Nicholas' stare intensified when I didn't answer. I could feel Rosa's breath on the back of my neck as she looked on, and discomfort swiftly arose as I noticed that all in sight were watching.

The alpha's smirk morphed into a wide, amused smile as I took a step to the side, feeling just a bit more comfortable now that Rosa was not breathing down my neck.

I studied Nicholas' eyes, noticing the primal gleam which had taken ahold in them had yet to change.

Nicholas' gaze lowered down my body, and then to my fingers which were still tightly wrapped around the handle of my suitcase. A dark eyebrow rose, and any playfulness which had been etched across his face faltered as his expression became one of seriousness.

"Where were you planning to go?" He asked, his voice giving away little of what he thought. My head turned to look over my shoulder as I remembered the phone I had asked for. I took it from Rosa after thanking her.

"I was hoping to stay by Athena's home for a while," I explained tersely to Nicholas, memories of what had happened in my house and to my potions making my tone become bitter.

My fingers drifted across buttons on the phone, but I did not press any of them.

I noticed that the female lycans had begun to retreat, and I watched them leave for several seconds, also seeing the way Ted shuffled awkwardly around, as if unsure of what to do with himself.

A large hand engulfed my own and the phone, making my drifting fingers halt.

Nicholas' expression had yet to ease from the stern look it had taken up, and I swallowed at the warm feeling that arose in my stomach as he lowered both my hand and the phone.

He took it from me, and then tossed it to Rosa, who barely managed to catch it.

She fumbled with the phone for several seconds, looking utterly confused.

When I turned to look back at Nicholas, a playfulness gleam had entered his gaze as he spoke to me, noticing my confused expression, "That phone will not be needed. And you shall not have to stay by Athena."

He began to uncoil my fingers which were wrapped around the handle of my suitcase, and took hold of it instead.

My right eye twitched at my property being taken, but my focus became on his even closer proximity as Nicholas leaned forward to take the medium sized suitcase.

I became a bit taken aback, especially when he straightened but didn't move away, keeping close. His pleasent masculine scent seemed to wrap around me, and I cleared my throat, averted my gaze.

"Why did you leave your home?" Nicholas asked me.

My lips pursed in contemplation as I thought of telling him. I fingered the straps of my bag, and gestured with my head that we moved down the pathway. Voices came from inside the house, and I knew persons were nearby.

Both of Nicholas' eyebrows raised this time as I walked past him, my shoulder gently brushing his own as he shifted the suitcase from his left hand to his right hand, and allowed the handle to slide down into a slot. We walked past the pathway, and away from Ted.

My eyes skirted to the pack houses nearby. Lights were on in the homes since evening was approaching, but I could hear no voices.

The sight of yellow lights streaming from homes and lighting up the darkness was almost strangely beautiful, and I studied the sight before facing Nicholas.

He was patiently waiting, my suitcase now resting on the ground by his right leg and arms folded across his chest. My gaze flickered to his knuckles as I began to explain what had happened, and my reason for intending to call Athena.

Not once did Nicholas interrupt me as I spoke, and simply watched and listened. I uncharacteristically stumbled over words, and my tiredness was mostly to blame for that.

The desire on Nicholas' face as his eyes would dip to my lips occasionally as I spoke did play a role in my stuttering as well however.

Every now and then my attention would go to my suitcase, and when I was finished explaining, I reached for it. But with a swift move of the back of his foot, Nicholas managed to partially guide it behind him.

"All the more reason why you must stay with me." Nicholas muttered, seemingly in response to what I'd been telling him.

My eyes followed the movement of his hand, and I watched as his fingers swept across my left shoulder, rubbing at a stain which had resulted from a potion.

I examined his face as he realized the dark spot to be a stain, but he didn't move his hand back to his side.

Instead, his fingers moved towards my neck, leaving a trail of heat, and I stepped backwards when they brushed at the skin on the side of my neck.

Nicholas dropped his hand and nodded, that playful look returning, making him appear even more attractive.

"You know who you are to me, don't you?" His voice had darkened with lust, as well as his eyes, and that warm feeling wiggled in my stomach. My nod was slow, and I adjusted my bag on my back.

"Good." Nicholas flashed a wide smile, and lifted up my suitcase, tucked it under his arm once more and began to turn. "Come with me."

"To where?" I asked, feet still planted firmly on the ground. Amusement crossed Nicholas' features, and he used a free hand to gesture towards the pack houses.

"To my home," Nicholas responded. He saw my hesitancy and went on, "You shall be protected there, I can assure you. If you have any more worries about the Alberrechians possibly coming to this pack, I could speak with you further about that tomorrow morning to ease your fears."

When I still did not move, and continued to watch him warily, he stepped forward, crowding me, his dark blue eyes becoming concerned as he watched me, "You need to rest, Sky."

My gaze turned to those who had been in the home with the persons who I had healed. Most of them were still inside, but Rosa stood in the doorway, not so subtly observing us.

I breathed out through my nose slowly. I did indeed need rest. Nicholas continued to watch me as I began to chew on the inside of my cheek, taking fast steps forward, my tiredness urging me to seek his home.

His long and powerful legs easily caught up with my fast pace, and I was silent as we neared the houses.

By then, I could see some silhouettes of persons inside their houses, and peals of laughter startled me. I flinched when Nicholas placed a warm hand on my back, but remained quiet as he guided me towards a home.

Heat seemed to flush over my body as soon as I stepped inside. The house was swamped in darkness, and I squinted as after a small noise of a click sounded. Light burst through the house.

My lips folded in as I resisted yawning out loud as I looked at several framed pictures hanging on walls, all of them to do with sceneries.

At the sound of materials being shifted, I glanced back at Nicholas. His trench coat was gone now, which allowed me to see the light grey long-sleeved shirt he wore, as well as the hints of tattoos on his wrists.

Nicholas raised the suitcase off of the floor and some of his dark brown hair dropped down his forehead when he bent to lift it. My fingers curled by my sides as I stared at those strands.

"Where is the room I shall be sleeping in?" I asked quietly. Nicholas tilted his head towards a nearby stairs, and swept past me, suitcase still in hand. I followed him.

I'd barely entered the bedroom which I was shown to before I began to take off my gun and bag, placing them beside the bed.

Nicholas settled my suitcase by the bedside table, whilst I, almost roughly, jerked my hair out of the pony-tail it had been kept in.

Haphazardly I swept back the sheets of the bed, laid down and then buried myself under them whilst mumbling my thanks to the alpha who undoubtedly had been watching my fast actions.

As I drifted into sleep, I absent-mindedly noticed that the pillow my head rested upon smelled like Nicholas.

***********

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