The last couple of weeks had been hard to endure, especially since Adam was nearby. The other man didn’t hunt him down like Nicholas had expected. Instead, Adam gave Nicholas plenty of space, allowing him to make the first move, but Nicholas had kept his distance nonetheless.
“I don’t know why you’re doing this. I just want you to start caring about my brother and his feelings. He’s a good man, Nicholas. Adam would be a good mate. I know he would.”
Nicholas swallowed down the ball of emotion in his throat. “I’m sorry, Rory.”
He made a quick escape, shooting out the front door before his brother’s kind-hearted mate could say another word. Nicholas didn’t stop running until he was locked inside his car. Covering his face with his hands, Nicholas rocked back and forth, wishing the pain would go away. All of his instincts told him to find Adam, but he refused.
How could he give up his whole life? And why should he?
It wasn’t fair. He didn’t want to leave, but it seemed as though everyone expected him to pack up and move because Adam was his mate. Why couldn’t Adam make a few sacrifices? If he really wanted Nicholas to be his mate, he should stay in New Orleans.
Nicholas’s jaguar growled furiously. The beast roamed near the surface, fighting to break free. If the animal did manage to take control, Nicholas was sure the jaguar would track Adam. His jaguar wanted the wolf. He was desperate to be near his mate once again. Nicholas took a few deep breaths, trying to get his emotions under control. He pushed the jaguar down, burying him.
Shoving the key into the ignition, Nicholas started his car. He glanced over his shoulder, reversing out of the driveway. He put his car in gear and started driving toward The Burning Needle.
“He’s leaving.” Nicholas couldn’t believe how much knowing that piece of information hurt. “Damn it.”
Nicholas drove mindlessly, his thoughts completely focused on Adam. He tried to push the other shifter far away, but it was pointless. He wasn’t strong enough to forget the man he’d marked. If only there was a way he could go back and change his actions, but he couldn’t regret meeting Adam. He just wasn’t ready to allow fate to change the course of his life.
“It’s my fault.” He tightened his hold on the steering wheel.
Logically, he knew Adam wouldn’t wait around, but it was still difficult to accept. His mate needed to move on with his life back at his pack lands in Virginia. As true mates, they wouldn’t be able to be separated forever. Eventually, the animals inside would rise up and take over, desperate to be together once again. That was the way fate worked.
Shaking himself out his stupor, Nicholas looked around. It seemed that his car had developed a mind of its own. He wasn’t going to the tattoo shop at all. Instead, Nicholas was on the road, heading toward Gideon Channing’s pack house. The place Adam had been staying while he was in town.
Nicholas pushed the telephone icon button on the dashboard. “Call Damon.”
“Calling Damon,” a woman’s voice said through the speakers.
His brother answered the phone on the first ring. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Listen, can you reschedule my morning appointments?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m driving to The Castle to talk with Adam.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Nicholas scoffed. “I’m not so sure.”
“Would you at least consider going to Virginia on a temporary basis? I mean…” He paused for a moment. “He is your mate.”
“Why should I pack up my life and move away?” Nicholas asked, trying to keep the agitation out of his tone, but it was impossible. His brother knew how he felt. “Why can’t Adam uproot his life?”
Damon sighed. “He stayed in town for two weeks, Nicky. You wouldn’t even talk to the man. He has to go back home.”
The words stung, cutting Nicholas to the bone. It seemed as though his brother didn’t understand after all. How could he? Damon was happily mated to Rory, and the two were deeply in love.
“He’s an Alpha,” Damon continued. “You know he can’t just abandon his pack, Nicky.”
Nicholas scoffed. “Thanks for your support, bro.”
“Nick, you know I’m on your side. I’m just…” He sighed. “I’m just trying to understand. You aren’t going to be able to reject him, not forever anyway. Eventually, you’ll shift and search him out. So, tell me, what are you waiting for? Do you want to turn rogue?”
“Damon, just reschedule my appointments.”
Nicholas pressed the telephone icon button, ending the call, before Damon could say another word. Over the past two weeks, Damon’s opinion had changed. His brother was now gently encouraging him to leave, instead of supporting his decision to stay. Nicholas blew out a heavy breath. What am I going to do?