CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN

"Would you look at that?"

Isaac mused as he pointed at Noah, who arched his brow at the gesture. His arms wrapped loosely around Ruby's waist as they watched the Beta look between them for the hundredth time in pure bewilderment.

Although it was two weeks after the mating ceremony, it was the first time anyone was seeing them with their marks—since they stayed indoors, memorizing every crevice of each other's bodies.

"Damn, Noah, you work fast," Isaac finally tore his eyes from the teeth indents; his eyes moved lower to her belly before he threw his Alpha a sly smirk.

"Not fast enough," Noah retorted as he slammed the car door shut before placing a kiss on her forehead.

Ruby felt her cheek redden as she placed a hand over her stomach. So many months had passed, and though she had noticed a change in her body, her bump still wasn't showing. Noah pulled his arm from around her waist, and Ruby couldn't help the slight disappointment she felt at the loss of contact, but she didn't have time to dwell on it as he grabbed her hand before kissing her mark.

She shuddered at the contact. It still amazed her how aware she had become of his presence. His mere touch sent waves of euphoria down her spine, making her churn in desire. Her wolf was still in a haze of bliss, wanting to be with him all the time to be calm.

"It looks magnificent, doesn't it?" Noah asked as he looked down at her. His eyes held a knowing look in awareness of her lewd thoughts.

"Noah," Ruby exclaimed, her cheeks flaring as she lightly bumped his chest. "We don't have the time to joke around. The Chancellor is waiting for you."

Noah's face turned serious as she looked at Isaac, whose expression mirrored his. Gone was the brief moment of merriment as they slowly made their way into the pack conference hall. The Chancellor called for a meeting with Noah and his officials a week after their mating ceremony. Tension hung in the air after the news. It was obvious it was concerning what had happened back at Redmoon.

An Alpha killing another on his ground was a felony when the reason for the bad blood had not been discussed with the higher authority. A duel or agreement is usually arranged, but Noah's action was outrageous in the werewolf's dogma.

Isaac pushed the hallway doors open, and Noah led her inside. Ruby searched for anything in their bond, as his feelings were completely open to her. She didn't sense anything from him. He had expertly hidden his emotions, giving away indifference as if he didn't think much of what was going to happen. In a way, his apathetic front calmed the growing anxiety inside her.

Linda greeted them at the door. She smiled slightly at Ruby before wordlessly walking with them into the main hall. She didn't have to say anything. Linda was the only one still sitting in Noah's council, maintaining the title of an Elder. Noah didn't trust the rest of them but allowed Jericho to defend his position as the pack trainer and interrogator since he was marvelous at his work. Dominic, a pawn of Victor, was stripped of authority and lived as an ordinary man under constant observation. Noah decided to operate Greyhound like a standard pack, sending warriors out to train for the Gamma and Delta positions.

Even without stepping inside, Ruby could already feel the raw aura from the Chancellor. Her wolf jerked up into a protective stance. Though her former encounter with the man was passive, she feared for the fate of her mate. The doors were pushed open, and Ruby's eyes fell on the Chancellor, who sat next to Noah's seat. Ruby felt her heart warm at his respect for her mate's authority, even though he was there to pass a verdict.

The room was pin-drop silent, holding a thick magnitude of trepidation. Tension loomed as it was a perfect setting for a death penalty to be passed.

Noah pulled her deeper into the hall and stopped at the foot of the table before he bowed.

"Chancellor," He greeted in respect as he raised his head to meet the man's eyes.

A ghost of a smile lingered at the corner of the man's lips as he eyed the mark on their necks. His eyes moved to her, and Ruby sucked in a breath as she got ready to defend Noah when the time came.

"I am pleased to know you two have finalized your bond."

The Chancellor said, and Noah's lip tugged upwards. Ruby watched a look of high regard cross his eyes before he bowed again.

"Aiden Turner of Redmoon pack has been killed," the Chancellor announced vaguely, watching Noah to observe his reaction.

Noah remained stoic. Ruby tightened her grip on his hand. Her heart thundered in her chest as they all waited for the Chancellor's following words.

