Nick's Guide to Surviving High School

Chapter 7

King's POV

Over the past month, it was becoming harder and harder to suppress the urges that clouded my mind. At first, they were tamer, more bearable. But after some time, they became primal, urgent.

Poor Nick had no idea what kind of inner turmoil I was in. I didn't know the extent of what he felt for me. Usually, werewolves were indulging in their mates the first day they met them.

It was more complicated for Nick and me, what with him being human and all. Plus, I could tell that Nick had a troubled past. Something had happened to him that made him wary and apprehensive, untrusting of those around him.

I was trying to break down his barriers but it was tough. I could see that Nick wanted it, though. He wanted to be taken care of, dependent on someone.

I would give him that if he'd let me.

I wished I didn't have to have this conversation with Nick, but things had taken a sudden turn for the worse.

"W-what do you need to tell me?" Nick whispered out in a shaky voice, his hands unconsciously tightening their grip on my own. Nash was purring at being so close to our mate, and I had to remind him that this was not the time. Nick only ever embraced me, or Izabel, but mostly me. Each touch was a blessing.

"There's no easy way for me to say this, Nick, but," I started, hesitating as I looked away from him, a spot on the wall suddenly piquing my interest. One of his hands slipped from mine and before I had time to protest at the loss, soft fingers were gently pulling my face back to meet Nick's.

He smiled reassuringly at me, even though I could see confusion in his eyes. "It's okay, King. Just tell me, please, the suspense is killing me," Nick tried to joke off the last sentence, but I knew he was being serious.

I let out a humorless chuckle before I grabbed his hand that was still on my face, pressing a light kiss to it that had him blushing in an instant. "I'm sorry, love, but this isn't an easy thing to talk about," I started.

Nick nodded in understanding and I brought his hand back down to my lap where the other one was resting.

"A few days ago, I got a letter. No name, no return address. Nothing identifiable. It was addressed to me, though. Inside this letter, there was a picture, and a note attached to the picture," I took a deep breath, calming my rage, and Nash, before I looked Nick straight in his eyes.

His brows were furrowed, and I knew he just wanted me to get on with it, but damn. He shouldn't look so cute with that pout on his lips that I desperately wanted to kiss off.

Get on with it, King. Mate is waiting. Nash helpfully reminded.

"The picture... was of you. Sleeping, in your bed. The note said... it said, 'Doesn't Nick look so cute when he's sleeping? It'd be a shame if something happened to him. Better watch out.' I-I don't know how, I don't know why, but you're in danger, Nick," I had to stop talking because Nick had gone completely silent next to me.

His face was pale, small tremors wracking through his body.

I couldn't tell him everything, because I didn't know everything. That made me infuriated, but Nick was letting out dry heaves and I was getting concerned. I had expected a reaction like this, but he seemed...different.

"No, no no no no no. This can't be happening...again...how did he...? No no no no," Nick was panicking, his breaths coming out shorter as he started to claw at the collar of his shirt. My nose twitched as the potent smell of fear encased the room.

I didn't think, no, as I pulled Nick off the couch and into a hug, cradling his head against my chest as he sobbed, hiccups leaving his mouth often. I half expected him to freak out and push me away but he didn't, instead, he wrapped his arms around me, sobbing harder.