The atmosphere in the room changed instantly, heavy, hot. Even the air seemed charged with energy, and I could almost feel the tingles on my fingertips.

Eyes still on mine Romanov made a move to stand up and I let out a gasp when one-minute Romanov was sitting on the bed and the next he was an inch away from me.

"Had a safe trip, I suppose?" He bit out, his voice a dark and deadly storm.

I couldn't reply, my eyes remained frozen on Romanov's blazing golden ones. I stood still before him.

His golden eyes shone brighter, and I gasped and shut my eyes when he leaned forward, his nose now touching my cheek. "Speak. Olivia."

Shock ran through me as I felt his arm slip around my back, tightening as it encircled my back completely. "Do you know how infuriating it is to wait for someone at the airport and an hour later when they are nowhere in sight, all the confusion, turns into fear, and then the fear into anger?"

His hold tightened on me again and he pulled me to him with a jolt, his lips brushing against mine, only for a second. I shivered as chills ran down my back at the contact of his lips, his warm breath covering my mouth.

"Who touched my mark, Olivia?"

Despite my violently beating heart and the tingles on my lips I frowned, my irritation and stomach cramps making me act without care.

"Why are you even so mad?" I blurted out frustratingly, throwing my hands up in the air.

Surprising me, Romanov threw his head back and chuckled, "Why am I so mad?"

My breath hitched in my throat when he suddenly stopped. His serious gaze on mine. "Who touched my mark, Olivia? Who touched you?"

Suddenly feeling very rebellious I looked away, sticking my nose in the air. "First tell me how you know that someone touched it, and why you are so mad. Then maybe I—ahh!"

My eyes wide I couldn't help but gasp as my fingers found Romanov's thick hair, tangling into them as his mark throbbed between his teeth.

I gulped, and Romanov pulled on his mark lightly, another round of intense pleasure ran through my body and I almost wept at the newness of the feeling.

Suddenly Romanov's lips left his mark and he moved lower, I gasped when his hands found the back of my thighs and he jolted me up against him, my legs wrapped automatically around his waist.

Flinging my hands around his neck I grasped onto him with visible surprise at what was happening.

How could he keep doing this to me when he didn't feel the same thing? And why did my body react like this every time he was around me — touched me. I felt like begging him to do things I'd never begged anyone to do before. This clearly wasn't hero worship anymore.... then what was it?

"You can't keep doing this. Why are you doing this? What is this mark?! What is this!?" I whispered desperately, my eyes on a pair of liquid gold ones, I motioned between us when I whispered the last this.

A blank look on his face, Romanov tightened his hold on me, before turning around he began walking towards my bed, dropping me when we reached it.

A breath later his body covered mine. His molten golden pools staring into my dirt coloured eyes.

"Answer my questions and I'll answer yours."

Slowly, as his fingers caressed my arm I gave in. Looking away from his face to his chest I took in a deep breath, letting it go I finally spoke up.

"Pompy, my home's caretaker touched your mark."

To my surprise Romanov narrowed his eyes as he looked at the bed, not me, and nodded. His now dark gaze settled on my lighter ones once again.

"I called. Last night. Your caretaker picked up."

I stilled.

He called while I was on a... date with Edward.

Heart thumping in my chest, which I was pretty sure he could hear, I quickly did the first thing I thought of.

"Now your turn!"

As if understanding that I had realized when he had called, and that he knew, Romanov smirked.

Our eyes held each other's and I almost gasped when Romanov brought both my hands above my head, holding them there with one of his. The other lazily caressed the side of my breast.

Suddenly the sounds of the bedroom door open echoed around the room, mortified I turned towards the door to see two very shocked Rose and Sophia. A platter full of sandwiches and a glass of juice in Sophia's hand.

Romanov didn't even turn, his eyes still on and only on me. The same smirk filtering his look. My breath hitched in my throat with shock when seeming undeterred by the girls' presence, leaning down Romanov brushed his nose against my cheeks.

His smirk widened.

"It's a very simple concept, Olivia. This mark... means you're mine." He brushed his lips against my jaw.

"And that Monatelly is going to see his last day, if he decides to come near you again. Business manager be damned."

I panicked. My mouth opening and closing Iike a fish. My heart fluttered with warmth at Romanov's words, but did it mean that he liked me back just because he said that his mark made me his. Or was I one of the many?

Finally managing a word, I almost smacked myself as soon as I blurted a dumb "What?"

Romanov eyes turned darker as he curled away a loose strand of hair, "You're—" Then he caressed away another, "Mine."

Time slowed down and slowly his expression turned a little bitter and he almost hissed out the last words.

"Miss. Olivia."

~^~

"Are you okay?"

A warm mug of hot chocolate in my hand I looked up at a concerned looking Sophia, a silent Rose beside her.

