GABRIELLA’S POV.
“Yes, you haven’t,” he said softly, his voice filled with tenderness as he placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. I leaned into his embrace, seeking comfort in his arms.
“Okay, so first, Argatha revealed that tonight our initiation ritual would take place. She said that from 10 p. m. onwards, we wouldn’t be able to eat anything anymore,” I revealed, my voice trembling slightly with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. As I spoke, I held him closer, seeking solace in his presence.
“What? Tonight? So soon? They should have given you more time, prepared you for all of this,” he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of annoyance. Concern flashed in his eyes as he processed the suddenness of the situation.
“Yes, she mentioned that some kind of concoction would be prepared for us, and she also said that we wouldn’t be able to drink water,” I explained, my voice quivering with unease at the thought of the challenges ahead.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I’m sorry you have to go through all of this. I’m sorry this is happening,” he apologized sincerely, his hand gently rubbing my back in a soothing manner.
“Hey, hey,” I whispered, shifting my position to look into his eyes. I cupped his cheeks in my hand, offering him a reassuring touch.
“I’m sorry,” he mouthed silently, his remorse evident in his expression.
“Shhhhhh,” I hushed him gently. “Stop apologizing. It’s not your fault. This isn’t my fault either. But we’ll get through this together. We’re doing this for our daughter, for the safety of our pack members who rely on us and trust us to keep them safe. Yes, it won’t be easy. In fact, it’ll be grueling, but I’ll survive because I have good intentions in my heart, and this is a selfless act,” I said, my voice heavy with emotion. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes as the weight of the responsibility settled upon me.
Fear gripped me too, and the thought of surviving such a demanding process seemed daunting. But I was determined to push forward, to face the unknown, because the purpose behind it was noble.
Nicklaus’s gaze intensified as he leaned in closer, his eyes searching mine. “What did I do to deserve you? What am I even saying? I don’t deserve you,” he whispered, his voice filled with awe and admiration.
A small, bittersweet smile tugged at the corners of my lips. “You deserve me because we’re in this together,” I replied softly, my voice filled with love. “We support and strengthen each other. We face challenges hand in hand. We are partners, and together we can overcome anything.”
His eyes held a mixture of gratitude and determination as he enveloped me in a tight embrace.
We held each other, finding solace in the shared strength of our bond. In that moment, we both knew that no matter how difficult the journey ahead might be, we would face it together, drawing courage from the love we shared for our daughter and our pack.
Maria’s smile widened before she spoke. “Margret has asked for you to come to visit her before the ritual time.”
My heart skipped a beat as I took a deep breath, exchanging a quick glance with Nicklaus. We had both been engrossed in our own world, and the mention of Margret’s request brought a surge of curiosity and anticipation. What could she want to talk to me about? I wondered, my mind racing to find possible answers.
“Okay,” I managed to reply, my voice filled with a mix of gratitude and intrigue. “Tell her I appreciate her, and that I’ll come to see her later in the day.” I watched as Maria bowed her head respectfully before turning to head down the hallway.
As the door closed, shutting out the outside world, my thoughts spiraled with questions and anticipation. Nicklaus, sensing my distraction, encircled his hands around my waist, pulling me close to himself. The warmth of his touch sent shivers down my spine, momentarily distracting me from my racing mind.
“So where were we?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he nuzzled his head against my neck, leaving a trail of sloppy kisses in his wake.
I tried to gather my scattered thoughts, but my curiosity about Margret’s summons lingered. I couldn’t help but voice my thoughts aloud, breaking the momentary intimacy. “Babe, what do you think Margret wants to talk about?”
Nicklaus paused, his eyes searching mine for a moment before he let out a small sigh. “Sweetheart, we’ll think about that later,” he murmured, his voice filled with a mixture of reassurance and longing. “But for now, let’s focus on each other.” With those words, he pressed his lips against mine, reigniting the passion that had momentarily been interrupted.
His hands roamed my body, their touch both familiar and electrifying. My pulse quickened, matching the intensity of his kisses as his tongue explored mine. The world around us faded away, leaving only the sensations that coursed through my body, intensifying with each passing moment.