Maria.

I slowly opened my eyes, a dull ache settling heavily around my neck the moment I tried to move. A soft groan escaped my lips as the pain intensified, spreading slightly as I blinked a few times, trying to steady my vision.

Everything felt... off.

For a brief second, the world around me was hazy, my thoughts sluggish as I tried to piece things together. Then gradually, shapes began to form, and my gaze focused on the two figures standing over me.

They were staring at me.

Concern etched clearly across their faces.

My brows furrowed slightly as I took them in—Noah... and Adrien.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice coming out softer than I intended, still laced with confusion. My gaze shifted between them, trying to read their expressions, trying to understand what I had missed.

But then...Something clicked.

My focus snapped back to Noah instantly.

Panic surged through me so fast that I didn’t even think. I pushed myself up from the bed abruptly, ignoring the sharp protest from my neck as I moved.

"Noah!" I called out, my heart racing as I rushed toward him.

Without hesitation, I reached for him, my hands moving quickly over him as I checked, his arms, his shoulders, making sure he was truly alright.

"Thank goodness you’re alright, Noah," I breathed out, relief flooding through me as I let out a shaky exhale. "I can’t believe Daniel finally decided to help you."

The words came out almost instinctively, fueled by the assumption I had held onto before everything went dark.

Before I could stop myself, I pulled him into a hug, wrapping my arms around him tightly, as if confirming once more that he was truly safe, that he was really here.

But then...Someone cleared their throat.

The sound was deliberate.

Interrupting.

"Maria," Adrien’s voice came, calm but carrying a hint of something else beneath it. "Noah is fine... but you’re getting a little bit too close to him."

Before I could react, he stepped forward and gently but firmly pulled me away from Noah, creating space between us.

I barely had time to process it.

Because the next second, he pulled me into his own embrace.

"You should also check on me first," he added, his tone shifting completely, almost playful now as he touched his forehead dramatically. "I’m hurt."

He even pouted slightly, like a child seeking attention.

For a moment, I just stood there still and then I felt it, a sudden surge of annoyance.

The contrast between the situation and his behavior irritated me more than I expected.

"Alpha Adrien," I said, my voice flattening slightly as I pulled away from him, creating distance once again. "Shouldn’t you be attending to pack duties?"

My gaze lingered on him, unimpressed, as I straightened myself, the earlier concern still lingering, but now mixed with something far less patient.

"My brothers are there for the pack, Maria... and I am here for you."

Adrien’s voice was steady, almost assured, as if what he was saying made perfect sense, like there was no room for argument.

"Whereas you are my mate," he continued, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity I didn’t want to acknowledge, "and according to the healer, I need to be around you every second."

I heard him.

Every word.

But I chose not to respond.

Instead, I turned away from him completely, as if his presence, and his claim didn’t matter. My focus shifted back to Noah, and without hesitation, I stepped closer to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him into a hug.

The contact felt grounding and real.

"I don’t need a mate, Alpha Adrien," I said calmly, my voice carrying a quiet firmness that left no room for misinterpretation. "I’m engaged... remember?"

My hold on Noah tightened slightly, as if to emphasize my words.

"So if you would please excuse us," I added, my tone polite but distant.

I barely finished speaking before Adrien reacted.

His hand came out quickly, pulling me away from Noah in one swift motion. The sudden movement made me lose my balance for a second as I was forced back, the warmth of Noah’s body disappearing just as quickly as it had come.

"Come on, Maria," Adrien said, his voice edged with frustration now. "I know you’re trying to spite me... but this is going too far."

His grip lingered for a second too long.

That was enough.

I yanked my hand away from him immediately, the irritation I had been holding back finally surfacing. My brows furrowed slightly as I stepped away, creating distance between us once again.

"Noah," I called, turning toward him without sparing Adrien another glance. "Let’s take a walk."

My tone softened slightly, but the message remained clear.

"It seems someone isn’t ready to leave," I added pointedly.

Noah didn’t hesitate.

He nodded almost instantly, his expression calm but firm as he stepped forward. Before I could react, his arm slid around my waist, pulling me closer to him with a possessiveness that didn’t go unnoticed.

And then, he lifted me effortlessly.

My breath hitched slightly as he carried me up in a bridal style, one arm supporting my back while the other rested securely beneath my knees.

For a brief moment, I was caught off guard but I didn’t protest. Instead, I let myself settle against him, my hand resting lightly against his chest as he adjusted his hold.

Then he turned, facing Adrien.

"You can enjoy the room, Adrien," Noah said, his voice calm, but there was something beneath it, something firm, almost territorial. "My fiancée and I are going for a walk."

The words were deliberate and clear and without waiting for a response, Noah let out a soft whistle, almost casual, as he began walking toward the door.

"Stop right there Noah!" Adrien echoed behind us. "Maria is my mate, you can’t defy the Moon goddess order!"

But Noah didn’t stop, he ignored him completely and...Step by step, we moved away.

Leaving Adrien behind.