“You okay?” Noah’s voice broke through my internal conflict.
I nodded, offering him a reassuring smile. “Yeah, just... thinking.”
“About?” he prompted, his head tilting slightly as he studied me.
“You,” I admitted, the word slipping out before I could stop it. But I didn’t regret it. If there was one thing I wanted to be with Noah, it was honest.
He blinked, a blush creeping up his neck. “Oh.”
“I meant what I said earlier,” I continued, my voice steady despite the rapid beat of my heart. “I’ve thought about you a lot. And now that you’re here... I don’t want to waste any more time.”
Noah’s lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.
The silence stretched between us, not awkward, but charged with the weight of unspoken emotions.
“I’ve thought about you too,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. “More than I probably should have.”
His confession sent a thrill through me, my wolf pacing just beneath the surface, eager and restless. I leaned in slightly, the space between us narrowing.
“Then let’s not waste it,” I said softly. “Whatever this is... I want to see where it goes.”
Noah’s gaze held mine, a flicker of uncertainty mixed with hope. “Are you sure? With everything going on...”
“I’m sure,” I interrupted, my tone firm. “I know it’s complicated, but I don’t care. We’ll figure it out.”
The resolve in my voice surprised even me, but it felt right. There was no denying the pull between us, the connection that had only grown stronger with time.
My wolf quieted slightly, sensing the shift, the mutual understanding that this was the beginning of something we both wanted.
Noah’s smile returned, soft and genuine. “Okay,” he said, his fingers tightening around mine. “Let’s see where it goes.”
The conversation continued, flowing easily between us.
I learned about his life in the pack, his dreams of traveling with his band, and the challenges of balancing his responsibilities with his personal ambitions.
With each word, I felt myself drawn closer to him, the desire to know him on a deeper level growing stronger.
As we finished our meal, the sun had set, casting a soft glow over the grounds. The atmosphere in the dining hall had shifted and seemed more relaxed.
I suggested a walk, and Noah agreed.
We strolled through the pack lands, the cool evening air filled with the scent of pine and earth. The quiet of the night offered a reprieve from the noise and tension of the summit.
It felt like the world had shrunk down to just the two of us, walking side by side in the moonlight.
“I always loved it here,” Noah said, his voice thoughtful. “It’s peaceful.”
“It is,” I agreed, glancing at him.
The moonlight caught in his hair, highlighting his face, his tempting mouth.
My wolf stirred again, the urge to reach out, to kiss him, to touch him was becoming harder to resist.
“I missed talking to you,” he admitted, looking at me. “It’s been a while.”
“It has,” I said, a hint of regret in my voice. “I should’ve reached out sooner. Life just... got in the way.”
“I get it,” he said, his smile gentle. “We all have responsibilities.”