Page 8 of Noah (Pecan Pines #4)

Chapter 8

Jackson

The dining hall hummed with the low chatter of wolves unwinding after another tense meeting.

Conversations mixed with the clinking of utensils and the occasional burst of laughter as the wolves from different packs began to mingle and relax.

I should probably join in, but my focus was on finding Noah.

My wolf stirred beneath my skin, restless and eager, its energy pulsing through me as my gaze swept the crowded room.

My heartbeat quickened with each passing second, the anticipation building.

I knew I should’ve been more present during what felt like the tenth meeting of the summit, supporting my father, stepping in when Hudson inevitably pushed boundaries.

Instead, my mind had drifted, the details of the discussions blurring into the background. Because my thoughts had been elsewhere—on Noah. Who else?

His scent still lingered in my memory, a unique blend of pine and something sweeter, more inviting.

The way his green eyes sparkled when he smiled, the subtle curve of his lips, the warmth that seemed to radiate from him—it all drew me in, captivating my attention like nothing else.

My wolf growled low in agreement, urging me to follow the pull, to pursue him.

Every fiber of my being yearned to be near him, to feel the connection that had been simmering beneath the surface since our paths crossed again.

But I couldn’t let desire cloud my judgment. Not yet.

I took a deep breath, forcing my wolf to calm down, to wait. As much as I wanted to indulge in the pull toward Noah, I knew I had to tread carefully.

“Jackson.”

My father’s voice cut through the noise in my head, pulling me from the tangled thoughts swirling around Noah.

He stepped up beside me, his expression a mix of frustration and concern, his shoulders tense.

“Walk with me,” he said, a command disguised as a request.

I followed him out of the dining hall. The hum of activity faded as we entered the quiet hallway, the distant murmur of voices replaced by the steady echo of our footsteps.

My father stopped near the windows, turning to face me.

“I need you to focus,” he began. “Hudson’s already caused enough trouble. Sleeping with a wolf from another pack—during a summit, no less. We can’t afford any more slip-ups.”

His words hit like a punch to the gut, and I clenched my jaw, guilt twisting inside me.

I hadn’t been present when he needed me the most, lost in my own world, consumed by thoughts of Noah.

The summit wasn’t just a meeting; it was a place to build alliances and attempt to reach some kind of agreement with hostile packs—one pack in particular: Adrian’s pack.

“I understand,” I said, the words thick on my tongue, heavy with regret.

“I need you to be the level-headed one, Jackson,” my father continued, his gaze steady, almost pleading. “Hudson might be reckless, but you…” He paused, his shoulders dropping slightly as he sighed. “I know I can count on you.”

“I won’t let you down,” I promised.

The weight of responsibility pressed down on me, a familiar burden. But even as I spoke, my thoughts began to drift, slipping back toward the dining hall. Back to Noah.

The pull was undeniable, a constant hum beneath my skin, urging me toward him.

My father studied me for a moment longer, his eyes searching for any sign of doubt, any crack in my resolve.

Satisfied, he gave me a curt nod and turned on his heel, heading back toward another part of the pack house, presumably to mingle with other alphas.

I watched him go, a mix of emotions swirling inside me—guilt, determination, and the undeniable ache of wanting something, someone, I wasn’t sure I could have.

Taking a deep breath, I leaned against the cool wall, closing my eyes briefly. I tried to push down the conflict brewing inside me.

Duty versus desire. Responsibility versus the pull I felt toward Noah.

It was a dangerous balance to maintain, and I wasn’t sure how long I could keep walking the line.

I knew what was expected of me. I was supposed to be the steady one, the dependable son who could be trusted to lead if something happened to Hudson.

But the more time I spent around Noah—even if they were stolen moments, the harder it became to ignore the growing feelings, the longing to be near him, to know him more intimately.

As I returned to the dining hall, my eyes immediately sought out Noah. He was sitting alone at a table near the window, the soft evening light casting a warm glow over his features.

This time, Adrian wasn’t around to ruin the moment, and my wolf stirred, sensing the opportunity. “Hey, may I join you?” I asked, my heart pounding in anticipation.

Noah looked up, his green eyes brightening as a smile spread across his face. “Jackson. Sure, take a seat,” he said.

I slid into the chair opposite him, and just like that, the tension from the summit melted away. Every second spent in his presence seemed to calm the storm inside me.

We started with small talk—how the summit was going, Cooper’s leadership, the food—but as the conversation flowed, it drifted into more personal territory.

“The other day, before Adrian butted into our conversation, we didn’t really get to talk,” I said, trying to steer the discussion toward something more meaningful.

“Yeah,” Noah agreed, a touch of disappointment in his voice.

“You’ve grown up a lot since the last time I saw you,” I said, immediately feeling awkward.

The words hung in the air, and I couldn’t help but second-guess myself.

Was that a strange comment? Too obvious? Too forward? Why did I always trip over my words around him?

It wasn’t like I was new to the relationship department. I’d been on dates, shared moments with others, and knew how to navigate conversations. But then again... none of them were Noah.

There was something about him, something that had always set him apart from everyone else. He wasn’t just another crush or fleeting interest.

He’d always had a special place in my heart, even when we were kids.

“So have you,” he replied softly, his voice steady. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”

I let out a small smile, relieved that we were both navigating the same awkwardness. There was a comfort in knowing neither of us had boiled over into nervous wrecks.

