Free Web NovelChapter 51: The Kiss
The morning sun shone through the curtained window of Anastasia’s bedroom, its light falling upon her closed eyelids.
She stirred gently, rousing from a deep sleep.
As consciousness returned, the memories of her encounter with Nickolas the previous day came flooding back.
A soft smile formed on her lips as she recalled his smile.
She stretched and rose from the soft mattress, the fine linen sheets sliding off her bare skin.
After a refreshing shower, she towel-dried her long hair and dressed in comfortable clothes - leggings and a loose blouse, perfect for a day of learning.
The scent of breakfast drifted up the stairs as she made her way down to the dining room.
One of the cooks had prepared eggs, toast, and fruit.
Anastasia ate slowly, still thinking of Nickolas.
All too soon, it was time for her morning lessons.
She said goodbye to her mother who did not bother to recognize her daughter’s presence she was too busy still trying to reach her husband.
Anastasia climbed into the back of the family car as her driver started the engine.
As they pulled up to the iron gates of the school, Anastasia spotted a familiar figure hovering near the entrance.
There was Nickolas, phone in hand, glancing around anxiously.
When he saw her emerge from the car, his face broke into a soft grin.
"Hi, Anastasia. I was waiting for you," he said as she approached. "Would you like to walk in with me?"
His friends called to him from the doorway but he waved them on, saying he’d catch up later.
Anastasia’s heart swelled at this small gesture of thoughtfulness.
He literally rejected his friend’s invitation just to stay with her.
Nobody has ever done this for her not even her own parents.
As they strolled through the gates side by side, Nickolas looped an arm around her shoulders in a half-hug.
She internally panicked at the casual contact but didn’t pull away because she loved it, she just did not know how to react or respond to it.
Their friendship blossomed over the coming days and weeks.
Texts turned to calls which turned to invitations to spend time together outside of classes.
Anastasia found herself opening up around Nickolas in a way she hadn’t before.
He was endlessly kind and patient, easing her social anxieties.
By the end of the first month, they had truly bonded - two souls drawn together by fate itself.
Their first week of friendship saw many memorable moments.
On Friday evening, Nickolas asked Anastasia if she’d like to see the new action movie that had just come out.
She agreed nervously because that was her first time getting invited to watch a movie with a friend but found herself thoroughly enjoying both the film and Nickolas’ company.
After the movie, they walked through the nearby park as the sun dipped low in the sky.
Nickolas pointed out different birds fluttering amongst the trees.
Anastasia told him about the types of flowers growing along the path.
As darkness fell, he drove her home, giving her a gentle hug goodbye on the porch.
The next day, Nickolas invited Anastasia over for lunch.
She met his cheerful parents and playful younger siblings.
They made her feel instantly at ease.
After eating, Nickolas gave her a tour of the backyard.
He’d built a treehouse as a child and they sat up there for hours, talking and laughing together.
Their week culminated with an outing to the animal shelter.
Both loved dogs and volunteered to walk some of the energetic pups.
Anastasia was enchanted watching Nickolas play with the puppies, their tails wagging happily.
As the sun set that evening, Anastasia realized she’d never felt so content - all because of her new dear friend, Nickolas.
One sunny afternoon, with the woods empty, Nickolas suggested they go for a run in their wolf forms.
Anastasia agreed hesitantly, still learning to control her powerful instincts, she was afraid of not being able to control her wolf and ended up hurting her only friend because she still was not sure how her wolf would react around an omega.
Under Nickolas’ guidance, they stripped and shifted, their bodies twisting and reforming into magnificent wolves.
Nickolas’ wolf stood barely to Anastasia’s wolf’s shoulder, his coat a pristine snowy white. freёwebnoѵel.com
They loped through the forest trail, Nickolas nipping at her fur playfully.
But his smaller stature began to tire him out more quickly than anticipated.
Slowly, he fell behind panting.
Anastasia sensed his fatigue and stopped, watching his pink tongue loll out one side of his mouth.
Out of concern for her friend, she had an idea.
She lowered her large, muscular wolf frame and nudged Nickolas onto her back.
With an excited yip, he climbed on, holding tight with his forepaws wrapped around her neck.
Reinvigorated, Anastasia took off running at top speed, relishing Nickolas’ joyous howls in her ears.
The trees and bushes flew by in a green-brown blur as her powerful legs powered them farther and faster than Nickolas had ever traveled before.
When they finally slowed to rest, both were grinning canine smiles, their bond of trust and friendship stronger than ever.
———
Anastasia had the best time with Nickolas after school.
They laughed and played all day.
But when her driver took her home, the problems returned.
She opened the big front door, hoping for quiet.
Instead, loud bangs and yelling came from the living room.
Anastasia walked over slowly and looked inside.
The furniture was flipped over mess-like.
Decorations were thrown all around.
Her mom cried in the corner.
Her dad waved a lamp and shouted mean words.
For a moment, Anastasia wished she could stay with Nickolas and not come back.
But playing all day did not fix the trouble at home.
It was a reminder that running can’t make the past go away.
And being with Nickolas did not solve her family’s problems.
Even though he made her days happy, the yelling followed her back.
