Chapter l163

Chapter 0163

In sleep, I felt safe and warm, like I was rocking in a boat on gentle waves under a bright sunny sky. Here,

my troubles seemed so far away. I was at peace, distant from those who wanted to hurt me or bring my

family harm.

Once, I had thought myself to be in Nicholas’s embrace. I almost recognized it somehow, the fierce hold

of his arms and the wall of his b*dy. His figure had shaped out since we were teens, but the way h

he

embraced was the same. So gentle. So tender, like I was the most important person in the world.

But then Nicholas’s arms went away.

This good feeling was not meant to last.

Soon, I was stirred awake to the thunderous sounds of a loud argument.

“You purposefully placed Piper into harm’s way!” That was Nicholas’s voice. I’d be able to pick it out of a crowded room, though it wasn’t so crowded now.

“She’s the only one who can feel her wolf. If we don’t follow her, then we have nothing.” That voice was Julian’s. He wasn’t quite as loud, though his words held the weight of shame.

“Then have nothing,” Nicholas growled. “But do not endanger her! You yourself might as well have put the target on her back for Terry to see!”

“She agreed to go along with it. I did not force her.”

“You likely led her on with false promises of returning her wolf to her.”

“It’s not all that false, maybe!”

“Her wolf is gone, Julian. That is that. There is no reason to put her in further danger. Whatever you were doing before, you have to stop. I don’t care what it was or how close you think you were to a breakthrough.”

“Now, Nicholas. If you would calm down just a second

“Calm down? You want me to calm down?” Nicholas sucked in an angry breath. “You say that Terry is involved. What, exactly do you think will happen when the public learns the royal family might have something to do with this?”

“Yeah, but then something might actually get done,” Julian snapped.

More likely it would lead to widespread panic!” Nicholas replied, just as sharp.

I couldn’t listen to this anymore. I would not continue to rest here while these two argued over what

concerned me and my wolf,

Weakness continued to cripple my b*dy, but I forced my muscles to move until I pulled myself upright

on the bed.

Julian noticed me first. “Piper.”

Then Nicholas turned. His whole demeanor softened and he came closer. “Piper, how are you feeling?”

I waved off his concern. “Whether I ever find my own wolf or not, this truth needs to be exposed, Nicholas. That’s the only way this will end.”

Nicholas shook his head. He spoke softer to me than he did to Julian, but it was with the same kind of stern warning in his voice, albeit more gentle.

“The pros of revealing this information do not outweigh the cons. Especially when we may not yet have the full truth of it.”

“The full truth is Terry,” Julian said.

Nicholas looked at him. “You have a confession, then?”

“No, but-

“That’s what I thought.”

I leaned forward, reclaiming Nicholas’s attention. “Let us continue to investigate, then. When we have the proof –”

“Absolutely not. You would only be placing yourself in more danger

“I’m already in danger!” I shouted. After, suddenly, I felt lightheaded. I clutched my face with both hands and shifted heavily to one side.

I felt hot all over, too hot. Like I wanted to pull my skin off. Or, no. I wanted to remove my clothes.

Nicholas caught me by the upper arms. His hands were so big and strong, they nearly seared me with their touch. I wanted him to keep touching me. I wanted him to touch me everywhere.

Slowly, Nicholas eased me back down onto the bed. “Careful, now,” he said in a whisper that sent goosebumps across my skin. “Not too fast ”

I bit back a whimper.

“Piper? Piper, does it hurt?” He moved one arm to touch my forehead. “You are burning up.

I whimpered again, louder this time. I wanted his hand back on my arm. I wanted it on my chest, under

my clothes.

“Nicholas, please…”

“I’ll call for the doctor,” Nicholas said. When he started to move away, I reached for him with both hands, wanting to keep him right where he was, if not bring him closer. My hold was weak, my fingers were

useless claws, but he stilled all the same.

“Do you know what Terry drugged her with?” Julian said. He was closer now too. He looked down at me

with that watchful gaze that never missed anything.

Did he see the flush to my cheeks? The way I pressed my breasts forward, up into the friction of my bodice. The way my fingers trembled. The way my l*ps parted?

“Piper, you have to let me go, so I can call the physician,” Nicholas said.

“No… Please, no.. Don’t go…” My voice was hoarse and whiny. I was begging my heart out. My whole

b*dy wanted him near.

God I wanted him. I wished he would rip off his clothes and mine and touch me all over. I wanted him to bury himself in me to the hilt and claim me as his own. I wanted… I wanted…..

I needed to stop. This was Nicholas, the prince. Not a man I could be with, no matter how much I

desired him.

We had our separate roles to play, and I would never be his. He would never be mine.

My b*dy fought against my will. My heart was torn between the two.

But it was only because I cared so much for Nicholas that I couldn’t do this to him now.

“You have to… go…” I said through grit teeth. I shoved away from him as best I could and clutched onto

my blankets instead.

“But, Piper –

“Nicholas, wait,” Julian said.

It was too late. Nicholas’s hand found a bare bit of skin at my collar. The skin on skin contact was too

much and I moaned – loudly.

Everyone froze.

own desire shining back at me.

Julian tugged at Nicholas’s shoulder, and after blinking, Nicholas returned to himself. His face went red. in the cheeks as he pulled away. He covered his mouth with his hand and placed several feet of distance between the bed and himself.

“I’m sorry,” I said, mortified by my own b*dy’s reaction. The fact that I wanted him still, just as much if not more than before. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay, Piper,” Nicholas said, but he still wouldn’t look at m

“It’s not your fault, Julian said. He continued to drag Nicholas closer to the door. “She needs to rest.”

Once they reached the door, Julian told Nicholas softly, “Terry’s drug must have contained an aphrodisiac.”

“He–2 Nicholas’s reply was stilted. But his fist was not.

He punched the wall, creating a large round dent.

“Nicholas,” Julian said with something that sounded like sympathy.

“I’ll kill him,” Nicholas growled.