ROMAN

It was nerve-wracking having Scarlett here when I could feel her anxiety, but she had insisted on coming tonight, and I didn't want to undermine her by continuously checking that she was sure it was something she could handle. She was a grown woman and could make her own decisions. Who was I to control her?

Unless it was in the bedroom.

My mind raced back to the moment in my office when Scarlett had released underneath me on my desk. I had never seen something so magical and beautiful in my life.

The way her eyes rolled back. Her fingernails scratching at my neck and back. And how her body tensed and shook from the intense pleasure. I had done that for her - it made me proud.

I picked at a salmon and cream cheese canape from the buffet as Nyx made his way around the crowd, thanking them all for coming, forcing smiles and laughs. Nyx and I hadn't spoken much - besides his enquiries for my help - and I didn't expect him to say anything more to me than a quick hello and thank you for coming.

I was surprised, though, when he stopped before me and beamed, holding his hand out for me to shake. I did so hesitantly, ensuring to squeeze his knuckles a little harder than necessary to assert my dominance. He was an Alpha, but a weak one for using gifted wolves to fight his battles for him.

"Roman, it's so good to see you in person."

I didn't buy his good samaritan facade. My opinion on him stood strong. A narcissistic asshole with a large ego and an even larger lust for violence. He turned to Scarlett, a beam gracing his lips. I hated him looking at her.

"This must be your mate. Excuse me if I'm speaking out of turn, but you look absolutely splendid. It's a pleasure to have you here."

Scarlett immediately tensed, but she quickly composed herself and nodded, meeting Nyx's strong and self-assured gaze. "Wonderful to meet you." There was a hint of loathing lacing her tone, but it wasn't noticeable if you weren't listening for it.

"I wasn't expecting you to be in attendance, in all honesty." Nyx chuckled, turning his attention back to me.

I shrugged, subtly moving Scarlett beside me, flashing Brandon a quick look to distract her. Although I didn't see Nyx as a threat, I didn't trust him. He had no reason to hurt me or my loved ones, but he could be unpredictable.

"We're here to see what the big fuss is all about, Nyx." I gestured to the crowd. "You talk the talk, and I wanted to see it for myself."

Nyx cocked his head, releasing a small chuckle. "And are you impressed?"

I hummed. I was not about to put my pride aside and lie to his face about enjoying his work. "Your speech was interesting. It's good to hear that you have the safety of the community as your priority."

Nyx waved away my flattery, and I almost mockingly laughed in his face. He was mistaken if he believed that I was in awe of the way he tore down weaker packs for the sake of proving his masculinity.

"I can't help but wonder if your love for the community stretches to smaller packs also." I raised my eyebrows, indicating I knew what he was doing and was in need of an explanation.

"Oh, those were just little quarrels between passionate Alphas." The casualness in his voice irked me.

"Do quarrels usually involve burning down an entire pack?"

Nyx released a loud laugh, gaining the attention of a few guests nearby. "This is why I like you, Roman. You always have the inside scoop. You know what's going on and that is the type of person I would love to have help me keep this community safe. We need someone like you."

Nyx suddenly leaned in closer, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Between you and me, the benefits I could supply you with would be superior to anything anyone else here would receive."

I turned my head towards Scarlett, Brandon and Erica. Although they appeared to be deep in a conversation, I picked up on their roaming eyes and straight postures. They were keeping tabs.

Nyx cleared his throat, quietening his voice. "I'm talking about gifted wolves of your own, Roman." He grinned. "Imagine that? Wolves with talents who respect you enough to work for you. Your pack would be guaranteed safety. A life of security could be yours."

Mastery wasn't my style - especially when it involved forcing somebody into it. I didn't care what Nyx thought of the gifted wolves - whether they were pests or freaks or whatever he had called them - I had never had an issue with one myself, so I didn't see a reason to force them into a life of slavery.

"There's a lot to consider here, Nyx," I stated, offering him a simple dip of the chin. "I believe there are many other people here who are eagerly waiting for your attention."

Many inquisitive eyes were on us, and I imagined that many others were here doing the exact same thing I was. Trying to find out as much about Nyx as they could. Although, judging by the smiles and laughs coming from a few groups, it was clear that some of them had already agreed to Nyx's alliance.

"Let's remain in touch," Nyx said before swiftly moving past us, offering my mate, Erica and Brandon a quick smile.

Scarlett picked at her cuticles, refusing to meet my eyes as I moved closer to her.

