**Enzo’s POV**

I hurled the glass at the wall, the crash echoing in my office as it shattered into pieces. My hands shook, my chest tight with rage and something else I didn’t want to name. Tomorrow was the full moon, one day left, and if I didn’t bond with Noah, he’d be in pain—ripping, unbearable pain, because of the mate bond. I couldn’t let that happen, but the thought of tying myself to a human, of all things, made my blood boil. I sank onto the couch, yelling into my hands, my voice muffled but raw. “Why him?” I muttered, my head pounding. “Why a damn human?”

Moses, my wolf, growled in my mind, his voice sharp and impatient. “You’re fighting it,” he said. “You want him. Stop pretending you don’t. If you can’t claim him, let me do it.”

“Shut up,” I snapped, standing and pacing to the window. I pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with shaky hands, the smoke burning my throat as I stared into the dark. “You think it’s that easy? He’s human, Moses. Weak. The pack would tear us apart.”

Moses growled louder, pushing against my control. “He’s our mate,” he said. “You feel it every time you see him. Stop running from it.”

I didn’t answer, just took another drag, the smoke curling around me. A knock at the door pulled me out of my head. I turned, and Ren stood there, his scarred face cold as ever. “Alpha,” he said, his voice steady. “The rogues attacked again.”

I moved to the couch, sitting heavily, my cigarette still burning. “What happened this time?” I asked, my voice rough. “What do those bastards want now?”

Ren stepped closer, his eyes sharp. “Eric sent a message,” he said. “The rogue leader. Says he won’t back down. Says he’ll have your head and take over the werewolves, no matter what it takes.”

I smirked, leaning back. “Eric?” I said, laughing bitterly. “He really thinks he stands a chance? I beat him once, Ren. I’ll do it again. He’s nothing.”

Ren nodded, but his face stayed serious. “He’s desperate,” he said. “The rogues have been after you for years, ever since they realized they can’t find a weakness. They’re throwing everything at us now.”

I stood, pacing again, my cigarette burning low. “Let them try,” I said, my voice hard. “They want my head? They’ll have to kill me first. And I don’t die easy.”

Ren watched me, his arms crossed. “You’re distracted,” he said, his voice low. “Because of Noah. The full moon’s tomorrow, Enzo. You can’t keep avoiding this. You need to bond with him, or he’ll suffer.”

I glared at him, my jaw tight. “You think I don’t know that?” I snapped. “You think I want him to hurt? But he’s human, Ren. How’s the pack gonna take an Alpha with a human mate?”

Ren didn’t flinch. “They’ll take it if you make them,” he said. “You’re the Alpha. You set the rules. You’ve been fighting this bond, but it’s not going away. You feel it, don’t you? Every time you’re near him?”

I stopped, my hands clenching. “Don’t,” I said, my voice low. “Don’t act like you know what’s in my head.”

“I know enough,” Ren said, stepping closer. “I see how you look at him. You kissed him, Enzo. You’re not just protecting him. You’re falling for him. Human or not.”

I growled, tossing my cigarette into the ashtray. “Enough,” I said. “Send a message to the elders and the council. Tomorrow, at the full moon gathering, everyone needs to be there. I’ve got something to say.”

Ren nodded, his face blank again. “Got it,” he said. “Anything else?”

“No,” I said, turning back to the window. “Go.”

He left, the door clicking shut, and I stood there, my chest tight. Moses was still growling, pushing me to go to Noah, to claim him now. I ignored him, walking out of the office, my boots heavy on the floor. I didn’t know why I ended up at Noah’s room, but I pushed the door open, quiet as I could. He was asleep, his face soft, his breathing slow. I sat on the edge of the bed, my hand moving to his face, brushing his hair. “Why can’t I hate you?” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Why do you do this to me?”

My hand slid down his arm, warm under my fingers, and my chest burned, hot and tight. “Every time I see you,” I whispered, “I want you. Right here, right now. Why does it have to be you?”

I leaned closer, my lips almost touching his, when his voice stopped me, soft and shocked. “What are you doing?”

I froze, our eyes locking. His were wide, scared, but there was something else there, something I couldn’t read. I didn’t think, just spoke. “Do you hate me?” I asked, my voice rough.

Noah blinked, confused. “What?” he said, his voice shaky. “I… I don’t know. Why are you asking me that?”

I didn’t answer, just watched him, my heart pounding. He sat up, pulling away, his hands shaking. “Enzo, what’s going on?” he asked. “Why do you keep doing this? One minute you’re yelling at me, the next you’re… like this. What do you want from me?”

“You wouldn’t understand,” I said, my voice low. “Not yet.”

“That’s not an answer!” he said, his voice louder now. “You keep me here, make me follow your rules, but you won’t tell me anything. Why am I here? Why do you care if Dean talks to me? Why did you kiss me?”

I stood, my hands clenching. “Stop,” I said, my voice sharp. “You don’t get to ask questions.”

“But I deserve to know!” he said, standing now, his eyes wet. “I’m not just some thing you own, Enzo! I’m a person! Why can’t you just tell me what’s happening?”

I stepped toward the door, my chest tight. “You’ll know soon,” I said, stopping to look at him one last time. “And one day, you’ll forgive me for the bad things I’m gonna do.”

He stared at me, his face pale. “What does that mean?” he asked, his voice breaking. “Enzo, what are you gonna do?”

I didn’t answer. I walked away, the door closing behind me, my heart heavy with the weight of tomorrow.

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