Chapter 81 Wanting to mark him.

Chapter 81: Chapter 81 Wanting to mark him.

Before Eugene had fully accepted the idea of Noah becoming his boyfriend, a quiet certainty had settled over the group. The alphas had planned this meeting carefully, because not long ago they had all realized the same truth: they were falling hard for Noah. Denial no longer worked. The signs had been obvious—the soft smiles that lingered too long, the protective instincts that flared at the smallest threat, the way each of them reacted to him through the lens of their own private struggles.

It had started the day before Noah entered their lives in any real way. Killian had been the first to voice the fear. Rumors of the emperor’s possible visit to the academy had unsettled him deeply. No matter how strongly they felt, the emperor remained the greatest danger. They all knew how he would react once he learned Ashton was the new mate instead of Sylvia. Punishment would be swift and brutal. They might be forced away from Noah entirely—or lose him forever.

So Killian’s solution had been simple and fierce: keep him safe, mark him, and pull him deeper into their circle.

They gathered that evening at Killian’s lodge. Although the Moonlight Alphas shared dormitory rooms, each of them also kept a private lodge scattered across the academy grounds. Killian’s was the most secluded, tucked among old trees and quiet paths, making it the natural place for a meeting that needed absolute privacy.

Inside, the air felt heavy. Killian stood near the low table, his expression serious.

"I know we all understand why I called this gathering," he began. "It’s about the situation we now share—a particular beauty I can’t lie about wanting to claim. I’m dying to mark him at last, and I’m not the only one feeling it, even if the rest of you pretend otherwise."

Eugene’s breath caught. The idea of marking Noah sent a wave of overwhelming heat through him, almost euphoric. The thought of the beauty beneath him was enough to drive a man mad. Why wouldn’t he want that?

Yet they all understood the weight of such a choice. Marking an omega you were dating meant a bond for life. If the feelings were genuine, breaking it could drive a person mad or kill them with pain. If the feelings were false, the bond would simply fade. This was no small decision.

Marcus spoke first, careful as always. "The idea is good. But isn’t it too serious? Shouldn’t we think this through? We all know what happens after marking. You can’t just walk away later. You could lose your mind or die from the pain."

He paused, then added, "This is a massive commitment. We’ve never done anything like this. Let’s calm down and really consider it."

Damian took over before the silence could stretch. "Maybe that’s how it is for you. But I don’t think there’s anyone else I want to spend my time with, Marcus. Especially not with my curse. Who else would accept me? Ashton doesn’t look at me the way others do. That alone shows how special he is. Why would I trade someone like him for cheap freedom that might get me killed?"

Marcus stared at him, unsure how to answer. It wasn’t that he didn’t want this. Having Noah accept him would be an honor. But he didn’t want the decision to feel like duty. They were talking about becoming a family. He needed it to be real, without extra fractures later.

Killian’s face stayed neutral, almost cold. "It sounds like you have a problem with it, Marcus. You can refuse. The rest of us can move ahead."

"Hey, don’t say it like that," Marcus shot back. "You’re not the only ones who love him. I do too."

Killian still looked unconvinced. "Are you sure? If you don’t want this, back down now. Same for you, Eugene. Remember how you used to be against Ashton and always sided with Sylvia. If you want to leave, go."

Eugene didn’t stand. He stayed seated, hazel eyes thoughtful and steady.

"You didn’t see me get up and walk out," he said quietly. "That means I’m in support. I don’t have to talk much yet. Just know this—we are not going to force him. Let him decide on his own. His happiness has to be the end goal."

Killian’s expression softened into a grin as he turned toward him. "That’s nice of you, Eugene. I don’t know what Ashton did to change you this much, but I’m fucking loving it. Better not slip back into your old ways." The words carried a thin edge of playfulness mixed with real warning.

All eyes shifted to Damian, who had been staring at the floor.

"I already said I was in support," Damian replied. "Why would I change now? Any happiness of Ashton’s is my happiness too."

The words seemed to steady Killian. He straightened and began laying out the plan more clearly.

"The goal is to get stronger. I know ways we can do that. On the other side, we need to find a way to get rid of that emperor."

The room stiffened at once. Tension thickened the air.

Marcus’s voice dropped. "That’s playing with fire. Look at what we’re already doing—it’s deadly enough with the emperor involved. Treason means death. Have you forgotten how powerful he is, or do I need to remind you?"

Killian groaned. "How long do you plan to stay under his control? Look at our parents. They’re kings, yet they can’t move without his approval. That’s imprisonment without the chains. I don’t want to live like that anymore. You can choose differently, but I refuse. I’m tired. He’s ruining lives, and I won’t let him ruin my family or my love life—and that includes Ashton. I’ll end him even if I have to do it alone."

Eugene watched everything unfold in silence. Beyond the question of Noah’s safety, he offered no further opinion on the emperor. The room itself was bound by old magic; secrets spoken here could not be repeated outside without destroying one’s soul core. That was why Killian had chosen this place.

When Killian finally ended the meeting, his voice was firm.

"Now it’s up to all of you. Let’s get Ashton with us, secure our lives, discard the emperor, and live happily ever after with him."

He walked out, leaving the others alone with their thoughts.

Eugene stayed seated a little longer, already prepared in his mind to go forward with the plan. Then a hawk landed at the window with a sealed letter from his mother.

He broke the seal and read:

*The emperor is on his way. I hope you are still together with Sylvia, because he is coming to the school in a rage. The rumors have reached him—that you have all chosen a new person instead of his ward. He intends to end things. I don’t know exactly how, but I am afraid. Also, the empire of Quintorian has become a haven of danger. He will bring you all back soon to deal with the threats. I hope you are ready.*

*Much love, your mother.*

Eugene’s eyes widened. The fear he had carried earlier flared hotter and sharper. In that moment the entire plan shifted. Marking Noah, pulling him deeper into their circle, declaring anything publicly—all of it suddenly looked like a path that could get the boy killed. Better that Noah remain free and alive than bound to them and dead.

A sharp regret cut through him. He thought of how close he had come to risking the fragile relationship they were only beginning to build.

Fuck them all, he decided coldly. It was time for the Moonlight Alphas to take a real stand—not by dragging Noah into danger, but by facing the emperor themselves and protecting the one person who had somehow changed everything.