My Wild Beast-Chapter 171: Nova Winslow?! (2)

Bruce chuckled, shaking his head as Nova moved with graceful ease like a wild cat, hopping backwards from one side of the balcony and onto a branch of the tree behind her, barefoot.

"Don’t you want some trainers?" He asked, his gaze flicking to her feet and the faded nail polish that had chipped and was mostly gone now.

Nova waved him off before hopping down and wandering off through the bushes, uncaring about the bugs and any possible animals. Most would be too scared to linger where humans have invaded. The resort that stood proud and tall, polished and squeaky clean, was complete and didn’t belong on an island like Tayun.

Bruce followed her route, moving with ease but not with any elegance. He was military-trained and in good physical condition, but he was still a little heavy-footed. Or maybe it was because of Nova’s sharper senses.

They crept around the resort, somehow remaining out of sight from staff and guests. Nova even avoided the security cameras and guards on patrol, breezing past scientists. They weren’t in the resort and congregated in a white building mostly hidden from view and not meant for the elite guests to see.

It was easy to spot them, and easier to avoid them. Nova stopped by the perimeter, walking silently along the wooden slabbed path, going behind the building, curious about the facilities, but Bruce’s wary expression halted her investigation. Instead, she ran towards it, jumped, and used her push higher, grabbing the bottom of a window pane and hopping up until she hung from the top of the smaller building, then lifted herself to the rooftop.

Bruce’s jaw almost dropped at her agility. She didn’t second-guess herself or look unsure, and acted like some pro who’d been doing parkour for years.

Nova ran across the rooftop, wincing a little from the heat of the slabs, then leapt into a tree, finding comfort in the shade and the smooth texture on the bottom of her feet. She leaned against the tree trunk, arm hooked around a branch, her toes clenched on the bark as she stared over the resort.Unlike the two-piece outfits she’d become accustomed to, which were easy to move freely in, Nova was in the next best thing—linen shorts and a vest top, revealing how much more athletic her petite figure was now.

"So, the resort was successful..." Nova murmured, feeling more at ease now that she was safely hidden in a tree and surveying her surroundings. She watched as a few guests returned from a catamaran.

Her brows pinched together as she looked in the opposite direction towards the dense forest. "What does that mean for the tribes?"

The wind softly caressed her cheeks with the warmth of energy she would never forget. ’Electa...’ The island whispered. She closed her eyes, waiting, needing to hear their voice. Only silence followed.

She remained in the tree until the sun began to fall, contemplating life, watching the new occupants of the island, and wondering what she should do from here. There was no life where she could go on without Yoa, so that left only one thing: returning to him. Was it possible?

She noted the clouds slowly forming around the island and was already climbing down the tree, leaping and running across the rooftop before the heavens opened and rain poured down. By the time she returned to the ground, Bruce, who’d surprisingly been waiting patiently for her, was soaked.

Nova wanted to venture further into the jungle, to see the differences between the worlds, and possibly learn more about how Tayun works here, but guilt weighed on her chest upon seeing Bruce’s drenched form.

"If I’d known you would still be here, I wouldn’t have lounged in the tree this entire time," Nova said, slipping down and landing gracefully in front of him. She grimaced, seeing his clothes cling to his body. "Sorry."

"You needed fresh air," he shrugged casually. "And it’s only a bit of rain."

Nova glanced to the skies, about to rumble, wondering if it was Tempakar who was unhappy or if the gods didn’t rule over this world. "It won’t be only rain soon. Come on, let’s go back to the room before it gets worse."

Bruce glanced up, unconvinced, but it was the beginning of the rainy season. "You know you could have joined me if you didn’t want to stand around..." Nova mused as they started wandering back, still remaining unseen by others.

"You wanted time to yourself. I wasn’t going to disturb that," he replied simply.

"Bruce... I don’t know if I have asked this before... but what are you doing working for the Vales and not looking for a mate?" Nova asked, distracting herself from her situation as she wiped away a few large water droplets that splattered on her forehead.

"A mate?" He frowned at the term.

"Oh, sorry, I meant a wife... or husband!" She added quickly, hands held up, as if she didn’t mean to offend him if she did.

Bruce chuckled at her flustered expression. It had been a while since he’d seen this quirky side of the girl. "Wife... And my work has always been that for me."

Nova shook her head. "There’s more to life than work."

"Says the workaholic..." Bruce countered, giving her a side glance.

Nova chuckled, ducking under a low-hanging branch. "Well, I’m no longer working... And... I have learned there is more to life than riches and owning the latest phone." Her soft smile slowly turned sad.

"Did you ... leave someone behind?" Bruce asked quietly, watching her carefully from the corner of his eyes.

Nova’s throat tightened, and tears pricked at her eyes, the emotion so sudden she could only nod in answer. After a few moments of silence as Bruce let her compose herself, Nova then stated calmly, "It was not by choice to be here again."

Bruce’s head whipped back to look at her. His footsteps halted as he began to understand Nova’s grief, little by little. He stared after the little warrior who walked ahead, this time walking onto the wooden decking, aware that most guests were getting ready for dinner and only the staff were left to tidy up the lobby from the rain.

The bodyguard caught up to her quickly, regaining his composure. "If you need my help..." He stopped her just before her door, his hand gently on her upper arm. "No matter what it is... You only need to ask."

Nova stared up at him, at the warmth in his eyes and his unwavering gaze. He meant it. But she knew who he worked for. "Even if it was to go against your boss?" She asked softly, pushing open the door.

Before he could answer, movement caught his eye, and he moved at the same time Nova reached for a weapon that wasn’t on her hip and was then tugged into the embrace of another. "Nova."

She stiffened at the unwelcome arms wrapped around her. Chad’s arms tightened as he repeated her name over and over again. "Nova, I can’t believe you’re actually here in my arms."

His words snapped her out of her stupor and awkwardness. Nova pulled away, but not before the guy dipped his head for a kiss. Her head turned at the last minute, and she grimaced at the feel of his lips on her cheek.

A shiver of unwant rippled down her body, chilling her further before she pushed at Chad Vale’s chest and slipped out of his arms.

"Nova?" Chad scowled, some of his hair falling into his brows at the sudden jolt of being pushed away from the girl he’d been obsessing over since she’d been gone. What sort of reunion was this?!

Was she not excited to be in his arms again? He observed her, noting the chilled expression in those tropical blue eyes that he adored so much.

He took another step in her direction, but Nova stepped back, looking like a startled animal.