Another death. Another life, taken, before its time. Another soul wasted instead of mine. Another person's breath lost, to having it end up with saving mine.

I just could not take it.

I couldn't take another loss. I couldn't let another person go.

I couldn't go over the process of crying and crying and crying. I could not live through seeing the effect another life so important in mine, had on others. I couldn't hear another round of ridiculous things from ridiculous people who could not find anything better than 'he's in a better place now' or 'It was God's will' to say, hoping it would make me feel better. Because God blast it all, it wasn't! It wasn't God's will and Jaydin was not in a better place! Jaydin was dead! When he could have lived! With Abigail. With us. And God blast it all, I didn't think anything anyone could ever say could make me feel better anymore.

I had lost another important piece of my heart. Just ripped away. My best friend.

Mum, dad, Lizzy, Garret, and now Jaydin. Another one to add to the list. Another one that went when I could have.

The worst part was... this time I couldn't even delude myself into moving on. This time, it was as clear as a blank sheet of paper. It was my fault.

"Mine,"

I stilled.

My brain halfway numb as I blinked away the tear and glanced up at a completely destroyed looking Abigail. Her eyes only on Jaydin.

I sobbed harder when a loud cry wrenched out of her lips and she fell on the floor, her head on Jaydin's belly, her hands clutching to his shirt.

"Jay... mine..." Abigail chocked out again between her sobs and I felt my heart sink, the meaning of the word finally settling into my brain.

My almost blurry eyes widened as I watched Abigail mourn for her soulmate.

I felt like dying. I'd ruined two lives, in one go. This was all my fault.

"Abigail. Move back." Romanov suddenly spoke up and I snapped my gaze to his, my mouth agape at his harsh tone.

Clutching harder to Jaydin's shirt Abigail let out low wounded growl, "Piss off!"

Romanov let of a warning growl of his own, "Abigail stop being so foolish in your sorrow to forget that his blood is still warm!"

My jaw dropped even more. The underlying anger in me rising. As far as I could see, Romanov was being completely unfair. Strangely, Romanov's words seemed to settle into Abigail's mind and she suddenly stilled. Instantly, she moved back and bowed.

"Your Majesty—p—please,"

I watched, dumbstruck, as Romanov walked over to a limp, lifeless Jaydin, and getting on his knees, ripped his shirt open. Jaydin's chest become visible and I blinked. The numbness filling through me. I didn't know what to think anymore.

Leaning forward, Romanov hesitated, he turned slightly until his eyes found mine. Slowly his gaze moved back to Jaydin and then wrenching a scream out of me, Romanov mercilessly sunk his canines straight into the middle of Jaydin's chest!

My whole body shook as I found myself shuffling back, the sure sore spots from being pushed to the floor, bruising already, as I dragged myself against the solid wood, away from Romanov and Jaydin.

"Call Berlin's Alpha, the Royal Beta, and the Royal Delta," Romanov ordered as he stood back up, wiping the blood off of his mouth with the back of his hand. His worried eyes found mine again and I instantly looked back at Jay. My eyes on the large wound in the middle of his chest now.

"He's alive, Olivia," Romanov mumbled again softly, both his hands out in front him as he moved towards me.

I shook my head dumbly in response, my eyes still on Jaydin's limp body. Waiting for him to show me a sign, any sign, just a bloody sign! But he remained still. My eyes tearing up again I looked at Romanov and shook my head again, my eyes blurring up.

"He's not breathing! I—I killed him. Like I killed them all! It's always my fault! It should have been mmhhhh—"

The sudden hard pressure of Romanov's hand over my mouth muffled the next sentence, his golden eyes flaming, burning with a fiery glare.

"If something happens to you. I will set the world on fire!" Romanov moved an inch closer, black loose strands of hair escaping his baby pony tail, falling over his cheek. "I swear it,"

"And... it was never... your fault... Olli,"

The raspy voice coughed as he said my name and I gasped, turning toward the man.

New stream of tears already flowing. I couldn't stop myself from letting out a loud sob as I flew out of Romanov's reach and into Jaydin's arms. Grasping onto him, I let it all out. All the fear, the guilt. Holding him I cried for him... and mum, dad, Elizabeth, Garret.

I loved Jaydin. He was like a brother, and after everyone else... I couldn't lose him. I couldn't.

"Don't you ever dare do that again!" I chocked out as I held him tightly. His limp arms came around me weakly as he took me into his embrace, too.

"Where—" Jaydin stopped and inhaled a deep breath, as if talking took him a great effort, "Is... my baby?"

