Fated

chapter 2

Noah pulled Rose in closer, reaching up to untie her blindfold with one of his hands before snaking that arm back around her waist. Rose looked up at him, biting her inner lip. At nearly seven feet tall, he towered over her. His muscles bulged under the pressed white button-down shirt he wore, the sleeves carefully rolled up to his elbows. She knew she’d fail if she tried to get away. Noah raised one hand to cradle her face, gently stroking her cheek with his thumb. Rose felt her heartbeat begin to race. As much as she tried to ignore it, she couldn’t deny the electric feeling she had where his hand met her cheek. She was unable to meet his eyes, the eyes staring down at her, taking in every inch of her face like he was trying to memorize it. Suddenly, his arm found its way back around her waist and she was lifted off her feet. Now eye level with Noah, she finally let her deep brown eyes settle on his golden ones, a small gasp falling from her mouth. He smiled at her, and she couldn’t help but to be drawn in more. His smile was beautiful…everything about him was beautiful. He— No! She couldn’t be thinking these things. Any moment now, this man—this wolf—was going to take her away from everything she ever knew. She was supposed to hate him. She needed to hate him. She-

“What’s your name?” he asked, voice low and deep. So deep, she felt in rumble in her own chest. God, even his voice was beautiful.

“R-Rose,” she managed to get out. His smile grew.

“Rose…” he repeated in a whisper. He leaned in, nuzzling his face in the crook of her neck and taking a deep breath, allowing the floral scent to fill his nostrils again. “How fitting.” Rose only pursed her lips and closed her eyes. With her feet off the ground and her arms still tied behind her back, she had no choice but to just…exist there. Noah instinctively tightened his grip around her, pulling away just enough to graze his canines across the skin of her neck. Rose’s eyes widened.

“No…” she whispered, shaking her head. This couldn’t be happening. He couldn’t be claiming her here. She’d never heard of a wolf claiming someone here in the square. To her relief, he never bit down. To her chagrin, however, he began planting kisses up her neck and along her jawline. She gritted her teeth, waiting for him to finish.

Noah couldn’t help himself. He didn’t think he’d find a mate here, let alone be so enamored by the feeling that he’d melt so instantaneously. This girl was fated to be his, and he hers. He took another deep breath through his nose, inhaling the intoxicating scent, before finally pulling away to meet her gaze.

“Let’s go home,” he said, voice still soft, like they were the only two people in the square…in the world. He set her back on the ground and leaned down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead before taking her hand in his, and starting towards the cars. Rose felt her heartbeat quickening once again and she stayed planted in her spot.

“Wait,” she called out. Noah turned back to look at her, raising an eyebrow. Rose took a deep breath. “I-I’ll go with you, but I need to make a stop.”

“That’s not how this works,” Noah replied, gently tugging on her hand to pull her towards him. Rose remained where she was.

“I know, but I made a promise, and I can’t break it,” she explained. Noah pursed his lips, thinking it over for a moment. He nodded subtly, but Rose didn’t catch it.

“Let’s go,” he repeated, his grip tightening on her hand. He began walking towards the cars again, but Rose still stayed in her spot, unmoving.

“I have to do this,” she said, there was a slight shakiness to her voice as the thought of letting Ryan down filled her with dread. Noah sighed and closed the distance between them. He lifted her up, throwing her over his shoulder.

“We’re going,” he stated firmly, beginning the walk to the car for the third time. Rose’s eyes welled with tears. She hung her head and closed her eyes, refusing to let any of those tears fall.

“Please…” she pleaded, her voice coming out as a whisper. Noah set her down beside the car and opened the door for her. Defeated, Rose climbed in, sliding down to sit against the opposite door. Noah got in beside her and leaned in to address the driver.

“We need to make a stop.” Rose’s eyes widened at his words, and she looked over at him in disbelief. He was really letting her do this? Noah cleared his throat. “He needs an address.”

“O-Oh, right.” Rose mimicked his actions and leaned forward to look at the driver. “384 windsor lane.” The driver nodded and started the car. Rose sat back against the seat as the car pulled onto the street. She reached one hand up to rub her arm nervously and snuck a glance at Noah. “Thank you.”

“What’s this promise?” he asked. Rose looked down to the floor of the car, unwilling to hold his gaze.

“I promised my little brother I’d read him a story before bed.”

“Really?” Noah chuckled. Rose narrowed her eyes at his response.

“Yes, really,” she replied defensively.

“No, no,” Noah replied. He reached over and again cradled her face in his hand, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. “It’s cute.” Rose bit her inner lip again and looked up at him warily. This wasn’t how she’d pictured this in her mind. He wasn’t supposed to be kind or endearing. She was supposed to be able to hate him. He was the one destroying her life. She wasn’t supposed to be charmed by him. A breath of relief escaped her lips when the driver pulled to a stop outside of the house. In seconds, she was out of the car and running to the front door. She threw it open and ran inside, embracing the normalcy of her home for one last time.

“Rose!” Molly exclaimed, jumping up from her spot on the couch to embrace her daughter. “You’re safe.” Rose winced at those words.

