My Marked Luna (Apphia and Nicholas) novel Chapter 64

**In Fragile Moments We Discover Strength Hidden In Stillness by Tao Cole Rynn**
**Chapter 64**

**Apphia POV**

“You don’t have to give me an answer now,” Maximus says, his voice steady yet encouraging. I take a moment, feeling the weight of his words settle in my mind. Finally, I nod, and he responds with a nod of his own, a silent acknowledgment of our unspoken connection. There’s so much I still need to uncover about his pack. The last time we spoke, he had mentioned that his pack was one of the largest in the city, a fact that intrigued and intimidated me in equal measure.

Suddenly, my wolf stirs within me, a wave of alertness washing over me, igniting a sense of excitement that I can’t ignore.

*‘Our mate is nearby,’* she whispers, her voice a soft echo in my mind.

“We should go back before they send an army to look for you,” he suggests, concern lacing his tone.

“I’ll be in shortly,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. Without a second glance, I begin to follow the intoxicating scent of my mate that dances in the air, drawing me closer. But as I round the corner, my heart plummets.

What I see shatters my world. A stunning brunette, clad in a revealing outfit, is wrapped around him, her arms draped over his shoulders as they gaze into each other’s eyes with an intimacy that feels like a dagger to my heart. Nicholas’ gaze suddenly locks onto mine, and the shock in his expression sends tears spilling down my cheeks. I can’t bear to witness this betrayal; I turn on my heel and flee, my heart racing as I run away from the scene.

“Apphia!” I hear him call after me, his voice tinged with confusion and desperation.

**Nicholas POV**

When I realized Apphia was missing from inside, a wave of panic surged through me, compelling me to search the garden. Unfortunately, Brooklyn, my ex-girlfriend, had decided to follow me, her voice whiny and insistent as she complained about my choice of Luna. Her words cut deep, a reminder of a past I had tried to leave behind.

“Nicholas, she can’t possibly please you the way I can,” she purrs, her tone dripping with false sweetness.

“Brooklyn, you’re drunk. Just go home,” I reply, my patience wearing thin.

“No, Nicholas! No! I won’t let her have you!” she cries, and before I can react, she wraps her arms around my waist, clinging to me like a lifeline. Just as I prepare to push her away, a familiar and intoxicating scent wafts through the air, halting me in my tracks.

My mate stands before me, tears glistening in her eyes, and before I can utter a word of explanation, she spins on her heel and bolts away.

I chase after her, my heart pounding in my chest, and find her sitting alone on one of the garden benches, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

“Apphia,” I call softly, but she doesn’t turn to face me. I crouch down in front of her, gently tilting her chin so our eyes meet. The pain reflected in her gaze sends a shiver down my spine. I reach up, brushing away the tears that stain her cheeks with my thumbs.

“That woman… she means nothing to me. You have to trust me,” I plead, my voice earnest. She sniffs, her gaze drifting away from mine.

“You were hugging her, and she seems more suited to you,” she replies, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with hurt.

I cradle her face in my hands, ensuring she understands the weight of my next words. “Baby, you have my heart, and I will always choose you. You are the only woman I’m meant for.” My voice is firm, desperate for her to believe me.

For a moment, surprise flickers across her features. “Apphia, I love you,” I confess, my heart racing as the words leave my lips.

A small smile breaks through her tears, and it warms me from the inside out. I sit beside her, and she instinctively lays her head on my arm, a gesture that feels like home.

“I love you, too,” she murmurs, and my heart soars. Oh, goddess, she said it back! I leap to my feet, excitement bubbling within me, causing her to squint at me in confusion.

“Y-you love me?” I ask, needing to confirm that I heard her correctly. She nods, and I silently thank the Moon Mother for this moment.

“How? You are way out of my league. I need convincing,” I say, trying to mask my disbelief with humor.

“I love you because I love you. I can’t explain the feeling I have inside… I just do,” she giggles, her laughter a melody that warms my heart.

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