" Allies?" he breathes, eyes on me. I only nod with a slight smile. He is not happy. Maximus is watching us, interested. 

" Leave," Nicholas orders my alpha guest__ my ally. 

" No, he's not leaving," I firmly say. 

" Apphia," he warns. 

" Nicholas," I retort. 

" I don't want you associating with this man," he says. 

" Well, there is nothing to be done now, is there? We have been allies for the longest time," I inform him. 

" How long exactly," my mate grits.

" seven- eight months," Maximus answers, glancing at me momentarily. Nicholas growls at him, 

" Apphia is just using you for your...