Chapter 19: Nineteen

SOLANA

The sound of the slap echoed down the corridor. My head whipped sideways, the sting spreading across my cheek. For a moment, I just stood there, wide-eyed, shaking. Zamora's chest heaved, her eyes blazing with fury.

"What—" My voice cracked as I tried to speak. "Why did you—"

But before I could finish, the door beside us swung open.

Anna stepped out, blinking in confusion, her hair slightly disheveled from sleep. "What in the world is going on here?" she asked, her eyes darting between us.

I ignored the throbbing on my face and grabbed her arm, panic rising in my throat. "Anna, please—something's wrong with him! My husband is in pain, he—-he could barely breathe!"

All traces of confusion vanished from her face. "Where is he?"

"In our room," I gasped.

She cursed under her breath, hitching up her night robe. "Go to him, Solana. I'll grab what I need. Now, go."

Without a second thought, I turned and sprinted back down the hall.

When I reached the room, the sound hit me first. Dry heaving.

My heart plummeted.

"Alpha?" I rushed in, pushing the bathroom door open.

He was on his knees by the toilet bowl, his hands braced against the floor. His body lurched forward as he gagged again, but nothing came out.

"Gods," I whispered, dropping to my knees beside him. "Roman, breathe. Please—-breathe."

He didn't seem to hear me. His chest rose and fell heavily, his temples damp with sweat.

My eyes burned as I reached for him. "Hey, hey, it's okay," I murmured, pushing his hair back and rubbing circles along his back.

He shuddered under my touch, another dry heave tearing through him. "It's alright, I've got you," I whispered again, my voice cracking.

His breathing hitched, and I thought for a second that he was going to pull away. But then, he leaned into me. His hand fumbled weakly, searching... until his palm found my thigh.

"Alpha?"

He didn't answer. His trembling eased just a little as he shifted, pressing his forehead against my lap.

Instinctively, I cupped the side of his face, my thumb tracing his jaw. "You're okay. You're going to be okay."

Zamora hovered in the doorway, frozen. I could feel her eyes on us, shock and confusion mingling on her face.

But I couldn't focus on her.

Suddenly, his breathing steadied and the tension in his shoulders eased.

The instant I started to pull away to give him space, he let out a small sound of protest and held me closer.

I stared down at him, my heart pounding.

The realization struck me like a thunderbolt. He wasn't calming down because the pain had passed. He was recovering because I was touching him.

And as he exhaled shakily, his head still resting in my lap, a single tear slipped down my cheek.

"Can you stand?" I asked, and he nodded. With my help, he made it to his feet. I managed to get him to bed, but he clung to me still.

Anna arrived a few minutes later, a steaming bowl cradled in her hands. The harsh scent of herbs filled the air.

"Help me lift him," she said, setting the bowl on the nightstand.

I shifted carefully, sliding an arm around Roman's shoulders. His weight pressed into me as he pushed himself against the pillows. Anna sat by his side, scooping up a spoonful of the broth.

"Drink this, Alpha," she urged softly.

He barely opened his eyes, the color drained from his face. Still, when I guided his head against my chest, he let her feed him, obedient in a way that felt... unnatural for him. Each spoonful seemed to take an eternity, his throat working slowly as he swallowed.

The room was heavy with silence. Only the faint sound of him breathing and Anna's quiet murmurs filled the air. Zamora lingered at the door, her face unreadable, her fists clenched.

After a while, Roman's breathing began to even out. His eyes fluttered shut again, his head still resting against me.

"I'm sorry," he whispered hoarsely, his voice barely audible.

My chest squeezed. "Sorry? For what?"

He exhaled shakily. "Didn't want you to see me like this."

"Dearest..." My throat tightened as I ran my fingers through his hair again. "You don't have to hide from me."

His hand found mine weakly, his grip unsteady. Anna continued feeding him small spoonfuls until the bowl was nearly empty.

Then, as she stood, her gaze darted toward Zamora, who had started inching towards the door.

