He tried to find her. Noah tried more than he had ever before, and if anything his mother used to tell him was true, it mattered if he tried his best.
Yet, each of his attempts to look for her ended up with him stuck facing a dead end. Olivia disappeared; she managed to fade into thin air without one lead to track her down.
"God fucking damn it!" Noah screamed as he grabbed a photo frame and threw it against the wall.
He went as far as to spread Olivia's photos across the nearby packs, and against every instinct he had, Noah sent them to Landon's territory. He hated the man with passion, but he was so desperate that he had to cave in.
Never before in his life had Noah felt so powerless. He was sure Olivia couldn't leave him even if she wanted to, but he knew he had to know better. Since he could remember her entering his life, she had always been as stubborn and unmovable as a brick wall.
After everything he had already done, Noah decided to fly to England. If Olivia had somewhere to go, it would be their aunt's house, but once he arrived, there was no sign of her. Even her scent had faded.
Aunt Anne tried to calm him. She was a wise woman and shared her piece of mind with Noah after he admitted everything he had done. Maybe her piece of mind came as a hard slap, but Noah knew he deserved that.
"Noah, chill," Enzo growled behind him. Unlike the hotheaded Alpha, Enzo knew that another fit of anger wouldn't help them locate where Olivia was. Besides, watching Noah demolish the house Anne had worked so hard for was the last thing he wanted to witness.
"Chill? Should I chill? How the fuck do you expect me to chill? Why don't you tell me if you're so damn smart, big brain? She's not here!" Noah screamed at the top of his lungs.
Enzo knew better than anyone that Noah was to blame for what happened, but it hurt him to watch his best friend in such a state.
He had thought of many possibilities of what might happen, how Noah could change or react to certain things, but the last thing Enzo expected was to see the dread and desperation sink his best friend.
It wasn't that Noah was the best man alive, but he wasn't the worst either. His mistakes mostly happened because of his temper, not because he wanted to hurt someone.
Of course, with Olivia, it was different. Noah had never learned how to tame his emotions or show them in a positive light, and once Olivia had announced she would leave, Noah panicked and acted on instinct.
By all means, Enzo couldn't stand by his actions or defend what his best friend had done, but he understood, at least a little he did. Desperation and fear made everyone do things they might regret.
And judging by the look on his face, Noah might be the most regretful person the world has seen. As much as Enzo wanted to feel sorry for him, he couldn't. Noah had brought this mess upon himself, and now, he had to learn that actions and words have consequences.
"You can't trash someone's home just because you fucked up! You did it, Noah; you are the reason behind this mess! Not Anne! How dare you come into her house and act like a fucking asshole? Your parents taught you better! They would be so fucking disappointed to see your attempts to punish someone they loved for shit you did! It's your punishment, your consequences, not hers!" Enzo screamed back.
He wasn't the Beta anymore; he was the best friend who tried to straighten Noah's act. Enzo knew he went too far once he mentioned the late Alpha couple, but he was more than ready to meet his consequences.
Noah's large hand wrapped around his neck and shoved him against the nearest wall. Enzo struggled to breathe but refused to give in. Noah wasn't the only one hurting; he had no right to act as if only he was struggling with the situation he created.
"Say one more thing about my parents, and I will fucking snap your neck, mutt!" Noah growled in Enzo's face.
Enzo understood the words came from a place of hurt, but he couldn't hide the surprise and pain Noah had caused. It was his secret, his biggest fear, and the thought hurt him more than anything.
Yet, hearing the word coming from his best friend's mouth hit Enzo with such force he teared up. "Mutt," he whispered, repeating the dreadful word.
When a bitter, choked chuckle left Enzo's lips, Noah's eyes widened in realisation. He released his hold on his best friend's neck and backed up, shaking his head.
Enzo didn't move a muscle; it was too late to regret something. He didn't regret bringing up Noah's parents because, deep down, he had hoped those words would straighten up his act. Yet, they did nothing but make the situation worse, but at least now, he understood where he stood.
