Page 45 of The Wolf's Prince
“Calm down, my friend. Jin is still with us. You will face Kamon on another day.”
Swallowing, Soren forced a calming breath.
“What did they mean?” Nikolai asked. “Why do they keep saying it’s not a real bond?”
Botan swiftly leaned the other way, talking to the people on his other side and giving them space as he held back a laugh. Soren held in an eye roll at his friend. He always caused trouble.
“A true bond goes both ways,” Soren admitted. “My mark on you is real. I’ve staked my claim on you, but you have not done the same to me.”
Nik searched his face for a long moment, then reached out, letting his hand rest on Soren’s arm.
“Then let’s fix that,” he said.
Soren stared, moved by Nik’s eagerness to prove himself in their union.
“Don’t you want to consult with your father first?” he asked, remembering their conversation from earlier.
“For the first time in my life, I know what I want Soren, and that’s you. It doesn’t matter what he has to say.” Nikolai smiled softly. “I’m sure he’ll like this idea anyway. New friends for Casetro and a son that’s no longer floundering without a cause. What is there to argue?”
Soren couldn’t think of a thing.
He smiled and leaned in, kissing Nikolai’s welcoming lips.
CHAPTER10
NIKOLAI
Excitement, unlike anything Nikolai had experienced filled him. He had never looked forward the way he suddenly was now.
He felt so at ease here with Soren and his people. Perhaps it was too early to say, but he feltat home.
Even Andrey had transformed into someone Nikolai was hardly familiar with, quick to laugh, the ever-present tension in his shoulders loosened for once.
Nikolai couldn't contain a smile and as Soren fell back into conversation with his friend, he pushed to his feet, wandering closer to the table of food that was laid out as a buffet.
Some of the Items, the pastries in particular surprised him. But the White Water Pack seemed to take pride in everything that they did, right down to cutting intricate designs into the dough before baking in interesting metal ovens that could be placed right into the fire. It was fascinating and complex and seeing that small part of their culture made Nikolai want to learn everything about the wolf shifters.
He wasn't sure what he had expected from them, but delicacies had not been it. Perhaps, the fact that he'd seen them aswildhad clouded his judgment. Even their homes, although carved into cliffsides, were warm and comfortable and surprisingly civil. He could see how a family could be happy here.
Noticing his train of thought, Nikolai's cheeks heated.
He glanced up and just his luck, someone was standing on the opposite side of the table, watching him.
Nikolai recognized the beautiful woman at once as the one who had been glaring at him while her partner had mocked their bond.
The sour look on her face was still there as she assessed him before sighing.
“It looks as though you're here to stay.”
Nikolai swallowed and glanced over at Soren. When their eyes met, Soren’s gaze darkened at the sight of who he was talking to. Nikolai smiled, shaking his head when Soren moved to stand. He could handle talking to someone without Soren there to make sure he was okay.
Turning back to her, he shrugged.
“Yes,” he finally said. “Staying seems to be the plan and I'd rather not start on the wrong foot with anyone.”
He offered his hand.
“I'm Nikolai.”
