167 The forever I dream of … L I missed you , I murmured to Nathan for maybe the thousandth time since he arrived , cing my head gently on his shoulders .


    I hadnt realized how much I missed him until now .


    I missed you more , he replied , squeezing my hand gently .


    You look beautiful as always and … he paused for a minute , running his eyes the length of my body .


    Different but in a good way .


    Did I miss out on anything ? Im sure youve been busy , too I didnt change .


    I said quickly , steering the topic of my physical appearance .


    Since Nymeris manifested herself to me , Ive gotten manypliments about my appearance .


    Although , I havent felt Nymeris for a few days now , but I wanted to attribute it to the stress that came with all the Harvest Moon Festival .


    The first thing I would do as soon as I go back to Blue Ridge was to learn everything I need to about having a wolf .


    Learn everything Im supposed to learn about my wolf .


    I was dying to run through the forest with the moon shining brightly above us and the wind in my fur ….


    And yes , Ive .


    Been busy , I continued , grinning .


    But its been good .


    I enjoy working , the apprentices are doing great too , and everythings on track for the festival : He smiled .


    Im so proud of you , L .


    Every day … and Im lucky that a few months from now , well be together forever hopefully .


    I smiled .


    I cant wait .


    We continued walking , talking and trying to catch up with lots of things .


    I noticed it was just my sister rissa walking a distance behind us , but I didnt want to think too much of it .


    I wanted to ask about my mother and all , but still , I was afraid I would ruin the mood .


    Perhapster .


    because Moreso , I felt a lightness in my heart that I hadnt felt in weeks , and I knew it was b Nathan was here .


    As we neared the central square , I noticed Nanny was watching us from a distance .


    Her expression was unreadable , but I waved to her like a small child , earning a sad smile in return .


    Nanny has been acting strange for some days now .


    I would wake up to find her watching me intently by my bedside ; most times , her eyes were swollen with unshed tears ; at other times , I saw sadness in them .


    All attempts to find out what could be the problem always end in the same thing … silence on her part .


    After the little details I gathered here and there from the whispers of the other priestesses , it seemed Nanny had left the Moon Temple ran away would be a perfect word .


    She was next in line to the High Priestess but suddenly ran away one morning and only turned up recently .


    However , no one seem to know why she ran away .


    I realized for maybe the millionth time again that there was not much I knew about her .


    Weve spent the better part of our life together , catering to my needs , and making sure my pheromones do not hinder my everyday life .


    Nanny has sacrificed so much for me … much more than all the people in my life put together The foover I dream of Nanny has sacrificed so much for me … much more than all the people in my life put togeth and the fact that she had a lot going on with her and Im unable to help her hurt me more than anything .


    Whats on your mind ? Nathan asked suddenly , noticing my momentary distraction .


    Nanny , I sighed .


    Shes been … differenttely .


    I dont know how to exin it .


    Shes still herself , but sometimes , I feel theres something shes not telling me .


    I dont know … Im just feeling like a sheep backed to a corner .


    I think I can handle a lot of things now , but no one wants to tell me anything and the fact that Nanny is still tight lipped hurts even more .


    Nathan frowned slightly .


    Have you asked her about it ? I shook my head .


    I tried subtly but I dont want to push her .


    I feel shes ashamed of opening up p to me and I get it … its difficult to talk about certain parts of your life you wish never happened .


    Shes always been there for me and I want to trust her .


    If theres something I need to know , shell tell me when the time is right .


    Nathan nodded , though he looked thoughtful .


    Sometimes , people keep secrets with good intentions , Ly But they can still hurt when theye to light I nced at him , sensing a deeper meaning in his words .


    Is there something youre not telling me ? He smiled softly , leaning down to kiss my forehead .


    Nothing you need to worry about right now .


    I didnt press further , choosing to trust him .


    Together , we continued towards their lodgings .


    As soon as we entered the room , he pinned me to the wall , sliding his hand under my dress , rough and unapologetic .


