Chapter 243

Cara’s POV

Noel was looking at me with a reserved sort of hope in his eyes. In a way, I hated to disappoint him. I did care about him, and I wished I could have been able to make him happy while also making myself happy. Unfortunately, those two things would not align.

As much as I cared for Noel, it was only as a friend. It would only ever be as a friend.

My heart, body, and soul all belonged to Alaric, and that would never change.

I thought he probably knew that. With the way he was looking at me, that hope so dulled and pulled back, he had to at least suspect that I didn’t feel the same. Yet, he likely couldn’t help himself.

I remembered years ago, when I had felt so strongly for Alaric just for him to be cold towards me. The mating bond made things complicated. Though things between Alaric and I had since turned to love, with Noel, he would only find disappointment.

That was why I had to be brutally honest with him about my lack of feelings. I didn’t want to give him any false hope.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t feel anything for you but friendship, Noel, and that’s all we will ever be to each other.”

The hope in his eyes dimmed like a star burning out in the night sky, but his expression didn’t otherwise change. Even without that hope, there remained some fondness for me there, but it wasn’t particularly romantic. He looked at me like a friend would, and it filled me with my own hope that we could progress as such.

“I’d be happy to stay your friend,” he said. “In fact, I would be honored to.” He lowered his head, as if somewhat ashamed. “I hope you can forgive me for pressing the issue just once more. I had to be sure.”

“I understand,” I said.

“Never again, though. You have my word. From now on, I will only look forward.”

I nodded. Truly, I wished the best for him. He was full of mysteries, and certainly had a dark edge that I didn’t fully understand. Yet beneath all that, or perhaps despite it, he was a good man. He had treated me and the kids well, and had even helped us many times without expecting anything from me.

Someday, he would find the perfect woman for him, and I was sure she would fit him even better than his dreams of me could have.

I wouldn’t tell him this though. Though he hid his feelings well, I could tell that I had hurt him. Pushing the issue would only make it worse.

“Why don’t you come in for a while?” I said. “We are practicing for the sparring contest.”

He considered. “I had been hoping to speak with your brothers about something…”

“Alaric is here too,” I said casually, just to give him a heads’ up. I didn’t want him to be caught off guard. If he needed some time to himself to recover his pride, I wouldn’t hold it against him.

“That’s fine,” he said.

I smiled at him and he warmly returned the smile. It seemed truly as if he was going to easily accept our friendship with no hard feelings toward me or Alaric. For that, I was exceedingly grateful.

Noel was such a good man.

I led Noel to the backyard where the others were just taking a break from practice. One of the servants had brought out some fresh lemonade and fruit as a snack. The group was gathered around a small table.

Alaric seemed surprised by Noel’s presence, but recovered quickly. No one else seemed to have a reaction.

We chatted for a bit, before the other girls and I decided to continue practicing. Aidan and Ryan seemed eager to get back to training with the Claw Sisters, but Noel asked them to hang back.

“Just for a minute,” he said. “I want to make sure we are all on the same page about a few things.”

I looked back as I started to follow the girls where we were going to practice together.

Both Alaric and Noel gave me a small smile, letting me know it was okay. Satisfied, I turned from them and focused on training.

Alaric’s POV

I didn’t know what to think with Noel’s presence. I was sure I’d hear from Cara later exactly what was said, but they both seemed alright after the conversation. If they were, I would be too. I trusted Cara, and I was coming to trust Noel as well.

He might have been a rival once, but he was now an ally. I didn’t know if he’d ever be a friend to me, but an ally was enough. We had a shared goal in wanting the best for Cara.

As Cara, the Claw sisters, and Georgie returned to their practice sparring, and the kids continued their playing, the rest of us looked to Noel expectantly.

“I’m assuming we all believe that the head commissioner is corrupt,” he said.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Pretty much,” Aidan said, while Ryan nodded.

“It’s the only thing that makes sense,” Colin said. “Either Lilia has some type of information on the man, or they are in something together…”

“Even if they are boning,” Aidan said, “I’m not sure it would be enough for the commissioner to put everything on the line.”

Ryan nodded. “Lilia has got to have something on him. Maybe he has some dirt in his past.”

“We just don’t know enough about him,” Colin said.

“I agree,” Noel said. “Which is why I intend to break into his hotel room and see what I can find.”

My eyes went a little wide with surprise, but not so much as Aidan and Ryan’s.

“That’s dangerous as hell,” Ryan said. “If you get caught –”

“I won’t get caught,” Noel said. “If there is something to find there, then I will find it.”

“It’s good to be confident,” I said. “But if you do get caught, there will be hell to pay. I’m not about to let you take that kind of risk alone.”

Noel looked at me, his expression guarded. “If I’m caught, it won’t matter. I’m just a nomad, with no real pack of my own. I have no reputation to ruin. You, Alaric, on the other hand, are the Alpha of your own pack. You also have Cara and the kids to consider. The risk is too great for you.”

He looked around at all the brothers then. “Each of you is too important in your pack. I am the only one who can take this risk. I simply wanted to make sure we were all on the same page before I started sneaking around. Once I have information, I will deliver it to you.”

He turned then, heading to the exit, not even waiting to say goodbye to Cara. He didn’t say goodbye to any of us.

The brothers and I shared a bewildered expression, before I chased after Noel back into the house.

“Hey!” I called after him. He paused but did not turn.

Truthfully, I wasn’t mad or annoyed, I was concerned. Noel might not have a reputation to ruin, but he was still taking a great risk for Cara. He could land in prison or worse. We didn’t know what the commissioner was capable of.

“If you want to risk yourself, I won’t stop you,” I said. “But I’d feel a hell of a lot better if I knew why you were so damn confident you won’t be caught.”

He half turned, listening.

“Just what are you, Noel? Half-wolf. Half… what else?”