Werewolf Compilations novel Chapter 91

I sit down with Noah on the edge of my bed, oddly similar to how James and I were. He listens closely as I share what I can. "He didn't want a Mate. His father told him never to accept one, so when I came along, he was cold to me. He hardly spoke to me. He said rude things when he did. He was with this other girl when I was in the house at night. It was just terrible, and I thought that I could never forgive him, but I tried to. We had a few progressive conversations, and I was willing to try with him. I wanted to trust him after he's lied to me," I explain, "but I found out he's lied again."

Noah sighs. "It sounds like a cycle to me. He's just going to keep lying to you, Rae. And even after all he's done before, you still wanted to be with him? You never tried to reject him?"

"I couldn't bring myself to reject him," I lie. "He just—he sucks me back in. It's the bond, it's his face, his voice, everything. When we're apart, it hurts. All I want is to see him."

"It's because of the bond, because you haven't broken it. You have to reject him."

My eyes wander down to my hands as they sit on my lap. "I know, but I don't want to. Is that bad? Does that make me weak? Pathetic? Am I pathetic? Some part of me believes in him, that he wants the best for me. What if he's just making mistakes to protect me? What if the lies are for my own good?"

Noah shakes his head. "Relationships aren't built off of lies. How could you trust him? You couldn't. You deserve better than that."

I stay quiet.

Noah reaches out and takes my hand in his, and it doesn't feel right. I know it's not right because he's not trying to be my friend.

I look up at him when he moves closer, not sure what he's trying to do. When his foreign lips abruptly touch mine, I pull back. My eyes stray away from his flushed face, and I immediately stand up from my bed, stepping to the side. "Uh—I don't. I don't think you—"

"Rae, I—"

"We're friends, Noah," I say firmly. "That's what I first told you. I can't be with someone else—"

"I know," he cuts me off, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I crossed the line. I just—I'm good for you, Rae. And from what you've told me, he's not. You deserve better than him."

Overwhelmed, I struggle to speak. "I-I think you should go."

"Who is he? Who is this guy? Why can't you see that he's toxic? You're a good person. You deserve someone good in return."

"Noah, you should go."

"You have to reject him."

Annoyed, I spill, "I can't reject him, okay? I can't reject him."

"Why not? You're only holding yourself back."

"Because he's an Alpha, Noah. I can't reject an Alpha."