Page 62 of The Wolf's Prince
“I don’t get why you think your family is more important than mine,” he said, and all the hurt Soren couldn’t stand to see flashed through his eyes.
“It’s not that, Nik.”
Nikolai shook his head and turned back around.
“Don’t leave like this,” Soren asked his back. “Please. Let’s not part in a fight, Nikolai.”
He was surprised by how desperate he was forthat, at the very least. The idea of uncertainty in his relationship with his bonded mate on top of everything else was simply devastating.
Thankfully, Nikolai stopped, allowing Soren to step up behind him and wrap him in his arms.
“Iamworried about your brother,” he said. “I'm sorry that I cannot go. If it was any other time, I would leave with you… and I hope… If it was any other time, you would have stayed with me right now. When I most need you.”
Nikolai was very still for a minute, then his hands reached up, holding Soren's arm where it was wrapped around his chest.
He turned and looked up at him.
“If Andrey wasn't hurt, I wouldn't be going anywhere.”
He turned in Soren's arms then, seeming unable to help it and they held each other tightly.
Finally, Nikolai pulled back.
“Andrey is waiting for me,” he said.
Soren nodded, pressing his lips to Nikolai's before he could leave.
This time, when they parted, Nikolai's gaze was only filled with sadness.
“Bye,” he whispered and turned away before Soren could make him linger any longer.
Soren watched him go, pain overwhelming him.
“Why didn't you go with him?”
He turned to find that Anzu had approached. Several his pack had been watching the show it seemed, but Soren didn't have the energy to care. He supposed that on a normal day, he would have been embarrassed to have his mate leave him in front of everyone.
“I meant what I said. Alpha Jin is not well.”
He turned to face them all.
“He does not have much time left. Hours, maybe days at most...”
A somberness fell over the crowd, the air was heavy with it.
“Then, you were right to stay,” Anzu said. “If Kamon wanted to be alpha, no one would be able to fight him on it. No one but you.”
She reached out, squeezing his shoulder.
“You put your pack ahead of your own mate,” she said. “None of us will forget that. You have my loyalty, Soren.”
He swallowed back the emotions overwhelming him and nodded.
“Thank you, Anzu. If anyone would like to visit Jin, I suggest you do so now.”
CHAPTER14
NIKOLAI
