Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Who Is My Date
As she watches Adrian’s breathing slowly grow steadier, she realizes something:
For the first time since their bond began, she doesn’t feel trapped by it.
She feels connected to him. And him connected to her in a way that nobody else ever could be.
It’s kind of terrifying.
---
A few minutes later, the doctor comes back to check on Adrian, and Nyra immediately steps away from the bed as he examines him.
"His condition has improved," the doctor says, looking surprised as he checks the monitor. "Actually, much faster than expected. The pain seems to be reducing at a normal speed now."
"At a normal speed?" Nyra repeats.
"Yes. His pain response has stabilized, and his wolf seems to be recovering faster than before." The doctor looks between Adrian and the charts.
"I think the painkillers were more effective than I thought."
Nyra looks down. It’s not the painkillers...and she almost says it, but swallows the words.
"He’ll probably wake up soon," the doctor adds, already moving on to the next room.
Soon.
Then she can’t stay here any longer. She would rather not have him open his eyes and see her sitting here like some lovestruck mate.
So before he can wake up. Before they have to confront whatever is happening between them.
Nyra quietly leaves.
---
By the time Nyra arrives home that evening, her body is exhausted and drained. The day feels like it lasted a year.
Despite not feeling any pain from her injuries, the fight still drained her physically.
She barely steps past the largest living room before Elena appears from the hallway, looking suspiciously happy.
"Oh, you’re finally back." She grins.
Nyra looks up. "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing. You got a delivery I’ve been waiting so we can open it."
Nyra blinks in surprise. So far, every gift Adrian had sent was at school, so why would he have something delivered here?
"Delivery?" she repeats.
"Yes, delivery!" Elena says sarcastically, pointing toward the living room table. "It came in since this afternoon."
That was before the fight even started...
Nyra walks over to the package with barely contained curiosity. She doesn’t wait to go back to her room; she opens the box right there, and both women freeze.
Inside is the most beautiful dress she has ever seen.
A deep red, ankle-length dress that gives off the illusion of translucence under the light. The fabric is elegant, expensive, and looks custom-made to fit her perfectly.
Her fingers brush against the expensive fabric gently. It’s gorgeous.Absolutely gorgeous.
The kind of outfit that would win first place in a runway show.
Immediately, one person comes to mind.
Adrian.
Of course it would be him. The arrogant idiot who somehow knew everything she liked the whole week.
She looks inside, expecting Adrian’s signature notes, but the box is empty. It’s only the dress.
Elena watches her expression carefully before smirking."Interesting."
Nyra looks up at her. "What?"
"You know exactly who sent that, don’t you?"
Nyra says nothing.
Elena crosses her arms, amused. "Come on. Who else would randomly send you a dress like that?"
"I don’t know," Nyra mutters, looking down.
But she does.
And that somehow makes whatever she felt seeing him in that hospital bed for her much worse.
Because she likes it. She likes that he thought about her. She likes that he knows exactly the kind of things she likes.
She likes that, in his own way, Adrian has finally asked her to the Moon Dance.
And she absolutely hates that she likes it.
---
Later that night, Julian notices something is off during dinner. It’s only them tonight since Elena had gone for a business meeting.
He gives her a pointed look. "You look suspiciously strong for someone who got beaten up. What happened?"
"Are you saying you want me to be hurt?" Nyra tries to deflect, looking up from her food.
"You know that’s not what I mean--" He catches on and frowns. "Nyra, don’t change the topic."
"I’m not."
He gives her a look that clearly says I know you’re lying and refuses to back down until she sighs.
"Fine. Something strange happened today."
That gets his attention."What happened?"
Nyra hesitates because telling him sounds crazy. Would he even believe her?
But then she remembers how Julian had been there for her when almost everyone else wasn’t.
"I think..." She lowers her voice. "I think there’s something strange about my bond with Adrian."
Julian blinks. "What?"
"I-I don’t know how to explain it, but I’m not feeling any pain right now despite the injuries."
Julian looks even more confused. "Nyra, you’re not making any sense... How is that possible?!"
She lets her fork clatter onto her plate. "During the fight, I should have been in pain. I shouldn’t have gotten up after Thomas broke my ribs, but I did."
Yes, Julian knows that. He’s heard at least ten different versions of what happened over the past three hours.
"But how is that possible?"
"Because of Adrian." She looks serious enough that he knows she’s not joking. "I don’t know how he knew, but he took my pain through the bond and pushed his fighting skills into me."
Her voice drops almost to a whisper. "I was the one in that ring, but it seems like Adrian was the one fighting."
Julian’s expression changes. "What do you mean? That’s not normal! I’ve never heard of something like this before!"
"Exactly." Nyra nods slowly. "I think we might need to go back and visit that oracle."
---
Friday morning at Moon-Crest Academy is suspiciously calm.The kind of calm that promises chaos later tonight.
She has just waved goodbye to Julian in the parking lot and is about to head to her first class when Jason suddenly approaches her.
"Nyra."
She turns when she hears his voice. His wounds from the fight are completely gone now.
"Hi, Jason. How are you?" Nyra asks guiltily.
She never got back to him about his proposal for them to go to the Moon Dance together.
Jason looks slightly nervous, but not offended."Did you receive the package?"
Her heart jumps.The package, immediately her mind goes to the red dress.So it was Jason who sent it? That explains why there was no signature note this time.
For some reason, she feels a strange little disappointment before she can stop it. But she quickly hides it. "Oh. Yes. I saw it."
Jason relaxes slightly. "Did you like it? I thought it was a little small-"
"Small?" Nyra interrupts. "That’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received. I absolutely loved it!"
He scratches the back of his head, looking confused for a second."You loved it that much?"
"Of course. Why wouldn’t I? It’s very beautiful." Nyra tilts her head.
Okay.This was not the reaction he expected, but he quickly masks it. If she likes it that much then he is very happy.
"I’m glad you like it."
Nyra smiles shyly. "Thank you. I will wear it tonight."
"You absolutely should..." Jason clears his throat. "Actually... about that."
Nyra sighs. "I know you’re still waiting for my response. I’m sorry, I didn’t want to tell you over the phone."
Jason looks nervous, but hopeful as she continues.
"Anyways... I wanted to tell you, yes. I would absolutely love to go to the dance with you."
Jason’s eyes widen with excitement. "Really?"
Nyra gives a small laugh at his reaction, but nods again. "Yes."
He smiles, happily. "Then it’s a date? I’ll pick you up tonight. Eight o’clock."
Nyra hesitates for a beat. But when she remembers how much effort Jason went through to get her that gift, the hesitation melts away.
"...Yes, Jason. It’s a date."
