9: A flash

Nolan’s POV

Right from the moment that the car was being loaded with her belongings, I knew I was doomed for trouble. 

I had asked her mother and friend to get her things prepared for the trip. That was last night while they waited to see her. 

"There's no need to worry about any big celebrations, I'll just be introducing her to the family. For now." I said to my Beta finally before turning to join them in the car. 

The engine revived and the driver zoomed off. 

I was barely present in the car cause I couldn't stop thinking about everything I had paused just to be here. 

Every time I looked up from my phone, I couldn't help but notice how endlessly the road in front of us seemed. The journey just somehow seemed somehow unending. 

It's probably because I was already restless. 

Inside the car, it was quiet.

A little too quiet.

Ronnie sat beside me, her weight pressed against the window close to her. Her phone clutched tightly in her hands, her fingers moving really fast across the screen. 

For some minutes she would tap the screen like her life depended on that one text. Then the next moment, she would hiss under her breath like an angry kitten before typing again.

It had been like this since we left the hospital.

It continued like that for as long as I could remember.

Messages. 

More messages.

Angry sighs.

More typing.

I leaned back slightly in my seat, staring ahead as if the road was the most interesting thing in the world.

But I was aware of everything.

Every small movement she made.

Every breath.

Every time her shoulder shifted beside mine.

Another sharp hiss left her mouth.

I almost smirked.

She was clearly sending messages she wanted someone to read immediately.

But whoever was on the other side wasn't answering fast enough.

The silence inside the car grew thicker.

Then slowly…

I felt her eyes move to me. Almost like she was unsure if she wanted to look. 

I didn’t turn.

I kept my gaze on the road ahead like I had no idea.

But I could feel it clearly.

Her stare was sharp. Almost burning holes into the side of my face.

Curses filled her mind as she stared.

What does he want with a wolfless she-wolf? 

Why not someone else? 

How did I get into this mess? She kept asking herself questions that will surely remain unanswered till I was ready to let her know the answers. 

If only she could find a way out of this mess... 

Her thoughts continued. 

Seconds passed and she was still staring, like the longer she stared, the more she was likely to get answers.

Finally, her phone buzzed loudly in her hand.

She groaned in frustration.

A long, tired groan before she continued to type again. 

I also got caught up with my phone, but I soon noticed that 

 everything had gone quiet. I could no longer hear her hissing and typing furiously. 

A few seconds passed.

I turned my head slightly.

She had fallen asleep.

Just like that.

Her phone was still loosely held in her hand, screen dimming slowly.

I stared at her for a moment.

The angry girl from ten minutes ago was gone.

Her face looked… calm.

Soft.

Peaceful even.

A small strand of hair had fallen across her cheek.

For a second I didn’t move.

Then I slowly shrugged off my coat.

Without saying anything, I draped it over her shoulders. Still staring at her for a little longer than usual. 

The car continued rolling forward.

Miles passed.

The sun climbed higher in the sky.

I glanced at the dashboard clock.

11:57 AM.

Almost noon.

She hadn’t eaten.

Not at the hospital.

Not before we left.

I was used to skipping meals.

Days sometimes.

It never bothered me.

But Ronnie was different.

Her body was still recovering.

And no matter how stubborn she was… she still needed food.

Just then I spotted a small roadside restaurant ahead.

A faded sign hung crookedly above the building.

Cars were parked outside.

Smoke drifted lazily from somewhere behind the building.

“Stop here,” I ordered.

The driver slowed immediately.

The car rolled to a smooth stop beside the road.

One of the guards turned slightly in the front seat.

“Your Majesty?”

“Get her something to eat,” I said simply.

He nodded and stepped out with another guard.

The door shut.

Silence returned.

Ronnie was still asleep beside me.

I leaned slightly toward her.

“Ronnie.”

I tapped her shoulder gently.

No response.

“Wake up.”

Another small tap.

Nothing.

Instead—

She shifted.

Her head slowly slid sideways.

And before I could react—

She laid down.

Right on my lap.

I froze.

My body went stiff instantly.

Her breathing remained soft and steady.

She was completely asleep.

I stared down at her in disbelief.

What exactly was I supposed to do now?

Push her away?

Wake her up again?

My hand hovered awkwardly above her shoulder.

I tapped lightly again.

“Ronnie.”

Nothing.

Not even a twitch.

She only snuggled deeper like someone finding a comfortable pillow.

I exhaled slowly through my nose.

Unbelievable.

For a moment I considered waking her again.

But she looked exhausted.

Her brows were finally relaxed.

No anger.

No glaring.

Just sleep.

So I stayed still.

Carefully.

Like moving might break something fragile.

A soft strand of hair slipped across her face.

Without thinking, I reached out.

My fingers brushed gently through her hair, moving it away from her cheek.

And the moment my skin touched her—

A sharp jolt shot through my chest.

My hand froze.

For a split second—

Something flashed in my mind.

A blurry image.

Something familiar.

But it was gone even before I could grab it.

My heart thudded once.

Hard.

I stared down at the girl sleeping peacefully on my lap.

And for the first time since this entire madness began…

Something inside me felt strangely unsettled.