Chapter 0732

Nina

For a few moments, the frenetic whirling and buzzing that I had grown so used to over the past year filled all of my senses.

But, after the briefest of moments, it was over-and I was met instead with the sound of birds chirping, fountains running, and the soft summer breeze blowing across my father's backyard.

My friends and I all stood there, our senses coming back to us. When I was oriented again, I looked up to see that my father was already standing there. He had his hands on his hips and wore a plain white t-shirt and a pair of slim -fit joggers.

"You're a little late," he said, checking his watch. "But I'll cut you all some slack on your first day."

I smiled and stepped out from partially behind Enzo. "Dad," I said, opening my arms and taking a few steps forward to hug him. "It's good to see you."

My father furrowed his brow in confusion. "Nina?" he asked. "I didn't know you were coming."

I nodded and pulled away. "Of course I came."

For a few moments, my father looked down at me with shock written across his face for reasons I couldn't quite understand. Then, with a nod, he turned to the others. "Alright," he said. "We'll be starting off with a five-mile run. I assume you all can handle it?"

The others nodded and mumbled in agreement. But as my father turned and began to lead the run, and I began to run after him, he stopped and grabbed my shoulders.

"Nina, what are you doing?"

"I mean, I probably won't be able to do the full five miles, but a little exercise would be nice-" I began, but my father cut me off.

"You can't train with us, Nina." His voice was low so that only I could hear, but it was firm nonetheless.

I knit my eyebrows together and took a step back. "But-That's why we came here today," I said. "To start our training."

"No. That's why they came here," my father ordered. "You should rest in your condition."

I almost laughed out loud. "Dad, I'm only a few months pregnant. And besides, exercise is healthy for pregnancy. Yeah, I might not be able to do as much as the others, but can't I join in just a little?"

As I spoke, I gestured down to my attire; a t-shirt, leggings, and my running shoes. I came prepared for at least a little exercise, and I was looking forward to it.

Besides, it was a beautiful day out, perfect for at least a walk through the woods on my father's estate. The others were already way ahead of us, too, not even looking back to see why my father and I were lingering behind.

Not even Enzo stopped to look back, although he had been rather aloof lately so I didn't know if it was that he didn't notice like the others or he just wanted to be alone.

"No, Nina." My father straightened and released his grip on my shoulders. "I'm sorry, but this sort of training is going to be too intense for you. Why don't you go inside and spend some time with your mother?"

"But I could at least walk the trails on my own"

"No." My father's voice, although not unkind, was even more firm now. His tone brooked no argument, and I was left blinking up at him with a mixture of confusion and mild annoyance. "You're the princess, Nina. And you've already put yourself in enough danger. This is where I put my foot down."

I opened my mouth to retort, but before I could, my father turned and ran off to join the others in their training. I watched his fading form with a sinking heart.

Princess.

I was growing to hate that word. Yes, I knew that I was pregnant and couldn't keep up as well with the others as I normally could; but part of me wondered, if I hadn't been pregnant, if his response would have been the same.noveldrama

"No, Nina," I muttered under my breath as I turned and made my way over to the garden bench. "Can't do this, Nina. You're the princess, Nina. Stay home, Nina."

I plopped down on the bench and folded my arms across my chest, silently stewing over the reality of things. Inside of me, my wolf stirred.

"He's right, you know," she said. "You shouldn't put yourself in harm's way."

I almost scoffed out loud. "You too?" I asked. "I've been feeling physically good lately, I don't see why even a hike in the woods wouldn't be allowed."

"I know you've been feeling better; so have I," my wolf said gently. "But your father is right when he says that you are the princess. Maybe it's time to start acting like it."

A sigh escaped my lips as I rubbed my eyes. "God, I hate when you're right," I said with a slight laugh. "But it doesn't make it any less annoying,"

My wolf sighed right along with me. "I'm annoyed, too. But it doesn't hurt to listen to that old man once in a while."

"Yeah. I guess not."

Before long, the others returned from their run-the only one out of them who was actually winded being Lori, the lone human left in the group and began their drills on the lawn. I watched from the sidelines, periodically pacing around to pick at the grass.

"Man, even Lori gets to participate, and she's a human," I said with a soft laugh as I picked at a dandelion on the lawn.

I felt weak, to say the least. And truthfully, I had been feeling that way for some time; my thoughts kept floating back to the days spent in Mila's domain, when I could barely even hold up my own walking amongst the ferns and the underbrush.

Was this my new reality-sitting on the sidelines, like a wallflower, watching as everyone else worked together to take down evil?

"Don't let yourself get down, Nina. Maybe you can find some other way to help in the plot to stop her."

My wolf's voice was encouraging, but I hardly felt it. My pack and I had been through so much together already; how could I possibly be of any help here when I was stuck on the sidelines, watching from afar?

But then, just as I was about to head inside, I heard a familiar voice calling my name.

"Nina! Hey, Nina!"

I turned to see Matt jogging across the lawn; he had broken apart from the group and was holding his nose. Upon close inspection, I saw that a bit of blood was dripping down his hand.

"It just started bleeding again out of nowhere," he said, his voice sounding slightly nasally from pinching his nose. "Could you..."

"Of course. Come inside with me." I nodded my head for Matt to follow, and together we began walking inside. At least I could offer support in this way, I thought to myself.

However, as I disappeared into the house with Matt, I couldn't deny the look that Enzo gave me over his shoulder.

But I couldn't quite decipher whatever it was, or why he looked so...

Angry.

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