My Marked Luna (Apphia and Nicholas) novel Chapter 53

**Apphia’s POV**

For the very first time, my gaze sweeps across the gym, taking in the scene with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. A small cluster of onlookers has gathered, their expressions a blend of excitement and concern. Lily and Emily stand nearby, their mouths slightly agape in disbelief, while Knox wears a self-satisfied smirk, clearly reveling in the spectacle.

“Don’t worry, I’ll live,” Drake grunts, his voice hoarse yet reassuring.

“Get up, don’t be dramatic,” Knox barks, giving Drake a light kick with his foot. The collective laughter that follows eases the tension in my chest, and I release a shaky breath, feeling a bit of the weight lift off my shoulders.

“Drake,” I begin, my voice tinged with worry, but he cuts me off.

“Relax, Apphía, I’m alright,” he assures me with a playful smile, wiping the blood from his face with a white towel handed to him by one of the warriors. The sight of his smile warms my heart, compelling me to wrap my arms around him once more. However, a low growl erupts from Nicholas’ chest, sending a shiver down my spine and causing Drake to tense up. He gently pushes me away, raising his hand in mock surrender.

“These hugs are making my Alpha mad. If they keep up, he might just finish what you started,” he jokes, casting a quick glance at Nicholas. I turn my head toward the Alpha Prince, a flutter of excitement igniting in my stomach. Could it be that he feels a twinge of jealousy over my affection for Drake? The thought sends a thrill through me.

Lily suddenly leaps into the ring, her energy infectious. “That was fucking incredible!” she exclaims, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

“I blacked out and saw nothing but red,” I confess, casting an annoyed glance at Knox, who merely responds with a boyish grin. He had urged me to reflect on all that I’ve endured, and I did, leading to the surprising outcome of making a gamma bleed. The adrenaline rush leaves my knees feeling weak, and I stagger slightly. Nicholas is there in an instant, catching me effortlessly in his strong, muscular arms.

“My Apphia,” he murmurs softly, his voice a soothing balm against my racing heart.

Yes, yours. The words linger on the tip of my tongue, but I hold them back, feeling a mix of emotions swirl within me.

“We need to talk,” he declares suddenly, and before I can respond, he sweeps me off my feet, carrying me in a bridal style.

I find myself nestled against his chest, and to my surprise, I don’t resist. I rest my head there, feeling the warmth radiate from him as he strides forward. I have no idea where he’s taking me, but the comfort of his embrace is enough to quell my curiosity.

A door swings open and then shuts behind us. I lift my head to take in our new surroundings. It’s a spacious office, adorned with large, open windows that let in the soft glow of the afternoon sun. A mahogany table dominates the room, flanked by two plush leather couches that invite relaxation.

Nicholas positions himself behind the desk, still holding me close against him. I find myself unable to make a move to escape, as the warmth of his body envelops me in a cocoon of safety. His fingers weave through my hair, and we sit in a comfortable silence, the world outside fading away.

Moments later, the door swings open once again, and I turn to see who has entered. It’s Lily, Blade, and Drake, their expressions a mix of amusement and concern. A frown creeps onto my face, and a wave of guilt washes over me.

Noticing my distress, Drake flashes a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. I have big boy healing,” he quips, his tone light-hearted.

And indeed, he appears to be fully healed, much to my relief. The trio settles onto the sofas, their laughter ringing out as they tease Drake about being bested by me in the ring.

I attempt to rise from Nicholas’ lap, suddenly aware of how inappropriate this might seem, but he tightens his grip around my waist, holding me firmly against him. My eyes dart to his face, and I find him gazing deeply into my eyes, his expression intense and unwavering. My gaze drifts to his cherry-red lips, and an unexpected heat rises within me.

Kiss. Kiss. Kiss. My subconscious urges me, and I feel an overwhelming desire to give in. Just then, his lips twist into a smirk, as if he can read my thoughts. Did he really? The longing to be kissed by him has never felt more potent.

I raise my hand, my fingers lightly tracing the sharp line of his jaw. His breath hitches, and a jolt of electricity shoots through me, causing me to gasp and retract my hand, though our faces remain mere inches apart.

Breathe. Breathe, Apphia. I silently coach myself, trying to regain my composure.

“Guys, we are literally watching you,” Lily chuckles, breaking the spell. My breath catches in my throat, and I pull my face away, mortified. What was I thinking? He must think I’m completely strange!

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