The Lycan's Forbidden Mate novel Chapter 44

“I fail to comprehend your refusal to join my family for breakfast.” Nikolai said Idly. His attention was fixed on Ophelia, who was sitting in the chair next to the bed and eating a deliciously sauced piece of steak. 1

She had taken a morning bath and was once more wearing a huge shirt and pants. Unlike the other day, she let her hair down and gave it a ruffled look. Nikolai was unable to do anything other than gape at her like a starved man as her eyes twinkled with each piece of that meat. If only he was focusing so intently on the food, but it wouldn’t be normal, would it?

“You really want to die,” She responded and licked her lower lips which

were smeared with the sauce.

He stifled a moan and glanced away right immediately. “You’re already killing me,” He mumbled before turning to face her. The corner of his lips twitched when she gave him that

bunny–on–the–lookout–for–fresh–carrots expression.

“Let me eat in peace.” She gave a dismissive head shake and resumed

eating.

“Of course Firestorm, when you’re finished, we’re going for a ride.”

Ophelia choked. Nikolai rushed up to her, grabbed a glass of fresh orange juice from a nearby table and held it up to her lips. She didn’t think twice about letting him feed her the drink till the glass was empty.

Nikolai placed the glass to the ground and cradled her face while glaring at her frantically. “Are you okay?”

Ophelia stared at him in awe as he pressed her cheeks. Damn! He was protective. She almost blushed but chastised her dirty mind.

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When Nikolai noticed that she was still and staring at him, he sighed in relief, let her go, and then stood up straight while putting his hand in his coat pocket.

Ophelia gave him a wide–eyed glare in the hopes that he wouldn’t see the reason why she abruptly choked on her food. “I… um.. ride what?”

On those delectable lips of his, a broad, taunting, yet scorchingly sensual smile broke out at that precise moment. “Ride what?”

Ophelia averted her gaze. “What else?” Her face reddened and she whispered, closing her eyes. She cursed loudly in her head.

Nikolai laughed heartily.

It made her chest tingle. She cherished that noise. He seemed content. Genuinely joyful.

“Today is the annual combat tournament, and as the soon to be crowned Alpha of Celestia, we must attend.”

Ophelia’s eyelids flickered open as she moved her head back to face him. “A horse then.” Nikolai couldn’t help but smile as she nodded in complete relief.

“Do you wish to ride something else? All access is yours.” Nikolai teased. “I want you to know that, FireStorm.”

“Lai Lai!”

Nikolai’s face dropped. Not that name again.

“Lai Lai..” he muttered.

Ophelia turned her focus back to her dish of partially consumed beef in sauce. “Why is this tournament so significant?” She asked gradually.

“It is a customary celebration that announces the moon festival, which is

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actually quite soon. A long time has passed since I last attended.”

Ophelia’s gaze flitted in his direction. “Three hundred years is indeed a long time, Lai Lai,”

“Sure.”

“Hmm mm.” She took a bite gradually. She pointed the fork at him with only one mouthful left.

“If you eat this, I’ll accompany you.” With the fork, she drew a circle and grinned at him.

Nikolai kept his eyes on her and bowed his head, saying, “Not hard,” as he bit into the steak. He watched her swallow as he pulled the meat off the fork, and as it slid into his mouth, he couldn’t help but laugh.

Ophelia blinked quickly and turned aside when her heart skipped a beat. She hoped that she wouldn’t develop a cardiac condition as a result of him. Her perception of Nikolai was being altered by his current behavior. A creature with a dark, hollow soul.

Nikolai picked up the dish that was in her lap and the empty glass from the floor, setting them on the table. “Are you really going to continue using that terrible nickname?” He asked.

“What?” Ophelia inquired while standing up, and when he turned to face her, he saw that she was rubbing her stomach and grinning contentedly.

Good.

She was a foodie who, up until this point, had rarely eaten. He pondered how she might appear if she were chubby. Her cheeks would undoubtedly be bigger. Nikolai knew that it would be worse for him to let her go if she were to grow even more endearing than she already was.

“The name Lai Lai.”

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“What’s wrong with it?” Ophelia asked, batting her eyes innocently.

“I hate it.”

“Not my problem,”

“Can’t you think of something simpler?”

“Says the one who calls me FireStorm.”

Nikolai smirked. “You are a Fire Storm,”

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

“Am I really?”

“Yes.”

“Very well, Lai Lai,” Ophelia grumbled and walked past him, towards the

door.

Nikolai let out a loud sigh. Staring at her graceful movements. One would

never know that this woman was a fierce warrior.

Ophelia opened the door and gasped seeing the Tiger Phoenix right in front of her, staring intently. “Hello Pain,” She smiled, waving at the guardian beast.

“What a terrible name.” She made a grimace.

Nikolai scoffed and walked to stand by her side. “It’s at least better than

Lai Lai,”

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