Chapter 13 Meeting Day 2
Emily's POV
Last night felt like a shift in the universe.
When Noah asked me to stay with him for the remainder of the trip, I felt like time had briefly frozen.
I was utterly taken aback. After all, who was I for him to want me near him?
In the days since we first met, he had an inexplicable way of making me feel safe, a soothing presence that seemed to calm my restless spirit.
Now, in the soft morning light, I stood before my mirror, trying to shake off the surprising turn of events from the previous evening.
After a refreshing shower, I pulled my hair into a high ponytail, leaving the ends to cascade in gentle waves.
I kept my makeup subtle with a light touch that highlighted my features just enough to give me a fresh look without overwhelming my face.
The forest green pant suit I slipped into hugged my frame perfectly, and when I paired it with a crisp white vest, I felt a rush of confidence.
My black shiny chunky loafers completed the ensemble, and I thought, "Today, I look like I mean business. "
As I made my way downstairs, granola bar in one hand and steaming coffee in the other, I was ready to tackle whatever lay ahead.
But midway down the hall, a wave of dizziness overwhelmed me.
I fumbled, instinctively reaching for the wall to steady myself.
Just as I was about to lose my balance, Noah appeared at my side, concern radiating off him like a warm light.
"Emily, are you okay? You looked like you were about to faint! "
I smiled slightly, touched by his concern. "I'm fine, really. Just felt a little light-headed for a moment," I assured him, though I could feel the embarrassment creeping into my cheeks. "I'm good now. Let's head inside."
"Alright then, but let me know if you need anything," he replied, his gaze trailing me as we walked together, the unanswered questions still hanging in the air.
We settled into our seats in the meeting room, the atmosphere thick with tension.
I tried my hardest to focus on the discussions, but my mind kept wandering, and the voices around me became a jumble of noise.
Alphas shared their insights on the rogue situation, but none seemed to have any real answers.
I could sense the king's frustration simmering beneath the surface, like a pot ready to boil over.
With every passing moment, my anxiety grew, and I couldn't help but wonder if anything would ever change.
Finally, the meeting concluded, and I pushed through the heavy doors, desperate for a breath of fresh air and a moment alone. My thoughts were still racing when I was suddenly confronted by Lucas, his voice slicing through my pondering.
"Emily! Why do you keep acting like this? Why are you trying to hurt me? You're not listening to me. I'm your mate!"
The term 'mate' hung in the air, its weight suffocating. I felt my heart race in anger, my voice rising a little without my permission. "You are no mate of mine! My mate would never have allowed another she-wolf to mark him!"
Frustration twisted his expression. "Emily, let's not do this again. It was a mistake, and you need to forget it!"
"Forget it?" I laughed bitterly, disbelief flooding my voice. "How can I forget that my mate marked someone else, that he claimed another? You're nothing to me! So please, just walk away," I shot back, turning on my heel, desperate to escape this painful confrontation.
But as I turned, Lucas grabbed my wrist, yanking me back around. "We are not done here! Don't walk away from me," he said, his voice tightening with aggression.
Then, like the arrival of a tempest, I heard that low growl from behind me. "Let go of her! She is done talking to you. If I see you anywhere near her again, I won't hesitate to put you down. Do I make myself clear?"
It was Noah. Relief washed over me like a warm wave.
I turned slowly, seeing him standing there, tall and fierce, his eyes locked onto Lucas with an intensity that was both comforting and frightening at the same time.
I could feel that protective energy radiating from him, wrapping around me like a shield.
Lucas, intimidated by Noah's commanding presence, lowered his head, a look of resignation on his face.
"Yes, Alpha Noah," he muttered before retreating into the hallway.
Turning back to Noah, I felt warmth bubbling in my chest. "My, oh my... my knight in shining armour," I teased lightly, trying to inject a bit of humour into the moment. "Thank you, but I don't want to sound ungrateful. I could have handled him."
Noah's lips quirked upward, a shy smile breaking through his otherwise stoic facade. "Maybe, but I didn't want to take any chances. You deserve someone who will stand up for you, Emily," he replied, his voice softer now, the fierce edge smoothing out into something protective.
Standing there together, the tension from moments before faded. Despite the uncertainty of the day ahead, I felt the reassuring comfort of having someone like Noah beside me.
We went about our day as usual, but as afternoon approached, Liam came looking for me.
He wanted to know if I was okay and if I had made up with Ashley or if we were still fighting.
I could see the confusion on his face; he really had no idea what was going on.
I decided to brush it off and changed the subject, asking if he had checked in with Dad back home.
When morning came, I found myself back in Noah's room again.
I had sneaked in late the night before to avoid being seen.
We talked a bit at first but then settled into a comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company.
I curled up with a novel while Noah worked on his laptop, the soft sound of keys clicking in the background.