Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Race Against the Moon

Enzo’s

I sat in my office, my head pounding, the weight of the full moon tomorrow pressing down like an oncoming storm. Noah’s face kept flashing in my mind—scared, confused, but pulling at something deep inside me, a primal need. Moses, my wolf, was restless, growling, urging me to go to him, to claim him before it was too late.

I pushed him down, my hands clenching the edge of the desk. My phone rang, shrill and sharp, cutting violently through my thoughts. I grabbed it, seeing Ren’s name, and pressed it to my ear. “What?” I snapped.

“Alpha,” Ren said, his voice tight with concern. “I can’t find Noah. He didn’t come out of school. I’ve checked everywhere near the gate.”

I stood up instantly, rage exploding in my chest. “What do you mean you can’t find him?” I yelled, my voice shaking the room. “How could you be so stupid, Ren? You had one job!”

“I’m sorry,” Ren said, his voice remaining steady despite my fury. “I waited by the gate, but he didn’t show. I’m checking the school now, but I think—”

“Dean,” I growled, cutting him off. My brother. I knew exactly where Noah was. Dean had been sniffing around him, taunting me, trying to make my life hell since the moment he found out. “Get the car ready,” I said, already storming out of the office. “I’m going to his place.”

I ran through the mansion, my boots slamming against the marble floor, and jumped into the waiting car.

The engine roared to life as I sped toward Dean’s house, my hands gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white. Moses growled louder, his rage mixing perfectly with mine. “He’s ours,” he said, his voice sharp in my head. “If Dean touched him, rip him apart.”

“Shut up,” I muttered, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. “I’ll handle it.” But my heart was racing, and a sharp fear crept into my mind. What if Noah was hurt? What if Dean actually did something awful to him? The mate bond was like a physical knife twisting in my chest, relentlessly pulling me toward him, telling me he was in deep trouble.

I pulled up to Dean’s mansion, the tires screeching loudly on the driveway. Two of his men stood at the gate, their faces hard and expressionless.

“Move,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous, my eyes flashing red with power. They stepped back immediately, fear flickering in their eyes, and I shoved past them, storming into the house. The living room was dim, music playing low and smooth. There was Dean, sprawled on a couch, making out with Stan.

I didn’t think, I just acted. I grabbed Stan, yanking him roughly to the floor with a painful thud. Then, I hauled Dean up by his shirt and slammed my fist into his face.

Dean stumbled back, blood trickling from his split lip, but he laughed, wiping the blood away with his thumb. “Nice to see you too, brother,” he said, his voice mocking. “What’s got you so pissed off?”

“Where’s Noah?” I roared, my eyes burning, Moses clawing desperately at my control. “Tell me where he is, Dean, or I swear I’ll have your blood on my hands today.”

Dean pushed my hands off his shirt, standing straight and tall, his smirk not fading even for a second. “Why do you care so much?” he asked, stepping closer, challenging me.

“You hate humans, Enzo. Always have. So what’s so special about this one? He’s your mate, right? But you’re gonna reject him, aren’t you? Too weak for an Alpha like you.”

I grabbed his shirt again, pulling him in close, my voice dropping to a harsh growl. “It doesn’t matter what I like or don’t like,” I said. “Noah’s mine. My choice, not yours. Now tell me where he is.”

Dean laughed, his eyes glinting with malicious pleasure. “You’re pathetic,” he said. “All worked up over a human. You really think he can handle you? Handle our world?”

“Shut your mouth,” I said, shoving him back hard. “You don’t know anything about it.”

“Oh, I know plenty,” Dean said, casually leaning against the couch. “I know your mate doesn’t have much time left. Full moon’s tonight, Enzo. You feel it, don’t you? That pain in your chest?”

I froze, a sharp, sudden pain hitting my chest, like a blade twisting deep inside. Noah. The mate bond was screaming, telling me he was hurting, badly. Dean chuckled, raising a glass of whiskey he’d been holding. “Better hurry, brother,” he said. “He’s not looking so good.”

I growled, my claws itching to spring out, and ran, following the overwhelming pull of the mate bond. Noah’s scent was faint but strong enough to expertly guide me.

I sprinted through the mansion, up a grand staircase, to a door that was locked. I didn’t hesitate; I slammed my shoulder into it, the wood splintering loudly as the door crashed inward.

Noah was on the floor, curled up tight, sweating heavily, his face twisted in obvious pain. “Noah!” I shouted, rushing immediately to him. I lifted him into my arms; his body felt light and was trembling uncontrollably. “Hold on,” I said, my voice shaking with fear. “I’ve got you.”

He groaned, his eyes fluttering open slightly. “Enzo?” he whispered, his voice weak and ragged. “What’s happening to me?”

“You’re gonna be okay,” I said, running back through the house, my heart pounding relentlessly. “Just stay with me, Noah. I’m getting you out of here.”

Dean was still in the living room, calmly sipping his drink, his smirk wider now, victorious. “Took you long enough,” he said, raising his glass in a mock salute. “What’s the plan, Enzo? Gonna save your little human?”

“Stay out of my way,” I growled, not stopping for a second. “This isn’t over between us.”

Dean laughed, his voice following me out the door. “Oh, I’m counting on it,” he said. “You can’t hide him forever.”

I ignored him, carrying Noah to the car and gently laying him in the back seat. “Ren, drive!” I shouted, climbing in right beside Noah. The car sped off, and I held Noah’s hand, his skin hot and clammy beneath mine. “Hang on,” I said, my voice soft and reassuring. “We’re almost home.”

He moaned again, his eyes half-open. “It hurts,” he said, his voice breaking with agony. “Enzo, what’s wrong with me? Why does it hurt so much?”

“It’s the full moon,” I said, my throat tight with guilt. “I should’ve told you this. I’m sorry, Noah. I’m gonna fix this now.”

He looked at me, confused, his breath coming in shaky gasps. “Full moon?” he asked. “What are you talking about? What’s happening?”

“Not now,” I said, brushing his hair back from his forehead. “Just rest. I’ll explain everything later, I promise you that.”

We reached the mansion, and I carried Noah immediately to his room, laying him gently on the bed.

He was still shaking, his face pale under the bright moonlight streaming through the window. I looked out, seeing the full moon, bright and heavy in the sky, and felt Moses pushing harder than ever. “Claim him,” Moses growled. “Now, or he’ll die.”

I leaned over Noah, my heart racing, and pressed my lips to his forehead, soft and warm. “Forgive me,” I

whispered, my voice breaking, knowing exactly what I had to do to save him.