Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Six
I always knew something was off with Thane’s statement.
How could I be so foolish? How could I have ignored such a huge clue?
I remembered Thane’s words when I confronted him about the pictures. ‘Not everyone is happy about the new changes,‘ he had said. As the Alpha King, he claimed he was only monitoring them to stay one step ahead and remain on a safer side.‘
Then, I did feel like they were hiding something
What if they were?
Still, I found it hard to believe Thane was behind this, those packs many believed he attacked committed no crime against him, many people had died, children too and all for what?
Power is a deadly game, but Thane was all for the dangerous stuff.
How could Axel agree to this? That was the most shocking of them all. I had long forgotten about the secret room, till the dream, and maybe I didn’t want to believe this as the truth but the evidence was all there, how long would I keep denying it.
Once more, Thane never fails to surprise me.
I had to stop him. The weight rested on my shoulders, but then how could I help them… if I couldn’t even help myself?
It was too early for a visit but I had to see Nick.
I halted outside Nick’s room, wondering if he would already be awake by this time. I knocked twice, and then I heard the sound of his footsteps approaching. Unlike the Nightshade pack, the Raven Clan had no sound–proof rooms.
Nick opened the door open; he was only in his briefs.
He hadn’t expected me.
“Come in,” he says, and I walk in, shutting the door behind me.
“I’m sorry for waking you up.” I apologize
“Is alright” He says,
“Coffee?”
“Yes,” I responded, and he poured me a cup of hot coffee. Maybe he hadn’t actually been sleeping.
“You were right,” I said to him.
“Oh, I was,” he agreed, already knowing where I was heading.
“Thane might be responsible.”
Chapter Orin Hunde–an
“So you do believe his plans for a ‘new era.”
“I don’t know, but… I feel like he is involved somehow.”
“You must really love him,” Nick says, staring at me. He easily towered over me; I hadn’t realized how tall he was since he always leaned in when we spoke.
“I don’t love him,” I lied.
You
“I see the way you always keep protecting him, even after what he did to you, even know he is behind the attacks,” Nick said, and I hated those words because they were indeed true.
“It doesn’t change anything; he is a part of my past,” I said, and perhaps if I said it out enough times, I could start believing it. “I would get married to you… but I also want to help them- those people believe I can help them; and I don’t want to let them down. But I can’t do that without you,” I admitted.
“Without me?”
“Make me a Turned One. I want this; only then would I be strong enough.”
“You are strong.”
“Nick. Please”
Finally, he nodded. The sorceress is still on her way, but perhaps we could go meet her tonight?”
“Tonight is fine. Are we traveling in our wolf form or do you have any other means planned out?”
“Of course I do, but before that, there is one thing that needs to be done,” he said. He took the tiny wooden box sitting on his table, and then he went on his knees.
I couldn’t believe this was happening. I held my breath.
Marriages weren’t a very common occurrence in werewolf culture, but I’ve heard of it a couple of times. I had always wondered why the females felt so excited by a single engagement ring, but now I knew why.
My heart slammed in… anticipation?, fear?, surprise? or maybe realization that this was really happening and this could end up being much more than just a marriage by words alone.
“I know this all feels rushed, and this might not be the perfect time or perfect place–like, I’m not even fully clothed, but I have to do this now. I believe you are special, and though we made an agreement, I can never think of any other person I would rather spend my years with but you. I promise to love you and make you happy the best I can. Will you do me the favor of marrying me, Riley?”
Nick was right when he said everything seemed to be happening too fast. My life felt more like a movie. Yet, staring into his eyes, I knew that this could be possible; he would love me, and
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Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Six
for once in my life, it wouldn’t be only me giving with nothing in return. This could turn out to be much, much more.
“Yes. Yes, Nick, I would marry you.”
Even if he must have already suspected my response, the smile on his face was so genuine, he seemed happy and I wanted to be happy too.
“Thank you,” he responded and placed the ring on my finger. It was a simple piece of jewelry, but I loved it.
I loved it simple.
Nick rose, staring at me like he would like to kiss me, but he was unsure. I drew closer, giving him a peck on the lips, and once agafh, I seemed to have surprised him.
