of what we knew were food from the mansion in their hands.
“Enjoying the night sky.” I smiled at River just as he reached us and settled himself beside me, placing his arm around my shoulders.
“Ah yes, it is pretty.” River grinned, his eyes on me.
“She has a fiancé, River. You’ve missed your chance, kiddo,” Grandma Liz responded in a dry tone. I couldn’t help but grin.
“My twenty, please?” Michael smirked as he extended his hand towards River.
“Told you she wouldn’t pick you over Romanov.” Jaydin chuckled as he and an equally amused Abigail sat themselves beside Grandma Liz.
“You’ve failed me, Gran.” River sighed dramatically as he reached into his pocket and brought out a twenty.
Michael grinned as he grabbed the twenty and settled beside River. Abigail let out a dreamy sigh as she smiled at the night sky.
“The stars are clearer here in the countryside.”
Grandma Liz nodded beside me.
“‘The prettiest views to soothe an aching heart,’ my pa always used to say.”
~
“You sure you don’t want to stay a little longer?” Michael asked from the couch.
I shook my head, smiling tiredly at the boy. “I think I’ll pass out on the couch if I stay any longer. You guys enjoy the movie, though! Night, guys!”
“Goodnight, Olli.” Jay grinned cheekily as he sent a wave my way.
I shook my head at the guy sitting happily with his arm around Abigail. The boy had come a long way.
Then I slowly turned towards the stairs.
I really did want to stay longer and finish the movie, but reality seemed more on the heavier side, reminding me exactly how tired I was with every frequent yawn that escaped from of my mouth.
I knew if I had stayed there any longer, I would have really passed out half dead for the whole world to see. And truthfully, falling asleep in public places was one of my many fears. The rest included the fear of heights over water, lizards, and travelling in planes, but no one needed to know them, just like no one needed to know this one. Fears were always better kept secret—well, until someone eventually found out, anyway.
The floorboards creaked under my feet as I made my way up the stairs and towards the room I had been sleeping in for the past two nights. The muffled sound coming from the downstairs TV made me smile when I heard the rest of my friends laugh at something that happened in the movie.
The dark stained door of my room soon came into view, and I found myself taking longer strides to reach it quicker. The handle felt cold against my palm as I held the brass knob and pushed the door open with a twist.
Walking into the dark room, my hand found the light switch just as something crashed into me, lifting me from my feet and against the now closed door. A pair of lips found my neck in a frenzy of licks and smacks, and I couldn’t help but moan as my fingers found the wavy strands of hair of my beast.
“Rome,” I said breathily as his lips moved closer to mine and his hands moved desperately over my skin, feeling, touching as he held me up against the door.
“Livia,” Romanov growled as he ripped at my shirt, completely tearing it apart. “I miss you.”
Another moan slipped from my lips as I felt him lower me back onto the floor and slowly pull down my sweatpants and undergarment. “So so much.”
Chapter 27
Lullabies.
Each night—slowly and softly until the three hearts steady.
Every chorus, every word filled with love. With tenderness, I’ve only so newly come to feel.
My children. Two in each bed and the third in my womb. My garden’s fruits. A garden I’ve so tenderly nurtured for the past three springs.
A love that keeps growing each day, a tiny life that keeps breathing each day from my womb. My womb. My husband. My children.
Was this not what I had dreamt of? What I had cried each night for?
– EL
Consciousness first washed over me early in the darkest moments of the morning. I’d been disoriented, especially since I hadn’t been able to sleep. Romanov had made sure of that.
Lying there on the bed, Romanov’s heavy arm around my middle, last night’s memories had flashed in my mind. The stinging discomfort between my legs only made my blush a shade deeper.
It hadn’t taken very long for me to decide on getting out. Romanov was on an unconscious mission to suffocate me with his strong body, and I really didn’t need the added pressure on my begging bladder.
It was how the next hour and a half found me—freshly peed, showered, and brushed. I made my way out of the bathroom and back into the silent room. The sun was almost about to make an appearance outside. The birds had already begun to sing.
Walking further into the silent room, I glanced at the man sprawled over the bed. I knew he was awake. His golden eyes glowed at me from under the pillow he had placed over his face.
One of my eyebrows cocked up when the hand that was until that moment hidden shot out of the quilt and motioned me to come closer.
“Come here,” Romanov grumbled, and I couldn’t help but laugh at how childlike his demand sounded.
I snuck a quick glance outside. It was getting brighter by the passing minute, and I was sure Grandma Liz would be up and twirling very soon, knocking on everyone’s doors. Still, I walked towards Romanov with a smile. To have such a large, strong alpha king demand something in such a childlike manner wasn’t something that anyone could resist. Especially this particular alpha king.
Releasing a knowing sigh, I took my last step towards the bed. It wasn’t a surprise when as soon as the fabric of the bedding touched my thighs, Romanov’s still extended hand swung towards mine and pulled me on the bed. I fell face-first onto the hard mattress, a muffled groan slipping from my lips.
The bridge of my nose hurt. I groaned as I lifted my head slowly, stopping when I realised I was in Romanov’s direct line of sight. I blinked, drinking in his golden animalistic orbs that looked at me from the shadow the pillow over Romanov’s face provided.
“Don’t look so pretty.”
My eyes widened. Suddenly, I began to feel a little worried. Romanov was behaving quite differently since he’d woken up. It piqued my curiosity, but I managed to quench it just enough to give him a quick response.
“Wh
at? Why?”
Romanov’s golden eyes blinked, and I found my fingers silently reaching up to his hidden face.
His glowing eyes flickered towards my fingers before he turned his gaze back to my face.
“I don’t know how to not to be jealous having other men see how beautiful you are.”
My heart melted.
“You shouldn’t spend too much of your attention on those men, though,” I whispered as I poked my index finger at his cheeks.
“Why?” Romanov challenged, poking his head out of the pillow.
Reaching forward, I tapped his nose. My smile brightened when his hand shot up and grasped mine, keeping my finger on his skin.
“You won’t see me looking at other men.”
Romanov’s golden eyes stared into my bland brown ones, his grip on my wrist not once loosening. He didn’t say anything, and I didn’t demand him to. Just having his golden eyes on mine, just having both his beast and him present, just having the luxury of being with him like this, carefree and without the shadows of Edika looming over us was something I treasured.
Who knew when we would get a chance like this? Who knew when I’d have another life-threatening attack? Being Romanov’s soulmate, being with him meant I was walking every day on a very thin glass. When the glass would break and I’d fall—I didn’t know. But I did know that being in Romanov’s arms, I felt safer than I’d ever felt. His arms were my asylum. And even if I did die…I’d gather every minute that I could spend with him.
The calm knock on the door was expected. The sun had risen already, after all. Grandma Liz was once again alive and jumping for another day. It was only natural she demanded we wake up and smell the fresh air as what she had done the previous mornings too.
“Come down, the both of you,” she cackled as her knuckles rapped against the wooden door again, and I found myself freezing in my steps.
My head snapped towards an amused-looking Romanov, and I asked, flabbergasted. “‘The both of you? She knows?!”
Irritatingly, Romanov only grinned as he tidied the quilt nicely before straightening to his full height. “You weren’t exactly quiet last night.”