《Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth》


 Chapter 1

    C Chapter 0001


    Alpha''s Regret After Her Rebirth.


    Aurora Starling


    +25 NOS


    The thing I regretted most was taking thatst diet pill, It took my baby-followed by my life.


    Yet I wasn''t fat by any standard.


    The source of my diet pill abuse: my husband and Alpha of the Nightcrest Pack, Noah.


    He was also the direct cause of my death.


    As the daughter of the Silvermoon Pack, I married Noah through a political marriage, but it was never me that he wanted.


    When Noah''s ex-girlfriend, Zoe, re-entered our lives, my world fell apart.


    Zoe


    was once Noah''s fated mate, but Zoe rejected Noah and married the Alpha of another pack. When that marriage ended in divorce, she returned to the Nightcrest Pack


    To make matters worse, Noah and Zoe were once media darlings and the public''s golden couple.


    I became the unwilling target of paparazzi who relentlessly chased me and captured every moment of my life. Despite my best efforts at privacy, the constant attention and scrutiny made me increasingly neurotic. Noah never exined to the public what was going on. While he continued to present the perfect public image, I suffered in silence, unable to defend myself. To make matters worse, he left me more alone than ever.


    No matter what I did, I couldn''t get his attention. No matter how much makeup I wore, no matter how much weight I lost, I wasn''t good enough. I thought it was my fault.


    This drove me even deeper into the abyss.


    Too many diet pills left me gasping for air, like a knife through my abdomen.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    That was when I realized I was pregnant. My thinness had hidden the prominence of my belly. The chronic irregrity of my periods had added to myck of suspicion. When the doctors came to rescue me and the little life inside me, it was toote. "This fetus is 4 months old."


    Those were thest words I heard.


    On an endless, moonless night, I lost my baby and my life.


    I woke up to the sound of dripping water. My side rested against cool marble. I groaned and stood up,


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    only to realize I was in my bedroom''s humid en suite bathroom.


    Where am I? I thought as I stood. Wasn''t I just dead?


    "Ma''am, you look perfect," my makeup artist said as she entered the bathroom.


    Looking down, I realized that I had been dressed in pink,cy, see-through babydoll lingerie. My golden locks had been tamed into loose curls, and my nails had been polished into crimson ws. My groin ached with the pain of a recent bikini wax, and my face was made Alpha


    up like a Hollywood starlet.


    Noah is already in the shower, and I''ve got a scent for you. Trust me, it''s an aphrodisiac."


    She winked at me yfully before setting the perfume on the counter.


    I trembled. All the evidence points to the same cause.


    Dear Goddess, I thought, our monthly mating day.


    After our politically charged marriage, Noah set aside one day a month for us to procreate in an attempt to continue the legacy of the Nightcrest Pack. It was the only time Noah paid so much attention to me, no matter how hard I tried to impress him. However, this month''s mating day had hade and gone, and the past three intimacy days had proven even more futile after Zoe returned to the Pack. Why am I dressed like this? Unless...


    I stuck my head out the door.


    "What day is it?" I asked my makeup artist.


    "The third of September," she replied, looking a little surprise. "Luna, did you forget? Tomorrow is the eptance ceremony."


    The day before Zoe''s return.


    My life was taken back to before my tragedy happened? How could this be?


    Moments before, it was December. I was lying on the floor in excruciating pain, diet pills in one hand and tears streaming down my cheeks. My heiry at my feet, a b***dy four-month-old embryo that I had no


    idea about...


    I pa


    paled. Oh, Goddess. My baby.


    ! rush


    I rushed


    just yet.


    I to the mirror and wiped the steam off. Lifting up my lingerie, I stroked my emaciated stomach. Nothing seemed to be off, but I had also been too skinny for even me to know that I was pregnant in the first ce, so I was cautious to dere myself out of the woods Still, I let out a quiet sigh of relief. There was no pain, no blood, so maybe there was hope. Maybe, just maybe, a miracle had urred.


    If this truly was the day that I thought it was, then I was only one month pregnant with Noah''s child. I still had time to do what was right by my child. I still had time to do right by me.


    So much had not happened yet that did not need to happen now. I could take charge of my life, change everything that I had lost control over the past several months.


    I bit my bottom lip.


    No. I would not let that happen again.


    I had been reborn to this time for a reason. The Moon Goddess had given me a second chance, and I was going to use it to save myself and my child from a man who did not love us.


    Tears sprung my eyes once more, leaving trails down my foundation-caked face. I covered my lips with one hand and tried to contain the joy that I felt bubbling up inside of me. "There''s still time," I whispered to myself.


    T


    I just needed to cut the toxic elements out of my li


    life.


    life.


    Not feet from me-though it sounded like it was miles away-the shower turned off, and Noah stepped out. He grabbed a towel and began to wipe himself off.


    "Let''s get this over with. Are you ready?" his deep voice pulled me out of my thoughts.


    I looked up into the mirror to find Noah standing a couple feet behind me, his enormous packagepletely exposed. His toned abs and lean muscr arms shined as water rippled down his body, and his ck, slicked-back hair appeared soft to the touch. White teeth glistened as he sneered, and his dark eye were hooded with almost boredom. Deep in the pit of my stomach, a small spark lit. Even with hisck of interest in me, he had a way of turning me on. He always had.


    Part of me was still head-over-heels for my husband''s effortless charm and good looks, just like the day we met, and desperately wanted him to love me back. This part of me screamed for me to abandon all dignity and jump this man before he changed his mind. I hated this part of of me, wanted to shove it deep into the recesses of my mind and never have ess to it again.


    A bigger part of me could not forget what he had put me through the past three months...what I could now prevent from happening.


    Noah stepped up behind me, putting his hand on my shoulder.


    "Did you hear me?" he asked. "I said-"


    My nails curled and scraped across the granite countertop of our sink. My eyes shot to meet Noah''s in a bone-chilling re. He slowly lifted his hand off of my shoulder, his eyes never leaving mine in the reflection. "Do. Not. Touch. Me."

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 0002


    I spun around and attempted to push past Noah. He would not move.


    "Get out of my way," Imanded.


    At the sound of my tone, Noah stepped aside.


    I stormed out of our en suite bathroom and into our bedroom. Noah followed closely behind me.


    "What is wrong with you tonight?" he demanded.


    I stopped in front of our bed and looked around the room. Noah''s gaze traced my own.


    The


    king-sized bed had been covered in a red silkforter and sprinkled with pink rose petals. The lights had been dimmed, with the mes of vani-scented teacup candles scattered throughout the room. To top it all off were a bottle of champagne-once-and a te of oysters on the bedside table. I had always gone all-out for these monthly intimacy nights. Too bad Noah never did the same for me.


    I froze


    as Noah''s


    eyesnded on me. They roved over me in a way I was not ustomed to-was that a spark of desire that I saw? No, it couldn''t be.


    Whatever it was, I feltpelled to back onto the bed as he approached me. I fell backwards and scooted myself to the middle of the mattress.


    Noah climbed onto the bed after me, he prowled up to me, as though channeling the vicious, predator deep inside him, and straddled me with my legs trapped between his and a hand ced on either side of my head. 1


    must eagerly awaiting something." he whispered, his hot breath rolling onto my face. "Why else would you go to all this trouble?"


    He lowered his muscr body on top of me, creating aplete cage that I could not escape.


    My cheeks flushed. A fire ignited in my belly, spreading to my groin and the rest of my body until my skin was hot to the touch. My pulse pounded in my ears, my chest, and my limbs.


    His dark eyes met mine, daring me to deny the friction that I felt between us.


    "No. Noah." I said. "I''m tired of this."


    No, Noan, I said


    Noah pursed his lips in confusion.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "Tired of what?"


    Tired of what?


    "I''m tired of our scheduled monthly intimacy just for the sake of conception."


    Noah raised a brow at me.


    "Do you want it more frequently?" he asked with a teasing smirk. There was that spark in his eyes again.


    His member hovered above my groin, and the heat between them was unbearable. A drop of sweat ran


    down my head, my neck, and onto my cleavage. I could imagine him licking that drop off of me, then


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    taking that tongue further, but I quickly realized that was impossible; he would never pay such close attention to my needs.


    I shook my head, trying to dislodge the fantasy from my mind.


    "Well?" Noah said, lowering himself onto me.


    I huffed and attempted to wiggle out from underneath Noah''s body.


    "When a woman says, ''No,'' she means ''no," I spat venomously.


    Noah''s eyes shed dangerously. His grip on the bed tightened, curling theforter beneath his vice-like grasp. He snarled at me.


    f you had said ''no'' to our marriage, then things would have been a lot simpler," he growled.


    "If y


    I paled as he rolled off the bed. It was a relief to have the pressure of his body removed from mine, and yet his words pped me harder than he ever could. I turned onto my side and propped myself up on my elbow to watch him. "Do you still believe that my arrival forced Zoe to reject you?" I asked.


    §á§Ö


    He


    paused midway through looping his belt through his pants. His eyes flicked up towards me before he returned to the task at hand.


    "It was my choice," he replied coldly. "You had nothing to do with it."


    I wasn''t sure why, but that answer pierced me right through the heart. Maybe I had secretly hoped that Noah had given me at least that much consideration. Maybe I didn''t believe that he was telling the truth.


    "It''s okay if you don''t want to sleep with me," Noah continued, though his icy tone implied that things were anything but okay. "However, you still need to be prepared for the eptance Ceremony tomorrow, You didn''t forget, did you?" "No. 1 I didn''t f forget," I replied bitterly. could I


    How c If I


    I forget the day that Zoe came back to Nightcrest Pack? It was one of the worst days in my life -and the beginning of its end.


    I find a way to cancel the eptance Ceremony and bar Zoe from returning to the pack altogether, but I couldn''t. Only the Alpha had such power. Besides, I couldn''t let on that her presence threatened me-not yet, anyway.


    I could, I Wom my thoughts by Noah approaching the door.


    I was drawn


    "Wait!" I said, reaching towards him. I


    Maybe I could give him onest chance to be honest with me. Our marriage-and future child-deserved at least that much.


    Noah sighed almost inaudibly and turned back to me.


    "What?" he asked impatiently.


    His tone almost made me lose my courage. Almost. But I would not let him intimidate me so easily.


    "Is there anything that you want to tell me?"


    He stared directly at me, his eyes never leaving mine. I could detect no emotion there.


    "No," he said. "Nothing at all."


    Tears pricked the edges of my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away before Noah could see them.


    All right. That''s all.


    Noah searched me with his eyes for a moment. Then he shook his head and left the room without another word.


    I covered my mouth and held back a sob.


    I had given him a chance to be honest with me, to consider my feelings, but he didn''t care. He hadn''t even considered how Zoe''s return would affect me, and if he had, then he was more heartless than I had ever imagined.


    Just because we had agreed to a loveless marriage, didn''t mean that he could bring back his ex-girlfriend and trample on my dignity. It didn''t mean that he could unt her in front of me and lead to my death...the death of my baby.... I looked down at my stomach and stroked it gently.


    My baby.


    would do right by my baby this time. It was perhaps the only gift that I had from this marriage, and I would not let Zoe and Noah have my child. But that meant that I had to get out of this marriage and set out on my own.


    I thought about the Silvermoon Pack. That should be my pack. I was born with the bloodline of a female Alpha, but I had given up the opportunity to be the Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack so that I could be the Luna of the Nightcrest Pack. I should have never made that mistake, but I still had the chance to right it. All I needed was to gain more. public support and love. Even if I had to go it alone.


    I could feel my face contort in determination.


    Before I made any steps towards this brighter future, I needed to change something from my past life- the first scene to make me look foolish in the eyes of my people.

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 0003


    In my first life, Zoe''s appearance at the eptance Ceremony caught mepletely off-guard. The media had a field day over the reunion of the so-called ''star-crossed lovers", leaving me floundering like a fish out of water. All I could do was force a smile and evade I would not let that happen again. This time, I knew she wasing. I would be prepared.


    everyone''s questions, which only led to the media branding me as "petty" and "Jealous".


    I


    If I was going to do that, I was going to need some help. That meant confronting the one person besides Noah who would possibly know about Zoe''s uing arrival.


    I snuck out into the living room, checking various rooms along the way, and found the entire house to be empty. Good. Noah followed his usual routine of leaving the house after our intimacy-or that night, theck cover.


    I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found the number for Noah''s half-brother and Beta, Scott.


    Scott only lived about a ten minutes'' drive away from our house, but the wait felt like an eternity. Atst, the doorbell rang, and I answered it to find Scott standing on the other side.


    "Come in," I offered, hoping to usher him past the niceties.


    Scoll "Please,


    inclined


    I his head, then walked beyond me and into the living room.


    have a seat."


    it," I said as I stood in front of him, hands on my hips.


    I''d rather stand," he said.


    "Well, out with it,"


    Scott raised a


    I a brow at me. He wasn''t ustomed to me being so forward and aggressive, but I was done ying games. That was part of what cost me my life the first time. "You asked me if I knew about Zoe''s return," he began. He scratched the back of his neck, his eyes not meeting mine. "Well, I do."


    I opened my mouth to scold him, but apparently, his admission was not over yet.


    "I told Noah that he should inform you," he continued. "I said that it could cause a rift between the two of you if he kept such a secret, but Noahmanded me, as Alpha, to keep it a secret."


    My left hand curled into a fist. My wedding ring sparkled in the fluorescent lighting, taunting me. Of course, Noah had told him to keep the truth from me.


    I nced up to see Scott staring intensely at me. As soon as he saw me looking at him, he averted his gaze. Turning my head to where he had been staring. I saw that the strap of my nightgown had slipped, exposing a peek at the top of my breast.


    I quickly ced the strap back on my shoulder. I could not help the light blush that heated up my cheeks. However, I forced myself to focus on the task at hand.


    "How


    long have you known?" I asked.


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    "Since her application came in," he admitted.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "Why did Noah not want to tell me?"


    I honestly don''t know."


    My


    gaze ran over Scott, trying to find any sign of dishonesty in him.


    "It''s obvious to me," I said, "that Noah is straying from me as his Luna."


    "I don''t know about that-


    I


    I put my hand up to silence him. I drew closer to him, looking him straight in the eye.


    "I


    I to know, if you had to choose one, Luna or Alpha, which would you choose?"


    I need t


    "Of course, you, Luna," Scott asserted without a moment''s thought. "You haven''t done anything wrong."


    I smiled, Inwardly rejoicing at having won Scott''s loyalty.


    "Thank you. I am d to have you on my side. I might just need your help."


    "I will need PR guidance for the live broadcast of tomorrow''s eptance Ceremony.


    A grin broke out across Scott''s face.


    "I might have some ideas for that."


    The next day, Noah and I stood before a crowd of hundreds as we epted new members into Nightcrest Pack. We stood side-by-side, arms linked, but it was mostly for the TV cameras. I could feel Noah''s arm muscles tense as he tried to stand as far from me as was socially eptable (unfortunately v for him, that wasn''t very far). The line of The of refugees stretched from the stage to the back of the high school auditorium serving as our venue. They came from all walks of life: some rich and trying their luck at more political influence in a pack on an upward trajectory; some middle ss and seeking better opportunities; and some poor and running from whatever got them in that position. They all meant more sway for Nightcrest Pack, so Noah. weed them all with open arms. Each new pack member stepped up to Noah, gazing admiringly at him in all his glory, stated their wish to take refuge in the pack, and then proudly spouted their pledge of allegiance:


    2 "I pledge allegiance to the Nightcrest Pack, its Alpha, and its Luna. I pledge my loyalty, my heart, and my life to the Pack and all it stands for. I hereby forfeit all loyalty and im to previous packs and will, herein, be known as a member of the Nightcrest Pack." Even the children stumbled through this mouthful of an archaic pledge. Then,


    starstruck, they watched as Noah raised his hands and gave them a blessing:


    "May the Moon Goddess watch over you and guide you through the rest of your days with all her glorious wisdom. Wee, my brother/sister, to the Nightcrest Pack."


    The way that the new pack members looked at him, one would have thought that they had seen the Moon Chapter 0003


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    Goddess herself right before them.


    After the blessing, the new pack members came to me I would give them a smile, sometimes a hug, and offer them bags of basic supplies to get their new lives started. It was an important job, and I could feel the new pack members'' gratitude as they took the supplies from me, but watching the adtion that Noah received, I could not help thinking that it could be mine if I were Alpha of Silvermoon Pack


    As Noah and I steadily made our way through the line of refugees-a task that promised to take a good portion of the day-whispers spread among the onlookers. They were all looking in one direction, and I knew exactly whom they were staring at without even ncing at her: Zo


    I knew what she looked like just from memory.


    She had porcin skin and lush, bouncy golden curls. Her frame was full, healthy-not fat but curvaceous, especially whenpared to my rail-thin body. Her eyes shined like two freshly polished emeralds, and her smile lit up any room she was in. She made me hate my body even more. and what I had done to it.


    Instead of Zoe, I looked to Noah. He visibly tensed at her appearance. For one fleeting moment, I thought I saw something unexpected cross his face-surprise.


    But why would that be?

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 0004 +25 BO


    Noah stared in shock as Zoe glided across the stage towards him, a young boy in tow. The other new pack members instinctively parted for her, like a pair of hands parting reeds in a river. Paparazzi mbered to the front of the audience as they tried to be the first to catch a picture of the reunited lovers


    Noah stiffened at the thought of how Hannah was going to react to Zoe''s return. He nced briefly at Hannah, but she was not looking at Zoe. She was looking at him.


    Why would she be looking at him? Did Hannah think that he had something to do with Zoe''s return? Did she think that he had chosen not to tell her a


    it?


    He had been too busy with other pack duties to even deal with the applications for new pack members himself. There was no way that he could have known about Zoe''s return, let alone warn Hannah about it.


