The Mark of Betrayal (by Cooper) novel Chapter 18

Samara

When we get back into the SUV, Roman is quiet, lost in his thoughts. I don’t try to start a conversation. I’m lost in my own thoughts. What the hell was that in there? He looked ... grief stricken, like losing Teddy nearly broke him.

‘I told you, Samara. I don’t think he was involved. I don’t want to kill them,' Ayla says.

I glance over at Roman. He’s rubbing his hand over his jaw in a way that feels like a habit, a habit he has when he’s stressed or uptight.

‘I want to get more information, but I won’t kill him, not yet. Not until I get proof that he was involved. He really did seem upset about not being there in time.’

‘Thank you,’ Ayla says, sounding like something tight inside her just relaxed. I sigh. Of course she wouldn’t want to help me kill her mate, but if I find proof...

‘If you do, then it won’t matter if he’s our mate. If he had any part in killing our family then he has to die too.’

I see Eric looking between Roman and I in the rearview mirror.

“How was your lunch, Eric?” I ask him. Roman turns to look at me as if my voice startled him out of his thoughts and then he looks at Eric.

“Fantastic as always, Luna. How was yours?”

“I’m not your Luna, but it was delicious.”

“We already talked about this,” Roman says softly looking back out the window.

“About what?” I ask.

He turns and looks at me, raising his eyebrow. “You’re my mate. I’m the Alpha. That makes you his Luna.”

His voice still holds the pain it had while we talked at the restaurant, so I don’t argue. Instead I turn back to Eric.

“I had the filet. It was delicious.”

“I’m glad you liked it, Luna. The pack owns the restaurant and most of the people who work there including the chef are part of our pack.”

“Is that so?” I ask. Roman is listening, but he’s not participating in our conversations.

“Yes. He makes the menus for the packhouse every week. We eat damn well in our packhouse if I do say so myself.”

“What’s your favorite thing that they make?” I ask, making conversation. For some reason, I want to give Roman time to pull himself together. Up until now, he’s been larger than life. Something deep inside me doesn’t like to see him suffering like this, especially when it’s about my family.

“Meatloaf. That and the seafood souffle, it’s so good. You’ll have to try it,” he says.

Before I can answer, Roman jumps in.

“Samantha doesn’t like seafood,” he says, glancing at me, then Eric before turning back to looking outside.

“Oh, sorry, Luna.”

“It’s okay, you didn’t know. Are you mated, Eric?” I ask him.

“Not yet, Luna. That’s one of the reasons Alpha chose me to come with him, hoping I’d have a chance to find my mate.”

“I’m sorry you didn’t have more time to look for her.”

“That’s okay. I’m sure there will be more opportunities in the future for me to find her. Alpha is twenty-five and he just found you. I’m only twenty-two, so I still have plenty of time.”

I smile. Eric is a nice man. I’m not sure how much time I’ll spend with him once I’m at Roman’s pack, but he’s not a bad companion.

“How did you become Roman’s driver?” I ask, noticing that Roman has started to turn away from the window, not quite engaging in the conversation but paying more attention.

“I applied. I’m not just a driver, Luna. When you drive the Alpha, you have to be prepared for anything. If we were ever attacked, I’m prepared to give my life for Alpha Roman,” he says seriously.

“Congratulations! What’s her name?”

“I’m not sure. She says it’s Samantha,” he says, watching me.

“What does that mean?” Sawyer asks.

“Well, she’s an Alpha and she was hiding as an omega in one of the southern packs. She hasn’t given me her real name yet,” he says, watching me as I glare at him. I wasn't ready for Sawyer to know I’m here yet.

“And she agreed to come with you?” Sawyer asks and even I can hear the disbelief in his voice.

“Not exactly. I used my powers of persuasion,” he says, smirking at me. I roll my eyes and reach for the door handle. He grabs my wrist, holding me in the car.

“We just got back. I’ll call you later,” he says.

“I want to hear all about her,” Sawyer says.

Roman disconnects the call then looks at me again.

“Thank you.”

“For what?” I ask.

“For giving me time to collect myself. Being in that room, talking about Theo and his family hit me harder than I expected.”

“You’re welcome,” I say.

Still holding my wrist, he looks out the car’s windshield.

“Welcome home, Samantha.”