~Sebastien~ I gritted my teeth with annoyance, my frustration simmering beneath the surface. It was classic Noah, dropping bombs without a moment's thought. The impulsive revelation about his fate with Winter, right there in public, was a move I hadn't anticipated, and frankly, I wasn't thrilled about it. He should have shared such personal matters with her in private, sparing the rest of us the awkward spectacle. I could have overlooked it if it were just between Noah and Winter. But Summer's reaction cast a shadow over the situation. The fear in her eyes was palpable, and I couldn't ignore the fact that this bombshell had the potential to affect her deeply. I found myself at a loss, unequipped to navigate the emotional intricacies unfolding before me. My forte was instinct, not dealing with delicate emotions. That was our father's department. When Winter slapped Noah in the room, I knew it was our cue to make a discreet exit. I didn't want Summer and me to be caught up amid th
~Noah~ "Come on, let's head back home for now. We can catch up with my family later," I said to Winter as I cradled her in my childhood bed. She met my gaze. "You're not off the hook yet. There's still a lot of atonement on your agenda," she remarked, sitting up. I chuckled. Rising to a sitting position, I embraced her from behind, securing her close to me by the waist. Planting a tender kiss on the nape of her neck, she let out a sweet moan. "I do not like to owe, Conejita. I will pay up, I promise," I said, and I felt her body shiver under my touch. It was good to know I had that effect on her. As stubborn as Winter could be, she felt fragile in my arms. She got out of bed, and I did the same. "I want to go to the orphanage instead," She said, and I frowned. I intended to take her home and pay up, but how would I do that at the orphanage? "To pack your stuff?" I asked her, and she chuckled. She looked so pretty, and something was different about her laughter. I could see i
~Noah~ We reached the mountainous region with no intention of scaling its summit. The petite cabin nestled at the base belonged to our grandfather, who typically resided there when he and Grandma visited town. Their visits had become infrequent in recent times. Upon entering the cabin, my father headed towards the liquor stash. Retrieving three glasses, he poured drinks for each of us. Gesturing for us to join him, we eagerly approached. Handing us the glasses, he encouraged a toast, prompting us to clink glasses and take a sip. "What is this about ?" Sebastian finally asked, and my father sighed. "I know the two of you hate me because of my choices, but I want to speak to you two today," He said, pulling a high stool and sitting on it. Sebastien and I remained standing. "While your mother and I were in the North, we made some decisions," he said, looking at me and then at Sebastien. "There was a time that I was just the Alpha of Mountain and nothing more," he said and sighed. "
~Noah~ Sebastien and I linked each other to determine who would be the one to disclose Uncle Andrew's insinuations to our father. To prevent our father from sensing any unease, I chose to be the one to speak up. "Uncle Andrew told us some weird stuff about people wanting to take our positions in the East, so we called him home so we could investigate and strategise," I said, and he frowned. My father never trusted Uncle Andrew, so it was normal for him to frown at the mention of his name. "And why didn't he tell you all you need to know?" He asked, and I shrugged. "It was as if the party wasn't the right venue for the discussion," I said. "Then you should have waited and spent the night in Brentwood so he could speak to you extensively on the matter," he said, and I looked at Sebastian. "I see," My father said, understanding the issue. "I find Ashely's behaviour odd. If she doesn't want the Moses guy, she should just say it and stop wasting everyone's time. I forbid you two from
~Winter~ I knew Noah and Sebastien would do anything not to spend time with their father. I could tell their relationship from how they acted toward him in the garden. Telling them to go and that we would go home when we were done left them no room to avoid their father. Also, I knew Mary and Joyce were out to get Summer and me, so it would be wise to remain ahead of them. I went to the office and found Mary on the computer. She shook when she saw me, and I smiled. "You won't find any evidence to burn on that computer. I wasn't born yesterday, you know," I said, winking at her. I looked at where the liquor was in the office, and for the first time, I did not feel the need to reach for the bottle. I was at peace. I guess the thought of saying goodbye and ending things with Noah never sat well with me, no matter how I tried to fool myself, but I was glad we had crossed that bridge. The thought of having a second chance mate, was thrilling. I thought of the things Brandon sa
~Winter~ I opened the wardrobe and remembered what Noah had told me about moving in with him. I knew saying no wasn't an option. Seeing how their parents had embraced us, I knew it was a done deal. But I don't know how I would tell Chelsea, and she wouldn't freak out. "Do you like this room?" I asked Chelsea, and she smiled. "It is pure luxury, Winter. I swear we are lucky to have moved to Mountain," She said, and I nodded. "It is yours," I said, and she frowned. "Mine? Can you do that? Where will you sleep?" She asked, and then her smile dropped. "Are you leaving? You can't leave us with these people. They will make our lives hell, especially mine. We need you. The children need you. Besides, where will you go? We have nothing out there," She said, and I shook my head. "No one can make your life hell. Besides, you will be seventeen in a few months. One more year, and you are free to do whatever you like," I said, but she did not smile. "I am not leaving you here; I am just movi
~Winter~ Lady Amelia blew us away with her kindness. It was a rare experience. How she stood up for us and handled the issue made me feel proud. I had never felt like I belonged anywhere like I did at that moment. Following Lady Amelia's departure, Summer and I chose to tackle some paperwork. I hadn't even powered up the computer when Lady Amelia swiftly reappeared as if struck by a sudden brilliant idea that she couldn't wait to divulge. My eyes widened in curiosity, pondering the reason for her unexpected return. "Don't look at me like that; something crossed my mind," she said, went to sit on the couch in the office, and motioned Summer and me to join her. "Besides, I just remembered that today is their friends' birthday, and they won't be able to make it for dinner," she added, and I wondered whose birthday it was because Noah had yet to tell me anything. Not wanting to seem slow, Summer and I joined her immediately, abandoning what we were planning to do initially. "I wond
~Winter~ Summer and I parted at the head of the stairs, and we went our separate ways. She headed to Sebastien's room, and I went to Noah's. I didn't miss the eagerness in my friend's footsteps. Someone was indeed falling in love, and I was happy for her. After meeting the Alberts, I knew we had nothing to worry about. And I somehow believed that things would be different here. I entered the room and found Noah typing away on his computer; he suspended what he was doing the moment I entered and turned to look at me. I didn't know I had missed him in the short period we have been apart until now. He left what he was doing and walked to me. I didn't know why, but my heart was beating in my chest. He had that effect on me. Something that I didn't get with Brandon. Noah made my heart beat in an unexplainable manner. I felt like a teenager looking at her first crush, and I must say that this was the first time I allowed myself to feel this way. I had been holding so much in until today