Chapter 2

Before my Wolf could process what was happening, I felt Nicolas’ teeth sinking into my skin.

I cried out when the pain from the bite surfaced. Nicolas held me tighter to his body, his fingers digging into my skin to pull me impossibly close to him. Just as fast as he’d bit, his teeth were gone.

The area where he had bit me was pulsating. I could feel my heartbeat faster than usual.

“It’s alright,” Nicolas said, carrying me over to the bed. By this point, my Wolf was already freaking out.

Nicolas laid me down on the bed, getting himself beside me as he held my hand. I could see his lips were tinted in red from my blood.

“Are you better?” Nicolas asked me after a few minutes of silence. Tears had been quietly sliding down my cheek. He was holding my hand tightly. Every time he saw a tear, he would slide his thumb over my cheek to clear it up.

I nodded, not wanting to worry him more.

The only thing I kept worrying about was that he would want to mate right after. I was surprised he had claimed me just like that. I had expected him to claim me while we were mating. It was the best way to make the claim stand- especially because we weren’t mates.

“We should go to bed. It’s been a long day,” he told me, while caressing my cheek. He pressed his lips on my forehead, before getting up from the bed.

I tried getting comfortable, without moving my neck too much. I could already feel Nicolas’ bite healing.

In a few minutes, or an hour from now- it would only show a faded bite. It was something so small, but it meant so much.

I now belonged to Nicolas.

He returned from the closet, with some clothes in his hands.

“You should change into these,” he said, handing me a pair of silk small shorts and tank top.

I smiled, and took it from him.

When I attempted to get up from the bed, he placed his hand over my thigh, making me stay in place.

“I’ll go get you some water. You can change here, that way you won’t be moving around too much,” he said, smiling at me.

I nodded, as I watched him go.

I left the dress on the edge of the bed, not wanting to get up to put it away. When Nicolas returned, he placed the dress on the couch.

I wasn’t really thirsty, but I still drank the water he’d brought me.

It wasn’t long before we were both lying down on the bed. I was facing away from him, hoping to hide the tears that were now falling. Nicolas was pressed really close behind me, with his hand safely wrapped around my waist.

He seemed happy, and I was grateful for that. After all, at least one of us deserved to be happy.

I drifted off to sleep, thanking the Gods that Nicolas hadn’t tried to mate with me yet.

I woke up the next morning to an empty bed. The time told me it was past midday. I was shocked that I had slept for so long, and wondered why Nicolas hadn’t woken me up.

If felt strange to be getting ready for the day in Nicolas’ room. I wasn’t sure where most things were. The closet was divided between Nicolas’ clothes and what I assumed were the clothes he had bought me. All of my things still had price tags on them.

After showering, brushing my teeth, and changing- I finally left the bathroom.

When I stepped into the room, Nicolas was just walking in.

“You’re awake,” he said, as he made his way toward me.

He embraced me in his arms, picking me up from the ground. I didn’t know how to respond, so I wrapped my arms around his neck. It seemed like it was the right thing to do because he smiled at me.

“We’re going downtown for breakfast. I made reservations at a restaurant that one of my friends owns,” he told me.

I looked down at my clothes. I was wearing a pair of dark denim jeans with a simple white t shirt. It didn’t seem appropriate for meeting people.

“Can’t we have breakfast here?” I asked.

He raised an eyebrow, and looked at me with what seemed like an amused expression.

“You don’t want to go into town for breakfast?” He asked me.

I shook my head, but kept my gaze on him.

Suddenly, a wide grin spread across his face.

“Since I met you, this is the first time you object to anything I say,” he said, letting out a small chuckle.

I was about to open my mouth to speak, but quickly shut it when I found myself at loss for words.

“I just don’t feel like going out,” I admitted, looking down.

He put his hand under my chin, making me look up at him.

“It’s fine, we don’t have to go out if you don’t want to. It would be nice if from now on you told me when you don’t like something,” he said, brushing his lips against mine.

