The Duty of an Alpha (Book 2)

Sparks

Chapter 12

Arden POV*

“Why are you wearing long-sleeves?” Roman asked me, making me shrink into myself a little, but I looked up to meet his eyes.

“My healing was only able to do so much against the silver.” I whispered.

I couldn’t look at him any longer. It was usually easy to ignore the scars that ran along my arms, especially since I made sure they were covered nearly all the time. The only time I didn’t have them covered was for shifting and bathing. Other than that, I didn’t like anyone to see it, and I didn’t like looking at it myself.

My pack members were aware enough about the scars that they never questioned why I wore sleeves even in the warmest of weather. They also never mentioned anything about it when my arms were visible when I shifted. It made me think that someone was kind enough to warn a few people not to say anything, and they spread the word.

I could feel Roman’s gaze on me, but I still refused to look up. He would only want to ask about the scars, and the diner is far from the right place to discuss it. Instead, I drag my focus to the paperwork in front of me, ignoring the waves of anger and sadness that pour off of my mate-to-be.

Roman offered to ask several of the witches in his pack if they would be willing to move into mine and help with the security issue I had. That covered at least a small part of what needed to be done. He had assured me that at least a few of them would be willing to transfer, and that they were more than capable of handling the spells that would be used to create wards around the pack boundaries.

Unfortunately, even with wards, there was still a lot to consider. Roman’s pack was invisible to anyone who had not been there before, and his protection wards were very strong. Yet, even so, the pack was attacked within the borders.

He told me that no one recognized any of the attackers, and only one got away. It made no sense, and I was desperate to figure out what was happening to our packs.

Normally, rogue attacks wouldn’t be too much of a concern. Sometimes they get desperate and try to get past the borders of a nearby pack. But the rogues that attacked both Silver Creek and Ash River were strong, and didn’t seem desperate. With both attacks being just a few days apart, and the rogues all having strength that didn’t match their scent, it became even more important for me to figure out what was happening.

“Arden.” Roman called out gently, pulling my attention away from the paperwork and worrying thoughts. I finally looked up and met his concerned stare. “How bad is it?”

Roman was being gentle and caring, but my body tensed at the question.

“Now is not the time or place to talk about it.” I said tersely, hoping it would be enough for him to accept it and move on. Instead, he reached across the table and placed his hand over mine, making me jump.

We hadn’t touched since finding out we were second chance mates, except for when I curled up in his arms and cried. The simple gesture of placing his hand on mine sent a wave of heated sparks through me. The skin of my hand tingled where it met his, and it took all my effort to not grab his hand and pull him to me.

“Please.” Roman begged gently. My body reacted to the sound of his voice, and I had to shake my head to free myself from to urges of the mate bond. He looked sad as I pulled my hand out from under his, but he continued talking. “Arden, we might be in the wrong place to talk about this, and I’m sorry, but I need to know. Even if we are ignoring the mate bond for now, I still love you, and you are still my mate. I have to know that you are ok!”

His gentle pleading and being able to sense the love he feels for me was enough to ease the tension out of my body. The scars that wind around my arms should be something that I’m proud of. It shows that I survived something terrible. Instead, they are something that remind me each day that I endured so much pain at the hands of my ex-mate.

For over a week, he wrapped tinsel like silver chains around my arms, and sprayed wolfsbane all over my naked body. I still bare some pock marks on my chest and legs from the worse of the wolfsbane. I had no one to help me through the time I spent in his dungeon, and seeing the scars across my body remind me of t0rment that I went through, without even my wolf to help me.

“I don’t want to talk about it right now, Roman.” I carefully reached across the table to grab his hand again. “I’m ok, and there are more important things to worry about than scars of the past. We need to protect our pack from whoever keeps attacking us. Then we can worry about everything else.”

Roman looked at me like I’m crazy for acting like everything is ok, but I couldn’t bare to show him what my skin looks like under the sleeves of my shirt. Not yet.

“Ok.” He said slowly and we let go of each other’s hand. “I guess for now, we should eat something then.”

“Sounds good.” I smiled at him and turned to wave Kyra over to us.

We ordered our food, and I ignored the pointed looks that she kept giving me. I could tell that she wanted to know what was going on between Roman and I, how could I tell her anything when I still had trouble figuring it out myself.

We worked out a few different patrol routes that we could implement at both pack before setting it all aside when the food arrived.

It was nice to just sit and enjoy a quiet meal with him. Other than a few awkward moments, the day had felt like everything was back to normal between us, and it made me miss him even more.

After finishing our food, we decided to put the work away and head back to out our packs.

Before I could walk out the door, I was smothered with hugs and well wishes from Benny, Kyra, and Harvey. All of them were asking when I would be able to make it back out to see them, and insisting that we exchange phone numbers so we could text and catch up. I had to reassure them nearly five times that I would be returning for the next few weeks so that I could meet my “business partner”, Roman, and they finally let me walk out the door.

I hadn’t realized just how much I had missed them until I got to see them again. Benny had treated me like his own daughter during the short amount of time I had worked for him, and even though I had did my best to keep them at arm’s length during my time in the small town, they all held a place in my heart.

Roman was standing next to my small car waiting for me. As much as I wanted to avoid it, all I could think of was how incredibly good he looked leaning against the car with his arms crossed. His light grey shirt was tight across his muscled arms, and it made his dark skin stand out. He wore his dreads piled at the top of his head, showing off the shaved sides, and allowing his face to be more visible. I met his hazel/green eyes, and I realized I got caught checking him out.

I ducked my head and walked quickly over to where he leaned on my car, trying to make the blush in my cheeks go away before I looked at him again, but it wasn’t an easy task. Every time I looked at him, it became easier to see him as my mate and not my friend, even though I constantly reminded myself that our packs came before us.

“I’m glad we could meet up and sort some things out.” I told him when I reached the car. He pushed himself off the side to stand up straight, but I still couldn’t meet his eyes. My face still felt hot with the embarrassment of being caught.

“I’m glad too.” Roman’s voice came out a little husky sounding that made butterflies start in my belly. “I want to do this again soon.”

“Ok.” I squeaked out and finally looked up at his face. “When?”

“A few days from now?” He asked as he closed the short distance between us.

I nodded my head at him in answer, but couldn’t bring myself to say anything else. Roman seemed to be struggling internally with something, but I couldn’t tell what it was. Finally, he seemed to have made a decision and rushed forward and pulled me into a tight hug.

Sparks erupted all over my body. Wherever he touched me, even over my clothing, my skin tingled and warmed. I knew I should pull away, but being held by him was the best feeling I had ever had. Especially since I wasn’t sobbing my eyes out this time.

I pulled back slightly, just to look up at him while his arms were still wrapped around me.

Roman’s hazel eyes flashed, and in a moment, his lips crashed against mine.