Two hours later… Noah's p.o.v
"Everything is now in order as soon as there is a drop in the economy. Soon these selected places here, we can penetrate this market and grow our profits."
"I will retire soon… So that will be your project, son."
"Dad you still have a good fifty years ahead."
"Haha. Fifty years instead of retiring is a stretch, I think it is time to enjoy the fruits of my labour."
"True. But father you know every time you leave; I will cover you."
"No son. In ten years, I will step down and as my only Alpha heir, I trust you with the pack and it's businesses."
"Then once it is mine, we will trade worldwide and online. We will offer what our competitors don't, worldwide start up."
"Again, son that is your project. I do wish you fruits for your research and wisdom to implement your ideas. I hear Jayden and his human friend are doing well with their prototype development, if he is interested and you open to the idea... I think he will be great asset to your ideas especially since his machinery and prospects have great potential in terms of growth and pack prosperity."
"We have been working on that project together; I decided to assist them with the security part of the Smart House system. And so far, there currently over five companies satisfied with our system and a pending list interested. I just don't have the time to do everything, but I will get a team down the line who will assist me in Moon. Dad, you've given me four years to enjoy my youth, I use these projects as hobbies I do in my free time."
"Fine. Just know that when I was your age, I never got a chance to be so frivolous in my choice and laziness, but I am proud of the man you are becoming. I am proud of you son."
"Thank you, dad. I guess."
His father clasped his hand and by the hand shake alone he felt the amount of respect and pride in his father's stature. With business out of the way they walked in the living room to find it empty.
"Where did they go?" -Xing
"Mam Mia. Did you see my mother?"
"No Mr Zheng."
Calling his wife, he got her to answer before Alex picked up her phone. She was laughing at something mom must have said.
"Noah, we are coming there we just cleaning up. I will drop the call now."
"Son they are fine. Your mother said they were painting downstairs. Common you look so senseless right now, this is the only wine we have left."
Drinking the bitter taste of the red liquid easing his tension. When his fated finally showed up her face and clothes with smudges of dried paint. She looks so adorable that he decided to take a picture of her inconspicuously.
"Everyone let us go get some rest. Tomorrow Logan and his future bride is coming." -Noah
"Xing how dare you rush me? I was enjoying our daughters-in-law company."
Dad was getting his ear chewed off and his Axx faced him suddenly awkward. Hugging him close they went to his bedroom. Alex spoke casually, unaware of how deeply her words cut.
"Why were you worried? Your mother is delightful. I don't get why she retired, though. She's passionate, gifted at putting people at ease, driven, smart, and extremely insightful. I mean, why would she give up a clear road to success and building a name for herself?"
Noah froze. Her words stalled his breath. His mother's story wasn't one easily shared especially not casually. Rather than answer, he gently pinned her against the cold wall, using touch to escape the conversation.
"Not today," she murmured, kissing her neck. "We need to get the… uh… mm…"
Alex placed a hand on his chest, stopping him mid-sentence.
"Noah, stop. Just because the blood was a false alarm doesn't mean we shouldn't be careful. We need… bigger. Condoms."
She slipped from his grasp. The intimacy of the night before hadn't been planned. It was a heat-of-the-moment kind of thing. Now, the practical side of her was stepping in.
"Why?" he asked, his voice low, confused.
"We didn't use them yesterday."
"Yes. But yesterday we didn't have a choice. We were both horny, caught up in the moment. We can't keep doing that, Noah. Please."
His chest tightened. He stepped back calmly and grabbed his toiletries without another word.
"I'll go take a shower."
But not before he quietly released his frustration physically and emotionally beneath the rushing water.
Alex called softly from the other side of the door.
"Noah?"
He stepped out, towel around his waist, eyes sharp with a sudden resolve.
"Wait here. I'll be right back."
He didn't offer any explanation. He couldn't. Not when he himself didn't fully understand the distance growing between them.
Noah jumped into his car and drove off to the nearest store. The conversation with Alex weighed on his mind, but deeper beneath that was something heavier doubt. Was it something his mother had said? Was his family too much for her? Or was it the age difference?
She was older by no more than three years, but that didn't matter to him. She was still his little wolf. His fated. His forever. He thought about asking his father for advice, but the awkwardness of that conversation made him quickly scrap the idea. At the store, he grabbed two tubs of her favourite ice cream butterscotch with chocolate chips and vanilla… then he reached for two boxes of condoms. His powerful energy filled the space, his aura making the cashiers look away nervously.
One of the women behind the register squealed softly. Last time they saw Noah the Deucalion, he was still a wild, unattached prince. Now he stood in front of them with protection and dessert settling down. Maturing. Their curious gazes lingered on the characters marked on the condom boxes. Noah didn't care.
"Hey. Noah, it has been a while."
Yeah, and it has been over. What is the point?
"Emma, right?"
"No. It is Emmy."
"Oops. Okay. Sorry for that but he really must leave."
"Mmmn. Okay. Nice to meet you again. Bye."