Then he stilled, moving back lightly, I felt his arm tighten around me. "And what... was that?"

"Berlin's Alpha, The Royal Be—Jay,"

Smiling against my thundering heart and steaming tears I moved aside just in time to have Abigail leap into Jaydin's arm. Hiding her face into his bloody chest.

"Don't you dare do that again!" Abigail growled against Jay, fisting his torn shirt as she sobbed against him.

Jaydin's tired, amused eyes found mine and he let out a small chuckle, "Did you two practice this line when I was passed out?"

I couldn't do it.

I closed my eyes and looked away. Jaydin thought he had passed out. Jaydin didn't know. Jaydin ... was not human anymore, and I couldn't lie to his face.

"JAY!" Dominic rushed into the house and towards Jaydin. He stopped short when Abigail let out a low growl, warning him to stay away.

I looked away again, feeling like I was witnessing something very private.

"Abigail, can you and Dominic please take Jaydin upstairs?" Romanov's deep authoritative voice rung in the silence. Immediately both Dominic and Abigail stood up, Dominic leaning down to pick Jaydin up as he visibly strained to keep his emotions in check. I blinked as I saw the first glimpse of Dominic's beast.

He was a Royal.

Jaydin's eyes found mine as he was carried away, and he sent my way a tired smile. I nodded at him warmly, smiling as I felt another string of tears slip down my cheek.

"Hey... did that thing bite me?" Jaydin's fading voice asked, and I closed my eyes shut, looking down, just sitting on the floor, and looking down. Edika had killed Jay. Edika was a threat. Everywhere. And Jaydin wasn't human anymore.

A warm fabric suddenly touched my cheek and I gasped, jumping a little as I turned towards a now sweater-less Romanov. His large long-sleeved maroon sweater in his hands, outstretched towards me.

Behind him, Alpha Lyam stood watching me, his head tilted slightly to the side, he seemed like he was seeing me. Studying me. Trying to figure me out. A silent stoic Grayson also stood beside him, his eyes moving anywhere but me.

I sighed as I snapped my eyes closed again. That's right, I was just in a pair of knickers and tank.

Reaching for the sweater I hurriedly pulled it on, my eyes only on a quiet Romanov.

Suddenly Grayson began to move upstairs and disappeared. I watched the boy go, glad I had somewhere to look at, anywhere but Alpha Lyam.

"Jaydin will have his first shift in the next ten hours," Romanov spoke out loud as he extended his hand to me. I knew he was talking to Alpha Lyam, but I quietly listened too. Grabbing his hand and standing up, I moved into his arms when he pulled me close, trying to completely envelope me. Cover me.

"But don't normal turned wolves have their first shifts on the second day of the bite?"

"My venom... works faster," Romanov replied quietly. Refusing to give out anymore more detail. Alpha Lyam looked curious, but strangely I sighed in relief when he didn't press it.

"I require your input on him being allowed to stay here on your territory as a rogue, until he completes his education. He belongs to my cousin's pack."

Alpha Lyam let out a chuckle and I cringed, finding his chuckle... cold.

"You're the King, Your Majesty. You do not need my permission."

"I don't. But it was not your permission I wanted, Lyam. I wanted your input." Romanov chuckled back at the men, his grip on me tightening by the minute.

"Luna,"

My head turned towards the quiet murmur, and for the first time I smiled at Grayson with my whole heart, taking the blanket in his arms from him gratefully.

"Thank you, Gray. I appreciate it,"

Romanov took the blanket from my hands and shook it open, wrapping me with it quickly. He sent an appreciative smile towards Grayson.

"I have no issues with Jaydin staying in the territory, as long as he doesn't cause trouble." Alpha Lyam shrugged, and Romanov nodded.

"Alright! I apologise for calling you here so late at night. I'll see you in the office then, Lyam."

Alpha Lyam nodded, his eyes finding mine. He tilted his head to the side again. I gulped.

"You have a bruise forming on your jaw. Ice it."

Then turning around, the man left.

"Weirdo," Grayson rolled his eyes as he visibly eased up.

Romanov on the other hand had other plans. Leaning low, he wrapped his hands around my legs and waist and scooped me up in a quick whoosh. I gasped as his fingers pressed against a sore part of my thigh.

"Grayson, can you please make sure the house is bolted properly? I'll just take the queen to the living room upstairs.

"Right," Grayson nodded as he turned around and began making his way in the direction Alpha Lyam had just a few minutes ago.

