Beta Romeo And His Rogue

Chapter 02: Enchanting Eyes

"Are you okay, Rome?" Albert winced slightly as he saw Romeo limping.

"Get on my back," Albert offered as he transformed. Romeo just smiled, hearing his friend being so concerned.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Just a small scratch." Albert and Jack said their goodbyes as Alpha Jonathan approached him.

"What happened to your leg, Rome?"

Romeo bowed his head while paying respect to his Alpha. He winced a bit, feeling a slight cramp in his leg. "There was a group of rogue wolves passing through our territory, Alpha. But we took care of them." A triumphant and satisfied smile still lingered on Romeo's face. Yes, he was very content today.

Alpha Jonathan warmly patted the head of his little Beta, who was considered like a son. He was very proud of Romeo. The man was truly deserving to stand alongside Nickholas. A perfect combination.

"Rena, come here, dear." Jonathan, noticing Rena not far from him—watering flowers—called her to come closer. Without a second thought, Rena turned off the tap and put the hose down to approach the two men from different generations.

"Can I help you, Alpha?" Rena asked without looking at Romeo, who had turned his face away.

"I'm asking for your help; treat Romeo. He just fought with rogues." Rena, upon hearing Jonathan's explanation, felt her heart throbbing with pain. The man always fought and would always win. Rena looked at Romeo's injured right leg—not large but quite deep, and even the blood had almost dried up.

"All right, Alpha, I'll prepare the medicine first." Rena said.

Romeo sighed in relief when Jonathan left him on the park bench. He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the evening breeze.

It had been two days since Alpha Nickholas left the pack for urgent matters. Whether he liked it or not, the pack became his responsibility, even though Alpha Jonathan also helped. But still, he couldn't be tied down by Alpha Jonathan too often.

His eyes opened when the girl approached with a basin and a box in her hands.

"Sorry."

Romeo felt his leg placed on the long bench, and Rena knelt down to be level with his leg. Romeo, seeing this, could only remain silent. His leg was being cleaned by a servant who refused to look into his eyes.

"Rena Schaaci."

Rena, hearing her full name called out, stopped massaging Romeo's leg and squeezed the white cloth that had changed color to red.

"Do you know, Rena? What you are in my eyes, hm?"

Rena, hearing that, tried to ignore Romeo's words and chose to sprinkle green powder on the Beta's wound. Carefully, Rena placed cotton on it to cover the powder perfectly.

Her hands deftly closed the wound on Romeo's muscular leg with a white bandage.

"Trash. You are like trash in my eyes, Rena."

Rena had endured enough tears. Her chest hurt too much when she heard the Beta Romeo's insults and disdain. By wiping away the still-flowing tears, she continued to carefully bandage the wound, not wanting Romeo to feel the pain. Her fingers trembled as she twisted the almost depleted bandage as a final act.

Rena's treatment didn't escape Romeo's sharp gaze. His face wrinkled even more, and his thick eyebrows furrowed together. Rena cried silently without a sound, only the tear drops still faithfully showing her which she occasionally wiped away with those thin hands.

"Do you still feel too confident to stay here, huh?" Rena stood up, carrying the equipment without looking at Romeo.

"I apologize, Beta."

Once again, Romeo was left alone by the frail back with a swollen face and eyes.

***

Romeo never knows what to do; he always witnesses the insults and mockery that other servants throw at Rena. To him, they're no different. He sighs in frustration, realizing that this has been going on for years without resolution. Rena never responds to the words she hears. She remains silent, as if destined to be deaf.

His palm opens and closes slowly, stretching his stiff muscles. Hands that have killed countless rogues in the past decade. Can he also kill Rena with his own hands, considering she used to be a rogue?

He observes the secluded girl who always keeps to herself, never speaking unless asked. Despite Romeo not denying Rena's beautiful charm – her unique eyes, fair skin, and always downcast face – he contemplates the years of enduring this.

"How do I get rid of her, Jade?" The wolf asked just sighs in resignation. Their characters are the same; both have wanted to get rid of Rena for a long time. "I don't know, Rome," Jade replies, acknowledging Romeo's futile search for a solution.

Has Rena never thought of giving up and escaping the pain inflicted by the people in this palace? She could leave the pack and blend in with humans outside. It would complete her task and free her mind from lingering obstacles.

Nine years ago, in the western guard territory, Romeo received a message about a little girl found by their warriors. Rushing to the scene, he instructed them to keep her there.

Romeo, practicing with other warriors, approached Jack, "Hold her there, Jack." Seeing the small girl sitting with Jack and Theo, Romeo observed as they gave her food and chatted. He furrowed his brows, feeling his chest tighten and cold sweat forming on his forehead.

Approaching them slowly, his eyes fixed on the girl's unique slanted eyes, he asked sharply, "Where did you find this child?" Rena, startled, dropped her food, retreating to the tree for protection. Her frightened and blushing face annoyed Romeo even more.

"Beta, we found her here," Jack quickly stood up, followed by Theo. Romeo stared sharply at the girl. Her yellow dress torn and dirty, yet there was no pack scent on her. Was she really a wild wolf, or was there no distinctive pack aroma?

Drawing a knife from his pocket, Romeo intensified the girl's fear. "No—please don't kill me..." If he had killed Rena without Beta Christopher knowing, he would never have seen that pale face again.

His heart aches at the memory. His eyes wander around the room. Not a hypocrite nor a saint, in his mid-thirties, he desires the perfect partner, ready to satisfy him. Unlike Alpha Nick, who has experienced such pleasures with different women."