Chapter 5: Chapter 5

NOAH

I woke up as soon as my dream ended...well more like a memory. It was the first time I met Xander. He would always be protecting me because I was weak. But I don't need protection anymore...I can protect meself just fine. I sit up on the couch and stretch. I look out the window and saw that there was a clear sunrise...not a cloud in sight. I roam around the room, collecting my things, getting ready to go. My eyes caught that she had some notes pens. I decided to write her a note of thanks. She did save me, the least I could do was thank her.

I went to leave the note on her bedside cabinet. I opened her door slowly so than I wouldn't wake her. I froze when I saw her in bed. She was wearing a flowy, thin white singlet that did nothing to hide whats underneath. Her black hair was out and she had her arms rested above her bead. I made my way towards her and sat on the side of her bed. Her singlet was very transparent. She might as well wear nothing. I close my eyes and look away. I can't look at her like this. It would be disrespecting her. I look towards her but kept my gaze on her sleeping face as I grab the blanket and softly lay it over her chest. There. All is well. I leave the note beside her bed. As I was about to stand up to leave...I hesitated. I turned around, I leaned down and presses my lips softly on her forehead, "Thank you Mia," I whispered. It was the first time I had said her name...and for some reason...it felt so right. But I knew I couldn't. I had to leave.

I went out the door and closed it softly behind me. Every step I took away from the hidden cottage, I tried to commit everything I experienced there to memory, so than I could never forget. I look away and shift into my wolf. Then I run.

MIA

My heart was beating fast when the sun streamed through my lids. I squint while looking around my room. Something seems different. Like somethings missing. I pull the covers off me and sit up. I look at my bedside to see the time. 6:57 AM. A couple minutes after sunrise. A note on my cabinet caught my attention. I took it into my hands softly to not crumple the paper and opened it.

Dear Mia,

I had to leave at sunrise in order to get back to my pack quickly. I am the beta, I need to be there for my alpha. But I could not leave without saying thank you to your kindness. By now, I would've been a faceless dead man, if it wasn't for you. If you need anything, come to the Bloodmoon Pack and ask for me.

Kind regards,

Noah

PS. I locked all your doors. You should learn to lock everything before you go to bed.

He's gone. How could this little letter leave my heart warm yet at loss as well. I stand from my my bed to make it. After I tidied it up, I made my way out of my room and towards the kitchen. I gust of wind hit me, triggering a chill that ran down my spine. My front door is open. I frown. Noah said he locked everything. I took a step towards it, but then I stopped. I closed my eyes and inhaled. There is a different scent in the house. I open my eyes immediately. My heart began beating against my chest. What do I do? I look over my shoulder to check down the hallway. Everything seemed in place. Maybe someone robbed the place while I was asleep? I kept my eyes on the hallway...something was stirring. I looked closer. And suddenly a shadow moved across the wall of the hallway. That was all it took for me to sprint towards my front door. I hear growling and stomping from behind me. I whimper in fright. Please don't get me please. I was just about out of the door, when the man grabs me by the waist and slams me against the door. The air was knocked out of me. I put my hand on my chest, struggling to breath and talk. I look up and what I saw frightened me. It was a large and tall man looking down at me with his dark eyes, "Where is Noah?" He growled. More men filled my home, looking at things.

I Shake my head, "H-he's g-g-gone! Please I've done nothing wrong!" He snarls at me.

"His scent is most fresh here. You even have his blood dried onto your table! What have you done with him huh? If you don't tell me, bad things will happen. You won't even remember your name by the end of it. Now tell me...WHERE IS NOAH MAVERICK!"

Tears run down my face. I felt my body shaking, "I don't know!" I sobbed, "He left early this morning! back to his pack!"

"Whats the name of his pack?"

I tried to search my mind for the name, but I'm so scared I can't even recall anything at all! "I can't remember." I whispered.

"In other words...you're lying." I shake my head vigerously, "No! NO! You have to believe me! Me and Noah are friends! I saved him!"

The man turns his back on me. He looks to one of his men and says, "Take her away." I felt the blood drain from my face. I went into full survival mode. As they pull me away, I struggle against them, I try to kick, punch and bite! But nothing worked. I felt the hope of escaping slip away from me. So I called out the one thing I hope could hear me.

I sucked in a big breath and screamed with all my heart, "NOAH!"

NOAH

I shifted about five minutes ago because I didn't want to get back to my pack too early. I wanted time to think for myself. Think about what I am feeling right now. Deep inside myself...inside my wolf, I felt it...longing. I felt my wolf almost crying and whimpering for us to go back. I was confused of why though. She was just a rogue...a rogue that had wrong done upon them. Nothing special. But I knew that I thought differently. She was special some how.

