The early morning's rays beamed in disappointment as it danced into my room through the windows. The absence of a heavy arm over my middle cut a pang through my chest, and I almost decided to live a life there in bed, with my eyes closed and reality shut away by the darkness.

Romanov had left. Had left before I had woken up. And as I lay there, eyes shut and afraid, the whole reality of our relation suddenly washed over me in an onslaught.

I sighed. I suppose that was how it was going to be every morning now. The reality would come crashing against my face each morning and each morning I would try to hide away. Last night's memories danced through my mind again and I almost breathed out a shaky breath when the electrical jolts hit at my heart like they always did.

Last night, Romanov had always had a bit of his skin on mine, all through the night.

Either his arms around my waist, or his legs over my back, or shifting me to completely lie over him, which surprisingly wasn't that bad.

Normally I wasn't much of a cuddler, but having him want to just hold me, for assurance or protection, maybe he was a cuddler? Felt amazing.

Smiling a little to myself now, I made a turn to change sides on the bed, my eyes still closed, but stopped when I realised something.

Lolette was being awfully quiet.

Lolette was usually a crier waking up in the mornings.

My eyes snapped open at once and I instantly got out of bed, my eyes turned towards her crib and I began panicking.

Lolette wasn't there. Lolette wasn't sleeding there.

The next minute found me almost flying out of my room and down the stairs, a tiny panic kicking in like a tidal wave, growing larger and larger by the second.

The soft sound of mellowed coos sounding from the kitchen had me frowning and I hurried into the direction of it, my breath coming in puffs when I finally reached it.

I froze in my steps.

The mellowing coos and awws continued and I watched the two grown man seated on the kitchen island, chins rested on their hands — continue to coo and make adorable noises, their eyes on the scene I turned next to.

My jaw, heart, and ovaries fell to the floor and I blinked, lamely, as I tried to take in the sight before me.

A concentrating look on his face, Romanov stood holding Letty in his arm, a spoon full of mashed carrots in his other hand as he brought the plastic spoon closer to the happy Letty's lips. I watched mesmerised as Letty slowly opened her mouth and ate out of the spoon. Without any tantrums. Without any mischief.

A second later her lips latched around the baby bottle, drinking the boiled, cooled water, her tiny hands grabbing at the bottle as Romanov kept it held by the ends, a small smile shadowing the corners of his lips.

Seeming to have enough Letty let go off the bottle and looked up at Romanov, an open-mouthed smile on her carrot mushed face, then suddenly she just fell on him, small gurgles of happiness bubbling out of her mouth as she rested her face against his now carrot smeared light blue shirt. Her hand grabbing hold of a button on his shirt she seemed to find interesting.

Another round of awws echoed around the kitchen and Romanov's eyes snapped up, annoyed, before they caught me standing on the door way. My mouth still, embarrassingly so, open.

"Err... She was crying,"

I nodded, my feet automatically taking a step in.

Romanov's eyes widened, and he seemed to stiffen, his arm around Lolette tightened slowly as he began bouncing her in his arms.

"Morning guys," I smiled at the two men seated at the kitchen island. Immediately two arms lifted up and sent a wave in my direction.

"Morning Olli,"

"Morning Se—"

A low growl slipped from the other edge of the room and Grayson made a lousy face.

"Morning, Olivia,"

Smiling slightly, I turned towards Romanov again, his t-shirt now turned into a canvas for carrot and baby drool art, although he seemed perfectly fine with it. He seemed to have a controlled expression on his face. I frowned, curious for the reason behind it.

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

Romanov tilted at eyebrow up before he shrugged, his dark eyes staring into mine, "I wanted you to get a good amount of sleep."

I stilled, my eyes now darting towards the walls, "What's—"

"Olivia."

I froze. My eyes snapping towards Romanov's.

"Can you please, get yourself in your room?"

My mouth fell open and I looked at him with a bewildered expression, but suddenly he looked me top to bottom and I knew what he was talking about.

The next second had me rushing out of the kitchen.

