The Bride Widow
Chapter 164: Everything will be alright - Part 1

Chapter 164: 164: Everything will be alright - Part 1

Anabella’s legs felt like they were made of lead as she trudged toward the store, her body weakened by the onset of her heat.

Each step was a struggle, and her heightened awareness made everything around her feel more intense, more immediate.

The glances she felt from passersby seemed to linger too long, their eyes trailing her, making her skin crawl.

It felt as if everyone could sense her vulnerability, as if they could smell the faint traces of her heat and were drawn to her, like moths to a flame.

Her pulse quickened with every step, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum. She bit her lip, trying to push away the rising panic. She had to get to the store, grab the essentials, and return home before her condition worsened. She couldn’t afford to break down in public, not now.

Anabella finally reached the store, her breaths shallow and fast. She moved through the aisles as quickly as her trembling legs would allow, grabbing what she needed—some food, bottled water, and other necessities.

The fluorescent lights overhead felt too bright, the hum of the store too loud, and the presence of others too close. She clutched her items tightly, her hands trembling as she made her way to the checkout counter, eager to escape the confines of the store.

Once outside, the cool air hit her like a blessing, but it did little to quell the anxiety bubbling within her.

Anabella adjusted her bag on her shoulder and began the journey back home, trying to steady her breathing. The sense of unease followed her like a shadow, growing heavier with each passing moment.

Then, she felt it—a presence behind her, the sensation of being watched, followed. Her senses, already heightened by her heat, went into overdrive.

The air seemed to thicken around her, and she could smell it: the distinct, overpowering scent of an alpha’s pheromones.

It clung to the air like a predator lurking just out of sight, and she realized with growing dread that she was being followed.

Her heart raced faster, and her mind screamed at her to run, but her body felt sluggish, as if weighed down by the fear coursing through her veins.

An alpha in the vicinity of an omega during heat was dangerous, unpredictable, driven by primal instincts that Anabella feared would overpower any sense of reason.

She knew she was in danger, knew that if the alpha caught up to her, the consequences could be disastrous.

Her fingers fumbled for her phone, pulling it out of her pocket with shaking hands.

She scrolled through her contacts, her vision blurred by panic and fear.

Finally, she found Noah’s name and pressed the call button, her other hand gripping the strap of her bag so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Noah picked up after the first ring. "Anabella? What’s wrong?"

She swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "Noah... I... I think someone’s following me. An alpha. I can smell them, and their pheromones are strong. Please, I don’t know what to do."

Noah’s voice immediately turned serious, his tone calming and steady. "Where are you? Can you describe where you are right now?"

"I’m—" Anabella didn’t get the chance to finish. She felt a hand suddenly grip her arm, spinning her around abruptly.

Her phone slipped from her grasp and clattered to the ground as she came face to face with a man, his eyes dark with intensity, his scent overpowering her senses.

Anabella’s stomach twisted in fear, her body frozen in place as the alpha’s grip tightened. The world around her blurred, and she could barely hear Noah’s voice faintly calling out to her from the phone on the ground.

"No, no, no..." she whispered, panic gripping her chest like a vice.

The alpha’s eyes bore into hers, and she could feel the wildness in his gaze, the primal hunger that sent every instinct in her screaming to run, to escape. But her body refused to move, locked in place by fear.

The alpha leaned in closer, his breath hot against her cheek as he spoke in a low, gravelly voice. "You smell... intoxicating."

Anabella’s breath hitched, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to will herself to calm down, to think of a way out. She needed to get away, needed to put distance between herself and this alpha before things escalated.

"Noah," she whispered again, praying he could still hear her, praying he was already on his way.

Suddenly, a loud voice rang out, cutting through the haze of fear enveloping Anabella. "Hey! Let her go!"

Anabella’s eyes snapped open just in time to see Noah approaching, his expression dark and filled with fury. His presence was commanding, and even the alpha holding Anabella seemed to hesitate, his grip loosening slightly.

Noah didn’t stop, his movements purposeful and direct as he closed the distance between them. "I said, let her go," he growled, his voice laced with a dangerous edge that made the alpha finally release Anabella and take a step back, seemingly sensing that Noah was not to be trifled with.

Anabella staggered back, her body trembling as she fell into Noah’s protective embrace. She clung to him, her heart racing, tears of relief streaming down her face as Noah shielded her from the alpha who had terrorized her.

"It’s okay," Noah murmured, his voice soothing as he held her close. "You’re safe now. I’ve got you."

Anabella buried her face in his chest, allowing herself to finally break down as the tension and fear of the moment began to dissipate, replaced by the warmth and security of Noah’s presence.

She felt safe and secure in Noah’s arms but the fear and the annoyance of the heat clinging to her made Anabella feel more tired.

In the end, she was not able to leave the secure arms holding on to her, and Anabella did not want to leave either. She wanted to burrow herself even deeper inside that embrace and not let go.