Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Silent Fears

Noah’s

I sat on the bathroom floor, my back pressed against the door, my knees pulled tightly to my chest. My heart was still racing, my breath shaky and uneven. Werewolves were real. Enzo was one—a giant wolf with red eyes, talking to me in my head. It didn’t make sense. None of this made sense. I wanted to scream, to run, to somehow wake up from this nightmare. But I was stuck here, in this massive house, with him. Why me? Why did I have to suffer like this?

A knock on the door made me jump violently, my heart slamming in my chest. I braced myself, expecting Enzo’s voice, but it was Ren, calm and steady.

“Noah,” he said through the door. “Come down for breakfast. You need to eat something.”

I didn’t answer, just hugged my knees tighter, wishing he would leave. Eat? How could I possibly eat when my whole world was falling apart so rapidly? I just wanted to disappear, to stop existing entirely.

“Noah,” Ren said again, his voice softer this time. “You can’t stay in there forever. Come on. It’s just breakfast.”

“Leave me alone,” I whispered, but it was too quiet for him to hear. My throat was tight, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. Why was this happening? First my dad sold me, then Dean locked me up, and now Enzo’s a… monster. I couldn’t take the pressure anymore.

The sound of footsteps faded, and I sat there for what felt like forever, my mind spinning aimlessly. Finally, I forced myself to stand, my legs shaky and weak. I needed to move, to do something, even if it was just pretending I was okay.

I opened the bathroom door and saw clothes laid out on the bed—a plain shirt and pants, probably from Enzo. My stomach twisted, but I pulled them on, the fabric soft but heavy, like another physical reminder that I was completely trapped.

I walked out of the room, my steps slow and hesitant, and headed downstairs. The mansion was too big, too quiet, the walls closing in on me. I reached the living room; the long dining table stretched out in front of me. Enzo was there, seated at the head, his eyes locking onto mine the second I walked in.

My blood ran cold, and I froze, my feet glued to the floor. I wanted to turn and run back upstairs, but his voice stopped me. “Sit,” he said, his tone firm but not angry. “Eat.”

I hesitated, my hands shaking slightly. “I’m not hungry,” I said, my voice barely audible. But that strong pull in my chest, the same one I felt yesterday, tugged at me, urging me closer to him. I hated it. I didn’t want to feel anything for him at all.

I forced myself to sit down, my eyes fixed on the table, actively avoiding his gaze.

The room was silent except for the faint clink of plates as the maids brought in food—eggs, bacon, toast, steaming and smelling better than anything I’d had in days. The guards and maids left, but Ren stayed, standing near Enzo, his face blank but his eyes watching my every move. I felt like a trapped animal, everyone staring, waiting for me to break down.

I pushed the food around my plate; my stomach was growling, but my appetite was gone. Enzo’s eyes were still on me, heavy, like they could see straight through me. I wanted to say something, to break the awful silence, but he spoke first.

“You still in pain?” he asked, his voice low, almost careful, as if testing the waters.

I looked up, my heart racing. “What?” I said, my voice shaky. “Pain from what? From you… being a wolf? Or from whatever happened last night?”

He stood, and I flinched immediately, my hands gripping the edge of the table. “Answer me,” he said, walking toward me, his boots loud on the floor. “Are you still hurting, Noah?”

I shook my head, my throat tight. “No,” I said, my voice small. “Not… not like last night. But I’m scared, okay? How am I supposed to feel when you’re… what you are?”

He stopped right in front of me, our eyes locking. His hand reached out slowly, brushing my cheek, and that confusing pull hit me again, warm and totally confusing. “Are you scared of me?” he asked, his voice softer now, almost pleading. “Still?”

I pulled back sharply, my heart pounding. “Yeah, I’m scared!” I said, my voice louder than I meant for it to be. “You turned into a wolf, Enzo! You told me we’re… bonded, whatever that means! Your brother locked me in a room! Of course I’m scared!”

He stepped back, his face tightening instantly, like my harsh words physically hurt him. “I didn’t want this to happen,” he said, his voice low. “I didn’t want to scare you. But you’re my mate, Noah. I can’t change that fact.”

“Stop saying that!” I said, standing up now, my hands shaking uncontrollably. “Mate? Luna? Werewolves? It’s all crazy! I just want to be alone, Enzo! I want my normal life back!”

He stared at me, his eyes dark, a flicker of true pain crossing his face before it vanished. “You can’t go back,” he said. “Not now. You’re part of this, whether you like it or not.”

“Then tell me what’s actually going on!” I said, my voice breaking with frustration and fear. “Why me? Why can’t you just let me go? What do you want from me?”

He sighed, running a hand roughly through his hair. “Eat first,” he said, his voice firm again. “You’re shaking too much. When you’re done, you don’t have to work today. There’s a library down the hall. Go there if you’re bored. Read, relax, whatever you need.”

I blinked, utterly confused by the suggestion. “A library?” I said. “You’re telling me to read? After everything you’ve done?”

“Yeah,” he said, his voice softer now. “I’ve got a meeting today. Pack stuff. I might not be back early, so don’t wait up for me. Go to bed when it’s time.”

“Pack stuff?” I said, my voice sharp with sudden understanding. “You mean werewolf stuff? What’s happening, Enzo? What aren’t you telling me about your pack?”

He turned, heading for the door, but stopped halfway, his back to me. “You’ll know soon enough,” he said, his voice low and dismissive. “Just… trust me for now.”

“Trust you?” I said, laughing, but it came out shaky and desperate. “After all this? How am I supposed to trust you, a wolf?”

He didn’t answer. He just looked at me one last time, his eyes heavy with something I couldn’t read or name. Then he walked away. Ren followed close behind, their foo

tsteps fading down the long hall until there was only silence.