Nadia’s Journey A Hybrid’s Awakening

Chapter 11

I sit down next to Charlotte. "Yes, it has Char, I am so torn and confused right now. Dimitri just confessed to me that he has fallen for me, and well, then there is Noah. I think I have fallen for Noah, but I must admit that I also have feelings for Dimitri. When Dimitri took me out to help me hone my sixth sense, things shifted between us. I felt a romantic feeling for him that day. I don't want to hurt either one of them. I can't deny the feelings for Noah, they are so strong and Dimitri thinks Noah may be my fated mate, or I am his. I am so confused."

"Oh my goodness girl, yep I'd say your world just got turned upside down. What are you going to do?"

"I asked Dimitri to give me time to figure this all out, and he agreed. He said he would be here for me no matter what. But I don't want to lead him on or cause him pain. What do I do, Char?"

"I think you should explore things with Noah, but still be friends with Dimitri and see where things go. But I would also suggest you tell Noah everything."

"Thanks, Char. I think you're right. I need to be honest with both of them. I just hope they can understand my confusion and not think I'm playing games. I care about them both, and I don't want to lose either one of them."

"I know it's a tricky situation, but I think they'll appreciate your honesty. Just take it slow and follow your heart. It's clear you have strong feelings for Noah, so maybe start there. See where things go with him, and take comfort in knowing that Dimitri is willing to support you no matter what."

"I guess I'm just scared of getting hurt, or hurting them. What if I make the wrong choice?" I sighed, my heart heavy with the weight of my decision. "I don't want to lose either of them from my life." I made up my mind that I will talk to Noah today after school during our tutoring session and be honest with him about everything. The bell rings to signal lunch is over, I have to go back to class now. As I walked to my next class, my heart was still racing from the intense conversation with Charlotte. I knew she was right; I needed to be honest with both Noah and Dimitri, but the thought of facing them, especially Noah, filled me with anxiety. During class, I couldn't focus, my mind kept drifting to the upcoming tutoring session with Noah. I wondered if he could sense my turmoil, as we had a strong connection, and he often seemed to understand my emotions without me having to explain them. The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, and I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the difficult conversation ahead. As I made my way to the parking lot, my heart pounded in my chest, and I felt a mix of emotions—fear, anticipation, and a tingling sense of excitement. I spotted Noah standing by his truck, his eyes brightening as he saw me approach. My throat felt dry as I approached, and I took a moment to gather my thoughts before speaking.

"Noah, I need to talk to you, at lunch, Dimitri confessed his feelings for me. I have always been friends with Dimitri, but I have to admit that my feelings shifted some the day he helped me hone my sixth sense. But I also have strong feelings for you too. I don't want to hurt either of you but I want to be honest. I don't want to sound corny or anything but there just seems to be an undeniable connection between me and you, Noah, and I want to explore that connection. But I also want to continue being friends with Dimitri and see what I feel for him too. I don't want to hurt either of you or lose you both. I am just really confused right now."

"Nadia, it's okay. I understand." His voice was soft. He stepped toward me and grabbed my hand. "We can take things slow, but know that I have fallen for you, and I'm not going anywhere. If you need time to see what your feelings for Dimitri are, then that is okay with me."

"Thank you, Noah. That means a lot to me. Hey, can I ask you something?"

"You know you can ask me anything, shoot."

"Dimitri seems to think you and I are fated mates," I say, watching his expression.

"Nadia, that is a possibility, I will admit that our bond is very strong and I feel very protective of you. However, wolves usually don't know who their fated mate is until their 18th birthday. My birthday is in a few months so we will see. Are you still up for tutoring today?"

"Yeah, I have to pass the upcoming finals. After tutoring, do you think you could explain to me more about fated mates?"

"Of course, Nadia. I will explain fated mates, and you can ask me anything you know."

As we drove to my house, my mind was still reeling from the conversation. I felt a sense of relief that Noah was understanding, but the mention of fated mates lingered in my thoughts. I knew wolves believed in finding their soulmates, their one true love, and the idea both excited and terrified me. What if Noah wasn't my fated mate? Would he still feel the same way about me? And what about Dimitri? The thought of losing either of them was unbearable. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

Noah must have sensed my anxiety; he reached over and squeezed my hand gently. "It's okay, Nadia. We'll figure this out together. I'm not going anywhere."

