Selene POV
A scream bubbled at the back of my throat as I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist, pulling swiftly into the darkness. As I opened my mouth to scream out my lungs, a familiar scent wafted up to my nose. It was a warm, earthy aroma...
"Noah?!" I called out circling my hand around his neck as I tried to make out his face in the darkness. "Is that you?"
"Yes," he replied "I’m sorry, I took longer. I’ve co to take you ho," he murmured.
Relief flooded through as I threw my arms tightly around my husband, burying my face in the crook of his neck as I began to sob. All the fear, panic and adrenaline that had pumped into a few seconds ago, was now converted to tears. Noah, held close, one hand cradling the back of my head protectively as my body shook with sobs.
I couldn’t believe that I had co so close to – I couldn’t decide on how to describe the experience I just had. Will it be okay to deem it as a near-death experience? I mused silently. Or was I exaggerating? If Lucius hadn’t shown up when he did... there was no doubt that it would have been a different story at this point.
"Lucius!" I murmured against his chest. "He’s still in there. He ca to save ," I said.
"He’ll be fine," Noah murmured "Are you alright though? Are you hurt? I’m sorry it took so long to get to you. I shouldn’t have allowed...".
"I’m fine," I interrupted him clinging to him desperately again, afraid that if I let go, he would disappear into the pitch-blackness surrounding us. "I was scared for a minute... I thought I was going to die but I’m fine now. It’s no one’s fault. It’s not yours, Kurtis or Xavier’s’. I chose this... it was the only way I could ...".
"It wasn’t the only way, Selene," Noah stopped halfway, with a heavy sigh "I was foolish to listen to Kurtis. How didn’t I think through putting your life on the line before sending you out there? I swear to the moon, I didn’t even think things through. You must think I am a terrible husband ... I am, Selene... and I’m sorry,".
"Noah!" I sighed leaning away to stare at him. Even though I couldn’t see him, I could envision his brows arched with sadness. "It’s not your fault," I cradled his face in the darkness "What’s more important is I ca out without any scratch and I’m glad I helped. Let’s just go ho,".
He didn’t say anything. He simply scooped into his arms and in the darkness carried away from the hotel. I wound my arms around his neck, nestling my cheek against his shoulder as he took big strides. I closed my eyes, trying to shut down the mories of everything that just happened. I could finally rest now. Noah would protect .
When we had walked for a while, I heard a voice call out of Noah. "Your majesty," it was Reid’s voice followed by urgent footsteps towards us "I was worried sick when I heard...".
"Not now, Reid," Noah brushed him off. I opened my eyes and saw we were at the parking lot opposite the hotel and Noah seed to be walking to his car. From where I was settled in his arms, I watched as Reid hurried towards us. I could tell, he wasn’t happy and was trying to mask it.
"You could have said sothing, Your Majesty," he said quietly "I am your Beta after all and it is my duty to protect you and the queen. You know I wouldn’t have been in support of the mission if you had told ,".
"Don’t exaggerate the matter, Reid," Noah scoffed "You don’t even like Selene that much. I’m sure you would have loved that she was in danger. Don’t worry, you don’t have to hide behind your mask again,".
Reid stopped walking as he stared at us, surprised etched on every feature on his face. "What the hell are you talking bout, Noah? I would never wish the queen dead. I know you love her so much and...".
"I can’t do this with you right now, Reid!" Noah reached his car and deposited in the back before he turned to Reid. "I’m sure my wife is shocked and needs to rest, so this is not a night for banters and like I ntioned earlier, you don’t have to pretend that you like her,".
"And what is that supposed to an?" Reid shot back, coming to stand in front of Noah.
Even though he was at least three or two inches shorter, the annoyance on his face seed to make him look larger as he squared off with Noah.
"I have done nothing but support you all these years. Way before Selene ca into our lives. I know had a lot of reservations about you choosing her as your Luna and queen but accusing of wanting her dead is not true. I know how important Selene is to you and if I have to lay down my life just for her to live...".
"Oh please!" Noah burst out laughing "You don’t have to go those lengths to convince of anything. After all, you’re not obligated to like my wife. So, relax and don’t lie about it. Now, I need to take her back to the pack house. It’s been a long night and we need to rest,".
A tear ford in Reid’s eyes as his lips trembled "You no longer trust ?" There was hurt in his voice as he stared at Noah and in that mont, I knew he was hoping Noah would call his bluff and tell him he trusted him.
"I didn’t say that," Noah shrugged "This isn’t about trusting anyone. My wife made an ultimate sacrifice for the pack. What does that have to do with trusting?"
