NOAH

I can't handle this anymore. For the past two days, I have been with no one but Sophie and I hate it!

Don't get me wrong. She is a lovely girl. But she isn't Mia.

I burst through the door of Xander's office. He looked up at me and rolled his eyes, "Come in why don't you." Xander said sarcastically.

"Get someone else to marry her."

Xander was instantly serious. He stood up from his chair, "What do you mean?"

I took a step forward, "I wasn't speaking bullshit, Xander. You heard what I said. I don't want to marry Sophie. The wedding is off. I can't handle being with her let alone the rest of my life."

Xander collapsed back into his chair. He leaned his head back and groaned, rubbing the part between his eyes.
"Please don't do this Noah. Were you all for it before? What happened in the last couple months huh?"

I shrugged and looked away.

"Is it about Mia?"

I looked at Xander, "This has nothing to do with Mia. This is only me. I just realized that I can't spend the rest of my life with her. She's just not for me."

Xander scowled at me, "Of course she isn't for you. But that never mattered. What mattered is that by marrying her, you are ensuring the safety of this pack. Without this marriage, what is to happen to all of us. We just found out the other day that the rogues are being formed into an army and could strike at any minute. And when I say army...I mean a huge army. More than any warriors I have alone! I need Alpha Kendrick's warriors as a backup just in case I can't defeat the rogue army. Their main goal is to kill Izzy! Why are you forgetting about all if this because of some healer?" Xander shouted

I took a step forward and shouted back "She is my mate, Xander! Of course, I would choose her! She is my everything! She is Kieth's mother! Of course, I don't want to go through this marriage because I want to be with Mia!"

It was silent for a moment. Both of us breathing heavily through our noses.

Xander sat back in his chair and took a deep breath, "You have to go through this Marriage Noah. I have researched every other possibility for you to be with Mia, I have, but there is none. I'm sorry."

I felt the rage boiling inside of me. I felt the anger of not being with Mia.
I turned around. I roared and punched the wall, making a giant hole.
"I fucking hate this shit! Why couldn't my life be easier just for once! Why can't I get what I want for one in my fucked up life."

"The wedding is tomorrow morning," Xander informed.

I roared and stormed out if the room.

MIA

I was getting ready to go to the pack dinner tonight. It was supposed to be special since Kendrick's pack was here to dine with us too. I felt nervous and scared. I was about the face the person who has haunted my dreams and my thoughts for years. I haven't seen him since that day. And I haven't seen Sophie since then too. I felt my lungs being constricted from the air, making it hard to breathe. An I felt my stomach become a little sore from the nervousness.

I make my way down the stairs. Every step I take I feel like I am going to collapse down these steps. But I hang onto the rail tightly.

Once I am at the bottom I look around. Everyone will be in the giant dining room. I take a deep breath and make my way over to the room. As soon as I entered the room everyone hushed. I internally groaned. Why did they all have to go quietly?

I look at Lizzy and Zapora. They look at me with concern. I look at the man that scares me with most. Alpha Kendrick. He looked at me unfazed. I don't think he knows it's me. I guess I do look quite different from when I was younger.

I made my way to the table. My name was on the place right across from Noah. Sure just torture me more why don't you.
I sit down quietly and bowed to the Luna and Alpha.

I looked up to the seat next to my mate and saw my cousin. Sophie. She was staring at me wide-eyed. But she stayed silent, not letting her father see any indication of recognition on her face.

I could see she had gotten paler when she saw me.

I hear the screech if a chair and saw Alpha Xander standing up.
"We have all come here together to celebrate the marriage between my Beta, Noah and Kendrick's daughter, Sophie. May their marriage be blessed by the Moon Goddess, and may they live the rest of their days together in love," Xander raises his glass and says. "To the bride and groom."

Everyone follows including myself. I raise my glad up High. My eyes catch on to Noah. He was already looking at me. His own glass was not raised. Everyone had repeated what Xander had said.

I raised my own glass and whispered: "To the bride and groom."

The food began to be served. Soups, stews, meat, potatoes, gravy, roasts. You name it, and it was on the table. It was quite an impressive amount of food.

I ate my food in silence as I listen to the blind talking around me. I didn't pay attention. I was just thinking of the time when I can finally leave.

I looked around and was disappointed when I didn't see Isaac. He must be taking care if his mother.

I grabbed a glass of water and took a sip when I heard someone whisper, "Mia."

