Chapter 20: Twenty

SOLANA

"You're...serious?" I breathed, searching his eyes.

He brought a hand to my face, his fingers lightly tracing along my cheekbone.

"Why? Are you afraid? Or maybe you suck at seduction as well," he droned and rolled off me smoothly. I blinked at the ceiling, flabbergasted.

He started to head to the bathroom, and that's when I sat up, blurting out the words that had been choking me, literally.

"Are you really not going to talk about what happened earlier?" I asked.

He froze.

"How bad is it? Your illness, I mean."

He lowered his gaze, his hands curling into fists.

"I'm not dying, if that's what you're afraid of. I will get better, you don't have to worry," he replied.

But that's the thing, how could I not be worried?

That question lingered on my mind as I took out the steaming lasagna from the oven later that day. Someone whistled behind me, and I turned to see Hawke grinning from ear to ear.

"This is crazy. It smells so good. Our Alpha is so lucky," he said. I couldn't help but smile.

"Would you like some?" I asked, and he made himself comfortable on a stool.

"Why would I miss the opportunity?"

While I served food on the plate, I glanced at him, watching him scroll through his phone.

"Uh...do you know what happened with Zamora?" I asked.

He paused, turning to look at me.

"You don't have to feel bad for her, Luna. She deserves it," he said, and I frowned, feeling uneasy.

"Is she... being punished?"

He nodded. "She was locked up. She'll be there for days in isolation until your husband is satisfied."

I winced, finally placing his food in front of him. He beamed, thanking me.

"Isn't that a little...extreme? The punishment, I mean."

He snorted. "Don't be ridiculous. Alpha Roman is being merciful for your sake, because he knows how tenderhearted you are."

Blood rushed to my cheeks as I turned away from him.

Tenderhearted, huh?

He was right, though.

Letting out a shaky breath, I scooped out a portion to serve my husband, pouting at the thought that he wouldn't be able to truly enjoy the delicacy.

By the time I got to the door of the study, I lifted a hand to knock on the door but faltered when I heard someone speaking inside.

"The council heard things about the attack. But they don't know much. I was trying to get as much information as I could, that's why I went visiting."

It must be Elder Maeve, I thought.

"You're saying you did not go around sowing seeds of conflict?" I heard my husband say.

"I would never do that, Alpha. You know my loyalty lies with you alone. I just want the best for you."

My stomach squeezed. That definitely didn't sound right. I had a feeling she would go against his wishes just to do what she thought was right.

"I'll be watching you, Maeve," Alpha Roman said in a monotonous voice.

"Yes, Alpha."

"You may leave."

"Alpha, I just want to remind you to make your decisions concerning Solana soon. You know she can't stay in this pack for long. The council won't take things lightly with her, you know that. I'll leave now."

Quickly, I stepped to the side, pretending I had only gotten there just as she was opening the door.

She barely acknowledged me, simply walking past me with her chin held high.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat, tears stinging my eyes.

I couldn't stay long in this pack?

Why did that thought make me ache so bad?

Trembling, I stepped in, and my husband looked up from a document in his hand, his eyes widening slightly.

"Solana?"

I flashed him a watery smile, holding out the dish.

"You didn't have breakfast," I said, and he continued to watch me closely, his eyes shimmering with an unreadable expression.

He gestured at me to come closer, and I did, placing his meal on his desk.

Just as I started to pull away, he reached out to grab my arm to stop me from leaving.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

I forced out a smile. "What do you mean? I'm alright," I said.

He blinked at me. Then he rose to his feet, stepping around his desk to stand in front of me.

"You have that look in your eyes again," he said, and my heart jerked in my chest. "Sadness."

How did he—

Wait, has he been studying me so closely that I can't hide my pain from him anymore?

"Flower," he sighed as I lowered my gaze, tears welling up in my eyes.

What do I do, Mother Selene?

I don't want to leave.

I want to stay...with him.

Without a word, my husband pulled me into his arms. His chest was solid against my cheek, his heartbeat slow and steady beneath the scent of roses.

"W-what are you doing?" I stuttered.

"I think hugs make you feel better," he said softly. "Since you won't tell me what's wrong, I can only try to make you feel better."

The lump in my throat swelled as he wrapped his arms around me, stroking my hair. A tear slid down my cheek as I closed my eyes, leaning into him.

Oh moon above, how was I supposed to ever get used to not being around this beautiful, impossible man?

....

"Luna?" I turned at the sound of Nigel's voice. I was sitting on the front porch with Anna and Tara, zoning out as they chattered loudly.

"Can we talk?" He asked, and my nerves fired up with anxiety.

Biting my lower lip, I rose to my feet and followed him down the hallway.

"How's Zamora doing?" I asked, and surprise crossed his features.

"She's pissed at you," he replied, and I sighed.

"Tell me, Nigel. Is my being here causing some kind of havoc?" I asked.

"Come on now, don't say that. Your arrival has brought certain changes, but they aren't bad. In fact, your presence has made things better."

He was lying, wasn't he?

"Why did you want to talk?" I asked, keeping my head hanging low.

"My alpha wanted to give this to you," he said, handing me a small black bag. I blinked, surprised, opening it to see a box inside.

"What..."

"It's a phone. He wants you to text and call him whenever. He also said he doesn't want you to keep things to yourself and suffocate on them. Even if you can't talk to him, you should talk to others," he said, gesturing towards the front porch.

My hands shook with the overwhelming emotions that washed over me. How could someone so cold be so kind?

"Also, he wants you to tell him if there's anything you'd like to do. Anything at all. If you still want to go to school, or if you have any dreams, he wants to be of help."

I tightened my grip on the bag, trembling.

"H-he said that?"

Nigel nodded.

"Good job, Luna. You are doing so well," he told me. Something cracked inside of me at his words. I couldn't remember ever hearing those words from anyone.

Maybe...just maybe, I was doing something right.

"W-where is he?" I asked, my voice shaky.

"He headed to his room earlier."

I nodded, mumbling my gratitude.

My emotions tugged at my heart as I made my way to the room. My husband was sitting on the edge of the bed scrolling through his phone when I walked in.

My legs trembled as they took me to him. And when his gaze met mine, my heart went into overdrive.

I made up my mind then. I didn't want to go anywhere else. Stonehaven Pack was my home now. Alpha Roman was my home. Mine.

"I'm sorry for being selfish, dearest," I said, the tears already flowing down my face.

He frowned slightly.

"Thank you for your kindness. It means so much to me," I uttered unsteadily.

"Solana...you're shaking," he sounded worried.

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I went down on my knees before him.

"What can I do, Alpha? What can I do to stay here with you forever?"