Chapter 101

Cara’s POV

I’m frozen for a long moment, not fully understanding what Noel is saying or why.

He thinks I’m his mate? How can that be? I’ve already found and lost Alaric. Unless Alaric sees himself as my second chance mate?

That has to be it, but yet… with my own wolf still lost to me, I couldn’t truly feel any bond like I used to with Alaric.

Noel might be telling the truth, or he might be lying. I have no true way of confirming on my end without Lucy.

“Now, uh, wait a minute, Noel,”

Landon says and placing his hand on Noel’s shoulder, gently eases Noel back.

Noel seems reluctant to step too far away from me, however, and keeps his hands on my waist possessively.

I’m uncomfortable by the touch. He might think he’s my mate, but he’s still a stranger to me. I take a step backwards myself, pulling out of his grasp. He seems confused a moment, his brows furrowing, but he does not force me to stay.

“Do you mind filling the rest of us in on what’s happening?” Landon asks.

Eamon has also moved closer, curious, as have the twins. Colin, thank goodness, is set on distracting Ethan and Mia. Ethan keeps looking back with suspicion, though. Honestly, Colin does too.

They keep looking at me as if I’m the one holding the answers here, when just as confused as everyone else.

“Cara,” Noel says, his eyes still on mine. His smile is easy and open, even as there is some level of smolder in his eyes. Confused as I am, I’m presently immune to his charms. “Do not pretend you cannot feel the bond between us. Please. My heart couldn’t take it.”

“You are suggesting that you are Cara’s second chance mate?” Eamon asks him.

For the first time, he looks away from me to glance at Eamon, but only for a moment before those eyes of his are on me again.

“’Second chance?’” Noel repeats. “Ah, so you’ve been hurt before. That explains why you are so hesitant.” He places a hand on his heart, and bows slightly. “Forgive me, princess. I did not mean to frighten you away.”

“It’s not that,” I say. Well, not just that.

If he was a stranger on the street, maybe I would send him off without further explanation, but he is not. He is a friend of Landon’s and a guest to our event. As such, he deserved to be treated with respect and honesty.

“I was in an accident six years ago,” I explain.

At once, my brothers all glance away. It’s an uncomfortable memory, reminding us of a past when not all of us were on the same side. Still, for Noel’s sake, I press on.

“Ever since then, I’ve been unable to communicate with my wolf. I can’t feel more than a gentle hum of her presence anymore, and even that is only sometimes.”

Noel’s smile fades at once and he appears stricken.

“My dove, you must have gone through so much,” Noel says. “I regret that I was unable to be there for you at that time, but I vow, you will never have to face such situations on your own ever again in the future.”

“Maybe cool it a bit, Noel,” Landon says. “You are coming on way to strong.”

Noel startles a little, like he’s only now realizing that. Of his own accord, he takes a step backwards, giving me more room.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “It is difficult for me to not want to be near you, Cara. You are so very beautiful.”

My cheeks heat up, flushed and embarrassed. It’s very kind of him to say that.

I’m not immune to the compliments of a man as handsome and charming as Noel. In another world, not so different to our own, perhaps I might have even fallen head over heels for him.

Unfortunately, as it is, my thoughts return to my first mate, the one who has been creeping back into my life slowly but surely. I suspect that even if Lucy was still with me and fully conscious, that she would feel the same confusion, even if Noel’s telling the truth and we are bonded.

My feelings for Alaric have always been so strong. And we have children together, even if he doesn’t know it. I’ve been confused in my feelings for Alaric, but after the other night we shared… And now he wants to pursue me, even once the event is over and our packs continue on without the need for such close collaboration any longer.

For all of these reasons, it’s difficult for me to even think of a man other than him, even a handsome one that is showering me in compliments and affection.

“Mom,” Ethan whispers. When I glance at him, he asks, “Who is that man?”

“He’s uh…” I start, wondering what I should say. After all, this man is almost exactly the picture that Ethan described of how we would want a father to look.

Noel does a little bow. “I’m your mother’s fated mate, little prince.”

Ethan’s eyes go a little wide.

“That’s probably something better discussed later,” Eamon says, stepping between Noel and Ethan. “After all, my sister still hasn’t accepted your advances. And then there’s the matter of just who you are...”

“Of course,” Noel says, taking the scolding in stride. “I apologize. My heart keeps doing the speaking for me. I will be happy to submit to whatever questions you might have of me. Whatever you require of me to properly win my mate.”

Noel smiles and Eamon, and I notice that it’s slightly different than how he’s been smiling at me. With Eamon, there’s the barest hint of more teeth. His eyes are still friendly, his posture still easy, yet there’s a hint of… something in that smile. It’s not intimidating, exactly, but neither is it particularly welcoming.

Eamon, as Alpha of BloodyMoon, takes it in stride, his own features and postures never changing. Eamon deals with all sorts of people as Alpha. He’s used to all types of encounters and discussions.

“Come by my office tomorrow, then,” Eamon says. “And I will have more than one question for you.”

“Of course,” Noel says. “Thank you for the consideration.”

“That is, only if Cara approves of your courtship.” Eamon turns to look at me. Noel’s gaze finds my with his intense focus.

Stepping closer to me, he takes one of my hands in his.

“Cara, my precious mate, I know you do not feel the bond with me, as I do for you,” Noel says. “But I hope with the entirety of my heart that you will still allow me to pursue you. You might have been hurt before, but I will never hurt you. We will move slowly, and over time, I will come to earn your affections the way of the wolfless. Will you allow me?”

Alaric’s POV

It takes me far too long to break away from the elders. They are increasingly persistent, especially when it comes to my finding a mate and producing heirs. At least Cara was able to get away so that she too wasn’t subjected to their insistence.

I search the room for Cara’s red hair, and spot her standing near a table with her brothers and some other blonde man.

As I come near, I start to hear the words being spoken.

“I know you do not feel the bond with me, as I do for you…”

I stop suddenly, looking closer at this man now, who appears around our age with a tall and wide build. I’ve never seen him before. Where has he come from?

“We will move slowly, and over time, I will come to earn your affections the way of the wolfless,” he continues. “Will you allow me?”

No.

My wolf starts to growl.