Saving Nicole

Chapter 55: Not Yet

Nicole's POV
--

Quivering and shaking. That's all he's doing. I think he's weak. He looks exhausted. I'm glad he fell asleep.

His head is pressed against his knees, but his face is tilted enough that I can see his eyes. He's snoring quietly and he shudders again.

Why does he do this to himself? It's not his fault. I wish he could see that.

I get an idea.

Hey Mica? I ask over the mind link. He responds almost instantly.

Nikki! What's up?

Can you come here?

Yeah. Sure. I'm helping train some of the young kids, but I'll be there in an hou-

Now?

What's wrong?

Finally, he detects the seriousness in my voice and realizes that I mean it.

One minute.

I look over at Dallas to see he has shifted his position; his head is now leaning against the wall rather than pressed against his knees, revealing his splotchy, tear-stained skin and puffy, red eyes.

He looks miserable.

I watch the peacefulness of him, admiring how one second he was feeling the worst pain possible to be felt, and then the next he's like this. As if nothing happened. His face is so relaxed, so young.

I smile tugs at my lips and my eyebrows raise slightly when I see him drooling.

A knock sounds at the door. He's here.

"Come in." I say, not taking my eyes off of my Mate.

"Okay. What do you ne-" he cuts himself off when his warm brown eyes land on his best friend. His dark eyebrows furrow in confusion and worry. I have a stunned realization that he has never seen Dallas cry. Not once. And not so extreme like this. "What... What happened...?"

When he glances at me, I shake my head. "Just help me lift him onto his bed."

Mica nods, taking a step towards me to help lift the seventeen-year-old boy. He gently pulls Dallas's legs out from their tucked position and grabs them. I stand by his head, softly grabbing his shoulders and head to lift him.

He grunts, his head turning from one side to another.

We carry him to his bed, carefully laying him down. Mica backs up, wiping his forehead and waiting for me to say something. I pull the covers back and then up-over him.

Opening my mouth, I prepare to ask Mica a question when he answers it before it can leave my lips.

"My father and I will take care of the pack until he becomes well, again. I won't pry and I'll leave you two alone." I turn my head to look at him, smiling in surprise. He glances at Dallas and then exits the room.

"What am I going to do with you?" I ask a sleeping Dallas. He shudders.

--

Unmoving. Still. Silent.

Infuriating.

He has not woken up for two days. Two days.

I am exhausted. And hungry. Why hasn't he woken up? Everything in me aches.

Suddenly, the door opens.

Mica.

"Nikki. Are you okay? You haven't come out for two days." I turn to look at the boy who sands in the middle of the room. He takes a step back, startled at my ragged appearance. "Are you okay?" He recovers his lost steps and moves forward to place his hand on my shoulder.