142
NIRVANA
Once I finished writing the letter, I wiped the tears from my cheeks and folded the paper before I texted Zarah.
My phone buzzed in my hand. Her name popped up on the screen.
I picked up her call. “Hi.”
“What is it this time?”
I chuckled. “I can’t call just to say hello?”
“No. What do you want?”
“I have something I want you to give it to Knight if something happens to me.”
“No. I’m not doing that, Nirvana.”
“Please, this is important to me.”Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.
There was a long pause before she replied, “You better not die.”
“That’s the least I want, Zarah, but just in case.”
“Fine. I’ll drop by sooner. Anyway, what you did at the council was brave. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, but?”
“How are you and Knight?”
“We’re okay.” I didn’t have to tell her the truth. She knew it anyway.
“Yeah? That sounds like it. You have to forgive your husband, Nirvana. It’s not that he cheated on you, but what he did was to protect you. I would have done the same thing to the people I love. It may look like betrayal, but he loves you, and you’re his mate.”
“He wants me to live a normal life.” I thought it broke my heart when he said those words to me. It sounded to me that he would give up what we had because he felt that would make me happy.
“Then what did you say?”
“Nothing. What else to say, Zarah?”
“You’re stupid, you know. It’s his way of giving you what you want, even if it’s breaking his heart. Do you want to break his heart, Nirvana?”
“I know. I told him I wanted a normal life, and whatever I have is a curse.”
“You both are idiots. You think hurting yourself will strengthen your relationship. That’s not the way to test how far your mate would go. It’s stupidity. Forgive him and make up for the lost time. It’s not too late. We’re at war, Nirvana. And you two need to spend more time together before it’s too late.”
I breathed deeply.
“Don’t hesitate. You’re passed beyond that.”
“But what if-”
“Stop. And I’m busy.”
“Fine. Thanks for listening to my bullshit.”
“See you soon.”
I drew all my strength and my courage before I went downstairs. I still slept in the pack house. It may sound stupid, but I was waiting for him to take me or invite me to go home, but it didn’t happen.
I found Kaleb in the sitting area. “Have you seen Knight?”
“He went to work. There’s an emergency meeting in the office.”
“Thanks.”
Before I left, he called my name. “Can I give you a bit of advice?”
“Can I say no?”
He smiled. “Whatever he did, I think it was romantic and heroic.”
“Really? You and I have different definitions of romance and kidnapping. It was dark, Kaleb.” I left, and he was laughing.
I drove all the way from the vineyards to his office. I honestly had no idea what I was doing, but I went with my guts.
His assistant, Jada, met me in the hallway. “Can I help you, Ms. Thorne?”
“You know by now that I’m Mrs. Blackwell.”
“Right. Mr. Blackwell is still in the meeting. You can wait in his office if you want. Is he expecting you?”
“No. I want to take him for lunch.”
“Oh, that’s impossible. Mr. Blackwell’s schedule is full, and he is meeting an investor for lunch.”
“When is he free?”
“Like I said, his schedule is full.” God, I wanted to strangle her pretty neck until she turned blue. “He’d been on a long vacation. You should know that, but I can tell him you dropped by.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll see him at home.” I left without waiting for her reply. God, how I wanted to stab her in her chest. What a bitch!
I went downstairs, hoping I wouldn’t bump into Knight, but it was too late. I felt his presence closer, making my skin tingle and my heart beat faster.
“Nirvana?”
Shit.
I breathed deeply before turning around. He wasn’t alone. He was with at least four older men.
“Hi. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Don’t be silly. Gentlemen, this is my wife, Nirvana.”
I had no choice but to play politely. I shook their hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, gentlemen.”
“We’ll be waiting in your office, Knight.”
“Thank you.” When those gentlemen went to the elevator, he faced me and seemed surprised. “How long have you been here? Why didn’t you call me?”
“I just came from upstairs and met your assistant in the hallway, but you have a busy schedule. So, I’ll just wait for you in the vineyards.”
“Join us over lunch.”
“You’re having lunch with those men?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“She told me you’ll be having lunch with a client.”
“Did she say a woman?” A glint flashed in his eyes, his lips spreading into a wide smile.
“No, and I didn’t ask. Anyway, you can’t keep them waiting. I’ll see you later.” I wanted to disappear before him. I felt embarrassed, my cheeks burning.
“I will fire her.”
“Don’t. I know she likes you, and it’s torture enough that she can’t have you.”
Knight laughed out loud. “If you say so, sweetheart.”
“I have to go.”
“Okay. Did you drive all the way here?”
“Yeah.”
“Then let me send you to the parking lot.”
“No. I’m good.” I walked away from him when he called my name. “Yeah?”
“I’ll pick you up later.”
Smiling, I ran back to him, cupped his face, and kissed him. He gasped into my mouth but kissed me back. I still saw the surprise in his eyes when I broke the kiss.
“Don’t work too hard.” I kissed him quickly before letting him go. I walked out of the building, still wearing a smile.
When I returned to the pack house, Zarah was already there with Dylan in a new haircut.
“Hey, Vana.”
“Hey. Nice haircut.”
“Thanks. Where have you been?”
“I went to see Knight in his office.”
“Marking your territory?” asked Zarah in amusement.
“Kind of.” I picked up the paper from my pocket and gave it to her. “So, any updates?”
“You should watch the news. It’s bad,” Dylan said.
“What do you mean?”
“Grayson’s pack is completely wiped out.”
“Oh, my God.” I stared at Dylan in shock. “How did it happen?”
“He did not fulfill his task.”
“Eloh escaped. So he and his men killed the entire pack, and he’s here in California?” I asked in disbelief.
“Yeah.”
“And he’s coming to Ryden and Knight.” My stomach did a nosedive. “Oh, no. I have to call Knight.”