Time's ticking, little one

Chapter Eight 

/-Isla-/

She was crazy. 

She'd lost her fucking mind going after him like that but nothing I said could stop her. She was Elsie and she'd do whatever the fuck she wanted no matter what I said. 

Carlos returned with the gift and was surprised to see just me. 

“Where did she go?” He asked, setting in on the spot where she was sitting. 

“I don't know. Probably to grab something,” I shrugged. I couldn't possibly tell him that my best friend was going to fight my uncle because of me. 

Carlos took his seat beside me. 

“So…” he said, voice low, eyes dragging over me like he was reading a dirty thought. “Looks like it’s just the two of us now.”

I willed myself to stay still. Not to move from him like I always did when he became filthy or suggestive. 

I already pissed him off this morning. I wanted to make up for that. 

“Well do…” I smiled. “Do you want me to show you around? I could give you a tour of the pack. I can even show you some of my favourite places when I was a kid.” 

“I'm assuming this is not a walkable distance, especially with that faraway look in your eyes,” Carlos said, and I chuckled, my cheeks heating up slightly. 

“It’s not that much of a distance. Just that I had fun memories of those places in my head. So what do you say? Shall we?” I asked.

“Alright, but first, let's wait for Elsie to get back,” he said. I reached for the plate of biscuits.

I wondered what Elsie was doing now? Were they arguing? Screaming at each other? Talking like adults or did she chicken out? I really hoped it was the last. 

We sat there for almost an hour and I became worried about her. Did he get angry and crush her? Maybe he mistakenly hit her? I didn't want to think of it that way, but the negative thoughts were growing with each passing moment. 

A servant came to me suddenly. 

“Princess Isla,” she bowed. “Luna Zelda demands your presence.”

“I'll be right there,” I told her and she walked away. I turned to Carlos. “My mother's calling, I need to see her. When I'm back, we can go out, okay?” 

“Alright,” he shrugged and I stood up. He smacked my ass just as I made to walk away and I chuckled. 

As I entered the palace grounds, my eyes scanned around for Elsie. 

My chest tightened. What if he'd hurt her? What if she’d screamed and no one heard? My mind spiralled.

And then, speak of the fucking devil, there he was. Silver hair, unreadable eyes, walking like he hadn’t just erased my best friend.

“Alpha Roman!” I called and he froze mid-step, like my voice physically touched him. I averted my eyes immediately we locked gazes. “Have you seen Elsie?” 

“No,” he said plainly, but for some reason,, I didn't believe him. 

“But she told me she was coming to see you!” I stated. 

“Really? Why?” He asked plainly, his face a blank mask. I could feel it in my guts that he had done something to her. He was just playing innocent.

“Because I told her everything. She was coming to confront you!” I snapped, fury bubbling beneath my fear.

“How foolish!” He dryly commented and made to leave. 

“That is all you're going to say?” I blurted in disbelief. “And my friend is not foolish! She was only trying to look out for me!” 

Roman faced me with an annoyed expression. 

“Since you are so eager to talk, perhaps we should talk about the fact that you're still keeping that lowly omega under my roof,” he stepped closer and I strutted backwards. “Right after I warned you to send him away. Are you trying to test me, Isla?” 

I wanted to act brave. Stand my ground and tell him Carlos wasn't going anywhere, but with his figure hovering over me like this, my brain short-circuited. 

My back hit the wall and that was the only thing that snapped me back to my senses. 

“I don't care about his status. He could be a slave for all I care. What matters is that my heart wants him. I love him…” My voice cracked, and my lips betrayed the tremble I tried to hide. I didn't sound half as confident as I should have. 

“No, you don't,” His silky tone cut in as he caged me against the wall. “You can scream it at the top of your lungs and deceive yourself all you want but your body…” his hand brushed against my waist. His fingers teased my skin with feathery touches that sent delicious shivers down my spine. “Your body will always want what it wants. My touch…” he leaned closer, his breath hot against my face.

I couldn't move. Dammit… I couldn't even breathe. 

“...will always make you tremble, fairy.”

I gulped hard as those mesmerizing eyes captured mine and in a space of seconds, the hand on my waist moved to my neck. 

“Your little friend disrespected me and currently, I have her where only I can find her. The longer you defy me, the higher her punishment. So listen carefully, little one…” he leaned towards my ears, his lips brushing my earlobe as he whispered. “... For every second that omega stays here, your darling Elsie will incur twice the number of whips I initially planned.” 

My eyes widened as he moved completely away from me. Like he hadn't just threatened me. He turned his back and began walking down the wall.

“Tick-tock, Isla…”

“You bastard! That's my boyfriend; you're asking me to chase him off!” I seethed, glaring at him with every atom of hatred I could muster. 

My eyes watered as I tried to think of what he could have possibly done to her. I knew going to challenge him head-on was a bad idea.

What was I supposed to do now? Choose between Carlos and my best friend? 

“Fuccckkkk!!!” I screamed, hitting the hall with my palms. I've never felt more cornered in my entire life.