62: Nik's POV

My father had sent me to spy on Ada’s father, stepmother and stepsister.’

It was not unusual for him to utilize my talents in this way, but it was unusual to do it in such a formal manner. He hadn’t sent me to the outskirts of the territory, to remain hidden. No, he’d sent me on the train and arranged for me to stay at the pack house with Ada’s family. I was to remain here as an emissary, which was usually Phoenix’s role in things, and spy in my downtime. To say the least, I was having a miserable time. 

Francine and Alpha Bryant were abhorrent company. Not just because I knew of the rebellion that was developing within their pack, but because they were genuinely awful people. They still kept slaves — though they referred to them as ‘unpaid servants’— and treated them worse than the dirt beneath their feet. I had to step in twice when I witnessed Francine smacking a maid or footman for making a small error. Bryant simply pretended the issues with Francine were not present. 

There was plenty of lust between the two of them, but I wouldn’t call it love. He was so enamored with her, that he’d let her do whatever it was she wanted. 

Georgina, while sweet, wasn’t much different. She put on a much better face, and I could certainly understand why Phoenix had been caught with her spell. Though young, she was strikingly beautiful. Her features were similar to her mother, but softer. The cadence of her voice was like honey. I didn’t normally thing of Phoenix as a lesser man, but perhaps falling for her ruse made that a possibility. It was all a facade. She laced her words with venom and her sharp eyes did not miss any details. Georgina Bryant was the one I was most careful and guarded around on a day to day basis. I answered her questions as best as I could without giving away too many details, but even that felt like too much. 

It did not surprise me that she was the true mastermind behind trying to get Finn to ally himself with their rebellion. She had both of her parents wrapped around her finger. The fact that this entire rebellion stemmed from a desire of my younger brother… well, that made me want to laugh. All of these people were going to lose their lives because of a tyrant who didn’t understand the folly of the heart in her young years. 

I’d managed to learn a lot about this family and this pack in my time here, but not of the rebellion. I think that having me here so soon after Darius’ impromptu visit had sent off alarm bells for them. Whatever rebellion was forming, it wasn’t being talked about. There were no hushed whispers, or even odd glances for my shadows to report back to me. After nearly five weeks of time being spent with Alpha Bryant and his wife, Francine, I was finally being called back home. 

Which had led me to this night— the final dinner with the Bryants. 

A feast I knew they could not afford was laid out on a large banquet table in front of me. Georgina was seated directly to my right, with her mother right across from me. Alpha Bryant was to my left, at the head of the table. Much to their surprise, I hadn’t complained about the placement of our seats— even though it was a sign of disrespect to seat me anywhere other than the head of the table given the fact that I outranked every wolf present. I didn’t care about such frivolous matters. 

I was antsy to return to the castle, to Ada. Our nightly mental conversations over a weak bond were not enough. I, and my shadows, craved her company greatly. Unfortunately, I was lost in thought about our last encounter together when a pair of fingers snapped in front of my face. I blinked and set my fork down, turning toward Alpha Bryant. 

The growl I’d kept at bay for over a month erupted from within my throat, “What do you think you’re doing, Alpha Bryant?”

“I was speaking to you, Alpha Nikolai,” Alpha Bryant continued cutting his steak, eyes focused on his plate, “You seemed to not be paying attention so I thought I would intervene.”

“Alpha *Prince* Nikolai Ashford,” I stood, the irony that I was pulling rank just now not lost on me, “You would be wise to remember that, Alpha Bryant. I have overlooked disrespect from the moment I arrived,” shadows swirled around me and the Alpha eyes widened, “I will no longer do so. I could claim your life for placing a hand so near to me without naming intent first. Do not forget that.”

To emphasize, I sent my shadows around not only his neck, but Francine’s as well. He blubbered, nodding rapidly, “Apologies, your grace. I was simply confirming your plans to leave in the morning.”

“They are confirmed,” I barked out, “Your apologies are not accepted. I believe you know why my father sent me here,” the way his eyes continued to widen only added fuel to my fire, “You would be wise to stop whatever it is you are doing to gain his attention. It will not end well for any of us,” I turned and leveled my gaze on Georgina, “Especially for *you.*”

Before anyone could respond, I stormed out of the room. I made my way to the quarters they had drawn up with great haste, throwing my things into a trunk. My temper was flaring, shadows erupting so quickly I couldn’t tamp them down. It had been so long since I’d been this angry— and I couldn’t quite figure out what had made it come out right now. I’d dealt with far worse and far more disrespectful situations than the ones that Alpha Bryant had put me in over the last month. 

It had to be Ada. I hated being this far from her, and it pained me to get to know the family that had mistreated her so greatly. I’d spent some time at the farm that she had been outcasted to, witnessed the way that people were there were treated. It made me sick to my stomach. I had wanted to rip out all of their throats then and there. 

As if I’d summoned her with my thoughts, I felt the distant brush of Ada against our bond. I opened my mind to her. She spoke so softly, sweetly, *You’re angry.*

*I am,* I confirmed, sitting on the edge of the small bed I had been provided, *Your father is a jackass.*

*He is,* she chuckled, *but you’ve said that so many times over the last month. Why is this any different?*

I swear I felt her fingers flit across my cheek. Heard her sigh in my ear. My eyes closed as I tossed my head back, *I’m just ready to be home.*

The shadows had retreated back within me. Ada laughed down the bond, *Back here with your father? With Elizabeth? What’s so good about that?*

*You, my dove,* I sighed and laid back on the bed, *Simply. Home is just you.*

A pause. For some reason, I imagined her sitting on her couch in front of a roaring fire, smiling and kicking her feet. Most likely, I placed far more weight mentally on how she felt about me than was actual reality. But when she responded, her voice had changed pitch. It was low, breathy. Almost as if…

*You’ll be the first one back, Nik.*

*Are you…?* I trailed off, a wicked grin forming on my face as my cock hardened, *Ada, you wicked woman. Let me feel it.*

There was a chuckle. Then, *No. You’ll feel it when you come home to me.*

And just like that, the bond between us snapped closed.