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Chapter 5
Noelle
I’m all kinds of insecure when I enter Lucian’s home. It’s a grand mansion filled with modern furniture and paintings that only extremely rich people can afford. But that isn’t why I’m nervous. It’s Lucian in question who makes me feel like a total nerve–wrack.
Ever since I found out he is my second–chance mate, my heart has been doing double–flips around him. I don’t understand why. A week ago, he was the annoying brother of my ex–mate. Like, I’ve always considered Lucian to be attractive. Anyone who claims otherwise would have to be blind. The guy is gorgeous, but I never used to get dizzy around him.
That has officially changed.
After becoming mates, Lucian has gained the ability to make me feel like a toothless tiger or a shark on land. All he needs to do is look at me, and I’m a goner. It’s so embarrassing. Does he have some sort of magical ability to charm people?
I follow Lucian inside his mansion. A dozen butlers are standing in the hallway, and I blush at the thought of them watching my every move. So this is how rich people live….
“Noelle?”
I snap out of my thoughts and look up at Lucian. “Y–yes?”
“I have a meeting with the pack elders tomorrow morning, Lucian informs me as he takes off his suit and gives it to one of his butlers. “I would like for you to attend it with me since I’m going to announce you as my future Luna to the pack elders. I’m also going to tell them that you’re the woman who will give me an heir,”
“Excuse me?” I stare at him. “We just became mates, and you’re already planning for us to have babies?”
He blinks down at me with those way–too–long eyelashes that make him look like a movie star. “Do you not wish to have my babies?”
His eyes are so intense that my face flames. Honestly, I want nothing more than to have his babies. Alpha Lucian is irresistible, but I’m not the type of woman to fall into the arms of a man so easily, especially since I belonged to Lucian’s brother only twenty–four hours ago.
I stare down at the floor. “I know what is expected of me, Alpha Lucian. I’m just…a bit frazzled because everything is happening so fast.”
Suddenly, I feel a large hand on my neck. I expect Lucian to try and choke me since abuse is something I’ve withstood for years as the pack’s Omega.
But the pain doesn’t come.
Lucian’s gentle hand strokes a blue area on my neck and when meet his eyes, they are burning. “This is an old bruise, Duchess,” he says. “Mind telling me who gave it to you?”
I release a snort at that, thinking he can’t be serious, but Lucian doesn’t laugh with me.
“What’s so funny?” he asks.
“The fact you’re pretending to care,” I reply bitterly. “I’m the pack’s Omega and have been beaten by your pack members daily for things that I don’t even control. And sure, no one dared to touch me when I found Sebastian, but he he hurt me whenever I didn’t do what he told me to.
Lucian’s expression hardens. “You mean to tell me that my brother abused his own mate?”
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Chapter 5
Why does he sound so outraged? Doesn’t he believe me?
“He was the one who left the mark”
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Those calm eyes belonging to Lucian turn red, and fear churns the pit of my stomach since I know his fairy is about to come through.
“I–I don’t blame him for it!” I hurry to say, desperate not to get eaten up by Lucian for telling on his brother. “I mean, I’m the Omega and hardly worth anything. It’s okay to beat me up. Everyone does that!”
“Well, no one should,” Lucian mutters.
Before I know it, he hugs me to him with such force that the air rushes out of my lungs. Seconds later, I find myself buried in his robust chest, surrounded by his scent. His hands, gentle ye firm, hold me as though I am something precious. It’s something so unfamiliar that it makes my eyes water.
“B–but I’m just an Omega…” I whisper.
“Schhh,” Lucian strokes my back while holding me. “You’re so much more than that, Noelle. You just haven’t realized it yourself yet.”
Even though I’m sad, I smile against his chest. “That’s very kind of you to say, but I really am nothing special.”
“And that’s where you’re terribly mistaken, Noelle, because if you weren’t a special werewolf, then you wouldn’t be mated to someone like me”
breathe a laugh. “Because you’re so cocky and think so highly of yourself that you couldn’t possibly see yourself being mated to someone ordinary?”
To my surprise, he chuckles. “You’re really smartmouthed, but no, that’s not at all what I’m saying,” he sighs and goes quiet for a bit as though searching for words before he continues, “Mates are one soul split into two bodies. They balance each other out and complete each other. You might be an Omega, Noelle, but you are my other half. You have the strength that I lack, the softness to my harshness, the patience to my impulsiveness. You are not ordinary, far from it. You are extraordinary, and if you give your wolf some time, I’m sure she will awaken soon enough.”
fback away a little, meeting Lucian’s eyes, “How can you be so sure?”
“Because I feel it, Noelle. I feel it every time I’m around you. Your wolf is about to awaken, and she is more powerful than you think.”
He lets his hand trace the outline of my face, his fingers gentle against my skin.
“And when she does awaken,” Lucian continues. “You won’t be looking at yourself as an Omega anymore.”
