Chapter 2

NICOLETTE POV

I woke up that morning and seriously I was still pretty much heavy ladened. I could have sworn that I could perceive the odd sensation within me but regardless I still fixed breakfast. I had gone to his study bearing the tray when I realized my husband was in his study with Allen. I wondered what had been happening all through the night that had taken the discussion to the bedroom. I made my way to the bedroom and then before I could enter, I realized the door was slightly open but they were speaking behind those doors and just then I heard that name that sent shivers down my spine.

... Laurel...

That was my husband's mate and from what I had gathered, they never actually separated nor did Xander reject her. Apparently Laurel had suddenly left him and traveled away leaving him with no words and shattered. No one could figure out why she had suddenly left him but some said she had business overseas and others said it was her former lover but either ways, I was always kept on my toes because everyone around made it their hobby to remind me that until Laurel was married and settled, Xander would never be fully mine. I was worried now and I couldn't help myself but eavesdrop on them. Allen was speaking to my husband and he sure as hell sounded worried.

"Seriously what would you do now?" he was asking Xander

"What would you have me do at this point Allen? Laurel says she's coming back. I cannot just turn her away." Xander had said

"What about Nicolette?" Allen who always had my interest at heart was asking

"What about her? She's my wife and nothing changes." Xander said and I smiled within

"You cannot say that easily. We all know that you married her out of convenience when your heart is still drawn to Laurel." Allen said and my hopes felt dashed

"What are you saying?" Xander demanded still

"Nothing. All I am saying is that Laurel still has that effect on you." Allen said.

I shook immediately when he said that and before Xander could say anything further, my shoulder had betrayed by pushing at the door. They stopped speaking and I had to enter so as not to draw excessive suspicion my way. I put up my biggest smile yet and greeted them as I went to set the food tray. I did not want them to notice how sad I was and tried to hide it behind a smile. I could not give them any hints that I had been eavesdropping on them all this while they had been speaking. I made to start setting out the meals from the tray when Xander asked me to leave it be as they would handle it themselves. I smiled and walked away.

Deep down I was searing with so much pain and scorn that I had to go into my room and sit myself underneath the shower for a really long time. I sat down there with my legs drawn up and my arms hugging them tightly as the water rained down on me. All I could hear was the sound of the running water as I slipped into oblivion with my thoughts. Obviously my fate was sealed now that she was returning and perhaps even I would be rejected once again. It was rather sad that I was merely the Omega I was and cursed to roam alone for the rest of my life. In case you should be thinking I had been born this way, I used to be part of a pack but years ago had been destroyed when I was only sixteen and at my first period of transformation into a werewolf. I became the one who runs alone when my pack was taken from me and had been found by a really nice poor couple. I left them the moment I matured enough and had the inkling to go find my mate. Hence I am totally alone in the world save for my best friend, Zibelle.

XANDER'S POV

"Do you think she heard?" I asked my best friend and Beta

"Heard us? I doubt that." Allen responded

"But her reaction..." I began

"Forget about her reaction, I can assure you Nicolette is only surprised we were in your bedroom together. She's fine. Remember you confirmed that her powers have weakened totally since the rejection. She is more or less a human now." Allen said

"If you say so." I had to force myself to concur with his deductions.

However deep down I was really troubled. She had been full of smiles yet her eyes said those were just put up there. That smile did not reach her soul and I could tell easily. I had not been myself since the previous night when I had left a really good treaty meeting with the sudden call from Laurel. Sincerely I was not expecting that I would be hearing from her anymore since she left the way she had when I saw her text. 

It simply stated that she was coming home and this morning it got worse when she sent another that she had already boarded her flight. More or less that would mean she would be here anytime from now. Seriously I felt for Nicolette and how she might feel but Laurel was a wild one. She would always do whatever she wanted and get away with it. It was her basic games and sadly I was mated to her.

Allen was right in a way. Despite the fact that she left the way she did, I longed for her in a way that was strange. Should be the inkling of a mate. Perhaps even that had prevented me from fully accepting Nicolette and letting her suffer in silence. I could tell she admired me but I would only be hurting her more if I led me on to intimacy. I reminded myself severally that I was a married man now but the thoughts of Laurel still lingered. There were a lot of things on my mind right now but as it would seem, somehow Laurel had topped the priority list.

After breakfast, I decided to go check on Nicolette. I barely went to her room and could count two or three times when I had only because I had something urgent to do. Either she was sick or I was leaving her a message. Her bedroom door was locked but thanks to my wolf ears, I could hear the shower running but there was no sound or movement from her. Something was awkward. She was rather too silent and I grew worried about whether she was okay.. I listened even more closely and then I caught the sound hidden behind the running water.

Nicolette was sobbing.

"Damnit Allen, I told you she heard." I whispered to no one in particular.