Chapter 12

Nolan's POV

"You look better today." I nodded as I placed the tray of breakfast on the bedside table next to the bed.

"Yet I feel like goo." He grumbled.

It's been a few days since Zane's incident and I have been taking care of him since. Everyday has shown a bit of progress from the last, but I wouldn't say it was very significant. For one, he barely has enough strength to move around the house without panting afterwards as though he has run a marathon. His skin is almost always lathered in a think shin of sweat and his breathing always ragged. He always gets these strange chills that have him shaking live a leaf and to make it worse, his healing seems to have grown slower than average. Its taken him five days for his wounds to close up, instead of a few minutes and as far as Alex has told me, Liam's presence is growing fainter with the days.

The unfortunate part is he has no intention of telling me why he's like this of his own free will and I've been busy taking care of him that I haven't gotten a chance to ask. Besides, I know that asking him will be hopeless.

"I'm gonna go drop Grace off at school, then I'll stop at the office for a few and come back. If you need me, call." I directed like the co-parent sibling I am.

"I really appreciate all this, but I'm not a child, Nolan." He huffed, rolling his glossy emerald eyes.

"I know," I sighed in defeat while simultaneously running my hand through my probably already messy hair, "But you're my brother and I want you to be okay even if I have to treat you like a child at the end of the day."

"You should go, I promise I can take care of myself in the meanwhile. I'll be okay," He reassured, "In fact, I feel like taking a quick nap. It's only 7h30, and since you'll only be out for a few hours, I should be up by them with ample time to have the porridge you prepared for me." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes, instead, there was something dark, some unspoken sadness lingered in his eyes along with something I can't read. Regret? Guilt? I can't tell.

"Okay, I'll be back," I nodded, leaving the room and heading downstairs to the  happy toddler as she ate her banana. "Hey Pumpkin, are you ready to go?"

She swallowed her last bite before smiling at me and nodding.

"Yes Papa," She proudly grinned," I'm a big girl now."

I lightly chuckled but nodded as I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead on my way to grab my flask on the table. It had some much-needed coffee I had prepared for myself while making breakfast.

I had her dressed in a pink and white polka dotted dress with a pink belt and a pair of white sneakers for the day. Her black locks were pulled into two ponytails with white bows that I hope I wouldn't regret later on.

"That you are, Princess," I agreed, looking at her with a nostalgic smile, I'm sure. I can't believe how much time has passed since she was born. I remember when she still wore napkins and I had to change them. I remember how we used to and still sleep together whenever there was lightning and thunder, especially when Zane was not here. "You should hurry and go say bye to your dad, Love."

"Okay." She nodded, jumping off her seat and making her way to Zane's bedroom upstairs.

A wave of dizziness had me grasping the counter as I groaned.

'We need to see, Mate, Nole.' Alex immediately whined, which I found myself nodding to because I knew he was right.

'I know.' I responded as I gathered my bearings and straightened up.

I haven't seen Melissa since Sunday and it's driving both Alex and I crazy. I don't think my body can handle any more heat flashes and dizzy spells. I need to see my mate before the mate bond drives me crazy with my constant need for her. Damn, I miss her so much and so does Alex, it's driving us crazy.

"Done Papa!" Grace's excited voice chirped, knocking me out of my thoughts as she appeared in front of me.

"Great, Sweetheart!" I tried to return her enthusiasm as I grabbed her Moana backpack from the chair along with my laptop bag. "Please grab my keys for me, Darling?"

"Okay!" She sweetly responded as she grabbed the house keys from the kitchen bowl and followed me to the door. "Papa, can you believe my birthday is coming?"

"I can, Sweetheart," I enthusiastically smiled at her as I opened the door for her and followed behind her. "Keys please, Baby Girl?"

She excitedly bobbed her head, making her ponytails dance on her head as she handed me the house keys. The car keys were already in my back pocket along with my cellphone.

"Are you excited, Papa? I am." She enthusiastically chirped as we made our way towards the car," Papa look!" She suddenly squealed, pointing at someone I have been wanting to see for days as she locked the door and made her way down her driveway. Even from where I was, I could tell she looked gorgeous in her skinny jeans, navy blue heeled boots, white vest and black leather jacket. Her hair was let loose to brush the collar of her jacket and a pair of headphones were nestled on her head. She was as gorgeous as I remembered. Yeah, that sounds a bit exaggerated. A black and white school bag was loosely hanging off her one shoulder, meaning that she was probably on her way to school.

As if she felt our gazes, she turned in our direction. Her features immediately glimmered in joy as she happily waved at us.

Grace was more than happy to vigorously wave back in excitement as giggles of joy left her body. I unlike my niece settled for a silent sign that told her to wait as I took hold of Grace's hand, unfortunately for her it's the one she was using to wave.

"Papa!" She pouted in complaint as I halted her enthusiastic greeting.

"I'm sorry, Pumpkin." I apologised as we made our way over to her. She waited patiently and removed her navy blue, Volcano headphones from her head, letting them hang around her neck instead as she most likely paused the music on her Samsung A22.

"Good morning!" She enthusiastically smiled at us while cutely tilting her head to the side as we stopped in front of her.

