Fake Mate of the Drogomor Alpha

Chapter 3 : Cold. Cold. Cold Shower.

I tossed and turned for an hour that night unable to banish my worries about the wolf in the forest, only to find my mind switching relentlessly to the memory of Noah's close proximity and cavalier proposal in his study.

My wolf purred and buried my head in the pillow. I had made it through the rest of the day without giving the sensations Noah created in me another thought. He was just playing some game, and I knew better than to do anything other than ignore it.

But in the quiet of the night, I couldn't ignore the brief images that his words produced, and I couldn't deny the temptation was there.

I needed a cold shower.

I jumped from the bed and stripped down with a shiver as I stepped into the chilled stream. Goosebumps erupted across my skin as the water chilled me to the bone. I scrubbed myself vigorously, as if I was trying to scrape off Noah's imprint.

By the time I emerged, I felt refreshed and renewed in my resolve.

'Just say no to Noah Black,' I thought. 'Focus on finding his mate and then move on.'

Satisfied I had cleansed myself of Noah's influence, I went back to bed.

Hopefully, keeping our interactions strictly business would prevent any more inappropriate suggestions on his part. I needed to stay focused on my role as his matchmaker, and nothing more.

But finally banishing Noah from my thoughts led right back to thinking of the shifter in the woods.

“Shit."

The sun shone brightly through the window as I slowly opened my eyes. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, before glancing at the clock on my nightstand. 9:30 AM. I let out a groan and rolled over, pulling the covers up over my head.

After getting dressed, I gathered my paperwork for my meeting with Noah. I preferred to be overprepared, reviewing my notes repeatedly until I had every detail memorized.

I made my way back to his study, knowing that I would be ten minutes early and could use that time to steel myself further. Perfect.

Down the winding, fancy halls I went, until I came to the familiar door, the one Noah had pulled me into last evening. My stomach dropped, and I sighed… so much for steeling myself. Well, I couldn't avoid him, so in I went.

He wasn't there.

I made my way inside, feeling nervous energy begin to fill me up. I walked around some of the bookcases and tables, finding a comfortable spot in a well-cushioned chair for the task ahead. I'd taken care of the initial paperwork ahead of time, but it wouldn't hurt to look over my copies again.

I went over them five more times. And then I stood up, crossing my arms.

What time was it? I looked at my phone and realized it'd been twenty minutes. He should have been here ten minutes ago.

I waited another half hour, but he never showed up. I groaned, wondering what in the world could be going on. Putting my paperwork back into my bag, I wandered out of the study and through the mansion, wondering whose attention I could get to ask where I might find him.

Eventually, I found Estella, who was sitting out on the veranda drinking tea. She looked up and gave me a soft smile, tilting her head. “Good morning, Zara. We missed you at breakfast. Is everything okay?" she asked. I contemplated answering honestly, then decided to lighten my words a bit.

“I'm fine. I wasn't very hungry this morning," I said, forcing a smile. I paused, then said, “Noah didn't show up for his meeting. Do you know where I might find him?"

Estella blinked, then frowned, furrowing her brow. “Hm, I saw him heading out not too long ago with Caleb." There was a pause, then something dawned on her. A sorrowful expression crossed her face before she looked at me again.

She said softly, “Today is the anniversary of his mother's untimely death. He must have gone to visit her resting place. I am sorry. I forgot to think of that and let you know."

My heart clenched.

That would explain one of the reasons why Noah may be so closed off and difficult. I nodded, my eyes distant as my heart went out to him and the pain of the loss he must have been feeling.

Even I had to admit it was bad timing to expect him to focus on matchmaking. I shook my head, clearing it, and gave Estella a reassuring smile. “It is no problem," I said honestly. “No need to apologize. I understand entirely."

After leaving Estella, I retreated to my room, lost in thought. My heart ached for Noah and the pain he carried from losing his mother so young. He likely felt that loss profoundly today.

I understood the necessity of my role in finding Noah's true mate. But I also recognized the sensitivity required. Rushing this process would only drive Noah further away. Patience and care were key.

I had to chip through his barriers delicately but steadily, help him see the benefits of opening himself to finding his true mate.

This would be a challenge, and I felt sympathy billow in my belly for him.

With nothing else to do, I decided to take a stroll in the garden.

The sun warmed my shoulders, helping to push back the melancholy of what day it was for the Black family.

I wandered aimlessly, enjoying the time to myself away from the pack mansion. Out here surrounded by the lush blooms, I could clear my head and rethink my approach with Noah.

Voices ahead jolted me from my musings. I slowed my pace, not wanting to intrude. A warrior with a muscular build strode into view, accompanied by a pretty maid with fiery red hair. Their body language indicated an unconscious attraction–the coy tilt of her chin, the intensity of his gaze.

