Violet Ashes: The Blood Ridge Alpha - Chapter 68: Chapter 68

"Knight has everything handled. That dude was born for this king stuff. I swear he makes it look so easy. Standing there giving orders with one hand in his pocket and his phone in the other. I'm just running shit for Perry," Roman shrugs. "Why? Were you going to highjack my mission?"
"Yeah," I nod.
"You can't be that bored," he laughs. "And you know that's fucked. We all have a signature. They would know you finished the job."
"I'm not bored. I want something to hit," I fall back on the couch. I think I'm good enough to stage his signature.
He looks around with all his snacks in his arms. That should have been my first indication that he wasn't going anywhere. He shifts some of them over to his left arm and reaches for his phone.
"The teen as- um, pups. They're training in like twenty minutes. We can spar."
"Really?"
"We can show them a few beginner moves to get them going. We gotta talk about some shit anyway."
"Is it serious?"
"Kind of and no," he shrugs. "It's about Baby."
"All right. I'll get changed."
I run up to my room and get changed. It's been a very long time since I've sparred with anyone. Since I've gone over basic training. Vince is going to be there, and I know he's been watching the way Baby and Roman train. Despite everything he's doing for Perry, he has not missed a single day of training and is back at the packhouse every night.
Roman is doing his best to help Baby stay. I noticed how he started coming around more and more days after we arrived. I was hoping he would like it here. He's just a rogue at heart. He doesn't like being in one place for too long.
It's what makes him so dangerous. He tends to pop up in places he has no business being in. A man just walking along, minding his own business, and then he gets hit by a curveball. Can't stay out of trouble to save his life. There is no doubt in my mind that he's definitely bored and impatient about the six-month trial being up and him getting kicked out of the big house.
When we arrive at the training gym, a whole lot of eyes turn to us, including my brother's.
"You're kind of famous here," Roman says when we take a seat with the trainees. "People describe you as a menace. Maybe that's why you didn't let any of get away from shit. It sounds like you weren't always such a hard ass."
"I had been out on the field for a couple of years when you guys showed up. When I was recruited, I didn't know what to expect. I wasn't prepared and when the old man told me that it was on me to make sure you guys survived, I had to be sure that you would make it."
"Is that why you've been letting me slide when I'm at your place?" he asks gently.
"You have what you need to survive now. I am always going to be on your side, Rome. No matter what you choose to do. It's not for you. No one gets that better than me. This is always going to be your home, Roman. You're part of my family. Just like Baby."
"She's doing so well here. I feel like I'm seeing her as a kid for the first time. I really want to make this work for her, but I just can't. If Knight hadn't convinced Perry to let me run errands, I would have gone crazy already," he scratches the back of his ear. "I don't understand why it's so hard."
"You're used to things happening your way. It's not easy giving up the control to someone when you know you're meant for more."
"You do it," he says, looking down at me. "You know this is bullshit. You're not meant to be a luna. You're brother-"
"I'm going to stop you, right there. I don't expect you to understand."
"Good, because I don't. The Violetta I know would have this city eating out of the palm of her hand and prospering more than the rich assholes over the bridge. You're a fucking animal and it hurts to see them treat you domestic. To see you grovel. You're better than that. These people treating you like you're an assistant makes me hate them that much more. Three o'clock." He walks away.
Vincent comes over and sits beside me. That was heavy. Something I've never dared to think before. He's right. The city would be in a different state if I were in the same place my brother stands. But the fact is that I wouldn't be the person that I am today if I would have stayed. If I kill him, I lose the respect of the people, and everything would be for nothing.
"You have a mate," is the first thing that comes out of my brother's stupid mouth.
"What the fuck do you care?" I turn to give him my attention. "That is a kid, you asshole. One stronger than all the fighters in your ranks. You're losing him because you're letting our father plant his caveman ideals in your head."
"Is that always going to be your go-to?" he scoffs. "Dad is whispering evil shit in your ear. As if you weren't running around the city with your own interests in mind. Shit that has nothing to do with our pack."
"What the fuck are you talking about? You were the one who told me to look for a better job and even brought me the description for the job."
"So, you're meeting with Arsenial over Lycan Tech?" he scoffs.
"Yeah, I am. The Lycan Queen wanted the tower across from Wolfe Tech for a reason. Arsen knew-"
"Oh, Arsen now?" he shakes his head.
"You came over here to argue with me?" I growl. He stares at me until his eyes flicker between violet and red. "It's been a long time since you and I have gotten on the mat."
"I'm not going to fight you."
"Let's spar. You can't take me in a real fight," I step up to him. "I would fucking destroy you."