Wait! How Did The Stray Dog I Picked Up Turn Into A Man?!

After Rhaeger left, Noah exclaimed with a disgusted expression,

"He makes me sick."

"Agreed, sir." Sebastian said which caused Noah to believe it was indeed a farce earlier. "He acts so well that an outsider would immediately believe that he were someone trustworthy."

"He’s just scum that’s looking for an opportunity to strike me down." Noah said, looking at the phone in his hand again.

"Do you want me to get rid of him, sir?" Sebastian asked but Noah shook his head.

"I think that’ll settle itself very soon." He said and Sebastian took a moment to ponder.

He couldn’t help but wonder why Noah was so calm.

"Ugh, I have to go get Michael." Noah said.

"I’m sorry sir, but I cannot allow that." Sebastian simply stated with a plain face and Noah frowned. "While I am worried about what’s going on and see this as a perfect opportunity to nip the bud naturally, as well as get the rogues on our side, I can not fully support you being absent on this occasion."

"Are you telling me you knew everything that was going on?" Noah asked.

"Yes, the rogue doctor filled me in on it just an hour back, but he asked me not to give you any details yet and let you figure out the rest from the video your mate created." Sebastian explained. "But if you did not understand and decided to go on a rampage, I would’ve explained it to you properly."

Noah gritted his teeth. Then, that means Michael was somewhat safe, right?

If Doctor Ro had sent word to Sebastian beforehand, then he could interpret that as everything being under their control.

But he couldn’t trust those rogues. He just couldn’t...

"Mister Michael is safe." Sebastian plainly stated, standing before his master with clear eyes and no expression to depict his thoughts. "So, you shouldn’t worry and focus on this occasion more. This is a big step for you."

Noah rubbed his chin and then grinned.

"So, it’s fine if ’I’ am here, right?" He asked and Sebastian tilted his head, wondering what he was on about. "Sebastian, you’ll have to fill in for me. No matter what, I must go save Michael. It has to be me."

Though it didn’t look like Michael needed saving and this was a trap for Rhaeger, Noah felt that at a time like this, the one Michael would want to see... The one who would appear like a knight in shining armour and put an end to Rhaeger’s childish tricks once and for all... Was him, Noah.

The scene of his lover being so heroic etched in his mind... What more could he ask for?

Sebastian watched the determination in Noah’s eyes and then closed his own eyes, nodding.

They needed just one more push before actually walking the path that they were setting for themselves.

So, if this was that push then... He would lend a hand.

"Very well, sir." He bowed but then wondered about something. "But please be careful. Even if it looks like things are under control, I would hate to know that you got hurt because you acted carelessly."

"I won’t be careless." Noah said. "In fact, I can’t afford to be careless. The life of mate and child are on the line here." He had this firm expression on his face, one that could not be beaten.

A man who had set his priorities straight.

That was the expression of a man who was willing to do anything for those set priorities and they were none other than for his child and mate.

"I guess I should get out of this too." Noah said as he began taking off his coat.

Sebastian and Noah had the same body build. So, for the stand-in to work, he would have to get the mask he had carefully created in Russia. A mask that made it impossible to tell them apart.

And Sebastian’s voice impression was very great too so he had managed to

"By the way, sir, you don’t seem surprised." Sebastian said, taking the coat from Noah as Noah released his tie.

"About what?" Noah asked.

"The video." He said. "I assumed you would be worried and act rashly as soon as you saw the video of your mate kidnapped, but you’re suspiciously calm. Did you know about this all along?"

Noah heard this and laughed.

"No, I had no idea." He said. "If I knew such a thing would happen, I definitely wouldn’t have let things get to this point." He picked up a grey suit. "And I was indeed shocked but... As soon as I heard the words Michael said, I knew right away that this was all a farce."

"How? I’m sure Rhaeger watched the video before handing it to you. How is it that he was able to leave hints that even Rhaeger could not get suspicious of?"

