ROME
Rome heaved a loud sigh of relief as he sealed the last bit of correspondence he had piled in front of him since he resumed his daily tasks. Some days Teriel was more a slave driver than an advisor.
His mind ran to Elora and he wondered what she would be doing now.
Last night had confirmed his fears that indeed she was his mate but instead of the dark overwhelming feeling he had expected; he had only felt… peace.
To think he’d been fighting his attraction to her for so long.
The doors to his study opened and he looked up to see his sister Skye with a grim expression on her face. She looked almost guilty and handed him a folded piece of paper. He frowned when he saw Elora’s name on the cover of the letter and quickly opened it.
What could she have written to him?
My King, it began.
I’m sorry I’ve hidden the truth from you for so long but I’ve come to realize that to give my siblings the life they deserve; I cannot do it alone. I need the help of someone powerful on my side.
He looked up confused at Skye but she urged him to keep reading with a look.
My story is a long one but I hope that with everything that has happened between us, you would have grown to trust me as I have grown to trust you.
My father was the Beta of my pack, serving directly under Alpha Rasmus in Alkarod and…
“What does any of this have to do with me Skye?” He asked, frowning. “Where is Elora? Why can’t she tell me herself?”
“Have you finished reading the letter, Rome?” She asked in a pacifying tone.
“No but…”
“Finish it.” She interrupted.
“Why…”
“Finish it, Rome.” She scolded in a tone that meant she wouldn’t be tolerating any further arguments.
He mumbled under his breath that she had no right to boss him around but returned to the letter, skimming over the history of her family she had written, stopping when he saw a line that sparked his memory.
The night we met was one I’d never forget in a hurry. I had no clue how I would save my siblings from the terrible fate that was sure to await us in Lord Kain’s employ but when I remember your strong arms around me, I feel thankful to the gods.
I have hidden the truth of how I came to be a slave from you to protect those dear to me but I know now that even if I were to stay silent, those I love will forever be in danger.
My father was never a slaver. Anyone in Alkarod could tell you that when they’re not under Alpha Rasmus’ hand. He was framed when you passed the law and…..
Rome frowned even harder the further down he read as realization hit him that all this time, he’d been an accomplice to the unfair punishment of innocent people.
How could ever have believed Kain over Elora?
He read further down and nearly ripped the paper when he read all she had suffered in Alkarod before she’d been sold to Kain.
How hadn’t he known?
He felt his affection for Elora grow as he replayed their interactions in his head. She had been so brave and so unbroken after the torture she’d been through.
I had thought the goddess only gave one life mate to us wolves but imagine my surprise when I discovered that I was mated to the man I’d come to fall in love with.
I know how these words must seem to you but I can only hope the time we’ve spent together has been enough to show you my heart.
You’re the missing piece I need to get the revenge I am long owed, my King.
Will you help me?
Rome looked up at Skye, elation and anger warring within him.
“What was the letter about, Your Majesty?” Teriel asked, looking misconstrued that he was not in the loop.
“I have made a grave mistake, Teriel.” He started. “One I don’t know where to begin fixing from.”
“How grave, Your Majesty?”
“I’ve been an accomplice to the undeserved punishment of innocents.” He laughed darkly, running a hand through his hair.
“Rome you don’t need to…”
“I do need to, Skye.” He uttered standing so suddenly his chair toppled to the floor. “I hurt them. I hurt her. I… I treated her like she was nothing when she’s the gift of the heavens to me.”
“Who are you two talking about?” Teriel asked, looking between both of them.
“Elora and her siblings,” Skye answered, sighing. “She’s his mate and all this time had been framed by Lord Kain and an alpha from her pack. Rome, you need to think carefully. There’s still time to fix things.”
“Wait, Elora is his mate?” Teriel asked, eyebrows disappearing into his hairline. “How long have you known?”
“A couple of days now,” Skye answered for him. “But that’s not the main issue.”
“All this time we’d been thinking she was a… and she was innocent?” Teriel questioned. “God the girl is so strong. Why did she hide the truth all this time?”
Rome’s heart sank and he began pacing as he couldn’t see any outcome where he could ever have a normal relationship with Elora. Especially not after he’d treated her as nothing better than a sex slave.
How had he been any better than those bastards at her pack?
His beast howled within him crying for blood.
He felt a lump rise up in his throat when he remembered how he’d degraded her each time he fucked her.
“Fuck!” He yelled. “Fuck!”
He flipped his table over and ran a hand through his hair.
“Rome!” “Your majesty!” Skye and Teriel exclaimed simultaneously.
“How can I expect her to forgive me after all I’ve done?” He asked them, hopelessness beating a frantic rhythm in his chest. “How? How can she love me when I’ve done nothing but hurt her?”
“Oh, Rome.” Skye sighed. “With your enhanced sight you’re still blind. You protected her and her siblings and treated her like royalty. I don’t know the extent of what you did to her in your bed but if she didn’t enjoy it I’m pretty sure she’d have run off since.”
He frowned disconcerted that Skye had read what was his.
“How did you come to be in possession of the letter, Skye?”
Skye looked away guiltily.
“Skye!” He yelled.
“I found it on your desk before you came in this morning and I was quite curious. I thought it was a love letter.”
She still hadn’t looked at him letting him know that she was lying. Perhaps she was protecting the true culprit that had stolen the letter.
“On much happier news, Your Majesty.” Teriel started. “You’ve found your mate and from what I’ve noticed of her, she already loves you ”
“That’s true,” Skye added nodding.
Could it really be true that Elora had feelings for him?
“Go to her, Rome.” Skye smiled, “She must be waiting for you.”
“Where is she?”