Chapter 35

Nicholas:

As I watched Beryl confront Anna, standing taller than I’d ever seen her stand before, something inside of me clicked. I felt it like a bolt of lightning. I loved her, she was my mate.

The shock of the realization shouldn’t have been so profound since my father had been harping on it for almost a year now, but it hit me hard.

I smiled, letting go of the denial. I relished the feeling of my face being able to form a smile like this. It was still new to me, and I was only still able to do it when Beryl was around, but it felt amazing.

I was tired of hiding my true feelings, but I had no idea how to tell her. I had been so awful to her before. What if she rejected me because of how I had treated her?

Anna was awful to her because I had let her be awful. The torment Beryl had gone through was my fault. Why didn’t she hate me?

After our lunch together that day, I decided I had to tell her somehow. I just had to figure out the best way to do it.

My first attempt was at breakfast the next morning. I had waited for her, hoping to catch her alone. I was sitting at the dining room table when she came down to eat.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?” I asked her, still working up the nerve to say something. “I did. My dreams were bit weird though.” Her smile made my heart ache a bit, had she always been this beautiful?

“Yeah, it’s getting close to the full moon. Dreams can go a little wild during that time.” I smiled back at her. “Beryl, I...” I had finally started to say it when three guards rumbled through the door.

“Sir, your father wishes to see you as soon as possible.” One of my father’s personal guards had come to deliver the message which meant it was important, and I was expected to come at once.

I sighed. “See you later.” I told her, holding her eyes for another moment, and then left with the guards. After the discussion with my father, I had looked for her, hoping to have her ride to school with me, but she had already left.

In the hallway between classes, I saw her for a moment. “Hey, has it been a good day?” She seemed a bit distracted, but smiled at me and nodded her head. I stumbled over the words for a moment, and then decided to wait until we had more time.

“Would you maybe want to come to hockey practice today? Maybe we could talk afterwards?” I asked, hoping for a moment alone later today. “Sure, I’d love to, but I’ve got to run now. See you!” she said brightly and then hurried away.

I thought about it all day. Going over and over how and what I would say to her. Before hockey practice, my brothers and I had a moment alone, and I had an idea to run by them.

“We should throw Beryl a birthday party.” I said once I had their full attention. I looked at Cheney, expecting a retort. He just looked back at me, his face relaxed.

“That’s not a bad idea.” He said seriously, which I was a bit surprised by. “Yeah?” I asked, still unsure of his response.

“Yeah, we should do that. It’s a big birthday for her. I think that’s a great idea.” Brian’s reaction was more expected, but I was still surprised at the lack of confrontation from them.

We discussed details for a bit, settling on plans for the party. The collaboration was the easiest we’d had in ages, and we all left the conversation laughing together.

The party and how I was going to tell Beryl how I felt played in my mind continually during hockey practice causing me to be distracted.

She was there with her friend Lily, and every time she glanced my way, I could feel her eyes on me. I could hear her laugh and smell her scent like she was standing next to me.

As the captain of the team, I decided it was best to finish up practice early. I rushed through the shower and made my way out to her, hoping she was alone now.

I was overjoyed as I saw her sitting in the stands by herself, watched her smile as she caught sight of me. A primal growl rolled through me at the sight of her, my mate.

“Hey.” I practically purred as I sat down beside her. Being next to her, just sitting here, felt right. “How was your day?” I watched her, seeing her chest rise and fall with each breath, her lips part as she started to speak. It warmed me deep down, just looking at her.

“It was good. It went by quickly it's been such a busy day, but it’s been a good one.” Just this simple conversation felt profound to me at this moment, and I took a deep breath to tell her exactly how I felt about her. It was time.

“Beryl! Oh, my goodness, I’m so glad I found you!” Sophia bounded up to us, breathless and excited. I gritted my teeth in frustration and sat back.

“I wanted to talk to you about the opera club events and get your thoughts on what we should do next. Oh hey, Nicholas.” Sophia had the most energy out of any person I’d ever met, so I knew this was going to be a long conversation between her and my mate.

I sighed again, “I’ll see you at home later.” I smiled at Beryl, brushing against her thigh as I stood to leave. “See you.”

She blushed and knowing that the simple touch affected her too made me want to scoop her into my arms, but I just turned and went home.

I was hard and uncomfortable the entire drive home, thinking about the momentary touch I shared with Beryl. When had I become so affected by her?

My mouth watered, and my pulse raced, at the fantasies I was playing out in my mind, and I knew that if I didn’t tell her how I felt soon I was going to explode.