Page 69 of The Wolf's Prince
Nikolai's arms went around him, squeezing him as he suddenly fell apart.
Nikolai held him all the while.
“Why are you here?” Soren finally thought to ask.
“Because I realized how stupid I'd been. I should have stayed with you.”
Soren shook his head.
“Andrey,” he argued.
Nikolai's arms tightened even more.
“He's okay now. I should have listened to you at the very least.”
His lips pressed to Soren's hair.
“I'm so sorry Soren. I'm sorry you were alone.”
Soren shook his head, finally pulling himself together enough to pull back and meet Nikolai's regretful eyes.
“You got here at just the right time,” he said quietly.
He stroked his mate's back and finally kissed him.
Even Nik's lips were comforting. Soft and welcoming and so distracting.
The kiss deepened but Nikolai didn't let him go further, pulling away when it got too heated.
Without saying anything, he brushed Soren's hair back, watching his face.
While he did, the sounds from outside became suddenly apparent. Commotion and people crying.
He let out a low breath, realizing that the reprieve had been needed and nice, but he could not hide in his mate’s arms forever.
“They will be preparing his body for burial.”
“So soon?” Nikolai asked, surprised.
Soren nodded.
“The sooner he is released to the earth, the sooner his spirit will fly free to Suku…”
“That sounds nice,” Nikolai said and for some reason, his gentle and kind observation sent a fresh wave of tears to Soren’s eyes.
“I cannot do this,” he choked.
“You can,” Nik insisted, but he did not know what Soren was referring to.
Life without his grandfather’s guidance would be too hard. He could not be alpha or lead the pack. What had he been thinking? Why had Alpha Jin believed that he could do it?
“I will be right there with you the whole time,” Nikolai said.
A voice suddenly called from outside.
“Soren?”
“Yes,” he answered.
