I had once seen a man get struck by a lightning bolt.

It had been in the country, in my Aunt Melissa's sixteenth century home, and it had been one of those stormy country days.

I had been sitting on the back patio and he had been in the far fields in the middle of a storm, trying to herd a cow into the barn.

Then, at the age of nine, I could never really imagine how the man must have felt those few seconds before his death. But right now, sitting here, Pompy's words echoing in my mind, I think I could.

Romanov looked exactly like his grandfather. He looked exactly like his grandfather and Edika wanted him.

"So, she wants him? All to herself?" I heard Issy breathe out from beside me, but I just blinked. Watching Pompy's calm expression while trying to calm the storm that was suddenly raging in me too.

"I'm afraid I'm not sure about that dear. Whether she wants her husband back, in the form of Romanov, or she wants to seek revenge from her husband through Romanov. That I do not know. But what I do know is that we need to get Romanov here, as soon as it is possible."

"But he has an important friend coming over from America tonight. I don't think he—"

"Child, he will. We must only know to play our cards right. And then both Romanov, and, this friend will be here. At your doorstep."

Pompy smiled mysteriously and I frowned, wondering exactly how that could happen.

"But how?"

"Worry not for that at all, dear. I have it all figured out."

Pompy had always been one to seem mysterious, but today she seemed a little more out of it. I couldn't help but frown at her smile. A smile she always wore when she had a secret she was keeping for later.

"Olivia!"

"Ah Mr. Monatelly, there you are! We have been wondering when you would arrive," Pompy jumped out of her seat as she greeted him, an extremely large smile smeared all over her face. My frown hardened at the old woman.

What was she up to?

"Oh, have you?" Edward smiled as his eyes moved over Pompy, Isabelle and then finally me. I gulped when I realised his eyes shone when they reached mine.

"Olivia! You're home!" He reached forward and pulled me into a light hug, letting go before I could move away myself. Smiling, he settled back on a sofa beside mine, "What may I assist you ladies with then?"

"Oh, dear little Isabelle is writing a play of sorts, to show the complexities of relationships—"

Oh no!

Beside me, Isabelle's mouth fell open at the most convincing performance Pompy was portraying. Her eyes however narrowed as she watched the woman lie about us. Pompy's eyes caught mine and she grinned.

"Could you be a dear and help Isabelle with the lines? She's having difficulty envisioning her characters you see! And I suggest you and Olivia have a go at it! After all, it'll help the dear with her grades."

"Ah! I see!" Edward Monatelly drawled out with wide surprised eyes, and I almost let out a breath of relief when he looked like he was going to refuse. Then he stood up and extended his hand towards me.

Immediately, I felt Pompy reach for her phone from the periphery of my vision.

"Where are these lines of yours, Isabelle?" Edward smiled at Isabelle and I watched as her eyes widened and she began to open her mouth, as if not knowing what to say.

"Well—Ah—"

"They are here! Poor girl gave me the manuscript and apparently forgot about it."

"Ah! Quite normal!" Edward smiled awkwardly, and I pulled myself to my feet.

I was sort of glad, at least I wasn't the only one feeling awkward about all this.

"How about we do a freestyle?" Isabelle quickly chirped up a second before she ripped the paper out of Edward's hands. I cocked an eyebrow up when she gave the paper the worst sort of stink eye.

"This was horrible!" She mouthed when she saw me watching her.

"Okay let's begin!" Pompy shot up and instantly, I felt Edward move into my personal space. His arms slipped around my waist and I felt the worst sort of discomfort run through me. All I suddenly wanted was Romanov. Just to touch him.

Edward's touch felt so strange, like a thousand lizards walking around under my skin. Instead of moving away though, I bit down on my lips as I stayed put on the spot, letting Edward play his part.

Pompy was going to have some bad karma after her, for this.

"Why don't you ever see it?" Edward's warm breath hit my cheeks and I closed my eyes, refusing to look him in the eye whilst in such close proximity.

"See what?" I asked out loud, my hand moving to hold his hand over my waist. I itched to pull his hands away, but I couldn't do that, that could hurt his feelings.

"My love for you. I am utterly mesmerised by you, Olivia. Ever since I've known you, it's always just been there. You enthrall me with your beauty and grace, Livy, and you never even try." He ran his fingers through his hair frustratingly and I realised he was being serious. "Can you give us a chance?"

