《Alpha Noah》


 Chapter 1

    ~Abe


    ¡°I can¡¯t exin it. I just feel watched.¡±


    My good friend lies upon my bed, flipping through a magazine, sipping out of her wine ss. She doesn¡¯t even look at me, too fascinated by the smiling models with perfect straight teeth and sharp cut abs, as pixualted as they might be upon her page. You can¡¯t help but love Samantha.


    ¡°Maybe you have a secret admirer,¡± she offers, draining the rest of her ss. Alcohol is banned in the Harmony Pack, the fine being caught with it is steep. Consequently, we drink at the privacy of home. Well, Sam drinks. I don¡¯t like what it does to me.


    ¡°I¡¯m being serious Sam. I feel like I walk home from work and someone is following me,¡± I tell her firmly. It¡¯s been bothering me a lot recently, to the point I¡¯ve been considering going to the authority about it.


    ¡°I think you¡¯re just paranoid.¡±


    She isn¡¯t just dismissing me, there¡¯s a reason for her thinking that. The Harmony Pack keeps immactely to its namesake. Crime here is non existent, aside from the petty crimes like smuggling alcohol that often gets revealed to authorities in ways people question but get no answer to. This ce is simply perfect.


    Part of me thinks Sam onlyes over every night to drink her wine in my home, since I live in a small apartmentplex. No one really investigates us. I like it thought, since I don¡¯t have many other friends.


    ¡°Let¡¯s be realistic here. Maybe someone you work with thinks you¡¯re cute and is following you home to see where you live,¡± she offers. ¡°That¡¯s if you¡¯re not going crazy.¡±


    I roll my eyes at her.


    ¡°Considering the fact that the only people I work with at the Post Office is my manager and the mailman, who are both over seventy years old, I doubt that¡¯s the case,¡± I remind her, leaning back against my deck chair. She shrugs her shoulders, raising her eyebrow at em, suggesting clearly that age doesn¡¯t matter. I shiver.


    ¡°Anyways, it¡¯s curfew in twenty minutes and I have to get home,¡± Sam says in one breath, folding the magazine up before tucking it under her arm. ¡°Will you walk me to the end of the street again?¡±


    It¡¯s been a trend of ours since she starteding to my house to visit. I don¡¯t particrly like it, but it makes her happy. ¡°I hope one day soon you get over this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d keep dreaming love.¡±


    With linked arms, Sam and I walk down the street which is brightly lit by warm street lights above us. There is no reason to be fearful, even at night. Especially on a colder one like tonight, where everyone is inside, right before curfew. However, that feeling of being watched haunts me as I say goodbye to Sam.


    ¡°Be safe,¡± I murmur, giving her a fleeting hug. She looks at me strangely, making ament about how I¡¯m paranoid and over thinking, before she walks off, dark blonde hair swaying down her back with every step.


    Taking a deep breath, I turn around and start my walk back. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up, making me shiver.


    And then, the streetmp right above me flickers off.


    Without thinking, I quicken my step, fumbling with the keys in my hand. I see someone approaching, which is strange but not rare. They wear dark trousers, but their top is a green shirt which is in no way intimidating. He¡¯s just going to walk past me and not even acknowledge me. Sam is right, I am paranoid.


    He does, however, stop right in front of me. He¡¯s a young looking kid with shaggy blonde hair and warm brown eyes. Regardless, I¡¯m skeptical, warily trying to move around him until he speaks to me.


    ¡°Hi, sorry, I don¡¯t mean to just jump out at you like this, but I thought I woulde say something to you since we live in the same building,¡± he says.


    I bristle.


    ¡°Did you just move in?¡± I ask. I¡¯ve never seen him before that I know of, and it sure is a strange way to greet your neighbour by approaching them in the street at night. He looks rather friendly and easygoing, however, with how I¡¯ve been feelingtely, I don¡¯t want to take any chances.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ve been there forever,¡± he tells me, grinning widely. My jaw clenches, as I try to pair him to where he might be living. Regardless, I can¡¯t find a ce for him, so I begin to take steps past him warily.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I know everyone who lives in the building, and I don¡¯t think you do,¡± I say, trying to turn and walk away.


    He takes one more look at me, and lunges.


    I scream, dodging out of his grasp, his fingertips barely touching me before I take off into a run down the street. Thankfully, I reach the door to my apartment before he does. Fumbling with my keys, I attempt to shove them in the door, trying to get my way back in. Looking over my shoulder, I see him running at me, that warm expression gone.


    ¡°Please,e on,¡± I beg, as the key slips from the lock. I¡¯m going to die. He¡¯s going to capture me and drag me into his car, and no one will ever see me again. I should never  have ignored my gut feeling.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Finally, the door opens, and I dive inside, mming the door shut behind me. Behind the ss, the stranger suddenly appears, banging loudly against the door.


    They are trying to break the ss¡­


    Stumbling back a few steps, I look into his crazed eyes, wondering how long he was stalking me for. Just before I was about to turn away, someone else appears at the door, dressed in all ck, a hood pulled over their head so I couldn¡¯t see their face. Both are here to kill me. Both are going to get in here before I can get help.


    It seems I¡¯m proved wrong though, as the hooded man grabs the back of the boys shirt, and rips him away from window, throwing him onto the pavement behind him.


    I don¡¯t stick around to see what happened to either of them. I turn around, running for the elevator. Not even looking back, I move up to my floor, entering my apartment to lock it safely behind me.


    What just happened?


    Checking my lock again, I close all my curtains and turn all my lights off. Settling into a chair in the back of my room, I contemte what to do next. I¡¯m for sure going to call the authority after I sift through my mind at what just went on. All I know is that I got attacked by someone who may have been stalking me for awhile.


    And most importantly, someone saved me¡­

 Chapter 2

    ~Abe


    The authorities couldn¡¯t tell me who the hooded man was.


    For once, I paid extra to get driven to work, rather than walking. Expenses outside of my strict budget aren¡¯t usually permitted, considering I hardly make money that doesn¡¯t go toward rent. This, however, ispletely justified. I can¡¯t tell if that hooded man was trying to help me, but I¡¯m not taking risks.


    Thankfully, the stalker man was detained immediately. Crime in this Pack is almost always brought to justice. That¡¯s what makes the fact that the authority can¡¯t find this hooded man all the more perplexing. And frightening.


    At least work is uneventful. I¡¯m stuck in a back room sorting through mail, not seeing a single face. I can¡¯t wait to get home and see Sam. She will love to hear about what happened.


    I can already predict her curiosity about the hooded man.


    As I was sifting through mail, something catches my eye. It¡¯s a rectangle box, covered in glimmering golden paper. It¡¯s so soft to the touch, it sends shivers down my spine. Much to my disbelief, it has my name and address printing on it. It doesn¡¯t suggest who brought it, so I take it onto the break room.


    I¡¯m careful opening it, peeling back the paper with precision. Inside, is a small velvet ck box, and a golden note which flutters out onto the table. I pick up the note first, more curious about that then what might be in the box. I want to know who this is from.


    Abe. I¡¯m sorry forst night¡¯s events, I hope you are not too shaken. Tonight, I am having a party (find address on back). I hope you wear my gift. Consider it a thank you forst night.


    ~ Your Secret Admirer


    Flipping the note over, I in fact see the address. It¡¯s a ce in the town over. It¡¯s a wealthy town that I can barely afford to pay for a ride over, let alone stay there. Regardless, I wouldn¡¯t go anyway. If this is the man that wore the hood like was insinuated, thest thing I want to do is thank him. I want to forget this all happened.


    Scrunching the note up, I toss it into the trash. Curiously though, I open the small box. Inside, is a pair of glittering earrings. Are these real diamonds? I can¡¯t throw these out, so I slip them into my work bag. Maybe Sam will know how to get rid of these.


    As the work day slipped by, I couldn¡¯t help my wandering mind. Who is this hooded man? Clearly he is a generous, wealthy man from another town.


    Why are they interested in me?


    Once work waspleted, I stopped by at a local bar to see Sam. It¡¯s her idea. She can¡¯t drink here, considering the strict alcohol ban, however, she likes to sit in a booth spying on attractive guys who walk through. Here, I can talk to her about what happenedst night,pletely safe in a public ce.


    ¡°So did they get the guy?¡± Sam questions, chewing on the end of her potato fry. I¡¯m d I came out to dinner with her today rather than going to the party I was invited to by that stranger. I¡¯m deciding to keep that to myself.


    ¡°He¡¯s been detained. They are saying he won¡¯t give an exnation to why he did it,¡± I tell her, resting my head in my hands.


    It¡¯s hard not knowing what he was nning to do to me.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t think about it if I were you. He¡¯s not your problem now,¡± Sam says dismissively. She¡¯s clearly distracted by someone who has just walked into the bar, so I nce over my shoulder to see what has gotten her interest so quickly. She even speaks up about it. ¡°Do you see that guy? God he¡¯s cute.¡±


    Her gaze leads to a man who walks in, shoulders slouched, hat shoved on his head. From where I sit, I can¡¯t see much of his face, which seems to be the point with what he wears and the way he walks.


    ¡°Stop staring,¡± I scold Sam, who seems to be staring dreamily at him. Either she is desperate, or sees more than I do. ¡°He looks like he¡¯s had a bad day.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s call him over.¡±C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    There was no chance to hush Sam, as she calls the man over with some flirtatious remark which makes him halt in his step to look up at us. I see a sh of dark eyes before he looks down again. Much to my surprise, he saunters over, sudden air of confidence in his step. Now he has our attention, he seems much more brazen.


    He slides into the booth, right next to Sam. I sit on the other side, nervously fiddling with my fingers under the table. He nces up at me, and for a full minute, I¡¯m practically struck by the entire look at him, it has all the hair on my body standing on end.


    ¡°Good evening girls. I¡¯m d to see you,¡± he says with an ent that is practically magical. It lingers in the air, making me shiver.


    Then, he flips off his hat


    Both Sam and I flinch at the sight of him. His eyes, although normal, are sharp and focused, staring so deeply into my soul it¡¯s unnerving. His skin glows wlessly under the lights of the bar, confirming an exotic, otherworldly look about him. His hair is the most ethereal part of him. The roots of his hair grow a brilliant golden colour before fading out into thick, inky darkness on the end.


    He¡¯s clearly speaking to me, but his voice is muffled in my ears. Sam seems as dumbfounded as me, wondering how such a perfect creature is sitting out our table. There doesn¡¯t seem to be a single w from his round eyes, defined cheekbones and straight jawline.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you Cian, this is Abe,¡± I hear Sam say, snapping me out of my trance. Blinking a few times, I look up at the stranger, who stares tantly at me.


    ¡°Beautiful name,¡± he breathes. Not once does his gaze ever falter.


    ¡°Hello,¡± is all I say. I¡¯m not so sure why I¡¯m struck by this man. Maybe because he is clearly not normal, nor from this world. It seems foolish to think like that, since I doubt he is immortal, yet he looks so different. Maybe he is from the Desire Pack, where dying hair and looking entric is expected of people there.


    I expect this stranger, named Cian, to turn his attention to Sam. She is not only more attractive, but she¡¯s confident and a good speaker. Instead, though, Cian remains focused on me, as if I have anything else to offer the conversation.


    ¡°It¡¯s a shame you didn¡¯te to my party,¡± Cian says slowly. My heart almostpletely stops for a moment. ¡°I was expecting you.¡±


    My mind hurts trying to put everything together.


    I need to order a taxi and get back to my locked apartment as soon as I can. Then, I can report Cian to the authority. How did he even find me here? He must be the reason I feel so watched recently. Somehow, he¡¯s managed topletely take over my life. He knew I would find the letter at my work. He knew I would be here with Same.


    ¡°Sorry, but I should go,¡± I say without warning, getting up from the booth, shuffling my way out. Sam protests, questioning where I am going, but I ignore her. I¡¯m sure I look foolish walking briskly out of the bar, not looking behind me.


    The cold air outside is a p in the face as I emerge onto the street. Curfew is approaching fast, I assume.


    I need to get out of here.


    ¡°Why are you leaving so fast?¡± I hear Cian say from behind me. Whirling around, he follows me out, hands shoved in his dark pants, an raised eyebrow in my direction. He looks like the shadows themselves with the dark button shirt with buttons the same gold colour as his hair.


    ¡°You¡¯re a stalker. Get away from me,¡± I use. My backwards steps down the street are only matched by Cian¡¯s as he follows me. Considering the hour of night, no one is around us, the remaining dead until morning.


    Cian looks sinister under the luminous glow of the streetmp, his smile sly, making me shiver. I¡¯ve concluded he cannot be normal.


    ¡°Come on Abe. Can we not just talk?¡± he questions.


    There is nothing he could say to make me want to talk to him. He¡¯s a stalker, who found out my location too many times for me to be able exin away. It makes me wonder how long he has been plotting this. By the expression on his face, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he is nning to attack me right now.


    ¡°Get away from me. If youe any closer, I¡¯m going to call the authorities,¡± I threaten, to which Cian only chuckles.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t say I¡¯m all that threatened by your authority.¡±


    His words send my blood cold, so I decide I¡¯m not going to stick around much longer. I give him onest nce, before I turn to run down the street. Sam will be safe inside the bar, and if he follows me, I¡¯ll scream. Curfew isn¡¯t over yet, meaning people won¡¯t be afraid toe out of their homes to save me.


    ¡°You can run all your like Abe,¡± I hear him call out after me. ¡°I¡¯ll always find you.¡±

 Chapter 3

    ~Abe


    I didn¡¯t leave my house for a few days.


    What Cian said to me gued me. I¡¯ve always been a rather anxious person, only doing things I know I¡¯mfortable with, living through my outgoing friend, Sam. My apartment is the one ce where I feel the most safe, so I keep myself here when things aren¡¯t going right. And to say the least, nothing is going right at this point.


    ¡°What is going on? Two guys stalking me in one week? No one has ever looked twice at me before, so what¡¯s changed?¡± Iin, holding the phone to my ear. I haven¡¯t allowed Sam toe in, since that means unlocking my door. So the phone will have to suffice.


    ¡°I personally think you¡¯re being over dramatic,¡± shements. ¡°I mean, maybe you heard him wrong? He was probably just looking for your number.¡±


    You can run all your like Abe. I¡¯ll always find you.


    ¡°I¡¯m not being over dramatic. Trust me, the guys a total creep, and I hope I never see him again,¡± I mutter. Getting up from my seat, I wander over to the window. Pulling back the curtain, I look at all the other apartment buildings, lights off, curfew in full effect. Everyone is leading the perfect lives promised to us here in the Harmony Pack.


    ¡°You have work tomorrow. Promise me you¡¯ll go,¡± Sam says softly. My weekend is over, meaning I¡¯ll have to step foot outside of this apartment and live my life. I¡¯ll have to set aside more of my savings money for taxi rides home from work every night.


    Closing my curtain again, I sigh deeply, walking into my bathroom to turn the shower on, bncing my phone between my ear and shoulder. ¡°Yes I will. Okay?¡±


    We say our goodbyes promptly.


    Going to work the next morning wasn¡¯t as difficult as I assumed it would be. Through the taxi window, I didn¡¯t see no golden hair man with a shing gaze. It was a wee reprieve to be in the back of the mail room, sorting through mail that isn¡¯t for me, but for wealthier people living better lives.


    Jeffery, the mail delivery guy pops his head into the room around noon. He has a painted look of excitement on his face that unmistakable. ¡°Abe. I have some big news that I think you would be interested in finding out about.¡±


    I pause my sorting, looking up at him. Jeffery and I have never really spoken much. So himing into this room calling for my attention is strange.


    ¡°What¡¯s so interesting?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been asked to hand deliver a package to the Alpha¡¯s estate. It has been requested that youe along with me also to ensure it is delivered safely, and promptly,¡± he tells me. I almost drop the package I was holding, unsure if I heard him right. Jeffery is old, so maybe his hearing isn¡¯t the best.


    Jeffery walks into the room, holding something. It¡¯s a small, matte ck box with a emerald green ribbon tied around it. He holds it as if he is the most delicate, expensive things he has ever touch. If he is right in it being for the Alpha, then he is probably right.


    ¡°Are you sure? We have had things being sent to the pce all the time,¡± Iment. It is usually given to a worker there, and from that point I assume it¡¯s given to the Alpha.


    ¡°No, I received a call that requested this be hand delivered. By you.¡±


    Blinking a few times, I try to wrap my head around that concept. It doesn¡¯t seem right, considering the fact that I doubt anyone even close to the pce knows I exist. We may be the only post shop in this small town, but it¡¯s one of many in the Harmony Pack. Why would he chose this one, and why would he decide for me to go?


    ¡°You muste, no excuses. The regional manager requests it, alone with, well, Alpha Noah. I¡¯ll see you here tomorrow at 5 AM. Don¡¯t bete,¡± Jeffery tells me, before he rushes back out the door. He has a job to do too.


    I just stand here, dumbfounded. This is either a joke put together by my co-workers who want to wake me up extra early.


    Either way, I¡¯m going to have to go if I want to keep my job.


    In my head on the way home from work, I ran over my job for tomorrow, considering what it might entail. What if I get to meet Alpha Noah? We are delivering it right to him, although I doubt he will have time to deal with us. I¡¯m shamefully excited to see his estate, and thevish lifestyle he must lead.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I murmur to the taxi driver, slipping a few cash on the centre console of his car before getting out onto the street. The brisk air blows against my arms. I should have grabbed a jacket on the way out of work.


    Someone holds the apartmentplex door open for me, which I thank him gently. I take a few steps in, before I realise something is off. I turn around.


    It¡¯s Cian, standing inside my apartmentplex.


    Part of me wanted to scream, but the other part knew he would silence me the moment I did. He stands there, a soft, slight smile on his face. That strange, golden strand hair glistens under the dull lights before it fades into the shadows of his tunic. Unnervingly, I see the outline of toned muscles under the shirt. Those could hurt me.


    ¡°Good evening, Abe, hements. My heart rate elerates to unhealthy levels, my feet stepping behind me, one at a time. What is he doing here? He truly is a stalker, finding me here, where I live. Where I thought I was safe¡­


    ¡°Get away from me,¡± I growl. He follows me, hands shoved casually in his pants as if all is well and right in the world. He has something seriously wrong with him.


    ¡°I¡¯m not here to hurt you.¡±


    There is no way I¡¯m going to believe him. He may approach me calmly, looking like a friend who wants to have a chat, however, I know better. Who is he, and where did hee from? These are all questions I want to know, but am too scared to ask. I have a feeling the answers aren¡¯t what I want to hear.


    ¡°Why are you stalking me? These cameras will pick up your face and the authorities will find you, I promise you,¡± I tell him. We still walk down the hallway, elevators passing us by that I consider diving into. I¡¯m running out of room, the walling up behind me.


    ¡°Stop running, and I¡¯ll stop chasing,¡± he tells me softly, biting the edge of his lip. ¡°It¡¯s that simple, my love.¡±


    I wish he would stop calling me that. My love.


    ¡°Tell me what you want with me? Do you want to kill me?¡± I question, my gaze fluttering up to the camera¡¯s littering the ceiling. It¡¯s debatable how many of those cameras work, but at least one must be catching this. ¡°I promise I have no money. Like no money at all¡­ Not that you look like you need money.¡±


    Looking at him, his fingers are littering with simple, silver band rings that I would assume are worth more than my entire years wages on one hand. He hase from wealth, clearly, which confuses me all the more. Why am I interesting to him?


    ¡°Your money doesn¡¯t interest me. Theck thereof does. Do you need help?¡± he asks me. I furrow my brow at him, but shake my head.


    ¡°That¡¯s beside the point. Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we go out for dinner one night? In a public ce until you feel safe. I didn¡¯t mean to scare you, you¡¯re just so beautiful, I had to get to know you,¡± he tells me earnestly. I¡¯m not sure how truthful he is being, however, his exnation does make me feel a lot better. Maybe he isn¡¯t just a creepy stalker.


    I release some tension from my chest with a breath. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in getting to know anyone yet. I¡¯m so busy with work, and if all goes well I might be getting a promotion soon, so I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    A muscle in Cian¡¯s jaw flinches, but thankfully, he nods, taking a few steps back to give me space. It¡¯s a relief, considering I thought he was going to follow me all the way to my apartment.


    ¡°Good luck with your job then,¡± he says gently.


    He turns to leave, however, I find myself calling to stop him, as if him epting my rejection so simply bothered me. Plus, I have one more question that I must ask before he disappears forever.


    ¡°Are you from the Desire Pack. You look foreign¡­ Almost,¡± I say. Cian turns back to look at me. He takes a suspiciously long time to answer.


    ¡°Something like that,¡± he breathes.


    I watch him walk away, ensuring that he is actually leaving before I return to my apartment. I feel less stressed, as if I¡¯ve gotten rid of a gue in my life. Once I reach my apartment door, I even crack a smile, until I kick something by my door. It¡¯s a ck duffle bag with golden handles. Looking around, I notice no one is around.


    Immediately, I know who did this. Cian.


    Unlocking my door, I drag the bag into the apartment. It¡¯s unbelievable heavy, leaving me with no other choice but to pull it along the ground rather than pick it up. It drifts into my mind that I might be unzipping a bag that has a dead body in it. It doesn¡¯t smell though, so curiously, I sit down and tug the zipper open.


    I go slowly at first, part by part, until it pulls back, revealing something green within. Fully pulling it open, I reveal something frankly mortifying.


    Money. And a lot of it.


    Plucking a note that sits innocently inside, I look at it.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    My love,


    I know this is unexpected, but it has ured to me you have money problems, and rent is due. Please ept this, as I don¡¯t doubt you need it.


    Also, I hope you¡¯ll meet me tomorrow night for dinner. I¡¯ll be waiting for you outside your apartment.


    You are truly beautiful.


    Cian.

 Chapter 4

    ~Abe


    Does this make me a criminal?


    All this money sits in a bag, in my apartment, the origin of it unknown. Of course it belongs to Cian, but who knows how he got it. Maybe he stole it, and has dumped it on me. Regardless, I frantically zip it up, anxiously looking all around as if someone might be  looking in on me, ready to report me to the authority.


    It¡¯s illegal to have this much cash without putting it into the bank. If I get caught with this, my entire life will be over. It doesn¡¯t matter if Cian is trying to help me out with money troubles, he could get me in serious trouble.


    Dragging it across the room, I push it under my bed, wedging it until the bulging bag fits. No one can see this. No one.


    I only rx for a moment when it¡¯s out of sight.


    How am I going to get rid of it without getting caught? I¡¯ll have to burn it, or dump it somewhere. I don¡¯t care that I could do with that much money, and it would be a true blessing to use it, however, I don¡¯t want Cian¡¯s pity money. How did he even get it up here without anyone seeing? Unless of course, someone did see¡­


    Hours pass and no one busts through my door, so I eventually mber into bed, hoping I won¡¯t wake up in the morning to the authority standing over my bed. Plus, it doesn¡¯t help with my nerves for tomorrow. I¡¯m going to the Alpha¡¯s pce.


    Tomorrow, when I get home from work, I¡¯ll deal with the money. Sam will help me dump it somewhere, and it will be no worry of mine anymore.


    I hope.


    ***


    I barely slept all night.


    Going to the Alpha¡¯s pce isn¡¯t amon experience for the average person. Although I doubt I¡¯ll meet him, I¡¯m still nervous. We are simply delivery people, however, at the back of my mind, it lingers that I was specifically asked to be the one to deliver this small package. Maybe today I will find out.


    Sitting in Jeffreys delivery van, I ignore the ufortable jolt and lunge it makes over every bump, concentrating on the view outside. Since my parents went away to travel for the past year, I haven¡¯t had any money to my name, which means I haven¡¯t left my town.


    It¡¯s beautiful out here. The entire Harmony Pack is. Endless t, bright green meadows frame the road we drive down. There isn¡¯t even a single cloud in the sky.


    It¡¯s almost too perfect.


    Jeffrey warns me as we get close to approaching the estate. The closer me drive, the stranger the taste on my tongue bes. It¡¯s tangy, almost, like blood, but when I check my mouth, there¡¯s nothing there. Maybe it¡¯s just my nerves, but either way, it tastes horrid. Jeffrey seems to notice it too, his face screwing up in disgust. We are soon too distracted to notice it.


    We are stopped on a random checkpoint going up the road by security. It didn¡¯t take much to identify us, and we were sent on our way again. With stern expressions on their faces, they look awfully intimidating. We haven¡¯t even made it to the manor yet.


    Formalwns and manicured gardens reach us before the manor is even in sight. Smooth asphalt finds its way underneath us.


    Who is the Alpha trying to impress?


    The manor as we approach it is stunning. It¡¯s not what I expected, the first part of it open, supported by giant marble pirs. It¡¯s so stunning, that as Jeffrey drives to the other side, I find myself getting slightly mad. I want to walk through that main entrance and feel howvish and beautiful it is. I know, however, that only those who are invited are allowed in through there.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I ask, as we park around the other side of the building. It¡¯s less beautiful around here, shade being cast over us in the van. I¡¯m not sure why this ce is so captivating, but I can hardly wait another second to get inside. I might not even be allowed inside¡­


    ¡°We have to go through the back entrance. That¡¯s where the rest of the delivers go,¡± he tells me tly, clearly irritated he¡¯s had to drag me along.


    I feel foolish myself. We aren¡¯t special guests.


    ¡°Well, since you were requested to be here, you might as welle in with me,¡± he says, stepping out the van. I follow, jumping down on the grass. It sinks under my feet, the des almost seeming to sneak up my shoes to my ankle. I quickly step onto the asphalt again, nervous. This ce is admittedly strange, but I don¡¯t mention it to Jeffrey.


    Wordlessly, I follow him to the back door, which although is for staff, is still more extravagant than anything in my apartment. Swallowing nervously, I watch him knock promptly. A woman opens it for us, looking bored and uninterested as she motions for us to follow.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t the average delivery,¡± she says as we walk in, voice dripping with that thick Harmony Pack ent.


    ¡°Why was she asked along?¡±


    Both Jeffrey and the strange woman look at me, both looking unsure in themselves. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t havee, even if it was requested of me. No one knows why I¡¯m here, so I¡¯m assuming it¡¯s all a big mistake, or some kind of instruction lost in trantion. Either way, I stand here, mortified.


    ¡°Believe it or not, people here have been whispering that the Alpha requested it out of nowhere. No one knows why,¡± she says lowly, as if I can¡¯t hear. I lean against the back door, unsure of what I should do.


    We are in a room full of mail that must be for the Alpha and his staff. Jeffrey holds the small ck box that we are hand delivering especially for him.


    I¡¯m more concentrated on what she said.


    ¡°Why would he do that?¡± I question, looking at them as if they might provide me some answers. The woman, whoever she is, doesn¡¯t look like she works very high up here. She wears a basic uniform, dark hair tossed up into a bun.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, why would he?¡± She questions, narrowing her eyes. I blink. She¡¯s using me. I¡¯m not sure what if, but she is.


    Looking at Jeffrey for help, it doesn¡¯t look like he¡¯s going to give me any. We are all as confused as each other. Finally, the worker here leads me out the mail door, leaving Jeffrey behind to wait for me. There is a potent mix of nerves and excitement churning within my stomach.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think you¡¯re going upstairs. You¡¯re staying on the servants level,¡± she tells me firmly. She must think I¡¯m here with an ulterior motive.


    ¡°You know I don¡¯t know why he requested me toe here, right?¡± I say. She leads me down a rather dark hallway, lit dimly. The stairs we pass by must lead up to where Noah dwells. It almost feel improper to even think his true name without putting the word Alpha in front of it.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard from his mouth he wants to see you, so for all I know you¡¯re friends with someone high up, and you¡¯re using them to get to the Alpha,¡± shements. ¡°It happens more often than you think.¡±


    Finally, she leads me into a seperate room that is practically empty aside from a few scattered chairs. Suddenly, I¡¯m afraid an interrogation is going to take ce to see whether I¡¯m here for honest reasons. I shouldn¡¯t havee. This could be a big opportunity for a promotion, but maybe someone is trying to get me in trouble¡­


    ¡°This is where we interview new staff. Since we don¡¯t know who you are, the Alpha will meet you down here,¡± shements, standing by the door as I sit down on one of the ufortable metal chairs.


    I flinch, looking up at her. ¡°Wait. I¡¯m meeting the Alpha?¡±


    Naturally, I had assumed I wouldn¡¯t be so lucky. That it would be his personal assistant maybe, who would ept this prized ck box, which now remains in the palm of my sweaty hands. The woman watches me, as I quickly fix my hair, brushing is behind my ear, fixing my mussed shirt.


    ¡°Don¡¯t try make yourself look good. He¡¯s the Alpha, darling. He has no interest in you,¡± she tells me snarkily. It¡¯s petty jealousy I assume. ¡°Someone has gone to get him. He should be down here any moment.


    I wanted to ask more questions, to find out what to do and what to say, but she slipped out of the room, leaving me sitting, unsure of what to do.


    It didn¡¯t take long for the Alpha to arrive. And alone too.


    He opened the door, stepping in. My entire body freezes at his presence, his scent following him in, consuming the entire room. It¡¯s a sharp, but sweet scent of something woodybined with orange, maybe? Whatever it is, it has my body shuddering. It¡¯s delicious.


    I¡¯ve always been aware of what Noah looks like, from TV appearances, and the odd poster stered to my apartment buildings wall when an event was happening somewhere in the Pack. His encapsting emerald green eyes melt the hearts of girls all around the Pack, that undeniable handsomeness making him impossible to despise.


    However, seeing him in person is a much different story. His eyes aren¡¯t just green, but seem to reflect different shades of the colour like the facets of a pure gem. Dark hair shades his head to his forehead, nearly covering this beautiful eyes. He¡¯s even dressed simply, whichpliments his body so well; especially in the way he is built.


    It seems a lot to notice all at once, but he takes his timeing into the room. He grabs a chair, pulling it out to sit on right in front of me.


    ¡°The box?¡± He asks.


    Quickly, I hold my hand out the box sitting neatly on my palm. He takes it with three fingers.


    ¡°Thank you foring,¡± he says softly. His voice is so musical, like soft notes blending perfectly together. I¡¯m not sure how anyone can look like that and exist, but I¡¯m not here to question it. I¡¯m here to do a job and leave.


    I watch as he opens the box. Maybe it¡¯s a ring, for someone special in his life. There has been rumours of a Luna, but nothing for sure has been announced. Maybe he is waiting for a proper ceremony before he puts it out to the public.


    However, when he turns the box to face me, there¡¯s nothing in there. He tosses it over his shoulder.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    ¡°I didn¡¯t really need that,¡± hements. ¡°What I wanted delivered, was you.¡±

 Chapter 5

    ~Abe


    There are really no words.


    The silence in the room weighs upon my shoulders, as I sift ideas through my mind, trying to make sense of his words. I remember when my life used to be normal, boring even. The most interesting part of my day was when Sam woulde over and tell me about all the hopeless romantics that would fall at her feet at work. I would listen and indulge in the idea of having my day filled with something more interesting than Jeffrey ambling into the back room every now and again.


    Even if Sam¡¯s stories weren¡¯t that interesting, and have been put to shame by the events in my life now, they seemed so fascinating once upon a time. She would drink her wine, and stories of her travels woulde up.


    I somehow doubt she has left this Pack, though.


    This is different. This is a small room in the bottom of a manor in which the Alpha sitting in front of me owns. He hasn¡¯t said anything since hisst sentence, and neither have I. How am I meant to answer?


    What I wanted delivered, was you.


    ¡°Oh,¡± I find myself saying. It¡¯s all I can say. Not because I¡¯m shy, or intimidated, but because I have no other exnation for his words.


    Noah is striking. I won¡¯t lie to myself and sit here thinking those eyes that keenly search my face, looking for evidence of what I¡¯m thinking, are so green they almost hurt to look at. They aren¡¯t the only strange, almost otherworldly feature I¡¯ve seen this week. Cian, and his hair, and his clothes. It leaves me to wonder why these males have stepped into my life so suddenly.


    ¡°I assumed if I asked you directly toe here, you wouldn¡¯t. I was hoping this would be the best way,¡± he exins, sping his hands together  as he rests his forearms on his thighs, leaning forward.


    I¡¯m still not quite understanding. ¡°Why? I mean, why do you want me here?¡±


    He seems surprised that I¡¯m asking him that, as if he didn¡¯t think about his answer before I arrived. The walls around me seem to be closing in, as I consider the fact that I might not be able to leave this ce. What if he brought me here for a sinister reason? Just thinking that makes me feel guilty and foolish, yet I don¡¯tplete disregard it.


    ¡°Oh. I was hoping to offer you a job here,¡± he tells me, as if his simple exnation was to wash all my concerns away. All I¡¯m qualified for is sitting in a mailroom sorting through peoples packages. It¡¯s not my fault I couldn¡¯t afford to go to university.


    ¡°Why? What for?¡± I question. How my exactly came to Alpha Noah is beyond me, and it seems by his expression, he is having a hard time exining himself.


    He shifts in his seat. As regal as he may seem, I can tell he has prepared for this conversation. It doesn¡¯t surprise me, considering I¡¯m not all that important. Yet, I still sit here, getting offered a job by the Alpha of my Pack for a reason still unknown. I patiently wait, hoping it¡¯s not to scrub the floors for a better rate than what I would be paid back home. It would be questionably worse.


    I would be away from Cian, though¡­


    ¡°Well¡­ Ah, I was hoping you would be able to test and sort through mail here before it gets into my hands. We had an ident recently due to some workers here who have ack of skill. You, ording to our records, have been working at the mail office in your town for three years. Surely you have more skill to deal with sensitive material thates in than them,¡± he tells me.


    ¡°ident? What kind of ident?¡± I question. The worst incident we had with mailing was when a vengeful ex tried to send someone a dead animal, which shut us down for days after it was investigated by the authorities. I¡¯ve never dealt with sensitive material that affects an Alpha before.


    Noah blinks a few times, before he scrambles to exin himself. ¡°A substance was spilt over my hands recently when I opened a package. It burnt me.¡±


    I nce down at his hands. All I see is perfect, undisrupted skin.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    ¡°Was it an assassination attempt?¡± I ask. It feels inappropriate to ask my Alpha that, but I¡¯m curious, and if I do take a job here, which is unlikely, I would like to know what I would be working with. In no way have I gone to university to deal with hazardous substances, which means he simply wishes to put me in front of him.


    ¡°It¡¯s not umon as an Alpha for something like that to happen,¡± is all he says. It¡¯s cryptic, but I get the point. But who would want to kill Noah, when all he¡¯s done is been, well, harmonious, as per this Pack¡¯s values?


    There are crazed people in this world, I must remember. People like Cian, who give thousands of dors for no reason.


    And maybe try kill an Alpha.


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m honoured Alpha, I truly am, however, I¡¯m not qualified for a job like that. I don¡¯t know how you found me, but I can¡¯t take this job. There are mail personal more experienced than me,¡± I tell him firmly. If anyone else heard me right now, they would be disgusted that I was turning down an Alpha, and a job like this. But I know I wouldn¡¯t be skilled at it¡­ Plus, I don¡¯t have the confidence to leave the house and start a life in this part of the Pack, which I know little about.


    There¡¯s a sh in those emerald eyes, and for a moment I swear I see a muscle in his jaw tick, as if he can¡¯t believe I would turn him down.


    ¡°I would pay you significantly. Put any reasonable offer on the table and I¡¯ll ept. You¡¯ll also be offered free aodation here,¡± he exins. There¡¯s a flicker of desperation on his face, which is quickly smothered by that impassive, professional expression which hasn¡¯t failed to intimidate me yet.


    I¡¯m just¡­ me. So why is he so keen to have me work here?


    I fidget in my seat, finding my next words. ¡°Can I ask why you chose me for this job? Ie from one of the smallest towns in this Pack, where we probably get under fifty parcels and letters a day. I can offer you next to nothing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve offered this job to numerous people, but none have epted. Theye from bigger businesses where they wouldn¡¯t be put in danger. So, I¡¯m offering this to you this job with whatever wage you would like. No limits¡­ I hope you¡¯ll be reasonable,¡± he says, sping his hands together.


    Loosening a breath, I finally feel like this all makes sense. I just got lucky. Extremely lucky to be offered a job here by the Alpha.


    But should I take it?


    ¡°You¡¯re kind Alpha, and I mean that. But can I have time to think about this? It¡¯s a whole lot to wrap my head around, and I have a life I need to think about first. Would you be able to give me a few days?¡± I ask.


    Noah hesitates for a few moments, and I almost think he is going to tell me no, the offer is no longer avable. Thankfully, he breathes in deeply before nodding. I¡¯ll be grateful to get out of here, considering my sweating palms and consistently raised heartbeat. I¡¯m not like the other girls at school who obsessed over a TV appearance he would make. That kind of this never interested me.


    He smiles tightly. ¡°Of course. Take all the time you need.¡±


    Too quickly, I stand, the chair ttering backwards. I wince, but Noah doesn¡¯t seem bothered. He¡¯s concentrating on me so intensely, it¡¯s as if he is trying to decipher my intentions by my movements. I don¡¯t doubt that all I¡¯m portraying is how desperately I want to get out of here.


    Before I can reach the door, Noah calls me to stop. ¡°You¡¯re leaving so quickly¡­ You sure you don¡¯t want to stay longer so I can learn some more about you, considering how you¡¯re going to be working for me soon. Hopefully.¡±


    I gape at him. Something doesn¡¯t feel right about this. Either I¡¯m just naturally suspicious, or there is really something wrong here. It¡¯s as if this is all nned. Or maybe that there is more to this that I¡¯m not being told.


    ¡°Sorry, I really have to get back. It¡¯s important I get at least some work done today. I can¡¯t afford a day off,¡± I say anxiously.


    He interrupts me again. ¡°I can give you money. Consider it a bonus. If you stay a little longer, I can give you as much as you need.¡±


    Why is everyone trying to give me money recently?


    I¡¯m unnerved. I don¡¯t care that Noah is appealing, elegant and rich. If I don¡¯t feelfortable, I¡¯m going to get out of here as soon as possible. People in power don¡¯t tend to have the best personalities, and I¡¯m not excluding Noah out of that because of his emerald eyes and perfect smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I say, pushing past him. Again, he follows me out the door into the hallway, where the rather rude, irritating girl from earlier stands.


    ¡°You¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve met who hasn¡¯t jumped at the chance to spend more time here,¡± he says earnestly.


    I take onest nce at him, before rushing off to try find Jeffery.

 Chapter 6

    ~Abe


    ¡°This has been the worst week of my life.¡±


    They are the first words toe out of my mouth as Sam walks into my apartment. She barely has time to put her bag down before I grab her arm, pulling her toward my bedroom. We always copse onto my bed and talk when either one of us has a problem. Usually it¡¯s a problem Sam had, but now that has fallen upon my shoulders.


    ¡°Is this about that Cian guy who interrupted us at the bar? God he was hot,¡± she says, crawling across my bed covers to lie beside me.


    ¡°Half of it is about him, and the other half isn¡¯t,¡± I say. Underneath this bed, the duffle bag full of money sits there, ready to be dug out by authorities before I¡¯m dragged off to the prisons where I will spent the rest of my life. At least I won¡¯t be harassed by Cian, or offered anymore jobs by Alpha Noah.


    Sam sits up. ¡°Tell me everything.¡±


    ¡°Might as well start with the fact that I got offered a job¡­ by Alpha Noah. Something about sorting through his mail because someone wants to assassinate him. Not sure who would want to do that¡­ but regardless, he offered me a job and I don¡¯t think I¡¯m going to take it,¡± I say, practically all in one breath. Sam blinks at me a few times, before squealing.


    She jumps up and down on the bed on her knees, pping her hands. ¡°You have to take it, are you kidding me? You¡¯re working for the Alpha, which means not only being paid a ton, but you¡¯re rubbing shoulders with the most powerful man in this Pack!¡±


    Of course that¡¯s what Sam takes from this.


    ¡°You forget I have no social skills, and after this, I¡¯ll be living in the bowels of the ce, and I¡¯ll never see him. Not that I want to,¡± I sigh.


    ¡°You¡¯re taking the job¡­ So, what else is going on?¡±


    Instead of exining, I get up, kneeling beside my bed. Sam watches keenly, as I reach  under, dragging out the ck leather duffle bag with a golden zip. As confused as she might be, Sam finally remains quiet until I open the bag, revealing the money stuffed immactely inside, before her voice squeaks out in shock.


    ¡°Who¡­ what? Wait, how did you get this much money?¡± she questions, hopping down beside me. She grabs a fistful of notes. ¡°Have you been lying to me this entire time about having no money so I¡¯ll pay for dinners out?¡±


    ¡°Would you put the money back, please,¡± I growl, grabbing it from her hands before I zip it back up. ¡°I don¡¯t want fingerprints on it.¡±


    Sam hops back onto the bed, raising a questioning eyebrow at me. I wish it were easier to exin, but considering I don¡¯t know all the details, it¡¯s going to be hard to get Sam to understand. Actually no, Sam believes anything, even if it¡¯s not real. She just likes the entertainment of it all.


    ¡°Cian left it for me. He wrote a note too. All because I admitted I struggle with money. I haven¡¯t seen him around since he delivered this, although it was only yesterday. I need to give it  back, but I don¡¯t want to see him every again,¡± I tell her.


    Sam blinks a few times, looking genuinely confused. ¡°You¡¯re telling me you don¡¯t want to see the ridiculously hot guy from the Desire Pack who gave you tons of money?¡±


    ¡°Well no¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you crazy? I¡¯ll go tell him you don¡¯t want the money if you¡¯re so shy. Maybe I¡¯ll even suggest to him he should give me the money,¡± Sam says excitedly. I know she is just joking, but I still feel ufortable. Crawling back onto the bed, I let Sam pull me into her arms. Her hugs always make my worst fears vanish. For the meantime.


    I close my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not shy, I just don¡¯t want to see him. He¡¯s weird, and he stalks me. If I call the police I¡¯m scared they will find out about the money. He¡¯s a total creep is my point, and no one is telling me why all these strange things have been happening recently.¡±


    ¡°This is good. Now, tell me about this job. Did you meet the Alpha, or just one of his assistants?¡± she asks, brushing at my hair.


    ¡°I met him.¡±


    Sam raises an eyebrow, demanding more information. ¡°He was odd. It was almost as if he was about to beg me to take the job, like his life depends on it. He even said I could live there, which of course I won¡¯t be doing that because then you won¡¯t be able to visit. So I don¡¯t know what to do really. Or what to think of him.¡±


    ¡°Be honest here, is he hot? Don¡¯t look at me like that, can¡¯t a girl be curious? Compare me Cian to Noah,¡± she says, looking at me with zed eyes. I frown at her, making her shrug defensively. ¡°Look, I¡¯m living vicariously through you. I don¡¯t have two impossible attractive me pining after me.¡±


    I roll my eyes. ¡°Noah doesn¡¯t want me, and Cian¡­ I don¡¯t know what Cian wants from me, but I think it¡¯s illegal and has something to do with money.¡±


    Sam ps, wanting me to get to the point.


    ¡°Noah is mysterious, I can¡¯t wrap my head around him. He¡¯s always vague in the way he speaks, and I don¡¯t know much about him yet. And Cian is forward and intrusive as if he wants to unearth my biggest fears,¡± I exin to her.


    Sam squeals, as if this information is the most interesting thing I¡¯ve said all night. Maybe it was a mistake bringing her here. I should have known all she would be interested in it whether or not these guys that are terrorising me are hot or not. I couldn¡¯t care less about that, even if it does linger in the back of my mind for a single moment.


    ¡°Look, I need to get rid of this money. Like right now. If it means finding this Cian guy again, I¡¯ll do it, but how am I meant to know where he is?¡± I exasperate.


    Sam grabs my arm, pulling me up.


    ¡°He obviously lives in this apartmentplex, since he saved you from that freak show who stalked you, and put the money in front of the door, so maybe have a look around, you might just happen to run into him,¡± Sam offers.


    As unlikely as it might sound, I¡¯m to the point of desperation. I could burn the money, but that would be a waste. Not to mention the legal ramifications that might alsoe from it.


    ¡°Stay here,¡± I instruct.


    Thankfully, Sam stays in my bedroom while I leave my apartment. I¡¯m silently hoping Cian won¡¯t be around, which is more likely than not. As much as I want to get rid of that money, the other part doesn¡¯t want me to face him again. He scares me, quite frankly, and I don¡¯t know what he wants with me, which makes this situation all the worst.


    The halls of the apartment building are awfully quiet at this time of night. The main demographic this caters to elderly people and those my age that aren¡¯t well off. Just like me.


    Just as I got down the elevator third floor, which is just under mine, it struck me. If Cian has so much money, why would he have a ce here? And I know practically everyone who lives in there¡­


    ¡°God Abe, aren¡¯t you stupid,¡± I mutter, turning on my heels.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Stupid? I somehow doubt that,¡± I hear, before I nearly hit my forehead on a chest all dressed in ck.


    Stumbling back, my heart jumps into my throat, as I realise it¡¯s Cian, standing there, his hands shoved in his pockets, his signature move at this point. He appeared like magic; I didn¡¯t even hear his footsteps approaching. Either he has an extremely light step, or he is using other forces¡­ What am I talking about?


    ¡°Sneak up on me why don¡¯t you,¡± I grumble, crossing my hands over my chest. Despite the fact that I came out here looking for him, actually having him be here is more frightening than I expected.


    It urs to me once again, how otherworldly he seems. It¡¯s intimidating.


    ¡°What are you doing loitering around this ce past curfew?¡± he asks, that feline like smile spreading to his eyes, which glisten darkly. He¡¯s challenging me, wanting me to snap and say something he can retort to. ¡°You never struck me as the kind of girl to like anything out of herfort zone.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know me. At all,¡± I say promptly. ¡°So what are you doing here? You don¡¯t live here.¡±


    I feel better now I¡¯vee to that conclusion.


    ¡°I came here to see you. My note said I would meet you outside your apartmentplex to take you to dinner. I suppose there is no better time than now,¡± he says, as if it¡¯s not nearing midnight.


    Sifting back through my mind, I try recover the words of the note in my subconscious. Ah yes, the note that wasy on top of the money I was gifted. The money. Cian hardly looks bothered that that amount of money came out of his pocket. Either that confirms he stole it, or he is just seriously rich. Thevish clothing he wears suggests thetter.


    ¡°Dinner? A note? Sorry, but I was too distracted by the hoard of money that was on my doorstep,¡± Iment.


    Cian smiles, leaning his shoulder against the door. ¡°Ah yes. I hope it has made your life a little easier.¡±


    I have to force my anger down.


