Chapter 15

This can’t be true, surely there’s a good explanation for it. I took a deep breath and tried to think of last night, the last thing I could remember was waiting for Skylar to come back? No, it was me thinking about Tali. Shit, this might ruin everything. I jumped out of bed and collected my clothes that were scattered on the floor. I took a deep breath and hastily put on the clothes, looking over my shoulder constantly. I took yet another deep breath and turned around to face Skylar. I walked over to her side and shook her gently, trying to wake her up. I needed to know what happened.

“Skylar, Wake up,” I shook her body gently, hoping she’d get up now. I hoped she wouldn’t be as confused as I was.

“No,” She mumbled and buried her face deeper into the pillow, shifting from the position.

“Skylar, wake up now,” I demanded, shaking a bit more now till she rolled onto her back, the blanket slipping down her naked body. I adjusted the blanket, so her chest was covered.

“Mm-hmm? Roman, hey,” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes and sitting up, pulling the blanket with her. How come she wasn’t confused by all of this?

“What happened last night?” I asked, sitting down by the end of the bed. “Why were we both naked?” I wondered, knowing what the logical answer would be, but I just knew that couldn’t have happened.

“Huh? Excuse me? You don’t remember?” Skylar frowned; I could tell she was offended by the question I asked.

“Remember what? My memories from last night are a blur,” I admitted, groaning. I ran my fingers through my hair and looked over at the blonde again.

“You asshole!” She hit me, making me stand up.

“What did I do?” I rubbed my arms, glaring at her.

“Y-You hit on me, and I turned you down because I didn’t want to get hurt again then you told me that you loved me!” She began to explain, my heart just started beating faster. No, this couldn’t be possible.

“That’s impossible, I love Tallulah, my mate. I’d never do something like this,” I assured myself even when I didn’t have all the facts.

“You fucking slept with me and now you’re telling me you love some other bitch?” She got up, holding the blanket to her naked body as she came to hit my chest this time.

“Careful what you call her, Skylar,” I glared down at her and pushed her away from me, “And we could’ve never slept together.”

“So now I’m delusional?” She scoffed and shook her head.

“How many drinks did you have last night?” I asked.

“One, how many did you have?” She raised a brow at me.

“I can’t remember. But I know for sure this could’ve never happened,” I sighed, looking around for my phone and keys.

“How can you say that when we were both naked under the covers?” She asked, tears forming in her eyes.

“Do you have memories of last night?” I asked.

“Yes Roman, you told me just how much you missed me and told me all those sweet things before we came up here and uh did the deed,” She explained at last.

“Skylar, I know for a fact I’d never sleep with anyone who isn’t my mate,” I tried explaining as calmly as possible. Neither of us seems to be on the same page.

“Are you calling me a liar?” Skylar asked, following me to the bedroom door, holding my hand to keep me from going.

“I am, I have to go,” I removed her hand from mine and walked away, going straight outside and to my car. Coming here was a mistake, I should’ve stayed at the castle.

I drove back with a pounding headache. I decided to stop at a cafe to pick up some greasy breakfast, hoping it would help with my hangover. I sat in my car, eating the burger. I reached for my phone and clicked on Tali’s contact. I wanted to call her so bad, tell her how I screwed up by walking away when she asked me to be her mate. I should probably wait till I feel better and wait till I see her in person again. She deserves that. I couldn’t stop thinking about Skylar, how did I end naked in her bed? I knew I would never confess my love falsely to someone. Could I have mistaken her for Tallulah? Also impossible, Tali had fiery red curls. I finished up the hashbrowns then drank the water I ordered and drove back home.

The moment I came through the door, my parents showed up, arms crossed.

“Where were you, boy?” My dad asked. I looked between the two, I could tell they were both worried. Good thing I stayed at the campus during my college years.

“I fell asleep on the couch at the party,” I replied, lying just a little.

“We were worried sick for you,” My mom sighed, uncrossing her arms.

“I’m sorry, I must’ve had one drink too many,” I apologized and tucked my hands in my pockets, looking at them.

“Go shower, we want you in the office at 10,” Dad ordered.

“Wait, what for?” I frowned; I was supposed to be free right now. That’s why I was here. Surely I couldn’t be in trouble for not coming home last night.

“It’s time you start learning about the family business,” Mom replied, walking to the kitchen.

“Sure,” I chuckled, knowing exactly how that went last time.

“We’re serious, Roman,” Dad replied, following after his wife.

“For real? I completed business school and yet you two didn’t want—” I asked, wanting to make sure I haven’t fooled once again.

“That was last year, after the training program from the king I think we’re stepping down and letting you carry on,” My mother replied, facing me. A smile on her lips.

“Wait, really?” I asked, my mouth hung.

“Yes, now go get ready,” My dad shooed me.

