Chapter 7
Roam
OVER THE PAST decades that I was waiting for my mate's return, there was never a moment in my life that I didn't think of her. Her soft lips that used to whisper sweet words in my ear to calm me down, her eyes that spoke more than she could ever utter, her hands that fitted perfectly with mine, and even the tiniest thing about her, it all haunted me even when I was awake.
She was my nightmare and my sweetest dream, while my love was her calmest sea and the same ocean that drowned her...
With a halfway empty bottle of whisky in my hand, I sat on the edge of the bed and watched her sleep. Her forehead wrinkled and she let out low groans as she dreamed of something, but no matter how much I was trying to convince myself that it's not possible for her to remember it all, I knew her bad dreams were about me.
My hand held the side of her face as I looked at her with raw affection. I waited for so long and each passing day that I was searching the world for her felt like forever. My wolf longed for every inch of my mate, yet now that she's finally arm's reached, my fear would get the best of me most of the time.
I heaved a sigh and pulled my hand away from her before I got back on my feet to walk towards the porch. With my eyes still fixed on my sleeping mate, I jugged the bottle of whiskey and wished the alcohol would somehow do its magic tonight.
But it didn't. In the end, as I sipped the last of my whisky, I found myself wandering in the woods again, trying to ease the heaviness that was suffocating my chest.
As I settled on the edge of the cliff, I let the midnight breeze blow my already disheveled hair. It didn't take long before I felt a familiar man's presence on my side. He handed me a bottle of my favorite whisky with a smirk plastered on his scarred face.
"Congratulations, motherfucker. You just gave Beaufort more reasons to hunt your ass down," Yzmael said, teasing me. I hate this bloodsucker.
I grabbed the bottle and removed the cap without saying a word but the asshole kept talking. "The bikers are in the South right now, following the tracks I made. Care to say thanks to your old friend who always saves your ass, hmm?"
I glared at him instead. "You owe me enough for me to say thanks."
He whistled. "Five decades and still no character development." He folded his arms and touched his jaw with his fingers. "You'll make a bad hero, 'yah know?"
I shook my head in an irritated way. "I told you to stop hanging out in public libraries just to listen to young girls fangirl over your kind."
Yzmael chuckled. "Why? Scared we're beating your kind in the most desired monster category? " His grin widened as if he's so proud about what he was saying. "I hate to break it to you but we got the Cullens representing us. Who do you got, hmm?"
"Fucker," I hissed.
"I know." He crackled then ran his fingers onto his shoulder-length red hair. "And I just fucked three two hours ago before I sensed your need for another box of whisky. Don't worry. I left it on your doorstep while your girl is sleeping like a baby. Dang, wolfie. Did you suck all her strength?"
I shot him a deadly gaze while my jaw was clenching hard. "Did you come here to ruin my life?"
Yzmael laughed. "Oh, no man. You're too independent." He licked his lower lip while grinning. "You can do it yourself so why would I still bother help?"
My eyes turned gold as it narrowed. "Get the fuck out of here before I twist your neck."
He laughed, louder this time. Instead of following me, he sat on the other rock and inhaled the woody crisp air. "Did her underwears fit?"
My brow cocked. "I swear if I find out that you bought those yourself, I'm gonna--"
"Jesus, of course I didn't. I told you, Zara did." He shook his head while trying not to laugh at my expression. "So how's she coping up? How many times did she scream at your face?"
I sneered. "She nagged at me, not scream... and I don't know which is actually worse." I looked at him as I passed the whisky after pouring some in my mouth. "What's the news? Is Vampire Dada finally back?"
"Let's just say he's still enjoying his holidays." Yzmael crossed his leg over the other in a manly way. "But I didn't come here for him. My birds paid a visit the other day to give me updates. Do you wanna hear the good news or the bad news?"
I rested my elbows on my thighs and looked at him again. "Whichever would not make me want to throw you down this cliff. I'm having a rough day so watch your mouth."
He blew out his cheeks. "I know. Some omegas really got a death wish or something. Did you clean the mess?"
"Of course. Now what's the news?" I asked, getting impatient.
Both of his brows raised as he took in some air. "Well, it's about the Esmeray Pack. Derek lost his leg during the last attack. Your nephew, Shaw would take over the pack this coming full moon. I heard the council had already decided."
I straightened my back and creased my forehead, showing him I was not pleased with what I heard. "And what's the other bad news?"
"He wanted to end the truce you made with Arius."
My fists clenched in fury. "That fucker doesn't really have a brain. How come he's gonna be Alpha? What about my nephew Syd?"