I shuddered, the tingles that rushed over me every time I thought of Romanov danced their way through my skin. I nodded.

"I'm fine. Thank you for this," smiling dumbly I motioned towards the hot mug in my hands. Shaking her head Sophia sat down on the edge of the bed. Her bright blue eyes stayed on mine.

"Don't worry about it. So, I guess master Romanov doesn't actually dislike you."

I shuddered. Again.

One-minute Romanov had been on me and the next he was strolling past the two girls, his right hand in his pocket.

For the first time since Romanov had left, Rose spoke up.

"Can we talk about something else please? Like, how was your trip back home?"

Strangely grateful for the change in topic I quickly grasped the opportunity.

"So, what's for dinner tonight?"

Sophia chuckled silently, shaking her head. Rose on the other hand looked to the point of visibly salivating, her sad face however gave me mixed feelings.

Curiosity began eating at me and I moved closer to the two girls.

"Tell me!" I urged, looking from one girl to the other.

"Crab spaghetti with lemon gremolata," Rose sighed sadly, a forlorn look on her face as she leaned forward and rested her chin on her hands.

"We're allergic to crabs," Sophia signed, chuckling as she looked at a sad looking Rose with amusement.

Despite the slight distractedness I grinned, Sophia and Rose's eyes widened with understanding and I finally said it.

"I'm allergic to crabs, too."

~^~

Mine.

Growing up it was a word I'd associated with my things. My books, bed, phone, food? Which wasn't abnormal, after all, high school hadn't been one of the best places for me while growing up.

It was funny how people thought being pretty, even in the slightest of bits meant that a girl would enjoy her high school and college years. The darker side was almost always left buried.

My darker side had been when I'd been dated by my college's biggest crush, one of the hottest computer nerds in our school, for a bet with one of the girls who hated me, and dumped, because I wouldn't sleep with him.

Dumped in front of the whole cafeteria, humiliated for all the secrets, and fears I had thought okay to share with Weston over the span of four months because he was that good of an actor. Having the cherry placed on the top when Weston and Patricia made out in front of everyone after Weston bragged about how he had gotten it all throughout the four months by Patricia — was the last thing I needed for being only sixteen.

And Weston had never associated me even the slightest of bits with 'mine.'

That had been the last day I had dated. Four years had rushed by that way, and suddenly... sitting here in this populated auditorium amongst all of my course mates, in the middle of a lecture, I'd realised that I didn't know how to date anymore. How did people even kiss anymore?

And then there was my crush on Romanov, and his explicit use of the word 'mine'...

The whole revelation of things just crashed down on my chest and suddenly I felt myself loss of breath.

Minutes passed and finally the class came to an end, around me the rest of the class filtered out of the room and I sat in my seat, numb as I let them.

One by one each and every one left the auditorium and I slumped down in my seat as the last one, a reluctant Jaydin, walked out.

My eyes swept around the empty auditorium and I let out a loud sigh. There was nothing but silence surrounding me and strangely, the silence seemed soothing, almost like a mother calming her child's wild nerves.

I let myself go in the silence, every nerve, every fear. My mind ran loose, and I let it.

What was I going to do now?

Skipping dinner last night, and breakfast this morning I had managed to avoid Romanov for this long. I did like him, and he did call me his, but did I really want to be with him if I was just of his many and not his only? And did he mean mine as his as a person who he liked and wanted around forever or mine as an object he liked to collect?

After Weston, I didn't know.

This brought back the large aching question.

What was I going to do now?

Thinking about facing Romanov, for tonight, I decided against it. I couldn't, not until I'd figured out how I was going to deal with this, even in the slightest bit. He was, after all, not even human.

A loud groan released itself from my lips and I dropped my head on my hands, pulling on my hair either frustration.

"I think I'm going to lose my mind."

"Call him and tell him you're staying at Prue's tonight."

What the hell!

My head snapped up and my eyes widened with surprise as I found Abigail standing in front of me, her arms folded in front of her.

"Abi—"

"I'm a werewolf!" Abigail suddenly blurted out, throwing her hands up as her voice echoed back to us.

I blinked, my mouth now agape.

Abigail sighed as she sunk into the seat before me, facing me. "I've been wanting to tell you."

Suddenly every strange thing Abigail ever did made sense. Making sure that she dropped me to places instead of letting me go alone, checking the windows in the hospital, always being so perceptive and protective.

"So... Romanov is your..." I stopped, then slowly mumbled a word I had only just read about in the author Edika's book. "...Alpha?"

In front of me Abigail blinked.

"Wait... you're not angry?"

Frowning I shook my head. "I wouldn't bother telling my best friend I'm not human without actually taking my time too. I can understand."

A small smile twinkled on Abigail's lips and she reached forward to pay my hand.

