Chapter 69 Let it be just us I

Chapter 69: Chapter 69 Let it be just us I

What was going through his head was complicated, but Noah didn’t think falling in love with them had ever been part of the plan.

But could it be?

"I genuinely don’t know," Noah admitted softly.

That was the truth.

He had never spent time with a man before. He didn’t know how love worked, let alone what being a good boyfriend meant. Everything about this was unfamiliar.

"I don’t know how any of this works. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do or if I’m even doing the right thing. I’m not even sure I’d make a good boyfriend."

He stopped himself before he became too emotional.

Noah had never allowed himself to let go around the alphas before, but somehow this conversation flowed so naturally that he found himself lowering every wall he had spent years building.

Being strong all the time was exhausting.

Pretending nothing affected him was even worse.

Now that he thought about it, it felt as though the weight of the entire world had been placed on his shoulders, a responsibility he never asked for but could no longer escape.

Lying in the middle of them with the four alphas surrounding him, some resting against his chest while others held him gently, none of them interrupted.

They simply listened.

"It feels like..." Noah swallowed. "It feels like I’m stealing someone else’s life. I don’t want to feel that way... but I can’t help it."

His head rested against Damian’s broad shoulder while Damian’s fingers slowly kneaded the tense muscles around his neck.

Marcus was the first to speak.

"In a way, Ashton... I can’t explain it either, but I knew something about you had changed."

His lips curved into a small smile.

"I noticed it the day you left Harold’s infirmary."

He chuckled softly.

"But honestly... I’d choose this version of you over and over again."

Noah looked up.

Marcus’ eyes held nothing except sincerity.

"Funny enough..." Marcus scratched the back of his neck. "I don’t really know anything about love either."

He laughed awkwardly.

"But I want to learn."

His gaze met Noah’s.

"If you’ll let me."

He reached for Noah’s hand carefully.

"I’m not perfect, Ash. I’ll probably make mistakes... but let me learn beside you."

His voice became quieter.

"Be my muse."

The emotions inside those amber eyes were so deep that Noah almost forgot how to breathe.

"It might be too early," Marcus continued.

"But I don’t want to become a better person for anyone else."

A gentle smile appeared on his lips.

"I like the person I become whenever I’m with you."

His fingers squeezed Noah’s hand.

"So... I don’t want anyone else."

The words wrapped themselves around Noah’s heart so gently that accepting almost became instinct.

In another world...

In another life...

He would have said yes immediately.

But wasn’t this dangerous?

Could they even be together?

"He really is a sweet talker," Killian muttered with a click of his tongue.

He lifted his head from Noah’s chest before standing up.

Running a hand through his messy green hair, he paced around the room restlessly.

"But Marcus is right."

He stopped walking.

"You asked for time."

"I’ll give you all the time you need."

His emerald eyes softened.

"But making you mine..."

He smiled helplessly.

"...that’s all I can think about."

He slowly walked back until he stood before Noah.

"The school isn’t safe anymore."

His voice carried unusual seriousness.

"But you’ll always be safe in my arms."

He lowered himself onto one knee.

"I can’t move forward until you accept me."

His breathing shook slightly.

"I won’t choose anyone else."

"I’ll love you until the day I die."

A tiny laugh escaped him.

"You’ve intrigued me ever since you stepped into this school."

His smile widened.

"But after that accident..."

He placed a hand over his chest.

"...something inside me woke up."

"I realized I was already in love with you."

His voice cracked.

"So..."

He looked directly into Noah’s eyes.

"Please."

"Be my man."

Silence filled the lodge.

"I don’t mind waiting," Killian whispered.

"I’ll wait for your answer, my little kitten."

The affection shining inside those emerald eyes made Noah’s own sting.

They were asking him to become their boyfriend.

It was actually happening.

Even in the novel, they hadn’t confessed until much later.

He remembered reading reviews where readers complained that the romance had taken forever.

Ironically, he had never even reached those Chapters.

Now the confession was happening before his eyes.

To him.

He didn’t know what to say.

He was terrified of saying the wrong thing.

Damian gently intertwined their fingers.

"I’m cursed, Ashton."

His calm voice immediately drew everyone’s attention.

"It’s nothing new."

He smiled faintly.

"I’ll receive my destined mate soon."

His eyes lowered.

"If I don’t..."

He paused.

"...the curse will eventually consume me."

His crystalline eyes lifted toward Noah once again.

"But I’ve already made my choice."

"It’s you."

His thumb brushed across Noah’s knuckles.

"I’d rather spend whatever time I have left beside you."

Even if it meant dying.

"If my last breath is in your arms..."

He smiled peacefully.

"...then I’ll accept it."

"You are the one I’ve chosen."

"So become my mate."

"Let me be your man."

"I’ll spend every day making sure you’re treated like the queen you are."

He bowed his head and pressed a gentle kiss against Noah’s palm.

"Don’t say things like that."

Noah’s voice trembled.

"You won’t die."

His free hand instinctively reached toward Damian’s face.

"We’ll find a cure."

"We’ll do it together."

The words escaped before he realized what he’d said.

Together.

He had unconsciously included himself in Damian’s future.

Noah couldn’t deny it anymore.

Despite all his fear...

Despite all his hesitation...

A part of him desperately wanted this.

He craved it.

For the first time since childhood, the loneliness inside him wasn’t there anymore.

These four had unknowingly filled spaces inside his heart that he never realized were empty.

