CHAPTER 004

Roman POV:

“What are you doing?”

I looked up from the file I was poring over, surprised that I’d been so engrossed I hadn't heard Julian come in.

After the argument we had the other day, it'd taken a while, but we'd finally made up.

“Glossing through some files.”

He folded his arms and inclined his head to the side. “It looks like you're doing a lot more than glossing to me. You didn’t even hear me walk in.”

I snorted and closed the document. “Well, I was glossing intently through those files.”

“Mm-hmm. Those files wouldn’t happen to be related to the rogue case, would they?”

“...well.”

He plopped down on a nearby chair. “That's supposed to be my job, but okay.”

“I had the time,” I responded, but even I knew that was a lie. I just needed to do something.

“Right. What do you have?”

“Just like Pascal said during the last meeting, these attacks are well thought out. As though the rogues know exactly when they're supposed to attack, and how they're to move when they do.”

“True.”

I nodded at his reply, satisfied that he understood. “Then it must be because someone among them knows the routine of our pack. Knows exactly when and where our weakest links are.” I indicated the file at that moment.

“Most times, it’s only someone who's compromised that can do this. I do not think it is someone who's lived in this pack all their lives. So, I'm checking to see who has left this place in the past few years, and has just returned.”

“If there truly is a spy among us, I'm not taking any risk. Man, woman, teenager- we have to screen every returnee.”

“That’s a good plan. I had something similar in mind, and had actually come to you to explain. But I couldn't have said it better. It’s a very good plan.”

“Of course it is. I thought of it.” I bared my teeth in a smile to which he responded with an eyeroll and a rare smile.

We worked in silence, and I continued to scroll through the file, my nose scrunched up. Suddenly, I stumbled upon a name, and my eyes widened.

“Gatrix-Hill had a daughter?”

Julian looked up from his phone, confusion initially evident in his expression. Then he raised a brow. “Isn't that the person you're getting married to?”

“No. That's Tanya.” I stared at the lady’s picture. She seemed familiar, somehow. “This one's name is Audrey.”

He had a blank look on his face. “I once heard that he did. Didn't bother to verify.”

“Interesting.” My eyes didn't- couldn't- leave the picture, for some odd reason. “She looks nothing like her sister.”

He hummed. “Now that I think about it, I did hear one time that someone left the pack for the human civilization. That was years ago though, and…well, it could be her.” He shrugged and went back to his phone.

My eyes glided across the page. “She just returned. This afternoon, in fact.”

Hearing that, he glanced at me again. “Just after the rogue attack last night? Well, that's awfully convenient.”

He was right. That was awfully convenient.

I studied the lady's photo once more, and subconsciously brushed it with a thumb, suddenly filled with the desire to know her more. Then I snapped back to my senses.

What was wrong with me? I was engaged to her sister!

Immediately the thought seemed to wrap around my neck like a noose, and I got to my feet, catching Julian's attention. “What's the matter?”

“I need to go for a run. Take care of things till I get back.”

His black eyes regarded me, and I had the feeling he could read my mind. “Be careful.”

I snorted and made for the door. “I always am.”

I nodded at the people baring their necks to me as I passed, patting some of the children's heads- the only positive expression of love I allowed myself to show before the members of the pack.

Father had taught me to be ruthless. Cold. My mother had died immediately after my birth, he said, on her bed. He’d come to pick me from the nurse’s arms later that night. And though I was his bastard son, I was his only heir, so he kept trying to make me as heartless as possible such that I wouldn't waver in the face of adversity.

I'd done my best to live up to that, except I always crumbled when it came to love.

I'd never known it.

I craved it like a drug, and for years I'd sought for my mate, wanting to share that emotion with her and only her. I wanted to do everything my father had never done for my mother for her, and love her like mine had never been loved.

“Alpha.”

I paused, hearing the familiar voice, and lifted my head.

Tanya Hill stood before me, glowing and looking every bit like the kind of woman I wanted to rule beside me.

I might not have my mate, but I had her. And she was enough.

I grinned when I saw her, admiring the way the sun lightened up her hair. “Tanya. How are you?”

She beamed. “I'm alright, Alpha. I hope you're okay too.”

“I'm very well. And I've told you before, call me Roman.”

A blush formed on her face. “Well, I…Roman.”

She was really beautiful.

“It’s fortunate that I saw you here,” she continued with a smile. “I was going to visit your quarters later to discuss the wedding outfits with you. Mother has had this beautiful royal blue gown arranged for me, so I thought it would be amazing if we matched. What do you think?”

“Whatever you wish. You'd look exquisite in anything.”

A brief picture of that lady I'd seen in the file flashed through my mind, dressed in the most beautiful blue gown I'd ever seen.

What in the love of Luna-

“Are you okay with wearing a blue suit?”

I blinked. Tanya had an expectant look on her face.

What was wrong with me?

“Roman?”

She was enough.

“Yes,” I breathed, focusing on her. “I am.”

The smile on her face somehow got even brighter. “You’d look really handsome in it, I’m sure. Well, um…that's all I wanted to find out. I'll be on my way now Roman.”

I nodded, watching her as she walked away, before continuing to the woods. I really needed a run.