Nova was outside with Nikki and John. Nikki was showing Nova how to project herself. It was a little harder than she thought. She was still weak and would have to sit after trying. Roman was coming back from his meeting and sat beside her.
"No more", he said.
She looked over at him and nodded. He brushed her hair back.
"You like touching me a lot", she said.
He pulled his hand away.
"I apologize", he said.
"No, it's not, I just", she didn't know what to say.
His leg brushed hers.
"Its my Hellhound, the contact calms him", he explained.
"My Phoenix likes it when you brush our hair", she admitted, biting her lip.
He smiled.
"We need to talk my love", he said.
Her heart fluttered when he called her his love. It also felt oddly familiar to him, natural.
"About?", she asked, crossing her legs and turning to him.
"A pack member came to me today, he admitted that the child Abigail is pregnant with is his", he said.
She nodded, still not understanding what that had to do with them.
"He is her mate, but her father would never allow it. He would try to kill him and when a mate loses their partner, it's devastating. Bray would kill his own daughter in front of Braun and our pack to get his point across", he explained.
"Why doesn't he bring her here?", Nova asked, curious.
He quickly looked at her.
"We're talking about Abigail here love. The same girl who hurt us, who made you not trust me.", he said.
Nova sighed.
"I know and my Phoenix is screaming at me right now, but this Braun is from your pack, and she's expecting his baby. A baby, Roman. We can't do that to a child who has no say in any of this", she said.
Roman smiled.
"Spoken like a true Alpha female and this is our pack. I was thinking we could do a test run. If it doesn't work out, I can transfer them to another pack", he said.
"You can do that?", she asked, with a tilt of her head.
He thought it was the cutest thing in the world. He nodded.
"Yes. I have a responsibility to know all the Alphas", he said.
"How many are there?", she asked.
"Five", he said.
They both had this dreamy look in their eyes as they looked at each other. Someone cleared their throat and they both turned.
"Sorry, but we've gotten the all clear for you to go to the castle.", John said, Nikki beside him.
Roman sighed.
"I might not be going", he said.
Nova quickly looked at him.
"Why? You said you would go, you promised me", she said.
"Love, once Braun brings Abigail here, Bray will come for her and challenge me. Our pack took his daughter and mated her to one of ours. We aren't allowed to do that without asking for permission", Roman explained.
"That's why you asked to speak to my parents when you met me", she said.
He nodded.
"I wasn't just going to take you Nova", he said.
"I'm not leaving you, I want to be there", she said.
He smiled.
"I want you there too love, but I haven't claimed you yet. Remember one of his is your third mate. He could challenge me for you too", he said.
"Are you saying you aren't strong enough to fight off two men for me", she teased.
He smirked.
"I would do anything for you", he whispered.
Again, John cleared his throat. Drawing back their attention to them. Roman sighed.
"You will stay near Dean and Seth. Understood?", Roman said.
Nova nodded.
"We'll stay too. We could use a little amusement, I missed the last underground fight", John said.
Roman chuckled. Werewolve underground fights were common. Matt had snuck Roman, Dean, and Seth to one when they were younger. These fights were for the Wolves who loved war, blood, and didn't mind the scars on their bodies.
John and Nikki walked away from them, giving Roman and Nova a moment alone.
"Braun, bring Abigail here. My mate has accepted it. Bring her to my office", Roman linked to him.
"Yes Alpha", Braun linked back.
"You have to teach me how to do that", Nova said.
Roman looked over at her.
"Mindlink. It's easy", he said.
He moved closer to her and took her hands.
"Close your eyes", he said.
She smiled and did as he said. He moved his face closer to hers. She could feel his warm breath near her cheek.
"Focus", he whispered.
That was kind of hard to do when he was driving her hormones crazy by being this close to her. He sniffed the air. Licking his lips to taste her scent. He growled softly. Swallowing, he had to focus now.
"Think of me, say something", he whispered.
"Roman", he smiled.
"See, easy", she jumped a bit after hearing him inside her head.
He chuckled. He was still so close to her. His eyes were red.
"My self control is breaking baby girl. I can smell you and", he closed his eyes and moaned.
Her heart was beating against her chest. He leaned in more and pressed his lips against her neck. She could feel his tongue swiping at her skin. She moaned. His canines extended, feeling them scrape against her skin.
"Stop", Nikki shouted.
Roman pulled away, his Hellhound growling at her.
"You can't just claim her. That is a private moment, for a private setting between you both. You will disgrace her innocence like that", Nikki said disgusted.
The Hellhound stood and approached Nikki. She didn't back down, John placed himself between them.
"Roman, stop", Nova said calmly.
He did.
"We would never do anything to hurt her. I wasn't going to claim her now, I just wanted a feel for it", the Hellhound said.
"Sure you did", Nikki said.
"Enough Nikki", John mumbled to her.
Nova reached for Roman's hand and the Hellhound looked at her. She could feel his body was hotter, steam coming off his shoulders and through his clothes.
"Hummingbird", he whispered.
That felt familiar to Nova. He leaned down and helped her up. Taking hold of her hand. Glaring one last time at Nikki before walking towards his office. He growled as he passed them. Nova squeezed his arm.
"Be good", she whispered.
He smirked. The Hellhound let Roman back out, he didn't feel like handling this Abigail situation after what she's done. He would just kill her now, pregnant or not. Walking into the office. Roman let Nova sit in his chair, Dean and Seth on either side. Abigail had her head down, sniffling. Braun rubbed her back.
"I've granted permission", Roman stopped.
He looked at Nova before looking back at Abigail.
"Excuse me, we've granted you permission for you to be here. To live freely with your mate and unborn child. Under our protection of course.", Roman said, correcting himself.
"My father will come for me", she whispered.
Roman leaned against his desk.
"You know our pack, you're well protected here. If you don't feel comfortable, I can transfer you and Braun to another pack far away from us and your father", Roman said.
Nova read her aura and it was a sad one.
"Read her", her Phoenix said.
Nova stood and walked over to Abigail. Placing her hands on the sides of her head.
"What is she doing?", Braun asked.
"I'm not sure", Roman said.
Braun was going to reach for Nova and move her away from Abigail, but Dean and Seth were at his sides. Holding him down.
"You know better than to touch my female", Roman said.
Roman approached Nova and Abigail. Nova's hands were glowing.
"I don't think she's hurting her", Roman said.