NICKOLAS
I stare at my mate, lying prone on the ground of my best friend’s porch, confusion and concern flood my mind.. What the fuck is going on? My mind races with questions, but I push them aside for the moment, choosing to focus on helping her first.
Rushing over to her side, I quickly lift her up into my arms, a surge of adrenaline coursing through me as I take in her scent. It hits me like a wave, overwhelming my senses and leaving me momentarily disoriented. Why does she smell so fucking good? I stumble back a bit, her body clinging to mine as she sweats profusely.
“What’s going on?” I demand, my voice laced with worry as I gaze down at her, searching for any signs of distress or injury. Despite the chaos of the moment, her proximity sends a jolt of unexpected arousal coursing through me, leaving me feeling conflicted and off-balance. But right now, all that matters is making sure she’s okay.
Gritting my teeth, I tighten my hold on her and follow Eric’s mate inside the house. Once inside, I carefully lay her down on the bed in the guest room, my concern growing with each passing moment. Pulling out my phone, I dial Beatrice’s number, urgency evident in my voice as I explain the situation and request her immediate assistance.
As I’m on the phone, Eric enters the room, his expression mirroring my own concern. His mate quickly fills him in on what we both witnessed, and I listen intently, absorbing every detail she adds that I didn’t in an effort to understand what’s happening to my mate. Despite the fear and uncertainty swirling around us, I’m grateful for the support of Eric and his mate, knowing that we’re all in this together.
“She’s in heat,” Eric blurts out, his words hitting me like a ton of bricks.
“What?” I exclaim, my eyes widening in disbelief as I turn to him for confirmation.
“You’re right, baby, she is. I can’t believe I didn’t see it immediately,” Lily chimes in, using a towel from the bathroom to dab away some of Amelia’s sweat.
My mind reels with shock and confusion at the revelation. The thought of Amelia truly being in heat sends a shiver down my spine.
“Mate, do you mind giving us some privacy?” Eric’s voice cuts through the tumult of my thoughts, his tone firm but gentle.
“Sure, I’ll be on the front porch waiting for Beatrice to arrive,” Lily responds, pressing a kiss to Eric’s lips before making her exit.
Once we’re alone, the weight of the situation bears down on me, and I can’t help but curse under my breath. “Fuck! Why the hell did she leave her room if she was in heat? Does she even realize what could have happened if someone other than us found her?”
“I think she did. That’s why she came here,” Eric offers, attempting to soothe my rising agitation with his calm demeanor.
“Why didn’t she look for me? I’m fucking next door!” I burst out, the frustration and confusion bubbling to the surface as I grapple with the implications of Amelia’s actions. It’s not just about her being in heat; it’s about the choices she made while in such a vulnerable state.
Amelia left the safety of the castle and walked ten minutes to Eric’s place, all while she was burning inside with her heat. She chose to endure the agony alone rather than seeking me out for help. The realization hits me like a punch to the gut, leaving me reeling with a mix of hurt and betrayal. A part of me couldn’t believe it. How could she not reach out to me, her supposed mate, in her time of need? As the weight of my own emotions threatens to overwhelm me, I can’t help but question my own actions and feelings. Why do I care so much?
The realization that I’ve just referred to her as my mate also sends a shiver down my spine. What the heck is wrong with me? I ask myself, grappling with the conflicting emotions swirling inside me. First, I take pity on her and treat her like a human being, and now I acknowledge her as my mate. It’s a maddening contradiction, and I’m not sure how to make sense of it all. But one thing’s for certain: things between us are far more complicated than I ever could have imagined.
“Nickolas,” Eric’s voice cuts through the tension, pulling me from my swirling thoughts.
“What?” I snap, my frustration seeping into my tone, even though he’s not the one I’m angry at. Eric raises an eyebrow at me, and I huff in annoyance before taking a seat beside Amelia’s bed.
“I don’t know what’s got your panties in a bunch, but whatever it is, get it sorted because we have bigger problems at hand,” Eric asserts, his voice tinged with urgency.
