Chapter 34: Nicollas is planning a surprise

(POV: Nicollas)

"Calming down! Calming down!" - I repeat this mantra several times in my mind to prevent myself from losing my cool as I enter my property.

I park the car and take a deep breath before stepping out.

"Let's try!" Ryan says.

"We are already trying!" I reply, emphasizing the 'already'.

"This won't help you hide your dissatisfaction with this change."

"And who said I want to hide it?" I ask, ironically.

"Lina won't like it," Ryan says, making me even angrier.

"And what does she have to like?" I question rudely. "After all, who's in charge?" I asked, clenching my fists.

"I'm sure she didn't intend to embarrass you. As you're thinking you were embarrassed," he says, and my heart tightens.

"I know, but it's only that I'm not used to receiving orders, especially from a female," I confess dejectedly.

"A female who's stronger than us and nearly killed us on the battlefield," Ryan reminds me.

"Yeah," I agree with Ryan. Lina is indeed much stronger than me, and now we know the reason. But still, it's natural for the male to be stronger and that's that.

"At least you've stopped the drama," Ryan says mockingly.

"I'm not punching you only because I'd have to punch myself," I say, feeling better.

"You're the one who's like a flea! Idiot!" Ryan retorts irritably, he hates being called a flea.

After that conversation, I sense somewhat better and more prepared to face Albert. I exit the car and walk confidently toward my porch. From a distance, I spot him sitting on the steps, and I relax my shoulders as I approach. I arrive without saying anything, and I sit beside him.

"Nicollas, I want to make you a proposition," Albert says, looking at the ground.

"Where's the Supreme?" I ask seriously.

"Sorry, Supreme," he stands and bows his head to me.

"It's okay, for now, you can call me by my name." I don't want to stay in this tense atmosphere with him; after all, we're going to be neighbors. "What's the proposition?" I ask curiously.

"You intend to have the public ritual with Lina, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, I also intend to do that with Sophie, and I thought..."

"You thought?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"As they're friends, I thought we could do it on the same day."

I stop and think for a moment; considering the way Lina is with Sophie. I'm sure she would like this idea, even though it doesn't please me. I wanted something just for us two, but we'll leave that for later, during the private ritual in the forest.

"Alright, I'll talk to Lina today."

"No! Let's make it a surprise," he rushes, looking me in the eyes.

"And if she doesn't like it?" I question, not wanting to see Lina angry with me.

"I'm sure they'll like it, after all, girls like this kind of thing."

"Alright," I say hesitantly. Lina's anger is frightening.

(POV: Lina)

I arrive home with the moon high in the sky, approaching the door, everything is quiet. I enter the house, and all the lights are off.

"Nicollas?" I call, but receive no response from him.

I try to catch his scent, but I don't find it in the house either. I turn on the living room light and sit exhausted on the couch.

"Where could your father be?" I pat my belly. I've developed a habit of talking to my babies. "I hope his annoyance with me has passed."

My legs ache; I walked a lot, but it was good. I thought about many things, and I think I should apologize to Nicollas, even though I don't see what I did wrong. It's better to give in; I don't want to be estranged from him.

With these thoughts, I disconnect from everything and end up falling asleep on the couch.

****

I feel like I'm being carried, my head resting on something soft, warm... I open my eyes and find Nicollas' chest. He notices that I'm awake and smiles halfheartedly. "Oh, how I love that smile." I kiss him on his chest.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," he says as we enter our room, using his leg to close the door.

"It's okay. Where were you?" I ask when he lays me down on the bed and lies down beside me.

"Dealing with some very important matters," Nicollas says, stroking my belly.

"Why are you shirtless?" I question with one raised eyebrow, starting to sniff, only to make sure there's no other female's scent on him.

"I went for a run to relieve stress."

"Shirtless?" I ask, raising an eyebrow and burning with jealousy on the inside. After all, only I should see my man's chest.

"I ran naked," he says calmly, and I widen my eyes and punch his arm. "Ow! That hurt," Nicollas says, massaging his arm.

