Rebirth of Niki

ht quivering as if it felt the same uneasiness as me. M

me," Cassian continued, his i

forced grin that stopped short of my eyes,

pierced me even as his voice became softer. "Niki, you can't keep

ptiness that none of us understood how to traverse, was something I could sense as well. Glancing do

self to look him in the eyes, so I hardly spoke. He would see th

friend. We deal with everything collectively, or at least we sho

uld control it. "Cassian, I've been here every day. By your side,

oached. "You refuse to allow me in, even when you're in pain. Niki, I feel

o escape his intense look. His enquiries weighed heavily on me,

s no more than a whisper as he dri

A familiar aching began to blossom within me as my chest clenched

Cassian," in a hoarse whisper. "I still h

not-" sa

to. "You are the Alpha. It's an obligation, not simply a desire. The g

oring me in a manner that was both painful and reassuring. I could feel the warmth of his touch. Bu

gaps, he replied, "You're not failing me, Niki."

the pack's silent judgement, the sidelong stares, and the whispers? I could see the question remaining in their eyes whenever they

ur. However, what would happen if it didn't, C

pha status, Cassian was unable to ignore the pressure that came with his position. An Alpha was supposed to guide, guard, and support the pack in e

e. "This has nothing to do with a kid. It concerns

rting to give way under the pressure of his remarks. I knew that he meant good.

trying." "Yes, I am. But Cassian, it

f from the pain inside. Cassian had a steady, unblinking stare, but I was unable

incredulity. "You're my Luna, my par

temper and spoke before I could control myself. "What ma

ough his touch was soft and soothing, it didn't completely relieve the pain that was screaming with

ou are more than sufficient. You are everything. I don't give a damn about what ot

wever, it was insufficient to silence the voice that echoed at the back of my mind, rem

g. However, what happens if you begin to trust th

ed. I could see the hopelessness that reflected my own, the frustration

g voice. "Niki, I'll never see you like that. You

rds eased the pain, I couldn't get rid of the worry that kept creeping into the back of my mind: that o

sper, "I want to believe you." "I d

brace a wordless comfort. However, even as I lay in his arms, I was unable to ignore the per

the walls, I could feel those shadows seeping into my heart and the