"You know the rules of your people, Roam. It's similar with the vampires. The oldest gets the throne. Just because you were an exception doesn't mean they'll consider Syd, too."
I sighed, shaking my head. "Syd is a better leader. They all know that."
"Yeah, but they know Syd's loyalty belongs to you and it will remain that way no matter how much his father beats him to death."
My expression darkened as I listened to Yzmael. He may be annoying most of the time but he's the one who would always deliver me news about the pack and the vampires. He was one of the very first vampires in history. After being born wolf-less in a lycan family, Yzmael was abused by his pack until Lord Arius Lumiere bought him in the slave market. When Arius became a vampire, Yzmael became one of his victims and who survived the deadly transition.
I met him during a war and saved him when I realized he never wanted to fight against the lycans because he still honored his roots. That was the beginning of him bugging me. Nonetheless, he was in fact useful since I got forsaken by my own people.
"I'll leave more tracks in the other towns but just in case the secret union finds out I'm just losing them, take the car I kept near the motel and leave. I'm sure Jackson will do everything to find her. He's convinced that you're really after his whole family now that Jem is missing, too."
The wind blew wilder against my heated cheeks. "I didn't hurt Jissela." My eyes narrowed at him. "Tell that to Arius as well."
"He knows but you better ready your ass once he finds out Jem is missing. He's not gonna stop until he gets to keep her safe from you." He poured some whisky in his mouth then rubbed his palm on his face. "I can't guarantee that I'd be of any help once Arius is back in shape. You know what he's capable of."
I shook my head. "Remind me that once I finally care about him."
"How about you start caring now before he burns the pack's territory?"
"He's not gonna do that and I know Syd will fight for what's right. Him being the Alpha while I'm banished."
He released a heavy sigh. "Listen, Roam. I know you're still worried about your wolf but now that Jem is with you, I think it's time to go back. More than anyone, Syd needs you," Yzmael said, this time in a serious tone. "That kid's been through enough but it doesn't mean he'll survive the death match against his brother."
I grabbed the bottle from his hand and poured some whisky in my mouth. The burning effect never bothered me more than the bitterness I had tasted in life. "It's not safe. She doesn't remember anything yet. You know I can't force her. Besides, I believe in Syd. He's way too strong to lose against Shaw and his men."
"We both know that but maybe bringing her home will trigger her memory."
I smirked, a bitter one. "Which part of the past, Yzmael? That part where I took her life?"
Yzmael's scarlet red eyes soften. "Why? Are you planning to do that again?"
My chest tightened as memories of my mate dying in my arms flashed inside my head. I looked away and clenched my jaw, my words trapped in my throat as fear clawed my heart.
I honestly didn't know how to answer his question...
Chapter 8JemimahSINCE the night I dreamed about Roam transforming into a dangerous beast who preyed on me even when I begged him to stop, I kept my distance from him. I avoided him in any way possible. I dodged his worried stares, and shut my mouth whenever he was trying to approach me. It's all because of that fear I felt because of that dream, yet everytime he's letting out a frustrated sigh, my chest would feel heavy.How long had it been? A few days? A week rather since I stopped speaking to him? I couldn't remember. I already lost count anyway, but there's one thing I was sure of.My heart was not happy with what I was doing to him...I hugged my knees tighter when I heard his footsteps approaching the room. He stopped but didn't knock as soon as he reached the door, as if he was hesitating to do so becausee he knew I would not bother answer.My eyes watched the small gap under the door. He was standing outside for
Chapter 9IT FELT WEIRD. Sitting on the couch with a saucer of cake while Roam was next to me just gave me goosebumps for reasons I could not decipher. My fear subsided earlier at the sight of his sweet smile, as if my memory of him being a monster I should be scared of suddenly went blurry.I swallowed the piece of cake in my mouth before I threw him another glance. He was busy eating like me when I noticed the icing left on the corner of his lips. When he licked it off before he chewed, I felt my throat went dry as I watched his jaw moved.Dear God, I know my points in heaven have been decreasing eversince I got here, but for once, I'd like to blame you for sculpting such well-defined jaw...I looked away instantly when he gazed at me. My heart did the crazy drum roll-like beat again as I pretend to be admiring the cake I was slicing with my fork. This organ better behave before I volunteer for a transplant once I was out of
