Chapter 11 Morning Encounters
Emily's POV
As I left Noah's room, my heart raced with an intoxicating feeling of excitement and anxiety.
Thankfully, the corridors were deserted, and I spotted no pack members lingering around.
I hurried into my room, shutting the door softly behind me.
After a quick shower to freshen up, I slipped into a simple black and white semi-formal dress that hugged my curves in all the right places, pairing it with my favourite kitten heels.
I let my hair fall in natural waves down my back and opted for minimal makeup, just enough to mask the lingering evidence of my late-night adventure.
Navigating my way downstairs, I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach; I was alone in the dining area, which felt a bit eerie.
I poured myself a generous bowl of muesli, layered it with yogurt, and grabbed a small bottle of juice.
Just as I settled into a chair, I heard the faint scrape of another chair next to mine.
I looked up, and my breath caught a bit when I saw Noah sliding into the seat beside me.
"Good morning," I said, smiling, trying to keep my tone light.
"Good morning, love," he replied, returning my smile with a hint of mischief in his eyes. The term of endearment surprised me and stirred something warm in my chest. How had someone like him managed to stay single for so long?
"You look lovely today," he added, his gaze lingering. "I assume you had a good night?" His playful wink made me blush slightly.
I cleared my throat, unsure of how to respond. "Well, you could say that," I managed, stealing a glance at the hefty breakfast he had set in front of himself—bacon, eggs, and toast piled high.
"So, what are your plans after this meeting?" he asked, leaning back in his chair, clearly interested.
I bit my lip, considering. "Honestly, I haven't thought about it much. I think I might travel for a bit. But I'm really not sure how I'll survive this week with everything swirling around me."
He leaned in slightly, his expression softening. "You know, you can always find me if you want someone to hang out with or vent to," he offered, and his genuine sincerity melted away some of my worries.
"That actually sounds nice," I replied, feeling warmth spread through me. Our conversation was interrupted by a tall, tan man with a sturdy build as he approached us, a friendly demeanour on his face.
"Ah, this is my gamma, Carson," Noah introduced me. "Carson, this is Emily."
Carson smiled slightly before turning to Noah. "Mind if I steal you for a moment? We have some pack business to discuss."
"Not at all," Noah said, sliding out of his chair. He glanced back at me, and I gave him a quick, encouraging thumbs up.
After Noah left, I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach as Lucas and Ashley entered the dining area, absolutely beaming at each other. I couldn't help but roll my eyes; their gushing affection was almost nauseating.
Just then, Liam appeared, looking like he'd spotted treasure. "Emily! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you. I even came by your room earlier, but you weren't there. You smell... different," he said, wrinkling his nose in curiosity.
"Different?" I echoed, genuinely confused. "What do you mean?"
"It's like you've swapped scents or something. Did you use a new cologne?" he asked, tilting his head with an inquisitive look.
I paused, the memory of last night flooding back to me. "Oh, well, I was in Noah's room last night, so maybe it's his scent mixed in with mine?"
Before I could dive deeper into that thought, Liam shifted the topic. "By the way, I wanted to let you know that the first meeting begins later today, so don't be late!"
"I won't be," I promised, grateful for his concern. He flashed me an encouraging smile before turning to leave, glancing back over his shoulder. "Enjoy your time here, sister! You work too hard!"
I chuckled lightly at his brotherly banter, hoping it would lighten my mood. Not long after that, Noah returned to the dining area, and relief washed over me.
"Sorry about that," he said as he slid back into his seat, looking slightly apologetic. "Had to sort out some pack issues—nothing too crazy."
"No problem at all, Noah," I replied with a playful shrug. "You're the Alpha; it comes with the job."
My gaze instinctively drifted towards Lucas and Ashley again, their affection sickeningly sweet, and Noah noticed.
"Is that them?" he asked, and I nodded, feeling my cheeks heat up.
We continued our conversation until breakfast wrapped up, and I mentally prepared myself for the upcoming meeting.
As I walked toward the meeting room, I felt a rough tug on my arm, pulling me sharply into a corridor. I turned around to find Lucas glaring at me, a storm brewing in his eyes.
"What was that all about at breakfast?" he demanded, his tone sharp.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, trying to feign indifference, but my heart raced.
"You know exactly what I mean—acting all friendly with that guy. Have you forgotten you have a mate?" he shouted, his voice echoing harshly around us.
I rolled my eyes, my irritation rising. "Yeah, some mate I have. You didn't even think about me when you allowed another she-wolf to mark you. Did you really believe you could have both me and someone else?"
His expression darkened, and he stepped closer, his body towering over mine as he pressed me against the wall, eyes intense. "You'll stay away from him, do you hear me?"
I squared my shoulders, refusing to be intimidated. "What gives you the right to control me? I can talk to whoever I want!"
With a determined shove, I pushed past him, heading into the meeting room. To make a point, I sat down right next to Noah, smiling brightly at him. He offered a brief, reassuring grin before focusing on the speaker at the front, unaware of the emotional storm that was brewing around us.