#2 When the Moon Turns Red

Evie

“Noah?” I asked, peeking out from my closest. Noah was sitting in the living room, staring at my book collection.

“Yes, love?” He replied.

“Can I ask you something about Russell?” Noah sighed and got up from the couch, walking around the living room to meet me.

“What do you want to know?”

“How did he get out of the packhouse?” Sawyer had told me that Russell was being kept in the dungeon of the packhouse. Who even has dungeons anymore?

“I thought that you probably wouldn’t approve of me executing him,” He paused, eyeing me,

“You thought correctly.” I agreed, not even shocked by the fact that execution was an acceptable form of punishment for the pack,

“Right, so I banished him from our territory. I escorted him to the freaking stateline in hopes that he would have the good sense to leave. Apparently, I was wrong.” Noah grumbled.

“Thank you for thinking about me and not having him murdered.” I said plainly. Noah chuckled softly at my expression.

“You’re welcome, baby.” He quickly kissed me and helped me fold my clothes inside my suitcase.

“Everleigh.” Noah said after a few moments of silent packing.

“Mhm?” I hummed.

“You know there will most likely come a time when I will have to kill to protect you, and I won’t hesitate, not for one second.” Noah’s voice was fierce, pulling my attention away from the packing and towards my mate.

“I know, but that’s different than an execution. That will be for my protection. Sentencing someone to death is for revenge.” I said.

“He is a threat to you. He said so himself.” Noah argued,

“I should have stuck to my gut and kept him in the dungeon.” I studied Noah’s face closely. I could tell how much he was struggling with the concept of keeping him alive, it was against everything in his nature. He was overcome with regret. I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards me,

“I still think you made the right decision and I hope that you’ll do it again if you catch him.” I said. Noah grumbled,

“It’s your choice, anyway.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“His offense was against you so the punishment is up to you.” He explained.

“Really?” I was surprised. Noah frowned,

“Really.” He mumbled.

“Does this have to do with the Luna thing?”

“It does.” He replied, kissing my forehead gently.

“Well then I say banish him, just like you were going to before. If he comes back onto our territory again, you can do whatever you want to him.” I suggested. Noah’s face broke out into a grin,

“I can live with that,” he said, nuzzling his face into my neck,

“Mostly because I like how you called it our territory.” He added. I blushed deeply. I didn’t realize I had said that, but I knew it was true. After spending three days away from Noah and the wolves I had grown to love, I felt something inside me give in. I was ready to commit myself to the mate bond and everything that came with it.

“The pack might take some convincing though. Everyone knows he hurt you, they know he’s a threat to you and they all want a piece of him. They won’t like the idea of letting him go.” Noah said as we went back to packing. I was shocked to hear this,

“Just like that, they hate him?” I asked. I heard Noah chuckle from inside the closet as he handed out more of my clothes.

“You really aren’t grasping how all this works, are you, little mate?” He walked back towards the bed where I was folding clothes and leaned down, pressing his lips to mine.

“Every single person here will die for you, just like that. They love you almost as much as I do.” Noah winked at me, leaving me staring with my jaw on the floor. He chuckled and left me standing there in shock as he retreated to the bathroom. I scrambled away from the bed and burst into the bathroom. Noah was gathering up my bathroom supplies with an amused expression on his face.

“You can’t just drop that on me, Noah!” I cried at him. Noah started laughing as he handed me my toothbrush. I swatted at his hand, uninterested in oral hygiene right now.

“It’s not like you didn’t already know.” He shrugged, grabbing one of my empty cosmetic bags and packing it full.

“But, you’ve never said it before. It’s so soon.” I mumbled, grabbing the bag from Noah’s hands and forcing him to take this seriously. He wrapped his arms around my tiny frame, smiling.

“It’s okay if it’s too soon for you, Everleigh. But, I was ready to say it from day one, I only didn’t to make you feel less overwhelmed.” Noah admitted. I pressed my forehead into his chest and muttered incoherently. Noah chuckled,

“It’s okay, little mate, I don’t expect you to say it back yet. I just couldn’t wait any longer after being away from you for so long.” He pulled his face back to mine,

“Are you okay?” He asked me. I nodded, biting my lip,

“You’re just so perfect.” I laughed.

“Perfect for you.” He tapped my nose with his fingertip and I giggled playfully.

“You’re also a good packer.” I laughed at him as he finished with my bathroom bag.

“Can’t you tell how desperately I want you with me?” He grinned, wiggling his eyebrows at me. I rolled my eyes at him and left him in the bathroom.