The Lycan Prince’s Puppy (by C Tamika) novel Chapter 366

Violet

Nate let out the deepest sigh I had ever heard from him.

It sounded heavy and complicated. I wasn’t sure whether he was sighing because he had been waiting for someone to ask him that question without beating around the bush, or because Kylan had overstepped by asking him.

I lifted my head and immediately looked at Kylan, giving him a look.

Why would you bring it up now?

Kylan noticed and darted his eyes away as if he hadn’t asked anything. It was almost like a child trying to hide because he knew he had poked something sensitive.

“If you don’t want to tell,” Kylan muttered. “I understand—“

“The truth is that I’m not ready to stop,” Nate said, cutting him off. “I want to stop. I should stop. But I’m not ready to yet.”

Kylan and I both lifted a brow at the exact same time, our eyes meeting for a split second before snapping back to him. Nate was actually talking, and it wasn’t because of a box. It was because he wanted to.

“What can I do to make you stop?” Kylan asked.

Nate’s hand began brushing through my hair again. “Nothing,” he said honestly. “I’ll only stop when my heart tells me to stop. I can flush everything down, fake all of it, but I’ll just go for it again,” he admitted. “Because right now, I have no reason to stop.”

My heart sank at his words. I knew how much it took for him to admit things like this. That he wasn’t perfect.

He wasn’t burying them under sarcasm or jokes, and for that reason, hearing him say it out loud made it feel more real. It wasn’t his eyes speaking, but his heart.

“I know it’s wrong,” Nate continued. “I know I’m hurting you both with my actions, and I know you worry about me.” His jaw clenched. “And I would never recommend this to someone else. Ever.”

The honesty in his voice made me feel sorry for him. I understood where he was coming from, and I respected it, but at the same time, I cared so much I didn’t know whether I wanted to hug him or shake him.

Beg him to stop…for us.

For him.

Kylan tilted his head slightly. “A reason,” he said.

“Yes,” Nate snorted softly. “Just like how you found your reason for being a little less of an asshole, and that reason is Violet.” He glanced at Kylan. “Everyone’s got…something.”

I laughed before I could stop myself. Kylan seemed completely unfazed, even proud, by Nate referring to him as a little less of an asshole.

“So what you’re telling me is that you need a mate,” Kylan decided.

Nate laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “No,” he said. “That’s not exactly what I meant—“

“Because I can help you find one,” Kylan offered eagerly. “Chosen mates are pretty hot nowadays. I can find you one.”

I cracked up, pressing my face briefly into Nate’s flank. There was nothing Kylan wouldn’t do if it meant Nate would make it through this.

“If you don’t want a mate yet, I can also just find you a mistress first,” Kylan added, his face serious.

My laughter vanished instantly as I glared at him.

I hated that word…mistress.

Mainly because it also reminded me we still had that Camille situation to deal with.

As soon as Kylan saw the look in my eyes, he released an awkward laugh and raised his hands in defense. “Which I will still change the law for first thing when I’m king.”

Nate chuckled. “Nice save.”

Kylan exhaled, wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead. “That was close.”

A teasing grin appeared on his face, and that’s when I knew he was just trying to get to me.

Nate’s smile faded as he shook his head. “I wasn’t specifically talking about a mate,” he said. “To be honest, I think it’s the last thing I need right now. Especially in this state.”

“Then what do you need?” I wondered.

“I think…I need space.”

His words came out hesitant, but the look on his face told me he had already thought about it. Guilt washed over me immediately.

Space…

He had gone through a lot, needed his space, and here I was dragging him into the past, letting him fight the devil, and forcing him into my memories. Even now, he had decided to comfort me. So much for giving him space.

We didn’t.

I let out a quiet chuckle. “The world kind of depends on us.”

Nate tilted his head. “You,” he corrected. “The world depends on you, and whatever those incredible eyes of yours were doing.”

My lips parted in surprise. Nate moved a loose strand of my hair so it fell in front of my face. I blew it away, not quite ready to look away from his warm eyes. I really wished everything would work out for him because he deserved it.

Kylan scoffed through his smile.

“You’re jealous,” Nate smirked.

A crease appeared between Kylan’s brows.

“Why would I be jealous?” he asked. “And who would I even be jealous of?”

Nate didn’t miss a beat. “Of Violet, of course.”

I couldn’t hold back a laugh. “You’re jealous because you’re not the one lying in my lap,” Nate added mockingly.

Kylan defended himself as Nate leaned back, clearly enjoying himself. I watched with a smile as the two went back and forth. Nate teasing, and Kylan pretending not to care while very obviously caring. It felt like we were back at Starlight again.

Then three loud knocks pounded on the door, making us all freeze.

An annoyed breath slipped past Kylan’s lips. “Yes?”

“Your Highness,” one of the guards called through the door, his tone eager and hurried. “His Majesty requests your presence at once—“

“He can try again tomorrow,” Kylan spoke lazily.

“It cannot wait, Your Highness,” the guard said urgently. “Your brother, Prince Kayden, appears not to be doing well.”

All three of us froze, our eyes snapping to each other at the same time.

Kayden?