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.

“Do you not like the food?” I ask, noticing her expression.

“When you said snack, I expected a sandwich, not salmon and cream cheese,” she replies, her tone playful yet sincere.

“They can make you a sandwich,” I offer, but she shakes her head.

“No, it’s alright. I like this,” she smiles, and I watch her dig into the meal with enthusiasm.

After we finish eating, we head to her bedroom, where she changes into her pajamas. I pull her into my arms, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Get some rest now,” I tell her, preparing to leave, but she surprises me by pulling me back toward her and kissing me.

I respond to her kiss, exploring her mouth with a hunger I can’t contain. Her delicate fingers glide down my chest, igniting a fire within me. I’m lost in the moment, my hands finding their way to her neck, careful to gauge her comfort. I pin her against the wall, my lips trailing down to her neck, eliciting soft moans that send shivers through my body. My arousal grows, pressing against her stomach, and I crave more—so much more. My hands wander down her waist, caressing her gently, but the fabric of her shirt ignites a primal urge within me. I want to tear it off and please her, but I force myself to detach, sensing that I need to tread carefully.

She blushes, avoiding my gaze as I tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“That was good,” I comment, pleased to see that she didn’t run away or flinch in fear like before. A faint smile graces her lips, and her hands find their way back to my chest, but I take a step back, trying to regain my composure.

“You’re making things difficult for me, Apphia,” I admit, my voice low.

She glances down at my obvious desire and quickly looks away, her cheeks flushing deeper. In a moment of playfulness, I scoop her up in my arms, eliciting a squeak of surprise from her that I can’t help but find adorable. I gently place her on the bed and tuck her in, feeling a sense of warmth wash over me.

“Good night, baby,” I whisper, kissing her forehead tenderly.

“Good night, my alpha,” she replies, and at the sound of her calling me that, my heart races with a fierce longing.

Without a backward glance at Apphia, I flee the room, my mind swirling with a desperate need for her. I dash into the hallway, knowing I need a cold shower—otherwise, I might just explode from the intensity of my desire.