My gaze was fixed on the dome, where the call was coming from. "Someone thinks it's a good time to vidcall us," I replied tersely, the scales on the back of my neck bristling.
This private pod was supposed to be inaccessible to outsiders. It made my blood boil that someone would dare disturb our peace, especially when there were multiple channels in place specifically to avoid such invasions.
Letting out a low rumble of displeasure, I reached out and initiated the connection. I was already mentally preparing a scathing rebuke for whoever was audacious enough to reach out directly.
But when the dome around us shimmered and transformed, revealing the familiar features of a human male, I was caught off guard. Even more surprising was Isla's sharp intake of breath and the slight widening of her eyes.
The man's arrogant smirk only fueled my agitation. He looked far too pleased with himself, given the situation. The sleekness of his long brown hair, the piercing blue of his eyes—everything about him screamed of overconfidence.
Isla's sharp intake of breath confirmed my suspicion. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Why are you calling, Roman?"
“I wouldn't contact you unless it was absolutely necessary. But we have a situation. A big one."
Every instinct in me screamed to cut the connection, but I also knew that if he had gone through the trouble to find us here, it must be urgent. Grudgingly, I sighed. "Speak."
Roman swallowed hard, his gaze shifting between me and Isla. “Wifey, I needed to check for myself that you were still alive, especially since the destruction of the lab and my prized yacht is all over the press."
“Wifey?” Isla's anger flared, coursing through our bond like hot flames. “None of that needed to happen—not the fake wedding ceremony, and certainly not the destruction of my family's property. You could have just told me the truth."
Roman raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms defensively. "I was merely fulfilling the IPA's request to get rid of all experimental data and research equipment from Boze Marine Co. I also rescued your commander. And judging by the remains that have been collected from the boat crash, you were able to seek sweet revenge on those who'd betrayed you in the past."
“But not you,” Isla muttered under her breath.
“What was that, my dear?” Roman taunted, his eyes gleaming.
"Wifey?" I spat out the word, incredulous. The sheer audacity of the man to use such an intimate term for Isla after all he had done was infuriating. He wasn’t her mate.
Roman, however, seemed amused. He reveled in the control he thought he had over the situation.
My fingers flexed, itching to lash out, to grab Roman by the collar and make him regret every decision he'd made. But the digital barrier between us kept me from doing so.
The only weapons I had were my words.
“I am not ‘Wifey’ or ‘Dear’ to you,” Isla growled. "Thanks to you, I almost died. Again!"
Roman smirked, seeming to enjoy the distress he caused. "I made sure you were safe, Isla," he said, leaning slightly towards the screen, trying to convey sincerity. "Every move, every decision was calculated."
I could feel the fury radiating off Isla. "Calculated? You played with our lives as if we were mere pawns in your twisted game!"
My heart ached for her, seeing her so torn, so wounded by someone she once might have considered an ally, if not a friend.
Roman's gaze shifted to me, his expression bemused. "Ky'rn, you should be thanking me. If not for my machinations, you might never have found your mate."
My eyes narrowed at him, my voice a low growl. "Don't pretend your actions were altruistic. You acted for your own benefit, and Isla nearly paid the ultimate price."
"Why, Roman?" Isla's voice shook with suppressed rage. "Why pull me into this dangerous game?"
Roman's nonchalant facade finally cracked, a hint of regret shadowing his blue eyes. "Look." He sighed. "The IPA reached out with a deal I couldn’t refuse. They wanted those labs gone. Your family's research facility was at the top of their list."
Isla's anger shifted to confusion. "But why? We were researching for the benefit of our planet."
Roman scoffed, running a hand through his long hair. "Benefit? Torturing and experimenting on sentient beings is not for the benefit of anyone. Your grandfather hid a lot from you. And the IPA wanted to stop those atrocities, so they needed someone on Earth to do their dirty work."
I clenched my jaws, trying to keep my anger in check. "So, you used Isla as a pawn? Risked her life to get rid of some tech?"
Roman's gaze met mine, challenging. "Sometimes sacrifices need to be made for the greater good. I knew Isla would oppose the plan, so I kept her in the dark. Yes, it was a risk, but I believed she would survive. And look, she did. She's stronger than you think."
"You manipulated me, Roman!” Isla's voice was ice cold. "You had no right. No right to use me, to lie to me, to destroy everything I cared about. You played with me, and now you expect gratitude? The fact that I'm alive is not due to your benevolence. It’s pure luck."