    ¡°No, it hasn¡¯t. I want you to take it away. I don¡¯t want it, and I don¡¯t need it,¡± I insist, brushing past him. When I turn around, taking steps backward, he is following me, smiling softly. ¡°If you don¡¯t take it, I¡¯ll burn it. It must have been a dent out of your pocket.¡±


    ¡°Money is such a mortal thing,¡± he says with a dismissive shrug. ¡°I can constantly supply you and it not be a big deal.¡±


    I frown, unsure if I heard right. ¡°Sorry, mortal?¡±


    Cian almost seems to flinch at his mistake, closing his eyes to shake his head. I can only wonder what he means by mortal. We are all mortal standing here¡­ At least that¡¯s what I¡¯ve convinced myself to think.


    ¡°Nevermind. Return me the money if it burdens you so deeply,¡± he says, taking a lurching step forward to close up the space between us. ¡°But it must be over dinner.¡±


    Cian raises his eyebrow. I know this isn¡¯t an option to get out of. Either I go to dinner and sit with thisplete stalker, and get rid of that money, or I don¡¯t, and maybe go to jail to have that much cash stashed under my bed.


    ¡°You are so persistent,¡± I mutter.


    Cian winks at me before turning to walk away. ¡°I¡¯ll be here tomorrow.¡±

 Chapter 7

    ~Abe


    Why did I agree to this?


    This is a bad idea. Not to mention, I look stupid, standing here, wearing a dress. I never wear a dress. It¡¯s a purple dress, that I dug up from the back of my closet that I swear Sam gifted me once for my birthday a few years ago. It will have to do though, even if I¡¯m trying to convince myself that I don¡¯t need to look good. I¡¯m just giving him is money back, that¡¯s all¡­


    Thankfully, once I step outside into the apartment hallway, no one is standing around to witness me walking around with a ck duffle bag over my shoulder. It¡¯s bulging too, clearly there to conceal something.


    Maybe I should just shove the bag into Cian¡¯s chest and say goodbye to him forever. I have a feeling, though, he wants more from this dinner than the return of his money.


    And that thought scares me.


    Exactly I assume, Cian is standing just outside the apartment doors. He looks simply magical, standing under the bright illumination of the street light outside. He wears dark pants and and a dark blue suit jacket with faint glitter embedded into the fabric. It resembles the night sky so brilliantly, it almost hurts to look at.


    He looks a little overdressed to be going to the local bar and diner. Of course, he seems like the guy who wants to look the best wherever he goes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have this put in the trunk,¡± Cianments, as another man in a suit appears from behind me, taking the duffle bag from off my shoulders. I flinch, but I let him take it away to the car parked against the curb.


    At least that is dealt with.


    ¡°You look beautiful tonight, by the way,¡± Cian says smoothly, to which I only tightly smile. I¡¯m going to get through this night as quietly, and as quickly as I can. If I don¡¯t seem interesting, why would he want to take me on another date. He¡¯s so persistent I know if he wanted another, he would do his best to get it.


    We both get into the backseat of the car, which is an expensive luxury in this Pack. If only i had a car. It would make my life much easier. Of course, I don¡¯t mention that.


    He would probably gift me one.


    ¡°We could have just walked to the bar,¡± Iment, sliding ufortably on the leather seat as we turn the corner. Showing up in a car like this is going to raise questions with the locals. They will be sure to press me on it the moment he is gone.


    ¡°Oh we¡¯re not going to the bar. I have other ns for us,¡± he tells me, his feline smile lighting up his eyes with a flickering spark.


    I turn, looking out the window, my heartrate elerating. What does this mean? The driver is moving us swiftly through the town, leaving behind the familiar bar and apartment buildings. Last night, he never specified anything, which means I could be stuck in a car with a crazy person who is taking me far away from home.


    It dawns on me, that perhaps he is taking me to his home. There is a suburb outside of my town that is for some of the wealthiest in this Pack. Sam and I used to joke about how such rich people couldfortably live next to the poor.


    Now it doesn¡¯t seem so funny.


    We drive up the hill, smooth pavement underneath the car leading us up to the immacte suburb made up of the most towering mansions. We move up the hill, passing many I marvel on our drive up. We stop at none, until finally, we hit a driveway that leads to the top most point of the hill. This must be his ce.


    ¡°I hold parties here every weekend, if you¡¯re interested ining. You can bring your friend too. I¡¯m not always there, but if I know you are, I¡¯ll be sure to stop in,¡± he tells me, to which I snap my attention to him.


    ¡°You¡¯re taking me to a party?¡±


    I¡¯m not a party person. I avoided parties all throughout my schooling, simply opting to hear about Sam¡¯s wild stories instead. It just never interested me.


    ¡°I thought perhaps a party would make you feel morefortable. Plenty of people, plenty of space. Am I wrong?¡± he asks, raising an eyebrow expectantly. I grit my teeth. He is right. Being around a lot of people will make me feel much better, considering how many could witness if Cian tried to kill.


    No more is said until we arrive. I try not to gape at his house, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. This ce stunning, looming much bigger than any of the houses I¡¯ve seen previously. It¡¯s almost magical, golden shimmering light casting from the windows onto the formalwn just outside.


    ¡°I hired someone from where Ie from to design this ce. He built the entire thing, and furnished it in one night,¡± Cian tells me, looking at me without a single flicker of humour.


    ¡°Am I supposed to believe that?¡± I question, ignoring the door the driver had opened for me.


    Cian shrugs.


    Music greets me the moment I step out. It¡¯s not the raging beat I expected. It¡¯s rather refined, magical, like the most beautiful voice is singing right into my ears. Cian circles the car, offering his hand for me to take. I dismiss it, walking toward the entrance to his home by myself. Might as well get this over with as quickly as possible.


    Cian steps in front of me before I have a chance to enter this room. I was nning to get a drink, snack on some food before demanding he take me home, and keep that damn money.


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk to anyone in that room,¡± he says firmly.


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t. They have nothing interesting to say,¡± he tells me dismissively, before circling his arm around mine, whisking me into the manor. I had barely enough time to register the silkiness of his suit texture, let alone the sight that greets me.


    The people in here, aren¡¯t normal. It¡¯s the first thought thates to mind, and although it might not be kind of me, it seems fitting. People, dressed to the point I feel ashamed for what I¡¯m wearing, whirl around the room to the music, not a beat off. Vivid colours and glitter add to the scene in front of me, although I¡¯m not concentrating as much on that.


    It seems, without an outlier, everyone in this room is beautiful. I catch only glimpses of faces as people pass me by. Different hair colours, eye colours and even skin colours appear before me that I¡¯ve never seen in my life.


    I want to take a moment to drink it all in, but Cian pulls me away.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we get some fresh air?¡± he whispers in my ear. I almost don¡¯t catch it, for I would have protested if I did.


    I want to stare at these people some more.


    Cian leads me up a sweeping stairway. The top floor is dead of all movement, shadows creeping in through windows, turning the entire environment ominous. It¡¯s a shock from what I witnessed downstairs, hearing the bottom of my sneakers pad against the plush carpet underneath my feet as sound returns back to my ears.


    ¡°Are those guests from the Desire Pack? They look so magical,¡± I say, almost drunkenly. Seeing all of that sent me into a trance. I haven¡¯t even considered trying to get out of here.


    ¡°Something like that,¡± he mutters.


    ¡°You say that alot.¡±


    He doesn¡¯t address me until we are suddenly outside, Cian pulling open two ss doors to reveal a small balcony. I lean against the rail, letting the gentle breeze kiss my cheeks. My mind is still trying toprehend what I witnessed downstairs. Those people didn¡¯t even look¡­real.


    ¡°Why won¡¯t you take that money? Can¡¯t you see from this ce that I don¡¯t need it?¡± he questions.


    ncing up at him, I notice he looks almost offended that I didn¡¯t take the money off of him. I¡¯m sure in the Desire Pack, where he is from, people there are more materialistic, and would take his money in a heartbeat, but I¡¯m not for that.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your pity money. I just got a promotion,¡± I tell him.


    I¡¯m not sure why I¡¯m sharing this with him. I want him to know I can look after myself, and that I don¡¯t need him, aplete stranger, to supply me with my weeks rent.


    ¡°Promotion? You work at a mail facility,¡± he says sharply.


    I¡¯m too busy being offended by his tone to wonder why he knows where I work ¨C I¡¯ve already concluded he is either a full blown stalker, or an overzealous admirer. He obviously thinks he is better than me for having more money while I work somewhere only the most desperate people go for a job.


    ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve been asked by Alpha Noah himself to work in his mail facility. He even offered me aodation, so I wouldn¡¯t worry anymore about needing to pay my rent,¡± I say promptly.


    All of a sudden, Cian¡¯s mood shifts. His jaw clenches, his eyes narrow on me, and before I can protest, he moves in front of me, pinning me against the railing to the balcony. If i were to fall, I would surely die.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to take that job,¡± he says, his tone beyond sinister.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    ¡°Why not?¡± I question, looking for away to move his arms so I could escape. I have no other way to get down the hill, but running is always an option.


    ¡°Promise me you won¡¯t take that damn job,¡± he growls.


    Looking up into his eyes, I see pure anger. But I know that now, all doubt in taking that promotion is gone.


    I will take it.

 Chapter 8

    ~Abe


    It was liberating epting the job.


    Now that it is the morning of work, I¡¯m starting to regret my once confident decision. I wanted, at the time, to so desperately defy Cian¡¯s demands. I¡¯m not sure why he is so adamant that I shouldn¡¯t take the promotion, but something tells me it has to do with the fact that now, he cannot control me.


    Those few nights ago when he delivered me safely back to my apartment, he mentioned nothing on why he found me interesting enough to pursue me to the length that he did. Not that I asked him, though. I mean, how would I ask that?


    He has been back since then, and it¡¯s been a few days. All my confidence has died off since I alerted the royal manor that I would be taking the job.


    Noah¡¯s assistant informed me that he would be greatly pleased.


    Wiping my sweating palms against my jeans, I wander outside my apartment. It¡¯s early enough to where the sun has not yet risen, my new job calling for me to show up earlier than usual. Considering how far away the royal manor is from my town, it means getting up early, and catching a taxi all the way there.


    How am I going to afford these taxi rides every morning? It¡¯s not like I have enough  money to pay for my rent this month let alone these taxi rides.


    Oh.


    As I push through the ss doors of my apartment building, I see, standing against the same car I remember from the other night, is Cian. That smile on his face says it all. He knows he has trapped me in yet another situation with him.


    I¡¯m tempted to simply turn around and walk away.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you look awfully nice for work? Trying to impress someone?¡± he asks, smiling wickedly as I stand still in the middle of the street, unsure of what to do.


    The taxi I called for has arrived yet, so it is just myself and Cian, standing under the illumination of the street lights. I know by now, he doesn¡¯t mean me any harm, but it is unnerving that he manages to insert himself into every free space of my life. How he manages to find this information out about me, I don¡¯t know.


    ¡°If you¡¯re trying to ruin my first day, then I suggest getting out of here before I call for the authorities,¡± I mutter, clutching the straps of my backpack. Cian holds his hands up, trying to appear innocent.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to simply offer you a ride,¡± he says innocently.


    As if I believe that. Cian is here for a reason, and I have a feeling his motivation to not have me take this job is behind it. I¡¯m not sure why he is so adamant I shouldn¡¯t have this promotion, but i don¡¯t care.


    ¡°I have a cab that¡¯s waiting for me, but thanks,¡± I say dismissively. Folding my arms over my chest, I look out onto the street, wishing this driver would show up.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I sent him away so you didn¡¯t have to pay. At least this ride I¡¯m offering you will be free,¡± he tells me, popping the passenger door open. Inside, a violet light glows, trying to entice me into the car. I grit my teeth. My ride is gone, and there is no way that I¡¯m going to be able to book another one in time. I¡¯m surely alreadyte.


    Irritable, I tap my foot against the ground. ¡°Why are you doing this? What do you want with me? All I¡¯m trying to do is go to work.¡±


    Cian doesn¡¯t seem fazed by my desperate tone.


    ¡°I¡¯m simply offering you a ride,¡± he tells me, propping the door open a little further. I don¡¯t need to nce down at my watch to know I¡¯m going to bete if I don¡¯t leave soon. So against my better judgement, I shove my bag into the car, and follow after it.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Cian rounds the car, hopping into the driver¡¯s seat. I hate that I had to ept his ride, but getting to work on time means more to me than my pride. This will be my first real impression on the Alpha, which is something I cannot mess up. Through him, perhaps I could get another big promotion.


    ¡°No driver today?¡± Iment, as he pulls onto the street.


    ¡°I thought you would appreciate the offer more if it were me driving you to your first day of work,¡± Cianments, looking over at me with that toxic smile I¡¯m growing to truly hate. Every time it appears, he is doing something that I¡¯m not prepared for.


    Shifting in my seat, I look out the window. ¡°You better get me there quickly. I don¡¯t think you understand how important this promotion is for me.¡±


    Cian doesn¡¯t care, I know that. All he  cares about is taking up my time, forcing himself into my life where he isn¡¯t wanted. I¡¯m curious about how he managed to be so obsessed with me from one encounter. Maybe he wants something from me, yet I¡¯m still trying to figure out what.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t work for someone like Noah, you know,¡± Cian tells me smoothly. I nce up at him, a frown etched into my face.


    ¡°What would you know?¡± I question.


    Cian shrugs, looking out onto the road as we swiftly leave the city. ¡°All I¡¯m saying, is that working for an Alpha can never be good, right? They are big headed and greedy. He¡¯s just going to use you. You mean nothing to him.¡±


    There¡¯s a force behind Cian¡¯s words that make me flinch. Cian might be rich, but I highly doubt this guy from the Desire pack knows anything about my Alpha. Maybe he is jealous I got a job in such a high ce and he hasn¡¯t. I¡¯m not sure why that would be the case, since he manages to pull money out of nowhere.


    Honestly his motives are just one big mystery.


    ¡°Why did you want to take me to work then if you¡¯re so against the Alpha?¡± I question, watching trees blur by us with the speed of his car. At least we will make it to the Alpha¡¯s manor on time by the looks of it.


    Cian doesn¡¯t say anything, falling silent. Knowing he isn¡¯t going to exin himself any further, I settle into my seat, and pray I get there safely.


    Time passes without me noticing for a moment. It seems as though we are driving quickly, making good headway to make it to the manor by my required time. And I believe that, until the sun rises and I nce down at my watch, noticing that I¡¯m half an hourte, even though as far as I know, we are heading straight there.


    ¡°Oh my God, I¡¯mte,¡± I say frantically.


    Cian nces at me. ¡°I¡¯ll get you there, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°No, I can¡¯t bete. You have to drive faster,¡± I tell him. He doesn¡¯t drive faster, but thankfully, the moment I nced out the door, the royal estate stretches upon me, and relief consumes me. I might bete, but at least I¡¯ve made it here on time, and that is the main thing.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you¡¯rete,¡± I hear Cian say, but I don¡¯t listen, as I step outside of the car, running toward the back of the building.


    There is no time for me to admire or enjoy the sight of the manor. Right now, I need to get in here, and exin myself to whoever is willing to listen. Most likely, they are going to turn me away and tell me never toe back here. Thanks to Cian, I might not be able to pay rent again for this month.


    I¡¯m greeted the moment I walk through the back door by the same woman I sawst time. She looks much more frightening this time around, dark hair pulled into what I assume is her usual bun, framing her angr face.


    ¡°You¡¯rete,¡± shements.


    ¡°I know, I¡¯m so sorry. I know no excuse is going to get me out of this, but I was meant to get taken in by a taxi, but some guy who has been stalking me practically, sent my taxi away and offered to drive me. He is the reason why I¡¯mte, I swear,¡± I tell her, while she stands there, arms folded over her chest.


    I¡¯m getting the feeling she is enjoying the fact that I¡¯mte. She wasn¡¯t nice to mest time I was here, so why would she be nice to me now.


    ¡°I¡¯m not your boss, so I would suggest waiting until you can make your plea to the Alpha, who I believe would be more interested in hearing what you have to say,¡± she says, her voice full of fake sweetness.


    My throat goes dry. Surely I¡¯m going to get fired.


    I¡¯m sent to the same room once again, where I first met Noah. There, I wait patiently, hands sped, feet tapping on the ground. My second job and I¡¯m going to get fired right away. How could I have let this happen?


    Cian will pay for this. I¡¯m not sure how, but he will. And I¡¯m going to do it by unearthing his deepest thoughts, so I can find out why he is so obsessed with me.


    Or obsessed with ruining my life.

 Chapter 9

    ~Abe


    It seems Alpha Noah is all the more frightening the second time around.


    He¡¯s the other mystery in my life. This mystery, however, has supplied me with a job, and although I¡¯m still skeptical about how I came to get this job, I¡¯m going to take it without asking anymore questions. The fact that Cian is so adamant I shouldn¡¯t take it to the point he made me purposefullyte, only makes me want it more.


    That is, if Alpha Noah still wants me to have this job. Beingte on the first day is never eptable, especially in a ce like this.


    He steps into the room, looking different to how I remember him. Are his eyes greener, hair darker this time? He doesn¡¯t seem angry, however, his impassive expression is giving me room to wonder what is going on inside his head.


    He silently settles down into his seat.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s the excuse of anyone who would bete, but it really wasn¡¯t my fault,¡± I blurt out, before he even had the chance to say anything himself. He doesn¡¯t react, aside from the slight furrow of his brow, which almost seems to darken the shade of those emerald green eyes.


    Noah takes his time in responding. ¡°I was on my way to an important meeting when I was alerted that you werete. I thought since I personally decided to hire you, it was my duty to address what has happened this morning.¡±


    Despite not truly wanting this job to begin with, it almost seems to hurt knowing I¡¯m about to be fired. Especially by an Alpha¡­


    I¡¯ll never get another job again.


    ¡°My town is far from here, and I got up early in time, but when I went out to get my taxi, it had been sent away by this guy¡­ I know it doesn¡¯t sound believable,¡± I exasperate. I feel foolish for trying to exin myself. My life has been so crazed recently, even I don¡¯t believe what has happened to me.


    Noah¡¯s eyes narrow for a single moment. Oddly enough, I notice how well dressed he is. Whatever this meeting is, it is of serious importance. He is dressed neatly in a well tailored back dress shirt and pants. It¡¯s for Alpha business, I¡¯m sure.


    ¡°Why would someone send your taxi away?¡± Noah asks, not quite grasping the story I¡¯m attempting to portray. I don¡¯t me him. It doesn¡¯t sound very believable.


    I consider how best to approach the conversation.


    ¡°There¡¯s this guy, who I believe thinks that just because he saved me from stalker, I owe him something. He didn¡¯t want me to take this job, and when I was forced to get a ride from him, he purposefully made mete,¡± I exin uneasily.


    For a moment, I swear I see a flicker of anger in his eyes. It haunts me, as I realise he¡¯s genuinely unhappy that I showed upte today, no matter what my excuse is.


    ¡°Does this man¡¯s name happen to be Cian?¡± he asks, concentrating his gaze on me so intently it makes me want to look away. Instead, I let all the information p me in my face. Noah knows Cian. I had a feeling that these two events happened together, is such quick session, it couldn¡¯t have been natural.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s his name,¡± I say warily.


    Noah seems to think, as though hearing Cian¡¯s name is troubling him deeply. Suddenly, the room around me feels as though is closing in on me, like secrets are being kept from me that were never meant to be leaked. By the look on Noah¡¯s face, he doesn¡¯t seem to be jumping at the opportunity to tell me anything.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. There will be no penalty for beingte. However, I do believe that you living so far from here is a detriment to your work. I have amodation for you on sight,¡¯ he  tells me, giving me no open to turn him down.


    I can¡¯t help but gape at him. For a job, I¡¯m expected to give up the life that I had back home for one here, on this estate?


    ¡°I can¡¯t ept that, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Noah seems impatient, as he gets up from his seat, presumably bothered he isn¡¯t yet at this important meeting. ¡°In order for you to take this job, it is important you take this amodation opportunity. I promise you will will be paid better than anything you have been paid before. I can assure you.¡±


    I want to turn him down again, but my voice gets stuck in my throat, giving him another option to speak again. ¡°I have to go. Heather outside will speak to you about your first shift. Maybeter you can let me know if you ept your offer.¡±


    Sitting here, I watch him leave, no longer acknowledging me. I¡¯m left with a million questions he has refused to answer. But one sticks to my mind most.


    How does he know Cian?


    Heather, the woman who seemingly hates me beyond belief, greeted me as I walked outside with a raised eyebrow. I can tell how desperately she wants to ask what Noah and I spoke about.


    ¡°Well, where do I start?¡± I ask her.


    Heather narrows her dark eyes on me, her jaw clenched. She thought I would lose my job, and clearly wanted me to, as she reluctantly leads me to the mailroom. A table stands in the middle, a variety of mail spread across it, sorting bins next to it. This is an intimidating sight. Who knows if I will ever get this right.


    ¡°All of the love letters to Noah go straight in the trash,¡± Heather instructions. She picks up an envelope with a lipstick stain on it, before she tosses is into bin. ¡°There is a list of important people whose mail can be sent directly to Noah.¡±


    I approach the table nervously, as Heather throws me a pair of gloves. ¡°If any of this seems suspicious¡­ good luck.¡±


    With that, she leaves.


    Loosening a breath, I stare at the table of mail waiting for me. Maybe Noah is right with what he first said to me about not being able to find anyone for the job. Who would want to do this, when any of these packages could contain something to kill me.


    My mind, however, is sifting through all that has happened today. Noah is very dismissive and distracted all the time, whereas Cian is in my face, demanding attention at all times. They have nothing inmon, so how do they know each other? Cian snuck his way into my life, so maybe he did the same to the Alpha.


    A persistent nagging in my stomach gives me the feeling that something else is going on behind my back, that I don¡¯t know about.


    Maybe working here means I¡¯ll be able to find out.


    Picking up a rather thick envelope, I notice it¡¯s not been sent from an address off the list I was supplied. Lifting it to my nose, I realise it smells sweet. This must be one of the love letters Noah gets sent. It¡¯s almost sad, knowing there are doting girls out there that see the attractive Alpha on TV, write a letter only to have it thrown away.


    I mean, if it¡¯s getting thrown away, I don¡¯t see why anyone would be offended if I had a look. I¡¯m curious about the minds of those who lust after their Alpha.


    ncing over my shoulder, I ensure no one is watching.


    Inside the envelope, once I¡¯ve torn into it, petals fall out form it, fluttering to the ground. Pulling out the letter tucked inside, I fold it out, reading the beautiful handwriting disyed upon the rose tinted page.


    Alpha,ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    I somehow doubt you will get this letter, but it¡¯s worth a try.


    You visited my vige a week ago, and I can¡¯t stop thinking about you. It was only a glimpse, but you¡¯re so much more handsome in person.


    I hear all the girls at school whisper about you, but I doubt you gave them the feeling you gave me. It was special.


    A boy even asked me on a date, but I¡¯m saving myself for you.


    I hope you contact me. I would love to maybe meet you in person, maybe even touch you, just once.


    My mother always says one touch can change your life¡­


    Love, Emma


    Putting the letter down, I think about it for a moment. Does Noah even care that there are girls out there that are wasting their life away waiting for him to be interested in them, when he never will be.


    Tearing open another, I pull out another letter. This one is much shorter, written messier.


    Alpha Noah,


    I¡¯m furious, I hope you know.


    Are these rumours about you and your assistant being together true?? Do you know how long I¡¯ve been waiting for you toe to my town, to notice me?


    She¡¯s hideous, truly. She looks wicked, evil with her pointy nose and horrendous hairline.


    I hope you end it soon.


    There is no name underneath.


    The rumour may or not be true, but it surely has bothered this girl. The first one, by the tone of her letter, has yet to hear about this rumour. Either way, this is ridiculous. Noah mustn¡¯t have any idea about these girls. That saddens me.


    I won¡¯t let anymore get thrown away. I¡¯m going to take these up to him, and demand he acknowledges them.


    Because I know what it feels like to be in love with someone who doesn¡¯t love you.

 Chapter 10

    ~Abe


    With the notes shoved in my pockets, I make my way up.


    The moment I walk through the mailroom door and into the hallway, Heather steps out in front of me, questioning me on where I¡¯m heading. Digging into my pockets, I tug out the two letters, showing them to her. I¡¯m hyped up on bothered emotions, so when she looks up at me and raises her eyebrows, it only makes me angrier.


    ¡°They¡¯re love notes. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re jealous of the affections he receives from all these girls,¡± she says, the smile on her face framed with pure amusement. I grit my teeth, knowing for a fact that I¡¯m not anything like jealous of this.


    ¡°I need to see him right now. It¡¯s no eptable that he¡¯s getting these letters and just throwing them out,¡± I tell her, brushing past her.


    She follows me. ¡°Sorry, but you can¡¯t.¡±


    This ce, of course, ispletely unfamiliar to me, but that doesn¡¯t stop me from rushing through the hallways of the lower area, looking for the stairs that will take me up to the main floor. This ce might be big, from what I¡¯ve seen from the outside, but I¡¯m sure I can find Noah wandering around here.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to lose my job anyway, so I would rather do it by having ast word,¡± I tell Heather, as she struggles to keep up with me.


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand, I can¡¯t let you go up there. No one is allowed on the main floor without being authorised, and you¡¯re only authorised for this floor. Go up there, and the consequences could be worse for you then losing your job,¡± she tells me.


    I pause for a moment.


    I¡¯ve found the stairwell, tucked neatly near where I had my first interview. Heather doesn¡¯t grab at me, simply standing close with a concerned expression across her face. She isn¡¯t about to attempt to restrain me knowing she might not stand a chance. She mighte off aggressive, but already I can tell she doesn¡¯t like conflict.


    ¡°Where is his office?¡± I ask her.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to tell you. There are guards up there who will detain you immediately. You¡¯ll never make it up any higher than the first floor,¡± she tells me. She¡¯s standing back, wary, as if she thinks I¡¯mpletely out of my mind that maybe I would attack her if I wanted to.


    I probably am out of my mind, but knowing I¡¯m about to lose this job is the fuel to my fire. And so is the frustrating with everything going on recently.


    Ignoring all of Heather¡¯s warnings, I rush up the stairs.


    She¡¯s initially wrong about all the guards I assumed would swarm to grab me as I step out into the first floor. It¡¯s opened up into a back room which I assume is hidden back here so guests don¡¯t have to see it when they arrive.


    Heather hasn¡¯t followed me up, thankfully. It gives me room to approach the exit to this room carefully. Thest thing I want to do is catch the attention of everyone roaming around the floor at this time. When I open the door, there is nothing but a long hallway with a door at the end that I¡¯m hoping isn¡¯t locked.


    These people here like their secrets.


    Stalking down the hallway, I let the plush carpet absorb the sound of my footsteps while I search for an idea of what to do next.


    Confidence is the key here. If is stride out, looking like I belong here, maybe no one will question whether I¡¯m authorised to be on this floor. I¡¯ll just walk on out, and if Ie across someone, I¡¯ll ask them where Noah¡¯s office is.


    Pushing the door open, I keep my chin up and walk out. The most difficult reason why I, for a moment, nearly broke my facade, is because of the room I¡¯ve emerged into. I¡¯vee through the side of the main foyer. Two guards are posted by the front door, who barely even cast me a nce as I walk out, shoes tapping against what must be marble beneath my feet.


    It¡¯s beautiful in here. Sunlight streams through the window, reflecting off the floor and all the ornaments set upon tables, all immactelyid out. Either Noah has great taste, or someone else is in control of the decorating in here.


    But I¡¯m not in here to admire his interior design.


    ¡°I have an important letter for Alpha Noah. Where is his office?¡± I say, folding my arms over my chest, as if them hesitating is a waste of my time.


    It works. One of the guards motion for me yo the stairs before muttering, to the right once I get to the top. Heading his advice, I stride up the stairs. I can hardly believe this is working right now. They didn¡¯t even question me, most likely assuming I have a right to be here. It¡¯s only a matter of time, though, before Heather alerts them.


    His office, much to my luck, is stuck behind a multitude of doors. At the first one I knock on, I¡¯m greeted by a women.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± She asks immediately.


    It¡¯s urs to me, that this is Alpha Noah¡¯s assistant. I¡¯ve seen her make appearances on televisions before, but she¡¯s much prettier in person. She has the sleekest, longest brown hair I¡¯ve seen in my life, and deep brown eyes sorge and searching, it¡¯s unnerving.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to deliver a message to Alpha Noah,¡± I  tell her, trying not to be intimidated by the glistening jewellery around her neck and in her ears.


    ¡°You¡¯re not authorised to be up here,¡± she says firmly, piercing lips covered in glittering lip gloss. My stomach flips over of course, of all people, she would be standing in front of me, ruining my onest chance.


    Too bad there¡¯s not much her small build can really do.


    Pushing past her, I walk through her office, and to the door I know Noah hides me. Sure enough, when I burst through, he is sitting behind his desk, working on something. He doesn¡¯t even flinch when I burst in, however, his brow does crease as hees to look at me. I bet this is thest thing he expected.


    ¡°You need to leave right now,¡± the assistant says frantically. I¡¯m not here to make her lose her job or anything. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Alpha, she just pushed right past me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Gia. Abe, why don¡¯t you sit down so we can talk?¡±N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Obliging him, I sit down in the chair in front of his desk. When I nce behind me, Gia, the assistant, seems angry, her re pointed at the Alpha before she turns and walks out the room. Thest thing either her or I expected was for Noah to be so calm about my arrival. I came into this thinking I would have to yell my point at him while being dragged away by guards.


    ¡°This is unexpected,¡± hements. ¡°Did youe up here to tell me you¡¯ve epted my offer and are willing to live in given amodation?¡±


    Shaking my head, I pull the notes out of my pocket,ying them out on the surface of the desk in front of him. He picks one of them up, taking him time to read it through. I watch each pass of those emerald eyes across the paper, thinking of the girl who wrote it.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± He questions, confused he reads the other one quickly, before focusing all this attention back to me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you feel bad for them?¡±


    Noah studies me for a moment, like he can¡¯t understand me. I can barely understand myself right now, considering why I¡¯ve managed to pull off. Usually I would have never have had the confidence to do something like that, but I was fueled by emotion. Now I¡¯m sitting here, slowly deting.


    I watch him get up from his seat, moving around his desk. For a moment, I¡¯m almost certain he is going to grab me, and hurt me. Instead, he walks to the door, and I hear the faint click of a lock.


    I¡¯m locked in.


    ¡°These girls are two on many. There is nothing harmful, about a crush, trust me,¡± he muses. His tone has lowered, sounding smoother than honey. It makes me shiver. I¡¯m unsure if I like it or not.


    ¡°I know, but my point-¡°


    Noah cuts me off, as he casually sits on the edge of his desk, right in front of where I sit on the chair. I look up at him, paralysed in my seat. He¡¯s intimidating, looking just me, unrelenting gaze studying me silently.


    ¡°I¡¯ve had plenty of crushes, and they have never harmed me,¡± hements, that smile holding a lot more weight to it then he is making apparent.


    I doubt these crushes have harmed him because any girl would take him without a moment¡¯s hesitation. Especially that assistant outside, if the rumours about her and the Alpha are correct. Just considering that makes me stomach feel queasy.


    ¡°Now, I¡¯ll get this aodation ready for you personally. And I hope with this job, you don¡¯t go through my mail again,¡± Noah tells me, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. ¡°As much as I like your curiosity.¡±


    I suck in a breath. It doesn¡¯t seem like I have much of a choice now.

 Chapter 11

    ~Abe


    ¡°Oh my, this is perfect!¡±


    I stare down at my boiling pasta, stirring it mindlessly. Sam is jumping around behind me, wearing next to nothing in just her bra and short shorts. She wine drunk, having just heard the news about my new job, and the new ce I¡¯ll be living. I expected her to be sad, that I would be leaving down, but by the way she dances around to the music, she couldn¡¯t be happier.


    ¡°You do realise that I¡¯ll be living over half an hour away, right? No more of thesete night meet ups where you walk home and I get stalked in the dark,¡± Iment, ncing over my shoulder to see her stumbling around in my lounge, wine bottle in hand.


    ¡°They will still be happening, trust me,¡± she tells me, grinning at me. ¡°If you think I¡¯m noting to visit when you¡¯re living with the Alpha you¡¯re crazy.¡±


    Of course that¡¯s Sam¡¯s motive.


    ¡°I promise, he isn¡¯t the guy you think he is,¡± Iment, turning the stove off to poor the pot of pasta into a strainer in the sink.


    ¡°Why not?¡± she asks, sounding breathless.


    I think back to the conversation we had today before I was sent home. ¡°He has girls all over this Pack who are obsessed with him, and he pays them no mind. And by the sounds of it, he¡¯s sleeping with his assistant, so I¡¯m not sure why I¡¯m hoping he is a moral man. All I¡¯m saying, is stay away from him. He¡¯s not a good person.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll be the judge of that myself. I¡¯m sure him and I will stumble into each other and sparks will fly and I¡¯ll be the new Luna,¡± she says confidently. That wine has really gotten to her head. If she saw what he was like, she wouldn¡¯t be saying this.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure the Luna has to be his mate¡±-


    I¡¯m cut off by a knock at the door. Both Sam and I freeze; she even leans over to turn the music down. I never called for anyone to be here at this hour. Sam shrugs, so I approach the door, cracking it open slightly.


    ¡°I heard there was a party.¡± It¡¯s Cian. He holds two boxes of alcohol in his hand, looking at me expectantly. ¡°Ie with drinks.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I like the sound of that,¡± Sam says from behind me, brushing past me to fling the door open. Cian grins with that smile that only belongs to him. He walks past me, right into my apartment, winking at me. Oh great.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a party,¡± I tell him firmly, crossing my arms over my chest. ¡°How did you even know to bring alcohol here?¡±


    My words seem to fall on deaf ears, as Sam motions for Cian toe into the living room with her, as he puts the drinks on the table. I lean against my front door, staring at his back. I hate this charismatic asshole who think he can just walk in here like he owns the ce. Sam is drunk, but even if she wasn¡¯t, his eyes alone could get her into bed.


    ¡°Come on Abe, I love your new, fun life,¡± Samments, grabbing Cian¡¯s hand. He lets her. What is his motive? When he nces back at me, he has a wicked glint in his eye. He¡¯s messing with me. I¡¯ve just let a monster into my home.


    ¡°Fun life, huh?¡± Cianments, looking down at a half naked Sam.


    Sam twirls around. ¡°Look at all these boxes, Abe is moving, can you believe it? She¡¯s moving in with that hot Alpha. It¡¯s fine though, I¡¯m sure we can keep each otherpany in her absence. Like I said, she has such a fun life.¡±


    Cian looks back at me, and I swear I see a sh of anger in his expression, before it vanishes. I can¡¯t help but smile, knowing I¡¯ve gotten the better of him.


    ¡°You know what, why don¡¯t we y a game?¡± Cian proposes.


    Sam lights up with excitement, pping her hands. She doesn¡¯t know this man, and now she¡¯s opening herself up to his charms. For all I know, he could be here to kill us, although I¡¯m sure that is absurd. He¡¯s here to get to me, whether it is to mess with me, or romantically. Either way, by tomorrow, he won¡¯t be an issue anymore.


    ¡°It¡¯s a drinking game. Whoever gives up first, loses. The punishment is up to the winner,¡± Cian offers, ripping into one of the boxes.


    ¡°I think you need to go, Sam is drunk enough,¡± I remind him.


    Both Cian and I nce at Sam, who has fallen onto the couch, muttering something about how excited she is about the game, and how sexy Cian looks in the shirt he is wearing. Another few drinks and she would ckout.


    ¡°Okay, then just you and me then?¡± Cian offers, handing me a bottle as I approach. I look at the percentage. It¡¯s high. Thest thing I need is to get drunk around Cian. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t give me that look. It will be fun, and this might be thest time I see you. And if you win, you can just wish me away. And I always keep my side of the bet.¡±


    ¡°You know what, fine,¡± I say, popping the lid open.


    I¡¯m going to try win if it¡¯s thest thing I do. I don¡¯t drink much, but the sheer willpower to get rid of this pest from my life is strong enough that I¡¯m confident I¡¯ll win. Cian joins me in popping the lid of a bottle open, the smirk on his lips flirting in his eyes.


    ¡°Maybe you should sit down for this one,¡± hements, motioning into the couch in my living room. I shake my head at him, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°If that¡¯s what you need, go ahead, but I don¡¯t think I need your pity,¡± I tell him confidently. I¡¯m trying to sike him out, make him think I canst longer then I actually can, but he doesn¡¯t seem bothered. In less than a few seconds, he downs the entire bottle, before nodding at me to follow suit. He doesn¡¯t even look bothered.


    I do so, screwing my face up at the taste.


    Cian and I manage to get three more bottles through before things started to blur, everything feeling woozy, my sense of stability starting to wash away with all the alcohol I¡¯m drinking. Cian hasn¡¯t even flinched, knocking each bottle down with ease, standing still, watching me, that smirk never dying.


    My tolerance isn¡¯t as high as I thought, and now I¡¯m undeniably drunk. If I drink anymore, I¡¯ll most likely be like Sam, who is passed out on the couch. But there¡¯s not way I¡¯m going to lose thispetition. Not when the stakes are this high.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    But is it me, or does Cian look beyond hot right now? Like, if he even took one nce in the direction of my bedroom, I would drag him in there myself.


    What am I thinking.


    ¡°I think that is enough alcohol for you,¡± Cian says, plucking thest bottle from my hand, putting it down on the table. I look at it longingly, but I don¡¯t have the chance to grab it again, as Cian wraps his arm around my waist, and leads me toward the free couch Sam isn¡¯t crashed on.


    Stumbling onto it, I can¡¯t help my giggle, as hees to sit next to me. I breathe in his scent, so citrus like, with a hint of sweetness. Just his smell alone has me leaning into him, before Iy my head on his shoulder.


    ¡°How are you not drunk?¡± I slur. I watched him down more bottles than me.


    ¡°Maybe I¡¯m just immune,¡± hements, looking down at me. Even his breath smells minty, strangely enough. I¡¯m too drunk to think about that right now¡­


    Sitting up, I look at him intently. ¡°Can I touch you hair? It¡¯s so magical and pretty. Man, what am I talking about? I should be kicking you out of my house right now so I can go to sleep. I¡¯m so tired. And turned on.¡±


    Any control of my speech has vanished, and now I¡¯m just saying what firstes to mind. Cian doesn¡¯t seem bothered though, simply amused, as he observes me with that smirk of his. I love that smirk. I love that mouth, and those full lips. Why did I ever reject him in the first ce?


    ¡°Touch me wherever you like, Abe. You¡¯re not going to remember this by tomorrow anyway,¡± he murmurs. His voice is buttery soft, like melting honey poured across my skin.


    ¡°What¡¯s my punishment for losing?¡± I question.


    Cian leans back in his seat, considering it. It could be anything, but my drunk self is excited for what he might have up his sleeve. He¡¯s so creative. The way he tries to get to me is so¡­ sexy.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you kiss me?¡± he asks softly, looking at me with those zing eyes. He¡¯s not forcing me, just asking.


    So of course, in my drunk mind, I sit up, swing my leg over his hips and straddle him, grinning down at him. I can feel how bad this is, how I¡¯ll regret it tomorrow. But I want to dig my hands into that golden hair, and kiss those lips and that neck¡­


    ¡°Good girl,¡± he murmurs, before I grab his face between my hands and kiss him.


    I¡¯m so drunk, I¡¯m numb, but through it all, I still feel the fluttering feeling of sparks throughout me. I ignore them though, too busy concentrating on the kiss, his lips, his tongue, his touch. It¡¯s aggressive, it¡¯s hot, making me heat up to the point where I¡¯m not sure if I can take anymore.


    His hands roam my body, his touch leaving a trace of sparks across my skin. It feels so good, as they move over my hips, under my shirt and across my waist, gripping and tugging at me, pulling me closer against him.


    ¡°You feel so good,¡± I breathe against his lips, as he pulls my hips down against him, until I can feel the hard length of him against.


    I can feel the rush of augh against me, before he kisses me again.


    Finally, I dig my hands into his hair, and it¡¯s just as soft as I thought. I can¡¯t help but pull on it, pulling him even closer to me, if that¡¯s possible.


    I never want this to end.

 Chapter 12

    ~Abe


    My head has never ached so much as in this moment.


    Sitting up, I wince against the sunlight streaming through my open curtains. My head throbs relentless, a suggestion of what I got up tost night. Whatever it might have been that I actually did, it¡¯s escaped me, but clearly it had something to do with.


    My eyes drift over to my nightstand, where a ss of water lies beside two pills, and a note. Ignoring the pills, I go for the note. The moment Iy eyes on it, my entire heart jumped into my throat.


    Be darling,


    Immediately I roll my eyes. Be? I already know it¡¯s from Cian, since no one else who barely knows me would shorten Abe to Be before getting tomorrow me. Especially when I¡¯m quite clear with Cian that I don¡¯t like him.


    Last night was magical, and I had an amazing time with you and your Sam. It¡¯s a shame you won¡¯t remember it.


    Regardless, I wish you the best of luck with your new life. I hope the Alpha treats you right. But not too right.


    I hope I see you again soon.


    Cian.


    (P. S. I left you water and some aspirin for that inevitable headache.)


    Gritting my teeth, I pick up the ss of water and drain it. It doesn¡¯t help the dryness on my tongue, but it does quench a small amount of sleep. I¡¯m not going to take the pain pills knowing that Cian has touched them. How did he even get into this house in the first ce?


    Sam clearly has something to do with it. Maybe she invited him¡­ Either way, as I nce at the clock, I realise I¡¯m going to bete. Again.


    It doesn¡¯t take too long to for me to Pack up a taxi considering the little I own. I might bete, but with the throbbing in my head, I¡¯m in too much pain to care all that much. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have been so stubborn and just have taken the pills.


    No. I¡¯m still mad at Cian.


    He¡¯s out of your life now. You¡¯re going to live half an hour away from him, and he¡¯s no longer going to visit. You won¡¯t be in his harassment and attention territory.


    Looking through my dark sunsses, we pull up into Noah¡¯s estate. It¡¯s a lengthy estate, my aodation hopefully nowhere near the actual manor. I might have met Noah, but that doesn¡¯t mean I get any more special treatmentpared to anyone else. I¡¯m still just another one of this sad workers who work at the bottom of his estate like some kind of prisoner. A prisoner who gets paid.


    The driver drops me off at work before going to drop my belongings off at my new amodation. I hold my head up, and walk straight in through the back door to the mailroom. Heather is standing at my work table, arms crossed, ring at me.


    ¡°You¡¯rete,¡± shements, her foot tapping lightly against the floor impatiently. I wonder how long she was standing there, waiting to catch me out.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it won¡¯t happen again,¡± I murmur.


    Heather narrows her eyes on me skeptically. ¡°Why are you wearing sunsses inside? Are you hungover or something? If so, that¡¯s not the best way to make a good impression.¡±


    Rolling my eyes, I tug my sses off my head and ignore her as I start my work. I was hoping to keep a low profile and not get noticed by anyone today, or maybe even for the next month. I¡¯ve gotten into my fair share of drama recently with the higher ups. Either Noah is going to fire me soon, or his assistant, who I clearly didn¡¯t make a good first impression with.


    ¡°I would tell the Alpha about this, but it seems like he is impressed by everything you do recently. You could burn this ce down and he would still somehow forgive you,¡± Heatherments, lurking in the doorway as I start sifting through mail.


    ¡°Envy doesn¡¯t look very good on you,¡± Iment.


    I¡¯m not sure why she would be so jealous. Noah hired me out of desperation, not because I have any real skills. And right now, I don¡¯t doubt he despises me.


    ¡°All I¡¯m saying, is that I had to fight to live on his estate for months, and yet here he is, giving it to you without anyint. And all you¡¯re doing is sorting through his mail, which might I add, we could all do,¡± she says, to which I simply sigh, ignoring her. There¡¯s no point letting her get underneath my skin.


    Finally, she leaves me alone. Quietly, I sort through Noah¡¯s mail, still itching to read through some of his letters, but as promised, I toss the ones pleading affection in the trash. If only they knew what happened to them, they wouldn¡¯t want to write them.


    Thankfully, I get through the day without any punishment for beingte, and no visits from higher authority. I¡¯m surprised at how grateful I am.


    Hopefully I¡¯m not going to get fired.


    Once I had finished, as night started to fall, I was escorted to where I would be staying. I¡¯m surprised to see that it¡¯s not too big of aplex, but it¡¯s beautiful made, looking like a hotel. I¡¯m impressed, but in the pit of my stomach, I feel ufortable. Who knows when I will next see Sam.


    But on the bright side, at least I won¡¯t have Cian trailing me at all times. Well, at least I doubt it. I know the security in this ce wouldn¡¯t allow a stranger in.


    That¡¯s what will help me me sleep at night.


    With my room key in hand, I wander through the foyer and into the halls, looking for my room for who knows how long. I wonder why Noah has this entire ce just built for his staff. Something tells me it has to do with him not wanting them to stay in his home. This way, we are close, but not too close to ruin the look of his perfect manor.


    As I walk down the hallway, I notice a pair of girls lurking in the doorway to the room. They whisper as I walk past, but I can¡¯t quite gather what they are saying. Brushing my hair behind my ear, I find my door opening it slowly.


    Before I even have the chance to step in, I notice them approaching me, nudging each other, still whispering.


    ¡°So tell us, is it true?¡± One of themments. ¡°Are you the girl who¡¯s managed to seduce the Alpha?¡±


    I pull a face. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Heather told us what you¡¯ve been up to. How did you get the job, have a threesome with the Alpha and the assistant?¡± one of the girls asks, grinning at me. I shift ufortably. I¡¯ve never seen this pair of girls before. They are both quite pretty, one heavier set than the other, who had thick dark hair. They both have poisonous grins on their faces.


    ¡°What are you trying to prove?¡± I question, considering slipping into my room and mming my door in their nosy faces.


    The girl with strawberry blonde hair sighs. ¡°Nothing, she¡¯s just curious. We both are. Heather is making such a big deal out of this. She said the Alpha hired you himself, which means you had to havee from a wealthy family he¡¯s trying to get his hands into.¡±


    ¡°Or, Allie, maybe there¡¯s another reason,¡± the brtements, winking at me. ¡°Like maybe she¡¯s caught the Alpha¡¯s interest for other reasons.¡±


    What kind of people is Noah hiring?


    Deciding I¡¯ve had enough, I step into the room to close my door. I should be getting adjusted to my new life, but instead, I¡¯m being harassed by two of the Alphas staff members. I¡¯m not sure why they are so fascinated with what has happened, even if it is an orthodox situation.


