*Zara*
I contacted my Alpha to let him know that the Alpha Heir of Drogomor was on the way with . After a brief exchange, I confird all was well and that I was headed ho.
I said to Noah on the drive back to my pack’s part of the woods, “Alpha Ezekiel wants to et with you when we arrive on the territory... you, , and your guards, of course.”
The Drogomor guards with Noah exchanged glances and dipped their heads, not opposed to this idea on their end.
Noah nodded, no doubt expecting it given it was standard procedure.
I noticed he was lost in thought and asked, “How are you doing?”
He looked at and gave a slight smile. “Been worse,” he said. “But I’m looking forward to visiting your pack and spending ti with you when we’re not annoying the moon out of each other and our wolves.”
I snickered because my wolf, annoyingly enough, was most certainly not annoyed by him. She wanted to grow closer, I noticed, but as always, I ignored her. Noah was a visiting friend, and I needed to prepare for my mate.
“Are you entirely confident that you won’t annoy the hell out of while visiting, Noah?” I asked with a teasing chuckle.
But then I frowned.
Noah and I were becoming friendlier and friendlier, which was nice, but he was an Alpha Heir. The stubbornness and power radiating from him should have been a constant reminder of that.
He noted my expression, and his smile faded. “What’s the matter?” he asked softly, with worry in his tone.
I let out a slightly nervous laugh. “Well... you’re the future heir of Drogomor,” I said.
“Yeah?” he asked, now sounding confused.
Was he not getting it? He surely didn’t assu I was so rich girl too.
“My ho isn’t fancy like yours, Noah. It’s just a small little thing. My humble ho may not be to your taste,” I said finally, my face flushing a bit.
Now, he laughed, putting a hand on his head and shaking a bit. I raised my brow and gave a huff.
“Zara,” Noah said, his tone laced with amusent. “I know that most family hos are smaller than pack houses. It doesn’t matter,” he said, giving a soft smile. “I want to be a good friend to the person whose crazy confidence led to the possibilities of a mate bond. You saved from a big mistake. I wouldn’t care if you lived in a tent,” he said.
“Well, it’s not a tent,” I laughed. “But it is rather small.”
With that in mind, we pulled up to Alpha Ezekiel’s mansion.
It felt a bit strange being followed by Noah’s guards in my Alpha’s mansion, but I knew this was standard. I just wasn’t used to interacting with Alphas like this prior to my job with Noah.
When we arrived, my Alpha gave a warm smile. “Zara! Your accomplishnts have spread far and wide, and I have to say, I’m impressed!” he said.
“Thank you,” I said, feeling my heart leap.
“No, thank you for helping this gentleman here, a future Alpha! I’ve heard great things about the Drogomor pack, and I even think talks of an alliance are in order at so point. But for now, welco, Alpha Heir Noah Drogomor!”
Noah provided a polite smile to him and dipped his head. “I appreciate the warm welco, Alpha Ezekiel,” he replied confidently. “Zara was a great help to , and I am proud to call her my friend. I wanted to co for a visit, and extend an offer of possible formal alliance on behalf of my father.”
“We will be happy to accommodate!” Ezekiel said. “You are invited to stay here at this mansion for the duration of your visit if you wish.” He then looked toward . “Zara is included in that invitation, of course.”
“I appreciate that,” I said sincerely, feeling honored that my Alpha would offer such a thing. “But it’s been a while, and I want to stay with my parents.”
Then, I looked at Noah, giving a reassuring smile. “Don’t let keep you from staying here, where the accommodations may be more to your liking.”
Noah shook his head. “I would love to et more mbers of your pack, and see more wonderful places like this, but I want to stay with Zara, if she is still open to the idea.”
I smiled at Noah. My wolf was pleased with his decision too. “I am,” I said.
Alpha Ezekiel looked between us, and there was almost a knowing glint in his eye. I wondered what was on his mind.
But rather than saying so, he nodded. “Understandable decision. Please contact if either of you need anything or have any questions,” he said.
With that, we headed to my ho. I had inford my parents of my hocoming, and they were aware that Noah and his guards were joining us too.
The sll of fresh cookies hit us when we got there, and my stomach rumbled. The feeling of finally being ho after so long revitalized , and I felt happiness settle into my core.
“Co on, I’ll show you around,” I said to Noah and his guards. From there, I knocked on the door, all smiles.
***
*Noah*
I was glad Zara grew less shy when I reassured her that staying here would be just fine. I’d find my ways to get exercise, probably by running through the woods or sothing.
I figured that a humble ho away from Drogomor would be just what I needed. I was glad Zara had let co along. I wanted to help her and protect her until her mate ca along, too.
She had a child on the way, and the entire reason I had insisted she stay in Drogomor until she felt a little better was so that I could do so.
Now, I had many reasons to be here, that being one of them, but also my ulterior motive... to help my friend out.
