CHAPTER FIFTEEN

[Noah’s POV]. The wind whooshed through his fur as Noah tore his way through the air. Dirt and pebbles dug into his paw, but it did nothing to dull his swift movement. He had just returned from a trip where he signed a contract with a pack to supply the resources mined in his pack. The mines were the forte of the empire he had built. “The rogues escaped through the west border. We lost his scent when he jumped into the river.” His Beta Isaac’s voice echoed in his head as he spoke through their mind link. It wasn’t normal for wolves to talk to each other through their minds. Noah had created the connection with the help of a few witches present in his pack. The link was essential when he needed his Beta or elders but didn’t have a way to reach him. “Fine, I’ll meet you at my place.” Noah retorted. “Not so fast, Noah,” Isaac jested in his mind. It was only convenient that he made his closest friend his Beta. Not that it was a decision he had made on his own. The position of the Beta was put forth for all the rogue warriors who had settled in his pack. “You have a few documents to go through in the office, and also, we have a few new members.” “Fine,” Noah growled before shutting off the link. His wolf was frustrated with the rogues that had escaped. Irked that someone had challenged his authority on his land. As soon as he heard about the trespassing, he got out of his car and let out the beast of a wolf that resided in his mind, which howled in bliss at the chance to hunt. Granted, he had created the pack in the rogue territory, but he had given all a chance to dwell within his pack. But some wolves didn’t like the idea and rebelled against him. His wolf puffed his chest out, quickening his pace as he remembered the battle he had fought to earn dominance and the name ‘the hellhound.’ He had done it for himself and for the people whom he was now bound to protect. His mansion came into view, and he shifted back into his human form. Isaac, who was waiting for him at the back of the house, handed him a pair of shorts, and together, they walked in to freshen up, and soon they were off to the office. Noah sat in his office as the new members trooped in one after the other. His wolf howled in his mind as it lay on its belly. The office work always bored him, but it was something he had to do. “Welcome to the Greyhound pack,” Noah said in a monotone tone. The man standing before him gave him a nervous bow before scurrying out of the room. Letting out a sigh as the door clicked shut, Noah spun his chair around to face the window that overlooked the pack. He was tired and couldn’t wait to be done and get some rest. The rogue incident still plagued the back of his mind, but he pushed it away, making it a problem for another day. A single knock snapped him back to the present, and then Linda announced her presence through their link. Linda was one of the first who had joined his pack. She was always sweet and kind, but he knew not to be fooled by her inviting appearance. She was a force to be reckoned with when provoked, hence being the only woman in his council of five elders. The door clicked shut, and Noah knew Linda was inside. He could recognize her scent, but another was present. His wolf bounced around in his mind, and he greedily breathed in again, not getting enough of the intoxicating scent. His chest felt hot as his wolf howled inside him, wagging his tail feverishly. Spinning his chair around, he succumbed to the sense of urgency that made him itch to find out who had elicited such a reaction from his almost untamable beast. He stiffened in his seat when his eyes landed on the petite frame of a woman beside Linda. Shock-filled green eyes pierced his soul. The kind of green that resembled the soul of nature, a fresh wand of grass and the forest. Creamy skin was hidden underneath her clothes, and he was tempted to rip the materials that obstructed the view of all of her. Her raven hair was tied in a bun, revealing her slender neck. Noah fisted his hands as his wolf threatened to come out at the clear sight of the spot where her shoulder met her neck. He knew his eyes had taken a darker shade as the beast pounded at the back of his mind, demanding to be let out. Giving the beast a bit of ease, he stood to his feet and said the words it had been howling since the woman walked in. “Mate.” Linda’s eyes widened in shock, but a mischievous glint soon replaced it. “I’ll leave you two alone,” Linda said in the mind link before walking out the door, leaving them alone. A gasp escaped the woman’s lips as she noticed Linda gone. Noah groaned internally, wondering what other sounds she was capable of making. He took slow steps towards her, not being able to stand the distance any longer. His eyes ran over her face as he imprinted her features into his memory. Long lashes protected her vibrant-colored eyes, a button nose, and full lips. She was small compared to him. And the closer he approached, the more his large frame towered over her. Her cheek was stained pink, and her eyes swirled with questions and anxiety, but underneath all other emotion, a hint of strength was present. Power that, if she wielded correctly, would have him on his knees, ready to fulfill all her desires. “Alpha...” Her voice was soft and held uncertainty. Fuck, Noah thought. It was the most enticing thing that ever fell on his ears. He wondered what it would sound like to say his name. “Noah,” his voice was deep and reeked of untamed desire. “Call me Noah. And she said it without hesitating. The glint which Noah had spotted in her eyes burned violently. A groan escaped his lips as blood rushed down to his member. It sounded perfect, rolling off her tongue. Noah couldn’t hold back any longer as he lowered his head, inhaling her enticing scent- she smelt like lavender. He placed a kiss on her shoulder. Her skin was soft against his lips. His wolf urged him there and then to mark her. To let the world know that she was his alone. But he refrained. He would eventually, but in the meantime, he wanted to trace his lips on every crevice of her body. To know every bump, mole, or scar. His wolf growled, radiating so much anger into his mind as he stared at the bite scar on her shoulder. Absorbing the destructive energy his wolf emitted, Noah cursed the person who had come that close to what was his, leaving such a gruesome mark on her perfect skin. As if struck with the trauma of the wound, the woman pushed him back, and in one swift motion, she ran out of the office. Noah stood dumbfounded. His wolf wailed in his mind, missing the warmth of his mate. Noah ran a hand through his hair and rushed back to his desk to review her membership form. Her name was Ruby. “Ruby.” He tested the name on his tongue, and his mind grew fuzzy with excitement. He liked it. A flash of the confusion and pain that marred her face crossed his mind. Had he gone too far and scared her? He wondered how she had found his pack. Was she in danger? A feeling of protectiveness flared inside him at the thought. He sure as hell wouldn’t let anything happen to her, but first, he had to find her. And it didn’t take long to find her with his influence and a little help from Linda, whom Noah had promised to never make her as startled as she had been when she had left his office. Noah stood at the entrance of the jewelry store and watched Ruby as she attended to a couple. His heart skipped a beat when she smiled at the woman. Sadness and a far-off look marred Ruby’s face as she stared at the mark on the woman’s neck. Soon, my love, Noah said in his mind, earning him an affirmative growl from his wolf. Noah walked further into the store, making his presence known. The couple looked petrified to see him, and Ruby, who was packing their order, stiffened when she sensed him. Noah urged the couple to ignore him but knew that was impossible. He knew the power he emitted and how much it affected people. The couple hurriedly took their purchase from Ruby’s fumbling hands, and with one final bow, they half ran out of the store. Noah approached her, not wanting any distance to be present between them. Her hair was in a low ponytail, and Noah wondered how it would look down with his hands caressing and pulling. Despite its excitement, Noah could feel his wolf lie on his belly, giving him free rein. He didn’t want her to fear him and run away as she had. “What’s your name?” the question left his mouth before he could have stopped it. His wolf huffed at the pathetic question. Of course, he knew her name, so why had he asked? He mentally scolded himself. He was too nervous to think of anything else. Ruby gave him a weird look. “You should know that already.” “I want to hear it from you.” Way to go defending yourself, Noah scolded himself inwardly. “Ruby,” She breathed out in that same voice that tempted him to no bounds. He repeated the name, still loving the way it sounded. A smile played at the corner of his lip as a look of desire flashed through her eyes. He longed to caress the side of her face, but he refrained himself. Instead, he placed his hand on hers that lay on the display case. The tingles that erupted up his vein were immediate. Just the mere touch of her skin almost had him on his knees. Warmth, overwhelming warmth rushed through him. Unanswered questions plagued his mind. There was so much Noah didn’t know about her. By the Goddess, they were practically strangers, with the mate bond being the only thing binding them together. “Come with me,” Noah said as he ran his hand over hers. The conflict he had seen in her eyes at his office returned, but not even a second passed before she nodded. Her response almost had him sighing in relief. His face mirrored his happiness as he let her out of the shop while sending a message to Linda through the mind link of his plans. “I got it covered,” Linda responded, referring to Ruby’s shift that wasn’t over yet. Noah thanked her and led Ruby into his car while still holding his hand. He felt he would lose her if he left her for one second. His wolf relaxed to the steady beating of her pulse as he drove them to his house. His house was situated a tad bit further from the bustling pack. At the sight of his vehicle, the guards stationed at the gate pushed it open. His face had automatically reverted to the stoic expression he always had. Giving them a nod, he sped down the path, and soon, he cut the engine in front of the house. Turning to Ruby, he let a smile play on his face at her expression. She observed the grand mansion before her with wide eyes. It is all yours, he wanted to tell her, but in due time he thought. He also stared up at the mansion. It wasn’t anything too grand, but he knew it was beautiful. It was nestled in the woodland, and the forest embraced the mansion from behind. All concrete with tall glass windows. At the center of the driveway was a fountain, and the sun kissed the water as it sprung out of the hose hidden in the wolf’s mouth, making it glow. He was against the idea of staying in a Packhouse like he had before. His wolf snared inside him as bad memories threatened to break free. Pushing them back into their cage at the furthest part of his mind, Noah turned to Ruby to find her looking at him, worry clear on her beautiful face. Lifting her hand to his lip, he placed a kiss to distract her. Ruby blushed at his action but still let him lead her into his house. Noah let her into the house and up the stairs to his library, his step faltering a tad bit when he passed his bedroom, but he pushed the illicit thought growing in his mind aside. Shelves lined the walls holding books containing tales different from the next. It was his private space, and he wanted to show her a part of him. Noah let her sit on the brown sofa he had slept on countless times while sitting on a lone chair in front of her. He didn’t want to sit beside her because he would not be able to stop himself if she grazed him. She was there in his territory, his home, at his mercy. His self-control was the only thing keeping him from tearing off the soft fabric that hid her dignity. “Where did you come from?” Noah asked when the silence between them became too much to bear. “How did you get here?” The questions kept coming as soon as the first escaped his lips. Noah could see the pain flood her eyes as she remembered her past. His wolf growled in his mind, wanting to take her in his arms. He wanted to wipe the pain away and tear apart the person responsible. “On a bus” was all Ruby said as tears gathered in her eyes. His heart ached at her broken state. He wanted to comfort her, take her in her arms, and wipe her worries away. “It was the only way I could get away,” Ruby added before proceeding to tell him everything.