    Maybe it¡¯s jealousy¡­


    Noah gave me attention that other girls would kill for. I know how badly these girls want him, and I¡¯m sure some would even kill for a single meeting with him.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°Leave the girl alone. Envy doesn¡¯t look good on you, Stephanie,¡± I hear from behind my door. I frown, that phrase sounding familiar until I realise it¡¯sing from Heather, who i spoke it too rather viciously early today.


    Without my permission, Heather opens my door, both Steph and Allie peeking around into the room I haven¡¯t even had time to explore yet.


    ¡°Ignore these two. They are desperate to get any kind of attention for that Alpha, and when I mentioned what the meetings between you two, they got a little too excited,¡± Heather says, leaning against my doorway. I fold my arms.


    ¡°You can close to door now,¡± I say.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky you know. The only person who the Alpha ever pays attention is his assistant,¡± Steph, the brte says over Heather¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You might not like it, but no one else ever gets this opportunity.¡±


    Sighing deeply, I don¡¯t reply. Heather gets the hint and closes the door behind her. I don¡¯t settle my frustration until they are gone. How can they think so highly of Alpha Noah? Just wait until I tell them the truth about what he is actually like, then maybe they would change their mind.


    Just as I turn around to observe my new home forever, I notice something on the kitchen counter.


    A note. Anyone else want to send me notes today?


    As I approach it, I realise who has sent it. This time Cian isn¡¯t the one sending it. Written in beautiful writing is the Alpha¡¯s name.


    Noah.

 Chapter 13

    ~Abe


    I grit my teeth, trying my hardest not to roll my eyes.


    I¡¯m almost tempted not to open the letter. Why should I? He might be my Alpha, and now my boss, but I could simply im¡¯s that I never received the letter in the first ce¡­I just don¡¯t understand what everyone¡¯s obsessions with writing me letters is recently. Cian, and now Noah?


    Despite my current feelings on the matter, my curiosity overpowers my stubbornness quite easily, and I tear open the envelope, not bothered about preserving its stunning outer appearance.


    Dear Abe,


    I want to personally thank you for taking this job, and moving into the amodation I offered you. I know it was short notice, and I know you didn¡¯t have the best beginning here, but I¡¯m still d you have joined the team.


    As you know, your job is very important. I would like to ask, without your supervisor Heather knowing (if you don¡¯t mind being discreet) to destroy any mail from a particr address. Burning would suffice.


    My eyes widen, as I check the address he has attached. It¡¯s from my town, but not nowhere close to my old apartment. I¡¯m not sure who is from there, but Noah fails to mention.


    Thank you again, Abe. I hope I get to know you better while you work here.


    Kindest regards, Noah.


    Sighing deeply, I shove the note into my back pocket. I¡¯m assuming I will need to keep this on hand for when I get back to working tomorrow. Burning mail seems ominous, but I have to remember that Alpha¡¯s are involved in dirty business, which is none of mine. Despite how curious I am¡­


    You know what¡­No, I don¡¯t need to have this letter on me. I¡¯ll remember this address, then get rid of any trace of Noah from this room. Even if he happens to own this entire building. But that¡¯s beside the point.


    After tracing the address down onto a separate piece of paper, I decide to walk the note down to throw it into the firece I saw on the way up here.


    Maybe that would be significant in some way¡­C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    As I walk downstairs, toward the living area that had been abandoned when I hade up here, I hear the sound of chatter. Maybe getting this note into the fire will be harder than I thought. And here I was thinking everyone would have gone to bed by now, since darkness has fallen and I¡¯m assuming everyone has work tomorrow.


    When I peer around the side of the door, looking into the living area, I see a group of girls, all congregated around the couch, talking about something I can¡¯t quite see. They seem excited, nudging each other, blushing and giggling.


    My blood goes cold. I know who the culprit is. It¡¯s Cian.


    Sure enough, when I nce between the hoard of girls, I see him there, lounging casually against the couch, looking up at the girls who gush over him. That smile on his face makes my stomach turn.


    Suddenly, a girl bumps me from behind. Before she has a chance to enter the room, I grab her arm, pulling her to focus on me.


    ¡°Do you know that guy?¡± I question.


    She looks at me, eyes zed, mouth partially opened. ¡°Of course. That¡¯s my friend Cian. I let him in because he¡¯s my friend. It seems he¡¯s made great friends with a lot of the girls here too, which is great. It means they will want to invite him over too, which is exactly what he wants. Or at least, that¡¯s what he says will make him happy.¡±


    There¡¯s something about the way she is speaking that makes my stomach turn ufortably. Cian is a true maniptor to have her react like this. I bet it was one sh of that smile and a mention of that beautiful house he has on the hill, that had her falling right at his feet.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be friends with him. I heard he¡¯s a bad guy,¡± I tell her firmly, before walking into the room.


    It takes me great effort to wade through the group of girls. They seem so entranced by Cian, that they don¡¯t notice me bump past them, as I try get to the couch where they sit.


    The entire mood shifts when Cian notices me.


    I know he is here for me. He¡¯s here to torment me, to ruin my life in every way possible for whatever reason. Why does he want to do this to me? Maybe he is interested in me like he insinuates, which I don¡¯t happen to believe. There is something else he wants from me, and I¡¯m hoping I don¡¯t have to find out.


    The moment heys eyes on me, a devious smile creeps onto his face. Suddenly his attention ispletely removed off the girls around him, and he focuses on me. He raises a finger and motions for me toe over to him.


    I only do so because I want to kick him out of here.


    ¡°You need to leave,¡± I say immediately, pointing to the door. Cian raises a dark eyebrow at me, as if I¡¯m insane foring up to question him.


    ¡°I thought you would be happy to see me, considering what happenedst night,¡± he taunts, dismissing girls who lean over for his attention. I don¡¯t me them for wanting his affections. I¡¯m not going to lie and say he isn¡¯t insanely beautiful. Those foreign looks are enough to have all these girls willing to drop their pants for him. And it¡¯s not their fault either.


    I grit my teeth together, unsure of what he means by that. ¡°Last night?¡±


    ¡°Last night, when you got drunk and we made out while your best friendid incapacitated on the couch. That was until you passed out in my arms and I had to carry you to bed,¡± he tells me. All the girls around us gasp and whisper between each other.


    My cheeks flush bright red. I can¡¯t believe I let myself get drunk enough to forget what happenedst night. I know he was in my house, because of the note.


    But is what he saying real?


    ¡°You¡¯re disgusting. I would never kiss you,¡± I snap at him. I can¡¯t help, as I say that, to nce down at his lips for a single moment. Did I kiss those full, graceful lips? I hope not¡­I have faith that my drunken self would never want to kiss Cian. However, there¡¯s doubt swirling in my stomach that I hope isn¡¯t suggesting what may have happened.


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to agree to disagree,¡± he murmurs, before he stands, moving to brush past me. He pauses, leaning down to whisper in my ear. ¡°But only one of us remembers what actually happened that night.¡±


    I follow him with my gaze as he walks out the room. A silent invitation.


    Begrudgingly, I follow him. I don¡¯t want to give him what he wants, which is attention, but I need to get him out of here before he targets another girl.


    ¡°Why are you here Cian? What do you want with me?¡± I question, following him as he tucks himself into a small corner. I¡¯m grateful for the privacy away from the other girls, who remain in the living room, buzzing about something.


    ¡°Can I note to say hi to my friend? And her other friends?¡± he asks, shrugging his shoulders loosely. I fold my arms over my chest, making him sigh. ¡°What if I can offer you a better job? It¡¯s not good to get into a job with an Alpha. Trust me, they are broody,plicated and all they want is¡­well, one thing.¡±


    I look away. I know what he is suggesting. ¡°it¡¯s a shame I don¡¯t believe you.¡±


    ¡°Noah isn¡¯t a good Alpha. He is secretive, maniptive and cruel,¡± Cian tells me. I¡¯ve never seen him be this serious before. I¡¯m used to the cunning joker who charms all hees across with his wit and humour.


    ¡°I might not trust Noah, but at least he doesn¡¯t stalk me across the Pack and maniptes everyone in this ce to get in,¡± I tell him. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in working for you, so you might as well leave right now. And for future reference, you¡¯ve put me off from ever wanting to see you again. Got it?¡±


    I take a moment to suck in a breath.


    Cian doesn¡¯t react for a moment. A muscle in his jaw ticks, before both of our attention is drawn to a girl whoes up from behind me. I feel her hand slip into my back pocket.


    ¡°Oh, does this have the Alpha¡¯s name on it?¡± she asks. Her tone is slurred. Drunk. Good to know what kind of people Alpha Noah is hiring. I don¡¯t have time to worry about her inevitable hangover in the morning, as she folds open the note I was nning on burning.


    ¡°Give that back,¡± I snap, reaching for it.


    She tucks out of the way. ¡°Not that romantic, but listen to this; Thank you again, Abe. I hope I get to know you better while you work here. Kindest regards, Noah.¡±


    The way she reads it is taunting, as she grins, circling around the other girls who are curious about why the Alpha is writing to me. When I nce back at Cian, his expression is stony, impassive, as he watches the girl with distain. At least for once we hate the same person. Even if it is for different reasons.


    ¡°Not even Alpha huh? That means he wants to see her again,¡± one girl says.


    ¡°Goodbye assistant right,¡± another adds.


    My cheeks flood with heat, as I look around at the swarm of girls taunt me. All for a stupid note I didn¡¯t even consent to receiving.


    And when I turn around, Cian is gone.

 Chapter 14

    ~Abe


    I have a lot on my mind as I sit here, sorting through mail.


    So far, I¡¯vee across two pieces of mail from the pile thate from the address Noah stated on the letter to me. Just thinking about that letter makes my cheeks flush with heat, and not because the Alpha wrote to me directly, but because of how I was publically embarrassedst night in front of everyone.


    I¡¯m not sure what they wanted to prove. Maybe they are jealous, however, I know he only wrote to me on a business level. The extra part was just to make me feel good and maybe stay quiet about what he wants from me.


    And Cian left so swiftly, I can¡¯t help but wonder why. Maybe it upset him, or maybe he just didn¡¯t like the sudden attention shift. Either way, I haven¡¯t heard from him.


    Honestly, I¡¯m grateful.


    Picking up the two envelopes I¡¯ve been ordered to burn, I take them to a separate room. It¡¯ste, Heather having gone back to the amodation, while I remain to take care of thest set of mail. All that is left is to rid of this mail as per Noah¡¯s request.


    Going down a small flight of steps, I go out into an open area, where a put is already lit. Keeping my work is important, if I want to take his job seriously. I doubt Noah has any more patience left for me if I make another mistake. If all goes well, and Noah keeps his promise, I will be able to get enough money to get out of here.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    With a sigh, I toss the first envelope into the fire. I slowly watch it burn, wondering what the contents could have been. I can¡¯t help but look down at the one I hold.


    What the hell¡­


    Throwing all my inhibitions away, I tear into the envelope. This is wrong, and everything is telling me I shouldn¡¯t look at this. It¡¯s private. It¡¯s Alpha business. But I can¡¯t help myself. I know how long I¡¯ll spend wondering what it could have said if I didn¡¯t do this. Even if I¡¯mpletely going against everything I¡¯ve been telling myself.


    Slipping the piece of paper from inside the envelope out, I fold it out onto myp, looking at the extensive letter that has been written out, addressed to Noah. I read the beginning immediately.


    Here¡¯s a simple truth. Our agreement is clearly off, however, that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m not willing to create some rules around what is being said to her.


    ¡°Thank you for that.¡±


    I startle, quickly stuffing the letter under my shirt, as the sound of Noah¡¯s gentle voice floods the small courtyard area. I¡¯m hoping he didn¡¯t see, but that wish it unlikely. Now he¡¯s going to know I betrayed him, once again, because of my damned curiosity. It¡¯s most likely he¡¯s going to assume I¡¯m one of his doting followers who wanted a chance to meet him, even if he was the one to offer me the job.


    I clear my throat. ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°Burning the letters,¡± he replies, taking steps toward. I remain where I sit, staring at the crackling fire, wondering how painful it would be to dive head first inpared to being in this situation. ¡°I know it might seem strange, but it¡¯s better for my peace of mind that I don¡¯t get any mail from that particr person.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Iment, unsure of whether I¡¯ve managed to get out of this or not.


    Without any invitation to ¨C as if he needs any ¨C he sits down beside me. I don¡¯t tear my eyes away from the fire, too scared that if I look at him, he¡¯s going to know there¡¯s one of his private letters underneath my shirt. However, my decision to concentrate on the fire isn¡¯t going me much good. The shock of feeling his presence next to me, to smelling that cloying scent of his is inescapable.


    ¡°How are you finding it here? In the amodation?¡± the asks. For a moment, I assume he is making conversation because he actually cares.


    ¡°Other than the fact that all the girls you¡¯ve hired have it out for me, and the fact that a person from my recent past won¡¯t quit tormenting me, I would say it could be better,¡± I admit, my mind straying back Cian. I can¡¯t help it.


    ¡°I apologise about the girls. I¡¯ll have that seen to,¡± Noahments. ¡°And a figure from your past? That¡¯s intriguing.¡±


    Frowning, I finally look at him.


    He¡¯s looking at me too. It doesn¡¯t matter how many times I see him, his striking features, including those emerald eyes in contrast to that midnight ck hair, his lips, his everything. I don¡¯t let it get the best of me, though. I¡¯m having a conversation with my boss who doesn¡¯t know what I¡¯m concealing under my shirt.


    ¡°Not really. What are you doing down here anyway?¡± I question, hoping he doesn¡¯t think I¡¯m trying to be rude. Sitting in his presence is unnerving, and I don¡¯t like feeling vulnerable. This man could ruin my life in an instant.


    ¡°Boredom, really.¡±


    I cast my nce back at the fire. ¡°Alpha¡¯s have time to get bored?¡±


    ¡°Not really. However, in my case, I¡¯m not particrly able to leave these premises, which leaves me with little to do outside of work,¡± he tells me. How sad. I couldn¡¯t imagine a life with that much power, that much weight on your shoulders. Suddenly I¡¯m grateful for my simple job and my rtively simple life.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have anyone to keep youpany?¡± I ask. He could just hire someone to entertain him if he wished. I bet there are plenty of girls in the amodation who would love that duty.


    ¡°Are you trying to decipher whether or not I¡¯m in a rtionship with my assistant?¡± he asks.


    I almost flinch at the forwardness of his question. As much as I¡¯m fascinated by the whole aspect of their rtionship, and admittedly curious, I¡¯m not as obsessed by it as others. It¡¯s not as if he would be willing to share personal information like that with one of his workers. I¡¯m not even sure his real reason foring down here.


    ¡°No, of course not. That¡¯s not at all what I¡¯m saying. It was just a general question¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, is you just know, I don¡¯t have anyone really. People can make rumours about my assistant all they want, but there are no real feelings there,¡± Noah tells me. I¡¯m not sure what he is trying to prove, if anything. Maybe he is venting. Either way, I think I can see what he is insinuating.


    ¡°So, you just sleep with her?¡± I ask, before I realise what has juste out of my mouth. I quickly back pedal. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, that was extremely out of line.¡±


    Noahughs under his breath. ¡°Interesting deduction, but no. I¡¯m not like that.¡±


    That¡¯s hard to believe. I feel bad just thinking about it, but I know the rumours that circte. I know that doesn¡¯t make it real, but it makes it somewhat likely, when almost everyone has their story about how they believe Noah is one of the more promiscuous Alpha¡¯s. I¡¯m not sure what I think yet.


    ¡°So why let all those girls write to you then? I know you exined it, but don¡¯t you feel even a little bit of guilt?¡± I ask him, watching him shift ufortably. He stares into the fire, as if it¡¯s producing his answers for him.


    ¡°Of course. But I¡¯d much rather them indulge in a fantasy than a reality that is cruel and harsh,¡± he tells me.


    I screw my face up. ¡°Because being with you is such a fantasy?¡±


    ¡°Quite the opposite. Being with me involves a lot of heartache, I¡¯m sure,¡± he admits, to which I study his face carefully. Solemn eyes, furrowed brow. He really does think that about himself. Maybe he really dide here to vent¡­ ¡°Although what¡¯s the use of dwelling on that when there are worse people in the world.¡±


    I roll my eyes. ¡°Tell me about it.¡±


    ¡°Care to borate.¡±


    Sighing through my nose, I think about Cian. I hate how he has managed to invade my every thought. Even now, when I sit with Noah, feeling the way he sparks up interest within me, and the way that is so simr with that golden-haired man. I decide it¡¯s my turn to vent.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if this offends you in anyway, being you¡¯re my boss, but would you ever be with someone if everything in your mind is telling you that this person is bad and wrong for you, but you can¡¯t keep away? Like they are so irresistible you physically struggle to contain yourself?¡± I ask.


    Noah looks contemtive. ¡°Your instincts are always right above anything else.¡±


    ¡°I knew it, that bastard,¡± I mutter. There has to be a reason why Cian makes me uneasy. It¡¯s an underlying feeling that refuses to go away when I am with him.


    ¡°I have a question for you then,¡± Noah moves on.


    ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    ¡°Do you ever wonder what it would be like to not be you? To be normal enough that the person you so desperately want might actually want you back?¡± Noah questions, looking exasperated, but not tearing his gaze away from me for a second. ¡°Because I know that feeling fairly well.¡±


    It takes me a moment to consider that, and all the ways in which I can¡¯t rte. I¡¯m almost too normal.


    That is, until Noah reaches out, grabbing my chin between his fingers and drawing me to his lips, where he kisses me.

 Chapter 15

    ~Noah


    Why did I do that?


    I stare at her,pletely unconscious and unknowing of what I did. Here she is, my mate, a victim of my own mistakes. How could I let this happen? It¡¯s not often anyone falls charm to any of my abilities. I¡¯ve sworn to keep them to myself, and not let anyone fal witness to what I am possible of. Yet here I am, standing in my mate¡¯s room, telling myself to walk away and let it be.


    She¡¯ll wake up with no recollection. That¡¯s what magic does. Well, it¡¯s not exactly magic, but it does the trick. And as simple as it might seem to walk away, I can¡¯t bring myself to ept what I¡¯ve done. Who has such a moment of weakness and maniptes their mates mind in this way?


    The soft sounds of her breathing quell my thoughts. Of course, I¡¯m going to feel guilty about this, but I would feel guiltier if she knew.


    It would go against Cian and I¡¯s agreement¡­


    This is me protecting her. I¡¯m doing the best I can for a foolish mistake. Maybe one day she will know, but for now, a secret it shall remain.


    ???


    ~Abe


    It goes against everything I promised myself.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    My entire rational mind is telling me I shouldn¡¯t have called him. This is the first real time, aside from when he tried to force money on me, that I¡¯ve called on him myself. It feels so wrong, but after the conversation I¡¯ve had, it¡¯s inspired me to demand Cian¡¯splete and utter honesty with me, or else, I¡¯m going to demand he leave my life forever. Whether he wants to or not.


    I sit in my room, right on the edge of my bed, nervous. I had no other choice but to invite him up here in order to keep our privacy. Who knows what rumours they will spread about me and Cian if they get an inkling he¡¯s onlying here to see me. I¡¯ve got enough on my te as it is.


    He arrives hastily. Perhaps he was nearby, which would exin why he arrived within half an hour. If there is one thing I can count on him for, it¡¯s to be here when I need him.


    For whatever reason he might want to be.


    ¡°Well this is quite the surprise,¡± Cian announces as he walks into the room, closing the door behind him. I re at him, letting him know that this isn¡¯t what I wanted, but right now, is the only option. Really, I¡¯m just hoping a certain ouees from this that will give me an excuse to rid him from my life forever.


    ¡°Sit down on that chair over there,¡± I demand, motioning to my desk chair. Cian raises a dark eyebrow at me, but obliges. He¡¯s dressed as though he has juste from avish party, wearing dark pants and a satin dress shirt that¡¯s as gold as the roots of his hair.


    He folds one leg over the other. ¡°Is this an interrogation? I didn¡¯t know I did anything wrong by you, Abe.¡±


    ¡°You need to bepletely transparent with me if you ever think I¡¯ll trust you,¡± I tell him firmly, setting the tone for the rest of the conversation.


    Cian considers that for a moment.


    ¡°Fine. What exactly is it you want me to be so honest about, my dear?¡± he asks him. I blink a few times, expecting more of a dance around the issue. Instead, he is deciding he was to bepletely honest with me. Or maybe, he¡¯s going to lie and manipte me like he has done the entire time I¡¯ve known him. But this time I have to take the risk.


    I have a thought that has been guing me since hest mentioned it that I¡¯m ready to interrogate him with. ¡°I want to know about that night, when I cked out. Did I really kiss you?¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s the whole, transparent reality,¡± he starts, making me narrow my eyes. ¡°I invited you to y a drinking game, knowing full well I would win due to myplete tolerance to alcohol ¨C don¡¯t ask. And yes, before you say it, it may have appeared convenient that I got you drunk and we made out, but I never expected you to just throw yourself at me.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound right.¡±


    I know me, and I doubt I would ¡®throw¡¯ myself at Cian. Is he handsome in an almost magical, foreign way, but that doesn¡¯t mean I would be foolish enough to kiss him. Even if I were highly intoxicated.


    ¡°In all honesty, we kissed for a while before you passed out and I put you to bed,¡± he tells, to which my eyes widen in response. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look. Your virginity is still intact.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t¡­ Don¡¯t act like you know anything,¡± Iment, immediately jumping to my own defence. I¡¯m not sure why when Cian insinuates that, it makes it all the more embarrassing. Maybe it is because he looks like he¡¯s seen so much more of life than I have, even though he doesn¡¯t look much older than me.


    ¡°This I¡¯m sure of.¡±


    ¡°I have another question,¡± I say, quickly trying to divert the conversation elsewhere. Plus, I have plenty more questions up my sleeve that I demand answers to. ¡°Why did you save me from that stalker guy that night?¡±


    Cian breathes in deeply, considering how best to answer me. For the first time throughout this entire conversation, he actually looks serious. However, it doesn¡¯tst long.


    ¡°It¡¯s odd having to describe my brilliants ns, but I simply hired him to y a part so you would assume I was some kind of heroic figureing to save you. Instead you just found me creepy,¡± hements, as if it¡¯s somethingpletely normal.


    I stare at him, dumbfounded. ¡°Wait¡­ you hired him?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I said, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    I¡¯m unsure of whether or not he is joking with me, or not. It seems like such an absurd idea, but knowing Cian, I would never put something like that past him. It does send shivers of unease down my spine, as I let it sink into my mind. He looks as though this isn¡¯t an issue, so I quickly move on, hoping for more answers on thatter.


    ¡°How did you even know who I was before then? I¡¯ve never seen you in my life,¡± I question. Cian has still not borated on why he suddenly attached himself to my life, wanting to involve himself as much as possible.


    If he is being truthful about that night ¨C which I don¡¯t even want to consider ¨C  then he must be interested in me. Attracted to me even.


    I really don¡¯t want to think about that.


    ¡°Call it fate. Call it predetermined destiny. Whatever it might be, but I saw you, and I decided I wanted you. It¡¯s really that simple,¡± he tells me, leaning back casually in his chair, dismissing the conversation. I have a feeling he¡¯s not beingpletely up front with me.


    ¡°I called forplete honesty, Cian,¡± I remind him.


    He stares at me nkly for a moment, so intensely, I¡¯m unsure of whether I should look away from him. His eyes slightly narrow, as if he is considering something important. I¡¯m waiting for him to suddenly drop a bomb on me, but instead, he silently stands, grabbing for the sleeve of my shirt.


    I go to yank away from him, but his grip is tight. He pulls me right to his chest, looking down at me with zing eyes. For a moment, I¡¯m frightened, waiting for him to do something to hurt me, to silence me. But instead, a sharp taste fills my mouth, and suddenly, I feel like I¡¯m falling.


    Shutting my eyes closed, I scream, but my voice is swallowed up by a rushing sound around me. What is happening? Is this what death feels like?


    Finally, my feet hit the ground, and I lurch forward, until my entire body falls down. My eyes fling open, and I look around, trying to figure out what has just happened. I¡¯m on a plush carpeted floor, looking around. I¡¯ve never seen anything like this ce.


    It¡¯s a small room, with some of the most expensive looking furnishings I have ever seen ced all around. Couches, paintings on the wall¡­ What is this ce?


    Cian stands above me, holding his hand out, but I don¡¯t take it.


    Scrambling to my feet, I back away from him. What just happened? Whatever that was, it was not normal, probably magic judging by the taste in my mouth. Cian, however, does not look like he is at all bothered by what he just put me through, in fact, he almost looks amused.


    ¡°What just happened?¡± I question, my mouth going dry.


    ¡°Well you¡¯re in the immortal world. My home,¡± he announces, motioning around the room. ¡°And if you haven¡¯t realised it already, I¡¯m an immortal. Surprise!¡±

 Chapter 16

    ~Abe


    I¡¯m struck by a moment of confusion.


    All this raises, is the question of whether or not I should believe him. This small room has no windows; no way of letting me know that he is telling me the truth of not. It seems like such an absurd idea, but how can I exin away that feeling of falling and suddenly appearing here as one of Cian¡¯s many maniptions? Even he isn¡¯t capable of something so convoluted.


    My back hits the wall as I keep backing away. I feel the frame of a picture behind me, which I can already tell by looking at the other pictures in the room, that it is beyond expensive. Maybe he just got ahold of some magic and transported me to his home Pack, the Desire Pack.


    Maybe with his undeniable charm and charisma, he convinced an immortal to give him a small amount of power just to trick me.


    Or maybe he is an immortal¡­


    ¡°What do you want with me?¡± I question, bracing myself against the wall for support. My knees surely aren¡¯t doing that good of a job. I check for doors, and there¡¯s only one, that Cian stands in front of. Where would I run anyway? If he is telling me the truth, then who knows what terrifying things lie beyond that door.


    ¡°You wanted me to be honest, so I thought what better time than to you bring you here, my true home,¡± he tells me, motioning around as if anything about this ce is different to where we came from. Aside from the furniture being out of my price budget, it¡¯s rtively normal.


    Folding my arms over my chest protectively, I narrow my eyes on him. ¡°I thought you came from the Desire Pack? And what the hell was that trick you pulled on me?¡±


    For the first time, Cian think about what he is about to say.


    ¡°I never explicitly said I was from the Desire Pack, you just assumed. And as for what you just experienced, that was form of transportation I used to get you here, via my magical powers,¡± he tells me, the smile on his face and the twist of his tone suggest he finds this all rather amusing. Is this some kind of game to him?


    ¡°Magic¡­¡±I breathe. ¡°If you truly are immortal, than why me? Why are you targeting me, and bringing me here to show me what? A room?¡±


    Instead of exining what I demanded, he instead turns around and opens the door to reveal nothing but another room. He motions to me to follow him.


    I do so warily, and only because I don¡¯t want to be stuck in that room anymore.


    ¡°I like to live in the city. It¡¯s quick paced and entertaining,¡± he tells me.


    This ce doesn¡¯t look like it belongs into a city, and I¡¯m convinced he is lying to me until leads me into a living area, and I see the view of an expansive city enveloped with darkness, only existing through the twinkling of lights all around, and the faint sound of booming music somewhere in the distance.


    Since it¡¯s so dark, I can¡¯t determine where this is. Honestly, this could be somewhere within the mortal world, and I couldn¡¯t tell. Cian could somehow trick me, for his own amusement and pleasure, and exin away that strange feeling as some kind of illusion.


    Yet there¡¯s something in the air here, that feel different¡­wrong. It¡¯s heavy, weighing on my shoulders. Whatever this ce is, I¡¯m not supposed to be here.


    There¡¯s no way Cian could be lying.


    ¡°This is my own territory, by the way. Being, a Sin, I get a reasonable amount ofnd do to whatever I please with it,¡± he exins to me, walking across his living room casually. I watch him for a moment, absorbing what he is saying.


    It takes me a moment to put two and two together in order to figure out what he is saying.


    ¡°Sin?¡± I say, without really knowing what it means. Either this is somethingpletely beyond me, or Cian is talking and not making any sense.


    Cian turns around on his heels, ncing back at me. His face his shadowed by the light streaming in behind him, yet still, I can see the devilish smile on his face. I remain on one end of the living area, keeping a safe distance from him, while he walks around on the plush white rug underneath his feet.


    ¡°Oh yes, I¡¯m a Sin, born from the Moon with one job,¡± he tells me, strolling forward. My gaze darts back and forth, but I don¡¯t see anywhere else to run.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± I ask warily.


    He waits to speak until he is close enough that I can smell that almost spicy scent of his. I hate how alluring it is, in the most inappropriate setting. He loves to intimidate me, watching me wait and worry before he says something even more illusive than thest.


    ¡°A Sin is your worst nightmare,¡± hements, ¡°But luckily for you, I like you, so you don¡¯t have to worry. It means we can have fun.¡±


    Stunned, having gathered no further information, I just stand there, unsure of what to do. Cian steps away again, and I stare at his back, wondering if I should attack him and get out of here. It might seem crazy, but I have a better chance of getting out of here by finding out what is outside, than staying in here with this mad man.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t told me anything. You¡¯re crazy, you¡¯re under some kind of delusion, and I¡¯m leaving,¡± I tell him, storming toward the door.


    For whatever reason, he doesn¡¯t stop me.


    Throwing the door open, I wander out into another hallway, I don¡¯t stop under I find a flight of steps going downward. If Cian is being truthful, then there will be a city full of people down below, that should be able to get me home.


    Even if I found a phone to call Sam, or maybe even Noah. At least I could trust him toe find me, or use his people to at least.


    Suddenly, right at the base of the stairs, Cian appears, leaning casually against the banister. I flinch, stumbling back a few steps.


    ¡°See, it¡¯s pointless fleeing. I¡¯ll admit, I¡¯ve been coy with you, but you forced my hand. You made me be honest with you, and this is honest. I¡¯ve brought you to my home, I¡¯ve told you I¡¯m an immortal, and yet you still look so offended,¡± hements, looking at me intently.


    My entire body detes.


    Now, I feel empty and unsure of myself. The man standing in front of me, with the crazy gold and ck hair and strange sense of fashion is an immortal, who owns an apartment in a city whichpletely belongs to him.


    And as all this settles into my mind, it almost seems to make sense. The money, the ability to show up in the most irritating of ces. Cian is an immortal.


    And for whatever reason, I¡¯ve been selected to be tortured by him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you suddenly attached yourself to me like some kind of leech. You¡¯re an immortal¡­Haven¡¯t you lived long enough to find a hobby?


    Or are you just so bored you have to target a random girl and make her life hell?¡± I questions, folding my arms across my chest.


    Cian exhales a breath, studying me for a moment. ¡°I tried to make your life better, easier. I gave you money, offered to take you on dates, and instead, you decided to take a job with that useless Alpha.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but you went about this in the entirely wrong way,¡± I tell him, trying to move past him. ¡°Now please either let me leave, or take me home.¡±


    Cian grabs my arm, dragging me back into the room by my sleeve until he closes the door back in the living area. My protests and attempts to escape his grasp are pointless, until he finally lets me go, sitting me down on one of his leather couches by the window. I stay seated, but only because I¡¯m unsure of how Cian will react.


    For some reason, he doesn¡¯t scare me. He isn¡¯t going hurt me, and I know that.


    Suddenly, he seems serious, as he stands above me. ¡°Let me try again. Let it be like we meet for the first time. A second chance¡­that¡¯s all I ask.¡±


    I¡¯m unsure of what to reply.


    A second chance after all of this seems almost iprehensible. It¡¯s almostpletely settled within my mind that he is an immortal, and I¡¯m in the immortal realm right now. But that¡¯s not the only problem. The problem is the sudden obsession with bing apart of my life. Are all immortal so direct and forward like Cian.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to say no,¡± he says warily, after I take a few moments to reply. I watch as he kneels down, his knees sinking into the white rug underneath him.


    ¡°Listen, I don¡¯t feel as though I know you enough-¡°


    ¡°What if I told you a secret. A secret that will make you like me?¡± he questions, looking up at me earnestly. I shake my head at him. It seems as though Cian has a million and one secrets, and I don¡¯t think I want to involve myself in that.


    However, it doesn¡¯t seem like I have much of a choice, as he moves to sit next to me on the couch. I flinch, watching him warily.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°What if I told you I¡¯m your mate?¡±

 Chapter 17

    ~Abe


    My mouth goes dry.


    The rational me would immediately assume he is taunting me with some kind of joke to make this situation even worse. However, I stare at him, as he gets back up to his feet, I see no falter in his expression. He doesn¡¯t burst intoughter, and he doesn¡¯t immediately crack some kind of joke at my expense. He ispletely serious.


    Fear fills my veins like thick poison. There is no doubt he is being truthful, but with everything that has been revealed today, I¡¯m not sure I want to explore the idea of us being mates. Especially since when I think about it, it almost seems to make perfect sense.


    ¡°Why are you telling me this?¡± I question. I know I brought this upon myself, questioning him and demanding so many answers.


    If I knew this would be the case, I would have kept my mouth shut.


    ¡°You wantedplete honesty, and I decided to do graciously provide it,¡± he tells me, leaning back against the couch as if he had finally lifted a weight of his shoulders that had been bothering him for awhile. I have so many more question building up within my mind, but I don¡¯t have the power or energy to ask them.


    In short, I don¡¯t think I want to know.


    ¡°If this is true, it doesn¡¯t mean anything,¡± I tell him firmly. I¡¯ve always wanted a mate, however, I didn¡¯t think I was going to be paired with an immortal. I can¡¯t just ept it and that be that. I need to think about it first to decide whether or not I can handle this. It just doesn¡¯t feel right, for whatever reason.


    Cian raises an eyebrow at me, looking skeptical. ¡°Why, are you scared? Is it because I¡¯m an immortal? Because I¡¯m a sin? There is nothing to be afraid of¡­ The only people who should be afraid of a sin are people who cross one.¡±


    I get to my feet, moving myself away from where he sits on  the couch. I need time to process everything that I¡¯m being told.


    Before now, I never cared to learn anything about sins. I¡¯m regretting that now.


    ¡°I just need time to think,¡± I mutter, delving my hands into my hair. I haven¡¯t even touched him yet, but you don¡¯t just call someone your mate unless you mean it. It¡¯s impossible to fake, unless this is just a sick joke on Cian¡¯s part. I honestly wouldn¡¯t put that past him¡­ but he looks so serious, I¡¯m questioning my own doubt.


    ¡°Understandable. Can I get you a drink?¡± he asks, pulling himself up off the couch. I re at him, wondering why he is so nonchnt about this when he just revealed a secret that big. It¡¯s almost as if he¡¯s had multiple mates in his time, and this isn¡¯t his first experience.


    I shake my head at him. ¡°No, but you can take me home.¡±


    Cian hesitates, narrowing his dark eyes for a moment. My arms are folded over my chest, as I stare back at him, balking. Cian doesn¡¯t seem to be taking this so seriously, so I want to go home and think about this myself.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t even confirmed that we are mates the old fashioned way,¡± Cian says, holding his hand out like some kind of proposition.


    To bepletely honest, I was hoping to go home and make excuses, telling myself that he isn¡¯t my mate, and this has been a convoluted joke. However, here Cian stands, his hand held out to me, offering me the knowledge I can never step back from. I want to turn and run. To do anything but find out.


    But I know I have no other choice.


    ¡°Fine, but again, this doesn¡¯t change anything,¡± I mutter. The corner of Cian¡¯s mouth turns up slightly, clearly amused by the hesitation. Sure, he has all the luck with women because he has a bright smile, undeniable charm, and looks that not many in this world are lucky enough to possess.


    Here goes nothing I suppose.


    Reaching out, I brush my fingertips against his, before shooting my hand back to hisp. Sure enough, my skin erupts into tingles, and just like that, I know who my mate is. It¡¯s not a disappointed feeling, although I do feel empty, like something isn¡¯t quite right, Maybe it¡¯s because Fate decided to y a sick trick on me, and pair me with an immortal sin. I¡¯m not exactly sure what I did to deserve that.


    ¡°Still want me to take you home?¡± he asks, shoving his hands into his pockets. I swallow the lump gathering in my throat, trying to process how I feel about this. Am I really okay with this? This is meant to be a happy moment¡­


    I nod numbly. ¡°I need time to think about this first. Then I have questions for you that I need you to answer.¡±


    Cian takes in a breath, not looking offended by my decisions, although the air between us has definitely shifted. He wanted me to react a different way then I did, no doubt. This isn¡¯t over, however. I just need time to consider what this means.


    ¡°You wish is mymand,¡± he tells me, holding his hand out. This time, I don¡¯t hesitate in taking it.


    ***


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡±


    Sam sits on my windowsill, back pressed against the ss. I sit on my bed, hands folded over myp, having just presented thest ten hours of my life. Her mouth gapes open, as she stares me down. Out of all people to call, her reaction will be the most dramatic, however, there is no one I would rather talk to then Sam. It¡¯s not as if I have anyone else to talk to anyway.


    ¡°I know it sounds crazy¡­ trust me, I hardly believe it either,¡± I mutter, falling down to rest my head on my pillow. I stare at the ceiling, wondering if anyone has been paired with a mate who is nothing like them. I can¡¯t imagine anyone more opposing to me.


    I need to stop thinking about that¡­


    ¡°After everything that has happened in this past month, this is nothing crazy,¡± Sam admits, hopping down to pace across my small room. ¡°It makes perfect sense. He chased you around and wouldn¡¯t give you up in all that time when you were clearly not interested.¡±


    That¡¯s true. If there is one thing I canmend Cian on, it¡¯s his persistence. I suppose when you are immortal, you have a long time to focus on one thing.


    ¡°But I didn¡¯t want this. I don¡¯t want to be mated to someone who lives in apletely different realm. And not to mention, he practically embodies all that is evil,¡± I exasperate. It feels good toin my issues right off my chest.


    ¡°A minor issue,¡± Sam excuses. ¡°Man, why did I let you move to this new job? All the fun and interesting things happen to you.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t call this fun.¡±


    A knock at the door suddenly makes us both jump.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Exchanging nces with Sam, I quickly answer it, praying it¡¯s no Cian back after only a few hours to harass me. Instead, it¡¯s thedy who works at the front desk of this apartment, holding an envelope in her hand. She doesn¡¯t even acknowledge me, as she ces it in my hand, and turns to walk back down the hallway.


    ¡°Oh, who is it from? Your special mate?¡± Sam asks, as I close the door. I see it¡¯s addressed to me, but no name to suggest who it came from. I already assume it¡¯s from Cian, wondering whether I¡¯ve decided when I want to see him next.


    I¡¯m nowhere near ready for that.


    With Sam looking over my shoulder, I rip open the envelope, peeling it back to see what is written to me, and who by.


    ¡°Not quite,¡± I murmur. ¡°It¡¯s from the Alpha, inviting me to a tour of his gardens tonight.¡±


    This letter is handwritten immactely. Either Noah took the time to write this himself, or he had someone else do it for him. Either way, it¡¯s very professional sounding, and no suggestive at all. There is no hidden meaning behind this to make me nervous, yet still, my stomach turns over in knots.


    ¡°That¡¯s quite the innuendo there. Since when were you getting to it with the Alpha?¡± Sam asks, nudging me as she pulls the letter out of my hand to read it herself. I can¡¯t help but roll my eyes, smiling at Sam¡¯s ability to make everything appear dirty.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be crude, he¡¯s my boss,¡± I reprimand, hoping she doesn¡¯t notice how my cheeks slightly flush. ¡°I should turn him down. I have to be thinking of Cian right now.¡±


    ¡°It might be a work thing. Just because money isn¡¯t an issue to your mate, doesn¡¯t mean you should through your job away,¡± Sam says, taking my spot on my bed.


    I¡¯m surprised at Sam for thinking about this properly, not assuming Noah and I have anything else than a business rtionship. She¡¯spletely right, too. I¡¯m overthinking, as usual. This could help my job, if I go to meet up with him, and find out what he wants.


    I sigh. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll go.¡±

 Chapter 18

    ~Abe


    I¡¯m not sure why I¡¯m so nervous.


    The note is clutched in my hand, in case this is a sick ruse put together by the girls in the house. How embarrassing it would be toe here, and assume Noah wants to speak to me, but it was put together to make fun of me. At least with this note, I have an excuse if it doesn¡¯te together.


    Maybe it¡¯s just me doubting why he wants to see me again. I hardly remember our conversation from that one night I found him burning all those letters. Everything after our first introduction feels like a blur, and as much as I try bring it back, nothinges to me.


    As I approach the back of Noah¡¯s estate, just like he requested me to do, I shiver. Morning dew is settled over everything, only adding to the cool chill. Morning has only just awoken, and tiredness still haunts my eyes.


    Apparently Noah finds morning the best time to observe his garden.


    I didn¡¯t even know he had a garden.


    He¡¯s not there when I find myself at his back door. I assumed he would have more important Alpha work to do, which means this meeting must mean I¡¯m either fired, or getting a promotion. Either way, I¡¯m nervous. Thest thing I need to add to all this drama with Cian is getting fired.


    The door closing behind me makes me jump. Whirling around, I see Noah, hands shoved in his pant pockets, smiling at me. There is something so innocent about his smile. Unlike Cian, there is nothing malicious behind it; I know Noah would go behind my back to trick me. I¡¯m not sure how I managed to get mated to Cian, but I suppose there¡¯s no point getting mad over it right now.


    ¡°Good morning Alpha,¡± I say, forcing some semnce of cheer into my tone. He¡¯s allowing me to get off my morning shift for this meeting, and I won¡¯t be ungrateful.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you decided toe.¡±


    Something about his tone suggests he didn¡¯t think I would show up. Fascinating, since he¡¯s my boss, and when he wants to see me, I go right to him. Even if I didn¡¯t want to. If only he knew I¡¯m mates to an immortal. I can¡¯t help but wonder what he would think of me, or if he would trust me as much. I wouldn¡¯t if he was mated to a Sin¡­


    Noah motions for me to follow him across thewn, toward a line of trees on the edge of the property. He looks nice today, which is a vixen thought that crosses my mind, quickly followed by guilt. I shouldn¡¯t be thinking like this when I have a mate.


    Today, the Alpha is dressed perfectly for a wander around a garden. He wears a simple silken shirt that¡¯s a dark green colour, blending beautifully with the colour of his eyes, and that dark unruly hair he never bothers to maintain, yet it looks so perfect each time I see him.


    ¡°Is there any particr reason why you wanted me toe here today?¡± I ask him, not wanting to beat around the bush any longer.


    ¡°You seem like the kind of girl who likes pretty gardens,¡± he replies.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Eyeing him suspiciously, I don¡¯t answer him. He¡¯s lead me through the trees, toward a iron fence overgrown with vines and brush. A flutter of fear consumes me for a small moment, as I consider the idea of him luring me out here for ulterior motives. I¡¯m unsure of what I did to upset and Alpha, but he would get away with it regardless.


    ¡°No really. I¡¯ve haven¡¯t even been here for more than a week,¡± I muse, as he fiddles with thetch on a tall gate. ¡°Why bring me out here over one of your other employees, or your assistant.¡±


    I vaguely remember him telling me he isn¡¯t in a rtionship with his assistant, like everyone assumes. Pushing that thought out of my head, I follow him into the garden.


    For a moment, I¡¯m struck by how beautiful it is.


    ¡°I¡¯m not the gardening type. This actually belonged to my mother before she died. I¡¯ve had people tend to it over time, but she nted most of what exists here,¡± Noah exins, leading me down a gravel path. We walk past trees dropping thin pink petals, past vibrant green bushes sprouting vivid flowers of all colours. It¡¯s quite a sight to behold.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± I admit honestly. As much as I want to reach out and touch everything, I resist. If this really has been created by histe mothee, I wouldn¡¯t want to disrupt anything. ¡°Do you like beautiful things? You made this Pack to be so immacte, it¡¯s like magic.¡±


    Noah smiles slightly. ¡°I take pride in what I enjoy.¡±


    I¡¯ve always wondered how Noah has made our pack as perfect as it is. There is never a de of grass out of ce, never a building not built to perfection. No other pack is like our own, which perhaps is due to the harmonious nature which has been upheld here through centuries. Still, there really is not much wrong with the Harmony pack on the outside.


    ¡°So, nning to tell me why I¡¯m here?¡± I ask, as we round a corner,ing across a section dedicated to beautifully formed roses.


    As much as I would love one, I keep my hands to myself.


    ¡°I wanted to talk to you about your job. I¡¯m willing to offer you a better job working for my assistant. That is, if you would like that,¡± he offers.


    I figured. Why else would he bring me out here to show me this garden and butter me up if he didn¡¯t want something from me. I¡¯m not sure why he is choosing me, though, when I¡¯ve hardly spent any time working here, and he has many other employees who would kill for that job. Either way, I¡¯m unsure of whether I should take it or not. With everything with Cian going on¡­


    ¡°Maybe. I would have to think about it,¡± I tell him, wrapping my arms around myself. Despite the warmth of the rising sun above me, I still feel cold. Each time Cian creeps into my mind, the more uneasy I feel. I can¡¯t escape my fate, and after this, I¡¯ll have to go back to the life I¡¯ve been hiding from.


    Noah seems to notice as we walk, looking down at me with those eyes of pure emerald pigment. ¡°Something on your mind?¡±


    Sighing deeply, I decide what I should share.


    There¡¯s no way I want to share to him about being mates with an immortal. Especially a Sin. I can¡¯t be sure how he will react, and maybe he would look at me differently. But also, it¡¯s as if I can¡¯t bring myself to admit to him I have a mate. It¡¯s as if my heart pangs with unease at the thought of him knowing, despite it being a perfectly normal thing.


    ¡°A lot, actually,¡° I tell him, deciding to share at least a small portion to get it off my chest. ¡°It feels as though my life has been turned upside down. As much as I try make sense of it, something newes around the corner and screws things up. Now I have a decision on my hand that I don¡¯t know the answer to.¡±


    Noah doesn¡¯t look away from me. ¡°Sometimes it¡¯s not so obvious.¡±


    ¡°I wish my life was a simple. You¡¯re simple, but in a good way. A clean, easy way. Nothing about you is difficult or hard to understand,¡± I tell him.


    Talking to him is easy. Despite him being an Alpha, and my boss, it¡¯s as if I can pour out my thoughts and feelings, and he won¡¯t judge me. He replies simply, in a helpful way. As my nerves that I feel around him when I firsty eyes open him vanish into nothingness, and it¡¯s a feeling I¡¯m not used to.


