Roman

XXI

My mouth dries at his words. I have to kill Roman myself?

"Don't look so surprised, my dear. This will prove your loyalty to me and to the pack," he states.

"How will I kill him?" I question.

"One silver bullet to the head," he answers.

One silver bullet to your head.

I smile, "good, it's quick and easy. The smallest amount of time that he takes up of mine, the better."

He chuckles, throwing his arm across my shoulders, "you will be a good leader."

I feel Roman pushing on my mind, so I open it up to him, letting him hear and see through me.

He wraps an arm around my shoulder as we come to a large house, "this is where you will be staying, that is, until we take over the pack house of Roman."

I nod, "I guess this is fine."

He smiles at me, "don't worry, dear, you'll be in a more suitable home soon enough."

He leads me inside the house. It's nice, dark wood floors, tall ceilings. It wasn't my home, though. We make our way up a flight of stairs and he shows me to a room.

"You can get ready here. The execution is in a few hours," he tells me.

I nod and he leaves, closing the door behind him.

I let out a slow breath.

Roman.

I'm here.

I'm scared.

You'll be okay. If I die, you'll be with Ephesus. You'll be safe.

I close my eyes, I'm supposed to kill you.

Do what you have to, Lena. If you get to live, then kill me. I want you to if it comes to that. Do you understand me? If it comes to the point where your life is in danger, kill me.

I'm not going to kill you, Roman. I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

He growls, You'll do it, Lena.

No, we don't even have to talk about it. Simon will come with the others and we'll get out of here. All of us.

All of us. But you leave Ephesus to me. Make sure Simon hears that, too.

Okay.

I open my eyes, walking over to the bed where a cream-colored dress is lying.

I've never looked good in cream.

I change into the dress, looking at myself in the long mirror. I braid my hair down my back, pulling it to the side to finish it, tying an elastic band around the bottom.

I look at myself and crinkle my nose. This does not suit me at all.

I think you look beautiful. As always.

I smile as Roman's voice enters my mind.

Thank you.

A little later, when the sky is dark, there is a knock on my door.

"Come in," I call.

The door opens and Ephesus walks in, "it's time."

I let out a shaky breath and nod, then follow him out of my room and downstairs.

When we go outside the lawn is full of pack mates, some whom I know. We walk between a crowd of people, Roman being at the end of the pathway. His arms are bound with silver, his head hanging. The only light provided is from large fires on either side of the stage and from the full moon above. Ephesus steps up on to the stage then offers me his hand. I take it slowly and pulls me up next to him, behind Roman.