Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Roam

OVER THE PAST decades that I was waiting for my mate's return, there was never a moment in my life that I didn't think of her. Her soft lips that used to whisper sweet words in my ear to calm me down, her eyes that spoke more than she could ever utter, her hands that fitted perfectly with mine, and even the tiniest thing about her, it all haunted me even when I was awake. 

She was my nightmare and my sweetest dream, while my love was her calmest sea and the same ocean that drowned her...

With a halfway empty bottle of whisky in my hand, I sat on the edge of the bed and watched her sleep. Her forehead wrinkled and she let out low groans as she dreamed of something, but no matter how much I was trying to convince myself that it's not possible for her to remember it all, I knew her bad dreams were about me.

My hand held the side of her face as I looked at her with raw affection. I waited for so long and each passing day that I was searching the world for her felt like forever. My wolf longed for every inch of my mate, yet now that she's finally arm's reached, my fear would get the best of me most of the time.

I heaved a sigh and pulled my hand away from her before I got back on my feet to walk towards the porch. With my eyes still fixed on my sleeping mate, I jugged the bottle of whiskey and wished the alcohol would somehow do its magic tonight.

But it didn't. In the end, as I sipped the last of my whisky, I found myself wandering in the woods again, trying to ease the heaviness that was suffocating my chest.

As I settled on the edge of the cliff, I let the midnight breeze blow my already disheveled hair. It didn't take long before I felt a familiar man's presence on my side. He handed me a bottle of my favorite whisky with a smirk plastered on his scarred face. 

"Congratulations, motherfucker. You just gave Beaufort more reasons to hunt your ass down," Yzmael said, teasing me. I hate this bloodsucker.

I grabbed the bottle and removed the cap without saying a word but the asshole kept talking. "The bikers are in the South right now, following the tracks I made. Care to say thanks to your old friend who always saves your ass, hmm?"

I glared at him instead. "You owe me enough for me to say thanks."

He whistled. "Five decades and still no character development." He folded his arms and touched his jaw with his fingers. "You'll make a bad hero, 'yah know?"

I shook my head in an irritated way. "I told you to stop hanging out in public libraries just to listen to young girls fangirl over your kind."

Yzmael chuckled. "Why? Scared we're beating your kind in the most desired monster category? " His grin widened as if he's so proud about what he was saying. "I hate to break it to you but we got the Cullens representing us. Who do you got, hmm?"

"Fucker," I hissed.

"I know." He crackled then ran his fingers onto his shoulder-length red hair. "And I just fucked three two hours ago before I sensed your need for another box of whisky. Don't worry. I left it on your doorstep while your girl is sleeping like a baby. Dang, wolfie. Did you suck all her strength?"

I shot him a deadly gaze while my jaw was clenching hard. "Did you come here to ruin my life?"

Yzmael laughed. "Oh, no man. You're too independent." He licked his lower lip while grinning. "You can do it yourself so why would I still bother help?"

My eyes turned gold as it narrowed. "Get the fuck out of here before I twist your neck."

He laughed, louder this time. Instead of following me, he sat on the other rock and inhaled the woody crisp air. "Did her underwears fit?"

My brow cocked. "I swear if I find out that you bought those yourself, I'm gonna--"

"Jesus, of course I didn't. I told you, Zara did." He shook his head while trying not to laugh at my expression. "So how's she coping up? How many times did she scream at your face?"

I sneered. "She nagged at me, not scream... and I don't know which is actually worse." I looked at him as I passed the whisky after pouring some in my mouth. "What's the news? Is Vampire Dada finally back?"

"Let's just say he's still enjoying his holidays." Yzmael crossed his leg over the other in a manly way. "But I didn't come here for him. My birds paid a visit the other day to give me updates. Do you wanna hear the good news or the bad news?"

I rested my elbows on my thighs and looked at him again. "Whichever would not make me want to throw you down this cliff. I'm having a rough day so watch your mouth."

He blew out his cheeks. "I know. Some omegas really got a death wish or something. Did you clean the mess?"

"Of course. Now what's the news?" I asked, getting impatient.

Both of his brows raised as he took in some air. "Well, it's about the Esmeray Pack. Derek lost his leg during the last attack. Your nephew, Shaw would take over the pack this coming full moon. I heard the council had already decided."

I straightened my back and creased my forehead, showing him I was not pleased with what I heard. "And what's the other bad news?"

"He wanted to end the truce you made with Arius."

My fists clenched in fury. "That fucker doesn't really have a brain. How come he's gonna be Alpha? What about my nephew Syd?"

"You know the rules of your people, Roam. It's similar with the vampires. The oldest gets the throne. Just because you were an exception doesn't mean they'll consider Syd, too."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Syd is a better leader. They all know that."

"Yeah, but they know Syd's loyalty belongs to you and it will remain that way no matter how much his father beats him to death."

My expression darkened as I listened to Yzmael. He may be annoying most of the time but he's the one who would always deliver me news about the pack and the vampires. He was one of the very first vampires in history. After being born wolf-less in a lycan family, Yzmael was abused by his pack until Lord Arius Lumiere bought him in the slave market. When Arius became a vampire, Yzmael became one of his victims and who survived the deadly transition. 

I met him during a war and saved him when I realized he never wanted to fight against the lycans because he still honored his roots. That was the beginning of him bugging me. Nonetheless, he was in fact useful since I got forsaken by my own people.

"I'll leave more tracks in the other towns but just in case the secret union finds out I'm just losing them, take the car I kept near the motel and leave. I'm sure Jackson will do everything to find her. He's convinced that you're really after his whole family now that Jem is missing, too." 

The wind blew wilder against my heated cheeks. "I didn't hurt Jissela." My eyes narrowed at him. "Tell that to Arius as well."

"He knows but you better ready your ass once he finds out Jem is missing. He's not gonna stop until he gets to keep her safe from you." He poured some whisky in his mouth then rubbed his palm on his face. "I can't guarantee that I'd be of any help once Arius is back in shape. You know what he's capable of."

I shook my head. "Remind me that once I finally care about him."

"How about you start caring now before he burns the pack's territory?"

"He's not gonna do that and I know Syd will fight for what's right. Him being the Alpha while I'm banished."

He released a heavy sigh. "Listen, Roam. I know you're still worried about your wolf but now that Jem is with you, I think it's time to go back. More than anyone, Syd needs you," Yzmael said, this time in a serious tone. "That kid's been through enough but it doesn't mean he'll survive the death match against his brother."

I grabbed the bottle from his hand and poured some whisky in my mouth. The burning effect never bothered me more than the bitterness I had tasted in life. "It's not safe. She doesn't remember anything yet. You know I can't force her. Besides, I believe in Syd. He's way too strong to lose against Shaw and his men."

"We both know that but maybe bringing her home will trigger her memory."

I smirked, a bitter one. "Which part of the past, Yzmael? That part where I took her life?"

Yzmael's scarlet red eyes soften. "Why? Are you planning to do that again?"

My chest tightened as memories of my mate dying in my arms flashed inside my head. I looked away and clenched my jaw, my words trapped in my throat as fear clawed my heart.

I honestly didn't know how to answer his question...