Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Quiet Bonds

Enzo’s

I stormed back into the mansion, my boots heavy on the floor. My head was pounding with everything Dean said at the council meeting.

His smirk, his taunts about Noah being my weakness—it was all stuck in my mind, twisting like a painful knife. I went straight to my office, slamming the door behind me, and sank into the chair behind my desk.

My hands clenched into tight fists, my knuckles white with tension. Dean would stop at nothing to get to Noah, to make me suffer deeply. I could feel Moses growling in my head, his voice sharp and angry. “Let me out,” he said. “I’ll deal with Dean myself. Rip him apart.”

“Quiet,” I muttered, rubbing my temples. “I’m handling it.” But was I really? Dean knew exactly how to push me, and Noah—my mate—was the perfect, most vulnerable target. The thought of him in danger made my chest tight, my breath short and ragged.

Ren walked in, his scarred face blank but his eyes sharp with concern. He stopped in front of my desk, crossing his arms. “What’s the plan, Alpha?” he asked, his voice low and serious. “You know Dean’s not gonna stop. He’ll go after Noah just to get to you. What are you gonna do about him?”

I looked up, my jaw tight. “I know,” I said, my voice rough. “He’s my brother, Ren. I know what he’s capable of doing. But I don’t get it—what exactly is he planning? Why’s he so obsessed with Noah, specifically?”

Ren leaned against the wall, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “You really don’t see it?” he said. “Dean’s jealous. He always has been. You’re the Alpha, the true one, and now you’ve got a mate. He can’t stand it. He’ll hurt Noah to break you completely.”

“Then he’s a fool,” I snapped, standing up quickly. “Noah’s mine. No one touches him. Not Dean, not the pack council, not those damn rogues.”

Ren nodded, but his face stayed serious. “You’re gonna have to tell the pack soon,” he said. “About Noah being your mate. The council’s already talking, and Dean’s fanning the flames of doubt. You can’t keep it hidden much longer.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” I said, pacing the room angrily. “But a human luna? They’ll never accept it. And with Eric and his rogues circling, it’s the worst possible time.”

“Bad time or not,” Ren said firmly, “Noah’s already deep in this. You bonded with him. He’s feeling the bond, even if he doesn’t fully understand it. You saw him this morning—scared out of his mind, running from you.”

I stopped pacing, my hands clenching at the memory. “Don’t remind me,” I said, my voice low and pained. “He ran from me, Ren. Locked himself in the bathroom. He thinks I’m nothing but a monster.”

Ren sighed, stepping closer to the desk. “He’s human,” he said simply. “He’s overwhelmed by all of this. But he’s your mate, Enzo. You need to talk to him, not just order him around. You need to make him truly understand what he is to you.”

Before I could answer, a knock came at the door, soft but urgent. I turned as it opened, and there was Noah, standing there, his face pale, his eyes wide and uncertain. I stood immediately, rushing toward him, my heart racing with concern. “Noah,” I said, stopping a foot away. “You okay? What’s wrong?”

He paused, his hands fidgeting nervously, then nodded. “Yeah,” he said, his voice quiet and small. “I’m… fine. I was in the library, reading, and I heard your car pull up. I just wanted to make sure you were back safely.”

I stared at him, my chest tight with a complex mix of surprise and relief. He came to check on me? After everything that happened? Then his stomach growled, loud and sharp, and I frowned instantly. “Have you eaten?” I asked, stepping closer. “Did you eat anything at all today?”

He shook his head, looking down at the floor. “No,” he said, his voice barely audible. “I didn’t know if I was supposed to. I didn’t want to… take anything without asking permission.”

Anger flared in my chest, not at him, but at my staff. I turned, heading for the door, ready to tear into the maids. “They didn’t feed you?” I growled. “How dare they—”

Noah grabbed my arm, his grip weak but enough to stop me cold. “Wait,” he said, his voice shaking. “It’s not their fault, Enzo. I was too scared to ask. I didn’t know what I was allowed to do in your house.”

I turned, looking down at him, his eyes wide and nervous. My anger faded instantly, replaced by something much softer. I placed my hand gently on his face, careful not to scare him or press too hard. “If you’re hungry,” I said, my voice low and serious, “you take whatever you want. You don’t need to ask for food. You hear me?”

He nodded, his cheeks flushing slightly. “Okay,” he said, his voice small. “I just… I truly didn’t know the rules.”

I looked at Ren, who was still by the wall. “Go set up the dining room,” I said. “Get dinner ready for him. Now.”

Ren nodded, walking out without a word. I led Noah into the office, shutting the door behind us for privacy. I sat him on the couch, sitting directly across from him, our eyes locked in a silent communication.

He flinching when I reached out, so I pulled my hand back immediately, not wanting to push him past his limit. “Noah,” I said, my voice soft and reassuring. “You don’t have to be afraid of me. I’m not gonna hit you. I’m not going to hurt you.”

He didn’t say anything, just stared at his hands, his shoulders tense and hunched. I stood, ready to leave, to give him the space he clearly needed, but he grabbed my hand, his fingers surprisingly tight on my wrist.

“Don’t go,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “Please. Just… stay here with me.”

I froze completely, my heart racing with an unexpected rush of feeling. “You sure about that?” I asked, sitting back down carefully. “You were terrified of me this morning. You still are, aren’t you?”

He nodded, his eyes wet with tears. “Yeah,” he said. “I’m scared of you. You’re a… werewolf. I don’t understand any of this strange world. But I don’t want to be completely alone right now.”

I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. “Okay,” I said. “I’ll stay.”

He hesitated for only a moment, then leaned forward slowly, resting his head tentatively on my shoulder. I froze, not moving a muscle, afraid to break the fragile moment of trust.

A small, almost involuntary smile crept onto my face as I sat there, his simple warmth against me, his breathing steadying against my skin. For the very first time,

I felt him trust me, just a little, and I didn’t dare move away.