Chapter 22
Irene.
A part of me was tempted to stop time. Thatâs if I could, of course.
Because this moment right here was perfect, I was standing in the most beautiful place I had ever seen with the one person who made me feel like I was home. Nothing could go wrong.
Or rather, I didnât want anything to go wrong.
Maybe Iâll ask the moon goddess as a special request. Since I had my wolf for as long as I could remember, I had never experienced the awakening and awakening of gifts that other Lycans experience.
However, my wolf was one of the strongest in my old pack, and I had gotten two mates because they were confident I could withstand the strain of carrying Lycan children more than once.
âI can see why itâs your favourite place,â I mumbled, pulling my head out of my thoughts and allowing myself to look at the beautiful sunset.
Noah chuckled as he tucked me in closer to his side.
âI like to come here anytime things get overwhelming, and I need to clear my head.â
âIt also helps that somehow, I can see most of the Empire from hereâ¦â he paused, looking down to hold my gaze.
âIt helps me remember how much responsibility I have on my shoulder.â
His confession made my heart ache in a weird way. Suddenly, I could understand what it was like to have to bear the weight of an empire this large.
To be responsible for millions of Lycans.
We stayed there for a while, each person lost in their own thoughts until Noah broke the silence.
âLetâs get you home.â
âOtherwise, Alek would probably dispatch half the empireâs security to find you,â he added with a dry chuckle as he stood up and then stretched his hands to help me up.
âLike he would even notice I was gone,â I had eaten breakfast alone and a part of me was already prepared to have more of that until Noah and I reconciled.
Now, I knew that he would at least come down for dinner.
Noah snorted, his eyes flickering with an emotion that I couldnât place. âHe knows everything happening to you and about you.â
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Chapter 22
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âHell, he probably wonât even need to dispatch the security because he knows we are here,â he countered, then ran his hands through his hair. An action that gave away his frustration.
âWhatâs going on? Did you guys fight?â My heart sank as I remembered my first dinner with the three of them.
I had been jealous of the reliance and bond that was apparent between the both of them. Now that I was somehow in the picture, I didnât want them to have any conflict because of me.
âWe just have different opinions right now,â Noah said dismissively, and I rolled my eyes at him.
Was he trying to lie to me?
I jabbed my finger at his chest. I was not expecting how firm and solid they were. If I had used a little more fault, I might have broken my finger.
âIâm not a kid, Noah. If we are doing this mate thing, then Iâd rather do it with someone that can be open with me.â
Noah completely ignored me. The hope and warmth that had bubbled inside me all evening died down very quickly.
My mouth pulled at the corners, and I stalked off, even though I knew deep down that I couldnât leave this place without him.
I didnât even have a phone.
For a minute, I blame myself. For being delusional enough to think that Noah was some princeâhe was a prince. But he was certainly not the one to sweep me off my feet.
Or make some fantasy love story come alive with me. I leaned against his bright red sports car, and every now and then, Iâll kick at it with the heel of my sneakers.
If I couldnât vent my anger at the person, there was no big deal if I pushed some of it into his car.
âYou know the car canât feel any of that, right?â Noah called out and I looked up, tilting my head to take him in as he climbed down the stairs.
He stopped in front of me, his build towering over me effortlessly and he held my stare for an uncomfortably long time until I broke eye contact by looking down.
âAlthough Alek might seem distant and unreachable to you..â Noah paused, and my heart ached from the break in his voice.
âHeâs my parent, guardian, brother and sometimes, my best friend,â he cringed at his last word, and there was the flash of a smile on his face for a second.
âHowever, this time, I was a little unwilling to share my mate from the moon goddess with him. And more importantly, Elton.â
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Chapter 22
Just what I guessed, I was the reason why they werenât on good terms.
âBut some part of me also desperately wants him to be happy, Esme.â He reached for my hands and clamped them tight in his own. âAnd after spending today with you, I know you can make him happy.â
I shook my head. It didnât work that way. I was not like this with Alek.
Around Noah, I felt comfortable, as I always had. But with Alek, it always felt like the oxygen became scarce anytime he was around, and I had to struggle for the little available.
It was like I needed to be careful of my actions, expressions, and words around him.
I wanted to say more, but Noah interrupted, âItâs okay; we will figure it out eventually. Or Iâll find a way to deal with how I feel.â
I swallowed my words, seeing as he wanted the topic to end.
The drive back was silent, and Noah turned on the radio at some point. By the time we parked in front of the Palace, he felt calmer.
âEsme, regardless of anything happening, Iâll always be here for you,â Noah vowed, and my heart thumped against my ribcage.
I nodded numbly, unable to find the perfect words to reply to him.
But that was enough as Noah got down and rushed to my side of the car.
It was already dark out, and as we held hands, I felt like I had finally found a place where I belonged.
Right here with him⦠I canât complete my thought process as I freeze at the sight before us.
Elton.
With his hands tucked in his pockets and a dark and gloomy expression that made it very clear that he was displeased at something.
And a part of me knew that it was me.
âI see that you are weaving your way through very quickly, troublemaker,â he spat as he climbed the stairs and sauntered towards us.
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