Soul Mates 04: Secrets(30)

"Peter is my business."



There was a sudden commotion and a rush of steps, everyone pulling Lucien and Nikolas apart. They both continued to glare at each other, and I fully expected at least one of them to start beating his chest with a fist in a show of dominance.



Silver stepped between Nikolas and Lucien, gesturing to me. "Walk away, Peter."



"I intend to." I grabbed Nikolas by the arm of his jacket. "Nikolas?"



"I'm coming, princess." He winked and grabbed one end of the body bag. "Grab the other end and let's take your friend down to medical."



I did as he said and we headed for the front door. The walk downstairs was silent, and I played the confrontation over and over again in my head. Lucien was probably right. I was probably childish and irresponsible, but I wasn't ready to admit that to him.



Before we got to the treatment room, Nikolas glanced back. "Why so quiet?"



"I just got fucking reamed in front of everyone out there. What is there to say?"



"He should never have done that."



"And you shouldn't have to keep coming to my defense."



Nikolas dropped the bag and I found myself slammed into the wall behind me, my hands clasped in his and held above my head. He shook his head adamantly.



"I will always defend you." He let one hand go and ran his thumb gently back and forth across my bottom lip. "It comes with the territory."



"What are we doing?" I whispered.



"Don't tell me you don't know." There was a hint of fear behind his words. "Don't tell me that you don't feel it, princess. That you don't know exactly what we are to each other."



I felt.



I knew it.



Had known for so very long, even though I tried to deny it.



We both had.



But now, it was impossible to ignore. However, admitting it felt like the ultimate betrayal. It was as if saying those words would irrevocably change things between us and the ones that we loved.



"It scares me."



"It used to scare the hell out of me, too."



I looked at him in confusion. "Used to?"





"Sabaan's been a good teacher." He smiled, bright and genuine. "And he loves you just about as much as I do. He wants us to work this out, to stop hiding from each other."



"I don't even know you." I swallowed hard, trying to get a grip. "Not all mushy like this and shit."



"Blame the demon."



"Excuse me?" Sabaan's happy voice echoed down the long hallway. "What in hell are you trying to blame on me now?"



Nikolas stepped back a little and held out his free hand, but didn't let go of mine. "Hey, kitty."



Sabaan snuggled right up to Nikolas, but quickly frowned when he looked at me. "What am I interrupting?"



"You're not," I answered. "What brings you down here?"



"Well& I heard that my lover and his mate showed up with a body bag and had a little confrontation with Lucien. And me being me, I just had to come get the scoop in person." He glanced from me to Nikolas, and back to me again. "Now would you two just kiss and make up . if you're fighting, that is . and let's get on with the show? I want to know about the stink fest going on in the body bag."



"How can you be so okay with this?"



"Because I love Nikolas.and I love you. I want us all to be happy, and part of Nikolas' happiness is his wolf not having to hide the fact that his mate is someone other than me. It would be stupid of me to think that a wolf wouldn't want an alpha to share his or her pack with."



"But."



"No buts, Peter. I know where I stand in all of this and I couldn't be happier."



Nikolas leaned in and kissed me and I melted against him, suddenly feeling the need for a little comfort. When he pulled back, he had a lop-sided grin on his face. "I've learned it's best to just nod your head and say you get it."



Sabaan slugged Nikolas playfully. "Don't listen to him, Peter."



"I hate to be changing the subject, but the body is starting to reek, princess."



He was right. Decay was settling in fast. I nodded and pushed away from the wall. "Yeah, we need to get him down to the treatment room."



Nikolas started to reach for the body bag, but paused and looked up at me. "You do me a favor, Peter?"



"What?"



"Say it. Just once."



"Say what? That you're my mate? The alpha to my wolf?"



He nodded slowly. "Do you believe it or are you just repeating it back?"



"I believe it."



"Good." Nikolas picked up his end of the bag. "Now quit dawdling and pick up your end."