Maria.

Days slipped by so quickly, almost like time itself had decided to move faster the moment I stepped into the Moonfall pack.

Everything felt... different and peaceful.

For the first time in a long while, there were no constant arguments, no tension hanging in the air, no need to watch my back every second.

And honestly?

I still hadn’t gotten used to it—especially the way I was being treated.

Everywhere I went, people bowed their heads respectfully, greeting me with warmth and admiration. It was overwhelming at first, being treated like royalty, but slowly, I was beginning to settle into it.

Still, sometimes I caught myself wondering if I truly deserved it.

I stood by the edge of the river, my arms loosely folded as I watched the gentle movement of the water. It has become a habit now—coming here with Noah.

He loved the water, almost too much and I still didn’t understand why, but I had stopped questioning it.

Instead, I gave him a nickname—FISH.

And to my surprise, he absolutely loved it. In fact, he had insisted I make it possessive—his version of it—MY FISH.

The thought made a small smile tug at my lips. I, on the other hand, couldn’t swim to save my life. I had never been trained, never given the chance, so all I could do was stand at the edge and watch him.

And right now...that might have been a mistake because the moment Noah emerged from the water, pushing his wet hair back, droplets trailing slowly down his chest...I froze.

My cheeks heated instantly.

Oh.

He looked...I swallowed hard, quickly looking away before I embarrassed myself further. It wasn’t like I haven’t seen him like that this past few days but today he was..

damn.

"You want to join?" he asked, raising a brow slightly, a teasing glint in his eyes and that didn’t help at all.

"Come on, my fish, you know I can’t swim," I replied, rolling my eyes playfully, trying to mask the effect he had on me.

But clearly, he wasn’t listening or maybe he just didn’t care because before I could react, he reached out and pulled me into the water.

I gasped, the sudden chill sending a shiver through my body.

"Noah! What are you..."

But my words never found their way out, because in the next moment, he closed the distance between us. His lips captured mine in a firm, undeniable kiss.

Everything else faded, the water, the world, my thoughts.

His tongue, searching for mine with urgency, sucking breath out of me. His hold on me tightened as I instinctively clung to him, my arms wrapping around his shoulders, my body pressing closer as I tried to steady myself.

And when he deepened the kiss, I didn’t resist, I just couldn’t.

I responded just as strongly, letting myself get lost in the moment, in him, in everything he made me feel.

My legs wrapped around his waist without thinking, and he held me even closer, as if he had no intention of letting me go.

And maybe, just maybe...I didn’t want him to.

We got completely lost in the kiss.

Time seemed to blur, the world around us fading into nothing but the feel of his lips on mine, his hands holding me steady, the soft ripple of the water around us. And for the first time in what felt like forever... I felt at peace.

Truly at peace.

A kind of calm I hadn’t known in a long while settled deep within me, loosening every knot of tension I had carried for so long.

Because honestly, I hadn’t felt this hot in a long while.

But then, foolishly...my thoughts drifted.

To Adrien.

The memory came uninvited, sharp and intrusive, like a crack in something that had just begun to feel whole.

’Come on, Vernia... you definitely cannot bring him up now,’ I muttered internally, directing the words through the mind link, trying to shut her down before she could spiral further.

There was no reason to think about him, none at all.

I was getting married soon.

To Noah.

That was my reality now.

And whatever bond still lingered with the quadruplets—especially Adrien—I hoped it would be broken soon.

"You look beautiful, Maria."

Noah’s voice pulled me back instantly.

I blinked, meeting his gaze as he slowly pulled away from the kiss, his eyes lingering on mine with a softness that made my chest tighten.

My face flushed immediately.

Gosh.

He was becoming far too good at this.

"Stop it, Noah," I muttered, my voice slightly breathless as I tightened my hold around him, my arms still wrapped firmly around his shoulders. I couldn’t risk letting go...not in the water.

"Now take me back to the edge," I added, trying to sound firm despite the warmth still spreading through me.

"Yes, my queen..." he replied smoothly, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.

Before I could react, he leaned in and stole another quick kiss.

"...your wish is my command."

I rolled my eyes lightly, though I couldn’t stop the small smile that followed.

He began moving toward the edge, holding me securely as the water rippled around us. Everything felt calm again, simple, easy but that calm didn’t last.

We had barely reached the edge of the river when....A sudden presence broke through.

A woman stormed in.

Her steps were quick, urgent, her chest rising and falling heavily as though she had rushed all the way here without stopping.

And yet, even in that state...she looked... stunning....painfully so.

Something about her presence made a strange ache settle in my chest, one I couldn’t quite explain.

"Noah!" Her voice rang out sharply."We need to talk. Now." She didn’t hesitate. "And when I say now....it’s now."

I blinked, stunned.

The authority in her voice was undeniable.

The way she spoke to him, commanding, confident, it caught me completely off guard.

Who was she?

His sister?

No... that couldn’t be right. Noah had never mentioned having a sister.

Noah gently placed me at the edge of the river before stepping out himself, water dripping from his body as he turned to face her.

His expression hardened instantly.

"What do you want?" he asked, his tone stern, almost cold.

But she didn’t answer him, not immediately. Instead, her gaze shifted.

To me.

She scoffed, a small, dismissive sound that made my stomach tighten.

"You must be the one from the letter," she said, each word deliberate, emphasized, like she wanted it to sink in before turning back to Noah. "Meet me in your study."

And just like that, she walked away....no explanation....no hesitation.

I remained where I was, seated at the edge of the river, completely stunned as a cool breeze passed over me, sending a slight chill down my spine.

The warmth from earlier faded, replaced by confusion and unease.

What letter?

And more importantly...Why did she want to talk to Noah?