<div>


    His silver hair, usually neatly tied back, had a few stray strands falling over his forehead, and his wolf ears—normally hidden under a glamour—were flickering in and out of visibility. The scent of his distress, sharp and metallic, was unmistakable, and the Omega coworkers around him were casting nervous glances his way.


    Noah forced a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m fine, Ethan. Just… tired.”


    Noah’s jaw tightened. “Nothing. Just drop it.”


    His wolf form surged beneath his skin, begging for release, and he finally gave in. His silver ears twitched as they fully emerged, and his claws dug into the damp earth as he broke into a run.


    “She doesn’t need me,” he muttered to himself, his voice rough and low. “She has her life. Her choices.”


    He wanted to believe it, to convince himself that he could walk away and be fine. But the truth was, he couldn’t. Clara had become a part of him, and the idea of losing her—of her choosing someone else—was unbearable.


    Noah tilted his head back, his wolf ears flattening against his skull as he let out a frustrated sigh.


    But deep down, he already knew the answer. He couldn’t. Not without a fight.


    She had heard the rumors, the whispers of Noah''s unrest. Her heart ached knowing that he was suffering because of her.


    Noah didn''t turn around. His voice was rough, strained. "Ask you what? If you''re really going to marry someone else? I don''t have the right, Clara. I don''t have the position to ask you that."


    His skin was warm, a stark contrast to the chilly night air. "You have every right," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "Because you''re my fated mate."


    "—are just that," Clara interrupted, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile. "The Elders'' attempt to drive a wedge between us. I won''t let them succeed."


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Noah''s jaw tightened, his emotions warring within him. "I believe you," he said, his voice low, almost a growl. "But I can''t stand the thought of someone else looking at you like... like you''re theirs."


    Noah''s eyes darkened, his breath hitching as her fingers traced the line of his jaw. "Clara," he whispered, his voice rough with need. "You don''t know what you do to me."


    Noah''s hand came up to cover hers, his fingers intertwining with hers. "You drive me insane," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Every time I see you, it''s like I can''t think straight."


    Noah''s grip tightened on her hand, his other arm sliding around her waist to pull her even closer. Their bodies pressed together, the heat between them undeniable.


    "Clara," he murmured, his lips inches from hers. "If I kiss you now, I don''t think I''ll be able to stop."


    For a moment, they hovered on the edge, the world around them fading away. But before their lips could meet, a distant sound shattered the moment.


    Clara pulled back slightly, her eyes darting to the source of the noise. "We should go," she said reluctantly.


    Clara smiled, her heart swelling with affection. "One more minute," she agreed, resting her head against his chest. In that moment, everything else faded away, leaving only the two of them under the moonlit sky.


    “Noah, you’re my only choice, always have been, always will be.” Her hand reached out, fingers brushing against his cheek, their touch like a delicate caress that sent a shiver down his spine.


    Around her, the faint shimmer of her ice-wolf form flickered, its crystalline edges beginning to melt under the warmth of Noah’s presence.


    Noah’s breath hitched, his chest rising and falling with a rhythm that matched the intensity of his emotions. “My Alpha,” he murmured, his voice low and steady, “I’ll protect you. Always.” There was a quiet determination in his words, a vow that went beyond the surface.


    Noah’s heart raced, his body instinctively leaning into hers. The space between them seemed to dissolve, the air thick with unspoken desire.


    His hand found its way to the small of her back, pulling her closer until their bodies were almost flush. “I’ll never let you down,” he whispered, his voice a husky promise that sent a thrill through Clara.


    Noah’s gaze followed suit, his own lips curving into a soft smile. The world around them seemed to fade, the moonlight bathing them in its silvery glow as their heads tilted, their lips brushing in a kiss that was both tender and electrifying.


    The blood moon insignia on Clara’s skin glowed faintly, resonating with the core of Noah’s being. It was as if the universe itself was acknowledging their bond, the whispers of fate weaving their destinies together.


    The kiss deepened, their bodies pressed together as if trying to erase any remaining distance between them.


    Clara’s eyes sparkled with a mixture of mischief and tenderness. “You’re not too bad,” she teased, her voice light but her gaze heavy with emotion.