Chapter 197: The funny storyteller

Elias’s POV

Noah remains asleep as I prepare for our trip. I pack his bag and mine with bitterness. A dominant part of me is tempted to throw out his clothes and leave him stuck with wearing mine. It sounds like a viable plan, but the thought of him being mad at me again makes me rethink.

My toxicity does not enjoy seeing my mate upset.

I head to my bookshelf and read the spines of the arranged books. I need a book on marriage; something on pleasing an omega or appeasing an offended pregnant omega. Unsatisfied with what I have, I pick out the books on persuasion and emotions.

The sound of retching attracts my attention and I stand straighter. Noah is throwing up. Fuck. I throw the books on the bed and rush into the bathroom.

My mate is on his knees and emptying his stomach into the toilet bowl. I stand behind him, dutifully alternating between patting and rubbing his back.

"This suck" he moans and looks up at me with red eyes.

"We can stay back-"

"What? No. I want to travel too" he says and drops his head with a sigh. I don’t know what to do. Should I apologize for his body’s behavior? I did put the baby in him. Should I offer him a kiss on the head? Knowing Noah, he might get offended that I am kissing his head and not his mouth.

My unpredictable angel.

"I need to get up" he murmurs and pulls himself off the floor. He drags his feet to the sink with his eyes half-lidded as he takes his brush. I stand behind him with devotion; I’m doing my duties.

"Do you know that I’ve always liked the idea of travelling?" he asks, meeting my eyes in the mirror. "I used to stay cooped up in my room or at the temple or at some event and the only fun I had was through Zane’s experience" he continues to talk while brushing. The sight is not pleasant, but he’s Noah. Noah can do whatever he wants and make it look good.

I point at the faucet, and he scowls before finishing up. He knows I need him to finish before saying more words. And as he’s eager to continue his storytelling, he stands behind me while I brush.

"I used to fantasize about driving in the night, well...being driven by someone else while I’m drunk, and then I’ll sing something at the top of my lungs as the wind blows my hair around. It sounded romantic in books when I read it. Life is pretty romantic, isn’t it?" he says and suddenly stops talking.

I turn to the side to look at him. The omega looks lost in thought. The little crease of his forehead is telling.

"What is on your mind, Angel?" I ask and he sighs.

"I was just thinking...what if I start singing in the car and like...a bug gets in my mouth and ends up in my throat?"

Silence.

He makes a face, I make a face, we stare at each other for a second, and then he bursts into laughter.

The omega clutches his stomach, bends forward, and laughs like he inhaled something. I don’t laugh with him, but I stare with awe. Why the fuck is he so beautiful just seconds after throwing up?

His bright smile lights up this entire space and I find myself thinking...I need our baby to have his smile. I’ll have to buy more guns, but I will kill to see our child smile as freely as he does.

Noah finally stops laughing. He clears his throat, pulls his loose shirt down, and runs his fingers through his hair. He’s embarrassed as from his cheekbones to his hairline turn pink.

"That wasn’t as funny as I thought it was...right?"

"No, you’re plenty funny" I say in my usual flat tone. The omega squints accusingly at me before abruptly leaving the bathroom. What did I do now?

Brushing quickly, I go after my husband, but he’s not in the room. I swallow the urge to roar his name like an animal abandoned by its owner. (That is a Damien thing. I pride myself to have more class and dignity.)

"Noah" I whine his name as I walk the hallways.

I follow his sweet scent and end up in the dining room. He’s sitting at the table next to my mother. My mom glares at me and I glare in return.

"What?"

"Nice of you to join us, Elias" Mom says and I take my seat. Kai is munching on his cereal and playing a game. Lucas is not here, so I assume he has started the journey with Roman. Damien is not here either, he must be mourning the loss of his wild omega who will never be his.

"Why am I being greeted like a traitor?"

"Why didn’t you laugh at your husband’s joke?" Kai says without looking away from the phone.

"Why are your cheeks red from watching alphas maneuver racecars down tight roads?" I snap at him and Noah gasps scandalously, "Elias Deus!". There he is. My dramatic angel. He turns to my mother, "see?" he exclaims like Siren will pull out a magic wand and fix me. No one can fix me; only Noah can.

"You’re an asshole" Kai says and shrinks into himself. He thinks he’s hiding whatever goes on in his head, but he’s as hidden as a fishtank. I’m sure mother knows but won’t address it unless he’s permitted.

I sit next to my mom while he throws ice-carved daggers at me.

"You are unbelievably rude" he says and I shrug. "He’s such a jerk" Noah adds. His words do nothing to me; I will have him pressed against my body with my mouth on his soon.

I pass a plate of strawberries to him and he side-eyes me before taking it. I take a bite of my pancakes and watch Noah savor his strawberry.

I get to have him to myself for the next few days. And if I want, I’d delay the mission just enough to give him plenty of reasons to smile.