Alex's p.o.v
During their drive to Noah's family house, they argued... Noah rented a car that was so expensive for just two days. Toby tried to reassure her of Noah's status here, but she did not want to hear anything. Eventually Noah turned back, and she chose a nice but less expensive car for them to rent.
"See. This is comfortable."
"Alex, Noah is like a king here... this small car-"
She shot the tiny peep squeak an icing glare and he immediately changed his position. She refuses to hurt such a small creature but if he continues running its mouth all bets are off. her wolf snarled in a low deadly tone and the tiny man was then covered by her best friend.
"Lex your eyes..."
"What's wrong with her eyes?"
Shooting the tiny man one more sharp glare she was distracted by what Noah considered funny. Her wolf looked ahead but she felt herself resting on her paws and watching 'The office.' She also found that to be funny and laughed eventually the episode ended and they got to talking. At first it was about his favourite shows, her favourite boy band and shared interests which is art.
They got to know each other better through a trip. She eventually realised her comfort levels around Noah surpassed her normal comfort around her best friends. It felt like it was just the two of them in the car and she hates to admit Noah grew on her... there is no other reason for her wolf to have formed a great fondness if this was not fate.
[For once let us be happy.] Her wolf defends.
'Alphas hurt, steal, destroy and take over lives.'
[I trust Noah. Our fated is not that monster. Give him the benefit of your unjust doubt.]
"Hey. Axx... Wake up... Sorry. You were mumbling in your sleep. We going to stop for the night and continue our travels tomorrow. I will go book us all separate rooms, Lucas."
Lucas nods and gets out of the car she turned to see a drowsy Toby and then her best friend.
"Wait here we will come back for you."
They nodded, still drowsy from the long ride. She knew the estimated six-hour trip had stretched far longer because of her indecisive nature, yet they still hadn't made it to Noah's pack land. She turned back to Toby. The small man instinctively leaned away, as if his afraid of her and that cut deeper than she expected. She hadn't meant to intimidate him. He was adorable in the most genuine way.
"Sorry," she said softly. "I didn't mean to snap at you."
Her apologetic look seemed to reach him. Slowly, he relaxed, his curiosity returning to his face.
"Your eyes... they turned red."-Toby
She blinked at him. "What?"
"My eyes are not red," she said, trying to keep her tone even. "You must've seen a trick of the light maybe a reflection or something."
Toby shook his head, clearly not convinced. But before he could argue further, Noah returned. The timing was a relief she welcomed the interruption. This wasn't the first time someone questioned her eyes.
It was one of those nights... The nightmare. It had been worse than usual. Like something inside her was trying to tear its way out, clawing through her chest and lungs, stealing her breath. The pain was blinding. She collapsed to the floor, screaming. Leo, her best friend, had let her sleep in his bed that night. He woke up to her cries and tried to get close only for her to roar at him. He'd backed away, shaken, phone in hand, ready to call for help. Her sight was foggy. She barely remembered the details, only that she was angry not at Leo, but at the dream, at the face she'd seen. A face that filled her with fury. Apparently, her eyes had turned red, her teeth had shifted into something more than her usual wolf's, and her nails had torn through her clothes like blades, exposing her in front of her best friend. She hadn't been herself. Or maybe shehad and that was what terrified her.
She looked back at Toby with softened eyes. "Sometimes my wolf likes to join our conversations... especially when I'm angry. Toby, I really am sorry for scaring you."
Then she turned to Noah, brushing imaginary dust off her pants.
"Noah let's go. I'm really tired."
.
No man has ever stayed around this long without getting bored, impatient and or irritated with her. That is the reason she is surprised Noah is yet get impatient with her boundaries she set over eight months ago. At this point she assumed the alpha would change his mind and band her from meeting his family. Somehow if he did, it would have really made her very sad. Why? This man is intriguing. Alphas in her previous pack are completely different from the alphas she has met especially, Noah. The Deucaliontreats her more like a boyfriend than servant as she would be basically treated in her old pack if she married without love or fate by her side.
She thinks back to the time Noah cleaned her kitchen, when he cooks or washes the dishes those are the things she allowed him to offer in his apartment but ultimately, shepreferred to do it herself. Noah even took it upon himself to take her to and from school. He also allowed her inside his home just a couple of times to organize his much larger apartment to her liking in order for her to comfortable being inside. He gave her full reign and the passcode to his entire apartment just to welcome her into his life, he did all that without asking for anything. She only went there to either watch movies or to use his much grand kitchen for their dinner dates when she does not feel like being around people. Noah treats her well and his views on commitment in a relationship just evolves the two of them which is a plus.