The future was not clear.
The home did not feel safe from storms.
But Anastasia was strong.
And she had Nickolas to help on bad days, with his nice friendship.
That helped some, for now.
Anastasia walked inside uneasily, clutching her bag tighter.
The atmosphere was heavy with distress.
Her mother Elizabeth sobbed in the corner, blood spattered on her dress.
He could not tell whose blood that was.
Her father paced like a caged animal, teeth bared in a snarl.
"You promised it was over, but I found the messages again!" yelled Elizabeth. "How long have you been seeing her behind my back? How long have you been cheating, William?"
"I never wanted to be mated to you!" William boomed in response. "Fate forced me into this bond against my will. It’s Samantha I love, and always have! You were just a means to an end. I never wanted this bond with you. I will take my daughter and raise her with Samantha."
"You ruined my life the day we met," Elizabeth spat, tears flowing freely now. "I trusted you with my whole heart and soul, yet that was never enough. I’m your fucking fated mate. Why don’t you feel anything for me like any normal mate? You can not take my daughter away from me. Anastasia will stay here, with her mother and be the head alpha of our pack."
Anastasia stood frozen, horror-struck, as the screaming match escalated.
Her parents seemed strangers.
A vase shattered against the wall.
She stumbled back unnoticed, slamming the heavy door behind her.
Blindly, Anastasia fled into the dense woods, uncaring of the gathering dusk.
Her parents’ anguished screams followed, echoing her own turmoil.
All the while, one thought pounded in her head - she had to escape this nightmare, if only for a little while.
She is just fifteen for god’s sake, she can not take this anymore.
———-
Nickolas was lounging on his bed watching TV when his phone rang with Anastasia’s name.
"N-nick?" he heard her shaky voice through the phone.
"Hello? Anastasia." he answered, sitting up with concern at the tremor in her voice.
Through the device and his open window, he could hear rain pouring down outside.
"Where are you?" he asked nervously. Her reply chilled him: "I’m right outside your house."
Jumping off the bed, he sprinted to the window and peered into the night.
Through the wet gloom, he spotted her shivering form below, white blouse soaked through.
As his friend in need, he wasted no time.
"Come on up!" he called down to her and opened the window widely.
With her supernatural abilities, climbing to reach the window wasn’t an issue at all, more like a peace of cake.
She scrambled nimbly up the tree trunk until her muddy boots appeared on the sill.
Nickolas leaned out to help pull her inside, out of the storm.
Anastasia collapsed into his arms, trembling violently.
"Hey, it’s okay," he soothed, rubbing her back as her tears mixed with the rainwater. "You’re safe now. Let’s get you warmed up and dry."
Guiding her gently to a chair, Nickolas gathered some towels and clean clothes.
He turned giving her privacy to change while he heated tea to chase away the chill.
Whatever had driven her to seek sanctuary with him, he was glad she found relief from the tempest within and without these walls.
As Anastasia’s shivers lessened, Nickolas turned on the TV, keeping the volume low.
They sat together in silence, him glancing at her in concern and staring vacantly at the screen.
He could tell she was still processing whatever had sent her running to him in the storm.
"I’m sorry for coming over so suddenly." When she apologized weakly for her unannounced arrival, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Don’t be silly. I’m glad you came here. Are you okay?" She didn’t reply to his question about her well-being, and he didn’t press - it was clear she wasn’t okay.
Scooting closer to the couch, Nickolas spoke in soft tones meant to soothe. "You know you can tell me anything. What’s troubling you, Anastasia? Maybe I can help."
She looked into his caring eyes then, tears welling up once more.
And slowly, hesitantly, she began to open up about the fight that had exploded back at home.
Nickolas listened intently without judgment, empathy in his gaze.
For the first time that night, Anastasia felt safe enough to let her walls down and share her burdens with another person.
She took comfort in his compassionate nonverbal support as words poured out amid fresh tears.
Nickolas softly wiped Anastasia’s tears away and pulled her into an embrace.
She melted against his comforting form, overcome by the release of crying in another’s arms for the first time.
His soothing omega scent filled her senses; she couldn’t help but nuzzle closer, gently pressing her face to his neck.
Afraid her true blood nature could intimidate the omega, she hesitated.
But Nickolas kept reassuring her with murmurs of "It’s okay, I’m here for you."
As always, the sweet nothings he whispered helped dissipate her worries.
She relaxed into his calming hold, taking consolation from scenting his gland just as before.
After a few moments, Nickolas slowly pulled back to meet her gaze.
His kind blue eyes showed only care, patience, and acceptance as they had the first time.
As she looked at him through watery lashes, he reached up to gently cup her face - keeping the same gentle touch.
Leaning closer so as not to startle her, just as he had initially, he pressed a soft, chaste kiss to her lips.
The tenderness of his gesture eased Anastasia’s lingering turmoil more than any words, exactly as it had done previously.
In Nickolas’ embrace, she felt protected yet not suppressed, mirroring her earlier experience.
Her burdens seemed to lift in the bubble of relief they created together through open-hearted understanding and comfort, repeating the glimmer of hope from before.
Their kiss deepened as the darkest of nights continued passing.
