CHAPTER FIVE

ARES’ POV

The night was cold, the air crisp as I walked through the empty halls, my mind tangled in thoughts I couldn't seem to unravel. The weight of responsibility pressed down on me, the expectations of an entire pack resting on my shoulders like an iron shackle.

Then, I heard it.

A muffled cry. A whimper.

I froze, my entire body going rigid. My sharp ears picked up the faint, trembling sound, my instincts sharpening like a blade. The scent of distress, fear, and something else–something that made my wolf snarl, hung in the air.

Someone was in trouble.

Following the sound, I moved swiftly, silent as a predator, until I reached the dimly lit corridor leading to the restroom. That’s when I heard them.

Laughter. Cruel. Mocking.

"Pathetic human."

"Stealing all the attention."

"Can you believe my mate is even crushing on him too?"

A low growl rumbled in my chest, my wolf stirring violently beneath my skin.

Wolves.

I didn’t need to see them to know what kind of cowards stood on the other side of that door. My pack, the strongest in the kingdom, did not breed weaklings like this. If these wolves were mine, I would’ve torn them apart myself for such disgraceful behavior.

Without hesitation, I stepped forward.

"Hey!" My voice sliced through the air like a whip.

Three heads snapped in my direction, their expressions shifting from amusement to thinly veiled fear.

"It’s the new professor," one of them whispered, eyes darting to his friends.

I didn’t give them the chance to speak.

I lunged.

My leg swung up in a brutal arc, catching the closest one square in the chest. He flew backward, colliding with the sink before slumping to the ground, unconscious.

The second barely had time to react before I grabbed him by the collar, slamming him against the tiled wall. The crack of impact echoed through the restroom, his breath wheezing out as his eyes rolled back. He slid down in a heap.

The last one bolted.

Big mistake.

I caught his arm, twisted it behind his back with bone-snapping force, and drove my fist into his gut. He choked on his breath, gasping, before crumpling to the floor.

Pathetic.

The scent of blood and fear thickened in the air, and I stood amidst the wreckage, my breaths slow, controlled. None of them would be waking anytime soon.

Then, I heard it again.

A sharp, trembling inhale.

My head snapped toward the locked stall door.

Noah.

Something in my chest tightened as I took a step forward. Without hesitation, I kicked the door open.

And there he was.

Curled up in the corner, arms wrapped tightly around his knees, shaking like a scared kitten. His hood was pulled low over his face, but I could see his fingers trembling, gripping his sleeves as if trying to make himself smaller.

A strange sensation gripped me.

Something raw. Foreign.

Protect.

The word echoed in my mind, unbidden, as I crouched down, leveling my gaze with his.

"Noah," I murmured.

No response.

I exhaled, my jaw tightening. He was terrified. I wanted to tell him it was over, that no one would hurt him again, but the words caught in my throat.

Instead, I reached out—not to touch, just close enough for him to see I wasn’t a threat.

"Noah," I called again, my voice quieter this time.

He flinched.

My fists clenched. The sight of him like this–small, vulnerable,made something violent rise within me. The thought that those bastards had made him feel this way had my wolf snarling to go back and rip them apart.

He finally lifted his head, and storm-gray eyes met mine.

The world stilled.

Recognition slammed into me like a freight train, something ancient and primal stirring in my veins.

I shut my eyes for a brief second, forcing down the disturbing emotions 

I couldn’t think about this now.

Gritting my teeth, I reached forward and, without a second thought, scooped him up into my arms.

He was too light.

Too fragile.

Something burned in my chest at the realization.

I carried him through the deserted hallways, my grip tightening involuntarily as I felt his shaky breaths against me. He barely moved, except for a slight tremble.

I hated it.

The idea of someone making him feel this way.

When I reached the garage, a car was already waiting. His brother sat in the driver’s seat, eyes locking onto me with barely concealed suspicion. I didn’t acknowledge him. Gently, I placed Noah into the passenger seat, then stepped back.

"Take care of him," I muttered.

I turned on my heel and walked away, already mind-linking Jaxon.

"Meet me in the woods."

~~~

By the time I arrived, Jaxon was waiting, arms crossed. His expression shifted the moment he saw me.

"You look like hell," he muttered.

"Not now," I growled, brushing past him. "Meet me at the castle."

When we arrived, the tension in the air was thick. Guards stood rigid, murmuring in hushed voices. Something was wrong.

"A council meeting has been called, Alpha," an omega informed me.

I frowned. "By whom?"

Jaxon’s jaw clenched. "Your uncle."

That bastard.

A muscle ticked in my jaw as I strode into the council chamber, my gaze sweeping over the room. High-ranking wolves and elders filled the space, their eyes sharp with expectation.

"Alpha Ares," my uncle drawled. "You're late."

I ignored him, settling into my chair. "What is this about?"

One of the elders cleared his throat. "It has come to our attention that you have yet to find your mate."

I remained still.

"It is the law, Ares," another added. "An Alpha without a Luna weakens the pack. If you do not find your mate soon, the council will have no choice but to..."

"Dethrone me?" I finished coldly.

Silence.

My wolf raged, but I kept my expression impassive. They didn't understand. My mate wasn’t just a necessity–she was my salvation.

And I had no intention of letting them rush me.

"I will find my mate when the time is right," I said evenly.

Doubt flickered across their faces, but I didn’t give them the chance to push further.

"Meeting adjourned."

Without another word, I turned and left.

~~~

Jaxon entered my suite without knocking.

"I assume you're not sleeping either," he said.

I exhaled, rubbing my temples. "I need to find my mate. I won’t let my uncle gain the upper hand."

Jaxon crossed his arms. "Finding your mate isn’t something you can force."

I hesitated, thinking of Noah.

The bond. The pull.

"Something about him is… different," I muttered.

Jaxon studied me. "And what are you going to do about it?"

I had no answer.

Because for the first time in my life, I had no idea what was happening to me.

And Noah Leister was at the center of it.

Jaxon exhaled sharply. "Another rogue attack happened last night.

This is more than a warning."

I already knew that.

I wasn’t the most powerful Alpha for nothing.

"Summon the royal spy," I ordered.

I would get to the bottom of this.

One way or another.