Chapter 68

Almara

I walked into Arthur's office, not bothering to knock. I had expected him about twenty minutes ago for dinner, but he hadn't showed up. So I put on my big girl pants and went to fetch him.

I did not expect to see Arthur's father sitting across from the desk, Nor did I expect to see Arthur chugging some disgusting looking drink from a nondescript bottle. When his eyes fell on me, I could see the guilt in them.

"What was that?" I asked nervously. Every instinct in me screamed that whatever was in that bottle wasn't good. Nothing Roman brought could ever be classified good.

Arthur didn't answer me, Other than when I first walked in, he was doing his very best not to look at me. What was in that bottle? Arthur had never acted this way before.

Roman looked between us, waiting for Arthur's answer and when it was clear that Arthur wasn't going to, Roman sighed dramatically. "Am I going to have to explain everything again?"

I didn't say anything. I wasn't sure what the right answer would be and I didn't want to do anything that could potentially set him off. He'd spared my life once because he found out about the baby, but I had a feeling if I pushed the right button, the baby wouldn't matter anymore.

Roman rolled his eyes. "Almara, my dear, I have a confession to make. I made a mistake several years ago. I made the wrong decision. I've come here to right that wrong. Arthur accepted."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He had told me everything by telling me nothing. I looked at Arthur and he was finally looking back. Unshed tears shined behind his eyes, but he blinked and they were gone.

My patience snapped. "If one of you doesn't explain things to me clearly, I will shift and let Lily take over. Whatever happens after that will be your fault. Are we clear?"

A genuine smile graced Roman's lips. "I see the pregnancy hormones have finally given you a spine. Congratulations. You'll need it if you are to be luna of this pack. I do hope that you keep it even after the birth."

I growled at him and he laughed, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "I know better than to spar with a pregnant she-wolf. I will explain. The mate bond between Arthur and Sofia is a fake. Arthur has a fated mate. The potion you saw him drink will free him from the fake bond."

My eyes widened. Was that all? Wouldn't that be a good thing?

"Then why does Arthur look like that?" I asked, motioning with my hand to encompass all of Arthur."Ah. Well, my dear, magic always comes with a price. That potion is extremely potent. Very strong magic. It could kill him," Roman answered and he looked positively gleeful. Like the thought of his son dying meant very little to him. It probably did.My eyes went back to Arthur, pleading silently with him to contradict his father. That he hadn't just taken something that could end his life. That he hadn't done something that could take him away from me.

We hadn't even been married for an entire day. I didn't want to lose my husband or the father of my child. Our lives were just beginning.

I ran over to him, intending to stick my fingers down his throat if I had to. He had to get that potion out of his system before it could take effect. He just had to. I didn't care if that meant he would be bonded to Sofia for the rest of his life. I just needed him to be alive and to continue to choose me.

Arthur caught my hand before I could even get close to his lips. Tears trailed from my eyes. "Why would you do this? It's not worth it. Your life is not worth it!"

Arthur cupped my face with his other hand, leaning down so his forehead rested against mine. "Yours is."

My entire body shook with suppressed sobs. He was doing this for me. He was willing to risk everything for me. And that was infinitely worse.

"Don't worry, little wolf. I survived the fake mate bond spell. I'll survive this, too," he breathed into my ear as he pulled me into his arm. I clung to him. His heart beat was strong beneath my ear and I foolishly let myself believe that everything would be okay. Because he said it would be.

He'll be okay, Lily said, rubbing against me as she usually did when she wanted to comfort me. Besides, I think Arthur may be your fated mate.

No, I don't think it's me. I could never be that lucky…I let my voice trail off. I couldn't get my hopes up. It would just lead to disappointment. Roman had confirmed that Arthur had a fated mate. It couldn't possibly be me.

There's a reason why Caleb and I lost control that night on the cruise, Lily argued and I shook my head at her. No, it was because I had been drunk. That's all it was. A drunken mistake.

Arthur wasn't drunk though, Lily reminded me and I bit my tongue. There was no use in arguing with her. She was stubborn.

But I've also been right about so many things when it comes to Arthur, Lily said and I put my mental walls up. I couldn't let her distract me. Not right now anyway.

"How are you feeling?" I asked Arthur as I reluctantly pulled away from his so I could see him clearly.

"I feel perfectly fine. I told you not to worry, little wolf. I'm very strong," Arthur said and flexed his muscles underneath my hand. I let out a watery giggle. Maybe he would be okay.

"Well, I have done my part. I will take my leave. I do hope that you survive, son. I would so hate to see the Alpha title go to William," Roman said before walking out of the room. I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. Being around Roman always felt like there was a noose around my neck, just waiting for the trapdoor to open.

Arthur sighed and I felt him relax. I guess I wasn't the only one who felt tense around Roman.

"I don't know what I'm going to do about him. Should I just kill him?" Arthur asked and I couldn't tell if he was joking or not. To be fair, he probably wasn't and I can't say that I blamed him. Roman definitely needed to be dealt with in some way. But I didn't think killing him would be the right call.

"No more killing. Not if it doesn't accomplish anything," I said and bopped him on the nose as if he was a child.

"Did you just -" Arthur's was cut off as his body tensed, every muscle stiff. I watched in horror as pain flared behind his eyes and then he just collapsed onto the floor, eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. I screamed and kept screaming until I lost my voice.