Chapter 173: Chapter 173 

~ NYSSA

“Nyssa,” a voice cut through my sleep as soft hands shook my shoulders gently.

I groaned, turning over on my side as I tried to grab onto the tendrils of sleep that were quickly leaving me.

“Wake up, little wolf, It’s almost daylight, I have to go soon.”

Those words resonated with something inside of me and memories of last night’s conversation in the shower slammed into my head all at once.

I sat up straight, wiping the remnants of sleep from my eyes as I turned my attention to Rowan. He sat at the edge of the bed, fully dressed and sporting a small smile on his face.

“What time is it?”

“Early enough,” he answered, gesturing for me to come with him.

I pulled myself out of bed, taking the covers with me seeing as I was entirely naked underneath. He led me through a door and my eyes widened in surprise when I realized that it connected our rooms.

“How didn’t I know this existed?” I asked and he shrugged. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It just never came up. I kept it closed for the most part because you hated me at first.”

“An after?”

“After, it was just never important because I always slept in your bed.”

We walked through his room before finally leading me towards the large balcony. He pushed the doors open and sat in one of the chairs, pulling me into his lap. He pressed his lips to my shoulder, his nose nuzzling my skin as he sighed deeply.

The sky was still dark and the world was quiet and peaceful.

“In a few hours we’ll be mates,” I whispered, earning a laugh from him.

“We’re already mates, Nyssa, ceremony or not.”

I rolled my eyes at his smug statement. “You know what I meant.”

“I do,” he admitted. “How do you feel?”

I let out an awkward chuckle, trying to ignore the familiar feeling that bubbled up as a result of that question. “I woke up less than ten minutes ago. Give me time before you start asking serious questions.”

He didn’t laugh.

He turned me around in his arms easily, pulling my legs on either side of him so I was straddling him. In this position, I couldn’t look anywhere but at him, I couldn’t force my eyes away, even if I wanted to.

“I know you, little wolf,” he reminded me. “I know exactly how your brain works. You can be honest with me.”

I pursed my lips, glancing over my shoulder at the small light that was visible on the horizon.

The sun was rising and although the last thing I wanted to talk about right now was my worries, I knew there would never be another chance.

“I’m nervous of course,” I began and at the slight furrow of his brows, I quickly added, “but it isn’t because I don’t want it. I want to be mated to you more than anything, I just—”

“I understand,” he assured me.

He took my hand in his and brought it over to his chest. I felt his heart beat underneath my palm, felt the heavy, frantic pounding.

“I’m nervous too,” he whispered. “Fucking terrified.”

My lips curled into a small smile. “It’s good to know that it isn’t just me.”

His lips curved upwards. “If it gets too much, call me.”

“I thought you said that you weren’t allowed to see me.”

“I’m not, but I don’t give a fuck. I’ll come to you, just say the word.”

There as a fierce determination in his eyes, a hard look that sent shivers down my spine, pining me to place. Cupping his cheeks with both hands, I leaned forward, letting my lips brush his. He kissed me back instantly, one hand trailing up my spine and the other cupping the back of my head.

His tongue slipped into my mouth effortlessly, a small groan escaping him.

“I have to go,” he murmured against my lips. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

I forced myself to pull away, my insides twisting on itself as I slowly got off him. He stared at me for a moment, his mouth open slightly as if he wanted to say something more. At the last minute, he decided against it and turned on his heels, walking out of the room.

If I wasn’t so focused on my grief, I would have notice that the door didn’t close completely behind him.

“He may be gone but at least you have me,” Aria perked up with a smile. She stood in the doorway, still dressed in a pair of silk pajamas “We’re going to have the best day.”

******************************************

Aria gave me one hour to wallow in my loneliness and feelings about missing Rowan. We sat cross legged on the bed, eating breakfast and whispering to each other but as soon as we were done, I was thrust into a busy schedule.

First, I had a manicure.

Aria dragged me off to a salon that was closed off for the few hours that we were there. Three women fussed over me, doing my nails and toes, as well as washing my hair to what they perceived to be perfection.

Once we finished over there, we did a last minute check with all of the vendors. I was so grateful for Aria’s presence because there were so many things I would have forgotten that she remained on top of.

By the time we returned to the palace, it was already five and I was just about ready to crawl in bed for a nap.

“Not so fast,” Aria stopped me as soon as she saw me heading for the bed. “Now, you take a long, deep bath.”

I flopped on the bed, glancing at her out of the corner of my eye. “The ceremony doesn’t start until eight.”

“Exactly, we’re already behind time.”

“You’re insane.”

Someone knocked on my door at that exact moment, bringing an abrupt end to our conversation. She opened the door and a her exclamation, I glanced over my shoulder.

My eyes widened in shock when I took in the large bouquet that took up the doorway.

“Is that from Rowan?” I asked, unable to hide my smile.

Leah brought it in, her body almost completely hidden behind it.

I snatched up the note at the top, flipping it open instantly.

Congratulations on your ceremony.

It wasn’t signed.

Surely, Rowan would have signed… right?

“Bath time,” Aria snapped, tugging the note out of my hands. “You have enough time to think about the note after you’re mated.”

Without another word, she all but shoved me into the bathroom.

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