Chapter 45

"

Do you like her?"

"Like who?" Malik cocked a brow at me.

"You know who I'm talking about." I pulled back the string of the bow, feeling the tension build in my arms as the arrow was poised and ready to fly.

My eyes locked onto the target, a small white circle in the distance, and I took a deep breath before releasing the arrow. The sound of the string twanging echoed through the air, as the arrow soared towards it target.

I watched with bated breath as the arrow hit its mark, piercing the center of the target with a satisfying thwack. A warm smile curled over my lips before I turned to Malik, waiting for his response.

"I don't have any comment for that. It's something I cannot answer as my I'm a subject of Mrs. Archers son and it would be simply rude to comment on it." He said, his response longer than I expected but nothing I wanted to hear.

I scoffed and picked up the second arrow from the bag. "You hate her," It was the only thing I could make out from the tone of his voice. "She did sound a bit believable in the morning, even apologetic, but I'm not sure about it."

The archery ground was my sanctuary today, after all the events that have been happening. The sun began to set, casting a warm golden light over the ground. The ground was vast and open, with no one else in sight, giving me the freedom to shoot arrows without any distractions.

I took in a deep breath, feeling the crisp evening air fill my lungs before I adjusted my stance and aimed the arrow at the target. It was clear, and I was certainly getting better.

"Words are frail, they can be formed and broken quickly," Malik's voice interrupted my thoughts as he stood behind me, observing my movements. "She might just kill you tomorrow." He whispered, sending shivers down my spine.

"She would do that?" I turned away from the target and to him.

"She's the alpha's mother—she can do anything, and no one can do anything about it. The alpha is quite forgiving when it comes to her. After all, it's his mother."

My lips parted with surprise, but before I began to ask questions about what all Rosalie has done, a car appeared at the sides of the archery ground. I lowered my arm, and my head turned to it.

Malik stepped farther away from me and Nicholas stepped out of the car. I didn't believe he had heard anything as the car only pulled up now.

Nicholas neared us and handed his key to Malik who then walked toward the car and left the archery ground. My heart beat at a frantic pace as I tried to make sense of what he had said moments ago. Would she kill me tomorrow?

"What are you doing here?" I snapped out of my thoughts and asked Nicholas.

"It has been a long day," His hand came wrapping around my neck before he pulled me to him and placed a surprised kiss over my lips. "Hasn't it?"

My skin became warm under my neck as I nodded.

The way his lips touched mine was soft yet demanding, as if he couldn't resist the urge any longer. My hands found their way to his shoulders, and I melted into him, losing myself in the sensation. His scent was intoxicating, a mix of pine and sandalwood, and I breathed in deeply for the first time.

His hands wandered down my back, tracing the curve of my hips before pulling me closer to him.

"I hope you didn't have another clash with my mother today," He reached up to brush a stray strand of hair behind my ear before continuing, "It would be terrible to know that if you did."

"I did, but it went very well. She was being apologetic for last night." I responded with the truth. I didn't entirely believe in her apology, but it was better than nothing.

He was surprised, "Did she?"

I nodded and said nothing more. He shrugged and looked away from me, and toward the clear target ahead. The bright lights of the archery grounds switched on as the skies began to darken.

"Show me," Nicholas said as something fleeted over his gaze. My brows furrowed in confusion. "Your aim, devil."

I smiled, proudly and picked up the bow and arrow. I stepped back into my stance and aimed at the target, pulling back the bow string. My fingers released the arrow with a flick, and it soared through the air. It landed on the red target, but it was a few inches away from the middle.

Nicholas grinned, appearing seemingly impressed before he walked over to the targets and even further than that. I held the bow in my hand tightly, watching him as he reached the tree behind the targets and turned.

My heart dropped, knowing well what was coming next. It wasn't the first time he had asked me to do something as this.

"Don't hesitate." I heard him from the distance, loud and clear.

My hands rose and I positioned the arrow. The weight of the bow in my hands felt heavier than ever, and my heart raced. I focused on his unwavering gaze, his eyes challenging me to trust my instincts and skill. I knew I could do this, but the fear of hurting him gripped my heart and clouded my thoughts.

Nicholas stood confidently, a daring smile playing on his lips. It was as if he was daring the universe, trusting in our bond, and believing in my abilities.

The arrow sliced through the air with a sharp whistle. Time seemed to slow as the arrow flew toward its target. Anticipation built in my chest. Then, with a satisfying thud, the arrow struck the tree behind, just an inch away from his head.

My heart was pounding at my throat, and I sighed in relief when I had done it.

He looked at the arrow, then back at me, his eyes shining with delight before he plucked the arrow from the tree and walked back toward me.

"Well done, devil." He said with a playful grin.

"Why do you train me?" I asked, my brows furrowed. It was a question that never left my mind.

The archery grounds were now bathed in a soft, ethereal glow, casting long shadows that seemed to dance with the swaying branches of the trees.

He reached closer and pressed his hand over my cheek. "So you can fight."

"But I don't need to fight," I tossed aside the bow and arrow. "I have you, don't you?"

He smiled a little, "You do, but there could be a time where you might not have me, and you might have to defend yourself."

The thought of being without him sent a shiver down my spine, and my heart ached at the mere idea. "But I don't want to be away from you."

The gap between us disappear and he placed his other hand on my face, cupping it now. Warmth spread through me again, but it was a different one this time. It was an aching warmth that began consuming me. My head turned hot, but the unusual feeling didn't appear on my face.

"Is that how deep you feel for me, devil?" His thumb trailed down my cheek.

I hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words to express the depth of my emotions. "Yes," I whispered, sincerity lingering in the back of my voice. "I don't want to be away from you. "While the sole thought of you frightens me, it also brings me comfort and peace."

A smile stretched over my mouth and I tilted my head while he looked at me with a tender expression.

"I would never leave you, devil. You're not just a possession, but the embodiment of my sanity. You have stirred a slumbering part of my soul, one I never knew would surface."

As he spoke those words, the emotions inside me swelled and overflowed. My knees weakened, and I felt myself slipping out of consciousness. The warmth had now taken over my body. It was a strange feeling.

I reached out to him, trying to cling onto something, anything, but my vision started to fade.

I was falling, and there was nothing I could do stop it.

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