"It’s because the video is filled with lies." Noah said and put on the coat, adjusting it ok his body. "From a certain point, I got confused because the things Michael said were very contradictory. Coupled with the fact that Doctor Ro was standing in the video with him, I read meaning into his words and discovered that those unreal words he was saying reflected his situation."

Though Sebastian did not watch the video, he could not understand how that was possible with the level of knowledge Rhaeger has concerning Noah.

It was almost impossible.

"Rhaeger doesn’t know anything about my culinary skills." Noah said, grinning. "I had my suspicion, listening to all those contradicting words but it was solidified after I watched the end of the video, because Michael said he loved my cooking." This brought a smile to his lips.

"That only shows that you excel in the culinary department as well, right?" Sebastian asked.

"Yes, that is... If that were true. I’m very bad at cooking and so Michael banned me from cooking." He laughed warmly. "I only managed to learn how to fry eggs and it took months. I’m... A very terrible cook and Michael hated the thought of me cooking so... There’s no way he would say something like I was born for the kitchen, I knew it was all lies."

Sebastian was stunned.

"I see." He exclaimed.

So, the only way to pass on the message was to use a piece of information that Rhaeger was not familiar with.

Since Noah had been served all his life and had never entered the kitchen to cook his own meals, Rhaeger had no idea if he was good or bad.

But his arrogance in thinking Noah was naturally gifted in everything made him believe that Noah was also naturally gifted in cooking.

Plus...

The last part of the video left a lot of sentiment so Rhaeger did not think too much about it and thought it was rather perfect.

He was careless.

"I’m leaving now." Noah said, fully dressed in a grey suit. "I’ll take Rhaeger with me so you fill in on this side."

"Yes, sir." Sebastian bowed. "Please be careful."

Noah patted his shoulder and nodded.

"I’ll be back."

He walked out and then found Rhaeger, biting his thumb in frustration. He needed to hear from Noah to know what the next step would be like.

If Sebastian managed to convince Noah that he should stay then the plan would be ruined.

’Just fall into the stupid trap,’ He grunted and then sensed Noah approaching.

He raised his head and found Noah in a grey suit, not the white he was wearing a moment ago.

"Rhaeger, you’re coming with me." Noah said in a cold tone. "I need to go save my mate. After all this is settled, I’ll explain it to you."

Rhaeger was relieved. At least he was falling into the trap.

"You don’t need to explain anything to me, sir." Rhaeger said. "I know you had your reasons."

"That’s good to hear." Noah said and walked ahead, leaving Rhaeger to grin.

’Yes, there’s no need to explain, after all. You’re a fool who will already be dead by then because you chose such weak emotions over your responsibility as an Alpha.’ Rhaeger thought, snickering dubiously. ’Noah, this will be the end of you.’

Noah sensed the dubious energy from Rhaeger but ignored it. He was a fool for not hiding his ulterior motives properly.

The end of this would decide who the real fool was.

"Rhaeger," Noah called as he suddenly stopped on his tracks. "How many years have we known each other?"

"Sir, why are you asking that all of a sudden?"

"I was just getting melancholic all of a sudden." He said and Rhaeger’s eyes slightly widened.

He was melancholic?

Since when?

"I wonder... what if something happens to me while I go to save my mate?" He glanced over his shoulder. "It’s making me think of unnecessary things."

Rhaeger paused for a moment and then closed his eyes, bowing his head. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"24 years." Rhaeger answered. "We’ve known each other for 24 years, sir."

"Hm," Noah turned to face his front. "That’s almost my entire life, taking out my first two years in this world. We have... Come a long way."

And yet... Despite knowing precisely how long they had been at each other’s side, it did not stop him from betraying him.

And Noah... It was ironic how he did not feel hurt by this betrayal, as if it were something inevitable.

They had truly come a long way.

"Then, let us depart."

"Yes, sir." Rhaeger clenched his fists.