Chapter 24

“Excuse me? Come again?” Luca asked, hoping he hadn’t heard correctly. This was worse than his wife being sick, this could potentially mean that Every werewolf could get infected.

“I hadn’t heard from the lycan blood pack’s case but there have been two others from different packs,” The queen explained, picking her words carefully as she already knew she’d get judged for not spreading the news earlier.

“So someone has been attacking werewolves and nobody thought it would be wise to inform them?” Roman narrowed his eyes on Tallulah who clenched her jaw for a moment and tried to focus on not getting angered. The others had every right to be judged as of right now.

“We have no idea where it comes from, how they can get infected. This will only cause panic and chaos,” Tallulah explained, it was a hard choice to make but even her father and grandfather agreed with this.

“Are you serious right now?” Theo raised a brow at her then let out a sigh and rubbed his temple.

“It gets worse,” Roman said, deciding to let it all out. This problem would soon turn into something big.

“How so?” Ayla wondered, frowning. How come she and the students graduating this year had it so much harder?

“The Lycan blood pack didn’t have just one case,” Roman informed them.

“What do you mean?” Tallulah raised a brow at him, she couldn’t help but notice the scar on his cheek, she wondered how he got it. The Lycan blood pack might’ve helped him become much stronger, but it was clear it came with a heavy price.

“Three bodies… We had three of them die,” Roman said quietly, thinking of the three who had passed away.

“I think it’s time we start making some connections,” Tallulah pointed out.

“If we look at it, the one thing there is in common is Roman,” Theo replied, everyone’s attention on Roman now, who frowned and asked, “How so?”

“They killed your pack members, people from your pack, and now our mother. I think they might be trying to hurt you,” Theo summed up.

“That’s absurd,” Roman chuckled and rolled his eyes.

“Really? Someone’s mother isn’t a good target?” Luca asked, crossing his arms as he looked at his son.

“I told them, my family, is dead, I am part of the Lycan blood pack and before that, I was a rogue living on human land,” Roman answered, coldly and confidently. His words surprised the others, Roman had always been a cheerful, cheeky person. Being coldhearted was never one of the things.

“Are you for real right now?” Theo asked with a disgusted look on his face.

“Surprise baby brother, disowning can work both ways,” Roman smirked, looking at his little brother. He knew his behavior pissed off Theo which only made him do it more.

“He’s not the target, that wouldn’t explain the others he has zero ties with,” Tallulah came between the conversation, knowing where this could be headed.

“Exactly, so who is the real target here?” Tessa asked, finally speaking up.

“I think we all may be the target,” Tallulah responded, letting out a sigh.

“So there’s a virus being spread around goddess knows how and nobody knows who it is and how to cure it?” Luca complained and shook his head. Biological warfare was worse than a normal war. Werewolves could be trailed to win a war but not biological warfare.

“Just what we needed,” Ayla mumbled.

“I hereby call a meeting,” Tallulah announced.

“For when?” Roman raised a brow at her, he was only supposed to be here for the visit.

“Tonight, we shall all discuss this problem and find a solution,” She responded, typing in something on her phone.

“He’s supposed to leave,” Theo pointed out to her.

“As the queen I recommend you grant him a stay till we find a solution,” Tallulah narrowed her eyes on him, using her authoritative voice.

“Fair enough,” Roman shrugged and looked over at his father and brother, neither of them really happy.

“Fine,” Theo mumbled.

“I have to go,” Roman checked his phone and turned on his heel to walk away.

“Do what?” Luca asked.

“Discuss this with my alpha,” Roman answered, pressing the elevator button.

“Why?” Theo wondered.

“We have half a cure but now it seems like it’s nothing compared to the real case,” Roman shrugged casually as if it was no big deal.

“Half a cure? Why did you guys start working on a cure?” Ayla wondered, meanwhile everyone here had been struggling.

“It’s more like a super vitamin. We had three of our own dying and we have tons of enemies, we figured it would be one of them, so we enhanced our immune system,” Roman explained to them, knowing sooner or later they’d all have to fight together to eliminate the threat.

“That’s—” Ayla was in the middle of saying when the elevator door opened and Roman stepped in, “Gotta go.”

“Hey, wait up,” Tessa slipped through the doors right on time, she was angry with her brother but still wanted to talk to him.

“Tessie,” Roman smiled, turning to his sister admiring how much she had grown.

“You fucking idiot, I missed you,” She punched him then pulled him in for a hug, pressing her cheek against his chest.

“I missed you too,” Roman chuckled and hugged her back, he moved his fingers through her hair. Hugging her made him feel like he was at home as if everything was okay.

“I was worried sick about you, why did you never answer your calls?” she asked, pulling out of the hug and looking up at her brother.

“I couldn’t. I just couldn’t, I didn’t want any ties with this pack anymore,” He explained quietly, a saddened look washing over his face.

