Chapter 4 The Episode

Nicole panicked. How could she actually sleep with Aidan?

Thinking fast, she masked her nerves and melted into Aidan's space, draping her arms around his shoulders with a playful smile. Her tone turned syrupy, light as air. "You really shouldn't trouble yourself. Let me do it."

She reached for his shirt, her fingers fumbling with the buttons, betraying the anxiety she fought to hide. As she unbuckled the second button, the hard lines of his collarbone and sculpted chest stood out in the soft light.

Right as Nicole started planning her escape, she noticed Aidan's breathing had gone ragged. His skin, already pale, turned ashen, sweat breaking out across his brow. His eyes clouded over, unfocused and distant.

A surge of alarm shot through her. This wasn't just nerves-something was very wrong.

Nicole steadied him with one hand and rubbed gentle circles between his shoulder blades, her voice urgent. "Hey, what's going on? Are you having an episode?"

Aidan pressed his palm hard against his temples, jaw clenched tight as if every muscle in his body was fighting for control. His face had gone stark white, beads of sweat glistening on his brow. With effort, he lifted his arm and pointed toward the door, his voice hoarse and strained. "Get out. Now."

Nicole refused to budge, her eyes unwavering with determination. For once, she sensed the tide was turning in her favor-she wouldn't back down now.

Moving closer, she gently took his trembling hand in hers, her touch confident but soothing. "Aidan, focus on me. Slow your breathing. You're going to be okay."

The door banged open, startling them both. Lilah Buckley-Aidan's childhood friend and godsister, elegant yet breathless and clearly alarmed-charged into the room. She rushed straight to Aidan, hands half-raised as if to steady him, but hesitated, pulling back at the last second. Nerves showed in her voice as she stammered, "Aidan, what's happening? Are you all right?"

Aidan's eyes flashed ice-cold as he leveled a look at Lilah, the air between them frosted with indifference.

Nicole noticed him wavering and didn't hesitate. Without missing a beat, she pinched his arm hard, hoping the pain could help him stay focused.

Lilah rushed to intervene, worry etched across her face. "Ms. Wilson, you shouldn't do that! He can't tolerate being touched-especially by women. It never ends well."

But before Lilah could say another word, Aidan's fingers suddenly clamped tight around Nicole's. His grip was fierce, knuckles bone-white.

Lilah stared in open-mouthed shock, unable to process what she was seeing. In all the years she'd known Aidan, he had never let a woman near him-never, not once. Yet here he was, clinging to a woman as if she were the only anchor in a storm.

Right at that moment, the butler, Duran Archer, barreled into the room, only to freeze mid-stride, jaw slack as he tried to process the chaos before him.

Aidan's ragged breaths sounded desperate, almost animal. His grip on Nicole's hand turned vicious-his knuckles white, her bones grinding together painfully beneath his strength.

Nicole's forehead beaded with sweat, but she refused to pull away. With a deliberate inhale, she slipped a slender silver needle from her bag and lined it up with the pressure point nestled between Aidan's thumb and forefinger.

Lilah lunged forward, her expression pinched with panic. "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, voice trembling with fear.

Head bowed, Nicole's lashes cast delicate shadows across her cheeks, hiding the steely resolve in her eyes. Her answer came out soft, unwavering. "I'm saving him."

She moved with meticulous precision, angling the needle with a steady hand.

Before Nicole could make contact, Lilah seized Nicole's wrist, her grip surprisingly strong. "Stop! How could that be a proper treatment. If something happens to Aidan, you will face severe consequences."

Nicole slipped free of Lilah's hold and met her gaze squarely, her tone unflinching. "If anything happens, I'll answer for it. That's a promise."

Before Lilah could utter another word of protest, Nicole pressed the needle in, her movements swift and controlled.

Stunned, Lilah froze mid-breath, her composure completely shattered by Nicole's fearless determination.

Even Duran seemed caught off guard, his mouth parting in silent shock.

Aidan, barely clinging to consciousness, felt a faint prick-a sensation no worse than a mosquito bite. His fingers twitched instinctively.

Catching that minute response, Nicole wasted no time. She drew a second needle, her focus sharp as she targeted a vital point on Aidan's scalp.

Panic drained the color from Lilah's face. She blurted, desperate to intervene, "Ms. Wilson, are you out of your mind? Do you even know what you're doing?"

Irritation sparked in Nicole's eyes as Lilah erupted. She sliced through the chaos with a voice as icy as steel. "If you actually want him to live, shut up. Utter another word, and you will be kicked out."

Lilah gaped, floored by Nicole's nerve, but her shock quickly hardened into seething outrage. "I'm his godsister. You're risking his life, and I won't just stand by and watch."

Standing tall, Lilah jabbed a finger toward the exit and barked, "Get the hell out of here."

Nicole didn't flinch. Unbothered by the hostility, she drove the needle into the pressure point atop Aidan's head with precise confidence.

On the other side of the room, Duran's complexion drained of color. His mind raced: if something happened to Aidan, how could he ever face Aidan's grandmother?

Lilah's patience snapped. She whipped around to Duran, her voice sharp with panic. "Duran, call security! Get her out of here-now!"

Duran scrambled to obey, but Nicole didn't spare either of them a glance.

With steady hands, she began removing the needles, her attention fixed on the gradual improvement in Aidan's breathing. Not even a whisper of doubt crossed her face.

Aidan's lashes fluttered as he returned to consciousness. Lilah edged closer, ignoring his well-known aversion to woman. Her voice was soft but urgent. "Aidan, are you alright?" She instinctively reached out to steady him.

His gaze landed on her hand as if she'd offered him poison. With a flash of rage and disgust, his voice cut through the room. "Leave."

Lilah faltered, her outstretched hand suspended awkwardly between them. She'd convinced herself that Aidan's acceptance of Ms. Wilson's touch meant he'd finally outgrown his distaste for women, but she'd been wrong.

Biting back embarrassment, Lilah reluctantly retreated, eyes downcast.

Meanwhile, Nicole quietly disinfected her needles, moving with practiced precision before tucking them neatly away. Only then did she glance over at Aidan. "Feeling any better?"

Aidan's gaze lingered on Nicole, searching her face with a new intensity. There was no more doubt-her medical skill was undeniable.

His eyes narrowed, voice dropping to a guarded murmur. "Your needles cam heal. Can they kill as well?"

Nicole's hand stilled over her medical kit. She met his stare, fully aware that suspicion was inevitable.

Any man in his position, faced with a substitute bride who could stare down a wolf and wield such precise skill, would start wondering what she was truly after.