    Noah could not remember seeing Zoe''s name among those on the list of new pack members that Scott had given him in advance of the eptance Ceremony. He searched his mind for any hint that this was going to happen, for any memory of being told that Zoe was going to arrive, let alone with a child. Nothing. A mixture of anger and confusion built up inside of Noah. He wanted to charge over to Scott and confront him right that moment, but he knew that he could not, not during the middle of a ceremony, not in public, and certainly not on live TV. Instead, he mentally pulled himself together so that no one would be able to detect his internal turmoil.


    Noah offered Zoe a smile as she came to a halt in front of him.


    "My son, Adam, and I wish to seek refuge under Alpha Noah''s rule in the Nightcrest Pack," Zoe dered.


    Noah just barely stopped himself from stumbling over the next part of the ceremony. To everyone present, though, it appeared as though hepleted it wlessly.


    "Your application for refuge has been epted," he said. "Please, have you and your son state your allegiance to the Pack."


    "I pledge allegiance to the Nightcrest Pack..."


    As Zoe recited the pledge of allegiance, Noah established a mindlink with Scott.


    Why didn''t you tell me about Zoe''s return? he demanded.


    With your preupation with the Lunar Festival, I thought it best to treat her like any other new pack member applicant, Scott defended his choice. She would have just been another distraction for you. Besides, would you have objected to her return if I had told you? Noah mentally cringed at the mention of the Lunar Festival. He had been preupied with thepetition among the packs to host the event, delegating the approval of new members to Scott as a result, a And why wouldn''t he?


    The pack that the Alpha Council voted to host the event would gain substantial tourism, business development, and support from the Alpha King. This event was the most important in the entire course of Noah''s time as Alpha of the Nightcrest Pack. Of course, he would put all of his time and energy into securing the Nightcrest Pack that honor.


    He had hardly even been back to his home, spending most of his time at his office, even sleeping there most nights. It didn''t hurt that working so much kept him away from Hannah''s emotional neediness, but his focus was on the future of the ever-growing Nightcrest Pack.


    Noah returned his attention to Zoe and Adam. The little boy was now trying to recite the pledge of allegiance and stumbling over some of the bigger words, so his mother was helping him as he went along.


    Thest thing that Noah knew, Zoe was married to that rich yboy Drake. If Zoe was nowing back to the Nightcrest Pack alone with her son, she must have hit upon hard times and undergone a divorce. There was no other way that she would be there without her husband, seeking refuge.


    His wolf roared in discontent deep inside him. He would have never let Zoe get to this point if they had been together, and he and Zoe would be together if it weren''t for Hannah.


    Noah struggled against the impulse to me Hannah. He had agreed to the marriage as well, and he knew that it wouldn''t be fair to ce all the me on Hannah because of that. It was what the Nightcrest Pack needed at that time.


    That was what his father, Marcus, had convinced him of. A union between the Nightcrest Pack and the Silvermoon Pack, former Alpha Marcus had insisted, was all that could save the Nightcrest Pack from war at the time. Noah only did what was best for the pack, as he always did. Try telling Hannah and Zoe that.


    Noah fought against the memory of the night that he and Zoe severed their bond as it came rushing back to him. It had been the worst night of his life. He could still feel the white-burning pain as the silver de cut through the invisible cord that had tied them together. Shortly after that night, Zoe married Drake, and Noah married Hannah. They never saw each other again, until this eptance Ceremony. She was just as beautiful as the day that she left.


    Realizing that Adam had finished his pledge of allegiance, Noah lifted his arms and recited his blessing upon them.


    "May the Moon Goddess watch over you and guide you through the rest of your days with all her glorious wisdom. Wee, my sister and brother, to the Nightcrest Pack." Silence fell upon the crowd as everyone turned to Hannah.


    Even Noah shifted his gaze to his wife, concerned that she would be stressed by Zoe''s retum. He did not intend to cause such pain to his Luna; despite the troubles in their marriage, he still cared about her. He knew, though, that Hannah was sensitive about other women being around him, and this particr woman had a past with him.


    However, Noah did not see any of the tell-tale signs of Hannah being upset. Her jaw did not clench, her arm muscles did not tighten, and her eyes did not water. She did not sputter in her speech or falter in her movements.


    She did not even seem to be surprised.


    Instead of reacting with anger and jealousy, Hannah smiled broadly at Zoe and stepped up to her. She pulled the other woman into a warm embrace, then released her to hug Adam.


    Noah''s eyes widened in surprise. He could scarcely believe that this was the same woman that he had


    been buried to for so long. He had never seen her so open to new pack members or to any woman around him, so for her to be this way with Zoe of all people was unexpected, to say the least.a Noah watched as Hannah backed away and opened her arms wide to the two neers.


    "Wee back to the Nightcrest Pack," she announced loudly for the entire assembly to hear.


    Noah could not wrap his mind around the scene unfolding before him. Who was this woman, and what had she done with his Luna?


    "Thank you, Luna Hannah," Zoe said with more sincerity than I had expected.


    "Thank you for choosing us as your pack," I said in an almost sickeningly sweet tone. I turned my attention to her son. "Tell me, how old are you, Adam?


    Adam shyly held up four fingers.


    Zoe smiled and ran her fingers through Adam''s golden locks.


    "He''s four years old," she said proudly. "He''s also a bit shy around new people."


    I smiled brightly down at Adam.


    "That''s all right. It''s good to be a little cautious in front of strangers."


    I turned back to Zoe.


    "With your permission," I continued, "I have prepared gifts for all the Pack''s children in advance of the uing Lunar Festival, and I''d like to give Adam his now. It might be just the thing to make him feel at home." Zoe motioned forward with her hand.


    "Ben


    "Be my guest."


    I reached back amongst the bags of supplies, where I had hidden Adam''s gift from even Noah''s sight. I pulled out the box encased in shiny red wrapping paper and handed it to Adam. The boy turned the gift over carefully, as though he were unsure of what to do with it. "Go ahead, sweetheart," Zoe encouraged him. "Open it.


    Giving his mother onest look, Adam tore apart the wrapping paper and tossed it aside with abandon. His eyes widened upon seeing the Transformer Optimus Prime action figure. He looked at his mother again, then a smile stretched across his face, and he began jumping up and down.


    "Mommy, Mommy, look!" he eximed, jamming his finger against the box repeatedly.


    "I know, I see," Zoe said, almostughing with joy herself. "That''s a very special gift. What do you say to Luna Hannah?"


    Adam set his new toy on the ground and, to my surprise, rushed forward to hug me, burying his face in my dress.


    "Thank you, Luna Hannah," he said, his voice muffled.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    I returned his hug.


    "You''re wee, Adam."


    A chorus of "awws" broke out among the crowd. The paparazzi nearly fell over each other to get a picture of me with Adam and Zoe. To my secret joy, Noah had all but been forgotten.


    Later that day, I sat at home, watching various news videos of the eptance Ceremony.

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 0005


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    "Luna Hannah has outperformed herself today with her warm reception of Zoe, Alpha Noah''s former fated mate, and Zoe''s son, Adam," one news anchor dered. "She has shown herself to be the picture of grace and poise. I know that I wouldn''t have handled such a


    situation so tactfully."


    "Luna Hannah has certainly proven herself worthy of the position today," her desk partner added. "She did not just give Zoe and her child the same supplies as all the other refugees but truly opened her arms and her heart to them and greeted them like long-lost family members. How many among us would have done that?"


    "In the midst of Luna Hannah''s praiseworthy response, one has to wonder: why has Zoe returned to the Nightcrest Pack in the first ce?" the host of another show postted. "After all, it is highly unusual for a former Luna of one pack to join another. Zoe, as a Luna, was well-known for her honor and reputation- could something have happened to put both in danger?"


    One politicalmentator went in-depth on the profile of Drake, Zoe''s presumably ex-husband, and made some spections about the reason behind Zoe''s sudden discement:


    "Drake, nephew of the Luna Queen, is a notorious rich yboy from the days before his marriage to Zoe. It is more than probable that he never gave up the lifestyle. Recently, he was spotted with international supermodel Amber.


    "It could be that Zoe had, atst, had enough with his womanizing ways and decided to leave him in an attempt to save her own image. Whether this will work or actually have the opposite effect has yet to be seen. Few Lunas recover from divorcing their Alphas.


    My phone vibrated for what seemed like the hundredth time that hour. It was Viona, again, I couldn''t leave her hanging for too long, or else she might think that something had happened to me.


    "Hello?" I answered.


    "Finally!" Viona eximed. "I was starting to worry."


    I rolled my eyes.


    "You''re such a drama queen sometimes. What''s up?"


    "What''s up? What''s up? It''s all over the news!"


    ""What is?"


    ""Zoe''s back!"


    "Yes, I know," I said calmly.


    "Aren''t you pissed about that?"


    "Not exactly," lied. "Are you?"


    "Of course, I am. How could Noah let here back, after everything that you''ve done for him? After everything that you''ve sacrificed for him?"


    "Viona, I don''t know what you''re so worried about."


    "Bullshit, you don''t! They were fated mates, Hannah. You know what that means, right?"


    I forced myself to sigh, to maintain my calm fa?ade.


    "Yes, I know what that means. I''m not some ignorant teenager."


    "Then why aren''t you more worried? Don''t you know what could happen now that she''s back? That little bastard could-"


    "He could cheat on me, he could ruin my reputation, he could make a fool out of me. I know."


    There was a pause as Viona processed my words.


    "And yet you''re just smiling and weing her and her child into your pack," she finally said, her tone almost bitter. "You''re letting them walk all over you, as though you didn''t give up being an Alpha to be Noah''s Luna. As though you aren''t..." I didn''t need to hear it to know what Viona wanted to say.


    As though you aren''t mutting yourself to appease him.


    For a moment, I almost lost my self-control. I quietly wiped the tears from face and take a deep breath before I spoke again.


    "I have it all under control, Viona," I assured her. "1 know what I''m doing.


    "But, sweetie," she replied, her tone now sad and cating, "are you prepared to get hurt along the way?" "I''m not going to get hurt." I insisted. "I''ve made a decision, and I will note out of this short-handed."


    I jumped slightly as the front door opened, revealing Noah''s looming form. Scott followed right behind him.


    My brows furrowed in confusion. Noah never came home except on our intimacy nights.


    "I''m going to have to call you back."


    Before Viona could respond, I hung up.


    I watched Noah as he trudged through the living room, Scott by his side. Noah dropped his messenger bag on the couch beside me and stood in front of me, tablet in hand. Upon seeing his brooding expression, I knew that he knew about my decision. I braced myself for his reaction.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "got an interesting email from the Alpha Council today," he said, ring down at me. He handed me the tablet. "Is there anything that you want to tell me?"


    1 did not bother to look at the tablet. I knew exactly what it said. He wanted me to tell him that there was some sort of error, but there wasn''t.


    I returned Noah''s tablet to him. Then I pulled my shoulders back, lifted my chin defiantly, and stared straight into his eyes.


    "Yes, that is my divorce application."

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 0006


    Noah stared back at me, as though he could notprehend what I had just told him. Scott''s gaze alternated between the two of us, his expression remaining neutral. "Exin," Noah said simply.


    I nced at Scott, looking for some support, but he subtly shook his head. Now was not the time for us to reveal our alliance, which meant that I was on my own, for the time being. I me, Noah," I began, "do you think there is any need for our marriage to exist?"


    "Tell


    Noah did not respond.


    I sighed a


    and tucked I my hair behind my ear. I nced away, gathering my courage, then turned my attention back to him.


    I''m tired of this marriage. It''s all show and no substance."


    Noah gaped, momentarily at a loss for words.


    "All show and no substance?" he asked, raising his hands at his side. "Are you jealous of Zoe?"


    "Noah, this is not just about Zoe-"


    "We both rejected each other," Noah pressed on, as though I had not spoken. "Whether Zoe hade back or not, it would not have affected our marriage."


    "You aren''t listening to me," I insisted. "Zoe is only a small part of the problem. Our marriage means nothing."


    "It means something to our people," he argued. "They look to us as a pir of strength. It also means something to the Alpha Council."


    "It t doesn''t mean anything to me, not anymore."


    Noah looked as though I had struck him in the face.


    "Where have you gotten these absurd ideas from?"


    I opened my mouth and then snapped it firmly shut. I couldn''t tell him what had actually happened He would think I was insane.


    I also would not tell him about my pregnancy, not yet. That would only make things moreplicated, and he might try and force me to stay if he discovered that I was carrying his heir. He would not take my child from me. "I''ve been thinking about it for some time," I lied. "I just knew that you were keeping something from me, and that was thest straw."


    Noah arched his brow at me.


    "What have I been keeping from you?" he asked.


    "Don''t act like you don''t know."


    "I don''t t know."


    I rolled my eyes. If he wasn''t going to admit it now, then there was no point in confronting him about it any further.


    Noah


    shook his head.


    "Whatever you think I have been keeping from you, I can''t and won''t let you divorce me."


    I crossed my arms over my chest and tilted my head at him.


    "You won''t let me?"


    "No, I won''t, nor can I with theplex interests of the Pack to consider."


    I


    I knew that he would bring that up, but I was not going to allow him to guilt me out of my decision.


    "That''s not t my problem-


    "Of course, it''s your problem. You''re the Nightcrest Pack''s Luna. You might not have all the same duties that I do, but you are just as responsible for the well-being of the Pack as I am." He stepped closer to me and waggled his finger at my face.


    "And don''t forget, you initiated this marriage. You have no right to take it away."


    I frowned, and my brows furrowed. I jumped to my feet and got in his face.


    "I did not ''initiate'' anything," I said. "As you have pointed out many times, it was a politically arranged marriage. Even if I did initiate it, that gives me all the more right to end it whenever I want to." "Not with all of our obligations."


    Noah snapped his fingers at Scott, who handed him a color-coded folder with his calendar of uing


    events.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    au


    "Homeless fundraiser at the Moon Goddess temple, the Alpha golf tournament, the opening ceremony of Nightcrest University," he listed, snapping the folder shut, "all of which involve us attending together. That''s not to mention our application to host the Lunar Festival." For a moment, I thought that I saw desperation flicker in Noah''s eyes.


    "I cannot be without a Luna when the Alpha Counciles to review us."


    7

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 0007


    I was drained just listening to all these events. I used to love the spotlight and the exposure, but that was back when I loved Noah, when I wanted to stand by his side, proim him as mine to the world, and relished the envy of other women as they basked in our glory. But now I knew that was all just a fa?ade.


    I shook my head.


    "Noah, I''m tired of being a trophy wife and attending these events endlessly.


    "Since when?"


    "Since I realized that there''s a lot more to life, to myself, than that."


    Noah''s lips ttened into a thin line.


    "I realized that I needed a man, a husband, not just a business partner to satisfy me," I continued. Noah''s eyes narrowed at me. He closed the distance between us and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me in close. My breath caught in my chest as I felt his groin press into mine.


    I looked into his eyes. A whirlpool of emotions seemed to swirl within them, drawing me closer to him as 1 ced my hands on his shoulders. He lowered his head toward mine, as though he were about to kiss


    1. me.


    I could not get myself to move away. His square jaw, with just a hint of 5 o''clock shadow, and dark eyes mesmerized me. The scent of oak, freshly cut grass, and musk froze me in ce as his lips were about to touch mine. Then Noah withdrew, unwrapping his arms from around me, and stepped back.


    I blinked as I came to my senses. A light blush spread across the top of my cheeks, but I did not allow myself to physically react otherwise. I would not give him that victory.


    "Emotional needs?" Noah asked sarcastically. "Is that all you want? I can still fulfill that for you."


    I red at Noah briefly. My eyes then rxed, and I sauntered over to him. I ced my hands gently on his chest, momentarily running my fingertips over his pecs before I stopped near his nipples.


    "Are you sure?" I asked, my voice low.


    Noah''s eyes widened in surprise.


    Certainly, this was something that my old self never would have done. Lhad focused too much on maintaining my elegant demeanor in my efforts to please Noah to be this spontaneous. I was tired of being that same old Luna.


    I looked past Noah to Scott. The poor man seemed as though he might pass out from all this information that he did not want to know about his Alpha and Luna, I decided to at least have some pity on him. "Scott, this really is a private matter between Alpha Noah and me. It has nothing to do with you. You are dismissed," I said, taking the moment to further overstep my boundaries and give Noah''s Beta orders. I was curious to see how Scott would react to mymand. It would be interesting to see who he would obey in a case like this, after he had secretly dered loyalty to me. Noah was still his half-brother, after


    all; there was no ounting for familial loyalty.


    Scott nced over at Noah. Noah did nothing to disagree with my request, so Scott took this opportunity to make his escape.


    "Thank you, Luna Hannah," he said. "I will call youter, Alpha Noah."


    In a sh, he had departed with Noah''s schedule folder in hand. At least neither of them had argued with me on that point.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Noah did not seem to even notice that Scott had left..


    I grinned to myself. Noah was speechless. Now was the time for the killing blow.


    "Like I was saying." I said, walking two of my fingers up his left pec, "you had never been able to satisfy me physically, why would you be able to do so emotionally?"


    I felt his muscles tense beneath my hands.


    "You have the hardware, but your technique and attitude are bothcking."


    I stepped back out of his range, although I was sure that he would never swing on me..


    Noah''s face darkened, and I backed up even farther.


    "What do you mean by that?" he asked through gritted teeth.

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 0008


    I put my hands on my hips.


    The fact that I rejected you on our intimacy day says it all."


    "You clearly enjoyed yourself before," Noah sneered.


    my hair, to that his words did not even


    Seventy percent of all women fake their orams, I countered with a dismissive wave of my hand. "I just happen to be one of them."


    I smirked at the incredulous expression that crossed Noah''s face. It was his own fault for continuing this conversation. f he only agreed to my divorce application, then this cringeworthy conversation would be


    over.