"Meli!" Grace happily chirped as she wrapped her arms around Melissa's legs in a hug.

"Hi Gracie Pie!" She returned the enthusiasm as she picked up Grace and cuddled her against her body while rubbing their cheeks together.

"I missed you." Grace pouted at Melissa.

"I missed you too, Sweetheart," She cooed as she placed Grace on her hip, not caring that the toddler's shoes might dirty her. "Good morning, Nolan. Fancy seeing you this morning." She smiled at me.

The way my name curled around her tongue like silk and left her lips like water had my wolf and I purring from within. It had me wanting to dance in joy and celebration as peace fell upon my being just as how cold water feels on a hot summer day.

"Good morning to you too," I calmly returned the smile, even though every part of me wanted to gather her into my arms and spin her around in joy. "Where have you been hiding, recently?"

"No where in particular." She lightly giggled as her attention focused on Grace who she gently started tickling. The excited toddler couldn't help but to squirm at the sudden attack and boisterously giggle from the sensation. The sweet sight warmed my heart to say the least that I couldn't help but to think of her caring my own child or children too one day. A truly magnificent sight.

'Magnificent indeed.' Alex purred in agreement. Clearly approving of my thoughts.

"School is keeping me busy recently," She huffed as she paused her assault on Grace, letting the young girl calm down and take a breather from the attack," You wouldn't think it's only the first week of school, but I'm not complaining much. The modules seem very interesting, already."

"I'm happy to hear that," I genuinely smiled because I was genuinely happy for her. Varsity is a different milestone, a different adventure in one's life so enjoying what you're doing is a great feeling. I would know because every morning I wake up, I don't feel like groaning in frustration and hoping that the company drowns or closes down for a day because I genuinely enjoy my job. So, I want the same for my mate, I want her to enjoy what she's doing. "So, I'm assuming you're heading to school?" I indicated to the bag over her shoulder.

"Yeah, I should get going actually or I'm sure I'm going to miss the next bus," She sighed as she put her disappointed Grace on the ground with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Cutie, I promise to make time to hang out soon though." She promised.

"Really?" Grace pouted with hope filled eyes.

"Really." My lovely mate responded with reassurance.

"Or..." I trailed off," You can tag along with Grace and I. Your school is about 10 minutes away from Grace's, so it shouldn't be a problem." I suggested.

"I don't know..." She nervously trailed off.

"Pretty please?" I pouted, just like Grace normally does. She tends to get what she wants when she does this, so maybe it will work for me too. She nervously contemplated her choices as she looked at me with mixed emotions of unsure-ness and most likely the mate-bond's influence.

"Yes! Please Meli?" Grace joined in and nailed the look like a pro. I might need to ask the girl for tips because just one look at Grace had my mate's resolve shattered into pieces as she sighed.

"Alright," She agreed with a smile of amusement. "Has anyone ever told you that you two make a great team?"

"No, but we'll keep that in mind," I playfully gave Grace a high five which she returned with even more enthusiasm." That's my girl!"

Grace beamed at me and vigorously nodded before taking hold of Melissa's hand which her much smaller one that barely went all around. It looked so cute that I had to shove my hands into my trousers as not to grab my phone and take pictures.

"By the way, love the bag." My mate teased, pointing to the princess bag on my shoulder.

"You think?" I decided to play along," I always thought it was my style, you know."

"Heyy! That's my bag, Papa!" Grace giggled.

"Really Princess?" I feigned surprise," And here I was about to take it to work with me."

"Then what will I use?" She curiously smiled.

"Well, I was gonna let you use this bag." I lifted my laptop bag.

A look of horror took over her features, before she covered it with a soft, but definitely disappointed smile.

"Okay, Papa. Will you be happy?" She asked.

My heart instantly melted at the little being I had helped to raise as I swept her into my arms and peppered her face with kisses.

"Papa!" She giggled as she tried to evade my affection.

"I love you so much, my Sweet Girl." I praised her as we stopped in front of the car.

"I love you too, Papa." She smiled, placing a quick kiss on my cheek before I put down.

At the peripheral view, I caught the softest look on my mate's features as she smiled at us in awe and something else.

"You're really good with her, Nolan. Anyone even I would think she's your daughter." She praised as I opened the door of glossy red, Toyota CH-R 1.2T and helped Grace in. Soon after, I had her safely buckled up in her car seat and I was opening the passenger door for her.

"Thanks." I beamed at her as I helped her in before closing the door for her and jogging to my side of the car. I climbed in before placing our bags on the floor in the back seat and buckling up.

"By the way, how's Zane been feeling? I hope he's better?" She asked with genuine concern in her eyes and slight sadness. It's a bit strange that she feels such strong emotions for someone else than me. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad she cares for my brother, I have no ounce of jealousy towards her care, but I had always been told that once your mate meets you, they will only feel strongly towards you. Maybe it's because she's human. This is one other reason why I can't tell her the truth about Zane, so as much as it hurt me and filled me with guilt, I feigned a smile.

"He's seen better days." I chose to say as I started the car and drove down the driveway with a heavy heart. I hate having to lie to my mate.