Before I Fall

Chapter Forty-five

A group of rowdy teenagers entered the café where Morgan and Kade still remained seated. Morgan was grateful that the kids joined two tables together on the other side of the small room so she'd be away from their inquisitive eyes. She pushed the rest of her food away after finishing the bacon then connected her eyes with Kade's who still watched her intently. Morgan didn't need him also telling her that she needed to eat, there were more pressing matters at hand.

"Why would Roman do this to himself?" she asked with genuine concern. A look of sadness overtook Kade's features as he thought about the right way to answer her question.

"Roman thinks he is undeserving of love and that no one is capable loving him, all of him. As I said, he wants you but he'll do anything to stop himself from accepting your affection or give it in return. Even though we've tried the whole relationship thing and I know that he would never hurt me, I still fear him, I fear what lives inside of him. Thus, I cannot love him, not the way you can. He's barely able to keep a leash on his evil and whenever it gets loose, thousands die. He punishes himself for not being strong enough and he kills whatever hope he has of getting rid of the beast."

Morgan too felt the sadness Kade had for Roman. She wondered how long he had been carrying this burden.

"How long has Roman been alive?" the question left her lips before she could stop it.

"He's never told me, even though I've asked him a million times."

A bit of satisfaction settled within her to know that there was at least something Kade didn't know about Roman and it was just another mystery for her to find out, if he would let her.

"Roman... he doesn't seem interested in having a mate. He's already rejected me yet he claims to own me."

"He does." Kade replied and Morgan slapped him with an incredulous look as if he'd suddenly gone mad. "He does own you just as you own him." he ended.

"But-"

"Look, I sensed the change in him when he came to me one day all heated about the snarky comment you made when he drove out of The Federation. I've never seen him get so worked up over nothing. Then the day you began your training, he knew he was fucked when he bumped into you. So of course, he tried to kill you when you began mouthing off to him because then you'd be giving him something he doesn't want."

"And what's that?"

"Hope. Roman knows you're the one, he just has a hard time accepting it."

Morgan lowered her head to process everything Kade just told her. She didn't know if he was lying just to get her hopes up and put her life in more danger or if he had any other motive. She didn't know what to think. Kade said one thing but all of Roman's aggression towards her said otherwise. Though, she had to admit that the intense chemistry they had whenever they were close to one another was hard to deny. He didn't handle her like the finest china but whenever his skin met hers, she wanted to melt into a puddle and Morgan was certain she had the same effect on him from the way he held her closely. Decisions, decisions! Roman would find her again and when he did, she would be prepared for anything.

"I have to go..." Morgan said as she stood up. Kade arose with her and retrieved his cape jacket. "I'm sorry but this is a lot to take in." the royal continued.

"You wanted answers and now you have them."

"Yeah..."

"Listen Morgan... I just want you to know that I'm here for you. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to me."

His kind offer made Morgan oddly warm inside. Her mind told her that Kade seemed trustworthy and that gave her some comfort.

"Why are you so nice to me? You don't owe me anything."