Page 5 of Noah

“That’s because you’re supposed to be showing us around,” I shot back, grinning.

After a while, Adrian seemed more at ease, even putting a hand on my shoulder to steer me toward a narrow path through the woods. “This way,” he said. “There’s a clearing up ahead with a huge boulder. It’s been here for ages.”

I laughed awkwardly, my mind churning as I thought about how to shake Adrian off later.

Maybe I could convince Jackson to sneak off again tomorrow, but would we even have time?

Glancing back, I saw Jackson trailing a few steps behind us. His gaze locked on Adrian’s hand, which was still resting on my shoulder, his expression tense and unreadable.

I shrugged Adrian’s hand off and slowed my pace to match Jackson’s. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

Jackson looked away, his jaw tightening. “Nothing.”

“Are you mad?”

He hesitated, then finally glanced at me. His eyes softened. “No... I’m just—maybe I’m bored. Or hungry. I don’t know.”

I perked up. “Here,” I said, pulling the sandwich from my pocket and holding it out to him.

Jackson shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Nah, that’s yours.”

Before I could argue, Adrian’s hand shot out, snatching the sandwich from mine.

“Hey!” I shouted, irritation sharpening my tone.

Jackson’s expression darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. “Give it back, Adrian.”

Adrian held the sandwich just out of reach. “What’s the big deal? You said you were bored, right? Let’s make this interesting. How about a little game? You win, you get it back. You lose…” He trailed off, his grin widening suggestively.

I glanced at Jackson, whose entire body seemed coiled with barely restrained anger. My own frustration boiled beneath the surface, but I forced myself to stay calm.

Crossing my arms, I met Adrian’s gaze with a steady glare. “Fine,” I said evenly. “What kind of game?”

Chapter 2

Noah

Adrian's smirk widened.He’d just suggested we play our own little “hunt” since we couldn’t participate in tomorrow’s real one.

Except this time, I was the target.

“That’s just stupid!” I blurted, my voice sharper than I intended.

Jackson wrinkled his nose, his face twisting in disgust. His eyes flashed golden, a warning.

“We’re not doing this,” Jackson said firmly, crossing his arms.

“Oh, come on. It’s just a game. You’re all so dramatic,” Adrian said, his tone dripping with mock innocence. His eyes flicked to me, and I felt the weight of his smirk. “What’s the matter, Noah? Scared?”

I scowled, heat rising to my face. “Am not!” My chest tightened at the implication.

Adrian leaned in slightly, his voice low and taunting. “It makes sense, you know. The prey is always the weakest. It’s just nature.”

“I’m not weak!” I snapped, stepping forward before I could stop myself.

Adrian’s smirk grew, but before I could close the distance between us, Jackson immediately shifted to block me, his broad frame cutting off my path.

“Back off, Adrian. We’re not turning this into a hunt—or anything like it. We’re not chasing Noah,” Jackson growled, his golden eyes flaring bright.

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