"I am so angry at you right now," Romanov hissed as he took me up the stairs. I sighed, watching his face as random veins popped on his forehead and neck. Yes, it was pretty obvious he was angry.

All of a sudden, a loud heart-wrenching scream ripped through the heavy air in the old manor and I jolted up in Romanov's arms.

"Jay!" I gasped as I tried to move out of Romanov's hold and make my way towards him. Romanov, however, only tightened his grip on me. A pained expression on his face while he continued walking in the opposite direction.

"He's shifting,"

I stuttered, "Bu—but—you said—how is that possible?"

"My bite is... more lethal,"

"Bu—but—how?"

Romanov let out a sigh, his muscles tightening against me as he climbed the last stair. Strangely, he was taking his time.

"There is a group of Kings. Who are different. We are more—more,"

I frowned, looking up at him. "How?"

Romanov shrugged, "We're born this way."

I blinked. It didn't help that only recently I had found out that there were wolves, or lycans in this world— now there were advanced lycans too? I shook my head. Focusing on the man carrying me.

"How many of you are there?"

"Eight. My cousin, Alexander, he rules over most of UK and America; Antoneiv, the Russian King; Alastair, the Scottish King; Michael, the Samoan King; Yuv, the Indian King, Derek, the Canadian King, Ashton, the Australian King, and Romanov, your very angry mate, so stop asking questions."

My eyes narrowed at the dark expression on his face before I turned away, my lips pouting childishly, "At least tell me if Jaydin will be okay?"

"He will be fine—after the shift,"

I blinked. My breath hitching in my throat, I tried to avoid the guilty tears. Everything that Jaydin was going through was my fault. Edika was alive, and she was everywhere. My mind snapped to Letty and Prue and I stilled. Maybe keeping Letty in front of my eyes was a good thing after all?

I shook my head again, shaking all the bad thoughts away for the moment. I needed a break. Jaydin was alive, he was going to be fine and I needed to breathe.

Taking in a slow steady breath air I let my head rest against Romanov's hard chest.

"I'm so afraid, Rome," I whispered against his chest, feeling his arms around me tightening as he moved to settle us on a large wide sofa in the middle of the room.

My legs wrapped around him.

"We will get through this, Olivia. There must be a way to destroy her."

I sighed, shaking my head against him, griping the large swell of his biceps, "Rome..."

"We'll find it," Romanov let out, suddenly sounding very confident.

"We'll find it, Olivia," he repeated, as if knowing that somehow, I didn't believe it.

I closed my eyes and gave in, humming against Romanov, the thirst that had led to all this, completely forgotten.

"Okay,"

Romanov's hand tightened around me, "Okay."

~^~
I stared at the email flashing at me from the screen on my iPhone. The issue was urgent. Pompy had suddenly fallen drastically sick and I was now needed to fly back to London as soon as possible.

My gaze darted to the man sitting a few steps away from me, at his table, in his very lavish company office in the city—and then back to my phone screen.

It had taken us while to get settled after the attack last night, but slowly I had finally let myself go to the exhaustion and had fallen asleep in Romanov's arms. Waking up, I had found myself back in the castle. Romanov settled on his side of the bed, a laptop on his lap.

A knock on the closed office door rapped sharply against the glass and my eyes snapped to the stylish looking doorknob turning, but the door never being pushed open. The person outside the door seemed pretty aggressive, but I didn't mind— breathing out a thankful breath of relief at the distraction.

I watched as Romanov's eyes moved up towards the door lazily, his eyes staying at the closed door for a second or two before he cleared his throat and spoke, "Come in."

My gaze still on the door, patiently waiting for the distraction to walk in — I simply breathed as the golden brass knob turned again, and this time the door swung open. A beautiful woman strode into the room, her light brown hair styled up into a half up-half down do, a thick file in her folded hands in front of her. My eyes swept down her yellow chiffon top and knee length skirt, her yellow heels complementing the top, as she kept on walking towards Romanov, her eyes only on him.

"Romanov, it's good to find you back in the office after a week's break. The tender has been approved and the contract is ready to be processed. My company is ready to be shared with you," she smiled at Romanov as she stood behind a hair, reaching forward a little, low, she placed the file in front of him.

Romanov's eyes stayed on hers, and I fidgeted. This woman was definitely interested in him.

"Thank you, Spencer." Romanov stopped, his eyebrow tilting up as he eased back into his chair. "Is there something else you made a trip to my office for?"

The woman let out a giggle and my fingers began fidgeting with the bend of my MacBook placed on my lap.

"Yes! I'm throwing a party for this at my mansion— I mean we are becoming partners! And I was hoping you'd be there?"

