Chapter 5

Noland's POV

The afternoon sun was already dipping, spilling gold across the estate as the hum of voices carried from the game room. Too much had happened since yesterday, and yet everything pressed forward as if nothing had changed. My mind was still chasing fragments of thoughts I didn’t want to admit out loud, but the sound of laughter and the sharp smack of a ping-pong ball pulled me back to the present.

I stood in awe as I watched Lucien play table tennis. He moved so easily, barely breaking a sweat, his strikes controlled, almost lazy. Lucas was grinning like he was winning, but I could see it..Lucien was going easy. If he really swung harder, Lucas would be flat on the floor, and Darius would be stepping in.

Everyone had left with Claire except Darius, Maya, and Luke. Maya stayed glued to my side while Luke and Darius spoke several feet away. Thankfully, I had managed to calm Tiara down before Claire whisked her off with the others.

“Is everything okay?” Maya asked, fiddling with a strand of chestnut hair. There was a nervous look in her eyes.

“There’s something urgent I need to tell you later,” she added quickly, glancing toward Luke and Darius before meeting my gaze again. “Nothing serious, I promise.”

I nodded, though I already guessed. The way she kept sneaking glances at Luke told me everything. It was mate stuff.

Right now, I didn’t care. I had my own mate.

“Did you enjoy yourself today, Maya?” I asked lightly, changing the subject.

She huffed. “Claire wants us in the kitchen later.”

I smiled. Maya was an excellent chef. I already knew what the outcome would be.

A presence brushed my senses before I even turned. Lucien. His eyes blazed when mine found his. Just one second of contact, and it was like my chest tightened. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Luke glaring at Maya, protective, territorial—but Lucien’s silent presence was what burned into me.

“Do you enjoy watching this?” Maya pulled me back.

“Watching what?”

“The game,” she gestured at the table. “It’s more like a fight than tennis.”

Before I could answer, she leaned close. “Follow me outside. I think I’d rather tell you now.”

My eyes lingered on Lucien a moment longer than I intended, then I tore my gaze away and followed Maya out of the game room. I felt his eyes burning into my back.

Outside, Maya fidgeted with her hair and took a long breath.

“I found my mate, Noland,” she blurted. “It’s… Luke. The scary-face brother.”

I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Oh? That’s good, Maya.”

“That’s it?” She frowned.

“What did you want me to say? You’ve always wanted your real mate.”

“I… I don’t know. It’s just… he hasn’t come to me. What if he rejects me?” she whispered.

“I doubt he will.” Still, my gaze drifted toward the small window, to the shadow of Lucien inside.

Maya caught it. Her eyes went wide. “Wait. You too? Was it that one sitting beside you—Darius? Is it him?” She shook me lightly.

“No. Not him.”

Darius was handsome, sure, but not Lucien. Just thinking it made Fenrir stir in my chest with possessive heat.

“Then who is it? Everyone else is paired except—” Her mouth fell open. “The scary wolf? He’s your mate?” She clutched me harder, half-whispering, half-yelling. “Wow, Noland. What a mate you’ve got.”

I gave a small, amused smile. She looked more stressed than I felt.

I think so, Fenrir, I murmured inwardly.

The door swung open, making both of us jump. The alphas filed out, Lucien and Luke last. Lucien’s eyes locked onto mine, then slid to Maya, sharp as a blade.

Jealousy spiked in me when I saw Lucas clap Lucien’s shoulder. My chest burned.

“Lucien, you went easy on me, but I liked it,” Lucas laughed.

Lucien stepped closer, his brown eyes never leaving mine. “Noland, are you feeling okay?” he rumbled. Hearing my name in his voice was too much.

“I’m fine,” I lied with a tight smile. But his gaze pinned me, heat simmering under my skin.

“Alright, guys, lunch!” Lucas yelled. “We’re going out tonight!”

I stole one last glance at Lucien before heading toward the house with Maya. Every part of me wanted to turn back.

“Nol! I want my Nol!” Tiara’s panicked cry hit me as soon as we stepped inside.

I rushed forward. Claire knelt by Tiara, looking exhausted. My little girl was rolling on the floor, face blotchy from crying.

“She kept calling for someone—‘Mel,’” Claire stammered. “I don’t even know who that is.”

Tiara’s wild eyes locked on me. She bolted into my arms, clinging tightly.

“Don’t leave me, Nol! Please don’t leave me!” she sobbed.

My heart cracked. “I’m here, sweetheart. Right here.”

I carried her into the bedroom, soothing her as Claire gave me a relieved smile.

Maya came in just as I settled Tiara. “Is she okay?”

“She’s not used to me being gone,” I sighed. “I’ll stay tonight.”

I caught the flicker of disappointment in her face, but there was no choice. She also had not choice because she has to be with her mate Luke.

My phone buzzed. Lucas had dropped me into a group chat with the other alphas. One number stood out. Lucien.

From Lucas: I’ll be coming to get everyone soon!

Darius: Tonight is going to be fun. Can’t wait to see you again.

Lucien: How’s Tiara?

My heart skipped.

Me: Not well. She didn’t like being away. Claire looked helpless.

Lucien: we should have taken a picture.

Me: Missed opportunity.

Lucien: So you’re not joining tonight?

Me: No. Tiara needs me. Tell me about it later.

Lucien: There’ll be no fun if you’re not there.

I stared at the screen, pulse racing. His words lingered long after the chat went silent.

Tiara stirred, and I got her ready for bed, then changed into sweats myself.

Maya reappeared, dressed in a blue sleek dress, her hair tied back. “How do I look?”

“You look great. Luke will think so too.”

Her smile faltered for a split second, but she didn’t press.

Lucas barged in with music blasting. “Ya’ll ready?!”

“I’m not going,” I said firmly.

He frowned. “Why?”

“Tiara needs me.”

Lucas groaned dramatically. “Bossy Noland. My favorite.”

Maya slipped on her heels, laughing softly. “Hold down the fort,” Lucas added, before dragging her away.

The door shut, leaving the house quiet. I tucked Tiara against me, her small breaths warm on my neck.

Finally, I checked my phone again. A new notification glowed on the screen.

From Lucien: Still awake?

I swallowed hard, pulse quickening.