"Romanov is not just an Alpha. Romanov is king... Well... In a way he is... But more like Alpha King, over Europe. Well most of it. I'm from London, so that makes me under his cousin, King Alexander."

Romanov... King... Beast King... Alexander? ...... Europe... Ki—

It didn't take me a second, before I knew it darkness fell over my eyes and I felt my body go limp, the last thing my conscious mind could register, Abigail's alarmed looking face.

Tiny dots of light filtered through my already opening eyes as I tried to move my aching body, a low groan slipped out of my mouth and licked my dry lips, moving my hair back with my hand.

Immediately two hands found me and pulled me against a chest, one hand comfortingly caressing my hair.

"Livy, Livy are you fine? You sure do faint a lot, did you notice?"

Nodding, I groaned — to both the questions — I knew I fainted a lot. I'd been anaemic since my early teens. Then the last moments of memories hit me again and instantly I snapped my eyes open.

"Romanov is a king!?" I blurted out, still a little disoriented.

Abigail's hand on my head stopped and she smiled as she leaned in front of me. I realized we were still in the auditorium.

"Yes. Wasn't it obvious with the castle? He's a force to mess with. You're lucky. He needs a calm, warm factor in his life."

I didn't know how to respond to that, stuck between crying away my confusion to Abigail and venting out because everything seemed like a messy blur, I decided to do both.

"He told me that I'm his today. I don't get it! What does he mean? Am I someone he wants to keep around? Or am I his new shiny toy? Does it make sense? Who says that? And then there is lady Edika, I think she's real, Abi! I feel like I'm being watched all the time! I'm just so mad!"

To my surprise Abigail only smiled, patting my hand with hers again she took her time before she finally spoke up.

"Since I'm not under his domain, I would have told you what he meant in English but the Naight family only permit this word officially being spoken in their tongue, Greek, so here's your answer Olivia. There is no one. Only you. You're his adelfí psychí, Olivia. His only adelfí psychí. Because the Naight family aren't born with second chances."

~^~

Dear Olivia,

I'm fine, well, in a way... although mum is being a little fussier these days about moving out, is there anyway your real mum cannot like you? I think there is... Because mum hates me, Livia. It's always and only Juliana for her. Papa is off to America this time, and we had a row... I was a little miffed because the whole situation is a rotter and it's horrible because I'm stuck here too, it's the breaks. But since you've extended an invite, I'll be on the flight as soon as possible.

I hope you're well? I can't wait to meet you Livia. We have so much to share. Give my hugs to Abigail. I miss her sarcasm too.

Lots of hugs and love,

Isabelle Tide.

"That doesn't seem like the Isabelle I know."

Looking over my shoulder I narrowed my eyes at an amused looking River.

"What do you mean?" I asked suspiciously, then stopped, and smacked the letter against my chest. "Hey! you're not supposed to read private mail!"

Rolling his eyes River shrugged as he walked around the sofa, a freshly bathed and fed Letty in his arms -- and joined me. Dropping down right beside me.

"She talks a lot in the letters, always such a quiet timid Isabelle in real life."

This time, I rolled my eyes.

"She's had a lot going on through her childhood, and it's continuing now. It's made her shy and insecure and timid. But that doesn't mean she doesn't know how to fight." I smirked when a surprised look waved over River's face.

As if feeling left out Letty let out a slow purposeful coo and I turned to her, her electric blue eyes sparkling at me with hope. My eyes on her as her mouth turned up into a smile and I echoed the action. Putting the letter away I leaned into River and moved Letty into my arms, her tiny hands automatically found a strand of my hair.

"She misses you."

I nodded, leaning down to place a small kiss on my baby's forehead.

"I miss her too. She looks just like Elizabeth, Riv."

River's arms wrapped around me and I breathed out a slow breath as I willed the tears to stay.

"Her eyes and nose are her dad's though." I chuckled sadly, watching the beautiful infant in my arms obliviously happy in her tiny world right now.

"She'll grow up a happy baby, Olivia. That much I can promise you."

Rocking Lolette in my arms I turned towards River, "Yes, I'll make sure she will."

"What will you do when Prue will fly off for to London for the meeting with those delegates? Three days is a long time."

Rolling my eyes, I let out another string of breath. Letty was now almost asleep in my arms, her grip on my hair loosening.

"I don't really want to, but I'll take her with me to the castle if Romanov allows. Otherwise I'll take three days away and make up for it in the next semester, or not at all."

"Ro—"

A loud beeping sound cut River off and turning towards the noise we both groaned.

"It's mine, can you reach for it please?"

Smiling River nodded. "Sure!" His face however scrunched up into a confused expression when I watched him pick my iPhone up. Letty's heavy weight on my chest made me feel warm and motherly, and I smiled when her grip on my hair completely gave out and she snuggled in closer to me.

"Who's Beasty?" River asked curiously as he handed me my phone, I stilled for a second before I chuckled nervously.

