Chapter 13
The next morning, Nosi stood in front of the mirror, brushing her hair slowly. Her reflection was different now. Her eyes had more fire. Her shoulders stood straighter. Last night's confrontation with Andrew had left her shaken—but not broken. If anything, it reminded her how far she had come.
A knock came at her door. She opened it to find Fred leaning casually against the frame, dressed in black and silver.
"Mind if I come in?" he asked.
"Sure," she replied, stepping aside.
Fred entered and closed the door behind him. "Word around the house is your ex-boyfriend showed up."
Nosi raised an eyebrow. "Do your demons gossip?"
He gave her a slight smile. "Only when it concerns someone important."
She sighed. "Yes, he came. He begged. Apologized. Got angry. Typical Andrew. He wanted things to go back to the way they were."
"And you said no."
"Of course," she replied. "But part of me felt… sad. Not because I want him back, but because I wasted so much time believing he loved me."
Fred's expression softened. "You didn't waste anything. You learned. And you grew stronger."
She looked at him, genuinely touched. "Thanks, Fred."
"You don't have to thank me. I just hate seeing you doubt yourself. You've come too far."
Their eyes locked. The tension between them thickened. Fred stepped closer, his presence consuming the room. Nosi's breath caught in her throat.
"But Nosi," he continued, voice low, "You need to know something. Andrew's return wasn't a coincidence."
Her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"I've been keeping an eye on him. And Ruth. They're working together again."
Nosi's eyes widened. "What?"
"He went to see her after you turned him down. I don't know what their next move is yet, but they're planning something."
A cold shiver ran through her spine. "She won't stop until she ruins me."
Fred took her hand gently. "Then we won't let her."
---
Meanwhile, at Ruth's elegant but cold estate, Andrew paced the living room like a caged animal.
"This isn't working," he barked. "She's stronger now. She has him—Fred. He's not normal, Ruth. I don't know what he is, but he's dangerous."
Ruth calmly poured herself tea, unbothered. "You're only panicking because you failed. You underestimated her. Just like I warned you not to."
Andrew shot her a glare. "And you underestimated Fred."
"I never underestimate anyone, Andrew. I adapt." She took a sip. "That's why we're not going to break her spirit this time—we're going to break her trust."
He frowned. "What does that mean?"
"It means we make her doubt Fred. Make her think he's using her. Then, when she's vulnerable again, you step in—this time as the savior, not the beggar."
Andrew narrowed his eyes. "That won't work. She trusts him."
Ruth's eyes gleamed. "Then we give her a reason not to."
---
Back at the mansion, Nosi and Fred walked through the garden path. She looked around, then back at him.
"Fred… I need to ask you something."
He looked at her seriously. "Anything."
"Why do you protect me the way you do?" she asked. "I mean… I'm still just figuring out who I am. I'm not powerful yet. I'm not even sure I believe all this 'mate' stuff. But you… you keep showing up for me."
Fred paused, his eyes steady. "Because I've waited centuries for you, Nosi. And when I found you, I knew. Even if you don't believe in fate, I do. But more than that… I see your strength, your heart. You don't need to be powerful yet. You already are."
Her lips parted, surprised at how deeply his words hit. She stepped closer, barely a breath between them.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
"I know," he said. "But I'm right here."
Their hands found each other's. Fred leaned down slowly, pressing his forehead to hers. His breath fanned her lips, and she trembled—not from fear, but from how much she wanted him. And yet, he didn't move further. Neither did she.
They stayed like that—heartbeats synchronized, breaths mingled—needing no words.
No kiss. No touch.
Just connection.
It was more intimate than anything she'd ever experienced.
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