Chapter 181 My Angel | 074
NOELLE
I watch Azren's face carefully after I tell him everything that happened with Cooper yesterday.
For a long second, Azren's expression stays completely blank. But I can feel it.
His skin which is already too hot against mine, grows even warmer. The fever is rising again, fast. The runes on his chest pulse brighter under the robe, angry and red.
My heart slams against my ribs.
I throw my arms around him tightly, burying my face in his neck before he can lose his shit.
"Azren, please," I whisper desperately, my voice shaking. "Don't get angry. Not right now. You're still burning up. I can't watch you hurt again. Please."
He stays rigid for another second. Then a long, exhausted sigh leaves him. His arms slowly come around my waist, holding me close even though his body is trembling with the effort.
"I'm not angry at you, Angel," he murmurs against my hair. "I think... the voice you heard was your wolf. She's waking up. She doesn't like him near you. That's why she reacted."
I nod against his skin, but I'm barely listening anymore. Because suddenly everything is too loud and bright.
I can smell everything.
The sweet coconut scent that is purely Azren. The clean linen of the sheets. The metallic tang of his fever sweat. Even the distant hint of Jake's cologne lingering.
My vision sharpens until I can see every individual strand of dark hair falling across his forehead and every tiny bead of sweat on his temple.
I can hear his heavy, uneven breathing and the unsteady, too-fast thud of his heart.
And underneath it all, I hear a soft, continuous hiss. Like meat searing on a hot pan.
My eyes drop to his chest.
The runes are literally burning him. Tiny wisps of smoke curl up from the glowing marks. They’re so faint I would have missed them before.
Terror grips me.
"Azren..." My voice cracks. "They're burning you. Oh gods, they're actually burning you from the inside—"
My stomach chooses that exact moment to growl embarrassingly loud.
Heat floods my face.
Azren gently cups my jaw and tilts my face up so I have to look at him. His eyes are glassy with pain, but soft with concern.
"What's wrong, baby?" he asks, his thumb brushing my cheek. "Talk to me."
I swallow hard, mortified and terrified at the same time.
"I'm... really hungry," I whisper, my voice small. "Like, stupidly hungry. And everything smells so strong. My eyes... I can see every little detail. And I can hear your heart and your breathing and... the runes are hissing like they're cooking your skin, and I just—"
His eyes widen slightly, a hint of something like awe pushing through the pain.
"It looks like you'll be shifting soon," he says, his voice hoarse but steady. "Tonight. Or tomorrow at the latest. Your wolf is pushing through."
Nerves twist in my belly.
"Shifting?" I repeat, my voice rising. "Like... full wolf? Tonight?"
Azren nods slowly, his hand still cradling my face.
"First, you need food," he says firmly, even as another wave of pain makes his jaw clench. "You can't shift on an empty stomach. Go eat, Angel. I'll be right here."
I hesitate, glancing at the angry runes still smoking faintly on his chest.
"I'll be quick," I promise, pressing a fast kiss to his burning forehead. "Don't move. Please."
I slip out of bed and hurry to the kitchen, my new heightened senses making everything feel overwhelming. The fridge light is too bright. The sound of my own footsteps echoes strangely.
I crave spice. Plenty of heat. And meat. The juicy, soft kind, oozing with spice. Oh, I can almost taste it.
My hands move on autopilot as I throw together the spiciest pasta I can manage with extra chilli flakes, chunks of sausage and beef, garlic, and a heavy drizzle of oil. The smell hits me like a drug, making my mouth water and my stomach growl again.
While the pasta cooks, I keep glancing towards the bedroom door, worry gnawing at me.
Azren is still unwell. My wolf is waking up. And everything feels like it's speeding towards something huge.
...
I hurry back into the bedroom balancing the large bowl of steaming pasta, the spicy aroma filling the air and making my stomach growl again. Azren is still propped up against the pillows, looking exhausted, but his eyes soften the moment they land on me.
I set the bowl on the low table beside the bed and hesitate, biting my lip.
"Can you manage some food?" I ask gently, worried he might still be too weak or nauseous after everything.
He shakes his head slowly, a tired but genuine smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"I'd rather watch you eat, Angel," he croaks. "Go on. You need it."