I know who it was but I was not in the mood to talk. I raised my head and eyes her without emotion. She looked at me pleadingly.
"Can we talk sometime? Please?" She whispered.

Why would she want to talk to me now? After all this time?

Everything in me wanted to say no. I had no desire to talk anymore. I didn't betray her. She did all of that on her own. I felt nothing but resent towards Sophie. However, even though I have these feelings, deep down inside my heart, I knew. I knew that I had to know. I had to find out her reason for betrayal on me.

I subtly nodded and immediately looked away, giving her no attention.

I looked down at my food and saw that I had finished.

"Why do you two look so stuff huh? Why don't you do something that couples do? Hold hands, kiss, hug. Something!" Alpha Kendrick laughed.

I could see Noah's eyes starting to glow. That happened when he felt very strong emotions. My guess? He was angry. No. Enraged. He wanted to jump off this table towards Kendrick and kill him. But instead, he grabbed Sophie's hand and held it on the table for all to see.

Kendrick was obviously drunk as he laughed foolishly. "That's more like it. Why not a small kiss huh? Show some affection for each other so then we all know you guys are real!" He shouted in laughter. He was seeking humorous entertainment through the discomfort of others. The awkwardness was thick in the air.

Noah's nose flared as he resisted a snarl of disgust. Sophie had the same expression.

As they leaned in, I instantly felt nauseous. I couldn't bear to see them do something like that. If they do do it. I don't want to see.

Before they could touch I abruptly stood up from my chair, making it screech backward against the wooden floor. Everyone's eyes were on me.

I walked down to the end of the table to Alpha Xander. I bowed my head and whispered, "May I please be excused Alpha, I do not feel well."

I could see the pity and sympathy in his eyes as he nodded his head. As soon as he gave me permission, I fled.

NOAH

My heart broke when I saw Mia's eyes. This was so hard for her. I saw the pain and hurt. Nothing could have prepared us both for this.

She would avoid my gaze, probably because we would have made it obvious that we were mates if we stared because we wouldn't have stopped.

I felt totally enraged when Kendrick started to make comments about me and Sophie. I wanted to strangle his pathetic neck till he couldn't even say my name.

When he requested a kiss...I couldn't stomach the thought. My lips on someone other than Mia's felt totally wrong. It went against everything in me. But so much was at stake.

I looked at Mia and saw that the blood had drained from her face. Leaving her pale. I knew that she was freaking out inside though there was a calm exterior. She wasn't looking at me or anyone for that matter. When I saw her fleeing away, my heart clenched in pain. My whole body was shaking, resisting the need to run after her. I wanted to go after her so much. I felt such an intense need tired and talk to her, comfort her.

I look to my right to see Sophie, my hope instantly deflating. I can't believe I'm going to spend the rest of my life...with her. God help me.

"So Noah, tell me a bit about yourself?"

I wanted to punch him so bad. I wanted to knock out his teeth so then he won't be able to talk to me or Mia ever again.

I took a deep breath through my flared nose, making my sure my look of disdain was evident on my face.
"You do ya wanna know?"

"You're English right?"

I nodded my head.

What is the biggest difference between Alpha's in Britain and Alpha's in America, hmm?" He asked arrogantly.

"Well for one, our Alpha's hold very high respect towards their women. They rethought as very precious to us. We treat them well and protect them," I lean a little closer and say, "And whoever mistreats our women, answers to the Alphas."

Kendrick leans in challenging and says, "And what do they do to these offenders?"

I smirk darkly at him, I let my glow the slightest bit for only him to see. I could see the shock...and the fear radiating from his pores.

"Well, they're not here to tell the tale now are they, Kendrick? But let's just say...they're way out...wasn't a pleasant one."

Kendrick silently leans back, "So are you saying that we Americans do not treat our women well? Do we not protect our women from those offenders too?"

"It's a little different here in good old America Kendrick. It seems that the very men who are supposed to be protecting the women...are the very offenders themselves. And they don't get caught."

I could see he was starting to fidget in his seat lightly.

"Xander!" He exclaims, "This is outrageous! Are you going to let him speak like that about our US Packs?"

Xander looks at Kendrick and shrugs his shoulders, "It is the truth. The stats don't lie. We are no better than the next country Kendrick. We are all equal and fill each other's strengths and weaknesses with our own."

Kendrick remained silent. But I could see he was angry that no one tried to back him up. It's because they do not want to be on the losing side of what this. 

