“What about you? What are you doing here? What brings you to Charlotte?”
“Picking up supplies.” He motioned to the bags at his feet. “Can’t get half this stuff up in the mountains.”
I smiled, shaking my head. “Still living that mountain life, huh?”
“Yeah, and it’s been good—actually, better than good.” His grin got wider, if that was even possible, and every inch of him had happiness written all over it. “I’m a dad now. Got a little girl, Lily. And another one on the way.”
It took me a second to process that. “Wait... what? Oh my god, you’re a dad?”
“Yep.” He grinned even bigger, like the pride was too much to contain. “Wasn’t easy, but you know how that goes.” He chuckled, and I could tell just by looking at him—he’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. “I found my mate. Fell in love with someone I was supposed to hate. It was all veryRomeo and Juliet, minus the poison.”
I wasn’t sure about theRomeo and Julietpart, but the rest of it sounded amazing.
“Wow,” I said, not really surprised in the least. Noah would make a great dad. “That’s... wild. You’re a dad. But your kids are lucky to have you.”
He nodded, pride written all over every inch of him. “Yeah, it’s crazy. But hey, enough about me. What’s been going on with you?”
I hesitated, trying to figure out how to summarize everything that had happened since we last talked. “It’s... good. Chuck—he’s the alpha I’ve been with for over a year—we’re building a life together. Got all these plans lined up. We even bought a house. I think you’ll like him—he’s solid. The kind of guy with a plan, you know? He even got a good job recently, so he had to move, and he has the same goals as me. We’re both ready to settle down soon.”
I knew I was rambling, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. Once I started, the words just kept spilling out.
Noah tilted his head, raising a brow as he studied me. “Stable, huh?”
“Yeah,” I said, a little too defensive before I could stop myself. “He’s got a good head on his shoulders. We got a place, and he wants a future with me, and that’s what matters.”
The words felt true... or at least close enough. Right?
He was quiet for a moment, his gaze holding mine in that way that used to make me squirm—but thankfully, I resisted. I could tell he was figuring out the best way to say what he wanted to.
“You sure that’s all that matters, Mylo? You don’t sound very passionate.”
“I am,” I insisted, though even I could hear the doubt in my voice. “I just... I’ve never had stability before, you know? Chuck gives me that. It’s what I need.”
Why did that sound like I was trying to convince myself too?
Ugh! Shut it, brain. You have an alpha, a home—everything is perfect, damn it!
Noah nodded slowly but didn’t say anything, which always drove me crazy! Back then, he’d used it to make me figure things out for myself, but now... it felt like a mirror, and I didn’t like it. It was written all over his face that he wasn’t convinced, and maybe, deep down, I wasn’t either. But I didn’t want to think about that. Not now—not when I was so close to getting back to Chuck and everything I’d ever dreamed of having.
Damn it, I deserved the happily ever after... the picket fence and two-point-five kids.
“It’s been four months since we’ve seen each other,” I added, hoping to change the subject. “I bought a ticket to go meet him, but it’s not for another week. Non-refundable, so I’m stuck here until then.”
Noah’s expression softened, and he leaned forward. “You know, I’m heading back to Redwood Falls right after this. I could give you a ride if you want. You’d get to see him a lot sooner.”
I stared at him, stunned. “Oh my gosh, you’d do that?”
“Of course,” he said with a grin. “You’re like family to me, Mylo. I wouldn’t leave you hanging.”
Even though it had been almost four years since I’d heard those words, they still meant as much to me. I knew it was my fault no one was at my graduation. If I’d invited Noah, he would have been there, front and center, cheering me on. And I guess with his mate and baby... some guys got all the luck.
It will soon be your turn.Chuck and I had decided we would wait until we’d worked a couple of years, fixed up the house, and put money aside.
It didn’t take much to convince me. The idea of seeing Chuck sooner made my heart race. Or maybe it was finally just getting started on a life that felt... normal, real... whatever it was, it was finally happening.
“Alright. Yeah, let’s do it. Just let me get my stuff—I’m already packed.”
We headed back to my place so I could grab my things. I didn’t own much, at least not yet—foster care had taught me to travel light—but soon I wouldn’t have to anymore. Soon, I’d have a home with Chuck, a place that was mine. Ours.
