Chapter 53: Protective Possession
(Scarlett’s POV)
Roman’s breath fanned hot against my ear as his lips trailed down to my jawline. His hand rested possessively against my lower back, pinning me gently, but firmly, against the plush leather seat of his SUV. My pulse raced at his touch, every brush of his fingertips sending shivers down my spine.
“Roman,” I gasped, gripping his shoulder as his kiss deepened, his control unraveling momentarily. His ice–blue eyes burned into mine when he finally pulled back, his thumb brushing over the marks already forming on my neck.
“You’re mine,” he growled, his voice low and husky. “No one else gets to touch you, no one else even gets to look
“You’re acting like someone challenged you again,” I said, half–laughing, though warmth flushed my cheeks. “No one’s around”
He smirked, his lips quirking mischievously. “Not yet. But if Alexander so much as breathes in your direction again, I’ll make sure he regrets it.
I rolled my eyes in an attempt to appear unaffected, though my heart thundered in response to his protectiveness. The poor guy already has a broken arm, Roman. What more could you want?”
“The satisfaction of crushing his wolf spirit,” he replied simply, leaning in to press one last, lingering kiss at the juncture of my shoulder and neck. I wanted to scold him for making me so breathless, but words failed in the haze of his dominance.
By the time we arrived at my treatment center, my blouse was askew, some buttons undone from our little ‘distraction I rebuttoned them hurriedly swatting his hand away when he tried to help! He only laughed in that infuriating, knowing way of his as we exited the car.
face.
At the entrance, Roman loomed closer, his towering frame shielding me from the late afternoon sun. His ice–blue eyes softened as they scanned my
“Eat properly tonight,” he said. It wasn’t a request.
“will,” I replied, though my tone lacked enthusiasm. “Actually, Emma and I were thinking of eating out. There’s this cozy-
“No,” Roman cut me off, his expression hardening instantly. I know the tavern you’re talking about. It’s not safe”
“Roman, it’s just dinner.
His jaw ticced, the air around us seeming to still as his commanding presence pushed outward. “I don’t care. That place is filled with rogues and loose tongues. You think Alexander’s spies wouldn’t be there, waiting for you to let your guard down?”
“You’re being dramatic,” I muttered, crossing my arms.
“Do not test me on this, Scarlett,” he growled, his voice firm yet tinged with concern. “You might think you can handle yourself, but I won’t nak anything compromising your healing or safety
Cora stirred in my mind, bristling at his dominant tone, but I held myself back. “Fine,” I said finally, though my voice was clipped.
His gaze lingered, searching my expression before his thumb brushed across my cheek. “Good girl,” he murmured before stepping away. He waved
off Claire, who had been observing us from a distance with a puzzled look, and silently slid into his car
The marks he left on my neck tingled, a reminder of his possessive affection. Claire’s teasing grin widened as she approached.
“Well, someone’s in love, she teased, her voice lilting with amusement as she handed me a clipboard.
“It’s not like that, I snapped, though my cheeks burned with heat.
She raised an eyebrow knowingly. “Sure, boss. Whatever you say? She glanced at my flushed face. “You’re glowing, you know that?”
I ignored her, instead directing my frustration toward the paperwork in my hand. “Get back to work, Claire
She chuckled softly as she walked away, her teasing leaving a lingering embarrassment coiled in my chest.
The afternoon dragged on as I busied myself with organizing my stock of rare healing supplies. Moon–blessed herbs and crystals glinted in the sunlight filtering through the windows. I focused on the steady rhythm of logging inventory, hoping it would drown out the whirlwind of emotions Roman
had left behind.
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Chapter 53 Protective Possession
But peace was fleeting.
Alexander’s voice cut through my mind like a dagger, his furious mindlink piercing through my shields. “Scarlett! Don’t think I’ve forgotten about your mysterious Alpha” His voice dripped with anger “You think humiliating me in that elevator was enough?”
My jaw clenched, imitation rising sharply: “Alexander, if you want details on Roman, why don’t you start with the broken arm he gave you? Maybe it’11
jog your memory,” I replied coldly
“Who is he?” Alexander demanded. His frustration was palpable, feeding into Mason’s restless growl in the background of the link. “And
you-*
d how dare
I didn’t let him finish. With a sharp surge of willpower, I blocked his connection completely, severing his mindlink. The silence that followed was
It didn’t last long.
Minutes later. Sarah’s presence intruded, her pack bond buzzing insistently. Her voice came through, blazing with unwarranted rage. Explain yourself! How did you build that center? How do you have connections to European healers? Do you even know what Grace is suffering right now?”
I felt a bitter laugh rise in my throat. “Do I know?” I spat back. “Do you know what it’s like to be discarded by your own family? To have your own
mother plot against you?”
You’re being childish she snapped. Her voice crackled with the effort of maintaining dominance through the link. “You owe this pack your loyalty!”
owe you nothing” I hissed. My head ached with the sheer effort of containing my anger. “You lost me the day you looked Grace in the eye and
called her your daughter. Don’t talk to me about loyalty when you’ve never known the meaning of it”
The weight of her fury pressed heavily through the bond, but I was beyond caring. Your precious Grace dug her grave. Now deal with it. With one
final mental shove, I slammed the bond shut, severing her access to me completely
By the time Emma’s mindlink reached me, inviting me to the tavern once more, I was tense with frustration.
“Roman’s being annoyingly overprotective again, I admitted. “He doesn’t want me going to some tavern because of the ‘atmosphere.”
Emma’s mental laughter rippled warmly through the link. “Scarlett, you know that sounds.. unhealthy, right? No offense, but his possessiveness-
THe means well” I interjected quickly, though Cara stirred uncomfortably. “Look, I don’t want to argue
Emma sighed but didn’t push further. “Fine, but if Roman starts deciding your grocery list next, we’ll need to have a talk.”
I chuckled, though the thought lingered uncomfortably. Roman’s interference in my life was becoming more consuming. Still, the bond between our wolves hummed comentedly, a reminder that Logan’s affection wasn’t entirely misplaced.
As I was preparing to give in to Roman’s restrictions, his voice interrupted me through our mental link. He sounded calm, curious, but firm. “What are
you planning to eat tonight?”
I hesitated. “Fried Chicken,” I said lightly. “But I can always change plans”
Roman’s displeasure nippled faintly through the bond. “You know that’s not good for ”
Before he could finish, Cora surged forward, her playful energy brushing against Logan. She nuzzled him through the mental connection, her affection melting whatever stern response he had prepared
it heard Roman sigh into the link, his resistance softening. “Fine” he said reluctantly. His possessiveness yielded, leaving me grinning despite myself.
As I gathered my things to head out, I couldn’t help but marvel at how even in our battles of will, Roman’s love had a way of wrapping around me like
a warm, unyielding shield.
