Noah: 1. Paths Crossed Again

The ride to this pack was so long and irritable, not that the company of my idiot of a brother and my quiet nephew was bad I just needed some time alone.

Time for myself, it's been hectic bouncing from pack to pack in different states and countries, doing reviews, training patrolmen of the seclusive packs, and securing the alliances between vamps and hybrids. I was nearby New York when Jonah called in pertaining to Angelo, poor pup I can never sympathize truly with the loss of a mate.

I was proud of my young nephew wanting to come back into the real world and wanting to move on.

I can see he's still haunted by his first mate's death but struggling to get out of it. At least he hasn't pushed this one away. All Jonah and I have to do is simply guide him through this passage of grief, Emma made us swear to look after him but I objected to babying him. He needed to learn on his own not have us pushing him by force out of his comfort zone.

I released a tired sigh and glance at my twin, 'I'm not apologizing' was his opening of a conversation to me. I guess he was still miffed when I told him to let Angelo be.

'I didn't expect one.'

'Look at him now. He still needs us. After being held up in his own world he hasn't any experience in expressing himself to a female nor be around people other than family' he said trying to bring me to an understanding.

He was right but I wanted him to do it on his own as Caiden did.

'I guess you gonna be right next to him when he decides to get rid of his virginity', I sneered.

That earned me a sharp elbow in my side and he sure as hell didn't let up on his strength with it. 'Shove it, Noah. He's my nephew I will be there for him just as we were there for Emma' he retorted. Rubbing my face harshly I closed my eyes and remembered our journey from home to Dark Moon Pack then to the castle, I get why Jonah was super protective but I didn't like it.

'Fine' I grumbled.

We were near Brentwood as the pilot said, I have made sure that our stay at this pack was kept on a low. Most of our men were already there patrolling the grounds and ensuring our visit was kept confidential.

We landed a few minutes later with Jonah and I being the first to get out, a few feet away stood two men being flagged on either side by two of my sentinels in full gear. I looked behind me to ensure Angelo and his mate were following, he slipped on his mask of indifference no longer was the smiling lovesick pup back in the chopper now was the intimidating quiet prince. I glanced across at my brother who had the same smirk on his face like mine, that's our boy.

We made our way to the men with Angelo and Amelia at the center of our protective formation, I stepped aside when we were directly before the men, subtly sniffing their scents I deducted that the two were the alpha and beta of the pack. Angelo stepped forward and watched the two coldly.

Just like his father this one.

"Your majesty welcome once again. Rooms have been available for yourself and your entourage at my home. We are at your service for anything that you may require" the alpha said.

Angelo nodded and turned to the beta who squirmed under my nephew's gaze.

'Why does he do this? Poor guy' I said to my brother over our link. 'He said he likes to see them sweat, his fun on his dreary reviews,' Jonah answered biting his lip trying not to laugh out loud.

"W-Welcome P-Prince Angelo" the beta stuttered.

Someone coughed behind me but I knew better it was a laugh being covered up. 'Angelo enough. The dude probably wants to piss his pants now' I said to him in my best authoritative tone.

'Yes uncle' he said sighing out loud before motioning Amelia to come beside him. He glanced towards me to state what is required of them from this moment on.

"This is Amelia, a halfling under the crown's protection she had her first shift last night and we need your facilities to train her wolf. While she's here I would suggest that you keep your unmated male wolves away from her. She's off-limits"

They seem taken back at my orders but agreed. "Yes Delta...?" the alpha said fishing for my name. I smirked knowing how freakishly identical Jonah and I looked. "Noah," I said helping him out.

"I'm Alpha Caine and this is Beta Wilson if you need anything please don't hesitate to ask." the alpha said.

I nodded and allowed them to lead us to the Alpha's house, as we made our way to it, pack members stood in awe and respectfully bowed to the entourage. Angelo nodded in acknowledgment as Amelia looked on in awe as everyone was bowing and fussing over the prince's arrival. As I passed the packhouse a familiar scent hit me like a wrecking ball, my steps faltered but easily I caught my self.

'No it can't be,' my wolf said just as surprised as I am. I shook off that scent and the memories that came with it and followed the alpha. Jonah decided to stay at the alpha's house along with Jace and Zhee to look over Angie and his mate while the others and I stayed at the packhouse. I didn't mind one bit, it came like a mini-vacation to me which was really needed.

"Gentlemen and miss, I like you to meet my son, Marc the next alpha to our pack," Alpha Caine said proudly as a slim redheaded man with the coldest blue eyes stepped forward to greet us.

He watched each and every one of us with close scrutiny before having his gaze linger on Amelia too long.

