Truth And Decisions
Roman's pov
I opened the door sharply and saw Kael standing there.
“What is it now?” I asked.
My irritation didn’t bother him in the slightest.
“Alpha,” he said, stepping forward slightly. “The Alpha of Stoneridge had just called. Another attack took place last night. He wants you to call him back.”
I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair.
Can I not catch a brake? My life is fucking messed up now that Scarlett had suddenly showed up claiming I have a son and then now it's the Stoneridge pack that desperately needs my help and then there's Aurora.
How am I going to tell her that I have a child?
“Fine. I’ll do it now. Give me a moment.”
Kael nodded and stepped back.
I closed the door and turned toward Aurora.
She was watching me, concern already written across her face.
"Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine little one," I murmured, cupping her face.
"Something urgent came up, I need to handle it.”
She nodded softly, though I could see the questions in her eyes.
I leaned down and kissed her brief, but reassuring.
“I’ll be back,” I said.
The moment I entered my office, Kael followed behind me, closing the door.
I didn’t waste time. I grabbed my phone and made the call.
It rang once.
“Alpha,” came the voice on the other end. "I was expecting your call."
“Tell me what happened,” I asked getting straight to the point.
“There was another attack,” Henry said. But this time it wasn't rogues that attacked, it was vampires."
My jaw tightened, I slammed my fist on the table.
Nicholas is starting to get on my nerves. I need to do something about him before he plans to target another pack.
"I will arrive there tonight and we'll settle this matter once and for all. Nicholas will be dealt with."
Relief flickered through his tone. “Good. We'll be waiting.”
I ended the call and slammed the phone on the table.
"Fuck!" I hissed.
"What has Nicholas done now?" Kael asked, leaning against the wall.
"He sent the Vampires to attack the stoneridge pack."
"What are you planning on doing about him?"
I exhaled, leaning back against the chair, my arms crossing over my chest.
"Honestly I don't know, the only person that can help me track down Nicholas and kill him is Lucien but as you know Lucien is currently unavailable."
"What's Scarlett doing here?" he asked suddenly changing the topic.
"Apparently I have a son."
The words hung in the air.
Kael went still, his eyes widened.
“What?” he said, stunned. “I thought she lost the baby.”
“So did I.”
I rose from the chair and began pacing the room.
"She said she had to lie about losing the baby because my father threatened her to get rid of it or else he would kill her along with the child so she Lied and left without saying anything."
Kael’s expression darkened.
“And the child? Where is he now”
I shook my head. "She never mentioned where he is nor did I ask."
Silence followed heavy and processing.
Then Kael asked, “Did you tell Aurora?”
My jaw tightened slightly.
“No. I haven’t had the chance.
But I will soon. I have to. I can't keep this from her before anything else complicates this further."
Kael nodded slowly, absorbing it all.
“So… what now?”
I didn’t hesitate.
“I’m going back to Stoneridge tonight,” I said.
“And Aurora?” he asked.
“She’s coming with me.”
Kael raised a brow slightly. “You sure that’s a good idea?”
“Yes.”
My tone left no room for argument.
“I’m not leaving her behind,” I added. “Not after what happened the last time.”
The memory alone was enough.
The nightclub, her running away and then being being abducted by the hunters.
I won't let that happen again. She's much safer coming with me.
_________________________________________________
Aurora's pov
The kitchen was quiet when I stepped inside warm and comforting.
Until I saw her.
Scarlett was seated at the table like she belonged there, casually eating while speaking to one of the pack members. She looked… at ease.
Like this was her home.
My chest tightened instantly.
Her eyes flicked up and landed on me.
A slow, mocking smile spread across her lips.
“Well,” she drawled, setting her fork down.
"Looks like someone had a bad night."
I stiffened, my hands curling at my sides.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice colder than I felt.
She leaned back in her chair, completely unbothered. “Eating. Last I checked, that’s allowed.”
Anger flared.
“You’re not welcome here,” I said firmly. “You should leave.”
That did it.
Her expression darkened as she stood, pushing the chair back with a sharp scrape.
In seconds, she was in front of me.
But I didn’t step back. I didn't flinch.
I wasn’t afraid of her.
“You don’t get to decide that,” she said, her voice low and sharp. “You’re not the Luna. Not yet. And you’re definitely not the queen.”
Her eyes swept over me, judgmental.
“So don’t start barking orders.”
My jaw tightened.
But before I could respond she stepped closer. Too close that I could smell her expensive cologne.
“And let’s be honest,” she continued, her tone turning cruel. “If you weren’t his mate… Roman wouldn’t have even looked at you.”
The words hit harder than I expected.
My chest tightened but I forced myself to stand still to not let her see.
“He’s only with you because of the bond,” she added. “He doesn’t have a choice.”
My heart stuttered.
No. That wasn’t true.
Scarlett’s lips curled slightly, like she could see the doubt creeping in.
“He chose me once,” she went on. “He loved me and we were supposed to get married.”
The air felt heavier.
“But things didn’t work out,” she said lightly, like it meant nothing.
My thoughts spun.
Her words echoing louder than they should.
He’s forced to be with you.
I swallowed hard.
She tilted her head slightly.
“Did he tell you?” she asked.
A chill ran through me.
“Tell me what?” I whispered.
Her smile widened.
“About our child.”
My heart skipped. Then pounded violently in my chest.
“What?” I breathed.
She watched me carefully, like she was enjoying every second.
“We have a son,” she said. “Roman and I.”
The words shattered something inside me.
No, that wasn’t possible. He would’ve told me. He would have—
Wouldn’t he?
Pain twisted in my chest.
“He didn’t tell you,” she murmured, almost mockingly.
“He allowed us to stay here,” she continued, her voice smooth, satisfied. “Me… and our son.”
Each word felt like another crack.
“And soon,” she added, a cruel smile forming, “we’ll be one big happy family.”