by Jennise K
I felt my face flush with embarrassment, and immediately, I turned around and made a move towards the bed.
“What are you doing?” Romanov frowned as he watched me from his spot.
“I’m not going out there.” I shrugged as I slumped down on the bed.
Immediately, Romanov began making his way to me, and I found my body tense, ready to fight the man off.
I lost the instant his hands found my bottom and picked me up. My arm automatically hooked around his neck while my legs wrapped around his hip.
“I don’t like you very much right now,” I grumbled as I tightened my hold around his neck and did my best to hide my face against his still naked chest. I could feel his many scars, that I had come to cherish brush against my skin. I hugged Romanov closer as I silently said a prayer of thanks for keeping this man alive and healthy while we hadn’t met.
The walk down the stairs and through the living room was exactly what I had always imagined a walk of shame to be like except this felt a hundred times more embarrassing, considering the conversation downstairs didn’t stop for a second while I was carried out right before everyone’s eyes. The fact that they had collectively acted like nothing was out of the ordinary made it all the more mortifying. But a part of me was grateful, too.
It was still quite chilly outside despite the sun already painting the skies with yellow streaks. Romanov strolled out towards his large and black Jeep conspicuously parked right in front of the house’s porch. He didn’t even try to hide it.
The boot of the vehicle opened with a push upwards, and I shifted along as I reached forward and grasped the small backpack before closing the boot down. Turning around, he moved back towards the house’s entrance, and I found myself hiding my face against his chest again, readying myself for another round of the walk of shame.
“Morning, Alpha,” Jaydin acknowledged my mate lightly as we walked back into the living room, bringing up his toast in a salute.
An awkward cough or two sounded around the room, and Romanov chuckled against me, not once halting in his stride. I almost wondered if I could hit him right now and survive without retaining any damage.
“Morning, Jaydin,” Romanov yelled just as he took his first step up the stairs.
“Do you want to die?” I whispered threateningly at the alpha king.
Romanov only laughed harder.
~
“What do you do for a living, boy?”
I watched the green blur of trees that lined the highway while it continued to rain outside. In the front passenger’s seat, Grandma Liz turned to eye Romanov for the hundredth time, and I found myself feeling slightly sorry for him. Grandma Liz could be a little overbearing.
“I’m in the public service business,” Romanov replied casually. This piqued my interest. I would have thought that Romanov would explain a bit more and try to impress my gran, but he did none of that.
His true intention hit me when Grandma Liz responded, and I found myself marvelling at his tact.
“Public service? You don’t look smart enough to be a doctor.” Grandma Liz scoffed as she straightened in her seat, obviously waiting for him to say his real job.
“Co-founder and managing partner of the multinational law firm Naight & Murphy, amongst other things, at your service.”
The silence that followed after was inevitable. There was too much on Romanov’s plate, to be honest. Then there were his father’s businesses, too. It made me wonder if there were any middle class alpha kings around the globe?
I almost shook my head. Maybe not. After all, they did have a whole kingdom to take care of.
“Amongst what other things?”
I could just see Grandma Liz frowning. Her wild curiosity sometimes could outmatch that of a child’s. However, it was still calming to know that she did secretly like Romanov despite her crude behaviour at face value.
“I also inherited my father’s businesses.”
“Speaking of inheriting your father’s businesses, you should pay more attention to yours too, Olivia. You’re the only one left!” Grandma Liz reproached as she turned in her seat and looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
I knew she was right. I had been secretly neglecting my father’s hard-earned business and properties. I’d always known there would come a time when I’d have to handle them on my own—without being in the shadows. And that time seemed to be approaching fast now.
“I know,” I mumbled, my tone betraying my emotions.
Grandma Liz nodded, seeming content with my reaction. “Well, as long as you’re aware, you’ll find yourself fulfilling your responsibilities soon.”
I didn’t have to reply, but I did. For the first time in years, I was seeing clearly when it came to taking up on my responsibilities. I nodded. “I will.”
Romanov’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, and I smiled at him comfortingly.
I was majoring in writing right now. I was even going to graduate soon. Then I would have to study business, too. I knew the ropes around the businesses; it was something I’d grown up learning, but this world was cruel, and to have qualifications printed on paper was more valuable than having it etched on the calluses of one’s hand.
It was comforting knowing that I’d have Romanov beside me, though. I knew I could do well. In fact, I would do just fine, but with Romanov, every bit of success would feel a hundred times grander.
“We’re here,” Romanov mumbled as we rounded through the castle gateway.
I braced myself. This was it. The veil of fantasy I had covered myself with for the past few days slipped further and further off me as we drew closer to the castle. The dazzling night filled with the full moon’s light was coming to a stop; the day was approaching. And it was time to face the heat.
“How does it feel like living in a castle, Olivia?” Grandma Liz asked as we got out of the car. My eyes touched the tall, bright, but sad-looking tower situated on the far-right side of the castle, and I found myself shrugging.
“The constant fear of getting lost in the endless amounts of corridors and halls here always occupies a large part of my mind, to be honest.”
