Tension

Chapter Seven 

/-Isla-/

“What's going on?” Manda asked, noticing the glares Roman and I passed each other.

“I wonder too. What's wrong, Alpha?” I asked, keeping my eyes on him. I was treading on dangerous grounds but who fucking cares?

I won't let him control my life!

The tension at the table was sharp enough to. Cut through anything. Everyone looked between Roman and me, but we didn't take our eyes off each other. 

“Good morning, everyone. Sorry I'm late, I was really out of it last night,” Elsie showed up out of the blue, breaking the awkward silence. “Isla!” 

She dropped on the seat next to me and draped her arms around me, blissfully unaware of what she walked into. 

“I'm so sorry we couldn't talk last night. I thought you might want to spend more time with the Luna,” she said and I smiled. 

“Thank you, Elsie. For bringing me back,” I said softly and she pulled me into a tight hug.

“I've missed you soooooo much! We have a lot to catch on about…” she paused, glancing at Carlos with a big grin. “You too, Carl. I know she's been stressing the life out of you.” 

“It's not like that,” he chuckled. “Isla here is really sweet. I like to think I'm lucky to have her.” 

My gaze shifted to him and he smiled softly at me. 

“I'm the lucky one,” I told him sincerely. I met him at the time when my life was falling apart, and he fixed it. What more could I ask for?

“That's enough of the chit-chat, eat now,” My mother cut us short. I glanced at Roman for some reason and noticed he was just silently eating his food. 

One would never believe he was glaring at me minutes ago. After breakfast, Carlos and I decided to spend time with Elsie. 

We took some mats out to the open fields to sit and talk. I lay down, resting my head on Carlos' lap. 

“So this is the man who stole your heart, huh? I know you've sent pictures, but he actually looks more handsome in person,” Elsie commented, and I gave her a playful glare. 

“Watch the way you talk about my man. Don't compliment him too much,” I warned and she laughed. 

“Jealous much?” She teased. “You don't have to worry. I don't think he's capable of looking at anyone other than you. Have you seen the way he looks at you?” 

Carlos' ears went red as he gave a bashful smile. In times like this, it was almost impossible to get over how adorable he was. 

“He can't even deny it,” Elsie laughed. 

“Why should he?” I snorted. “Unless he wants me throwing hands.” 

We laughed. While we were still talking, some servants brought us juice and biscuits. 

“So what are you doing to do while you're here? You'll join the family business?” Elsie asked. 

I have never really given it a thought. I already had three degrees, which was surprising for someone my age, but I only did them because I thought they were fun and challenging. I never really thought about what I'd do with them. 

Joining the family business seemed right; I have the knowledge and education to back that up, but working under Roman?

That was not so appealing. 

I couldn't imagine being in the same space with him for about ten to twelve hours.

Five minutes and I already wanted to gouge his eyes out and strangle him. Talk more of an hour, then ten. 

We will most likely kill each other!

“I don't know about it. I guess I'll have to talk to my mom. Whatever she says, I'll do it,” I shrugged. “Besides, I want to spend more time with her so I'm not really looking for anything that'll require me to travel.” 

“That's s good choice,” Elsie nodded. “She has missed you so much. It's only right that you make up for all that time you spent away.” 

Carlos was unusually quiet. From his expression, he looked disturbed about something. 

“Is something wrong?” I asked him. 

“Not really,” he sighed. “Just that I have to leave next weekend for my internship. But that means, you're not coming with me…”

I felt a little bad. I knew how much he wanted to spend time with me but I couldn't just ignore my sick mother. 

“I'm really sorry…” I started apologizing but he cut me short. 

“It's fine, really,” he smiled. “I can always come visit you every weekend.” 

“That's a lot of flight money,” Elsie blurted and I kicked her. 

“That will be perfect. Please don't listen to her,” I chuckled. 

Elsie laughed, “Sorry, I forgot you can't advise those in love.”

“You're crazy,” I laughed. 

“That reminds me, I actually got something for you, Elsie,” Carlos said. “I'll get it. It's still in my bag.” 

“Really? Gimme, gimme, gimme…” She bubbled with excitement, clapping her hands together. I sat up so Calris could get up. 

“He's going to get it, El. Calm down,” I chuckled and she shot me a look. “What?” 

“I just think that you should know that you don't have a right to say anything. You're my best friend, and you couldn't even get me anything despite the fact that we haven't seen each other for years,” she frowned.

“Elsie, I send you gifts every holiday, your birthday and any pretty random thing that catches my eye. This one time I didn't doesn't make me a horrible friend!” I stated and she rolled her eyes. 

As soon as Carlos was out of sight, a sigh fell off my lips.

“What's wrong?” She asked. 

I didn't know if it was right for me to tell her now but I honestly couldn't keep it to myself anymore. 

“The thing is, last night…” I sucked in my breath. “I found… my mate.” 

“What?!” She gasped. “Don't tell me…”

“Yeah, it's not Carlos,” I answered the question in her head. She scooted closer to me. 

“Oh, goddess! This is really bad! Carlos is going to be really hurt and he was such a nice guy,” she exclaimed. “What are we going to do now? Who is it?”

 

“Now, this is the part where it gets really messed up,” I muttered, glancing behind me to see if Carlos was coming. 

“You're scaring me, Isla. Who is it?” Elsie demanded. 

“It's the Alpha,” I answered.

“What?!” She literally screamed. “The Alpha, as in your step-uncle?” 

“Yes,” I sighed.

“As in Alpha Roman Kane? Married Roman Kane?” She asked again and I felt pathetic.

“I swear, Elsie. I don't what game fate is trying to play with me,” I sighed. 

“But… but you can't be with him,” her voice grew small and concerned. “He's already with someone else. What is he saying? Does he know?”

“Yes.” 

“And?” She pushed. “Did he reject you? Did you reject him?” 

“I did, but he didn't accept it,” I sighed. “He wants to make me his. He's saying I belong to him…”

“WHAT?!!” She thundered this time. “Is he crazy?” 

My shoulders sagged. “I… I don't know.”

She got up from the mat. 

“Where are you going, Elsie?” I groaned.

“Where else? To talk some fucking sense into his head! He already broke your heart once; he must be sick in the head to think he's going to ruin your life, too!” She hissed. My eyes went wide. 

She couldn't be serious! 

“Elsie, you can't possibly do that! He's an Alpha! You can't just talk to him the way you please!” I tried to talk sense into her. 

“Well if he won't listen to me, I'm certain his wife would be more than delighted to have that talk with me!” She spat and stormed off.