Chapter 43

Chapter 43
Roman’s POV

I was supposed to feel bad for intentionally hurting my children but the competition can always be delayed but Elisa’s life is much more important. 

She nodded, though her lips trembled. “Sylvia will know. She’ll know it was us.”

“She can suspect all she wants,” I said firmly. “But without proof, she has nothing.”

I glanced sideways. Her hair shimmered silver in the moonlight, and for a moment, the weight of fear loosened. I almost forgot we were running away. Almost.

Hours later, we reached the edge of a small town that bordered the neighboring pack’s territory. A row of dim streetlamps lit the cracked road. At the far end stood a weathered building with a glowing sign: “Silver Pines Inn.”

This looked pretty much like a secluded pack, a countryside. 

Elisa tugged at my sleeve. “A hotel? Here?”

“It’s safe,” I said, though the knot in my chest told me otherwise.

We walked in, and the scent of damp wood and cheap cleaning supplies hit me. The old woman at the counter barely looked up, her eyes dull, like she’d seen everything before. She slid us a key without a word.

Room 7.

I felt weird, just like everything here but we had no choice. A place like this would hide us more than top hotels where Sylvia could come bump into us. 

Inside, the air was cooler, quiet except for the hum of an old ceiling fan. Elisa sat on the bed, shoulders slumping as the exhaustion finally hit her. For the first time all night, she looked vulnerable. Small. My wolf stirred with a sharp need to hold her, to promise her safety.

“Roman,” she said softly. “You think Sylvia will find us?”

I crouched in front of her. “Not tonight. Not here. Sleep. I’ll keep watch.”

Her eyes searched mine. “I trust you.”

Those words pierced me deeper than I expected. She trusted me, when I had done everything to push her away. I just realized I couldn't do without her. 

I leaned forward, brushing my lips against her forehead. “Rest, Elisa.”

She closed her eyes, finally lying back against the thin pillow. Within minutes, her breathing slowed.

But the little peace I had in mind didn’t last long.

I sat near the window, scanning the empty street below. That was when I saw him. Someone similar, identical to me. For once I thought it was an evil doppelganger sent here. 

He was tall, broad shoulders with dark hair that was the same as my own.

My heart stills. It couldn’t be.

He stepped into the light by the side of the road, and my entire world cracked open.

Rhys.

My twin brother.

Dead three years ago in London as both Elisa and my parents told me.

And yet—he's here.

He lifted his head slowly, his eyes locking on mine through the transparent glass. If I wasn't a man, I would scream and run. 

A smirk curled his lips, the same smirk I had buried in my memory. I narrowed my eyes wondering what his smile meant.

I stumbled back from the window, chest heaving, unable to breathe. I rarely heard of cases of deceased loved ones visiting but here he looked so real like a human body I could touch. 

“Elisa,” I whispered, going over to tap her. “Wake up.”

But she was still very much asleep, she could even be dreaming now not knowing something really weird is occuring here.

Outside, Rhys raised his hand in greeting.

And my blood ran cold.