I Forgot I Loved You Alpha (Ellie and Nolan) novel Chapter 160

The rain had finally stopped, leaving the air around Moonstone sharp and clean. Sunlight streamed through the high windows of Cassian’s office, warming the pale stone floor and the heavy oak desk that dominated the room. 

A stack of reports sat half-read beside a steaming mug of tea, the fint scent of chamomile softening the sharpness of ink and parchment. 

Cassian barely looked up when he heard the knock. “Come in.” 

The door opened, and the room seemed to shrink. 

Nolan Silver Fang had a way of filling space even when he wasn’t trying to. His presence was quieter these days, stripped of the arrogance that used to come so easily, but it carried the same weight. The kind of power that didn’t need to be spoken aloud. 

“Cassian,” he said, voice steady. 

“Nolan.” Cassian’s tone was polite, neutral. “You’re early.” 

“I left early,” Nolan replied simply, closing the door behind him. Didn’t want to keep you waiting.” 

Cassian gestured to the chair across from him. “Then let’s not waste any time.” 

Nolan sat, every movement deliberate. He looked tired, not in the way that came from lack of sleep, but in the deeper, more bone -deep sense that came from carrying too much. 

Cassian chose not to comment on it. It was obvious what the cause was, and bringing it up would only make things awkward for both of them. 

“These are the reports from our outer patrols,” he said. “The rogues have been quiet near the northern range, but the southern border is a different story. Too organized. Too well-supplied.” 

Nolan flipped through the page his expression unreadable. “Paid mercenaries, then.” 

“That’s what it looks like. They’re not hunting for territory. They’e following orders.” 

“Whose?” 

Cassian hesitated, the question heavier than it should have been. “We don’t know. Yet. But if Felicity’s behind it, she isn’t working alone. Whoever’s funding these movements has deep pockets-and a reason to stir up trouble between packs.” 

Nolan’s jaw tightened, the muscles in his temple flexing. “She always preferred chaos when she couldn’t control the outcome. 

he question is, why suddenly focus on Moonstone? She’s only ever caused trouble in Silver Fang before.” 

“I think we both know the answer,” Cassian responded. “Ellie is here now. She’s obsessed.” 

A dark look crossed Nolan’s but he didn’t argue the point. 

said softly. 

“Is she wrong to think that?” Cassian asked. Nolan’s wording was careful; he was trying to distance himself from Ellie. But it didn’t fool Cassian. He could see the tension on Nolan’s shoulders hat came just from talking about her. 

There was a long pause before Nolan spoke again. “No. She’s not wrong.” 

Cassian didn’t respond right away. His instinct was to defend Ellie to say that she wasn’t a weakness, but even he knew better than to deny the truth. Ellie’s presence-or absence-had become the axis around which both their lives seemed to turn. 

“She’s safe here,” Cassian said finally. 

Nolan met his gaze. “I know.” 

It was simple, but the honesty behind the words surprised Cassian. He expected anger, suspicion, maybe even jealousy. Instead, Nolan sounded resigned. 

“I don’t intend to interfere,” Nolan continued. “She made her choice, and 

accept it. For now.” 

Cassian leaned back in his chair, studying him. “That’s new.” 

Nolan’s mouth twitched, something almost like a smile ghosting across his face. “I’m trying. It’s not in my nature but… I guess I’m learning restraint.”