"We'll stay here for another thirty minutes or so, and then we'll get going." I kept my attention on my mate, but she seemed reluctant to socialise after my conversation with Nyx. Erica pulled her over to the dessert table, and after a quick glance in my direction with hazy eyes, Scarlett followed her. She had become more distant, and myself and my wolf hated it.

***

The ball clearly drained Scarlett. After we came home, she spent the whole evening in bed, claiming that she was tired and just needed to rest. Anxiety could do that though, so in the morning I allowed her to lie in while I worked in bed on my laptop. I only needed to reply to my emails, and that could be done from home.

"Scarlett, sweetheart, are you awake?" I questioned, continuing to tap away on my keyboard.

She hummed, rolling over to glance at me. Her bed-head was adorable, and I tried my best to stifle a laugh, but it slipped through the cracks.

"Don't laugh." She pouted. "I'm not a morning person." The duvet was whipped from me as she rolled back around and cuddled up under the covers.

"I'm not. You look cute." I grinned to myself. "Erica was wondering if you wanted to join her for some training today. Your shoulder is healed so I thought that if you wanted to get your strength back up, doing it with Erica could be nice. No pressure."

"Training?" Scarlett didn't sound convinced.

"In wolf form. You haven't shifted since being here, and I imagine she's going crazy inside of you. It might be good to..." My phone began to ring, and I glanced at the number, my eyes widening. It was another Alpha who attended the ball last night, likely wanting to discuss my view on Nyx's operations. "Hold on just a second."

Not wanting to disturb Scarlett, I left my laptop on the bed and slipped out of the room, answering the call. The Alpha and I spoke for around five minutes - him telling me how on edge he was about Nyx and his behaviour. It appeared he had convinced a few other Alpha's last night, and that wasn't good news.

After the call ended, I made my way back into the bedroom. Scarlett was sitting up in bed, her eyes focused on the TV that was on mute. My laptop had been moved, and I narrowed my eyes at it before sliding back into bed to see that the tab that I had opened was now closed.

"Do you need something, baby?" I asked, a frown making its way onto my face, and Scarlett turned to me with a perplexed expression. Her eyes drifted towards the computer before she inhaled deeply, shaking her head.

"What do you mean?" Her cheeks reddened.

I sighed, running my hand down my stubbly face. "If there is something on your mind, please tell me."

Scarlett pulled the covers up higher, her tongue darting out of her mouth to run along her bottom lip. She was nervous. I could sense it. She was doing her best to try and hide it, but her pumping heart and slightly raised eyebrows gave her away. "There's nothing going on, Roman."

I nodded, clicking my tongue. Yet another lie. They were starting to get to me. I didn't know what she was hiding. Fiddling around with my laptop. Fibbing about getting her period. It didn't make sense. "Do you need to use the computer?"

She gulped, closing her eyes and exhaling. "I'm sorry. I was just looking up the city that Erica had told me about. She bought my clothes from there, and I was just sort of interested in visiting. I didn't know if you'd be angry that I was using your laptop without asking, or about wanting to leave the pack for a trip out."

I released a throaty laugh. "Scarlett, you don't ever have to worry about using my things. If you need to, just do it. You don't need to ask me for permission. I can ask Erica about you two visiting the city sometime soon, if that's what you want?"

My mate beamed, the sides of her eyes crinkling and her nose scrunching up. "Really? Thank you."

It didn't make sense to me why she had lied about her menstruation, but at least I had my answer as to why she was attempting to sneak around on my laptop. If Scarlett was intrigued about a nearby city, then I wanted nothing more than for her to explore it.

Life didn't exist only at the pack and I was hoping that venturing out would help her with her confidence.

"Can I ask you something?" The words slipped out of my lips before I could think about what I was saying. I caressed the side of Scarlett's smooth cheek before dropping my hand, allowing it to settle on her clothed thigh - far enough away from her core so as not to cloud her judgement with lust.

"Yes," Scarlett whispered, her stare fixed.

"Are you happy here? I want nothing but for you to be content, and if you're not, I want to know what I can do to make this better for you." I was aware that my question was a little brash, but the conversation was important. Scarlett had a wall up - I knew that. I craved for her to drop the veil, but I understood how hard that was for her.

She had grown up alone for the most part of her life. She still wasn't ready to speak much on her upbringing and I was hoping that she would become comfortable enough to do so soon.

Scarlett smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Of course I'm happy."

There was something going on. There was a part of herself that Scarlett didn't want me to see. She had more layers than an onion, and I was afraid that she was never going to let me see the real her.

The idea of being mated to someone I would never fully know? After waiting all this time for her?

It hurt like a bitch.