But how? That is the question I want answered. It was supposed to be impossible for someone like me to have a mate. That is what they said. They said because of what I am, I could never have a mate. I remembered that day so clearly. It was when I was still young, 9 years ago when I was 17. That day crushed me. I wanted a mate so bad. A person to chase all of my bad away and leave only the good inside me. But I lost hope that day. I would never find a mate...but then I met Mia. And thats when I started to question everything. How could I have an instant attraction to her? The whole time I was around her I just wanted her in my arms, which was weird to me. I usually try dodge away from females because they're too naggy. But she was different. But I know that I cannot pursue these thoughts. I can never have her. She will be a floating temptation around me. She is like a forbidden fruit to me. I want her...but I never can. And besides I have a duty to do. I am engaged to Alpha Kendricks daughter. She is to be my future mate. She will bare my children. I am going to have to forget all about Mia. But there is one thing I knew I can never forget...the kindness of her heart. I will never forget that.

"NOAH!" I stopped in my tracks when I heard someone call out my name. I turn around and just listen one more time...."NOAAHHH!!!!!!" My heart was beating against my chest.

"Mia," I whispered. I took off back to the cottage. She's in trouble. She needs me! I shifted into my wolf and sprint back to her. My body was riddled with adrenaline and worry. I used my senisitive hearing to try and hear if she is okay or not.

"No! Stop it please! I don't know!" I hear her whimper. I growl in anger. Who the hell is hurting my Mia! I push my legs harder. I don't care if it burns like crazy, all that I am thinking of is getting to her. I can tell that I am getting closer. Thank goodness I wasn't too far from her when she was in trouble. I did't want to think what would happen if I didn't hear her.

I see her cottage up a head. I roar and snarl when I see men holding down Mia. They weren't doing anything, they were just holding her down. I lung up in the air, and tackled the guy that was touching her. I went and stood in front of Mia who was crouching on the ground. I snarled at all the men. They had their hands in front of them as if they were trying to calm me down. I was in a blind rage. How dare these men touch her! I was about to go and kill all of them, then I heard...

"Noah?" I look up at the man that said my name. How does he know my name? I tilt my head because I was confused.

"Noah? It's me...Xander?" The blind rage started to subside and I could see them better now. These were my men from my pack. I shifted into my human form.

"Xander? What are you doing here?"

He took a hesitant step forward, "We were trying to find you...you've been missing for a couple of days. Your scent led us here...to this she-wolf's cottage."

I looking over my shoulder and saw Mia still shaking on the ground. I walk to her and crouch down. "You alright?" I asked.

She raises her head and looks at me. Her eyes seem in a daze, like she is just processing what just happened. Mia nods her head though as a sign of that she is not harmed.

"These men come from my pack, they were looking for me." I explained. She nodded her head again. I saw her close her eyes and take a deep breath. She opens them with confidence ad stands up on her shaky legs. I see Soul behind her. He sees her struggle to stand, so he rushes to her side. He lays a hand on her lower back and the other was holding her arm. For some reason, this really irritated me. I didn't like that he was touching her and I wasn't. I felt my wolf go crazy inside. He wanted to jump out of my chest and tear Soul to shreds. Soul was truly like a little bruv to me. But for some reason in this situation my instincts saw him as an enemy.

I was about to tell him to get his paws off her, and then it clicked that she wasn't mine. I have no right to feel this way. I just release a low growl and walk away and instead went towards Xander. I stand next to him when he asked me, "So what happened to you exactly?"

"I told you that them two guards were useless. When we realized that rogues surrounded us, they were like scared little female pups."

Xander noded his head, "I know. I already knew you could handle yourself alone, but it was more to ease Izzy's nerves. She worried about you alot."

My heart warmed slightly. Izzy is like a little sister to me. She was the only female I knew that genuinely cared about me for me. "That makes sense. But anyway. I got shot with an arrow and sliced on my back. Then I woke up on the floor of the cottage."

"Did she do anything...bad to you?"

I chuckle and shake my head, "No Xander. She's harmless, don't worry about her. She's a healer, a very good one at that."

Xander's brows shot up. I could see his eyes glisten with an idea. "Well then...I can't pass this opportunity up then. Are you sure she's safe? She's not crazy or anything?

I shake my head, "No. She's fine."

Xander nods his head and raises his thumb, "Good good. Will you excuse me?"

I frown. I take a step forward, "What're you doin?"

He walks away and shouts, "You'll see big boy!"

I watch him approach Mia. As soon as she saw Xander she coward back slightly. She didn't even look at him in the eye. I walk towards them and stood slightly in front of Mia. Xander smirked at me. His eyes revert back to Mia and bows his head, "I owe you an apology miss. You were telling us the truth and I didn't believe you."

Her eyes flicker from me to Xander. "It's okay Alpha Xander. I forgive you."

Xander smiles cheerfully, "Good! Now thats done and dusted. I have something to ask of you."

Mia nods her head in understanding.

"A little wolf told me that you're a healer. Have you ever delivered pups before?"

