Chapter 17 Pizza and Confrontations
Emily's POV
Noah led me to this enchanting little café called Olive Branch, and I immediately fell in love with it.
The moment we walked in, the warm, inviting atmosphere wrapped around me like a cozy blanket.
The wooden tables were beautifully worn, each one telling its own story, while the rustic wicker seats somehow made the place feel both casual and intimate.
Framed photographs from years gone by adorned the walls, capturing moments that made the café feel alive with history.
When I took my first bite of their pepperoni pizza, a wave of happiness washed over me.
The crust was perfectly crispy, and the cheese was gooey and rich, melting in my mouth, while the pepperoni added just the right amount of spice.
I couldn't help but smile; Noah had been absolutely right, this was indeed the best pizza in town.
The lively atmosphere buzzed around us, filled with the sounds of laughter and cheerful conversations.
Sun rays beamed through the large windows, creating a warm glow that covered the café in a soft light.
It felt like the perfect day for a lovely outing, and I couldn't have asked for better company.
I opted for an iced coffee, craving something refreshing, and to my delight, Noah chose the same.
He shot me that playful grin, the one that sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach, every single time.
It was moments like these, filled with laughter and good food that blurred my worries, even if it's only for a little while.
As we dug into that delicious pizza, I could feel the walls I had spent so long building around myself slowly crumbling.
Our conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter and at times comfortable silence that felt as natural as breathing.
Each shared story felt like a thread pulling us closer together.
We had both agreed to give this mate bond a real shot, and I couldn't deny the visible chemistry between us.
There was something in Noah's gaze, his eyes radiated warmth and understanding, that made me feel truly seen, truly appreciated.
But as our lovely afternoon began to fade into evening, reality tugged at my heart with a gentle but insistent pull.
With our fingers intertwined, we strolled back toward the castle, yet the picturesque path seemed to morph into something more forbidding with each step we took.
Just as we neared the east wing, sudden shouts and guttural growls shattered the peaceful aura, jolting me from my trance.
My heart lurched and began to race as urgency flooded my veins, and we quickened our pace, anxiety creeping in as we approached the chaotic scene.
Liam's POV
"What the hell were you saying about my sister?" I yelled at Lucas, my voice laced with fury. The moment I saw him, his face was pale, as if he had seen a ghost. I felt my anger boil over they were talking about Emily, and I wouldn't stand for that.
"Liam, I..." he stammered, his gaze flickering away as he struggled to find the right words. Whatever he was about to say, I sensed it was serious, and it made my stomach sink.
"Spit it out, Lucas! What have you done?" I pressed, frustration coursing through me as I braced myself for what was to come.
"Um, well..." he finally managed, his eyes dropping to the ground. "I knew my mate before Ashley and I mated."
"Come again?" I replied, my thoughts racing. It felt like the world around me had just shifted.
"He seemed to be honest with me," he faltered, sounding almost pitiful. "I knew the moment Emily shifted for the first time. She even gave me a chance to break things off with Ashley." but you chose Ashley over your true mate, you did reject her right?. I asked
About that "I didn't exactly reject her..." he trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper.
It felt like the air had been knocked out of my lungs. "Are you kidding me, Lucas? So, every time you and Ashley were together, my sister had to suffer through that alone?" Disappointment mingled with rage as I tried to make sense of what he'd just said.
"Lucas, I expected better from you," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "How could you let Emily go through this alone? Why didn't she come to me?"
A wave of hurt crashed over me, not just for myself but for Emily. How could she keep something like this from me? I was her brother; I would have moved mountains to help her.
Emily's POV
When I finally approached the scene, I immediately noticed Liam, his face contorted with anger, while Lucas looked utterly defeated. My stomach twisted with concern. "What's going on? Why were you shouting, Liam?" I asked, my voice calm despite the turmoil swirling inside.
"Why, Emily? Why didn't you tell me any of this?" he fumed, his voice filled with brotherly concern. "I would have done anything to help you! Instead of confiding in me, you chose to hide everything and suffer in silence."
Caught off guard, I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "Liam, I—"
"Emily," he interrupted, his expression shifting to one of understanding tinged with pain. "I know everything. Lucas told me everything."
"I'm so sorry, Liam," I blurted out, my chest tightening. "I didn't know how to bring it up. I was ashamed, scared... But I wasn't entirely alone. Alpha Noah has been here for me."
When I mentioned Noah, I saw a flicker of surprise cross Liam's face before he turned his attention toward Noah, who had been watching silently.
"Ah, Alpha Noah. I can't thank you enough for being there for my sister.
I just wish she had confided in me." he looked me in my eyes when he said the last part seeming disappointed.
Noah gave a reassuring nod, his gentle demeanour grounding everyone in the midst of the chaos.
"It was my pleasure, Alpha Liam," he said, his voice steady.
"Emily has shown incredible strength, and I'm happy to be by her side.
Once everything settles down, I'd really like for us to sit down and talk openly. "
With the sun beginning to set, casting a golden hue around us, I could feel hope glimmering beneath the tension.
We all retreated to our rooms to calm down and think everything over before we all meet again in the morning.
As Noah and I reached the door to his room, a flutter of nerves kicked in.
This would be the first time we shared a space as chosen mates, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
Noah stepped into the bathroom for a shower while I got ready for bed.
Feeling utterly drained from the whirlwind of events, I opted for one of Noah's t-shirts to sleep in since I didn't have the energy to rummage through my bag for pyjamas.
When he emerged a few minutes later, towel wrapped snugly around his waist, I couldn't help but let my eyes wander.
He was quite a sight, muscles defined and a confident stance that made my cheeks turn pink.
"Like what you see?" he teased, raising an eyebrow with that signature smirk of his.
My heart raced, and I turned my head shyly, unable to maintain eye contact.
"No need to be shy, love. This is all yours now that we're mates.
I'll have you beneath me before you know it," he added, a playful glint in his eye that sent my face into a deeper shade of red.
In just his boxer shorts, he climbed into bed, pulling me into his warm embrace.
We settled into each other's arms, and before long, sleep gently enveloped us both.
The next morning, I stirred, feeling unusually warm and strangely stiff.
As I opened my eyes, I realized I was sprawled across Noah's chest, his arms wrapped snugly around my waist. I gazed at his sleeping face, feeling a wave of affection wash over me.
My fingers traced the outline of his nose and then explored the softness of his lips.
Suddenly, he stirred, cracking one eye open, and in a swift move, he flipped us over, hovering above me, his gaze intense.
"This is a lovely sight to wake up to," he said with a sleepy smile that made my heart skip a beat.
I felt the heat rise in my cheeks again as he leaned down, capturing my lips with a kiss that was bittersweet in its passion.
Time seemed to stand still as I melted into the moment until we finally pulled away to catch our breath.
"We should probably get ready for the day," I whispered, still a little dazed.
As I swung my legs over the side of the bed, I suddenly realized I hadn't grabbed any clothes to change into.
After a quick shower, I slipped back into another of Noah's shirts, much to my growing embarrassment.
We headed to my room to find my clothes before making our way to breakfast together.