"Once we get back, I suggest you find yourself a new Beta." Enzo stared at the floor, tearing up at the hatred penetrating his words.
"No," Noah whispered but didn't attempt to move closer or come up with an excuse. For once, he didn't try to find something to justify his actions.
"I need to go," Enzo struggled to get back to his feet. Noah stood aside, watching him until Enzo managed to straighten up and turn his back on him.
"No," Noah grabbed his arm. "Please, don't go. I fucked up so bad, and I know I keep fucking up over and over again. I'm sorry, it's my fault; I lost my temper."
Enzo broke out of his hold and laughed. "Doesn't change a thing. Your sorries are worthless, Noah. Find yourself a new Beta; I won't put up with your bullshit anymore. And perfectly, a new best friend too, because once we get back to your pack, I'm taking my shit and leaving. I'm tired."
He didn't dare to face Noah. If Enzo would, he knew he would break down in tears. They had been best friends for so long that Enzo couldn't remember how they met or when they became friends to begin with.
But Noah had changed. And though it hurt Enzo to think this was the end of their friendship, he knew it had to be done. Unless Noah understood how it felt to lose everything he held dear, he wouldn't learn how to appreciate people that loved him.
"Please don't leave me. Not you. Not after I lost everyone I loved, I know it's my fault, but I can't bear the thought of losing you too. You're all I have, Enzo." Noah kept pleading even though he knew his words fell on deaf ears. Once his best friend made up his mind, just like Olivia, he was unmovable.
"Olivia, can you hear me?" Anne's muffled voice broke the emotional moment between the two men. Noah and Enzo slowly crept closer to the kitchen and held their breaths while his aunt held the phone to her ear. "He's here. Olivia, he won't stop looking, don't come home. Let me know where you are; I'll send money and help, but please, at least for a couple of months, stay where you are. Noah is crazy; he lost his mind. He's trashing up my living room now and fighting with that poor best friend he has. Olivia, listen to me, don't interrupt me. If this is what he can do to someone who has stood by his side for years, think of what he might do to you!"
Noah and Enzo exchanged worried glances, but none dared to step inside the kitchen and confront Anne. Noah knew it wasn't his place, and as much as Enzo wanted to face her, he stood at his Alpha's side. Anne didn't understand what the mark might do to Olivia.
"I'm not telling you that Noah is a bad person, don't misunderstand me. Yes, I know, he's confused, scared, and angry, you're right about that, but I need you to hide. Please, you know that Noah likes Enzo, and if this is what he can do to someone he holds dear to his heart, imagine what he might do to you. He has hated you for years. You're like a daughter to me; I can't let anyone hurt you."
Anne's words hit deep, and while Noah didn't want anger to cloud his mind, he couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped into the kitchen and faced Anne.
Noah's aunts' eyes grew wide, her bottom lip trembled, but she fought the fear she felt seeing her fuming nephew. Anne sucked in a sharp breath, met Noah's gaze and gripped the phone tighter. "Olivia, run!"
Before Noah could reach her and grab the phone, Anne threw it on the tiled floor and stomped all over it. She had destroyed the only thread Noah could have to find Olivia; worst of all, she did it right before his eyes.
