Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 131137 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131137 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Nick cast his mother an annoyed look. “She hasn’t ordered me to sleep outside. I’m doing it because it’s the fair thing to do.”
“I think it’s shitty of her not to offer for you to sleep on her sofa or something,” said Amber. “But rejection’s not something a girl forgets.”
Wasn’t that the truth. But then, he could easily understand. Over and over Shaya had rejected him, and though he’d expected each and every one, they’d all hurt like a son of a bitch. As such, he wasn’t surprised she hadn’t offered him her sofa. Though, knowing Shaya, she’d probably feel a teensy bit guilty for not doing so. She had a heart of fucking gold, and he wanted a part of it.
It turned out he’d been right to think that being able to taste her and smell her would help him sleep, despite being without the comfort of his bed. Still, he’d woken up aching in several places and with a pounding headache. Needing to wash and change so that he could drive Shaya to work, he returned to the motor home and found everyone sitting at the dinette eating a huge breakfast that Amber had cooked. Declining his portion as he didn’t have time to eat, he retreated to his bathroom to wash, dress, and take some pills. Then he was striding through the motor home toward the front door, brushing off his mother’s attempts to speak to him and promising her he’d talk to her later. When he reached the front door, Amber appeared in front of him, blocking his path.
“Is everything okay?” she asked quietly, her expression one of concern.
“Fine.” When she reached out to touch him, he dodged her hand; he wasn’t touchy-feely, and Amber knew that. Besides, he knew better than to go to his mate with the scent of another female on his skin.
“You really don’t look good, Nick.”
“I said I’m fine.”
“Don’t insult my intelligence. I’m a healer. I can sense your pain.”
Seeing that the others were deep in conversation, he admitted, “It’s just a headache. It’s a pain I can deal with, so therefore I’m fine.”
“With pills?” she scoffed. “Let me take the pain away.”
He backed up. “No.” Because that would involve her touching him, and then Shaya would freak. He’d take the pain over that. Plus, the pills would kick in any second now.
Amber rolled her eyes. “Come on, Nick, you’re in pain. I’ll bet it’s not just the headache either. The mating urges must be painful too, since she won’t let you claim her—which I think is plain cruel. I know she was upset because you didn’t claim her in the beginning, but you’ve given up everything and—”
“Amber, that’s between me and Shaya,” he stated firmly.
She gave him a slight smile. “I’m your friend, Nick. I don’t want you to be hurting. I want you to be happy.”
“Shaya makes me happy.”
“It doesn’t look that way from where I’m standing.”
When Shaya had come outside to find no Nick in sight, she hadn’t been surprised since she was fifteen minutes early. She’d love to say it was because she was working on her punctuality, but the truth was that she’d known Nick would have to go inside the motor home at some point this morning to change clothes and clean up, and she didn’t like the idea of Amber around him. Yes, that should be inconsequential considering that Shaya didn’t want to mate with him, but it was consequential whether she liked it or not.
How could the idea of her mate with another female be anything but agonizing?
Her anxiety and restlessness had given her the jumpstart she’d needed and quickened her movements. Her wolf was eager to see him, to get him away from the other female, and was urging Shaya to go to him. But when Shaya came up close to the motor home, she froze at the sound of two voices talking.
“Shaya makes me happy.”
“It doesn’t look that way from where I’m standing.” Amber. Bitch.
Rather than barging in there and making her presence known, Shaya didn’t move a single muscle, intending to listen closely and hear how the conversation played out. It was the best way to find out more about Amber and her “friendship” with Nick. Her wolf didn’t agree—she wanted to barge in there and bare her teeth at the female, dominant wolf or not.
She heard Nick then; his voice was soft and gentle—too soft and gentle for Shaya’s liking. “What’re you doing awake so early? You were always a late sleeper.”
A quiet, tinkle-like laugh that had a hint of flirtatiousness to it. “That’s true. There’s just so much going on, and with the court hearing looming…it’s enough to disturb anyone’s sleep. Roni’s missed you so much. So have I.”
“Oh, you’ve missed me, huh? Good. I missed you too.”
Red-hot anger surged through Shaya and her wolf. It wasn’t just Nick’s words that hurt, it was the depth of emotion there. He clearly cared a great deal for Amber.