Chapter 46

NOLAN

Nolan was not sure he would make it to the school in time to surprise Yena as she was leaving campus, but he wanted to try.

He did not know where things stood with them.

The past twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind.

She passed out as soon as he tucked her into bed, which did not surprise him. And then he stayed up all night staring into the darkness, imagining what his life would be like without Yena.

A life without Yena no longer made any sense.

He remembered what his mother told him about the prophecy. Nolan had been doubtful when Luna told him that story. But it all made perfect sense now.

Yena completed Nolan.

But he loved her more than he needed her.

In the light of day, Nolan felt a little better, because he was able to keep himself busy with work. He told himself he and Yena would work things out. He would find a way to make her happy, without losing her.

The prince’s car arrived just in time to intercept the one that had been on the way to retrieve Yena from school. The drivers spoke briefly through the window, and then the other car made a U-turn and drove off back toward the palace. Nolan’s car pulled into the parking lot and eased over to the far end of it, where there were less vehicles parked.

He hoped Yena would be happy to see him.

Then Nolan stepped out of the car and looked up to see her approaching distantly, once again side by side with his brother and enemy, Adan.

Adan’s eyes met Nolan’s immediately. Yena did not notice him, though.

Then Adan said something to Yena, and she turned to face Adan directly, with her back to Nolan.

Nolan sped up his pace, but not too much. The last time he saw these two in this exact situation, he nearly lost his temper. And Yena had assured Nolan he had nothing to worry about.

Because she and Adan were just friends.

But then Nolan witnessed his worst nightmare coming to life.

Adan said something else to Yena. Then he bent down and kissed her.

Nolan saw Yena react and wrench away.

The next thing he knew, Nolan was standing between her and Adan, and she was backing away slowly.

The air between the two brothers got blurry and warm. Adan leaned back and retreated a few steps, almost looking like he was struggling against a strong wind.

Nolan’s face was a fraction of an inch from his brother’s.

Adan’s face was stone.

Then Nolan came to his senses.

The air stilled. He lowered a clenched fist that did not remember raising.

It had taken all of Nolan’s willpower to resist the impulse to shift into a wolf and tear out his enemy’s throat the moment he saw Adan touching Yena against her will.

But a little of Nolan’s magic had slipped out, while he had been focused on keeping the wolf inside.

And that was not good.

All his life, Nolan had kept his abilities a secret. From everyone.

Adan finally let a satisfied smile curl the edges of his lips.

Nolan heard Yena calling his name. He let her take her hand and start leading him back toward the parking lot.

He did not turn his back on Adan, but stared him down the whole time, walking backward slowly.

Yena shoved Nolan into the car when they reached it. Then she hopped in next to him and slammed the door closed.

Nolan felt stupefied. Like he was coming out of a daze.

Yena was looking out the heavily tinted windows as their car zipped out of the parking lot. She was whispering “Oh no,” over and over again.

Nolan followed her gaze. What he saw made his stomach turn.

There was a man running after their car. Filming.

The man had a big, professional video camera resting on one shoulder. He was holding the base of the camera with both hands, jogging behind the motorcade and with his face buried behind the view finder.

He was a professional. A reporter or a paparazzo.

It looked like the man had come running out from a tree line nearby. The university was located at the base of the mountain, and it was full of little wooded areas.

The reporter had been lurking behind the trees.

He must have caught the whole incident.

Then the car was on the highway and Nolan and Yena were heading back to the palace, leaving Adan and the reporter behind.

YENA

It only took about one minute for Nolan’s phone to start going off.

He silenced one call, then another came in. The alert tones overlapped each other nonstop, making it sound like the phone might explode.

He powered it down and threw it onto the seat beside him.

I slipped it into my purse. Then I scooted closer to him and put my palm against his cheek.

He turned to look at me and I met his eyes.

I said, “We’re going to figure this out.” And I was very grateful that my voice came out sounding much more confident than I was feeling.

He kissed me. His energy felt… defeated.

I started climbing up into his lap. He did not hesitate to help me.

We made out the rest of the way home. He put his hands up my dress and pressed my hips down and rocked them back and forth, grinding me against his lap.

I felt him getting harder and harder and started worrying when I glanced out the window and realized we were almost back to the palace.

Nolan waited till the car was passing through the first gate into the palace grounds, then he peeled his lips away from mine and said, “Hold on, baby.” I started to climb off his lap, but he stopped me and shook his head.

He pushed a little button on the armrest, and I heard a buzz from the driver’s cabin.

“Yes, My Lord?” came a polite voice from a nearby speaker.

“We’re not getting out in front,” Nolan said to the air, keeping his eyes locked on mine. “Park the car in the garage and lock us in.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” the voice replied. “As you wish.”

A little click confirmed the driver hung up the line.

Nolan unzipped his pants and tugged them down just enough to free his throbbing penis, which was inside me half a second later. I started to moan but bit my lip to keep quiet.

Finally the car stopped moving. We heard the driver exit, close his door, and lock the car. Then the jingle of his keys as he walked away, through and out of the quiet garage.

Then Nolan got moving for real. He threw me down onto the floor in the big, open area in the center of the limousine and got on top of me.

He paused and looked at me thoughtfully, like he wanted to say something.

I didn’t know what Nolan was thinking.

But I did know something that would make him feel better.

“Bite me,” I told him.

His green eyes lit up like I’d flipped a switch to turn them on. He took a deep breath like he was trying to hold onto control. I could see his heart pounding in his chest.

He eased himself back inside me, making me gasp.

Then he sank his teeth into my neck. They were sharp and he did it so fast, I hardly felt any pain at all. I laid back and let him drink my blood, loving the feeling as it flowed out of my body and into his.

When he was ready, he commanded me to come at the same time as him. I wasn’t surprised when my body did exactly as he demanded.