    ¡°Well you don¡¯t know me, do you,¡± hements. There¡¯s a slight smile on his face as he says it, but I get a feeling he truly means that. Maybe he isn¡¯t so easy to read. Maybe he wants me to see him that way, but it¡¯s clearly not the case¡­.


    ¡°I suppose.¡±


    We continue walking, passing by a trickling fountain and a bushes fashioned into various sculptures. As we share each other¡¯spany, I feel oddly content. When I look at him, watching the way the sun glows upon his skin, or the way the water from the fountain reflects into his eyes¡­ I can¡¯t help but admire him. It only entuates the guilt.


    Admittedly, this entire putting feels romantic. Just thinking that makes my cheeks stain crimson.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee toe visit me whenever you please. I don¡¯t have many friends around here, so I would be grateful to have yourpany if you would like,¡± Noah says suddenly, filling the silence with his own admission. It takes me aback. Is he asking me to be his friend?


    I nce up at him. ¡°I don¡¯t see why. I¡¯m just a troublesome mess.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d be surprised how much I like you,¡± he replies, pacing ahead of me, turning around to walk backward in front of me. I giggle at his yful grin, covering up his vulnerable admission.


    Shrugging my shoulders, I consider his offer. ¡°I mighte visit here and there.¡±


    He winks. ¡°I would like that. A lot.¡±


    For a moment, the guilt washes away. Something about Noah makes me feel right. Maybe Fate got my mate bond with Cian wrong¡­ or maybe someone is truly out to screw with me.


    Either way, I won¡¯t feel bad about this.

 Chapter 19

    ~Abe


    The persistent nudge of paper against my cheek wakes me.


    Blearily, I blink my eyes open until I can fully see. I slept like a babyst night. After my meeting with Noah that morning, I worked all day with a genuine smile on my face, which is a change from my usual attitude. Noah didn¡¯t mention anything about my promotion, but I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll start by next week. It might not be such a good idea to spend more time around him¡­


    The smell of flowers reminds me of what woke me in the first ce. ncing to my right, I notice a small envelope sitting neatly on my pillow. Sitting up, I see my name scrawled onto the blush pink paper, that glimmers which each turn of the light.


    Peeling it open, my mind wanders. Who could this be from? I¡¯m convinced it¡¯s Noah, thanking me for our nice walkst night.


    Instead, I see it¡¯s sent from Cian, my mate.


    Abe.


    I somehow get the feeling you have no interest in having a further conversation about our rtionship. We are mates. I know this isn¡¯t what you expected, nor wanted, but I believe talking about this together will help youe to terms with this much easier. Understandably, this is hard, but I promise I can make this all worth it for you.


    Call me whenever you please, and I will be there as soon as possible. I will be patiently waiting, my love.


    Cian.


    Loosening a breath, I ce the note back down on my side table. As much as it pains me to admit it, I know he is right, in that I have to face this issue as soon as possible. I make a mental note to call him and agree to sit down with him. But for now, I need to go to work and pray my life can resume as normal. No Immortals, no Alpha¡¯s.


    This mentality didn¡¯tst for long.


    By the end of the week, thoughts began to gue my head, the I decided I needed to act upon. Noah¡¯s words in the garden did not pass me by. He offered for me toe visit him, to keep himpany in his rather lonely life. It¡¯s been a tempting offer that I haven¡¯t been able to stop considering. I want to see him again, disguising my intentions behind a hope to find out more information on my promotion.


    I decide tonight, at the end of my working week, to go visit him. Tomorrow, I will face Cian. For now, I¡¯m hoping maybe Noah will be able to give me advice on what to do. If I call Sam, I already know what she would say. She already believes I¡¯ve been blessed, despite my contradictory thoughts.


    Tonight, I¡¯m walking in through the front entrance, rather than the back. Noah truly does have a beautiful home, with magnificent pale pirs leading up to the front door, two lines of separate pool like features filled with glittering emerald water right by my feet as I walk.


    I can¡¯t help but wonder why he keeps everything so immacte in his life. Perfection, it seems.


    The front door isrge and looming, but I don¡¯t let that intimidate me. Knocking on the door, I want a few moments for someone toe and answer. Except no one does.


    Knocking again, I wait a few more moments before considering whether I should go in or not. Surely, he isn¡¯t home. I remember him mention how the little staff he has, and how they don¡¯t stick around at night, when he prefers his privacy. He must be inside hisrge manor, and can¡¯t hear me knocking on the front door. Maybe I shoulde back tomorrow.


    Just as I was about to turn away, the door opens. Much to my surprise, it¡¯s an unfamiliar man, who frowns at me. Suddenly, I feel like a criminal. Why did I think it would be okay for me toe here at this time of night to speak to Noah, as if him and I are friends? We haven¡¯t known each other for more than a few weeks.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± the man demands. He¡¯s short, slightly round around the hips, with a dubious expression on his face. I haven¡¯t seen him on the lower level off this building where I work, so he must have a higher up job than me.


    ¡°I¡¯m Abe. I¡¯m here to see Noah if I can,¡± I say warily.


    They blink a few times, before sighing deeply, opening the door wider. The invitation in is thest things I expected, fully believing he was going to tell me to leave.


    ¡°He¡¯s upstairs. Find him yourself,¡± the man mumbles, taking my previous ce outside the door. I realise then, that he has a satchel over his shoulder, clearly clocking off of work for the day. He casts me one more nce, before he closes the door behind him and leaves. I¡¯m left standing in the middle of a foyer, unsure of what to do next.


    The house is drenched in silence. I¡¯m hardly noticing everything around me, and all the wonder I would otherwise feel at thevish lifestyle I¡¯m witnessing him live. Despite being so openly invited in, with Noah¡¯s own words a backup to this, I¡¯m still apprehensive about being here.


    ¡°Noah?¡± I call out, my voice echoing against the high ceiling. I¡¯m hoping Noah will walk down the stairs, and end the anxiety I feel standing in this empty manor.


    I shouldn¡¯t even be up here.


    After receiving no response, I decide to wander up the stairs to if I can find any sign of life. I¡¯m not sure how Noah deals with such solitude. No wonder he wanted me toe visit him; this entire ce, as beautiful as it is, is depressing. As I move up the stairs, I try shake off the uneasy feeling that gues me. It¡¯s telling me to walk up these stairs.


    The top of the stairs splits off into different hallways. Taking the left one, I wander down, continuing to call out for Noah, hoping I¡¯m not about to stumble into him in a position I don¡¯t want to witness. I¡¯m pretending I¡¯m here to ask him about my promotion, when really, I just want to talk to him.


    Eventually, I pass enough doors that I decide I need to enter one. I knock first, then again. With no response, I slowly open the unlocked door, peeking my head in.


    It¡¯s an office.


    Somewhat disappointed it¡¯s empty, I go to close the door, before something catches my eye. A draw from the desk is not only open and exposed, but ced on the ground, paper¡¯s spilling from it. I eye it, my throat going dry. I¡¯m not sure how this is happened, or why there are papers scattered across this room, but I can¡¯t help myself as I step inside the room, softly closing the door behind me.


    Kneeling down, I pick up and turn over a few of the jumbled pieces of paper, but quickly drop them down again.


    The breath has beenpletely knocked out of my lung.


    My hands shake, I gently touch the surface of the paper. These are drawings from both dark ink and charcoal. Not much of it makes sense, but I know this is a reflection of some purely dark thoughts. Strangely, I feel drawn to what is being portrayed. Dark faces, twisted expression. Pain. Torture. Whoever this hase from, they clearly are going through somethingpletely unimaginable.


    Another paper shows rows upon rows of writing, in a dialect I¡¯ve never seen before. Taking a few pictures, I fold them up and tuck them into my back pocket. Perhaps this is stealing, but I need more time to look over these properly.


    The question is, did Noah do this?


    Standing, I turn around, to see someone staring at me in the doorway. It¡¯s Noah¡¯s assistant, Gia. I would know those sharp brown eyes and pressing gaze anywhere. She doesn¡¯t look angry, though. Instead, she has a tight smile stered across her face. Great, now I¡¯m going to lose my chance to work for her, and earn a bit more money. All because my curiosity got the best of me.


    ¡°I¡¯m so d you¡¯re here. It¡¯s a shame you have to go,¡± she says. Her voice is almost deafeningly loud. I frown, not exactly sure what she is talking about.


    ¡°Huh-¡°


    ¡°Like I told you, Noah is busy. Maybee and see me and I¡¯ll send him a message on your next day of work,¡± she tells me. Blinking a few times, I attempt to decipher what her face is telling me, because what ising out of her mouth makes no sense whatsoever.


    Her hands are sped together in front of her. She stares at me, unblinking, smiling, but her eyes deceive her. She looks frightened, as if me standing her is putting her in immense anger. A bead of sweat trails down her temple. This isn¡¯t normal. We are being listened to, or she is being threatened. Either way, I need to get out of here right now.


    ¡°Thank you, Gia,¡± I say, unable to stop my shaky voice.


    She swallows, nodding curtly, before she leads me back downstairs. We don¡¯t exchange anymore words. I¡¯m so unbelievably shaken and frightened, I¡¯m unsure of what to think, let alone say.


    Gia holds the door open for me, letting me walk out on my own fruition. Before I have a chance to walk away, she grabs her arms, nails digging into my skin so tightly, I can¡¯t help but yelp. She pulls me close to her body, the scent of her cloying perfume turning my stomach over.


    ¡°Go see your mate. Nevere back here. This isn¡¯t the life you want,¡± she mutters in my ear, before pushing me violently away.


    I have no time to think, as she closes the door in my face, sealing away the mystery I¡¯m unsure I will get an answer to.

 Chapter 20

    ~Abe


    There¡¯s no reasonable exnation for this.


    I¡¯ve spent my entire evening pouring over these drawings, trying to decipher what any of it means, but not being able toe to any conclusions that don¡¯t frighten me. I¡¯ve considered that maybe he¡¯s just lost, alone, and these are a dark representation. Or maybe he is struggling with the loss of someone close to him, or maybe he has terrible nightmares each night and is looking for an outlet¡­I¡¯m truly reaching at this point.


    Perhaps some of these exnations would make perfect sense, if it weren¡¯t for the uneasy feeling in my stomach. The drawings are just so¡­ unlike anything I¡¯ve ever seen. Is Noah really like this? I can¡¯t imagine he would be, from the times I¡¯ve met him, but how could I gauge from those small moments what he is truly like?


    He¡¯s drawn demon like creatures emerging from a smudge of darkness. Each have eyes void of all feeling, of all mortal like tendencies. Dark hooked ws reach out, almostpletely off the page, like they could reach into my soul and tear out any goodness I might have inside of me.


    ¡°Or maybe you¡¯re just overreacting.¡±


    Loosening a breath, I nce up at the rather cynical voice that is addressing me. Of all people to trust with information like this, I chose to confide in Cian. He hates Alpha¡¯s, and only wants to be here to talk to me about our mate-bond, which I have sessfully dodged the topic of this entire time. I can¡¯t get these drawings out of my head, so someone else needed to hear about this.


    ¡°I¡¯m not overreacting,¡± I say pointedly, setting the few wrinkled drawings atop my desk. ¡°No one in their right mind should be depicting such images. I don¡¯t know what it is, but it rubs me the wrong way.¡±


    Cian lounges back in my bed, resting his head on his hands. At least today he has dressed to fit in appropriately, instead of that immortal attire he adorns so regrly. If there is one aspect of his life I cannot adopt through being his mate, is the often brightly coloured, entric outfits. He¡¯s gone for darker colours today, which I can appreciate.


    ¡°The guys insane, let me tell you. What business do you have personally rummaging through his personal belongings? He¡¯s your boss, not your best friend, so why the visits?¡± He asks. There¡¯s a hitch to his voice that suggests this entire situation bothers him.


    I scramble for an excuse, even if I don¡¯t particrly care for how he feels about it.


    ¡°I needed to talk to him about work, and this promotion, okay? That¡¯s beside the point. The point is, why do you talk so bad about Noah, and what else do you know about him?¡± I question. I¡¯m sick of hearing him act like he knows Noah so well, when he won¡¯t reveal their rtionship. What business does an Immortal Sin have with an Alpha?


    Cian rests his head back against my pillow. ¡°I¡¯ve met him here and there. He¡¯s just a dark, depressed man who you should just avoid at all times. If anything, I wouldn¡¯t take the promotion. It¡¯s not like you need the money. Now that you¡¯re my mate, that is thest of your problems.¡¯


    Problems. It seems they are never ending.


    ¡°If you can take anything from us being mates, I¡¯m not going to rely on you in any sense,¡± I mutter, taking onest nce at the paper on my desk, before Ie to sit down on the neck.


    Cian sits up, moving right next to me, until our hips are touching. My stomach flutters, even at the smallest amount of contact. As apprehensive as I am about being mated to a Sin, I will admit that I¡¯m feelings things for him that I shouldn¡¯t be. As much nature tells me otherwise, falling for him will mean I have to adopt his way of living. Right now, I want to stay my mortal self¡­


    ¡°Everything mine is yours. I want you toe to my realm and live with me, where I can keep you safe, away from all this,¡± he tells me, swiping a hand back through his ck and golden locks. I make a mental note to ask him if that¡¯s natural, or his personal style.


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m afraid of. I like it here-¡°


    A knock at the door interrupts my sentence. Cian and I exchange nces, and I can see the wariness in his eyes. I somehow doubt he wants to deal with any of the girls who live in this building.


    ¡°Hey Abe, it¡¯s Noah. I heard you came over earlier, and I just wanted toe and apologise for not being in at the time. Maybe we can talk about what you came over for,¡± the Alpha says through the door. I panic, immediately jumping up to grab the papers on my desk. Cian watches me fluster, as I quickly shove them under my pillow.


    ¡°Give me a second,¡± I call out to Noah, before I concentrate on Cian, lowering my voice right down to a whisper. ¡°You need to leave. Use your magic powers and get out of here, please.¡±


    Cian stands up, motioning toward the door dramatically. ¡°Do you really think I¡¯m about to leave you alone in a room with an Alpha? I¡¯m sure him and I could have a conversation. I have a feeling he might be very happy to see me.¡±


    Sarcasm clearly drips from his voice.


    I push him toward the window, as if he¡¯s going to hop out and disappear. ¡°Please go. I¡¯m sure we can maybe sort out this out over dinner some time soon.¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Cian gives me one more lingering look, as if ensuring my works are true, rather than a false promise. With a sigh, he suddenly disappears, right when I blink. He leaves nothing behind but the faint smell of metal, leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Waving at the air, I lean over to open my door, trying to make myself appear as though I was hard at work doing something at my desk rather than shooing my mate out of my room.


    ¡°Hi, sorry about that,¡± I say smoothly, brushing a piece of hair behind my ear. Noah stands at my doorway, expression nk for a moment, as if he¡¯s forgotten why he hase here. Has he been getting enough sleep recently? Dark circles gue his under eyes, making him look sickly. Concern flutters in my rib cage, as my heart rate elerates.


    ¡°Did I interrupt something?¡± He questions, looking around the room. He heard me, clearly. My throat goes dry, as I scramble for an excuse.


    ¡°I was on the phone with a friend, sorry. Ah, why are you here again?¡±


    Noah blinks a few times, before snapping back into reality. ¡°Oh. I heard you came by when I wasn¡¯t around, and I just wanted to apologise, and ask if there was anything you wanted to speak about? I hope you know you¡¯re always invited toe over at any time you please.¡±


    I want to lie and say I just came by to talk about the promotion, but it feels pointless. I¡¯m too shaken up by what I witnessed inside his house to make up any more excuses. I want to talk to his assistant again, and question her on why she demanded me to speak a narrative that was untrue, as if some sinister entity was listening. There¡¯s no doubt I¡¯ll be able to sleep at night without thinking about it.


    ¡°I wanted toe see you, talk to you. Things in my life have kind of been hectic recently and I have no other friends here. So yeah,¡± I admit. At least it feels good to get that off my chest. Noah looks surprised, but he doesn¡¯t smile.


    Does he know I stole his drawings?


    ¡°Why don¡¯t youe to dinner at my ce tonight? I know it¡¯s a bitte, but if you¡¯re still willing to talk, I would be very much pleased to,¡± he tells me, his tone rather formal for the Noah that I know. It makes me shiver, but I put it up to me being overdramatic. He¡¯s being kind and inviting me to talk like I wanted to.


    So why do I feel so uneasy? This has to be Cian¡¯s fault. His words have gotten to me, even if he is just as shady and mysterious. Not once has he told me how he knows of Noah, when I¡¯ve asked a few times now. Maybe tonight I can get that out of Noah, although I¡¯m still wondering whether I should bring up my mate bond to a Sin in front of the Alpha. Would he still trust me to work here?


    ¡°That sounds amazing,¡± I say brightly. ¡°I would love to talk about my promotion, also.¡±


    Keep it business like.


    Noah smiles softly. His smile always warms me up, right from the inside to the surface of my skin. I¡¯m not sure how he does it.


    Tonight is going to be important. I can feel it.

 Chapter 21

    ~Abe


    ¡°Going somewhere?¡±


    Pausing in my step, I nce over my shoulder to see who has interrupted me. Evening as set in to its darkest point, so I assumed I could sneak out of this building without alerting the other girls. Thest thing I need is for them to know I¡¯m going out to dinner with Noah. I¡¯ll never here the end of it.


    A girl whose name I hardly remember stands behind me, three of her friends with her. They work theundry area, I believe, and is constantly wondering how best to get past the Alphas assistant and right on hisp. I¡¯ll be cast out if they find out.


    ¡°I¡¯m just heading out,¡± I tell them, wrapping my coat around me. She raises a blonde eyebrow, looking me up and down sceptically.


    ¡°Why are you dressed like that then?¡±


    ncing down at myself, I feel my stomach recoil in embarrassment. I¡¯ve dressed better than I usually would, pulling out a nice, simple dress. You can¡¯t just show up to an Alpha¡¯s dinner and not look somewhat decent, even if it is meant to just be about a promotion. Nevertheless, seeing each girl look at me makes me rethink my decision.


    ¡°Me and my friend are going out to dinner,¡± I tell them. I don¡¯t know why I have to validate myself to these girls, but it almost feels naughty, what I¡¯m doing. None of them have the opportunity to have dinner with the Alpha¡­


    I turn to walk out the door, listening to them whisper as I leave. None of them believe me. I¡¯m not sure how they get so suspicious, or even found out this in the first ce.


    Either way, that¡¯s not something I need to worry about right now.


    This is my second-time walking up toward the front door is just as daunting as thest. I¡¯m concerned about myst encounter with his assistant. Her reaction suggests something sinister may be lurking behind that door, which I¡¯m walking straight into. And the drawings¡­I have them tucked into my back pocket, in case I decide to bring it up to Noah over dinner. I¡¯m worried about his reaction, but I can¡¯t get this out of my head.


    Noah answers after two knocks.


    All the tension leaves my body the moment Iy eyes on him. I expected to be nervous, after his earlier appearance in my room, but for whatever reason, the fear of arriving herepletely vanishes. He holds the door open for me, smiling at me with the softest smile.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    I¡¯m not sure how he manages to make everything about him so effortlessly beautiful, but he manages it expertly. He¡¯s dressed so neatly, but not too formal. His hair is mussed, his skin glowing. It¡¯s just not fair.


    ¡°You look great tonight,¡± he breathes, his voice sending chills right down my spine. I want to reprimand him, to keep this strictly business, but I won¡¯t lie, it feels good to have his attention on me like this. It feels devious, almost.


    He leads me through the home, towards a dining hall with a table already set for us. I look around, feeling the emptiness of this ce weighing on my shoulders.


    If no one is here, then who knows what could happen.


    ¡°No assistant?¡± I ask lightly, as we sit down opposite each other. I didn¡¯t expect other guests, necessarily, but I thought at least his assistant would join us. I wanted to speak to her about her strange reactionst time, as if her every move is being monitored by someone. More specifically, Noah.


    ¡°You know I like my privacy. If you¡¯re wanting to talk to her, since you will be working for her starting next week, I can arrange that,¡± he tells me, settling his palms on the table. I stare at the ring on his finger, glinting against the light.


    I smile tightly. ¡°That would be great.¡±


    Right now, I¡¯m trying my hardest to rx. The silence, the way he looks and the situation altogether is making me anxious. To add to this, Noah stares intently at me, as if he is surveying every inch of my face.


    ¡°Ican sense that you have a lot on your mind. I would like to think we are friends, so if you would like to talk, I would love to listen,¡± he offers, leaning back in his chair.


    Exhaling, I consider his offer. It¡¯s as if he can read mepletely. Walking in here, I still haven¡¯t been able to get the thought of Cian out of my head. The two know each other, and I want to know why, and how. I also want to know why Cian is so uneasy about talking about Noah, and his reaction to me working for him as he rather hostile. Also, with no one else to talk to about this part of my life, I¡¯m willing to get this off my chest.


    ¡°Do you know the Immortal, Cian?¡± I ask. ¡°The Sin, Greed?¡±


    Noah takes a long, lingering pause that leaves me wondering in this moment whether I asked a question that has offended him. ¡°I know of him.¡±


    ¡°Turns out him and I are mates. Odd, but there¡¯s no arguing it. The touch and everything,¡± I admit. It feels good to say it aloud, for someone else to hear it. It makes it real, in a relieving way. I¡¯m still struggling to ept that it is real.


    Noah pauses again, blinking rapidly for a few seconds before he closes his eyes. His reaction isn¡¯t what I expected. For some reason, I thought he would be openly happy about this like Sam. He doesn¡¯t seem angry, as all the colour drains from his face. It¡¯s like he¡¯s angry¡­is it because he¡¯s interested in me, or is this just me looking too deeply into it?


    ¡°Is that right,¡± hements.


    I swallow, but my throat ispletely dry. ¡°You don¡¯t look so pleased.¡±


    ¡°Are you pleased?¡± he asks me.


    The question catches me off guard. I¡¯ve thought about this recently, but the way he presses the question takes me aback. Under the strong emerald gaze of Noah, I realise that maybe I haven¡¯t been out of ce to worry about being mates with Cian.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure how to feel if I¡¯mpletely honest. On one hand, it feels good to have a mate, but his lifestyle is so different to mind. I haven¡¯t given him much of a chance but honestly something doesn¡¯t feel so right,¡± I admit. Being with Cian is like being trapped in a lie. As much as he excites me, I won¡¯t pretend it feels as though I¡¯m in the wrong ce in the wrong time.


    ¡°Why do you think that is?¡± Noah asks. If I weren¡¯t so immersed in how I feel right now, I would question his probing questions.


    I shrug my shoulders hopelessly, knowing he probably thinks I¡¯m insecure and overthinking something that is no big deal. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I just wanted to talk about it to someone, and I don¡¯t have any other friends here so I figured maybe you could help.¡±


    Noah finally looks away from me, deep in thought. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m the best person for this¡­¡±


    ¡°Why? Because you¡¯re a lonely Alpha who stays up here with no friends to speak of but a million girls swooning after you? I¡¯m not asking you to be experienced with this predicament, I just want you to tell me it¡¯s okay,¡± I admit. With shaky hands, I take a sip of my drink. There is foodid out in front of us, but it doesn¡¯t seem like either Noah nor I have the stomach to be eating any of it.


    ¡°You should listen to how you feel. I just¡­ you know what, never mind. He¡¯s Greed, a Sin. In no instance, could you ever trust him. I don¡¯t want to make decisions for you, but I would like to mention that I don¡¯t see it as a great idea,¡± he tells me.


    His eyes turn cold, his tone stern and lowered. It makes me flinch, seeing him react to my life like this. Maybe I¡¯m way in over my head consulting with an Alpha on this sort of issue.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been having simr thoughts-¡°


    ¡°Because just when you think you can trust him with just one secret, one promise¡­ he makes you realise you can never truly believe someone like him can be good,¡± he mutters, more to himself than me. He lowers his head, looking down at his hands which fidget with a napkin on the table. It suddenlyes to my attention that maybe this isn¡¯t about me at all. This is about Noah, and something that has happened to him in the past.


    I wait until he raises his gaze to talk. ¡°Sounds like he¡¯s done something bad you the past.¡±


    ¡°No, sorry. I got carried away. Shall we eat?¡± Noah asks, suddenly changes tact. As he reaches for a tter of food, I eye him carefully. I strung a nerve. Those two do have a past, and by the way both of them react, they aren¡¯t going to share it with me very easily.


    More secrets. Now I¡¯ve had enough. I¡¯m not leaving here, until I find out what Noah and Cian are hiding.

 Chapter 22

    ~Abe


    I have a way of making Noah vulnerable.


    It¡¯s probably my worst idea yet, however, it¡¯s worth a shot. Not to mention, it¡¯s a question that¡¯s been dwelling on my mind since the moment it happened, disturbing me consistently. I¡¯m hoping this might link to Cian, giving me some answers. Neither of them so far have been able to give me a sliver of information, which means I¡¯ll just have to be more creative in getting it out of them.


    ¡°Can I ask you something. You have to promise not to be mad,¡± I say softly. Noah nces up at me from where he was serving himself food. He raises a questioning eyebrow. He touchy now, skeptical of my true intention for being here.


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± he murmurs.


    ¡°I know I shouldn¡¯t have done this, but I came over yesterday and I went into your office looking for you, and I found these¡­¡± I tell him, reaching into my back pocket to where the drawings I found are neatly folded into a square. Iy them out neatly on the surface of the table, turning it around it face him. ¡°Really disturbing drawings.¡±


    Noah doesn¡¯t react, staring down at each drawing with a slight crease between his eyebrows. Now I¡¯ve done it. I¡¯ve stepped over the line, I¡¯m going to lose my job and the chance at another friend other than Sam. Not to mention, I¡¯ll be on an Alphas bad side.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± he replies.


    ¡°I know it was none of my business but they were strewn everywhere and they really got to me for some reason. You can tell me I¡¯m crazy and hate me for taking these,¡± I tell him all in one breathe, realising how insane I must be. I broke into his home and took his property without him knowing. He has every reason to not like me after this.


    ¡°You¡¯re not crazy,¡± he admits, pushing his te away. His eyes are on me, but it¡¯s as if he is looking straight through me. Clearly he¡¯s deep in thought, meaning these have a lot of background behind them. Guilt suddenly streams through me as I realise I¡¯m exposing his darkest thoughts, if they even belong to him.


    ¡°So what are they? Did you do them?¡± I ask tentatively, attempting not to cross the line.


    He bites the edge of his lip. ¡°Yes, these are mine.¡±


    My heart stutters for a moment as I cast my gaze back down to the drawings. They are expressions of pure dark, demented thoughts. The kind, softly spoken Alpha who I may have just met, but already feel like I know so well, could not have done these. I¡¯ve always assumed there was more to know him, but not something like this. Maybe a family secret or Alpha business¡­ but this?


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I ask softly. Reaching my hand out to his, trying to grasp it for support, I¡¯m surprised when he pulls away, refusing. I¡¯ve done it now. I¡¯ve really stepped on his toes.


    He loosens a breath. ¡°Not really. I¡¯m not a good guy.¡±


    I¡¯m not sure whether I should be scared or saddened. The silence in the room is heavy, the emptiness of this home adding to my vulnerability. No one is here to save me, not even his assistant. Still, I need to keep pushing, because this may be my only chance to lead him into a situation where he feels willing enough to be honest with me.


    ¡°Something else unnerved me. Your assistant acted strange when she caught me in here. She pretended like I hadn¡¯t came in, and forced me out. She even told me never toe back,¡± I tell him. Out of all this, that haunted me the most. Why would she possibly say that this isn¡¯t the life I want? Was she jealous or serious?


    ¡°She was probably right,¡± Noah mutters. He¡¯s not looking at me anymore, that emerald gaze I admire so much having lowered to the knotted fingers before him.


    I force the tightest smile onto my face, but it only appears ufortable. ¡°You can talk to me, if you¡¯re troubled.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m more than troubled, Abe,¡± he tells me.  ¡°There¡¯s a lot you don¡¯t know.¡±


    I¡¯m shocked as he stands.


    He¡¯s dismissing me and this entire dinner. Wordlessly, his chair scrapes back, and he does to leave the dining hall. Irritated, I stand, following him out into the hallway and into the foyer. After everything that¡¯s been said, he can¡¯t leave like this. I need answers¡­any answers that don¡¯t lead to more questions. Even if they hurt me.


    I reach out to snag his dress shirt, but the stain slips from my fingers. ¡°Then tell me. Tell me about you and Cian. Why do you two hate each other so much?¡±


    Noah whirls around, eyes zing, breath hitched. ¡°Cian ys dirty with everything he does. He lies and maniptes until he gets what he wants. Him and I made a deal years ago. He broke that deal.¡±


    ¡°Deal? What kind of deal?¡± I ask.


    Of all people to want a deal, Cian strikes me as the exact person. He¡¯s Greed, a Sin. All that Noah has told mees to no surprise, in fact, it only saddens me. No one likes my mate. How could they? Sins are cruel, dirty immortals who everyone despises. They have enough power to get away with whatever they wish.


    ¡°I really wouldn¡¯t inquire-¡°


    I feel my anger suddenly escte until it burstspletely randomly. ¡°Noah, don¡¯t you think I have a right to know? He¡¯s my mate?¡±


    ¡°Then ask him,¡± he replies with just as much force. Realising his tone, he breathes in deeply, closing his eyes for a moment. Suddenly he frowns and shakes his head. ¡°Actually no, don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°What are you so scared of?¡± I ask him. I¡¯m desperate at this point.


    Noah doesn¡¯t answer for a moment, before he begins pacing. The sound of his footsteps echo throughout the foyer. I¡¯m waiting for him to kick me, as I breath heavily, trying to calm myself. I¡¯m so desperate for answers that I¡¯m getting angry at him. Why do all these people have to be so secretive? I¡¯m apart of this too¡­


    Without warning, Noah carefully gets to his knees, looking up at me from where his head is level with my waist. ¡°Be with me. Let me take you away from all this. Away from him.¡±


    I¡¯m stunned.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± I ask shakily. ncing around, I try find anyone to suggest this isn¡¯t real, because there¡¯s no way an Alpha is on his knees in front of me, professing his love for me, begging me to be with him over my mate. It¡¯s such strange situation, I¡¯m not even sure of what ising out of my mouth.


    This time it¡¯s his turn to reach for my hands, but I pull away before he can touch me. ¡°Please Abe. I¡¯ll do anything. Be with me.¡±


    ¡°Look, I hardly know you, and Cian is my mate. No matter how I feel, he has toe first,¡± I tell him firmly.


    I¡¯m trying to be reasonable, but my throat is dry and my heart is racing. This can¡¯t be real. Maybe this is a bad dream and I¡¯ll wake up in my bed at my old apartment with Sam wine drunk in my living room. That¡¯s how things should be. Alpha Noah should not be begging to be with me when I¡¯m not even sure why. I don¡¯t even want to know.


    ¡°Trust me with this one. I¡¯ll do anything,¡± he tells me, getting to his feet. His expression is solemn, like he knows I¡¯m going to reject him, but can¡¯t do anything about it.


    I know, because he¡¯s still hiding something from me. I can see it in those beautiful eyes of his.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I breathe.


    Backing up a few steps, I make a brisk break for the exit. I¡¯m not going to stand there and have him say these things to me when I don¡¯t know why. When he decides he wants to be fully honest with me.


    Who knows when that will be.


    ***C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Can youe get me?¡±


    ¡°This is an interesting development,¡± he replies.


    I roll my eyes, wiping a tear off my cheek. Walking back to my amodation, I talk with Cian on the phone. Right now, I need someone to talk to that¡¯s not Noah. Someone who might be able to distract me. I owe him my time anyway, to give him a chance to prove to me that he can be the mate I need him to be. Honestly, after Noah¡¯s admission, I don¡¯t even feel up to romance.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t need your smart mouth right now,¡± I tell him. That¡¯s a lie. I could really do with some distraction.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll take you somewhere and we can really have some fun,¡± he tells me. I hear him moving around on the other side of the phone.


    As much as this is a bad idea, Cian could be the one thing to help me right now.


    Maybe I am going crazy¡­ and I¡¯m okay with it.

 Chapter 23

    ~Abe


    I should have known he was going to take me here.


    When I told him I wanted him to take me elsewhere, I didn¡¯t expect him to arrive in a flurry of colour and cloth before whizzing me off the immortal realm. We arrived in the same small apartment I remember from the time he broke the news to me. We don¡¯t stay for long though, as he takes me out onto the streets. ording to him, this is his territory, which is just a city drenched in lights.


    ¡°Where are you taking me?¡± I question, wrapping my coat around me tightly. The wind here is bitter, but the sights, at least, are a good distraction. Cian has his arm tightly pressed around my waist, keeping me to his side as we walk down a main street, brushing past people.


    As we walk, people whisper, point and stare. Cian is surely a legend here, as the leader of this territory. Thankfully, no one approaches us. I don¡¯t think I¡¯m in the mood to witness girls falling all over him.


    Just thinking that makes me feel bad. Look what you¡¯ve done with Noah.


    ¡°Telling you would ruin all the fun,¡± Cian murmurs, looking down to grin at me. Red and purple shing lights from a nearby club reflect off his dark strands, making the gold close to his head turn another colourpletely. He looks magical, otherworldly. I¡¯ll never get used to the way he looks, and it¡¯s not just his obvious features. Even the angr nature of his face his fascinating.


    ¡°Seriously Cian, I¡¯m trying to trust you, but I didn¡¯t have the immortal realm in mind,¡± I tell him, motioning around to all that happens around us.


    This ce is insane.


    The music is unfamiliar, the people walking around with an air of confidence that you would never see back in the mortal realm. Their lifespan is marginally longer than a mortal. It¡¯s not forever, but by the time their souls are finally released, they have lived a life with no fear of sickness of anything.


    ¡°You want me to take your mind off something, right?¡± he questions, raising a dark eyebrow at me. I swallow ufortably. Am I always so obvious with the way I feel? At least he hasn¡¯t tug in to find out what it is. For once Cian is being perceptive. ¡°I¡¯m just assuming. Otherwise why else would you be so willing to be here.¡±


    I sigh. ¡°Fine. A surprise it is.¡±


    ¡°Perfect. You know just what I like.¡±


    We didn¡¯t have to walk so far for his n to be revealed. We approach a line to talking people standing outside of a club, where low bass music arises, tempting to put my hands over my ears. Cian leads me right inside, regardless of the line, and into a mass of sweating, drunk people. Being thrown into this is immediately daunting.


    I keep my eyes trained on Cian, not letting him out of my sight, despite his hand wrapped tightly around mine. I¡¯m cursing him in my head, wondering why he would take me here. I need to have a serious talk to him about being mates, which is what I thought he wanted. This is not the most secluded ce¡­


    ¡°What is this ce?¡± I question, battling through limbs until we make it to a bar. Cian and I sit down on stools, which is a relief. At least we are kind of separate from the mess of dancing bodies.


    ¡°it¡¯s a party,¡± Cian grins. ¡°What, never been to a party?¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t really my idea of a good time. Can we go somewhere private and talk for a bit?¡± I ask, rubbing the back of my neck. I feel foolish, sitting here in a room full of attractive, half-naked people. This isn¡¯t my scene. Cian fits in here so well, like he was born for thisvish lifestyle. I suppose as Greed, he really is. Or this is what he¡¯s made his life to be.


    ¡°Come on. Have a drink and take your mind off everything. We will dance, have fun and you¡¯ll forget your problems for the night. You have the rest of your life to worry about whatever¡¯s going on inside your pretty little head,¡± he tells me, motioning for the bartender to bring us a drink.


    I roll my eyes. This is why I was apprehensive about talking to him. Just seeing him in this environment has my stomach churning. Is he ready to settle for a mate?


    ¡°Can you stop being an immortal for one second?¡± I snap.


    Kyser doesn¡¯t look offended, in fact he smiles at mezily, like this is all just one big entertaining joke. ¡°And what¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    ¡°Stop acting like we have all the time in the world. I want to talk to you now,¡± I demand, basically having to shout over the thump of the music. He¡¯s had an eternity to live his life like this, yet he still seems attached to it. I can see it, as he takes the drink from the bartender, putting it in front of me. It¡¯s a clear liquid, that looks irritatingly tempting.


    ¡°Shh,¡± he tells me, raising the drink up to me. I sigh, taking up his offer, but only because I want to take the edge off the feelings for Noah that have been haunting me. It¡¯s exactly what I wanted to talk about to him. ¡°See that¡¯s much better, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    I cough, the drink making my throat burn. ¡°I give you an hour to make me forget.¡±


    If it means for one moment I don¡¯t have to think about Noah, then I¡¯ll do it. I¡¯ll drink this drink and I¡¯ll for one night, allow myself to step into Cian¡¯s world, as apprehensive as I am about it.


    ¡°Challenged epted,¡± he breathes, grabbing my hand to lead me out onto the dancefloor. The drink has hit me square in the face already. My head spins slightly, my eyes burning. This isn¡¯t alcohol. Maybe it¡¯s a magic drink that is served only to immortals. Cian already proved from that one night a few weeks ago that he has a tolerance to alcohol that is otherworldly.


    ¡°This feels wrong,¡± I tell Cian, as he ces his hands on my hips, moving me to the beat of the music. My hands find his chest, palming the muscle underneath his shirt firmly. I¡¯m keeping a safe distance between us, giving me a chance to breathe and think.


    ¡°Why? Scared of being with me?¡± he asks.


    His head is bowed down, to the point I can feel his breath against my lips. Never once does he release me from his gaze, as we sway back and forth. I can feel the bond between us pulling us closer, causing my heartrate to race and my skin to heat up. Those dark eyes, full of secrets he has yet to indulge, drift down to my lips.


    For a moment, I swear he is going to kiss me. That is, until a frown flutters across his face. Suddenly, my heart jumps into my throat. He¡¯s realised how foolish I am, and how easily I fell for his charms. Now I truly feel stupid.


    ¡°Wait, let me look at your eyes,¡± he demands, grabbing my chin to force my head up to look at him. In my gaze, he swirls back into forth like a moving painting. ¡°Someone spiked your drink.¡±


    I roll my eyes. ¡°Look, I¡¯m feeling great.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t for long. Magic has been used on you. I have something back at my ce that might help you,¡± he tells me, grabbing my forearm. He drags me firmly through the crowd until we emerge outside onto the street, where he leads me to a bench seat and sits me there. I¡¯m not sure why he is acting to rash. I feel euphoric, regardless of his words.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill the bartender. Someone must have paid him,¡± Cian mutters, raking his hand through his hair, those gold strands shimmering under the light. My vision, at this point, has turned into a melting pot of colours, blurring incoherently. I can still see his outline, and maybe his eyes, but a lot else is starting to leave.


    Cian stands, turning around to walk back into the club. Presumably, he¡¯s going to find out who did this.


    ¡°Bye then I guess,¡± I mutter.


    Not even a second passes by, when someonees to kneel in front of me. I can hardly see them in my wobbly vision. They ce their hands on my knees, but the cue to be scared isn¡¯t there. They have a bigger frame then Cian, wearing what may be a suit. It¡¯s a man, with darker, maybe brown hair. His eyes are dark, like obsidian, and maybe there are tattoos on his face¡­it hurts my head trying to establish what he looks like.


    ¡°Open your mouth,¡± I hear him say, his ent thick and otherworldly.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°Excuse me. Take me on a date first at least,¡± I hear myself to say, although it feels detached from my body. He grabs my chin with velvet gloves, just like Cian had done earlier, but this is much firmer, and even hurts. ¡°Ow what the hell?¡±


    He ces something on my tongue, which tastes sour in the form of a tablet. ¡°Swallow.¡±


    ¡°Who do you think you are?¡± I demand, after he holds my mouth shut until I¡¯mpelled to swallow it. It goes down dry and painful, causing me to cough violently. My mind feels as though it is slowly falling out of touch with world around me, but at least I¡¯m aware this is wrong.


    ¡°My name is Stace. You¡¯ll get to know meter. For now, this is goodbye?¡± he tells me, pulling back up to his feet.


    I frown. ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re dying.¡±


    At least I¡¯m coherent enough to realise that this sentence isn¡¯t right. My heart rate elerates, as I reach out to him. Where I think his shoulder is isn¡¯t actually where it is, so when I make a move to grab it, I stumble, nearly falling off the benchpletely. Stace, this enigmatic stranger quickly guides me back down onto the bench by my waist.


    ¡°Then save me,¡± I breathe, looking down at him.


    ¡°It¡¯s toote. I¡¯ve just killed you,¡± he tells me, before he gets up, and walks away, like he never actually existed.

 Chapter 24

    ~Abe


    My first reaction is to run.


    Despite my weakening limbs and clouding vision, I stumble into the club. The pounding music isn¡¯t helping, and neither are the lights, as I squint, looking around for the sight of the immortal. Instead, I see dancing bodies and alcohol being passed around. A parting in the crowd allows me to see Cian by the bar, holding the bartender by the cor of his shirt.


    ¡°Cian¡­¡± I call out hopelessly, although my voice is drowned out by the drowning pop music that is going to make me pass out any moment now. People stand in front of me, who I ruthlessly shove with all my effort. ¡°Get out of my way.¡±


    Cian turns just in time to see me, as he lets go of the innocent bartender. He takes one look over me to realise something isn¡¯t right.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± he asks, grabbing my arm as I nearly topple overpletely. At this point, I can hardly see anything, moments away from losing myself. I don¡¯t want to die¡­¡°Let¡¯s get out of here, you can sober up back home.¡±


    ¡°No, I was poisoned¡­by a man who-¡°


    My words fail me, myst bit of energy draining out as I crumple down. Cian catches me, pulling me into his chest. His expression swims in my view, but I know he is concerned. I¡¯m going to die. I¡¯m going to die, and thest thing I see is Cian, my mate. We never had a chance to get to know each other, to see where our rtionship could go.


    ¡°Abe, what man?¡± he questions, shaking me slightly. Opening my mouth to utter his name, my voice fails me. I can¡¯t give up now. Thest thing I want is to die without him knowing who killed me. Maybe he can figure out why someone would do this to me.


    Thankfully I can cough out enough intelligible words. ¡°He was¡­tall and¡­magical.¡±


    ¡°Stay with me¡­Please Abe. I can¡¯t lose you,¡± I hear him say.


    But it¡¯s toote. I take onest gasp, before everything goes ck.


    ***


    I wake suddenly.


    My body jolts up, as if a surge of energy courses through my body, sending me into sitting positions. nkets cover my legs, so heavy they weigh me down. Looking around, I see Cian sitting in a chair beside the bed, watching me intently. By the door, a girl, whose dark hair drapes down to her waist is also watching me, looking bored.


    ¡°She¡¯s awake,¡± I hear the girl say. Whirling around to look at Cian, I see a mixture of relief and concern, which is honestly the first time I¡¯ve seen him be anything more than cocky and arrogant. Something isn¡¯t right.


    I feel as though I¡¯ve woken from a wild night out, which honestly must be it. A headache pounds persistently at my temple, my memory fromst nightpletely out of whack.


    ¡°Abe. How are you feeling?¡± Cian asks, moving from his seat onto the bed beside me.


    ¡°I feel fine,¡± I tell him honestly, rubbing my head. I¡¯ve been sweating, I can feel it on my palm. I don¡¯t drink often, but when I do, I don¡¯t typically feel this way. However, drinking what I assume is Cian¡¯s magic elixir, who knows how I¡¯m meantto feel. ¡°Aside from a minor hangover.¡±


    Cian reaches outward, brushing my hair away from my face in the most affectionate move that I could ever expect from him. ¡°That wasn¡¯t a hangover. You died.¡±


    I blink. Excuse me?


    ¡°Dead? Pretty sure I look and feel alive,¡± I tell him, looking down at my body. I¡¯m dressed in an outfit I don¡¯t remember ever putting on, but at least I¡¯m alive. When I look back up at Cian, he is looking at me with a sadness in his eyes that is impossible to fabricate. ¡°Why are you giving me that look? How long have a been asleep?¡±


    ¡°Eight days. It took some negotiation with Death to have you brought back here to the immortal realm safely. You¡¯re officially an immortal,¡± he tells me. Looking up quickly to find the girl who I assume is the Death immortal he is speaking of, I see she has disappeared.


    I lick my lips, which are dry to the bone. ¡°Immortal? Please don¡¯t mess with me, because I can¡¯t handle this.¡±


    It can¡¯t be true.


    As I sit here, though, I can feel the memories ofst night seep into my brain. The strange, enigmatic figure who appeared out of nowhere and forced a tablet down my throat, and the strange words he left behind are suddenly in the forefront of my mind. Looking down at my palms, I can hardly piece together the idea of me having actually been killed, to be resurrected by Death herself, surely narrowly escaping the clutches of her jury, and the sentence most mortals have to serve in her realm before they are free to live as immortals.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I let this happen to you,¡± Cian says, clutching the palms I have been staring at. ¡°You need to tell me who did this to you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. A man put a tablet on my tongue and made me take it, but I can¡¯t remember what he said to me,¡± I tell him. I remember a few words, about how he wants to kill me, but that is all that sticks with me. His name is a blur within my consciousness.


    Cian¡¯s expression turns dark. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill them.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°Don¡¯t. He¡¯s powerful¡­I think,¡± I tell him assuredly. No one would do this to me without cause, especially with Cian involved. They have to have some kind of power to pull that off and risk having a Sine after them. But aside from that, the look in his eyes were enough. Even the power he radiated doesn¡¯t evenpared to Sinful.


    I just want to know who he is.


    ¡°You think? You need to tell me everything you know about that night-¡°


    ¡°Oh crap, my job. It¡¯s been over a week,¡± I say, the sudden terror consuming me. I¡¯m not even considered about being immortal, but I am concerned about losing the new job promotion that I was meant to start over a week ago. ¡°I was meant to start my new position and now Noah is going to fire me.¡±


    Cian looks shocked that it¡¯s even at the forefront of my mind right now, but I¡¯m not going to pretend like I wasn¡¯t riding on that promotion. ¡°Abe, none of that matters anymore. You belong here, in the immortal realm.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m still,¡± I break off, going to say mortal before I realise that¡¯s no longer true. ¡°An immortal killed me no doubt, which means none of this is fair. I¡¯m going back to my old life. So take me back.¡±


    I step out of bed, but Cian grabs my arm. ¡°Didn¡¯t you want to talk?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve done enough Cian,¡± I mutter. ¡°Take me back.¡±


    ***


    As per my demand, Cian takes me back to my room, leaving me in a wordlessly flurry. He¡¯s upset, I had to leave so swiftly, but I have no other choice. I¡¯ll deal with his feelingster, once I can ensure my job is still intact. It¡¯s unlikely, since it¡¯s been eight days and returning to my room, I see nothing of familiarity in here. Maybe he¡¯s already trashed my belongings.


