**Noah’s POV**
The scent that fills my nose is intoxicating. My lungs feel as though I can’t breathe in any oxygen unless that scent comes along with it.
Camelias and vanilla. Sweet and floral. Fresh.
‘Mate.’ Caden’s voice growls possessively inside my head. My eyes begin scanning the area surrounding me, jumping from person to person, desperately trying to find my one true soulmate. Unfortunately, a hand grasps my own, grounding me back to earth and the conversation at hand. I yank my hand away in disgust before my eyes fall onto Claudia’s questioning face. Her brown eyes search mine, clearly hurt from my reaction.
“I’m sorry. That was just…a bit unexpected.” I lie. She doesn’t believe me. I can see it on her face. She takes in a deep breath before planting a big smile on her face.
“That’s ok, it was my bad. Alpha Kade was just asking about your warriors and their training.” She looks at me expectantly. Her desire for me to brag and show off is clear. I’ve always noticed it before and have always revelled in the way she has pride for myself and my pack but today, today is different. It doesn’t arouse me the way it usually does. It doesn’t make me feel desired, instead it makes me feel dirty and disgusting.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling all to well. Excuse me.” I say to the Alpha and Luna before me before walking away from the conversation. I hear Claudia call out to me, trying to follow, before my Beta Ryan pulls her back into the conversation in front of her, reassuring her that I’ll be fine.
We both know I won’t be happy with her though.
I allow my instincts to take over and my wolf to lead me to our mate. My body tingles with a light electric current and the excitement that course through our veins. Caden and I have been waiting for her for nearly six years. I was starting to think I didn’t have a destined mate.
As we enter the house, people bow in respect, while a small handful greet me as though I am an old friend. Everyone knows who I am and where I come from. Everyone knows of my past victories and that I am not the type of wolf you mess with.
Caden jumps around excitedly in my head, rambling on about what he thinks she’ll be like and all the things he wants to do with her, like long walks and cuddling up on the couch whilst watching movies.
We’re already in love and we haven’t even met her yet.
Caden leads me through the house. The walls are filled with pictures of families that are here in the pack. I examine them all as we walk past but none of them stand out or draw in my attention. They all seem bland and boring.
We make it to the kitchen just in time to see the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She wears a stunning black dress that hugs her curves. Her heels are held in one hand while her other hand is on another man’s arm.
I involuntarily growl as I watch my mate touch this man. Who the hell does he think he is, holding my mate like that?
They both look at me and her eyes captivate mine immediately. The bright blue orbs before me are intoxicating and the purple flecks seem to sparkle under the kitchen lights. But the fear is evident within them. Everything she’s feeling can be seen right there. The don’t help hide or protect her from herself.
Caden pushes me to go up to her but I can’t seem to move. The man with her keeps looking between us, finally putting the pieces together and waiting for one of us to act upon it.
“Noah! There you are, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” I close my eyes and sigh at Claudia’s now annoying voice. I once found that the most attractive sound in the universe, now it’s just an annoying whine.
I take one last look at my mate, the pain and confusion evident in her eyes before turning around to face Claudia. She has a giant grin on her makeup caked face, and has her breasts hoisted up to her ears. All I feel is repulsed by her. Disgusted. And yet I’m stuck with her. I can’t just dump her here. We’ve talked about this moment, over and over. I’ve always promised her respect and to ignore my mate until Claudia and I could end things properly.
I just have to last this week. Then Claudia can be like a horrible dream and my mate will be all mine.
“Sorry. I just needed to get a glass of water. Can’t seem to find the cups.” I lie. She frowns before turning to my mate and the wolf next to her.
“Hi, I’m so sorry to bother you, but do you know where the cups are?” I roll my eyes and allow my head to sink before turning back around. My eyes immediately find my mates and I instantly get lost within them.
“No, it’s ok, I think we should just go home, Claudia.” The look on Claudia’s face says it all. She knows something is wrong. I never call her Claudia, it’s always a pet name. She quickly shakes it off and stands tall, trying to assert some kind of dominance.
“But we just got here. We haven’t even seen the birthday girl. She hasn’t received our present yet.” She’s trying to sound dominant but her voice is just a constant whining drawl.
“Well you found me. Thank you both for coming. You didn’t have to get me a gift though and I don’t expect you to stay if you’re unwell. Even I don’t want to be here so why should I expect anyone else to stay.” My mate says to us causing my eyes to instantly snap to hers. The sound of her voice makes me want to drop to my knees and bow down in front of her. I would give her the world if she asked me. But the hostility and anger is evident in her words. Maybe not to Claudia but it is to me.
‘She’s unhappy Caden. She doesn’t understand what’s going on. What are we gonna do? How do we explain this to her when this annoying bitch won’t leave me alone.’ Caden whimpers in response and I can’t help but slouch in defeat.
“Oh my gosh! Happy birthday! You’re so gorgeous, I thought you would be Alpha bloodline, not Beta!” I practically want to slap my forehead at Claudia’s statement.
That’s definitely one way to insult and compliment a wolf.
My mate’s jaw clenches and her eyes darken slightly. Her wolf is trying to take over. But instead, she darts to the kitchen sink and throws up. Instantly I make my way over to her and stroked back as she empties her stomach. The contact creates small sparks in the palm of my hand. I can’t help but revel in the feeling.
It doesn’t last long though because as soon as she has finished throwing up, she shakes my hand off of her back. Her eyes are filled with hatred as she looks at me, before she moves away and begins to head upstairs.
“I’m going to bed. Night Damon. Thank everyone for coming for me.” And that’s the last thing she says before disappearing upstairs.