"Oh, by the way, it's 11.24 in the morning at the moment!" Grayson's amused chuckle rung out of the kitchen and I cringed at the thought of him seeing straight through my boy shorts and tank top.

Reaching my room, I quickly walked towards my night stand and shuddered when I noticed a message from Iz.

From: Issy belle.
Received: 9:12AM

"Great! Now I'm embarrassed and almost late too!"

Groaning and grumbling I put my iPhone aside and slowly dragged myself into the bathroom and closed the door shut.

Isabelle was going to be here in less than an hour, and I wasn't even ready yet!

~^~
It was the fastest morning shower I had ever taken, and having freshly brushed and done the other deeds, I was finally ready to conquer the deadline. There was no way I was going to be late picking Isabelle up.

A soft smile on my lips, I wrapped my emerald green towel around me, before slipping out of the bathroom.

Turning around I stilled when I noticed the bedroom door open at the same time, and Romanov walking in. Looking up, his eyes met mine and I froze when he reached for his blue t-shirt and pulled it off, all the while stalking towards me.

With every step he took forward, I took one back, but soon enough I felt the cold glass of the shower door press against my wet back, and I stilled, my heart almost jolting out of my chest with a new sense of something. Something I couldn't quite explain.

Excitement? Panic?

A step away and Romanov stopped, my breath hitched in my throat, but I continued to stare at my feet, the purple nail polish shining brighter than usual.

 
"May I come closer?"

I blinked, my eyes snapping up, his golden ones burned into my brown ones.

"You've never asked before,"

Romanov smirked, and I noticed the glint of his beast in his eyes. A shiver ran past my back.

"True," he admitted, taking the final step towards me, his feet now touching mine. He leaned low, "That was not a smart thing to do, back there."

Despite his nose almost touching mine, I rolled my eyes.

"How was I supposed to know you'd have Dom and that fuck boy extraordinaire over?"

Romanov's eyes blazed and he inched his face closer, "Your t-shirt was see through. You don't wear a bra when you sleep,"

My heart was beating at a mile an hour. The similar sense of embarrassment hit home. I didn't know what I was thinking~ I suppose in that panic... I wasn't. I didn't know how Romanov and his beast would have taken it had Letty not been in his arms. I was nervous. Very nervous.

But despite that, I did what I wanted to do ever since his warm breath began making goosebumps along my neck. Taking a plunge, I tentatively placed my hands flat against his chest I titled my head and leaned forward, pressing a kiss on his chin.

"I'll say sorry if you do too,"

Romanov stiffened, his hands immediately found mine— keeping them attached to his chest. His dark wide surprised eyes blinked once or twice before they narrowed, "Why do I have to say sorry?"

"For being mad at me when you didn't even tell me you had Dom and Grayson over,"

"She was crying, and I didn't know how to handle her alone." Romanov growled darkly, his narrowed eyes now shining liquid gold.

"You could have woken me up," I mumbled back softly. Romanov's hand tightened around mine. I noticed his temperature increase crazily fast. Suddenly he was burning.

"I wanted you to rest."

I sighed.

"I'm sorry,"

My eyes snapped to his and Romanov's jaw tightened.

"I just—you're mine,"

He snapped. Slowly pressing his hot forehead against mine. I closed my eyes, just feeling him close, his warm breath on my lips.

"I'm sorry I forgot how revealing my clothes were," I breathed. My breath hitched in my throat when Romanov's warm lips brushed against my slightly cold ones.

His lips brushed against mine for the second time and I shuddered as I felt him dip his lips lower, to the crook of my neck.

"Emerald green, by the way, is my favourite colour."

I shivered against his whisper, his hand left mine and I stayed still as he slowly twirled my hair to the other side before pressing an open-mouthed kiss on his mark.

"Isabelle!"

Romanov stilled, and I cringed. Pretty sure I was already beetroot red.

"What?"

"M-My best friend Isabelle? She's flying from L-London. I have to pick her by noon!"

"It's almost Eleven Forty-Five,"

"Shite,"

"More like late, but sure, whatever."

