Marked Mate

10

SCARLETT

It had been a few days and my wounded wrist had healed nicely. There was nothing but a tiny white scratch remaining and Roman was yet to mention anything regarding my fake period.

If he knew something was going on with me, he didn't voice it - something I was thankful for. It only solidified in stone how much I really needed to leave, though. He was getting closer to figuring me out, and it was dangerous.

"Have you got any baby names you like yet?" I asked Erica, curiosity dripping from my tongue as we made our way up the stairs towards Roman's office in the complex. The baby talk was coming out like word-vomit. I couldn't stop it. It was the first time that I actually felt like I had some kind of link to children, and I was craving that warm and bubbly feeling for myself.

Erica smirked. "I can't tell you. What if you end up pregnant with Roman's child and want to steal them?"

She was kidding. I knew she was, but I couldn't help but blanch, my stomach lurching. Forcing a throaty laugh that sounded choked, I averted my eyes and focused on the small droplets of dirt on each step.

Children with Roman. The both of us beaming at each other as we clutched our newborn child in our arms. A baby nursery set up in preparation. The joy of watching our baby surpass each milestone. Seeing them grow up way too fast and fall in love themselves.

Fuck. I swatted the thoughts away.

My brain was exhausted. Erica and I had been at the library, and I had taken the opportunity to practise my gift on a few unsuspecting readers. Although the effort had caused my head to throb, I had managed to take hold of people's emotions.

It meant I was getting stronger, and soon, I was going to have enough strength to control Roman's emotions for a short period of time so I could leave.

I was a good runner, and my stamina had also slowly been improving - I could tell by the way I no longer became out of breath from walking to and from the office complex. Being on the run for so long had destroyed me - mentally and physically. Pack life was helping me recover.

The invisible tether between Roman and I tightened as Erica rattled her fist against his office door, and after a few seconds, Brandon opened it. His emerald green eyes lit up as he settled them on his mate - the very same way Roman's did whenever he saw me.

I just wished I could react in the same way towards him without feeling a crushing amount of guilt.

"There's no need to knock," Roman told me from his desk, peeking over the top of his laptop at me. "My office is your office." He didn't smile like he usually did though, and a cord struck in my heart.

I shrugged. "Needing an office would mean I work." A smile crept up onto my face. I wanted nothing more than to be able to do so, but to have a job, you needed a permanent home somewhere.

"Just wait until you've officially accepted the Alpha female position," Brandon chimed in, sifting through the large wad of envelopes piled high on the long wooden desk. "You'll be swamped."

My stomach twisted. People were really testing me today.

Roman shot Brandon a small warning look, his eyebrows pulled together and his mouth set in a firm line. He was adamant about people not putting pressure on me, but it seemed Erica and Brandon had both forgotten that tiny detail today.

"We should go," Brandon said, clearing his throat and scratching at the back of his neck. "We've got a scan to get to. Remember to open these." He handed Roman a thick red envelope. The handwriting on the front was intricately written with gold pen - looking expensive and regal. "This one states it's urgent."