My eyes widened, and I shook my head, looking down at my shoes. I couldn't. Roman.

"No, Edward. It's too late now."

Instantly Edward closer than ever, his hands gripped mine in a strong hold and I let out a visible gasp, his hands were just as warm as I knew Romanov's to be, as I knew Dominic's to be. Even Abigail's.

"Don't you see, he doesn't have to matter if you don't let him. Please, just one more date! At least just one, let me prove that I'm better than him. That I can offer you so much more."

I thought I saw a gleam of black move around his blue eyes and I stilled. Monatelly wasn't human. I couldn't process this, suddenly everyone around me were—were—weren't humans!

"Please, don't say no!" Edward's grip on my hand tightened as he tried to beg once more, and my eyes snapped to his. Behind him, Pompy nodded aggressively and my eyes widened realising what she was telling me to do. My eyes narrowed, and she quickly pointed to the Samsung Galaxy in her hand.

Standing there, my heart drummed in my chest erratically, I sighed as calmly as I could against it.

My eyes found Edwards and I sighed again. "Okay, just one."

My insides were screaming against the injustice I was doing to this... this... man. But I couldn't help but wonder how he could even approach me when he had a soulmate out there.

Then I thought about Isabelle and my heart dropped a little, having a soulmate didn't guarantee a happily ever after all the time. It should. But it didn't. Fate played a lot of games. It had with Issy. It could have with Edward too.

"Thank you!" Edward smiled brightly as he brought my hand up and pressed a kiss on it. My skin itched against his touch and I snatched my hand away, immediately sending him a smile when he frowned at my action.

I cussed at my decision to let my hair remain open today.

"Well... this went from zero to a hundred really quick," Isabelle's blurted out into the silence suddenly and my eyes cleared to the present again to notice Pompy's triumph looking smile. At the same time, I felt a wave of anger flash over me and I couldn't stop myself from toppling over because of it. Anger. Romanov's anger. And my weakness in response to it. This was getting out of hand. Immediately, Edward's hands came around me and I froze against him.

"Are you all right, love?"

"I'm sorry. Just feeling a bit weak." Suddenly an idea struck me, and I leaped at it, "That was some good performance there, did you ever try to act?"

The disappointment in Edward's eyes were obvious, and I cringed when he bottled up the hurt and smiled in the very next second.

I'm so sorry, Edward.

"I am acting right now," he smiled as he pushed a strand of hair behind my ear and slowly pulled me with him as he stood up. Instantly, two very stunned women moved over and held me, taking me from him.

"I just remembered the conference I had to be in. Apologies. I have to go."

That was a lie, but Pompy, Issy and I watched in silence as the man strode towards and out of the front door.

"You were a downright savage," Isabelle breathed out in a loud whisper as she sunk back into her seat. I didn't even know when she had stood up.

"No." I shook my head, "Pompy is the savage. He must be feeling so awful right now,"

"If it is a burn that teaches. It is a burn endured well." Pompy smiled her mysterious smile and the wave of anger floated back in.

"Your soulmate is angrier than I thought possible. Very unlike normal Royal Alpha limitations—what is he?" Pompy's eyes widened as she suddenly lost her grip on me and I let myself slump onto the chair with the help of Isabelle.

I smiled, closing my eyes to take in a deep breath. I opened my eyes, still smiling tiredly. "He is... more."

"Oh wow, that answered everything," Isabelle rolled her eyes as she slumped beside me and I chuckled at her sarcasm.

"Pompy, could I have Edward get me all the account files, the transactional receipts and reports on the businesses. I reckon I need to start setting that as a priority too."

"Sometimes, I feel like you have the world on your shoulders, dear. You're handling everything. Your love life, your studies, Lizzy's baby, the business."

"It's a fair load, I admit, but I suppose it could be worse, "I smiled as I leaned farther into the sofa. "I'm just happy we've found the man meddling with the accounts. What was the name of the woman who tipped us off about him?"

"I believe her name was Diandra. Poor woman really, she's being investigated on too, I hear."

I nodded understandingly and breathed in a slow steady breath. "It's customary to do so, Pompy. What if she were to set the man up for her selfish gain? What if she were the thief instead?"

"But the man has accepted to his fault, dear." Pompy added in as she smiled, cutting me off.