Looking up at Romanov I almost smiled despite his sarcastic reply. What had I done to receive such an amazing guy? I couldn't help it, my hands moved around his neck and I pulled him down, meeting his lips half way.

It wasn't long before I found myself moving out of his arms and towards the closet door. Getting to Isabelle was equally as important as kissing my hot mate.

~^~
Rushing down the stairs, my car's keys dangling from my right hand, my purse dancing from the other I stopped only when I reached the living room.

All three men sat on the sofa, Letty settled happily on Romanov's lap while she held onto Grayson's fingers. Dominic on the other hand sat opposite them, trying to carry out a mission every girl was normally an expert in, in real life. Taking secret photos of people around them.

As I walked closer, a smirk on my face, Dominic's eyes turned to mine. He winked mischievously, and I grinned. Reaching Romanov, I leaned down and pressed a warm kiss on Letty's forehead, at once her hand found my cheeks.

"Olli's got to go pick Aunt Issy belle now, darling. Olli will be back in a bit, okay?" I cooed as I placed another kiss on her forehead. Still smiling I made a move to turn away when I stopped, I turned back around and sunk my fingers into Romanov's hair, pressing a kiss on his forehead too.

Letty's happy shriek of laughter rung around the room and I grinned at how amused she seemed. Turning towards Romanov I watched as he looked at me with a very new look in his eyes. Slowly he turned away and turned towards Dom.

"Dominic, accompany Olivia to the airport, please."

"Livy, you're late! But oh my gosh, Berlin is beautiful!"

I sighed. Cursing myself for the hundredth time as Dominic took another turn. It was typical Isabelle, she thought Berlin was beautiful— and all she's seen so far was the airport.

"I know Issy, I'm sorry I didn't get your text on time!"

Isabelle seemed to sigh on the other side of the line before she replied. "It's okay, I'm in a restaurant opposite the airport. Getting takeaways, you want something?"

"Yeah, chicken. Anything with chicken. We'll be there in five minutes!"

The phone placed on my lap I turned towards a silent Dominic, "We will be there b—hey, are you okay?"

Clearly distracted, Dominic turned towards me. "Huh? Yes, sorry, just remembered somebody I once knew,"

I frowned.

Somebody he once knew?

Minutes passed before Dominic finally pulled in front of the restaurant, and I smiled sighting Isabelle at once.

Seated between a couple of what looked like bandaged nine-year-old boys, wearing white, her deep brown hair flying over her face, she seemed to be laughing as they all shared a meal together. Right there, on a bench outside the restaurant.

The car stopped, and I got out, immediately walking side by side with Dominic as we made our way towards her.

"She seems nice," he supplied lamely, and I giggled.

"She is nice," I replied, patting him on his arm.

Of course, Isabelle was nice. Circumstances around her had never been nice, so she has decided to be nice instead.

We walked towards her when one of the tiny boys said something and throwing her head back Isabelle let out a laugh.

Recovering from the laugh her eyes caught mine and she instantly jolted up, waving her hands, a large grin on her face.

"No..."

I stilled.

What?

Instantly my head turned to Dominic's and my eyes widened with surprise when I noticed he had stopped walking.

His eyes frozen on Isabelle. His hands clutched into fists. But what shocked me the most was what he said next.

"Emily?"

~^~

Isabelle.

I'd first met my longest of best friend in nursery. Seated on a swing, away from everyone else, she seemed down, and I had always been one to brighten moods.

I remember walking up to her, insisting that she scoot to the left—much like a bully, I now realize—and plopping myself on the other half of her swing. I'd offered her one of my spare chocolate bars—for I had been obsessed with chocolates—and the moment she had held onto the bar, a small smile on her lips, her eyes wide. I had known we would be friends for a very long time.

A decade and six years had passed since then and we had been through everything together. Fights, tears, loss, heartbreaks, and grade fails.

Isabelle had never been to America. I had never been to America. Then— I turned to face Dominic again— then how could Dominic call her by his ex soulmate's name?

My eyes moved down to his fisted hands and I sighed, before grabbing hold of it. Instantly his blazing golden eyes snapped to mine.