"Stop right there," Anna said.

Zamora froze mid-step, her back stiffening.

Anna's tone was deceptively calm as she set the bowl aside. "Before you go anywhere, explain to your Alpha why you slapped his Luna."

My heart dropped.

Zamora's eyes darted towards me, then to Roman, who stirred at the sound of Anna's voice.

His lashes lifted slowly, and when his gaze focused, the warmth that had lingered moments ago was gone.

His eyes darkened dangerously.

My Alpha was awake.

And he'd heard enough.

Roman straightened slowly. I could feel his terrifying aura bristling in the air.

"Zamora," he said, the iciness of his voice sending shivers down my spine. "Did I hear that correctly?"

She bowed her head instantly, but her voice shook when she spoke. "Alpha... I—"

"Answer me."

Even Anna took a step back. The atmosphere in the room had grown thick and suffocating.

Zamora swallowed hard. "She—she's been going around the town spreading lies about me. Calling me names. Saying I'm a slut and a witch. Everyone's been whispering about it."

My eyes went wide. "That's not—"

But I didn't get the chance to finish.

The sound that tore from Roman's throat wasn't human. A deep, guttural growl rumbled through the room, vibrating through the floor and into my bones.

"Watch your words," he hissed. "You dare accuse my wife of slander while standing under my roof?"

Zamora flinched as he rose fully to his height. His power was undeniably overwhelming.

"Alpha, I swear—"

"Enough," he snapped.

I'd never seen him like this. Not even close. The man who had buried his face in my lap minutes ago was gone, replaced by something terrifying.

Now, I understood why he was feared by both great and small.

Zamora's lips quivered, her hands trembling as she lowered her gaze. "I only acted because—-because I thought—"

"Get out. Report yourself to Nigel," he said, and she whimpered, turning several shades paler.

Without a word, she shakily headed out of the room. I couldn't help but wonder if he had given Nigel instructions to punish her. Since they were alpha and beta, I wouldn't be surprised if they had communicated through their mental link.

"Anna, what has your sister been up to?" Alpha Roman suddenly asked, and Anna sighed.

"She's been doing a lot of visiting. I'm not sure why. Do you think she did this?" She asked softly, her voice laced with worry.

"Maeve isn't exactly fond of my Luna. You may leave now, Anna. Thank you for your help. Ask Maeve to see me in my study later," he said, and she nodded.

"I'm relieved to know you're feeling better, Alpha," she said with a smile on her face. Then she left.

Once we were alone again, my husband sighed. Slowly, he sat down on the bed and turned to look at me.

"I apologize for putting you in an uncomfortable spot. Unfortunately, Zamora—"

I cut him off. "You really don't have to apologize for that. I already know you can't discard her because she is important to you. What matters to me is you," I told him.

He blinked slowly.

"Does this mean you're in love with me?"

I stared at him, my eyes widening.

Is he being serious? I couldn't help but wonder.

Maybe he was distracting me on purpose to get me not to ask about his illness.

"Why? Were you seducing me the whole time, expecting me to fall? Do you even know how to seduce people?" I teased lightheartedly, deciding to play along.

In reality, I was afraid to know that he could be dying, just like I was.

His eyes were twinkling strangely now. And suddenly, without warning, I was pinned on the bed under him, my heart thundering madly.

"A-alpha," I stuttered, and he leaned in close. So close that I could see how unfairly clear his skin was. I definitely needed to know his skin routine. Though I doubted that he had one.

"Of course, I don't know how to seduce people," he murmured, his voice low but steady.

“Why would I? I've never needed to. If someone had what I wanted, I took it. If they refused, I threatened them. There was no in-between. So, show me. Show me how to be seductive," the words flew out of his mouth as if he was suffering from a bad case of word vomit.

But that was his charm.

Honesty that bordered on awkwardness.

"Why would you want to learn that?" I mumbled. "It's not that impor—"

"I want to seduce you."

No way.