Just then, the maid tripped on a tree root, stumbling against the warrior's broad chest. He caught her reflexively, their faces inches apart. Time seemed suspended as they gazed at each other, stunned by the sudden intimacy.

The charged moment was interrupted by shouts in the distance. The warrior's head snapped up, reminded of his duties. With obvious reluctance, he released the maid, murmuring quick apologies before hastening away.

The maid watched him go, cheeks flushed, touching her fingers to her lips thoughtfully. Their brief encounter had clearly ignited something between them. I smiled knowingly and continued on.

There were no golden strings between them yet, but given time, and a little strategic nudging, soon there could be.

If only things would be that easy with Noah.

***

*Noah*

I couldn't help but give an uncomfortable sneer as I walked to her resting place. She had always been there for me when I needed her the most. The stress of carrying my father's legacy was heavy, but she never told me I was weak for how sensitive I was.

Was.

Everything changed when she died. I knelt there by her grave, placing a white rose by the tombstone and staring at the engraved words.

'Rest in peace, beloved Vivian Black. You will always be remembered for your tender heart and brilliant soul.'

I felt a tear crawl down my cheek that I quickly wiped away.

But she hadn't just died; she was murdered. I remembered every vivid detail of getting the news that day.

​​A panicked howl cut through the din where I waited for my parents to return. I lifted my head to see my father rushing toward me, eyes hooded by a fierce scowl.

"Noah. It's your mother, she's–she's been killed!" he choked out.

I froze, feeling as if the world dropped out from under me. "What? No! That can't be true!" I gasped.

"I'm so sorry, but it is," the healer said wretchedly. "She was helping the injured when a wolf attacked her before we could stop him."

Disbelief and rage battled within me. My gentle mother, who wanted no part of this violence, was murdered by our hated enemies.

I threw back my head and let out an agonized howl, filled with all the grief and pain crashing through me. Everything seemed to pause at the haunting sound.

I was only thirteen.

I felt a hand rest on my shoulder, not bothering to shrug it away as it brought my thoughts back to the present.

“I'm fine," I reassured Caleb, shooting a half-hearted grin over my shoulder.

He, of course, didn't buy the careless act. “She will always be here with you, Noah. It is okay not to be fine."

“I know," I sighed, having heard that countless times before.

Caleb let out a soft sigh. I braced myself for his next words.

“About the matchmaker...."

I narrowed my gaze. Why couldn't my father leave it alone?

His obsession with me getting a mate felt more like I was little more than just some f*****g breeding stud to him, someone who needed to pass on his lineage, nothing else.

Otherwise, he would simply leave me alone to make my own choice when I was ready, if ever to find the next Luna of Drogomor. Our constant fights did nothing to change his mind.

“A pack as important as Drogomor needs a Luna," Caleb reminded me.

“Whose side are you on?"

“I'm always on your side, even when it means telling you what you already know but don't want to hear. To be fair, your father isn't actually forcing you to marry right away."

I shot him a glare, and he stopped short, only to change tactics.

“I remember how happy were with Mirabel–"

I felt my expression darken even further.

“Yes, I was happy with her, but Mirabel… is gone." I said in a dangerously low tone. “I did love her. If mate bonds were still real, mine would have been with her."

I paused, letting out a shaky breath. “I am not interested in any other possibilities. Father needs to get it through his thick-ass head, and so do you, my friend." I reached up and rubbed at my temples.

“Well," Caleb tried again unperturbed. “The matchmaker is an opportunity to find someone–"

I let out a very unamused laugh. “Again with the matchmaker–why don't we test her on you first?"

Caleb's eyes went wide, and we both laughed.

“See? It's no fun when you're the one being examined for a marriage you don't want and you're not ready for."

I stopped laughing and paused to think about the petite ball of matchmaking optimism my father had flung my way. She was cute, but delusional.

“She is just a waste of time. I'm not gullible enough to think that she can find anyone who is really for me. She is here to satisfy my father's pointless and controlling need to find me someone so that I can be that breeding stud he wishes for me to be so badly."

Cable shook his head at me. “That's not true, Noah. Alpha Black is only looking out for the best interest of the pack."

“As always," I muttered.

“You will at least be nice to her."

“I'll be the perfect gentleman," I assured him.

I couldn't help the devilish grin that crossed my lips at the memory of her face when I suggested she just match me with herself. I expected a firm no in response, but I had watched a kaleidoscope of unspoken thoughts flash across her eyes and felt the rapid uptick in the beating of her pulse.

I could tell that for a half second at least she had considered the idea. But ultimately she had refused.

I knew I would never find someone else to fill the hole Maribel left in my heart. But so long as I had to humor the little matchmaker, I would have fun humoring myself as well.