The corners of Romanov's lips tilted up into a one-sided smile, which subtly looked like a smirk, and my fingers gripped to my laptop. My eyes snapping to the screen, frowning as I stared at it. I didn't want to look anymore.

I didn't know why I was becoming so bothered, I didn't know why I wanted to blurt out 'Hello, I'm Olivia, and I own Romanov's arse' but I couldn't do that, and so I let out a steady breath and began typing again.

"Thank you for the invitation, Spencer. I will try to make it,"

It was a dismissal. The tone in Romanov's voice spoke it out loud: goodbye. The whole second of silence stood and I almost killed myself just barely keeping myself from glancing at the woman. The urge of telling her Romanov was mine was growing stronger. But I couldn't do that, I could not be mean to her, I couldn't embarrass Romanov like that.

The sound of heels beginning to move, clicking against the floor drifted to my ears and I felt myself ease. My now typing fingers stilling when the sound of clicking stopped suddenly— Curious, I finally looked up. My eyes locking straight with Spencer's surprised ones.

"Oh, I didn't see you there! —" Spencer handed me a shaken smile before she turned towards a calmly observing Romanov, "I'm sorry, who is this?"

Spencer turned towards me again, not waiting for Romanov's answer and her smiled brightened, "You must come to the party as well, being your boyfriend too! I'm sure you'd have fun at a high-end party! Have you ever been? Being Romanov's secretary mustn't be a very easy job, must it?"

I knew my mouth was slightly open, jaw just slowly making its way to the floor, but I continued to stare at the woman in front of me. I wasn't even angry, the shock seeming more distracting for anger.

"I'm sorry," I blinked, my gaze turning towards a now slowly smirking Romanov, his eyes on mine. "I think you have it wrong,"

Romanov's smile warmed as my gaze found his and he nodded. I turned towards Spencer, "I'm not Rome's secretary,"

Spencer let out a low laugh and shook her head, but I could see, she was getting more curious. "Than what are you to him?"

Everything you'll never be, gurl!

I bit back my smile, patting my jiminy on her back as I looked up at Spencer. She was a very successful businessperson and I was sure that deep down she was a good person, but I couldn't. I couldn't not claim Romanov.

I just had to.

"I'm his girlfriend, it's nice to meet you!" I smiled at the woman, my smile horrifyingly brightening, as hers faded.

I cringed on the inside as I felt guilty about it. I just couldn't help it.

The shocked woman looked at Romanov for a second before she looked back at me and suddenly laughed, her eyes running over my casual long ankle length skirt and a tucked in black T-shirt.

Spencer leaned in and my breath caught as she whispered the next sentence, "Sure you are! How much extra is he paying you to sit here and prank people like this?"

My eyes widened, and I blinked dumbly. I couldn't think beyond how hard it was for someone to believe that such a powerful businessman, or an Alpha King—whichever world they knew about— could want me? Was that what Alpha Lyam was thinking about too? My mind ran over how I was looking right now, I almost regretting thinking it was fine to not dress up in front of people Romanov worked with, to just be myself. To not try to impress anyone.

Now that it was clear that clearly, people were not impressed. I couldn't help but cringe at my decision.

This wasn't the same as being with my father, those employees were people I grew up with. They could accept me. These people... they didn't know me, they didn't see beyond my face, or figure. It was sad, almost melancholic now that I was thinking about it. Most people, no matter what, only saw face based.

"Actually Spencer, she is my girlfriend. In fact, I'd say she very well owns my... arse," Romanov's voice cut through my haze and my eyes refocused on Spencer just in time to see her jaw dropping, her now empty hands clenching beside her.

My head turned towards a now smirking Romanov and I stilled. He had just spoken the very sentence I had been saying on repeat, in my mind. My eyes widened, and I instantly looked away.

No, No. He couldn't.

"Oh... well you must accompany him to the party then! I'm sure you'll...—" she stopped, very visibly feeling awkward, "—you'll like it. Yes. I'll be off now! See you later, Romanov," Spencer turned towards Romanov and gave him a saucy smile. My eyes narrowed at her at their own accord and I turned away again, really trying to control this new-found possessiveness that was deciding to spring on me now.

"Sorry about that,"

My gaze moved towards Romanov and I cocked an eyebrow up, "How did you know?"

Romanov's eyebrows moved up in surprise and he looked at me curiously, "Know what?"

"Arse?"

A naughty smile lit up on Romanov's face and I almost shot myself, regretting even bringing it up. Getting up from his seat he began to lazily make his way towards me. Reaching me, he sunk down beside me.

