Only Her- ON HOLD

Chapter 5.

Noah's POV

We came to the end of the path where it opened into a clearing surrounded by trees and a large fountain in the middle. The moonlight filled the space with the upcoming full moon tomorrow and my wolf itched to break through. I had been restless all day but I pushed him to the back of my thoughts, trying to hold full control over myself in this moment.

We walked around the fountain to stand in front of a stone bench, just large enough for the two of us. I nodded and motioned toward the bench. She paused but allowed me to guide her to sit as I followed to sit next to her. My knee pressed against hers and her breath caught before she immediately shifted it away. The thrum of her touch lingered on my skin, causing my own breathing to increase in spite of my attempt to control it.

"So, you enjoy your work for your father then? It suits you." I spoke quickly, trying to fill the space and get her talking.

She took a calming breath and answered lowly. "I do actually. I did not love the reasoning for it, but I've learned to embrace my new role all the same. This is my life now."

I saw a flash of sadness cross her face before it disappeared. "I'm sorry about your brother. Wyatt was a good man. His wolf was one of the most impressive I've ever trained against."

She let a small smile slip up her lips as her eyes flashed to mine. "He really was wasn't he? He was so strong. Dad had been training him since he was ten. I'd waited years to be able to train with them, but he was always too strong for me."

I let out a tight laugh at the thought of her so young and trying to spar with an alpha son, but then again, she had that same alpha blood running through her veins as well. "I'm sure you're strength is much improved now. I can sense it in you. You'll be a great Luna Dani."

She straightened and gave a small smile in return. "Thank you. It's not something I was prepared for, but it's ok. I have been raised my entire life to know I would one day have to leave my pack behind. I wouldn't have a choice if my mate turned out to be the oldest son of his Alpha. But once...Wyatt died, I knew that would change. Now, it turns out here you are, the oldest son, and I still have to take you away from everything you've known and planned for."

I turned to face her fully, my hands twitching to reach out for her. "You're right, it will take me away from my family and my pack. It will change everything I've planned for, but I'm willing to try this if you are. You're here for three days. Let's just see what happens?" I tried to speak casually, keeping my heart rate steady and my breathing level.

I wanted to try. I wanted to know her. She was stunning, and I could sense a genuine soul within her. Not to mention, her reputation in itself spoke volumes and matched already with what I felt from her in person. I'd been told she could hold her own among some of the toughest Alphas I knew. For that alone, she had my respect. I had three days. Three days to find a crack in her memory of me.

"Ok." She nodded slowly and took a deep breath, letting it out in a sigh as she spoke evenly. "So who is she?"

My eyes widened and she laughed at catching me off guard. "That's where you want to start then?"

She nodded and turned to face me as well, placing her hands delicately in her lap. "If this is going to work, I need to know who and what I'm dealing with. I can't be walking in blindly."

I shook my head and ran a hand through my hair. "It's really not that serious. Her name's Penny, and she's a pack member here. She lives up in the main house and we just got together a few months ago. That's it."

Her eyebrows rose and her lips pursed slightly. "That's it? You act like it's nothing, but I know that's not true. Her scent was all over you. Is all over you." Her nose wrinkled in distaste as she met my eyes.