A comfortable silence settled between us before Noah broke it. “How’s your pack doing? Is your father stepping down soon?” Noah said.

“He is,” I confirmed. “But he’s grooming Hudson to take over eventually.”

Noah raised an eyebrow. “What about you?”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Hudson’s always been the one meant to be the next alpha. It’s a long story. Hudson’s... reckless at times. My father’s hoping I can balance him out.”

Noah nodded, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “I remember Hudson being a bit of a wild card.”

“That’s putting it lightly,” I admitted, shaking my head with a grin. “But enough about him. What about you? How’s life in Pecan Pines?”

“It’s good,” he said, his smile returning. “Busy, but good.”

I felt my wolf stir, its instincts pushing me to close the gap between us, to reach out and claim what rightfully belonged to us.

Calm down, I told my wolf, though it wasn’t just him that needed calming.

Moving too fast might scare Noah, and the last thing I wanted was to jeopardize this fragile connection we were rebuilding.

Noah deserved more than impulsiveness; he deserved care, patience, and someone who wouldn’t rush in and overwhelm him.

Who was I kidding? I was already in too deep.

Even as I’d promised my dad I’d be the level-headed one, the thought of staying away from Noah felt impossible.

There was something about him, something that called to a part of me that I couldn’t ignore.

I shifted slightly in my seat, trying to temper the heat rising within me. My wolf growled softly, dissatisfied with the restraint, but I held firm.

This wasn’t just about desire—it was about something deeper. Noah wasn’t just a fleeting attraction or a passing interest.

He was someone I’d thought about for years, someone who made me feel seen in a way few others ever had.

“You okay?” Noah’s voice broke through my internal conflict.

I nodded, offering him a reassuring smile. “Yeah, just... thinking.”

“About?” he prompted, his head tilting slightly as he studied me.

“You,” I admitted, the word slipping out before I could stop it. But I didn’t regret it. If there was one thing I wanted to be with Noah, it was honest.

He blinked, a blush creeping up his neck. “Oh.”

“I meant what I said earlier,” I continued, my voice steady despite the rapid beat of my heart. “I’ve thought about you a lot. And now that you’re here... I don’t want to waste any more time.”

Noah’s lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.

The silence stretched between us, not awkward, but charged with the weight of unspoken emotions.

“I’ve thought about you too,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. “More than I probably should have.”

His confession sent a thrill through me, my wolf pacing just beneath the surface, eager and restless. I leaned in slightly, the space between us narrowing.

“Then let’s not waste it,” I said softly. “Whatever this is... I want to see where it goes.”

Noah’s gaze held mine, a flicker of uncertainty mixed with hope. “Are you sure? With everything going on...”

“I’m sure,” I interrupted, my tone firm. “I know it’s complicated, but I don’t care. We’ll figure it out.”

The resolve in my voice surprised even me, but it felt right. There was no denying the pull between us, the connection that had only grown stronger with time.

My wolf quieted slightly, sensing the shift, the mutual understanding that this was the beginning of something we both wanted.

Noah’s smile returned, soft and genuine. “Okay,” he said, his fingers tightening around mine. “Let’s see where it goes.”

The conversation continued, flowing easily between us.

I learned about his life in the pack, his dreams of traveling with his band, and the challenges of balancing his responsibilities with his personal ambitions.

With each word, I felt myself drawn closer to him, the desire to know him on a deeper level growing stronger.

As we finished our meal, the sun had set, casting a soft glow over the grounds. The atmosphere in the dining hall had shifted and seemed more relaxed.

I suggested a walk, and Noah agreed.

We strolled through the pack lands, the cool evening air filled with the scent of pine and earth. The quiet of the night offered a reprieve from the noise and tension of the summit.

It felt like the world had shrunk down to just the two of us, walking side by side in the moonlight.

“I always loved it here,” Noah said, his voice thoughtful. “It’s peaceful.”

“It is,” I agreed, glancing at him.

The moonlight caught in his hair, highlighting his face, his tempting mouth.

My wolf stirred again, the urge to reach out, to kiss him, to touch him was becoming harder to resist.

“I missed talking to you,” he admitted, looking at me. “It’s been a while.”

“It has,” I said, a hint of regret in my voice. “I should’ve reached out sooner. Life just... got in the way.”

“I get it,” he said, his smile gentle. “We all have responsibilities.”

I stopped walking, turning to face him. The words I’d been holding back tumbled out. “But I regret it. Not reaching out. Letting time slip away. I don’t want to make that mistake again.”

Noah’s gaze softened, his eyes searching mine. “Me neither.”

The moment stretched between us, filled with unspoken words and shared understanding.

I wanted to close the distance, to feel the warmth of his lips against mine, but the weight of the summit, my father’s words, and the responsibilities looming over me held me back.

It was a dangerous line to walk, but I couldn’t deny the pull I felt toward him.

“Will you be here again tomorrow?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“No,” he said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. “I have to work.”

“At Griffin’s bar?” I asked, feeling a flicker of hope. Noah mentioned working there.

He nodded. “Yeah, we’re playing tomorrow night.”

“I’ll be there,” I said, my decision made. I didn’t care if it was too forward; I needed to see him again. “I want to see you play.”

A smile tugged at his lips, and his eyes sparkled. “I’d like that.”