"That's Emily!"

I shook my head. "No, Dom, I kn—"

"Hi!"

Two pairs of eyes snapped towards a smiling Isabelle and I felt Dominic's fists tighten underneath my hand.

Letting go of Dom I pulled Isabelle into a hug and letting go, turned towards Dominic again. A soft yet unsettled smile on my face. His face set in stone as he continued to almost glare at Isabelle.

"Issy, this is Dominic."

I turned towards Isabelle, "And Dom, this is my best friend of sixteen years, Isabelle."

"Hey!" Isabelle smiled brightly, extending her hand towards Dom. He stiffened, his eyes moving from her hand to her face.

And then catching both Isabelle and I by surprise, Dominic quickly began moving towards Isabelle's obvious pile of luggage, ignoring her completely.

"I'll just pack all that in the trunk," Dominic muttered over his shoulder as he continued to walk away.

Isabelle turned to me with an embarrassed look, her cheeks rosy red, "Reckon hot boyfriend Dominic doesn't like me then?"

An amused smile on my face I shook my head, "He isn't my boyfriend. Dominic doesn't date—"

I stopped when I noticed a glitter of interest in Isabelle's green eyes. My smile turned into a smirk, "I can see it Issy, you always fall for the complicated ones."

Isabelle gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "That is not true!"

I rolled my eyes, my smirk getting wider.

"Sure, it isn't."

"You ladies ready?"

Both Isabelle and I jumped up in surprise, Dominic's blazing gold eyes remained glued on mine as he stood with his back towards Isabelle.

Suddenly very serious, I nodded. This was a serious matter.

"Yeah, let's go."

~^~
It seemed like years before we finally drove into Prue's driveway. The drive had been silent, awkward. Dominic refusing to talk at all, and Isabelle had been too absorbed in observing Dominic's silence to continue chattering.

I on the other hand spent the ride wondering if Isabelle and Dominic were soulmates. Maybe... maybe there was a way?

Moments later, my car parked and Isabelle's luggage in all three of our hands, we slowly walked into the house, wondering why it was so quiet.

Closing the front door behind us we dumped Isabelle's luggage beside the sofa and both Isabelle and I proceeded to slump down on it. Dominic on the other hand, stormed towards the kitchen.

Loud thumps sounded around the house before Romanov made an entrance.

Romanov stopped in his stride. His blazing eyes on mine. I cringed knowing it had taken us longer than it was supposed to, and that he was probably mad because of that.

"Sexy angry young man seems mad at you, who is he?"

Sighing I turned towards an interested looking Isabelle. "Romanov,"

Getting up I slowly made my way towards Romanov and stopped just in front of him.

"Upset?" I whispered, as I gave him a side looped smile.

Romanov's eyes narrowed dangerously before he reached out, grabbed me by one hand, and pulled me into his chest.

"Damn it, answer your calls next time." Romanov grumbled, his warm lips moving against my hair. I smiled into his hug as I nodded.

"I will. I'm sorry."

"Hey Alph—WOWZARANZER!"

I cringed. Grayson's loud exclamation was clearly directed towards Isabelle. Giving him a sideways glance, still being held by Romanov I watched as he openly stared at Isabelle while holding Letty cradled against him. His grin — feral, the canines of his teeth sharp and shining white.

Isabelle watched him with a slight look of apprehension and just as Grayson made a step towards her, Dominic walked back into the room and let out a low growl. Instantly everyone except for Romanov stilled.

"Not yours, Gray. Not yours." Dominic warned, his golden eyes blazing at Grayson.

A spark of hope lit in my chest and smiled.
Maybe they were soulmates.

~^~
Tiny golden fireflies swirled around the backyard, harmonizing perfectly with the tiny lights decorating the trees, channeling their way through each, lighting each one magically.

The hot mug of tea sat just on the armrest beside me as I continued to look at the silent nightlife.

Something about the night was so soothing, above in the moonless sky, tiny diamonds littered the blank canvas, and down here, on the ground, the fireflies and tiny lights littered around the backyard did their magic.

"Hey Olivia?"