"Ah! What if she bribed the man into accepting her theft as his own?" The smirk that settled on my lips was hard to remove because I knew I had won. Pompy kept quiet afterwards. 

~^~
I stared at my iPhone for the thirtieth time, watching my notification-less screen for a timed minute before looking away. It had been six hours and ever since Pompy's little play. Romanov hadn't even bothered contacting me. At first, I had thought he was on his way, but as time passed by me realised he may actually just be busy with his American friend.

The weakness was a comer and goner, like a tide that heightened and then lowered back to its base. It was foolish to even try to decide a pattern, the weakness was an enigma.

Just like Romanov. My eyes moved to the iPhone again just as I rounded around the edge and towards the stairs. Frowning at my phone I began walking down the stairs.

"Olivia—"

"AAHH!" Edwards sudden calling caught me off guard and a scream ripped out of my chest as I lost balance.

Immediately Edward's arms wrapped around me, breaking my fall. I groaned as I held onto him, the burning in my ankle letting me know exactly what had occurred. I had twisted my ankle.

"Ow ow ow!" I gasped as Edward tried to move, making me move with him. Immediately, he stopped and dropped to his knees, one of his hands around my legs and the other taking off my white socks.

"It's all right Olivia, it's go—"

"OLIVIA!" It was a loud yell, a very desperate loud yell that instantly made my eyes snap towards the person who yelled that.

"MOVE!" The man yelled again as he ran towards me in lights speed and grabbed me, moving aside just in time as Romanov almost flew into the room, pulling Edward down the steps and pinning him to the floor in a manner of seconds.

"Rome!" I screamed as I stood there still in the man's arms, the cool metal of his wedding band freezing through my suddenly warm body. The growls emitting from both Romanov and Edward's chest stopped immediately.

"No." I yelled again, my voice echoed back to me from the walls in the silence.

Romanov lifted his head up at my yell, his golden eyes found mine immediately. My breath hitched in my throat when he suddenly began changing, his clothes shedding to the floor. His eyes locked on mine the whole time.

My eyes widened when I noticed how his fur was almost the darkest shade of midnight blue and not exactly pitch black. It turned serious when underneath him Edward turned too. His fur lighter, almost grey.

"Back off." Edward's beast form finally growled, and I watched eyes wide as the two beasts confronted each other. The man's hands around me in a tight hold.

What had I done? Why had I even listened to Pompy!?

"Touch my mate next time, and I'll make sure you don't exist to ever say back off again, pup."

It was a threat. That much was obvious. It was a point-blank threat, and Romanov looked like he was ready to kill Edward right now. I couldn't help it, I butt in.

"Stop it!" I pulled myself away from the man's grip and moved towards the two beasts. "Just stop it! Please!" I half snapped half pleaded, as my hand wrapped around Romanov's dark furry large arm.

"Oh shit." I heard the man behind me whisper before Romanov's head snapped to mine.

"You don't know who you're dealing with! I am the Royal Delta here!" Edward's beast form suddenly growled as he pushed against Romanov's chest with his furry claws.

Romanov's eyes snapped to Edward's and he snarled, the pearly whites of his sharp canines causing my body to still all over, tiny goose bumps popping up everywhere.

"Are you really? I'm a fucking Alpha King, and your Alpha King is my cousin. You still want my mate, pup?"

"Yes," Edward snapped back instantly and I looked at the man with my jaw hanging open before pulling on Romanov just as his fists came up in a threatening movement. Immediately the brown eyed man with Romanov stood beside him, his beast speed catching me off guard. The man grabbed hold of Romanov's hand.

"No, Rome." His voice seemed calm, warm but concrete. He definitely had an air of authority to him; strangely however he spoke in a manner displaying respect.

"Please." I mumbled as I held onto Romanov's hand, now with both of mine.

His eyes moved to mine and I released a breath of relief as he made a move to get off of the other beast when suddenly he turned back and crashed his large fist against Edward's face, the man holding his hand moving forward with the motion.

"Next time, I'll kill you."

And then he was up and against me, grabbing me by my middle before he flung me over his shoulder and began walking in the direction of the stairs.

Romanov stopped, and my face hit his back. I closed my eyes at the pain his hard back caused my cheeks.

"Could you get someone to get the Royal Delta to his car, Matthew?"