    Catching my eyes , he smirked when he saw the embarrassed look on my face .


    You were waiting for this , werent you ? Now Im here , we can practice all those things youd say to me on the phone .


    Well … I swallowed hard , managing a nervous smile , I didnt think … The words barely left my mouth when his lips imed mine .


    An instant rush of energy pools all over my body as he starts to ravage my lips .


    His mouth left mine , trailing wet kisses down my throat , sucking on it .


    He drags hungry kisses to the space in between my breasts and then down to my stomach .


    Nathan … I gasped , taking in shaky breaths .


    I cant .


    Please , I cant … please .


    What ? he pushes away from me , panting , Why ? I want you , L … please … I leave his arm , tugging at my dress that had ridden up during his exploration .


    I cant , Nath , until the Moon Festival is over .


    I cant be with a man .


    The High Priestess told me .


    What ? his face fell .


    Thats cruel , I mean … its not like youre a sigma or something .


    Why would they subject you to something like that ? As I opened my mouth to reply , a knock sounded on the door .


    Before Nathan could respond , the door opened and rissa walked in let me rephrase that .


    C 167 The forever I dream of … +107 Her gaze flitted from me to Nathan and then back to Nathan , practically ignoring me .


    Alpha Nathan , can I talk to you for a moment ? Itll be real quick , I promise .


    Nathan shifted ufortably , reaching for my hand as if he needed the extrayer of security .


    Cant it wait ? I just … It cannot , she said pointedly .


    I know I am not too small for you not to have noticed me , I tried not to show the anger coursing through me in my voice .


    I was here first, didnt you see ? You cant juste in and demand his attention without considering what he was doing first .


    Nathan , I turned to him .


    Whats the meaning of this ? Im sorry , Nathan said hurriedly , trying to calm me .


    Just go , well talk about whatever it is you wantter , okay ? No , I wont ! rissa dropped onto the bed , crossing her legs .


    If anyone should leave , then its her and not me .


    I want to talk to you .


    Besides , I guess she doesnt know yet ? That would exin why shes giving me this attitude .


    rissa , Nathan warned , I told you to stay out of it ! Know what ? I turned to Nathan , already feeling riled up .


    What am I supposed to know ? Its nothing consequential , darling .


    I promise Ill tell you , but you just have to calm down , okay ? Nathan said .


    I am calm , Iughed dryly .


    Dont I look calm enough to you ? I just need to know what is going on , but first , let her leave and I mean it .


    How can shee in here and disrespect me like that ? I am older than you , rissa .


    You should show some respect .


    I only give respect to people who deserve it .


    Theres nothing about you that demands respect , L .


    Plus… who do you think you are ? Do you think bing an upgrade of your lowly self would make any difference or change who you are ? rissaughed .


    Oh , my poor girl , you have no idea .


    Are you going to stand here and watch her insult me ? I turned to Nathan , who just stood there with his eyes closed and both of his hand in his hair .


    Nathan ? L , please ! he turned to me with a pleading gaze .


    I just need you to trust me this time around , okay ? Ill exin everything and rissa , leave … now ! I wont ! she answered , shing him a defiant gaze .


    The only person who shouldnt be here is her and no one else .


    So , nope … I wont be leaving .


    Ask her to leave instead .


    My eyes widened with shock .


    I stalked over to where she was , not thinking through my reached for the neck of her blouse , dragging her to her feet .


    What did you just say ? I demanded .


    I said , youre the intruder .


    If anyone should leave , it should be you and not me , rissa repeated .


    Were dating , I fumed .


    And we n on taking things to the next level .


    Forget about it , dear ! rissa snickered .


    Theres no next level for you and him .


    actions .


    I 167 The forever I dream of rissa … Nathans warning growl came again .


    And why is that ? I challenged .


    You have a problem with that ? Nope ! rissa shook her head .


    Because Ill be marrying him instead , and not you , L