Chapter 39: Chapter 39

NOAH

On a sunny Sunday morning, Evie, Elijah, Sawyer, Molly, Greyson, Jack, and I gathered in the dining hall for breakfast. Elijah was introduced to my brothers, and we all engaged in some light, albeit awkward, conversation.

As breakfast wrapped up, I instructed Jack to patrol the borders and ensure everything was in order. I requested Greyson to supervise the optional Sunday training at the arenas, a popular choice for our elite members and ambitious youngsters seeking to hone their skills in a less crowded setting.

Sawyer was tasked with keeping an eye on Molly, ensuring she didn’t do anything reckless while she was separated from her mate.

Evie and I then took Elijah on a tour of the pack house and its surrounding grounds. As noon approached, we strolled across the field that linked the pack house outdoor space to the arenas and sparring area.

Elijah, observing the bustling activity, likened it to a “crazy summer camp.”

I responded with pride, “Everyone is eager to do their part.”

Elijah, curious, asked, “What are they training for?” as we approached the largest arena.

This arena was primarily used for sparring matches and intense combat training, while the smaller ones were reserved for focus groups and skill training.

“Anything.” I shrugged. “Right now, mainly the rogues.”

Elijah, puzzled, asked, “What are they?”

I explained, “Werewolves who don’t belong to a pack. They’re just pests, really, causing trouble. They don’t bother us very often.”

We then ascended to the viewing deck, a small platform overlooking the arena.

Elijah leaned against the railing, engrossed in the sparring match below.

Evie broke the silence. “Why did they attack at the bonfire?”

I was taken aback, realizing we hadn’t discussed the rogue attack that led to my revelation to her.

“I’m not sure. We’re still trying to figure that one out. We’ve tightened up patrols since then to ensure your safety,” I reassured her.

Evie rolled her eyes. “I’m not the only one who lives here, Noah.”

“I know that, but you are the most important one who lives here,” I said, squeezing her hand.

Elijah, alarmed, asked, “Wait, rogues attacked while my sister was here?”

Evie explained, “That’s how I found out about Noah and the pack. It was only my second weekend here. They attacked while I was here attending a party.”

“She’s safe here, Elijah,” I reassured him, understanding his concern.

The thought of seven-foot-tall wolves roaming around where your human sister lives can be quite unsettling. Elijah managed to suppress an eye roll and returned his attention to the arena.

“Noah, I want to do that,” Evie suddenly declared, pointing toward the arena.

“What?” I asked, shocked.

“I want to train. I want to learn how to fight,” she stated.

Elijah’s tension was palpable, mirroring my own horror.

“Absolutely not,” I responded firmly.

Evie, hands on her hips, retorted, “What happened to not controlling me?”

I growled softly. “You know that’s not what I’m doing, Everleigh. It’s not safe. Besides, everyone here will protect you.”

She wasn’t convinced.

“Great, so I’ll be the most helpless and useless luna in the history of lunas,” she grumbled.

“You will never be helpless or useless. The luna doesn’t join the alpha in battle, ever. She is protected in case anything happens to the alpha. Besides, no alpha can think straight with their luna on the battlefield,” I reasoned.

“Fine. If you won’t train me here, then I’ll just go take human self-defense classes with some strange men,” she threatened.

I groaned. “Everleigh…”

“I’ll let you think about it.” She smirked, her mood shifting as she bounced down the steps of the platform.

Elijah sidled up next to me. “You’re in a pickle,” he stated, giving me a friendly pat on the back.

“You don’t say,” I retorted.

“So, this mate bond thing, does it make it impossible for you to say no to her?” he inquired.

“Pretty much,” I admitted. “Unless it’s something that could put her in harm’s way,” I clarified.

This was murky territory. Regardless, I was certain Evie wasn’t going to back down. So, was she safer training here with my pack or with a bunch of unknowns who could potentially be male? The answer was clear.

“Is that why I feel like going over there?” Elijah asked, gesturing back toward the house.

I followed his line of sight and saw Molly chatting with Evie.

“The mate bond pulls you to her, yes.” I chuckled.

“Even though I’m not a…you know…” He motioned toward me, not quite ready to utter the word ~werewolf~.

“Every human experiences the connection differently. Everleigh feels it more intensely than any other human I’ve known. It’s logical that you would have a strong connection, too,” I elaborated.

Elijah nodded, his gaze fixed on Molly.

“Do you want to go talk to her?” I asked.

Elijah glanced between me and Molly. “I don’t know what to say,” he confessed.

“Just treat it like a regular date, ignore the weight of the ~mate bond~,” I suggested.

“Is that what you did with Evie?” Elijah queried.

“That was the plan. I’m pretty sure I botched it, but I did my best to make things as normal as possible for her so she didn’t feel overwhelmed or pressured. We moved at her speed. Molly was there for her every step of the way, so she knows how to handle a human.” I tried to reassure him.

“All right, let’s go,” Elijah conceded, giving in to his longing.