    Noah opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. He raised his finger, as though to reprimand me for mynguage, only to lower it once more. The flustered look on his face provided me with a degree of amusement, if also a bit of annoyance as I waited for him to settle on a response. rry that Noah would just storm


    Several minutes passed without Noah saying anything. I was starting to off, like he did any other time that we had a disagreement. Instead, he stayed staring at me, prodding the Inside of his cheek with his tongue.


    "What''s the matter, Noah?" I taunted. "Cat got your tongue?"


    Noah snort-chuckled and said, "Hannah, you don''t sound like a Luna right now."


    Good.


    I was


    of ying the role of the perfectdy every day. I wasn''t anybody''s trophy wife now; my eyes were set on being an Alpha. like the way I''m acting, then I''m happy to give you a divorce."


    "If you I don''t like


    tired Noah''s eyes narrowed at me as he ced his hands on his hips.


    "You I think you''re cute, don''t you?"


    "No," I said, stepping closer to him, "I think I''m determined."


    Noah r ran his hand over his face. I could tell that he was suffering internal turmoil over how to handle this. He couldn''t agree to my request with the uing review from the Alpha Council, but with me having already submitted the application, I had put him into a tight That gave me slight satisfaction.


    spot.


    "Look," he finally said, "if you want more of your emotional needs met, then we can have an open marriage."


    This time, I huffed


    "An open marriage? Really?"


    "Yes. We can see other people under certain conditions while still staying married."


    He crossed his arms over his chest.


    Chapter Doo "How


    a divorce is out of the question."


    +25


    I


    so.


    I could feel the anger building up in me. I breathed slowly in and out through my nostrils, trying to keep myself level-headed in the face of Noah''s absurd "concessions"-If they could even be called that. I could not afford to lose my temper now, but I was damn close to doing "Is that the best offer you have?" I asked. Noah shook his head.


    "We have to do what''s best for the Pack, no matter what our personal hang-ups are. We have an image to hold up, a reputation. We have to maintain our dignity and avoid scandal, including that of divorce." I snorted. What about Zoo


    getting a divorce and returning to you with a child? Isn''t that a scandal?" I asked. "She divorced an Alpha, too, you know."


    Noah fell silent.


    Precious


    Of course, he would have nothing to say about that. He didn''t care about scandal when it came to his Zoe. She could do nothing wrong in his eyes, even when it was the exact same thing that he was warning me against.


    n''t imagine the field day that the reporters would have with that. As Alpha, he really should know better. The media would eat us alive.


    I knew firsthand what they made of it only seeming as though Noah were seeing another woman behind my


    I felt my arm muscles tighten as my nails dug into my hip bones. Noah really thought that us seeing other people would be less of a scandal than us just getting a divorce? It was almostughable. He cou couldn''t back. It would only be worse if they actually caught us with other people. This was without taking into ount that people could discover our arrangement and ckmail us or leak the information for revenge over any imagined slight. Noah was clearly not thinking when he decided to propose this "arrangement"-or he was thinking with the wrong member of his ber of his body. "And seeing other people?" I continued. "Don''t you see how that could possibly go wrong? If you want to avoid scandal, then start by not setting us up to get caught cheating by reporters." "Obviously, one of the conditions would be that we not have any dates in public," Noah argued. I rolled my eyes.


    "You honestly think that they would never catch us? The most high-profile couple in the Nightcrest Pack? And that that scandal would be any less than if we just got a divorce?" He had to think that I was incredibly stupid if he thought that I would fall for that, or his double standards were even more hypocritical than I had originally estimated. No, he was not providing me with the option of an open marriage to avoid the scandal of divorce, not really. "That''s just your excuse to cheat on me with Zoe. Admit it."


    +25


    He did not respond.


    "That''s what I thought. Scandal is okay, so long as it benefits you and your paramour-"


    "Don''t be dragging her name through the mud like that, Noah snapped.


    "Why? Because she''s yours to defend?"


    I


    Noah dragged his hand through his hair and growled.


    "I am not having this conversation with you right now.


    lifted my chin at him.


    "Then give me what I want."Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Noah


    looked away for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. Then he turned his head back to me, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that took my breath away. We need to to provide a united front, for the sake of the Pack."


    "I cannot.


    "Well, I am not withdrawing my divorce application. I


    I at me for a moment, silent once more. I waited patiently for him to respond.


    Noah stared a Then


    his eyes


    softened, and his expression seemed to be pleading with me. My heart almost went out to him, almost.


    "Please, Hannah, withdraw your divorce application," he finally managed to say. "At least continue to y as my wife for three more months, until the dust settles on the Lunar Festival." He took my hand and held it in both of mine, and for a moment I thought I might crumble. He hadn''t touched me like this since... I couldn''t even remember. Our wedding night, maybe? If only it wasn''t just a tactic to get on my good side. "Whatever you want, I will do o it. Just wait for that divorce."


    I had to remind myself of everything that he had done to me, both in this life and in the previous one, to ensure that I did not fall for his charm and his "pitiful me" act. I needed to stay strong in my position if I was going to get what I wanted. "No," I said firmly, pulling my hand out of Noah''s. "I want a direct divorce."


    After I gave my own answer a moment''s thought, my hand subconsciously fell onto my stomach. There was something that I had not considered, something that could change my entire ns if I didn''t put up safety guards to prevent it. "Wait," said. Noah''s face perked up. "There might be one thing that you can do."

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 0011


    I tried to tear myself away from Noah, but his grip tightened. His face contorted in anger, and I felt a wave of fear rush through me. Surely, Noah would never hurt me-and definitely not in public-but then again, I did not know how he would react to me dishonoring him like this.


    I stared at Scott, silently begging for his help. He nodded at me, as though to assure me that he would not let anything happen to me. Then he stepped forward cautiously, slumped forward slightly to make himself look like less of a threat to an irate Noah, "Alpha Noah," Scott said, raising his hands catingly, release Luna Hannah gently."


    Noah did nothing for a minute. He breathed slowly in and out through his nostrils, like a bull face-to-face with a matador. Then-I suppose realizing that we were still in public-he let me go.


    I rushed to Scott''s side. It took all of my will to not cower like a submissive Luna, instead holding myself as tall as I could manage. I would not be that kind of person anymore.


    "You really should be kinder to your Luna," Scott remarked.


    I noted that Scott took a protective stance slightly in front of me. Apparently, Noah did not miss it, either.


    had never seen such a darkness sh in Noah''s eyes before.


    "Scott, what is going on?" Noah asked, his nostrils ring.


    Scott raised his chin to Noah defiantly and squared his shoulders.


    "You started this conflict," Scott argued. "Luna Hannah did not. I warned you to discuss Zoe''s return with your Luna, but you did not listen."


    Noah''s hand curled into a fist, but he forced the hand to rx.


    "Do you no longer obey your Alpha?" he asked Scott:


    Scott did not answer.


    Noah motioned with his head towards the door.


    "Leave," hemanded Scott. "I need to address some issues with Hannah."


    Scott''s eyes darted towards me, as though looking to see if I would be okay. I nodded. We were in a public ce, and I felt certain that that would keep him from doing anything crazy.


    Scott took onest look at Noah before he walked out of the bar, the other patrons staring after him. When they tried to turn their attention to us, one nce at Noah''s infuriated expression was all that they needed to go about their own business and act as though we did not exist.


    Once he was certain that no one was watching us, Noah grabbed my arm and forced me to sit down at the table that Scott had been upying minutes ago. let him, not wanting him to think that he had the power to bother me with just a little physical force. "Now," he said, releasing my arm, "why don''t you exin to me what just happened?"


    I shrugged as nonchntly as I could manage.


    "I had low blood sugar and couldn''t stand properly," I lled. "Scott was just there to catch me when I


    needed a little help. That''s all."


    Noah huffed, but he did not try to argue with me.


    "What did you mean by ''ying hard-to-get''?" I asked.


    Noah mmed his fist on the table and then pointed an usatory finger at me.


    "You used my brother to get my attention," he said through gritted teeth. "You''ve gone too far."


    I raised my brow.


    "Scott is merely aligning with the side that supports me and my needs."


    I sat back letting the implied fact that I needed Scott''s support over his sink in.


    "I will not allow my Beta and my Luna to keep secrets from me."


    I crossed my arms over my chest.


    "Oh, really? Who were you with in the private room? Zoe?"


    "It was an old friends'' gathering."


    This time, I huffed.


    "Yeah, right. You''re really old friends, all right."


    I leaned across the table, getting as to Noah as I possibly could.


    "Scott believed that you shouldn''t have brought back your fated mate into the Pack without respecting my right-as your Luna-to know," I growled. "You didn''t even bother to discuss her return with me and almost subjected me to great embarrassment and ridicule." "Enough!" Noah snapped


    His brow furrowed in what appeared to be pain. This took me aback. What about this could be hurting him?


    "My rtionship with Zoe is not what you think it is," he continued. "Zoe is divorced, with a child, and vulnerable. I cannot simply refuse my former family and subjects because it makes you ufortable."


    He rubbed his eyes with his index finger and thumb.


    "To me, Zoe is no different from any other new pack member. I''m simply trying to help her integrate better. I would think that you, of all people, would be able to appreciate that."


    pursed my lips and shook my head. More excuses. He would always put Zoe over me.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Noah sighed.


    "Whether you believe it or not, it''s the truth," he said.


    "Whatever," I mumbled.


    Noah red at me for a moment, then he reached into his messenger bag and pulled out his schedule


    folder.


    +


    Ugh. I used to think that folder was a uniquely antiquated way to keep track of all his events, but now I hated it.


    He flipped to the page


    I events that we had to attend together.


    "We have a charity balling up in two days," he said without looking up from the folder. "We must attend together. As long as we''re not divorced, you''re still obligated to fulfill your duties."


    I rolled my eyes.


    ""Yes, I am well aware."


    "You''ll be ready?"


    "Yes, I''ll be ready."


    Noah snapped the binder shut.


    "Just don''t forget."


    "Can I be excused now?" I said as sarcastically as I could manage.


    Noah narrowed his eyes at me as he put the binder back in his messenger bag.


    "Watch yourself."


    I watched him as he stood up and walked to the door He paused for a moment outside the private room, as though contemting whether he should go back in there, then looked back at me. I raised my eyebrow at him, daring him to do whatever he pleased Noah shook his head and walked out the door.


    Once I was sure that Noah was gone, I returned to the table that I had been sharing with Viona. The nachos were nearly gone, as were Viona''s beer and my soda.


    Despite the tension of the situation, I chuckled to myself. Viona tended to binge eat and drink whenever things got hard for her to handle.


    "Are you okay?" she asked as I sat down.


    I motioned for the bartender to give us a refill of everything.


    "Yeah...mostly."


    "What was that?"


    Her eyes widened, and her speech grew rapid.


    "I mean... the fall, the stand-off, that binder? What the fuck?"


    1ughed again at her cartoonish antics.


    "I''ll tell youter," I said. "For now, would you like to help me choose a dress?"


    ""What for?"


    "A charity ball. It''s in two days.


    -


    +25 BONU!


    Viona stroked her chin in consideration.


    That sounds like fun," she finally said. "I''ll text Amber. We can set something up for tomorrow and make a whole day out of it."


    A smile broke out over my face. A girls'' day actually sounded nice.


    "It''s a deal."

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 0012 Chapter 0012


    I wasying out a tray of cheese and meats on the ottoman in my walk-in closet when I was alerted to a presence at my front door by the security camera app installed on my phone. I took a quick look, and a smile stretched across my face when I saw that it was Viona and Amber, each carrying two bottles of wine. I rushed off to answer the door.


    "Hey, girls!" I said as I opened the door.


    I was answered by a chorus of squeals that made me want tough and plug my ears at the same time.


    "Woah, take it down a pitch," I said, stepping aside to let them in.


    "Sorry, sorry," Viona said as she pranced inside. "We''re a bit excited, that''s all."


    "It''s just been so long since all three of us got together like this," Amber added.


    "I know," I said, feeling a bit guilty for not making more time for my friends. I had been so focused on trying to make Noah happy that all the other aspects of my life had been pushed to the side. No more. 1 "Come on," I continued, motioning for them to follow me. "Everything''s already set up in my closet."


    "So," Viona said as we entered my closet, "what kind of dress code are we dealing with for this charity ball?"


    "Formal, definitely," I replied.


    Viona and Amber set the wine bottles next to the ottoman and started circling my closet, searching for an appropriate dress.


    "So, what....schoolmarm?" Amber ran her hand down one of my more conservative, long-sleeved, long- skirted dresses.


    I shivered.


    "Ew. No, definitely not. Just...elegant and sophisticated, but definitely not boring."


    "So, you want to make a statement without looking slutty?" Viona pulled out a low-back, sequined red number that I had worn maybe twice the entire time that I had owned it.


    I shook my head, gesturing for her to put the dress back. She pouted but put the dress back on the rack.


    "That''s the general idea," I said, regarding her statement. "There are going to be a lot of movers and shakers at this ball, so I want to dress to impress."


    Amber chuckled as she poured us each some wine.


    "Dress to impress.'' That''s a phrase that I haven''t heard in a minute," she said,


    I stuck my tongue out at her but epted the ss of wine, nheless.


    "I wonder who else is going to be there," Viona remarked. She looked at me pointedly. "twonder if Zoe will be there."


    I huffed and took a sip of wine.


    "Based on what I learned from Scott, she likely will be livited," I replied. "Noah is worried that she won''t" fit into the pack."""


    Viona and Amber groaned.


    "This is ridiculous." Amber rolled her eyes. "Zoe and Noah just have no boundaries."


    "I''ve gotta set you up on some blind dates," Viona skimmed through my collection of cocktail dresses." Anything to divert your attention and keep you away from Noah." Amber appeared as though she were about to spit out her wine.


    "So, you were serious?" she asked. "You''re actually going to divorce him?"


    I nodded.


    "I thought that you were just venting some anger," she continued. "You were always the hopeless romantic-out of the three of us."


    "Well, I''m not that hopeless romantic anymore," I countered. "I need to look out for myself now." Amber shook her head, topping off her wine.


    "I''ve seen a lot of couples argue one day and make up the next."


    "This isn''t just one little argument. It''s been building up for quite some time."


    "You do realize what a big scandal a divorce in an Alpha family is, right?"


    I scrunched up my nose.


    "Yeah, well, Zoe divorced Drake, and no one seems to be giving her any trouble over it."


    "Not yet," Amber remarked. "They''re only talking behind closed doors right now, but just you wait. She''ll be a pariah soon enough."


    She frowned and brushed her hair behind her ear.


    "I only want you to think this through before you pull the trigger. Thest Alpha and Luna divorce was, like, 50 years ago, if I remember correctly. Maintaining marital stability, at least outwardly, is of utmost importance to Alpha families."


    I motioned for Amber to pour me some more wine and nibbled on a piece of cheese.


    "I''m tired of ying by the rules," I asserted. "I will get what I want, one way or another."


    Viona raised her brows at me, and Amberughed.


    "Where has this Hannah been?" Vionamented.


    I smirked.


    "She''s just been waiting for the right time toe out and y," I said.


    "Well, as I see it," Viona replied, "Noah only needs you to y the role of a good Luna."


    "But seeing as you''re about to divorce," Amber continued, "you might as well get back at him a little bit."


    I smiled. This was why these women were my best friends.


    "The question is, how?" I asked.


    I set my wine down and grabbed a ck dress with a low-cut front and a crystal-encrusted skirt. I walked to the full-length mirror and held it in front of myself, contemting whether it would still fit me or if I had gotten too skinny "I hope you don''t mind me saying this, but you''ve really gotten thin," Viona said bluntly.


    "Yeah, a bit too thin," Amber agreed.


    I ced the dress back on the rack and returned to the mirror. I lifted my shirt up and looked at my ribs, which were a bit too visible for my liking. Viona and Amber were right; I was too skinny.


    "I know." I reluctantly replied.


    "Have you been eating?" Viona asked, her tone suddenly concerned.


    "Not as well as I should be."


    "How long have you been doing this?" Amber added.


    I frowned.


    "Since I got together with Noah."


    Silence fell among us.


    I hadn''t always been like this. In high school, I was beautiful with many suitors. Once I became so concerned about gaining Noah''s love, though, I became obsessed with dieting and, eventually, picked up bulimic behaviors. I especially grew concerned about having a bloated stomach on our monthly intimacy nights. I would skip eating the day before just to address this concern.


    Stroking my stomach, I shook my head. I had been so crazy to go to such lengths, all for a man.


    "You don''t need to worry about me," I told Viona and Amber. "I''m done trying to make myself into Noah''s perfect woman."


    They both smiled at me.


    "Good," Viona said, wrapping her arms around me from behind. "I really don''t want to do an intervention on you. It doesn''t sound like fun."


    "Not for this, you won''t."


    "With that settled," Amber said, walking towards my clothes, "let''s find you a dress for this charity ball thing."N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Amber strolled around the walk-in closet before stopping at a particr spot.


    What about this one?"


    Amber pulled out a dress from a collection that I had not worn since I had married Noah. It was an over-the-shoulder ck piece with a skirt that fell a few inches above the knee. Best of all, the folds would


    hide myck of curves resulting from my recent bulimic behavior.


    "If you wear it, you''ll definitely infute Noah," Amber said with a


    Iughed as well.


    "Good choice." I hold the fabric between my fingers, running my thumb along the smooth silk. "I think this will be fun."

 Chapter 13

    C Chapter 0013


    wallet.


    The day of the charity ball, I wore the dress that Amber had found and a pair of ck stilettos. I made myself up with a smokey eye and scarlet lipstick, and my hair cascaded down my back in loose waves. Completing the ensemble was a small ck clutch to hold my cell phone and As I s I waited for Scott to arrive to take me to the charity ball, I admired myself in the mirror. I had not looked this good outside of Noah''s and my intimacy nights since we got married. It sent a surge of warmth through my body, and I giggled to myself. I might have just wanted a straight-up divorce from Noah, but I had to admit that there was a sort of justice to getting him back while I waited out the next month. I would teach him to dy my satisfaction and betray me for another woman. I would not be the one to be embarrassed and undermined this time.