“Not exactly…” she replied, hugging her mother tighter. As if on cue, Noah knocked once on the door and stepped inside. Just as Rose and Molly were pulling away from each other, Ryan raced into the room.

“Rosie! Rosie!” He stopped short upon seeing the strange, tall man in the doorway and screamed, running straight to his sister for protection. Rose picked him up and hugged him close to her.

“It’s okay, buddy. It’s okay,” she soothed him, gently rubbing his back. She turned back to Noah. “I’ll, uh, I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time,” Noah replied with a nod, a reassuring smile on his face. With a nod, Rose turned away and carried Ryan back down to his room, leaving Molly and Noah.

“Who is that, Rosie?” Ryan asked once they crossed the threshold into his room. Rose sighed.

“Don’t worry about him, buddy.” She laid him down in his bed and pulled the blanket up over him, tucking him in tight. “What book are we going to read?”

“That one!” Ryan exclaimed, pointing to the book laid out on his nightstand. Rose smiled. He must have had Sam going through each of his books until he’d found the perfect one for tonight. It’s what he did with her right before bed each night. The thought that she’d never again get to do that for him hit her hard, but she worked hard to push down her emotions and keep the smile on her face. If anything, she had to be strong for Ryan right now. She couldn’t let him see her cry. While she settled in next to him, Ryan looked back at the door nervously. “Is he gonna go away?”

“He’ll be gone soon, bud,” Rose nodded, opening the book. Ryan moved to rest his head against his sister’s arm and looked down at the book.

“Are you gonna go away, too?” he asked, his voice small and worried. It shattered Rose’s heart to have to tell him the truth.

“Yeah, buddy. I have to.” Tears welled up in Ryan’s eyes and his arms wrapped around one of hers, hugging it tight.

“I don’t want you to go, Rosie,” he cried. Rose set the book down on her lap and maneuvered herself on the bed so she could hug him.

“I don’t want to go, either, buddy. But it’s going to be okay, because no matter where I am, I’m always going to love you, and I’ll be with you right here.” She pointed at his chest, mimicking her mother’s actions from before. Ryan looked up at her.

“And I be right here?” he asked, pointing to her chest.

“Exactly,” she replied. “I love you, bud.”

“I love you, Rosie,” Ryan whispered, hugging her back as tight as his arms could. He pulled away after a minute and settled back in beside her, his head now resting against her side. Rose lifted the book again and, with a heavy heart, began to read, transporting the two of them to a world far from their current reality.

Ryan was asleep before she’d gotten halfway through the book, but Rose continued reading. She wanted to prolong this moment as long as she possibly could. The more she thought about having to get up and leave the safety of her family and her home to go off with that stranger, the harder it was to will herself to get up. However, the thought of Noah coming to wrench her away from her brother’s room and traumatize the boy was enough to finally get Rose up off the bed. She set the book back on the nightstand before leaning in to kiss Ryan’s forehead.

“Goodbye, buddy,” she whispered. She took a deep breath and made her way back to the living room, stopping in the doorway. Noah had his back to her, looking over the pictures that adorned their mantle. Pictures of Rose through different stages of life, with her mother and father, her and Ryan. Rose looked around for a moment, angling herself to get a glimpse into the kitchen. When she couldn’t find a trace of her mother, she looked back at Noah and cleared her throat. He set the picture he’d been looking at down and turned to face her.

“Where’s my mom?” She asked.

“Oh. Restroom, I believe,” he replied. Rose nodded, running her hand through her hair. “Are you ready to leave?”

“Can I say goodbye to my mom first?” she asked. Noah smiled and nodded.

“Of course.”

“Thank you.” Rose managed a small smile in return before leaning against the wall and wrapping her arms around herself. Noah turned back to look at the pictures, taking one off the mantle.

“These are cute,” he noted, gesturing at them. Rose bit her lip and pushed away from the wall, crossing the room to stand beside him. She looked at the picture he was holding and smiled. It was one taken years ago of her and her dad after they’d built a snowman in the front yard.

“That’s my Dad,” she stated, eyes never leaving the photo. Noah looked down at her.

“Where is he?” At that, Rose let out a sad sigh.

“He, um…he passed away right after Ryan turned two. He was at work and just…collapsed.” She stopped herself, feeling tears pricking at her eyes. “The ambulance was barely a block away from the hospital when they lost him.”

“I’m so sorry, Rose.” Noah set the picture down and wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her in a hug. This time, Rose reciprocated. Despite her current feelings about him, it felt nice to not have to be the strong one as she had been for her mother and Ryan at the time. She let herself be comforted instead of feeling her grief alone. They stayed like that for a few minutes, Noah gently running his hand up and down her back, before Molly entered into the room again, causing Rose to quickly pull away.

“Mom.” She ran over and hugged her mother tight.

“Oh, Rosie…” Molly hugged her back just as tight. “You’ll be alright.”