“Even with me?” Tessa wondered, mimicking the look on his face.

“Tessa, breaking our contact hurt me more than anything,” Roman sighed.

“So where’s Skylar? Your supposed child,” She asked, following him off of the elevator.

“Supposed for sure,” Roman laughed. This was a matter that had been stressing him out before but now he just laughs at the mention of it.

“The child wasn’t yours, was it?” Tessa watched as he bought two drinks from the vending machine.

“There was never a child,” Roman handed over the can of soda.

“What?” Tessa frowned; she knew her brother was innocent, but she wasn’t sure to which account exactly.

“It was all part of her little scheme. Turns out she wanted to be with me regardless of the consequences and went through the efforts of drugging me,” Roman explained, this was the first time he told someone other than Alpha Vesper and Baker.

“Roman, I am so so sorry,” She squeezed his shoulder, a sincere look on her face.

“I know, it’s not your fault. It’s those who should’ve trusted me,” Roman sighed and sipped the apple soda.

“Are you returning back to the Lycan blood pack?” Tessa asked, hoping the answer would be no. She just got him back and wanted to spend some time with him. The goddess knows the Lycan blood pack is far away.

“I’m needed for the meeting, so I’ll have to figure out where to stay,” Roman smiled.

“Have my apartment,” She handed him the keys.

“What?” He frowned, looking at the pair of keys in his hand.

“I know you won’t want to sleep at the house so you can use my apartment,” Tessa explains.

“Thank you so much, Tessie,” Roman hugged her. He had no idea where he’d be staying, he didn’t exactly book a room at the hotels.

“I expect it to be as clean as you found it,” She teased, causing him to roll his eyes.

“So it’s messy?” Roman teased, his playful side came out again. But that was only when he was with the people he cared about.

“Hey,” She playfully hit him.

“I’m kidding,” Roman chuckled. “Where will you be staying?” He asked in a much more serious tone.

“There are two rooms,” She explained, taking his phone and began typing something in.

“Oh, are you not heading home then?” Roman frowned, looking at what she was doing.

“Not right now, I will later. Here’s the address, number 4,” Tessa handed over the phone with the address typed in.

“Okay, later and thanks again,” Roman looked at it then back at Tessa.

“Later,” Tessa smiled and parted ways with her brother.

Roman made his way to Tessa’s apartment. He looked around at her place, it definitely screamed Tessa Santoro. He called Alpha Vesper and paced around her, admiring every little clutter she had. He couldn’t help but notice the range of pictures she had of them. He picked up the one with him, Tessa, and Theo. A slight smile formed on his lips as he looked at it. Vesper then answered the call and the two began to discuss what to do. As of right now, Roman represented the Lycan blood pack at the meeting with the others. Vesper isn’t known to play well with others; however, he knew biological warfare he’d stand no chance resolving solo. Once Roman ended the call he went to sit down on the couch when he heard a knock on the door. He got up and went to open up, assuming it would be Tessa, but it wasn’t. It was his supposed mate at the door.

“Is the meeting being held here?” Roman cleared his throat, crossing his arms as he looked down at Tallulah, she sure was short as ever. He wondered what she was doing here and as well as how she even found this place.

“Roman, can I come in?” Talullah asked, resting her hands on her hips as she looked up at Roman. She still hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to him and he was specifically making it difficult for her, not wanting to be around her unless it was necessary.

“I asked you a question, your highness,” The blonde narrowed his eyes on the lady.

“No, it will be held at your childhood home,” Tallulah sighed, taking a deep breath. Oh, boy this sure would be difficult.

“Great, now you can go then. Unless we’re supposed to be there now,” Roman motioned with his hands to go on.

“Damnit, Roman, let me in,” Tallulah pushed Roman aside and stepped into the house. Roman clenched his jaw and turned around to face her, closing the door behind him.

“What do you want, hm?” Roman raised a brow at her. “Rub something in my face? Scold at me some more perhaps?” He started to assume the worst already, she dumped him and made quite a life for herself, good for her...

“No Roman, I am not here to do any of that,” Tali sighed and rubbed her temple.

“What are you here for then?” Roman frowned, walking to the couch, and took a seat along with Tallulah joining him by sitting across him.

“How’s your child doing?” Tali asked, crossing her legs and folding her hands together.

“That’s none of your business,” Roman glared at her, clenching his jaw. She had no right strolling into here and demanding all these questions.

“They don’t even exist, do they?” Tallulah asked. Roman was surprised, how did she know about that? “I found out you were set up, Roman. I had no idea,” She spoke calmly, hoping that would lead to a much more civil conversation.

“Shut up, I don’t want to hear any of it,” Roman got up and walked to the kitchen, he didn’t want to see her. Did she find out the truth just now? Did Tessa tell her, he trusted she wouldn’t.