The hot ss of my failed engagent had cost her paynt, even though my parents had insisted on giving her money for her efforts. I wasn’t surprised that she’d refused the paynt. She was too pure hearted for that.
So, it was my job to make up for that while making sure she didn’t overwork herself while carrying a child.
When the sll of cookies hit my nose, my stomach grumbled. One of the Drogomor guards with muttered, “I’d like my pay in cookies, please.”
I couldn’t help but snicker.
The door was answered by a pleasant looking woman. When her eyes fixed on Zara, she gasped. “Welco ho, honey!” she said, sweeping up Zara into a hug.
Zara let out a happy sigh and returned the woman’s hug. “Hey, Mom. It’s so good to see you. I missed you.”
“I missed you too!” she exclaid. She let go of the hug, then looked at and the guards. Curiosity settled in her gaze until she said, “You must be the Alpha Heir of Drogomor, Noah! Zara has said so much about you.”
“Oh no,” I said with a light groan, causing Zara to laugh.
Her mother did too. She then said, “Nothing bad! Being stubborn can be a good thing sotis. She said you do have a kind heart and want to do the best for your pack, which is lovely.”
“Well, she’s right there. I do,” I said, giving a smile. “It is nice eting you.”
“The feeling is mutual! My na is Ria,” she said. She then looked at the guards and exchanged greetings as well. But then she frowned. “I don’t think we have enough guest rooms for everyone.”
“We will figure out accommodations without being a burden on you,” I said in a soft tone, not wanting to further strain things here, “including food and a place for everyone to sleep comfortably.”
“Except for the cookies,” Zara said in an amused tone, causing one of my guards to widen his eyes. Zara laughed. “Those are usually for everyone. Right, Mom?”
Ria laughed. “Yes, that’s right!” she said.
With that, we went inside, and I took so ti to look around. The house was small and cozy, without many fancy decorations like Drogomor.
Despite being a stranger here, I felt welco, and my wolf was calm as well. There was no sense that I should be wary, which helped relax further.
“Jax! Zara and her friends are here!” Ria called out, then she turned to us, her eyes sparkling. “Jax is my husband. He may be a touch cold at first, but that’s just how he is with newcors.”
“I understand,” I said without worry.
Into the room walked a confident man. He stepped up to Ria and swept her into his arms, planting a deep kiss on her lips.
I watched in secret awe, noting the tension rising in the room.
It was a good tension, though. My wolf was excited; we were witnessing a true mate bond that had existed between two people for many years. Here and now, I was able to see what Zara was talking about.
When the kiss ended, they stared into each other’s eyes as if lost in them for a mont. So much emotion happened in just one look, in such little ti, too.
This is what a mated pair looked like.
It only strengthened my understanding and confidence in Zara’s faith, and my belief that she’d been right all along. A pang of guilt rushed through . I wished I had listened to her sooner.
But Zara, the kind-hearted gorgeous soul that she was, had forgiven and made friends with anyway.
Now, Jax looked at .
“Hello there,” he said in a careful tone.
I dipped my head in a respectful greeting. “Hello. Thank you for welcoming to your ho.”
Ria chid in next, saying, “You are very welco! We got the ssage from Zara and are happy to accommodate! It is lovely how you want to learn more about our pack.”
“It’s a bit of a surprise you’re not doing so from the Alpha’s mansion,” Jax muttered.
There was a certain cold shoulder to him. He kept a watchful eye on that I had a feeling would remain during my ti here.
I could feel it.
Not that it offended —Alpha Heir or not, I was a stranger in his ho, and I’d need to prove I wasn’t a problem.
I didn’t know the extent of what Zara had told her parents about .
“I would rather help Zara out with her career,” I said. “She has a lot on her plate.” It was an honest answer.
Jax frowned and thought this over, but Ria grinned with delight.
“What a gentleman!” Ria said. She looked over at Jax and playfully bumped him with her shoulder. “Aw, honey, don’t be so cold! He’ll be a real help around the house.”
Jax comnted, “I hope so. Regardless, you are more than welco, Alpha Heir.” He turned toward his mate and gave her a warm smile, thawing a bit from her touch.
Those little interactions ant everything between mates, I realized. Jax relaxed the more Ria spoke up.
The welcos finished, Zara eventually led into a small den area that was set up with a few couches and a television.
“It’s not much,” Zara said. “But it’s ho. Can I get you anything, Noah... aside from the cookies? Mom will be handing them out soon, I promise.” She chuckled.
I snickered, then thought for a mont. “I don’t need anything, no. Thank you for asking. I will settle in just fine. It’s comfortable here.”
“It’s small compared to your mansion, but not sothing I ever minded. It took quite a bit to get used to how large the Drogomor mansion was,” she admitted.
“I can imagine,” I said. Then, I gave her a smile, saying in a smooth, confident tone, “Don’t be shy, beautiful. This place is almost as sweet as you are.”
Zara’s cheeks flushed a bit, and she gave a small smile.
“There you go with your charm again, Noah.”
The way she said it made wonder if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
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