I nodded, even though I knew that would not be happening. Heck, if he knew what I wanted and what I didn’t want- we wouldn’t be married.

Nicolas had a cook. The cook was woman who looked young, but still a few years older than me.

“Leila, this is Angela. Angela, this is my beautiful wife- Leila,” Nicolas said, as he nestled his head in my neck. He kissed over the claim he had made last night, before turning back to look at Angela.

“Angela basically does all of my chores around the house, and she helps me with some paper work from time to time,” Nicolas explained.

Angela gave me a strained smile. Her scent was that of a Wolf, yet she was looking at Nicolas and me with a strange expression.

“Hello, Luna,” she greeted me. Her greeting toward me seemed- forced.  I only waved at her in return.

The way she was looking at Nicolas made me feel strange. He obviously meant something to her.

“I didn’t get to tell you before I left to Staten Pack. Now that Leila is here, I won’t be needing you to come anymore,” Nicolas told her, again giving me a loving look.

“What?” Angela asked.

“Well, Leila can take over what you used to do. Unless you want the help?” Nicolas asked, now looking at me.

“No, I don’t think I do,” I said.

I wasn’t sure if now that Angela wasn’t coming, she would lose her job. I just didn’t want to be around her for long. The way she kept looking at me was unnerving.

“Very well then. I will still be giving you your check, so you don’t have to worry about the money,” Nicolas said.

“Do you need help in anything else? I don’t have much to do at home. I can come and help you in the office, or in your business,” Angela said, her voice sounding anxious now.

Nicolas shook his head, finally releasing me.

“I want to spend time with Leila. Robert is going to be taking over with any paperwork this whole week,” he informed her, as he began taking out things for breakfast.

Angela didn’t seem happy, but she still bowed her head at him.

After Nicolas dismissed her, she gave me a look that triggered my Wolf. I felt the need to go after her and show Angela her place. I might not have been Nicolas’ real mate, but I now had the title. My Wolf had a higher position, and my Wolf was stronger. Without meaning too, I growled after her.

Angela just hurried her way out of the door.

“What’s wrong?” Nicolas asked, putting his hands on the side of my face.

“I don’t think Angela likes me,” I replied.

I had already heard the front door shut, so I knew she was out the door.

“She’s just a little overprotective,” Nicolas replied, chuckling.

“It isn’t funny,” I said, and felt slightly nervous after doing so.

Nicolas raised an eyebrow, and continued staring at me.

“Angela was Isabelle’s sister,” Nicolas said in a quiet voice.

His comment made me feel bad that I’d made a deal out of it. I wasn’t able to control my Wolf sometimes.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized, not knowing how to comfort him.

I went for the easiest option and pressed my head to his chest. Nicolas brought his arms around me, and held me close to him.

“Don’t be, it’s fine. After Isabelle passed away, Angela began helping me around the house. She didn’t have a mate- so it gave her a lot of free time,” he said, stroking my hair.

“Does she have a mate now?” I asked him.

He chuckled, and shook his head.

“Not yet. Angela was 20 years old when it happened. I was left without a mate, and she lost her only sister. I guess she found comfort in coming here to help out. It also helped that Isabelle and I had been together for years. Isabelle’s scent was all over the house,” He replied.

I pulled away from him so that I could start preparing breakfast.

“She’s 26 now? Isn’t she at least dating somebody?” I asked.

I never really thought about my mate. When I was younger, I simply wanted to get stronger. My dad trained me a lot for that same reason- so that I would be a strong She-Wolf.

When I finally shifted the day I turned 13- my dad became really overprotective of me. I was growing up, and my Wolf was a white color- which was completely rare.

The only guys that were allowed to come near me were Alpha Jackson’s sons- Jake and Joel. I knew a few others from the trainings, but I was only ever closer to Jake and Joel.

Finding my mate had been the last thing on my mind.

Then, when Nicolas first saw me- I knew I had lost all chances of finding a mate. He came after me, and told Alpha Jackson that he wanted me. Alpha Jackson and my dad couldn’t have been happier. Three weeks later, and here I am.