“So you are always scared of getting lost, simply put. That’s what you mean, right?” Gran chuckled as she dragged her suitcase behind her. Behind her, I grinned. Romanov’s arm found my shoulder as we walked through the threshold, and I felt at ease as he leant in closer.
“Your grandma is pretty feisty.”
My grin widened. “Such a modest understatement.”
“It’s colder here!” Abigail exclaimed from behind us as she got out of Jaydin’s car as well.
Turning around, Romanov and I grinned at the group rubbing their arms in the chill as we continued walking through the main door of the castle.
Immediately, warmth enveloped us with loving hands, and I sighed against Romanov, noticing his arms tightening around me. He glanced down at me as if to check if I was feeling fine being here again, and I looked back at him with a calm smile on my lips.
Right now, he was worried more than I was. And right now, I remained calm because he wasn’t. On days when I couldn’t be calm, I knew he would be calm for me then, too.
“Master Romanov!” Orik exclaimed as he strode towards us, his form almost jumping as he walked excitedly.
“Madame Olivia!” He beamed at me as he bowed a little. I raised an eyebrow up in amusement.
Since when did Orik go around bowing?
“Madame Elizabeth,” Orik spoke most reverently before proceeding to bow down the lowest.
My eyes widened at the scene before me. Was Orik…No way.
My head snapped from Grandma Liz’s amused face to Orik’s blushing one, and I suddenly saw the world in a very new light.
No way…
Beside me, Jaydin turned towards Abigail and bowed down low too, his hand blindly grasping hers. “Madame Abigail,” he purred, bowing in an exaggerated manner, and I couldn’t help but burst out laughing and immediately regr
etting it as I began to cough.
Immediately, five pairs of hands found my back, patting it as I tried to regain my state. Straightening back up, I smiled at an amused-looking Michael before turning to my gran.
“Orik, why don’t you walk Gran to the room. Her luggage is quite heavy.” I nodded at the suitcase. Grandma Liz’s eyes widened, but Orik was quick to act. His ever-willing hands shot forward and almost snatched the suitcase from the woman and began walking up the stairs. Grandma looked at me, bewildered, while I just shrugged.
The remaining group of us watched the scene unfold with ridiculous grins on our faces.
“I never knew Orik had such taste in…his love life.”
“You can never know anyone enough.” Michael nodded, his eyes on the departing duo, still.
~
“There’s activity at Redanward?”
We were in Romanov’s office, and he was on a call with someone, settling himself on his large leather chair. I, on the other hand, snuggled into the comforts of the sofa, my eyes fluttering from Dominic to Grayson, then to Romanov’s blank face.
I didn’t exactly know what they were talking about, but the air in the study was too heavy not to take seriously.
“There’re rumours that he is back.” Gray nodded, leaning forward.
Dominic followed his motion, nodding. “You know he’ll want his title back if he returns.”
Title…back? I frowned. What was going on here?
“We’ll let him show himself when he’s ready. You’ve both studied how he was.” Romanov’s reply only made me all the more curious.
How was who?
“I can’t believe this is happening.” Grayson groaned as he brought his hand up and uncharacteristically began pulling at his hair. He kept doing this until he stopped himself from doing his own form of self-torture.
“We always knew this day would come.” Dom sighed before he turned to look at Romanov.
“Now all we can do is wait and see.” Romanov nodded.
~
“What’s happening in Redanward?”
It was hours after I had heard the conversation, but the heavy feeling in my chest refused to leave. I’d tried rationalising the idea of the matter not being any of my business. I’d even tried filling my time with things that would help keep the thought out of my mind. But I just couldn’t let go of it.
“Redanward?” Romanov repeated the name of the estate slowly, his question almost sounding like a whisper. I shuffled closer, now all the more curious.
“Yes, Redanward estate. Aby was assigned the estate as her project. She switched though,” I mumbled, frowning when Abigail’s reasons came swimming back into my memory.
“He’s trying to come out, Livy.”
“Redanward was included in the project?” Romanov frowned, bringing his fingers to pinch the bridge of his nose. He wasn’t exactly helping me understand the issue, although from Abigail’s past stories, I was starting to get the gist of the situation.
I nodded, but my mind kept travelling to the girl who was currently at the estate. I frowned. Why was she still there? Didn’t she get scared?
“So, when Abigail switched, another girl took her spot, right?”
I nodded again.
“Maybe she’s the reason…”
Then everything became clear to me.
“So, it’s true? This two-hundred-year-old man has popped out of the portrait and now he’s ready to take over the world?” I cocked an eyebrow up, realising how stupid my description sounded to his ears.
“Adam is crazy.” Romanov shrugged. I frowned. He seemed very out of character ever since the news of the portrait man had gotten out.
“Huh?”
Romanov shifted to face me on the sofa, his lips pursed in seriousness as he leaned forward and grasped both my hands with his own. “Adam was the first of us, black beasts—the very first to evolve through genetic mutation. He was the leader of the enforcers, something like the ultimate protectors for us wolves. When he was alive, he was crazy. He would be smiling and joking away the day, and then suddenly, he’d snap, and you’d forget he was the same man smiling back at you just a second ago. Adam wasn’t someone any of the zlphas liked to mess with. I don’t think even the kings liked to cross his path.”