"Watch it pup. Don't go there." Jonah growled lowly.

A moment of fear flash across his face to be hidden by a cool smile. "Forgive me, sir. It's an honor to have you here, your highness. I've heard a great deal of your unique training for your men. Do you care to teach us some moves during your stay here?" he stated. This kid had the audacity to ask a royal for fight tactics only used for their selected sentinel, everyone knows that a royal never shows his or her moves to anyone outside of the fold.

Alpha Caine quickly grabbed his son's shoulder and nervously looked at Angelo who still wore his mask of indifference. "Forgive my son he has every respect for you, sir. He's quick to speak without thinking, I apologize" Caine said quickly trying to take away his son's insolence.

Angelo simply tilted his head slightly and turned away from the duo carrying Amelia along with him who nervously looked between Angelo and the young alpha. I guess she sensed how close Angelo's uneasiness.

"If the girl is off-limits to unmated males why is she with the prince?" This question came once again from the young alpha. I took a step back and allowed Jonah to handle this.

"Alpha Caine if I were you I will teach your pup how to filter his mouth. You do not question a royal's order, pup. Now you are not to go near her while we are here, understood?" Not once did you hear a hint of humor in my brother's voice, it was deathly cold, cold as the unforgiving executioner they call him.

"Yes sir" the pup answered narrowing his eyes at us then turned to leave.

"I apologize he's probably still out of wits because of his upcoming mating ceremony," Alpha Caine said giving us a nervous smile.

"Mating Ceremony?" Jonah asked. I didn't bother to ask I was too bothered at the moment, my wolf was restless something was bothering him. I closed my eyes and reached out to Angelo - he was fine. I then reached out to my men they were fine also lastly I felt out the pack's emotions none was in danger. So what was bothering him?

'Stop denying it, Noah. We both know that particular scent from earlier'

'We both agreed never to go back there.' I snapped at my wolf.

"I'm going for a run," I said distractedly not listening to the alpha's and Jonah's conversation.

"Are we required as a lookout, Commander," Isis my sentinel asked concern filled his voice.

"It's alright, kid. Just look after your prince and his companion," I said walking down the hall that led to the spacious back yard. Walking to the wooded area I spotted Angelo and Amelia walking hand in hand as he talked animatedly to her, Amelia was hanging on to his every word. I actually stopped to look at the new mates. It took me back when his parents finally accepted each other, watching over them in the garden as they idly talked. That was the day my wolf and I longed for something like that. To just sit and talk to that special someone no matter how random the topic was.

To just lay in bed after a long day knowing your mate would make the ending of the day feel perfect. To just have someone love you outside of the love of your family.

'Uncle are you okay?' I heard Angelo asked.

I turned my head towards him to see him a few feet away looking in my direction. 'I'm fine Angie. Just tired and restless I'm going for a run. See you in two hours for Amelia's first run.' I said.

'Uncle Noah..... fine. Two hours,' he answered he knew something was wrong hell I don't even know what's wrong, maybe I do but decided to ignore it.

My wolf whined as I pushed away the memory he tried to show me.

'Not now, Nico. We have much better things to focus on,' I told him before shifting into his form, a magnificent brown and grey wolf. We ran along the beaten path which led to the borders of the pack, I didn't go far not wanting the others to worry about me more than they are now.

It's my fault I let my personal problems get in the way which causes them to constantly ask what's wrong. When I returned from California after my one year stint there Emma was the first to pick it up, leave it to my sister to spot a problem with her brothers. Though I tell her everything, I couldn't tell her what was bothering me because the problem itself was confusing to me.

I didn't know how long I was running for till Jonah called out to me, not bothering to shift back into human form, I rushed back to where Angelo, Amelia Jonah, and six sentinels stood. I approached them cautiously not wanting to spook Amelia.

She looked at me in awe as I moved closer to her, lowering my head showing her I'm no danger to her. "Sweetheart, this is my uncle's wolf Nico," Angelo said crouching beside me. I nudged my snout into my nephew's neck taking in my family's scent, he chuckled at my way of telling him 'I'm okay' in wolf form. In response, he placed his forehead against mine nuzzling into my fur.

"What are they doing?" Amelia asked out loud.

"Comforting each other. It's something they do," Jonah said. I heard the smile and pride in his voice.

"We speak without words it shows how strong our bonds are to each other" Angelo said now standing beside his mate.

She seems to understand what we were telling her then Jonah went on to explain how to shift back and forth between wolf and human. Angelo wasn't too keen on her being naked before us so he dispersed the sentinels. I was truly amused by his actions, Amelia blushed at the way he claimed her by his words.

We moved into the wooded area for more privacy for her to shift again, I found a clearing which was highly suitable. She tried twice which were flops, her wolf was stubborn, not wanting to shift unless she sees Lykos. Angelo happily let his wolf take over. Lykos made himself known showing off his power as he circled Amelia, sniffing her body, nudging her hand wanting her to touch him. Hesitantly she did and began to stroke his head a few moments later she stood up beside Lykos stating that she was ready.

We watched closely as she shifted into her gray wolf easily, no pain nor hesitation. Angelo surfaced by the changing of the dark eyes to green approached his mate licking her neck and snout lovingly. An ache formed in my chest I don't know where the hell that came out from.

'I'm taking her for a run now. We should be back in time for dinner' Angelo said getting Amelia to walk a good distance without stumbling.

'Be careful' Jonah and I both said to him before he led them both into the forest.

"Now what's up your ass?" my brother asked standing in front of me with arms folded across his chest. I huffed in exasperation, you can never hide anything from family.







The dinner at the alpha's house was one I wished to avoid but being one half of the Executioner Duo I had to be present. Dressed in a white dress shirt with its sleeves rolled up to my elbow and a black slacks I made my way slowly across to the Alpha's house. I didn't bother to shave nor neaten my ponytail hell I wasn't here to impress no one nor was I looking for my mate. My phone rang as I approached the door, recognizing the caller I quickly answered while I rang the doorbell.

"Hey, baby sis. What's up"

"Hi, Noah. I'm good. Just calling to find out how well Angie is coping. Is he talking? Has he pushed her away? Is she nice? How does she look? Michael and Caiden refuse to show me her picture saying when the time is right Angelo will bring her home instead of me coming to New York and personally introduce myself"

I laughed out loud at her curiosity, her mate and son were right. When Becca mentioned finding her mate on a summer vacation in England Emma flew out the next day to meet Matt. Poor kid was lost for words when the queen of all wolves was gushing all over him in front of his friends. Emma was very into her kids' lives.

"She's very nice and seems to be handling it all good. She had her first run today your son was by her side every step of the way"

"Thank goddess. I just want to see him happy" she said softly.

"Angie is happy, beauty" I reassured her pressing the bell once more.

"Comingggggg," a female sang from the other side of the door.

That voice. My body turned cold, my heart twisted in pain.

"Emma I gotta go," I said staring at the door hoping my hearing was wrong. I waited with bated breath to prove my mind and heart wrong, my wolf was going crazy.

I froze at my spot before the entryway as the door opened, no...... it couldn't be.

"Noah," the woman before me said in shock and disbelief. All sorts of emotions flashed in her eyes before they were covered with cold indifference.

I tried to deny what Nico has been chanting in happiness and in pain, I couldn't bring my mind and lips to say the blasted word.

"Welcome Delta Noah to my home. Alpha Caine and Prince Angelo are in the den along with your brother," she said in a cool tone. Home?

The confused expression must have shown on my face since I haven't asked the question nor have I said anything else.

She was about to say something when the idiot young alpha made his face shown. "Sweetie what is holding you up out here," Marc said coming behind her and kissing her neck.

I clenched my fists in anger, my jaw clenched tighter I swore my teeth were about to crack. Nico wanted blood but I had a tight leash on him.

"Oh Delta Noah welcome. I'm sorry about earlier I was just curious," he said placing his arm around the exotic beauty beside him.

I nodded to accept his apology. "And let me introduce you to my mate and fiance Natalia" he continued.

Tears pricked behind my eyes but I kept my composure though my heart was bleeding within me. "Pleasure in meeting you ma'am and congratulations," I said in my best calm tone as I stretched forward to shake her hand. I noticed the slight tremble in hers as she took mine, I had to bite my lips to avoid from cursing out loud. Looking up at her, her beautiful dark eyes were now blurry with tears, she felt it I know she did. No one can ignore that burning feeling in their veins shooting straight to their heart as it sings to their chosen.

"Thank you, Delta Noah. Please come in" Natalia said quickly taking away her hand from mine. I nodded and quickly walked in to find my brother. I needed him to calm me down. Finding him I sat immediately by his side. He was sharing a joke with the alpha but stopped when he sensed my tension.

The happily engaged couple came in shortly and sat on the armchair beside the couch Jonah and I shared. My brother looked at Angelo whose focus was on me then he looked at Natalia, he visibly tensed but said nothing.

'What do you want me to do uncle? I can...' he started to say.

'No, its okay Angie. I can handle this. Just help me with my anger tonight' I said cutting him off. He realized what was going on and wanted to do nothing but help. I couldn't let him do that. This was my fight, not his.

Jonah tensed beside me then calmed down as did I, smiling in thanks to my nephew I reluctantly joined the conversation.



The dinner went by in a blur thanks to Jonah making it lively and Angelo freeing up a bit by giving somewhat subtle answers. Amelia was asleep and I know he was itching to go back to her. After the dinner Caine and Marc took to their office wishing to speak to Angelo, he didn't decline and went along not wanting to seem rude. Jonah discreetly excused himself feigning tiredness leaving myself and Natalia at the table.

I stayed in my seat staring unseeingly ahead as she got up to clear the table. My hands itched to hold her by her curvy hips and bring her down into my lap. I wanted to mention the last words I told her two years ago. She didn't say a word to me as she cleared the table after her second trip but she didn't come back out. Getting up I stalked into the kitchen and spotted her leaning over the sink, her shoulders shaking slightly.

In one quick movement, I spun her around, placing my hands on her waist, her hands clutched onto my shoulder. I ignored the tears rolling down her cheek and placed my lips against hers. She didn't fight it she immediately moved her soft pink bow lips against mine.

Her breasts pressed against my chest, I growled against her lips remembering the feel of them in the palm of my hand. She gently tugged on my ponytail taking my hair out of its hold, running her sharp nails against my scalp. "Tali" I groaned squeezing her ass, my erection was prominent now because the woman who I craved for was in my arms. Not caring if anyone could come waltzing in my hand went under her dress finding her panties already soaked. My finger entered her wet folds, she gasped at the intrusion and stilled. Pulling back I looked into her eyes, "I'm sorry Noah" she sobbed. I didn't answer but kept up my torture with my fingers.

"Noah please say something. I didn't .... I... oh fuckkk" she started to say as the movements of my fingers went faster. Her moans and cries were getting louder, I clamped my lips around her to muffle her sounds. Knowing her body she was close so I slowed down and released my hold on her lips.

"What are you sorry for Tali?" I asked not hiding the pain of her betrayal.

"I... I can explain it. I didn't mean to hurt you. It was just supposed to be fun but you just had to say it. I know you were a protector and a Royal Delta I had to shield my heart" was her reply in between moans.

"I told you that you were mine. Now explain how the fuck you're the mate and fiance of that little cock sucker. He's nine years your junior" I growled out while retracting my fingers from her soaking core. She whimpered at its loss and stumbled back against the sink.

"You certainly got vocal," she mumbled trying not to meet my eyes.

"That fucking happens after your girlfriend of one year disappears after you confess your love for her. Only to find her once again engaged to a fucking tool. Now explain to your real mate what the hell is going on" I said coldly in her ear.

She didn't say anything only her soft sobs were heard, I itched to hold her and tell her that I was there for her as I promised back in California but my anger was too much.

"Mating of convenience between my father's pack and this one. It was planned since we were born. The elders have agreed to it to strengthen both packs to avoid having halfling alphas or lunas. I didn't know until the night you told me that you loved me. I couldn't let my father down and I know he won't break the contract if I simply tell him I'm in love with the Royal Delta."

"You love me?" I breathed out stepping away from her to see her much better. Her ebony curls have grown longer, her hourglass figure was fuller in the hips and breast area and her naturally tanned skin glowed under soft light.

"I realized how much I loved you when I came back to New York. You were it for me" she said with her head low.

"Tali.... You do know I won't let you go a second time. I don't give a fuck about that contract. You're mine as you were mine two years ago. I'm leaving on Sunday and you're leaving with me. So you better tell daddy dearest and your lil' sweetheart in there that you've found your mate."

Her eyes widen in fear at the mention of her father, I know of her background. The only child of Alpha Mendez a tyrant of one of our strongest packs in New York, he expects Natalia to do everything he plans for her not caring for her happiness.

"Noah... He will disown me. I can't let him down. Please don't do this. Don't let me choose" she said reaching for me tears running down her cheeks.

I swallowed the lump in my throat even though the tears I tried to hold back came running down my face. "I love you, Tali. We're mates. Isn't that enough?"

I stepped away from her creating a distance between us. "Noah. You have to understand why I'm doing this," she cried.

"To create stronger purebred wolves," I said softly.

"No....." she started to say but I cut her off with the raise of my hand.

"I'm leaving Sunday..... if...if I don't see you before we take off I understand. I will leave you to your life. If you like, you can formally reject me now and I ..I will accept just to see you happy. Or I can give you time to think and not bother you during my stay here. Goodnight Tali" I said with a shaky voice. I couldn't hold it in longer as I rushed out the back door away from her crying. Allowing Nico to take over, we both gave in to the emotions we tried so hard to keep hold of.



Why can't the men in this family find their mates without pain?