Chapter Sixteen
993 Words
Mia POV
I felt as though my heart had been ripped from my chest and crushed right in front of me. My mate didn’t want me. He’d rather live a lonely life than be with me, and I didn’t even know why. And yet his kisses told another story. The way his hands had held me to him allowing me to feel his pleasure and the way his lips fit to mine. What the hell was wrong with me that he didn’t want me? I felt the tears spill before I could stop them as I heard the door close behind him, and my sobs soon followed. I fell to my knees as my lungs struggled for air, and my body gave up. My chest hurt so much I was afraid I was dying of grief.
“Hey Mia, you haven’t seen my bro- oh my gosh. Are you ok?” I feel Nimue’s hands on my back as she pulls me towards her and I bury my face in her neck, my sobs never stopping. She allowed me to cry in her arms, until I couldn’t cry anymore, and I sat in her arms just sniffling every few seconds. Her hand stroked my hair gently as she held me, letting me take my time to calm down. When I felt capable of speaking again, I pulled back from her arms and we sat side by side with our backs pressed to the desk.
“Did you want to talk about it?” she asks gently, resting her forearms on her knees as she looks at me, concern evident in her eyes. I didn’t want her to leave just yet, but I couldn’t be around Xander anymore. His mere presence was enough to make me feel absolutely amazing and infinitely awful all at the same time. The s****l attraction was definitely there, for him as well. I could tell he wanted me sexually, evident by the way he kissed. But I wanted more than just s*x. I wanted a future. I wanted kids. And Xander wasn’t willing to give me those. The reason why was unclear to me.
“I have a favour to ask.” When I finally speak my throat cracks from crying. She stays silent and allows me to talk at my own pace. I can feel some more tears well impossibly in my eyes as I think of my next words. “I can’t cope being around someone who will never love me, but he will not leave without you.” I pause for a moment to catch my breath. The tightness in my throat is making it almost impossible to speak and I’m glad when Nimue takes the lead from there.
“So you want me to go home, and take my idiotic brother with me?” I nod, disappointed in the way things were turning out. Nimue and I had become great friends over the past week. I would have loved for her to be my sister-in-law. Fate however seemed to have other plans.
“I don’t want you to go, I’d be quite happy if you stayed and he left. But he won’t leave without you.” She reached out for my hand and gave it a squeeze.
“I completely understand, Mia.” I give her a thankful smile and we sit in companionable silence as we watch the sun sink below the horizon.
***
The next morning I struggled to open my eyes, as they were swollen shut from crying myself to sleep. Nimue and Xander were leaving today and at last I would be able to move on with my life. I pulled myself from my bed with a groan and made my way into the bathroom where I stood beneath the scorching stream of water as it washed away the tension that was building inside of me. I’d decided to skip training today, not having the energy to go. Scarlet had shut herself off from me since last night’s conversation with Nimue, and I felt empty without her, but this was what was best for us. Xander didn’t want us and pining after him wasn’t going to do us any good.
Stepping from the shower I put on a pair of jeans and a long sleeve shirt, with a fleece jumper over the top. The autumn season was on its way and the air was getting cooler. With one last look in the mirror I made my way down to the pack common room where Nimue and I had organized to meet before she headed off. She rose from one of the couches as I approached and engulfed me in a tight hug, which I returned just as tightly. I ignored Xander as best I could as I hugged Nimue, and he paced by the unlit fireplace. We pulled apart finally and I led her out to the front of the pack house, Xander irritatingly close behind.
“Call me anytime.” I said to Nimue as I pulled her into one last hug.
“I’ll miss you, my dear friend.” I felt tears spring to my eyes as we hugged, but broke the hug before they could fall, tired of always crying.
“I’ll miss you too. Have a safe flight.” Nimue nods and turns from me. When they had walked a safe enough distance from me, they shifted. I watched as they took off into the sky until they disappeared into the clouds above. I watched the sky for a few more minutes before turning back to the pack house and to my office, where I tried to lose myself in the endless mountain of paperwork.
- Writer