    Rushing in through the back door of the estate, I make my way up the stairs, ignoring the protests of all who are walking. The foyer is empty, so I move upstairs, on the hunt for his office. Gia is at her desk when I walk in. Ignoring her, I stride right to his door, and open it.


    ¡°I am so sorry,¡± I say immediately, breathless. Noah sits at his desk, startled by my sudden interest. ¡°I know you can¡¯t forgive me, and I¡¯m a horrible person, but I promise I can exin.¡±


    He blinks once, twice.


    ¡°Abe. I thought you had left forever,¡± I can¡¯t tell if he¡¯s d to see me, or if he¡¯s angered. His expression is a mixture of emotions, as he looks me up and down, as if he can¡¯t quite believe I¡¯m standing here. I would be shocked too. He must have thought that after our conversation¡­Nevermind. ¡°Your belongings had been taken.¡±


    Cian must have been behind that. ¡°Great. Well I¡¯m back now.¡±


    ¡°You okay? You look, different. I mean you look great, like you¡¯re so much more alive than I¡¯ve ever seen you,¡± Noah breathes, as if he is stuck in a trance. Ironic, since I¡¯ve died ande back, but he¡¯s not about to find that out any time soon. Well, at least not in front of his assistant.


    ¡°Truly¡­Your skin,¡± I hear Gia say from behind me.


    ¡°Noah, did I lose my job? I swear I can exin everything. Like, I¡¯m back now and not going anywhere,¡± I tell him, hoping he can hear the desperation in my pleading tone.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he says, leaning back in his seat. ¡°Then exin.¡±

 Chapter 25

    ~Abe


    ¡°I was in the immortal realm.¡±


    I¡¯m not lying. I did go to the immortal realm, I¡¯m just not going to tell him what happened there. Noah flinches, blinking a few times in confusion. I suppose that¡¯s not a normal admission for the typical mortal, but Noah knows about my rtionship with Cian, so he shouldn¡¯t be surprised. It¡¯s not much of an excuse for missing work, but it will have to do.


    ¡°With Cian?¡± he questions. I consider that for a moment, wondering whether or not I should throw him under the bus¡­Of course I should. He¡¯s the one who got me into this situation to begin with, so maybe I will use him as my scapegoat.


    I rub the back of my neck uneasily, looking for an excuse. ¡°Yes. He¡­drugged me. I didn¡¯t wake for eight days, and here I am.¡±


    Noah for a single moment, looks bewildered, then slightly angry.


    ¡°That¡¯s it? Your mate drugged you for no reason whatsoever?¡± he questions, scanning my face for a reaction. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t for no reason¡­I haven¡¯t been so epting of this, how do I put it, bond between us. I was acting out when he asked me to stay in the immortal realm with him forever,¡± I tell him. It¡¯s a little more honesty than I expected myself to admit, but the intensity of Noah¡¯s gaze is forcing me to keep talking, like he deserves an exnation.


    He left me with no answers thest time he saw me. He deserves to be lied to, or have information withheld. But the way he stares at me, the green in his eyes darkening to the point I¡¯m almost scared.


    ¡°And that¡¯s meant to be okay?¡±


    ¡°I never said that,¡± I say softly. ¡°I¡¯m just saying that was why I waste.¡±


    Noah leans back in his seat, folding his arms over his chest. He¡¯s skepticism is making me nervous. There¡¯s no way he¡¯s going to ept that as an excuse. It sounded much better in my head, and now I¡¯ve made myself and my mate out to bepletely insane. Noah already doesn¡¯t like Cian, and this will only amplify that.


    ¡°You start work tomorrow. I¡¯m feeling forgiving today,¡± he sighs, running a hand back through his hair. My eyes widened,pletely taken aback by his answer. Is he really letting me have my job after all of this? He seems serious¡­


    ¡°Thank you, Noah. I could do with some normality in my life,¡± I admit. I push my chair back, standing. This meeting went much better than I could have imagined.


    ¡°Hey, Abe?¡± Noah says, cutting my off before I can turn to leave the room. ¡°Can we talkter? I have a meeting right now, but I want to talk to you about what happened the night you left. You deserve some answers.¡±


    I breathe in deeply. ¡°I¡¯lle over at eight.¡±


    ***


    I walk out of Noah¡¯s office, Gia, his assistant nowhere to be seen. Instead, I see thest person I wanted to at the doorway.


    Cian.


    He just walks into the room, not looking surprised to see me at all. I¡¯m not exactly sure why he¡¯s here, but I know his intentions aren¡¯t good. Maybe he is here to retaliate for the way I left him, or maybe he is trying to get me to lose my job so I will return to the immortal realm with him and live with him and all his money. That¡¯s thest thing I want.


    ¡°Okay, this is too far,¡± I mutter, walking up to jab him in the chest. He doesn¡¯t even react, looking down at me with a glint in his eyes I¡¯ve be unfortunately familiar with. ¡°Coming to my work? I thought our personal issues could be dealt with in private.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m actually not here for you,¡± he tells me, brushing my hair back over my shoulder in one casual sweep. I swat his hand away, irritated at how casual he is acting. ¡°I¡¯m here for Noah.¡±


    I glower at him. ¡°What? Why?¡±


    ¡°Consider it a business conversation. I wouldn¡¯t worry about it,¡± he tells me, walking past me to Noah¡¯s office door, which he wraps on his knuckles promptly, but not without sending me an amused wink. ¡°Have a good day, my lovely mate.¡±


    ***


    ~Cian


    ¡°Well, you call and I arrive,¡± I greet.


    Noah sits behind his desk, looking at me under those dark brows, brooding. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen that man smile. Ever. He¡¯s always moody, hating me to the deepest core of him. I don¡¯t me him, because I don¡¯t particrly like him either. And not just because his mate is mine, but because he really can¡¯t lighten up. Does he even know what fun is?


    ¡°This wouldn¡¯t have had to be arranged if you didn¡¯t screw everything over,¡± he mutters, gritting his back teeth in the way that really drives me insane. I suppose that habit of his is only appears when I¡¯m around to rile him up. ¡°What happened to our deal?¡±


    ¡°Contracts bore me. Did you really think me, an Immortal would agree to a contract regarding my mate?¡± I ask, pulling the chair back in front of his desk to sit.


    Noah¡¯s jaw ticks.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I shouldn¡¯t trust you. But this doesn¡¯t mean you can get away with this without consequences,¡± he tells me. Maybe I despise Noah so much because he pretends to take the high road each time. Like he doesn¡¯t have his own issues to be held ountable for. Lucky for him, I¡¯m not so evil as to tell Abe his dirty secrets. That¡¯s forter.


    I kick my feet up onto his desk, loving the way it makes his eyes darken, prodding that side of him I love so much. ¡°Consequence isn¡¯t a part of my vocabry.¡±


    ¡°Do you have to remind everyone you speak to of how much of an immortal, you are? The only person you care about is yourself,¡± he tells me, tone slow and meant to torment me. Does he not think I already know that? ¡°How can Abe even stand you.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t speak badly about Immortals, Noah,¡± I say. ¡°You¡¯re mates one of us now.¡±


    I get too much pleasure out of seeing his expression. There¡¯s doubt, immediately, but when my smile doesn¡¯t falter, he starts to look skeptical, then unbelievably shocked. Thest thing he would have expected was for me to go this far¡­I never nned it, exactly, but not that is has happened, I¡¯m pleased. That doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t hunt down who killed her and ensure that if he isn¡¯t already an immortal, he will be one soon.


    ¡°Oh, she didn¡¯t tell you about how she got suddenly murdered by a mysterious man and I had to fight to get her back from Death?¡± I say, knowing full well he had no idea, but wanting to see the look on his face even more. ¡°You¡¯re wee, by the way.¡±


    ¡°Who would do this to her?¡± Noah asks shakily. ¡°And why would you let them?¡±


    As much as I hate the guy, I have to give it to him. If one thing means something to him, it¡¯s Abe, his mate. It only slightly bothers me.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t nned. Someone spiked her drink, got me to take her outside before he poisoned her while I was¡­distracted,¡± I admit, rubbing the back of my neck. Not my finest hour, however, it was clearly immactely nned out beyond my control. I couldn¡¯t have saved Abe that night, even if I wanted to. I was too distracted with revenge.


    Noah shakes his head. ¡°She was drinking? What have you done?¡±


    ¡°And who was the one who had to grovel to Death to get her back? You should be thanking me,¡± I tell him, shrugging my shoulders. That wasn¡¯t easy. Death is so stubborn, hating to go against the set of rules of nature that the immortals agree upon. However, she was willing to make a exception for me. She has a soft spot for love stories.


    ¡°You disgust me. You don¡¯t deserve her,¡± Noah mutters.


    ¡°And neither do you,¡± I tell him. He already knows that, but reminding him is all a part of the fun. Can¡¯t have him getting hopeful about something he will never possess. ¡°And I don¡¯t suggest telling Abe about any of this, unless you want me to tell her your little secret.¡±N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    It¡¯s the perfect cord to be struck, as Noah¡¯s expression morphs to one of spite. ¡°She will see you for who you really are.¡±


    ¡°Likewise. At least I¡¯m transparent about being an asshole,¡± I admit. ¡°What about you, Alpha?¡±


    ¡°This will have consequences,¡± Noah reminds me.


    I get to my feet, moving around to the back of the chair. Noah looks at me, pretending I can¡¯t see the pained look in his eyes. He knows better than me. He acts this way to protect Abe, which is admirable. I wish I could have that self-control¡­to know what is best for your mate. However, I don¡¯t regret anything. The contract to stay away from her that we both made so long ago suddenly means nothing to me. It was never worth it.


    ¡°I¡¯m so afraid,¡± I mutter sarcastically. I push the chair in, causing a deafening squeal. ¡°Keep your secrets Alpha. Goodbye.¡±

 Chapter 26

    ~Abe


    The door opens slowly.


    Noah looks at me through the crack of the door, before he holds it open widely. I give him a tightly smile, stepping inside out of the rain that has just started toe down.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you came,¡± he tells me lightly. Wiping the sttering of water from my hair, I swallow my pride. I¡¯m here for many reasons. I want to hear him exin himself about what he said over a week ago, for one. Also, I want to talk to him about all the things that have been going on recently, since Cian obviously has his own strong opinions, and Sam will just panic.


    ¡°We really need to talk. I hope you¡¯re ready to be honest this time,¡± I say coolly. Noah nods grimly, motioning for me to follow him. I do so, letting him lead me toward his living room, which is a change from all the times he¡¯s brought me into his dining room.


    He looks at me over his shoulder. ¡°I am. And I hope you will be too.¡±


    My stomach twists over, as wee into the living room. I take a seat on one of his leather couches, which is cold under my bare legs. I¡¯m already ufortable, but this time I made the foolish decision to wear shorts in the rain. Thankfully, the sight of Noah sitting opposite me takes my mind of the feeling of my bare skin sticking to the surface.


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming that expression means Cian told you more about me than you bargained for,¡± I say uneasily. His mouth twists slightly, drawing my attention down to those full lips and perfectly refined jawline. For a mortal, he really does have a natural beauty.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re an immortal now,¡± he admits with a dark tone that makes me shiver. My eyes close as an automatic reaction. ¡°Do you want to tell me why it happened?¡±


    My entire body freezes.


    There¡¯s a pointed seriousness in his eyes that I haven¡¯t seen from him before. It¡¯sing from a genuine ce, like he cares about me how a married man would care for his partner. He¡¯s brooded over this since the meeting with Cian, and it¡¯s affected him greatly. Just thinking about that makes me shiver. How much does Noah care, despite hardly knowing me?


    ¡°You¡¯re not my close friend Noah, first of all,¡± I say, trying to set up boundaries in case he really does feel like that. ¡°But if you must know, I actually have no idea who did it, or why it happened. It was a powerful man who approached me and made me swallow a pill.¡±


    Exining it only makes me more frustrated. Every time I go back in time to that moment, the man is a blurred figure, his dialogue strong in some ces, weak in others.


    He knew I would forget him, no doubt.


    ¡°Do you think he intended for you to be brought back as an immortal?¡± Noah asks, resting his elbow on the arm of the chair and his chin on his palm. His words make me blink back into a moment of subconsciousness. It¡¯s a question I¡¯ve been too afraid to ask recently.


    ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know, and I don¡¯t want to know,¡± I tell him firmly. I wish I could exin exactly what is streaming through my head. ¡°But I have a feeling he¡¯s not done with me.¡±


    ¡°You should stay here, where you¡¯re safe,¡± Noah says firmly. There¡¯s not an ounce of humour in his voice. Maybe I expect it because I¡¯m so used to Cian hemming every serious word he has to say with some kind of joke. But with Noah, I can feel every emotion weighing upon me, even though I know if I delved deeper to find the root of that meaning, I would find nothing but arge locked door in my face.


    ¡°No offense Noah, but you¡¯re just an Alpha. Don¡¯t you think I would better off with my mate, who is an immortal?¡± I question, biting the edge just like he had a moment ago. These words feel wrong, even if I know they are right.


    ¡°Cian is the one who put you in this situation to begin with,¡± he reminds me. ¡°And being in the immortal realm is the worst ce for you.¡±


    He might be right, but I have to remember what he said. ¡°At least Cian can be honest with me.¡±


    Noah doesn¡¯t even flinch. He knows I¡¯m right. He gets to his feet, promptly disappearing out the room. I don¡¯t follow him, although my heart does fall to the pit of my stomach. He returns before I have time to get truly concerned. He¡¯s holding two sses of water in his hand, which one he hands to me. Even in these moments he cares enough to be hospitable. A lot goes into being an Alpha.


    ¡°Trust me, Cian keeps his secrets just as much as the next man,¡± he tells me while I sip my water slowly. The refreshing cold hits me. ¡°He just does a better job.¡±


    ¡°You could prove to me now that you¡¯re a good man. You could tell me how you know him,¡± I say, tipping my ss at him. Noah owes me that much, at least. Cian will just twist my words or distract me if I try get answers out of him.


    Noah looks uneasily. ¡°Cian an I¡­share amon interest.¡±


    ¡°Is this about the meeting you had?¡± I ask. Since I bumped into Cian this afternoon, I¡¯ve been desperate to know what they discussed. ¡°Because I have a right to know what it was about.¡±


    ¡°We were talking about a contract we had, that he broke. Now I just have to hope that he has enough decency to keep his end of the deal regardless,¡± he says, his tone turning grave, sounding as though he doesn¡¯t believe it himself. I¡¯ll admit, I don¡¯t trust Cian either, and I doubt I will any time soon. Immortals are tricky.


    I lick my lips anxiously. ¡°Does this deal involve me?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t worry about it. Cian and I will have nothing to do with each other anymore,¡± he says calmly, although I don¡¯t believe him. Him and Cian¡¯s rtionship is deeper than he is letting on, and it isn¡¯t about to let up.


    ¡°Why? If he¡¯s done something bad to you, then I have a right to know, as his mate. He could make me move to the immortal world and I know nothing about him,¡± I exasperate.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do this¡­that, I mean. Don¡¯t move to the immortal realm with him. His life is what got you into that situation in the first ce, okay,¡± Noah says, his tone practically pleading. ¡°Cian and I have known each other for years. His lifestyle hurt me too.¡±


    ¡°How so? If I can ask¡­¡±C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡°I was young, and he took an interest in me for some reason. He would take me to parties, get me drunk. I had no idea what he saw in me until¡­I realised I had something inmon with him that would ensure that we would forever be in each other¡¯s lives. Even if we hated each other more than anything in this world,¡± Noah admits, refusing to meet by gaze.


    My heart jumps into my throat. I knew this was deep, but I had no idea Cian was the puppet master behind all this, ording to Noah. I should have assumed¡­


    Immortals are tricky like that.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to tell me what that is, are you?¡± I ask, referring to what they could possibly have inmon. In my opinion, they couldn¡¯t be further unalike. I mean, Noah is cool and brooding, while Cian is taunting and unserious. ¡°I mean, you don¡¯t need to. History is history.¡±


    Noah appears unsettled. ¡°I just want you to know, that what Cian has done to me all these years was easy for him. Lying and maniptinges easy to him. I¡¯m afraid he might hurt you.¡±


    ¡°So why did you say all those things to me,¡± I ask, remembering the nightst week. It still haunts me, if I allow myself to consider it. I¡¯ve known Noah for a month now, maybe two, so I can¡¯t decide why he would want to suddenly confess his love to me. ¡°Why did you tell me to be with you?¡±


    ¡°To protect you. I¡¯m stupid and selfish, I know,¡± he admits sheepishly, although a chill down my spine suggests to me that there is more to it than what is being let on. ¡°You¡¯re the first person who has evere into my life and seen me as more than a powerful Alpha. You¡¯ve both tolerated and hated me, which is more than most people do.¡±


    ¡°Cian is my mate,¡± I find myself saying.


    It¡¯s not the first time I¡¯ve said that to him, although this time he doesn¡¯t flinch nor appear offended. There is a flicker of some unknown emotion in his eye, but he conceals is quicker than it came to be. I feel wrong saying to it to him, especially in a defensive manner, as if my entire body repulses at the wordsing from my mouth. Noah doesn¡¯t deserve this.


    ¡°I wish things were different,¡± he murmurs, sweeping a hand back through his hair. He bites his lip, a frown etched into his forehead. He¡¯s hiding something, still, but I¡¯m done pressing. If can be honest with me when he pleases. ¡°One day things may be.¡±


    I loosen a breath, giving him a soft smile. I like Noah, and I hope that despite everything, him and I can still be friends.


    ¡°I should go. It¡¯s gettingte,¡± I tell him.


    Noah nods, reaching his hand out to help me up off the couch, before pulling his hand back. I frown at his hesitation to touch me, but push it out of my mind. Regardless, I let him lead me to the door.


    My life may beplicated, but hopefully Noah can be something simple. Even if I know he has secrets. And even if I know they are surely darker than anything I¡¯ve witnessed before.

 Chapter 27

    ~Abe


    I let the water run over me.


    This past month has been a whirlwind, my entire life having been turned on its head. The only moment my life isn¡¯t insane, is when I¡¯m sleeping, or standing in the shower, which I¡¯m doing right now. Leaning back against the cool ss, I let the water run into my hair, washing away some of the tension in my shoulders and temples.


    I¡¯m an immortal now, yet I don¡¯t feel any different. I pinch my skin, and there¡¯s pain, I scratch an itch and it¡¯s satisfying. The only thing different as I feel as though I¡¯m on a high, all my emotions heightened to the point I¡¯m struck in constant jitters. Thankfully the hot water and steam floating around me are enough to have me rxing for the first time in a while.


    The sound of a door closing pulls me back away from the ss door, looking around through the steam that cloaks the bathroom for the source of the stand.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± I question warily into the air.


    There¡¯s no answer. Instead, a figure emerges from the steam, right outside the door to the shower. The shock if ck and gold hair and dark ebony eyes has me backing up until my back hits the other end. It¡¯s Cian, who stares at me through the veil of fog that has drifted up the ss, hopefully concealing most of my naked body which I cover with my hands and arms.


    ¡°Cian!¡± I shriek, gasping at the sight of his smile which only growsrger on his face. ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I came to talk,¡± he admits, brazening looking down at my body. I¡¯m mortified. Thest thing I expected was for my mate toe walking in here, when I hadn¡¯t heard from him since his meeting with Noah a few days ago.


    I glower at him. ¡°I¡¯m showering¡­you creep.¡±


    He doesn¡¯t open the ss door, thankfully. His voice is muffled through it, but theyer of thick mist between us is a more appreciated barrier. Hopefully he can¡¯t see much, especially since my limbs can¡¯t cover everything on my body. Cian¡¯s wandering eyes don¡¯t help, considering he has no shame in letting me know visibly that he is assessing every bare inch of my exposed body.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not bothered,¡± hements, smiling at me with thatzy, boyish smile. You would think that many years of life would teach an immortalmon decency.


    I roll my eyes. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°I wanted to see how you are feeling,¡± Cian admits, raising an eyebrow at me through the door. How about vited, or mortifyingly embarrassed. Does he do this to anyone he meets? ¡°About this whole immortal thing.¡±


    ¡°Oddly enough, I don¡¯t really feel anything. There are so many things going on-¡°


    Before I have a chance to finish my sentence, Cian opens the ss door, steam billowing up everywhere, the cold air from outside hitting my bare skin. I gasp, pressing myself into the corner, wondering how much a hit in his face would actually hurt him.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Oh¡­Cian, get away!¡± I scream, reaching my hand out to push against his chest, leaving a wet stain against his shirt. He still remains outside, but now there is no door between us, he can reach out and touch me, if he wanted to. Now all that keeps him from stepping inside is my incoherent screeching and the stream of water that hits the drain between us.


    Cian¡¯s smile makes my stomach turn over, but annoyingly enough, not out of disgust. ¡°You have nothing to be embarrassed about.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not for you to decide,¡± I snap at him, which only seems to grow his smile even more. ¡°Now some privacy would be nice.¡±


    His eyes wander. ¡°How did I get so lucky to have such a beautiful mate.¡±


    ¡°Do you have no decency at all?¡±


    ¡°Look, I just want to talk to you about moving in with me,¡± Cian offers, ensuring that the only expression I can offer is a gaping mouth and raised eyebrows. He can¡¯t seriously be presenting an offer to live with him while I¡¯m standingpletely naked in a shower right before him. ¡°I know we have just established we are mates, but there is no longer a ce for you in the mortal realm.¡±


    I¡¯m not sure how to reply, right away, until I realise that the only way to deal with Cian, is to give him what he his own medicine right back at him. ¡°Well Noah still has the promotion on offer for me, so I think there is.¡±


    Cian looks at me tly, his mouth set in a grim line. ¡°Don¡¯t take it. Noah doesn¡¯t like me very much, so how am I meant toe visit?¡±


    Despite his expression, I can hear the underlying tone of teasing.


    ¡°You¡¯re insufferable, you know that?¡± I growl under my breath. I¡¯m not sure why I¡¯m still standing here in this shower, trying to validate myself as if he shouldn¡¯t be the one apologizing and closing that door right now. ¡°And for your information, I know about your past with him. I hope you know that doesn¡¯t make you look any good to me.¡±


    ¡°Ah yes, I¡¯m sure Noah divulged plenty of honest information,¡± Cian says, the sarcastic drawl to his tone doing him no favours. I may have been doubtful about Noah at times, but he was honest with me that night, and I respect him for that.


    ¡°He did. I trust him more than you.¡±


    ¡°Is that right?¡±


    ¡°You need to leave, before I scream or something,¡± I growl under my breath, hoping the sound of the water hitting by my feet doesn¡¯t wash away what I have to say. I should be protesting more, the rational side of me scolding me for being socent. However, my heart doesn¡¯t race in fear, and I feel more confident than I would like to admit.


    Cian licks his lips, drawing my attention right to his mouth. ¡°You won¡¯t do that. You want me to see you, because I¡¯m your mate and that¡¯s what the bond does.¡±


    ¡°Fine, look at me all you want then¡­but know that you¡¯re my mate and I trust a random guy over you. In fact, I¡¯m more attracted to him,¡± I blurt out, before I can even think through what I said. I still, and so does Cian. He doesn¡¯t look mortified, like I revealed the worst information. He looks hurt, but he quickly shakes that off.


    ¡°Do you want to know why you feel that way, Abe?¡± he says, his tone settling into a dark, serious tone which is so cold, the hot water against my skin isn¡¯t even enough to mitigate the shivers streaming down my back. ¡°If you think Noah is such an angel who is always honest with you, why don¡¯t I tell you his one dark secret. And by the sounds of it, you¡¯ll like it.¡±


    ¡°Cian-¡°


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to have to share you, but when I share this information¡­I¡¯ll have no other choice,¡± he admits, his voice almost strangled. His suddenly change in attitude is both confusing and jarring. I didn¡¯t know Cian had this range of emotion.


    I shake my head at him, sick of the way he steps around the subject, building it up the to the point where I¡¯m no long bothered by my body, but by this discussion. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    Cian loosens a frustrated breath, stepping inside the shower with me, the water hitting his clothes ¨C but it¡¯s not like that bothered him. I¡¯m dumbfounded, stuck to the spot as he cups my cheeks, pulling himself down to kiss me.


    Kiss me.


    All the breath in my lung vanishes. The kiss is quick, desperate. When he pulls away, I can see both desire and maybe sadness in his eyes. He closes them slowly.


    ¡°I had to do it,¡± he breathes. ¡°Just once.¡±


    ¡°What did you want to tell me?¡± I question ufortably, hoping I can wish away what just happened so I don¡¯t have to ever admit that is happened. And most importantly, that I liked it. ¡°About Noah?¡±


    Cian pulls his hands off me, but doesn¡¯t step out of the shower. ¡°He¡¯s hiding things from you, mainly that¡­what is that?¡±


    I¡¯m confused at his suddenly divergence of attention, until I follow his gaze down to my feet and realise what¡¯s going on. I¡¯ve cut myself, blood pouring out of my toe, diluting into the water before sliding down the drain. Cian¡¯s mortified expression suggests that he doesn¡¯t like the look of blood.


    ¡°I cut my toe on the drain,¡± I mutter, running it under the water, although it continues to bleed unrelentingly. Nasty cut for a drain.


    ¡°What is that purple stuff?¡± he questions warily.


    I look back up at him. ¡°What, you¡¯ve never seen blood before?¡±


    ¡°Abe¡­that¡¯s not normal,¡± he murmurs, looking at me with furrowed brows and frightened eyes. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding the wrong colour.¡±

 Chapter 28

    ~Abe


    This is it. This is when he finally realises what a freak I am.


    ¡°It¡¯s not what it looks like,¡± I exim immediately. I don¡¯t even care that I¡¯m undressed and still bleeding from my cut toe. Avoiding the purple swirling around in the water, I step out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my body. This should have never happened. Cian doesn¡¯t need to know about this. He doesn¡¯t need to have his hands in any more secrets of mine.


    ¡°You¡¯re acting like it¡¯s nothing,¡± I say, following he out of the shower, his clothes still dripping wet. I re at him, wishing he would just drop it.


    ¡°It¡¯s a sickness I had, even when I was mortal,¡± I tell him. I now realise that this problem didn¡¯t go away, meaning that whatever sickness I do have still gues me, and I have no hope of getting rid of it. I hated having to hide it back then. Nothing has changed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    Cian stares at me, dumbfounded.


    I¡¯m not surprised he¡¯s so shocked. Seeing someone bleed a colour other than red isn¡¯t an everyday urrence, but he¡¯s an immortal; surely, he¡¯s seen crazier ailments in his life. Or maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m his mate, and he¡¯s doing this out of fear that what I have is going to kill me. Too bad I¡¯ve lived with this my entire life, and I¡¯ve never noticed anything happen to me in regard to the colour of my blood.


    ¡°Do you bleed¡­in other ways that colour?¡± He asks warily. When I nce at him, towelling myself off, I notice the slightest tint of colour in his cheeks, making me smile. Despite everything ¨C especially the fact that I¡¯m naked ¨C I can still find it in myself to smile at his show of rare emotion.


    I walk out of the bathroom into my bedroom, followed closely by Cian. ¡°You mean my period? Yes Cian, it¡¯s always been this violet colour.¡±


    Ignoring the throwing up of his hands, I dig around in my dresser for clean clothes. Thankfully Cian allows me to dress without too much protest. The fact that my toe has stopped bleeding is another mercy.


    He grabs my arm. ¡°You know this isn¡¯t normal, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m aware. I hid it my whole life, but I¡¯ve never had any other symptoms. Just ignore it,¡± I tell him promptly. He sighs, exasperated. I¡¯m not sure what he expects me to do. Ever since I was young my mother told me never to tell anyone about this sickness, and that she had it too. As long as I remained quiet about it, it wouldn¡¯t get worse. That meant not even seeing a doctor.


    ¡°We need to see someone. Seriously,¡± Cian says, not yet having stopped holding my arm. I tug away from him, pulling shoes on. Believe it or not, I don¡¯t have time to argue with him about the colour of my mind.


    ¡°Cian, I was nning on delivering thest piece of mail I was meant to sort through for Noah¡¯s assistant, and I¡¯m probablyte,¡± I tell him. The sun haspletely set outside the housing area, the walk slightly perilous and unlit once night falls. Gia will have most likely gone home, which will mean I¡¯ll have to walk right in and leave her on her desk.


    ¡°Abe-¡°


    ¡°Go home,¡± I tell him, collecting what I need from my desk. I feel bad for abandoning him, but I can¡¯t tell him I can¡¯t see a doctor. That is only going to make him more adamant that this is a serious infliction that would need a magical cure. ¡°We¡¯ll talk about thister.¡±


    Cian doesn¡¯t protest, as I shove the letter into my back pocket, walking out the door. I expected him to follow me, to continue harassing me until I agree.


    Instead, I find myself walking from the staffpound to Noah¡¯s manor on my own, keeping under the minimal path of light frommps above me, which lead me safely away. Yet still, I can¡¯t shake a feeling of uneasiness. Maybe it¡¯s from the pit in my stomach, knowing Cian now knows my secret.


    Rubbing my arms against the cool breeze, i quicken my step. I can see someone in this distance, walking toward me.


    Odd¡­ I didn¡¯t think anyone was meant to be around here at this time of night. I know how much Noah doesn¡¯t like his staff hanging around after the sun sets. Maybe he¡¯s just delivering a message like I am. It¡¯s not umon¡­


    As he approaches, I realise how tall he is. Unnervingly too. As he passes me by, I lower my gaze, until it causes me to bump into his shoulder, the force having me stumbling sideways.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± I mutter, risking I nce at his face. He has a very serious expression. He looks vaguely familiar, although not his appearance. Just the   way he looks at me. ¡°Do I know you?¡±


    ¡°I think we¡¯ve crossed paths,¡± he replies.


    He¡¯s an odd looking person, as I take a proper step back to look at him. His hair is a dark, woodish brown hair and his eyes are a striking close to ck colour. But what hits me as his most shocking feature is the tattoos in some kind of patterned dialectic creeping up his neck from below the cor of shirt, up to his jawline, where it creeps slightly to his cheekbones.


    I¡¯ve never seen anything like it.


    ¡°You work here, I assume,¡± I blurt out. The silence was starting to get awkward, so I speak what firstes to mind. This elusive man who seemed to appear out of the shadows hardly seems like the kind of man Noah would hide¡­ He doesn¡¯t even look human. He¡¯s more than that, like a mythical creature which has arose from my imagination.


    ¡°Right,¡± hements, looking nowhere else but my eyes, his unrelenting gaze stilling me to the spot. ¡°You¡¯re going to see Noah.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah. Well mainly his assistant, but I was¡­nevermind. I should go,¡± I tell him. No doubt telling a stranger your ns is not a good idea, especially since I just got this promotion and I don¡¯t want it taken away. I¡¯m trying to bring some normality into my life, no have it taken away.


    ¡°You¡¯re bleeding,¡± hements.


    I notice his eyes are focused on my hand, which clutches the letter. I¡¯ve acquired a paper cut, it seems. Although minor, a thin strip of blood arises from the cut, having my stomach flipping over. You¡¯ve got to be kidding.


    I quickly put my hand behind my back. ¡°Oh no. How did that even happen?¡±


    Now is my chance to get out of here before he starts asking questions I can¡¯t answer. Hopefully he will consider it just a trick of the light, although I somehow doubt it. You can¡¯t just excuse purple blood. Maybe he will tell people and no one will believe him. At least that¡¯s what I hope for, as I go to turn away toward Noah¡¯s manor, however, he ceases my arm.


    The feeling of his hand against my bare wrist makes me shiver, as he stares at me with those ssy eyes. ¡°Sometimes keeping secrets from the people you¡¯re closest with is better for everyone.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    My manage to get myself, falling into a quick jog until I reach Noah¡¯s front door. My heart thumps against my chest, as I pull the door open, not bothering to knock. I¡¯ll drop this off and take another way to get back to the amodation. I¡¯m not risking bumping into the enigmatic figure.


    However, just my luck, as I run up the stairs, I¡¯m greeted at the top by a very surprised Noah. He flinches at the sight of me, but at least I didn¡¯t catch him indecent. He wears casual trousers and a loose shirt, my averting immediately away from his bare arms, instead focusing on those emerald green eyes.


    ¡°Just dropping this off,¡± I tell him, handing him the letter. I was hoping I would slip in and out undetected, so I could disappear again and wallow in everything that has happened today on my own.


    Noah looks me up and down, the obviousness of his gaze heating my cheeks. ¡°You okay? You look pale and shaken up.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I just came across the weirdest guy out there,¡± I admit. At least if I tell him, he¡¯s unlikely to react like Cian did. Cian cares too much about me, as his mate, but also cares too much about revenge. ¡°And he looked so¡­Oh my God.¡±


    It hits me like a bus.


    ¡°You look like you saw a ghost,¡± Noah notes warily.


    ¡°I think I just did,¡± I murmur. ¡°I remember who I saw that night when I¡­died. His name is Stace and he was just here.¡±


    Everythinges streaming back to me with dizzying force. That night, when he approached me, those tattoos bing clearer in my mind. The way he talked to me, with that oddly seem voice entwined with an unfamiliar ent. He told me he killed me, he told me we would talkter. Just the thought of ever seeing him again gives me ufortable chills, but the questions I have for him overpower this.


    ¡°Where? I don¡¯t think anyone else is on the property,¡± Noah says, trailing after me as I pace down the stairs and right outside, flinging the door open. Darkness cloaks the entire area.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    I nce at Noah for only a fleeting moment. ¡°How would you know? Your property is massive.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not here. Are you sure it¡¯s him who you saw?¡± Noah says. He¡¯s being skeptical because I probably sound crazy. He¡¯s being rational, because that¡¯s the kind of person he is, and he knows that even if I did see Stace ¨C whoever Stace is ¨C he would be gone by now. I mean, why would he evene to see me for just a small conversation.


    And what he said¡­ Sometimes keeping secrets from the people you¡¯re closest with is better for everyone.


    ¡°I can¡¯t exin it, I just know,¡± I tell him. I can practically feel the remainder of his presence in the air.


    I can feel Noah ce his hand on the small of my back, his fingers digging into the cloth of my shirt. ¡°Okay. Come inside. If it¡¯s him, you don¡¯t want to be alone out here.¡±


    Letting him lead me inside, I allow myself only one more fleeting nce into the darkness, of course seeing nothing. ¡°Thank you, I feel like I always owe you something.¡±


    ¡°You owe me nothing. If you don¡¯t feel safe, you can stay here,¡± he offers.


    ¡°Cian can protect me,¡± I find myself saying. Habit, or maybe guilt. ¡°I guess.¡±


    Noah leads me into the living area, letting me sit down on the couch, enjoying the warmth floating around me. I don¡¯t understand why Noah is so nice to me. Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m one of the only people who treat him normally, but he¡¯s still an Alpha who is admired by all. I should be grateful he¡¯s being so kind to me, so warm and so helpful just when I need someone the most. Instead I just feel guilt. Cian should be doing that.


    ¡°You look as though you have something on your mind,¡± Noah says,ing back from the kitchen after leaving me in the living room for a few moments. Alone with my dark thoughts.


    ¡°You could say that,¡° I mutter, gratefully taking the warm drink he hands me. ¡°I¡¯ve had this sickness for most of my life, which has never affected me, but Cian finds it strange and I¡¯m just not in the mood to have an immortal tell me I¡¯m the odd one.¡±


    Noah nods, sitting beside me. I ignore the feeling of the presence of his body next to me. ¡°Fair, I suppose. We all have that one thing we are insecure about.¡±


    ¡°What does an Alpha have to be insecure of?¡±


    ¡°See I try to impress you. Not embarrass myself,¡± he tells me, ensuring that there¡¯s no way I¡¯m going to get him to admit his biggest secrets. I shouldn¡¯t me him, but it does bother me sometimes that he keeps so much from me. He¡¯s afraid of something, surely¡­


    Suddenly he leans forward, going to ce his ss of water on the coffee-table in front of us, but he slips. It explodes into small ss fragments everywhere, even hitting against my clothed legs. I yelp, as Noah pulls his hand away, hissing in pain. It must have nicked him.


    ¡°Oh¡­Are you okay?¡± I ask immediately.


    ¡°Yeah, just cut my finger,¡± he tells me, moving his entire body to face away from me. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    It wouldn¡¯t have bothered me. Maybe he just didn¡¯t want me to see blood in case it unnerved me. But no, the moment I see it, my entire heart falls into my stomach.


    His blood is purple. Like mine.

 Chapter 29

    ~Abe


    A million thoughts go through my head at once.


    My first instinct is to jump to his defense and let him know that I suffer from the same problem¡­Maybe he knows something I don¡¯t and he can help me get better, or at least exin to me what is going on. But the moment I allow my mind to wonder to that weak ce, I immediately reprimand myself. After all the advice my mother told me about keeping what I know a secret, I can¡¯t just let that all go now.


    I like Noah, and I trust him¡­enough. But this I¡¯ll have to approach with caution. Maybe I¡¯ll see if he will first admit what is wrong with him before I¡¯m honest with him that I share the same problem, or disease, or whatever this is.


    ¡°Noah¡­Your blood is purple,¡± I say, my voice shuddering, and not because I¡¯m acting. Seeing someone with blood like my own is jarring. Especially since I¡¯ve spent my entire life thinking I¡¯m the only one.


    He turns to look at me, eyes wide, mortified.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t freak out,¡± he says, the blood running down the hand which he holds up defensively. I¡¯ve never seen someone so panicked, which is so unlike an Alpha. It makes sense, since I know how I felt when Cian saw my blood for the first time.


    ¡°Why? Why is your blood purple?¡± I ask him, hoping he will admit something, anything. I¡¯m relying on him not only telling me what is wrong with him, but also what is wrong with me. However, my desperation is backing him into a corner, making him feel bad about an infliction which he doesn¡¯t know is the same as mine. ¡°You have to give me answers.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to scare you,¡± he says uneasily, backing up another few steps, forcing me to stand and face him. ¡°You¡¯ll run away if you find out.¡±


    Find out.


    Even those few words send chills across my skin. Find out what? That means he knows the answer to his condition¡­and maybe I¡¯ll know too. Is it a disease, or is it a special kind of immortal thing I had, even when I was mortal? Or maybe I¡¯m rted to an Alpha line of family. Okay, now I¡¯m just letting my mind wander to think this is a good thing.


    I¡¯m almost too desperate as I question him. ¡°What is it? Please tell me.¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m not who you think I am,¡± he says, the pained look in his eyes pulling at my heart. This is horrible of me¡­I should just tell him, right? ¡°What you think I am.¡±


    ¡°And what is that,¡± I ask him, approaching him with slow, cautious steps. Finally, he doesn¡¯t back away from me, but I can still see the wariness in his eyes, as he struggles to trust me. ¡°You can tell me, we are friends. You know I won¡¯t judge you. Trust me.¡±


    He blinks, once, twice. Both our gazes meet the slow drip of each drop of blood falling from the cut on his hand to the carpet at his feet, staining the off-white carpet violet. Thankfully, my paper cut from earlier has since dried up, but I¡¯m ready to show it to him the moment I feel safe enough. I¡¯m not sure why I¡¯m putting it off so much¡­maybe I¡¯m scared of his reaction, or for all my secrets to be exposed.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one person who I do trust. But I care enough about you to not tell you,¡± Noah says honestly, his voice turning hoarse. My heart jumps into my throat.


    I should just tell him.


    ¡°Noah, you shouldn¡¯t be worried about telling me. Because I think we have more inmon than you think,¡± I tell him. I watch his face contort in confusion, as he tries to piece together what I¡¯m saying, andpletely fails.


    The moment I go to open my mouth to admit to him, finally, after all my apprehension, the windows around me shatter in an explosion of ss shards and loud noises. Immediately, I drop to the ground, a sh of white striking my vision, the ears immediately ringing from the explosion. Maybe I¡¯m screaming, I can¡¯t tell. All I know, is I¡¯m hunched on the floor, fear streaking through me.


    Someone is calling my name. Noah. Suddenly the ringing dies down, and I force my eyes open, looking around the room. Every window is now a gaping space of nothing, the ss now having rained down upon us.


    ¡°Abe. Are you okay?¡± I hear him say, as my hearing slowlyes back. He inches toward me carefully, avoiding the ss. He surprisingly is untouched, and when I look down at myself, I¡¯m also perfectly safe, not a single scratch on my body.


    How did we get so lucky?


    ¡°What was that?¡± I question, massaging below my ears as if it¡¯s going to bring my hearing back. The weather outside it perfectly still, so that can¡¯t have been the cause. But what else would cause all the windows in this one room to spontaneously explode into a thousand sharp shards, which failed to leave a single scratch on both our bodies.


    ¡°I have no idea. Let¡¯s get out of this room first,¡± Noah says, his voice quivering around the edges. He is trying his best to appear in control of the situation, but he is just as shaken as me. Grabbing the sleeve to my jacket, he leads me out of the living room and into the foyer, where the stained ss by the door is perfectly intact.


    I rub my arms warily. ¡°Do you think that was random or do you think someone did that?¡±


    I¡¯m not sure I even want to know the answer, as Noah appears grim. ¡°I don¡¯t think that would happen without someone being behind it. Don¡¯t worry about it, though. That¡¯s not for you to worry about.¡±


    Even though his words are meant to beforting, I can¡¯t help the uneasiness that creeps in like a shadow behind me; stuck to me, dark. Even though it might not seem likely, that happened for a reason. It interrupted our conversation, which I doubt after that event, wille up again in the near future.


    ¡°I should probably go then,¡± I say, although I don¡¯t mean it. I don¡¯t actually have any urge to leave, especially since whoever caused this could be lurking outside.


    Like Stace¡­


    ¡°No, you can stay here for awhile, at least till morning. I¡¯ll call in some staff to check the area,¡± he tells me assuredly. He¡¯s starting to appear more confident now, as if none of this even affected him in the first ce. He¡¯s stepping into his role as an Alpha.


    I agree, only on the grounds of my own fear. Noah offers me a room upstairs, in a guest suite. I¡¯m thankful, that he¡¯s being kind enough, despite everything, to let me stay. However, there¡¯s a tension in the air between us in the form of unanswered questions. He doesn¡¯t know the colour of my blood yet, but I know his. And that¡¯s frightening.


    He allows me to retire to my room, while he alerts me that he will be around, checking the property and managing staff. Alpha duties, of course.


    However, there¡¯s no way I¡¯m going to sleep.


    Waiting patiently until the area stills, I emerge from my room, still wearing my day clothes, despite the night gown Noah offered me. It feels odd, having him offer me clothes, despite it being such a mundane concept. Maybe it¡¯s because every time I¡¯m around him I feel guilty. I¡¯m mated to Cian, and that¡¯s not going to change. But the way I feel around Noah is sinful¡­ it¡¯s wrong. My body shouldn¡¯t react to him in the way it does.


    Padding with bare feet down the hallway, I make it to the top of the stairs, which looks down into the foyer where the front door stands proud and tall next to thick, white marble pirs.


    Out of the corner of the eye, I see Noah approaching the front door, despite there not having been any knock that I heard.


    The moment he opens the door, I watch Cian saunter in.


    Of course.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to collect my mate,¡± he says, his tone the usual half amused, half cocky mix he adores so much. From up here, I can only see Cian¡¯s face, while Noah¡¯s back is facing me. I¡¯m assuming his expression is hardly impressed, though. Does Cian really have toe here and stir up drama considering his and Noah¡¯sst?


    ¡°And who said she wants to go with you?¡± Noah questions, his tone dark and serious, making me shiver. He may not be immortal, but as an Alpha, he still remains intimidating.


    Cianughs. ¡°Ah, hello. She knows I¡¯m her mate, therefore, she will want toe with me. Where are you hiding her anyway?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not hiding her.¡±


    Cian steps inside the room, looking around the foyer. Immediately, I duck down behind a pot nt, avoiding the sweep of his gaze. He¡¯s clearly looking for me, so hopefully he will assume I¡¯m in a room, oblivious to his presence. I¡¯m not even sure how he knew I would still be here since not returning to my room, especially since I told him it was to just drop something off. Either he is suspicious of me and Noah, or he knows something I don¡¯t.


    ¡°Then why do you look so flustered?¡± Cian questions, his tone amused, as usual, although there is a dark undertone to it. Maybe he is jealous, which only makes me feel guiltier for the thoughts that often go through my head.


    ¡°Something happened,¡± Noah says uneasily, for the first time, not soundingpletely bothered by having to speak to Cian. ¡°We were in the living room, and the ss exploded out of nowhere. I have no exnation for it.¡±


    It¡¯s so irritating that I can¡¯t see Noah¡¯s expression, as Cian speaks. ¡°Why are you giving me that look? I¡¯m not behind this. Why were you in the living room with Abe anyway?¡±


    Oh no.


    ¡°She¡¯s going to know what I am,¡± Noah says, piquing my interest. Leaning back around the pot nt, I look down to see the mortified expression on Cian¡¯s face. My throat goes dry. If he has that reaction, knowing whatever is wrong with Noah, means that because we must be the same, Cian is going to have the exact same reaction to me. It scares me even more than the fact that Cian knows what is wrong with Noah and didn¡¯t tell me.


    ¡°How? Why?¡± Cian demands.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. She¡¯s going to know, and that¡¯s final,¡± Noah says firmly, digging his hands back through his hair. ¡°I don¡¯t think our secret is going tost much longer.¡±


    I can see Cian rapidly shake his head. ¡°No, don¡¯t say that. It has to stay a secret. I don¡¯t care if you hate me, but you know that it¡¯s not a good thing if she knows.¡±


    My breath hitch¡¯s, as I lean back against the wall. More secrets. More secrets that I¡¯m going to find out about.

 Chapter 30

    ~Abe


    A soft click by my ear wakes me.


    For a moment, all I see is darkness. I try sit up, but my arms don¡¯t respond. My wrists, which dangle above my shoulders, are shrouded in a cool, hard metal, which as I startle fully awake, the yanks of protest don¡¯t free me. Chains ng together, a signal of my capture, even if I¡¯m still too groggy to determine where I am, or who has tied me down.


    I¡¯m in a bed. One of Noah¡¯s guest beds, I¡¯m lying here tied down, in the middle of the night, with my attacker somewhere in this room, their identitypletely unknown to me. Their footsteps cease, as the bed suddenly sinks.


    Now is my time to react.


