Chapter 317

The sight of Matt and Enzo embracing warmed my heart. Their friendship was one of those rock-solid connections, deep and unwavering. They were more like brothers than mere friends. Standing a little way off, I took a moment to appreciate the bond they shared, and the beauty of such relationships.

I decided it was best to give them their moment, so I turned on my heels and made my way back inside. The cacophony of the party seemed muted to my ears, as if I was experiencing everything from within a bubble.

As I wandered around, taking in the faces of friends and loved ones, I was suddenly gripped by a strange sensation in my stomach. A sudden wave of nausea washed over me, and I felt my head spin.

I quickened my pace, pushing through the crowd, my hand pressed over my mouth. The bathroom seemed miles away. When I finally reached it, I barely had the strength to lock the door before I was throwing up into the toilet.

For a moment, I sat there, my head resting on the edge of the bowl, wondering what on earth had happened.

“It must have been something I ate,” I muttered to myself, even though I had barely nibbled on anything. “Or maybe that one drink was too strong?”

After splashing some water on my face and taking a few deep breaths to steady myself, I felt considerably better. The sickly feeling had ebbed away, replaced by a light-headed sensation that wasn’t altogether unpleasant.

I took a few moments to compose myself, checking my appearance in the mirror. My makeup was slightly smudged from the tears, but it was nothing that couldn’t be fixed. After a quick touch-up and some mouthwash, I took another deep breath, unlocked the bathroom door, and rejoined the party.

Emerging from the bathroom, I was immediately enveloped by the lively energy of the party. The room was filled with the vibrant sounds of laughter and music. People were chatting animatedly, their glasses clinking, and the ambiance was infectious. In the center of it all, people had pushed the furniture aside and were dancing.

Before I could process everything, a familiar hand wrapped around mine, pulling me into the midst of it all. It was Enzo, his eyes bright and mischievous, his grin contagious. Without a word, he pulled me close, our bodies swaying to the beat of the music.

I laughed, allowing myself to get lost in the moment, to forget the worries and uncertainties of the future. Enzo’s presence had always had that effect on me; with him, everything else seemed to fade away.

As we danced, his grip on me tightened, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. “Nina,” he whispered, his voice low and husky, “I love you. You know that, right?”

The sincerity in his voice caused my heart to flutter, and I tightened my grip on him. “I love you too,” I replied, my voice barely audible above the music.

He pulled back slightly, looking deep into my eyes. “We’ll figure this out. The distance, the time apart... I promise we’ll make it work. We’ll plan regular visits, okay? Whenever we can.”

I smiled, warmth spreading through me. “Of course, I’d love that,” I replied, pausing for a moment before teasing him. “Just promise me one thing.”

He raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident. “What’s that?”

I playfully poked him in the chest. “You better not forget about me and meet some new girl while you’re gone.”

He laughed, the sound rich and hearty, making me feel light-headed. “Oh, Nina,” he said, pulling me close again, “no other woman in the universe could ever compare to you.”

Enzo’s words made me smile. However, as we continued to dance, the realization hit harder than I expected.

With my own aspirations leading me into pre-med, following Enzo to his hockey training was out of the question. Our dreams were pulling us in two different directions, and the weight of our impending six-month separation settled in my chest like a stone.

My vision blurred, and tears began to prick at the corners of my eyes. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to see me like this, especially Enzo.

“I’ll be right back,” I said, forcing a smile and gently extricating myself from Enzo’s arms. “Don’t miss me too much.”

Enzo smirked. His cheeks were flushed a light shade of red from the alcohol he had been drinking, and his eyes had that look in them that screamed that he wanted me again. “Oh, I will,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my temple before I wove my way out of the room.

As I made my way to the stairs, the sounds of the party began to fade. I just needed five minutes alone to gather myself and take some deep breaths, and then I would be right as rain.

Just then, before I ascended the stairs, I felt a hand on my arm and looked up to see Jessica’s concerned gaze. “You okay?” she asked.

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Just overwhelmed. It’s been a long night.”

She squeezed my arm gently. “I get it. But if you ever need to talk...”

“Thanks, Jess,” I whispered, touched by her genuine concern. “I think I just need a moment alone.”

The festive noise from the party grew fainter as I made my way upstairs. When I finally reached our bedroom, I gently closed the door behind me, taking a deep, shuddering breath.

Our room was dominated by an enormous glass wall, giving us an unhindered view of the vast expanse of the ocean below. The gentle waves, reflecting the luminescence of the full moon, crashed rhythmically against the cliff, each crest and trough echoing my tumultuous emotions.

Drawn to the sight, I made my way over and sat on the edge of our bed. The moon was full, its radiant glow casting shimmering silver pathways across the water.

For someone like me, with a wolf living inside, the pull of the full moon was undeniable. On any other night, I would have been eagerly anticipating the chance to let my wolf run free, to feel the power and freedom of the transformation.

But tonight was different. The sadness, the impending void Enzo’s absence would create, was too much, and the last thing I wanted was to surrender to my wolf.

“Nina,” a soft, deep voice spoke inside my mind. It was her, my wolf, her consciousness intertwining with mine. “Why do you resist? Let me help you bear this burden.”

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair, struggling to find words. “I’m just... I don’t know how to handle being away from him for so long. Six months feels like an eternity.”

My wolf remained silent for a moment, and then she spoke, her voice gentle yet firm. “Life is full of challenges, and distance is just one of them. Maybe this separation, as painful as it might seem now, will be good for both of you. Time apart can help you grow, see things differently.”

I scoffed, although there was no real bitterness in it. “You always have a way of finding the silver lining, don’t you?”

My wolf chuckled, a deep resonant sound that reverberated in my mind. “It’s not about finding the silver lining. It’s about understanding that love isn’t always about being together. Sometimes, it’s about letting go for a little while, trusting that the bond you share will pull you back together.”

Taking a deep breath, I whispered, “I know you’re right. But knowing and feeling are two different things. It doesn’t make it hurt any less. We’ve been through so much together; the idea of facing challenges without him by my side is... daunting.”

My wolf, ever the comforting presence, responded, “I know, Nina. But remember, you won’t be entirely alone. You have me. And while it’s not the same, we will face every hurdle together. Let Enzo chase his dreams while you chase yours. When the time is right, your paths will converge again.”

Tears glistened in my eyes as I looked out at the moonlit ocean once more.

The rhythmic ebb and flow of the waves, coupled with the reassuring words of my wolf, began to soothe my aching heart.