From Frying Pan to Strange Fire

“Why did you want to see me, Mrs Elvin?” Roman probed, watching the omega keenly. He wondered what Williams meant by the note. The woman was clearly a werewolf and had no trace of witch blood running in her veins. However, Williams was no ordinary wolf. If he had suspected something, then Roman knew there has to be something. Williams was never wrong, especially when it came to any matter involving witchcraft.

“I came to you because I am too ashamed to see Joan. I have wronged her in more ways than I can count.” Mrs Elvin started, lowering her eyes as she spoke, only lifting them occasionally to stare briefly at him. “I can’t face her and I don’t think she will ever forgive me fully. But it’s time for me to do the right thing and I think you are in the best position to help me out.” She paused.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Recalling that Trevor had earlier told him that he could win Joan’s heart by winning her mother over to his side, Roman was tempted to ask her what she wanted him to do for her so that he could make it happen. However, before he could utter a word, the urge to question her came over him so strongly that he couldn’t resist.

“What are you doing with a human husband, one of the worst of his kind, when you and I know you can do better?”

Mrs Elvin wore a frown. “That is part of the things I want to discuss with you.”

“What happened to Joan?” Roman threw another question, one which confused the woman.

“How do you mean?” She asked, looking confused.

“She is supposed to be a Tribrid. But I sense only her human side. No wolf, no witch. What did you do to her?” Roman threw yet another question and the frown on her face deepened.

“I didn’t do anything to her.” She answered, and before she could say another word, Roman was speaking again.

“Mr. Elvin is not her father. That much I know. What I’m not sure of is if you are her mother.” Roman revealed, and noticed how her eyes widened slightly in surprise. “You are a human-werewolf hybrid, so the witch is definitely her father. She must have gotten her eyes, hair, and some of her beautiful features from him. Who is he? I need answers and I believe he has them.”

Mrs Elvin wished she could tell him to stop throwing questions at her as if she was a criminal. But she couldn’t. She was an omega, and he was higher in rank than an Alpha. There was something about his aura that commanded and compelled her to answer his every question.

“I don’t know who her father is.” Mrs Elvin answered.

“Did you sleep with a random guy and get pregnant?”

“No.”

“Are you her biological mother?”

Silence reigned for a while before Mrs. Elvin answered, “No.”

“Who is?”

“My twin sister.”

“Where is she?”

“She is dead.” Mrs. Elvin answered and silence reigned once more as Roman ceased throwing anymore questions. By this time Mrs Elvin was already breathing heavily because of her concealed annoyance. “She died when Joan was just one month old and I adopted her as my daughter. I’ve been taking care of her since then. I also know nothing about why her other parts are concealed. It has been like that ever since her mother died.”

“What was it you said you wanted me to do for you?” Roman asked, recalling that was where she stopped before he decided to ask questions.

“Two things, if you don’t mind. First, I need you to send apologies on my behalf to her. She has gone through a lot because of me and I want to let her know that I am truly sorry. If I could turn back time, I would definitely do better. I have endured Mr. Elvin long enough and I realize that it’s time for me to end it all and disappear.”

“And what is the second request?” Roman asked, seeing no big deal with the first one.

“After today, she may never see me again, so I won’t get the chance to give her this. Can you please extend this to her for me?” Mrs Elvin fetched a small, brown envelope from her bag, stretching it toward Roman.

Roman set his eyes on the envelope, then shifted the pair back to her face. He repeated the eyes movement two more times, never making an effort to accept the extended envelope.

“What’s that?” He finally asked, breaking the tense silence.

“It’s a letter from her mother. She wrote it on her dying bed and made me promise to give it to her daughter on her 27th birthday. I couldn’t give it to her that day because of the troubles that marred the celebration, and I won’t be able to give it to her after today.” Mrs Elvin responded in a calm voice.

Roman nodded. “I’ll give it to her, but I’ll need you to first open it and read its content out loud.”

“I can’t do that.” Mrs. Elvin retracted the envelope, shaking her head. “It is a personal letter from a dying mother to her daughter. It’s content is not meant to be consumed by either you or me. If Joan deems it fit to let you in on its content, she can do that after she has already read it.”

“I would have believed you, but since you’re not her mother, I don’t trust you.” Roman revealed.

“That’s fine. I guess I’ll have to find another way to give it to her.”

Roman let out a low chuckle. “Come in, Liam.” He suddenly uttered, confusing Mrs Elvin. The door was opened five seconds later and Williams walked in, coming to stand beside her.

Alarmed, Mrs. Elvin made to throw the envelope into her bag, but Williams caught her hand.

“What do you think you’re doing? Let me go.” She protested, her heart beating like crazy and her eyes blinking just the same way while she stared at the hand holding hers in a tight grip.

“You have one last chance to say what exactly is in that envelope.” Williams said, throwing her a fierce look.

Roman relaxed and watched, waiting for the big reveal.

“I already said it’s a letter. What’s this harassment for?”

“Were you there when this letter was written and packaged? Are you sure this is not something else?” Williams asked again.

“Yes. I was there when she wrote it and I saw her package it. It has been in my possession since then.” Mrs Elvin confessed, and Williams snatched the letter without warning.

“Give it back. You have no right to take my letter.”Mrs Elvin yelled, jumping to her feet to snatch the envelope back.

Williams grabbed her neck, stopping her advance toward him. Squeezing tightly, he blocked her airways, depriving her of air.

“You know, for an omega, you certainly do have guts.” Williams spoke, giving her a disgusted look. “One gutsy, little, and weak omega. But you chose the wrong place to display your courage. Tell me why I shouldn’t snap your neck and send you to the place where you so seek to be?”

“Don’t kill her, Liam.” Roman, who had not moved from where he sat, spoke, seeing the omega struggle fruitlessly against Williams grip. “What is in the envelope?” He asked, watching as Williams released the woman’s neck, letting her fall to the floor and heave for breath.

“Trevor!” Williams called out instead of answering Roman’s question, and when Trevor showed up inside the office, he handed him the envelope. “Open it.” Williams ordered, and Trevor, despite being confused about what was going on, proceeded to open the letter.