    The security app alerted me to someone at my door. I checked it and saw that it was Scott, dressed to the nines in his ck three-piece suit with a navy-blue ble. Although not as handsome as his half-brother, he certainly could cut a figure, and he was very handsome just for a chauffer. I took my time getting to the door, not wanting him to think for a minute that he had any control over me. When I opened the door, I grinned at Scott''s wide-eyed reaction to my outfit.


    a Hannah..." he trailed off.


    "Good evening, Scott," I replied. I tilted my head almost sweetly at him. "How do I look?"


    ..don''t know what to say," Scott said. "Are you sure that you want to wear that dress? Noah definitely won''t appreciate it."


    My lips pursed. That was definitely not the response that I had expected.


    "I need you to be my chauffer, not Noah''s repeater," I snapped.


    Scott frowned. Scott


    "Everything that I do is to make things work out between you and Noah," he asserted. "What you''re wearing is too... provocative, and it won''t do you two any favors."


    I waved my


    hand dismissively at Scott, effectively telling him to shut up. He blushed, and I felt a surge of pride at my ability to make him do so. I gently pushed past him and started walking to the ck Porsche. "Come on," I said over my shoulder. "We''re going to bete."


    Scott parked the Porsche while I walked into the charity ball, alone. As I walked inside, I found long rectangr tables arranged into a parallelogram around the dance floor, with Noah''s and my seat up at the head. I immediately spotted Noah standing near our assigned spots. My Li blood boiled as I saw whom he was with: Zoe. blood


    Noah wore a maroon three-piece suit and tie. Zoe wore a matching maroon mermaid gown, her hair tied up in a neat side bun. Where did she got that elegant gold heart-shaped locket? "Have you seen who the Alpha is hanging out with tonight?" I overheard one of the waiters ask a waitress. "Yeah, she''s so beautiful. Is that the Luna?" the waitress remarked, +266 B¨®NUS


    +20


    0013


    The waiter shook his head.


    "No, that''s his childhood friend, Zoe," he whispered. "They''re so in tune with each other today. It''s almost like they''re a team."


    "Wow,


    I never would have guessed," the waitress replied. "I wonder what the real Luna is going to look like. Do you think that she''ll top her?" "She''ll have to try hard if she''s going to."


    The waiter


    walked up to Hannah and lowered his tray to her.


    "Bacon-wrapped date, ma''am?" he asked.


    I offered him a half-hearted smile.


    a


    "Thank you," I said, gingerly taking one of the hors d''oeuvres from the tray.


    My chest ached as I chewed, and the treat tasted nd. Was this really how people saw me now? As an outsider in my own rtionship?


    I finished the hors d''oeuvres and tossed my hair over my shoulder. It didn''t matter. I would shine on my own that night.


    I walked up to one of the waiters carrying wine and motioned for him to pour me a ss.


    fred. I eyed him, and he filled the ss to the brim.


    With a flourish, he poured half a f a ss of red. I


    "Thank you, sir," I said, tilting my ss toward him before taking a sip.


    He shed me a smile and replied, "Anything for a beautiful woman."


    1


    I smiled and covered my lips in mock surprise. I then took a seat, not carrying to whom it had been assigned,


    "Who''s that hottie?" a male voice asked a couple seats down. "She seems familiar."


    "I don''t think I''ve seen her before," said his femalepanion, "but she is gorgeous. She looks like a ck swan!"


    I sat a bit straighter and sipped at my wine, drinking in the stares and whisperedpliments. I would have never gotten these kinds ofpliments with Noah. I would have been nothing more than his shadow. Now, I was the light.


    I stiffened slightly as I felt someone slide into the seat next to me.


    Calm down,


    I told myself. It''s just someone taking their seat. At worst, they noticed how beautiful you are and wanted to get a closer look.


    I forced myself to calm down but remained guarded in case the person did note with good intentions. Suddenly, a waiter came and ced a tonic and gin in front of me. I looked over at the waiter, who tilted his head towards the person next to me. I turned around to see a handsome blonde gentleman with sparkling blue eyes sitting. He shed me a


    brilliantly white smile, and I could not help blushing.


    "Mypliments, of course," the man said in a surprisingly deep and soothing voice.


    "Well, thank you," I said, taking a sip of the new drink so as to not offend the man. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"


    "Being the most beautiful woman in the room."


    I giggled, though it was one of the cheesiest lines I had ever heard.


    "Aren''t you sweet?" I said, briefly touching his hand.


    Heat sshed across his cheeks, but he maintained hisposure otherwise.


    "It''s just one of my many amazing c qualities.


    I almost barfed at that assertion, but I did not let it on. In truth, I was enjoying the attention, even if he wasBelongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    a bit self-centered and not entirely my type. It just felt good to be looked at like I once was as a schoolgirl.


    "So, who is this amazing man that I have the pleasure of speaking to?" I asked.


    The man took a business card out of his breast pocket and slid it across the table to me.


    "Mickey Jackson,wyer," he said.


    "Awyer, huh?" I said as my hand hovered over the card.


    Mickey nodded.


    "And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?" he asked. "An angel, perhaps?"


    1


    1


    suppressed the urge to roll my eyes.


    I''m-


    "Hannah."


    I froze as Noah approached us. The icy look upon his face sent chills down my spine, but I did not recoil or back down. "I don''t think that''s what my Luna should be wearing."

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 0014


    All the color rushed from M**ey''s face.


    Alpha Noah, I didn''t realize. Please forgive me..."


    I raised my hand to put a stop to M***y''s stammeringBelongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "It''s all all right, M***y," I said, my voice calm and even. My eyes did not leave Noah. "I can exin to Noah what was happening"


    I could hear M***ey swallowing. Surely, he thought that I was going to tell Noah about him flirting with me. That would be enough to make any lesser male''s blood run cold.


    I smirked. I wasn''t going to be nearly that boring.


    I


    I sn***ed the business card from M***y''s hand and turned it over in my fingers, making sure that Noah


    saw it.


    "I was merely asking thiswyer some questions about our problems."


    With an arch of my brow, I challenged Noah to see what I was insinuating. He did not disappoint.


    "Hannah, can we talk in private, please?" he said, breathing in and out through his nostrils to keep himself calm.


    Before I could answer, Noah took me around the waist and started pulling me out of the dining hall, holding me close. I struggled to keep up with his quick pace, and there was no denying the way that my heart pounded upon feeling our bodies flush against one another. But I kept my chin high and stony, determined not to let him-or anyone else-see my face


    As we walked, Noah slipped **y''s business card out of my hand and stuffed it into his pocket. "What''s going on, Noah?" I asked. "Where are we going?"


    We stopped in the lobby, at the intersection of the exit and the restrooms. Noah did not release my waist, instead tightening his grip on me. I felt his fingers dig gently into my hips, and it took all of my willpower to hide the flush that was trying to rise to my cheeks. He did not look me in the eye, instead staring directly at my dress as he spoke.


    "I think we might need to have a little talk about appropriate public behavior," Noah said through gritted teeth.


    My hand clenched into a fist. He wanted to talk to me about "appropriate public behavior"? After everything he had done with Zoe in public?


    I took a deep o breath ¨¤ to steady myself before I spoke.


    "Can I go to the bathroom first?" I asked, my throat tight with emotion.


    Noah thought about this for a moment, looked toward the nearby restrooms, then nodded. Reluctantly, he released my arm.


    "Thank you," I said sarcastically.


    I stormed into the restroom. As I entered, I heard a pair of voicesing from around the corner.


    T


    "How can I get more money from the Alpha?" one of the voices asked.


    I froze in my tracks. I pressed against the wall, straining to listen to the conversation without letting myself be seen.


    "You''re going to have to ckmail him," the other voice replied. "You have plenty of material to against him."


    "But I don''t want to hurt him," the other voice retorted. "I still love him, in a way."


    I gasped quietly.


    o use


    Was someone trying to ckmail Noah? No, this couldn''t be about Noah. He didn''t have anything about him worth ckmailing outside of his rtionship with Zoe, and this definitely was not Zoe who was talking. I would know her voice anywhere. Then again, who could they have been talking about? One of the other Alphas? Which one?


    .


    I decided to risk a peek around the corner. The women had their sides to me, and they did not seem to see me.


    One of the women was a hazel-eyed brte in a flowing blue gown andrge hoop earrings. The other had ming red hair and sapphire blue eyes with a seafoam green dress that cut just above her knee and hugged her form tightly. I could have sworn that I knew the redhead I from somewhere, but I could not quite put my finger on her identity.


    "Do you love him more than you want your fair share of the Luna''s property?" the brte asked. "More than you want afortable life for yourself?"


    "No, but do you really think that anything I have on him will be worth anything?" the redhead asked. "What could I possibly have that would make him give me more money?"


    "Try the sordid details of your affair. Trust me, he will do anything to keep you from leaking those particr details to the public."


    The brte leaned closer to the redhead,


    "And even if he doesn''t, people will pay through the nose for those details-"


    Suddenly, the door opened behind me.


    rushed


    I out of the bathroom as a gaggle of women piled in. I straightened my dress and patted my hair as I walked, pretending to have used the facilities to avoid raising any suspicions. Then I lifted my chin defiantly and strutted toward Noah. "How does my dress look?" I asked him provocatively, cing my hands on my hips.. Noah eyed me for a moment.


    "A bit short, don''t you think?" he said, folding his arms across his chest. "Especially for an event like this."


    I smirked a bit; he was flustered, clearly. He hadn''t seen me in anything that wasn''t at least ankle-length- "outside of our intimacy nights-in... I couldn''t even remember how long it had been. "What, is my figure not good enough for it?" I teased. Chapter 0014


    +25


    Noah opened his mouth to respond, but then his eyes froze on my torso. He cleared his throat and pulled at his cufflinks. "Who are you dressed like that for, anyway?"


    My smirk widened. So I had thrown him off. Good.


    "What''s wrong with wanting to look good?" I asked. "Or are you just worried that I''m stealing Zoe''s thunder?"


    Noah c***d a brow at me. "How could you steal Zoe''s thunder? You''re already my Luna. The attention tonight is already on you." His voice lowered a bit, and for a moment, his eyes seemed to grow almost husky as his gaze flickered down my body. "Oh, really?" I reached out and stroked Noah''s arm with a single finger. "You see, I could have sworn that the woman next to the Alpha is his Luna." I tilted my head and smiled sickeningly sweetly at him. "You''re even wearing matching outfits." Noah huffed and rolled his eyes. "If you''re talking about Zoe, it''s just a coincidence that we are wearing the same color," he said. This time, I was the one who rolled my eyes. "Coincidence, right." I shook my head at him. "You two are too in sync, and I''m not the only one who thinks so."


    Noah''s brow f furrowed.


    "Who else is saying that?"


    "Try all of the staff working this event."


    "


    "And you''re willing to believe them?"


    "And why shouldn''t I?" I asked. "Because they''re ''the help"?"


    Noah cringed as he realized that he had backed himself into a different kind of corner.


    "They''re the eyes and ears of the pack," I continued. "What they say is what the pack believes about us. Right now, the pack thinks that you and Zoe are much more in sync than you and I are." Noah scowled.


    "You shouldn''t believe everything that you hear-"


    "Then I''ll believe what I see. What I saw earlier certainly backs up what they''ve been saying."


    Noah sighed and slipped his jacket off his shoulders. He ced it around me without a word, his fingertips gently brushing against my corbone. I shuddered as his hot skin made contact with mine. His jacket smelled like his cologne. "I need to get some air," I muttered, wanting to put as much distance in between us as possible. I could not let myself fall into the trap of physical attraction to Noah again. Clutching his jacket close to me, I hurried to the exit. As I approached, I saw that someone stood in the


    I doorway: Zoe.


    I halted a couple of feet in front of her. I paled as a realization struck me. Zoe had heard the entire argument between Noah and me.

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 0015


    Zoe closed the gap between us and smiled.


    "Can we talk?" she asked, motioning outside.


    I nodded, unsure of what to say.


    We walked out into the slightly breezy night. I pulled Noah''s jacket more tightly around me, suddenly d that he gave it to me-but I wouldn''t tell him that. We stood right next to the exit, within sight of any guards on duty. "So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked.


    Zoe''s eyes darted around to our surroundings, as though she was not certain where to start.


    "I


    I wanted to thank you for your kindness on the day of my return," she finally said, looking me in the didn''t expect to receive such a warm reception. To be honest, I thought that I might be...exiled."


    eye.


    She breathed out thest word, too scared to say the taboo concept too loudly. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and blushed.


    "You have made this transition so much easier than I expected it to be, and I just.. I can''t thank you enough."


    To say that I was surprised by Zoe''s words would have been an understatement. All that I could manage to do in response was stare at Zoe and nod asionally as I tried to catch up with my racing thoughts.


    I had to remind myself that this was the woman that was ruining my marriage. This was the woman that my husband had humiliated me with in a previous life. I could not let her get under my skin, especially not in a way that made me feel sympathetic towards her. "I''m sure that it''s hard to return to a pack after you''ve married into another," I said. "The scandal, the ostracization, I don''t want to make it any harder on you than it already is."


    In a way, I meant what I said, I didn''t want to make Zoe''s transition back into the Nightcrest Pack any harder than it needed to be. I just wanted to be the Alpha of my own pack-and maybe cause a little trouble between Noah and Zoe along the way.


    "I


    really


    appreciate that. You wouldn''t even believe how hard it''s been trying to get a separation from Drake."


    Zoe bit her lower lip in contemtion.


    "I want you to know that I''m not trying to affect your marriage to Noah at all," she continued. "I know that my return has probably caused some misunderstandings, but it wasn''t my intention."


    I pursed my lips and nodded.


    What could I say? That I didn''t believe her? That I doubted that Zoe happened toe back to the pack that her former bonded mate was the Alpha of without the intention of getting back together with him?


    "Zoe''s brow furrowed. She knew that I didn''t believe her


    "I returned I to Nightcrest Pack so that I can go through the separation process with Drake," she insisted.


    0015


    Chapter 001 He take


    take our child, so I need the protection. It''s not aboutpeting with you for Noah."


    te a


    My heart stung at the mention of Drake trying to take away Zoe''s child. My hand subconsciously drifted to my stomach, but I quickly forced it to fall to my side so that Zoe would not notice anything suspicious. Perhaps we had more inmon than I had thought. "What about everything that the media is saying?" I asked, trying to get myself back into my defensive frame of mind. "Or the fact that you and Noah are dressed to match tonight?" Zoe rolled her eyes.


    "Please don''t listen to anything that the media says," she replied. "They''re just trying to stir up things up for headlines. I''m sure that you''re used to that by now.


    Of course, I was used to that. I had all kinds of experiences with that in my previous life. I couldn''t tell anyone-let alone Zoe-that, though.


    Zoe nced down at her dress.


    "As for my dress, my son thought it was pretty," she continued. "He begged me to wear it. He said that it makes me look like a mermaid princess." She smiled slightly, and I couldn''t help smiling back.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Zoe was telling the truth. After all, I was trying to separate from my husband and would be facing simr obstacles if I didn''t handle my cards correctly, ," I said. "I appreciate you saying that."


    Thank you, Zoe,"


    I sighed.


    "It''s not you that''s the problem, though. It''s Noah."


    Zoe ran her hand up and down her arm. She bit her lower lip, unsure of whether to continue with her next sentence.


    "Do you....want to talk about it?" she asked.


    I shook my head.


    don''t think that would be a wise idea."


    Zoe exhaled, as though in relief. I supposed I didn''t me her for not wanting to talk to me about my marital problems with her former bonded mate. Hannah you ever-"


    "Well, if


    Zoe and


    I turned our heads as Noah ran out of the exit and towards us. He grabbed my wrist as he approached and pulled me close to him.


    "What are you two talking about?" he asked.


    I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes at Noah. This scene was very simr to when I had tried to talk to Zoe in my previous life.  Chapter 0015


    +25


    In that life, Noah had always been very nervous whenever Zoe and I interacted. He was probably afraid that I would say something hurtful to a fragile Zoe. I almost rolled my eyes at the thought..


    I nced over at Zoe, who fidgeted with her fingers and did not look at either Noah or me. A smirk crossed my face as an idea popped into my head. I turned back to Noah, nothing."


    Oh,


    "I said. Then I returned my attention to Zoe and stage-whispered, "You won''t reveal my secrets, will you?"


    Zoe, catching on to my ploy, smiled and nodded.


    "Of course not, Luna," she replied.


    The tips of f Noah''s ears turned red. The muscles in his arms clenched, and his grip on my wrist tightened. "Hannah, can I speak to you in private?" he asked.


    I tried to pull my arm out of his f his grasp, but he would not release me.


    Yes, Noah," I


    I said reluctantly,


    I turned to Zoe. "If you''ll excuse us...


    Luna, Alpha, for entertaining me tonight."


    Without another word exchanged, Noah took me back inside and led me to the private room just off of the dining room. Once inside, Noah released me long enough to shut the door and lock it behind us. He turned to face me, a glint in his eyes, and I swallowed Hard against the knot forming in my throat. Noah charged up to me. He grabbed my forearm, twisting to create a slight burning sensation. I gasped silently at the pain.


    "You will exin to me what just happened back there, he demanded.


    I red at Noah. If that was how he wanted to y, then I was more than willing to y.


    I let my wolf take momentary control of me. My fangs descended. I bit hard into his forearm, causing him to call out in pain and release me.


    I grinned and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. Blood stained my skin and lips. Noah''s blood.

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 0016Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "Did you just bite me? Are you insane?" Noah eximed


    "It would be strange if I weren''t going crazy," I muttered to myself. I licked my lips, savoring the taste of Noah''s blood. "In fact, going crazy is quite enjoyable." It would be even more enjoyable if it kept Noah away from me, I added mentally.


