A New Home
1187 Words
[Nick’s POV]
I wait while Noel stares at the document that I hold out, and when she takes it, I remain silent so that she can look at it. Once I’m certain she knows it is legit and our marriage becomes more real for her, I feel a wave of satisfaction.
Mine. I think inwardly, liking the sound of it, and when my wolf rumbles in response, I know that he too is satisfied with this, but we still have a long way to go before she is fully ours.
“But,” Noel finally says, uncertainty still coloring her words. “I don’t know if I can…”
“We don’t have to discuss this now.” I counter, wanting to save her from any further stress. “We can talk about it at a later date.”
“But…”
“Noel,” I sigh, reaching out and brushing her cheek. “I’m a patient man.”
How could I not be? I chuckle inwardly. “I’ve waited all these years for you when all I wanted to do was run to you and claim you. What are a couple more months or years?
“I’ve already got my people typing up a contract for us.” I continue, smiling. “We can talk about our obligations now that we are married then. For now, just relax and enjoy the fact you’re one step closer to getting your revenge.”
“Revenge,” she repeats, her voice quiet. “Am I really about to get that?”
“You’ve fulfilled your grandfather’s requirement to claim your pack.” I point out. “That means that you are.”
Nodding, Noel stays quiet as I’m certain she considers what it is that I’ve said. And when a look of satisfaction begins to form on her beautiful face, I know that she is beginning to realize how real all of this is.
“Come on,” I say, breaking the silence that has fallen around us. “Let’s go home.”
“Home,” Noel whispers, clearly not so sure about the word, which just makes me want to kill someone. “Ok, let’s go home.”
Later, we pull up in front of the two-story house that I personally bought for Noel and me to stay in. It is built just on the outskirts of Blue Moon so that we could have our privacy while I continued to help with pack matters until I took my rightful place as alpha of Dark Wing.
It’s a simple house, with comfortable furnishings, but if Noel wanted to change things around in it, then I was more than willing to allow her to do so. Anything that would make her feel a little more comfortable with being here was worth it to me.
“Come on,” I announce, climbing out of the car and then heading around to Noel’s side so I can open the door for her. “Let’s head in.”
Nodding, she takes my hand, allowing me to pull her out of the car and then lead her up the long walkway that leads to our home.
Our home. I could get used to that.
Fighting the smile that wants to come to my face, I unlock the door keeping us from the place that we will begin to make memories in and then open it, allowing the first view of our future.
“It isn’t much.” I explain to Noel as we cross the threshold. “But I hope you’ll be willing to put up with it for now.”
“It’s fine,” Noel says quietly, her gaze slowly taking everything in from the black leather furniture to the simple white rug and glass coffee table. “Anything is fine, honestly.”
Wincing, I take in the woman beside me to find that she looks a little sad, and I’m certain she is remembering her time in Azure Moon as she takes in everything.”
“I’d like it to be more than fine.” I say quietly, drawing her gaze to me.
“Pardon?”
For a moment, I don’t speak as I consider what all I can say, what all is safe and wouldn’t scare her away.
“While you’re here and with me, I want you to truly be happy.”
It was such a simple thing, but even I knew that after enduring for so long, the scars from the past wouldn’t disappear that easily.
“This is a safe space.” I continue when she continues to look at me questioningly. “It isn’t like that home you had to share with those women. Here, you can do what you want. You can have what you want. And I want you to treat this place like it is yours.”
“But it isn’t,” she counters, shaking her head. “This place is only temporary, no?”
Temporary. Right. In her mind, this was temporary, but I was going to do whatever it took to make it permanent.
“It doesn’t have to be.”
Careful, Nick. I silently tell myself. You don’t want to send her running for the heels after you managed to get her here.
“Of course it does.” Noel says, giving me a sad smile. “This is nothing more than a farce for both of us. How could I possibly consider it anything more?”
Shot myself right in the foot there. I sigh as my wolf whines in annoyance. Maybe things were going to be harder than I thought.
“Right,” I sigh, deciding not to argue for now. “But while it lasts, consider this place your home.”
Finished speaking, I go through the motions of showing her everything from the kitchen to the downstairs bathroom and master bedroom. Once we finish, I lead her upstairs and then to the guest bedroom where I would be sleeping for the time being.
“Like I said before,” I say once we finish, and Noel just stares at me. “It isn’t much, but I hope you can live here comfortably. If you need anything, anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll have my people get you things immediately.”
“Nick,” Noel says, eyeing me curiously.
“What is it, Angel?” I smirk. “Is there something you need already?”
“No,” she immediately responds. “I was just wondering…” growing quiet, she worriedly begins to chew her lip as if she isn’t sure whether or not she should ask me what is on her mind.
“Noel,” I say gently, trying to calm her unease. “I already told you, you can ask me anything and I’ll answer honestly.”
“Then,” she says, curiosity getting the better of her. “Who are these people you keep mentioning?”
“That,” I laugh, not quite understanding why she was so worried about asking me such a thing. “Would you like to meet them?”
- Writer
