Anderson Palace, Private Balcony, Late Night
Final Glimpse of Noah
The moonlight painted the balcony in silver. Cool wind whispered through the palace gardens below, but Noah didn't shiver.
He stood at the edge, hair tousled by the breeze, dressed in a flowing black silk robe, one hand resting lightly on the marble rail.
Behind him, footsteps approached.
He didn't have to turn to know who it was.
His mate.
His first.
A powerful dominant alpha born from one of the oldest mafia bloodlines, now tied to the royal Anderson name by bond and law.
The alpha's arms wrapped slowly around Noah's waist from behind, strong and familiar.
"You called for me," his deep voice murmured, lips brushing Noah's shoulder. "You should be asleep, darling."
Noah tilted his head slightly, letting the alpha kiss his neck.
But his smile never reached his eyes.
"Tomorrow's important," Noah said softly. "I wanted you to be the first to know…"
The alpha stilled.
"Know what?"
Noah turned, slowly, and looked up at him through half-lidded eyes glowing like embers.
"I've prepared something. A surprise. For you."
The alpha frowned. "What kind of surprise?"
Noah reached up and gently touched his chest, right above the alpha's heart.
"One that will change everything."
His tone was sugar-sweet.
"One that will remind everyone who I belong to… and who belongs to me."
There was a flicker of jealousy in the alpha's gaze, but he masked it with a kiss.
"I don't need a reminder. You're mine."
Noah chuckled, low and amused. Then whispered against his mate's lips:
"For now."
And in the shadows of the night, as the alpha held him close, Noah stared past him—toward the distant horizon.
Toward the future.
Toward the Vincents.
---
Tomorrow, everything would begin.
And no one—not his family, not his mate, not even Samuel Vincent—knew just how far Noah would go to get what he wanted.
All of it.
All of them.
His.
---