Alpha Nicholas novel Chapter 28

Luckily for me, I have Will here with me and as my Gamma, it’s his job to have control over the warrior’s patrol shifts. “Will, do you know if Ryan and Tony are on patrol today?” He stares up at the sky as he thinks before shaking his head “No, they are on the night shift tonight on the East border.” One thing about Will is his incredible memories of the patrol rotas, rarely, he doesn’t know who’s on patrol and when. We have a lot of warriors and for him to remember all those details is mindblowing.

“Are Lottie and Bonnie ok?” Tony’s voice rings in my head sounding out of breath and panicked and I’d bet any money that he’s running to the hospital as he’s linking me. I’ve told him all about Bonnie and he knows she’s in the hospital and I appreciate his instant concern for her. “They are fine don’t worry, Ton. I just need to go for a run and want them protected.”

“We’ll protect your girls with our lives, Nick.” My girls… Fuck, I love hearing him say that! “That’s why I have you both there. Oh, and Tony, don’t let her father or sister in there without me present.” Both Tony and Ryan have been my best friends since we were in nursery and both treat Lottie like she’s their own daughter, and with both of them standing guard outside of Bonnie’s door I can completely relax and focus on me and Storm for a little while.

It’s not long before we go back to running for the woods and before I know it storm has taken over and I finally feel some of my pent-up frustration and anger simmer away as he runs with all he has. Maybe he needed this just as much as me.

After an hour of running, we all slow down and stop beside the lake that we have running through our land and after lapping up some water we shift and sit on the grass bank to take a break.

“So what’s going on with your wolf, brother?” Shane asks Will taking the words right out of my mouth. He looks pretty lost right now and I instantly want to kick myself. I don’t feel bad for giving my undivided attention to my mate these past two days but I do feel bad for not noticing how down Will is looking. He’s usually the happy cheeky go lucky one of us but looking at him now you wouldn’t think it.

“I have no idea. He was fine until a few days ago.”

“Do you remember exactly when it happened?” I ask as curiosity rises inside of me. “I reckon it was during the ball but I don’t know why. He seemed fine for the most part but then seemed to kinda shut down towards the end and hasn’t been the same since.”

“And I’m guessing you’ve already tried talking to him?” Robbie asks as he quietly observes him. Robbie is the quesiest of us all but he’s an intelligent man and knows way more than you could ever imagine. “Yep!” Will nods as he runs his hand through his hair. A trade all of my brothers seem to share with me when they are stressed. “He won’t tell me. Says he can’t, that I need to find out on my own but he won’t tell me when it will happen. He’s quiet and withdrawn and I hate it!”

“The only time I’ve heard of a wolf reacting like this is if they have suffered a recent loss or the loss of a mate, but you haven’t suffered any losses recently, and I’m guessing you didn’t meet your mate at the ball or we would know so it can’t be that he’s missing his mate either.”

“While I trust my pack and have no doubt that you both are safe with them, I don’t trust your father or sister and I don’t want either of them in here when I’m not. I’m sorry if that offends you but that’s just how I feel.”

“I understand and I appreciate it.” She doesn’t seem phased by my words, if anything she seems relieved which tells me just how scared of her family she really is. “I’m sorry that you felt like that earlier but I’m glad that you feel better now.” This girl’s heart is way too big and there’s no way that I deserve it but one way or another I’m going to have it and I’m going to spend every day cherishing it.

I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, I’m still struggling with my past and our age gap but whereas before my determination was to stay away from my mate, now it’s to keep her and never let her go. It’s not easy to switch my mindset so quickly but I know that it will be worth every single second. Only this girl could get me twisted up so quickly and yet, I don’t even care, not one single bit.

“Are you sure? You don’t have to, it’s ok.” She gives me a sweet smile but I shake my head. “I do, darling. I do.” Suddenly she leans forward and shocks the hell out of me when she takes one of my hands in hers and just silently waits for me to start talking while tingles run up my arm and straight to my heart. Let’s just get this over with!