Chapter 25

Roman and I are silent during the car ride. I’m grateful for the quiet.

This week has been a whirlwind, so much so that I’m feeling numb.

As we pull into the long driveway of the pack, my heart feels a touch lighter.

Even though it’s different here, at least it’s a place I can go to willingly.

You know, without being kidnapped or anything.

I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t even realize we’re home until the car door opens.

The sudden movement jolts me back to reality.

Roman looks at me, concern etched on his face, but I quickly flash him a reassuring smile.

He returns my smile as I step out of the car.

“I need to talk to Honora,” I tell him. Roman looks puzzled by my request.

“We didn’t get to do the ceremony. I want it done this afternoon.” Roman’s face fills with worry.

“We have to talk to my father first.” I shake my head. If the king finds out the pack was attacked because of me, he won’t agree.

“No. We talk to your mother.” My voice leaves no room for argument. Roman’s mouth opens to protest, but before he can say anything, a loud, growling voice echoes towards us.

“ROMAN! IN MY OFFICE.” My head whips towards the king. Even from this distance, I can see his face is flushed with anger. Roman bows his head, grabbing my hand.

“What did you do?” My voice is barely above a whisper. Roman’s body is rigid as we slowly walk towards his father.

“I took the warriors without permission.” He glances at me, worry in his eyes.

My mouth drops open and I quickly look back at his father.

The king’s gaze shifts between me and Roman, anger radiating off him. We’re in deep trouble.

The air is thick with tension as we follow the king to his office. No one says a word.

The hair on the back of my neck stands on end as I watch the king’s body language.

He’s not just angry.

He’s livid.

He’s so furious it’s a wonder the floor isn’t burning beneath us.

Once we’re in the office, the king lets us in before slamming the door shut with a force that makes me flinch.

I force myself to breathe evenly as Roman gestures towards a chair. I sit down and he takes the seat next to me.

The king sits across from us, his angry gaze fixed on Roman, who keeps his eyes lowered.

“You took warriors into a life-threatening situation without your Alpha’s permission, without THE KING’S permission!”

I can hear Roman swallow next to me.

“You risked their lives for a mate who hasn’t even claimed you as her own. You are the Prince, you carry the King’s blood, and it’s time you acted like it! You’re not a child anymore, stop acting like one.”

Anger flares up inside me.

“With all due respect, king. Roman saved a member of his pack. The pack that he will lead in the future, a pack that he must protect, a pack...”

The king’s hand slams down on the desk with such force it cracks.

“You have no right to speak, child. You are not part of this pack. You haven’t been cleared of your accusations. Do not speak to me in a degrading way, you’re lucky you aren’t locked up.”

Next to me, Roman’s head snaps up. I can feel the tension rise as his face hardens with anger. Before he can say anything, the king raises his hand.

“As for you, son. You have insulted your king and your Alpha. You went behind my back. You’ve left me no choice but to show the world that I am not weak and will discipline my son as I would any other. You will receive five wolfsbane lashes by dawn.”

Before I can react, his gaze turns to me. “As for you, you have until tomorrow to decide if you will turn your parents in for attacking our pack or you will be marked as a traitor.”

I gasp as Roman stands up so quickly that his father’s desk lifts slightly from the force.

“You will not touch my mate, that’s where I draw the line, father!” The king dismisses Roman’s words with a wave of his hand.

“You are already responsible for the death of one mate, I won’t let you hurt another.” Roman’s words snap me out of my shock, and I look at him, anger flaring up inside me.

He still considers her his mate?! Jealousy surges through me so quickly that my whole body feels like it’s on fire as I stand up.

All sounds around me fade as I head for the door, out of the king’s office. I run out of the house, and the moment I’m outside, I shift into my wolf form and take off.

I run through the trees, past the guards who thankfully recognize me. I leap over fallen trees and duck under low-hanging branches. I run until my paws are sore.

When I’m finally tired enough, I let my massive wolf body collapse onto the ground. My breaths come out in quick gasps as anger still burns inside me.

I close my eyes and try to think about good things. I can’t think about Lucy or the people who pretended to be my parents.

I search my mind for other important people and Marco comes to mind.

I let the memories of every training session, every progress, and even every failure wash over me.

I sigh at how simple my life used to be.

If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t be so angry all the time.

I wouldn’t have fought everyone so fiercely or pushed them away because they didn’t think I could be a warrior.

I would have smiled at it because honestly, all those problems seem insignificant now.

What am I going to do? Will I turn my parents in?

They will surely be killed. An attack on the king is unforgivable.

They will both be dead before I even get a chance to know them.

Feeling overwhelmed, I slowly drift off to sleep.