    My mouth opens to scream, but a hand ms down to cover it, muffling my protests. Thrashing and kicking, Ish out toward my attacker, wherever they may be. Panic streaks through my veins, as desperately fight for my life, trying to figure out who would want to take my life. No onees to life, but at least it¡¯s not Cian¡­there are no sparks as this man holds me down.


    ¡°Please, I haven¡¯t done anything wrong,¡± I mumble through his fingers, hoping one will slip into my mouth so I can bite it. His body is suddenly on top of mine, not too heavy, as he pins me down by my legs, ensuring that I can¡¯t go anywhere.


    He leans down, right by my ear, his breath hot and sharp. ¡°Scream, and you die. You¡¯re safer being quiet, as you are never going to escape until I want you to.¡±


    Chills. They consume me.


    This is Stace, holding me down, atop me like I¡¯m some kind of victim awaiting¡­I don¡¯t even want to think about that. My clothes are still intact, but his intentions are unknown. Slowly he takes his hand from my mouth, and I don¡¯t scream, adhering to his warning. Stace has killed me before, and I doubt he would hesitate in finishing me off for good.


    ¡°Why? Why me?¡± I whisper, as I feel him move down my body. As my eyes adjust to the light, I can see the outline of his body, bigger than I remember. He¡¯s a man, arge man, who I have no hope of escaping until he¡¯s done with me.


    I wish I could brush the tear from my cheek. It¡¯s a moment of weakness.


    ¡°You are to be marked,¡± he tells me gruffly. The ent entwined in his voice is like none other,ing from and I hope I never am a part of.


    ¡°No, you can¡¯t mark me!¡± I yelp, struggling against his touch, but he holds my hips down firmly, leaving me no choice but to submit to him for a moment to conserve my energy. I will wait until he releases me from these shackles before I make my next move. For now, I hope he will have mercy on me, and won¡¯t brand me.


    Stace isn¡¯t my mate. I don¡¯t know who he is, but this I can be sure of. If he marks me, it could kill me. It¡¯spletely possible for my body to reject his mark, especially as he is not my mate, which is surely his n. Maybe he will nt it on Cian, saying it was his mark that killed me.


    The he could easily get away with it.


    ¡°I already have a mate who is yet to mark me. Please, he¡¯s immortal, he wille for you and he will kill you,¡± I plead with him, hoping I can convince him out of fear.


    Instead, he ignores mepletely, cing his hands on my knees, before slowly, painfully dragging his hands up my thighs until they delve under my night dress. I bite my lip, holding in a scream I want to let out so desperately. He is going to defile me, do horrible things to me in the dead of the night, with no one here to save me.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t the mark you think it is, Abe. Soon you will be mine,¡± he breathes, hiking my dress uppletely over my hips, before he delves his head between my legs. What mark does he think he¡¯s leaving? A mark of a mate would be to im¡­


    Before I could pull my leg away again, I feel him biting at my skin, right in my inner thigh. It¡¯s an excruciating pain, which despite my better judgement, for my safety, I scream.


    It echoes off the walls, but Stace doesn¡¯t relent.


    Finally, he pulls away, but the pain only lifts into a sting. He¡¯s off me in a second, most likely not bothered by the pain I¡¯m in, or the tears streaming down my face. He marked me. He marked like a mate should, and it was painful and wrong. I just can¡¯t understand why he would do this to me. He killed me, made me immortal and then marked me?


    ¡°You will start to feel the effects in a few days,¡± he tells me, getting up off the bed to his feet. I can feel his stare, even if I can¡¯t see it. I wish I could curse him, scream at him. But I¡¯ve already done enough to almost get myself killed.


    Just as these thoughts cross my mind, he vanishes.


    The only reason I know he is gone, is because the light suddenly flickers on, and I¡¯m struck by blindness for a fleeting moment. Once my visiones back, I see Noah running into the room frantically, his dark hair mussed about, clearly from sleep, his shirt offpletely. But I don¡¯t concentrate on that, but instead the frightened expression on his face as he looks down at me.


    Raising my head, I see my thigh, where he marked me. Blood pools out everywhere around my legs, coating the sheets and my skin. My heart stops, seeing the brutality. For once, I¡¯m not worried that Noah is seeing my violet coloured blood, which matches his own.


    ¡°What happened?¡± he questions, rushing into the room. Immediately hees for my wound, but my desperate cries lead him to remove my shackles with his hands, his strength enough to have them crumpling into nothing.


    ¡°I was attacked,¡± I say through sobs, rubbing my wrists as I¡¯m finally released. Sitting up, I ignore the sharp pain in my leg, as I fight to keep myself awake. The pain could, at any moment, have me passed out.


    That¡¯s thest thing I need.


    ¡°By who?¡± He questions, sitting on the bed to look down at the wound. He isn¡¯t questioning the blood just yet, but I can see how the colour has drawn from the face, those emerald eyes wider than I¡¯ve ever seen. Now this has happened, Noah is never going to look at me the same, and whether I like it or not, I¡¯m tied to him. He knows my secret, and also knows the answer to why I have it.


    ¡°Stace, the man who killed me,¡± I say wiping my eyes, taking in shuddering breaths as I attempt to contain myself. ¡°Noah, he marked me. He¡¯s not my mate and he marked me.¡±N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a mark of a mate. This is something else,¡± he tells me.


    As I go to ask more questions, he leaves me, disappearing into the side bathroom before returning with a wet cloth. Inching up the bed, I eye him apprehensively, as he approaches my open leg. He stares at me earnestly, trying to determine whether I trust him enough to let him wipe away the blood with the nnel. It¡¯s not just because he will touch my inner thigh, but because of the colour of my blood.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be gentle,¡± he murmurs assuredly. I nod, giving permission for him to wipe me down. He positions himself by my feet, gently running the warm towel across the skin. I close my eyes, as every pull streaks right back to the mark, which is permanently etched into my skin.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I lied to you. I¡¯m sorry you felt alone, when I saw your blood and demanded to know what you are. When I saw that you have the same infliction as me, I panicked. I wanted answers before made myself vulnerable,¡± I whisper.


    Noah sighs. ¡°I understand. I¡¯m sorry you¡¯re in this situation.¡±


    I sit up, looking down at him. As he cleans my leg, his eyes remain nted on the mark, which the more he cleans, the more visible it bes. It¡¯s big, inmed and has ripped into my flesh. This will take a long time to heal, which means hiding it¡­from Cian. What would I tell him? I don¡¯t need an immortal disappearing to enact revenge on whoever Stace is.


    ¡°What is this situation? What just happened?¡± I question him. I doubt Stace is going to return to give me answers, so my next hope is Noah, who has proven to keep secrets until he feels like admitting the truth to save his conscience.


    Noah leans back, my blood up his arms, across his chest and even his abdomen. ¡°Stace killed you, to activate a dormant power within you. This mark ensures your submission to him, as your King, and that the abilities linked to who you are go through him first.¡±


    I blink a few times, his words not sinking in.


    ¡°Please exin,¡± I whisper hoarsely. ¡°Because none of what you just said makes any sense.¡±


    ¡°You are a part of a powerful bloodline of daemon creatures, with unexplored powers. It¡¯s small, with very few bloodlines being involved. Stace is ensuring that everyone out there that once hid their powers are free to do it, but under his reign. Which is why he marked you,¡± Noah exins, his tone calm, as if he hasn¡¯t just told me something so unbelievably ridiculous.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. This isn¡¯t true,¡± I tell him. Despite what just happened, despite the colour of my blood, I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m something that I never knew even existed.


    Noah moves up the bed closer to me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re not alone. Stace has done the same to me,¡± he tells me softly. And that¡¯s when I begin to panic.

 Chapter 31

    ~Abe


    I sit in front of the fire, staring at his wrist.


    The scars are silvery, precise lines leading up to a point in the centre, the deepest crimson red lingering in a circle under his skin. When I look down at my mark, my flesh almostpletely torn to shreds, I can¡¯t imagine how it will eventually form this very specific mark. I can¡¯t imagine even sharing a mark with Noah in the first ce.


    ¡°What does the red mean?¡± I ask, eyeing it sceptically. Noah and I sit upon an ottoman in front of the firece, my leg syed out, bound with white cloth. He holds his arm out to me, letting me see where he was once marked, many years before I was.


    It looks like a bruise that has never healed, but a much richer, vibrant red. Will mine be like that, or different?


    ¡°It means he¡¯s crazy.¡±


    ncing over my shoulder, I re at Cian, who stands with his arms crossed over his chest, looking tense. He had been lingering around since he knocked on the door earlier, assuring himself that the entire time I was here under Noah¡¯s volition. Now he¡¯s convinced himself Noah is manipting me with a fairy tale that doesn¡¯t actually exist.


    ¡°Not helping,¡± I mutter, shooting him a look that apparently isn¡¯t enough to have him keeping his opinions to himself.


    ¡°You were attacked, brutally. We need to be finding who did this, instead of entertaining an idea that you are some kind of Daemon. They don¡¯t exist,¡± Cian exasperates, throwing his hands up our nk expressions. ¡°And I would know, since I¡¯m Immortal, and I know every creature that walks upon thesends, since my powers control their inhibitions.¡±


    I can feel Noah¡¯s gaze on me as Cian talks, seeing if I¡¯m receiving what my mate is feeding into my ear, but I can¡¯t look at him. How can I doubt this, after what Stace has done to me, having killed me, now this? Noah and I share the same blood colour¡­there has to be some exnation.


    ¡°Cian, my blood is purple. I¡¯m not normal,¡± I remind him.


    My mate¡¯s posture detes, but his defiance is still evident in the way his jaw clenches and his eyes remain stern. If it weren¡¯t for the crackling fire behind us, the silence in this room would be deafening.


    ¡°You can stay here until the wound heals. I can protect you if Stacees back,¡± Noah offers gently. My memories of Stace are foggy, but it¡¯s almost like he appeared out of nowhere, making it unlikely to protect me regardless.


    ¡°No, she isn¡¯t staying here. She needs to be in the immortal realm, where my powers can protect her,¡± Cian cuts in.


    Noah¡¯s attention shifts. ¡°Didn¡¯t this problem start under your watch?¡±


    I can tell Cian wants to retort, considering the mark on my leg, but at least he has the decency to shut his mouth. Sighing deeply, I shift in my seat, but the pain thatnces up my leg has me wincing. This will take days for me to recover from, which means I may not even be able to walk. And once it¡¯s healed, I want to know if Noah and I share a simr mark.


    Cian kneels down in front of the ottoman, clearly disregarding Noah, grabbing my hands between his own. ¡°Come home with me. I¡¯m your mate, you can trust me to protect you from whoever this guy is. What happened that night will never happen again, I promise.¡±


    Looking into his eyes, my heart sinks deep within my chest. This is my mate, the one I¡¯m supposed to love, that I¡¯m supposed to put all my trust in.


    But I can¡¯t help but feel doubtful.


    Maybe it¡¯s because he¡¯s a Sin, and I¡¯m still apprehensive about his morals, his motives. Or maybe it¡¯s because I feel safer here, with Noah, who I know would never overstep boundaries, who I know understand this situation better than anyone. But I still care about Cian, and I want to make things work because he is my mate, and I want that bond.


    ¡°Cian, that isn¡¯t fair,¡± Noah says slowly. I¡¯m assuming from that heated gaze he gives that immortal, he¡¯s talking about using the mate bond to take me away from here.


    Cian gets to his feet, my hands falling out of his grasp. ¡°Why, Noah? Why do you care so much about keeping my mate in your home?¡±


    An ufortable silence stretches between us before I step in.


    ¡°Look, if this is true, then I need to be near Noah. He¡¯s the only one who knows about this, and has been in contact with Stace before. Why don¡¯t you stay here with me, at least until this mark heals,¡± I offer, reaching for his hand. He pulls it away, looking at me with unfiltered emotions in his eyes, showing me betrayal and hurt.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Forget it,¡± Cian mutters, backing up a few steps, casting his attention to Noah for a fleeting moment. ¡°d you got what you wanted.¡±


    None of a say anything, as he walks away.


    ncing at Noah, I see his head is bowed toward the fire, dark wisps of hair covering his eyes from my view. I should be the only one feeling guilty right now, since I¡¯m Cian¡¯s mate, and he¡¯s clearly upset and me mostly. He just looks at Noah aspetition, as if the mate bond is strong enough to him.


    ¡°He will understand eventually. He just needs time toe to terms with it,¡± I hear myself saying, even if I¡¯m not sure I believe it. Cian is run by his emotions, and this jealousy has gotten to the point where he can¡¯t be around both me and Noah. Maybe it¡¯s because of his past with the Alpha, but he has yet to tell me any more about that.


    ¡°Cian understands everything perfectly,¡± Noah murmurs. ¡°He understands what I am, and what I¡¯m capable of. He just doesn¡¯t want to ept that his mate is anything like me.¡±


    An impossible to swallow lump forms in my throat.


    ¡°Right now, we don¡¯t know much. There is nothing much to do other than wait for my wound to heal,¡± Iment, watching Noah carefully, how still avoids my gaze. The fire reflects bright hues of red and orange on his face, shadowing his already sharp features. Now I¡¯m looking away, hating myself for admiring him in the way I do.


    ¡°I¡¯ll work on locating Stace immediately to get some answers. Safely of course,¡± Noah tells me, getting to his feet. I frown, seeing him about to leave.


    I look down at my leg, knowing I can¡¯t follow him, even if I wanted to. ¡°Does Cian know something that both of you are keeping from me? You just said he knows a lot about you, and with your past, that confuses me quite a bit. I just want you to be honest with me.¡±


    Noah tries to hide his wince, but I see right through it.


    ¡°Do you want to know the real truth?¡± he asks. I flinch, not expected him to suddenlye out with this. Despite my scepticism, I thought maybe I did know everything, and all my pushing has been because it¡¯s hard to trust these two-powerful people. But Noah looks as though that now, with everything exposed, he wants toy it all out on the table.


    Slowly, hees to sit next to me again, eyebrows furrowed, gaze cast down to the floor. My heartrate elerates, wondering what could possiblye out of his mouth, and how it could be ruin my mate bond with Cian, and my friendship with Noah.


    ¡°Cian and I share a lot more of a past than I let on. We only keep these things from you because we care about you, and don¡¯t want your life to be so¡­different,¡± he says slowly.


    My heart almostpletely stills.


    ¡°Are you brothers?¡± I ask, before my mind can process how unreasonable that is. Cian¡¯s siblings are the other Sins, not an Alpha. But nothing elsees to mind when I think of how they could be linked. They have almost nothing inmon.


    ¡°No. Cian and I were once told by a Gaze Reader about a person who would be special in not just one of our lives, but both. We hated each other for it, actually, we still do. We decided the only way we could live with this is to ensure that this special person was not in either of our lives, so they couldn¡¯t get hurt,¡± he says, sounding as though he is eluding to something that I don¡¯t quite understand.


    I blink, dazed.


    ¡°But things happened and now we are here¡­everything happened that wasn¡¯t meant to, so now it¡¯s time to be transparent because there is no going back now,¡± Noah breathes.


    I stare at him nkly. ¡°Noah, none of this is making any sense.¡±


    ¡°The special person is you, Abe,¡± he says grimly. ¡°You¡¯re not just Cian¡¯s mate, you¡¯re mind too.¡±

 Chapter 32

    ~Abe


    I didn¡¯t believe him.


    You can¡¯t just have two mates. If it happens, it¡¯s extremely rare to the point where people don¡¯te out to be honest with people about their mates, knowing curiosity would drive anyone to crazy lengths to find out how they could get a second mate themselves. In my life, as short as it has been, I¡¯ve never known, or heard of anyone who has had a second mate.


    It simply¡­ doesn¡¯t happen. So as I stare into Noah¡¯s earnest gaze, I¡¯m stunned. I can¡¯t believe it, and most importantly, I don¡¯t want to believe it. I don¡¯t want to ept the deception from both Cian and Noah.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± is all I manage to choke out. I¡¯m hoping that grim expression will erupt intoughter, at his disbelief that I would believe such a ridiculous im.


    But he remains solemn.


    ¡°We wanted to tell you, but we promised each other we would stay out of your life, to avoid conflict, and to put such a difficult decision on you. I hope you understand,¡± Noah says warily, observing my expression carefully, as if he knows I¡¯m about to explode.


    Despite the fire in the room, my skin is ice cold. I don¡¯t stare at the marking on his wrist, but at the skin beneath it. Just one touch and I could determine that we are mates. But like with Cian, I¡¯m scared. I don¡¯t want to know if I¡¯m his mate, because if I am, I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do. I don¡¯t know if I can handle two mates.


    ¡°You both decided what was good for me, then?¡± I say sourly. Noah blinks a few times, swallowing ufortably. Here I was, living my life, with them both knowing my fate before I did.


    I might be sick¡­


    ¡°We decided that because Cian is a Sin, and I¡¯m this Demon like creature, it would be better not to tell you. We had a contract, too, but Cian broke it, knowing there isn¡¯t much I could do,¡± Noah tells me. He¡¯s not trying to me Cian, but it clearly bothers him. It bothers me too, but that¡¯s something I¡¯ll speak to himter about.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want two mates,¡± I breathe covering my face with my hands.


    ¡°I don¡¯t me you. Anything you want to do, you can. Choose Cian, Ipletely understand, or don¡¯t choose either of us. Just know you don¡¯t owe us anything,¡± Noah assures me. I¡¯m not sure if that should make me feel better or not.


    Getting to my feet, I rub my arms. I should touch him. I should touch his bare skin and confirm that we are mates, instead of just believing him.


    But in reality, I know he wouldn¡¯t lie to me about this.


    ¡°I need to speak to Cian,¡± I mutter, mainly to myself. I¡¯m pacing, at this point, already wondering how I¡¯m going to approach him with this. Noah gets to his feet, looking anxious.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°No, why don¡¯t you stay here and I¡¯ll talk you through things. Cian might not react the way you want him to,¡± Noah reminds me. I shake my head at him. As much as I would like to stay behind and try to wrap my head around it all, with the calming, understanding tone from Noah, I need to confront Cian. What else has he been hiding from me?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Noah. But Cian need to exin himself to,¡± I tell him.


    Noah takes a deep breath, shuddering. ¡°Do you not like me? Does the idea of being with me upset you so much you have to leave? Because if that¡¯s the truth, that¡¯s okay. But would you not consider giving me a chance? Because nothing would make me happier than having a mate.¡±


    It practically broke my heart hearing him say that, like he doubts I want anything to do with him. In all honesty, I¡¯ve felt things for Noah I thought I was wrong for fearing. Turns out, it was the mate-bond in effect, but that doesn¡¯t make me feel any less guilty. As much as I want to stay, by this fire, I have to leave. It tugs at my heart, but I don¡¯t just have Noah to deal with, but Cian to.


    I stop myself from my near attempt to grab his hand, tofort him. ¡°Trust me, it¡¯s not like that. Why don¡¯t we talk about thister.¡±


    Noah notes reluctantly. ¡°Okay. But don¡¯t always feel like you can trust Cian. Because you can¡¯t.¡±


    ***


    Cian responding to my calls almost immediately, almost like he was waiting.


    Sitting on the edge of my bed, fingers knotted in front of me, I flinch as he walks straight in through my door. His name had just slipped past my lips, a call enough to summon him from whatever immortal realm he came from. As he entered, the door mmed against the wall in his wake, an expression of both confusion, and maybe sadness painted across his face.


    ¡°You finally realised you should be spending time with your mate instead of-¡°


    ¡°I know Noah is my mate as well.¡±


    Cian¡¯s expression melts awaypletely, leaving nothing but a vacant, confused look. Even his stature detes, the words once on his lips now having died away. He knows there is no possible excuse he could muster that would exin away the mate bond between Noah and I, even if I haven¡¯t confirmed it with him.


    His confusion quickly morphs into a flicker of anger. ¡°He told you, did he? What else did he tell you?¡±


    ¡°He told me you both wanted to keep it from me for my safety, because you cared about me. He then told me you broke the promise between you two that I would never find out by either of your hand,¡± I admit. I¡¯m trying to be calm, to not get angry. But I can¡¯t wrap my head around why Cian would break the agreement, especially in the way that he did. I know we are mates, but he¡¯s immortal¡­ was it really that hard to stay away from me?


    Cian turns around, pacing across my room with his hands delved through his hair. I was the glimmer of gold as if falls past his fingertips, such a strange, immortal trait. I don¡¯t hate Cian for this, I¡¯m just confused and bothered that I went this whole time without knowing. Not to mentioned the idea of having two mates is¡­ terrifying.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t how I wanted you to find out. I was going to tell you eventually, but I needed to make sure Noah wasn¡¯t going to pull the trigger. Guess he proved to me exactly what he is capable of,¡± Cian mutters.


    I frown. ¡°He had to tell me. I mean, him and I are connected, even in a way you and I are not. We are of the same¡­ being. I don¡¯t know how many other Demon people are out there.¡±


    Cian sighs. ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°But right now, I¡¯m upset at both of you, and I¡¯m not sure exactly what I need to decide. I can¡¯t have two mates, and there is no way you or Noah is going to want to deal with each other for the rest of our lives¡­ especially when the rest of our lives could be for a long time,¡± I tell him. Cian¡¯s face immediately morphs into one of anger, confirming that there is no way he will share me with Noah.


    Suddenly he¡¯s on his knees in front of me, cing his hands beside me on the bed. ¡°Come with me. Come with me far away, we don¡¯t have to worry about any of this for awhile. Just you and me. It will make it easier for you to make your decision, if you have to make it.¡±


    I¡¯m stunned, unsure of what to say for a moment. His offer is out of desperation, as if he has suspected the way I¡¯ve felt for Noah recently, and is frightened I¡¯m going to choose him instead.


    I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m going to do.


    ¡°I can¡¯t leave without speaking to Noah properly. I left him stunned toe here and see you. I wanted you to know how mad I am at you, but also, I wanted to know why you lied to me,¡± I tell him. I can only imagine what Noah is thinking back at his estate, knowing I left him toe see Cian. I hate myself for it, but I had no other choice. I needed to speak to Cian¡­


    Cian grabs my hands tightly. ¡°Because I¡¯m a Sin. I¡¯m Greed, and I needed you to myself, because everyone loves Noah. They love him because they don¡¯t know all his dark secrets. For once I want something for myself¡­ a mate.¡±


    My heart practically stutters at his words, but he keeps speaking.


    ¡°If you choose me, we can separate your bond from Noah. Then you can be just me,¡± Cian says, my eyes widening in response. ¡°I can get the Gaze Reader right now.¡±

 Chapter 33

    ?Abe


    We met with the Gaze Reader the next day.


    It took me almost a whole night to convince Cian that I didn¡¯t want to use the Gaze Reader to separate the mate bond. I couldn¡¯t just make a decision overnight, when I¡¯ve barely spoke to Noah, and Cian has been nothing but frantic. But his desperation has lead me to remain sitting here, right in front of a Gaze Reader.


    I demanded he leave the room, which thankfully, heplied to that much. But as I sit here, gripping the edge of my wooden seat, I wonder what I¡¯m going to do next. I¡¯ve never needed to be in front of a Gaze Reader before. They frighten me.


    They are half Phantom like creatures, with the ability to look into anyone¡¯s gaze and retract segments of their memory. From what they have seen, and what they might see in the future.


    Right now, I don¡¯t want someone sifting through my brain. But I don¡¯t have much choice.


    ¡°You¡¯re not here to have the mate bond separated, are you?¡± the Gaze Reader drawls, voice thick with an unintelligible ent. I swallow, but the lump in my throat goes nowhere. The Readers eyes are a foggy, purple colour, already feeling like they are drawing out my thoughts before the ritual has even started.


    He¡¯s right, I¡¯m not. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m going to go through the process of separating a mate bond, which Cian tried to convince me wouldn¡¯t be painful, but I hardly believe him. Not without  knowing in my mind what I actually want. I haven¡¯t given Noah a chance, so I¡¯vee here hoping this Gaze Reader will look into my eyes and tell me what I really want.


    Cian doesn¡¯t know this yet¡­ I know he wouldn¡¯t agree.


    ¡°I¡¯m hoping you can tell me something that I don¡¯t know about myself,¡± I say uneasily, shifting in my seat. This Gaze reader has apletely shaved head, incoherent patterns tattooed all across his skin. It¡¯s only highlighted by the golden jewellery hanging from his lips, nose, eyebrows and ears.


    ¡°Is this about your mate outside?¡± he questions. He hasn¡¯t yet started looking into my eyes yet, but he¡¯s clearly reading my expression. Or maybe he watched my wariness around Cian. It¡¯s not because he¡¯s an immortal, I¡¯m over that now, but because I¡¯m still getting over the lie he¡¯s kept from me the entire time I¡¯ve known him.


    I chew the edge of my lip. ¡°I have two mates. And I need to know which one is better for me. I know you¡¯re here to split the mate-bond, or at least start the process, but I can¡¯t do that right now. Please just look into my head and tell me who I end up with.¡±


    The Gaze Reader doesn¡¯t reply right away, eyebrows furrowing. They cast their eyes toward the door, which Cian no doubt is standing behind, waiting for an answer.


    ¡°Your mate is paying me.¡±


    ¡°Cian is Greed, he has all the money in the world. He will pay you, if you do this for me. He¡¯s not going to be mad at anyone but me,¡± I tell him, hoping that¡¯s true. I honestly don¡¯t know what Cian is capable of. ¡°Please. I beg of you.¡±


    The Gaze reader grabs the edge of my seat, dragging me with a sudden unknown strength closer to the point our knees were touching. There¡¯s something so much more frightening about these people close up. The milky eyes, the stench of magic leaking from their skin. It is adds up, but they have no power outside their mind reading abilities.


    ¡°I¡¯m doing this, because no immortal will control what I want to do. Including a Sin,¡± they say sternly, grabbing either side of my face with chillingly cold hands. Forcing my gaze into theirs, a wave of dizziness hits me, and my sight sinks into a pools of bright vivid colours.


    Time passes at a strange frequency. I¡¯m not sure how long it has been when I¡¯m finally released from the Gaze Reader¡¯s grasp, my head lolling back.


    It takes me a good few moments for me toe back to.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if you want to know the information that I found,¡± is all they say. I stare nkly at them, unsure of what any of this means for a second. It then dawns on me that he likely hold a a piece of my future in his hand, that one action from me couldpletely change. But he knows it, and I don¡¯t, and that scares me.


    Because now I¡¯m not even sure I want to know.


    ¡°Tell me. Do you know who I¡¯m going to choose?¡± I ask. Just saying those words make my tone shudder. Now I¡¯m doubting whether I should be asking these questions. What if I hear a disappointing answer. Would either of the answers be disappointing? I haven¡¯t let myself think about who I would prefer as my mate.


    The Gaze Reader nods solemnly. ¡°You have the choice to not know. This may change the future if you do, so consider it carefully.¡±


    ncing at the door, I let my mind wander. This decision doesn¡¯t have to change anything, if I don¡¯t want it to. Maybe I could deal with having two mates. Maybe they would get used to it, as unfair as it might seem.


    ¡°Just tell me. I¡¯m not going to be able to leave this room without knowing who it is,¡± I decide. I¡¯m not going to be able to keep both of my mates around with making a decision, so instead of losing both, I¡¯m going to need to know who my best option is. Future me must have known something I didn¡¯t, so hopefully this will make the process quicker.


    As long as I don¡¯t change my mind.


    ¡°You go with the safest option. The option that makes the most sense in keeping yourself safe. But most importantly, you feel an obligation to him, like you owe him the bond over anyone else, because it came first,¡± the Gaze Reader tells me, tone bored and drawn out.


    I don¡¯t even need to know who he is talking about to realise what he is meaning. ¡°You¡¯re saying I pick Cian over Noah?¡±


    The Gaze Reader shrugs. ¡°I think you¡¯ll know when ites to it. But remember, you can always change your mind. What I see isn¡¯t a permanent future. It can be manipted but, but I do warn you, I am a ve to Time, so I can¡¯t tell you exactly what may happen. But I can warn you. This isn¡¯t the only problem I see from your future. Prepare for a great amount of pain very soon, and I suggest trusting the person you might think is your biggest enemy.¡±


    His admission shocks me, but he doesn¡¯t give me enough time to respond, getting to his feet before letting Cian back in the room, leaving me to consider everything he just told me.


    And honestly, it¡¯s terrifying.


    ***


    Cian left swiftly after.


    It didn¡¯t take much to exin to him why I didn¡¯t want to separate the bond yet¡­ main;y because he didn¡¯t want to stay long enough to hear me. Maybe it¡¯s jealousy, but he left before he could even consider getting angry at me. At least it¡¯s given me time to go over what the Gaze Reader said to make sense of it. After being unable toe to a conclusion on what any of it means, I decide to go back to see Noah, hoping he will help me.


    Evening has just fallen as I walk slowly up to his front door. Do I tell him why I was seeing a Gaze Reader in the first ce? Do I tell him everything that the Gaze Reader said? No, that¡¯s not important right now.


    The moment I step through the front door, he appears at the top of the stairs. Concern is painted across his entire face, but it remains the centre of my attention for only a moment.


    Pain strikes me right in the thigh, aggressive and hot.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    Falling to the ground, I scream. The paines in waves, pulsing underneath my skin. Looking down, crimson blood spreads across my pants, right where I know the mark is. Tearing at the fabric, I look up at Noah desperately, who races down the stairs, meeting me at the bottom.


    ¡°It¡¯s the mark,¡± I say restlessly through a breathless gasp. wing at my pants, I consider cutting the mark free, desperate for the pain to stop as it fogs all rational part of my brain. I want to w my skin off, I want to scream and beg Noah to make it stop.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, we will get you help,¡± Noah tells me, holding my back. Despite the calm confidence in his voice, I know through my desperation that there is no way he knows how to help me.


    The door closing behind me makes me jump, looking over my shoulder, the fear that consumes me is far greater than this pain will ever amount to.


    Stace.


    ¡°I think I should take it from here,¡± he murmurs.

 Chapter 34

    ~Abe


    The moment I see him, I know it¡¯s him.


    All the memories I lost from the moment I died flooded back to me. Not to mention the other night, where he came into my room and marked me with that demon mark. He is just as frightening, and not because of his impressive stature. The way he looks at me casts a shadow of fear within me, especially knowing he is the one who killed me.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Noah questions, putting himself between Stace and I. Whoever Stace is, immortal or not, doesn¡¯t seem at all bothered by an Alpha¡¯s demand. Instead, he¡¯s focused on my leg, which is outstretched in front of me, blood still pouring out through my jeans.


    ¡°Get out of my way,¡± Stace demands, brushing past Noah with ease. I can see the concern on his face, but no one in this room is about to question Stace.


    Neither of us really knows what he is.


    He looks¡­ normal, to a degree. His hair appears brown, curled slightly, his eyes darker than pure obsidian. But up his neck, stopping at his jawline, are sworls of strange, foreign tattoos, ck from a distance, until hees closer, and in the light, I see a violet hint. I¡¯m not sure how that¡¯s possible, either his choice, or magic. Either way, I¡¯ve never seen anything like it.


    ¡°You need to remove your pants so I can get ess to your skin,¡± he says, kneeling down in front of me. His fingers reach up to the leg of my pants, but he doesn¡¯t touch me. His gloves are a dark velvet, leading up to a ck jacket that hides the rest of him away from my view.


    I glower at him, despite the pain, despite how confused I am about everything, I can¡¯t help but feel one overwhelming feeling.


    Anger.


    ¡°You did this to me. You did this to me and youe in here trying to get me to take my pants off. I don¡¯t even know you, or what you want with me,¡± I growl. I have so much more to say to him, but I can¡¯t get it out. Just saying those words left me breathless, arching my back as painnces through me. Never have I felt pain this overwhelming.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to help you,¡± he mutters. He sounds bored, tired even, as if he has better ces to be than here, dealing with me. His ent sounds foregin, too, like something I swear I¡¯ve heard before, but in a dream. It¡¯s deep, rough around the edges.


    Noah watches, face pale, expression impassive. He isn¡¯t interfering, almost like he is seized with panic, or maybe because he knows something I didn¡¯t.


    ¡°I¡¯m not taking my pants off for a stranger,¡± I snap.


    A breath loosens from Stace¡¯s mouth, before he reaches up, grabbing at the fabric of my pants, ripping it away. It exposes nothing but one leg, but I¡¯m mortified, the pain too much for me to move away from him. Pulling off his gloves, he ces his bare fingertips just below the wound. I want to scream at him to pull away, to get himself off me, until the pain suddenly starts to ebb away.


    I watch a purple glow spread from his fingers, appearing under my skin before it disappears into the wound. I want to gag, to pull away, but the immediate feeling of relief that consumes me has me leaning more into his touch. In less than a few seconds, the wound begins closing up, the blood vanishing, leaving nothing but a thin scar along my skin.


    A reminder of what just happened that will never leave me.


    Copsing back onto the bed, I rx all my limbs, feeling the adrenaline pump through me. As it slowly goes a way, Ie to terms with what just happened. I¡¯ve lost all energy to curse at him, to even inquire into who he is. I just want to sleep upon these covers.


    But then a hand slips through mine, and I¡¯m being pulled up back into sitting position.


    ¡°You need a hot drink. Alpha, get her a hot drink,¡±


    Stace demands, not even gracing Noah with a nce. Noah doesn¡¯t move, staring at me and where the wound had once been. He¡¯s clearly as dumbfounded as I am, wondering where this magic came from. I¡¯ve already determined Stace is insane, just like Noah told me once. But I¡¯m the one who knows nothing about him, unlike Noah, who apparently has been in contact with him before.


    When Noah doesn¡¯t move, Stace turns to look at him over his shoulder. ¡°Go. What am I going to do to your mate alone that I haven¡¯t already?¡±


    There¡¯s a touch of humour in his tone, which has my stomach turning over. I have an idea. Kill me.


    Noah gives me onest look before he turns and walks out the door. I want to beg him to stay here, to help me against this crazy, magical man, but I can¡¯t bring myself to do it. So Stace and I sit in this room, him still kneeling in front of me, wondering what his ns are for me next.


    ¡°Why? Noah told me I¡¯m some kind of daemon or something, and you¡¯re a King, but none of that makes sense. How have I not heard of that before?¡± I questions, my voice hoarse from my screams of pain.


    ¡°I¡¯m a King from another realm. I use my powers to disguise my territory, where other daemons roam free. I¡¯m the King there, I run everything. And soon you will join me there,¡± he tells me. Nothing about his tone, about the way he looks at me with that closed off gaze suggests he is lying, or that he is making fun of me. This might be true, I might be what he is telling me I am, and I might have to return with him to where he came from.


    No.


    I pull my legs up away from him. ¡°No. You¡¯re not going to take me away. I have mates here, I have a life. I¡¯m mortal¡­ or at least I was. I¡¯ve loved such a normal life, why do this to me now?¡±


    ¡°Your true mate will follow you to my territory to live. It¡¯s safe enough for you to now join and live freely from where immortals once killed daemons as they were a threat. Equally, if not more powerful. You¡¯re mated to one of those immortals who participated in one of the worlds most gruesome culling of our people in history. He will do the same to you to ensure we never have enough power to return. You must not tell him a word, and break off the bond,¡± Stace tells me lowly.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    The information strikes me clear in the chest. No, he¡¯s lying. I have no reason to believe this man who killed me, and now ims the colour of my blood determines I¡¯m another creaturepletely, isn¡¯t lying. Even if Cian¡¯s dramatic response to the idea of me being a daemon makes a lot of sense now.


    Because he knows I¡¯ll be killed by other immortals if anyone finds out.


    ¡°I need to get out of here. I need to get away. Let me live my life without a mate, without all this drama. I don¡¯t need two mates, I don¡¯t need this,¡± I say, my voice raising to the point of a strangled yelp. I try to stand, to push Stace away, but the moment I¡¯m on my feet, my legs begin to tremble. Stace reaches out, grabbing my arms to keep me stable.


    ¡°Let me exin everything to you. Why you have two mates, what your powers are, why I waited to tell you. But you must sit down and be calm,¡± Stace says quietly, voice soothing, but not enough to still my nerves. I can¡¯t trust anyone but myself. My life has been turned upside down and I want none of it.


    I push past him, stumbling out of the room. Using door frames and the walls, I guide myself down the hallway on my weak legs, desperate to get out of here.


    ¡°You can¡¯t run from this. You won¡¯t leave your mates,¡± Stace says from behind me.


    He doesn¡¯t make an effort to chase me though, so I ignore him, begin my walk down the stairs. Noah ising up, meeting me halfway, cup in hand no doubt filled with the hot liquid Stace demanded from him. He startles at the sight of me walking.


    ¡°Abe. You need to rest,¡± he says softly.


    Reaching up, I grasp his face in both my hands, and pull him toward me. We kiss, for what doesn¡¯t feel like the first time, but must be. The sparks are there, undeniably so, and feel better than anything that has touched my skin thus far. It doesn¡¯t feel wrong, or that I¡¯m betraying Cian. It feels good, the heady scent of him, the taste on his lips which are unbelievably soft.


    I can feel his surprise, but he doesn¡¯t pull away until I do. Wiping my lips, I give him onest longing look.


    ¡°You¡¯re a good man Noah, and a good Alpha. But I can¡¯t do this. I need time to think. I need to go,¡± I tell him. I don¡¯t stick around to hear his surprise, or to listen to any reason that might convince me of my mistake. Energy has returned, and although my head spins, I¡¯m down the stairs and out the door in a second, before Noah even has a chance to process what I¡¯m telling him.


    Once I¡¯m outside, I¡¯m already halfway down the path from his house, when I hear Noah¡¯s shout from behind me.


    ¡°If you leave, I¡¯ll find you. You¡¯re not safe on your own and you will realise it. Your mark burning will only return as you run from Stace. He is your King. We will hunt you down until we find you¡­¡±


    Maybe he says more, but I¡¯m around the corner and out of airshot before he can finish his sentence. Just hearing those words make me ill in my stomach. Him and Stace are working together, which is only another reason for me to flee.


    I have to take the chance for freedom. I need time to think. Even if it does cost me my life.

 Chapter 35

    ?Abe


    Three weekster.


    I flip the page of my book, listening to the sweet singing voices of the birds around me.


    Things are lonely here, but in a good way. The day I left Thought¡¯s estate, I collected enough of my things, and took a train to an unknown location. I¡¯m somewhere far enough away for me to feelfortable, giving me enough space to think. I¡¯ve booked myself in an inn surrounded by a small, quaint town. I¡¯ve spoken to very little people, ben under a fake name, and haven¡¯t mentioned once where I¡¯vee from.


    I haven¡¯t heard from Noah, Cian or Stace for these past few weeks, and it¡¯s been a relief. However, my current mission is trying to ignore the tugging feeling that is leaving my stomach feeling hollow. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s the mate bond, or this bond to Stace.


    Either way, I can¡¯t wait for it to go away. If it ever will.


    I¡¯m not going to pretend like every inch of my subconscious mind is begging me to return to my mates, which are no doubt hunting through the mortal realm looking for me. But so far, I haven¡¯t heard a thing.


    Turning another page, I avert my eyes from my sentence to the sunset before me, shading the neighbourhood with hues of coral and orange. I feel guilty, of course, that I left in such a way. But what could they expect? One of my mates wants me to leave my life for another realmpletely, and another who will kill me if he ends up believing I am what I am.


    I don¡¯t even want to admit it at this point. Even if I believe them, I don¡¯t want to admit that I¡¯m anything like them¡­ even if I don¡¯t know what that is. Maybe I have powers I haven¡¯t explored, and maybe this other realm is beautiful, but then I have to think about Cian.


    It¡¯s just too much now.


    Wincing, I look down at the tiny hurt on my thumb, a simple cut from the page of my book. I watch as blood seeps from the small wound, the brilliant violet colour glowing under the beams of the setting sun. I can¡¯t change that about myself, but I need more time toe to terms with this. I need time before I can look Noah and Cian in the eyes again, and have Stace exin my life to me.


    But no doubt they are hot on my tail. Cian has his magic to track me, and Noah is an Alpha with unknown abilities.


    Wiping the blood away, I get to my feet, walking back inside off the porch and into my room. My clothes are a mess everywhere, my life in an untidy shambles since everything has happened. I¡¯ve been attempting to do my own research into these daemon creature I am supposedly rted to, but nothinges up. Not even in the local library, as if nothing on this exists. It makes me doubt how real this all is¡­ what if this is some kind of screwed up dream.


    No, of course it¡¯s not. But one could hope.


    I decided on a walk to get dinner. This ce doesn¡¯t have much around, remaining near uncivilised aside from a few nice ces. I¡¯m fairly certain we are in a good neighbourhood in the Freedom Pack, but I¡¯ve never had the heart to ask a clerk at a store in case they start asking questions back.


    Waiting for my dinner, sitting outside on a bench I enjoy the warmth of dusk. I like how peaceful it is here, as night begins to fall. I¡¯ve never been out much, but it makes me wonder, is it always this quiet out when night falls? For some reason, it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up on ends. I know this ce is quiet, but it¡¯s unlikely that the sight of night falling would have everyone hiding within their homes.


    Loosening a breath, I turn to walk back inside the diner where I had order food to take away. However, the door is locked no matter how much I try it, and the lights inside have gone dim.


    I need to get out of here.


    Maybe it¡¯s just a coincidence. Maybe I¡¯m overthinking because being on the run leaves you constantly looking over your shoulder, but I need to get my things and hope on the next train is due soon. I know the fear immortals elicit when they arrive in ces, and I¡¯ve yed with fate being here knowing Cian could track me down at any moment.


    Walking down the path, I see the inn I¡¯ve been staying in in the distance. If I just make it back there, I can get my things and leave. Thankfully the train station is nearby, but no matter where I go, Cian will be able to track me without an issue.


    I don¡¯t want to run forever. I don¡¯t want to ruin my chance at having a mate forever, I just needed space without either of my mates trying to manipte me.


    Even if they don¡¯t know they are doing it.


    Suddenly, I¡¯m stopped short, as a figure steps out onto the path in front of me, seeming to practically step out of the shadows. Flinching back, I immediately assume it¡¯s either Stace or Cian, however, as they step closer, I realise that there is no way I know them like I know my mate. But I definitely know who they are, from books, from television.


    It¡¯s Alpha Grayson.


    I figured I was in the Freedom Pack, but it¡¯s one of thergest ones in the mortal realm, so it can¡¯t be a coincidence that he¡¯s standing before me right now. He looks exactly how I expected from the little I¡¯ve seen of him and the way he has been exined in books. Dark hair, silvery eyes. He doesn¡¯t look as feral as I expected, but he does have a wild look in his eyes that I have no interest in exploring.


    ¡°You¡¯re here because of Noah, aren¡¯t you?¡± I say softly, my voice echoing through the street despite my low tone. I figure Noah had all his Alpha friends looking for me, and Grayson finally pin-pointed me here, in his Pack. Now that I think about it, it¡¯s an obvious choice to hide away from your problems. Not many people willinglye in here, even if the Alpha has been more lenient in letting strays into his Pack.


    ¡°I think you shoulde back to my estate,¡± he tells me lowly, ent so thick I almost can¡¯t decipher what he is saying to me. But I know that despite his warm tone, he¡¯s not going to let me walk away without following.


    So Iply.


    We walk side by side, through the forest. I don¡¯t know anything about the Freedom Pack, but I doubt there is much here by means of transport, other than the train I came in on. But Grayson doesn¡¯t seem bothered by our traverse through the darkening forest, so I silently pray the walk won¡¯t be too much.


    ¡°I¡¯m not ready to go back to them yet,¡± I tell him uneasily. I don¡¯t know how much he knows, but I assume Noah told him enough. His grim expression tells me enough.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    ¡°We need to face our issues, or they will always haunt us.¡± He tells me slowly, not looking at me once, but straight ahead. ¡°Noah is a powerful man. There is no ce you can hide from him without Alpha¡¯s knowing. So unless you want to be Packless, I suggest speaking to him, anding to an understanding.¡±


    I can¡¯t help the exhale of amusement thates from me. ¡°For one of the youngest Alpha¡¯s, you appear rather wise.¡±


    He doesn¡¯t say anything, instead ducking under a particrly low branch, motions for me to follow. As I do so, I let the foliage brush my face as a clearing beyond is finally revealed. A massive, beautiful manor which flows brilliantly under the full moonlight.


    ¡°Wee to my home,¡± he says lightly.


    ***


    ~Noah


    ¡°You lost her?¡±


    Loosening a breath, I stare grimly at the flustered immortal before me. His face is red, making the golden colour in the roots of his hair re brightly. Cian has always let his emotions get the best of him, but I suppose that¡¯s he curse of being a Sin. Despite having all of time to consider this fact and work on it, he has indulged in his flippant personality. That¡¯s why Abe has doubts about him.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t lose her,¡± I say slowly, tapping the tips of my fingers impatiently on the surface of the table. ¡°She left on her own vition. She needed space, so I granted her that.¡±


    Cian and I have had this exact conversation weeks ago. He still hasn¡¯te to terms with it, and his anger has done nothing but hinder his search for our mate. It¡¯s made him blind, skewed with his senses.


    ¡°Something may have happened to her. Stace may have found her,¡± he says, digging his fingers deeply into his hair. I haven¡¯t told him I¡¯ve been keeping an eye on her through Alpha Grayson since she arrived in his Pack. My first emotionspelled me to drag her back here, but I pushed that away. If she wants space, then she will be granted that.


    But now¡­ now she must return.


    ¡°She¡¯s fine. No doubt she ran from your in the first ce. You are the one who wanted her species dead for so long,¡± I tell him. He has known for quite some time about what I am, but due to my position as Alpha, he could never do anything about it. Immortals have killed daemons for as long as I can remember. I can tell Cian knows what she is, but is determined not to believe it, so he isn¡¯t faced with an immortals moral duty to exterminate every daemon.


    Cian pales. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t hurt her. No matter what she is. But no one else can know.¡±


    ¡°I know. Which is why I¡¯m going to take her to the new realm. Where immortals like you can¡¯t get to her,¡± I tell him strictly. He blinks, clearly not believing me.


    But I¡¯mpletely serious.

 Chapter 36

    ?Abe


    I can still hardly believe I¡¯m standing in Alpha Grayson¡¯s home.


    It¡¯s much nicer than I expected a Freedom Pack manor to be. Grayson has decorated it quite nicely, but the whitewashed walls and eclectic furnishings are the least of my concerns. He has brought me here toy me upon a tter for Noah toe and collect. As much as I¡¯m resentful, I should have known this wouldn¡¯tst long.


    Clearly Noah has given me a head start. Now he¡¯s caught up.


