Chapter 4: "There's rogues at Joe's diner."

Roman's pov

A few hours earlier.....

"You're being silly Roman."

My father paces behind his desk.

"Think of the pack, the wolves you have to protect. Are you going to leave them without an heir!"

"I'll do what I want Father."

My anger gets the best of me and I squeeze the pen in my grip, keeping a hold on the frustration I'm feeling right now and reining my emotions in once more.

"I won't be forced to go on blind dates with someone I barely even know. I'll do what is best for me when I'm ready."

My father is quiet and I know he's assessing me. 

We come from a long line of Alphas and even at sixty-two, I can still see evident traces of the man he once was. The man he forever is though the title he once held is now mine. He turns to look at me and I can see the stubbornness in his eyes.

"This can't go on for much longer, Roman. A pack needs a Luna as much as it needs an Alpha and there's nothing holding onto the past will do for you except cause you more pain. The blind dates are being arranged because you don't look twice at any female who approaches you."

"That's because I still love her father! I can't stop loving her! I don't care if she isn't here right now. I don't care if she's been missing for the past five years, five years is nothing compared to the amount of love I have for her!"

Alpha Kai of the Ironclaw pack glares at me but I meet his stare with all the ferocity I can muster. His aura retreats immediately.

I lead the Ironclaw pack now. 

I am the Alpha. I have been for seven years now and not once have we clashed like this. Elara was my life!

She was my reason for living and even if she's gone now, I still can't get over her.

Rogues took her from me. Filthy disgusting wolves who attacked us when we were at our weakest. They attacked my pack, killed my mother, and fled with my mate.

It's been five years since the attack and I haven't forgotten her for a second. I have felt the mate bond weaken over these five years, I have felt hope slip from my fingers bit by bit and I have seen my pack rely even more on me as their Alpha since then. They need me.

All of me.

So maybe I should get another Luna then.

Exhaustion and despair drape over me like a cloak and my shoulders slump as I look at the picture of my mate in my hands. Elara was prettier than a sunset.

My father's hand is on my shoulder the moment I feel tears start to fog up my eyes and he lets out one of his sighs. The sorrow in that sound surprises me.

"I know you loved her son, and I know she meant the world to you. You aren't the only one who lost a mate that day, I lost mine too. Your mother was the best thing that ever happened to me, was and still is even though she's not with us. I know if she was here, she would want you to be happy, and Elara would too. She would want you to keep her in your heart always, but also know that the memories you shared together will always mean something, no matter if you find someone else or not. She would want to see you smile again and she would want to see the pack stand strong. The pack needs a Luna Roman. We aren't a complete pack without one, and you need someone to love you again, the way Elara did."

With those words, my father squeezes my shoulder lightly. It takes me some time to realize once more that this is my office. It was my desk my father had been pacing behind just now and he's been filling in for me now even more than ever.

It's been five years but I'm still not over the loss of her. Elara was my mate.

We promised to grow old together.

She isn't with me anymore now and it has ruined me.

"Alpha Roman, Beta Fen is on the phone for you."

I raise my head to see my father's personal assistant waiting at the entrance to my office. I'm sure he told her we were not to be disturbed hence the fact that she's just informing me about this call now.

 I stretch to grab the landline on my table and the call picks up immediately.

"What's up, Fen?"

"We have intruders."

My hand stills and a frown crosses my face.

"Be frank with me, what do you mean by intruders?"

I can hear Fen hesitate, I can almost feel him wanting to not say the word, but he relents with a sigh and soon the word is tumbling out of his mouth.

"Rogues, Alpha Roman. We have two rogue wolves here at Joe's diner. I'll make an attempt to approach but..." I cut the call before he can continue and get up from the seat with a start. The chair tumbles backward and falls but I'm already out of the office, making my way down the stairs and out of the mansion.

My car is still warm and it starts up immediately.

Rogues! In my pack!

Joe's diner is only a few blocks away but I still drive like a madman on the peaceful streets. I get down, slam my car door shut, and march toward the small diner.

The door is right in front of me when my wolf makes me halt. 

A scent wafts into my nose. 

My nostrils flare and my heart races, on instinct I close my eyes and when I take a big whiff of the air around me, my wolf howls loud and clear.

She smells like honey and Jasmine. The scent is like candy on my tongue, like wine down my throat. It fills me with the urge to find her and protect her. Mark her and make her mine.

The door to the diner is just in front of me and I open it, but someone bumps into me instead.

A female with green eyes like jade and who bears the smell of honey and Jasmine.

Fenrir howls in my head again and his declaration rings through my soul.

"Mate! Mate!"

She looks up at me and our eyes lock, an electric current passing between us.

~Are you sure of this Fenrir?~

I can barely ask the question because I'm so lost in the green of her eyes. My second chance mate.

The only answer I get from my wolf is his frenzy declaration.

"Mate! Mate!!"

She takes a step back and my eyes catch the silver band around her finger. My second chance mate is already married.

An ugly scowl settles on my face.