Nicolas POV
“Do not push her,” Ray warned. “Give her some time to respond to you!”
I held my breath, anxiously awaiting Zara’s response. She appeared reluctant to accept me as her mate, even though a moment ago I mustered all my courage and threw my heart and soul at her.
Where did I go wrong?
What did I do wrong?
Did I wait too long to claim her as my mate?
Should I have stopped the mating ceremony and claimed her then?
I released Zara’s face and took a step back, hope shattering my heart and sending the fragments flying across my chest like glass, leaving me in searing agony.
How could I have been so foolish as to think that after I had hurt her, she would still accept me?
This was entirely my own fault!
“Zara?” ! spoke up in an attempt to get her attention, my voice breaking as I revealed the thoughts running through my head. “You do not have to express anything. I–I–I get it.”
Zara gave a wild shake of her head, her large, storm–gray eyes brimming with unshed tears.
“Do not worry about it,” I said regretfully. “I know, I understand. Come with me inside so we can sign the agreement.”
Zara gave a whimper, her bottom lip trembling. She gave me a look as though she
Her eyes were overflowing with tears, and I could not bear to look at her any longer.
no longer hopeful about me. For us.
I spun around and hurried inside, allowing myself a moment to recover from the pain in my chest.
Zara remained motionless. She stood frozen outside. I could hear her softly crying.
Why was her behavior so painful?
What was causing her such distress? Her silence told me everything about how she really felt about me!
She is not interested in me!
“You are a complete moron!” Ray growled in my head. “All you had to do was give her an extra few seconds. It was obvious that she was overcome with emotions.”
“Then she would have stopped and said something before I went inside,” I argued.
“Are you serious?‘ Ray snarled enraged.
I have never seen him so upset and furious in my life. His anger radiated from his dominant and powerful body, and his eyes shone brilliantly golden against his black fur.
My insides were burning with Ray’s rage, causing my body to tremble with rage.
She is only eighteen, Nicholas! Ray roared. “She nodded her head, letting you know that she wanted you and was ready to accept you! But no! You had to rush everything, and you ran inside like a scared puppy, putting the blame on her when she did not respond to your commands quickly enough.”
“You don’t know that!‘ I exploded, a wave of rage coursing through me. “There is no evidence that she was on the verge of accepting me as her mate!‘
“I don’t?” Ray bellowed. “Her silver eyes showed me the pain you just caused her! Your insecurities have caused you to ruin and break her. You have a serious issue, man, and until you choose to move on from the past, this relationship will not last.”
Kay, I do not have a problem! I let out a roar. She was hesitant to respond! If she had wanted to say something, she would have stopped me! She clearly
1/2445
Chapter 28- Put things right–1
does not want me because she didn’t!”
“That is not what Kaya told me,” Ray growled in disgust.
“Kaya?” I asked, startled.
Why did the name seem so familiar and important? Have I heard that name before?
“You idiot, it is Zara’s wolf!” Ray gave a sneer. “I connected with her. You just f*cked this up for the both of us!”
“No, I didn’t!” I snarled. “I knew she was going to reject me when she faltered. She has doubts about us!”
“You are wrong, and you know what!” With hiss, Ray stood up. “You thought it would be much easier on you if she rejected your ass. There would be fewer issues and concerns for you. Although I assumed you were over Isabella, it appears you are still thinking about her on an unconscious level.