    "Does it hurt?" I trailed my fingers over Noah''s forearm, and for reasons I couldn''t fathom, he shivered. I half-expected him to jerk away, but he didn''t.


    "But it''s nothingpared to the pain I''ve been through. Ha, consider that a joke, Alpha."


    I don''t know why, but I have all the thrill of revenge in my heart.


    Before I turned to leave, I caught Noah staring at his injured arm. There was even a hint of a... smile?


    "It seems you''ve finally learned how to fight back," he murmured, almost to himself than to me.


    I paused, a mix of anger and a peculiar sense of pride swirling within me. "I had a good teacher," retorted, the shadow of our past encounters hanging between us. Noah''s gaze met mine, aplex tapestry of emotions unfolding in his eyes. "Indeed, you did. Maybe too good."


    "You think this changes anything?" I asked, my voiceced with defiance.


    He considered this, the corners of his lips twitching with an unreadable expression. "Maybe not... But it does make things more interesting."


    Noah rolled up his sleeve to prevent blood from getting on his shirt and sped his injured forearm. He stared at me curiously for a moment, as though he had not expected that reaction from me and did not know how to handle it. His gaze sent chills down my spine, and I wasn''t quite sure why.


    I couldn''t help but respond to his challenge, the tension between us morphing into something dangerously akin to excitement. "Be careful, Noah. I''m not the same person you knew.


    "And I''m not the same Alpha you think you know," he countered, his voice low and husky, sending an unexpected thrill through me.


    "Here," he said, tossing me one of the wet washcloths. Clean your face and hand.


    My eyes narrowed at him. I strutted to the mirror on the far wall, making sure to show off how my figure looked in my dress, and started to clean off my lips and the back of my hand. By the time I was done, the pristine white washcloth was stained light red with dried blood. I reapplied my lipstick before I turned around to see Noah wrapping a bandage around his forearm. A half- smirk pulled at the edge of my lips. At least I left a mark on him.


    I dropped the washcloth onto the first aid kit and headed towards the door.


    "Where are you going?" Noah snapped,


    "Back to the ball," I said nonchntly as I ced my hand on the doorknob.


    "We aren''t done here."


    "1 think we are."


    Before Noah could protest any further, I walked out of the room and closed the door behind me.


    I tossed my hair back and went towards the dining hall, I held my head high and my shoulders back, swaying my hips to draw as much attention to the short length of my dress as possible. Drinking in the looksing from all around me, I felt a proud-if somewhat arrogant-smile spread across my lips.


    Then I saw Luna Emma running right for me, waving her hand in the air. My smile wavered, but I did not allow it to disappear. Appearances were everything, after all.


    "Luna Hannah!" Emma cried out as she rushed up to me. "Luna Hannah, how good it is to see you!"


    I forcefully cemented my smile in ce, even as my heart tightened. Emma had never been a friendly woman, especially not to me, so I could only imagine what she would want.


    Emma grabbed my hands and kissed both my cheeks. I returned the gesture, even though it made my


    stomach chum.

 Chapter 18

    hapter 0018 Chapter


    0018


    For a moment, my heart softened towards Noah.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    But I quickly reminded myself that he was not defending me; he was defending the position of Luna and our reputation. We were on the verge of a divorce, and he surely didn''t want anything else to taint our image before that Still, I relished the shock upon Emma''s face. It felt good to watch her get knocked down a peg. It served her right, trying to lecture me on how to keep men away from my husband when hers had- Then it hit me. I knew where I recognized that redheaded woman in the bathroom from. She was Emma''s husband''s mistress.


    The problem was that the truth had not been exposed yet.


    In my previous life, about a month after this event, there was a scandal regarding Emma''s husband and the redhead. It had brought great shame onto Emma andpletely blindsided her.


    I tilted my head and considered Emma. I had never really built good social rtionships with the other packs'' Lunas, always following in Noah''s shadow. Now that I wanted to be an Alpha, though, I would need practical alliances. I looped my arm through Emma''s andughed to cut the tension. "You need to rx, Noah," I said, flipping my hair. "Emma was only trying to give me some advice the best way that she could."


    Noah narrowed his eyes at me. Emma''s body stiffened so that even our intertwined body parts did not really touch, but she faked a smile at me.


    "Of course," she said. "Just a little Luna-to-Luna advice


    "It''s all in good fun." I turned my attention to Emma. "Speaking of good fun, I just overheard two women in the bathroom talking about how they should convince an Alpha to give one of them his Luna''s property." Emma''s eyes widened.


    "You mean-" her voice lowered-"an Alpha''s mistress is trying to ckmail him?"


    I nodded.


    Emma tightened her hold on me and started to drag me towards the restroom.


    "Well, we have to listen in on that!" she eximed, never one to back down from some juicy gossip.


    As we entered the restroom, I heard the same voices that I had walked in on earlier-still talking, still scheming. I stopped Emma short of revealing herself and got her to peek at them from around the corner as we eavesdropped. "He will ruin me if I try," the redhead said, frantically pacing back and forth.


    "If he tries to, you have enough information to tear down him and his b***itch Luna," the brte countered. "But who will believe me if he discredits me first? It''s not like he''s Alpha of one of the minor packs."


    The brte scrunched up her nose.


    "Yeah. Frankly, if it weren''t for his status, I wouldn''t believe that you ever slept with him. He''s so fat and-"


    ""Watch it!"


    "Well, it''s true. I mean, what do you do after making love? Run your fingers through his scalp?"


    Beside me, I felt Emma stiffen as she began to put the pieces together. Fury shed in her eyes. Her body curled as she prepared to pounce.


    I grabbed her elbow in my half-hearted attempt to stop the oing storm.


    "Wait, I lipped.


    Her lips a firm line, she shook her head and tried to pull away again. But once again, I stopped her. I shook my head and pulled her away, out of the bathroom and away from the two women.


    Once we were in the hallway again, Emma ripped her arm free and whirled to face me. Her eyes zed with fury, and her nostrils red. "Why won''t you let me confront them?" I asked.


    I swallowed. A moment ago, perhaps a more vindictive part of me had wanted to see the fight escte; but now, seeing the pain and anger in Emma''s eyes, I couldn''t help but feel pity for her. I knew that feeling all too well-that feeling of hurt, of betrayal, of feeling not good enough. Taking a hesitant step forward, I ced my hand on Emma''s shoulder. She flinched, but didn''t pull away.


    I


    "Talk to your husband in private," I said softly, keeping my voice low so only she could hear. "Handle this out of the public eye. Trust me."

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 0020N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Their remarks scraped at my pride, but I did not yield. I stood tall, pulling my shoulders back and holding my chin high. After all, I was not alone.


    I had known that this particr couple was going to harass me at this event. In my previous life, they were "shippers" of Noah and Zoe who held a strong hatred for me. I was ustomed to their shouting and insults Even worse, they had relentlessly pursued Zoe in my other life, causing Noah to ce Zoe in the most heavily guarded estate he had. Of course, he could not spare the same resources for me, leaving me vulnerable to the dogged paparazzi and the escting conflict that followed. I wouldn''t be made to fear them this time, though. No, this time I was embracing the paparazzi by inviting a journalist to an exclusive interview and documentary on my life. This journalist just happened to be capturing random moments for the documentary when we ran into the Noah/Zoe shippers I glided across the red carpet toward the pce''s entrance, maintaining myposure as the couple continued to yell at me. By my side, journalist Zhang Emily filmed the entire encounter.


    "Does this happen often?" she asked, swiveling the camera from my threateners to me.


    "More and more frequentlytely," I said nonchntly. Did you get enough footage of the dinner?"


    "Yes, I think so," Emily replied, though she sounded a bit distracted. I was surprised that she could focus on anything over the couple''s yelling. "Back to the remarks currently being aimed at you, any information that you can provide on that?" "Oh, that?" I waved the matter off, as though the couple were nothing more than a pair of annoying mosquitoes buzzing in my ear. "They''re just a couple of harmless Noah/Zoe shippers."


    Anyone watching this video would be able to see, based on the looks on their faces alone, that these two were anything but harmless. However, if I acted as though they were, then I woulde off as calm, cool, and collected. Emily even seemed to be put a little more at ease just by my words.


    "So, you aren''t worried about them causing any problems for you?" she asked.


    I nced over at the couple. When Emily''s cameranded on them, they froze in their spots. I smiled. kindly "No, not at all."


    The interview took ce in my living room the day after the big Alpha/Luna dinner. I set out a te of smi and cheese slices and two sses of wine for Emily and me to enjoy while we went through the questions. Emily set up her camera across the table from us to film us while she also wrote my answers down on a pad of paper. 1


    After she pressed the button to record and returned to her seat, Emily cleared her throat and began the


    Interview.


    "Thank you f


    for having me


    today, Luna Hannah," she began.


    "Thank you for being here, Emily," I replied. "Please, call me Hannah."


    "Of course, Hannah. It would be my honor."

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 0022


    There was a time when such a question would have infuriated me. In fact, in my past life, I once smashed everything in front of the person who dared to raise that notion to me. Not anymore.


    I didn''t love Noah anymore.


    I took another sip of my wine and tucked my hair behind my ear.


    "Everyone knows how perfect Zoe is," I said. "If I''m even a little bit like her, I would be overjoyed."


    "I have to agree," Emily said. "I think anyone would be ecstatic to bepared to someone like Zoe."


    "Exactly."


    I smiled slightly.


    "Besides, I don''t like female rivalry. Why should women''s conflicts always be about men? There are so much more important things to fight about."


    Emily smirked.


    "That there is."


    ***


    The day after the interview, I sat on the couch, using my tablet to watch various news outlets showing clips of the couple attacking me alongside my interview. So far, thementary appeared to be very positive and sympathetic towards me.


    "I can''t imagine being so calm under such pressure," one newsmentator remarked. "Only a true Luna could be so unresponsive to those kinds of insults being hurled at her, especially in public."


    "I have never seen a Luna so open and generous with her resources, and with a tabloid reporter, at that," another pointed out. "It was as though we were watching two old friends having an intimate conversation, rather than an interview. I don''t know what''s gotten into Luna Hannah, but I can''t wait to see more of it."


    I puffed my chest out a little at that note. If thesementators were any reflection of what the general poption thought about my documentary and interview, then things were going exactly ording to n.


    As I switched to thements section on social media, my grin only grew wider. What had once been filled with gossip and Noah/Zoe remarks was now brimming with support for my position.


    Why would those people just attack her out of the blue? onement said. Even if you do support Noah/ Zoe, it''s in such poor taste.


    The poor woman! another remarked. To think, she has to put with this kind of thing in her everyday life. Shame on them!


    Look at howid-back and open Luna Hannah is, said a third. How many Lunas do you know who act like that? She has to be the most approachable and down-to-earth Luna there is. Most approachable and down-to-earth Luna, huh? I thought, my grin transforming into a smug smirk. I like the sound of that.


    Even the conversation surrounding the supposed love triangle among Noah, Zoe, and myself had shifted in tone. Instead of viewing me as the interloper in Noah and Zoe''s rtionship,ments were starting to drift towards whether Noah should even return to his first love.


    Zoe might be his first love, but Hannah does seem to be a catch herself, one social media user said.


    I''m on the fence, anothermented. Should true love win out? What will happen to poor Hannah?


    I''m a staunch Noah/Zoe shipper, but it''s up to Noah to make his return to his first love, the third one remarked. Hannah has nothing to do with it. Outside of this debacle, she''s a great Luna. 1


    I continued to scroll through thements beneath the clips. There were still a few Noah/Zoe shippers trying to troll me, but the vast majority of the remarks were very supportive and loving how I had opened up and satisfied the curiosity of the public. Many even echoed the sentiment that I was the "most approachable and down-to-earth Luna" of our time.


    I was on Cloud 9 when my phone rang. Taking a nce at the screen, I saw that it was Viona.


    "Hello?" I answered.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "Hey, Luna," she said teasingly. "Someone has been all over the news today."

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 0023


    "Oh, and who was that?"


    Iughed.


    "Don''t y stupid now, Ms. Approachable and Down-to-Earth!"


    "You''ve been reading thements, too?" I asked.


    "Of course, I have!" Viona replied. "You seem to be the only thing on everyone''s minds."


    "Well, me and Noah and Zoe."


    "Nah, it''s definitely you this time, girl. You have everyone''s tongues wagging with that glimpse into your personal life. Nice touch with that wine and cheese, by the way. "Wine, cheese, and smi, thank you very much." "Oo, so fancy."


    We bothughed loudly, then silence fell between us.


    a


    "So," Viona said after a minute, "did pair of Noah/Zoe nutjobs really hurl insults at you like that? Just out of the blue?"


    "Yup. That was all off the cuff, unedited."


    Viona let out a low whistle.


    "Damn. I don''t know how you deal with


    "I just let it all roll off my shoulders. Their preferences are not my issue."


    "Still, I couldn''t handle it, especially not on a day-to-day basis like you do. I mean, it''s one thing to carry the burdens of a Luna..."N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "It t alles with the honor of being Noah''s Luna."


    Viona''s groan rumbled across the phone line.


    "I wouldn''t tolerate that for any man."


    "Less than a a month left."


    "Less than a month. I tell you, if you keep gaining followers like


    sorry that he ever let you go."


    this interview, Noah is going to be


    "That''s the idea, isn''t it? Wasn''t that the purpose behind wearing that dress to the charity ball?"


    "That and attracting some cute guys."


    rolled my eyes but gave Viona a chuckle, nheless


    "So, you still haven''t told me what you want to do with yourself after the divorce," Viona said.


    I hesitated. I still wasn''t sure whom I should tell about my n to be Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack. Viona had, so far, proven loyal to me, but that didn''t mean that the same would prove true after my true  +25 BOI Chapter 0023


    intentions


    were dered.


    I decided to tell her a half-truth.


    "I''m focusing on improving my reputation right now," I said. "That way, I''lle out better in the divorce and get more of what I want." that it''s working."


    "I''d


    say


    "Peopl


    adored your interview. I''m sure that if you continue on that path, you''ll be the shining star of your rtionship in no time." That made me smile broadly and sit up straighter. I trusted Viona to not just stroke my ego when it came to this kind of thing, and it was very validating to have someone so close to me confirm that I was doing the right thing. "I''m d. I was thinking-


    I halted as the front door opened, revealing a grim-looking Noah. My heart raced. He would not be home on a day outside of our intimacy nights unless he had a bone to pick with me.


    "Hannah? Hello?" Viona asked, her tone concerned. "Is something wrong?"


    I shook my head, trying to dislodge the stunned feeling I had from Noah''s arrival.


    "Yeah, everything''s all right," I replied. "Look, Noah just walked in. I''m going to have to call youter."


    "All right," Viona said, her tone still cautious. "You let me know if you need anything, okay?"


    "Of course. I''ll talk to youter."


    "Bye."


    I hung up the phone as Noah set his messenger bag on the couch beside me. He towered over me, his arms crossed over his chest. His nostrils red and his eyes were dark, but he otherwise kept his emotions physically under control. "Hello, Noah," I said, ensuring that my voice was as strong as possible. "Is something the matter?" Noah''s arms tensed.


    "I think if you''re going to do interviews, you should at least notify me."

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 0024


    I pulled my shoulders back and lifted my chin defiantly


    "T wasn''t aware that I needed your permission to do interviews," I said.


    "You know


    how I feel about the media," Noah replied through gritted teeth. "Why don''t you enlighten me once again?"


    "For


    Noah breathed in deeply through his nostrils in an effort to remain calm.


    r the Alpha family, maintaining distance from the media, especially tabloids, is the best approach. They''re nothing but boring gossip mills anyway."


    t I stood up and held myself at my full height, trying to appear bigger and braver than I actually was. "Those ''boring gossip mills'' are what the people really care about," I countered. "That''s where they get their impressions of us, and that''s where they''re going to look to in order to see what kinds of Alphas we are. Why else would they be covering every event that we attend?"


    Noah opened his mouth as though to protest but quickly snapped it shut. He had no good retort for that. "Besides, it''s not my fault that I was attacked by supporters of you and Zoe," I imed. Noah''s brow furrowed.


    "Well, it wasn''t my fault, either."


    "I didn''t anticipate how much trouble Zoe''s return was going to cause for me, and you didn''t put enough security personnel on me," I argued. "You brought the trouble. I resolved it."


    "How did you resolve it?" Noah asked, sounding aghast. "All you did was make our problems known to the public-"


    "Not our problems, Noah. My problems. And by doing so, I got people to see things through my eyes and sympathize with me."


    I ced my hands on my hips, feeling emboldened by this move.


    "I don''t know about you, but I would call that resolving the problem-part of it, at least."


    Noah looked as though he were about to burst a seam. His face turned red, he raised a finger at me, and his mouth opened wide. Then, thinking better of whatever he had been about to say, he closed his mouth and lowered his hand, the color slowly draining from his face. "What do you want?" he asked. "What will make this right?"


    I paused for a moment. If Noah was willing to make concessions, perhaps I could take him up on it and get something that would help make this next month with him a little easier to bear.


    "I want to live in our most heavily guarded house and have a few more bodyguards," I said firmly, "to protect me from the Noah/Zoe zealots." Noah pursed his lips and his eyes moved rapidly as he did some mental calctions.


    +25


    "Deal."


    My instinct was to shake hands with him to seal the deal, but I kept both of them nted firmly on my hips to maintain my control over the situation.


    "Thank


    "Yes, kaly, So, trepie my voicecked any emotion. "Anything else?p


    actually," Noah replied. "The Lunar Festival is approaching. I was hoping that you could spend it with Zoe and her son, hosting a family banquet."


