0114

ALPHA ROMAN'S POV

" I was able to track Juliet, and she lives among the humans; I followed her and discovered a few more things about her. Everything you need to know is in this file, I also found out about…" I raised my hand to stop him from saying more.

It was enough that the matter with Juliet was partially resolved. I needed to settle it once, and for all; Juliet might be my step-sister, but there was a limit to everything. Trying to mislead my mate and getting her to believe that we had something going on was the height of it.

I wouldn't have her mislead her. Bella misunderstood my intentions and mistook my care for something else. She got everything wrong and anticipated it wrongly.

If anything, Juliet was just a step-sister, and I felt a responsibility towards her, her mother's death, and her sudden disappearance.

I thought I could repay her for the lost time and, at the same time, honor my father's words, but I doubt I could continue at the expense of my bond with my mate.

Bella meant the world to me if not everything.

Maybe it was time I faced the past, figured things out myself, and made sure whoever had a hand in my father's death paid the price.

It has been seventeen years.

Many days have passed, yet I couldn't figure out what happened that night. Juliet had lost her memory; it was up to me to figure things out.

I might not have any clue but I promise to find them and make them pay. For now, Bella remains my top priority, and without the alpha king, I couldn't see any threat lingering around her.

First, I needed to make sure Bella and my pup were okay.

She deserved to be happy, my protection was something that came to her naturally. She was my mate and there was no one more deserving of my protection other than her." What about the royal pack, is there anything I should know?" I have not heard anything about Abraham since the attack. Not like I fucking cared about him, he might have lost his leg during the attack and posed less threat at the moment but I still needed to look out.

Bella was no longer alone, she was carrying my first pup and needed to be protected. Her identity might be known but those elders wouldn't dare do anything without the alpha king backing them.

" I don't think alpha Abraham is a problem at the moment, his leg isn't recovering any time soon. I heard his leg is going to be cut off." Vincent said and I chuckled. He should be glad he only lost a leg; he wouldn't be lucky next time.

" Alpha Thomas' birthday is in two days, are you going?" he asked, and my gaze landed on the red envelope on my desk, which had been there for the past few days.

' It has been rough lately.' Xade commented and I agreed with him. The pack has had it tough, especially with the alpha king." I will send him a letter if you can't go." Vincent suggested but I didn't think that was necessary.

" The is no need for that," I told him. Alpha Thomas was among the few alphas who still have my respect. He wasn't the type to follow rumore; he was a man of intelligence, and because of that, I have always given him the respect he deserved, and his birthday wasn't going to be an exception." We will leave in two days. " I turned my gaze to the file that contained Juliet's information.

" Okay, I will make the necessary preparations." He turned and walked out of my office.

I felt I could finally breathe. Bella was no longer in danger, and we were more close to each other than we ever were. I suddenly missed her and her strawberry scent.

I closed the file and walked out of my seat as I couldn't take it anymore. I have been in this office for the past four hours, damn it!

I shut the door behind me and started towards the main packhouse.' You seriously won't get any work done if you can't control yourself.' Xade teased. ' How about you work from home?' he suggested.

' I wish that is possible.' I growled at him.' If you plan to get me back to that office then you are doing a bad job.' I snarled at him.

' How can my preference be different from yours? As long as it's about our little mate, I'm in.' I chuckled at how pathetic he sounded.

I frowned when I pushed the door open and found no one inside.

The bed was nicely arranged just like the room. Her scent was lingering but there was no sign of her.

I turned back to the living room." Alpha Roman?"

" Where is Bella?"

" She left an hour ago after talking to her friend on the phone." Madeline explained, and my eyes turned cold." I thought you knew…" Before she could finish, I was already at the door.

Where the fuck could she have gone? I pulled my cell phone from my pocket and tried to reach her but it was fucking off.

" Roman," Madeline's voice sounded from behind as I stepped out of the packed building towards my car, which was sitting in front of the building." I don't think it's a good idea to go after her." She said a slight frown settled in my eyes." I'm sure she is fine. Bella is just eighteen; she needs more than a mate who is willing to kill for her." my brows pulled together, wondering where she was getting at.

" There are certain aspects of her life that can't be filled by you; I suggest you give her that freedom to explore more."

" What do you mean?" Wasn't I given her freedom?

" I think you should let her have time with her friends. She needs to experience life in the real world, outside the mate bond."

" And you think spending time with her will give her that privilege?" I didn't like where the conversation was heading but she wasn't wrong. " It's best for her and also you. You need to consider her happiness; she has been through a lot." She bowed before turning back.

My hand squeezed the door of the car before letting it go at once.

A sign left my mouth as I felt my chest heaving up and down.

' Are we going after her?' Xade asked.' Madeline, maybe right.'

I hated to be told what to do but Madeline was practically like a mother to me. She has been with me since the day I was born.

I might not have met my mother, but Madeline was almost just like a mother to me, and as much as I hated to admit, she was right. Bella was still young; aside from being my fated mate and Luna, she should have a life of her own. Going out and having a good time with friends was something I should let her have, even though I was hesitant about it.

I didn't know how I got into my office as I found myself sitting back in my chair with a dark expression covering my face.

I hated this but I must not make her feel restricted.

I slammed the file in my hand on my desk as the thought of her hanging out with that bastard brother of Diago flipped into my head just like the last time.

He fucking had her drunk and left his scent all over her. I couldn't guarantee how tolerant I would be if he continued lingering around my mate.

I hated this; I fucking loathed how that boy hung around my mate. She might not know anything, but I could tell at a glance that he had a thing for her.

I suddenly couldn't sit still anymore; my hand curled into a tight fist. Xade growled in the head at the thought of someone staring flirtatiously at our mate.

Maybe letting her do whatever she wanted wasn't the best; the urge to go after her filled my head, but I immediately opposed the idea.

Maybe I just needed to clear my head, I ran my fingers through my hair as I tried to get rid of the thought.

Bella wouldn't fall for that bastard, right? I couldn't ruin her moment with her friends.

Madeline was right, she has gone through so much and needed time to refresh. She was still young, and it would be bad if I tried to retrain her.

Fuck! My wolf was getting restless as if this was the first time she had ever stepped out. What the fuck was going on?

I pulled out of my chair and strode out of my office.

A long run through the woods should fucking calm me down.

' Roman, it's Bella....' It had been hours and almost dark when Vincent's mind linked me. ' What is it with Bella?' I growled.

' I think you should head back into the pack.'