Chapter 16

I’m jolted awake by a heavy weight pressing on my chest.

Cracking one eye open, I see Roman’s dark hair sprawled across me.

My heart starts to race, and now that I’m awake, I can feel the electric tingle of his touch on my skin.

I’m momentarily lost in the sensation until I remember our argument.

I jab him in the side, but Roman doesn’t stir. I poke him again, but still no reaction.

“What are you doing?” My voice is hoarse, still heavy with sleep.

A low growl rumbles from Roman’s throat as he pulls me closer. “Roman, wake up.”

He lets out the deepest sigh I’ve ever heard, turning his head to look at me. His eyes are filled with a sadness that sears me to my core.

“Today, you’ll mark me and accept me as your mate. But there’s no sign of a mate bond between us as we argue from dusk till dawn. Please, give me one moment to pretend we’re okay.”

His words strike me deep in my heart.

I wish we could be better too, but as long as he can’t accept me for who I am, we never will be.

I prop myself up against the pillows and Roman moves with me.

He never releases me, holding me as if it’s the last time.

I run my fingers through his hair for a while, deciding to give him what he wants.

He’s right, in this moment I do feel loved. In this moment, I do feel as if we’re just two wolves mated.

A soft purr rumbles from Roman’s throat and I can’t help but laugh.

“Guess I’ll just call you Kitty from now on.” I see a small smile tug at his lips, even though he tries to maintain a stern expression.

“Don’t you dare, little Firestarter.” I chuckle but soon stop as I study his face.

Two tiny freckles on his nose that I’ve never noticed before catch my attention.

They make his face a little less perfect but somehow make him even more attractive.

I can feel the intensity of his blue eyes on me.

I avoid his gaze, studying his hair as if it’s the first time I’ve ever seen hair in my life.

He’s currently sporting a messy bad-boy hairdo and I absolutely love it.

“When I was twelve, my mother and I went to Albania for a pack meeting. My mother was busy with the meeting, while I was left with some of the pups my age.

“They all had this amazing hairstyle. Shaved on the sides with hair left on top. I found a local barber and asked for the same style.

“When my mother saw my hair, she nearly cried. She was so proud of how handsome I looked and obviously still do.” I roll my eyes at him.

“I begged the barber to give me my hair back, even promising to ruin her if I ever became Prince. I stole some glue from the younger pups and glued the hair back on.

“There were bald spots shining through the glued hair, but I thought at least my hair was almost back. When my mother saw me the second time, she froze. The look in her eyes told me she was about to cry and it broke my heart.

“She did cry, but the tears were from laughter. She took a picture and kept it with her for years.” I’m laughing so hard that Roman’s head bobs up and down.

He shoots me a mischievous grin and starts tickling my sides.

I laugh even harder as I try to escape from him. Somehow, he finds all my ticklish spots.

He rolls over to lay on top of me completely as I continue to laugh and try to pull his hands away.

I lose control over my body for a second and flames erupt from my hands.

I quickly pull back but Roman places my hands back on him.

“They didn’t hurt me. See?” He shows me one of his hands. It’s unscathed, no burns, no wounds. I look up at him in confusion. “You didn’t want to hurt me. So it didn’t hurt me.”

I summon my flames again and gently poke him with one of my fingers.

It really doesn’t hurt him.

I let my body ignite bit by bit, but not even his clothes catch fire.

I never thought this was possible, I’ve only ever used my magic to attack or heal.

I summon a gust of wind, but it just swirls around Roman.

Not even his hair moves as it dissipates behind him.

Roman’s eyes are soft as he places one hand on my cheek.

“You didn’t want to hurt me.” The words are so filled with emotion that it almost brings me to tears. Roman leans towards me and my gaze falls on his lips.

Just as he’s about to kiss me, an alarm blares through the house. Roman’s body stiffens before he jumps up, pulling me with him.

I nearly fall, but there’s no time as Roman keeps dragging me along.

He opens a secret door that I’ve never noticed before and yanks my arm harder to get me inside.

That’s when the realization of what’s happening hits me.

I quickly yank my arm back.

“NO! You’re not going to lock me up! I’m coming with you.” I use my wolf speed to dart past him but before I reach the door, he’s already in front of me.

The softness in his eyes is gone, replaced with anger.

“You. Are. Going. In.” He pushes me towards the safe room again. I struggle but Roman is stronger.

I let fire engulf my arms and the smell of burning flesh fills the air, but he doesn’t let go.

He shoves me into the room and quickly shuts the door.

I pound on the door, letting loose a string of curses.

I know the room is soundproof because I don’t hear Roman leave.

My whole body is ablaze as rage courses through me. I push my fire against the door, trying to break it.

It doesn’t budge an inch.

I throw all the magic I have at it, but the door doesn’t even have a scratch.

The damn witch must have enchanted it.

I quickly survey the safe room and see that it’s just a simple room.

A small bed on one side and a closet filled with food on the other.

I knock on each part of the wall, but can’t find a weak spot. There must be security measures in place.

What if everyone gets slaughtered and the one in this room is trapped?

I stand in the middle of the room, slowly looking around me.

I've circled the room three times before a painting on the wall grabs my attention.

Why on earth would someone hang a painting in a safe room?

It's a tree, leaning over a lake. I yank the painting off the wall and toss it aside.

It crashes to the floor with a loud crack, but I barely notice.

Behind it, there's an electronic panel.

I let out a frustrated growl. I don't know the code.

Despite all my fights with Roman, I don't even know his birthday.

I make a mental note to brush up on my knowledge about the Prince Alpha.

What are the odds that if I fry the panel, the door will magically open like in the movies? Slim to none, I figure.

I recall the lessons I've had about breaking into facilities.

Was it red and blue? Or red and white?

Who cares.

I rip off the panel and stare at the jumble of wires behind it. I select the red one and slice it with my nail.

A small shock jolts me, but it's nothing I can't handle. I choose the blue wire next and cut that one too.

If I've chosen the wrong wires, will it explode or something?

I roll my eyes at my own ridiculous thoughts. This isn't some goddamn movie.

I hold my breath and touch the red and blue wires together. I wait, but nothing happens.

Just as I'm about to cut the white wire, the door to the safe room swings open.

Take that, James Bond.

But when I spin around to face the doorway, it's not empty.

Honora is standing there, a shocked look on her face.

“You have to help them.”