Chapter 6: The Promise

*Roharu*

She sits on the big lounge couch and starts pondering. "Where was Brandon going? Do you know?"

I shake my head and smirk; she does not notice it, of course, she is in full investigator mode.

"He was very close to Francis and they used to go out hunting. The McKaines had a cabin in the forest, did you find out if they headed that way?" She tilts her chin up and looks at me.

I shake my head. I remember Cassie mentioning the family cabin, but not much more than that. "I don't think so. He was rather reticent that day," I add as I think about it.

She nods and thinks more. I feel uncomfortable speaking about him. "Why is Brandon not here? Why didn't he become your Beta?" She asks and I look at Xavier frowning.

She looks at him and shrugs. "I don't know you, Xavier, I am sorry. But if you are Ro's right hand, I know you are a man to be trusted," she assures him and he nods, more relaxed. I am glad I didn't need to stop a confrontation. "Don't feel offended by my question, he was a childhood friend and he was supposed to be the next Beta…" She looks again at me and I clench my teeth. "Why isn't he?"

-

*Sienna*

I know my questions are a bit tough, and he feels uncomfortable, but he brought me here for something, and I had to do my best to be of help. We used to play guessing games after watching movies; he would pick something random that happened and ask me about it, and I would have to think and analyze the movie to make sure what he said was in the movie or was just a lie to test me. I failed sometimes, but I got it right most of the time.

"He… his family flew away. His father took the family to Latin America. He was afraid to be the next target after my father. That is all I know; they cut ties after." He leaves it clear he doesn't want to go deeper on this subject.

"I would try to reconnect, at least with Cassie; she was always very close to us and very loyal," I say to him before changing the topic. "I never trusted Francis though…" I admit before continuing. "What happened to Cael and Kall?"

I can see his tense posture relaxing some with this question. "They are part of the pack, my two generals." I smile and nod.

I have so many more questions, but I don't want to overwhelm him. I stand up and look around the big room; I smile as I remember many sleepovers and long random conversations. When I turn around I see Ro has walked out to the balcony. My heart beats faster.

"Enna…" he calls me and I slowly walk outside to him.

I turn around and notice Xavier is gone. Did he do it because Ro asked him or because he wanted to leave us alone?

He sits on the stone bench and I see him looking at the large estate that his family has owned for generations, a land that looks like a forest now. No one has been here in over 10 years, and as I walk out observing what he is looking at, I also remember how it was back then. Beautiful meadows, extensive lands covered with different plants, and gardeners taking care of each sprout. The land seemed like a never-ending garden. His mother was so proud of it.

I adjust my glasses and look at my watch; it is almost 6 pm and I realize time flies, as always, next to Ro. There is some silence between us, a familiar silence. My heart might be pounding a bit more than usual but we are still the same best friends from a while back. I ponder this, I really am happy he is back; I don't know how long he'll stay, but he reached out and I hope I can be his friend again, like before. I need to shake away those thoughts I had of him, and treasure that I have him back.

I turn around and meet his gaze; he can still disarm me with his eyes. "Enna, come here…" and I freeze, only he calls me like that. His face is calm, he looks pensive, this draws my attention and after some seconds, I manage to walk to him.

He looks at me standing a foot away from him, so he takes my hand and pulls me in between his legs. I gasp and hold my breath, what is he trying to do? He presses his face on my tummy and wraps his arms around me. "You promised Enna… you said you were going to be with me… always… tell me you didn't lie… tell me I can trust you…"

Watching him like this moves my heart. He looks vulnerable and honest. What are his true intentions? He wants me with him, just like that? After over ten years? Why not sooner? Why now? Why…?

He tilts his head up and takes my head in his hands, looking at me almost desperately. I feel my heart racing too fast, and he knows this. He pulls me gently and I can't resist. Do I want to resist?

His lips touch mine and I feel as if the world around us moves. His grip tightens around me, lips pressing firm, and strong. I could swear the earth is shaking beneath us, and I release a soft moan. Nothing in this kiss is normal, and everything in it is powerful. We break apart and I try to catch my breath. I feel dizzy and his eyes glow as he looks at me. "Did you feel that?!" he says with excitement.

I take my time to catch my breath before I answer. "I felt some… things…" I admit, unable to understand what was happening.

He, on the other hand, seems to know exactly what is happening, and his grin is wide. "The earth shook, the world spun… you felt it… didn't you?"

I perk a brow and put my glasses in place, as I notice they are about to fall. "Wow, you really think highly of yourself, don't you," I say with a bit of annoyance. What a way to kill the mood.

But he shakes his head and pulls me to him again, taking me one more time by surprise. He kisses me with force, intensity. I almost melt in his arms as a wave of different sensations run through me.

This time his kiss deepens. His lips part and his tongue pushes between my lips; I open and welcome him, letting my tongue reach his. For a moment I thought he was going to bite it, but he tenderly caresses it and rubs it against mine. Again I feel like I could faint; everything around us is moving, or maybe it's just me. Did he feel this too?

I don't know how long we remain like this, but every part of my body is tingling. D*mn it, Ro, you had to come and do this to me. After 10 years, you come and shatter my independence. Of course, now, I want more.