Nicholas’s mind was a mess, his emotions shot.
During the hour-long drive, Nicholas almost turned around a number of times. He was conflicted. But in the end, he couldn’t do it. He owed Adam more respect than that. His mate deserved some sort of explanation, even if he didn’t have a clue what he was going to say.
Nicholas slowed when he reached the turnoff and pulled off the main road. It didn’t take him long to reach The Castle.
Giant trees flanked both sides of the driveway, so large that they touched in an arch overhead. As he continued driving, Nicholas caught sight of a few wolves running across the lush, green land. He envied them. If only he could shift and run. When the giant three-story pack house came into view, Nicholas started to regret his decision. He was nervous. How would Adam react to seeing him?
Pulling up in front of The Castle, Nicholas spotted an older model truck with Virginia plates. He parked his car beside it and shut the ignition off. Nicholas took a few deep breaths, building up his courage, before finally stepping out of his car. He walked up the stairs toward the front door. Lifting his hand, Nicholas knocked and waited.
The front door swung open, and Gideon smiled. “Hey, Nicholas.” The Alpha stepped aside, and Nicholas walked into the house. “I’m glad you decided to stop by. Adam’s upstairs, second door on the left.”
“Thanks.”
Nicholas jogged upstairs. When he reached the guest room, he peered inside. Adam was standing beside the bed, shoving some clothes into a black duffel bag.
“Knock, knock,” Nicholas said.
Adam looked up and grinned. “Hey.”
“I…” Nicholas walked into the room. He wanted to reach out and touch his mate, but instead of following his natural instincts, he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I heard you were leaving, and I wanted to say good-bye.”
He could see a flash of pain in Adam’s eyes. Guilt consumed him, weighing heavily on his heart. His shoulders dropped as he exhaled. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
Adam grabbed a piece of paper off the bed and held it out to Nicholas. “I was planning on asking Gideon to give this to you, but since you’re here...” He sighed. “It’s my address and phone number.”
Nicholas took it. He stared down at the bold script, trying to find the right words, but they all tasted like ash on his tongue.
“I own a house with my brother,” he blurted out after several minutes of silence. “And a tattoo shop.”
Adam nodded. “I know.”
“We’re a pack.”
“I got it.”
“Everything is here in New Orleans,” Nicholas told him. He sounded like such an idiot. “I’m sorry. I just…I never planned to move away. I don’t want to leave.”
“What did you think would happen when you met your mate, Nicholas?” Adam asked steadily. “Did you think he would give up everything for you without question? Did you think it would be easy for him to leave his life behind?”
“I don’t know. I thought I’d meet someone more like Rory.” Adam’s jaw tightened, and Nicholas regretted his words instantly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine,” he interrupted.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain it to me.”
“I’m always the one that has to make sacrifices.” Nicholas’s voice rose as his emotions came to the surface. “I’ve had to pack up and leave home before, and trust me, it wasn’t a fuckin’ picnic. When Damon and I first arrived in New Orleans, we had nothing. Nothing. We worked our asses off to start a business, and after a few years, we bought a house. And now, I’m just supposed to leave it all behind? I can’t do that.” He shook his head. “I can’t.”
“It’s okay.” Adam was far calmer than Nicholas expected. “You have my phone number and address. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be in Virginia, waiting for you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to keep apologizing. It is what it is.”
Turning on his heel, Nicholas started for the door. Before he even reached the threshold, Adam called out, “Nicholas?”
“Yeah?” He spun around.
Adam grabbed him. For a moment, he thought the big man might kiss him good-bye. He licked his lips in anticipation and waited, but the kiss never came. Instead, Adam yanked his shirt aside, exposing his shoulder. Before Nicholas could object, Adam struck. He sank his teeth in deep, marking him.
“Fuck!” Nicholas shouted.
The sharp pain morphed into pleasure. Moaning, Nicholas closed his eyes. His toes curled, goose bumps broke out along his arms, and a shudder raced through his entire body. It felt as though Adam’s mouth was on his cock, gently suckling. His shaft hardened instantly, pressing against the front of his jeans. Nicholas’s hands shot. He grabbed hold of Adam for support as his knees buckled. After what felt like hours, but was probably only seconds, Adam pulled away. Nicholas opened his eyes and looked up at his Alpha mate.