    ¡°I¡¯m Lexia,¡± someone says from behind me, making me jump. Turning on my heels, I see that standing beside Grayson, it¡¯s a girl. Pretty, tall, blonde, she stares at me with nothing but kindness in her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you Abe, even if we don¡¯t have much time to be acquainted.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I question. I know of Lexia, as Alpha Grayson¡¯s mate. She is the Luna of this Pack, and of equal importance. I¡¯m not sure why she has any interest in getting to know me.


    Grayson and Lexia exchange nces before she speaks. ¡°We are thankful you chose our Pack to take residence in, as we are close to Noah, and when he told us you were here, we were of course willing to help. So the fact that you are here works out perfectly.¡±


    ¡°Noah is our friend. We would do anything for him,¡± Grayson adds.


    Despite the dryness in my throat, I swallow. I wish I could run away again, as reality sinks in. I assumed I would be able to return and everything would work out, that I got my freedom and now I have to face the problems I fled from. Now, this powerful Alpha and Luna are going to turn me in to my mate, and I¡¯m not sure I want that yet.


    ¡°Just get it over with,¡± I mutter. I expect to turn around and be lead into a car where I will be returned back to Noah¡¯s back, but instead, I¡¯m surprised to see him emerge from a room I hadn¡¯t noticed was there in the first ce.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    He hasn¡¯t changed a bit, although he does look tired. Shadows darkened his under eyes, making the emerald colour only more vibrant. He¡¯s always dressed nicely, which must be mandatory as an Alpha, in at least some kind of dark button-up shirt. As frightened as I am by my future, I just want to walk up and brush those obsidian strands of hair from his eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re okay,¡± he breathes.


    I look down at myself. ¡°I suppose. I haven¡¯t been up to much, and haven¡¯t put myself in any danger. I haven¡¯t even noticed the absence of Stace, which I was warned about.¡±


    ¡°I thought I gave you enough time, but at the end of the day, I promised I would hunt you down until I found you. So here I am,¡± Noah tells me solemnly. He doesn¡¯t regreting here though, taking me away from this life. He wants to return me to the life I had before¡­ but what even was my life? Working for him, not knowing I had two mates? That¡¯s what I want at least.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go then,¡± I say grimly.


    We don¡¯t say anything, as we farewell Lexia and Grayson, and get into Noah¡¯s awaiting car. The silence continues into most of our drive, until finally Noah speaks up.


    ¡°So no reaction to being away from Stace?¡± Noah questions, looking at the road, but still ncing constantly at me. Loosening a breath, I think about the mark he created, and how he healed it. It will happen again, he promised me, if he is absent. Thinking about the amount of pain I was in makes me nervous, but I¡¯m still not desperate to return to his presence.


    ¡°No. What does he want with me? I get he¡¯s meant to be the King, or whatever, but I can¡¯t be bonded to him for the rest of my life,¡± I say.


    I watch Noah bite the edge of his lip. ¡°I know it feels confusing, but Daemons, or any kind of immortal hybrids for that matter are in serious danger here in this world. Stace is a King, but his main job is to ensure those in this realm are kept safe, and eventually, convince us all toe back. Because you¡¯re mated to a Sin, you¡¯re especially important to him.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want any of this. I should have used that Gaze Reader to remove all these mate-bonds. I don¡¯t want any of this, Noah,¡± I say, although at this point, it¡¯s just wordsing out of my mouth; I¡¯m not sure I mean any of it.


    Noah sighs. ¡°I understand.¡±


    Looking out through the car window and into the darkness, I see only my reflection. I appear vacant, skin sallow, eyes empty. All of this has changed me.


    ¡°But I have to face it. I have to face my other mate, I have to face Stace¡­ I can¡¯t keep running,¡± I breathe, resting my forehead against the cool nce. Noah reaches over, resting his palm on my knee, rubbing rhythmically. Just his touch has me rxing into the seat, allowing me to collect my thoughts, and begin considering what I¡¯m going to do when we return to the Harmony Pack.


    ¡°All I know is Cian is desperate to see you,¡± Noah says.


    Seeing his smile, I can¡¯t help myself but to do so too.


    ***


    ¡°Finally, you¡¯re back.¡±


    I can barely make a step into Noah¡¯s estate before Cian is rushing at me with what feels like immortal speed. Grabbing my shoulders, he pulls me toward him, his lips suddenly on mine. It¡¯s brief, but I can feel the desperation, the anger that I left him like this. When he pulls away, he looks me up and down with that dark gaze at his, inplete contrast to his golden roots of hair.


    He¡¯s speaking to me, but out of the corner of my eye, I notice Noah watching. An ufortable feeling settles over me that he is feeling, no doubt.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Cian, you can understand, right?¡± I ask him, hoping that despite his immortal dedencies, he can understand that I needed some breathing room from this whole situation. A muscle in his jaw flickers, as he shakes his head slowly at me.


    Brushing past, I go to stand in front of Noah, but Cian grabs my arm.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go near him, you don¡¯t know what he has nned for you,¡± Cian says lowly, even though he knows Noah can hear him just fine. ncing at Noah, I see a frown settle between his brows. Looking between them, I realise they have had a conversation that I haven¡¯t heard yet, that is clearly a point of contention between them.


    Noah¡¯s voice is steady. ¡°Cian, now is not the time, okay?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s not the time? What am I missing here?¡± I question, motioning for one of them to exin themselves. Noah¡¯s gaze is trained persistently on Cian, eyes slightly narrowed, challenging the immortal to utter a word about this secret they are keeping.


    Cian pulls me another step away from Noah, looking down at me. ¡°I know this is going to irritate you, but I need to speak with you, alone. It¡¯s in your best interest to just give me a moment of your time, even if you don¡¯t want to.¡±


    ¡°Abe don¡¯t, he¡¯s just going to lie to you,¡± Noah insists.


    But it¡¯s toote to hear him out. All of a sudden, my body feels as though it¡¯s falling, and immediately it hits me that Cian is transporting me away. Away from Noah.


    I don¡¯t scream, but I dosh out the moment my feet touch the ground. He is right beside me, so my hits reach his sides and his arms. He hardly flinches thought, grabbing my shoulders to steady me, letting my breathe out my anger. How dare he pull me away from Noah, when we have so much to talk about, so much to think about.


    ¡°Woah, calm down,¡± Cian demands, turning me around by my shoulders. ¡°Look where we are before you decide to explode at me.¡±


    My old apartment.


    It¡¯s dead empty, clearly vacant since I left, but it¡¯s definitely my apartment. On the carpet, where Sam spilt her wine in a drunken haze once. A mark on the wall where I tried my cooking skills in the kitchen and failed.


    ¡°Why here?¡± I question. It¡¯s not like him bringing me here is going to lead to my forgiveness for tearing me away from Noah¡¯s estate when all I wanted to talk. ¡°You know it¡¯s not very democratic of you, bringing me away so you can have your own discussion with me, instead of allowing Noah in on the information.¡±


    ¡°Well it just so happens that this information is about Noah. He told me about it, and clearly has no intention of telling you himself, so I¡¯ll do you the favour of imparting the knowledge,¡± Cian says, as I lean against the wall, tapping my foot impatiently.


    I re at him. ¡°So why bring me here?¡±


    ¡°I thought you would be morefortable knowing that Noah has full control over this Pack, and due to his weird daemonic abilities, can sense where you are at all times, as long as you are within his territory. I don¡¯t get it either, but maybe that will make you feel better,¡± Cian offers.


    I shrug. ¡°Not really, but if you¡¯re going to speak, do it.¡±


    Cian loosens a breath, his shoulders slumping, as if he¡¯s defeated. ¡°Noah is nning something. And I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll like it.¡±


    I narrow my eyes.


    ¡°He¡¯s nning to take you away, to this Daemon realm,¡± Cian says lowly. ¡°Which means you¡¯ll never see me again.¡±

 Chapter 37

    ?Abe


    At first, I don¡¯t believe him.


    ¡°There is no other realm Cian. I know you hate people like me, but that doesn¡¯t mean you can taint my view of Noah,¡± I tell him firmly. The sound of another realm sounds vaguely familiar, which I likely heard from Stace. But I refuse to believe that anything other than the world I¡¯ve known actually exists. Especially no other ce where there are people like me.


    Cian looks frustrated, beginning a steady pace back in forth from where I sit. He looks like he is trying to figure out the best way to exin this to me, but I¡¯ve already decided Cian is on a desperate sabotage mission, wanting to split Noah and I up as mates, to have me for himself.


    ¡°But there is. Me and a lot of other immortals have tried to ensure that was exists there, neveres out here. Now, Noah wants to take you there, away from me,¡± Cian tells me.


    ¡°I would have assumed that¡¯s what you want.¡±


    Cian pauses his persistent pacing, looking at me with a vacant expression for a moment. Then, he walks a few steps toward me, kneeling down on one leg in front of me. Seeing Cian serious is always an unnerving sight, but the way he is looking at me now sends a shiver down my spine, all of Noah and Stace¡¯s words about the Sin¡¯s and Deamon¡¯s floods back.


    ¡°Do you really think I want to kill you?¡± he ask, tone softening to the point it¡¯s like honey. The concern in his eyes is real, and I know for sure that he doesn¡¯t have any intention to kill me. Yet the tense feeling in my stomach doesn¡¯t subside.


    ¡°You may not kill me, but your siblings will,¡± I tell him.


    He grabs my leg. ¡°Don¡¯t you think I can protect you? They won¡¯t find out, and even if they did, I could protect you from them better than Noah can.¡±


    Just the thought of the other Sins sends my mind into dark ces. Cian only acts the way he does around me because I¡¯m his mate. Sin¡¯s are meant to be terrible, horrid people. Getting to know his siblings would be hard enough, even if I wasn¡¯t one of there biggest enemies. They would kill me the instant they had the opportunity, with no remorse.


    ¡°No one can protect me better than people who are actually like me,¡± I tell him. I¡¯ve never been around anyone like me, so I don¡¯t know how I would act with them, or if it would make me different from how I am now. ¡°People you would kill, if I weren¡¯t tied to them.¡±


    Cian closes his eyes briefly. ¡°Eradicating the Daemon¡¯s was necessary for the survival of this realm. But you were raised here, you¡¯re nothing like them. You have a chance to be normal, I can give you that.¡±


    I feel like that should offend me, but not knowing who I was for so long has numbed me.


    ¡°Being normal is being who I am,¡± I exin. Trying to ept Cian for being a Sin has been difficult enough. Now maybe I¡¯m starting to think we aren¡¯tpatible, even as mates. ¡°And your version of normal is different to mine. You want me to be by your side, while you party, and gamble, and do any other thing Greed would do.¡±


    ¡°I can change. I will change for you. Just don¡¯t go with Noah,¡± he begs. He¡¯s turned from being convincing to being desperate. This is a sign I should believe him, that Stace is going to take me to the realm he rules, to separate me from Cian. If that¡¯s the n, I don¡¯t know what to feel about it.


    All I know for sure, is that I¡¯m sick of no one telling me their ns. Noah and Cian lied to me for a long time, and now Cian wants me to himself, and Noah and Stace are plotting to take me elsewhere.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do, Cian.¡±


    Moving up from where he was kneeling on the floor, he sits next to me, grabbing my hands in his. ¡°You feel the bond between us. That won¡¯t go away until you choose who you want. If you chose me, we can be happy together, you can forget what you are.¡±


    I¡¯m not ready to chose. I¡¯m conflicted on what¡¯s best for me, and as much as I want to run away again, I have to face this. Cian needs answers, and so does Noah. But how can I choose? Both are my mates, even though having two mates is rare. Yet there is no way I can be with both; neither of them would allow that.


    ¡°I feel the bond, Cian,¡± I assure him, the sparks flowing between out hands right now is evidence of that enough. ¡°But you want a version of me that I¡¯m not.¡±


    You would kill me, if you could.


    ¡°You¡¯re everything I want. I want nothing else but you, Abe,¡± he says softly. Touching my face gently, Cian leans forward, eyes focusing on my lips. ¡°Let me prove it to you.¡±


    As he leans in, his intent clear, I can¡¯t bring myself to pull away. His lips touch mine, gently at first. Shivering at the feeling of the sparks that streak through me, I let him deepen the kiss, his handsing up to cradle the sides of my face. It feels good, for a brief moment, to be whisked away in the feeling of the matebond.


    If only it was that simple.


    ¡°Kissing me isn¡¯t going to convince me of anything,¡± I breathe, as I pull away, resting my forehead against his. He looks at me, dark gaze filled with pain¡­ as if he knows that if he doesn¡¯t convince me, that might be thest time we share a moment like that.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to make you realise that we are mates. We are meant to be together,¡± he murmurs, warm breath brushing up against my lips.


    I¡¯m not going to pretend like I¡¯m not attracted to Cian. Appearance wise, he¡¯s close to perfection, with sweeping cheekbones and a straight-cut jawline. Not to mention to uniqueness of his appearance, with his endless dark gaze that shows his emotions so openly, and the golden roots in his hair that shimmer under the light, growing up into the tips, which are pitch ck.


    ¡°Then help me get through this. Help me talk to Stace and learn more about myself. I¡¯ll make sure Noah doesn¡¯t take me to any other realm,¡± I bargain. Who knows how long Cian is going to keep me here, so at least if he involves himself with this issue, maybe we could make this work.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know-¡±


    All of a sudden, my leg burst into pain, like a me licking up my inner thigh, threatening to melt my skin. Looking downward, a purple stain grows through the fabric of my pants, making me grit my teeth. This bond with Stace hits at the most random times, since I managed to be away from it for all those weeks, but the moment I¡¯m with Cian, it strikes in full force.


    ¡°It¡¯s happening again. I need to get to Stace,¡± I growl at Cian, gripping my leg painfully, as I try to breath through excruciating feeling of my blood boiling beneath my skin. Cian jumps up, looking at the increasing blooding through my pants with an expression of horror.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    His fingers touch my leg, but immediately pull away as I wince at the pain. ¡°Isn¡¯t there something else you can do?¡±


    ¡°No Cian,¡± I mutter through rushed breathes. ¡°I¡¯m not just connected to you and Noah, but also Stace. Whatever he is, and whatever he wants with me.¡±


    Despite the clear unease on his face, he nods, picking me up in his arms, before he transports me away.


    ***


    We arrive in a rush of wind, colour and Noah and Cian¡¯s scent mixed.


    The moment it all fades, I open my eyes and see Noah standing in front of us, looking panicked. Behind him, Stance lounges back on the couch, looking at me without a care in the world. He clearly isn¡¯t threatened by the immortal Sin that has suddenly appeared in this room, making me wonder what a fight between the two would look like. A pureblood immortal versus an immortal daemon.


    ¡°Abe¡­ are you okay?¡± Noah immediately asks, going to reach for me, as Cian gently lowers me to my feet, but the immortal brushes the Alpha¡¯s hand off.


    ¡°Uh uh, Alpha, no touching,¡± Cianments slyly.


    He¡¯s back to being the ever amused immortal for the sake of Noah and Stace. It¡¯s his way of not appearing vulnerable, but I see right through it, knowing how nervous he would be considering both men in this room are Daemon¡¯s, and one if a King.


    Cian helps me over to the couch, as I sit next to Stace. He¡¯s still so strange, with those tattoos, which almost seem to shift under the light, appearing in different patterns each time I see him. But it¡¯s not nearly as frightening as his eyes. Pitch ck, eeriee, they are like and endless hole, full of mystery and unanswered questions. I see this, because I sitll have so many.


    ¡°Back already?¡± he says with that foregin lilt, looking me up and down with the faintest smile painted across his face. I roll my eyes, but pull my pants off anyway, making sure to cover myself enough so no one can see anything. Finally, the ces his hand by the wound, and is begins to disappear. ¡°Feeling better?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need you being smug. I¡¯m here for you to get rid of this bond, and to tell me everything you know,¡± I snap, tugging my shirt over my knees, clearly at him.


    He leans back into the couch, nodding. ¡°Well, what do you want to know? You belong to me now, don¡¯t you?¡±

 Chapter 38

    ?Abe


    I can¡¯t help but be taken aback. Seriously?


    If he thinks I belong to anyone, has a lot to catch up on. However, I don¡¯t speak on my thoughts, instead realising that this might be my only chance to get answers out of Stace about my future, and what he wants with me. So with asting nce at both Cian and Noah, I turn my attention to Stace letting the two settle into seats around us.


    ¡°You¡¯re a King,¡± I say, tasting the word on my tongue. It¡¯s not a term I¡¯m used to. In the mortal world, and immortal world, there are Alpha¡¯s, Luna¡¯s and Pureblood Immortals. They are the leaders. ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°It means I rule over a portion ofnd in our home realm, called a Territory. I personally rule over Territory Two, an expanse of cliffs, beaches and ocean,¡± he tells me.


    I shiver ufortably.


    ¡°If you¡¯re a King, then what do you want with me?¡± I question, ncing at Noah, who stares at his feet. He mentioned to me once that he is protecting his kind, that we are still hunted here, by immortals like Cian. But if there is an entire territory, or more of people like me, I don¡¯t understand why he would put effort into me¡­ or Noah.


    Stace shifts, his leg bumping mine, reminding me I¡¯m still pantless, underneath this covering. I don¡¯t care if Stace is on my side or not, he put me through enough for me to still not fully trust him. And the way he looks¡­ it¡¯s frightening. Moving tattoos that stop just at his jawline, eyes like an open door, that if you dare look too far into, will shut you in.


    ¡°You¡¯re not like others from my Territory. As you know, you bleed purple, which is a trait of my people, or Territory Two. It¡¯s unusual¡­ or should I say, heavily frowned upon to move territories. In some ces, if you¡¯re found to bleed another colour, you¡¯re imprisoned.


    I gape. ¡°How many Territories are there?¡±


    ¡°Six in total. None that you need to make yourself familiar with, as you bleed purple, therefore you belong to Two,¡± he tells me assuredly, the slightest hint of a smile on his face. It¡¯s a hint of patriotism for thend he rules over. It only heightens my curiosity about this ce. It sounds so magical, a ce born out of dreams.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t answer my question. What do you want with me?¡± I ask him. I happen to look over at Cian, who stares at Stace with an obvious wrath.


    ¡°Magic in my realm is separated in the Higher and Lower Arts. One is to be born with magic, but it is more often than not, not inherited. Those with Higher abilities are rare; so much so, they usually be nobility of some kind, depending on the politics andw within that Territory,¡± he exins.


    ¡°So?¡±


    Stace looks toward Noah, as if wondering whether he should impart this information or not. I want to shake him, shake both of them. I don¡¯t want them to hold anything back from me, especially when this about me, and my future.


    ¡°Noah and I assume your birth family brought you to this realm to protect you. I can sense that you have abilities of the Higher Arts. Perhaps they were afraid for your future if anyone found this out, and brought you here, where people believe Daemons are extinct,¡± Stace tells me grimly, waiting for a reaction that even he can¡¯t deal with.


    But it hardly sinks in. I know my parents. I know the way I was raised; happy, fine. Maybe I wasn¡¯t wealthy, but that hardly mattered.


    They are not like me. They do not bleed my colour.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Yet they weren¡¯t panicked. They never had answers they simply told me to keep it a secret.


    They knew.


    ¡°Stace is here to help you. To return you to safety, to grow your potential,¡± Noah tells me softly. I look at him, at those emerald eyes I have grown so fond oftely, and wonder what to do. How to take this information. Nothing is what it should be, and slowly, Stace is unraveling everything around me, and all that I care about is being dismantled.


    ¡°This is ridiculous. Don¡¯t you here this Abe? This creep and your so called mate want to take you away and use you. They want your power for themselves,¡± Cian says, although his voice seems distant in my mind. I look at him, seeing desperation, rage.


    And then, everything goes ck.


    ***


    I wake in a mess of sheets, my head aching.


    Groaning, I refuse to open my eyes. I can feel someone¡¯s hand on my leg, the possibility of sparks muted by the sheets. It¡¯s Noah, I can tell. His scent is soft, brushing against my senses insistently.


    Finally, I force my eyes open. It is Noah, sitting right beside me, brushing my hair from my face. For a moment, I feel a blissful peacefulness, like nothing is wrong in the world. My mate ¨C my only mate ¨C sits with me, in his home. And I¡¯m happy. But the momentsts only a few shuddering seconds, before reality hits me like a p in the fact.


    ¡°Where am I?¡± I question, sitting up. It takes me only a few seconds to realise I¡¯m in Noah¡¯s spare room, where I have spent a night before. As I sit up, he hands me a ss of water, which I down in seconds. A splitting headache has formed right between my temples.


    ¡°I sent Cian home so you could rest. Stace has also left, wanting to give you time,¡± Noah tells me softly. I blink, letting everything stream back into my mind.


    ¡°Wait, I didn¡¯t get all the answers I wanted.¡±


    Noah shakes his head. ¡°You had too much information at once. You need time to process it before we start giving you anymore. Clearly you¡¯re not able to handle it yet.¡±


    ¡°My parents are like me¡­ or I was given to other parents by my parents¡­ I don¡¯t know. All I know, is that everything in my life means nothing. Why should I be so worried? Apparently I¡¯m now bonded to a King, and you both want to take me somewhere and use my powers,¡± I say, practically all in one beat.


    Exhausted, I slump back against my pillow again. I¡¯m saying all this, but it is hard to ept. But I¡¯ve lived my entire life not having the best rtionship with myparents.


    ¡°Stace and I have been trying to find your birth parents, but so far we haven¡¯t been sessful,¡± Noah says grimly. I let that settle over me, like cold water drenching every pore of my body. ¡°I have no doubt they loved you. We will find them, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother,¡± I mutter.


    ¡°If it¡¯s worth anything to you, my parents weren¡¯t the best either,¡± Noah says, peaking my attention. ¡°They new of my power whenI was born, and came here. The sort a powerful position for me, so I would be safe, almost like hiding in in sight. They killed the entire Alpha bloodline, and put me in there ce. I¡¯ve had no other choice since.¡±


    I sigh. ¡°Okay, you win.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m looking for an escape, but I¡¯ve been trying to find out more about my origin, about how important it is to me, regardless of the abilities Stace might think that we possess. I think it might be important for you to find out too, despite who you might chose as your mate,¡± Noah says softly.


    As much as I hate to admit it, I am curious about this other realm, my untold abilities. I¡¯m curious about my other family, about the life I could have led if I wasn¡¯t brought here. But at the same time I¡¯m afraid. I want my old life back, my family, and Sam, my closest friend.


    I want to go back to when I didn¡¯t have a mate to worry about. Or two, for that matter.


    ¡°I just don¡¯t understand why Stace marked me with this, so I can¡¯t go anywhere. I know you say he is trying to protect me, but I¡¯ll admit, I don¡¯t get that feeling,¡± I mutter.


    Noah¡¯s gaze flickers to my leg, which is bare. Thankfully someone put shorts on me, which I don¡¯t allow myself to think too deeply into. The mark is there, right on my thigh. Why he chose there, I don¡¯t know, but just looking at it, now that it has healed over again, and shiver. Maybe it was a dig at Cian, or maybe a warning.


    ¡°You¡¯re powerful. You¡¯re worth a lot, which might not seem obvious now, but you are. Stace is a King, our King. We should at least try to give this a chance,¡± Noah says softly. I forget how good he can be sometimes, always so reasonable. Despite what Stace says, at the end of the day, I know Noah will respect any decision I make, whether I trust Stace or not.


    I loosen a breath, but the burden doesn¡¯t life from my shoulders. ¡°Does this mean I need to choose between you and Cian? As mates?¡±


    Noah appears grim. ¡°It¡¯s your choice, of course. But yes, I think the decision needs to be made.¡±

 Chapter 39

    ?Abe


    I see him sitting under a tree, back to me.


    As I approach, I can feel his strength, his power, and something elsepletely. I feel much better now, having recovered from my fainting spell. Yet I still feel light headed, at the thought of talking to him, of being near him. Noah doesn¡¯t know I came out here, as I asked for time alone. I have no idea where Cian is, either.


    I have to face him. I have to be alone with him, make sense of my situation. But as I walk closer, knowing he has already sensed me, I feel fear drape over me. This man is more powerful than myprehension, and yet I want to speak to him, to understand where he ising from.


    Stace doesn¡¯t even turn around, sitting at the edge of Noah¡¯s property on a small bench. It seems like such a mortal action for a King.


    If he is to be believed.


    Wordlessly, I sit next to him, drinking in the sunset he admires alongside me. I often forget how beautiful my Pack is. Brilliant emerald green meadows are doused with crimson and apricot colours, the sun bleeding thest of its warmth upon the world before it sinks below the surface. I nce toward Stace, the colours reflecting upon ebony eyes.


    ¡°You have a lot to think about,¡± he murmurs, the foregin lilt of his tone dancing across my skin, making me shiver. It¡¯s not only his voice that makes me wonder what it¡¯s like where he is from. Where I¡¯m from. Those tattoos, creeping up his neck like possessed tendrils stop short at his jawline, leaving his face clear, effortlessly wless.


    ¡°That¡¯s an understatement,¡± I mutter my reply, leaning back into the hard wood of the bench, wishing once again, that my life is simpler than it actually is.


    I miss Sam. I miss my apartment. But maybe, if I let myself think it, I would miss Cian and Noah more.


    ¡°If I have powers, what are they?¡± I ask lightly, curious, but also apprehensive. If I know, then I will expect it of myself, to be able to harness these fabled powers. Yet I¡¯ve never felt any different to my mortal, and immortal friends. Noah was the first person who I noticed to be doused in mystery, like he was hiding something from me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet. Where we are from, some people don¡¯t realise they even have powers until they are much older than you are now,¡± Stace tells me uneasily, expecting me to be disappointed, but a tight tension that had wrapped itself through my ribs finally releases.


    ¡°How do you know then? That I¡¯m special, or however you say it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s apart of my magic. I can determine when other people have powers of their own, whether they have discovered it or not. That¡¯s why I¡¯m so valuable as the King,¡± he exins, with a hint of solemn that suggests it hasn¡¯t been his favourite experience.


    I shiver. This magic I¡¯ve never heard of existing. Magic in this realm is reserved purely for pure-blood immortals, and no one else. For all I know, Stace could be saying this, with none of it being backed up thus far. Yet I believe him. Something about this just seems right, like answering as question I have been asking my entire life.


    ¡°If you have that ability, can¡¯t you see what powers I will possess?¡± I question, puzzled.


    ¡°Ites in increments, in dreams and hallucinations,¡± he exins, looking over me with a gentle attentiveness, not tired of answering questions at all. ¡°I sensed power here, in this realm. Having power is so rare, I knew I had toe collect you.¡±


    I fiddle with my next question in my head, deciding that despite my apprehension, I want to know. ¡°Do you know what Noah is capable of?¡±


    ¡°His ability isplicated. Him and I have been working on controlling it, understanding it,¡± he says absently. ¡°He can sense things no one else can. Usually bad things, going on within his territory, his Pack. Even though he shouldn¡¯t be titled an Alpha, he¡¯s better than all Alpha¡¯sbined. No one can keep their Pack on such a tight leash as he can, and have it be as sessful as it is. Everything here is in perfect harmony.¡±


    I shudder. Now I know why this Pack is so well-managed, why you could never do anything illegal without someone knowing about it. It must have all gone back to Noah, and his magical ability he could never exin to the masses.


    ¡°Fitting,¡± I breath. ¡°If he¡¯s such a good Alpha, why not let him stay here?¡±


    ¡°Ultimately, it¡¯s up to you both. But you belong in my Territory, your home,¡± he remarks, the faintest hint of a smile willing away all the trauma he has put me through thus far.


    ¡°Why did you mark me like this, if it¡¯s my choice,¡± I ask tly.


    ¡°Fear. Had I not, Cian could have done anything to you. He may be your mate, but I have no doubt his pure-blood instincts are begging to¡­ hurt you,¡± Stace says uneasily, knowing this would upset me. Cian fell into our rtionship head first, with a dramatic will to make me his mate. I can¡¯t help but wonder if that fades, if he gets over the initial love and lust, he will begin to realise who I truly am.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know that,¡± I reply softly, looking down at my hands. All I know, is that despite my doubts, I don¡¯t want to believe Cian would do anything to hurt me.


    Stace loosens a breath, grimacing. ¡°I don¡¯t, but my suspecting is enough. I marked you, so if he took you away, if he hurt you, I would sense it. That mark allows me to track you, know where you are at all times¡­ it¡¯s very powerful.¡±


    ¡°Can you get rid of it?¡±


    ¡°Yes, whenever I please,¡± he says, his smile growing, suggesting he isn¡¯t yet going to remove it. If he is being truthful about it, and his intentions are pure, then I suppose I don¡¯t mind the mark. As long as he doesn¡¯t decide to leave at random, and leave my in horrific pain, then I can handle it. At least until I make a decision about who I want as my mate.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°Who are you going to choose?¡± He asks suddenly, when I don¡¯t reply. I frown. Even he knows about the decision I need to make, and likely how much it is tearing me up inside. I want to be embarrassed, but  I don¡¯t have the energy.


    I sigh deeply. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m still torn up.¡±


    ¡°Having two mates is actually quite amon urrence for our kind. Most just embrace it,¡± Stace admits, making me flinch. What a terrible curse, at least in my case. I can¡¯t imagine sharing mates, or dealing with two like I have now. Giving one affection leaves me feeling horrible for the other. Yet I won¡¯t be able to live too long staying away from that.


    ¡°I can¡¯t embrace is. I couldn¡¯t have been paired with more opposite men,¡± I admit painfully. Cian is more outgoing, charismatic and open, whereas Noah is calmer, much more attentive and quiet. ¡°If I break the bond with one, will they find another mate one day?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s possible, yes.¡±


    Sighing I dete, thinking that through carefully. At least if they are hurt I would reject one of them, they could find happiness in the future. But yet that doesn¡¯t soothe me. I don¡¯t want either of them to be upset over me.


    ¡°I¡¯m waiting for an epiphany,¡± I say into the air, unsure of whether that was directed at Stace or not. I know what he would say, if I asked him for advice. He would tell me I need to choose Noah, that him and I are the same species, and we are made to be together. Maybe he would confirm my suspicions that Cian and I being paired together was just a happenstance of fate¡­ it wasn¡¯t what was meant to be. But that doesn¡¯t change the fact that he is my mate, at all.


    ¡°Come with me,¡± Stace says suddenly.


    ¡°Sorry?¡±


    ¡°Come with me, to Territory Two, where people bleed the same colour as you, where your family came from. Come see my Kingdom, just for a little while,¡± he offers. For a moment I¡¯m convinced he is messing with me. ¡°Maybe it will help you make your mind up.¡±


    My skepticism increases, as I consider his offer. Cian warned me that Stace¡¯s intention is to take me back there, and never let mee back. Yet as he looks at me, a warmth in his eyes, his offer almost seems genuine.


    ¡°I must be returned in a few days. If not, I will not even begin to consider using my powers, remaining mated to Noah, orplying by your rules,¡± I say sternly.


    Stace nods. ¡°Absolutely. You have my word that you will be returned upon your immediate request.


    I breath in deeply, knowing this is likely foolish. ¡°You know what, fine. I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    (Noah and her share a moment in the Demon world.

 Chapter 40

    ?Abe


    Stace and I arrived into the new realm around midday.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Thankfully, when I approached Noah with the news, he was skeptical, but not opposed to the idea of me going with Stace. He wants me to befortable with my home ce, and if that means exploring with a man who I still struggle to trust, then so be it. I just hope this other realm isn¡¯t a dark, dangerous ce with things I can¡¯t even begin to fathom.


    Stace¡¯s way of transporting us to this other realm, was slightlyplicated. ording to him, getting from here to there, is dependent on the amount of magic you possess. Those with a lot can travel freely, but those who don¡¯t have any must rely on someone else.


    That must have been how my parents did it.


    Stace told me to close my eyes, hold his hand, and allow him to make the connection between realms. It was an ufortable process, but once we arrived, all the pain vanished.


    The moment my eyes open, all my fears vanish.


    We stand atop a balcony, the longest stretch of ocean expanding out in front of me. I¡¯ve never been too ustomed with the sea, so seeing this has the breath rushing from my lungs. Salt lingers in the air, as I ps the balcony railing, peering down to have my entire mind reeling. In whatever building I¡¯m in, is perched right on the edge of a massive cliff, which falls below to a coastline of rocks, white foam forming from each sh of the waves against the surface.


    ¡°This ce is beautiful,¡± I breath, looking left and right along the coast line. Beautiful vis sit bravely along the edge, each with an ivory surface, the roofs different shades of green and blue. Yet as I turn around, I realise Stace¡¯s estate is far more magnificent than the rest.


    ¡°Yes it is. This whole world is, for the most part,¡± Stacements from beside me. ¡°Territory Two is predominantly made up of ocean and coastline.¡±


    Walking inside, I¡¯m surprised at how little this ce resembles Stace. When I look at him, I see a staunch leader, with dark tattoos, and an even darker sense of fashion. But this ce is wonderfully light and open, with pearl coloured polished stone flooring that stretches out across a very breezy living area, furnished neatly and sparsely; just the right amount. I thought Noah had a beautiful home.


    ¡°Does each Territory have a King?¡± I question, motioning for Stace to keep therge ss doors open. The sea breeze that dances throughout the space is not something I¡¯m used to. And inplete honesty, it feels like home.


    Like it¡¯s meant to be.


    ¡°No. The leaders differ depending on the politics,¡± Stace exins. ¡°Take Territory One for example. Seven magical Nobles, all who lead equally.¡±


    I think that over in my head. Things here are far more different than I imagined, but instead of being frightened, I¡¯m curious. This ce has unexplorednd, magic and people. Yet I shun down my excitement. I can¡¯t just give up on my old life yet.


    ¡°Strange, but I suppose it¡¯s simr to Alpha¡¯s leading their Packs,¡± I murmur, my eyes draw to a particr spectacr panoply of paintings on the wall.


    Stace follows my gaze. ¡°This is a little different. We are creatures of Demonic origin. Although most people are merely mortals, us, with our abilities, are special. Magic isn¡¯t passed down through bloodlines, but created by the dormant Demonic gene in all of us. If it happens to mutate, we could be blessed, or cursed with powers.¡±


    The paintings before he show a range of people, covering most of the wall. Each person looks somewhat different to the other, but each stand in a regal position, staring nkly ahead. One of them is Stace, the look on his face making me shiver.


    ¡°So your parents just got lucky to have their son get this magical ability?¡± I ask, tearing my gaze away from the artistry, concentrating on him.


    ¡°No. I worked very hard for position as King. My family were not well off before I got this position,¡± hements, a storm brushing over his face before he blinks, and it disappears. He motions for me to keep moving through the vi, so I stop questioning him. Royalty here is worked for, not bred from family ties. How strange, and backward.


    ¡°So this is where I¡¯m from? This beautiful ce?¡±


    He leads me up a sweeping set of tightly spiraling stairs, pausing only for me to look through an exterior window, admiring the way the suns beams glisten magically in the perfect butterscotch colour across the surface of the sea.


    ¡°It is. The moment you want to move here, just tell me. I have a home waiting for you,¡± he says warmly. My eye widen, whirling around.


    ¡°And Noah?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to live your life with Noah. You don¡¯t even have to be mated to him,¡± he tells me firmly, although I can sense the reluctance in his tone. He is trying not to suggest who I should choose, but clearly would favour me without either of them than with Cian. ¡°But I would like you to move here, to be around people who bleed the same colour as you.¡±


    ¡°Maybe. I came here, honestly, in hopes I could find out what my powers truly are. And to see if I could really consider living here,¡± I tell him, looking out to all the other homes on the coast, that I could most definitely see myself upying. Then, I could be near Stace for his mentoring, and around people who are just like me.


    Stace leans his back against the window. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking of ways to trigger your power. None of them are¡­fortable.¡±


    ¡°Let me choose my mate first, before we go throwing me into this whole world,¡± I decide softly. If I choose Cian, then none of this would be possible. No doubt, he would never let me return again, or have any contact with Stace.


    ¡°Perfectly understandable.¡±


    Stace continues his door, leading me onto the upper floor, stopping by the closest door to the stairs. I watch him open it, revealing an awfully contemporary room, everything the faintest hint of blush. I narrow my eyes, ncing at Stace, wondering who this belonged to before me. Thus far, I haven¡¯t seen a single soule through here.


    ¡°Here¡¯s your room, for as long as you like,¡± Stace offers kindly, watching me as I step inside, enjoying the view that from here, will be all mine.


    ¡°Wow, this is stunning,¡± I say, as if Stace has been the one to build this ce up from the ground. Looking at him, I can¡¯t help but wonder an odd thought, that never crossed my mind until now.  ¡°Do you have a mate?¡±


    He sighs. ¡°No, not yet. But one can hope.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯splicated. I feel guilty giving one more affection than the other. I¡¯m too scared to even kiss one of them,¡± I admit to him, surprised I don¡¯t feel embarrassed confiding in his about this.


    Stace smiles. ¡°How else are you going to decide who feels the most right for you?¡±


    I sigh. ¡°That¡¯s a good questions.¡±


    ***


    I slept blissfully that night, with the balcony doors open, the sea breeze floating in.


    And I wake just as peacefully, yawning as I open my eyes, the warm morning sunlight flooding the room. And instead of seeing the view like I assumed I was, I see Noah, sitting quietly beside me on the bed.


    Flinching, I sit up, stering the front of my sheer night dress to my chest. Noah was thest person I expected to see waking up in this paradise. Blinking away the haze in my eyes, I stare him down, and his warm smile.


    ¡°Good morning,¡± he murmurs.


    ¡°Noah¡­ what are you doing here?¡± I question. cing my palm over my forehead, I feel the dampness. I¡¯m not mad he is here, just surprised, startled from waking up and having him right beside me.


    In the morning light, I can¡¯t help but admire him. His dark hair glistened, all mussed as if he has just woken up top. Even those green eyes of his I love so much are dancing with light, turning a brilliant light green colour I haven¡¯t seen before.


    ¡°Stace invited me,¡± he says softly, brushing my hair back from my face gently. This soft romance he is disying me is odd and out of ce, yet something I don¡¯t shy away from. I¡¯ve done enough of that, and now it¡¯s time to open up to making my decision.


    I shiver at the feeling of his fingertips. ¡°Of course he did.¡±


    ¡°I love you, Abe,¡± he admits, eyes so full of love and passion it¡¯s overwhelming.


    I¡¯m not sure what came over me, but suddenly I notice the way his gaze flickers down to my lips, and I¡¯m leaning forward, waiting for him to respond. He does immediately, my lips touching his gently at first, before he deepens the kiss. It feels right, I¡¯m not going to deny that.


    As he pulls away, I notice the strange fog that falls over my mind, even as he smiles warmly at me. Something doesn¡¯t seem right¡­


    I blink rapidly, but the haze never fades, until Noah disappears before me, and suddenly, I¡¯m waking up again. And this time, everything is clearer, the weather dark and raining outside. And my room is empty. I was dreaming.


    What does this mean?

 Chapter 41

    ?Abe


    I wander from my bedroom at around mid-morning.


    Last night¡¯s dream still lingers in my mind, clinging to my skin as if it can be seen by anyone I walk past. The maids who tended to my room, servants who pass by wordlessly¡­ it¡¯s as if they know that what I experiencedst night was sinful. I know it¡¯s impossible for them to know the decision I have to face, with Noah and Cian, yet it still feelings like walking through here has me stripped bare to my soul.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Following the instructions of a note left on my bedside table this morning, I make my way into a dining area set up right at the balcony at the front of the manor. Stace is sitting there, lounging back in his chair, letting the warm glow of the sun bathe him in colours of white-good and butter.


    ¡°Good morning, sleep well?¡± He asks gently, as Ie to sit opposite him at the small table. Under the glistening sunlight, he looks otherworldly, with his tattoos which I swear are always moving, ebony hair shading his forehead as dark eyes stare me down. His handsomeness is always striking, always taking me by surprise.


    ¡°Better than ever,¡± I reply, hoping it¡¯s not obvious that I had a dreamst night that has shaken me to my core. Stace seems none the wiser, swirling amber liquid around his tea cup idly.


    ¡°I want you to feelfortable here. Like this could be your home,¡± he exins, motioning around us. The scent of the sea lingers on the breeze, a pleasant addition to an incredible breakfast spread. Stace is really doing all he can to convince me of how wonderful this ce is. He doesn¡¯t have to, though. I¡¯ve felt more thanfortable the moment I arrived here.


    I tilt my head back, catching the breeze in my hair, feeling it tousle it gently. ¡°This ce feels normal, like it¡¯s meant to be. Now I¡¯m not even sure I want to go back.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t feel like you have to. There is a space for you here as long as you please,¡± he offers, his smile warm.


    ¡°It¡¯s a lot to think about.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hoping to make that choice easier for you,¡± he says softly, tone lowering deeply. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t hate me for inviting Noah here for the day.¡±


    I sit up, looking around for a sight of the Alpha, finding nothing. cing my hand over my chest, I marvel at how quickly the thought of Noah elerated my heart rate dramatically. It¡¯s because of the dreamst night, I tell myself. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be able to see his lips again without thinking about kissing him that dream.


    ¡°Did you?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s outside. I told him I wanted to ensure you were okay with this before I went through with it,¡± Stace tells me. I blink, unsure of whether I¡¯m excited or mortified with the idea of him being here.


    Stace seems to read my mind, motioning to his right, where a door likely leads to more balconies that can¡¯t be seen from here. Getting up, I warily wander into another room, seeing the ss door to the balcony left wide open, curtains billowing gently in the breeze.


    Sure enough, leaning against the railing of the balcony, is Noah, his back facing me. His skin practically glows golden under the warm sun, a soft shimmering off his ebony hair, which he brushes back casually.


    ¡°Noah¡­ You¡¯re here,¡± I breathe.


    He turns around, emerald eyed finding, the verdant shade making me shiver as it reminds me of what I saw in my sleep justst night. He seems, that soft, gentle smile that I know he only gives me, and no one else. Because I¡¯m his mate, and the way he feels about me ispletely unique.


    ¡°I¡¯m home. This is where we are both from,¡± he says. Behind him, the ocean is tumultuous, tousled by the wind. With him in front of it, it looks truly right, and not out of ce.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful here,¡± I admit, unsure of what to do with my hands, not sure where to look. Cian has seen me naked, and Noah has said things to me before that would make anyone flush, yet this one dream seems to have more weight than all of that.


    ¡°Let me take you on a date, to somewhere special. Somewhere I¡¯ve been many times before, when I¡¯vee to visit with Stace,¡± Noah offers, revealing at the same time that he has visited here on many asions.


    I nod numbly, unsure of what else to do. ¡°Okay, I like the sound of that.¡±


    ***


    Maybe it¡¯s wrong having agreed to this when Cian is back in the mortal realm, blissfully unaware.


    But as Noah stands before me on the beach, sinfully diaphanous white shirt showing his golden skin beneath, I can¡¯t think of anywhere else I would like to be. Gently, heys a nket down upon the sand, having found a beach not far from Stace¡¯s estate. Beyond us, a liquid nket of silver and turquoise washes up gently against the sand, nowhere close to where we sit.


    ¡°I¡¯m d we finally get to spend some real time alone together. It feels like someone was always getting in our way,¡± he smiles, leaning back on his elbows next to me, while I remain sitting up, hugging my legs.


    I know what he means by that. He¡¯s worried I haven¡¯t felt the bond between us because I¡¯ve spent so much time doing other things rather than concentrating on us.


    Little does he know¡­


    ¡°Yeah, I agree.¡±


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± he asks gently.


    ¡°I¡¯ve just so much to think about. This is like living a whole new life, being brought here, told I¡¯m a whole other person,¡± I sigh, my voice nearly being carried away with the gentlepping of the waves. ¡°Not to mention this decision I have to make, between you and Cian. Oh, and I have magical abilities I¡¯m yet to discover, and never know when I will.¡±


    ¡°Hey,¡± Noah soothes, sensing my growing frustration with every word. He ces a hand on my knee, as I outstretch my legs. Just one touch makes me flinch, feeling blooming within me that I hadn¡¯t realised were there.


    I mean, I¡¯ve never been able to ignore how devastatingly beautiful and alluring Noah is. The moment I met him I felt unnaturally drawn to him, to the idea of being with him in a variety of different ways.


    Now I know he is my mate, all of these are possible.


    ¡°What would you do if I didn¡¯t choose you?¡± I ask, the words burning my lisp as if they shouldn¡¯t be said. Neither Cian or Noah deserve to be let down, but neither deserve to have to fight over me for the rest of their lives. I want this to end as quickly as possible, in the nicest way I can.


    Noah¡¯s eyes flicker, darkening. ¡°It would be hard, but no matter what, I respect you, above all else. Whatever you decide, I will trust will be what is right for you.¡±


    ¡°And if I picked?¡± I try.


    ¡°Then I would love you with everything I could, and give you the best life possible,¡± he admits warmly, making a foregin feeling blossom from within me, even as he continues. ¡°If you chose me, I would no longer have to desire you in secret.¡±


    My blood warms, just as my cheeks do.


    I shouldn¡¯t be surprised that he desires me. He¡¯s my mate, and I desire him to. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t say that.¡±


    ¡°I know it doesn¡¯t surprise you that I feel more than just emotional desire for you,¡± he breathes. Suddenly he¡¯s leaning toward me, the heat and the scent of his body washing over me, making the surface of my skin tingle. ¡°The moment I saw you¡­ you have no idea what thoughts came into my head at the sight of you.¡±


    With my heart unable to calm down, my limbs quivering, I don¡¯t move as I realise Noah is leaning in, emerald gaze cast down to my lips.


    He¡¯s going to kiss me. And I want him to.


    Reaching up, his hand holds the side of my face, as he brings his lips to mine. The softness of his lips, the taste and scent of him, it all feels so right. Gently cradling the back of my head, he leans me downward as his lips move against mine, resting my head against the nket.


    This doesn¡¯t feel like anything I¡¯ve had before. The heat between us increases, as the pace of the kiss builds-up, my hands delving into his silken strands. My future choice in mates seems worlds away, as I¡¯m lost in the feeling of his hands, which pull my hips up against his, letting me feel every contour of him against me.


    ¡°Let me take you home,¡± he murmurs against my lips, sounding utterly breathless.


    I¡¯m not exactly sure where home is, but regardless I nod, smiling against him.

 Chapter 42

    ?Abe


    Noah¡¯s second home here is utterly beautiful.


    Tucked right at the edge of the same cliff as Stace¡¯s estate, it has an equally impressive view, even if it is slightly smaller. If I choose to be mated to only Noah, this could be my new life, where I live now. Even though it would be hard to move away from my friends, like Sam, I could manage, especially if it means a chance to start a new life in a ce where I originally came from. Where I belong.


