Wrong Turn, Right Path

Chapter 18 - Nick's POV

Nate and I were helping Maddie off the table when we heard Clay ask to speak to Jemma privately. That fucking prick, if he even wants to try and steal our mate than I'll have to apologize to Mitch for killing one of his top warriors.

After all the kids ran from the room to go get ready for dinner Nate and I stayed behind and listened in to what Clay had to say. I was skeptical of his motives, the image of him filling Jemma plate at dinner came to mind and it took everything in me to not growl.

Are you hearing this? Nate's voice breaks through my darkening thoughts.

I shake my head and refocus on his voice. Holy Shit! This is not what I was expecting. I thought he would be making a play for her, that he was going to confess feelings but instead he was championing us, he was encouraging her to give us a chance. When he told the story about his mate rejecting him last summer I felt sick to my stomach. I instantly knew who he was talking about.

Layla, she was supposed to be his mate and she rejected him, for you. Nate's voice echoing my thoughts.

Not for me, for the chance to be Luna. She doesn't want me, she wants the title, the power. I respond but I know that I am partially to blame because I let her into my bed. Now that we have Jemma the very thought of touching any other she-wolf makes me sick but Layla will forever be my biggest regret. I should've listened to Nate and everyone else and never got involved with her to begin with.

You're right you should've listened to us but it's a bit late for that. I have a feeling she would've rejected him regardless of you after all she's chasing the Luna title and Clay, although a good guy and an excellent warrior, is still just a warrior.

I didn't intend to send my private thoughts through the link but it happens sometime. Nate started to silently chuckle and I realize that I wasn't paying attention at all to what was being said but considering Nate wasn't concerned at all anymore I determined that I wouldn't have to apologize to Mitch after all.

Nate started to walk towards the door and I caught up to him so we entered the hallway just in time to see Clay walking away. I walk up beside Jemma and reach for her hand as Nate reaches for her other hand.

"Would you like to sit with us at dinner, or would you prefer we eat in your room again?" Nate asked her.

"Let's eat dinner with everyone else tonight." She said with a smile.

I plastered a matching smile on my face that I'm sure could be seen from space if we were outside. We made our way upstairs and into the dining hall. Apparently we took long enough that they thought we weren't coming so the meal was already started however I looked and there were three seats left open at the head of the table. For the first time Jemma sat between Nate and myself for a meal and it felt absolutely perfect.

"Jemma, I'm so glad you're able to join us this evening. I've missed you." Selene said from across the table as soon as we settled our mate between us.

Mitch chuckled while reaching for Selene's hand "Babe, you saw her this morning."