Chapter 10I COULDN'T help it. I just wanted to greet the morning sun when I went to the porch but after seeing Roam effortlessly cut the giant trunks of woods with his axe like he was Thor, I found myself staring at his sexy back like it was a once in a lifetime phenomena to have a sight of his majestic bod.His back muscles would flex with his every movement, yet with all the force I assumed was needed to cut such large pieces of woods, I wondered why he was not sweating as much as I was expecting?Not that I found it sexy when a man was doing manly stuff and their skin were sparkling because of their sweat. I was just... oh, right. I figured it out. Was it because he wasn't normal?"You nasty, nasty mind. Since when did you built allegiance with my stupid heart, hmm? He ain't someone to fangirl over," I murmured to myself. Great. Now I was sure I was losing my mind.I sighed and looked at Roam again but what he did next
Chapter 11ROAM made us dinner early. He tried to bring up something to talk about while we shared our meal but everytime it was my turn to tell him about my life back in my town, I would see him glancing at the clock as if it was a ticking bomb that would explode once the Sun was finally set."Sorry." He cleared his throat and drew his attention back to his pasta. "You were saying?"I heaved a silent sigh and reached for my glass of water. "I said many girls from my school dreams to be a werewolf's mate." I took a sip. "What exactly is that?"I saw the corner of his lips lifted for a sly smile. "It's uhm, like a soul connection. A unique one chosen by the Moon Goddess. Mates share a powerful bond. They get to feel each other's feelings, communicate thru their minds, and heal each other once the bond was established.""Huh. That's weird." I rested my chin on my fisted hand. "You mean to tell me that that's similar to lycan
Chapter 12IT ALL HAPPENED TOO FAST. The magic his touch was sending all throughout my body burned me instantly as we stared at each other with nothing but familiarity in the strands of our pools. It was as if our souls had waited forever just to be reunited, and even though I barely understood where this recognition was coming from, I gave in to something I knew I'd regret."Jemimah..." he called me hoarsely, struggling to get a hold of himself. He was looking more dangerous when he's like this, but it was the kind of danger I didn't think I should be fearing about.I knew I should never play with fire I could never kill, but the moment Roam stroke my jaw with his rough finger, my eyes glistened with the same raw desire I was seeing in his eyes. "You just saved me, Ahuvi... You saved me again..."Warmth clawed my heart as I gave him a small, genuine smile. "You scared me, but I'm happy you're okay now."His eyes sparkled with sheer h
Chapter 13THE MAN dragged me away from Roam until we're almost twenty yards away. When I managed to hit his chin with my head, his hold on me loosen. I took the chance and get off his grip. My hands held the rifle and aimed it at him, ready to shoot him 'til he would drop to the ground."Woah! Hold your horses, sugar! That's gonna burn!" he said, his hands in the air as if surrendering.My brows furrowed. "Yzmael?"He released a relieved sigh then rubbed his chest. "Yeah." Glancing at Roam and the wolf, he held the gun and made me point it on the ground. "Let Roam deal with him.""What?" My eyes drifted back to Roam. "But why? Aren't you gonna help? You're a vampire."Yzmael scratched his temple and flashed an awkward grin. "Uh, that's the thing." He entwined his fingers and placed his enclasped hands on his nape. "I am so I shouldn't meddle with their business.""But..." Fear rose from my chest as I watched
Chapter 14I COULDN'T take my eyes off Roam's chest. We were back in the house and we're at the living room to take care of his wounds. He had lots of cuts and scratches but what bothered me a lot was the ripped part of his chest.He insisted I to keep me close even when I was terrified. I did not understand what was going on, and when Roam looked into my worried pools, he let out a sigh and laid his back comfortably on the backrest of the couch. Well, he wasn't entirely comfortable. His forehead was creased and pain was visible in his eyes."Shouldn't you remove your necklace so we can take care of your wounds better--""No." His jaw locked and I saw his eyes darkened, telling me he didn't like my suggestion at all.My forehead creased even more. "Oh--kay? Fine. Don't remove it. No big deal. You don't have to be grumpy." I shook my head when I remembered how he behaved when we first met and during the time I first woke up
Chapter 15I KNEW Roam saw the hint of curiosity on my face when I went to the porch to see the smoke coming from a distance. My hands gripped on the handrail, and with my mouth halfway opened, I drifted my gaze towards Roam and Ymzael.My hand lifted in the air as I pointed at the smoke with my brows almost meeting. "W--What's going on there?"Roam threw Yzmael a meaningful glance before he looked at me again. "Don't leave the house. We'll see what it is."My grip on the handrail tightened. The sun was about to set and looked like some campers started a bonfire to keep them warm for the night. If that would be the case then I would need to go to them. They could be my ticket out of here but... was I ready to go?The thought of leaving Roam brought a tug in my chest but I immediately pushed the stupid feelings aside. This was the perfect time to leave, right? Before I fully lose my sanity and give in to whatever Ro