“When Erin died her mother found her notebook and in it, she wrote what Skylar did to you at the party that night,” Tali explained, watching as he got himself a bottle of water.

“Ta—Your highness, what do you want?” Roman asked, in a snarky tone.

“To be forgiven, I’m sorry I didn’t know this earlier,” Tallulah said, walking around the counter and to him.

“To be forgiven?” Roman chuckled and realized she was actually serious. “You must be out of your right mind if you /ever/ think I’ll forgive you,” He walked past her, bumping her shoulder as he passed her.

“It was wrong to reject you but Roman, she had it all figured out,” She reasoned, taking his hand to turn him to face her. As she touched him she felt the sparks again, the ones she never felt again with anybody else. Surprisingly even though just one of them had rejected the other the bond was still as strong as ever.

“And I begged for a fucking chance to prove her wrong but not one of you cared. You ruined my life,” He tugged his hand from hers and scolded her.

“I’m not the one who spread the rumors, Roman,” Tallulah frowned, unable to see how she was at fault. She refused to see she was in the wrong somehow.

“You were the one who should’ve trusted me, had you given me the chance I wouldn’t have been thrown out, but you failed,” Roman accused, unable to keep things civil. His anger got the best of him which is why he never ever wanted to talk about this again.

“I’m glad we never worked out because it’s clear you never trusted me,” He scoffed and went to the front door.

“Roman—” Tallulah wanted to say.

“Get the fuck out, I don’t want you here and you legally have no right being here,” He reminded her and opened the door.

“You’re being un-fucking-reasonable,” Tallulah poked his chest as she glared at him.

“Consider yourself lucky I didn’t just reject you,” Roman said in a serious tone, leaning against the door frame as he looked down at her.

“As if you’d defy the goddess's order,” Tali crossed her arms, a proud smirk spread on her pink lips. No wolf would ever want to disobey the goddess’s order, every order of her that was followed through led to a reward. The ones that weren’t followed through with, well… That hasn’t exactly happened before.

“It’s clear it was never a good one or just some fucking punishment now scram off,” Roman rolled his eyes and shooed her away, moving to close the door when she smacked the door with her hand to keep it open.

“You can’t treat me like this!” Tali fumed, holding the door from closing.

“Why? Because you’re a royal? Because you’re the queen?” Roman asked, raising a brow at her before rolling his eyes at her. He knew she felt entitled to this, but he wouldn’t let her have it, no matter what she thought.

“That’s exactly why and don’t forget I am still your mate,” She reminded him.

“My mate? Dearest, don’t you know what a rejection is?” Roman asked, walking towards her, “Do they not teach the royals what that is?” he asked, leaning down further and staring into her eyes. Those blue eyes held the coldest look.

“This isn’t fair, Roman,” Tallulah mumbled. Swallowing the lump that formed in her throat and broke eye contact. Somehow all these feelings were rising up again, it made her question whether he wasn’t feeling any of it? Is he numb?

“Boo hoo, are you going to cry to daddy?” Roman mocked. He chuckled and pulled away from her face.

“This conversation isn’t over,” Tali mumbled. They’d be having this discussion again; she knew that because she wasn’t about to give up.

“Tell me, were there nights where you felt like you were burning from the inside?” Roman asked, smirking as he looked down at her. He knew everything from rejection, he read up on the few books written about it and also asked around some other rejected mates.

“What?” Tali frowned; how did he even know about those?

“You know what I’m talking about,” Roman booped her nose. “The nights I spent with others sure had your wolf burning in pain no?”

“You fucking asshole,” Tallulah was shocked, how could he do this? She knew she had rejected him, but it still felt so wrong to her for him to do this. Was he the cause of the pain she experienced some nights? She always assumed it was the heats she was still experiencing.

“Wanna know my favorite part?” Roman leaned down to be on her level, the same smirk still plastered on his lips. “I never experienced that, just lightly once but you couldn’t go through with it, could you?” He raised a brow at her, he wondered why she never moved on.

“Roman—” Tallulah wanted to talk but Roman didn’t allow her.

“Mrs. Independent and full of confidence couldn’t move on after making her own choices,” Roman teased and took a step back, moving behind the door of Tessa’s apartment.

“Whether you like it or not, you know a prophecy always gets fulfilled somehow,” She told him lastly and walked off.

“Fuck off, your royal highness,” He shouted and slammed the door shut. He didn’t want to obey the Moon Goddess; how could she still want him to be with her after everything that happened. To make matters worse the nightmares never stopped. Every time it was like the end of the world found a place he kept getting blamed for not doing anything… It left him thinking whether all of this was happening because he wouldn’t give in to the goddess’s quest and mate. He refused to acknowledge that, Roman didn’t want it to be true.