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79
KNIGHT
“That’s a good idea. You two need a little time for yourselves before things get crazy.” I was grateful Kailin had come to the office earlier, but that was not why I took her with me.
“You think so?” I picked the first ring that caught my eye. It was a three-carat diamond brilliant-cut engagement ring.
“Nah. That’s too classic. She’s a gorgeous woman. Try this one.” She pointed at the pear-shaped cut with the stone, one carat bigger. “You can afford any size you want. Vana has slender fingers. This is perfect for her. Do you know her ring size?”
I picked the ring up at eye level. I didn’t measure Nirvana’s finger, but I knew this would fit perfectly. “Not exactly, but this is perfect.”
Kailin smiled. “You know, I’m proud of you, cuz. Weeks ago, you rejected her because you thought she was better off without you, and now you’re madly in love with her. You’re picking a ring. Did you tell her how much you love her?”
I frowned. “She knows how I feel.”
“Wait.” She held my arm, eyes widening. “You didn’t tell her the three-letter word?”
The saleslady smiled. “Some girls didn’t have to hear the three-letter word from their men. They said it’s overrated. They prefer honesty and actions, planning a future together, and discussing starting a family. Something like that.”
She raised a brow at the saleslady.”We’re not asking for unsolicited advice, lady. Did my cousin talk to her girlfriend about their future and having some mini-Nirvana and mini-Knight?”
“Ignore her.” I picked the perfect ring for Nirvana. “I’ll take this one. Same size.”
“I’m happy for you. Nirvana will say yes. Trust me. I can see how much she loves you without saying a word.”
I breathed deeply. “I hope so because she hasn’t said she loves me either.”
“What?” Her brows were drawn together. “What’s the matter with both of you? You are crazy with one another, yet no, I love you. You’re the weirdest but perfect couple I’ve ever met.”
When the lady came back, I gave her my card.
“No going back, alpha.”
“Yes. I will marry her, even tonight.”
“Why rush?”
“Days ago, she kinda told me that she believed in marriage. It was sudden, and it caught me off guard.”
“I understand. For us, our mates are already our lifetime partners. What did you tell her?”
“I told her the truth that I hadn’t thought about marriage. Her mood just soured, and she just blocked me, but I knew I hurt her, and she didn’t want me to read her mind. At that moment, I realized she wanted to get married and have a family. I would never deny her if that would make her happy. Truth be told, I want to make our relationship official for both worlds to know.”
“With what’s going on in our world, you need something to hold on to, the reason why we are doing what we are doing. You made the right decision, Knight. I’m so happy for you and my best friend.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.”
“Of course. I can’t wait for her to wear your ring. Do you have any idea how to propose?”
“I was thinking-”
“No grand gesture. Just show her how you feel?”
“Right. Later tonight, I told Roisin and Tucker to arrange a small party in the testing room. I was thinking of taking her to Paris.”
“Did you tell Zarah?”
“Tonight. I already invited her with Shadow so that Nirvana won’t suspect.”
“Huh.” I could see the pride in her eyes. “Look at you, Knight Blackwell.”
“Shut up. I’m calling Case and asking for his blessings.”
***
“Do you think it’s a good idea?”
I groaned at Dylan. “I don’t want her to suspect anything.”
“Suspect about what?”
My back stiffened. Dylan and McKaye just looked away while Luka slid off the stool, saving his own ass.
“Did I catch you in a bad time?”
Fuck.
I turned around to face her. She had a frown on her forehead. “How many martinis did you drink?”
“Really, Knight? What’s so important that you can’t tell me about your secret with the guys?”
I held her hand, squeezing it. “Nirvana, I want you to have fun. That’s all. And this is for you. I’ve been a terrible mate for you lately. We were too busy trying to save this world, and I realized I neglected our personal lives. Just don’t get too drunk, okay?”
I instantly felt her emotions- she was upset.
“Fine. Have fun, too, Alpha. I need some air.”
“Don’t go far.”
“I’ll be just outside.” She left. The pain settled in my chest. Now, she would not accept my ring. I just fucked up my plan.
“So when are you gonna pop up the question?” Kailin came over.Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.
“I just fucked it up, K. She heard our conversation, and I didn’t know how to lie to her. And these assholes are useless and didn’t even back me up.” I grunted as I rose from the stool, grabbed my drink, and downed it empty.
“Where are you going?”
“To find my woman.” I followed where she left the exit, outside the testing room, but she wasn’t there. “Nirvana?”
I looked around, but I saw nothing and felt nothing but cold night air. I sniffed her scent and caught a trace of her, but that was it. My stomach just sank. Agitated, my wolf growled, twitching inside me. I suddenly had a bad feeling about this.
I dialed her number, but it rang, and I heard her ringtone somewhere nearby. I followed the music a few feet away from the testing room. I picked it up, and she had a missed call from her grandfather. And I also caught different werewolf scents.
“Fuck!” The phone almost cracked in my palm. I linked everyone in the room. “Party is over. Nirvana is missing.”
Seconds later, everyone came.
“What happened?” Kaleb asked.
I showed them the phone. “She wouldn’t just leave this behind.”
Dylan sniffed the air and threw the bottle of bourbon in his hand. “They’re dead! So fucking dead!”
I went to him and grabbed him on his shirt. Staring at him right through his eyes, I felt my wolf was coming out. My body shook in anger. I felt my skin tingling, fur attempting to sprout.
When his eyes widened, I saw my reflection in there, my eyes glowing. “You’re dead too if you won’t tell me in five seconds where my mate is.”
He swallowed hard, his chin trembling. “My fucking friends, I thought they were my friends.”
With my chest heaving in anger, I hung him up and growled at him. “Why did they betray me?”
“They betrayed me, too.” Tears rolled down his cheeks. I vouched for them and begged you to give them a roof. I can’t think of anything. Forgive me, Alpha Knight.”
“Knight, put him down.” Zarah came. She looked devastated as well. “He’s telling the truth. He doesn’t know anything about this.”
“Maybe he just knows how to lie undetected.”
“I sense something else. Put him down, and I need your anger and rage somewhere else. If there’s someone who can help us to find your mate, it’s him.”
I dropped him on the ground like a sack. “What did you sense, Zarah?”
“They probably drugged her or let her smell a potion. There’s another witch in play. And here I thought she’s dead.”
“What do you mean?” Shadow asked. “What another witch?”
When Zarah didn’t even hide her disappointment and worry, it felt like someone just pulled the ground under my feet.
“It’s Dayana. She’s the same witch that helped you lose your power and wolf.”
“Wait. She’s alive?” Shadow’s voice thundered. “I thought she’s dead. I thought Margaret handled that bitch!”
“I thought the same, but Margaret hid this from me, and now she’s gonna pay for it, and I’m going to kill that witch for good.”
“Where can I find this witch, Zarah?”
“Let me take care of her, but where did your friends plan to take Nirvana, Dylan?”
When Dylan couldn’t answer immediately, I grabbed his arm. “Think! Or I swear to Goddess, I will use you as bait for those infected werewolves!”
“I have no idea.” Frightened, tears filled his eyes again. “They’ve been here for days.”
“Do they know about the dagger and Nirvana?” McKaye asked.
“No, but I told them about the sword.”
“Moron.” As fury settled in my gut, I snarled, baring my teeth. “You just sent Nirvana to her death!”
“Is she wearing her necklace?”
My eyes lit up, my chest filling with hope as I turned to Zarah. “Yes.”