Chapter 60: Master’s son
Noelle made his way toward Thorne’s office, his footsteps light yet purposeful. Over the past few months, he had grown accustomed to life here, in this grand estate that was now his home. It had its own charm—different from their life on the hill, but charm nonetheless. One of those charms was seeing Thorne in his element, so commanding and authoritative. Thorne in his formal wear, with that air of dominance that seemed to precede him, sent shivers down Noelle’s spine. Nothing got him going quite like that. More than once, Noelle had jumped on him the moment Thorne walked into a room, his irresistible magnetism impossible to ignore. Thorne had been confused at first, but certainly not complaining.
Lately, Noelle had been thrust into a whirlwind of lessons on etiquette, noble customs, and other such refinements. Apparently, it wasn’t quite time for him to be seen in society, at least not until he mastered the rigid formalities of noble life. Why did they need such specific ways of eating, drinking tea, or even handling utensils? It all seemed like nonsense to him, yet he complied—if only to make Thorne’s life a little easier. Still, today wasn’t about his lessons. Today was about seeing Thorne.
Approaching the office, Noelle noticed the guard posted outside looking startled, a slight shift in the man’s expression setting off alarm bells in Noelle’s mind. Something wasn’t right. He came here every day—there was no reason for anyone to be surprised by his arrival.
Then it hit him. Omega pheromones. His stomach twisted with anger. Who dared to intrude in Thorne’s office, reeking of those pheromones? Fury simmered beneath the surface as he walked past the guard, not even bothering to acknowledge him. The man didn’t dare stop him anyway. No one touched Noelle, not after what had happened a few weeks ago when a particularly foolish guard had dared lay a hand on him. The poor man left with four fractured ribs, a bruised face, and a broken arm, courtesy of Thorne. Noelle smiled at the memory—his husband was nothing if not fiercely protective.
Noelle opened the heavy doors without knocking, stepping into the room with purpose. And there, standing in front of Thorne’s desk, was a blonde omega. His eyes immediately narrowed, tension gripping him like a vice. So, this is it, he thought darkly. He had been waiting for the inevitable—a swoop of beautiful omegas eager to latch onto his husband now that Thorne had regained his status and power.
Thorne looked up as soon as Noelle entered, his sharp blue eyes softening as they landed on him. "My star," Thorne greeted, standing up from his desk as if Noelle’s presence was the only thing that mattered in the room.
The blonde omega turned to face Noelle, his beauty undeniable, with a slender frame that was accentuated by finely tailored clothing. Noelle could see how others might be intimidated, maybe even captivated by his appearance—but all Noelle felt was a simmering resentment.
"Oh..." the omega muttered, clearly caught off guard by Noelle’s sudden appearance.
Oh, what? Noelle thought, seething internally. He didn’t let it show, though, instead walking past the omega with deliberate grace, heading behind Thorne’s desk. Without hesitation, Noelle wrapped his arms around Thorne’s waist, pressing his body close against his husband’s. It was a silent yet unmistakable claim, and Thorne responded instinctively, kissing Noelle’s temple with a tenderness that sent a surge of satisfaction through him.
He saw the flash of jealousy in the omega’s eyes, a brief flicker of emotion that only fueled Noelle’s resolve. The intruder had lost this game before it even began.