Seduced by the Alpha Trio

6: Roman

I want what I want, is that a damn crime? The way Gab c**k blocked me from mate was enough to drive me over the edge. I hardly hard control over Enzo as it was. Being 27 years old and not having a mate was slowly driving us insane. As the oldest of the trio, I should have found a mate first. Yet here I was, a third of a mate to some woman who hadn't even told anyone her name.

I had spent a lot of time thinking about my future and my true mate. The one who would complete me and accept me for who I am. The one who could handle me and Enzo and love us equally. I had found her once. Then I lost her just as fast as I'd found her.

One night, as I was walking deep in the forest, I caught a whiff of an enticing scent. It was floral, yet musky and it was driving me crazy. It felt like my heart was about to explode with excitement. I followed the scent and it brought me to a small clearing. That’s when I saw her.

She was breathtaking. Her long brown hair cascaded down to her waist, and her brown eyes sparkled in the moonlight. Her curves were in all the right places and she was definitely my type. As soon as she saw me, she took a step back, but I could see the lust in her eyes too.

“Hello, beautiful,” I said as I walked towards her, not taking my eyes off her.

“Who are you?” she asked, taking another step back.

“I’m Roman. And you are?”

“I’m Cassandra,” she replied, still backing away from me.

“Well, Cassandra, could I ask what brings you to these woods?” I inquired, attempting to ease her nerves.

“I was just out for a walk,” she answered shortly.

“Well, I’m glad I caught a scent of you. You have an alluring smell,” I said, taking another step closer to her.

I could feel the tension between us and my wolf was howling in excitement. I had never felt a connection like this before. My body was begging to touch hers, but I didn't want to scare her away.

“Thank you?” Cassandra replied in uncertainty, her eyes flickering over to mine.

“I’m not trying to scare you, Cassandra. I just couldn't resist coming closer to you. You smell like my mate,” I admitted, not able to hold back anymore.

Cassandra’s eyes widened in shock, and she took a step back, fear evident in her expression.

“Please, don't be afraid. I won't hurt you,” I said, suddenly realizing how intimidating I must have appeared.

“I have to go,” she said, turning to leave.

“Wait!” I called out, reaching out to grab her arm. “Please, don't go. I just want to talk to you.”

Cassandra hesitated for a moment before turning back to me, her eyesstill guarded. I released her arm, taking a step back to give her space.

“I’m sorry if I scared you. It’s just, I’ve never felt a connection like this before,” I said, hoping to reassure her.

“Neither have I,” she whispered, surprising me with her admission.

I could see the hesitation in her eyes, but I couldn't help myself. I leaned in, my lips brushing against hers. Cassandra’s lips were soft and plump, and I could feel the electricity coursing through my body. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before.

As we broke apart, I could see the same shock and desire reflected in her eyes. I knew then that I would do anything to protect her. She was mine, and no one was going to take her away from me.

Little did I know, however, that someone else had been watching us that night. The Beta of the Crescent Scar Pack, Lucas, had been tracking me for some time, and he saw the connection between Cassandra and me as a threat to the growing power of our pack. He waited until I left before jumping out from his hiding spot and attacking Cassandra from behind.

I heard her screams in my head, but it was too late by the time I ran back to her. She had already died, her beautiful face marred with scratches and bite marks. Tears streamed down my face as I held her motionless body in my arms, wishing desperately that I could bring her back to life.

Lucas was long gone by then, leaving behind a shattered heart and an unnamable sorrow in its wake. Cassandra's death will forever haunt me, yet another reason why my second chance mate bond with this mystery girl meant so much to me.

As she stirred in the bed, I glanced at my brothers, my friends, before moving to her side.

"Hello beautiful." I said as her bright eyes landed on mine.

She looked at me with a mix of confusion and fear, not recognizing me from hours before. I immediately knew that my memories of her were not hers of me, the dreams I'd had of her would be mine only. I took a deep breath before introducing myself, hoping to ease her nerves.

"My name is Roman. You don't know me, but I feel a strong connection between us. Can you tell me your name?" I asked, trying to be as gentle as possible. Enzo paced underneath the surface trying to find a crack in my demeanor to take over.

She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "Avery. My name is Avery."

I felt a weight lift off my chest at the sound of her name. It was beautiful. A melody after the storm.

"It's nice to meet you." Her face shifted from confusion to shock as she processed my words. I could see the fear in her eyes, but I tried to reassure her.

"I won't force anything on you, Avery. But please, trust me when I say that I will protect you. You are my second chance and I will do everything in my power to keep you safe," I promised, taking her hand in mine.

My brothers, Nikolai and Gabriel, sound asleep, would do what was needed to protect her. I knew they would do anything to keep her safe too.

Avery looked at me, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. But then, she gave me a small smile, squeezing my hand.

"Okay," she said softly.

Relief flooded through me at her acceptance. I leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips, wanting to seal the bond between us. Avery responded, her lips fitting perfectly against mine. I could feel the electricity surge between us, confirming my belief that she was my mate.

As we pulled away, Avery looked at me with trust in her eyes.

"I know this might sound crazy, but I believe we are meant to be together. You smell like my mate, Avery. I've been searching for you my entire life," I admitted, hoping she wouldn't push me away. "My first mate died, and... Selene decided to bless me with a second...you."

Avery's breath hitched at the mention of my first mate's death, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned in closer, her eyes searching mine.

"I don't know how to explain it, but I feel it too. Like we belong together," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I could see the trust and vulnerability in her eyes and it only solidified my resolve to keep her safe. I would give anything to protect her from the pain and suffering that I had faced with my first mate.

"We do belong together. And I will do everything in my power to keep you safe," I promised again, feeling the weight of the responsibility of protecting her settling heavily on my shoulders.

Avery smiled at me, a small dimple appearing on her cheek. It was adorable and I felt my heart swell with affection for her.

"I trust you," she said simply, making my wolf howl in delight.

I leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before pulling away to give her space.

"We should get some rest. We have a lot to discuss tomorrow," I said, looking at my brothers who snored in their slumber.

"You aren't upset that I'm already...pregnant? I know a lot of men struggle with that... I didn't mean to be." She choked back a sob.I could see the fear and guilt in her eyes as she spoke, and my heart ached for her. It was clear that she had experienced pain and trauma in the past, and I wanted nothing more than to protect her from any further harm.

"Avery, please don't worry about that. Your past is your own, and I will be here to support you no matter what," I said softly, cupping her cheek in my hand.

She looked at me with gratitude, and I could see the tears glistening in her eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

I leaned in and kissed her gently, pouring all of my love and affection into the touch. Avery responded eagerly, her hands sliding up my chest and tangling in my hair.

The passion between us was electric, and I knew then that I would do anything to protect her.

As we pulled away, I looked into her eyes and saw a glimmer of hope.

"I promise to protect you, Avery. No matter what," I said, my voice firm and resolute.

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips.

"I believe you," she said softly.

Somehow, this felt like home. After Cassandra was ripped from me, I never thought I'd feel love again, but with Avery, it felt... whole.