Chapter 67: If You Wish

Niccolo and I settled in an empty cave when we saw the sunset. He was the one who made a bonfire while I helped him grill some fish we caught.

We were silent before I glanced at him, only to find he was looking at me.

"What are you looking at?" My heart couldn't stop beating so fast just by meeting his gaze.

"Nothing..." Niccolo stayed silent and averted his gaze from me.

I felt guilty for some reason before I lay down on the ground. "What do you mean about what you said earlier?" What he said earlier kept lingering in my head. It was bizarre that he would say that out of nowhere.

"What do you mean?"

"Do not act dumb. You know what I am saying." I turned at him. I knew that it was a bad idea to be with him. We wouldn't get along.

Niccolo sighed, bestowing me with a grilled fish. "Here." I only looked at it, not moving an inch. "Do I have to feed you, my lady?" It looked like he was starting to lose his patience.

"Feed me then," I challenged him as I got up, jesting only.

He did not even look surprised at my words. Niccolo started shredding and separating the fish meat and bones. I thought he would ignore me, but he offered it to me as soon as he was finished.

"Say 'ah.' I know that you are famished."

I was dumbfounded at his action, not believing that this was happening.

"Hey, I am just j—"

Niccolo shoved the shredded fish meat into my mouth, causing me to gasp. He smiled sheepishly when he saw how I was rendered speechless.

"Good girl."

My wolf and I shivered in delight from the husky tone of his voice, causing me to snap back. "Pervert!" I growled and distanced myself from him.

He shrugged, not minding my outburst. He did not even defend himself that I was calling him that. Shaking my head, I stared at the bonfire while eating my food.

"Hey." Niccolo looked at me. "Tell me... What is the meaning of what you said when we arrived here in the Iron Lake?" I could vividly remember how he was looking at me.

It was like he was looking at his lover. The gaze felt familiar and ticklish. My heart even reacted to those words he uttered as if... I was the one he was looking for.

"I am the wolf you kept seeing in your dreams?" I repeated what he had said earlier.

Niccolo flinched at my words. I wasn't certain if his face was flushing or if it must be because of the bonfire.

"Um... T-That is correct."

"Are you certain my wolf form was the one you remembered?" I scoffed. "You must have mistaken me since I know I am not the only one with the fur color."

He panicked, shaking his head. "No. I am certain that it is you. It is you that I am looking for!" He gasped when he must have realized that he raised his voice. "My apologies, my lady..." I did not say anything. "Also, I would like to apologize for my behavior that I am being inconsiderate with your feelings when your mate... died."

I smiled bitterly, looking down at the ring Valerian had bestowed me. "He promised me a marriage that he could no longer fulfill..." My wolf and I were still longing for our deceased mate. I missed being inside his arms while he was consoling me that I was having a nightmare. "And you are right... Valerian wouldn't be happy if he knew that I had killed myself. He would have to wait for me until I am executed by Henry."

I kept not thinking about Valerian so I wouldn't have to bring myself to a more profound sorrow until I could bring down the household. I just wanted to be with him. That was all that mattered.

But how about the things he told me that I should take care of the treasure we had? What was he meant by that? And the words of the sages still made me wonder what they meant.

"You always talk about death so simply... as if you no longer value your life."

I clenched my hands. "Do we have to discuss this all night, Niccolo? I thought that you had apologized already?" I asked coldly, feeling my blood boil already.

Niccolo bowed his head. "Please forgive my insolence, Lady Dominixe."

I rolled my eyes before I decided to stand up. "We must go now. We can hunt tonight."

"Lady Dominixe."

I halted when he called me. I spun around and saw that he was walking towards me. "What?"

"May I ask if you are aiming to become our team a winner? Or are you not going to put effort again just like the past years when you were the representative of your household?"

I only stared at him, not saying anything. Yes, he was right that I did not aim to become a winner from the past hunting competition to avoid our household being well-known, and also, it was an order from Papa that I could only take second place since having land to rule was crucial.

He needed to expand his territories which was why he ordered me to always aim the second place.

"My lady, if you wish, I shall do my best not to hold you back if you are aiming this time that you want us to win." He was in front of me before he took my hand as if I had consented to him touching me. "It is easy to take revenge once we have the winning place. You can wish to bring down your household. You can wish to be the next head. You can wish to end everything..." he said softly.

Niccolo drew closer. I did not attempt to jerk his hand when he brushed his knuckles on my cheek. For some reason, his touch felt familiar as I closed my eyes to feel that caress.

"Alpha Demetrius has ordered me to win whatever it takes. Even if it means killing other people as long as you achieve your goal... I am here for you, Dominixe."

His words brought me to tears. I slowly peeled my eyes open and met that longing expression he had.

"Please tell me what you need and I shall fulfill it for you," he said as his face drew closer.

My lips parted, anticipating what was about to happen. "I want to win..." I muttered when our lips were inches away.

"Then your wish is my command."

Niccolo descended his lips on mine. I automatically kissed him back, clinging to him, and closed my eyes to feel him.

His kiss felt familiar as my heart reacted to the way he was kissing me. It was full of passion and longing as if I was his mate he really missed.

His tongue sought entrance to my mouth as I welcomed him and let him taste me. Our tongues dwelled against each other, feeling intoxicated as seconds passed by.

It exchanged with a hunger for nanoseconds which surprised me. I even felt my back slamming the cave wall while my legs wrapped around his waist.

My breath thickened when he left my lips as he started leaving some wet kisses on my jaw down to my neck. Shivers played through me before I softly moaned.

However, an image of Valerian making love to me came to mind. It was the moment I felt like I was being thrown some buckets of ice before I pushed Niccolo away.

"Halt..." I stepped back, covering my mouth with the back of my hand.

"Dominixe..."

"Shut up!" I glared at him. I almost cussed under my breath for allowing myself to be kissed by another man. "Damn it!"

"Dominixe!" Niccolo called when I walked away.

"Do not follow me!" I hissed and hastily walked away from him, flushing. I felt ashamed that I let this thing happen.

Why?

Why did I allow myself to succumb to his touch and kiss? Why did I even feel comfortable around him?

I felt trouble the whole night. I did not return to the cave until the dawn was up. I could barely sleep while feeling my heart pounding so fast, just thinking of Niccolo and his fiery kiss.

That suddenly reminded me of when I saw him looking at me in my previous life. How he acted like a creep yet, I secretly wanted him to notice me.

Val... Was I sinning against you?

Would you get mad if I was attracted to another man?

"Damn it..." I felt like I was cheating on Valerian. "Honeydew..." I am sorry...