My Marked Luna (Apphia and Nicholas) novel Chapter 20

Nicholas stares into my eyes, and I hold his burning gaze. Then his gaze lingers on my lips and body before settling back on my lips again. He swallows, and my breath hitches. I take a step back involuntarily, and he blinks a few times, clearing his eyes.

“Apphia,” he whispers, approaching, but I step back. He stops, not coming any closer to me.

“How are you feeling?” he asks. I manage only a nod. I can’t say I’m alright. Physically, I’m okay, but I’m broken to pieces inside.

“I heard from Lily that you remembered. I’m sorry, Apphia,”

I nod and knot my fingers, staring at them as tears fill my eyes.

Doctor White mentioned that they ran a rape kit, so I’m sure he knows I was raped, or Lily told him. Does he feel disgusted?

“The hospital has an indoor garden. Would you like to go there for a while?” Nicholas asks.

“Yes,”

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“Wear your shoes and grab your coat; it’s chilly out,” he says. I return to the mini closet, wear black leather ankle boots, and grab a black coat from the rack.

“Ready?”

I nod, a little cheerful. Nicholas attempts to take my hand, but I flinch. He steps away, giving me an apologetic look.

I follow Nicholas meekly into the wide corridor.

We pass by many doors and a few hospital staff members, yet I don’t see many patients on this floor, even though it is enormous. Is it a private floor? The staff seem to react to us–to him. They bow deeply in respect and stop walking as we pass them.

1. up.

He’s

Nicholas takes me to the elevator, and the ladies in scrubs, obviously waiting for the lift, step aside to let us through. The way the alpha looks at me makes my heart beat fast, and my cheeks heat intimidating, yet I find him gorgeous.

The elevator finally stops at the rooftop garden. It’s a vast space with white benches and flower gardens. We are the only ones there. Does he have anything to do with it? I don’t ponder. I only enjoy the fresh outdoor air and the sunshine on my skin.

He points his chin to a white bench. I take a seat, and he does, too. I appreciate that he is careful not to sit too close to me.

“How do you feel, Apphia?” he asks after a few minutes.

“I’m getting there. Day by day,”

“Who did it?” He looks severe and scary now. “Was it a boyfriend?” There is an underlying hostility to

his tone.

1/2

Chapter 20

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“No,” I whisper, knowing what he’s referring to.

“Those men?”

“No,” I shudder. He sighs, seeming exasperated with me. “The doctor showed me your long medical chart. Your fractures are old; the abuse has been going on for years. Are you part of a pack?

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I would like to know how he reacts when I tell him the name of my pack, but I also don’t want to cause them any trouble–well, not them, only Duncan. I can’t do that to him. I’m the reason Mom died, and I don’t want to be the reason his pack gets taken away, too.

I averted my gaze by looking at the lovely flower bed, but I could feel his intense gaze.

Lily has been trying to make me talk, too. However, I gave her nothing. It’s a good thing she can’t read my mind.

“I’m not ready to talk about it,” I tell him.

“But-”

“Please,” I beg.

“We know nothing about you other than your name. Is there anything else you can share with me? Maybe family,”

“I have a father and a brother, but we are not close, so I’m basically alone in the world,” I say. Pain flushes through my eyes. “There’s nothing much to share about my life,”

Why can’t I feel your wolf even though you are old enough to shapeshift?”

“My wolf left me,”

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