"Sure thing, bud." The man, Matthew, called out from behind us, and I lifted my head up just in time to see a bitter looking Edward staring at me, now completely in his human form, stark naked. His jaw clear bruised and broken. Romanov's beast began walking again and my eyes moved to Matthew's.

It was as if he felt my eyes on him and looking at me he smiled, a comforting warm smile I thought only this stranger could produce. I sent him a sad smile of my own, I guess Romanov's friend from America was nice.

"Her room is along the last door in the corridor to the right from this one." Pompy's voice suddenly chirped up and I looked up just in time as Romanov and I passed her, her sparkling Romani eyes crinkled as she gave me a grin and I narrowed my eyes at her. She was lying, my room wasn't on the last door in the corridor to the right of this one. Pompy and I were going to have a discussion after this.

A minute later found Romanov storming into my room still in his beast form, slamming the door behind us as he did. I kept my focus on the large dark wood of the door while he strode towards the bed and just dumped me there.

"Ro—"

"YOU SAID YES TO HIM! YOU LET HIM TOUCH YOU! FUCK I—" Romanov stopped but his yells still echoed around the large walls of the room. I watched with blurry eyes as he snapped his eyes close and let out a long breath of air before he spoke up again, "Keep your arse here. I just can't look at you right now. I can't think clearly."

I watched as he turned around and took a step towards the balcony, my hands fisted the covers of the bed and I bit back a tear against everything that was happening and the throbbing pain in my ankle.

"I twisted my ankle," I mumbled quietly. I didn't know who I was actually saying this too, but I suppose I wanted Romanov to know. I wanted him to react. I suppose I hoped he would react.

He did.

His large furry hand stopped on the doorknob and he let out a small huff of growl. I heard as he let out a long breath of air before he turned around and moved towards me, his eyes on mine as he did.

I watched him, his beast form, my eyes blurring as he came closer. I felt my face burn with the sudden emotions and still, I watched him, refusing to turn away.

His hands slipped under me and I grabbed hold of his dark fur, moving my hands around his neck as he rested back on the bed with me on his lap. I lay my head against his strong large chest. Romanov was so much larger in his beast form, even his height increased by a couple inches.

"It wasn't true, what you heard on the phone. Pompy called you while Ed—" I stopped when a growl rumbled from Romanov's chest. "—and I were just saying improvised lines from Isabelle's so-called script that Pompy had made just to get you here."

"The sprain will be fine in a minute."

I noticed his voice was deeper when he was a beast, more serious, more deadly. Which I hadn't earlier thought possible. I sighed as I held him more closely, "How?"

"I marked you. That links our souls."

A knock sounded on the door just then and I blinked as my head turned towards the door. A moment later the door slowly opened and Pompy's smiling face peeped in.

"I brought the ice." she smiled when Romanov motioned her in, her form straightening as he walked towards us.

"My apologies, Mr. Naightuitem. The method by which you were summoned here may be a bit crass, but I assure you, you were needed here urgently. You weren't safe there alone."

"Naightuitem?" I raised an eyebrow at the woman, while Romanov silently picked at the pack and placed it on my already feeling better ankle.

"His surname is eventually, by family, Naightuitem."

"What do you mean I wasn't safe?" Romanov spoke up, breaking my reply off before I could even begin.

Pompy straightened as she smiled at Romanov, and I held him closer by instinct. A sick small part of me didn't want him to know.

"Oh, I'm sure you're quite aware that you look exactly like your great-great-great-grandfather." 

~^~
Days seemed to pass by like hours in London and I soon began to miss Prue and Letty, and everyone back in Berlin.

It had now been two days— at home. And every morning Romanov left before I woke up, and every night he came back after I had fallen asleep.

I was beginning to feel like he was ignoring me, which was bringing us back to square one. But this time I didn't even try to fight for anything. I was tired and upset. I wasn't going to be the one only fighting to make this work. I wasn't going to be the only one fighting at all.

And that was how Monday found me curled up on a sofa in the living room, one of the account files in my hand while Edward sat across me, his steel-like eyes only on mine. I couldn't just fire him because Romanov hated him. He was loyal, and he was my business manager. I couldn't let go of him just because he had been a victim of the circumstances.

"I wanted to say something to you, Olivia. If you would not find it too uncomfortable."