MIA

I stand out on the balcony and breathe in the cold and fresh air. Being in that room, with everyone from my past and present mingling together was a place I did not want to be. It was so hard to breathe in there. Seeing Noah having to interact with Sophie in such an intimate way not only made it hard to breathe but made my very existence in this world hurt. I couldn't. 

As I was looking out at the stars twinkling in the sky, for the first time, I thought of my parents. My father was so loving. I was always his main priority no matter what. He would skip meetings to come to my ballet recital on time, he would always read to me before I went to bed. And right before I went to sleep, he would tell me to look up at the sky on a clear night. He would point out the brightest and most beautiful star in the sky and say, that's where Mama is. So on nights when I was upset or I just couldn't sleep, I would sneak on the roof and talk to my mother about my life and feelings. I haven't done ever since my father died. It was devastating. It was hard to deal with the fact that he was never going to come back and I would never hear his voice. 

But for the first time in years, I wanted to speak to my mother again. I looked up high, and my eyes were instantly drawn to the most beautiful star in the sky. I found my lips forming a smile on their own. 

"Hey Mama, haven't spoken to you in...a long time. And for that I'm sorry," I felt my eyes feel the familiar sting of moisture, "Oh mama, I found my mate. He is amazing. His name is Noah Maverick. He is 6'5 and well muscled, which I think you'd definitely approve of," I giggled, "His eyes are a deep blue...and they glow when he feels strongly about something," I looked down for only a moment and said, "They always glow when he looks at me. Through my hard life, mother, he was the first one to have shown me kindness and love, the kind of love that I never got before. And I love him so much. I love him so much mama that...I can't bear the thought of losing him. But I m going to lose him because he is promised to another. To my cousin, Sophie. I can't be with his mother. It hurts so much," Tears started to fill my eyes to the brim, "But in a funny way...I feel almost slightly content with the memories I hold of us. Even though he will be with Sophie, I think I can live it eventually as time passes."

"He's your mate?" I voice said. 

I spin around with wide eyes and came face to face with my cousin Sophie. 

"Sophie? What're you doing here?"

She took a step forward with an expression of sadness, "He's your mate?! And you're letting me marry him? Are you crazy?"

"I have to let him go, if I don't, this whole pack will be done for. Now Leave Sophie, I don't want to look at you let alone talk to you right now." I turn around back to the balcony but was stopped when she said, "Wait! Please.." She begged. 

I looked over my shoulder as she stared back at me with pleading eyes, "Please Mia, can we talk?"

I felt the fury and hurt of betrayal boiling inside of me, "Talk? Do you want to talk? You've had years to have the chance to talk to me! I waited in my cottage for my best friend, my cousin, my blood to come and give me comfort from the mayhem I endured from your bastard father!" I took a step forward and said, "But when I was waiting...you never came. So what is there to talk about, Sophie? All there is to talk about is your betrayal and that is a subject I am all too familiar with." 

Sophie sat on the bed and sighed, tears twinkled in her eyes, "You don't know the full story, Mia."

I rolled my eyes,"Give me a break, I don't want to lis-"

"I was protecting you!" She exclaimed. 

She was what? "I don't understand, how were you protecting me? From ignoring me? Forgetting about me?"

"Yes!" She shouted, "You think I didn't see how my father was staring at you? His obsession with you only grew and grew as you did. When you were banished, I wanted so bad to come and see you. You are the sister I never had, Mia. But I knew if I did, then my father will have a connection to you. He will always want you. I stayed away so than my father would stay away from YOU!"

I was speechless...this whole time, she was only protecting me.

"You were trying to keep me safe?" I whispered. 

She nodded,"Yes. That's all I was doing all these years."

I couldn't say anything. I stood there, frozen. All this time, I thought she didn't care, I thought she left me behind while living her luxurious life. But she wasn't doing that at all. She stayed away from me, she cut off all contact so than I would be safe. 

She slowly made her way to me and placed her hands on my shoulders, "I'm sorry you thought I betrayed you...but you have to know Mia...I didn't." She pulled me into a hug and held me tightly. I just stood there for a moment, not responding. It was so much to process in my mind. Everything was overflowing. But I did know that my cousin didn't betray me, and that is what is important here. 

I raised my arms and hugged her back tightly, "I'm sorry I thought you betrayed me...I should have known differently. I whsipered. 

"No, you don't have to be sorry Mia, I made you think that way."

We just held each other in silence. I felt like I had my sister back. I smiled. It was such a good feeling to have her back.

She leans back and looks at me expectantly, "So...what's this about Noah?"