The Mark of Betrayal (Samara and Roman) novel Chapter 74

Samara

I have a week to get ready for my Luna ceremony. While Roman is handling the invitations and food, I’m working on making sure we have space for the large number of Alphas and Lunas that will be in attendance. It almost feels like Roman invited everyone just so they can see that he got his mate.

Since Scarlet is with her parents, I keep Sloane with me during the day, having her help me. It started as a way for me to help her stay occupied, but she ended up being a great help.

On Wednesday, Roman mind links me.

‘Samara, there’s an early guest here. Can you join me to meet them?’

‘Who is it? The guests aren’t supposed to start arriving until Friday?’ I ask him.

‘I’m not sure,’ he says, making me frown. There’s no way Roman would let someone onto our pack lands without knowing who it was, even if they were here for the Luna ceremony.

‘Is it safe to bring Sloane?’ I ask him.

‘I’m bringing Slade, so yes,’ he says, making me even more curious about this stranger. Roman would never put me or our pups at risk. Something isn’t adding up.

“Come on, Sloane. Someone is here.”

“Who?” she asks.

“I have no idea, and Uncle Roman says he doesn’t know either. But it sounds like it’s an Alpha who has arrived early for this weekend,” I tell her.

“Uncle Roman doesn’t know who it is?” she asks, as confused as I am.

“That’s what he says,” I say, as we walk out of the room we were preparing and out toward the front of the packhouse.

“Ellie, can you make sure we have enough food for at least two more tonight. We have an early arrival,” I tell one of our kitchen omegas as we pass by the kitchens.

“Sure thing, Luna,” she says.

When we get outside, Roman is already there with Slade.

“Roman, are you sure it’s safe for the Sloane and Slade to be here?” I ask him, still not sure why he doesn’t know who is coming.

“I’m positive,” he says, smiling at me. I realize he’s hiding something from me and when he feels me pressing against his mind, he pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head.

“What’s going on, Roman?” I ask him.

Instead of answering me, he turns to watch the car coming up the driveway. I’m surprised when it’s only one car and not a caravan of warriors with this Alpha.

“Are you sure this is an Alpha?” I ask him.

“That’s what the guards told me,” he says, still acting mysteriously.

I frown at him a moment longer, but he refuses to meet my gaze, smiling as he watches the car approach.

When they pull up, I turn back to the car, still distracted and worried that our pups might be in danger.

And then he steps out of the car, his eyes meeting mine.

I gasp and I feel tears burn in my eyes.

“I asked him to come early so he can see that you’re doing well and the two of you can have some time to visit before everyone else arrives,” Roman says, finally opening his mind so I can see that he prepared this surprise for me.

My lips are quivering as I step off the porch. I only take two steps when Alpha William opens his arms and I rush into them.

“Hello, Samantha. Or do I get to call you Samara now?” he asks, enveloping me in his embrace.

“I didn’t know you were coming,” I whisper as tears begin to streak down my face.

“Your mate wanted it to be a surprise.”

“It’s the best surprise ever,” I tell him.

I take a long moment, just hugging the man who became a surrogate father to me.

“Who is he Uncle Roman?” I hear Sloane ask.

“That’s the man who took your Aunt Samara in when she was on the run. He hid her, adopted her, and kept her safe for nine years.”

“I’m so glad that things worked out for you,” Alpha William whispers in my ear.

“Me too,” I say, finally pulling back. “Did Roman tell you I’m pregnant?”

“He did not. But I have heard that the two of you have been very busy. I was sorry to hear about your sister,” he says, using his thumbs to brush my tears off my cheeks.

“You’ve already started building your nursery?” Luna Jasmine asks when we pass Aria’s room.

“No. My sister had just had a baby, Aria. This is her room. By the time our son is born, we’ll hopefully be able to move her beside Slade’s room.

Our warriors bring up their belongings and I go to take Sloane so Alpha William can get settled.

“I’ve got her. Which one is her room?” he asks.

Before I can answer, Sloane points to her room.

“Do you want to show me?” he asks.

She nods yes.

“Do you want to walk?” he asks.

She shakes her head no.

“Alright,” he says, carrying her to her room.

“How is he so good with her? He was the same way with me,” I say, looking at Luna Jasmine.

“He always wanted a girl, but after Will, I was told I couldn’t have any more children. He always thought of you as the daughter he never had. I’d be surprised if he’s not already thinking of Sloane as the granddaughter he wants to have,” she says, smiling after her mate.

“Yeah, apparently just having me wasn’t good enough for him,” my adoptive brother says, only half joking.

“That’s because you were a terror!” I say, ruffling his hair. I may have pretended to be an omega while I was in their pack, but Will was three when I arrived in Alpha William’s pack. He and I have grown up together.

“Why don’t you get settled and then we can all have lunch together,” I tell Luna Jasmine.

“You’ll be lucky to pry Sloane away from William,” she says. “You were the same way. My mate is very good at dealing with young females in crisis.”

“Yes, he is,” I say, reaching out to take her hand. “I owe you both so much.”

She reaches out to cup my cheek. “All we ever wanted was for you to have a good life. I’m so glad that you’ve achieved that.”

“Me too, Luna,” I say, hugging her.