Staying in that room was impossible after realizing what it really was. Not only did he reject him, the guy got engaged to someone else the next day. In the first place he shouldn’t have been there. He convinced himself that the reason he agreed to go was to appease Natalia but actually, deep inside he wanted to see Lucas. There was still a part of him that was hoping and he thought maybe Natalia’s persistence would finally work if he gave it a chance. And now, there’s no hope left.

Noah walked home since Natalia had picked him up earlier. Even though he knew Mory was going to get pissed at him for returning late, he just wanted to take his time walking. Finally allowing himself to succumb to the sadness. No matter how much his chest tightened, he couldn’t shed a tear. It was all deep breaths and lazy steps.

I’m mateless. If last time wasn’t clear enough, it was crystal now. Lucas chose to be with somebody else. He had a hard time differentiating him as Lucas the mate from the Lucas who has a grudge on him.

When mates meet in real life, do they not fall in love at first sight? Did it not work out because already knew each other? Why couldn’t he just set aside their past after the confirmation? Probably because the chance of a bond was never possible even before that day.

Noah was convinced that because they were mates, he would be forgiven. Lucas, for the sake of being mates, should’ve given their relationship a chance. But all of that were delusions. He knows that he can’t control how others feel. It was just hard to accept that his mate was unfortunately him. Something he had yearned to have, he was never blessed with. I really am unlucky.

His thoughts were getting depressing and he shakes it off to think of something else. His mind goes back to the lady he met at the party. It was unbelievable what he had done. Although he had refused at the beginning, suddenly her offer felt like a form of escape. They left the party together after that and she introduced herself to him.

“My name’s Alex Pendergast.”

“Noah Blakewood.”

She told him that she was leaving on Wednesday and will be picking him up at six. He decides they meet by the end of the street of his house. Before they separated ways, she offered to drive him home but he declined.

Everything about her was mysterious and Noah realizes how strange it is now that she knows his secret and this isn’t going to be the last time they met. The only thing he knew was her name and it seemed unfair. He’s aware that accepting an offer to run away with a stranger is a red flag but it was an in-the-moment type of decision. Besides she came from their allied wolf pack, it was enough for him to trust her.

“What took you so long kid?” Mory grumbled when he opened the door. “I told you we have curfew in this house.”

Noah quietly apologizes upon entering.

“Must be a fancy party for you to be wearing a suit, huh. Just because you’re close with the head family doesn’t mean we’re going to give you special treatment.” His tone was bitter like a jealous child’s. “Get me a fucking beer.”

Noah still remained quiet but followed his order. Mory was drunk and in a bad mood. The man was one of those pack members who liked to suck up to the head family. A little too loyal. Mory only accepted to foster him since Margaret was the one who requested.

—

Work was more irritating than usual. Probably because there’s gossip going around about the party last night. Specifically how a certain popular wolf was getting engaged with the neighboring pack’s heiress. It was a first and in a town where interesting things rarely happened, it became a hot topic among Noah’s peers. He was in-charge of the cashier that afternoon and it meant he was going to hear their conversations regardless if he wanted to zone them out.

His manager wasn’t impressed, asking where his diligence from yesterday had gone. They told him to stop frowning and show a more “welcoming atmosphere” despite how everyone’s preoccupied with themselves. Sighing, he pretended to smile at the girl who was busy with a phone call and ignoring him.

And just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, he spots a group coming their way from the parking lot. In a spike of franticness, Noah slips out of the register and begs Hannah, his coworker who was busy restocking, to switch tasks with him. At first she looked annoyed and about to decline but when the group enters noisily, she perks up and agrees to it quickly.

Noah sighs and hides between the isles, pretending to work. Their voices were loud and he couldn’t help but eavesdrop on their conversation. They were also talking about Lucas’ engagement. Two of the boys were on the aisle on the other side of him.

“I don’t understand why he decided to get engaged right after his birthday. Isn’t he going to look for his mate?”

