Rise of the Dragon Princess

CHAPTER 15

~WREN~

I walk around the living room slowly. The house is nice and it's cozier that our hostels. Maybe it's why Brooke has made this place her home. Well, and the fact that she is dating Roman.

I'm trying not to think about that too much but all that talk about not fighting with a bond born of nature got to me. Does she really mean that? It's not going to be easy. I know that but I will not let her manipulate me. She followed Roman back but I'm not going to let myself think about what might be happening in Roman's room. I focus on what brought me here in the first place.

There are family photos on one wall. I stop for a moment to take a look. There's no much of a difference to Roman's growth just that he was adorable as a kid and much happier compared to his teenage photos where he looks like he was forced to be in them. What changed? I wonder and move on.

A door creeks across the living room following a sudden wind through an open window. I didn't see it before but now looking at it, my curiosity gets the best of me. I look around but there is no sign of anyone. I head there and push the door slowly.

It's an office judging from the desk right ahead, some files in a long cabinet and a printer right by the desk. Alistair's? I'm not sure. Maybe it's Roman's dad. I have only seen him one time before during my admission. He doesn't seem as invested in my presence here as Alistair is. Maybe I'm wrong or perhaps he is just a man of few words.

I walk around carefully not to touch anything. An open book on the desk however pulls me in. I can't fight the urge to know what's written in there. It's a big notebook written in black ink. There are several things noted down but the moment I see my birth name, I know it is about me.

I trail my fingers along the ink reading the notes. It's all about me and what I have done so far. My power erupting in the field, the fight at the gym, and my nightmares. Beside the word nightmares, the word visions with several question marks following is written and circled multiple times. I furrow my brows wondering what it means.

There is more on the next page, and the next. I can't read everything now without getting caught. Should I wait until Alistair explains everything? Maybe that's the best idea. Another thought crosses me right then. Will she? What if she doesn't? All I have are gaps and shadows in my mind. I can't explain anything that is going on with me.

"Roman?"

Her voice startles me. She is back and I'm snooping in her office. I panic wondering what she will do to me if she finds me here. I wonder if stepping out and acting like I got lost somehow will be the safest thing but I'm worried she will know I'm lying. She seems to know everything. Even what I think before I can say anything.

I step towards the door slowly and wait. By good luck, I hear her footsteps heading upstairs. I get out quickly and settle on a couch waiting for Roman.

★★★

~ROMAN~

I'm halfway through taking my clothes off to get in the shower when I feel her behind me. I'm not sure whether to turn around or not but just as I'm thinking, she walks around and stops in front of me. She is smiling. Brooke doesn't smile like that especially after we have had a disagreement.

I watch her as she places her hand on my chest. I remain silent and wait to see what she is up to. Well, I'm aware but I'm not sure what I'm going to tell her. She knows I want her to stop but she is not the kind of person who considers someone else's wishes. She listens alright but she does whatever she wants.

"I missed you today," she states softly.

"Why did you have Wren here?" I ask instead.

"I told you. Just girl talk."

"What kind of girl talk? The kind that threatens her and double-threatens her if she dares to tell anyone that you threatened her?"

"Who do you take me for? I'm not that savage."

"Aren't you though?" I ask and get her hand off my body.

I don't wish to talk to her and I definitely don't want her in my room anymore. All I want is to take a quick shower and then go be with Wren. I hope she is still waiting for me.

"Are you seriously going to treat me like a stranger? At least be mature enough to tell me that it's over, Roman."

I stop at the door and turn around. I don't have to overthink anything. I knew it was over from the moment I knew Wren was my mate. She might not let me in easily but I'm not going to let anything or anyone else complicate my quest to win her over.

"It's over," I state firmly. "I can't see you anymore."

Brooke stares at me for a while. I'm not sure what's going on in her head but I notice a splash of pain spread over her face. I feel a bit sorry for her but I can't lie to her and to myself that this can work.

"Okay." She doesn't even try to argue. "I hope she fills that void I could never fill."

This is the first time she has said anything selfless about our relationship. I frown slightly wondering what changed. What is she up to? I know her. She doesn't do anything without a very good reason and the thought of what she might be planning makes my heart hammer anxiously.

"I'll grab my stuff and move back to the hostels." I nod. "Well, take care."

I watch her as she leaves my room. Questions fill my head but I don't say anything. Maybe she is genuine and this is a good thing. I should just take it and focus on my mate.