A Taste Of Freedom
Roman's pov
The office felt suffocating not because of the space but because of the weight of everything pressing in at once.
Rogues, borders, alliances and the vampire rebels.
Henry stood across from me, one hand braced against the heavy wooden desk, his expression drawn tight with frustration. Beside him stood Damien, alpha of the Nightshade Pack, his presence was calm but watchful, dark eyes assessing every word spoken.
"We need to find Nicholas," Henry said, his voice low but edged with tension.
“I agree,” Damien replied smoothly.
"Or else he's going to make move on a different pack," Dominic added.
Silence stretched for a moment.
Heavy and unsettling.
“They’ll hit again,” I said flatly.
Both Alphas looked at me.
“And next time,” I continued, my voice cold, controlled, “they won’t test your borders. They’ll break them.”
Henry exhaled harshly, running a hand through his hair. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
Damien stepped forward slightly. “You won’t stand alone.” His tone was firm. “Nightshade borders yours. If they come again, my warriors will be ready. You have my word.”
Henry nodded once, gratitude flickering briefly across his features. “I won’t forget that.”
My jaw tightened slightly as my thoughts drifted briefly, involuntarily
To her, Aurora.
I would've been with her now but I had duties to attend to.
A sudden vibration against my thigh pulled me from my thoughts.
My phone buzzed and I ignored it.
Henry was still speaking, outlining patrol rotations, defensive strategies but the tension in the room only continued to build.
The phone buzzed again more insistent this time.
My irritation flared.
Slowly, I reached into my pocket and pulled the device out, unlocking it with a sharp movement. It was message from Kael.
My eyes darkened slightly.
Kael didn’t send messages unless it was important.
I opened it.
And everything inside me went still. A picture filled the screen and it was
Aurora's.
She was standing under soft lighting, her hair falling in loose waves, her skin glowed and the dress. The dress was short and revealing.
It clung to her in ways that made something dark and possessive coil violently in my chest.
My grip on the phone tightened.
Below the image, the message read:
I thought I should let you know she’s going out with Kiera and a few others to the club. I told Kiera it was a bad idea but you know her.
Silence roared in my ears.
For a split second I didn’t move.
Didn’t speak or breathe.
Then something inside me snapped.
A low, dangerous growl rumbled from my chest, barely contained.
The air in the room shifted instantly.
“Alpha?” Henry asked cautiously.
I didn’t answer.
My gaze remained locked on the screen, fury burning hot and fast through my veins.
The thought of others seeing her like that looking at her and wanting her.
My beast surged forward violently, claws scraping against the surface, demanding control.
Mine.
The word echoed through my mind, primal and absolute.
She had no business being out especially not like that, not without me and not where other males could...
My jaw clenched so tightly it ached.
“Alpha,” Damien said more firmly this time. “What is it?”
Slowly, I lowered the phone.
But the rage didn’t fade. If anything It deepened.
“Somethings come up,” I said, my voice low. Controlled. "I need to return to my pack."
Understanding flickered instantly across their faces.
"It's okay," Henry said. "You can go, if anything happens I will let you know."
Without another word, I turned sharply, already moving toward the door.
My grip tightened around the phone again as I moved down the corridor with purpose, each step heavier than the last.
Two days. I told her I’d be gone for two days.
A mistake.
A fucking mistake.
Because now she was out there without me.
My eyes darkened further as I stepped outside into the cold night air.
“Get the car ready,” I ordered sharply to the nearest warrior.
He didn’t hesitate. “Yes, Alpha.”
___________________________________________________
Aurora's pov
The moment we stepped out of the car, I knew I was somewhere completely different from anything I had ever known.
Lights. There were so many lights.
They glowed in vibrant colors—neon blues, purples, and reds—spilling from the entrance of the nightclub and bleeding into the dark night like something alive.
Music pulsed from inside, deep and rhythmic, the bass vibrating faintly beneath my feet even from where we stood.
I hesitated. This place felt… overwhelming but exciting and a
little terrifying all at once.
“Well?” Kiera said, already grinning as she grabbed my wrist. “You’re not backing out now.”
“I didn’t say I was,” I replied quickly, though my voice carried a hint of uncertainty.
“Good,” she said, tugging me forward. “Because tonight you’re having fun.”
Before I could respond, she pulled me inside and everything hit me at once.