His words make my heart bloom with hope. Ever since I was a litle girl, all I’ve ever wanted was to be accepted by my pack. Now, I might have the chance to become someone they all would respect.
“Thank you for the kind words,” I whisper, my voice trembling slightly from emotion.
“You’re welcome,” Lucian replies before kissing my forehead gently, his warm lips lingering against my skin. “Just remember, Noelle, you’re not alone in this journey. You have me now…speaking of that, you must be very tired. My room is just-
“Oh my god, we are not sharing a room on our first night together!” I exclaim, cutting him off with a horrified look on my face.
Sharing a room with Lucian is a big no because I know I would be able to control myself around him, and the last thing I need is his big, strong body naked beside me. How am I supposed to resist him then?!
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Nah, the safest option here is to keep some distance between us so that I won’t humiliate myself by accidentally waking upr with my face on his chest and my drool all over his abs.
Lucian bursts into laughter, his muscular chest rumbling under toy hard. “You’re so funny. My tongue has already between your legs, Noelle. I’ve tasted you, and you’re afraid of a little cuddling?”
His words, so blunt and unfiltered, make my cheeks flame with anbarrassment. My mouth opens and closes in a fruitless attempt to voice a coherent response. Eventually, I manage to tritter out, “That was different.”
“It was?” Lucian counters, a teasing edge to his voice. He steps even closer, causing me to take a step back since I don’t trust myself not to touch him.
“It was,” I confirm. “I had a moment of weakness after Sebastians betrayal, and that’s why I let you pleasure
don’t mistake that for me being easy or desperate. Now that my head is somewhat in the right place, I me so fast. But
slow. I want us to know each other…beyond the physical
want to take things
“Slow?” Lucian looks like he is trying not to laugh. “You’re telling me you want to go slow even though most of your private thoughts are about me shirtless.”
My eyes widen. “How do you know about-”
“Your thoughts?” He smirks, leaning oh–so–close until his warm breath caresses my ear. That’s my little secret.”
I take a step back, eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You can read minds.”
He chuckles. “I can, but I don’t have to read yours to know what you’re thinking, Noelle. Because every time you think of me, you get that dreamy look on your face. It’s actually very endearing.”
My cheeks burn hotter since he is right, but I refuse to back down. “Well, then, you should also know that thinking about something and acting upon it are two very different things.”
He folds his arms over his chest, his biceps flexing underneath the fabric of his crisp white shirt with the movement. “I’m perfectly aware of that.”
“So, can we agree on a slow pace? Or do you have other intentions?”
Lucian considers my question for a moment, his green eyes studying me as if I am the most fascinating puzzle he’s ever encountered. He adjusts his shirt cuffs, a casual action that somehow increases the tension between us. His gaze never leave mine; it’s intense, but eventually, he gives in.
“Alright, Noelle. We’ll take it slow.” He agrees, but there’s a mischievous glint in his eyes that tells me he has more to say.
“But,” he starts, “If you touch me in an intimate way, don’t expect me to be a perfect gentleman and not respond. The slow pace you’re asking for will go out the window.”
“And why would I suddenly touch you?”
“Why wouldn’t you?” he counters.
His confidence rattles me a little, yet I manage to stay focused. Because I have self–control.”
“Oh, but you won’t have self–control for very long.”
My heart flutters erratically in my chest. “Is that a threat?”
He steps closer again, a devilish smile pulling at the corners of his lips. “Consider it a…promise,” he murmurs, his voice dropping to a husky whisper that sends shivers down my spine.
I swallow hard, my eyes darting nervously between his eyes and his lips. “That’s not very gentlemanly of you.”
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A soft chuckle trickles from his mouth, and he takes a step back, giving me some space. “I’ve never been a gentleman, and neither do I intend to become one. But since you’re my mate, Iwill respect your wishes.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he smirks before nodding at the stairs, “There’s a guestroomupstairs, second door on your right. Feel free to make yourself comfortable.”
Slightly taken aback by his sudden shift in demeanor, I blink up at him. “Are you not going to…?”
“Show you?” He raises an eyebrow, a smile creeping onto his lips. “No, I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”
I frown. “Why not?”
Isn’t it common courtesy to show the guest around?
“Because if I entered the same bedroom as you, I can’t guarantee I’d be able to keep my promise of taking things slow.”
My jaw falls to the floor while Lucian smirks like the devil himself and turns on his heel. “I’ll see you in the morning, Noelle.”
I watch hint disappear down the grand hallway, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. I can’t help but shiver at his parting words.
Alpha Lucian was so intense when he looked at me, like a man starved for something he couldn’t have. It honestly was the look of a predator studying its prey, and 1, the hapless prey, could only stand rooted to the spot.
I wonder if I’ve made things worse by telling Lucian I want to take things slow because, somehow, it feels like he might see my wish as a game or a challenge, something to conquer. And I can’t decide if I’m scared or excited by the thought of being his target.
