Saving Nicole

Chapter 50: Giddy Up!

Dallas's POV
--

I don't feel bad. He's crying, but I don't feel bad. Someone needed to tell him.

I sit, watching him for a little bit as he continues shaking from his terrible sobs. And after about what feels like thirty minutes, he looks up at me.

Now I do feel bad.

He looks worse than he did when she actually died. Broken. Guilty. Depressed. Anxious.

Empty.

I immediately open my mouth to say something while pushing back the covers of my bed to stand. After landing my feet on the ground and gently stretching my sides to see what pain is left, I almost run to him.

He looks at me, his silver eyes seeming even more so from the tears welling in them.

"I'm sorry, Dallas. I just don't want you to get hurt. But I realize that if I keep her away from you, the more hurt you'll be." He's apologizing. Alphas never apologize. And he shouldn't be apologizing. It was my fault. I was being irrational.

"No, Dad. It's not your fault." I say quietly, settling down next to him and fiddling with my fingers. "I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry I mentioned Mom." His eyes seem to glaze over at the thought of her and then they focus on me again.

"You're right, you know. She's not coming back." He offers a smile. Rarely have I ever had one of these moments with my father. He's the Alpha. He can't show weakness. And my mother and I are his weaknesses.

I smile back. "Well. You have me, if that makes you feel any better." I joke, trying to lighten the mood. It doesn't make it better because I'm not her. His answer surprises me, though.

"It does." A whisper of two words.

We sit there quietly, comfortably, not wanting to disturb the silence.

--

(Two days later)

I'm able to walk around now. No longer do I have to stay in my room. I'm able to continue with my duties to the pack; helping the war effort. The casualties are getting lower, giving me hope that maybe the war is going to end soon.

But I know it won't end until Spencer dies.

I see Nicole every day. My father allows us to be together during the day now that my side is basically healed. The Wolfsbane is still in my system. Just barely. Every other day, I have to have blood drawn. It's slowly fading.

Every day, I ask my dad if I can help out more by fighting. Mica gets to fight.

But he always says 'No.'

"Dal?" A soft voice asks from behind me. I turn to meet the beautiful blue eyes of Nicole. A shy smile is on her face, her hands behind her back.

"Yes, love?" Her cheeks become red and I inwardly laugh at how easy it is to make her blush.

"I made you something..." Her hands slowly come out from behind her back, holding a paper plate with the steaming piece of tamale on it. My stomach growls, making me grin sheepishly and take the plate from her, my fingers brushing hers slightly.

"Thank you." A full out smile spreads across my face and I lean in to kiss her forehead. She leans forward and wraps her arms around my waist, her cheek against my chest. I laugh. "Wanna go see Mica?" I ask and she looks up at me, nodding her head eagerly. Again, I laugh. I can feel her eyes on me when I do.

Pulling away, I grip her hand and tug her to the direction I know Mica is.

Sure enough, the pup is devouring a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. His face has milk all over it. Nicole laughs and his wild eyes turn to us. He pulls away, wiping his mouth sheepishly.