Saving Nicole

Chapter 54: H. O. P. E

Dallas's POV
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"We need to talk."

I glance up from eating my lunch to see the rigid form of my Mate. A wave of relief passes through me when she speaks to me. I've been avoiding her for a year.

My wolf is weak. Not good for an Alpha.

"About?" I ask, turning so I'm facing her. She's just another pack member. A pang hits my stomach.

I can see the surprise in her tired eyes. She didn't think I would answer.

"You've been avoiding me." She states. My eyebrows raise and I nod. Hurt registers across her face before disappearing as fast as it came. "Why?"

"I've been busy. I don't have time for distractions." Straight to the point.

"Is that what I am to you? A distraction?! What happened to you? You are not the Dallas I remember." Her voice is thick with emotion. I stare at her and she continues on. "Why are you acting like this? Is it because of your father? Because he's dead, Dallas. And he's not coming back to life. You need to remember that he's still with you. He hasn't left you. Why do you insist on ignoring me? I thought you cared about me? I trusted you!" Every word is like she's slowly chipping away at me.

I stand calmly and turn out of the kitchen, walking with measured strides to the stairs and up to my room. She follows behind me. This is a conversation meant to be private.

When we reach my room, I close the door and turn back to Nicole.

"Today's exactly one year from when he died." Nicole says quietly.

I look at Nicole. "I know."

Her anger rushes through me from the Mate Bond.

"What is up with you? Why are you acting like you don't care? He was your father! At least you had a father! My father is the one who has put us through this! If it weren't for him, everything would be fine. Is that it? Is it because my father killed yours? Is that why you're upset with me?" I watch her emotionlessly, feeling the grieving boxes in my head wiggle as if an earthquake hit. I'm so used to keeping everything in now. I've been doing it for a year.

"I'm not upset with you." Comes my short response.

She's just another pack member.

"He hasn't left you, Dallas! You don't seem to realize that he is still watching over you."

"He's gone." I take a step towards Nicole. "He's dead. I'm the Alpha now, Nicole. I will be treated with respect. His work will not go to waste. I can't let weaknesses and distractions get in the way."

She stares at me, her eyes glistening. Hurt and pure agony is etched on her face. "How can you say that? What happened to you? Just because you're Alpha doesn't mean you can't still be yourself. You're father wouldn't want this! You know that! Damian would never want this!" She's yelling, desperately trying to get to me.

I can feel everything crack.

"My dad is gone, Nicole! He's not coming back! He's dead! I didn't want to be Alpha. I still don't! Why can't you just understand that I'm doing the best I can!" My long held in grief starts spilling out of the boxes in my head.

"Then why don't you let me help you? Why do you ignore me?"

"I can't loose you, too, Nicole! Everyone I've ever cared about is dead! You're all I have left! I can't loose you, too." Angry tears start pricking my eyes, my hidden anger and grief and pain slowly opening the crack in my head. Nicole stares at me in shock. "You're all I have left, Nicole..."