Alpha Noah

¬Abella

I see him sitting under a tree, back to me.

As I approach, I can feel his strength, his power, and something else completely. I feel much better now, having recovered from my fainting spell. Yet I still feel light headed, at the thought of talking to him, of being near him. Noah doesn’t know I came out here, as I asked for time alone. I have no idea where Cian is, either.

I have to face him. I have to be alone with him, make sense of my situation. But as I walk closer, knowing he has already sensed me, I feel fear drape over me. This man is more powerful than my comprehension, and yet I want to speak to him, to understand where he is coming from.

Stace doesn’t even turn around, sitting at the edge of Noah’s property on a small bench. It seems like such a mortal action for a King.

If he is to be believed.

Wordlessly, I sit next to him, drinking in the sunset he admires alongside me. I often forget how beautiful my Pack is. Brilliant emerald green meadows are doused with crimson and apricot colours, the sun bleeding the last of its warmth upon the world before it sinks below the surface. I glance toward Stace, the colours reflecting upon ebony eyes.

“You have a lot to think about,” he murmurs, the foregin lilt of his tone dancing across my skin, making me shiver. It’s not only his voice that makes me wonder what it’s like where he is from. Where I’m from. Those tattoos, creeping up his neck like possessed tendrils stop short at his jawline, leaving his face clear, effortlessly flawless.

“That’s an understatement,” I mutter my reply, leaning back into the hard wood of the bench, wishing once again, that my life is simpler than it actually is.

I miss Sam. I miss my apartment. But maybe, if I let myself think it, I would miss Cian and Noah more.

“If I have powers, what are they?” I ask lightly, curious, but also apprehensive. If I know, then I will expect it of myself, to be able to harness these fabled powers. Yet I’ve never felt any different to my mortal, and immortal friends. Noah was the first person who I noticed to be doused in mystery, like he was hiding something from me.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“I don’t know yet. Where we are from, some people don’t realise they even have powers until they are much older than you are now,” Stace tells me uneasily, expecting me to be disappointed, but a tight tension that had wrapped itself through my ribs finally releases.

“How do you know then? That I’m special, or however you say it.”

“It’s apart of my magic. I can determine when other people have powers of their own, whether they have discovered it or not. That’s why I’m so valuable as the King,” he explains, with a hint of solemn that suggests it hasn’t been his favourite experience.

I shiver. This magic I’ve never heard of existing. Magic in this realm is reserved purely for pure-blood immortals, and no one else. For all I know, Stace could be saying this, with none of it being backed up thus far. Yet I believe him. Something about this just seems right, like answering as question I have been asking my entire life.

“If you have that ability, can’t you see what powers I will possess?” I question, puzzled.

“It comes in increments, in dreams and hallucinations,” he explains, looking over me with a gentle attentiveness, not tired of answering questions at all. “I sensed power here, in this realm. Having power is so rare, I knew I had to come collect you.”

I fiddle with my next question in my head, deciding that despite my apprehension, I want to know. “Do you know what Noah is capable of?”

“His ability is complicated. Him and I have been working on controlling it, understanding it,” he says absently. “He can sense things no one else can. Usually bad things, going on within his territory, his Pack. Even though he shouldn’t be titled an Alpha, he’s better than all Alpha’s combined. No one can keep their Pack on such a tight leash as he can, and have it be as successful as it is. Everything here is in perfect harmony.”

I shudder. Now I know why this Pack is so well-managed, why you could never do anything illegal without someone knowing about it. It must have all gone back to Noah, and his magical ability he could never explain to the masses.

“Fitting,” I breath. “If he’s such a good Alpha, why not let him stay here?”

“Ultimately, it’s up to you both. But you belong in my Territory, your home,” he remarks, the faintest hint of a smile willing away all the trauma he has put me through thus far.

“Why did you mark me like this, if it’s my choice,” I ask flatly.

“Fear. Had I not, Cian could have done anything to you. He may be your mate, but I have no doubt his pure-blood instincts are begging to… hurt you,” Stace says uneasily, knowing this would upset me. Cian fell into our relationship head first, with a dramatic will to make me his mate. I can’t help but wonder if that fades, if he gets over the initial love and lust, he will begin to realise who I truly am.

“You don’t know that,” I reply softly, looking down at my hands. All I know, is that despite my doubts, I don’t want to believe Cian would do anything to hurt me.

Stace loosens a breath, grimacing. “I don’t, but my suspecting is enough. I marked you, so if he took you away, if he hurt you, I would sense it. That mark allows me to track you, know where you are at all times… it’s very powerful.”

“Can you get rid of it?”

“Yes, whenever I please,” he says, his smile growing, suggesting he isn’t yet going to remove it. If he is being truthful about it, and his intentions are pure, then I suppose I don’t mind the mark. As long as he doesn’t decide to leave at random, and leave my in horrific pain, then I can handle it. At least until I make a decision about who I want as my mate.

“Who are you going to choose?” He asks suddenly, when I don’t reply. I frown. Even he knows about the decision I need to make, and likely how much it is tearing me up inside. I want to be embarrassed, but I don’t have the energy.

I sigh deeply. “I don’t know. I’m still torn up.”

“Having two mates is actually quite a common occurrence for our kind. Most just embrace it,” Stace admits, making me flinch. What a terrible curse, at least in my case. I can’t imagine sharing mates, or dealing with two like I have now. Giving one affection leaves me feeling horrible for the other. Yet I won’t be able to live too long staying away from that.

“I can’t embrace is. I couldn’t have been paired with more opposite men,” I admit painfully. Cian is more outgoing, charismatic and open, whereas Noah is calmer, much more attentive and quiet. “If I break the bond with one, will they find another mate one day?”

“It’s possible, yes.”

Sighing I deflate, thinking that through carefully. At least if they are hurt I would reject one of them, they could find happiness in the future. But yet that doesn’t soothe me. I don’t want either of them to be upset over me.

“I’m waiting for an epiphany,” I say into the air, unsure of whether that was directed at Stace or not. I know what he would say, if I asked him for advice. He would tell me I need to choose Noah, that him and I are the same species, and we are made to be together. Maybe he would confirm my suspicions that Cian and I being paired together was just a happenstance of fate… it wasn’t what was meant to be. But that doesn’t change the fact that he is my mate, at all.

“Come with me,” Stace says suddenly.

“Sorry?”

“Come with me, to Territory Two, where people bleed the same colour as you, where your family came from. Come see my Kingdom, just for a little while,” he offers. For a moment I’m convinced he is messing with me. “Maybe it will help you make your mind up.”

My skepticism increases, as I consider his offer. Cian warned me that Stace’s intention is to take me back there, and never let me come back. Yet as he looks at me, a warmth in his eyes, his offer almost seems genuine.

“I must be returned in a few days. If not, I will not even begin to consider using my powers, remaining mated to Noah, or complying by your rules,” I say sternly.

Stace nods. “Absolutely. You have my word that you will be returned upon your immediate request.

I breath in deeply, knowing this is likely foolish. “You know what, fine. I’ll do it.”

(Noah and her share a moment in the Demon world.