Rise of the Dragon Princess

CHAPTER 13

~ROMAN~

I walk downstairs and drop my weapon's bag on the dining table and then hurriedly head to the kitchen to grab some supplies. Brooke is standing by the sink drinking from a tumbler.

She is right at home in the house despite my mom's disapproval. She won't throw her out. That I'm sure but I don't like the thought of them being together for a day without me. I might not be in love with Brooke but I don't want her going too far with my mother. Alistair will not hesitate to put her in her place, the school sponsor's daughter or not.

"Hey," I greet and head over to the fridge.

"You were gone when I woke up," she states without bothering to acknowledge my greeting.

"Yeah, I had to take care of something."

"Right."

Her voice is condescending. I turn around beginning to get annoyed.

"What do you want me to say to you, Brooke? It's not like we ever said this was permanent. You and I knew that I would eventually find my mate."

She scoffs, "Roman, she is a joke!"

I bite my bottom lip into my mouth and look down trying to be patient. I fight the urge to hit her by folding my hands into fists tightly. I exhale slowly and then look up. I'm not going to let anyone talk ill about her, demean her, or treat her differently. Not even Brooke. I don't care what the consequences will be but I can't just stand there and listen to her talking about Wren like that.

"That is the last time you will say anything bad about her. Got it?"

Brooke rolls her eyes and chuckles, "What are you going to do? Go all macho on me and bash my head in like what you did to that Sophomore werewolf?"

"Yes, if I have to. Don't make me, Brooke."

I close the fridge and walk out of the kitchen. I know she is still staring at me but I move forward without turning back. I grab my bags and head out.

Five members of the pack are waiting for me by the gate but Tucker is nowhere to be seen. It is not the first time he has been late to meet me. He has changed over the months and half the time I don't know what he is up to. He is my best friend, he has been more like a brother to me. He is always the first one in the pack to step forward to support my decisions but I know he has a secret he has been keeping from me.

All the sneaking around every time we are not together, his face whenever I find him without texting first. It's suspicious. Maybe I'm paranoid or maybe I'm afraid he is slipping away like the others. I can't ask him so I will have to find out myself.

I'm about to call him when he appears running to us. I get in and start the car waiting for him.

"Should I ask where you have been?" I ask and look back at the direction he has come from.

"Just doing some rounds. To make sure the school is secure, that's all."

"Find anything?"

"No, man," he responds. "Let's go."

He and I have had the strongest relationship but something about his actions now makes me feel like that is faltering. I look at him a little longer than necessary. His gaze is straight up ahead but from the look he had as he joined us, he is either nervous or something is bothering him. I think about asking him but dismiss it.

If he really trusts me like he claims, he should be able to tell me what's going on. I drive away without another word.

My thoughts drift away almost immediately and go back to Wren. It bothers me that she is going through something. I'm sure of it but I can't do anything about it. Not when she won't let me. I don't know what it will take to get her to trust me but I'll do anything. Even changing who I have always been.

I decide to focus on the mission for the rest of the day. We visit every marked home on the map and make sure each kid is accounted for. It is our responsibility to make sure that things don't get out of hand. If the kids happen to turn without anyone around to guide them, they might end up hurting the humans. We can't let that happen because then we will be the monsters some of them think we are.

We have monitored their behaviors over time and only a few are concerning. The night goes on successfully and we only have to take two of them back with us. Once they turn, they have to join the school unless they have werewolf guardians to guide them.

I'm not so focused on that after we get back to school. After making sure they are properly secured, I leave that block and head straight back to the house.

Everything is quiet. It's almost like no one has been home for hours. I look around wondering where they could all be. No, someone is in the house. It's a different scent from the ones I'm used to. I place my bag on the table and grab my gun. I start heading upstairs quietly sure that there is an intruder.

Just as I am about to get halfway up the stairs, she appears suddenly. I take off the safety and almost pull the trigger when I realize who it is. She gasps at the sight of the gun and stands back in shock.

"Wren?" I call uncertainly and lower the gun. "What are you doing here?"

She turns back right before Brooke appears beside her. She places a hand on Wren's back. I release my breath slowly eyeing her. What is she up to?

"Just some girl talk. There is no need for you to look so grim," Brooke states arrogantly. "I invited her."

"Are you okay?" I ask turning back to Wren.

I don't trust Brooke. She is no saint and whatever she did or said to bring Wren here, I have to find out. Brooke is fun to be with but she has a poisonous tongue. Wren however seems okay.

"Yeah," she responds and starts walking downstairs.

I relax as she walks past me but she doesn't look at me twice. I grab her hand forcing her to stop but I do it gently this time. She stops and meets my gaze.

"Are you sure?" I ask again.

"Yes," she turns back to Brooke calmly. "We just hang out."

Her heartbeat is steady and her breath is even. I have no reason to doubt her but I can't say the same thing about Brooke. She shifts comfortably and stares back at me as if challenging me to something. I don't want to let go of Wren's hand but I do so reluctantly.

"Do you want to stay for dinner?" I offer not knowing what other excuse I can use to have her around longer.

I'm hopeful but the look she gives me isn't comforting or encouraging. She however nods after a while much to my surprise.

"Okay," she states simply.

A smile forms on my lips. My mother is not even home but I will cook if I have to. I nod quickly.

"Okay. Just give me a moment to freshen up. I'll be right back."

I hurry upstairs and walk past Brooke without caring to see the look she has on her face. Wren is not pushing me away this time. Maybe what she had going on in the morning had nothing to do with me. I have to make things right with her.