**Enzo’s POV**

I stared at Noah, his tears glinting in the dark light of the room. Those tears did something to me, something I didn’t want to admit. My chest tightened, and before I could stop myself, I reached out, my hand brushing his cheek. My fingers wiped away a tear, and his skin was warm, soft, even through the bruises. It felt wrong—too right. My wolf, Moses, growled low in my head, urging me to pull him closer, to claim him. I yanked my hand back like it burned me.

Noah looked up, his eyes wide, confused, but he didn’t pull away. We stared at each other, the air heavy between us. Then he spoke, his voice small but steady. “What should I do?”

I stepped back, putting distance between us. My wolf was too loud, too close to the surface. “Rest,” I said, my voice rougher than I meant. “I’ll send someone with breakfast.”

I turned to leave, needing to get out before I did something stupid. His voice stopped me. “Wait.” I froze, glancing back. He was still standing there, clutching that towel like it was his only shield. “If I’m stuck here,” he said, “I should at least know your name. Who are you?”

I chuckled, the sound bitter. “Enzo,” I said, meeting his eyes. “And you’re Noah.”

He nodded, his face softening for a second. “Yeah. Noah.” Like it was a secret he was sharing.

I knew his name already—Ren told me—but hearing him say it hit different. My wolf stirred again, whining, *Mate*. I ignored it and walked out, the door slamming behind me. Ren was waiting in the hallway, his scarred face blank but his eyes sharp, like he was trying to read me. “Get him breakfast,” I said, not stopping. “Make sure he’s fed. Properly.”

Ren nodded, heading off without a word. I kept walking, my boots heavy on the floor, until I reached my office. The room was dark, all wood and leather, with a desk covered in papers and a gun sitting in the middle. I sank into my chair, staring at the gun. My hand twitched, like I wanted to pick it up, point it at the door, and shoot something—anything—to shut up the noise in my head. But I didn’t. I just sat there, my jaw tight, trying to keep control.

Moses growled again, louder this time. *Why can’t you touch him?* he demanded, his voice sharp in my mind. *He’s our mate. We need to bond with him.*

“He’s human,” I snapped out loud, my voice echoing in the empty room. “I don’t have a human mate. Never will.”

Moses snarled, the sound vibrating through me. *You’re wrong. Step down. Let me take charge.*

I stood, my fists clenched, and growled back. “You don’t make decisions, Moses. I’m in control. Not you.”

He didn’t back down. *We’ve waited years for our mate,* he said, his voice low and angry. *He’s right here, and you’re pushing him away. For what? Pride?*

I froze, my chest tight. He wasn’t wrong. The second I saw Noah’s tears, I wanted to pull him close, tell him it’d be okay. But then I remembered—he’s human. Weak. A liability. My pack would laugh, or worse, turn on me. An Alpha with a human mate? It was unthinkable. I paced the room, my hands shaking, trying to shove the thoughts down.

Moses kept pushing. *He’s ours. You felt it. You want him.*

“Shut up,” I growled, my voice breaking. My head started to spin, a sharp pain cutting through me. My wolf was fighting me, harder than ever. I gripped the desk, my claws scratching the wood. “Don’t you dare take control,” I said, my teeth gritted.

*I can’t wait anymore,* Moses said, his voice like a blade. *I need him. Now.*

My vision blurred, and my eyes burned red. I stumbled to the mirror on the wall, staring at my reflection. My claws were out, my fangs sharp, and my eyes glowed like fire. I was losing it. Moses was pushing harder, clawing at my mind, trying to shove me out. I fought back, my heart pounding, but it was like trying to hold back a storm.

“No,” I growled, slamming my fist into the mirror. It cracked, but I didn’t care. My right hand twitched, moving on its own, and I watched, horrified, as my claws flexed. Moses was taking over. I closed my eyes, trying to push him back, but when I opened them, I wasn’t in control anymore. I was trapped, locked in my own mind, like a cage inside my head.

Moses was in charge now. My body moved, but it wasn’t me. He turned to the mirror, a slow smile spreading across my face. His smile. My wolf was free, and I was stuck, watching as he stared at himself, his eyes glowing red, ready to take what he wanted.

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