“I don’t think she’s worried about finding her mate. She looks happy,” Nicolas replied, shrugging.

I stopped what I was doing, and raised an eyebrow at him.

“Seriously?” I asked.

He looked at me, a confused expression on his face.

“She likes you, or loves you- take your pick,” I told him, and turned back to preparing breakfast.

“What?” He asked.

When I looked over my shoulder at him, his eyebrows were knitted together.

When we sat down for breakfast, Nicolas still seemed lost in thought.

“I’ve never had any relationship with her,” he told me.

I shrugged, and began eating.

“In case you were worried. I just wanted to let you know. I never realized Angela thought of our relationship as anything else. For me, she’s Isabelle’s sister, that is all,” he continued.

The rest of the day was uneventful. I spent all of it with Nicolas. He reminded me too call my dad- but I didn’t.

Nicolas only shrugged when I told him I would do it later- but he didn’t say anything else.

I had had all day to think of my situation.

Nicolas wasn’t my mate. I cared about him, but I was far from being in love with him- at least the way he wanted me too. But, being with him was a lot better than being a home.

Alpha Jackson had sold me to the highest bidder- who in this case, had been Nicolas. My dad had allowed him to ship me off. Those were the only thoughts running through my mind- and they made it impossible for me to want to talk with my dad.

The sun was setting down, and I was honestly ready to get into bed and sleep. Even though I had spent the entire day indoors with Nicolas, I was tired. My mind had been in overdrive- thinking and thinking of endless scenarios.

When Nicolas proposed we go out for a walk, I groaned.

“We can go for a run. I know your Wolf would like that. Your father told me you haven’t shifted in a while. That isn’t healthy for your Wolf,” he said.

He was changing into basketball shirts and white under shirt. In case we shifted, there was no point in ruining the nice clothes he was wearing.

“I’ll shift tomorrow,” I told him.

“No,” he said, leaving no room for argument.

I groaned once again, but still searched for running clothes.

We had just stepped into a trail that was a few minutes away from Nicolas’ house, when people from his pack began approaching us.

“Alpha, Luna,” I kept hearing people say.

I nodded and shook hands of people who wanted to get a look of their Alphas.

Soon enough, we were shifted in our Wolves. Nicolas invited anyone that wanted to come on a run with us. I was partly glad that he had done that. It was a nice gesture, and the people seemed to appreciate it. I hardly remembered the time Alpha Jackson made time to spend with the pack.

Lately, the only time we had gatherings were when it was something for his convenience- like my marriage with Nicolas.

It was dark out by the time we got back.

I wasn’t really hungry, but some of the women from the pack had made casseroles for us. Nicolas told me he was used to it. Since he used to live alone- plenty of the women usually cooked food and sent some to him.

I couldn’t complain. I tasted some of the food and it was delicious. I served myself a plate, and ate with Nicolas in the dining table.

“Should I be worried?” Nicolas asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Huh?” I asked.

“You have spent half of the day lost in your thoughts.”

I didn’t think he had noticed. I had tried to keep it to myself and pretend I was paying attention. I didn’t want to put the attention on me.

I was still scared about making him mad. That would not be good for me. Instead, I shifted the spotlight on him.

“Why did you pick me?” I asked.

He looked taken aback by my words. There was shock on his face for a moment, before it morphed into a frown.

“I love you,” he replied.

“Is it really because of that?”

“Isabelle was my mate. You already know how that works. She was taken for me, and I mourned her six years. Many say that after you lose your mate, you lose yourself. I admit the past years haven’t been the best moments of my life. The moment I saw you- it changed all that,” he said.

He didn’t try to touch me, like he’d been doing all day whenever we talked. If anything, he moved his chair slightly away.

“You told me I looked just like her,” I reminded him.

He let out a dark chuckle, his eyes looking lost- like he was thinking back to something.

“You and her, there’s something similar- I’m just not sure what it is. Robert tells me I’m crazy,” he admitted.