Moving my eyes away from the glowing bugs I turned towards an equally silent looking Isabelle, a mug of hot black tea in her hand too. "Hmm,"

Her eyes slowly moved to mine and I blinked in surprise when I noticed that she seemed upset.

"Is there something wrong with my face?"

"What?" I mumbled back lamely, unable to even get why she would ask such a question.

Isabelle sighed before she brought her mug to her lips and took a sip, looking away. "It's just... the way Dominic looks at me, and then just doesn't.... makes me think something is... wrong."

This time I couldn't help but sigh, reaching forward I pat her on her hand. Her eyes twinkled up amusedly.

"Issy, this isn't what you're here for. You're not here for wallowing and overthinking things. You're not here to feel like shite about yourself, there is no Juliana here! Your mother isn't here! Just let it go Issy, have fun, enjoy Berlin! Have an open mind! Because in new countries, you never know what can happen," I stopped, and winked, making Issy let out a giggle.

"And besides, the castle I'm living in right now, is actually haunted. And the ghost? Well it wants my blood. Better live each day to the fullest, right?"

A heavy silence settled amongst the night air, I took another sip of the tea, wondering if telling Isabelle had been a little too soon on my part.

A quick glance Isabelle's way however had all my thoughts stopping.

"So, you finally believe, huh?" she mused, sounding somehow relieved about it.

I frowned, confused about her reaction, "Believe? What?"

"Remember back in class seven when I was absent from school for a week?" Isabelle murmured, moving closer, her knuckles holding the cup now white.

My frown deepened. "Yeah?"

Isabelle moved her hand forward and turned her hand, so I could watch her wrist. She opened her palm, the pads of her fingers pink. Blue and green veins mapping out her whole palm and wrist. I noticed three long white scars running from the centre of her palm all the way up to the middle of her arm.

"It wasn't a bear."

I blinked, dread already spreading in my chest, rooting itself in the pit of my stomach.

"What was it?" I finally whispered, praying she didn't mean what I thought she meant.

Isabelle's serious green eyes bore into brown ones before slowly she smiled sadly.

"My cousin Lance."

My jaw fell ajar, "What?"

I knew Lance, I had met him a handful of times at Isabelle's. The image of the tall rugby player popped into my mind and I tried to make sense of what new species Isabelle was going to introduce to me.

"Lance is a—" Isabelle stopped, her eyes quickly darting to mine, "And please don't freak out—but Lance is a... werewolf."

I blinked, not replying. And Isabelle seemed to take that as a wrong response. Immediately her whole body stilled before she moved forward, her hand holding mine.

"I swear Livy, they are real! I promise! When this happened—" she showed me the scar again and I felt my lips thin. "It was his first time—changing I mean—and he apologised, he still does. That's why he acts like my bodyguard all the time. At first, I thought I needed to get myself into a mental health facility, but he begged me I wasn't crazy. And eventually I believed him."

I sighed, putting the cup of tea on the hand rest. "So, you know about werewolves?"

This time Isabelle blinked, her whole form stilled. Her eyes wide, she whispered, "You know?"

Looking out into the darkness, I nodded.

I didn't know how much to tell Isabelle. This part of me wanted to tell her everything, but then the other part of me wanted to protect Romanov and everyone else. I didn't even know if Romanov wanted this information to spread. After all, this was not my secret to tell.

"How?" Isabelle whispered again, this time her voice higher.

"Because all the men in the house are wolves,"

Both Isabelle and I turned, our eyes snapping towards the patio door. Romanov's eyes on mine he moved out into the patio, and slowly came to sit beside me.

A loud gasp ripped through the silence and I cringed when Isabelle spoke next, "You're her mate aren't you? Lance's mate is Lucy, the girl who lives next door to me."

Beside me Romanov stilled, before he nodded. "Alpha King Romanov Naight at your—"

"—ALPHA KING?!"

"Will you keep it down Issy!" I hissed, not exactly comfortable with her volume. The night had a lot too many ears and eyes.

Isabelle cringed, her eyes moving from Romanov to me. "Sorry!"