I stilled, my eyes snapped to his and l pressed my lips together. "Yeah?"

"I apologise if it seems like I was trying to force myself on you in any sense of way. I appreciate you letting me continue being your business manager, however I think it is time you allow other people the opportunity to manager your other businesses too and not rely on me for all of the companies."

I thought about it. He seemed reasonable enough, it was true, maybe I was burdening him with so many responsibilities.

"That's completely reasonable, Edward." I smiled, "Shall we conduct interviews then? I suppose there are two positions needed? Which do you want to manage?"

Edward straightened in his seat and he blinked, "The hotels."

I nodded, "Alright. We will advertise the openings."

Grabbing hold of all of the files I set them up before handing them back to Edward. I felt someone enter the room behind me. "How is the investigation on Miss Diandra going, Mr. Monatelly?"

"She has been cleared, actually. She really was speaking in the interest of the company."

I smiled. However, the hair on the back of my neck stood as I felt the person move closer towards us. "That's wonderful."

I knew the exact moment the person came into view because Edward's stance stiffened, and he immediately stood up.

"I'll just get these to the office than, Miss Fredson."

"Have a good day, Mr. Monatelly."

"There isn't any need to change what you call the Royal Delta you know, I'm not Rome." The man finally spoke up and I almost breathed a sigh of relief.

"Matthew."

The smiling man moved before me and settled himself on the chair. Immediately, he grabbed at the bowl of potato chips from the table and leaned back into his chair with a happy smile.

"Good chips!"

"So, any kids?" I asked randomly as I eyed the platinum band on Matthew's ring finger.

Matthew smiled before he nodded, "Yeah, two boys. Emmet and Ethan, both 4."

I choked on my saliva.

"Eth—" I stopped, another fit of a cough catching me straight in the chest, E-Ethan?"

"Are you all right, Olivia?" Matthew leaned forward on his sofa but didn't come closer.

I nodded as my breathing normalized. Handing him an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, that was embarrassing," I mumbled as I settled back into the sofa, the burning on my cheeks let me know I was now blushing.

"I'm glad he has you, Olivia."

I froze. My eyes moved up and widened when they met Matthew's sincere brown ones.

"Trust me, he has always been the most difficult of people I've known. Not the nicest too. But he needs you. Always here. I'm just glad you're finally here."

I blinked. "Thanks—thanks, Matthew. I appreciate it."

A grateful smile found their way to my lips.

"No, really... thank you."

~^~

I pressed on send as I stared at the screen of my laptop, Prue's chat tab open. A minute later she replied.

A smile plastered itself all over my face as my mind found memories of my grandma Liz.

My eyes moved towards my wristwatch and I began typing again.

Then I stopped. Before beginning to type faster.

A sigh left my lips as I logged off of my laptop and clicked it shut. The whole room stayed silent, dim lights glowing the whole room as I walked towards the study table and placed my laptop on it.

My fingers found the soft cotton of the baggy shirt I was wearing, and I fisted the access material in my hands, grabbing as much as Romanov's shirt as I could.

It had become a habit lately, wearing his shirts to bed. He was ignoring me, so I made do with his shirts. I just needed his smell close. His clothes had his scent everywhere and that was going to have to work for me. Well... until he stopped avoiding me. If he stopped avoiding me.

A let a long sigh out from between my lips as I turned around, my fingers on the shirt loosening. Just then the doorknob turning, and I froze.

The turning stopped, and then it began again, the golden knob began turning as before the door swung open and my grip on Romanov's shirt tightened.

He walked in. Then froze.

I didn't know where it was coming from, but suddenly I was livid. All the yearnings I had felt for the past two days seemed like they just disappeared. Now I was just plain angry, and I let myself just be with that feeling. I let myself react.

"You can turn back around and just leave again if you want to. I'll pretend I didn't see you at all." I found myself rolling my eyes as my sarcastic voice filled the room's silence.

"Oliv—"

I turned away, before walking towards the bed I sunk myself down into it and pulled the covers over me.

"It's fine. Keep ignoring me. I'll be here every morning when you finally decide it's okay to come back because I'd probably be asleep by then."

I shut my eyes tight and willed myself to not choke as I spoke the next words.

"But for how long? One day, you'll walk in the door expecting me to be here, in your bed. And I'll be gone."