The Alpha’s Dark Revenge
Chapter 73

Drew's POV

I stood at the entrance of the kitchen shocked as I stared at Nikolai attempting to cook something. It was hilarious I regretted leaving my phone in my room before coming outside. Since when did Nikolai make breakfast himself? It was 9am in the morning. Maybe it was his hobby now...or something. Nikolai came with so many surprises now, I wouldn't particularly come as a shock if cooking was one of his hobbies now.

After watching him with interest for a while, I stepped in. "Since when did you start making breakfast yourself? No let me rephrase that, since when did you start cooking?"

As I spoke, I stretched out my fingers to grab a piece of bacon but he slapped my hand away before looking up to glare at me. "It's for Liyah. She's not feeling well today," He answered before turning back to the pan and stirring the scrambled eggs. The look on his face was so serious I nearly burst out in a fit of laughter.

"Wow, your whipped!" I laughed, watching as he turned to face me. I mean, I knew he and Liyah liked each other. But I must have underestimated just how much he did. Making breakfast for her....wow. It was adorable, but unexpected. "You really like her don't you?" I tried again.

But he didn't respond. Instead he began to make two cups of coffee; a sign that he didn't feel like talking about it. I shrugged, raising my hands in surrender and turning to walk out of the kitchen but not before trying to steal a slice of bacon again. But as expected he swatted my hand away. I glared at him before walking out, but of course he still didn't let me have it.

"I'm in love with her."

I stopped dead in my tracks at the sound of his voice. For a moment I thought I was hearing things but the seriousness on Nikolai's face as I turned to face him said otherwise. I was speechless for a while. I had been watching him and Liyah ever since they got back from their little vacation at the cabin. I marvelled at how they had both finally let go of the past. And I couldn't imagine that it must have been easy. Again, Liyah proved to be the kindest person I had ever come across. Who would be so understanding...so caring. Who would still consider the other person's feelings after they hurt them so much, almost to the point of no repair. It was the most selfless gesture. And for the first time in my life, I prayed to meet someone like Liyah. She was a f*g role model.

"Are you sure?" I finally asked. I knew this was a big step. I had never seen Nikolai as broken as when he lost Elle. He had been so hurt...he loved her so much that it felt like a part of him was broken forever. And in that moment I never thought he would love again. I needed to know he was sure. For himself, and for Liyah.

He nodded, a faraway look in his eyes. "She...she makes me feel like a person again. I feel like I can be myself around her. It's because of her that I see things differently. With her, everything makes perfect sense. Everything is worth it..."

The emotion in his voice was so strong I had no idea what to say. So I let him finish.

"I want to protect her, keep her away from any sort of discomfort. I want to baby her and cuddle her, and give her all the love she deserves. She's s-so...so special. She's everything, Drew. Everything."

"And there's something I haven't told you yet. Liyah is my mate."

I grimaced. "What?"

He nodded. "I found out so long ago, when I first abducted her. But I refused to believe it. But now.."

Wow. Well that explained a lot.

I gave a small smile. Reaching out, I placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm glad to hear it. Liyah is an amazing person. You can't help but like her, everyone does. She smart and beautiful and compassionate. And I think that the two of you are perfect for each other." He sighed, running his fingers through his hair as he rested against the kitchen counter. "Sometimes...sometimes I have this feeling of so much guilt. It feels like the more I fall for Liyah, the more I'm betraying Elle. I feel like I'm taunting her memory. And I have no idea what to do about it. I have no regrets falling in love with Liyah. But sometimes I feel like a terrible person-"

"Hey, hey," I stopped him, walking over to stand next to him. "It's perfectly normal to feel that way. You were deeply in love with Elle. And the nature of her death inevitably comes with this feeling of guilt. But it's not your fault. You don't have to feel guilty about falling in love with someone else. And I'm pretty sure that wherever Elle is, she would want you to replace love again. She would want you to be happy. You've been in pain for so long..too long. You deserve this ray of sunshine. This happiness, so don't keep yourself from enjoying it."

He nodded, smiling a little as he began to place the food on a tray. "Thanks, man."

I grinned. "It's okay. I'm so happy for you." And I really was. He deserved all the happiness in the world. He just needed to relax, enjoy his life with his amazing girl, and toss anything that would stress him out or make him feel bad.

As he neared the door, I called out. "Oh and Nikolai? Please stop sneaking all over the house with Liyah. The entire pack knows you two are together. And also, if you could tone down the cuteness just a little bit, the chances of the rest of us dying from jealousy would be considerably lower."

The sound of his roaring laughter filled the room as he walked out.