"You... Nicollas interrupts me by pressing his lips against mine.

"You talk too much and don't let me explain," he says, giving me small kisses.

"So, explain." I sense manipulated.

"I was running in my wolf form, and as far as I know, wolves don't wear clothes."

"Oh, I see..."

I nestle into his chest and smell his cologne, then remember.

"I'm sorry about earlier, Nicollas. I didn't mean to embarrass you or anything."

"It's okay. I apologize for my behavior," he says and kisses the top of my head, cuddling in his arms, I end up falling asleep.

I sense the sun's rays on my face and grumble in frustration about being awakened like this; my sleep was so good.

Still complaining mentally, I sit up in bed and stretch. I rub my hands over my eyes, and once I manage to keep them open, I see a tray of food in front of me. Only looking at it makes my stomach rumble.

"Calm down, my darlings, Mommy's also eager to eat this," I say, preparing to attack the tray, but I stop upon seeing a note on top of it. Out of curiosity, I grab the note and start reading it.

"Lina, I'm sorry I couldn't wake you up, and for leaving the curtains open. I know you must have been angry to wake up with the sun in your face, but I'm dealing with something and I'll pick you up in two hours. I left this tray for you to have breakfast, and in the bathroom, I've prepared the bathtub for you to take a good bath (with bath salts). In the closet, there's a box with an outfit specially chosen for you. Kisses from your Supreme. Signed, Nicollas. PS: I love you very much, my supreme Luna."

"What is the father of you guys up to?" I ask my babies, a smile on my face.

Without anything else to wait for, I attack the tray and eat everything as if it were my last meal; in any case, I'm eating for more than one.

When I finish, I go to the window and look at the forest. How are my siblings doing?

I wish I could do something for them. I know they are unsuccessful projects, but I don't know, I want a better life for them.

"Oh, goddess of the moon, help me," I close my eyes and ask mentally, even though I know she won't answer me.

"Speak, my daughter." I open my eyes and jump away from the window, looking around and seeing nothing. "Speak, and I'll listen, Lina."

"Goddess of the moon? Is that you?"

"Yes, now tell me what's troubling you."

"I wish I could help my siblings, you know... the other Deniel's projects. I want a life for them."

"Hmm, I can help you. I'll give them a chance and transform them into werewolves as well. Tomorrow, as soon as the sun rises, go find them at the entrance to the Shadow Forest."

"Thank you, my goddess!" I say with tears in my eyes.

"You're welcome. Now go get ready, you're going to have a big day."

I nod and head for the bathroom, taking off my clothes and entering the bath. It's beautiful, adorned with rose petals, and its water smells delicious. I carefully slide into the bath and relax as the warm water touches my skin. After a while, I remember I have only two hours, so I start washing up.

After finishing my bath, I wrap myself in a towel and head to the closet. I find a box with my name on it, and with curiosity getting the best of me, I open it and let my jaw drop at its contents. I take it out and carefully observe every detail, the lace covering the fabric underneath, the delicacy of the sewing. The attention to the finishing touches, the softness of the fabric.

Why does Nicollas want me to wear a dress like this? Fit for a bride?

I go to the bedroom and place the dress on the bed, admiring it a bit longer before returning to the closet. I put on my underwear, pick up a scented oil, and apply it to my legs. When I finish, I return to the bedroom to put on the dress.

I go to the vanity and comb my hair, creating a braided style on the side of my head with a few loose strands. I apply perfume and slip into 15 cm heels, also white, which were in the box with the dress.

I look in the mirror and hardly recognize myself; I'm not wearing any makeup (I don't think I need it to look beautiful), but I look quite different. I snap out of my reverie when I hear someone knocking on the bedroom door.

I open the door and widen my eyes at the sight of Lukky in a black suit with his hair combed back.

"Ready?" he asks, extending his arm to me.

"Ready for what?" I ask curiously, taking his arm.

"When we get there, you'll know!" Lukky says mysteriously, and we head out of the house together and get into a limousine.

Oh, dear... What's happening?