*Zara*
“We made sure to send you with extra formula and diapers, Miss Zara,” said one of the servants.
I nodded to her, trying to force a polite smile on my face even though my brain felt like it was bouncing around in my skull.
“Thank you,” I said. “And could you also be sure to add so of her toys from the playroom? There’s a soft lamb plush in her crib that she likes to cuddle with while she sleeps.”
“Yes, ma’am,” another servant said, quickly leaving the room to do just that. I had already packed my personal essentials, so I left the servants to do the rest as Luna Estella had suggested. Unfortunately, that left with nothing to do and even more ti to stress out.
I was sitting on the bed, my hands clasped in my lap. Anxiety was pulsing through in waves. I couldn’t seem to calm it.
Noah had been in about an hour earlier, announcing that war was imminent and that Briella and I would be going to stay with my parents during the battle. I was relieved that our daughter would be safe, but I couldn’t help but feel like I should be staying behind with Noah. I couldn’t bear it if he was hurt or worse.
I shook my head hard. I couldn’t think like that. I needed to focus on caring for our daughter. As much as it pained to leave Noah behind to fight in this war, I knew that Briella needed to be my top priority.
I could feel my heart beating in my ribcage, and my breathing was becoming labored. I sank my teeth into my lower lip hard, knowing that a panic attack was well underway. I stood shakily and crossed the hallway to Briella’s room, needing to hold her so I could calm down.
Thankfully, the servants were all done packing her things when I got there. Her cute little lilac-colored suitcase was by the door. Briella was sitting up in her crib, looking at with wide, trusting eyes. I scooped her up imdiately, holding her tiny form close.
And just like that, I was much calr. I felt so tension leave my body as I held my child. Almost as quickly as the serenity washed over , it was replaced by more fear as I realized that after this war, Briella might be down one parent.
And just like that, my breathing was coming out in short pants again.
“Zara?”
I whirled around, Briella still clutched to my chest. My eyes widened as I stared at Noah, who was watching with concern in his eyes.
I swallowed hard and carefully placed a now-sleeping Briella into her crib. When I faced Noah again, my breathing was becoming even more shallow.
Understanding swept over Noah’s face. He crossed the room and wrapped his arms around , hugging close.
“Shh, love,” he practically cooed. “It’s going to be alright, I promise.”
I could barely speak, let alone respond in a full sentence. Noah gently led down the hall to our bedroom. He sat on our bed, pulled onto his lap, and started to rock gently.
I realized I was shivering. Frustrated tears burned in my eyes. “I’m sorry,” I said, hating the way my voice shook.
Noah’s hand rose so that he could rub my back in soothing circles. “Don’t apologize.”
I tightened my jaw, willing the shakes to stop. “I need to be stronger than this.”
He shifted on his lap so I could look at him. “Stop that,” he chided gently. He cupped my cheek in his palm. “You are the strongest person I know, Zara. You are brave and compassionate.”
I laughed without humor but leaned into my mate’s touch. “I don’t feel brave right now,” I admitted. Tears threatened to fall again. “I’m terrified, Noah. What if you don’t co back?” My voice broke at the end.
“Hey, don’t say that,” he murmured, kissing first the top of my head, then my forehead, and, finally, the tip of my nose. “I promise to co back, beautiful. I have no interest in making you a widow before we’re even married.”
Despite everything, I giggled lightly at that, causing Noah’s blue eyes to light up. I sniffled and wrapped my arms around him, pressing myself to his chest. I inhaled his manly scent, wishing desperately that I never had to let go.
Noah squeezed before pulling away slightly. I saw the heated look on his face. He locked his jaw for a mont before pressing his lips to mine.
I gasped against his mouth. This was no chaste kiss. This one was deep and quickly becoming more intense by the second. I squeaked when his tongue traced my lower lip. I parted my lips allowing him to dip his tongue inside.
Desperation surged within , and I pressed myself as close to Noah as I could during this intense makeout session. I barely noticed when Noah grabbed the back of my thighs and rolled us so that my back was on the bed, and he was straddling my hips.
I longed to touch him, so I reached up for him, intent on undressing him, but he grabbed both my wrists in one hand and pinned them above my head. “I’m making you mine tonight,” he growled low in his throat, already unbuttoning his dark shirt with skilled fingers.
