Nicolas POV
“Do not push her,” Ray warned. “Give her some time to respond to you!”
I held my breath, anxiously awaiting Zara’s response. She appeared reluctant to accept me as her mate, even though a moment ago I mustered all my courage and threw my heart and soul at her.
Where did I go wrong?
What did I do wrong?
Did I wait too long to claim her as my mate?
Should I have stopped the mating ceremony and claimed her then?
I released Zara’s face and took a step back, hope shattering my heart and sending the fragments flying across my chest like glass, leaving me in searing agony.
How could I have been so foolish as to think that after I had hurt her, she would still accept me?
This was entirely my own fault!
“Zara?” I spoke up in an attempt to get her attention, my voice breaking as I revealed the thoughts running through my head. “You do not have to express anything. I-I-I get it.”
Zara gave a wild shake of her head, her large, storm-gray eyes brimming with unshed tears.
“Do not worry about it,” I said regretfully. “I know, I understand. Come with me inside so we can sign the agreement.”
Zara gave a whimper, her bottom lip trembling. She gave me a look as though she was no longer hopeful about me. For us.
Her eyes were overflowing with tears, and I could not bear to look at her any longer.
I spun around and hurried inside, allowing myself a moment to recover from the pain in my chest.
Zara remained motionless. She stood frozen outside. I could hear her softly crying.
Why was her behavior so painful?
What was causing her such distress? Her silence told me everything about how she really felt about me!
She is not interested in me!
“You are a complete moron!” Ray growled in my head. “All you had to do was give her an extra few seconds. It was obvious that she was overcome with emotions.”
“Then she would have stopped and said something before I went inside,” I argued.
“Are you serious?” Ray snarled enraged.
I have never seen him so upset and furious in my life. His anger radiated from his dominant and powerful body, and his eyes shone brilliantly golden against his black fur.
My insides were burning with Ray’s rage, causing my body to tremble with rage.
“She is only eighteen, Nicholas!” Ray roared. “She nodded her head, letting you know that she wanted you and was ready to accept you! But no! You had to rush everything, and you ran inside like a scared puppy, putting the blame on her when she did not respond to your commands quickly enough.”
“You don’t know that!” I exploded, a wave of rage coursing through me. “There is no evidence that she was on the verge of accepting me as her mate!”
“I don’t?” Ray bellowed. “Her silver eyes showed me the pain you just caused her! Your insecurities have caused you to ruin and break her. You have a serious issue, man, and until you choose to move on from the past, this relationship will not last.”
“Ray, I do not have a problem!” I let out a roar. “She was hesitant to respond! If she had wanted to say something, she would have stopped me! She clearly does not want me because she didn’t!”
“That is not what Kaya told me,” Ray growled in disgust.
“Kaya?” I asked, startled.
Why did the name seem so familiar and important? Have I heard that name before?
“You idiot, it is Zara’s wolf!” Ray gave a sneer. “I connected with her. You just f*cked this up for the both of us!”
“No, I didn’t!” I snarled. “I knew she was going to reject me when she faltered. She has doubts about us!”
“You are wrong, and you know what!” With hiss, Ray stood up. “You thought it would be much easier on you if she rejected your ass. There would be fewer issues and concerns for you. Although I assumed you were over Isabella, it appears you are still thinking about her on an unconscious level.”
“Go to hell!” I gave a roar that left me breathless and panting.
Ray was wrong. Very, very wrong! Zara was the only thing that had kept me sane these past few days. All my thoughts were focused on her. She had invaded my thoughts and pressed herself into my shattered heart, piecing together and mending every shattered fragment. She was the only thing I was thinking of when I opened and closed my eyes. She was clearing my mind of all gray thoughts and feelings. She provided me with motivation to improve myself and a reason to want to live once more. She is the reason I want to help and support the surrounding packs and be a good Alpha for my people.
“She is not ready,” I remarked. “She is only a child and does not understand the meaning of the bond. Her age limits her understanding.”
“And you understand the bond?” Ray asked. “You have been missing out on this for a long time, and now that you have a second chance, your fears destroy it!”
I noticed movement from the corner of my eye and lifted my head to meet Zara’s eyes.
Tears were streaming down her face; her eyes had gone cold, and red lines had burned into her porcelain skin.
“Is it how you perceive me?” she questioned, her voice cracking.
“Sh*t!” I groaned inwardly.
How much of the one-sided conversation did she hear?
I moved forward, calling out to Zara, but she stopped me with a defensive wave of her hands.
“Save it for someone who is old enough who will understand the meaning of the mate bond,” she said coldly. “But know this. At least, I do not judge people based solely on their age; instead, I give them an equal opportunity to speak and make their case.”
“That is not what I meant,” I argued.
She wiped a stray tear from her face and snapped, “That was exactly what you meant. I heard all of it, and I can understand your reason.”
“Zara, stop!” I said as I lunged toward her, but a force field kept me in place, ensuring that I couldn’t reach her. “Let us… Let us discuss this! Please!”
“There is nothing to discuss,” she stated, with a frigid tone. “As the incoming leader of the Silverado Pack, I cannot have a mate who lacks trust in me.”
“Zara, please do not do this. I beg of you,” I cried.
“I will send my beta to retrieve the paperwork,” she added, her chin raised. “I will make my changes to the contract, and Beta Levi will get back to you in no more than two days.”
Zara turned on her heel and hurried toward the balcony door, and the sound of breaking and cracking bones filled the air.
“F*ck!” I muttered to myself. “What have I done?”
The force field abruptly vanished, and I hurried to catch up with Zara.
However, she had already shifted into her stunning black beast.
I watched in amazement as her beast leaped over the balcony railing with such ease, landing on her feet below and darting like lightning toward the forest.
I needed to go after her. I had to take responsibility and put things right.
I made an attempt to shift, but nothing happened.
“Ray!” I yelled at him with fury. “I have to go stop her! We cannot part this way.”
Ray gave me a repulsive look.
“You have caused enough harm in one day!” He growled. “Let her go! She will not speak with you right now. She is too upset!”
“But I can’t let her go this way!” I argued. “I need to-”
“You have no choice,” Ray bellowed, cutting me off. “I will not let you shift and run after her. You screwed this up, and I am not going to help you. You are on your own.”
With those words, Ray turned and left, leaving my mind empty and cold.
I had never felt so alone in my life as I did at that moment.
Will I get a chance to set things straight?
****