“I’m going to miss you,” Rose whispered. Molly sighed softly and glanced at Noah. They’d had time to talk while Rose was reading to Ryan. As much as she hated the thought of losing her daughter, she’d decided he’d be good for her. He wouldn’t be the monster she knew her daughter feared. He seemed kind; the fact he’d brought her back here spoke to that. She pulled out of the hug and looked at Rose.

“I’ll always be right here,” she reminded, pointing to Rose’s chest. Rose couldn’t stop the tears that welled up once again.

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too, Rose. Forever.” The two embraced again for a long while. Noah moved from his place at the mantle to the front door. Eventually, he cleared his throat to gain their attention.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but we do have a long drive ahead of us,” he stated. Molly nodded and pulled away.

“Oh, yes,” she said, reaching up to put her hands on Rose’s upper arms. “Remember what I told you earlier. You’re going to be okay, no matter what happens. You’re my strong girl.”

“I will,” Rose nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. Molly smiled reassuringly at her.

“Go on then.” Rose nodded again and took a deep breath before crossing the room to stand beside Noah. He smiled and took her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Anders,” he looked to Molly. She nodded, giving him a warm smile.

“You as well, Noah. Take good care of my girl.” Noah chuckled and nodded.

“I will.” With that, he gently squeezed Rose’s hand once and led her outside. The driver started the car when he saw them emerge from the house. Taking deep breaths to keep herself calm, Rose followed Noah to the car. He opened the door for her again, and Rose got in, again moving to sit against the opposite door.

“Any more stops?” The driver turned back to ask Noah once he’d gotten settled in his seat. Noah shook his head.

“No, no. Home please,” Noah replied. The driver nodded and turned to face forward again, pulling away from the curb. Rose nervously rubbed her arm and turned to look at Noah.

“Thank you…for letting me do that.” Noah smiled and moved closer to her.

“Of course,” he replied. In one swift movement, he reached over and pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Can’t very well have you hating me, or breaking that promise.”

As much as she wanted to hate the action, a small smile began to spread across her face. Quickly, she looked away, unwilling to let Noah see. He chuckled and pulled her closer to him, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“I saw that,” he murmured. Rose shook her head and moved to look at him, in desperate need to change the subject.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” he replied. One hand slid to her back, gently running up and down. Rose closed her eyes and ran her hand through her hair before looking back at him.

“Is there a reason you’re so much bigger than the other wolves?” While most of the wolves that came into town stood around 6’5”, Noah towered over them. He appeared bulkier, stronger than them, as well. Noah chuckled.

“I’m not a wolf, persay. I’m part of the Lycan lineage.” Rose raised an eyebrow.

“The Lycans?” she questioned.

“We rule over the wolves. Each pack has an Alpha, and the Alphas answer to us,” he explained. Rose nodded.

“So, you’re, like, a king?”

“No, not yet. My father still holds that title.”

“Not yet,” Rose scoffed, shaking her head. “If you’re not part of that pack, then what were you doing here?”

“I was here to check in on the Laetan pack. My father wants me to go around to each pack, introduce myself and see how they run. I wasn’t planning on going out with them tonight, but something compelled me to.” Noah moved the hand that was rubbing Rose’s back up to gently rake his fingers through her hair. “Now I know why.”

Rose looked down at the floor of the car again, a pit forming in her stomach. She could have escaped this mate-free. She’d been so close. And now, here she was, in the lap of this Lycan prince, on the way to God-knows-where.

“What’s wrong?” Noah murmured, continuing to run his fingers through her hair. Rose shook her head and turned back to him, pulling her hair out of his grasp.

“I’ve just…I’ve spent my entire life actively fighting against this whole tradition, and in one night, that’s all been proven for naught. I just don’t see why some centuries-old agreement should dictate the lives of all these girls and force them into these bonds.” She sighed and looked away again, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill at the admittance.

“Ah,” Noah nodded. “I see.” Rose pursed her lips and reached one hand up to rub her arm.

“No offense, or anything. I just…” She shook her head, trying to form the words. “It doesn’t seem right to me.”

“I understand,” Noah replied. He let his arms fall from around her, allowing her to move off his lap and again take her spot against the opposite door. He cleared his throat after a moment, but turned to look out the window. “Like I said, it’s a bit of a long drive.” Rose nodded and wrapped her arms around herself, resting her forehead against the window. Noah snuck a glance at her and sighed softly. He opened his mouth to say something, but thought against it and again turned away. Soon, the only sound that filled the space was the purr of the engine as their driver continued down the road.

An hour into the drive, and the two had still not said another word to each other. Rose felt her eyelids start to droop and pulled her legs up under her on the seat. She rested her head against the window once again and settled in, trying to get comfortable. Noah looked over at her and smiled.

“Rose?” He whispered, leaning in a bit. Rose didn’t move to look at him, but let out a sleep-filled “mmm?” in response. Noah moved to better face her. “C’mere.” Decidedly uncomfortable in her current position, Rose complied and moved closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her onto his lap, moving to spread his legs across the seats. Rose curled up in his lap, resting her head on his shoulder. Noah moved one hand up to run his fingers through her hair again. Within minutes, Rose was asleep in his arms. He smiled and gently kissed her forehead before settling in and closing his eyes.