"What do you have to say for yourself, Noah?"

Noah clenched his jaw. "I take full responsibility for my actions. I have no regrets. If given the opportunity, I would do it all over again. Whatever punishment has been planned, I will take it."

Ruby felt her heart drop as tears filled her eyes. Panic flooded her senses as she looked up at him, begging him through their bond to be meeker, to apologize. Her wolf glared at the Chancellor, enraged that he planned to punish her mate.

"Please," Ruby yelled, turning to the Chancellor. "Noah is not at fault."

Anger deepened her tone as she stepped forward despite Noah asking her to remain calm.

"Aiden was the first to attack." Ruby held in the tears threatening to spill out. "He stormed into Greyhound and attacked our people and then kidnapped me. Noah killed him because he was a threat to his pack and his mate."

Ruby felt Noah's gaze pierce the back of her head, but she didn't turn to look at him, fixing the Chancellor with the most serious look she could muster. She wasn't going to let the law take Noah away from her. They had gone through so much already—the universe, Victor and his daughter, Aiden, and so many others had tried pushing them apart, but they had prevailed. Fear held her prisoner as, this time, the force trying to pull them apart was beyond their power—and the consequences would take Noah away forever.

The room fell quiet as everyone watched the man who held authority above the rest of them. Ruby's eyes remained fixated on the Chancellor, and her heart stilled for a second when she noticed an amused glint cross his face.

He lifted the side of his lip in amusement, and his eyes sparkled with humor.

"A Luna standing up for her Alpha is one of the most intimidating things I can never get used to."

The air in the room suddenly grew lighter as she felt Noah take her hand again. She looked up at him, butterflies erupting in her stomach as she saw pure love and pride swirling in his eyes.

"I don't think I will ever get used to it, too, chancellor," Noah mused as he placed a kiss on her forehead. A gesture he did so often, but it always made her heart skip.

"What's going on?" she sniffed as the lightness in both their reactions shocked her.

"I am not here to take your mate away from you, Ruby. I don't think the Goddess would have been able to save me from the wrath you would have unleashed on me if I did that," the Chancellor laughed.

A wave of confusion fluttered inside her. "Then why…?

"Noah sent in a request to invade Redmoon. Although he didn't receive an authorization document, he informed the higher council about his intentions so he would not be harmed. I have learned of Alpha Turner's treachery against his brother from the beginning. Although death was not the punishment arranged for him, I guess it was the fate planned for him by the Goddess," The Chancellor gave her a knowing smile, lowered his head in a slight bow, and then turned to Noah.

"Alpha Noah Cooper, as the man who ended the former Alpha and the rightful heir to Redmoon, you will hereby inherit the pack, its people, and the lands claimed by Alpha Turner, which includes Crisfield pack, crescent pack, and Duskfall pack. So Noah, do you accept these territories?"

Isaac listened with a proud gaze in his eyes directed at his Alpha. Linda had a melancholic smile on her face, and Ruby was beyond shocked. She looked up to Noah to find him looking at her. His eyes were hard, and she could feel the hatred radiating from his wolf toward Redmoon, now his.

He shook his head, and Ruby could tell he was about to reject it. It was customary for Alphas to claim lands after they conquered its leader, but the listed areas and Greyhound were in different territories.

"Take it," Ruby encouraged through their mate link.

"I do not want places where you have been harmed," Noah retorted sharply.

Ruby didn't see it that way. She remembered Duskfall, the peaceful pack with the most loving family she had broken. Her heart bled at the thought of Lily. She wanted him to take the packs because an Alphaless pack would become a battleground for Alphas trying to claim the land.

"I understand, but do it for the people who need a leader. There's no one there that will hurt me."

Noah remained silent. His eyes moved unfocused as he thought. Everyone watched him. Even the Chancellor waited patiently for his answer.

"I accept the land," Noah said. His eyes held no joy. "But on one condition."

The Chancellor sat up, eagerness written all over his face. "What is it, son?"

"I would like to see the packs. Greyhound is my one and only pack, and I would like to make sure I am capable of handling the responsibility of others."