One last night

*Nick*

I knew she would figure out where I am… eventually. At half past nine, she walks into the library of the residence I had begun leasing last year. I rise from my chair beside the fire. “I have brandy waiting for you.”

I have already set a glass for her on the table beside the chair opposite mine.

She touches my cheek, holds my gaze. “Why did you do it?”

“I told you that I would set matters right.” I tell her.

“But so publicly and in front of all your peers.” She says softly.

“It was the only way to protect you and Noa, to be seen as a weasel. Since according to my tale you only just discovered you are in mourning, there is no reason for you to remain in the city. As a matter of fact, to give credence to my story, it would be best if I return the mourning widow to Evermore posthaste. People will expect you to go into seclusion. I can come back here later to face the piper.”

Rising up on her toes, she feathers the hair back from my temple. “I don’t believe I have ever loved you more.”

And then she kisses me.

I band my arms around her, holding her tightly, angling my head so I can take the kiss deeper. I am going to miss this: the taste of her, the feel of her tongue, the press of her lips. The little mewling sounds she makes before the passion takes hold and she begins moaning in earnest.

When she draws back, she settles in the chair and lifts her glass. “To my wolf.”

I’m not feeling much like a wolf. Still, I sit and take a sip of my scotch.

“Tom is worried about you,” she says, setting her barely touched glass aside.

“That’s why I came here. I knew he would seek me out, remind me that he had urged me months ago to reveal the truth of my deception. I didn’t want to hear him gloating about being right.” I admit.

She shakes her head, “He wasn’t gloating. I believe he is genuinely concerned that you are in need of a friend.”

All I need is her, and I can no longer have her. “Was he the one who told you?”

“No, I was visited by three Lunas.” She says.

“Minerva and…?” I arch a brow.

She gives me a small smile, “Silverpine and Riverdale.”

“Ah, yes.” I nod.

“I won’t leave Blackrock city and have you face them all alone. I will stand by you and confirm whatever details of the story you told.” She says.

I don’t want her here for the mating Season, the scandal. She is safe, but I’m not going to be welcomed anywhere for a while.

“Let me take you to Evermore. I won’t stay in the city. I will go on to another estate. By the time you are officially out of mourning, this will all be forgotten.” I tell her.

“That is what Minerva said. That it won’t take long before you are forgiven.”

I lift my glass. “Let’s hope she has the right of it. I would like to stop by Zac if you have no objection. I know it’s out of the way, but I want Marsden to meet Noa. He is the closest thing she has to a grandfather.”

“Will it be difficult explaining things to him?” She asks.

“Zac already told him the truth. He wanted to ensure his father was mourning the correct brother.” I tell her.

She looks nervous. “So we will be welcomed.”

“With open arms.” He promises.

“That would be nice. I would like to stop by there, then.” She glances around. “Never been in your residence before, but it doesn’t remind me of you.”

I shrug, “Most of the furnishings belonged to Tom. As usual, I took the easy way. Simply purchased what was already here.”

She scowls at me. “You don’t take the easy way, Nick. I don’t believe you ever have. You work hard to make people believe you are a slacker, but you are not.”

“Ah, so you have figured me out, have you?” I ask.

“Yes, I quite believe I have.” She finishes off her brandy and sets the glass aside. “Does your residence have a bedchamber?”

I raise a brow, “One more night?”

“One more night.”