Page 45 of Noah

“Do you do this for all your people?” Noah was sure they didn’t need to be led like children, not like him.

A huff of amusement emanated from his beast. It liked the Alpha. There was a solid core to his beast, yet he was brutally honest and open with his people.

Noah’s beast sniffed the air cautiously and found the Alpha’s core was indestructible. It approved of Drey’s strength.

It was wary around Cain because he was lethal…unpredictable. It knew how furious Cain would become if someone unknown was around his mate.

Noah’s beast admired Cain, and treated him respectfully, and by carefully considering each new Number the Alphas had a fine system of placing Numbers right where they needed to be for their well-being.

With Drey he was more relaxed, maybe that’s why Drey claimed him.

“There were a lot of bad feelings going around because we’d never saved an isolated person.” Drey grinned widely, mischief in his eyes. “It’s obvious the females are desperate to mother you. They seem to think you need to be taken care of and that you must crave touch.”

Noah cringed. There was no way he wanted fifty or so females hounding him and trying to invade his space. He licked his lips and tried to figure out how to politely say, “Hell no.”

Drey laughed before he could say anything. “Don’t worry, I can tell from your face that’s the last thing you want. We recommended they take things slowly. Don’t be surprised if females stop by to say hello to you.” Drey grinned, his voice filled with a depth of love Noah couldn’t fathom. “They’re harmless.”

He nodded. “I’m not sure how Adrienne would feel about them visiting.”

Drey glanced at the door and then looked at Noah with consideration. “Have you spoken to her?”

“Apart from pleasantries?” He snorted. “She’s been locked inside her head, and I have too.” Noah rubbed his hands over his face in frustration. “We got stuck.”

“Stalemate!” Drey stroked his chin thoughtfully, while Noah cocked his head in confusion. “It’s a chess term,” Drey explained. “In chess, two players play against each other to win the board. Stalemate describes a situation where progress is impossible.”

“What can I do to break out of the stalemate?” Noah asked, wondering if there were any strategies, he could use to win her over.

“You begin a new game. It’s time to do things differently.” He shot him a sly look, his eyes positively dancing. “Play to win.”

“Play to win,” he repeated.

Trying to win Adrienne’s affection could fail.

She was there because of a lie. It would remain a lie until he revealed his manipulations and how he would keep her there afterwards.

Shaking off morose thoughts, he asked, “Can she visit her storage today?”

Worry like a sour plume suddenly wafted from Drey.

“Yes. I should warn you…” Drey trailed off.

Noah’s beast was immediately on alert, a dangerous growl filling his throat.

“We moved her things to the storage space like she asked while the landlord oversaw us—like we would steal anything or trash his place.” Drey rolled his eyes. “Anyway, we caught a female scent inside.”

“Inside where?”

“Inside the storage unit. There were faint traces everywhere, as though the person had visited recently but didn’t stay or touch anything.”

“Should they be able to access her storage? Isn’t it locked?”

Drey shrugged, blowing out a frustrated breath. “Yeah. They have locks and codes to get in. Not to mention the security guards up front must verify you. There are effective safety procedures in place. I don’t know how this female got in there without having a key. Could it be her mum?”

When she spoke about her Mum Noah was left with the impression of grief, of old sadness that had settled with time.

“I’ll ask her,” Noah said. Drey opened his mouth to speak, just as Noah shouted. “Ren!” Drey closed his mouth with a muffled laugh.

Noah shrugged. “What?”

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