Chapter 165
~ NYSSA
I smiled to myself as I watched Aria and Rowan leave the palace, bickering to themselves. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but judging by their postures and the small smile on Aria’s face, it was clear that they would be fine.
I ate dinner alone, but for once, I didn’t mind it. It was a small price to pay to ensure that my mate and his sister didn’t fall out because of me, and it gave me the chance to think on everything, including the call I received earlier.
I still hadn’t received a call back, or even a text. It seemed like whoever was on the opposite end of that call was keeping to their word and acknowledging my wishes for them to fuck off.
As grateful as I was about it, I couldn’t help but worry. Why now? Why didn’t they reach out to me since?
“I know where this is going,” my wolf said to me. “Drop it p>
“I didn’t even p>
“I know you, and I know how curious you can get. The next thing I know, you’re going to start investigating. Just let it go, you’re happy, and you’re with your mate. Everything is going to be fine p>
I knew she was right, so I did as she asked. I exhaled deeply, forcing all thoughts of the strange call out of my mind and instead made my way to the library. I had a mating ceremony to plan and a lot of tradition to research on.
I must have fallen asleep while I was there because when I came to, it felt like I was floating in the air.
“What p>
“Go to sleep, little wolf,” Rowan whispered softly, his voice holding notes of amusement. “I’m taking you to bed p>
“What time is it p>
“Too late,” was his only answer.
I was far too tired to protest so I let him carry me. He held me carefully, hands tightly wrapped around me. It wasn’t until he lay me on the bed that I realized that we weren’t in my room. For starters, the sheets were silky, unlike mine that were pure cotton, and the walls were too dark.
“This is your room,” I noted and he hummed. “You brought me to yours p>
“I didn’t think you’d have a problem with being here. If you want, we can both go to yours. It doesn’t matter where we sleep, as long as we’re in the same bed p>
He cocked his head to the side as he spoke, waiting for me to challenge his words.
With a sigh, I lay back against the sheets. “My night dresses are in the other room p>
“Don’t worry about a thing p>
He pulled my shirt over my head effortlessly, then moved his hands to my waist to work on my pants. I was far too exhausted to even argue with him so I let him undress me and he did so carefully. His eyes didn’t linger where they shouldn’t, neither did his hands stray.
Once he was done, he pulled one of his shirts over my head and I nearly moaned at how comfortable it all was.
I was so exhausted that it took me a few minutes to even remember why he was coming back so late. “How did you and Aria’s day go p>
“It was good,” he said softly as he climbed into bed behind me, his arms wrapping around my hips as he pulled me into him. “We really needed that, thank you p>
“You don’t I trailed off with a yawn. “You don’t need to thank me p>
“Actually, I do. We’re both so fucking stubborn that we never would have talked it out unless you made us.” He pressed a kiss to the side of my head. “Thank you p>
There was so much more I wanted to say and ask, but I quickly found that my jaw was too heavy to move. I snuggled closer to him, snoring softly as I allowed the darkness take me.
By morning, Rowan was gone from bed.
His side was cold and all that was left of him was a small dip, letting me know that I hadn’t imagined his presence the entire night.
I sat up straight, glancing at the clock lazily and cursed.
“What the hell p>
It was after seven… but that wasn’t possible. I had an alarm for five thirty every morning.
Aria and I left for work at seven every day. Knowing her, she was one minute away from storming into the room to find me.
I freshened up and walked to the dining room where I met both him and Aria. They were whispering under their breaths, smiles on their faces as they spoke. I could not help but smile as well, feeling relieved that they were okay once more.
“Nyssa!” Aria exclaimed as I stepped in. “Thank the goddess you’re here, I thought I’d have to come wake you p>
“Someone turned off my alarm,” I said, shooting a glare Rowan’s way but he didn’t even seem fazed. “I’ll just take breakfast to go and we can p>
“Oh, there’s no need for that,” she waved me off. “We’re not going in today p>
I went still, brows furrowing in confusion. “What? Why? Is something wrong p>
“Oh, not at all, we have a lot to do for your mating ceremony. You know… the one happening in about five days that we have nothing planned for p>
My cheeks warmed. “I remember p>
“Don’t worry, Rowan isn’t exempt either. He has a whole list of shit to do. If everyone does as they should, we will be done planning in two days p>
I’d read up on the lycan ceremonies, and two days was a very small time to get everything in order but I didn’t dare tell Aria that. She had a look of pure determination on her face and I wasn’t going to be the one to say otherwise.
“Can I at least have breakfast?” I asked and she nodded.
“Of course. Once you are done, we p>
“Sorry to interrupt,” a male voice spoke from behind me. I turned to find Jeremiah standing there, his gaze fixed on Rowan. “Your Majesty, there is… something p>