She fought back. Olivia tried her best to get out of the vicious claws of the rogues, but none of the men bothered to release her. At one point, she decided that maybe, if she screamed loud enough, someone could overhear her and try to help her, but the plan failed once the rogues stuffed her mouth with a dirty rag. Olivia’s eyes filled with tears. Not because of the men that were kidnapping her but because she barely resisted the intense urge to vomit her insides out. Trashing and any type of resistance didn’t help her case, so she gave up. For the time being. Wasting her energy was pointless, so she tried to think of a plan. Deep down, she hoped Noah would get to the place where she met the rogues soon. If he caught on their awful stench, there was a hope he might follow them and save her. Wasn’t that funny? The very man she escaped and tried to avoid was the only person who could save her from the monsters that were carrying her God knew where. Olivia tried to follow her surr
Noah couldn't believe what was happening. As much as he wanted to call Olivia dumb, he couldn't. Yet, he also couldn't understand what was happening in her mind. Olivia was supposed to hate him, to despise everything he did and said. She had to stay away from him. Wasn't that the purpose of everything he did? Wasn't Noah trying his best to stay away from her? He wouldn't mind spending another couple of months in the cabin just to ensure that she was comfortable in the place she once called her home.If his parents were still alive and knew anything about the mess he had created, they would most likely disown him. And the worst part was that Noah couldn't forgive himself. He had gone above and beyond and did everything in his power just to hurt Olivia.He was thrashing through the cabin, looking for the things he needed before he left, while the memories of his parents and their love for Olivia assaulted his mind. She was his father's favourite. Olivia was the daughter he never had
Olivia was livid. She never thought of Noah as someone irresponsible, despite how egoistic and stupid he used to act. But now, he was a complete dick, knew it, acknowledged it, and yet, refused to drop the act of stupidity. When she stormed out of the packhouse, she was surprised to notice that Enzo wasn’t following hot on her heels. No, this time, he let her do whatever she wanted. As she crossed the nearby field children used as a football field, the pack members approached her to voice their gratitude for her returning to them. At first, Olivia stood aside, shocked, wondering why all those people were so happy to see her back, but she didn’t have to wait for long until the answers to her silent questions spilt from the pack members. Apparently, their Alpha had lost his mind once he understood Olivia was gone. Noah had sent multiple patrols out to look for her and went to unclaimed lands himself, fearing that she headed there. The fool risked his life to find her while O
A new day could be seen as a new adventure. Or at least that was what Noah’s mother claimed when he was a child. Although Noah did his best to believe those words, to try to see the world through the eyes of the woman who raised him – it didn’t work. There were no adventures, just self-doubt and hatred. During the time he spent in the cabin, Noah used the chance to reflect on his decisions. For the most part, he was sure things he did were done for the right reasons and always brought good for others. But not for Olivia. What he did to her was for selfish reasons. Heat in the moment decision that might have cost him everything. She didn’t want to stay. She didn’t want to see Noah ever again. And yet, he tried to force her to stay. Initially, it didn’t work. The mark obviously meant nothing to her; it didn’t hold her back and hostage in his pack. She left without looking back, without thinking about the possible consequences or the effect it might have on her. That’s how desper
The only positive change in Olivia’s life was Enzo. She missed her friend more than she thought, and now that he stood near, the realisation slowly sank in. It took days, but once she adapted to the life in her previous pack, Olivia started leaving the bedroom more often and even offered her help to the cooks and maids. As she stood in the laundry room and folded warrior shirts, someone nudged her side. A slight smile spread across her lips once she recognised the scent. Enzo. “Hey there, stranger,” she whispered, still focusing on the pile of clothes in front of her. Sometimes, she wondered why she didn’t meet Noah. Enzo was around her quite often, but the man who insisted she returned, didn’t appear anywhere near her. If anything, Olivia expected Noah would follow in her footsteps and ensure no one approached her, but the opposite happened. Everyone could walk up to her and start a conversation – even when some men became too friendly, Noah didn’t show his face. “I was thinki
Noah knew he was acting like a selfish bastard, but he couldn’t do anything to change how he felt or viewed things, no matter how hard he tried. Especially Olivia. Every time he looked at her, he felt the pull he couldn’t resist and after the run-in with the witch, the need to protect her grew thousand times more intense. Judging by the look on her face and her cold attitude, Olivia wasn’t happy about returning home, but Noah couldn’t allow that bastard Logan to flaunt his Luna as a shiny new toy. Olivia couldn’t know how that man was, how he acted or anything about his true antics, but Noah knew enough. Women came and went to Logan, he never bothered about anyone’s feelings until his were hurt. Noah felt sorry for Logan at times for the man had lost his rightful Luna, but while his father kept hiding his son’s doings, Noah witnessed more than once how easy it was for Logan to jump from one bed to another. If he didn’t know better, Noah would claim Logan never really mourned the