Chapter 56
Nolan’s POV
I lay back in my chamber, the tension in my body refusing to dissipate despite the silence and solitude.
The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls from the flickering candlelight, but even the subdued atmosphere couldn’t soothe the anger boiling inside me.
My mind was a tempest, swirling with thoughts of Nesta and the revelation that had hit me like a punch to the gut: she was pregnant. And not just pregnant, but carrying another man’s child.
The audacity, the sheer audacity, of her to be with someone else after what we had shared. My fists clenched at the thought, my nails digging into my palms.
I tried to rationalise my fury, to understand why it felt like a betrayal when I had been the one to reject her. It made no sense, yet the rage was there, seething and unrelenting.
“Nesta, I muttered under my breath, the name bitter on my tongue.
How could she? After everything, how could she? I had seen the way she looked at that alpha, Luca. The connection between them, the way they interacted–it had been enough to make my blood boil.
But the pregnancy? That was a different level of anger altogether.
What was she thinking? Did she believe that because we rejected her, she could just go and find solace in the arms of another?
Was she trying to spite us, to show that she could move on? The thought gnawed at me, each possibility more infuriating than the last.
I sat up abruptly, the anger too intense to contain while lying down. I paced the room, my thoughts spiralling. We had rejected her, yes, but that was because of the circumstances, the needs of the palace.
It wasn’t personal–or was it? Doubts and regrets mingled with my anger, a toxic brew that made it. hard to think clearly. Not exactly fucking regret though.
My mother and Rowan had been relieved to have her back, hopeful that her presence would help with the rogue attacks, that she could bring stability
But all I could think about was the betrayal I felt. She was ours, or she was supposed to be, and now she was carrying someone else’s child.
“Why the fuck would she be pregnant for another man?” I growled, my voice echoing in the
empty
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room. “What was she thinking?”
I knew the answer, even if I didn’t want to admit it. She had been thinking about her own life, her own needs. She had been finding a way to survive and move on, just as anyone would.
But that didn’t make it any easier to accept. The irrational jealousy and anger twisted inside me, a dark reminder of what could have been and what I had thrown away.
The chamber felt suffocating, the walls closing in with the weight of my emotions. I needed to get out, to clear my head. But even as I prepared to leave, I knew that no matter where I went, the anger would follow.
The walls of my chamber felt as though they were closing in on me, suffocating me with the weight of my thoughts and anger.
I needed air, space–something to clear my mind and release the tension that had been building up inside me since the moment I learned about Nesta’s pregnancy.
I left the room, the door closing softly behind me as I made my way down the dimly lit corridors of the palace.
The night air was cool and crisp, a welcome contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside. I walked with purpose, my steps echoing through the silence as I headed towards the woods.
The canopy of trees provided a dark sanctuary, the moonlight filtering through the leaves in silver slivers. It was peaceful here, away from the palace and the constant reminders of everything that
was wrong.
I ventured deeper into the woods, I noticed a faint glow ahead, like a beacon in the darkness. My curiosity piqued, I moved closer, my steps cautious.
As I approached, I saw Rowan and Nora sitting on a carpet, their figures illuminated by a small lantern. They seemed lost in conversation, lovey dovey as always, unaware of my presence.
I turned to leave, not wanting to intrude or face my brother just yet, but Rowan’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Wait,” he called out, his tone firm but not unkind. “Come here.”
I hesitated for a moment, then slowly turned back and walked towards them. Rowan’s gaze met mine, and for a moment, we just looked at each other, the weight of unspoken words hanging in
the air.
“What are you doing out here?” Rowan asked, his voice breaking the silence.
“Needed to clear my head,” I replied tersely, my anger still simmering beneath the surface.
Nora glanced between us, her expression concerned but silent. She seemed to sense the tension.
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choosing to stay quiet as Rowan and I spoke.
“I heard about Nesta,” Rowan said, his tone softer now. “I can understand why you’re angry, but-”
“But what?” I interrupted, my voice harsh. “She’s pregnant, Rowan. With another man’s child. After everything…”
Rowan sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. “I know it’s complicated. But we need her here, and the kingdom needs stability. This isn’t just about as anymore.”
1 clenched my fists, struggling to control the rage bubbling up inside me. “It’s not that simple. Rowan. Nothing about this is simple.”
I know it’s hypocritical and selfish but being my mate, it hurts. Whether I wanted her or not. Whether I loved her or not. She was still mine.
Nora spoke up then, her voice gentle. “Maybe it’s not simple, but we’re family. We need to stick together and find a way through this, no matter how hard it is.”
I looked at her, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. She was right, of course. Despite my anger and resentment, we were family, and we had to find a way to navigate this mess together.
“I don’t know if I can do that,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
“You can,” Rowan said firmly. “We all can. But it’s going to take time, and we need to be patient with each other.”
I nodded slowly, the tension in my shoulders easing just a bit. “I’ll try,” I said, though the words felt heavy and uncertain.
Rowan gave me a small, encouraging smile. “That’s all I ask.”
We sat there for a while longer, the silence comfortable now, each of us lost in our thoughts..
After the conversation with Rowan and Nora, I walked back through the woods towards the palace, the cool night air soothing the lingering anger within me.
The encounter had shifted something in me, perhaps dulled the sharp edges of my rage, and now I felt a profound exhaustion settling in.
The palace loomed ahead, its lights casting a soft glow in the dark. I moved quietly through the corridors, my mind replaying the events of the night, Rowan’s words echoing in my head:
I reached my room and closed the door behind me leaning against it for a moment to gather my thoughts. The need to hunt, to channel my anger into something physical, had dissipated.
All I wanted now was to wash away the remnants of the night and find some semblance of peace, only for a few hours. I walked to the bathroom, the soft sound of my footsteps the only noise in the if quiet room.
I turned on the shower, the sound of water hitting the tiles a comforting rhythm. As steam began to fill the space, I stripped off my clothes and stepped under the spray
The hot water cascaded over me, washing away the tension and grime, and I closed my eyes, letting the heat seep into my muscles.
For a few moments, I stood there, my mind blissfully blank. The water enveloped me, creating a cocoon of warmth that seemed to shield me from the chaos outside.
I lathered soap onto my skin, scrubbing away the dirt and the lingering remnants of the woods, and watched as the suds swirled down the drain.
As I rinsed off, I thought about the future. The pack. Nesta, the complicated web of emotions and responsibilities that seemed to trap me at every turn.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
But in this moment, under the comforting spray of the shower, I allowed myself to let go of the burden. if only temporarily.
I finished my shower and wrapped a towel around myself, the cool air a stark contrast to the warmth of the water. Walking back into my room. I felt a strange sense of calm. The anger that had driven me earlier now seemed distant, replaced by a quiet resolve.
I dressed in comfortable clothes, the softness of the fabric a small comfort. The urge to hunt had vanished, leaving behind a desire for rest and clarity.
I climbed into bed, the sheets cool against my skin, and lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling.