Maria.

I slipped behind the pillar the very moment Sonia stepped out of the study, pressing my back flat against the cold surface as my breath hitched in my throat. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest that I was certain she would hear it if she lingered for even a second longer. I held my breath, barely daring to move, barely daring to blink.

I couldn’t afford for her to see me, not now, and definitely ot like this.

Her footsteps echoed faintly against the corridor floor, steady and unhurried, as though she had all the time in the world. As though she had already won.

I stayed frozen, counting each second in silence until the sound of her heels finally faded into nothing.

Only then did I move.

The moment she was completely out of sight, I pushed myself off the pillar and ran. My steps were quick, uneven, almost desperate as I rushed down the hallway, my thoughts colliding violently in my head.

I didn’t stop until I reached my room.

I pushed the door open, slipped inside, and shut it behind me with a soft but firm click.

And then....

My strength gave out.

I slid down against the door, my knees hitting the ground as I collapsed onto the floor, my hands trembling slightly at my sides.

Who would have thought...?

Who would have thought Noah’s marriage wasn’t just about love... but about peace between two packs?

The thought twisted painfully in my chest.

"Moon goddess..." I whispered, my voice barely audible as I slowly lifted my head to stare at the ceiling, my vision blurring slightly, my fingers curled into tight fists against the floor. "Are you toying with me?"

The question hung in the air, unanswered.

I let out a shaky breath, my chest rising and falling unevenly as the weight of everything pressed down on me all at once.

What kind of fate was this?

I couldn’t understand it.

No matter how hard I tried, nothing made sense.

Minutes passed, long, dragging minutes where I remained on the floor, unmoving, lost in the storm of my own thoughts. The silence in the room felt suffocating, wrapping around me like a cage I couldn’t escape from.

Until...a knock.

My body stiffened instantly.

"Maria." Noah’s voice came from the other side of the door, soft but laced with urgency. "Why did you lock the door?" he asked, pausing briefly before his tone shifted, softer this time... almost pleading. "Please... let me in."

I closed my eyes tightly.

I really wanted to be alone.

I needed time to think... to breathe... to understand what I had just heard.

But his voice...the way he said my name...It broke through every wall I was trying to build.

I pushed myself up slowly, my legs slightly unsteady as I stood in front of the door. My hand hovered over the handle for a brief moment before I finally turned it.

The door creaked open and before I could even step back...Noah rushed in.

His arms wrapped around me instantly, pulling me close, holding me tightly, desperately, like I was the only thing anchoring him to the ground.

I froze for a second before my body slowly relaxed into the embrace.

He held me like he was afraid I would disappear, like I was the only thing keeping him safe.

My hands hovered uncertainly before I finally let them rest lightly against him, my fingers gripping his shirt just a little.

I wanted to ask him.

I wanted to look him in the eyes and demand the truth.

Would he really marry Sonia?

But the words stayed stuck in my throat, because if I asked...he would know.

He would know I had been listening.

So I stayed silent.

"Maria..." he murmured, pulling back just enough to look at me.

His hands rested on my arms, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my chest tighten.

"No matter what happens... or what anyone tells you..." he paused, his voice steady but filled with something raw. "...I just want you to know I love you."

My breath caught.

"And it will never change. Okay?"

My heart melted instantly.

The warmth of his words spread through me, softening something deep inside my chest despite everything I had just heard.

Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision as I fought to hold them back, blinking rapidly.

I couldn’t cry now, not in front of him.

I wasn’t supposed to look weak... not when I was still angry, angry at him, angry at the situation, angry at the cruel twist of fate that refused to let me breathe.

So I swallowed it all down.

"Okay..." I managed to say, though my voice came out softer than I intended, almost fragile.

The word lingered between us for a brief moment before I averted my gaze, unable to hold his eyes any longer. Something about the way he looked at me, so intent, so searching, made it harder to keep my emotions in check.

I turned away quickly, my steps leading me toward the bed, each movement deliberate as though I was trying to escape not just him, but everything building up inside me.

But I didn’t get far.

Noah’s arms wrapped around me from behind, firm and warm, pulling me back into him. His hold was secure, grounding, his hands settling around my waist as if they belonged there.

"Maria..." he called softly, his breath brushing lightly against my ear. "Is there something bothering you?"

I stiffened slightly.

"You can always share your burden with me," he continued gently. "You know that, right? We’re getting married soon..."

His words only made my chest tighten further.

I didn’t know what to say.

I didn’t know how to say it.

So I stayed silent.

The quiet stretched between us, heavy and telling, and it didn’t take long for Noah to notice.

Without warning, he turned me around to face him.

His hands came to rest on my arms, his gaze locking onto mine immediately. He searched my eyes with such intensity, as though he was trying to peel back every layer I had carefully put up.

And just like that...I broke.

The tears I had been holding back slipped free, rolling down my cheeks before I could stop them. My vision blurred instantly, and I felt a wave of embarrassment crash over me.

I hated crying in front of him.

"It’s okay, Maria..." Noah murmured softly.

Before I could react, he pulled me closer, guiding my head to rest against his chest. His hand moved gently along my back, patting me in a slow, soothing rhythm.

"I won’t pressure you," he added quietly. "You don’t have to tell me now... we have plenty of time together."

That did it.

The softness in his voice... the patience... the way he held me like I was something fragile...It made everything spill over.

My tears came harder this time, soaking into his shirt as my body trembled against him. I choked on my sobs, trying to hold back but failing miserably. Each breath came uneven, my shoulders shaking as I clung to him without even realizing it.

And through it all, he didn’t let go.

He just stayed there... holding me... letting me fall apart.

After what felt like forever, my cries slowly subsided. My breathing steadied, though my chest still felt tight, heavy.

I pulled away slightly, breaking from his embrace, but I kept my head lowered, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

But Noah didn’t let me hide for long, his fingers gently lifted my chin, forcing me to look up at him.

And to my surprise...he was smiling, nt mockingly, just... softly, almost teasingly.

"You still look beautiful," he said, his voice warm, "even like this."

His hand moved to brush a loose strand of hair away from my face, tucking it gently behind my ear.

My cheeks flushed instantly, heat rushing to my face before I could stop it.

And before I could even gather myself...

He leaned in.

His lips met mine in a soft, lingering kiss. It wasn’t rushed, nor was it forceful, it was gentle, almost comforting, yet there was something teasing beneath it... something that made my heart skip.

I froze for a second before instinctively responding, my breath catching as the kiss deepened just slightly.

"I want you, Maria..." Noah murmured softly against my lips, his voice low, filled with emotion. "All of you..."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, leaving me breathless, caught between the warmth of his embrace and the storm still lingering in my heart.