Alpha's Rejected becomes the Lycan's Obsession-Chapter 68: Time was running out

Roman sat stiffly on the black leather armchair, arms crossed over his chest, listening as Williams laid out the facts with grim focus. His voice was low, tense with frustration.

"We’re looking for a witch," Williams said. "One with powers similar to mine and my mother’s. He or she was also in Casper’s camp before he slipped into that coma."

Roman’s sharp gaze never wavered. He didn’t interrupt, and for once, Williams was glad his notoriously short attention span was fixed squarely on him. He figured the tension between Roman and Tessy might be to thank for that. Whatever the reason, he was grateful.

"I’ve gone through everything, Rome," Williams continued, hands clenching into fists. "Every record. Every witch I could find. Nothing. No trace of the one who did this. It’s like the person vanished into thin air."

Roman let out a deep, tired sigh. His thoughts went immediately to Tessy. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down — not now, not when she was tangled up in his world. They hadn’t just gone after him in the past. They’d gone after his mate. And now, he had something to lose again.

"Have you interviewed them again?" Roman asked, his tone flat but edged with urgency. "Someone has to know who did it."

"I have," Williams said, his frustration leaking through every syllable. His jaw tightened as he exhaled sharply. "I’ve questioned everyone I could think of. They are all ignorant."

Roman’s brows furrowed, the lines between them deepening with concern. "Including Charlotte?"

Williams blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Charlotte?" he echoed, confusion flickering across his face. "You mean... the old Charlotte?" He tilted his head, as if sifting through memories. "No one’s seen her since that incident. She vanished. Went completely off the grid. Why?"

Roman’s eyes darkened. His voice was low but unwavering. "Because I know she was part of Casper’s camp. Maybe not by choice, but she was there. She saw things. She knows things."

Williams straightened, the weight of Roman’s words sinking in. "You’re sure?"

"I don’t say things I’m not sure of," Roman said, his tone cutting through the air like a blade. "Find her. Wherever she’s hiding—dig her out. You might finally get the answers you’re looking for."

There was a beat of silence before Williams slowly nodded, pulling out his phone to start making calls. Roman leaned back, head heavy with thoughts, when Trevor walked in.

"The massage therapist is here," Trevor announced casually.

Roman barely acknowledged him, eyes still distant, until Trevor returned from the gate and Roman caught a glimpse of two figures trailing behind him. His eyes narrowed.

"Why are there two people?" he asked sharply. "I told you to specifically order a woman, Trevor. Why is there a man here?"

Before Trevor could answer, the woman stepped forward. She kept her eyes respectfully lowered, her voice calm.

"Good evening, sir. I’m the masseuse. My colleague is just here to help carry and set up the massage table and equipment."

Trevor and Williams both turned slightly toward Roman, waiting for his reaction. They knew how particular he was — not just because of his title, but because of the position he’d occupied.

Roman’s gaze darkened. He wasn’t just looking at them — he was reading them, dissecting their posture, their scent, the flicker of nerves beneath the surface. His question had been directed at Trevor, but the woman had answered. It took effort not to snap at her for it, asking her if her name was Trevor for her to answer a question directed to Trevor. But he held it in check.

His eyes drifted to the black bag the man was holding.

"Trevor, search the bag."

Relief passed over Trevor’s face as he stepped forward, seeing how he didn’t snap at the woman. Williams watched in quiet surprise — Roman had grown more lenient than ever. Too many years away from the palace had turned him into a different person.

"The bag is clean," Trevor reported after a moment.

Roman gave a curt nod. "Take them to the first room on the second floor. Let them set up there. Once they’re done, bring him back down here. Then send Ruby to fetch Tessy."

He paused for a second, glancing toward the stairway as though already picturing her walking down it.

"I’ll create a proper massage room for her soon," he muttered more to himself than anyone else. "Didn’t think we’d need one."

Trevor nodded and led the two guests upstairs. Williams pocketed his phone with a sigh, deciding not to make the call he wanted to make just yet, especially when there were humans in their midst.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, both men lost in their own thoughts. Roman stared at the empty fireplace across the room, the weight of old memories heavy on his shoulders. Williams, on the other hand, was already working through the next steps. Find Charlotte. Get answers. End this mess.

Eventually, Trevor returned with the man. "They’ve finished setting up," he announced. "Ruby’s on her way to get madam."

Roman rose from his seat, stretching his neck slightly. The temptation to go check on Tessy washed over him, but he decided not to act on it. He decided to head to his room instead.

The moment Roman headed upstairs, Williams stood as well, but paused, glancing toward the door. If Charlotte really had been part of Casper’s inner circle, she might be the only one left who could break the deadlock. And if she was in hiding, that meant she knew more than she was letting on — possibly everything.

With his mind made up, Williams stepped outside to make the call he knew he had to make — to a contact he hadn’t spoken to in years, someone who might know how to trace a witch that didn’t want to be found.

Time was running out. And if Charlotte had anything to do with the Sirioni spell, they were going to find her — one way or another.