Soulmates & Twin Flames

48 - One Last Duty

I clench onto Nate's arm the moment we step out of the church. "What happened in there?" I ask.

He pulls my hand as we pass the horse carriage and scurry toward the parking lot. "We're leaving."

"Where are we going? Home?" My feet are having a hard time catching up with his long steps. My heels are slipping on the pebbles, and his tight grasp hurts! "Nate! Stop!" I lose my balance and stumble forward. A painful squeak escapes my lips as hot pain shoots through my ankle.

Nate finally stops and glances at me over his shoulder. "Fuck. I'm sorry, Abbs." He grabs my arms to help me find my balance. "Are you okay?"

"I will be. As soon as you tell me what the fuck happened in there."

Nate chews his lips and shakes his head. "Nothing."

"Nate!" I yank his lapels, and he suddenly loses it.

"Roman was staring at you! Don't tell me you didn't notice!" he explodes, pointing at the church. "He forgot his vows... Forgot where he was. Didn't you see that?"

"So what?" I push him. His face is all red, his hair disheveled. "He got married, didn't he?"

"He left his bride at the altar! He headed toward you—like you two were going to elope or something!"

"Why are you shouting at me?" I scream back. All I did was ignore the beast-lady in my chest and stay loyal to Nate! I never replied to Roman's texts from that unknown number. I stayed put at the church. And now, I'm getting the blame for Roman's actions?

How is this fair?

I let go of Nate's arm, and turn to the car. But my ankle won't let me walk away.

"Babe!" Nate catches me when I stumble again.

"What did you tell him?" I ask, crossing my arms.

"Why?" Nate narrows his eyes and lifts his chin. "Why do you care?"

"Because I twisted my fucking ankle trying to catch up with you, Nate! What are we running from?"

Nate's gaze falls to his feet. He starts rubbing his forehead, then stares at the sky as if he's searching for help.

"What did you tell him?" I insist.

Nate places his hands on his hips and starts taking shallow breaths, trying to calm himself. "At the ceremony, I told Roman to put a ring on his bride. But then he stormed off the platform and..." He tightens his jaw and clenches his fists. His green eyes snap into mine and catch on fire. "And I told him, Abby is MINE!" He hits his chest. "You—are—mine—Abby, whether he likes it or not! I told him, he should consider what he's going to do next very carefully. Because I'd kill him if he laid a finger on you. Before Tiffany, Mom, or anybody else gets in the way."

All I can do is blink and stare at Nate's flustered face with widened eyes. "You're in love with me."

I know that Nate loves me as a lover and a friend—I'm not blind or stupid. But he is in love with me. He's looked into my soul and dipped into its dark waters. He knows what I'm made of, and he isn't afraid of the crazy bits or broken pieces. He wants to claim me, as a whole, for his own.

The fire in Nate's eyes disappears when he pulls me into his arms. "Of course I am, Abby," he sighs, stroking my back. "I can't imagine my life without you."

I place my head above his heart. His unique, sweet, smoky smell and oceanic perfume envelope me from the inside out. I close my eyes and enjoy Nate's warmth for a second, then whisper, "Okay."