Page 1 of Noah

Noah

One fierce alpha. One reluctant mate. A love that was meant to be.

Noah has always been the quiet, steady presence in his pack. But his peaceful life is upended when his pack hosts the regional summit, bringing packs from across the country to his doorstep—and with them, Jackson, the boy who saved his life years ago.

Jackson is no longer the impulsive young wolf who shielded Noah from danger. Now the confident and determined future alpha of his pack, Jackson has grown into his role as a leader. But there’s one thing his wolf has never forgotten: the moment it imprinted on Noah all those years ago.

When pack tensions flare and old rivalries threaten to derail the summit, Jackson is ready to do whatever it takes to protect Noah, even if it means exposing his long-held secret. But Noah isn’t sure he’s ready to be anyone’s mate—especially not the enigmatic, commanding wolf who’s never left his thoughts.

With alliances crumbling and danger closing in, Noah and Jackson must decide if the bond between them is strong enough to overcome fear, duty, and the shadows of the past.

Chapter 1

Noah

THE PAST

I peeked out from behind the pillar, scanning the rows of shifters packed into the hall.

My target sat three rows from the back, shoulders slouched, face twisted into the most "I’d-rather-be-anywhere-but-here" expression I’d ever seen.

Perfect.

Taking a quick breath, I hissed, “Psst!”

A couple of heads turned in my direction. Not the right one, of course.

Heart pounding, I ducked back behind the pillar. Stupid! Now people were looking—and Jackson definitely wasn’t one of them.

I risked another glance. He was staring straight ahead, completely uninterested in whatever dull speech droned on about border patrols.

The audience suddenly burst into applause, and I flinched. Had someone seen me? No. It was just a reaction to the talk or speech or whatever.

I didn’t care. I had bigger problems.

Sliding to the next pillar, closer this time, I tried again. “Psst!”

This time, he shifted slightly, his head tilting as though he’d heard something but wasn’t sure where it came from. He hesitated, then turned back to face the front.

I frowned. Maybe this was a bad idea. What if he didn’t want to come with me? What if?—

Another round of applause broke my spiraling thoughts. Something about patrol strategies? Border rotations? Boring.

Jackson yawned loudly, his jaw stretching wide enough to crack. His brother, Hudson, elbowed him sharply in the ribs. Jackson straightened up with an annoyed glare, crossing his arms.

I smirked.

Yeah, I’d been worrying for nothing. Jackson didn’t want to be here any more than I did.

Of course, he’d come with me. I mean, who’d want to sit through this snooze-fest when it was such a nice day outside?

Not Jackson. I could count on him. I always could.

Unlike Miles, my so-called best friend, who’d ditched me yesterday to trail after Cooper and Sawyer like some lost pup.

And Griffin? He’d been glued to our dad’s side since we got here. No help there.

But Jackson was different. He got me. He’d never say no to a good excuse to sneak out—especially if I asked.

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