*****Erika''s POV*****


    "If it isn''t Iron w''s newest Alpha."


    I turned towards the familiar voice and ran into his arms. Noir Hart, my male best friend from childhood. Responsibility and duty had separated us for years but that did not mean we had stopped been best friends.


    "Noir, you crazy fellow." I hugged him,ughter and joy filling my heart.


    "Ouch. You hurt my heart, Riri." He was the only one who called me Riri.


    "You came!" I squealed. I was so happy to see him. Noir Hart of Thunderpaw pack. The second strongest pack in Fangoria, and from what I had heard, he was a ruthless Alpha.


    Well, every Alpha had to be ruthless and brutal, it was the only way to retain leadership else one would be thrown off their Alpha throne before they could blink.


    "Of course, I came. Why would I want to miss my best girl''s coronation? That would be an unforgivable sin.” Heughed.


    I smiled. Noir Hart was a tall, handsome guy, though his attractiveness was more dark. His ck hair was the exact same shade of his eyes. But I think he had the most brilliant smile ever.


    He hade to my coronation, and that was the sweetest thing ever. I knew how much it took for him to make that sacrifice especially as an Alpha who had his own pack to rule. I found it endearing that he made out time toe see me.


    After my discussion with Alex, he had looked so dumbfounded that he had not been able to say anything else. I knew the condition I had given to him was crazy and no one would agree to it but he was a desperate man and while I had dismissed him since he was not giving me an answer, I knew he would be back.


    He would return and then, I would begin the game with him in full. I would help him, I already knew that but I was not going to let him know just yet. I had seen the anger on his face but I was unbothered, he had done worse to me.


    After he and Gage had left, Pa, Kat and I had hardly had time to discuss when I was being called into the ballroom. The Elders wanted to see me briefly before they went, they had gone now.


    I''d had to change into another befitting dress and had just finished with them when I heard Noir''s voice. I would recognize that baritone anywhere, any day. It was no news that Noir and I used to crush on each other, but we had never really acted on it.


    Maybe we might have if duty had not called him at such a young age. Kat who had been discussing with some girls she knew from the pack spotted him and rushed over smiling hugely. Noir saw her and beamed too. We had all been together before Noir left and could note as frequently as he used to until he stoppeding finally.


    "If it isn''t Noir of Thunderpaw." Kat hugged him.


    He lifted her knowing how much she disliked it. She hit him, struggling to be put down. "Remind me never toe say hello whenever hees around again, Rika." She directed to me.


    I merelyughed. Noir had always loved lifting Kat that way, I had never really understood why he would want to keep doing things Kat did not want him to. I guess he just loved annoying her, he was always looking for things she hated, then he would end up doing it.


    Kat used to fight him all the time when we were kids, until she stopped after noticing that the more she fought him, the more he annoyed her.


    "You can''t do that, Meow." Heughed.


    Kat narrowed her eyes at him. I could not help theughter, that was Noir for us. He had once said Kat''s name was simr to the feline - cat. And ever since, called her Meow to make his point.


    "And you''reughing." She red at me usingly.


    “I''m sorry but it''s just too funny.” I could not stop theughter, it just kepting.


    Even Noir was deep into it, the hall went silent to stare at us. I sobered up when noticed it and cleared my throat, my first day of being Alpha and I wasughing like a loon before the people I was supposed to be ruting.


    Pa was not in the hall with us, that crazy girl. She imed after the time spent with her mate, she wasz too tired toe out. So she was inside resting. Kat and I had teased her about having too much of Gage. She had shamelessly replied that the love making had been intense and wild, and had even gone on three rounds with him.


    I would not say I was maliciously jealous of her, no I wasn''t. In fact, I was happy for her but I could not help thinking I had a mate who was that affectionate and crazy about me as Gage was about Pa.


    But that time hade and gone, the agreement was if I failed to keep the marriage, I would return to be the Alpha without a mate for eternity. It was a loft price but I had agreed and now it was time to pay it.


    I shook my head away from that thought, it was time to stop dwelling on the past and focus on the present and the future. I had my friends and the Moon Goddess willing, the ten percent chance would increase to fifty and keep increasing until I had my dad back on his feet again, then


    Jace would return and all will be


    well.


    I swallowed, blinked back tears. I should not be ruining this moment, my friends were here with me.


    "Well, I better take me leave since you both have joined hands to tease me." Kat mock red at both of us and walked away.


    "She would never change." Noirmented, observing her.


    "That''s Kat for you." I beamed.


    "You''re still as beautiful as always, Riri." He touched my cheek.


    I smiled brightly. "And you''re still the same wild Noir."


    "Well, I can''t help but be." He extended his arm and I took it. He led me out of the ballroom, down the hallway, we used to run here as children.


    Soon, we were outside. It was getting dark. "So, Noir, tell me how you''ve been."


    He paused. "Before I tell you, there''s something I''d like to get out of the way first."


    I noticed his men were standing guard at the front of the mansion.


    My gaze swept back to him, the happy smile still on my lips. "What?"


    "I still have that crush on you."