“Why?” Nicholas raised a questioning brow. “Do I need his permission to drink?”
Sam scoffed. “Of course not. I was just curious.”
“He’s in Virginia.”
“Virginia?” Sam’s brows furrowed. “Like the state?”
“Yes, that’s where his pack lives. Now, pour me another shot.”
Sam grabbed a nearby bottle of Tequila and started pouring. “So, when are you planning to move?”
“Who says I’m leaving?”
Sam gasped in surprise, “You aren’t?”
“No, I’m staying here.”
Nicholas grabbed the shot glass off the bar and downed it. It didn’t seem to matter how much he drank. The pain wouldn’t go away. If anything, the ache continued to grow, making it almost impossible to breathe. Shit.
Nicholas didn’t know how much longer he would be able to go without his mate. Sooner or later, his jaguar would force a shift and track Adam down. He couldn’t blame the beast. They were mates after all. He belonged to Adam.
Abandoning his spot at the bar, Nicholas made his way through the crowd, weaving through the throng of people toward the dance floor. He found Damon and Rory in the center, the two men grinding on each other. Nicholas chuckled, shaking his head. It was a good thing that they had come out to support him in his time of need. Reaching out, Nicholas tapped Damon on the back to get his attention.
Damon glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “What’s up?”
“I’m gonna head home,” Nicholas announced, tilting his head toward the front door.
“No, don’t go.” Damon pushed his lower lip out, whining.
“Come on,” Rory said cheerfully as he grabbed hold of Nicholas’s hand. “Dance with us.”
Nicholas shook his head. “I just want to go home.”
He wasn’t in the mood. If he stayed at the club, he’d be miserable the entire time. Nicholas just wanted to get home, climb into bed, and pull the covers over his head.
It was time to take a trip to Virginia. Nicholas knew he wasn’t strong enough to ignore the mate-pull any longer. And he didn’t want to turn rogue.
“Are you okay to drive?” Damon asked.
“I was just gonna start walking.”
“We’ll drive you.” Damon wrapped an arm around Rory’s waist, pulling him in close to his side. “Let’s go home, baby.”
“You guys don’t need to take me home,” Nicholas said, rejecting the offer. “Please, stay and have fun.”
“I’d prefer to go home anyway.” Rory grinned as he glanced up at Damon, love shining in his eyes.
“I love you.” Damon leaned down and kissed Rory.
“I love you, too.”
Watching Damon and Rory together forced Nicholas to see what he was missing. Adam. Starting his life over in a new place might not be so bad after all. Guilt ate at his heart. He hadn’t been a good mate thus far, but that was going to change. Nicholas just hoped that Adam could forgive him.
“Are you okay?” Damon asked, pulling Nicholas from his thoughts.
“I’m going to miss you.” Nicholas’s eyes filled with moisture. He didn’t want to be away from his brother, not after everything they’d been through together, but it was time for him to move on.
“What do you mean by that?” Damon stepped forward, concern written all over his face.
“It’s time for me to go to Virginia.”
Damon’s brows pinched together. He looked sad but didn’t say anything to object to Nicholas’s announcement. Instead, he pulled Nicholas in for a hug and squeezed him tightly. Nicholas embraced his brother. The two of them had been to hell and back and had remained together through it all. A lone tear slid down Nicholas’s cheek, and he wiped it off on Damon’s shoulder.
“I’m proud of you.”
Nicholas dropped his arms and stepped back. He gave his brother an intent look. “You better come and visit me, or I’ll kick your ass.”
“I promise.” Damon made a cross sign with his finger over his heart. “I’ll call you every single day and bug the hell out of you. You won’t get a chance to miss me.”
Nicholas grinned. “Take me home so I can pack.”
“Yes!” Rory shouted, letting out a cute little squeal of excitement.
Nicholas ruffled Rory’s hair playfully. His brother’s mate was one of the kindest people Nicholas had ever met. The two were a good match. He smiled at Rory before turning on his heel and heading toward the front entrance of the club.
A bright light blinded him, turning everything white, before a deafening explosion rang out. A shockwave hit him, and Nicholas flew backward through the air, the impact tossing his body across the room. Closing his eyes, Nicholas landed hard, skidding across the floor. The wind was knocked out of his lungs, and panic ensued. Nicholas struggled, thrashing around on the ground as he fought to pull oxygen into his lungs. After a minute or two, the sensation disappeared, allowing him to breathe a little easier.