"Romanov. I like to call him that in my mind—"

"He's scary?" River cut me off, an amused grin on his face.

Chuckling I nodded as I tapped on the message, "In a way."

From: Beasty.

Rolling my eyes, I texted back Romanov a reply before I could even think.

To: Beasty.

From: Beasty.

Suddenly everything it seemed that I was trying to control just exploded, the confusion, regret, rejections and longing just made my anger grow. It seemed like I was the only one trying to understand this situation. It seemed like just because Beasty saved my life didn't mean he was a good person, and just because he said I was his, didn't mean he was mine.

Suddenly it seemed like that there was another way of doing this assignment after all. I could take the alternate choice Professor gave us, maybe Romanov was just another Weston, just not human.

My fingers worked fast, and I looked so determined that River removed a now sleeping Lolette from my arms and placed her on a cradle beside the sofa. Sitting down beside me silently as he watched me type away.

To: Beasty.

When minutes passed, and no reply came I sighed slowly and contemplated banging my head on the coffee table in front of me. The gnawing realization that maybe I'd been a little too much settled in, and now maybe, all the work I had done for the assignment seemed like it had been for nothing at all. I could have at least tried to stay there, but away from Romanov, for my assignment. Maybe one day my crush would have disappeared, but my education never would, my failures never would. Had I failed?

"No, but you sure are overreacting."

My head snapped towards River and I felt myself slump down further. Okay, maybe he was right, maybe I was overreacting.

Both our heads snapped towards the door when a loud screeching sound sounded from outside, instantly both our feet seemed to be rushing towards the door and I almost screamed when I flung the door open and was snatched against a hard chest.

The day was at its end outside, even the skies were bland. The only light that served as a purpose to see was the garden lights and the light that seemed to be streaming through the open doorway. The streetlights seemed far too far away to use. I yelped as the person flung me over his shoulder and began walking to the car ready in the driveway.

"Alternate method, my arse!" The man grumbled, and I stilled with the recognition.

"Romanov!" I breathed as I bounced over his shoulder while he stormed towards his car.

"Stop it!" I continued, finding my voice again.

Suddenly another hand found my arms and pulled off of Romanov, I screamed at the sudden motion.

"Stay away from her or I'll call the police officers!" River now yelled as he moved us to stand a length away from a very furious looking Romanov, whose eyes stayed unblinkingly on mine.

"Stop.touching.her."

River, on the other hand, took no notice as he continued to hold me around my waist as he moved us further back towards the front door. "You stop harassing her! Get your ass off of Prue's property!"

I watched mortified as Romanov chuckled, his white sharp canines showing in a threatening way, slowly he looked at River and still chuckling, looked down, shaking his head.

Suddenly the chuckle stopped, and his head snapped up. A gasp released itself from both River and I's mouths. Suddenly Romanov didn't look human at all, canines, golden eyes, sharper jaws, forehead, and neck littering with veins and ... just animalistic.

"Stop. Touching. Her."

"Y-you're a monster! n-no! I won't e-ever!" River stuttered, and I twisted in his arms, a part of me seeking to soothe Romanov while the other wanted to run. Escape the situation.

Romanov snarled as he took a feral step forward and River stilled behind me, his arms still around me. Suddenly I didn't know who was doing the protecting. I sighed as I touched his arm.

"River, just let me go...trust me, please," I whispered as I tugged on his hand. Still frozen behind me River seemed to debate on the matter for a second before he finally let go. Romanov extended his veiny arms towards me.

"Let's go,"

"No! Olivia isn't going anywhere with you, you monster!"

I cringed when I saw the gold in Romanov's eyes dull down.

"She's mine!" he grit out, taking a step forward. This time, however, River scoffed, and I began wondering if he was feeling slightly suicidal.

"In your dreams."

Snarling, Romanov turned towards me, "Olivia, come here, or he dies."

I almost sighed. Although Romanov's face stayed animalistic, I could slowly now see the human Roman in him. It wasn't like I wasn't scared, I was. But I wasn't scared because he had saved my life before. More than once. I was just scared for River.

Looking back, I gave River a small look before walking towards Beasty. Immediately his hand gripped mine as soon as I came of reaching's length and he pulled me against his chest, both his arms now wrapped around my middle.

River, on the other hand, lost it.

"I'm going to call for help! You're crazy! I'll save you Olivia!" Running towards the street he began yelling out for help, hysterical almost as he ran his way onto the busy night street.

"Help! I'm going to ca-AHH!"

It all seemed like a blur, as one-minute Romanov held me against him and the other he was pulling River away from his death.

The car speeded its way along the lane that River had only seconds ago been standing on. I watched, breathless as a shocked River sat on the sidewalk, heaving as he watched the car speed away, a human looking Romanov still holding him by the back of his shirt.