Chapter 88 88
Roman's Pov
As soon as Xavier left my office, I gave my wolves instructions to have him followed and monitor his movements. Tonight was just the beginning of his downfall.
I peered at my watch and smiled. It was time to go home.
A slight cough interrupted my train of thoughts and I looked up to glare at Cole.
“Can you stop smiling to yourself? You look like a creep.” He grimaced.
I ignored him and reached for my jacket.
He leaned away from the door and paddled to where I stood. “Going home to meet Maisie?”
“Yes.” I said with a grin. “Jealous?”
“Pfft. I'm not jealous of you two. Your love is too fuzzy and warm. I like mine though, you know.” Cole smirked.
“Really?” I raised a brow, still grinning. “And have you found this woman?”
His cheeks heated and he looked away. “No.”
I let out a soft chuckle and he cursed me all the way to the moon.
“Go home, single twerp.” I grabbed my keys and walked out of the office.
“You'll eat your words when I finally find my mate.” he called over my shoulder.
“Get out of my office!”
I drove straight to the Northern Helm, my personal mansion. While the Pack Members resided in the Pack Estate, I alone lived in the Northern Helm. It was built just for me and my mate. And I couldn't wait to see her.
I stepped out of the car and tossed the key to the valet, who dipped his hat at me. I tipped him a bill and practically made a beeline for the house.
Before I found my mate, everything in this mansion was monotone just like my life was. There were no bright colours nor art. Everything was minimalistic and grey. But now? Now, it was warm. Now, hand-crafted furniture and rich jewel tones filled the rooms. Foreign silk rugs covered the gleaming floors, and lush velvet drapes framed floor-to-ceiling windows boasting panoramic views of the pack and the city’s iconic skyline. It looked like home now. All thanks to my mate.
I peeled off my jacket and hung it on one arm. Then I went to look for her.
I hadn’t spotted her yet, but she was most likely…
My steps slowed when a familiar head of glossy blonde hair came into view.
Per usual, she was wearing my shirt. Her legs were tucked under her folded knees and her hands nursed her favourite coffee mug. Maisie had passed out on the couch while waiting for me.
Her head dipped forward and her body slacked. Before she could fall off the couch, I caught her just in time.
Her hair, now dyed the original colour, brushed my arm in lush, golden curls and I brushed them away from her face.
This woman… This angel was all mine.
Self-control flew out the window when I dipped my head and kissed her cheek. It had only been less than 24 hours and I'd missed her this much. If it had been a week, I would've lost my mind.
‘Stop overreacting.’ My wolf rolled his eyes.
‘It’s true and we know it.’ I retorted back via telepathy.
‘While she was living in Xavier's quarters for two weeks, didn't you survive?’ He asked with a smug tone.
‘Barely.’ I gently pried the empty mug from her hand and set it on the table before I picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. She was in such deep slumber she didn’t even stir.
Moonlight cut a silvery swathe through the darkness as I laid her on our bed and tucked the comforter tighter around her. She looked so beautiful and she was my mate.
‘I’m glad Xavier didn't take her away from us.’ My wolf smiled.
‘Me too.’ I nodded in agreement and couldn't help but smirk at how easy our plan had succeeded.
The attack in the Pack Hall was staged. The doctor was a fake and so were the assassins. The banker who met Xavier was an actress I'd paid to look exactly like Maisie. She, too, had a score to settle with Xavier and had agreed to do it without pay. Alpha Shakan’s appearance along with everyone who joined us in this plan, genuinely hated Xavier and wanted revenge for all his wrongdoings. That man had a lot of enemies and he didn't even know.
I shook my head in pity at our last meeting. This was just the tip of the iceberg and he was already shaking. I doubt he'll survive the next hit he'll take.
Maisie stirred gently on the bed and mumbled my name. She must miss me so much. I better hurry up and join her.
I took a fresh pair of clothes and went to take a bath. As soon as I emerged from the bathroom, clean and refreshed, I slid into bed next to her.
My lips curled into a smile when she let out a mumble and draped her leg over mine. She must've recognized my warmth because a few seconds later, she wrapped her arm around my waist and snuggled into my chest.
I stared down at her, waiting for her to wake up or at least shift again.
She didn’t.
Judging from the steady rise and fall of her chest, she’d drifted back into sleep and had no intention of untangling herself from me anytime soon. I loved it. I love it when she gets clingy.
I brushed a lock of hair out of her face and examined her in the moonlight peeking through the curtains. The silvery glow caressed her skin in a way that made her look ethereal.
Few people trusted me enough to close their eyes when I was in the room, and here she was, cuddling against me like I was a teddy bear.
My hand drifted from her hair and onto the elegant curve of her cheekbone. I traced it down to her chin, keeping my touch featherlight so as not to wake her. I wanted to etch every detail of her into my mind until I could close my eyes and picture her as vividly as if she were standing in front of me.
My touch lingered against her face before I dropped it.
Invisible traces of the blood coating my hands streaked her cheeks. They were the same hands that fit easily around the metal of a gun and ended lives with the mere press of a button. A liar’s hands at best, a killer’s hands at worst.
Truthfully, I shouldn’t be touching her and tainting her with my soiled hands. She deserved to shine without darkness threatening to consume her, and if I were a better man, I would let her go. But I wasn’t.
My flickering conscience recoiled at the unseen smears of red against her skin while a twisted, possessive part of me thrilled at the sight. But if there was one thing both sides agreed on, it was that she was mine.
And now that she was in my life, there was no way I would ever let her go.