Chapter 2

Author: Aurora Starling Last Updated: 2024-03-09 14:08:20

I spun around and tried to push past Noah, but he wouldn't budge. “Get out of my way,” I commanded. He stepped aside at my tone.

I stormed from our en suite bathroom into our bedroom, Noah close behind. “What is wrong with you tonight?” he demanded.

I stopped before our bed, surveying the room. Noah's gaze followed mine. The king-sized bed was draped with a red silk comforter, scattered with pink rose petals. The lights were dimmed, the flames of vanilla-scented teacup candles casting a soft glow. A bottle of champagne, on ice, and a plate of oysters sat on the bedside table.

I always went all out for these monthly intimacy nights. Too bad Noah never reciprocated.

I froze as Noah's eyes met mine, lingering on me in an unfamiliar way. Was that a spark of desire I saw? No, it couldn't be.

Whatever it was, I felt compelled to retreat onto the bed as he approached. I fell back, scooting to the mattress's center. Noah followed, prowling toward me like a predator, straddling me with my legs trapped between his, a hand on either side of my head.

“You must be eagerly awaiting something,” he whispered, his breath hot on my face. “Why else would you go to all this trouble?”

He lowered his muscular body, creating an inescapable cage. My cheeks flushed; a fire ignited in my belly, spreading through my body until my skin felt hot. My pulse pounded. His dark eyes met mine, daring me to deny the friction between us.

“No, Noah,” I said. “I’m tired of this.”

Noah’s lips pursed in confusion. “Tired of what?”

“I’m tired of our scheduled monthly intimacy just for conception.”

Noah raised an eyebrow. “Do you want it more frequently?” he asked with a teasing smirk. That spark was in his eyes again.

His member hovered near my groin; the heat was unbearable. A drop of sweat traced a path from my head, down my neck, and onto my cleavage. I imagined him licking it away, then further… but dismissed the fantasy; he’d never pay such attention to my needs.

I shook my head, trying to banish the thought. “Well?” Noah said, lowering himself.

I huffed, trying to wriggle free. “When a woman says ‘no,’ she means ‘no’,” I spat.

Noah’s eyes flashed dangerously. His grip tightened on the bed, the comforter bunching beneath his grasp. He snarled. “If you had said ‘no’ to our marriage, things would have been simpler,” he growled.

I paled as he rolled off the bed. The release was welcome, yet his words stung more than any physical touch. I turned onto my side, propping myself up to watch him.

“Do you still believe my arrival forced Zoe to reject you?” I asked.

He paused, fastening his belt. His eyes flicked to me before returning to the task. “It was my choice,” he replied coldly. “You had nothing to do with it.”

That answer pierced me. Perhaps I’d secretly hoped he’d given me that much consideration. Perhaps I didn’t believe him.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to sleep with me,” Noah continued, his icy tone belying his words. “However, you need to be prepared for the Acceptance Ceremony tomorrow. You didn’t forget, did you?”

“No, I didn’t forget,” I replied bitterly.

How could I forget the day Zoe returned to the Nightcrest Pack? It was one of the worst days of my life—and the beginning of the end. I wished I could cancel the ceremony and bar her return, but only the Alpha held that power. And I couldn’t reveal her presence threatened me—not yet.

Noah’s approach to the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Wait!” I called, reaching for him. Maybe I could give him one last chance at honesty. Our marriage—and our child—deserved it.

Noah sighed and turned back. “What?” he asked impatiently.

His tone almost broke my resolve, but I wouldn’t let him intimidate me. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”

He stared, his eyes revealing no emotion. “No,” he said. “Nothing at all.”

Tears pricked my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away. “All right. That’s all.”

Noah searched my face, shook his head, and left without another word.

I covered my mouth, stifling a sob. I’d given him a chance to be honest, to consider my feelings, but he didn’t care. He hadn’t considered Zoe’s return's impact on me. If he had, he was more heartless than I’d imagined.

Our loveless marriage didn’t give him license to bring back his ex-girlfriend and trample on my dignity. It didn’t give him the right to flaunt her, jeopardizing my life… my baby’s life…

I looked down at my stomach, stroking it gently. My baby. I would protect my baby. This child was perhaps the only gift from this marriage, and I wouldn’t let Zoe and Noah take it. That meant escaping this marriage and forging my own path.

I thought of the Silvermoon Pack. That should be my pack. I was born with the bloodline of a female Alpha, but I’d relinquished the chance to lead the Silvermoon Pack to become the Nightcrest Pack's Luna.

I should never have made that mistake, but I could still rectify it. All I needed was public support and affection. Even if I had to do it alone.

Determination hardened my face. Before moving toward this brighter future, I needed to change something from my past—the incident that made me appear foolish to my people.