    Every muscle in my body tightened. The very thought of having to do anything with food in front of Zoe sent ice rushing through my veins. Thest time that I was near Zoe and food, it did not go well. It was my previous life; Noah had invited Zoe and her son over to our estate and had asked me to cook for her. However, because of my eating disorder, I did not cook and avoided most ingredients, and I ryed to them I did not know how to cook. That was my first mistake. My second mistake was letting Zoe step in and cook instead. She was such a natural and brought a warmth into our house that I never could have. Noah apuded her cooking, and Zoe said it was a basic skill for a mother.


    My third mistake was letting thatment get to me, making me think that Noah had never seen me as a nurturer or someone capable of being a mother. I didn''t know that I was pregnant then, and his unspoken criticism-conveyed in just a nce-cut me to the bone. Then I tried to eat some of Zoe''s food-my final mistake. Between the stress of the situation and my eating disorder, I couldn''t handle even that singr bite, and I threw up everywhere. Zoe cried in distress, and Noah reprimanded me for humiliating her before leaving with her and her son.


    In that life, that was thest time that Noah arranged for returned home. 1


    e and me to meet...and thest time that he


    I mentally pulled myself away from that memory. I could not let it interfere with my life now. I had to focus on my ultimate goal, and if that involved ying nice with Zoe, then that was what I had to do. "Of course," I said with a forced smile. "Anything for the Lunar Festival." Noah eyed me, probably unsure of how to take my sudden cooperation, but nodded, nheless. "Good. Thank you."


    He bent over and picked up his messenger bag, slinging it over his shoulder.


    "I have to go now, but I''ll be in touch with the details. Remember to contact me before taking any more interviews."


    We''ll see about that, I thought.


    Noah stared at me, waiting for confirmation. When he didn''t get any, he sighed and headed for the door.


    As soon as the e door closed behind Noah, I ran my hand through my hair and began to pace. I had no clue what I was going to do about this family banquet. My vomiting had only gotten worse since that night Zoe cooked, and my appetite hadn''t gotten any better, either. I thought about the night at the bar when I had split a te of nachos with Viona. I had to force myself to


    +25


    eat even that much, and it was only for my baby''s sake that I had done even that.


    !


    stopped pacing mid-step. My baby. I didn''t just need enough nutrients for myself now; I needed enough to provide for my growing baby as well.


    My hand fell to my stomach. I rubbed it lightly in small circles, trying to convey all the love and nurturing that I felt for my baby into that touch.


    I had to try harder. For my baby. That was who this was all for, after all.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    I


    If I was going to hold this family banquet and get past my stomach problems, I was going to need some help.


    I sighed and picked up my phone.


    "Hello?" Viona answered.


    "Hey, it''s me," I said.


    "Hannah!


    §±§Ñ§á You don''t sound so good. Is everything okay?"


    "Yes and no."


    Viona''s voice grew concerned.


    "Is there anything that I can do to help you?"


    "You know how you took those online cooking ssesst year?"


    "Yeah?"


    was


    hoping that you could refer me to them and..."


    "And what else?"


    I could feel the heat flushing my cheeks. I wasn''t sure why this was so embarrassing for me, but it was. I


    I


    supposed that I didn''t want even my closest friends to know my secret...my worst-kept secret.


    "And can you help me learn to cook food that I will actually want to eat?" (1)


    There was a long pause before Viona responded.


    "Of course, Hannah. You know that I always have your back."

 Chapter 25

    Chapter 0025 Chapter


    0025


    The next day, I invited Scott to the house for coffee and a chat. As we sat at the dining table, sipping at our mugs, we talked about everything from the sess of my interview to the effect that wearing that dress had on Noah. Somehow, wended on Scott''s recent string of blind dates set up by Noah. "What didn''t you like about her?" I asked as I subconsciously stirred my ck coffee. The stuff burned my stomach, but all this time of weight obsession made me have an aversion to anything-cream, sugar, even milk-in my coffee. "I don''t know," Scott confessed. "I just didn''t feel anything between us. There was no...spark there."


    I took a sip of coffee.


    "Well, if the spark isn''t there, then it isn''t there."


    "The problem is that she was thest eligible girl within the Nightcrest Pack, and I still haven''t found my fated mate."


    I arched my brow at him.


    "So, what is Noah going to do?"


    He shrugged.


    "I think that he''s considering looking at some girls from other packs."


    A pang of sadness st¨²ng my heart. Noah was going to such great lengths to help his half-brother find his fated mate, but he was not willing to let him marry someone from a suitable background. I twisted the wedding ring on my left hand. I supposed that this was a lesson that Noah had learned from his personal experience.


    "How do you feel about that situation?" I asked.


    Scott huffed out a breath through his nostrils.


    "I just wish that I could find a mate as gentle and affectionate as you are."N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Heat flooded my cheeks, and I looked away.


    "Oh, Scott, you don''t mean that."


    He ced his hand over mine.


    "Yes, I do," he said firmly. "My brother doesn''t appreciate you like he should. It infuriates me that he doesn''t understand what he has..."


    I bit my lower lip and slipped my hand out from underneath Scott''s. I tucked a strand of hair behind my


    ear.


    "That''s very kind of you to say. I''m sure that you will find someone worthy of your love soon."


    "I don''t know. Bing mates requires destiny, and I just don''t know if it''s in the cards for me right now. Certainly not like it was for you and Noah."


    I sighed quietly and stared into the dark liquid inside my mug. Was it really destiny that Noah and I ended up together? It was hard for me to believe that, after everything that I had gone through.


    The fact that I was given a second chance at life, though, did tell me that destiny was on my side for other things. Now, it was time to see if Scott would be, too.


    "Scott, can I ask you something?"


    "Of course."


    "Would you still support me if I wanted a divorce?"


    Scott pursed his lips. He picked up his mug and drank his coffee slowly. I could see in his eyes a struggle going on within his mind.


    After a minute, he set the mug back down and smacked his lips.


    "Luna Hannah, everything I do is for the happiness of both you and Noah," he reluctantly admitted. "I don''t think that a divorce is conducive to that."


    I tilted my head down, then nced up at Scott through myshes.


    "But what if I would be happier if I left Noah?"


    Scott''s lips pulled downward in a frown. Without a word, he stood up and left the house, leaving me alone in deafening silence.


    ***


    I don''t want to do this, I texted Viona after I pulled up to her house.


    Just get your butt in here! she replied. It''ll be good for you, girl. I promise.


    I rolled my eyes.


    Fine, but remember, this was YOUR idea.


    Yeah, my GREAT idea.


    I grabbed my purse and headed up the steps to the front door. I adjusted the straps of my ck c***I dress before ringing the doorbell. A grin spread across my face as Viona and Amber opened the door together, each holding a margarita in one hand.

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 0026


    There she is, the guest of honor!" Viona eximed as she grabbed my wrist and dragged me inside


    I''m still not sure if this is such a good idea," I said. Nevertheless, I let her pull me into the livingoon, where music boomed and several young handsome men had gathered


    "Trust me, you need this," Viona said.


    Amber nodded enthusiastically.


    "They''re all here for you," Amber added, gesturing widely at the room full of men.


    My gaze glided over the gaggle of men. They were handsome, there was no denying that. However, couldn''t help thinking-rather reluctantly and bitterly-that Noah''s charm and looks surpassed them all.


    Another ringing of the doorbell shook me out of my thoughts. My eyes shifted toward the archway leading into the living room just as Viona led Noah and his business associates through. I narrowed my eyes z Noah as he excused himself from the rest of the group and headed towards me.


    Before he could reach me, Viona grabbed Noah''s arm


    "Don''t worry about your current wife," she said rather loudly, wiggling her brows provocatively. "We''re taking perfect care of her. We''ll find the perfect man to keep herpany.


    Noah sneered at Viona and ripped his hand out of her grip.


    As he marched over to me, I quickly slipped into the crowd of young men. I jumped in surprised as one


    apped me on the shoulder.


    "Would you like to dance?" he asked, bending close to my ear so that I could hear him over the music.


    I looked over my shoulder to find Noah struggling to make his way to me. My brows furrowed, and my jaw set in determination.


    "I''d love to." I said, brushing my lips against the young man''s ear. I sensed him trembling from the


    ntact, and the surge of power it gave me caused me to smirk.


    ang was very upbeat and fast, allowing me to press close to the young man while gyrating my hips. 1 ced his hands on my waist, my backside touching his torso and crotch. I could feel that he was enjoying the closeness of his dance, and I hoped that it showed enough for others to see.


    I grabbed his hand and urged him into spinning me around. As we twirled and twirled, a wide berth was given to us to avoid us hitting anyone. When we stopped, Inded in his arms, which I guided low onto my back as I ground my hips against him.


    I stared into the young man''s sparkling green eyes. He smiled at me, a wolfish smile that said he wanted to devour me right there and then. I lifted my hand and ran it through his messy ck hair, then traced along his chiseled jaw. Suddenly, I felt a hand wrap around my upper arm and tug at me. Before I even locked st who it was, I tore my arm out of the person''s grasp. Then I turned in my dance partner''s hold to face my confronter. Noah. "What are you doing?" Noah demanded.


    "Dancing," I replied.


    "With another man?"


    I shrugged.


    "It''s just dancing."


    Noah''s eyes narrowed.


    "I think I would like to cut in."


    I tilted my head, as though considering the matter, then shook it.


    "No, I don''t think so."N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    One of Noah''s eyes twitched.


    "Why?"


    "Because you should mind your own business."


    Noah raised his finger, about to object, then lowered his hand. His face red, he stormed out of Viona''s house. His business associates followed closely behind him, shooting me onest look before they left.


    I shrugged as though the incident meant nothing to me. On the inside, I was roaring in triumph. I turned back to my dance partner and wrapped my arms around his neck, smiling suggestively. "Now, where were we?"

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 0027


    Noah watched as the servants transformed his dining room into an elegant hall for the family banquet. With the most elite werewolves of the Pack and their familiesing to this intimate gathering, he wanted to ensure that everything was perfect. Besides, anything that kept him away from Hannah at the moment seemed like a blessing.


    Ever since he had seen Hannah at that party, dancing with that man, Noah had been constantly irritated with her.


    Technically, she hadn''t done anything that he didn''t agree to. She had warned him that she nned on dancing with other men, and he had begrudgingly agreed to it. But still, it bothered him.


    He had been finding fault with everything she did and being overly critical overall. He had even snapped at her that morning just for wearing a dress that he thought was the wrong color for this event.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Noah had told himself that it was just because she was his Luna and he was not used to seeing her with other-admittedly handsome-young men like that. Yet something deep inside him told him that there was something more, something that he did not want to admit. Something that he did not even want to think about.


    "You there!" he yelled to a servant hanging up a blue banner. "We agreed on red and gold, not blue and gold!"


    I stood by Zoe''s side as she prepared the dinner for the family banquet. Adam sat in the middle of the kitchen, ying with his Transformer toy while the adults worked and talked.


    "Could you chop up the garlic for me?" Zoe asked as she stirred an enormous pot simmering on a burner,


    "Of course."


    I cut into my first clove of garlic, my nose wrinkling as the smell wafted up into my face. I had never liked the smell of garlic in the first ce, and I liked it even less now that I was struggling with an eating disorder. Nevertheless, I persisted. "You know, I was surprised when you and Noah invited me to this banquet," Zoe said as she added some sort of spice to the pot. I supposed that I should pay closer attention to what she was doing if I wanted to learn how to cook. "Oh?"


    "Yes, especially after...well..."


    I knew what she was talking about. I wasn''t sure how much of the argument she had overheard between Noah and I at the charity ball, but I was sure that it was enough. I waved my hand dismissively before I returned to chopping the garlic. "Bygones," I said. "Really, I appreciate the help with the cooking. I don''t spend much time in the kitchen."


    Zoe smiled slightly.


    "It''s no trouble at all. I love it."


    She paused.


    "I''m grateful for thepany, honestly," she continued, "It seems that Drake Nightcrest Pack soon."


    Zoe said that with such disdain that I hesitated.


    "He is, is he?" I asked.


    Zoe nodded, a scowl spreading across her delicate features.


    is nning to visit the


    "It worries me." She nced over at my small pile of garlic on the cutting board. "Go ahead and pour that into the stew."


    I followed her instructions, my hands trembling a little as I tried to ensure that nothing fell onto the floor or into the burner. Zoe smiled approvingly as I backed away, and she began to stir the stew. She took a sip and exhaled contentedly. "Delicious." She held a small spoonful out to me. "Want a taste?"


    My stomach knotted. I shook my head.


    "No, thank you."


    Zoe shrugged, though she looked disappointed.


    "You know," she said as she moved to the opposite end of the kitchen, "one of the best things about cooking is that you get to sample your creations while you''re working.


    My stomach tended to disagree with that.


    "I''ll have to take your word for that."


    Zoe frowned at me as she took a pie tin out of a cupboard.


    "Would you mind getting out the mason jars of peach slices that I brought for the peach pies? There should be three in my tote bag on the counter." 2

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 0028


    I walked over to the counter and dug out the mason Jars. One of the jars was sticky on the side, and I found that the lid was loose with juice leaking down the side. Fortunately, none of it had gotten on Zoe''s bag.


    I tried to tighten the lid but had to open it for realignment. Looking into the jar at the fruit, I couldn''t help my mouth watering at the juiciness of the plump peach slices. Before I knew what I was doing, my fingers reached into the jar, pulled out a slice, and popped it into my mouth.


    To my surprise, my body savored the sweetness of the peach slice. Instead of being revolted, I chewed slowly and swallowed the treat with relish. My stomach did not sting but sang in relief at the small piece of food.


    Was my appetite improving? Could this be a blessing from the life blossoming inside of me?


    Quickly, I screwed the lid back on the mason jar. I turned to take them over to where Zoe was preparing


    the crust. the dessert. Her eyes met mine, and she smiled slyly at me before returning her attention to


    As the guests filed into the dining room, Noah stepped into the kitchen to survey the progress on the meal. Zoe had her back turned, stirring a pot of soup on the stove, as I arranged the deviled eggs on te.


    Noah was silent as he watched me, his arms folded across his chest. I could feel his gaze boring into me.


    "Is something wrong?" I finally asked.


    "Is this really edible?" he blurted out, picking up one of the deviled eggs and inspecting it closely.


    I ced my hands on my hips. "What do you mean by that?"


    He shrugged. "You never cooked before and you hardly eat anything. How could you possibly prepare this meal?"


    "Can''t I try something new?"


    Frowning, Noah popped the deviled egg into his mouth. He made a production of chewing slowly, as though contemting the quality of the food, but I knew that he had already made up his mind about it before he had even swallowed.


    "Well, it isn''t the most delicious thing I''ve ever tasted," he said with a slight chuckle. "You know this is for a family banquet, right? Not a lowbrow party that''s filled with men who will put pretty much anything in their mouths?"


    I felt a gasp escape my lips. Whirling my head around, I saw Zoe stiffen by the stove. She didn''t turn around-therefore, she had no idea about the look on Noah''s face.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    But I did. And I could tell from the sharp look in his eyes and the biting smirk tugging at the corners of his lips that he was just saying these things out of jealousy because he still hadn''t gotten over what happened at Viona and Amber''s party. Asshole.


    "It was Zoe''s cooking," I said. "I''m just helping to serve it."


    I walked over to where Zoe stood and gathered her in my arms, and felt her tremble against me as she tried to contain her tears.


    "It''s okay," I told her. "He didn''t mean it that way."


    As Zoe buried her face in my shoulder, I shot an angry nce back at Noah. He red at me, and I held his gaze defiantly.


    He wanted to mock me in front of Zoe, but it had backfired. Maybe that would teach him to pick on me in order to stroke his own ego.


    "Well, since the two of you seem so close suddenly," he said, "you might want to know that Drake ising as a member of the Alpha Council."


    Adam, who had popped his head in to see what his mother was doing, smiled broadly at the sound of this


    news.


    "Daddy!" he eximed.


    Zoe pulled away from me. Her face paled.


    "Drake...he''s reallying."

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 0029 Chapter 0029


    Noah and I prepared to ept Drake into our home. Drake would be staying at Le Pis, the most luxurious hotel in the Nightcrest Pack territory, but for his first night there, we were holding an intimate dinner to wee him to the area. It would only be Noah, Drake, myself-and Zoe and Adam.


    "I don''t think you understand," Zoe sald as she helped me to set the table.


    After the fiasco of the family banquet, Zoe refused to cook anything for Noah again (not that I could me her), and Noah did not believe that I could even try to make anything eptable, so Noah hired a private chef for this meal. That left Zoe and me to do nothing more than ce tes and silverware on the table while we anxiously awaited our guest of honor.


    "What don''t we understand?" I asked.


    "Drake might say that he''s here on business and custody matters, but I know that he''s not," she insisted. He''s going to try and harass me. I''m just not sure how, yet."


    "We won''t let that happen," Noah said from his seat at the head of the table.


    I gave Zoe a tight-lipped smile.


    "Of course, we won''t." I paused. "It does make me wonder, though, why did you leave him in the first ce?"


    Before Zoe could open her mouth, Noah snorted.


    "Everyone knows about Drake''s yboy reputation," he said.


    "Everyone knows about my what?" a deep voice startled us.


    Noah, Zoe, and I turned toward the doorway to see the butler standing there anxiously. Beside him was a tall man-as tall as Noah-with broad shoulders, darker skin, and close-shaved hair. His white teeth shed as he snarled at Noah. "Alpha Drake," Noah said tly.


    "Alpha Drake, Luna Hannah," Drake replied. His eyes darted to Zoe. "Zoe."


    "Dad!" Adam cried, running up to Drake with his arms wide open.


    Drake smiled and knelt down, stretching his arms out to ept Adam''s hug.


    "There''s my big boy," he said, squeezing his son with all his might. He pulled away, looking Adam in the eye. "Have you been good for your mother?"


    Adam nodded enthusiastically.


    "Do you like your new Pack?" Drake continued, a slight edge now in his voice.