Mia nods her head, "Yes, I have delivered a couple."

"Were they healthy?"

"Yes, they were perfect." She defended

Xander nods in approval, "You see I have a problem. I have lended my healer to a pack and now I have no healer to care for my female . Would you please accompany us back to my pack and help my mate give birth to her second child?"

Mia's eyes widen as did mine. She's coming back to the pack?!?!? my heart was beating against my chest in antisipation. I wait for her decision to be made. I can see her frowning in concentration. She looks back up to Xander with certainty, "Yes, I would love to help your mate." Xander smiles and my heart drops.

I walk away in frustration. I'm not gonna be able to concentrate with her around? How am I to deal with this? How can I stay away from temptation when she's going to be in my pack?!?

I rub my hair and face as I release a harsh sigh/grunt/groan. "Xander? You okay?" A small hand touches my shoulder. I know who it is already. I'd know that smell anywhere. I turn around and face Mia. Her eyes hold concern. I step back out of her touch.

"I'm fine!" I snap. I stomp off into the trees. I walk straight till I hear the stream. I keep going until I arrive there. I bend down on the bank and cup some water into my hands. I splash it on my face and rub it on the back of my neck. I need to cool down. I collapse onto a big rock and groan. I hate that I have these strong feelings for her. Why do have these stupid feeling? I think maybe because I haven't had a female in years and now I suddenly meet this woman that reminds me of my wife. I'd naturally wan't to be with her. Thats it! It is just a meaningless attraction. I sag in relief. It's nothing serious.

MIA

Noah stomps off into the trees. I was just trying to be kind and he suddenly snaps at me? Did I do something wrong? My heart is stinging a bit from how cold and harsh Noah is. He wasn't like this when we first met. But then again, he doesn't remember that. He was all loopy. When people are under the influence, head injury they say silly things...but then again, sometimes they say exactly what they're thinking and act like who they really are. Why would Noah be acting so different. Does he have something to hide? I don't understand. I felt a hand touch my left shoulder. I turn my head, hoping to see those blue eyes...but my hope was soon squished flat when I see Soul. I smile politely at him, not wanting him to feel my disappointment.

"Don't worry about Noah. He's a crazy one."

"What do you mean?" I turn so than my whole body is facing him.

"He has his issues as we all do. But Noah is just...different."

"Different?" I cross my arms over my chest. What's he trying to say?

Soul chuckles nervously, "I'm just trying to look out for you. Noah can be crazy sometimes."

Something inside me didn't like how he was talking about Noah. It seemed like he was judging him. "Sometimes the craziest people are the best kind of people." I snap. I didn't want to be around Soul anymore. He made Noah out to be some mad man. How could he do that? I'm sure Noah can be rough around the edges, but who isn't? I have my own share of baggage as do we all. It doesn't make us seem abnormal or out of place. But then again, why am I even defending Noah? Why should I care? He has been treating me like I'm just the girl who helped him. Do I not mean anymore to him than that? My head started to develop a dull ache from all this thinking. I over-think a lot. I sigh, maybe he just really doesn't like me s a person. That's okay isn't it? He's just another male wolf that I happen to save, nothing more...I can't make it anything more than that. I should just focus on me and also Alpha Xander's mate.

I think this will be good for me. It will keep my mind off a male wolf that I do not care about at all, but seem to think about a lot. I grunt as I walk. Damn my emotions! I walk into what felt like a solid wall. I look up and see a brooding Noah looking down at me with a deep frown cemented on his face. "Go back your things. We're leaving in five minutes. If you're not ready by then, we'll leave you behind, so hurry up." He pushes past me and walks to Xander. Wow...he really doesn't care. I guess thats good in a way, it will help me get over him quicker, knowing that he doesn't like me. I quickly rush in my cottage to pack up my stuff. Once I come out, I see that some of the men have already shifted.

I walk to Noah, "I can't shift and carry all this stuff." He looks at my luggage and groans in annoyance. "Ride on one of the wolves then."

My cheeks heated up. I didn't want to ask them because I felt it was rude to do something like that. "Can I just ride with you since I don't really know anyone else?" I asked softly. Hopefully he won't be annoyed. Instead he just simply shook his head, "No, go ride on someone else. I am still weak."

I nod my head, "Of course."

"Hey Mia!" I look over my shoulder and see Soul waving, "I can carry you! Come on!" He shifts into his wolf and waits for me. I gulp. I felt really uncomfortable doing this. I look back to Noah. His eyes are almost black and they're burning holes in the back of Soul's head. "Noah?"

"Go to Soul...he's waiting," he snaps without taking his eyes off Soul. I silently take my luggage and climb on Soul's back. I see Alpha Xander look at Noah and shake his head. Once everyone shifted. We started to travel to the Bloodmoon Pack. Moon Goddess help for whats to come, I pray.