Chapter 100 – Undeniably His Mate (Maddy & Nico) Novel Free Online by Roxie Ray

“Stop that. Come on.”

He took my hand and led me to the back edge of the field. I averted my eyes from the crowd as we passed. I didn’t want to see the stares I was probably getting. Nico continued walking even as we entered the forest. Holding his hand, I let him lead the way, no idea where he was taking me. After about four hundred yards, the sounds of training vanished, muffled by the leaves and undergrowth of the forest. We finally felt truly alone, and some of my anxiety started to fade.

We rounded a small copse of trees and found a seven-foot-wide creek running through the woods. The water burbled and swirled among rocks. It was the most calming thing I’d ever seen. Nico walked toward it and dipped a hand in up to the wrist. “I used to come here when I was younger.”

“Why?” I asked dumbly.

“Well, as you can see, it’s a pretty quiet place. A good spot to get your mind right.”

“So… do I drown myself or something?” I asked, but the joke fell flat.

“Sit with me. I’ll try to show you a way to control the feelings you’re having,” Nico said, patting the mossy ground beside him.

I sat cross-legged next to him, and he put a hand on my thigh. He looked me in the eye and took a deep breath. He didn’t say anything, just gave me a look that told me he wanted me to follow along. I obliged and matched his breathing. Three seconds in, three seconds out. After a few minutes, I was much more at ease. Most of my anxiety was gone.

“My dad taught me some of this when I was getting ready for my first shift,” Nico said. “Close your eyes and think about running along this stream.”

I did as he asked, closing my eyes and visualizing running beside the gurgling water. Even in my imagination, I was clumsy and tripped over a rock.

“Now, imagine you aren’t human anymore. Imagine you have four legs. Try to see yourself sprinting along, the wind in your fur, the ground beneath your paws.”

I did that, and almost immediately, my wolf calmed, like she was getting to experience the actual sensation of running through the forest. My heart rate slowed so much that I only felt it beat every few seconds. When I finally opened my eyes, I felt more rested than I had in days.

Nico grinned at me. “How’s that feel?”

I nodded. “Better. A lot better, actually.”

“Good. I think I know part of the problem. Your wolf is an alpha. There’s a territorial aspect to things that humans don’t ever feel. Not in the way we do, that is.”

“Territory? What do you mean?”

“As an alpha, your wolf is trying to figure out where she fits in. She probably doesn’t know where she belongs.”

“Doesn’t she belong with you?”

“Yes. But she’s never experienced the world until she was awoken within you. It’s all new. Imagine being born and waking up, but you’re in an adult’s body. You’ve got the mind of a child but none of the history or background to know how to react to the world around you. All you’ve got is an innate instinct. That’s what your wolf is dealing with. She wants to belong. We are pack animals first and foremost. If you still view the world from the eyes of a human, you won’t ever be at home with the pack. If you aren’t at home here, then she never will be. If you can truly open yourself to being one with the pack, then I think things will get better.”

He was right. I hadn’t thought about that. I wasn’t human anymore. I was a shifter. My wolf settled even more as realization dawned on me. My life was different. It was different in a good way. We were home. This was where we belonged.

NICO

My last visit to the auto shop had been cut short by the kidnapping attempt on Maddy, but I knew I couldn’t keep neglecting the shop. I got Felipe to come and watch over Maddy while I headed out to finish what chores I had left there. The team was good and, thankfully, didn’t ask too many questions about my abrupt departure the other day. After a few hours there, I decided to head back home. There was too much uncertainty. As much as I enjoyed working at the shop, I had other responsibilities. I walked out to the parking garage, swiping through my phone to see if I had any messages. I did have a few texts, mostly from Maddy, some from the guys, but nothing crazy or important.

I put my phone away and walked slower. Something didn’t feel right. I glanced around with every step I took. Sniffing the air, I noticed an unfamiliar scent. The hair on my arms rose, making me nervous. I even thought about calling for backup, but the smell was faint. Whoever had been here had left hours ago. I had the sense that I was safe for now.

I walked around my car, even looking underneath it. When I was about to unlock it, I saw something that made no logical sense. There was a jeweled case with either a CD or DVD in it lying on my driver’s seat. I glanced around one more time and tried my door handle. It was still locked. What the fuck? Memories of old gangster movies with car bombs filled my head, but that wasn’t what was happening here. The royals wanted Maddy to give herself up. Killing her mate was a one-way ticket to making sure that didn’t happen. Though they had been brazen enough to try to take her, I didn’t think they were desperate enough to do something so rash.

I unlocked my door and got into the truck, picking up the case as I did. Flipping it over, I found a piece of paper taped to the back.

A friendly reminder that the full moon is approaching. In case you forgot how serious we are.

I gritted my teeth and started the car, then sped home. Maddy was downstairs in the living room when I came in. I tucked the jewel case into the waistband of my jeans. I needed to watch it before I showed it to her. That way, I could help prepare her for whatever blow awaited.

Felipe nodded. “Hey, man, are you good if I go now that you’re back? I need to run some errands.”

“Yeah. Fine.” I grunted the words as I headed toward the stairs, desperate to get to my office and my laptop.

“You good, Nico?” Felipe asked.

“Yeah. All good.”

“Are you gonna even say hi?” Maddy called from the kitchen. I winced, realizing I’d totally ignored her.

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