"I get a little piece of heaven you have—" He tapped my temple with his finger gently, "there, every once in a while."

"You're sure Jay's okay, right?" I mumbled out lowly, keeping my eyes steadily on Romanov's skin hugging long sleeved shirt shirt.

"He's fine. Healing. He's okay,"

I sighed, nodding. Looking up I watched Romanov jawline tighten randomly.

"Rome, I have to go— home— my home. In London. ASAP," 

~^~
"How didn't he come with you?"

A soft smile on my lips I turned towards my best friend, wrapping my arm around her as we sat in the back of my car.

"He just didn't. Forget about that though. How are you?"

Isabelle sighed, a slow soft smile appearing on her lips. "I'm fine. I'm starting to love myself, for the first time. I feel good, Livia. For the first time I've started to realise that maybe I don't need someone to love me to be happy. I can love myself."

She stopped, her hesitant eyes fixed their selves on my face and I immediately knew what was coming next.

"How is he?"

"He's... fine," I replied slowly, Issy turned away, looking out of the window at the concrete buildings outside passing by.

"He hasn't... asked about me... has he?"

Turning to look out the window myself I watched the streets of London with a slow pain of home sickness.

"How's Julia reacting to you moving out?"

I felt Issy turn towards me, at my obvious change it topic but I continued to look out. Slowly Isabelle turned back to look outside. I heard her take in a shaken breath

"She seems more troubled about how she will utilise the extra empty space my bedroom provides now."

"Well she finally gets extra space to build a studio for her beauty blog account on YouTube now," I rolled my eyes at the future pink colours of the walls flashed in my mind.

Isabelle let out a very unladylike grunt and I couldn't help the chortle that followed from my lips after.

"We're here, miss," Johnny, my father's most trusted driver spoke as we finally drove through the open gates and into the grand driveway.

"Thank you, Johnny," I smiled warmly at the man as he opened the boot and grabbed hold of my suitcase, following after Isabelle and me as we quickly rushed inside.

Moving into the large living room I stilled, my mouth hanging open as I watched the very woman I had come to meet, humming to spice girls as she dusted the decoration, so bits and bobs placed around.

"Finally arrived, Olivia?" Pompy's cheerful chirp floated around as she continued to dust away, her back to me.

"Bleeding' ell!," Isabelle's whispered cuss mirrored my silent one. Pompy was supposed to be sick! Pompy was supposed to be serious! I—what was going on here?

"He hasn't come along I see! Not good! Definitely not good! We'll need him here,"

"Ermm... Pompy... you're freaking me out, yeah? Could you please... just be on with it—" Isabelle stopped instantly as Pompy turned towards us sharply, her amused expression catching us off guard. Isabelle gulped. "—ma'am,"

I watched curiously as Pompy's calm amused face turned towards me, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "How is Jaydin faring?"

"What's wrong with Jay?" Isabelle whispered beside me. I whispered a 'Will tell you later," back before turning back to Pompy. I wasn't even surprised she knew anymore. She always knew almost everything.

"Still unconscious,"

Pompy nodded, eyeing the white bunny before dusting it again, " As he should be, your mate's venom is quite lethal. It will take a while for it to neutralise back and adapt to Jaydin's human blood."

I shuffled on my feet, the left side rubbing against the side of the sofa.

"No offence Pompy, but why exactly have you called me here? And that too with a lie?"

"You should sit dear, you've only just travelled so far," Pompy mothered me over to the sofa before pushing both Isabelle and I down and taking a lone sofa to herself.

"Do you want tea, dear?"

Looking towards an eager looking Eugena, the head chef, on the side, I nodded, "Yes please, Eugena."

"Pompy?" I looked at the woman sitting in front of me with a sight waiting expression, holding my breath as I waited for her response. She really was somewhat freaking me out.

"You and your soulmate are not safe there for the next few nights. The tides are rolling in and thoughts are often so volatile during tides. She is growing impatient. Anything could have happened."

"But Romanov is still there," I gasped, clenching onto the softness of the sofa.

"Ah yes, and she is pleased. But we must get him here, she plans big for the King. Big plans." Pompy smirked as she put a finger up and wagged it warningly. I shuddered at the thought of Edika hurting Romanov.

Pleased?

"I'm not sure I understand, Pompy," I frowned as I looked at the elderly woman, her brown Romani eyes sparkling with knowledge.

"King Romanov looks just like his great, great, great grandfather. Julius Naightuitem."