The quiet hum of the coffee machine had long since faded, leaving Noah Smith alone in the dimly lit café. The moonlight spilled through the windows, casting silvery patterns on the wooden floor. Noah sat at the counter, his fingers drumming restlessly against the ledger. The numbers blurred before his eyes, but his mind was elsewhere, tangled in the web of recent events—threats, secrets, and the weight of choices he never thought he’d have to make.

A soft tap on the glass shattered the silence. Noah’s head snapped up, his heart skipping a beat. Standing outside, framed by the moonlight, was Azar, the enigmatic leader of the Night Devourers. His presence was both unnerving and magnetic, his sharp features softened by the ethereal glow. He gestured toward the door, his expression unreadable.

Noah hesitated, his hand hovering over the keys in his pocket. “What are you doing here, Azar?” he muttered under his breath, though he knew the man outside couldn’t hear him.

Azar tilted his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He tapped the glass again, more insistently this time.

“Fine,” Noah grumbled, pushing himself off the stool. He unlocked the door, the bell jingling softly as he opened it just enough to speak. “It’s late. What do you want?”

Azar’s gaze locked onto his, intense and unyielding. “Aren’t you going to invite me in, Noah? It’s cold out here.”

Noah’s jaw tightened. “You’re not exactly on my list of trusted guests.”

Azar chuckled, a low, velvety sound that sent a shiver down Noah’s spine. “Trust is overrated. But I think you’ll want to hear what I have to say.”

Noah studied him for a moment, weighing the risks. Finally, he stepped aside, allowing Azar to enter. The air seemed to shift as the man stepped into the café, his presence filling the space like a storm rolling in.

“So?” Noah crossed his arms, leaning against the counter. “Talk.”

Azar moved closer, his steps deliberate. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“Can you blame me?” Noah shot back, his voice sharper than he intended. “Your people have been breathing down my neck. I’m not exactly thrilled about it.”

Azar’s expression softened, just barely. “I’m not here to threaten you, Noah. I’m here to warn you.”

Noah’s brow furrowed. “Warn me about what?”

Azar’s hand brushed against the edge of the counter, his fingers tracing the wood grain. “There are forces at play that you don’t understand. Dangerous ones. I don’t want to see you caught in the crossfire.”

Noah scoffed, though his chest tightened. “And I’m supposed to believe you’re looking out for me?”

Azar stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “Believe what you want. But you’re not as alone as you think, Noah.”

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. Noah could feel the heat of Azar’s proximity, the unspoken tension crackling between them. He wanted to step back, to put distance between them, but something held him in place.

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Azar’s gaze flickered to Noah’s lips, just for a heartbeat, before he straightened. “Be careful,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind. “And for what it’s worth… I’m on your side.”

Before Noah could respond, Azar turned and walked out, the door closing softly behind him. Noah stood there, his heart pounding, the scent of Azar’s cologne lingering in the air. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.

“What the hell just happened?” he muttered to himself, his mind racing. But deep down, he knew one thing for certain: whatever was coming, it was going to change everything.

The bell above the door jingled softly as Azar stepped into the dimly lit shop, his presence immediately commanding the room. Noah looked up from the counter, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he recognized the man who had just entered. Azar’s expression was grim, his usual air of nonchalance replaced by something far more urgent.

“Noah,” Azar said, his voice low but steady as he approached. He didn’t waste time with pleasantries, pulling out a small, encrypted file from his coat and sliding it across the counter. “You need to see this.”

Noah picked up the file, his fingers brushing against Azar’s for a brief moment. The contact sent a flicker of warmth through him, but he quickly pushed it aside, focusing on the document in his hands. As he flipped through the pages, his brow furrowed, and a deep, simmering anger began to build in his chest.

“What is this?” Noah asked, his voice tight as he glanced up at Azar.

Azar leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “The Black Thorn Covenant. They’re planning a large-scale purge. It’s not just the Lunars they’re after—it’s any Omega who refuses to surrender their pheromones.”

Noah’s jaw clenched, his grip tightening on the file. “They’re out of control,” he muttered, his eyes scanning the details. “This isn’t just about power anymore. They’re trying to wipe out anyone who doesn’t fall in line.”

Azar nodded, his gaze intense. “I thought you should know. If they’re allowed to go through with this, it’ll be a massacre.”

Noah looked up, his eyes locking with Azar’s. For a moment, the weight of the situation hung between them, unspoken but understood. Then Noah broke the silence. “Why bring this to me? You know I’m not exactly their favorite person.”

Azar’s lips quirked into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. “Because you’re the only one I trust to do something about it.”

Noah felt a flicker of something—gratitude, maybe, or something deeper—but he quickly masked it with a smirk. “Glib won’t get you anywhere, Azar.”

“It’s not glib,” Azar replied, his tone serious. “It’s the truth.”

Noah held his gaze for a moment longer before looking back down at the file. “We’ll need to move fast. If they’re planning something this big, they’ll have eyes everywhere.”

Azar nodded. “I’ve already started gathering intel. But we’ll need allies—people who can’t be bought or intimidated.”

Noah’s mind raced as he considered their options. “I know a few people who might be willing to help. But it’s risky. If we’re caught…”

“If we’re caught, we’re dead,” Azar finished, his voice calm but firm. “But doing nothing isn’t an option.”

Noah looked up at him again, his expression softening slightly. “You’re really in this, aren’t you?”

Azar’s eyes met his, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something unspoken—a connection that went beyond the mission at hand. “I’m in,” he said simply.

Noah felt a surge of determination, mixed with something else—something he wasn’t ready to name. “Alright,” he said, his voice steady. “Let’s take them down.”