The music was louder inside, loud enough to drown out thought, the heavy bass thumping through my chest in steady waves.
The air was warm, filled with a mix of perfume, alcohol, and something electric I couldn’t quite name.
People filled the space, they're were either dancing or drinking. They moved like they didn’t have a care in the world.
My eyes widened slightly as I took it all in.
“This is…” I trailed off, unsure how to even describe it.
“Alive?” Kiera offered.
I nodded slowly. “Yes.”
She laughed softly. “Come on.”
She didn’t give me time to stand there and stare. She pulled me through the crowd, weaving between bodies with ease until we reached the bar.
The counter gleamed under soft golden lighting, bottles lined the shelves behind it like some kind of display.
Kiera leaned forward casually. “Two cocktails.”
I turned to her immediately. “Wait—I don’t drink.”
She glanced at me. “You do tonight.”
“I’ve never had alcohol before,” I insisted quietly.
“Then it’s your lucky day,” she said, completely unfazed. “You’re about to.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Kiera gave me a look. “Aurora. I brought you here to have fun. Not to sit and watch everyone else enjoy themselves.”
I hesitated. I wasn’t in Eldermist.
There were no rules here. No watchful eyes, no fear just freedom.
“…Okay,” I said finally.
Kiera’s smile widened just as the drinks arrived.
She handed one to me, the glass cool against my fingers. The liquid inside shimmered under the lights, a soft pink color with something sparkling at the top.
I eyed it cautiously.
“Just try it,” Kiera encouraged.
Taking a small breath, I lifted the glass and took a careful sip. The taste surprised me. It was sweet and fruity
With a slight burn that lingered after.
My brows lifted slightly. “It's… actually nice.”
Kiera smirked. “Told you.”
I took another sip.
Then another and slowly the nervous tension in my chest began to ease. The music didn’t feel so overwhelming anymore and the crowd didn’t feel so intimidating.
Instead It felt… exciting.
By the time my glass was empty, a light warmth had settled in my body, my thoughts just a little softer around the edges.
Kiera didn’t stop there she ordered
Another drink and then another.
And somewhere between the laughter and the music I felt it.
That shift, that light, floating feeling.
“You okay?” Kiera asked, watching me closely.
I smiled really smiled this time. “I feel… funny.”
She laughed. “That means it’s working.”
Before I could question what that meant, she grabbed my hand again.
“Come on.”
“Where are we going?” I asked, stumbling slightly as she pulled me forward.
“The dance floor.”
My eyes widened. “Oh no—no, I don’t dance—”
Too late.
The music grew louder as we moved deeper into the crowd, bodies swaying and moving in rhythm under flashing lights.
“Kiera—” I started.
“Relax,” she said, turning to face me. “Just follow me.”
“I don’t know how.”
“You don’t need to know,” she replied. “Just feel it.”
I shook my head, laughing nervously as I tried to step back. “No, I’m serious I can’t do this.”
But Kiera didn’t let go. Instead, she placed her hands on my arms, guiding me gently.
“Like this,” she said, moving slowly at first.
I watched her then hesitantly I mirrored her movements.
“See?” she said. “You’re doing it.”
“I look ridiculous.”
“You look fine.”
I let out a small laugh despite myself.
I kept going. Slowly, my movements became less stiff, more natural as I let the music guide me. The rhythm pulsed through me, and for the first time, I stopped overthinking it.
A laugh escaped me, light and unrestrained, as Kiera spun slightly beside me.
“That’s it!” she cheered.
I shook my head, smiling. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
But I didn’t stop. I Didn’t want to.
Time seemed to blur, the music and lights blending into something almost surreal.
And then someone stepped in front of me.
I stilled slightly.
He was tall, broad-shouldered. His
Blond hair caught the shifting lights, blue eyes fixed on me with clear interest.
For a moment, I hesitated.
Uncertain but the warmth from the drinks softened my thoughts, my usual caution slipping just enough.
He didn’t speak instead, he moved falling into rhythm with the music, his gaze never leaving mine as he danced.
I glanced briefly at Kiera.
She only grinned and nodded as if to say go on.
I turned back to him and slowly I matched his movements. Feeling less
hesitant this time.
The music pulsed around us, the lights flashing, the world narrowing to just the moment the movement, the energy, the thrill of something new.