Chapter 71

I woke to the feeling of someone close by, their presence a comforting weight in the room. Blinking against the soft light, I turned my head slightly and saw him, Rome.

He sat beside me, his posture relaxed yet somehow tense, like a predator lying in wait. His eyes were on me, but they weren't just watching, they were searching, studying, as though he were trying to decipher something hidden beneath my skin.

"Did the meeting go well?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

His lips curved into a small smile, but there was something dark lingering in his expression. "It was fine. Nothing you need to worry about."

I frowned, sitting up slowly. "You're lying," I said softly.

Rome leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze never leaving mine. "It's nothing you can fix, Zendaya. Let me handle it."

There it was again, that maddening protectiveness. I wanted to argue, to demand he tell me everything, but the words caught in my throat. A part of me wanted to trust him, to let him shoulder whatever burden he was carrying.

But another part; the part of me that had been betrayed, hurt, and left to fend for myself, wasn't ready to surrender so easily.

"I'm not helpless, you know," I said, my voice steadier now.

Rome sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know you're not. But that doesn't mean I will let you fight alone."

His words settled over me, warm and heavy. For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn't feel like I had to face everything on my own.

Still, a flicker of doubt remained. How much of this was the mate bond? How much of it was real?

"You don't have to protect me from the truth," I said finally. "If something's happening, I want to know. I need to know."

Rome's eyes softened, but the shadows in them didn't fade. "Soon," he promised. "But tonight, you need rest. Let me take care of the rest."

I must have dozed off because the next thing I heard was Rome's voice, gentle but firm.

"Zendaya, wake up," he said, shaking my shoulder lightly.

I blinked my eyes open to find him standing by the bed, his expression softer than usual. "The servants have prepared dinner," he added. "You need to eat something."

Sitting up, I realized just how hungry I was. The earlier events had sapped my energy, leaving me drained. "Alright," I murmured, swinging my legs off the bed.

Rome led me to the dining room, where a modest but delicious-looking spread was laid out. There was roasted chicken, sautéed vegetables, and a loaf of fresh bread with butter. The warm aroma of food was comforting, grounding me in the moment.

We sat across from each other, the soft glow of the chandelier casting shadows on the walls. Rome poured me a glass of water, his movements deliberate.

"Staying here tonight seems like the best choice," he began, his voice breaking the quiet. "We will leave for the pack house tomorrow morning when everything is prepared."

I nodded, grateful for his thoughtfulness. "That sounds good," I replied, reaching for a slice of bread.

While we ate, the tension from earlier began to ease, replaced by a quiet calm. It felt strange, sharing a meal with him like this. Not as the Alpha King and his Luna, but just two people trying to find solace in the chaos around them.

After dinner, we lingered for a moment, the silence between us heavy with unspoken thoughts. Rome finally stood, offering me his hand.

"Let's get some rest," he said.

Back in the bedroom, I slid under the covers while Rome settled on the couch by the window. He insisted it was comfortable, though I couldn't see how that could be true.

The room grew quiet, the kind of silence that should have been soothing but wasn't. I turned to look at him, his silhouette illuminated by the moonlight filtering through the curtains.

"Are you awake?" I asked softly.

"Yes," he replied, his voice steady.

"Me too," I said, hugging the blanket tighter around me.

He turned slightly, his gaze meeting mine across the room. "What's on your mind?"

I hesitated, the weight of everything I had been holding in threatening to spill out. "It feels like no matter what I do, trouble keeps finding me," I admitted. "Like my life isn't mine anymore."

Rome sat up, his movements deliberate. "You've been through so much, Zendaya. But you're not alone in this. Not anymore."

His words were meant to comfort, but the unease inside me didn't fade. "What if I'm not strong enough?" I whispered.

"You are," he said, his tone resolute. "And even if you weren't, I would make sure you're safe."

The sincerity in his voice left me speechless. For a moment, the weight on my shoulders felt a little lighter.

"The couch must be very uncomfortable, considering how huge you are. Come and sleep next to me. I promise I won't bite," I said, trying to sound casual.

His soft chuckle filled the room, a sound so warm it sent shivers down my spine.

"Are you inviting the big bad wolf into your bed, little Red Riding Hood?" he asked, amusement lacing his voice.

"How do you know I'm not the big bad wolf?" I shot back, raising an eyebrow.

I sat up, watching as he stood, towering over me even in the soft glow of the moonlight. He hesitated for a moment before moving to the bed. The mattress dipped slightly as he pulled back the duvet and slid in beside me.

Our thighs brushed, the unexpected closeness making my pulse quicken.

"Because," he said, his voice dropping to a low murmur as his piercing gaze locked onto mine, "I'm bigger than you."

I swallowed, heat rising to my cheeks. "Then I guess I'll just have to wait for the big bad wolf to eat me," I said, the words slipping out before I fully realized how they sounded.

His eyes widened ever so slightly, a flicker of surprise giving way to a mischievous smirk.

"Careful what you wish for," he murmured, his voice laced with playful danger.

The air between us thickened, charged with something unspoken. I couldn't tell if it was the mate bond or just Rome, but for the first time in a long while, I didn't feel so alone.

Without warning, his hand threaded through my hair, firm yet gentle, pulling me closer. My breath hitched as our lips met, and a surge of electricity coursed through me, igniting every nerve in my body.

His lips were warm and impossibly soft, moving with a perfect rhythm that left me dizzy. When his tongue brushed against mine, exploring every part of my mouth, I felt my world tilt. Fireworks weren't just exploding, they were consuming me from the inside out, setting me ablaze.

I had dreamt about this moment so many times, but reality was so much more intense. The heat, the connection, the overwhelming sensation of being completely seen and desired, it was beyond anything my imagination had ever conjured.

For the first time in a long time, I let go. In that kiss, there were no fears, no enemies, no uncertainties. Just us.