The Duty of an Alpha (Book 2)

Harvey

Chapter 11

Roman POV*

It was easy to lose track of time while I sat across from Arden. Focusing on pack business seemed to ease to slight discomfort that we had between us. It almost felt like it was before we found out we were mates, and I couldn’t help but feel happy about the fact.

Arden had burrowed deep into my life quickly after I first met her, and she became my best friend. I hadn’t realized just how much I missed having her around all the time until we sat across each other in the diner. It wasn’t the same joking manner that we had before, but that was mainly due to having to talk about the rogue attacks and how best to handle them.

Occasionally, I would lock eyes with her and be reminded that our bond had changed, but overall, her presence was comforting. Talking through the attacks and what we have noticed showed me just how brilliant of a leader she was for her pack. She had a strategic mind and was able to mentally catalogue any possible solution that was brought up.

We had worked out that her pack’s security was lacking too much even with the increased protocol that she had her Beta implement after my last visit to Ash River. I decided to ask a few of the witches that had joined my pack if they would be willing to move to Arden’s pack. Eva would be able to contrast wards while she was visiting, but for them to be long lasting and at their strongest, it would need to be done by a witch that lives within the grounds. A few witches in my pack had decided to not join with Eva’s coven and might be willing to move.

I wanted Eva to return to Silver Creek after we were attacked, but her daughter assured me that she was more than capable of managing the wards. Arden’s wish for Eva to be present wasn’t an absolute necessity, but it was being done as a kindness for some of her most abused pack mates. As uncomfortable I felt with having Eva away, knowing Arden’s compassion for her pack kept me from bringing the powerful witch home.

We had been passing ideas back and forth for a few hours before I mentioned getting some food. We hadn’t gotten any closer to knowing why the rogues attacked, but we were at least able to make some decisions regarding how to be better prepared if it were to happen again. Arden also told me that she had reached out to some of the packs closest to hers to inform them of the attacks as well as requesting for them to keep an eye out for any clues to who the rogues were or why they were so well taken care of. I promised to have Perry reach out to some of the people he knew in the surrounding area to see if he could dig up any information.

I was about to try to get the attention of Arden’s human friend when the body of a human flung itself at Arden, wrapping their arms around her tightly.

“Oh my god! You’re here! You’re ok!” a man’s voice exclaimed from his position over her. Since she was still sitting, all I could see was his rear end as he leaned over to hug her. “I was so worried! You just left and didn’t tell anyone where you were going!”

“Harvey!” Arden laughed as she gently pushed him away so she could stand up. Once she was standing again, he pulled her close to him again and started running his hands all over her face and arms. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“Making sure you’re all in one piece.” Harvey said, and a surge of jealousy ran through me at seeing his hands all over her. I had to fight to suppress the growl that was trying to come out. “Ah! I’m so happy to see you Andy!”

He pulled her into a hug again, and I couldn’t contain it anymore. My chest rumbled lowly at the sight of my mate with another man’s arms around her. Arden looked over at me and scowled as if she were admonishing me.

Harvey is gay. Jaxon told me, laughing at my jealousy. Fae said there is nothing to worry about, so stop growling at the human.

Harvey must have heard my growl too because he unwrapped himself partially from around Arden and turned to face me while keeping one arm over her shoulders.

“Oh!” he exclaimed, and I could hear the slight flair in his voice. “And who is this handsome hunk of man? Andrea, do you have anything to say for yourself?”

He winked at me before looking down at Arden again, and my heart melted a little at the giggle that escaped her.

“It’s not Andrea.” She said gently, making sure to correct him before addressing my presence. “I just went by that so my ex couldn’t find me.”

“Well hell!” Harvey stepped back, his shock was real, but done in such a dramatic manner that I wanted to kick myself for not seeing his flamboyance before. I was fully aware that not all gay men share that attribute, but seeing Harvey’s behaviors was nearly like a big flashing sign. “Ok then not-Andrea, what’s your name then?”

“Arden.” She answered with a small grimace, like she was ashamed of having lied to him. “I’m sorry, I just needed to lay low back then, and using my own name seemed like a target on my back.”

“No need to be sorry hunny.” Harvey patted her on the shoulder, then turned to glance at me. “How about I join you two for a few minutes? My shift starts soon, but I’m sure I have time to catch up a little. Plus, you still haven’t answered my question about Mr. Gorgeous over there.”

Arden laughed at him, and they both sat down at our booth, Harvey sitting right next to her. I fought back a little of my frustration at having the human sitting with us, but it was clear that Arden wanted to have the opportunity to talk with him.

“This is my friend, Roman.” She introduced me. “JUST friend.” She clarified as she watched Harvey’s eyes light up.

I ignored the pang in my chest when she said it, but I didn’t have room to me upset. We hadn’t talked about what we were going to do with the mate bond, and it would be unfair to expect anything other the statement of friendship.

“Uh-huh.” Harvey exaggeratedly looked back and forth between us, then leaned in to fake whisper in her ear. “Does he bat for the other team?”

“No!” Arden laughed loudly, her laugh taking away the sting that was lingering from the friend comment.

I let the two of them talk for a few minutes, catching up and pretty much ignoring my presence. I was fine with it though, it gave me a chance to watch Arden without her feeling like I was staring her down.

I had never noticed how beautiful she was. Before the mate bond, I noted her attractiveness, but I was still filled with pain from the loss of my first mate. Even during our friendship, it was mainly a comradery and never gave me a reason to look at her in a different light.

After we felt the bate bond, things became so strained between us, I never had a chance to look at her without things being awkward.

Sitting in the diner, Arden talking with her friend, I finally had the opportunity to truly see her beauty.

Her blue eyes had always drawn me in, but now I was able to see the light in them as she laughed. She had her hair pulled back away from her face in a ponytail, and it hung in waves down her back. It reminded me of chocolate, and my fingers itched to run through the strands.

I was lost in admiring the beautiful olive complexion of her face when I noticed her freeze up momentarily. I dragged my attention back to the conversation in front of me.

“Oh, I’m just cold.” Arden answered whatever question had been asked. She kept the smile on her face, but I could see the discomfort in her eyes.

“Cold?” Harvey exclaimed as if she were crazy. “It’s over 80 outside. How could you be cold?”

“I’m anemic.” She said, brushing off his comment like it was nothing, and rubbing the sleeves of her long-sleeved shirt.

“Oh, well ok then.” Harvey looked at the clock hanging on the wall and jumped to his feet. “I’m late to clock in. I’ll see you late dear!”

He leaned over to hug her, and they both said their good-byes. What she told Harvey didn’t make any sense. Wolves tend to run a bit warmer than humans, and there is no way she could be anemic. Meat is a large part of our diets. I waited until Harvey was far enough away and pulled her attention back to me.

“Arden,” I said lowly. “I know you lied to him.”

She ducked her head down and started shuffling through the papers we had gathered together when Harvey had shown up.

“Why did you lie?” I asked, but she continued to ignore me. “Why are you wearing long-sleeves? He wasn’t wrong, it’s hot out.”

Arden finally looked up at me and made eye contact. I could see the sad look in her eyes, and I had the strongest urge to pull her into my lap and hold her until she smiled again.

“My healing was only able to do so much against the silver.” She whispered, and my heart clenched.