What's your plan

What's your plan
Nero POV




Staring at me, Scarlet smiled, and I felt my anger stab me when she asked Blake, "Who is he?"




Hesitation settled in Blake's gaze when she took a long peek at me. Then she looked at Scarlet and shuttled, "Umm. He's my…"




 A slow uncoiling of anger seared through me as I stared at Scarlet, and knowing the exact kind of orders my father usually gives to her, something snapped inside me.




Without giving myself time to think straight, I grabbed Blake's hand and pulled her away, not letting go, even though she was walking stiffly.




When we got to my car, I opened the door, frown at the touch of annoyance in her expression, and said, "Get in!" 




For a couple of seconds, Blake took a long look at me, and a question was in her eyes, but she didn't speak and just stared.




Unlike Jason, Scarlet is different. Her loyalty lies with my father despite her feelings for me, and I should know that because we have worked together for a long time.




If she thinks Blake is a threat, she will go in for the kill if my father orders it, and I know she is going to get her ass killed if she's stupid enough to face Blake.




So to protect Blake from getting involved in an even more disastrous situation with my pack, I needed her to stay as far away from Scarlet as possible.




A flash of annoyance glowed in Blake's eyes as she mumbled, "I thought you and Jason have a thing to take care of, so why are you here?"




We were following Scarlet's scent, and I know now that she purposely led us here so she can pin my back against the wall.




"I felt uneasy that you were alone, so once Jason and I got done, I came to pick you up," I uttered, peeking at Jason and Scarlet a few steps from us. "You are done with your classes, right?"




"Yes," Blake mumbled, looking back at Scarlet.




"Great, let's go."




"But…"




"Get in the car, Blake."




Pouting, she walked past me, got into the seat, and I slammed the door after her.




After getting behind the steering wheel, I took one last look at Jason and Scarlet before driving off.




The moment we got home and walked through the front door, Blake stopped in the hallway and mumbled, "Do you not like Scarlet?"




Those words brought me to a standstill, and I turned around to meet her eyes, wondering how I should answer.




At last, I sighed and let out, "No. So stay away from her."




"Why?" Blake blurted out.




"Because! Because I don't like her, okay? She doesn't seem like a good person."




"But I like her. She seems nice,"




"Blake, no!"




"You just met her for a couple of minutes and didn't even talk to her. How can you judge her like that!" 




Frowning at the stubborn look on her face, I hesitated for a moment and then asked, "How long have you known this Scarlet person for?!" 




Darting her gaze away from me with a pout, she puffed and whispered, "Well…" 




"That's what I thought," I told her, feeling a sense of remorse. "After everything that others have done to you, a friend is not something you should be chasing after, especially with a stranger."




A reluctant look settled on Blake's face. Then she let out a heavy sigh and gave me a faint smile, "I get it. You are just looking out for me. But I will be fine."




As a hint of sadness clouded her eyes, she downcast her gaze and whispered, "I don't want me to be a burden to you. It will take away from our relationship."




"That's not true," I told her, even though that was somewhat accurate.




"We both know that's a lie. But you don't have to stress about every little thing I do."




"I told you that's not it… I have had my fair share of experiences, okay! So this is more about me, than you!" 




"Oh,"




Canceling the space between us, I took her hands in mine, squeezed them, and said, "I just need you to be safe. That's all."




A smile hovered over my lips to distract Blake, and when she beamed softly, my hand moved up to her face, slowly tracing the outline of her lips with my thumb, mumbling, "Let's not fight over this, okay?"




"Okay. I will stay away from Scarlet." Blake whispered with a smile.




A wild card is what Scarlet is, and the thought of her trying to get close to Blake, for whatever reason, haunted my mind all afternoon, and when the cloud darkened into night hours, I found myself feeling too stressed to fall asleep.




But the further I drifted into my thoughts, the weaker my body became, and I was about to finally doze off to sleep when I heard footsteps in the hallway, getting closer.




Immediately, I got out of bed, walked over to the door, and opened it to see a touch of reticence in Blake's expression as she stared at me.




After she walked into the room, I shut the door, looked back at her, and asked, "What is it? Are we out of milk?"




"No. I didn't fix the drink because my dad texted me." Blake said, walking over to the bed.




After she sat down and didn't finish her statement, I muttered, "Okay, and?"




"He wants both of us to attend the pack meeting a day from tomorrow," Blake let out slowly. 




Not knowing what to say next, I walked over to the bed, sat beside her, and rested my palm on the back of her hand.




The room was quiet for a couple of seconds. Then Blake raised her gaze and mumbled, "What are your plans?"




I studied her gaze and said with a casual tone, "Be precise,"




"You have the wealth to travel to any country in the world, so why settle for such a small, remote state. Don't you have bigger plans?" 




"Like what?"




"I don't know! Something more than this place… more teaching…"




Cutting Blake off because I knew where this discussion was going, I told her, "I have seen and done it all, and right now, a remote state is exactly where I need to be at this point in my life."




"I see," Blake murmured, sounding a bit disappointed. "I thought…"




"What are your plans?"




"I don't know… I don't have one right now."




For a couple of seconds, we stared into each other's eyes without saying a word. Then I abandoned her gaze and said, "Find one. You are too young not to have a plan for your life."




My words were followed by silence, and I knew not to lecture her because I wanted the conversation to die.




The quietness dragged on for a while until Blake pushed her hair back and mumbled, "Tomorrow, Loki might suggest that I become next in line to him, and I don't want to inconvenience you by…"




"Then you agree with him." I let out, feeling frustrated with myself.




"What?"




"You don't want to be a burden to me because it will take away from our relationship, right?"




"Yeah, but…"




"Power can make that happen."




"I know, but you."




"I will be right by your side as your partner and supporter."




Looking hesitant, her eyes bore into mine, and she whispered, "Are you should you are okay with this?"




"Hundred percent," I told her.




Silence fell between us as interest lit up Blake's eyes, and she wrapped her hands around my neck, being so freaking vulnerable with the soft look on her face as she let out, "You are amazing!"




Feeling miserable, I watched her giggle happily and hastily uttered, "Okay. But no matter what, we should enjoy every moment together like… as if it’s our last!"




Like our last. How could three words mess me up so fast… so badly that when Blake suddenly met my mouth with a kiss, I got distracted, and even though I wanted to put in the effort, my thoughts left me numb.




Yet I didn't pull back from her lips. But she did only a few seconds in, looking confused and a bit hurt as she muttered, "Are you okay?"




"Yep," I said.




With uncertainty in her tone, she drew her hands away from my neck and whispered, "Okay… I should go, fix my drink."




When Blake stood to walk away, I hugged her from the back, and rested my head against her waist, crawling my hands under her blouse, and hugging her bare stomach.




"Nero," Blake uttered, sounding as if she was holding herself in check.




"Sure. Let's enjoy every moment together like it's our last." I mumbled, kissing the soft skin of her back.