My Marked Luna (Apphia and Nicholas) novel Chapter 29

Apphia.

Once we leave the station, two black cars are waiting for us on the street, and two men in black suits are standing beside them.

I glance at the others. Lily is not too happy and is scolding Knox.

“You are such a brat; what were you thinking, Knox? Helping Apphia leave the hospital!”

“She was safe. I was with her, and Apphia had a wonderful time. Didn’t you?” he grins at me. I smile and

nod.

“Oh, Apphia, you had me worried,” Lily says, stroking my hair gently.

“I’m sorry,” I say again.

“You’ll ride with me,” Nicholas says. I hesitate. Should we ride in the same car after our heated exchange earlier? I glance at Lily, and she nods with a comforting smile. Nicholas holds the door open, and I enter the back passenger seat. Nicholas gets in, sitting beside me, and my breath gets caught in my throat.

The driver starts the engine, and we head back to the city. The car ride is silent. It is heavy, so I speak,

“I’m sorry for worrying you,” I murmur. Nicholas turns his head to look at me, his expression calm. The gentleness in his gaze melts my heart. It’s a soothing feeling. “I had fun today,”

“I’m pleased to hear that, Apphia. What did you do other than get detained by railway police?”

I can’t help the slight smile that appears on my face. “I watched board game tournaments and had Butter Pecan ice cream,‘

“Butter Pecan ice cream,” he murmurs silently.

“Yes,”

“I’m glad to see you happy, Apphia,”

“It feels good,” I admit. I haven’t felt so free and delighted in a long time.

His pinky finger brushes against my hand, and I feel a rousing shiver run through me. I cringe, moving my hand away. Pain covers his face, but I’m awkward now and don’t know what to do, so I stare at my hands on my lap. It’s silent again. I peek at him through my lashes and find him staring at me. His familiar eyes suck me in, and the intense dream I’ve had in the past rushes into my mind. Could Nicholas be the guy I’ve been dreaming of? I swallow. My breathing alters as I recall the dreams vividly. His head turns towards me abruptly, his eyes darkening. I avert my gaze and bring them back to the

window.

Nicholas‘ words earlier rush to my head. ‘I can’t get you out of my head. I think about you when I open my eyes in the morning, all day, and right before I sleep. I do like you, Apphia, and I intend to make you

mine.‘

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Chapter 29

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He sounded so sincere. The lycan alpha wants me.

I open my eyes a bit later and realize I had fallen asleep on Nicholas‘ shoulder. I look up discreetly and meet his eyes. I redden in embarrassment, and his lips twitch.

“Sorry,” I mumble.

“You snore,” he said with a teasing tone.

“I do not!”

I gaze out the window, ignoring his penetrating stare and hidden smile. What is it about my embarrassment that pleases him?

I notice our landscape has changed. We are going through a quieter area now, in a residence.” Is this another way to the hospital?” I ask quietly.

“You’re not going back there, Apphia,”

“Where am I going?”

“Home,”

Home, I repeat silently. Nicholas slowly grabs my hand. I feel current zapping through me because of his touch. His hot gaze is fixated on me as if waiting for me to revolt against him, but I don’t. My heartbeat accelerates. The Alpha Prince has an arrogant expression now, his lips twitching as if recalling a private joke. He can hear my heart beating like crazy. I dare not meet his gaze. His hand squeezes mine in contentment. I feel content, too.

The driver turns down another road, and my jaw drops at the modern castle before us. It’s breathtaking. It is about 20 meters high, with cream–white walls and huge windows. Its driveway is so big that many cars can fit in it. The driver slows down, and the window to my side rolls down. I inhale deeply, enjoying

the cool breeze mixed with flowers.

A shiny werewolf–sprinkler fountain sits in the middle of the long driveway, creating a roundabout area. We finally pull up outside the massive front door.

The chauffeur gets out of the car and opens my door.

“Are you ready to meet the rest of my family?” Nicholas asks. I nod and turn to get out of the car when he says nothing else, but he grabs my hand. He wears a serious expression, his gaze intense.

“Apphia, not acknowledging my confession won’t make it, or my feelings towards you disappear. I’m serious about you, and I would like to court you.”

My breath shudders. My frontal lobe has stopped working. After a few minutes, it takes pity on me, and the words that leave my mouth are, “Court?” I murmur, staring at him questioningly. Do people still use

that word?

He chuckles, and it takes my breath away. Nicholas Lavista has a beautiful, deep, short laugh.

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