Noro saw my hesitation and spoke up. “I talked to the others.”
“Huh?”
He wore a cautious smile. “I spoke to Ramsay, Colton and Eric, before I left. I don’t know how he managed to figure it out, but Eric spoke to me. He suspected I had feelings for you.”
My brows shot up. “He did?”
“Yes.” He gazed off to the side. “And he was right, of course.”
“And… he wasn’t upset?” I asked.
“No,” Noro said gently. “In fact, he was supportive.”
My heart clenched thinking about Eric and this new, unexpected side of him. He’d grown from the man I first met. The one who ambushed us on the beach way back when, who thought he was stronger than Ramsay and Colton, and thus better for me.
“And the others?” I asked.
“The same,” Noro said with a nod. “I was surprised as well.”
Emotion welled up inside me, bringing tears to my eyes. But I blinked them away, tired of constantly crying. I wouldn’t be weak anymore.
“So they all know,” I murmured, “and they’re all supportive?”
Noro nodded. “Yes, Matheson. That’s why I felt confident expressing myself so freely.”
I let out a laugh mixed with joy and relief. “Wow…”
“Are you happy?” he asked hesitantly.
“Yes!” I came closer to him, clasping his hands. “I mean… It’s not something I entertained before, because I didn’t know how the others would feel. But if they’re all for it, then…”
I trailed off as I got lost in Noro’s golden gaze. His eyes were like warm pools of sunlight, so unlike the eyes of any wolf. He had an exotic, compelling air about him--he always had. I remembered the very first time I saw his human form back on the island. It was after I passed out from healing his wing, from using too much magic at once, and he’d brought me fruit. I wanted to laugh thinking about it now because I hadn’t recognized him, since I was so used to seeing him as a winged four-legged beast.
A familiar urge came over me. My gaze fell from Noro’s eyes to his lips, so full and alluring. I wanted to press mine to his.
I slowly closed the space between us, feeling his warmth radiate like the sun itself. His presence brought me a sense of safety and security I’d been robbed of since being abducted and thrown into this luxurious prison.
I pressed my chest against Noro’s, and he let his arms wrap loosely around my lower back. His strong muscles were a reassurance of his power. He was here, and he was going to protect me.
He wouldn’t let Blaze, or anyone else touch me.
I shut my eyes with a soft whimper and buried my face in his chest, letting myself have a moment to absorb him and everything he stood for.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
Noro stroked the back of my head. “You’re welcome. But don't thank me yet. We still have to make it out of here.”
“We can do it easily, can’t we?” I asked. “You know the territory. You can just fly us out of here.” I grasped his arms excitedly. “We can do it tonight!”
“Hm,” Noro said, gazing out the window with a sudden frown. “Unfortunately, I don’t think it will be that simple.”
My enthusiasm fell flat. “Why?”
“If we simply leave, we’ll be chased,” Noro explained. “They’ll know it was me who did it. And with Neil’stip,I’m assuming the pride will know exactly where we escape to--the wolf packs.”
I growled in frustration as I was forced to think about Neil again. “Damn him! Why did he have to do this?”
“Some men have evil in their hearts,” Noro muttered darkly.
