Noah.

"Who is it?"

The moment I heard the male voice from inside, my heart skipped, panic rising instantly in my chest. My hand hovered by the door, hesitation creeping in as a dozen thoughts rushed through my mind at once.

Had I heard that right?

Or was my mind playing tricks on me?

But before I could second-guess it further, Maria’s voice followed from within...

"Noah, you can come in."

Relief washed over me immediately, easing the tension in my chest, at least she was okay, at least she was the one inside.

I pushed the door open without wasting another second.

And then the moment I saw them, everything inside me froze.

"Maria... what’s going on here?" I asked, my voice coming out tighter than I intended, my gaze fixed on the sight before me.

Her.

In his arms.

Adrien.

Before she could even respond, he spoke instead, his tone laced with something that immediately set my nerves on edge.

"What does it look like?"

My jaw tightened.

A dull ache settled deep in my chest, spreading slowly as my thoughts began to spiral. I couldn’t ignore it, the truth I had been trying so hard not to dwell on.

They were mates.

Bound.

Connected in a way that went beyond logic... beyond choice. A bond that pulled them toward each other whether they wanted it or not.

But even then, I wasn’t ready to back down because if there was one thing I believed...It was that love could be stronger than any bond and I was going to prove it.

Without another word, I walked straight toward the bed, my steps steady despite the storm raging inside me. I climbed onto it, closing the distance between us as I reached for Maria, pulling her gently toward me from the front.

Almost instantly, I felt resistance.

Adrien.

His hold tightened from behind, pulling her back toward him as if refusing to let go but I didn’t stop.

I wasn’t going to.

I leaned in, closing the gap between us, and captured Maria’s lips in a kiss, firm, intentional, leaving no room for hesitation.

The kiss wasn’t gentle, it was possessive as I was deliberating giving a silent declaration, staking my claim.

For a brief moment, everything else faded, the tension, Adrien’s presence, the conflict hanging in the air.

And then, she responded.

My breath hitched slightly as her hands came up, cupping my face, pulling me closer. She didn’t push me away.

She didn’t hesitate.

Instead, she kissed me back, her response soft but unmistakable, giving in just enough to make my chest tighten with something deeper.

"Naoh... Noah..." she murmured between breaths, her voice barely above a whisper.

Behind her, I felt it as Adrien’s grip loosened, not completely but it was enough. Enough for him to pull back slightly.

I could sense his movement, the shift in his presence as he straightened, watching.

Watching us.

Watching the way we were both lost in the moment, caught between something neither of us could fully explain.

And for that brief second, nothing else mattered. I was still lost in the moment, my thoughts tangled, my senses overwhelmed, when everything shifted in an instant.

Adrien moved.

Suddenly.

Before I could even react, he was already on the bed, his presence towering as he grabbed me roughly and pulled me up. The movement was so abrupt, so forceful, that I barely had time to steady myself...and then...his fist connected with my face.

Hard.

The impact sent a sharp jolt through me, my head snapping slightly to the side as pain exploded across my jaw. I staggered back a step, tasting blood almost immediately.

"Adrien!" Maria gasped, her voice filled with shock.

But he didn’t care.

"How dare you, Noah?" Adrien demanded, his voice thick with fury, his eyes blazing as he stared at me. "Maria is my mate."

I let out a low chuckle despite the pain, lifting my hand to wipe the blood from the corner of my lips. The metallic taste lingered, but I ignored it, straightening slowly as I met his gaze head-on.

"I love Maria, Adrien," I said, my voice steady, unwavering. "And there is nothing you can do about that."

The words hung heavy in the air.

Without waiting for his reaction, I pushed past him slightly, adjusting my shirt as if his attack hadn’t affected me at all.

"And we are engaged," I continued, my tone firm. "So I have every right to be here." I paused, letting my words sink in before adding..."But what about you?"

My eyes narrowed slightly.

"How do you explain this to Vanessa?"

That struck something.

I saw it.

The flicker of something darker in his expression.

"To hell with Vanessa!" Adrien snapped, his voice rising with raw emotion. "Maria is mine, and she will remain mine."

He stepped toward me again, his movements tense, aggressive.

"Now get out of this room," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I didn’t move.

Instead, I let out a quiet scoff, shaking my head slightly.

"No, Adrien," I said calmly. "The order is wrong." I lifted my hand, pointing directly toward the door. "You get out."

That did it.

His anger surged visibly, his body tensing as he moved again, clearly intending to strike.

But this time, I was ready and I dodged it effortlessly.

"Oh..." I added, almost as an afterthought, though my voice carried a deliberate weight. "I also have a little announcement to make."

His movements paused, if only for a second.

"I am taking Maria away from this pack," I continued, my tone calm but resolute. "And I don’t need anyone’s opinion."

With that, I stepped down from the bed, pulling Maria gently but firmly into my arms, holding her close as if anchoring my decision.

"As for the competition," I added, glancing back at him, "there’s no need for it anymore. A contestant is no longer in the game..." I let the words linger. "So it’s annulled."

"I dare you!" Adrien shouted, his voice echoing with challenge and rage.

But I only chuckled softly, unfazed.

"You wouldn’t dare."