    Adam nodded again, though a little less ecstatically now.


    "Luna Hannah gave me a new toy!" Adam eximed.


    "Oh, she did, did she?" Drake nced at me, a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. "You''re going to have to show me. Chapter 0020


    "Now?"


    Adam''s eyes twinkled in a manner simr to his father''s as he ran over to where he had left the Transformer action figure.


    "Maybeter, sweetheart," Zoe said, her eyes set firmly on Drake. "Mom and Dad need to talk about adult things with Alpha Noah and Luna Hannah." Zoe turned her attention to Noah.


    "Is there somewhere that he can y while we wait for dinner?" she asked.


    Noah nodded.


    "Of course." Noah gestured to our butler. "Zachariah, please take Adam to we talk."N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    y in the sitting room while


    Zachariah nodded and approached Adam, holding his hand out to the little boy. Adam looked from Drake to Zachariah to Zoe, as though asking someone for permission to go. "It''s okay," Zoe said. "Go with Zachariah, and he''ll bring you back when it''s time to eat."


    Adam nced at Drake, seeming to expect a different answer.


    "Go ahead, buddy," Drake said, somewhat reluctantly. "Il be here when you get back."


    Adam timidly took Zachariah''s hand, and the butler led him out of the room.


    As soon as Adam was out of hearing range, Drake turned on Noah, his eyes ring.


    "So, what were you saying about my ''yboy reputation?" he snarled.


    Noah stood, and I quickly stepped into the space between the two men and raised my hands catingly at both of them.


    "Alpha Drake, I''m sure that Noah meant no offense by his words," I said.


    Drake sneered.


    "Yes, I''m sure that the man that my wife rejected meant nothing by bringing up my reputation in front of my son." Chapter 0030

 Chapter 30

    0


    Noah growled almost imperceptibly,


    "Your ex-wife," he countered.


    Drake''s hands curled into fists. The muscles in his arms tightened, and his jaw clenched. I could tell that it was taking everything in him to not spring at Noah and tear him apart just for the reminder.


    When I looked over at Noah, I saw that his bodynguage was mirroring Drake''s. Their eyes never left each other. If I had not been standing between them, I truly believed that the two alphas would haveunched at each other to prove their dominance. After a minute of this silent showdown, Drake lifted his chin defiantly, keeping his eyes on Noah''s.


    "You know, you''re a very greedy man, Noah," he said matter-of-factly.


    Noah arched a brow.


    "And how would you figure that?" he asked.


    "Here you have such a beautiful Luna- Drake gestured toward me- "and yet you''re still trying to get involved with other men''s wives."


    "Ex-wife," Noah reiterated, "and I wouldn''t be giving anyone lectures on how to conduct their personal lives if I were you. Given the life that you lead-"


    "The life that I lead is none of your business," Drake snapped. "What you do with Zoe, the mother of my son, is my business."


    "Zoe and I are not doing anything," Noah countered. "I respect Zoe''s wishes, and I don''t want to see her again."


    I had to suppress rolling my eyes. I might have believed when Zoe said that she didn''t want to ruin my marriage, but I had a hard time believing that Noah did not want to see her. 1


    Drake must have sensed my doubt because he turned his attention to me.


    "Do you believe that, Luna Hannah?" he asked. "Do you believe that our spouses want nothing to do with each other? Because I''m having a hard time swallowing that with everything that''s been in the presstely."


    I was torn. I knew that I had to still act like Noah''s dutiful wife in front of people like Drake for the sake of the uing Lunar Festival, but I did not want to lie about my feelings on this matter, not when it came to someone else who could be affected as much as I could be. "The media can be deceiving." I finally settled on saying.


    Drake shook his head, as though I had just disappointed him by failing his test.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "Do you all think that I''m really so delusion as to believe-"


    "Enough!" Zoe snapped, ring at Drake. "Enough. I''m leaving, and I''m taking Adam with me."


    I had the feeling that that wasn''t the first time that Zoe had told Drake those exact words.


    Zoe stormed to the doorway.


    ""Wait!" Noah called after her. "I''ll show you out."


    Drake stared at Zoe for a moment as she waited in the doorway for Noah. Then he closed his eyes, sighed, and reopened them. He turned to me and forced an awkward smile.


    "I''m sorry about all of this, Luna Hannah," he said, and he sounded sincere. "I did not mean to drag you into this mess."


    "It''s all right," I replied. I shifted on my feet, longing to follow Noah and Zoe to the doorway.


    "Please, let me have the chance to show you my better side." Drake ran his hand over his close-shaved hair. "Take me on a tour of the territory, show me some of your favorite ces."


    The request made my eyes widen. Drake wanted to spend some alone time, with me? It was only a tour of the territory, but it was still quite the surprise.


    I nced over at Noah where he stood in the arch of the door. He sent me a pleading look, begging me to decline. My stomach knotted.


    I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and smiled warmly at Drake.


    "Alpha Drake," I said formally, "I would love to show you around the Nightcrest Territory."

 Chapter 31

    Chapter 0031 Hannah


    25 BONUS


    That night, after the awkward tension at dinner, I found myself unable to finish my te. The rest of the family banquet went by without incident, Noah keeping his distance after I had seen him watching me from the hallway. I pretended to eat, falling back into my old habits: pushing my food around on the te, cutting it up into small pieces, always keeping myself and those around me talking so no one would notice. 1


    But around midnight, the hunger pangs started kicking in.


    That, and the nausea.


    I was


    Still extremely early in the pregnancy, maybe even too early for morning sickness. But, with so little food in my belly, it felt like a storm was roiling in my gut.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    I knew I needed to eat, if even only a few bites.


    Once Noah was out of the house and I was certain everyone was asleep, I quietly made my way down to the kitchen in my nightgown, my bare feet making no sounds on the marble floors. Cautiously, like scared animal searching for scraps, I gathered a small te of food.


    A few minutester, I was back in my bedroom with a te of cheese, bread, and fruit. It wasn''t much, but it was a start.


    And I wanted to start getting better. I wanted to nourish myself and the life growing inside me. So I thought that maybe trying to eat alone, in the privacy of my chambers, could be good practice.


    I settled onto the edge of my bed, the te bnced carefully on myp. One slice of fresh bread, a few pieces of sharp cheese, and two strawberries-simple foods, but my stomach still clenched anxiously at the sight of them.


    Steeling myself, I picked up a piece of the bread.


    Bread was always one of the most difficult things for me, thanks to the carbs. I stared at it for a long moment, turning it over in my hands as I tried to psyche myself up to take a bite. Finally, I closed my eyes and brought it to my lips, tearing off a small piece with my teeth. The flood of vors exploded across my tongue-the yeasty warmth of the bread, the slight tang from whatever Zoe had brushed on top before baking. Despite my initial trepidation, it was... delicious.


    Suddenly ravenous, as though the tiniest taste of food had sent my body into survival mode, I didn''t hesitate before taking another hungry bite, and another.


    With my eyes still closed, I chewed slowly, savoring each mouthful. A warmth began to unfurl in my belly, like the little life inside of me the clump of cells that had barely even begun to form into a coherent ball, again. but was still my baby-was singing with relief at finally being given sustenance


    Goddess, I couldn''t remember thest time I had tasted something so divine. Not even the sweet, juicy peach slice had felt like this.


    I was just about to take myst bite when a quiet creak made my eyes shoot open. There, standing frozen in the doorway, was Noah. Our gazes locked, and in my shock, the te slipped from myp and Chapter 0031


    ttered to the floor.


    We both stood there for a long moment, unmoving. He wasn''t supposed to be here; he had left earlier, and I thought it would be safe... and besides, why was he in my room? It wasn''t our intimacy night.


    I could feel the flush of shame heating my cheeks as I realized what he must think of what he was seetin- me shoveling food in like an uncouth pig, crumbs no doubt scattered across my face and nightgown. I opened my mouth, an excuse ready on my lips, but ho words came out other than:


    "What are you doing here?"


    Noah didn''t answer my question.


    To my surprise, instead of the insult or dismissivement I expected, Noah simply crossed the room and bent down to retrieve the fallen te. He picked up the few scraps that had touched the floor and brushed a few stray crumbs from the sheets before taking a step back.


    "If you were still hungry, why didn''t you eat more at dinner?" he asked. Much to my surprise, his tone held no judgment, only curiosity-which was rare for him.


    I swallowed hard, the remaining bite of bread feeling like a lump in my throat. Rather than answering, I deflected once again. "Why are you here sote? Don''t you usually leave the house in the evenings so you can sleep in your office or something?"


    Noah''s brow creased and his mouth twitched slightly at my question, but once again, he didn''t respond. We regarded each other in silence, the distance between us seeming to stretch endlessly.


    Then, just when I thought he might turn and leave without another word, he spoke again. "I had toe back for something."


    Come back for something. I felt my chest clench at those words. I supposed, for the briefest of moments, seeing him standing in my doorway almost made me wonder if he hade back to see me.


    But of course he hadn''t. We hated each other, didn''t we?


    With that, he turned and walked back toward the door without another word. I sat watching him, the taste of the food still lingering on my tongue.


    "You don''t need to be ashamed, you know," he suddenly said.


    I blinked at the back of his head, utterly surprised by his words. He paused, his hand on the doorknob, and cleared his throat. What he said next left my head reeling.


    "I''m... proud of you for eating. For trying.


    Then, the door clicked shut softly behind him as he left the room, leaving me alone with just the sound of my own ragged breathing. I stared down at the te in my hands, his parting words ringing in my ears. Proud of me? Noah had been nothing but cold and dismissive toward me for so long. This rare show of warmth and kindness was... surprising, to say the least.


    Rising, I crossed to the mirror and lifted my nightdress, staring at my hollow cheeks and bony frame. But there, just beneath my ribcage, was the slightest swell of my belly from the food Lhad just consumed.


    My fingers traced over the gentle curve as hot tears pricked at the backs of my eyes.


    Part of me still wanted nothing more than to purge, to rid myself of the calories and lose what little weight I had managed to put on. And for a moment, I almost did; my eyes darted over to the bathroom, where I knew that there was still half a bottle of diet plis sitting in the medicine cab.


    But then the memory of that horrible day resurfaced-of my baby, lifeless on the floor in a pool of blood and vomit from my illness. Thest thing I had seen before I had died.


    No.


    I couldn''t go through that again. Not after finally being given this second chance at life, at motherhood. No matter how difficult the road ahead would be, I knew I was doing the right thing.


    For my child''s sake...and my own.


    With silent sobs wracking my body, I rushed to the bathroom, flung open the medicine cab, and flushed the diet pills down the toilet.

 Chapter 32

    Chapter 0032 Noah


    As Noah returned the te to the kitchen sink, he found himself unable to fully suppress the small smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. Despite his lingering anger and frustration with Hannah, he couldn''t help feeling a glimmer of pride at her attempt to eat something.


    Her eating disorder had always pained him deeply.


    Not just because it marred her once lovely appearance-the sharp angles of her protruding bones, the sallow thinness of her cheeks-but because it spoke to a deeper brokenness within her.


    A brokenness he had never been able to fix, no matter how hard he tried.


    Hannah had grown far too skinny, to the point of it bing a serious health concern. Seeing her frail, emaciated form made his chest ache with worry, even if their rtionship had be... strained over the years.


    She was still his wife, after all. He still cared for her wellbeing, even if he might never admit it to her.


    With a weary sigh, Noah dried his hands on a towel and made his way back up to his study. He had onlye home to pick up a few things, and never intended to spend the night here.


    But as he gathered his extra folders and hisptop from his office, he couldn''t help but sigh. Perhaps he had been too harsh on Hannah at dinner. A kernel of guilt gnawed at him-her efforts with foodtely had beenmendable, as well as her attitude toward Zoe. He should have been more encouraging instead of mocking, he supposed. Maybe he would try to be just a little bit nicer... even though Hannah still royally pissed him off sometimes.


    The next morning, just as the sun was peeking over the horizon, a messenger arrived at Noah''s office with news that made his heart stutter: the Alpha Council would be arriving this evening, a full day ahead of


    schedule.


    Panic bloomed in his chest as he realized just how far behind the preparations still were. They had a g to throw, a g which would be judged for Nightcrest pack''s ability to host the Lunar Festival.


    Given the recent events in the press, Nightcrest pack hosting the Lunar Festival this year was of utmost importance. Normally, Noah didn''t care all that much; but if he was going to be divorcing Hannah soon, he wanted to make sure that he had all of the good press he could get. That wasn''t the only source of pressure, though.


    Drake would be here in mere hours, not days. Zoe''s ex-husband, the source of so much turmoil and heartache... Noah''s jaw clenched at the thought. He cared deeply about Zoe, even though she had arrived unannounced, and he wanted her to be safe.


    Pushing it aside for the moment, he leapt into action, barking orders at the servants to have the dining hall and guest quarters readied immediately.


    Noah was in the middle of instructing some decorators on hanging banners when a gentle hand on his arm made him turn. It was Zoe, a crease of worry marring her delicate features. Chapter 0032


    +25 A


    BONUS


    "Noah, may I have a word?" Her voice was soft, but there was an unmistakable tremor beneath it.


    He nodded gruffly, snapping his fingers at a servant to Instruct them to move a table more to the right. "Of course. What is it?"


    Zoe nced around at the bustling servants, chewing the Inside of her cheek, before leaning in closer. It''s about Drakeing. I''m.... I''m afraid. Of him."


    Noah felt his heart clench at the naked fear in her eyes. Instinctively, he reached out to grasp her hands in his own, giving them a reassuring squeeze,


    "What are you afraid of? You know I would never let him harm you or your son."


    She shook her head, chewing her lower lip anxiously. "It''s not that. I know he won''t hurt me, but... I''m worried he may try to... to take me back with him. Keep me from going through with the divorce."N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    The words hung heavy in the air between them. Noah''s grip on her hands tightened almost punishingly as a wave of protective anger washed over him. Over his dead body would Drakey a hand on Zoe, and if she wanted to leave her husband, she reserved that right. Along with the pang in his chest, though, a sort of irony washed over Noah as well. He realized, then, that he was also trying to keep Hannah from divorcing him-although, they had an agreement and he would let her go once the month was up, just as promised. Did Hannah feel this way about him? Afraid?


    "I won''t let that happen," he finally stated, his voice low and vehement. "Nightcrest pack is your home. It always has been. You''ll be safe here, I promise you that "


    Zoe''s eyes misted over with unshed tears as she lifted a hand to gently cup his cheek. "Thank you," she breathed, leaning in to press a soft, lingering kiss to the other cheek.


    Noah froze at the feeling of her lips against his skin, his breath catching in his throat. Heat blossomed in his belly as a rush of longing, buried but not forgotten, surged through his veins.


    For a wild, dizzying moment, he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and lose himself in her embrace. To rekindle the spark of passion that had drawn them together all those years ago and bound their lives forever. 2


    But the moment passed as quickly as it came. No. He didn''t feel that way about Zoe anymore; they had severed their ties, and he was married to Hannah now


    For now, at least.


    Zoe pulled back with a shy smile, giving his arm one final squeeze before turning to go. Noah watched her retreating form, his heart pounding in his ears as conflicting waves of affection and anger roiled inside of him.


    He was so lost in the swirl of emotions that he didn''t notice Hannah approaching until she was nearly upon him. Noah braced himself for her scorn, her fury at the intimate moment she had likely just witnessed between him and Zoe.


    In the past, she would have raged and wept at such a disy, perhaps even thrown herself at him in a jealous fit. Hell, she couldn''t even bear to hear Zoe''s name without locking herself in her room or starving


    2/3


    herself.


    But today... Today, she simply met his gaze with a cid smile, not a hint of ire in her eyes.


    "Good morning," she greeted pleasantly, as if everything were normal. As if Noah''s heart wasn''t still thundering madly in his chest from Zoe''s tender caress


    "Morning," he said, quickly turning away to instruct another servant on a centerpiece. "It needs more lilies," he stated.


    The servant dipped his head and scurried away for more flowers. Noah turned, expecting Hannah to be gone, but she wasn''t; she was still standing there, her thin arms folded across her chest, her dress hanging loosely on her frame-although perhaps the tiniest bit less loosely these days.


    "Need something?" he asked, perhaps a bit abrasively.


    Hannah simply shrugged. "Just overseeing the preparations," she said. "Tonight''s g is important to me,


    too."


    Without another word, she strode off, swinging her hips. Her hair was up with the nape of her neck exposed, and Noah couldn''t help but stare.


    Noah blinked at her as she glided away, utterly confused by her calm demeanor. Who was this new, confident woman? This Hannah who seemed utterly unruffled, even in the face of intimacy between her husband and romantic rival?? And what in all the hells had she done with his wife?

 Chapter 33

    Chapter 0033 Chapter 0033 Hannah


    Seeing Zoe kiss Noah''s cheek so tenderly, so lovingly, had filled me with a rage that made me want tosh out. I wanted to scream, cry, yell and throw things, even resort to my purging pills once more despite the fact th they had long since been flushed down the toilet.


    But I didn''t do any of those things. I don''t love Nooh anymore, I kept telling myself. It shouldn''t matter. Right now, my only goal was to gain enough approval so that when our divorce began, I would have a leg up on the matter.


    It was sometime around the afternoon that I caught Noah once again as he was walking out of the banquet hall where tonight''s g was to be held. He was absorbed in a text on his phone, and almost didn''t even notice me until I literally stepped in his way "Ahem."


    Noah jerked his head up from his phone and stared at me for a moment. "What is it?" he asked in that usual prickly demeanor of his-a far cry from the sweet words he had said to mest night.


    held the menu I was holding out to him. "Here''s tonight''s menu. You said you wanted to see it."


