NOELLE

CHAPTER ONE

NOTE TO READERS

THIS IS THE BOOK TWO OF PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT WITH THE LYCAN KING, BUT CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE.

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NOELLE

The mansion boomed with excitement. The maids and guards moved about hanging up decorations in preparation for Malcolm's marriage.

After handing the last basket of flowers to the maids, I found a corner to sit. Ahead of me was the brown-haired devil that graced my dreams and messed with my senses, leaning on the counter in a seductive pose, teasing his fiancee, Emery.

I could feel the fake smile I had managed to plaster on my face all day slip off. My chest clenched as I watched her giggle and hit him playfully.

A cruel reminder that she was the only one that could occupy his heart. They had been together for three years now and during that time, I had to constantly remind myself that I had no business falling for Malcolm.

He was everything I couldn't own. Tall with a lean muscular frame. Charming grey eyes, curly brown hair, and the most seductive smile I'd ever seen. Most importantly, my brother.

That should have been enough to rule out every thought that acknowledged his ridiculously good looks and fueled my desire for him.

Yet, my stupid heart wouldn't stop craving for a taste of this forbidden ecstasy.

“Someone's gawking…”

I blinked on hearing Kira's tease. The mischievous blonde dropped beside me, staring at the couple ahead of us.

“You still like him, don't you?” She said,

“Like him? That was like forever ago, Kira. I'm over him, besides, we are siblings,” I denied.

The shame of admitting I was still hopelessly in love with my brother even though he was clearly not mine, overwhelmed me.

“Your eyes seem to suggest something different, Noelle. I stood behind, watching you for almost five minutes and I could see how miserable you were,” she stated.

I cursed inwardly. Of course, she would notice. Kira was the one person I couldn't lie to no matter how hard I tried. I was an open book to her.

“You should stop talking about it. Malcolm is my brother and he has a lovely fiancee…”

“No, Malcolm is not your brother. He was adopted. You're not related by blood so don't make this a big deal,” she interrupted and I groaned.

“None of that will matter to anyone. They know him as the Alpha's son, whether he was adopted or not. Besides, I have Mykel.”

“Mykel?” She scoffed. “We both know that you are not attracted to that douchebag. The only thing binding you together is the mate bond. Which is surprising considering how down to earth you are and how arrogant he is.”

She was right. Every night until I turned eighteen, I prayed to the goddess that Malcolm would be my mate.

It would be less atrocious and easier to accept if the goddess paired us. A perfect love story but on my eighteenth birthday, I had the one person I detested with every fiber in me, matching towards me and declaring me his mate.

Worse, my wolf was in agreement. Excited to give the chronic womanizer a chance.

I couldn't reject him knowing how strongly affiliated his family was with mine. That same night, Malcolm introduced Emery as his fiance, adding to the heartache.

But what could I do?

I cried myself to sleep for days and accepted my fate.

My eyes shifted to them once again and this time, they were kissing like no one else was in the room.

Unable to contain it further, I stood.

“I'm going over to Mykel's. He was supposed to be here like an hour ago,” I informed her.

A frown crossed her face. She wanted me nowhere near me, especially since he tried to forcefully mark me the last time I met him alone.

“I'll come with you,” she offered but I declined.

“It's okay, Kira. I can handle myself. I wouldn't even go there if he took his calls but my father will be here soon and everyone has to be present by then.”

“Alright, just be careful,” she gave in.

I walked out of the room and let out a shaky breath. Although I was anxious about going over to Mykel's, it was relieving to get out of that suffocating atmosphere.

I was better off without seeing them suck off each other's faces.

Arriving at Mykel's apartment, I turned off the ignition and stared nervously at the apartment complex.

Maybe I should have taken a guard with me or Kira at least. I contemplated turning back but I sucked it up.

“You've got this, Noelle. If he tries anything funny, we kick his balls,” I assured myself before stepping out of the car.

Or maybe I should grab a weapon.

Deciding I was unnecessarily stalling, I took a deep breath and walked inside. The elevator got to the last floor sooner than I expected and I mentally slapped myself for not using the stairs.

Mykel scared me. I couldn't deny that fact even to myself. I dragged my feet to his doorstep and hesitated when I noticed the door was slightly open.

Why was he so in a hurry that he didn't lock his door properly? Or was it a burglar?

I pushed the door open slowly and stepped in. I thought of calling out but I reminded myself that if it was indeed a burglar, I shouldn't alert him of my presence.

As I took cautious steps into the house, I heard moans.

“Harder please….yes yes yes… fuck!!!!” The woman screamed and I froze.

It was very unlikely that someone would break into another's house just to have sex.

I could feel my wolf's uneasiness. Lia was restless and I knew without being told that something was wrong.

Without hesitation, I barged into the kitchen and my entire body went stiff. My wolf was heartbroken and pained but all I felt was rage.

Of course, my lovely mate was banging another woman against his kitchen counter.

“You feel so good, Christen…” he moaned, unaware of my presence.

“I bet she does,” I spat and he literally shoved her off the counter in shock.

“Noelle?”