No Longer the Alpha’s Guardian Chapter 17

No Longer the Alpha’s Guardian Chapter 17

I slept like the dead.

When I opened my eyes, I realized I never waited for the healer.

I had no idea if anyone had changed my bandages.

I muttered to myself and sat up.

Then I saw the man standing at the foot of my bed.

“Noah! What are you doing here?”

I grabbed my blanket and pulled it to my chin.

“You’re dressed. Is that really necessary?”

His face didn’t move. He looked at his watch.

“It’s time. I’ve sent someone to get you ready. Then you’re coming home with me.”

“Home? What home?”

I clutched the blanket and yelled. “Sophia! Get in here!”

Sophia hurried in. “Miss?”

“Why is he here? Get him out.”

“Miss…” Sophia hesitated. “I’m sorry. The master said Alpha Noah can come and go as he pleases in this house.”

“What?”

“Why?”

“The master left you a video,” Sophia said. “You should watch it.”

She plugged a USB into the laptop and pressed play.

My father’s face filled the screen.

“**Daughter.** I can’t walk beside you anymore. I can’t protect you. And I’m afraid someone will hurt you. So I’ve arranged something. Noah has known you since you were little. You were even promised to each other as children. I’m giving you to him.”

My face went cold.

I had just clawed my way out of one marriage. And now my father wanted to push me into another?

With Noah, of all people.

We didn’t know each other. There was nothing between us.

“No. He wouldn’t do this.”

“You don’t want to marry me?”

Noah walked toward me, slow and steady, until his face filled my vision.

My heart hammered.

“We don’t love each other. You don’t want me, and I don’t want you.”

His lips parted. His voice was soft but certain.

“Who says I don’t want you.”

It wasn’t a question.

I stared. “You like me?”

“Is it not obvious?”

He checked his watch again. “I’ll wait downstairs. I’ll have my parents push the lunch back an hour.”

He left.

I watched the video three more times before it sank in.

Why would my father do this?

“Miss, you should listen to the Alpha,” Sophia said as she laid out dresses. “He had good reasons. And Alpha Noah is a good man.”

“You don’t know him.”

“He came here all the time while you were gone,” Sophia said. “He was good to the master. The master loved him.”

“Then why did he wait until after the funeral to show up? Fake.”

“That’s not fair, miss. He was abroad. He flew back the second he heard. But before he came here, he went to see the master’s brothers and sisters. You forgot—there are always vultures circling pack wealth. The master’s siblings. Their children. They all wanted a piece.

Alpha Noah handled them so they wouldn’t bother you.”