ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️

Chapter 40

"If we don't get divorced...he's going to kill you." I whisper, raising my eyes to Hardin's.

Hardin immediately sits on the coffee table, lowering the papers to my knees with his hand.

"Not happening." He repeats in a calmer voice.

"We might not have a choice." I sigh, leaning back and closing my eyes for a moment.

It never ends.
One problem after another.

"Kat, I'm a reasonable man but I cannot watch you with someone else...not now." I could hear the pain in his words, the truth to them.

And I get it. We're finally good, we're finally figuring it out, and then this happens.

"And you won't have to." I softly say, promising the words with my whole heart.

"I'm married to you, he's going to come here looking for you and we have to be prepared." I say.

"Um...considering the guy is literally ancient, don't you think he'll have a little more patience than you presume?" Jackson asks pointedly.

By far the most intelligent thing he's ever said.

Hardin and I share a glance, exhaling heavily as we realise Jackson is right. Roman has all the time in the world, therefore he's mastered the ability of patience.

I know Roman, probably better than the Elders do. One thing I did learn is that even though he says he wants me, that he chooses me as his mate, he also never sleeps alone. In many ways he's like Hardin, except Hardin is honest, and faithful. Roman is honest about his very busy sex life, but he's far from faithful.

"Can't you just kill him?" Jackson asks hopefully.

I glance between both men, my gut twisting slightly at the thought. Could I bring myself to kill him? I question myself silently, uncertain of the answer.

Hardin's entire attitude shifts in a brief moment, he stands from the coffee table abruptly.

"Jesus Christ, Katalayha." Hardin growls lowly, anger and bitterness in his voice.

Shit.

Jackson stares between us with confusion, and I say nothing to explain. Hardin saw my instant turmoil at the thought of killing Roman, he knows there's only one reason I'd argue with myself about killing someone that potentially want Hardin dead.

"I can explain." I say quickly, not wanting him to lash out without hearing the truth.

"I asked you if there was someone else and you lied. It's not even about the sex...you have feelings for him, don't you?" Hardin stares at me with blood red eyes, his tone ice cold and all warmth vanishing.

"It's not like that, I never slept with him-"

"But you feel something for him." Hardin cuts in, glaring darkly, I could see the hurt in his eyes.

Feelings are worse than a kiss, or sex. Sometimes sex is just that, sex. But to harbour feelings for someone else when you have someone already, that's where the real problems start.

"Something." I admit. "A flicker, a moment of question. But anything I felt for Roman, is nothing to what I feel for you."

I could almost hear the pleading edge in my voice, hating that I can't fix this with a few words.

"I don't believe you." Is all Hardin says, and I could tell from his tone that he really doesn't believe a word I'm saying.

His trust in me is so little, I knew leaving all that time ago would cause problems. But this isn't helping.

"You know me, Hardin. If I felt a fraction for him what I feel for you...I'd sign this." I state firmly, holding up the wedding certificate.

Hardin just stares at me, his eyes as cold as ever. The decision is without question, I didn't need to dwell on it or consider my options.

I fold the paper in half, and tear it in half, and then again, and again. All the while looking right into Hardin's searing red eyes and ensuring that he's watching my every emotion. He waits for some guilt, or regret, but he finds none.

"Roman buried the bodies, and he saved me when all I wanted to do was die and yeah, maybe I felt something for him but only because he reminded me of you, he didn't judge me, and he was upfront and he didn't hide anything." I tell him snappily.

"We're talking about Alexander fucking Romanov, not the guy next door!" Hardin snaps with fury in his tone.

"I KNOW!" I scream at home, my temper snapping.

"Both of you just take a breather, Jesus!" Jackson yells, a very odd thing for me to hear, which is the only reason I shut up.

Inhaling sharply, I keep my eyes away from Hardin. I felt a little hurt that he's judging me. I should have told him I felt something for someone else, but it was two years ago, and we didn't so much as hug.

There was minutes of silence, the air thick with tension. Until finally one of us exhales and breaks it.

"What are we going to do?" It was Jackson, both concerned and a tad fearful of what is coming.

"I don't know." I whisper, famous last words.

"Are you sure killing him isn't an option?" Jackson asks us.

"All our heads will be on spikes, if not by the Elders than by Roman." Hardin finally speaks, his tone icy and blunt.

I didn't defend Roman in the slightest, while I know he's not all bad, there's also not a lot of mercy in him. Like all Alphas, piss him off properly and you unleash a thousand years of rage upon yourself.

"So what, you're just going to sit here and let the guy take your life? Your freedom?" Jackson turns to me in question.

"I can refuse, but Alphas tend to get their way. How many people do you think he will kill? He won't stop with Hardin, or Seb, or you...he'll turn to the pack, and Cami, and Kade, every single person that I love...and in the end he will still make me his." I scowl at Jackson, partially glaring.

How can they not see the problem? Do they think I want to marry Roman? I'd rather chop off my own limbs, but unfortunately it's not my life he's threatening.

"I expected more for a fucking fight." Hardin snarls in a low sarcastic sneer, storming off out of the living room.

I felt disheartened, but mostly angry. I get that Hardin is infuriated, I understand that I should have just said something, but I didn't know about this whole marriage thing until now. If he was in my shoes, he wouldn't think twice about marrying someone to protect the people they love.

Roman isn't just another Alpha. With age comes power, and skill, the kind that even Dom cannot match. Maddox is brutal, but Roman is worse. Dom is both strategic and strong, ruthless too. Every Alpha is different, Roman is like a purebred, the origin wolf with every Alphas strength, and none of the weaknesses.

"He's right." Jackson says, shaking his head in disappointment.

I felt that, and I hated it. I'd much rather be screamed at.

Choosing to ignore Jackson, I grab my crutches and hoist myself up from the couch, rather awkwardly I might add. Leaving Jackson to do his own thing, I head upstairs to run the bath.