LOGINSOLANA Nigel nursed the glass of water I'd given him a few minutes ago. We were all seated in Roman's study with the door wide open. He'd insisted on it. Apparently, he wanted to make sure no one could eavesdrop. His hands were shaking so badly, Roman had to take the water from him and place it on the desk. Then he handed him what looked like a stress ball. I watched as a flash of surprise crossed his features, and even his shoulders seemed to loosen."Remember how you used to give it to me whenever I was fussing?" Roman asked, and a smile touched Nigel's lips.He blinked several times as though he was trying so hard to hold back his tears."It's okay, Nigel. We'll wait for you. You don't have to push yourself too hard," I said to him, and he nodded, lowering his gaze.Slowly, he released a breath, squeezing the ball."I found my mate not too long ago," he said, and my eyes widened. I wanted to be excited for him. But he clearly did not look happy. Even in the slightest bit."
SOLANA I woke up to the smell of lilies. Roman wasn't in bed either. So, I went over to the bathroom for my morning routine. By the time I stepped out of the room and headed towards my husband's study, the scent was stronger. Curious, I followed it all the way to the sitting room. There, I found a beautiful woman seated on the couch. My husband turned towards me and gave me a smile."Morning, Solana," he said, and I returned his greeting with a smile."Morning, Luna," Hawke beamed, and my smile widened."What's going on?" I asked. Roman moved over to me, leading me towards the woman.She smiled at me. "My name is Raven. I'm a witch. It's nice to meet you.""Nice to meet you, Raven. I'm Solana," I told her as Roman lowered me onto the couch gently."Do you trust me, flower?" My husband asked, crouching in front of me, gazing into my eyes."I do," I breathed, and he glanced at Raven. His gaze bounced back to me."She's here to make sure you and the baby are really okay."I nod
ROMAN She didn't see or sense me coming. And when I appeared right in front of her before she could run, blood drained from her face. This was the first time we were meeting face to face like this. I'd merely heard about her from Nigel. She swallowed hard, her gaze darting to the corner as her shaky hands clutched at the fabric of her dress. Selene looked nothing like Solana. Well, that would be understandable if they were not biologically related."Enlighten me, Selene. Why were you eavesdropping?" I said, taking a step towards her. She shuffled backwards, gulping loudly."I was just c-curious about the G-guard. I've never seen them b-before. So, I thought...""You'd take the opportunity and get a good look at them? Why? Do you want an autograph? Or maybe a selfie? You would like that, wouldn't you?"She shivered, her face turning even paler. She reeked strongly of fear, it appeared as though she was about to pass out from the intensity of that foul emotion."P-please," she
ROMAN My torrents of emotions had me in a chokehold, so much so that I could barely stand. So I dropped to my knees in front of her instead, my forehead resting against her abdomen.Her fingers tangled in my hair, holding me there."I thought..." my voice cracked. "I thought I would have to beg fate for time.""You don't have to," she whispered. "You already have it."I pulled back just enough to look at her tear-filled eyes."You're carrying my child," I said, still shaking from the shock. "Our child.""Yes," she replied, smiling through her tears.It still felt like we had lost our first baby only yesterday.A strangled sound escaped my throat. Trembling, I pressed a kiss to her stomach, then another, then I rested my cheek there. My eyes stung. Gods, I wanted to stay asleep in this dream if it meant that I'd finally be granted my wish. It was already enough of a miracle that I'd suddenly realized that all along, I'd been falling in love.Worse, it made absolutely no sense. U
SOLANA Roman's gaze met mine, lingering for a few seconds before I looked away. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Things were going to be different from now on, no matter what. And therefore, I needed to stop cowering at the mention of Elric's name."Go ahead," Roman said to Hawke."There are rumors that he's been performing a dark ritual. A certain witch has been frequenting their pack house and she was recently seen close to the town border," Hawke replied.That sounded ominous. What would he need a witch for? Unease crept up my spine.Just then, I sensed a familiar presence behind the kitchen door, almost like they were eavesdropping. I frowned. Selene?The moment the thought crossed my mind, I noticed the shadow from under the door moving quickly."Any updates on the werewolf hunters?" My husband asked, and Hawke sighed."The posters are all gone, that's what Nigel told me. Honestly? I suspect the Alpha king is onto something. It seems to me that he's playing
SOLANA "You...love me?" I croaked, and he nodded slowly, more tears rolling down his face. I was sobbing now, my pulse racing. Emotions so great pressed over my heart. They were so intense, it felt as though I was suffocating."How do you know? You said...you said you can't feel—"He took my hand, resting my palm flat on his chest. I gasped when I felt how hard his heart was beating.He swallowed hard."I didn't understand the rules of the bet," he admitted. "I didn't think there were any."He let out a shaky breath."I don't know when it happened. I only know the symptoms." He closed his eyes. "My heartbeat accelerates when you're quiet. My thoughts barely make any sense when you're hurt. When you left earlier..." His voice went rough. "My body shut down. Not from pain. But from your absence."My husband winced."I've been angry before. Afraid. Possessive. That's easy to recognize." His gaze softened. "This isn't that. This doesn't want control. It wants proximity.""Rom







