The Alpha's Silent Bride: Seventh Time's The Charm

Chapter 77: 077: Even From Afar

~ ROSELLE ~

It’s barely been a minute since Ethan leaves the library when a sharp thud echoes from outside, followed by the unmistakable sound of fists colliding.

My heart lurches. No... Could it be...?

Without thinking, I sprint toward the entrance, my pulse hammering in my ears.

The moment I step outside, I freeze.

Nikolai and Ethan are locked in a brutal fight, trading punches with enough force to make each hit echo through the courtyard. Blood stains the corner of Ethan’s mouth, while Nikolai’s knuckles are already split open.

"Stay the fuck away from her!" Nikolai rasps between heavy breaths as he cocks his fist back, ready to land another blow.

"Stop it, Nikolai!" I shout.

His fist stops inches from Ethan’s face.

Nikolai glances at me over his shoulder, his chest rising and falling as he struggles to catch his breath. His body remains tense, every muscle coiled as though he’s one word away from attacking again.

Ethan straightens slowly, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. A smug sneer curls across his lips as he adjusts his rumpled collar.

"Get your brute under control," he taunts, his gaze sliding toward me.

Before I can react, Nikolai lunges. His fist slams into Ethan’s stomach with a sickening thud, doubling him over.

"Nobody gets me," Nikolai growls through gritted teeth. "Watch your fucking mouth."

"Please... stop!" I beg, my voice louder this time, cracking with desperation.

Nikolai doesn’t take his eyes off Ethan.

"You should listen to your Luna..." he growls, his chest heaving from the fight. "Now get the fuck out of here."

Ethan spits a mouthful of blood onto the ground before straightening. He swipes the back of his hand across his split lip, smearing the blood into a crooked grin.

His gaze drifts to me, and he winks. "See you around, sweetheart."

Then he turns and walks away, still wearing that infuriating smirk.

Nikolai’s gaze softens as it settles on me, the fury that had been burning in his eyes moments ago fading into something gentler.

"I’m sorry about that... my Luna."

A small sigh escapes me. "Roselle," I correct quietly.

His lips twitch, but he doesn’t argue.

Silence stretches between us for a moment, broken only by the sound of our uneven breathing after the fight.

I study him carefully, noticing the fresh scrape across his cheek and the blood smeared over his knuckles.

"Did Ronan put you up to this?" I ask, unable to shake the suspicion gnawing at me.

Nikolai blinks once, his brows knitting together as though the question catches him off guard.

Nikolai hesitates.

His jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think he’s going to deny it. Instead, he lets out a slow breath and gives a reluctant nod.

"His Alpha cares about your safety," he says quietly. "Yes... he did. He asked me to keep an eye on you while he’s gone."

I swallow hard, blinking against the sudden sting in my eyes.

Even from miles away... Ronan is still protecting me.

My gaze drops to Nikolai’s hand. His knuckles are split open, streaked with fresh blood, and angry bruises are already beginning to bloom beneath his skin.

"Come with me," I say softly, meeting his eyes again. "I need to take care of your hand. It’s cut and bruised."

Nikolai instinctively curls his injured hand into a fist behind his back.

"It’ll heal by itself," he says, giving a dismissive shake of his head. "I’m fine, Roselle."

I take a step closer before he can retreat.

"I insist," I say, my voice carrying more resolve this time. "Please... let me do this."

He searches my face for a long moment, as if weighing whether to argue again. Then, with a quiet sigh of defeat, his shoulders relax.

"...All right."

He finally relents, giving me a reluctant nod. As we walk back inside, I notice something I somehow missed this morning. There are more guards stationed along the hallways.

I slow my steps, my gaze darting from one guard to the next. I hadn’t noticed them earlier because I’d been too consumed by my own thoughts..

He did this too. The realization makes my heart twist with a confusing mix of warmth and pain.

Without a word, I continue toward my room, Nikolai following a step behind.

Once inside, I retrieve the first-aid kit from the cabinet and gesture for him to sit.

He obeys without protest. Taking a seat across from him, I gently take his injured hand into mine. His knuckles are scraped raw, tiny cuts marring the skin.

"I’m sorry," I murmur before dabbing the wounds with antiseptic.

Nikolai flinches almost imperceptibly, his jaw tightening as he winces slightly, but sits perfectly still, allowing me to clean and bandage each cut carefully.

"Did Ethan hurt you?" he asks quietly, concern fully written in his tone.

My hands pause for the briefest moment before I resume dabbing at the cuts across his knuckles.

"I’m fine," I murmur, though the words feel heavier than they should. "Maybe... I should talk to Elias tomorrow."

I wrap the bandage around his hand, securing it carefully before looking up at him.

Nikolai studies me for a moment, as if trying to decide whether I’m really as fine as I claim to be. Whatever he sees seems to convince him not to press further.

He simply nods. "I’ll fetch him for you."

A small, grateful smile tugs at my lips. "Thank you."

Dinner passes in a blur, and before I know it, I’m curled up in bed, clutching the pillow I’ve held onto every night since Ronan left. It still smells like him... wood, vanilla, and chocolate... a scent that’s becoming my favorite in the world.

I’m wearing one of his shirts too. It’s ridiculously oversized, the sleeves swallowing my hands, but it’s the closest thing I have to being wrapped in his arms.

I wonder what he’s doing right now. Whether he’s reached his destination safely... whether he’s managed to get any sleep... whether he’s thinking about me as much as I’m thinking about him.

The temptation to call him grows stronger with every passing minute. Maybe I should finally give in.

I reach for the phone he bought me. I’ve never been much of a phone person. I prefer doing almost everything offline, but maybe... I’ll get used to it.

The screen lights up the moment I unlock it.

Six unread messages.

Every single one is from Ronan.

Ronan: Good morning, Rose. Did you sleep well?

Ronan: Have you had breakfast yet? Promise me you’re eating properly.

Ronan: How’s your day going? Are you staying out of trouble?

Ronan: Have you had lunch? Don’t spend the whole day hiding in the library without eating.

My lips twitch into the smallest smile. He knows me too well.

Ronan: Have you had dinner yet? Don’t tell me you’re "not hungry." I know that excuse.

My heart squeezes painfully. The last message is the one that steals my breath.

Ronan: Good night, Rose. I hope you sleep well. I’ll be thinking about you until I can come home.