I looked down at my plate, no longer feeling interested in the food in front of me.

“I think we don’t look too much the same,” I said, not wanting to straight out tell him there was nothing similar with Isabelle and me.

“Your way of being is completely different,” he said, looking at me.

This time he reached forward, and ran his hand through my hair.

“I knew all this time that you were just feeling shy. We’ve only been married a day, and you are already objecting to my ways,” he said, a grin forming on his lips.

During the day I’d protested on a few things- but nothing too big. I was still fearful of him.

“What about Isabelle?” I asked.

He shook his head, and took a drink of his water.

“She never complained or opposed to any of my ideas. I guess she was the ideal mate- except when I wanted to please her. Her Wolf was a lot weaker than yours- smaller even. I’m not sure if it’s because she was a regular Wolf and you have Beta blood.”

Nicolas’ eyes turned to a darker color, and he began breathing heavily. I could sense his Wolf trying to come out.

“We don’t have to talk about it,” I told him, getting up to stand by his side.

I wasn’t sure what to do. Never before had I tried to calm a Wolf down. I wasn’t sure what to expect out of Nicolas, especially with him being an Alpha.

“She was no threat at all to the Rogue that killed her,” he continued remembering.

“She was weak!” His voice had completely risen, and his Alpha was out.

I sat on his lap, trying to get him to look at me.

“Nicolas,” I said, putting my hands on the side of his face.

He looked lost for a few moments, before turning his eyes to me.

“Forgive me,” he said, nestling his head in my neck.

I let out a breath, grateful that he hadn’t shifted. I had never been around Alpha Jackson when he was angry. Almost everyone avoided him then. If Nicolas got angry and shifted- I’d have to find a way to calm him down.

“Do you want to go to bed?” I asked him, making him pull away from my neck.

He nodded, and wrapped his arms around my waist.

I let out a small yelp of surprise when he picked me up, and made me wrap my legs around his waist. I was slightly uncomfortable, but there was no way I would tell him.

He’d been a second away from shifting, and I wasn’t risking angering his Wolf.

Once we were on the bed, he laid himself over me. Most of his weight was kept on his arms and his legs. With how close we were, I could feel his length pressing on my thighs.

He began trailing kissing from my jaw, down to my neck. I lay still, letting one of his hands roam over my stomach and up to the side of my breast.

My heart was beating really fast, and I certain he could hear it.

At first, my Wolf had found this whole occurrence strange. Much like Nicolas claiming me, she didn’t know what to make of this.

His lips captured mine once he’d had his filling of playing with my neck. He was kissing me slowly, making no forceful movement. It felt nice, and slowly I was beginning to relax.

The only problem was that I didn’t want to mate- at least not yet. I cared about Nicolas. But, not enough to take a big step like that.

“Wait,” I breathlessly said, breaking the kiss.

He picked himself up with his arms to look at me.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, looking slightly worried.

“I’m not ready,” I told him.

It was wrong for me to say that. I was now married to him, and if he wanted to mate- I shouldn’t have stopped him. I was holding on to that last shred of hope that Nicolas wouldn’t force me.

His eyes looked into mine deeply. He looked like he was searching for something. The moment he lowered himself on me again, and pressed his lips against mine- a part of me began crying inside.

I didn’t expect for him to suddenly get off, and lay down on my side.

For a moment, I was confused. I had assumed him kissing me again meant he wasn’t going to stop.

I propped myself up on one arm, and looked down at him- as he lay down on his back, with his arms casually under his head.

He smiled at me, as he patted his chest. I smiled in relief and rested my head on his chest. One of his arms wrapped around my waist, pressing me closer to his body.

“I wasn’t going to force you,” he told me, letting out a small chuckle.

I looked up at him, not knowing if to cry or be happy that he wasn’t pressuring me to do anything.

“Thank you,” I said, as I reached closer to kiss his cheek.

Nicolas just held me tighter, while I settled on his chest. It wasn’t long before sleep took over. Both my Wolf and I were able to breathe peacefully. 

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