The Mark of Betrayal (Samara and Roman) novel Chapter 2

Sloane

“Hey, are you okay?” Slade asks as we walk to the car where Uncle Roman is waiting for us.

“Yeah.”

I’m better knowing that Benedict put protection around Slade. Honestly, I don’t care about me, I just need to know that my brother is safe.

“He didn’t upset you, did he?” Slade growls. My brother is as protective of me as l am of him.

“No. He was surprisingly nice,” I say.

I look up to see Uncle Roman’s lips pressed together tightly. I brace myself for whatever disappointment he’s about to show me when Benedict walks up to him.

“What the fuck?” I say, pushing forward quickly.

“I just want you to know, Alpha Roman that I do not condone the behavior of my she-wolves. They will be punished for their behavior. I have the utmost respect for Sloane, Aisling, and you and Luna Samara.”

“Benedict, what are you doing?” I ask as I walk up.

“I’m sure Principal Rollins contacted your uncle to let him know that four she-wolves were bullying you today, Sloane. Because two of those she-wolves are from mypack, I wanted your uncle to know that I have dealt with them.”

I know for a FACT that Principal Rollins didn’t tell Uncle Roman that I was being bullied. He never does.

Uncle Roman watches me as he addresses Benedict.”

Actually, Alpha Benedict, I would love to hear your side of the story.”

“I’m sure Alpha Benedict has other important things to do, Uncle Roman. He doesn’t have time to relay stupid school yard antics,” I say quickly.

“Well, Sloane, if I could get YOU to relay those ‘stupid school yard antics’ I wouldn’t have to ask others, would 1?” he says, his tone laser sharp. “No one has mentioned bullying to me before,” he growls.

I look at Benedict, begging him with my eyes to help me get out of this.

“Alpha Roman, are you coming to our political dinner tomorrow night?” Benedict asks.

Political dinner? What political dinner?

“Yes, Samara and I will be there,” Uncle Roman says.

“Perhaps we can talk then, Alpha.”

“I’ll make sure I have time,” Uncle Roman says. “Let’s go.”

I walk to the back door of the car and turn to Benedict.’Please, I mouth to him.

He walks up to me, closing the door so we have some semblance of privacy. “It’s time you stopped fighting alone, Sloane. Your aunt and uncle are very powerful.

They can protect Slade as much or more than me. That’s what you want, right?”

I close my eyes. “They don’t know anything. I don’t want to be the reason that a war is started.”

He reaches up and takes my chin in his hand, turning my face to meet his. “You aren’t starting the war, Sloane.

You’ve been encouraging it by keeping quiet and letting others feel they have more power than they do. Stop giving power to wolves who have none. Tell him tonight or I will tomorrow.”

“Do you know how much I want to punch you right now?”| growl.

He smiles. “I would love nothing more than to spar with you. But until then,” he says, then startles me by leaning in and pressing his lips to mine.

I don’t know what I expected, but a warm, firm yet somehow soft kiss wasn’t it. He steps back quickly, out of range of my punch.

“I’ll see you Monday. Tell your uncle. It would be better coming from you.”

Then he turns on his heel and walks away. I blink, feelingtotally disoriented and still feeling the heat and weird tingling sensation of his kiss on my lips.

When I get in the car, I can feel the heat of anger rolling off Uncle Roman.

“Are you going to tell me what’s really been going on?” he growls.

I look at Slade and he nods that I should tell him. Uncle Roman sees it and growls.

“Now, Sloane.”

“Kids are cruel, Uncle Roman. They know about our parents. They call us murderers, they say that no one will want us. It’s just stupid, childish bullshit.”

“Then why is Principal Rollins always telling me that it’s

YOU who is the problem?” he growls.

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