This time Romanov turned towards me, "Since the discussion is over, I suggest we get inside, we'll head to the castle tomorrow."

My eyes widened, and I turned in my seat to face Romanov completely. As if catching the need for me privacy, Isabelle quickly rushed in, waving her empty mug in the air. "Need another cup of tea!"

The patio door closed with a soft click and I looked up at Romanov, "Everything has been so... good here. Why can't we just... stay?"

Romanov seemed to hesitate before his hand found mine, the pad of his thumb rubbing soothing circles on the back of my wrist.

"Olivia, the curse is not on the castle. It's on me."

I blinked, and he smiled sadly, "There is no escaping it."

~^~
"Letty and I aren't going," I announced as I walked down the stairs, Letty in my arms, her tiny fingers tight around a strand of my hair.

Alert, Romanov stood, his golden eyes blazing in open abandon. All the while, wide eyed Isabelle continued to stare at him.

It was the next morning, and waking up packing Letty's things had made the impact of taking my niece to the castle settle in. It wasn't safe.

"I can't protect you if you're away from me," Romanov hissed, clutching his fists beside him.

His eyes blazed brighter when I began walking straight towards him, "I can't take her into the dragon's lair, Romanov."

"She's right you know," Isabelle suddenly put in, putting a finger up in a gesture to make a point.

The steely glare Romanov handed her way had her shrugging. "It's true, Lolette would be a prime target if she went to the castle,"

"Err... I really think you shouldn't butt into their conversation," Grayson butted into the argument, flicking his own pointer up.

The loud tune of the doorbell go off echoed around the living room just then catching everyone there by surprise. I watched as Dom's gaze moved toward Romanov before he nodded and sending a tired look my way turned around and walked towards the front door, just as another round of the doorbell went around the living room.

The rest of us waited in the living room, as we listened to the sound of the door open, before Abigail's loud voice filled the area. I sighed with relief.

"Olivia!"

"Yeah!" I called out, awkwardly glancing at a very unhappy looking Romanov as I let her know where I was.

"Oh, she's here! Hey girl! Guess what! I'm lodging here for a few days with you girls! Thought it could be like an extended sleepover!" Abigail exclaimed happily as dropped her backpack to the floor and rushed towards an equally happy Isabelle.

"Olivia, can I talk to you in private?"

I blinked, catching the underlying steel in Romanov's voice.

Handing Letty to Dom, who quickly moved to take her, I slowly followed an already disappeared Romanov.

I knew where he was. My room.

"I can protect you in the castle,"

I sighed, moving to stand behind him. The muscles of his back tensed under the tight fit of his long-sleeved shirt.

"Maybe," I agreed softly, "But Letty—maybe not. A baby is too vulnerable, Rome."

"That won't work," Romanov suddenly turned around and my breath caught in my throat, his jet-black eyes rimmed with gold had me mesmerised.

"What won't work?" I asked dumbly.

"Calling me Beasty." Romanov snapped, and I withdrew almost as if I was struck.

I looked away, unable to look at him when he was being so angry, "You're being unreasonable, and I won't bring Letty to the castle. That's it."

"You can't be serious!?" Romanov exclaimed angrily, and my resolve only got firmer.

I continued to look away.

"Fine!" He suddenly exploded, I cringed when he turned around and took a deep breath, "Fine. If that's what you want. Stay. Without me."

And then he left. Strode out of the door while I stood there, frozen as I watched him leave.

It took me a minute or two before I began rushing downstairs, it had been so good the past day or two... I didn't want to fight with Romanov this way.

Rushing down the stairs I reached too late, just as the sound of the car driving out the driveway echoed into the living room through the open front door. I panicked, blinking crazily I sprinted towards the front door just in time to see the car and the three boys drive away.

"Sorry Livy," Isabelle murmured softly, in her arms Lolette looked just as upset as I felt.

"He'll be back Liv, trust me." Abigail reassured me softly as she pat me on my back.

I, on the other hand, continued to watch the busy street, my mind pondering on the one irrational question that made cringe.

What if he didn't come back.