“Protectors?” I frowned.
Romanov’s eyes gleamed. “From the rebellion and humans.”
I felt the colour drain out of my face. How had I not figured it out? Of course, there would be rebels. Of course, humans would want to infiltrate into this part of the world.
“We were told that he was a smuggler. How did he get into the portrait anyway?”
This time, Romanov shook his head, bringing his fingers to brush the wave of his hair back. Leaning forward, his arms slipped around me, and I felt myself being pulled forward onto his lap. His lips found the shell of my ear, and I shivered as his warm breath hit my cold sensitive skin.
“That no one knows.”
I shook my head. My curiosity with this situation was getting bigger and bigger. It was hilarious, though, if my own situation was considered. I had hell on my hands, and here I was still bothered about someone else’s mess. My eyes shot up as I remembered the real reason for coming to Romanov’s office in the first place.
I turned on Romanov’s lap until his nose gazed my cheeks.
“Hey, Rome?”
“Hmm?”
“I was wondering…I want to meet the man.”
A strained expression appeared on Romanov’s face, and I sighed. Of course he’d already known.
“I want to meet the man who got caught talking about me and my family’s death.”
Chapter 28
Life is so: a great tribulation.
There are few who truly wish one well. Many walk the lands with a sweet tongue, giving hands, and a black heart. Rose-like faces and smiles like the cool summer breeze, but actually venomous.
Venomous. Evil. Deadly.
– EL
I hated this place—the dungeon.
I could still remember the last time I had come here. The stench of wolfsbane still hung in the air as I found myself walking in deeper into the darker parts of the dungeon.
A single light bulb hung in the middle of the cell, swinging slowly despite the absence of a breeze in the dungeon. I was sure there weren’t even any windows here. As I walked closer to the cell, the blurry outline of a person sprawled in a lump in the middle of the cell slowly became clearer and clearer.
“Amaleen, you finally decided to visit.”
I froze. The weak croak of the man didn’t fool me into missing the chilly taunt his tone held. After all, I knew this voice. How could I forget?
“D—dad?”
A deep chuckle rung around the room, hitting the dead, cold walls and cutting straight through my heart. I flinched as the figure slowly got up, the sickly yellow light of the light bulb finally hitting his features. I gasped.
“You were always a bright girl, Amaleen.”
“But—but you’re—”
“Dead?” The man—my father—snorted, his filth-covered face making my heart ache. I took a step forward, and his eyes gleamed. The tip of his tongue slipped out and licked his dry lips in anticipation like he knew my next actions. Immediately, a pair of hands pulled me back.
Romanov.
Instantly, a chuckle filled the silence, and my father hauled to his feet, taking a seat on the wooden chair placed in the cell beside a broken bed.
“I am dead, girl.”
I frowned.
He chuckled again. “Legally dead.”
I didn’t understand. I’d heard people say that it only takes one second for someone’s life to change. I’d never really thought I’d experience it firsthand. Suddenly, I didn’t know what was happening. After seeing my father chuckling like he didn’t care about a single thing, I wondered if all the memories I had of my past that kept me warm during winter, all the memories that helped me go on—were they a
ll wrong? Were they all a figment of my imagination?
I blinked. The tears I didn’t know had formed fell from my eyes and onto the damp floor. I felt the arms around me tighten, comforting me.
“Y-you were the one who said you knew who was trying to kill everyone and I survived? D-dad…how?” My eyes ran over my father as I tried to see any signs of physical abuse. My heart felt like it was about to burst open. It hurt so much. I made a move towards the cell again, not knowing what I wanted to do.
“Stop being foolish, Amaleen. That was just to get your mate’s attention.” My father rolled his eyes as he slumped further into his seat. His hair, which was usually elaborately styled, now clung over his sweaty forehead with dirt.
Dad’s alive. Dad is here…Why did he hide? Why doesn’t he…Why is he…
“Why?” The broken voice that asked the question sounded so foreign to my ears. Had I really asked that question? Was I really facing my father? Did I even know the truth anymore? Did I even want to know?
“Why? Why not? The businesses belonged to your mother! I was your grandfather’s personal assistant. She wasn’t the prettiest bird out there, but I thought she was nice enough. Too nice, too nice for the business. She was better off cutting into people’s brains. I thought I could handle it better, so I married her, hoping the old man would hand me over the businesses. But instead, he willed everything to your mother! Your grandfather died, and your mum became more aware of the business. I tried to convince her to leave it all to me, but the woman wouldn’t budge! Then Elizabeth came along, and the woman’s interest finally stepped down. I was happy. There was hope. Then you came along. You were a premature baby. Gave us a big scare. We took care of you a lot, always careful with you. I thought everything was good. I’d handle the business, and she’d handle you girls. But your mother was always a sentimental fool. She kept saying you needed more protection. I didn’t think the woman would fucking will everything to you! Her seven-year-old child! I had spent years handling the business! Years! Do you have any idea how many hours there are in a year? I spent years! Years and my wife gave everything to you and not me!”