"You don’t ask for my opinion anymore, these days, you seem to be engaged mostly with Xavier and Kurtis. You don’t even pay enough respect to inform about your activities. I am your Beta... I should be by your side. I should be doing all of these dirty jobs because it is my duty. Why are you depriving of that? What evil have I committed?"
Noah dragged his hand through his hair as he stared at Reid who was watching him silently. Who would ever think that the bond between his Alpha and his Beta would be so strong that either party would be afraid of betrayal? I clamped down on my lips forcing the laughter that wanted to escape my lips. I thought it was funny.
"Can we talk about this later?" Noah said finally "Selene was pretty shaken up. I need to take her to the pack doctor just to make sure she’s alright,".
Reid’s gaze flits to my direction and he nods "Okay, we’ll talk later,".
Without waiting for Noah to agree or refuse, he turned on his heels and walked away. Noah gave him a contemplative gaze before he moved to the driver’s side and quietly slipped into the car.
"I’m sorry for keeping you waiting," he apologized watching through the rearview mirror "I already inford the doctor that we’re coming to him. So, please hold on a little while,".
~~~~
An hour later, we finished at the pack hospital and started driving ho.
Noah’s jaw was set in determination as he drove and I was wondering if he was thinking about Reid and the confrontation they had earlier. I wanted to tell him about how Reid had saved a few days ago but it will rouse a lot of suspicion. More than anything, I didn’t want the won’s group to be discovered.
When Reid was in a heated argunt, with Noah a while back, I had half expected that he would tell Noah of that night he had rescued but he didn’t. He wasn’t even going to ntion it.
"Will Reid be fine?" I asked breaking the silence.
From where I was at the back of the car, I saw him flinch and then he shrugged before muttering "He will. He cannot always expect to do things with him. Plus giving the things that’s been happening recently. I have every right to have doubts, don’t you think?"
"I do," I sighed, not believing I was about the say what I was going to say next "But I think he has my interest at heart. I know that much from personal experience that Reid would not sit back and watch anything happen to and it’s all because of you, Noah. He loves you so much and wouldn’t want you to be heartbroken or anything. That’s the reason he gave when he helped but I know deep down he also did it because he cares about ,".
Noah didn’t say anything, he just continued driving. Unable to gauge what he was thinking, I let my mind wander randomly. At so point, the gentle swaying of the vehicle and the shot that was given to at the pack hospital lulled into a light sleep.
When I finally opened my eyes, we’d arrived at the Packhouse and I found myself in Noah’s arms as he carried into the packhouse. From the decorations on the walls and ceilings, I knew he was taking to his room. I wanted to protest, especially as we promised we wanted a break but for once, I decided to look the other way.
When he entered the room, he settled on his bed. Three maids were waiting for us.
"Welco your majesty," they chorused.
"See that she’s properly cleaned," he said in a hard tone and left the room without a backward glance. The won carried to the bathroom and in the next few minutes, they cleaned up and after that, I laid on the bed waiting for Noah.
When he ca back in, he marched imdiately to the bed and settled down on the space beside , brushing a few stray locks from my face.
"How do you feel?" he murmured.
"Fine," I smiled brightly "What of you?"
"Better now that you are," he managed a small smile "You should rest now, tomorrow we’ll talk and that matter regarding Reid, you don’t have to worry about it, okay? Also, I checked on the girls and they’re sound asleep. So, rest easy,".
He leaned forward and placed a kiss on my forehead and then started to rise when I reached out and gripped his hand tightly. My gaze t his concerned eyes.
"Please," I murmured "Don’t go. Stay the night with ,".
"You’ll be fine darling," he murmured caressing my cheeks, there are guards outside and don’t worry, nothing will happen,".
"You don’t understand," I shook my head "I want you lying next to . Please...".
A look of understanding passed through his features. He said nothing but slowly climbed onto the bed beside , and cradled my small fra as I moulded myself against him. Safe, protected, loved – that was all that mattered in this mont.
I buried my face against his chest, inhaling his aftershave. His chest rumbled as he murmured sothing. Pulling my face from him, I hoisted myself in my arms as our gaze t again.
"I didn’t get that," I said.
A small, wistful smile settle don his lips as he caressed my face again "I love you Selene, much more than you’d ever imagine and I’ll try to put your first, to be a better mate and husband. I promise...".
For tonight, I wanted to forget...maybe tomorrow if we’re lucky enough, things may not go back to the way it was but for tonight alone, I would experience the surge of happiness that coursed through as I stared at Noah.
Leaning towards him, I captured his lips.
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