Chapter 36: Unnerving
"Roman?" I exclaimed.
Roman, my strategist and longtime comrade, had been an integral part of my life and career. What was he doing here?
"You mean Roman, Roman? Your buddy from the army?" Noelle gasped, clearly astonished.
I was numb, trying to reconcile the sight before me. What was Roman doing here, and what did it mean for the life I had carefully built with Noelle?
"Quit dilly-dallying; let’s get him inside," Noelle said urgently. He moved quickly, leading the way.
I followed, guiding Roman’s unconscious body with me. I settled him by the fireplace, the warmth and light a stark contrast to the tension in the room.
As Noelle tended to Roman’s injuries, I stood nearby, my emotions a swirl of panic and jealousy. Despite the relief of seeing a familiar face, the reality of his presence threw my life into turmoil. Panic gnawed at me, knowing that this could disrupt the stability of my new life, and jealousy flared as I watched Noelle, my omega, caring for another alpha with such tenderness.
We laid a quilt on the floor near the fireplace, determined to keep the situation under control. I would sooner endure the pain of a thousand needles than let another man share our bed, old comrade or not.
Minutes later, Roman groaned and slowly began to wake. Noelle glanced at me and retreated to the bedroom, likely to give me some privacy, though the small size of the house meant there wasn’t much of it.