My Marked Luna (Apphia and Nicholas) novel Chapter 55

**Nicholas POV**

I can still feel the ghost of her lips lingering on mine, the softness of her skin still vivid beneath my fingertips. Apphia’s lips are like silk—smooth and inviting. The taste of her, the warmth of her body, ignites a craving within me that is insatiable. I find myself yearning for more, an unquenchable thirst that leaves me feeling both exhilarated and terrified.

But then fear creeps in, gnawing at my insides like a hungry beast. I worry that she might think my desires are purely physical, that my heart is only drawn to her body and not the soul that resides within. When she pulled away, her voice trembling as she urged me not to come closer, it felt as if the very air had been ripped from my lungs.

Reluctantly, I left the room, my heart heavy with regret.

As I reached my suite, I made a beeline for the bar, desperately pouring myself a generous glass of whiskey. I needed something strong to dull the chaos swirling in my mind. Settling onto the couch on the balcony, I took a long sip, letting the warmth of the liquor seep into my bones.

Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me—someone was there. My pulse quickened, and I instinctively turned, ready to confront whoever dared to intrude on my solitude. It was Brooklyn.

Her hands rested on my shoulder, and I quickly shrugged her off, spinning around to face her.

“I’m back, baby,” she said, a smile stretching across her face like a cat that had caught a mouse.

“What are you doing here?” I growled, the low rumble of my voice making her flinch slightly.

“Why are you glaring at me? Are you not happy to see me?” she asked, her tone laced with confusion. The truth was, I was far from happy. Brooklyn and I had shared a brief fling, a spark that fizzled out far too quickly. I had ended things, but she seemed unable to move on, even as she dated other men.

“I’m not. Why are you here, dressed like that?” I shot back, my irritation bubbling to the surface.

“You said you couldn’t wait to see me. We’ve been emailing for three months while I was away,” she purred, brandishing her phone like a trophy.

I snatched the device from her hands and examined the emails. My heart sank as I realized the account wasn’t mine, but there was my picture and all my details plastered across the screen.

“Lionel,” I muttered, frustration seeping into my voice.

My younger brother had always harbored a crush on Brooklyn. It was clear he had concocted this scheme to get her attention, but she was foolish to fall for it. I scrolled through the messages, my irritation growing with each childish phrase. “Whatsup, hau, bussin, lit, bae. Are you an idiot, Brooklyn? Do you honestly believe I would message you like this?” I seethed.

Her eyes widened in horror as the realization dawned on her, and I could almost see the gears turning in her mind.

“Lionel, that little… He’s so obsessed with me!” she screeched, her voice rising in pitch. “I’m going to kill him right now!”

Before I could warn her that Lionel was at the ranch with my grandparents, she bolted out the door, her heels clicking furiously against the floor. I would have to deal with him later.

I set the whiskey bottle down, grabbed my jacket, and headed for the door. As I stepped into the hallway, I unexpectedly came face to face with Apphia. The shock on her face was palpable. Had she seen Brooklyn?

“Mate is hurt!” my Lycan roared within me. Apphia quickly turned to retreat to her room, but I couldn’t let her slip away. I grasped her wrist gently but firmly, guiding her against the wall, effectively caging her in.

“Listen to me. It’s not what you think,” I implored, my voice low and urgent. She pressed her lips together, her eyes narrowing as she glared at me. I had never seen her so defiant before; it was a sight that stirred something primal within me.

“What am I thinking, Nicholas?” she demanded, her heart racing audibly in the silence between us.

“Mate,” I confirmed, my voice steady. “You are my mate.”

**Apphia POV**

For a moment, I was frozen, unable to process the whirlwind of emotions crashing over me. Ziora surged within me, her presence strong and vibrant, as if she had never left.

“Mate,” I echoed, my heart racing. Nicholas pressed his lips against mine with an excitement that was intoxicating, but I needed a moment to gather my thoughts.

I gently pushed him away, and he took a step back, confusion clouding his features. I couldn’t move, my gaze locked onto his. It felt impossible. He couldn’t truly be my mate. I had already experienced that once, only to have it ripped away from me. I had accepted my fate, and now it seemed the universe was playing a cruel joke.

“Shut up! I’m not your mate,” Gavin’s harsh words echoed in my mind, and I whimpered at the memory. I shook my head, desperate to banish the thoughts. I didn’t want to face the possibility of being hurt again. Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes, and I shivered, a wave of dread washing over me.

Nicholas raised his thumb to wipe away the tears staining my cheeks, but I jerked away, startled by the electric sparks that ignited where he touched me. I could see the hurt and disappointment in his eyes, and guilt washed over me like a tidal wave.

“Mate won’t hurt us!” Ziora insisted, her voice a soothing balm against my turmoil.

“You’re back…” I whispered, a flicker of hope igniting within me.

“Yes. Apphia, you’re hurting our mate. Please, say something to him,” she urged, her desperation palpable.

But what if Nicholas hurt me too? The fear clung to me like a shroud, suffocating and relentless.