He could laugh around them.

Smile naturally.

Allow himself to be touched.

Noah, who had always hated people invading his space, had slowly lowered every one of those boundaries for them.

It felt like he had finally found people who truly accepted him.

But...

Could happiness survive in a place like this?

If fate decided to take them away...

Would he survive losing them?

Damian smiled.

But Noah noticed it immediately.

There wasn’t a trace of hope inside those beautiful crystalline eyes.

It was the smile of someone who had grown tired of believing miracles existed.

Throughout the entire conversation, Eugene remained silent.

Unlike the others, he slowly stood and walked toward the window.

Outside, the academy rested peacefully beneath the night sky.

His expression darkened.

He remembered every rumor surrounding Noah.

The possible savior of the Empire.

Someone destined to change everything.

If they dragged Noah into their lives...

Jon’s mission would become impossible.

Finally, Eugene spoke.

"I’m sorry."

His voice was quiet.

"But this relationship can’t happen."

The room froze.

"We need to leave him alone."

"If we truly care about him..."

"...then we have to let him go."

Noah immediately stood.

"So did the others."

"Why, Eugene?" Noah asked.

"Why are you saying this?"

Eugene slowly shook his head.

"This world isn’t built for people like us."

His voice remained firm.

"Have you looked around?"

"Our situation alone is enough."

"If you become involved with us..."

He turned toward Noah.

"...your life will be ruined."

"Over my dead body will I allow that."

Noah clenched his fists.

"No."

His voice came out stronger than expected.

"You don’t get to decide that."

"It’s my choice."

"And..."

His heart pounded painfully.

"I think..."

He swallowed.

"I need this."

Killian quickly grabbed Eugene’s arm.

"Dude... what happened?"

"You like him too."

His voice softened.

"I can see it."

"You love him just like the rest of us."

"Maybe even more."

"So why are you saying this?"

He squeezed Eugene’s shoulder.

"Us being together feels right."

Eugene pushed his hand away.

"It’s for his safety."

His expression never changed.

"Do you honestly think the Emperor would let this happen?"

"If he realizes we’ve abandoned his chosen ward for someone else..."

His jaw tightened.

"He’ll execute Ashton."

"I won’t watch him die because of our selfish decisions."

Noah watched the argument unfold, his breathing growing heavier.

Marcus stepped forward.

"This is supposed to be a happy moment."

"Don’t ruin it."

Eugene scoffed.

"Happy?"

He looked at every one of them.

"Have any of you actually thought this through?"

"Accepting Ashton means rejecting our engagement."

"The Emperor arranged those engagements himself."

"You know exactly what happens if we break them."

"The Empire will turn against him."

Killian’s patience finally snapped.

His fist crashed into the nearby window.

Glass shattered across the floor.

"To hell with the Emperor!"

His furious voice echoed through the lodge.

"And to hell with that engagement!"

"I’ll never marry that woman."

His breathing became uneven.

"She tried to destroy Ashton!"

"Can’t you see that?"

Eugene’s expression remained cold.

"And what about us?"

He looked straight at Killian.

"Have you forgotten what we did to him?"

"We made his life miserable."

"Now suddenly we’re in love?"

He laughed bitterly.

"I’m not risking his future because we finally realized our feelings."

"That’s final."

Every word struck Noah like a blade.

Marcus and Damian walked over to stand beside him.

"I choose Ashton," Marcus declared.

"So do I," Damian added without hesitation.

Both of them reached for Noah’s hands.

Tears finally spilled down Noah’s cheeks.

"Maybe..."

His voice broke.

"Maybe I shouldn’t be here."

"I don’t want to be the reason you all fight."

A painful smile appeared on his face.

"Maybe coming here was a mistake."

Before anyone could stop him, Noah turned and ran.

The lodge door slammed behind him.

Killian instinctively took a step forward.

It was already nighttime.

The academy wasn’t safe after dark.

He wanted to chase after Noah immediately.

Instead, he turned toward Eugene.

His fists shook with anger.

"You know what?"

His voice trembled.

"Screw you."

"You don’t get to drag me into this."

"I love him."

"We all do."

"So what’s your problem?"

Marcus’ patience shattered as well.

His roar filled the room.

"Leave."

His chest rose and fell violently.

"Get out of my lodge."

Now."

Without waiting for an answer, he shoved the door open.

Eugene stopped before crossing the doorway.

"You’ll understand someday."

His voice remained calm.

"I’m doing this for his safety."

The door slammed shut before he could finish.

Silence settled inside the room.

Marcus dragged both hands through his hair.

"Damn you, Eugene..."

His voice cracked.

"Damn you."

Just moments ago, Noah had been lying against his chest.

Comfortable.

Safe.

Happy.

Now everything had fallen apart.

His eyes slowly wandered toward the portrait hanging on the wall.

His parents.

Two men embracing each other with peaceful smiles.

Marcus stared at it for a long time.

"Why..."

His whisper echoed inside the empty lodge.

"Why did I have to be born a prince?"

His knees finally gave out beneath him.

"Can’t I have the kind of love you both found?"

His eyes became red.

"Why does mine have to be different?"

"And why..."

His voice cracked completely.

"...why do I have to be betrothed to that demon?"

He buried his face in both hands as silent tears slipped through his fingers.

Just one day.

One single day.

He would run away with Ashton.

To hell with society.

To hell with the Empire.

And to hell with the entire world.