    Noah leads me through the foyer and into an intimate living room, where he closes the door behind us. My senses are heightened, reacting to everything Noah does; even him brushing past me on the way to sit upon the chaise lounge at the end of the room has my skin erupting with tingles.


    I¡¯m not sure what has changed between us. Maybe it was the kiss, to push what had already been dwelling between us all this time into what this feeling is now.


    I don¡¯t know what to do with this feeling.


    ¡°Does this make me a bad person?¡± I blurt out, standing in the middle of this dimly lit room, having no intentions to sit down near Noah in order to avoid these sinful thoughts that cloud my mind. He just looks so good, especially under the moonlight that streams through the rear window, dousing the floors and furnishings in white-gold.


    ¡°Does what?¡± I asks absently, sweeping his hair back in an unconcerned manner. He has such a gentle, calm air about him, even after his kiss. I wish I could sustain as much control as he does, as he has done through this entire experience of sharing me with Cian.


    I swallow, but my throat is dry. Wordlessly, Ie to sit down on the same couch as Noah, trying not to think too much about his scent, or the heating from his body.


    It was so easy to kiss him. Now, I can hardly be normal around him.


    ¡°Wanting you?¡± I say carefully, unsure of how my words are going to resonate with him. He nces over at me, emerald green eyes glistening with feline excitement. Noah invited me here so we could talk more intimately, however, now we are here, the air is tense, and my skin is sensitive to any proximity to him. It must be the matebond which has had enough of us keeping away from each other.


    He tilts his head, dark hair falling to his brow. ¡°Do you want me?¡±


    I look away, unable to hold his gaze. It¡¯s hard to know all the ways I want Noah, and not being able to act on it without thinking of Cian. he would be hurt by this, but either of them could be hurt by whatever my decision will be, or continue to be hurt by me not making my decision.


    ¡°I mean¡­ I don¡¯t know yet,¡± I admit. I don¡¯t want him to think I¡¯m choosing him. I¡¯m so close to deciding what I want, and right now, I don¡¯t want to ruin it.


    ¡°You can¡¯t put it off any longer, Abe,¡± Noah murmurs, gliding ever so slightly closer to me on the couch, closing the gap until we our legs are almost touching. The connection between us seems to buzz and spark as if it¡¯sing alive. ¡°It¡¯s time to make you decision.¡±


    Loosening a breath, I look up at him, admiring his graceful features, warm eyes and full lips, which are unbelievably alluring. Looking down at them, I call upon the memory of our earlier kiss, and how it made me feel¡­ and how I want to do it again.


    ¡°Kiss me,¡± I say without thinking, not wanting to hold back any longer. If I¡¯m going to find out who I want, I need to ept what I truly desire. And right now, that¡¯s Noah.


    Noah smiles softly, obliging me.


    Leaning forward, he softly grasps my chin, pulling me toward him gently until our lips meet. I¡¯ll never get over the feeling of kissing him, the taste of him. I¡¯m not sure what my intentions are with kissing him again, in this intimate room, but I know that it¡¯s not to stop. I probably should, yet every inch of my being is begging to be near him.


    I know he can feel it to, as the intensity of our kiss increases, his hands pulling my waist until I¡¯m pressed against him. Consumed by a rush of confidence and passion, I push his chest until his back is pressed against the couch. mbering atop him, I bring my lips back to his, savouring the taste of him, the feeling of his hands which slip brazeningly under my shirt.


    Suddenly he is sitting up, as if he can¡¯ty beneath me any longer, he picks me up by the back of the thighs, walking us from the room and deeper into his unfamiliar home. I don¡¯t protest though, too consumed with the pleasure of having my mate against me and the anticipation of what maye next.


    I know what we both want, but can I go through with it? Cian is still my mate, and still has no idea where I am, or what I¡¯m doing.


    We emerge into what must be Noah¡¯s bedroom, as he gently sets me down. The room has an equally beautiful view as to the one in the living room, however in this intimate setting, it¡¯s much more to admire. I sit down on Noah¡¯s bed, shivering. My body doesn¡¯t want to stop, doesn¡¯t want to be away from Noah for any longer, but my mind is a muddled, contrary mess.


    ¡°Do you think this is a good idea?¡± I breathe, as he sits beside me.


    His gaze softens. ¡°We don¡¯t have to do anything you don¡¯t want to.¡±


    Loosening a breath, I push away my cloudy thoughts, not wanting to fear being with my mate, especially since I believe I¡¯ve officially made my decision. I will tell Cian as soon as a return, and hopefully, he will be able to move on , and we can all be happy. One day, maybe. One day when Cian is ready for a mate.


    ¡°Not too far. I just want to be close to you,¡± I murmur, before reaching forward to kiss him.


    He smiles against my lips, touching me far more gently this time. I reach for the hem of his shirt, desperate to feel his skin beneath my touch. Once it¡¯s discarded on the floor, I allow my fingers to explore, gently touching the finely muscled nes of his abdomen.


    Pulling away from the kiss, Noah shifts down off the bed, kneeling before it. I watch him with a mix of curiosity and excitement, anticipating his next move, as his hands touch my knees before sying out across my lower thigh, moving slowly upward until they disappear beneath the hem of my dress.


    The warmth of his touch erupts tingles in its wake, my back bowing back with the pleasure of just a simple touch. Looking back down at him, I watch as he brushes the skirt of my dress up until it gathers at my hips, his handsing to a stop at my upper thighs.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m ready to choose,¡± I say breathless, looking down at him and his glistening emerald eyes. He smiles, leaving a soft kiss only a few inches away from the hem of my underwear.


    ¡°Are you only saying that because I¡¯m between your legs?¡± he questions yfully. His fingers inch up impossibly higher, making me shiver.


    I lean back. ¡°That¡¯s a great question.¡±


    With a devious smile painted across his face, Noah slowly pulls at my underwear, watching me carefully in case I change my mind. I don¡¯t, my entire body feeling as though it¡¯s set alight, as he leans down, his breath against me having my senses erupt.


    I¡¯ve never done this before, yet it feels so right. I¡¯m not shy being bare to him at all. In fact, I feel empowered, and excited.


    The moment his mouth touches me, I epass the endless pleasure that consumes my body, my eyes fluttering closed. His hands pin my hips to the bed as his tongue gently sweeps across me, eliciting a devastating amount of satisfaction that has his name brushing past my lips.


    I almost flinch in surprise as his fingers suddenly brush against me before sinking inside me. Reaching out to grip the soft strands of his hair, I feel the deep rumble of hisugh against me. My hips rear up, moving on him, feeling the spiral of pleasure build up to an impossible point as Noah¡¯s hands still try to contain me.


    In a burst of light and an immense amount of pleasure I reach a climax, falling back onto the bed as Noah pulls away. He doesn¡¯t push for more, even though I can visibly see his excitement. I don¡¯t want to go all the way, not yet. Not when I haven¡¯t spoken to Cian yet.


    I rest my hand on his chest, consumed with  a myriad of emotions. It feels as though I have been enlightened, like I made the decision as who I wanted as my mate a long time ago and it¡¯s onlye to me right now. And as much as I feel a sickness beginning to form in the pit of my stomach, I know it¡¯s a decision that needs to be made.


    ¡°I choose you, Noah. I want you to be my mate,¡± I say quickly, before I can talk myself out of it. I feel him still under me, shifting until he can look me in the eyes. Within his own, I see a sense of confusion and hopefulness.


    ¡°That makes me happier than you could ever imagine,¡± he admits, his voice breaking slightly. Leaning forward, he litters kisses across my face, pulling away only when my skin is flushed and I can¡¯t stop giggling.


    As much as I want to bask in his genuine happiness and celebrate the future, I can¡¯t get Cian out of my head. I¡¯ve made the right decision, I can tell, yet thinking of how he will be affected still makes me want to curl up and cry until I¡¯m numb.


    ¡°I wish I could be happy with you,¡± I admit, watching the clouds drift pastzily out the window. ¡°I can¡¯t stop thinking about what Cian is going to say.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s going to be hurt, but he will find another mate in the future,¡± Noah assures me, making me sigh. Him having a mate who he could be happy with, that he would be better suited to would make me impossibly happy.


    I lean up on my elbows.¡°But he¡¯s immortal. He¡¯s could have forever to wait for another chance.¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    ¡°Can I ask why me, over him?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t feel as though Cian is ready to truly invest himself in another person. Him and I had chemistry, but it didn¡¯t feel as though he was ready. But I still care about him, even if he wants to annihte our kind,¡± I admit, leaning back into the pillow, exhausted from all the worrying. I¡¯ve made a decision now, I can rx.


    ¡°I¡¯m grateful you chose me. I don¡¯t think I could ever imagine a life without you,¡± Noah admits, brushing my hair back gently.


    I stare up at the ¡°I honestly have been thinking I don¡¯t deserve either of you, and that I shouldn¡¯t even make that decision.¡±


    ¡°You deserve happiness. We all do, and we will all get it, I promise,¡± Noah says softly. I want to believe him, but I¡¯m not sure. All I know is I don¡¯t want to hurt either of them, and secretly, I wish this never happened. I would never want to give up what Noah and I could have, yet perhaps it would have been easier on all of us if we never came across each other.


    Regardless I lean up, smiling at my mate. ¡°I love you.¡±


    ¡°I love you too,¡± he murmurs back. And I believe him.

 Chapter 43

    ?Abe


    Stace returned me back to the mortal realm the next day.


    Noah came with, but agreed to stay in his manor while I went to meet Cian. Him and I agreed to meet at my old apartment, which seems oddly significant considering I first met him when I lived there. I¡¯m about to tell him that I don¡¯t want to be mated to him anymore, and that I¡¯ve chosen Noah. I¡¯m not sure what his reaction is going to be, but knowing him, I doubt it will be very pleasant.


    Pacing back and forth across my old apartments living room, I consider my next move, what words I¡¯m going to say to him. He wouldn¡¯t try to hurt me, would he? I bleed the colour of a species he hates more than anything.


    Now that he has no reason to protect me, he may just act out.


    In a suddenly flicker of light followed by the softest mist tinted gold, Cian appears. My stomach hollows out, the sight of him consuming me with guilt. I¡¯m standing before him, happy with Noah, knowing I¡¯m about to break his heart and let him down.


    ¡°Abe¡­ You¡¯re safe,¡± he murmurs, stalking across the room to reach out to me. I let him wrap his arms around me, pulling me to his chest. Loosening a breath, I rest my head on him, breathing in the scent of him, his magic. Part of me wants to cry, to change my mind and put the decision off for longer, even if I know I can¡¯t.


    ¡°Of course I¡¯m safe. Is everything okay?¡± I ask him softly, examining the frightened look on his face, as he searches mine back, looking for any sign of damage.


    ¡°You were missing for days. I was looking everywhere for you,¡± he exims, only elerating my guilt. I should have told him before I agreed to go with Stace. ¡°His scent is all over you.¡±


    I wince. ¡°Can I exin a few things?¡±


    Cian nods, pressing his lips together. I can already predict what he is going to say, what he is thinking. I can¡¯t me him for it, and just hearing it out of his mouth makes me infinitely more guilty for what happened onlyst night.


    ¡°You let him fuck you, didn¡¯t you?¡± he says harshly, making me flinch. I back up a few steps, sitting down on the old dusty couch that has been left behind. Cian doesn¡¯t join me, instead standing staunchly before me, something dark and sinister swirling around in his eyes that I can¡¯t me him for. He has every right to be angry at me, to feel betrayed.


    ¡°Cian, let¡¯s not let it get to that. We didn¡¯t¡­ confirm the mating bond, if that¡¯s what you mean,¡± I breathe, not wanting to go into the dull details ofst night with him.


    ¡°Then why do you smell like him?¡±he questions, looking me up and down as if that¡¯s going to give him the answer.


    ¡°I went to the Daemon realm with Stace. I needed to see where I came from, what my origin is. I don¡¯t regret any of it,¡± I tell him firmly, in case he decides to reprimand me for my decision. He would have tried to convince me out of it, to say that Stace and Noah can¡¯t be trusted. All because of what we are, that he despises so deeply.


    His brows raise. ¡°And you didn¡¯t tell me?¡±


    ¡°It was in the moment that I decided,¡± I admit. I don¡¯t mention to him that I wanted to get away in the first ce to figure out for myself who I wanted as my mate. ¡°And I knew you wouldn¡¯t want me to, considering how you feel about my kind.¡±


    Cian¡¯s face turns solemn, a shadow settling over him. ¡°Has Noah or Stace told you about why all the pure-bloods want them gone, dead?¡±


    ¡°Remember that I¡¯m one of them, before you say anything you¡¯ll regret,¡± I warn him. What I¡¯ve seen of the other realm from where I came from, it is one of the most beautiful ces that exists. I may not have seen much, but it didn¡¯t seem like a ce that any normal person would want to destroy. I¡¯m not sure why immortals would find it helpful to not allow others who are not like them to live in this realm.


    Cian finallyes to sit next to me, although I¡¯m suddenly  the one wanting space. ¡°They wanted our positions as pure-blood immortals. We had to eliminate them to keep us safe.¡±


    ¡°Even the ones who weren¡¯t a threat to you?¡± I question nervously.


    ¡°We had to make sure there were no threats,¡± he tells me firmly, the look in his eyes makes me shiver. It¡¯s a look he would give me before he would kill me, if we were not mates. It¡¯s frightening to think about his siblings, who if they knew what I was, they would kill me, regardless of being Cian¡¯s mate.


    ¡°So if we weren¡¯t mates, you would kill me without a second thought?¡± I can¡¯t help but ask. It¡¯s a dangerous question, to know what could be, especially when I tell him who I have chosen. Despite the danger, I¡¯m not going to force myself to be with him just because not doing so puts me at risk. They wouldn¡¯t be fair to either of us.


    He falters.


    My heart jumps into my throat, but I refuse to visibly show my disgust. ¡°Just what I thought.¡±


    ¡°But we are mates, which changes everything,¡± he tells me gently, grabbing for my hands, but I pull them away, not allowing myself to be too concerned with the hurt expression on his face that follows.


    ¡°And if I were to reject you?¡±


    ¡°I would never hurt you, Abe.¡± He almost sounds offended that I would even ask, until he seems to realise why, confusion and a slight amount of anger consuming his dark eyes. ¡°But please don¡¯t tell me this is you choosing Noah over me.¡±


    For a moment I don¡¯t know what to say, until I realise it¡¯s finally time to be honest. ¡°I didn¡¯t want it to be like this. If I could, I would take myself out of this situation so you could both be happy, I would do that.¡±


    Getting to my feet, I allow some space between us while giving myself room to pace. If I don¡¯t keep myself upied, I¡¯m going to get emotional. Choosing one mate over another is not something a normal person has to go through, so I can¡¯t imagine why I have to. It¡¯s not like I have anyone else to talk to about this.


    ¡°I saw thising, you know,¡± he whispers, eyes focusing past me, looking into nothingness. I wince at the painful tug at my heart, knowing how painful it must be to lose a mate. His pain must be heightened, considering it is my choice.


    ¡°Cian, I¡¯m sorry, I truly am.¡±


    ¡°He just does it better than me, I guess,¡± he shrugs. He doesn¡¯t cry, but I see the pain in his eyes, the way he tries to hide it as he sweeps his hair back, the golden roots catching the light beautifully, another show of his immortality. ¡°I should have never interfered with your life. I should have met you organically, and maybe you would have chosen me.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s been a lot to think about, but I don¡¯t regret my decision,¡± I tell him firmly, confirming it more to myself than him.


    ¡°Of course you don¡¯t¡­ he¡¯s the perfect Alpha, and I¡¯m the Sin. The one no one cares about, and never will.¡± Something gives me the feeling that ites from a ce of insecurity, and in reality, this isn¡¯t about me. He¡¯s been alive for a very long time, so I can imagine how many past lovers he has had, and how many times he has been burnt.


    I shake my head. ¡°It¡¯s not like that.¡±


    ¡°Then what is it? Why choose him over me?¡± he questions, the desperation in his eyes so real and raw is has my stomach swirling uneasily.


    ¡°It felt right, being that wee from the same ce, have a simr story¡­ and we just get on so well,¡± I say uneasily, picking my words carefully. Thest thing I want to do now is to upset him. I want this to go as peacefully, and as smoothly as possible.


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    I close my eyes, bracing my arm on an ent table pressed against the wall, ¡°And it doesn¡¯t feel like you¡¯re ready tomit to me, to truly and utterly be mine.¡±


    ¡°Of course I am. I would give my life for you,¡± he says desperately, grabbing for me. I let him grasp my shoulders, maybe to steady us both. ¡°But you¡¯re only saying that because I¡¯m Greed. That doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m damaged to the core.¡±


    ¡°I really am sorry.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I was thinking. That I deserve happiness,¡± he mutters, shaking his head. I want to hug him, to hold him and make all the pain go away, the doubt. But I know I can¡¯t, otherwise I will give him the wrong idea. Instead, I gently run my hands up and down his arms, feeling the slight sparks that follow, a silent reminder of what I¡¯m doing.


    ¡°You will find another mate Cian, you know that,¡± I tell him, even if I know that he may be waiting for a very long time.


    Cian¡¯s expression is solemn, as he looks over me slowly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want another mate, Abe,¡± he murmurs. ¡°I want you.¡±


    Before I have a chance to react, he grabs for me, his fingertips brushing against my skin as the world starts to dissolve around me. That¡¯s when I realise what he is doing.


    He¡¯s taking me to the immortal realm.

 Chapter 44

    ?Abe


    I shouldn¡¯t be surprised as I open my eyes and realise where I am.


    Cian has taken me to his personal home in the immortal realm, which is impossible to escape from. The moment he lets go of me, the worlding back in all its shapes and colours, I jump away from him, not stopping my backward steps until I nearly stumble back of his white leather chaise lounge. My thoughts are scattered, the realisation of what he has done hitting me.


    He¡¯s taken me from the mortal realm, to where he lives, likely to control whether I can leave or not. My heart sinks to its lowest point, knowing it¡¯s unlikely I¡¯m going to be getting out of this very easily, considering his state of mine.


    However, I never would have guessed he would go to this extreme¡­ I trusted him.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°You can¡¯t do this,¡± I tell him uneasily, wishing my voice wasn¡¯t so shaky. You don¡¯t want to do this.


    Cian paces back and forth, therge window behind him showing a world cast in darkness, the moonlight dancing in leaving his figure drenched in shadow. I was anxiously as he rakes his hands through his hair incessantly, the golden roots glowing and glimmering menacingly, a visual show of the power he could use, but doesn¡¯t.


    ¡°I just need time to think.¡± He mutters, looking over me before wincing, turning back to his pacing. I could approach him, maybe try calm him down, but I¡¯m afraid that in this moment he¡¯s going to overreact and do something he will regret.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t need to take me here. Why don¡¯t we head back?¡± I offer smoothly, hoping that gently coaxing him to return me will be the best way about it.


    He doesn¡¯t look convinced though, eyes wild and unhinged.


    ¡°If I take you back, I¡¯m never going to see you again,¡± he says hoarsely. I realise in that moment that Cian isn¡¯t going to hurt me, or do anything unspeakable. He¡¯s broken, finding out he is losing an integral part of him because of another male. I can¡¯t expect him to take it very well.


    Taking a few tentative steps forward, I reach my hands out to him ¡°Don¡¯t say that, of course you will.¡±


    He lets me grabs ahold of his hands, which feel cold and limp within mine. He looks as though he is on the verge of tears, but refuses to show it in front of me. If I have to watch a powerful immortal break down, all because of me, I¡¯m not sure what I would do.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯m just not good enough.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not be unreasonable,¡± I tell him firmly, shaking his hands to get his attention, however he won¡¯t even look at me. He¡¯s not thinking or acting like how he usually does, so how can I expect him to be reasonable? I¡¯m just not sure what else to do, or to say. ¡± Let¡¯s go back to where we were to talk, I would feel a lot morefortable.¡±


    Finally he looks at me, eyes dark and stirring with frightening, feral emotion. Would this have been how he would act if we had any disagreement in our rtionship? I didn¡¯t choose Cian to ultimately be the one I wanted as my mate for the rest of my life for a variety of reasons, but should this have been one of them? I knew he was high strung, but this is far more damaging than I would have first thought.


    ¡°I could just keep you here. Until I collect my thoughts,¡± he reasons, as if what he is saying is at all rational. I don¡¯t let the fact that my stomach is plummeting and twisting uneasily to reach my expression, which I fight to keep impassive.


    ¡°Why are you doing this? I don¡¯t want our rtionship to be destroyed,¡± I half beg. I was hoping Cian and I could keep being friendly after all of this.


    Now I¡¯m not so sure.


    ¡°Our rtionship was destroyed the moment Noah came into your life. He should have just kept his side of the deal and stayed away,¡± He mutters, making me take a step backward with a frown etched into my face.


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t keep your side,¡± I remind him.


    Their collective deal to stay away from me is still something I resent about both of them, but to some degree understand why they did it. Cian was the one to break it, to pursue me despite the rule being to nevere near me, or to speak to me. And especially to not insinuate that there was any mate bond. Noah only started pursuing me when the deal was off.


    ¡°But I¡¯m not a good person. He is meant to be the good one, he should have stepped away,¡± Cian rants, at this point hardly making sense. I want to shake some into him, make him realise what he¡¯s  doing, and what he¡¯s risking by being like this. ¡°But the world is always against me. That¡¯s why I was made to be a Sin.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t need to take this out on anyone Cian,¡± I remind him. ¡°I do feel guilty, but I¡¯m not going to apologise about making my decision.¡±


    He walks away from me, carrying his rich, spicy scent with him. Admittedly my body still reacts to it, to him, even in moments like these. Hopefully that will die down once the bond with Noah is confirmed.


    ¡°What am I meant to do with my life now?¡± At this point his hair is mussed and untamed from the endless sweep of his hand through it.


    ¡°Find your other mate. Because I have no doubt she is out there,¡± I say softly. He pauses, looking at me solemnly. If I had to face that idea of finding another mate out there right now, I think I might go crazy. As an immortal who has waited many years for this opportunity, I can¡¯t begin to imagine how he is feeling when faced with that prospect.


    ¡°But I want you,¡± he exasperates. ¡°I need you.¡±


    I¡¯m lost for words. I simply know one thing. ¡°I just want to go home.¡±


    ¡°I need time to think,¡± Is all he says, before he begins to stalk toward the front door. Frightened at what I predict he is going to do next, I follow him. ¡°Stay here, please. I¡¯ll be back in a moment.¡±


    Despite my protests, he leaves, closing the door behind him and locking it with some kind of magic, as I try the door handle multiple times and it doesn¡¯t budge. Frustrated I whirl around, pacing around his small apartment, looking for any way out. Even if I did escape, though, I would have no way of getting back to the mortal realm, and I can¡¯t imagine immortals here would be so willing to return me.


    Here I¡¯m weak, powerless against the people that dwell in thesends.


    Except on not.


    Sitting down on the lounge set, I think for a moment. Stace said he believes I have powers, which although is rare, even in the ce that Ie from is totally possible. If only I could lure Cian, back here, make him see me again for who I am. Maybe then he would take me back, ept that fate doesn¡¯t mean for us to be together.


    But how do I ess powers within me that I don¡¯t know anything about. They could be asme as making something levitate for a moment, or as powerful as burning this whole ce to the ground. I have no way of knowing what I¡¯m capable of, and no one else seems to know either.


    Although for whatever reason, the sound of lighting this ce up does sound tempting. And it would surely draw Cian right back.


    Maybe this is meant to happen. Maybe I¡¯m being drawn to this idea of fire because it¡¯s actually inside me.


    Getting up, I walk around, concentrating on the thought of heat, of ming red and anger. I¡¯m angry at Cian for bringing me here, for not reacting fairly to my decision. I¡¯m angry that Noah would have never done this, and that Cian is being the Sin of Greed that he is.


    All of a sudden I see a sh of red in my vision, which for a moment I¡¯m convinced is just in my head, until feel heat to apany it. Behind me, a small me has lit along the seams of Cian¡¯s couch, which with one thought, begins to grow, until itpletely epasses it.


    Standing there, I¡¯m in a trance, unsure if I actually did that.


    The fire doesn¡¯t stop, and I don¡¯t want it to. It continues tearing up, engulfing the wall behind it, and the rug before it, which is only inches from my feet.


    Then the front door opens, and all the mes I just created vanish, the only evidence it ever happened being the dark remnants of the charred couch and burnt rug. Even the smoke seems to havepletely vanished from the room, leaving only the slightest hint of the smell.


    Cian meets my gaze. ¡°What happened?¡±


    My throat is dry, as if finally sinks in what I just did. ¡°I think I found my powers.¡±

 Chapter 45

    ?Abe


    For a moment, we just stare at each other silently.


    ¡°How did you do this?¡± he questions slowly, looking over me and the damage I¡¯ve caused. I struggle to not feel bad about this, even though I shouldn¡¯t. The awakening of these powers came from anger, caused by Cian thinking it¡¯s okay to keep me here, away from Noah just because I didn¡¯t choose him to ultimately be my only mate.


    ¡°Take me back now,¡± I demand. There¡¯s a fire in my tone, even though we both know that I wouldn¡¯t use any new found power on Cian, even if he still kept me here. I¡¯m not even sure I¡¯ll be able to muster it back again.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he says slowly, taking a few tentative steps toward me, reaching out for me. I take his hand, feeling the subtle sparks that spread across my skin. I doubt I will be feeling that soon with him.


    The world disappears around me, before my feet touch ground again, and I¡¯m suddenly standing before Noah¡¯s manor, between the pirs and crystal pools that frame it. Whirling around to face Cian, I pull away, trying to put some distance between each other; both because I fear what I could do to him, and also the idea of him trying to take me right back again.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry I destroyed everything,¡± I say immediately,


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about that ce,¡± he tells me anxiously, hands delving into his hair, revealing the golden roots which reflect brilliant colours in the sun.¡°I care about you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened, I just got angry,¡± I exim, trying to make sense of everything in my mind. It happened so fast, and it didn¡¯t feel as though I couldpletely control it. ¡°Stace said I had powers¡­ I just didn¡¯t know it would be anything like that.¡±


    Cian¡¯s expression is immediate disgust at the utterance of the man¡¯s name, as if speaking it summons Demon¡¯s just like him. ¡°Stace just got into your head, Abe. Don¡¯t let his words try to convince you that you actually have powers.¡±


    For a moment I¡¯m startled. Why would he say that? Of course I have powers, him and I witnessed it ourselves. It¡¯s not as if it would be possible for me to summon that much fire without a magical ability being involved. Cian is so sure Stace is the purest of evil that regardless of what I say, nothing Stace tells me will be true.


    ¡°What do you mean, I caught your entire apartment on fire!¡± I exim angrily, frustrated that he isn¡¯t believing me after what I just did. Right now I¡¯m confused, wanting answers I don¡¯t have, and instead I¡¯m here, arguing with


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Cian and I both turn around at the same time to see Noah approaching. With evening setting in, the sunset hues of tangerine and violet reflect of his dark clothing and dark hair, the shadows framing the contours of his face which are twisted into a frown. I probably look crazy, with slightly singed cuffs of my sleeves, the rest of my clothing dusty with ash.


    ¡°Abe and I just came back from talking about how she chose you over me,¡± Cian says, his faux amused tone tinted with anger and resentment as he looks Noah over carefully. Noah doesn¡¯t even flinch, although his expression does soften.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Cian.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t act like we didn¡¯t know this would happen since the beginning,¡± Cian says with a shrug. He may be trying to appear as though this doesn¡¯t affect him, but I see right through it.


    ¡°I suppose the next step is to see a Gaze Reader, right?¡± Noah exims, sping his hands together. Immediately upon arrival Noah wants to do this. I can¡¯t me him for wanting it to be over with, but I thought we may have at least waited until tomorrow. Secretly I¡¯m d, after the way Cian left me in that room with no intention to bring me back without incentive.


    Should I tell Noah about that? I don¡¯t want confrontation between them, so perhaps I should keep it to myself until this is all over.


    ¡°Yes. I think Noah is done with sharing,¡± Cianments sourly. Looking between them, it takes all my effort not to roll my eyes.


    ¡°That an understatement,¡± Noah replies.


    Cian gives me a long,sting look, as if he suspects I may change my mind at thest minute. ¡°Let¡¯s just finish this, shouldn¡¯t we?¡±


    ***


    Noah had already prepared a Gaze Reader to meet us in his home.


    No wordse from anyone as we sit down in his living area, all on separate chairs around a small table. The Gaze Reader is the same one from myst attempt, where I changed my mind. I¡¯m too frightened that one word may send everyone spirling into a fit of anger, even if both Cian and Noah seem rather solemn right now.


    ¡°This is a permanent change. It cannot be undone,¡± the Gaze reader reminds me, looking both Cian and I directly in the eyes, making me shiver. Noah and Cian have already argued earlier about allowing Noah in the room, since he doesn¡¯t have to be involved in the separation at all.


    The door opening behind us makes me flinch. Whirling around, I meet Stace¡¯s gaze as he walks in, looking over us with a rather triumphant expression on his face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Gaze Reader,¡± he says, waving his hand dismissively toward her. When she looks toward Noah for permission, and he nods his head, she quickly leaves. ¡°I have this one.¡±


    Cian immediately stands up. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°Sit down, Greed,¡± Stace mutters,ing around to take the Gaze Reader¡¯s ce. ¡°Your fate is going to be the same regardless of who does it.¡±


    I had no idea Stace had the ability to do this the entire time. I know he¡¯s powerful, especially in his position from where wee from, but I could have never predicted this. He sits opposite me now, hair dark and mussed, tattoos swirling up to his jawline in that strange, unique manner that I¡¯ve yet to ask him about.


    I narrow my eyes on him suspiciously. ¡°Can you really do it?¡±


    ¡°Yes, oddly enough,¡± he responds. ¡°I¡¯ve been doing this for people since I was a boy. It¡¯smon for people from our realm to end up with two mates. It¡¯s nature¡¯s cruel way of trying to pass magic down bloodlines, even if it often doesn¡¯t work that way.¡±


    Cian doesn¡¯t look pleased, and I can¡¯t me him for it. The history between him and Stace is far deeper and far darker than anything I am aware of, and I¡¯m not sure I want to delve into it. It appears that Stace is on a revenge mission for everything that the immortals did to his people¡­ my people. I should be just as angry about it, and I am, but I can¡¯t bring myself to hate Cian for it.


    ¡°What sick enjoyment are you getting out of this?¡± Cian questions, finally sitting back down after he had abruptly stood, not wanting Stace to think for a moment that he is vulnerable.


    ¡°Plenty of enjoyment, trust me,¡± he replies, that smile only growing. One moment Stace looks like a terrifying King with unspoken powers that arepletely unmatched, and then the next moment, he looks like a spiteful man who wants nothing more to avenge his people.


    Cian doesn¡¯t respond, a coolness settling over the room.


    Stace pulls a small object from his pocket, shaped like a crystal ball ced within a small frame. All of us eye is warily as he ces it down on the table before us, the surface of the ball reflecting hues of pink, green and blue.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°Cian and Abe, ce your hands on this,¡± Stace instructs, motioning toward us. Both Cian and I exchange nces before we both oblige. If this is the way to do it, then we have to, even if it upsets Cian that Stace is doing this. At least I know that with him doing it, the bond will truly be severed, and will never have the ability to be reconnected.


    ¡°Is this really going to work?¡± Cian questions tly, his fingertips brushing against mine as our hands find the strangely smooth surface of this ball. It¡¯s most definitely not from this realm, and perhaps


    is something Stace fashioned himself.


    Stace gives him a sharp look. ¡°Close your eyes. I¡¯m going to sever the bond now.¡±


    I do so, letting darkness consume me for a long, painful moment. Yet nothing happens; no unbearable amount of pain, no feeling the bond be ripped apart between us. The only thing I feel is my heart rate increase in anticipation, and my stomach drop at the reality of what is happening right now.


    ¡°It¡¯s done,¡± Stace says.


    Opening my eyes, I blink past the light. ¡°Really? I didn¡¯t feel anything.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s done,¡± he replies solemnly. ¡°You can go now.¡±


    Looking toward Cian, I startle at what I see. Nothing has changed about his appearance, however, he looks slightly different to how I remember him, like a mask was put over me that has suddenly been removed. He¡¯s no longer my mate, so I¡¯m seeing him as I would see any other male. He¡¯s still stunning and exotic in his appearance, but doesn¡¯t have that appeal that is unique to mates.


    He takes one look at me, and disappears, a vacant space being all that is left behind.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about him. I¡¯m going to speak to him again, ensure he doesn¡¯te back to you again,¡± Stace tells me as he gets up, slipping that strange contraption back into his pocket. In other words, he doesn¡¯t want Cian seeking revenge, or killing me because of what I am.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hurt him,¡± I plead.


    ¡°I¡¯m not in the business of hurting people today, Abe,¡± Stace tells me firmly.. ¡°Even if he deserves it.¡±

 Chapter 46

    ?Abe


    Noah and I sit in his room, having spent thest hour in silence, mulling over what has just happened.


    ¡°How are you feeling,¡± Noah asks softly, making me peer up from where my head was in my hands. There is a hollow feeling in my stomach since Cian spontaneously left after the mate-bond was ended. For all I know, this could be thest time I see him. I have no idea what he is going to do from now on, whether he will go find someone else to ease the pain.


    ¡°More content than I thought I would,¡± I reply. I¡¯m not sure if content is the right word, but I know that I¡¯m not going to worry as much as I would have thought. Maybe I will have thoughts about him every now and again, of course. ¡°But still worried about Cian. About what he is going to do now.¡±


    Noah gets up from where he was sitting at the opposite wall. ¡°You can keep contact with him, if you like. If that would make you feel better.¡±


    I know Noah would be okay with it, at the end of the day, if I did decide I wanted to keep in contact with Cian, but if we didn¡¯t remain here, living in this Pack, would he even want to? Cian hates what I am, so now there is no telling whether he will want to have anything to do with me now that the bond is gone.


    ¡°Maybe that wouldn¡¯t be a good idea. I don¡¯t want to hurt him anymore than I have,¡± I say with a sigh, the bed sinking as he sits next to me.


    When I look up into his emerald eyes, part of my worry melts away.


    ¡°It¡¯spletely up to you,¡± Noah murmurs, resting his hand on my leg, trying tofort me. I can¡¯t help but wonder whether he feels guilty, that I picked him over Cian. If he does, he doesn¡¯t show it. ¡°And so is what happens from here.¡±


    I know exactly what he means by that without having to ask. ¡°Do you want to go back with Stace¡­ To the other realm?¡±


    Saying to doesn¡¯t elicit as much fear as I would have assumed. Inside, I know it¡¯s my home, where I belong. When I was there it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders that I didn¡¯t know I had. Maybe I would miss my life here, but I know I can create a new one there, and hopefully be able to return to this one when possible.


    ¡°I¡¯m torn between wanting to be where we belong, where I can keep you safe, but this is my Pack, whether I deserve it or not,¡± Noah exins, eyes vacant as he considers his words.


    Of course. I sometimes forget that he is an Alpha.


    ¡°You do deserve it. I will stay with you no matter what decision you make,¡± I tell him honestly. My reason for choosing Noah as my mate wasn¡¯tpletely decided by the fact that wee from the same realm. It helped, in that he understood a deep, confusing part of me, however, I couldn¡¯t see myself paired with Cian for my entire life. So, I will stand by Noah no matter what decision he makes.


    Noah looks down at me, a sense of warmth andfort in his eyes that makes my skin tingle. ¡°I¡¯m so d you chose me Abe. Who knew I could be so lucky.¡±


    I don¡¯t know how to form words to express how lucky I feel. This is right, I can tell. Noah is handsome, having a familiar beauty about him. I¡¯ve grown up in this Pack knowing about him, seeing who he is on television and in the papers. Cian is stunning too, but in a foreign, very immortal way. Once fate rearranges Cian¡¯s path, he will find another mate who will surely enjoy him.


    I rest my head on his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m excited for the rest of our life together.¡±


    ¡°Now that we have the rest of our lives together, what are we going to do,¡± Noah asks, his words like but his tone darker, with far more weight to it. I turn my attention to him, focusing on those emerald eyes at the emotions they conceal beyond.


    I tilt my head, surprised he isn¡¯t in more of a rut thinking about his future here in this Pack. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be thinking about your future as Alpha first?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we think about that tomorrow?¡± he offers lightly. I nod slowly, looking down at my hands. Despite everything still weighing down upon me, I feel okay. Noah and I may have a chance to be normal, to give each a chance despite all of this. I¡¯m eager to see what it will be like, to be his partner, his mate. It¡¯s so strange to think about.


    We meet gazes, sharing what feels like a buzzing connection between us. ¡°You somehow always make a situation seem better than it actually is.¡±


    There¡¯s something about the way he looks at me, the way he smiles softly that assures me that this is the right decision, that I¡¯m looking at my mate and I love him. And not to mention, I¡¯m incredibly attracted to him, even now, when everything is so uncertain.


    And I know he feels the same.


    No words to be shared, as he leans forward, painfully slowly as if he is waiting for my permission. Watching those beautiful green eyes shutter closed, our lips touch, everything slotting into ce. This is what I¡¯ve waited for; a moment of peace, away from the worries, to just be with each other.


    Noah¡¯s hand gently pushes me back, until I¡¯mying t against the bed while he leans over me, not breaking the kiss. His body feels warm and soft against mine, while his hand gently cups the side of my face, making me shiver.


    Rearing up against him, I savour the taste of him, his lips against mine, the way his hand moves down past my shoulders, down my waist and to my hips.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    A knock on the doorframe has us both pulling away from each other quickly.


    Stace stands at the doorway, eyebrows raised into his dark fringe of hair. Brushing my hair from my face, I wish away what I know is redness staining my cheeks. I hadn¡¯t even noticed Noah had left the door open.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean to interrupt,¡± he says tly, as both me and Noah right ourselves. ¡°But I thought we could talk.¡±


    ¡°Really? Right now,¡± Noah exasperates, motioning around us. Stace has an uncanny ability to interrupt our lives at the best of times. I still haven¡¯t been able to decide whether I like him or not. He changed my lifepletely, did a lot without my permission and now I¡¯m here. Maybe he has been doing this for my benefit, but I am still unsure about him.


    Stace steps into the room, the shadows making his tattoos only look more sinister. ¡°I have a proposition for you, Noah.¡±


    ¡°I think Abe needs a break from everything for today,¡± Noah says firmly, ncing at me. I shrug. What more can Stace say today that can change anything. I didn¡¯t even know he was back yet from whatever he was discussing with Cian.


    ¡°Mmm, well, Abe and I have some things to talk aboutter,¡± Stace mutters, looking directly at me, making me realise exactly what he and I have to go discuss. My powers, which Cian must have mentioned to him. That cannot be forgotten. ¡°For now, shall we have a discussion?¡±


    Noah sighs, relenting. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°I want you and Abe to return home, back to my realm,¡± Stace says calmly. Sometimes I forget that he is the King of an entire territory there. Here, I simply see him as any other person. ¡°I will look after your Pack for you.¡±


    ¡°You would have no idea how to deal with this Pack,¡± Noah says slowly, almost as if he can¡¯t believe Stace is bringing this up at all. I¡¯m just sitting here, equally as bewildered.


    ¡°I¡¯m a King, I bnce my business here and in another realmpletely. I think I will manage,¡± Stace exins slowly. Stace would be intimidating as a leader of this Pack, and would have supporters¡­ But would he be as good as Noah?


    ¡°What about the other Alpha¡¯s? A lot of them don¡¯t know my secret, but they will know yours. They won¡¯t ept it,¡± Noah tells him, getting to his feet. Stace doesn¡¯t exactly look normal.


    Stace shrugs. ¡°They will manage.¡±


    Noah nces behind to look at me, but I don¡¯t respond. I don¡¯t want to influence him with this, especially when it¡¯s such a big decision. I have no experience with leading a Pack, and dealing with all the other Alpha¡¯s.


    ¡°You know me Noah. You can trust me,¡± Stace tells him. Whatever backstory is between them, I have to remember to ask Noah aboutter. ¡°And I have¡­ Unfinished business to attend to here.¡±


    ¡°Is it your mate?¡± Noah questions.


    Stace¡¯s expression says more than he ever could. His eyes darken, a tension brushing over him that makes me shiver. I would hate to be his mate. Noah already has enough power for me to handle.


    ¡°It¡¯s best I stay in this realm right now,¡± Stace says slowly, a silentmand to not borate further. I make another mental note not to speak about his mate again, since it appears to be a rather touchy subject.


    Noah sighs, looking toward me. ¡°I guess we are going home.¡±

 Chapter 47

    ?Lue


    I stare out into the distance, watching the dark clouds shift and crawl along the sky, seeing the shadows tinting the treetop.


    ¡°It feels strange being home,¡± I mutter, ncing up at Thought, who stands behind me. We made it back only today from Karma¡¯s Province. Everything feels eerily quiet here, almost peacefully if I didn¡¯t know what had to happen to make it that way. We haven¡¯t heard from Stace, which I can¡¯t decide is a good thing or not. He is still a threat, but for now, we might be okay.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you consider this your home now, despite everything that has happened here,¡± Thought admits, smiling down at me. Now that I¡¯m back here with Thought, I don¡¯t want to go back to my old home, which is sitting back in Fate¡¯s Territory.


    I lean against his body, resting my head on his shoulder. ¡°Anywhere with you is home.¡±


    ¡°I have a surprise for you tomorrow,¡± he indulges, turning around to lean his back against the railing. I tilt my head curiously, wondering what Thought could possibly surprise me with. Recently, I haven¡¯t cared about anything much to desire it, so what could this possibly be.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to be patient, though¡± he tells me softly. I narrow my eyes, knowing I¡¯m going to be thinking about this for the rest of the night. Thought grabs my hand, the warmth of his skin, the faint feeling of sparks making my skin tingle. ¡°Do you feel safe here?¡±


    ¡°I want to believe that threats are gone, but I can¡¯t be sure,¡± I sigh, knowing that my power threatens a lot of immortals, making them ufortable having someone with this much potential. ¡°Who knows what Stace has nned for the future.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to protect you, okay?¡± he assures me, pulling me into a hug. Resting my head against his chest, I breathe in deeply, trying to think of anything other than Stace¡¯s dark eyes and ethereal tattoos.


    ¡°I know. And I will protect you,¡± I tell him, knowing that now, it¡¯s not impossible for me to do that.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    He kisses the top of my head. ¡°Remember, I owe you one.¡±


    ***


    ¡°Are your eyes closed?¡±


    ¡°Your hands are over my eyes, remember?¡± I say.


    Thoughts palms are in fact pressed against my eyes, keeping me from opening them. I¡¯m not sure what part of the house we stand in, but a few minutes ago we were in his bedroom, where he insisted he wanted me to close my eyes for a special surprise. I have no guesses as to what it might be, but regardless, I¡¯m feeling excitement, which I¡¯ve been void of for quite some time.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Thought breathes in my ear, pulling his hands away. ¡°You can open them now.¡±


    I blink, trying to see past the bright sh of light for a moment, before I realise what I¡¯m looking at. Staring back at me is De, my sister, who is thest person I thought I would see. She looks nervous for my reaction, even though we made up recently.


    ¡°De!¡± I exim excitedly, drawing myself out of Thoughts grip and into hers.


    ¡°I missed you so much,¡± she breathes into my hair, the familiar feeling and smell of her easing all of my concerns. Suddenly I¡¯m not worried about all the immortals who want to hurt me, as if I¡¯m too satisfied with my life for any of them to get to me. ¡°I haven¡¯t heard from you since you left your house¡­¡±


    I pull away, holding her at arm¡¯s length, realising that I don¡¯t want to exin to her everything that we have been through recently. ¡°Thought and I went on a vacation.¡±


    She doesn¡¯t look skeptical, which I¡¯m grateful for. De worries about me too much, so the fact that she doesn¡¯t question this makes me think I won¡¯t have to tell her about the horrors I¡¯ve had to endure recently. Thest thing I want to do is draw attention to De or drag her into the world with all the Immortals. Her even knowing Thought makes me ufortable, even though he is my mate.


    ¡°You look¡­ Good, healthy,¡± she notes, looking over me carefully.


    ¡°Being around Thought helps me a lot,¡± I note, ncing over my shoulder back at my mate. He lingers respectfully behind me, hands shoved in his pockets as he waits for us to finish speaking. ¡°How have you been?¡±


    De backs up a few steps, revealing someone from behind her that I hadn¡¯t noticed before. It¡¯s a man, around our age I imagine with dark brown hair and eyes that glitter wonderfully under the light. He looks nervous, awaiting my reaction which I hesitate in revealing. I immediately know that there is something romantic going on between him and De.


    ¡°Well, this is Carter,¡± she introduces, also seeming nervous about me meeting him. ¡°Him and I have recently started dating.¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Lue,¡± he says, reaching out to shake my hand. I can feel his gaze lingering over my shoulder at Thought, clearly having no idea that this girl he started dating has a sister who is mated to a pure-blood immortal. I can¡¯t help but wonder if Thought is traversing through his mind right now to determine whether he has good intentions with De. I bet Carter knows he¡¯s doing it too.


    ¡°You too,¡± I say, letting my gaze drift back to De, who has the biggest smile on her face that I¡¯ve seen in a long time. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯ve been around to keep my sisterpany.¡±


    Carter nods, before following us into the sitting room, where De sits close to the fire that is starving off the iing cold.


    ¡°Will you be moving home?¡± De asks me.


    I freeze, thinking that through for a moment. Thought eyes me carefully, letting nothing slip. It¡¯s not something we have talked about since everything has happened. Both him and I are mates, which cannot be undone. Now, it seems things are starting to calm down, so living together would be expected. I realise suddenly, that it is something that I want¡­ To live here with Thought, in hispany every day.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to stay here,¡± I say firmly. When I nce at Thought, his express doesn¡¯t slip, but I notice his eyes soften, relieved.


    ¡°That means we need to move closer, right?¡± De says, nudging Carter¡¯s side. He nods, although I don¡¯t miss his nerves, especially as he catches Thoughts eyes. Eventually he will feel more rxed around Thought. ¡°We can¡¯t lose contact.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, De. I want us all to be close,¡± I tell her warmly.


    Throughout this all, I have realised what is important, even if it has taken terrible things to make that clear. Even if my future is uncertain right now, I have every belief that being with my mate and remaining family will make me happier than I could have ever imagined.


    Thought smiles at me, nodding his head. ¡°Then that¡¯s how it will be.¡±


    And for once, I believe him.


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