Claiming His Love {manxman}

CHL: Chapter Seventeen

Nikolai Lyev Baranov

'Wake up, Niko! Wake up!' My wolf was running around needlessly and I could feel him stirring myself away. "What the fuck do you want, Lance?!" I hissed, the sun's bright ass rays burning the pupils of my eyes. "It's too early for this." I sprawled out on my silk sheets, wanting to relish in the warm as I tossed the comforter over my head. "Leave me alone!" I groaned, my wolf getting more and more excited by the minute.

"What the hell's got your panties tied up today, you damn dog?!" I cursed in annoyance, just wanting to sleep the morning away. I flicked my sleepy gaze over to the digital clock, which read, 9:40. 'It's our birthday today!' Lance beamed as he panted with his tongue out like some hyperactive boxer lab. "Wow," I nodded, rubbing my eyes as I tried to get adjusted with my surroundings. "I'm just screaming with joy and bliss." I deadpanned sarcastically, the waves of drowsiness threatening to consume me once again. 

Then I noticed that there was something off about my room.

I laid against my pillows, comforter brought up to my chin and all of a sudden, I cracked open one eye. "What in the world?" Both of my eyes were wide open as I stared at the mass of balloons that took up space in my room. They were so colorful with messages written all over them in silver sharpie. It was going to be a pain to pop them later. I could smell a variety of scents, Imani's, Trace's, Mikhail's, Nicca's, even friends from high school. What the hell did they think they were doing? 'Niko, you're loved! You see?!' Lance was so happy to see us finally being treated like a king on our birthday and I, for one, felt a smile come to my lips.

"Yea, I guess so."

I wrinkled my nose as the smell of lemon, raspberry, and marigold tied in with that luscious scent of Trace's filled my nostrils. I turned to look at my nightstand, seeing a singular blue rose with a blue card under it. "What's this?" I murmured as I sat up, reaching over to grab the card. I took it out of its envelope, a small blush coming to my lips once I recognized the curt handwriting.

To the world, you may be one person. But to me, you are my entire world. 

Happy birthday to the most amazing person I have had the honor and the privilege of knowing.

143.

-T

I smiled softly as I clutched the blue rose to my chest, somehow feeling the love from it evaporate into my heart. It was a beautiful gesture, one that did not go unnoticed. It made me extremely happy. 'Aw!' Lance cooed as I rolled my eyes, reminding myself to place the flower in a water-filled vase. "Shut up." There was no heat in my words as I blushed, motivating myself to get up. 

I noticed that my room was immaculately clean down to the floor and ceiling, and I knew it was Trace's doing. I nodded, pleased with myself as I walked into my bathroom, flickering on the lights. I was taken aback but the illuminant blue water that filled up the bathtub, a bottle that had a letter in it floating on the top of the water. There were white petals leading my footsteps to the side of the tub and there was an iPod with a note as well. The beautiful water looked to be fresh and warm, so I stripped myself immediately, getting in and sighing at the crisp and decadent feel of the water and petals against my skin.

The iPod note told me to press play on it, so I did, leaning my head against the interior of the tub as Bryan Adams, 'Please Forgive Me' poured into the room. 

So if you're feeling lonely, don't. You're the only one I'll ever want. I only want to make it good, so if I love you, a little more than I should. Please forgive me, I know not what I do. Please forgive me, I can't stop loving you.