Roman POV:“Marvin,” I said without looking up when he walked into my office two days after his bold move to usurp my throne. “What are you doing here?”“At least tell me to have a seat,” he snapped back, not caring who it was he was speaking with. I raised my head then and regarded him with a cool look. “What if I don't want to?”He frowned, muttered something under his breath, and took a seat. “You're being stubborn, Rome.”My expression didn't change. “How so?”“Don't you dare play coy with me,” he growled. “You're not fit for this role, and I'm literally giving you an opportunity to step down so you can go be with your mate. That's what you've always wanted, yes? To be free of the shackles our father put you in.”I raised a brow. “It’s interesting how you know that, Marve. Have you been having heartfelt chats with that man?” “Oh, I have.” He smirked at me. “I've also heard how much of a failure you are compared to me. You've never been able to hold a candle to my successes, Roma
Audrey POV:“Why didn't you let me smack her on the head, Miss Audrey?” Michal spat angrily when Tanya had disappeared from our sight. I sighed, dropping her hand and indicating that she had quieten since we were in the library. “She's not the kind of person you want to anger, Michal.”My bodyguard grimaced. “She's not the kind of person I want to breathe around either, but I have had to accommodate idiots over the years, and she won't be the last of them.” I giggled in spite of the situation. “No, no, Michal. Let her be. She's not worth it at all. Besides, I'm the Alpha's mate. It wouldn't do for me to make a scene in a place like this.” She eased up when she heard that, but the scowl remained on her face, and she folded her arms. “That heifer definitely doesn't understand manners. How could she have announced your wedding just like that? Does she have no sense of decorum?”‘She once did,’ I thought to myself, ‘But she’s given up since she was pushed to the background.’ I momenta
Audrey POV: “I want to go for therapy,” I said out of the blue. We were still in my room, Roman twirling my hair absentmindedly as I lounged in his arms. I’d woken up from yet another nightmare, and he’d soothed me till the major effects of fright had worn off. He paused when I said that, then turned to me. “Therapy?” he repeated, as though he had heard me well before. I nodded. “I think it’d be best for me to go after our wedding, so I can find out how to sort out these nightmares once and for all.” He gave me a worried look. “I like that you’re thinking ahead love, but…the nearest rehab center is at the human civilization. I’m not comfortable with letting you go-” “I’ll be fine, Roman,” I interjected, cupping his cheek. “It’s not like I’m someone highly recognized by the humans. Besides, I don’t plan to draw any attention to myself.” “Your beauty is enough to draw attention,” he said adamantly, and I chuckled inwardly. “Apart from that, therapy is not a one-time thing, wh
Audrey POV: Wanda had a lot of beautiful dresses, sincerely, but I was still fuming at my mate, and my mind wasn’t exactly set on a dress. So, when she brought out one in my favorite color, I accepted it and thanked her for her time, before retiring to my room. A wedding? I was still confused about it. When did Roman come to the conclusion to get us married, and without telling me, in fact? I was his mate, for crying out loud. Yes, I liked him taking charge of things, but we were talking about a lifelong commitment here. What exactly was he thinking, choosing to gloss over such an important conversation? I pondered upon the situation, facing the open window. Something didn’t add up. He couldn’t have just come up with that on a whim. And it infuriated me that I had no idea what was going on in his mind. “Patience, Audrey,” I said to myself. “You’ll get your answers soon, don’t worry.” So, I waited patiently for Roman in my room, bored as hell but unable to do anything else sinc
Audrey POV: I played around with the food on my plate, thinking back to my earlier conversation with Roman. “Miss Audrey.” Had I done something wrong? Perhaps I had said something that vexed him? “Miss Audrey?” I thought back on the conversation, trying to find any pinpoints. Well, I’d asked what had happened, but it wasn’t something that could hurt him, right? “Miss Audrey? Can you hear me?” I gasped, my cutlery causing a clattering sound on the plate. Was it because I had refused to do what he wanted? Had I made him feel- “Miss Audrey!” I jumped, startled at the loud call and the hand that had touched my shoulder, then calmed when I realized it was Paul. “Oh, hey. What’s up?” He looked worried. “I’ve called you like…four times now. Is everything alright, ma’am?” “Oh.” I laughed lightly. I couldn’t tell him that I was wondering if his Alpha had pushed me away because I’d refused to be intimate with him for a moment. “It’s nothing, Paul. I was just lost in thought for
Roman POV: I stared into Audrey’s worried eyes, knowing I wouldn’t be able to tell her what was going on, as much as I wanted to. So, I pulled away from her, every fibre of my being hating my action as her face fell. “Roman?” “I’d like to be alone now,” I said quietly, looking away from her so I didn’t see her sad expression. “Please.” She reached for me again, but I shook her off, giving her a much stricter look. “Audrey. Alone.” I was such a fucked-up being. She opened her mouth to speak, but quietened, nodding slowly and standing, before leaving, my eyes following her movements, closing when the door shut behind her. Through the bond, I felt her despair, and something in me broke. But I couldn’t let her know what was going on. The implication was too great for her to handle. The phone rang again, just like I knew it would, and I answered the call immediately. “Lance.” “This is bad, Roman,” he said, forgoing greetings. “I’m putting my pack on lockdown right now, but the o