Noah hurried down the street, panting slightly. He hadn’t gone to work in four days — which, to be fair, was what happened when three werewolves with bounties on their heads were living in your house.
And one of them was… his lover.
A soft flush crept up his cheeks.
Ugh.
Why was life so complicated?
The heartbreak was over, but the fear wasn’t.
What if Micah did get taken away?
What could Noah possibly do?
He took a steadying breath and pushed open the café door.
And there he was.
Daniel.
The last time they’d spoken was at the party — and that conversation had been anything but pleasant. Noah told himself he could just ignore him. Pretend nothing happened. Pretend Daniel wasn’t standing right there.
You’ve got someone waiting for you, he reminded himself.
A hot, muscled someone.
Noah blushed harder. What was wrong with him?
He slipped into the back, changed into his work clothes, and stepped out — only to walk straight into Daniel.
“I—I’m—” Noah froze. Exactly what he’d been trying to avoid.
“Noah?!” Daniel’s eyes widened. “Where have you been? Why did you ignore my messages?”
Noah tried not to respond. He really did.
“Because I wasn’t in the mood,” he muttered sharply.
Daniel flinched. “Are you… mad?”
“Are you serious right now?” Noah snapped. “Of course I’m mad! You just stood there and let your little friend tear me apart like you bought front-row tickets! And you expect me not to be mad?”
Daniel’s shoulders sagged. “You have every reason to be mad. And I’m really sorry. I should’ve said something instead of pushing you away.”
Noah let out a harsh laugh. “Should’ve, would’ve, could’ve — but you didn’t. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”
He tried to sidestep him, but Daniel caught his hand.
“Noah. I’m sorry. I really am. You have every reason not to want to be my friend again, and I respect that.”
Noah glanced up — and froze. Daniel’s eyes were shiny with tears.
“T-that’s not going to convince me!” Noah snapped, though his heart was beating way too fast.
“I’m not asking for much,” Daniel whispered. “Just your forgiveness.”
Noah’s breath caught.
Why must the universe curse him with attractive men?
He sighed. “Fine. But if you ever hurt me like that again, we’re done.”
He walked away, annoyed — mostly at himself.
Less enemies meant fewer people to worry about betraying him, he guessed.
But… Daniel could be useful.
Maybe.
If Noah trusted him enough.
“Hey, Daniel?”
Daniel brightened instantly. “Yeah?”
“What’s your last name?”
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“Oh — it’s Matthews. Why?”
Matthews.
Could it be…?
“Daniel,” Noah said slowly, “walk me home today, okay?”
He pulled out his phone and texted Micah:
Hey, Mike? I think I found a way to save us all.
Prepare the rope.
---
The walk to Noah’s house was quiet.
Well… Noah was quiet.
In a situation like this, there was no option but to walk in silence and endure the guilt twisting in his stomach. He had just accepted Daniel’s apology. Was it fair to immediately betray him like this?
Noah glanced at Daniel, who was grinning and rambling about nothing at all.
They reached the doorstep.
Noah flashed his most charming smile.
“Daniel? Would you like to come inside?”
“Oh. Umm… sure.” Daniel stuttered slightly.
Why? Why do the people I have to betray always have to be cute?
Noah opened the door and motioned for Daniel to step inside.
“I’m sorry for this…” Noah muttered.
Micah appeared behind Daniel and pressed a pressure point at the base of his neck. Daniel collapsed instantly, unconscious before he even hit the floor. Micah caught him, dragged him inside, and tied him securely to a chair.
--1 hour later--
Daniel’s POV
Daniel blinked awake, vision blurry, head pounding.
He was definitely not home.
And hopefully not kidnapped.
Voices drifted around him — some familiar, others completely foreign. His hands were tied so tightly he couldn’t move a finger. His legs were bound just as firmly.
“Should I kill the human?” one voice asked.
“Ooh! Is he our slave now?” another chimed.
“Ugh… I don’t want to be part of this,” a third groaned.
“Noah, why did you bring him here? You know how I feel about him,” someone snapped.
“I know,” Noah said. “But he might be able to help us.”