“I know,” I mutter, my gaze fixed on Amelia’s still form. Why did she leave the castle wearing nothing but a tank top, with her nipples so easily visible? What if she had fainted and some pervert had found her? The thought sends a surge of anger coursing through me, my fists clenching involuntarily at the mere notion.
“So, you’ll fuck her?” Eric’s question snaps me away from the thoughts of ripping someone to shreds if they so much as think of fucking Amelia.
“I don’t think whether I want to matters,” I admit bitterly, my jaw clenched tight with pent-up frustration.
“Why do you say so?” Eric inquires, his tone laced with curiosity.
“She walked to your house while burning internally, and I live fucking next door. I think that speaks volumes,” I reply, my voice heavy with resignation.
“Oh,” Eric responds quietly, understanding dawning in his eyes.
“Yeah,” I mumble in agreement.
“I’ll go and call Beatrice to find out what’s taking her so long,” Eric offers, moving towards the door to leave.
“Sure,” I reply, my mind still reeling with the implications of Amelia’s actions.
Amelia begins to stir awake as he leaves, and my heart sinks. Beatrice isn’t here to give her something for the pain, and I dread having to break the bad news to her. I watch her closely, waiting for her to open her eyes, preparing myself for the difficult conversation ahead.
“Nick…” she starts but quickly corrects herself. “Your majesty, where am I?” Her voice is groggy, and I can sense her confusion.
“Eric’s guest bedroom,” I reply, my frustration simmering beneath the surface.
“Oh,” she murmurs softly, her response devoid of any further explanation. My jaw clenches in frustration. She’s still not going to ask for my help, is she?
“Why didn’t you come to look for me?” I blurt out, unable to contain my irritation any longer.
“For what?” she responds, her tone tinged with confusion.
“Really?” I retort, raising an eyebrow incredulously at her.
“I don’t understand,” she admits, her eyes searching mine for answers.
“You’re really going to pretend you aren’t in heat right now and need me to fuck you?” I burst out, my frustration boiling over as I confront her blatant denial. She remains silent, her eyes fixed on mine, and I can sense the tension crackling between us.
“Fucking say something,” I demand.
“Why bother when I know you would rather let a man fuck you than touch me?” Amelia retorts, her words hitting me like a punch to the gut.
“That was before,” I reply softly, the weight of my confession hanging heavy in the air.
“Before what?” she demands, but I don’t voice the truth. It was before I started seeing you as more than just your father’s daughter or Jane’s descendant. Before I started seeing you as someone I might actually care about.
“Can you please leave?” Amelia’s request shocks me.
“Why?” I ask, a crease forming on my brow as I struggle to comprehend her sudden desire for me to go.
“Because every part of me wants to be touched by you, and you aren’t going to,” Amelia declares boldly, her words sending a jolt through me.
I’m taken aback by her directness. She’s always been shy around me, so her boldness catches me off guard. I meet her gaze, finding desire burning brightly in her eyes, and my resolve begins to waver.
Running my eyes down her face to her neck and chest, I feel my arousal spike as I notice the sheen of sweat on her skin, her cleavage glistening in the dim light. Her nipples harden under my scrutiny, and I can’t tear my gaze away. My eyes continue their journey down her body, taking in her exposed long legs accentuated by the shorts she’s wearing. I watch as they instinctively pull together, and I feel a surge of desire coursing through me.
I’ve wanted to fuck Amelia since the first day I met her, and now, faced with her raw desire, I can’t resist the pull any longer. Standing up, I make a split-second decision. I scoop her into my arms and carry her out of the room. As much as my best friend Eric loves me, I doubt he would appreciate me fucking my mate in his house. I bid farewell to Eric and Lily, making a mental note to thank them later, and ask Eric to call Beatrice, informing her that her services won’t be required tonight. With Amelia in my arms, desire coursing through both of us, I know exactly what to do.