Shudder

24

Behind me I heard Roman gasp, though Yorik stayed silent. I was eventually going to tell Roman about myself anyways, but I still wanted to know about him first, so I turned and kindly asked if he'd step out while I discussed this with our leader. He agreed after I'd told him I'd tell him, but only after I learned about him.

When he'd left, I faced Yorik again. He wore an amused expression at Roman and I's exchange, but didn't comment on it. As my eyes met his, he snapped back into a more serious mode.

"Please sit and tell me why you want that."

And so I sat, re-telling my tale from the very beginning, about how they murdered my parents, to my foster parents knowing and their plan to kill me up until how Annalise said my brother, Cole, nor my foster "mother", Claire, weren't in the house when the pack had arrived to clear away the remaining Jaecars.

"...And so, I want my brother back. I don't know what they plan to do with him, but I also know he's not in good hands," I muttered darkly, my anger rising at the very thought of Claire or the Jaecars hurting my adopted brother.

"And you also want your revenge... because they killed your parents," Yorik stated.

I didn't comment. Of course I wanted revenge, of course I wanted the Jaecars to pay, but I also knew I wanted to get Cole back more than just my revenge.

"You can't let your revenge get the best of you, you know. There's a lot of Jaecars. Not even I know how many and I know you won't be able to get the revenge you desire, but you may be able to save your brother, if we -- and you -- do things properly. For now, I think we should wait. You need to adjust to this life, there are hunts to go on, the Annual Gathering is this month and you need to be trained a bit. I'm sure Roman's father, Luke, will be more than happy to train you. With that said, it may be a few months before you get him, but I believe Claire will not kill him, not if it means drawing you in."

I nodded, clenching my hands. A few months was more than I wanted, but I knew there was just too much going on and I did need to do all those things.

"When you are ready, I'll inform you of the location and we will go."

"Thank you," I murmured, moving to stand and leave.

"Oh, and Rori?"

"Yeah," I paused, looking over at Yorik.

He smiled, something that shocked and blinded me. "Don't be too hard on Roman. He's waited a long time to be with you."

My mouth dropped, disbelieving his words, but the sincere smile told me he was being truthful. I managed a small nod and walked out, hearing a soft chuckle from Yorik.

Once I reached the hall, I noticed Roman pacing slightly up and down the hall. As he turned around to pace back to Yorik's door, he spotted me and rushed over, his blue eyes concerned.

"Everything go okay?"

I nodded and smiled at his concern. "Everything is fine. I'll tell you after we go meet Holden, well, I meet Holden."

Roman visibly relaxed and he reached for my hand. Sparks shivered up my arm and butterflies whirled in my stomach, I didn't think I'd ever get used to Roman Morrison holding my hand -- let alone actually wanting me, wanting to be...mates, even.

I watched Roman out of the corner of my eye and wondered if that was what he wanted. I didn't know and I wasn't going to ask in case all he wanted was a relationship and maybe he clung to hope that a soul mate existed for him.. though a part of me doubted that was the case because he'd clearly described to me we Lupus didn't have soul mates and when he'd described that he didn't look in the slightest bit upset. Plus Sarah had even said she thought Roman was enough for me, that had to mean something, right?