Chapter 7

• "Wow! It's really way more complicated than I thought." Kent said, he was now sitting beside Nicolai on his bed. "So you're saying she's not only a rejected mate, but also an expecting mother! What kind of idiot will do that to his own mate?" He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "I feel so sorry for her, she doesn't deserve all that, and I'm glad you helped her." He looked at Nicolai.
• After narrating the whole story to Kent, Nicolai suddenly fell silent.
• "I want to ask you a question, Nicolai."
• Nicolai sighed deeply. "What's it?"
• "I know you helped her, and we can't also deny the fact that she's your second chance mate, but do you have any intention of ever accepting her as you mate, and I'm pretty sure you know the reason I'm asking you this question. What will you do about her?"
• Nicolai didn't have to think too much about his reply. "No. I may not be able to accept her as my mate, but I'm going to help her and make sure she's alright." He replied. "You know, Kent. I could never ever get over the death of Sophia." He said, his hurt visible in his voice, and the moment he mentioned his late mate's name, the whole memory of her death came rushing through his mind, filling his heart with an unbearable pain, a pain he's tried so hard to get rid off, but he just couldn't ever do it, no matter how hard he's tried.
• "Sophia is the only one for me. I'm still very much in love with her. I can't ever get over her, so I don't think I could ever open my heart to someone else."
• Kent placed his hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. "I know." He said softly.
• Sophia had died in a fire outbreak, and Nicolai couldn't save her. For this reason, he blamed himself for her death, and tortured himself in so many ways. When she died, it's like a huge part of him died with her. He shut himself out from the world and closed his heart to love because he believed he wouldn't be able to love another woman the same way he loved his late mate.
• Nicolai has always been an easy going man, but after Sophia's death, everything changed; he changed. Kent is the only one he's got, and he tried his best to comfort him, but it wasn't enough. Each time Nicolai would blame himself for Sophia's death, Kent was always there to tell him that he wasn't the cause of her death and that there wasn't anything he could have done to save her.
• "Don't beat yourself too hard. You've only managed to start picking up the pieces of your life, Nicolai. Please, let's not go back now." He pleaded, fearing that Nicolai will return to how he used to be; shutting himself from everyone, and seeking countless ways to unalive himself.
• "I know you're not ready to accept that lady as your mate, but you must remember that she's your responsibility, and she needs you. From what you've told me, you seem to be the only one she's comfortable around, so you need to be there for her." He hurriedly added.
• Nicolai looked at him and gave him a weak smile. "And you think I don't know that. You don't have to worry about me, Kent. I'm okay. I'm not going to try and kill myself or go back to how I used to be."
• "You better not, because you have no idea how much suffering you made me go through." Kent warned sternly.
• "Thanks for being a good friend, Kent. I would have been lost without you." Nicolai said with full sincerity.
• "It's my duty. You're not just my best friend, but also my alpha, and this pack still needs its alpha." He replied. "And I still need my best friend." He added.
• Nicolai patted his shoulder and thanked him, then he stood up. "I better go check up on Jasmine. I still need to take her to see the doctor.''
• "Mind if I tag along?" Kent asked, hurriedly standing up. "I just want to see her, and I promise I won't say anything stupid." He zipped his lips.
• "You better not." Nicolai warned before leaving, while Kent trailed behind him.
• Kent was surprised when Nicolai went to knock on the door opposite his. "You didn't tell me you gave her the room opposite yours!" He whispered.
• "Shut up!" Nicolai warned, then he knocked again. "Jasmine, are you in there? It's Nicolai."
• On hearing Nicolai's voice, Jasmine hurriedly got out of bed and rushed to open the door.
• "Nico..." She trailed when she saw Kent.
• When Nicolai noticed what happened, he immediately introduced Kent. "Don't worry, this is Kent, my beta and best friend. He won't hurt you, so you don't have to be scared of him." He said softly.
• Jasmine slowly released the breath she was holding. "Hi, I'm Jasmine." She shyly introduced herself to Kent.
• "I've heard of you, and it's a pleasure to meet you." He brought his hand forward for a handshake, but Jasmine only stared at his hand, feeling so afraid and reluctant to shake him.
• "Don't worry about the handshake." Kent instantly withdrew his hand.
• "I'm sorry." Jasmine apologized with her head bowed down.
• "You don't have to, trust me when I say it's really okay. I just wanted to meet you so as to let you know that I'm at your service whenever you need me. I will guide and protect you."
• Jasmine looked at him, surprised by his words.
• "You're my Luna after all." Kent smiled.
• Nicolai shot him a glare. "I'm sure you've got some things to tend to, Kent. Why don't you take your leave now."
• Kent immediately understood what Nicolai was trying to do, he didn't even try to argue. He bids Jasmine farewell, told her that he was going to see her around, then he leaves.
• "Sorry about that. Have you had any breakfast?" Nicolai asked. Jasmine shook her head.
• "Come with me then, you shouldn't stay hungry for long." He said and walked away, while Jasmine hurried after him. She was literally starving, but she dared not leave her room because she didn't even know anyone there except for Nicolai, and this moment, she saw him as her knight in shiny armor, because heaven knows how famished she was.