I trailed him down the steps and across the yard. Evie sensed me coming and turned around to welcome us while Molly beamed excitedly. Evie slipped her hand into the crook of my elbow, wrapping her arm around mine as she smiled at Molly and her brother.

“Hi, uh, Molly,” Elijah stammered, shoving his hands in his jean pockets nervously.

Molly was visibly struggling to contain her excitement. “Hi!” she hollered.

We all cringed at her loudness.

“Did you want to, uhm, grab some lunch?” Elijah proposed, surprising Evie.

She looked up at me with a questioning look on her face, accusing me of orchestrating this. I shook my head at her innocently.

“Yes!” Molly bellowed again.

Sawyer’s eyes turned black, and I knew he was mind-linking his sister. She gradually stopped bouncing, trying to compose herself.

“You’ll have to pick the place; I’m not familiar with the area,” Elijah stated.

“Okay.” Molly bit her lip to keep from shouting.

“I can drive,” Elijah volunteered.

Molly agreed once more and started heading toward the parking garage. Elijah glanced back at us, and we all gave him a thumbs-up. He shot us a glare before refocusing on Molly.

“Should I chaperone?” Sawyer asked, watching his sister with a protective eye.

“From a distance,” I instructed him.

Sawyer dashed off after them without a second thought.

“That was unexpected,” Evie commented from beside me.

“So is your sudden urge to learn how to fight.” I shot her an accusing look.

She shrugged. “I’m full of surprises.” She waggled her eyebrows and started to dart away from me.

“You’re going to have to do better than that, little mate,” I teased her playfully as she let out a shriek and started running.

I caught up to her effortlessly, wrapping my arms around her waist and spinning her around, her feet leaving the ground. She giggled loudly as I set her back down on the ground and claimed her lips with mine.

“Take a walk with me?” I proposed.

She nodded eagerly, taking my hand as we began to stroll around the edge of the treeline.

“So, you’re really serious about this training thing?” I asked her.

She started biting her lip and nodded. “I don’t want to be helpless,” she reiterated.

“I don’t like the idea, Evie,” I responded honestly.

“Why wouldn’t you want me to be able to defend myself?” she questioned as we continued to walk hand in hand.

“Because the thought of you having to defend yourself makes me physically sick,” I sighed.

Evie lifted her gaze to mine, her lips curving into a tiny smile. “I swear, I’ll run and hide first, and only fight if there’s absolutely no other option,” she assured me, her words meant to soothe my worries.

“Everleigh, you’re my world. The mere thought of anything happening to you is unbearable,” I confessed, halting our walk to cradle her face in my hands.

“I know,” she murmured softly.

“But I won’t stand in your way. I just ask that you train here, under the guidance of trainers I trust,” I proposed, trying to find a middle ground.

“Just as long as you don’t assign the Easter Bunny and Cupid as my trainers. I actually want to learn something, Noah,” she retorted, shooting me a skeptical look.

I raised my hands in a gesture of surrender. “Fair point.” I chuckled.

She tiptoed to plant a kiss on my lips before we resumed our stroll.

“I wonder how Molly and Elijah are doing,” Evie mused after a while.

“Do you want me to mind-link Molly?” I offered.

She paused, weighing her options.

“No, let them be,” she finally decided.

As we completed our round of the training area and neared the pack house, a mind-link from the patrol wolves put me on high alert. I immediately instructed Sawyer to return from his chaperoning duties.

“We need to head back to my office, Evie,” I informed her, guiding her through the front door without a second glance.

“What’s happening?” Evie tensed beside me, picking up on my sudden unease.

“A member of the Council is here to see me,” I revealed.

“The what?” Evie looked at me, completely taken aback.

I couldn’t help but smile at her reaction.

“The Werewolf Council. They’re in charge of the packs. Mostly a bunch of old wolves who can’t let go of their power. They tend to overstep their boundaries, but they’re generally easy to ignore,” I explained, trying to keep her calm.

“Why are they here?” she asked, her worry evident.

“I’m not sure. Greyson is escorting him to my office from the front gate. I think it’s best if you wait for me upstairs,” I suggested as we neared my office.

“You don’t want me there with you?” she questioned, her lower lip jutting out in a pout.

The thought of upsetting her made Remi whimper in my head.

“I’d love to have you there, sweetheart, but the Council elders aren’t exactly fond of interspecies relationships, especially with humans,” I confessed.

“So, you want to hide me.” Evie’s demeanor shifted.

“I don’t want to, but I believe it’s the best course of action,” I reasoned.

“Best for whom?” she retorted, her arms folding defensively across her chest.

I cupped her face once more.

“Best for everyone. If the elder were to disrespect you even slightly, I’d tear his throat out through his stomach. It would create a huge mess for all of us,” I said, a mischievous grin playing on my lips.

I caught a hint of a smile in Evie’s eyes.

“All right,” she grumbled, but I could tell she wasn’t truly angry anymore.

She kissed me and then twirled away, heading toward the elevator. I watched her retreat, making sure she didn’t cross paths with the elder. Once she turned the corner toward the elevator, I stepped into my office.