Chapter 43

THE LIFE BEFORE - 3 YEARS HENCE

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"Noah," Annalise scolded. "You're one of the top generals in the entire Gold Nation army, and you can't even manage this much? They're stupid rogues. They have no battle plans, no real leaders, no brains. You should have been able to wipe them out on your own to secure this area of the border."

"Anna, they're nothing like what you say. They're dangerous, and you should respect that. I've been fighting them all my life."

Her demeanor immediately transformed, and she was almost mewling like a kitten as she clambered into Noah's lap. They were in the General's lodgings and had the place to themselves, the guards remaining outside. She knew too well how to exploit that when the need arose, like now.

"Oh, I'm sorry, love," she murmured in his ear. "You know I only say those things because I know you're capable of so much more than the others. I don't understand what Alpha Wyatt sees in them. You should be his right-hand man, the lead general. He's was