Chapter 899: Answer For Their Crimes
"Sorry," Violet breathed when Roman’s eyes cracked open. "I didn’t mean to wake you up, but I needed to speak to you before I left."
Roman immediately pushed himself upright. He had been so exhausted earlier that the moment Adele’s healing energy touched him, sleep dragged him under completely.
Not anymore.
"What do you mean leaving?" His gaze snapped toward the other mates scattered around the room occupying different spots like silent bodyguards. "You guys are not seriously planning to leave me behind?"
"You’re exhausted," Griffin reminded him.
"I’m better now." Roman frowned stubbornly. "Honestly, Adele barely did anything. When Violet reversed the zombies, I think she healed me too."
That instantly drew the attention of Asher, Alaric and Griffin toward Violet. It was not ordinary attention either, but the sort that made Violet feel like some mysterious artifact they had suddenly discovered another hidden ability from.
Violet blushed furiously beneath the scrutiny. At this point, even she no longer knew the limits of her own powers.
Asher muttered thoughtfully, "So she does possess healing capabilities after all."
Then his stared moved back toward Roman.
"However," he added seriously, "no matter what her powers did, you transformed into a dragon, Roman. I don’t know how deep your power reserve goes, but I can guarantee that consumed an insane amount of energy."
"Not to mention," Alaric chimed in, "you were tortured during your captivity."
His expression darkened at the thought.
"I can only imagine the psychological damage that place did to you." He crossed his arms. "Which is exactly why you’re not stepping anywhere near that battlefield today. You need rest."
Roman glanced around the room. Four against one. Yeah. This battle was lost already.
"Fine," Roman grumbled dramatically before throwing himself backward onto the bed like an offended child. "Go have fun without me."
He added bitterly, "Though you should all remember there won’t be a giant dragon around to save your asses this time."
Violet chortled at that. Honestly, he was so annoyingly adorable.
She leaned closer toward him and whispered conspiratorially, "Be a good boy and I’ll tell you about the little surprise I have for you afterward."
Violet almost revealed the pregnancy right there. Almost.
Unfortunately, she knew Roman well enough to understand exactly what would happen next if she did. He would absolutely refuse to let her leave in the name of protecting her. Take the other three mates as perfect examples.
Roman gasped.
"No, you didn’t!" he wailed. "How am I supposed to rest now knowing there’s a surprise waiting for me?"
He grabbed onto her arm immediately.
"Don’t do this to me, Violet. Curiosity is a terrible way to die."
Then the titles started.
"My love?"
"My purple queen?"
"My beautiful menace?"
"My disaster soulmate?"
"My gorgeous future baby mama?"
Violet burst into laughter, not only because of the ridiculous names, but because of how close he unknowingly was to the truth.
At the same time, something painful struck her.
She had laughed more within the few minutes of Roman being back than she had since his disappearance.
Not because her other mates were not funny in their own ways. But Roman was her sunshine. When he disappeared, so did a part of her laughter.
Thank the goddess he was finally back.
"I’m sorry," Violet told him gently. "But you’ll have to survive the suspense."
She brushed her fingers against his face softly.
"Just hold onto the faith that I’ll come back with good news."
Violet leaned down and gave him what was supposed to be a short goodbye kiss.
Unfortunately, Roman was still Roman. The moment their lips touched, he deepened the kiss immediately.
It had been far too long since he last held his mate properly and there was absolutely no way he intended to let her march off into battle without kissing her thoroughly first.
Usually it was the men going off to war while women kissed them goodbye with tears in their eyes.
Well, he personally did not care about tradition. As long as he got to kiss Violet to his heart’s content.
And goddess, he absolutely did.
The feel of his lips back on hers felt like heaven itself and Violet did not realize how deeply she had fallen into Roman’s trap until her back was nearly touching the bed as he slowly maneuvered her beneath him.
"Uh-uh. Not happening."
Alaric appeared out of nowhere and physically dragged Violet right out of Roman’s arms before things escalated further.
Roman let out a dramatic sigh of disappointment. That would have to do for now. Once this battle was over though, he already had numerous ideas about how they could spend their time together.
"Goodbye, Roman. And for once in your life, actually rest during this period," Alaric instructed while firmly pulling Violet farther away from the danger known as Roman Draven.
Then it was Asher’s turn.
"Don’t you dare do anything we wouldn’t do," he warned. "Use this time to recover properly."
"Yes, mummy," Roman answered with a crooked grin.
Asher released a long suffering sigh. He had almost forgotten how insufferably impossible Roman could be.
Griffin stepped toward him afterward.
"Thank you for saving my father," he said sincerely. "The East Pack owes you a debt."
Roman immediately perked up at that.
Honestly, he had numerous things he desperately wanted to tell Griffin regarding the quality bonding time spent with his father during captivity. Sadly, that conversation would have to wait.
"Perfect," Roman replied brightly. "Because I already have several favors in mind for the East Pack."
The dangerous gleam in his eyes immediately made Griffin regret speaking.
He visibly groaned beneath his breath, suddenly worried he might have accidentally doomed himself by giving Roman unlimited leverage.
Then they finally left him behind.
Meanwhile, Alpha King Elijah stood upon the academy balcony silently observing the departure below.
The witch Samantha had already opened the portal using the exact same transportation method Angus’s witches employed during the previous attack.
One after another, wolves began stepping through the glowing tear in space alongside Violet and her mates.
Elijah watched all of it with an unreadable face.
"Your Majesty," Christian called carefully from behind him.
Elijah slowly turned toward his beta.
Christian bowed respectfully before straightening again.
"Should I establish communication with President Roy?" he asked. "I believe we should move quickly before the situation worsens."
To his complete shock, Elijah answered,
"That won’t be necessary."
Christian stared at him in disbelief.
"Excuse me?"
Elijah turned fully toward him now.
"You heard Caspian," he stated. "The virus could rebound. There is still no absolute guarantee Violet is truly the cure."
"But Your Majesty—" Christian tried to protest, but Elijah cut him off instantly with a single deadly look.
Silence fell.
"Christian," Elijah called quietly, "you have served as my beta for longer than most people can remember." The implication behind those words was impossible to miss.
"Would you like to stop now?"
The threat was crystal clear. Defy him, or walk away.
Christian lowered his head immediately.
"No, Your Majesty." His voice turned stiff. "Your wish is my command."
Satisfied, Elijah turned back toward the battlefield preparations below. More wolves disappeared through the portal one after another.
Then the Alpha King finally spoke what truly rested inside his heart.
"The humans slaughtered our females, and for years that crime has gone unanswered."
His gaze gleamed fiendishly.
"It is time humans learn what loss feels like too."