Daniel’s gaze snapped to Noah — and then to the three tall figures surrounding him.
Ears.
Tails.
Claws.
His heart stopped.
Daniel’s breath hitched.
Ears.
Tails.
Claws.
Three tall men — no, not men — stood around him like a pack deciding whether he was dinner or a nuisance.
His pulse skyrocketed.
“W?what—what is—Noah?!” Daniel yanked at the ropes, panic rising fast. “Why am I tied up?! Who are they?! What is going on?!”
Nico leaned in way too close. “He’s freaking out. Should I knock him out again?”
“NO,” Noah snapped.
Kael crossed his arms. “I still vote we kill him.”
Daniel made a strangled noise.
The Chief sighed. “We are not killing the human. Yet.”
Daniel made an even worse strangled noise.
Micah stepped forward, expression cold. “You shouldn’t have brought him here, Noah. You know how I feel about him.”
Noah winced. “I know. But he might be able to help us.”
Daniel’s eyes darted between them. “Help you with WHAT?! Why do you have tails?! Why am I tied to a chair?! Why is that one glaring at me like I stole his lunch?!”
“That’s just Kael’s face,” Nico said cheerfully.
Kael growled.
Daniel flinched so hard the chair squeaked.
Noah rushed forward. “Okay! Everyone stop scaring him! Nico, your room. Now.”
“But—”
“Nico.”
Nico pouted but obeyed, tail dragging behind him as he trudged away.
Noah knelt in front of Daniel, trying to look as non-threatening as someone surrounded by werewolves could.
“Daniel… I’m going to explain everything. But you have to stay calm.”
“CALM?!” Daniel squeaked. “I’m tied to a chair in a house full of—of—of—”
“Werewolves,” Kael supplied.
Daniel nearly passed out again.
Noah shot Kael a look. “Not helping.”
Micah huffed. “This is a terrible idea.”
Noah ignored him. “Daniel… listen. We need you because you’re Jacob’s brother.”
Daniel blinked. “Jacob? My Jacob?”
Micah scoffed. “Your psychotic Jacob.”
Daniel’s face fell. “He’s not psychotic. He’s just… complicated.”
Kael snorted. “He put a bounty on us.”
Daniel winced. “Okay, yes, that part is bad.”
“Bad?” Micah snapped. “He wants us dead.”
Daniel swallowed hard. “Look… Jacob’s always been obsessed with mythical creatures. My dad hated it. He always favored me — the ‘normal’ son. Jacob never got attention unless he did something extreme. He’s not doing this because he hates you. He’s doing it because he wants to prove himself to our father.”
The room fell silent.
Even Micah paused.
Daniel looked down. “I’m not defending him. I’m just… explaining.”
Noah exhaled slowly. “Daniel… we need you to help us stop him.”
Daniel nodded shakily. “I will. I promise.”
Micah rolled his eyes. “Great. Fantastic. Wonderful. Can I talk to you for a second, Noah?”
Before Noah could answer, Micah grabbed his wrist and dragged him into the kitchen.
---
Kitchen — Micah & Noah
Micah shut the door behind them, ears pinned back, tail flicking in irritation.
“Noah,” he hissed, “why him? Of all people? After everything he did to you?”
Noah sighed. “Micah… I know. But he’s the only one who can get close to Jacob without raising suspicion.”
Micah crossed his arms, jaw tight. “I don’t like it.”
“I know.”
“I don’t trust him.”
“I know.”
“He hurt you.”
Noah stepped closer, gently wrapping an arm around Micah’s waist. “I know.”
Micah froze, ears shooting straight up, face turning bright red.
“Noah… it’s my job to take care of y—”
“You can take care of me later,” Noah murmured softly, voice soft, sweet, definitely not innocent.
Micah’s brain short?circuited.
“I—uh—w?what—Noah—”
Noah smiled up at him. “Right now, I need you to trust me.”
Micah swallowed hard, cheeks burning. “…Fine. But I’m watching him.”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
Micah huffed, flustered beyond repair — but he didn’t pull away.
Not even a little.