Who is this man? He cannot be perfect, right? Of course, his not but his flaws are covered by all the reasons his a great guy in her untrained eye. Regardless of who he is, she will soon meet his parents, the reason for his being. She needs to know what her wolf is getting them into, she honestly does not understand why her wolf insists Noah is theirs... Okay. Yeah sure. She hates to admit that the hot alpha man grew on her. He eased her many scolding nightmares, offered her sanctuary and for the first time ever... Someone pull her out of her mind and cleaned her kitchen, she usually insists on doing everything herself but at that moment it felt like allowing his presence made her feel less alone. She felt her phone ring, and she turned to face Noah, its Jayden.
"Is Leo alright? How is he? We could come back if something happened. Jayden. Speak!"
Leo: <<'You not giving him a chance to.'>>
"Ah. Thank goodness Leo. Are you fine? I am so sorry I took you to the bar. I am terribly sorry I left you in Jayden's care and took off without at least telling you, I-"
Leo: <<'Ah. Noah. Stop your lover please. Lex, I love you, but you are giving me a headache.'>>
"Sorry." -She whispered facing away from Noah.
No one truly understood how guilty she felt letting a heartbroken Leo drag her to a bar, knowing fully well it meant defying Lucas's orders. Lucas, the alpha she considered her own. That guilt gnawed at her, quietly, persistently. What eased the ache slightly was knowing Leo hadn't been assaulted. He hadn't been hurt beyond repair. He was safe, just feverish now. And for that, she was grateful. Deeply. Because she wouldn't wish what happened to her on anyone especially not Leo. She hadn't wanted to leave his side, not with him in such a fragile state. But Jayden insisted. Begged, even. He asked her to leave with Noah, promising to stay behind and fill the space Leo might need him to fill. He said he had things to explain things about the alleged cheating. Jayden hadn't cheated. Not really. And if that was true, then she had no reason to be angry anymore. No right to hover and guard Leo like a shield. Her presence, in that case, would've been... unnecessary. Still, as she walked away with Noah, a thought festered quietly in her mind… does Leo blame her? She blames herself. For going with him. For not seeing the signs. For not fighting harder to stay behind. The guilt didn't vanish just because Jayden claimed innocence. It lingered, sharp and silent. And the worst part? She wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to ask Leo the truth.
Leo: <<'Look, sorry Lex. I am just tired. I woke up very angry because of some alpha here, Lex, this was never your fault so tell that busy brain of yours I am fine. When are you coming back from your in-laws?'>>
Werewolves have super hearing so she is sure as hell, Noah is listening in on their conversation since there was no music playing.
"Stop. Leo, don't go there..."
She warned now, trying her best to not hang up on one of her best friend.
Leo: <<'Okay fine at least go through with what you planned to do. Life is too short to die a vi-'>>
"Leo! Shut up."
Before she hung up, she heard the evil minx laugh. Damned Leo, his making her more nervous. Hoping Noah did not hear that, she put her phone away and ran into the bathroom. Opting to take a shower, Leo was right of course and tonight would be a perfect time if she were to be serious about it. It is very bad to plan intimacy before marriage or at least a commitment is wrong but if their fate is right, she has nothing to worry about, right? She doubled her dosage of suppressants and spent a week researching the PTSD and talking herself up as was recommended. Leaving the bathroom in nothing but a towel wrapped around her body. She noticed the gaze of the alpha appraising her, that hunger made her feel desired and her reaction alamed her.
"You can go in now. Noah-"
"Yes. Axx"-
He winked not hiding where his attention resided, flushing She rummaged for something in her bag.
"I got you something. Open it while you in bathroom and tell me what you think. Tell me w-what y-you think a-about it when, you come out."
She gave him the small box wrapped in blue and purple ribbon binding it all together. Curious Noah took the box and disappeared into the bathroom. One thing she loves the most about her fated is that... Wait, love? Shit, fated? Yes. Noah has never pressured her to do what she did not want nor feel comfortable doing and fuck. If she is going to try intimacy with someone, she wanted it to be Noah. She has no reason beyond infatuation, but it was better than forever recoiling from physical touch. This man did grow on her like a tumour. He is her first love. All she can do now is hope Noah never breaks her heart because it's his and that's scary.