“Yeah. I don’t get it either, that’s like, the first thing I’d do—“

“Hey Lucas aren’t you going to find your mate?”

Noah froze as a third footstep joined the two and obviously it was Lucas. The question peaked his interest and he waited for the answer.

“…I don’t really care. Besides, Alliah’s great.”

The boys couldn’t help but agree with him. When they started walking towards the cashier, Noah just sat there quietly. Couldn’t even care huh? With the last of the chips out of the box, he waited to hear them leave before taking it to the back room. He was too preoccupied with his souring mood, not realizing that someone was coming at the corner at end of the aisle. He almost bumps into a familiar torso and he looks up immediately, unable to force down that feeling of excitement when a mate is close. Lucas looks at him with a slightly irritated look and the butterflies instantly disappeared, replaced with dread.

“Don’t you dare tell a soul about what happened or you’re going to regret it, alright Noah?”

This ticks Noah and he scoffs at him.

“You think I don’t know that already? You’re engaged and I’m not stupid enough to put myself in an awkward situation. So much for being mates.” He walks passed him and sets the box down by the back room.

“It’s a mistake. We were never mates.” He said. Noah didn’t respond to that. “And we never will, just like how I’ll never forgive you for what happened.”

Noah could feel the daggers on his back but he didn’t turn around to look at him. He knows he won’t be able to put on a fake smile or return a snarky reply. Not when he confirmed that until this day, Lucas is never going to let go of the past.

When he heard the door close, Noah immediately crouched as if his legs gave up on him. He tried his best to keep his sobs quiet as hot tears copiously streamed down his nose.

He stayed like that for awhile before his shift shortly ended.

—

It was cold in the supermarket, almost freezing. The sun is almost down and around this time there were more people lining up. He just stood quietly with his cart, absentmindedly staring at a pack of gum by the checkout.

“Hey. Hey kid.” Travis called to him and Noah snaps from his daze. “Your turn. Stop holding the line.”

He mutters an apology quietly and starts placing the things on the counter. With every beep of the scan, he slowly went back staring into space. Everything felt numb for some reason and something in his mind was trying to keep him from feeling anything.

“Are you okay Noah?” Travis asked.

From what Noah could remember, Travis was one of the closest friends of Lucas’s father in the past. He’s not a bad guy, he’s kind. His family owns the store and he occasionally works at the cashier. They met each other when he was a kid.

“Oh. Uh— yeah. I’m fine.” Noah stuttered.

“Sure? Your eyes are swollen.”

“Just…allergies.”

That was a bad cover considering it was still summer. And that statement reminded him of Ryan, the worry wart. Thankfully, Travis didn’t ask any further. Noah looked at the screen of his phone for his reflection and one could tell he’d been crying if they looked close enough and considering he isn’t really sneezing or anything, it was obvious what that look meant.

He just groaned inside his mind.

While waiting, he noticed two unfamiliar men walking through the entrance. Outsiders. Everyone in town knew each other so it was easy to notice new people. Probably tourists heading for Madallin waterfall, it’s the only popular spot here in Fortbeck. They don’t look like tourists though. Their faces looked rugged, one had a scar by his top lip and both of them shared messy white hair. They were wearing black coats and boots. Maybe they’re just passing by.

Noah accidentally makes eye contact with one of them and instantly he feels shivers down his spine.

Once Travis finished bagging the groceries, Noah pays the total, and rushes outside the building. He ran towards his bike with a sudden burst of adrenaline. Something tells him that those men are dangerous. It’s unbelievable how no one had noticed, there were pack members inside the store yet it felt like he was the only one who could sense their demeanor. He felt a familiar fear and it could only mean one thing.

Noah could feel eyes staring into his back and he glances behind him to see the men getting into a truck. One of them stood by the passenger’s side with the door opened, looking at him intently.

That was enough for Noah to start peddling for home. Seriously though, how did nobody sense these Rogues?