Those words took a load off me. My entire being felt lighter. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he really did mean it. I’d never been with anyone who cared for me so much. I felt stupid for not opening up sooner, but now I realized that I really could.
Nico kissed me. I could taste my tears as he pressed his mouth to mine. When he pulled away, he looked into my eyes. “We’ll make it through this.”
I was suddenly exhausted, like I’d run a marathon with a weighted vest on. Even my eyelids started drooping. “I need a nap or something,” I mumbled.
“You do look tired. Here, come this way.”
He led me across the game room to a door at the back. Inside was a small guest room with a twin bed. It looked like the most comfortable thing I’d ever seen. Nico pointed to it. “You can nap here if you want. I thought you might not want to go upstairs with everyone still around.”
I nodded. This did seem to be the better option. I didn’t think I could face his mother again, at least not right now. The little room would be the perfect place to rest. “Thanks. It’s great,” I said, already kicking off my shoes.
Nico helped me get under the covers and tucked me in before kissing me on the forehead. He sat on the floor beside the bed, holding my hand. “I’ll stay with you until you’re asleep.”
I nodded and yawned. I closed my eyes and let my exhaustion sweep over me. In moments, I could feel sleep taking me. I drifted down into unconsciousness.
I dreamed then. About the full moon.
24
NICO
Iclenched my jaw so hard as I went back upstairs that I was afraid my teeth might crack. I’d never been so pissed off in my life. I stomped through the kitchen and out into the backyard. There were still about twenty people here, drinking, eating, laughing. I had no patience for any of that at the moment.
“Okay!” I shouted, getting everyone’s attention. “Out. Everybody out.”
The crowd silenced, my brothers all looked confused. No one moved, which only made me angrier. “I said out!” My voice boomed out like a grenade. “Everyone but Mom and Dad. Get the fuck out.”
The crowd started moving, everyone quickly putting their glasses and plates down and heading toward the door. Dad was with Mom, whispering questions to her. I was happy to see that Mom looked abashed. She knew what I was mad about and looked worried.
My brother Diego walked up to me before leaving. “What the hell, Nico?”
I glared at him. “Not now, Diego. Not. Fucking. Now.” I hissed the words through gritted teeth.
Diego lifted his hands in surrender. “Got it. Got it. Point taken.”
My eyes locked on Mom while the last few people trickled out. Once the back door was closed, I was free to express my rage. “What is wrong with you?” I asked her.
Her jaw dropped. “Nico? What’s going on here?”
My voice rose an octave. “I said, what iswrongwith you?”
She crossed her arms and shook her head. “I was looking out for my boy. That’s all.”
Dad sighed and rubbed at his face. “Julia, what did you do?”
Mom swept a hand toward the house. “Carlos, that girl in there is a human. Nico can’t be allowed to mate with a human. There won’t ever be an alpha to take over the pack. You know that. Everyone does. I was the only one who seemed willing to say anything.”
“I can be with whomever I want, Mother. I’m a grown man. I’m the alpha. I am in charge of my own life.”
Mom shook her head. “No, Nico. It feels that way, I know. You are still my and your father’s son. You have a duty to the pack. I only told Maddy the truth. I couldn’t let her get her hopes up that there could be more with you. There can’t be. Don’t you see that? She can’t?—”
“She’s my fated mate!” I bellowed in rage. “Stop talking about her like that.”
Mom’s face went pale, and Dad stepped over and put a hand on my shoulder to calm me down. “Son, easy. Take a breath,” he murmured in my ear.
Mom took two steps toward me and pointed a finger at my chest. “No. I won’t have you lying to us to keep shacking up with some girl. Humans and shifters can’t be fated. You know that. Stop lying. You’re being a child, Nico.”
Dad, finally letting his anger show, turned to her and held up his hand. “Julia, would you stop? Jesus, just stop for a second.”
