Number 24

CHAPTER 24

“I trust you’ll do a great job today,” he ruffled through Xander’s – who was wrapped in Ivy’s arms – hair jovially.

“I was born a nanny,” she assured hysterically as they both let out a mild laugh.

“As usual, I’ll come around later to pick him up.”

“We’ll be waiting for you,” Ivy replied.

“Lorelei shouldn’t know about this, please,” he pleaded humbly.

“You have absolutely no issues with that,” Ivy stated assuringly to put his worries to rest. “Don’t let your worries overwhelm you, Roman. Leave him in my tender care and come back for him whenever you so please. You don’t have to worry about his mom getting a wind of this.” Those were Ivy’s parting words as she left Lorelei’s house with Xander. Lorelei had gone out earlier, returning to her daily duties at her place of work, completely oblivious of the fact that Ivy took care of Xander in Roman’s stead while he tended to his other venture – his training.

Sounding the need for utmost secrecy for the umpteenth time to Ivy, he sent her on her way and bade them farewell with smiles all over. He dashed back into the house to get himself prepared physically, emotionally and mentally prepared for another episode in the series of the seemingly neverending torture he underwent.

For the sole reason of concealing his ploy from Lei, he knew he had to be meticulous in his dealings with Ivy. Getting off training and bringing Xander back home was a must if he wanted to keep Lei in the dark. He knew Lorelei would kick against whatever his endeavors were and so keeping it a secret from her was undoubtedly a given.

Hours later, Roman got off training earlier as usual and set off to Ivy’s house to bring Xander home.

*Ring ring*, he hit the doorbell to alert the residence of the building of a guest at the door. “Coming!” Ivy cried out from inside the house, telling him his message was conveyed duly.

“Hello,” she greeted warmly on opening the door and meeting with Roman’s gaze.

“Hello nanny,” he reciprocated the warm gesture that greeted him and accepted her invitation to come in.

“Xander!” he called out, looking in all directions to see what part of the house he’d emerge from.

“He’s asleep,” sinking into the couch, she announced.

“Asleep?”

“Yes. He fell asleep after running around tirelessly for hours,” she added, spurring Roman to give off a hearty smile.

“Lorelei will soon get off work, I need to take him home.”

“He’s inside,” she gestured towards the passageway behind him.

This has been his routine now for the past forever. As tiring as the whole situation – enduring relentless torture in the course of his training and still sucking it all up to go pick up Xander – may have been, he had an even greater driving force that caused him to deliberate less on the discomfort that became his new company, but rather he faced the importance of completing his mission successfully by gathering as much details on the Dead Moon pack, as possible.




“Our dumbass is here today,” one of the members of the wolf pack jeered at Roman, accentuating the ‘dumb’ to drive the pun in his statement home.

“Dumbass indeed,” another chirped and had all five of them laughing hysterically.

Yes! Amidst the laborious and discomposing episodes our dear Roman faced were constant bullies from the other pack members. He had the power to finish all of them in one fell swoop but then again, knowing he had to keep acting like the ‘dumbass’ , he struggled to keep his cool. Amongst his bullies were spies sent to keep eyes on him from his own pack and that agitated him the more. He thought brothers were supposed to have each other’s back so he struggled to understand why they – who very well knew him – would forsake the bond that existed between them.

He maintained a lowly stance as he knelt to the floor and wept, enduring the kicks and blows from all direction in the middle of nowhere. They were only surrounded by huge trees and the only sounds that could be heard from there apart from their voices and Roman’s excruciating groans, were the echoes of their very own voices.

“You…are…a…loser,” one of them who belonged to his pack kicked him continuously with every word he uttered. Roman kept groaning, clenching tightly to his stomach as he rolled on the floor.

“What’s wrong big boy?” One of them squatted. “If you are in so much pain, just tell us and we’ll gladly oblige.” Of course he knew Roman was mute, his only aim was daunting him. “Idiot!” he smacked his neck back of his hand.

“Alpha Damien?” he heard one ask as they spoke within themselves. He briefly cut the pretense and stylishly went quiet, by reducing his groaning sounds to quiet sobs instead, to hear what they were about to say.

“Exactly! Alpha Damien,” another concurred. “He has finally made his ex wife’s sister his Luna,” that one continued.

“Mona?!” another exclaimed in surprise.

“Yes that’s her name,” he affirmed.

All of a sudden, the chattering ended. He could easily sense their intense gaze on him. Knowing they were all staring at him even without looking, he immediately returned to play and began groaning yet again.

“Hey dumbass! You can walk yourself home, right?” They all laughed again.

“See you,” another chirped sarcastically. Leaving him alone, they exited the scene.

“Worthless sons of swines,” he said, raising his head up as he no longer heard their heartbeat within earshot. He stood on his feet and wiped off the sand that he incurred while rolling on the ground earlier.

He placed both hands on both sides of his waist. Seemed he managed to achieve a huge feat today owing to what he just heard. Acting like a stupid son of a nobody sure paid off. If he had retaliated their hostility, they won’t even have the ability to move their jaws any more, let alone gossip within themselves, giving him what he needed the most at the time – information on pack B.