*Noah*
“This looks delicious,” rida said as so plates were placed in front of us, full of so fresh, juicy steak and potatoes.
We were sitting in the dining room for dinner, and Zara had joined us. My friend nodded in agreent with rida, giving a light smile... though it was forced, I could tell.
I felt a pang of worry within , and my wolf pushed at to go and check on her, to comfort her and see if she was alright.
But I didn’t want to compromise her secret, so I ate while shooting her glances of concern. I was trying to co up with the best way to ask how she was without being obvious.
rida beat to it.
“Zara, you’re looking a little pale! Are you okay?” she asked. “The stress from the lilies must be really weighing on you. I’m sure Noah will handle the rogues.”
I nodded in agreent because I was determined to help in that way.
Clearly taking that excuse, Zara nodded. “Yeah, it’s a lot. I’m finding myself worrying about it more and more lately. Thanks for the concern, rida.”
She gave rida a warm smile, which ward my heart a bit.
Dinner otherwise was uneventful, aside from Zara apologizing for not being able to eat as much.
“It’s alright. Go get so rest,” I encouraged her.
She obliged, listening rather than being stubborn, thankfully.
When I was alone with rida, sitting with her by the fire in the living room, she turned to look at . “Poor Zara. She looked so, so sickly tonight.”
“She did,” I agreed with a sigh. “A lot has been going on lately. I hope she’s been taking care of herself. It’s one of the reasons why I asked her to stay here.”
“That is so thoughtful of you,” rida gushed. So silence passed between us, until she said, “Though, I think it’s more than just stress.”
“What do you an?”
“Well... are you aware of her condition? She’s clearly carrying a child and straining herself while doing so.”
Damn it, I thought. I didn’t think Zara had been that obvious, but rida guessed it right on the nose. My wolf surged with anxiety for reasons I couldn’t quite place.
After a mont, I said slowly, “Hm. Well, yes, I was aware of her pregnancy.”
I turned to et her gaze, noting how she widened her eyes in surprise. Furrowing my brow, I wondered why she had that reaction.
Her next question explained why.
“Is the child yours?” she asked.
Her tone was gentle and not demanding or jealous. I only detected a hint of curiosity there.
That was a tough question to answer. I was not the father... but had a hard ti coming out and saying it. I’d avoided thinking about Zara being with and eventually returning to another man.
I hated to admit that the child couldn’t be mine.
“No,” I said finally. “I’m not the father.”
“I see,” rida said, letting out a breath of relief. “It would have been okay. We would have worked sothing out. I was gone a while, after all, and you two seem close.”
I wanted to be closer to Zara. I truly did. But I knew that taking her away from her true mate would be wrong. rida could still be my true mate, even if I was starting to have my doubts. I was glad rida at least understood the situation.
“Thank you for being open minded,” I said, smiling at her warmly.
“Of course, Noah. But... perhaps it’s ti for Zara to return ho to her family. This situation is very complicated, after all. She doesn’t seem to know who the father is.”
I shook my head. “I know it’s a tricky circumstance. But that’s not an idea I can agree to,” I said firmly.
“What? Why? It would be better for her, and for us.”
“Zara isn’t just a matchmaker to . She’s a trusted friend, a business partner now, too. We have plans with the Luna Lily.”
“The one that even further complicates things, yes,” rida said with a light sigh. She reached up and cupped my cheek.
I noted the feeling wasn’t the sa as when Zara did it, but I quickly shoved that thought aside. Rather, I just nodded.
“It does. But it still changes nothing. It could bring more prosperity to Drogomor, too, bring more lives together. I want to be involved in that. It is a wonderful thing, and I understand it now.”
“You are a very passionate man. I love that about you.”
She leaned forward and gently tried to give a kiss. But I leaned away from her, not feeling the spark between us that I did with Zara.
“What’s wrong?” rida asked in a soft tone.
“I just... need so ti,” I said.
rida frowned but gave a light nod. “Is it Zara?”
I shrugged. “Zara will have a place here if she wishes. She’s going through a lot. She may need it. I haven’t sorted through my feelings yet. Can we spend ti now as friends?”
“I understand. Yes, we can,” rida said in a warm tone. “Noah... I’ll see you in the morning.”
***
The next day, I was called to the office for an important eting. A representative from the palace in Egoren wanted to et with for so news.
I took a seat in front of him, dipping my head respectfully. “Hello. What information do you have for , sir?”
“Noah Black, it is a pleasure to et you. We have heard of the issue with the Luna Lilies. Thank you for eting in person.”