I ran upstairs, it was as if the news immediately got rid of the hangover. I showered quickly, dancing the whole time out of happiness. I put on a pair of slacks and a button-up and combed my hair back, doing my best to look as professional as possible. Today would be a good day. I couldn’t wait for this year to be over so I could become Alpha. It’s all I ever wanted...

~~~

Finally, the weekend was over, Roman had returned to the castle again. He knew what he had to do next for his mate, he knew he had screwed up and he wanted to make things right. During the training she didn’t look at him once, he knew this would be difficult, but he also knew how to win her over. Once the training was over, he went and showered, then decided to go to town and pick up Tali’s favorite dessert and lunch.

Roman took a deep breath then knocked on Tali’s door, hoping she wasn’t napping right now.

“Hey, you,” Roman smiled, but she just rolled her eyes and moved to close the door.

“Please don’t shut the door,” he pleaded, sliding one foot between.

“What do you want, Roman?” She opened the door wide and looked at the blonde then the box in his hand. She could guess what was inside.

“I want to apologize, make it up to you,” Roman answered truthfully. Goddess, he sure missed her, he missed spending time with her even when she’d tease him.

“Come in,” Tali sighed and took a step back to let him in.

“Thank you,” He said as he entered her room and noticed she was watching her favorite show. “These are for you,” Roman said, handing over the desserts and lunch.

“Okay,” Tali took the boxes from his hands and rested on her desk. He caught her peeking through the see-through window on the box and smiled.

“I screwed up Tali, you asked why I didn’t want to mate, and I didn’t tell you why,” Roman proclaimed, walking closer to her. “I’ve been thinking and it’s because I thought it would be weird since we grew up together,” He admitted, watching her reaction but there was nothing.

“And now it isn’t weird anymore?” Tali raised a brow at him.

“I don’t fucking care, you’re my mate and I’m crazy for you,” He took her hands in his and pulled her closer to him.

“Roman, a-are you serious right now?” She was skeptical, unsure if any of this was real.

“I am, Tali,” He cupped her face, “It took me too fucking long to figure that out but I’m ready to tell our family, mate, anything you want,” Roman admitted, letting out a sigh.

“Anything I want?” She raised a brow at him, Roman worried what she’d ask for, but he’d do whatever it takes.

“Anything, whenever you want,” Roman kissed the top of her hand.

“Let’s tell our parents, I’m tired of having to sneak around,” Tali replied, removing her hands from his and sitting down.

“Of course, when do you want to tell them?” Roman asked, taking a seat too.

“As soon as possible,” she replied, opening the box and taking out a donut. “Today?” she suggested, and he gave her a nod.

“I’ll talk to your father to invite them over,” He responded, making a mental note to take care of it once all of this is over.

“Good,” Tali bit into the donut.

“When do you want to mate?” He wondered. Did she still want that?

“Next full moon,” She answered, shrugging.

“That’s in three weeks,” Roman thought for a moment then answered her.

“What’s wrong Roman? Can’t wait till then?” She asked, a smirk on her face. Man, she wouldn’t make this easy for him.

“Oh I’m capable, I’m just worried for you. Hope you can keep your hands to yourself till then,” Roman smirked, poking her arm.

“Look who’s talking,” She commented, looking down at his finger that touched her hand. Roman rolled his eyes playfully then excused himself. He had to go take care of the dinner invitation, hoping it would be possible. He stopped by Uncle Tris’s office and made the request of having his family over for dinner. The king didn’t mind at all and now all they had to do was wait for dinner time.

Once it was time for dinner, everyone showed up and was seated at the table. Roman was dressed in black slacks, a black button-up shirt all tucked in and he combed his hair neatly. Roman was nervous yet excited. Everything was finally lining up perfectly. Tallulah couldn’t smile the whole time she was getting ready; she even went to the effort of putting her hair in a bun. The emerald silk dress she wore hugged her in the right places.

Natalia and Luca were both a little curious why they were invited to dinner, usually, it would be the whole family but with just those two it sure had them thinking something happened or that something will happen soon. Tallulah looked over at her mate, neither of them could take their eyes off each other. Roman winked at her and moved his hand to her thigh and gave it a squeeze. She gave him a nod and he cleared his throat.

“Tali and I have something to announce,” Roman said, gaining everyone’s attention.

“You do?” Luca looked over at his eldest son.

“Tali and I are mates,” Roman announced, getting it over with.

“Really?” Tali’s grandpa frowned.

“Oh my goddess,” Natalia said happily.

“That’s great news!” Ainsley smiled looking at the two.

“Wait, how long have you known?” The king asked, curiously.

“The goddess came to him in his dreams on his eighteenth birthday,” Tallulah answered for him, smiling as she looked at her mate.

“But it was confirmed on her eighteenth birthday when we saw each other,” Roman explained, looking at her parents.

“She was thirteen then why would the goddess tell you that?” Her grandfather complained.

“I have no idea, sir, I obviously never said anything because of how weird it seemed back then,” Roman said respectfully.

“So, what are your plans? Will you two mate?” Her grandmother wondered.

“We will, next full moon,” Tali replied, reaching for her wine.

“Oh wow, I just realized you won’t be taking over for us then…” Natalia realized and pouted. Tallulah was the only child of the king and queen and could not move from her pack, Roman would have to move to hers instead.

“Oh yeah,” Roman frowned and pouted.

“I would’ve never thought you two would end up together,” Tristan chuckled, looking between the two. All they ever did was fight.

“That’s why you two started fighting less and less,” Ainsley realized.

“Oh but they sure are very competitive,” Tristan commented. He was the one that trained with them and they sure were neck to neck at all times.

“We’re so happy you’ll be part of the family, Tallulah,” Natalia squeezed her hand and smiled.

Roman and Tallulah were the happiest they’ve ever been. Of course now with Roman here and being her mate there were some ground rules laid out. One of them is not hanging in each other’s room for long and especially not late at night. Some of these rules were temporary, it would count till they were mated. By now it was known rules are always broken and Roman and Tallulah knew exactly how to sneak around even when all they had to do was wait three weeks. It was too long! They had to see each other, hold each other, comfort each other.

Roman knew his parents were surprised by this all, especially since he never told them about his dream but alas they were happy for their son. The royal family the Santoros grew up with would become a ‘real’ family, bound together by their children. Roman only had one issue, Silver Moon’s new leader. His little brother, Theo always assumed his brother would take over, and over the past years that was confirmed, he worried that Theo made other plans he now wouldn’t be able to do due to having to take over what Roman should have. Roman would do anything he could to have his mate, to fulfill the goddess’s quest. Mating with Tallulah would be his honor, he grew to love her.