“I’m yours,” I murmured dutifully, but the words died in my throat when I got a good look at the ferocity in his gaze.
Oh.
“Mine,” he repeated roughly. I was no longer listening as his chiseled chest ca into view. His pants soon joined the heap of clothing by the bed, and he crawled back over and started to tear my dress off.
The sound of expensive fabric ripping had quivering with anticipation. I moaned as the clothing separating us was finally stripped away. I clung to Noah, relishing in the feel of his smooth skin against mine. He was warmth and strength and devotion, everything I depended on.
Noah growled low as he pushed my thighs apart, kneeling between them. He bent over so he could capture my lips again, making feel small and cherished as I was trapped between his strong arms.
“I love you,” I told him, speaking the simple but profound truth. There had never been words more potent and accurate. The three simple words encompassed my entire being at that mont.
Noah froze, but his dark blue eyes seed to glitter in the dim lighting of our bedroom. “As I love you,” he murmured. He kissed again, nibbling my bottom lip lightly, his hands suddenly everywhere, running over every inch of . My skin tingled at the contact, and I shivered with delight.
I was so ready for him, long before he brushed his thick length against my wet entrance. I was already moaning as he slid into fluidly in one powerful motion that had arching my back in ecstasy.
I gripped the bedsheets hard in my hands as Noah began to thrust, pounding against the bed. I pushed my hips up to et him, and we moved perfectly in sync, eting in the middle so that he was buried deep inside of with each dominant movent.
I looked up at him as we moved together, marveling at his strength. I watched his muscles ripple as he pushed inside of , his eyes intense as they locked with mine.
I loved him so much.
I sucked a sharp breath as an earth-shattering orgasm slamd into , causing to cry out and tighten around Noah’s thickness.
Noah stilled inside of as I quaked around him. He then lowered his lips to the side of my neck and pressed a few light, butterfly kisses there.
As another orgasm washed over , I felt his teeth lightly graze my skin before sinking into . I gasped as the world seed to disappear and a tight tether tied to Noah permanently as I felt the mate bond for the first ti without the help of the full moon.
“Noah!” I cried out as I was suddenly overwheld by the powerful sensation. My nerves were on fire, and I felt incredibly warm and light. Golden tendrils swirled around us as we were bound together.
“Zara,” he breathed, his eyes incredibly light and dark at the sa ti. I knew he was feeling it as well.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing the side of it before biting him as well, officially sealing the bond.
Noah and I clung to each other. As I watched the golden swirls fill the space around us, I wished that my mate could see it too, but he still seed just as srized as I did as the mate bond locked permanently into place.
Minutes later, we were under the covers, clinging to one another in absolute bliss. Despite everything, I felt as if I was floating, my mind buzzing, unable to believe that Noah and I were finally officially bonded. With Noah’s powerful arms around , I felt safe, loved, and like nothing could harm .
And despite everything, I slept peacefully that night.
The next morning was far less peaceful.
There was a definite sense of foreboding in the air as the luxurious but discreet vehicles were packed with our belongings.
I aided the servants in ensuring that Briella was tucked safely into the plush car seat. A huge lump ford in my throat as I watched Noah run his finger along her chubby cheek before pressing a kiss to her forehead. He murmured “I love you” to her, and I swore that she cooed in response.
I glanced over at the other car that was being prepared. Gray was escorting Lorelei over to it. I noted the protective stance he took as he did so. It ward my heart to see them together despite the complications that arose around their relationship.
I straightened as Noah turned away from the car to face . He wrapped his arms around as we hugged fiercely. I swallowed hard, wishing I didn’t have to let go. I suspected that the mate bond was causing to be a lot more calm than I would normally be in this situation.
Noah pulled away first, cupping my face in both of his hands. “Be safe,” he murmured, kissing my forehead and then my lips. He smirked lightly. “That’s an order.”
“That’s my line,” I said, but I tightened my hold on him. “You better be safe too.”
“I will be,” he promised, holding tightly. “I’ll see you soon.”
I nodded and, with great difficulty, let him go and got into the car.
Minutes later, as we drove away and the mansion started to disappear from view, I heard a deep, reassuring voice in my mind. My eyes rounded as Noah mind linked with for the first ti.
“I love you.”
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