I smiled at him, grateful for his support. When we arrived, we went to the study, where we often spent time together. We began our tutoring session, but my mind kept wandering back to the topic of fated mates. Finally, I couldn't contain my curiosity any longer.

"Noah, can you tell me more about fated mates? I want to understand this part of your world."

Noah smiled softly and took my hand in his. "Fated mates are believed to be the other half of a wolf's soul. It's like finding the missing piece of yourself, the one person who completes you. When wolves turn 18, they can smell their mate and get a strong feeling that pulls them to their fated mate. Also our inner wolf will yell mate when we meet."

As we delved into the tutoring session, my mind kept drifting to the concept of fated mates. I tried to focus on the equations Noah was explaining, but my curiosity about our bond kept interrupting my train of thought. Finally, I blurted out, "So, if wolves don't know their fated mate until they're eighteen, what happens if they fall in love before then? I mean, what if they're in a relationship with someone else when they find their true mate?" My cheeks flushed as I realized how personal the question was, given our situation.

Noah's eyes softened, and he set down his pencil. "That's a complicated question, Nadia. Wolves are known for their fierce loyalty and commitment. If a wolf is in a committed relationship before finding their fated mate, they are faced with an incredibly difficult choice. They must decide between following their heart's desire and honoring the bond with their current partner. It's not an easy decision, and it often leads to heartache, confusion, and soul-searching. A wolf can decide to reject their fated mate to be with the one they have fallen in love with. From what I am told, the fated mate has to accept the rejection to break the bond and it's painful." He paused, his gaze intense, as if searching for the right words. "But it's important to remember that true love is about more than just fate. It's about choice, connection, and the journey we take together."

I felt a rush of emotions hearing his words. It was as if he were describing my exact predicament. "So, it's possible for wolves to find love outside of the fated mate bond?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Could a wolf have more than one great love in their lifetime?"

"Yes, Nadia, it is possible to find love outside the fated mate bond and wolves can have more than one great love in their lifetime. Sometimes fated mate bonds are severed by rejection or death, but they will find another great love. I have even heard that some are given a second chance, fated mates."

"Dimitri said that a wolf's fated mate makes them stronger and more powerful. Is that true?"

"Yeah, that is true, and that's because like I said it is the other half of the wolf's soul," Noah explained.

"So if a wolf chooses someone else over their fated mate, does that make them weaker?" I asked, afraid of the answer.

"No it doesn't make them weaker or less powerful than they were before."

As Noah finished explaining, a sense of relief washed over me. It was comforting to know that even if Noah and I weren't fated mates, our connection was still valid and powerful. "Thank you for being so open with me, Noah," I said softly. "It means a lot that you're willing to share these intimate details of your world with me."

He smiled, his eyes warm and understanding. "You're a part of my world now, Nadia. I want you to understand everything, especially something as important as fated mates."

My heart fluttered at his words, and I felt a surge of affection for him. As we continued our tutoring session, my mind felt clearer and more at ease. I was grateful to have Noah's support and patience as I navigated these uncharted waters. The more time I spent with him, the stronger our connection grew, and I couldn't deny the pull I felt towards him. But a small part of me still wondered about Dimitri and the possibility of exploring those feelings further. I knew I had a difficult choice ahead of me, but for now, I wanted to focus on the present moment with Noah and the comfort of his companionship. The sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the study, signaling the end of another day spent together. As we gathered our things, I felt a sense of peace and contentment. Noah's presence had a way of calming the turmoil in my heart, and I knew that no matter what the future held, I wanted him in my life.

"Will you walk me out?," Noah asked, interrupting my thoughts. As we made our way to the door, I felt a sense of anticipation for the future and whatever it may hold. Noah grabs my hand and pulls me to him, stroking my cheek softly, he leans in and whispers "Can I kiss you?" My heart starts pounding and I nod my head, his lips touch mine ever so gently sending tingles through my whole body. Before I know it, the kiss gets more intense. I throw my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss, ravishing him. I feel like I am going to explode, I back up and place my hands on his chest, and catch my breath.

Noah breathing heavily says "Well goodnight Nadia, I will see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight Noah" I whisper still trying to catch my breath. I watch as he walks to his truck and leaves.