Heat creeps up my cheeks. I carry the big portion over and sit cross-legged on the floor right in front of the low table, the bowl practically calling my name. The first bite hits my tongue. It's fiery, garlicky, and loaded with meat. I let out a little happy hum before I can stop myself.
I'm starving. So, I eat fast, almost inhaling the pasta, sauce coating my lips. Halfway through I glance up and catch Azren watching me with that soft, intense gaze that always makes my heart flip.
I freeze mid-bite, my cheeks burning.
"W-what?" I mumble around a mouthful, suddenly self-conscious. "I know I look like a mess right now..."
He chuckles softly, the sound a little strained but full of affection.
"The food looks delicious," he says, his eyes never leaving me. "And you look adorable. Like a little wolf who finally caught her prey."
I blush harder, ducking my head and shoving another huge forkful into my mouth to hide it. But I can't help smiling.
After a few more bites, I pause and lift a forkful toward him.
"Do you want to try some?" I ask hopefully. "It's really good. Spicy but... comforting."
Azren's smile returns, but this one is laced with pain. The runes are still bothering him. Still, he leans forward slightly.
"Maybe just a little," he says.
I feed him the bite carefully. He chews slowly, then he nods.
"I think my Angel has a higher spice tolerance than most wolves," he teases. "How do you eat that without breathing fire? Oh, wait, you do.”
I laugh, already going back for more.
"I've always liked it hot," I admit between bites. "It makes everything taste so good.”
I finish the bowl faster than I should, scraping the bottom with the fork. My stomach is finally happy, but the hunger feels deeper now, as if my wolf is demanding fuel for whatever is coming.
Azren's low chuckle draws my eyes up again.
"You're really going for it," he says, fondness thick in his voice. He reaches for his phone on the nightstand with a shaky hand and starts recording me. "Look at my wife. Absolute menace."
"Azren!" I squeak, trying to hide my sauce-smeared face behind my hands, laughing despite the embarrassment. "Stop filming! I look disgusting right now. There's sauce everywhere!"
"You look perfect," he insists, still recording, his tired eyes sparkling with amusement. "My cute, hungry little wolf. Say hi to the camera, Angel."
I groan and lunge forward on my knees, trying to snatch the phone while still holding the empty bowl. "Delete that! This is blackmail material!"
He holds it higher, laughing softly even as pain flashes across his face.
"Never. This is going in the 'Noelle being adorable' folder."
I finally manage to grab his wrist, but instead of taking the phone, I just collapse against his side, giggling and burying my flushed face in his chest.
"You're such a pain in the ass," I mumble, still smiling.
"And you're mine," he whispers back, pressing a kiss to the top of my head even as his free arm wraps around me. "Every messy, spicy, glowing bit of you."
My heart swells.
I stay curled against him, the empty bowl forgotten on the floor, while his fingers gently stroke my hair.
For a few precious minutes, the runes, the veil, and everything else fade into the background.
It's just us. My tired, hurting husband and his sauce-faced wife who would eat the entire pot if it meant he could smile like this a little longer.
But deep down, I know the shift is coming soon. And I'll be ready. For anything. As long as he's with me. And I'll do anything to keep him alive and whole.
"Are you full?" Azren asks, and I shake my head.
"I'm trying to resist the urge to bring the pot over here," I mumble, and he laughs.
Slowly, I pull back to look at him, trying not to touch him and unleash a world of spicy suffering on his face.
"Earlier, you said something about Haden's essence. We have to find him and trap him in a body, don't we?" I ask, and he beams.
"Such a smart girl."
Compliments from him hit different every time, making me feel giddy. Speaking of being smart... my heart sinks when I remember the mountain of assignments waiting for me.
"Oh no... I have so much to do," I whine.
"So much?"
"Assignments," I groan.
He grins. "I can help if you don't mind?"
I perk up, wide-eyed. "Really?!"
He hums in response, and I jump to my feet, excited. The instant I turn away, I hear him call my name in the most broken voice, tears welling up in my eyes.
"Noelle."
He holds my hand, and I slowly look at him.
"What if...what if...it's too late?" He croaks and my heart shatters.