“It is an honor,” I said confidently. I perked up further. “Yes, the Luna Lily situation. The matchmaker Zara Star and I would like to use them to bring people together. A priestess from the Dark Realm claid it would be used to shatter bonds instead.”
The representative nodded, letting out a light sigh. “We need to investigate these rogues. The Luna Lilies belong to the entire realm, not just them.”
I let out a breath of relief. “Your help will be greatly appreciated in this,” I said, my gratitude dripping from my tone.
“We respect your work,” he said. “It is important for the mate bond to be restored. Mates haven’t been able to find each other, and that can now be fixed. We will not let a few rogues get in the way.”
“Thank the Goddess. I will let Zara know of this developnt.”
We exchanged a bit more information back and forth, which was mostly providing details on how the rogues attacked our team, before the eting was adjourned.
I had to find Zara right away. Excitent rushed through , and I nearly shifted and took a run to go find her.
But it was best to et her in this form so that I didn’t surprise her. Thankfully, it didn’t take much searching to find her. She was strolling in the garden.
The sun had set about an hour ago, and the soft light of the moon was pooling in the center of a group of flowers. Zara was sitting there, clearly trying to get so fresh air while still resting.
My heart skipped a beat.
Zara was absolutely gorgeous. I stared at her from the shadows for a mont. The way her hair fell down her shoulder as she brought a flower to her face to take in its scent was breathtaking.
Her erald eyes almost glowed in the moonlight, which danced off her light skin in the most beautiful of ways. I was completely stunned for a mont, but I shook it off.
She had to hear the news.
I stepped out from the shadows, saying, “Zara?”
I didn’t want to startle her.
She looked up, surprised to see , but gave a soft smile. “Noah?” she asked. “Hello. You look like you’re about to talk a mile a minute.”
I chuckled. “I am. Mind if I sit with you?”
“I don’t mind at all.”
I took a seat beside her, smiling happily as she leaned against . “I have so very good news.”
“Oh? I could use so good news right about now,” she said.
She sounded sowhat hesitant, though, as if I was about to tell her I was going to marry rida, or sothing. I wondered why she would be so nervous about that.
Could she reciprocate my feelings, or was I just being selfish, I wondered?
I said, “About the Luna Lilies.” I thought I saw relief in her eyes.
“Thank the Goddess. After the cryptic ssage from the rogue, I was really worried,” she admitted.
“I was too,” I said. “But I got word from Egoren. They’re going to help us with this. They said the mate bond is important and the lilies are for the whole realm, not just the rogues. They will be helping us with this issue.”
“Oh, Noah, that’s wonderful!” Zara breathed, turning to give a hug.
That surge of sheer emotion rushed through , and I gladly returned it.
“I will let you handle the communication with them,” she added. “I completely trust you. Thank you, seriously, for all your help with this.”
My heart leaped at her trust, and I chuckled softly. “See? I can be reliable sotis, beautiful,” I said.
She laughed in response to , and we sat there, holding each other. This hug was so warm, so wonderful, so true. I wondered if I could ever feel like that with rida. I really wasn’t sure.
Silence stretched between us, which was unusual.
Zara broke it first. “What’s on your mind, Noah?”
“Well....”
I sighed. I pulled away and looked into Zara’s eyes, hers swirling with concern. She tilted her head, and I finally asked, “Zara, have you seen any golden threads between rida and ?”
Zara paused, gazing into my eyes for a mont. She could tell that this question was extrely important to . I wondered whether she was thinking about the rogue’s warning regarding mate bonds and breaking up couples.
If she was, she shoved that thought aside and gave the truth.
Zara slowly shook her head. “No,” she whispered. “I haven’t seen any sign of the threads.”
I let out a breath and I gave an understanding nod. “I... don’t feel the sa way I used to about her. I was thinking about how I didn’t feel anything with Serena, either. I really don’t want to make a mistake.”
“If you don’t feel it’s right, Noah... well, you may have to let go of the past in this case.”
“I know,” I said gently.
I smiled at her warmly. Goddess, she was just so beautiful here in front of . My wolf wanted to pounce and make love right here and now, just like how we had by the fire.
I ignored him. It just would not be right for her. Rather, I said, “The pack is having a celebration for her return. I’m going to end things with her afterward.”
Zara’s smile was radiant. “When you’re really ready to find your mate, Noah, I will help you. You deserve happiness. I believe that with all my heart.”
My heart lted right there. I wanted so badly to tell her that I wanted her, true mates or not. Here and now, I felt my heart burst for her.
I loved Zara.
But she had a true mate already. It wasn’t .
I needed to let it go.
Rather than admit my feelings, I just leaned forward and took her into a hug.
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