    Noah blinked at me, still seemingly caught off guard by myposed demeanor. "Oh. Uh, yes,


    ves, let me


    me see


    He took the proffered menu, his green eyes scanning the list of dishes. A small crease appeared between his brows as he read. "You''ve made somest minute changes," he observed, ncing up at me with a frown. "Why? We had the menu set days ago." I shrugged one shoulder lightly. "I may have added a few things based on... cravings." It was true, this morning, I had developed a sudden, unstoppable craving for crab cakes and chocte mousse-an oddbination, I knew.


    I couldn''t decide if it was pregnancy cravings, general food cravings now that my body had gotten the taste of foodtely, or perhaps both.


    Noah''s frown deepened scowl. "Cravings? Are you trying to be difficult on purpose? This is an


    Important event, Hannah."


    Pursing my lips, I simply held his gaze steadily. He always did have a tendency to jump to usations. But before he could start ranting, I slowly extended my arm, resting my hand on the crook of his elbow.


    I felt Noah stiffen at the gentle contact, his words dying on his tongue. Carefully keeping my expression neutral, I traced my fingernails lightly along the sensitive skin of his inner arm. A faint shiver rippled through his frame.


    "I thought you would be proud of me," I murmured, my voice pitched low so only he could hear. "Giving in said to my cravings, trying to eat more. Last night, you


    1 know what I saidst night," he snapped.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    There was a brief silence, and I maintained my cool expression. Noah''s jaw clenched, but I could see the barest flicker of heat in his gaze as it dropped briefly to my lips. His pupils were blown wide, inky pools of Chapter 0033


    ckness in a sea of green. 2


    We stood there motionless for a long, charged moment before he finally spoke again, his voice low and


    strained.


    "You''re right. If having certain... Indulgences will help you eat, then I won''tin."


    A small, triumphant smile curved my mouth. Leaning in, I pressed a lingering kiss to Noah''s opposite cheek-the opposite one from the one that Zoe had kissed earlier that morning. I wasn''t sure why I did it. As I pulled back, I saw a muscle feathering in Noah''s taut jaw, felt the slight tremble of his powerful frame so close to mine. Our gazes met and held, a thousand unspoken words and fiery heat zing between us. I felt something warm blossom outward from my groin, and I knew I wanted him. I really did.


    But I wouldn''t do it.


    Before I could make a mistake that I knew I would regret, I turned on my heel and walked away, hips swaying subtly with each step I took. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Noah''s reflection in a shining disy case-he was still frozen in ce, his gaze burning into my retreating form.

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 0034 Chapter 0034


    My heart gave a little flutter at the undisguised want and hunger in his eyes. This wasn''t like him, to want me outside of our intimacy nights. But something had changedtely.


    Later that evening as I began dressing for the banquet, stood in front of the floor-length mirror in my chambers and stared at my gaunt reflection. Viona, wearing her own dark purple gown for the evening, was carefullyying out potential gown options on the bed behind


    me.


    "I like this ck one," she said, pointing at a long ck silk gown with one hand while she lifted a wine ss to her lips with the other. "It''s sexy, but refined."


    I turned around and picked up the dress, then held it up to myself in the mirror. She was right; it was suitable for tonight. "But I haven''t worn this dress in... I don''t even know how long." I said absentmindedly as I turned this way and that. "There''s no time better than the present," Viona said.


    ncing down, I traced my hands over the hollows of my ribcage, the knobby protrusion of my hips. but there, just below my concave belly, was the tiniest swell. A gentle curve that caught the light, casting the faintest of shadows.


    It wasn''t my pregnancy showing, no-that wouldn''t begin to show for a good while.


    No, this was the sign of a belly with food in it. Not much food, but still something.


    I closed my eyes for a moment, picturing my body from before my eating disorder began-the slopes and valleys, the lush femininity I had forsaken through years of starvation. But now... now I could see that form returning, slowly but surely. Part of me hated it.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    A hand on my shoulder made me open my eyes. Viona stood beside me, meeting my gaze in the mirror, and it was only then that I realized I had tears in my eyes.


    "Hey. You''re doing great."


    I nodded and quickly wiped my tears away before they could ruin my makeup. "Thank you, Viona. For everything. For never losing faith in me."


    Viona shot me a small smile in the mirror and sat down on the settee at the end of the bed. "It''s what friends are for, isn''t it?" she asked.


    Smiling. I unzipped the gown and stepped into it. It went on smoothly and easily, hanging slightly loose on my frame but not in a bad way-more of a sexy, casual way. Viona stood and helped me zip it up.


    Then, her eyes lit up and she reached into her purse. "Actually, that reminds me... I brought this for you."


    Pulling out a folded pamphlet, she held it out to me. I took it from her and opened it to see details for a local support group-weekly meetings for women recovering from eating disorders and rted issues It waspletely anonymous, or so the tagline promised.


    "I thought you might be interested in this," she said. "I go with you, if you want. And you can wear a mask if you''re worried about your identity... although, if people saw their Luna admitting to her issues and publicly working on them..."


    Her voice trailed off, but the implications remained: my reputation. That was the reason behind so much of what I was doingtely. And she was right when she said that something like this would bolster my approval ratings.


    If the people of Nightcrest saw that their Luna was just another person, a woman struggling with her own issues but willing to conquer them, then they''d look up to me.


    "Viona, you''re a genius," I said, lifting my gaze to meet hers.


    Viona smiled at me and lifted her wine ss. But before she could say anything, there was a soft knock on the door. Assuming it was one of the servants, I called out without hesitating, "Come in."


    A momentter, the door cracked open and it was not a servant who stepped in.


    I felt my heart stop as I turned to see Noah standing there, holding a wrapped gift box in his hands.

 Chapter 35

    Chapter 0035


    -25 BONUS


    Hannah


    "Can I talk to you?" Noah asked, taking a hesitant step forward before his eyes flickered over to Viona," Alone?"


    Viona scoffed from behind me. "Whatever you have to say to Hannah, you can say in front of me," she said coldly.


    Noah shot me an almost pleading look, and I sighed. "Vlona, could you give us a moment, please?" I asked, turning to fix my friend with a meaningful look.


    Viona''s gaze flicked between Noah and me, clearly annoyed by his presence-and I didn''t me her. But finally, she nodded and picked up her skirt, striding out of the room.


    An awkward silence took over the room as Noah and I were left alone. I watched as his eyes raked over me, openly drinking in the sight of my body dressed in the slinky ck gown. The fabric draped on every curve, leaving just enough to the imagination-something I was sure Noah had noticed already.


    Then, with his face reddening and his jaw clenched, he looked away.


    "I''m still your wife for now, you know," I said, unable to resist a teasing lilt in my voice. "You''re allowed to look."


    Noah''s gaze snapped up to meet mine, the tips of his ears turning faintly pink. He cleared his throat roughly. "Actually... that''s not why I''m here."


    Moving further into the room, Noah extended the small gift box, carefully wrapped in shimmery silver paper. My brows shot up in surprise-gifts between us were unheard of outside of holidays and special asions, and even then it was a rare treat to receive anything from him.


    "What''s this?" I asked warily, making no move to take it


    "Just open it, will you?"


    There was an edge to Noah''s voice, a hint of impatience that put me on guard. My earlier bravado faded as a nagging sense of unease took root. He wanted something-I could sense it.


    Still, curiosity got the better of me. Slowly, I stepped forward, taking the small box from Noah''s outstretched hand.


    My fingers tore away the wrapping paper, revealing a ck velvet box nestled inside. Drawing in a sharp breath, I cracked open the lid... and felt my heart stutter in my chest.


    "Oh..."


    Nestled on a bed of pink satiny an exquisite diamond ne-a delicate tinum chain dripping with a constetion of glittering white stones. It was breathtakingly beautiful, the sort of fine jewelry that he hadn''t gifted me since our wedding. "Noah..." I lifted my stunned gaze to his face, searching for answers in his unreadable expression. "This is too much. I can''t ept-


    "Don''t be ridiculous," he cut me off gruffly, already reaching to take the ne from the box. "It''s nothing. And besides, it''ll go with your gown."


    the


    My cheeks flushed at the unexpected situation as Noah circled behind me. His cool fingertips brushed


    nape of my neck, making me shiver, as he carefully fastened the chain. Heat bloomed across my skin from even that barely-there touch.


    I stared at my reflection as Noah stepped away once more-at the glittering gems nestled in the hollow of my throat, throwing off sparkling refractions like captured starlight. It was a stunning piece, opulent and eye-catching against my simple ck dress. "Well?" Noah prompted in that same impatient tone, his gaze burning into the side of my face. "Do you like it?"


    "It''s beautiful. Thank you." I could still feel that sense of unease in my stomach, and I turned to fix him with a level look. "But let''s not pretend there isn''t a catch here," I continued before he could speak. "You didn''t give me this out of the goodness of your heart, Noah, What is it you want from me?


    Anger shed across Noah''s ruggedly handsome features, twisting his mouth into a fierce scowl. Dammit, Hannah, you think the worst of me-


    -


    "You never buy me gifts," I interrupted. "I know you''re just trying to butter me up. Just spit it out." We stood there, chests heaving, the air practically crackling with tension between us. Then, slowly, the fire in Noah''s eyes seemed to fade ever so slightly. His shoulders slumped, and he looked away.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "Alright. You got me," he murmured, something dark and unreadable flickering in his gaze. "I... have a request for you."


    I felt my heart sink. For a moment, I had almost let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, Noah was spoiling me purely to make me happy. But he was still the same old Noah-he would never do such a thing. Not for me, at least. 1


    Zoe, on the other hand....


    Just then, a sharp rap at the door made us both start violently. I whirled toward the sound as the door swung open to reveal Scott stepping into the room.


    "Apologies for the intrusion," he began smoothly, clearing his throat. "But the Alpha Council members. have just arrived. The banquet hall is prepared to receive them."


    Noah exhaled a low curse. "Thank you, Scott. Inform everyone that Luna Hannah and I will join our guests momentarily."


    Scott nodded and withdrew, leaving a loaded silence in his wake. Noah turned back to me, his green eyes glinting with something I couldn''t quite read.


    "We''ll revisit this discussionter," he said in a low voice. "After the banquet."


    "Fine."


    Without another word, Noah swept out of the room and left me.


    Noah was nowhere to be seen as I finally stepped through the gilded double doors and made my entrance into the banquet hall. Instantly, all eyes turned toward me, admiring murmurs rippling through the crowd.


    I lifted my chin confidently, mustering every ounce of polse I could manage as I sauntered toward the nearest group of guests. A flute of champagne was pressed into my hand by a waiter and I epted it even though I knew I wouldn''t drink it, just waiting for a good moment to sneakily rece it with sparkling juice so as not to raise suspicions.


    "Luna Hannah, you look stunning this evening," an elderly council member''s wife gushed, her eyes darting to the ne around my throat. "And that ne... Absolutely exquisite."


    Despite myself, I felt a pleased flush warming my cheeks. "Thank you," I said with a warm smile. "Actually, it was a gift from Alpha Noah. He wanted to surprise me.


    I didn''t dare mention that it was just a bribe. No, it was better this way, to keep the public thinking that everything was just dandy.


    Although, I didn''t have to wear the ne. I could have taken it off before I arrived, but I didn''t. I wasn''t sure why I didn''t.


    "Oh, how sweet!" the woman eximed, her hand fluttering over her heart. "Alpha Noah certainly has wonderful taste." "Mmm, yes... doesn''t he just?"


    My gaze drifted over the crowd, searching until my eyes atst found Noah across the way. He stood beside someone else, listening intently to something the other man was saying-but it clearly wasn''t holding his full focus. Those piercing green irises slid toward me like they were maized.


    Our eyes locked, the world around us fading into a hazy blur of colors and sounds. Noah''s gaze almost seemed to sear into my throat, then slid down my body, down the silky smoothness of my dress like skates on ice.


    Then, finally, his stare settled on my belly. Something indecipherable flickered in Noah''s expression, and for a moment, I felt panic rise up inside of me. He didn''t know, did he? No... how could he? There was no way he could know, and I wasn''t even close to beginning to show yet.


    Finally, his features smoothed once more into that infuriatingly nk mask and let out a sigh of relief. You''re being paranoid, I thought to myself.


    He turned away, and I made my way to the bar for something to rece the champagne.

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 0036 Chapter 0036


    Hannah


    After politely excusing myself from the cluster of council members'' wives, I made a beeline for the bar. My throat felt parched, an anxious dryness brought on by Noah''s lingering presence even after he had departed. The flute of champagne was already growing warm in my grip, and I certainly couldn''t drink it. Sidling up to the sleek marble counter, I caught the bartender''s eye. "Could I get a sparkling water, please?" I asked, sliding the champagne flute toward him.


    The bartender eyed the untouched champagne ss. Is the champagne not to your liking?"


    "Oh, I''d just prefer not to drink tonight." I met his gaze with a coquettish smile that made the young bartender''s ears turn pink. "I actually prefer water."


    His brows furrowed ever so slightly, but he didn''t question me further. With a slight bow, he turned to prepare my drink. I let my shoulders


    drink. I let my shoulders slump a bit once his back was turned, and I leaned on the counter.


    I was going to have to get used to this whole no-drinking thing. But it did feel good to have my head clear.


    "Hannah? Is that you?"


    The gentle lilt of Zoe''s voice made me turn. She stood just behind me, looking beautiful in a maroon silk


    gown


    that brought out the color of her eyes. A warm smile curved her lips as she regarded me. It took all of my energy to smile back.


    "You look stunning this evening," she said, gesturing to my simple ck gown before her eyes fell on the diamonds around my throat. "And that ne is exquisite... Is it vintagE?"


    Heat prickled across my cheeks at thepliment, and at the glittering reminder of Noah''s actions tonight. Too bad he hadn''t actually given me the gift out of the goodness of his heart, but rather that he wanted something. I didn''t know what he wanted, but I knew I would find out soon. Unconsciously, my fingers drifted up to trace the diamonds as I offered Zoe a small smile in return.


    "It was a gift from Noah, actually. A bit... unexpected."


    Zoe''s eyebrows hiked up in surprise, and for a moment, something unreadable flickered through their depths. But only for a moment. "A gift?" she asked. "How lovely of him. Is there a special asion?"


    I opened my mouth to respond, but the bartender reappeared with my drink at that moment. With a murmur of thanks, I epted the sparkling water and took a sip.


    Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the shift in Zoe''s expression again-the subtle tightening around her gaze as she watched me drink water instead of alcohol. Clearly, it had not gone unnoticed.


    "You''re abstaining from alcohol tonight?" she asked lightly after a beat of silence. "Is everything alright?" Tamping down a re of panic, I responded with a casual shrug. "Just taking a bit of a break from alcohol on my doctor''s rmendation. I''ve been having some... stomach issuestely."


    It wasn''t aplete lie. The thought of alcohol did make my queasy belly churn even more violently than usual these days. But Zoe''s gaze had sharpened shrewdly, her lips pursing ever so slightly. Chapter 0036


    She didn''t believe me. Not fully, at least.


    But to Zoe''s credit, she didn''t push the matter further than that. Instead, she simply lifted her wine in a silent toast, a small, almost knowing smile ying on her lips.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "Well, I certainly don''t me you for keeping a clear head," she said breezily. "It would be wise for all of us to be on our best behavior with the Alpha Council here."


    My stomach plummeted at her words as I followed her pointed gaze toward the grand double doors. They had just swept open, framing the entire Alpha council as they made their way into the room with their ck and white tuxedos and perfectly groomed hair, Finally, a deep voice rang out over the ballroom as one of the stewards announced the Alphas by name. I recognized Drake at once as they drew nearer-that bold sweep of raven hair, those chiseled features so like Adam''s, if not as cherubic


    Chancing a nce over at Zoe, I felt myself soften a bit upon seeing her pained expression when she saw Drake. I sidled a little closer, and ced a gloved hand on her arm. She startled a bit at my fouch and looked over at me.


    I said nothing, but merely shot her a small nod and a smile. She seemed to rx a bit-perhaps bolstered by my support. I then turned back to look at Drake and the other Alphas.


    He moved with an easy, predatory grace befitting his title as an Alpha. But it was Noah, who was now at his side, his face practically carved from marble, who drew my gaze like a ma. I braced myself for the storm brewing behind those inscrutable emerald eyes, and found myself reaching up to touch the diamonds around my throat..


    One by one, each Alpha offered a shallow bow or nod of acknowledgement to the sea of faces as their names were called out. When Drake''s turn came, he cast a sweeping nce across the ballroom-his eyes glittering like shards of blue topaz as they raked over me and-


    I looked over to see that Zoe had slipped off into the crowd. She was gone.


    A slow, serpentine smile curved Drake''s mouth then as his gaze met mine. The tips of my ears flushed hot as he made his way through the crowd, headed straight for me. Although, I couldn''t decide whether I felt more heat from his own figure approaching, or if it was Noah, trailing alongside him with a fire burning in his clenched jaw.


    "Luna Hannah," Drake said, bowing at the waist once he had stopped a few paces away. "It''s been a while since we''ve met. You look stunning tonight."


    Drake reached for my hand, his lips brushing across my gloved knuckles in a gentlemanly gesture as his eyes bored heatedly into mine. "And that ne.. The diamonds bring out your eyes exquisitely."


    Over his shoulder, I met Noah''s stony re. It was almost a challenge, Drake''s bold move-testing the boundaries of civility and Noah''s control. Without a word, Noah strode over to stand beside me. Well, two could y at this game.


    Curving my lips into a brilliant, dazzling smile, I gently extricated my hand from Drake''s grip. The other curled confidently around Noah''s bicep, giving it a pointed squeeze.


    "Why thank you, Alpha Drake," I practically purred, shifting to press my body subtly against Noah''s side.


    His frame went rigid, although I refused to look at him "Isn''t it lovely? It was a gift from my loving husband."


    Noah drew in a sharp breath. Drake, too, had gone silent-his gaze flickering calctingly between the pair of us as the pieces clicked into ce. He was no idiot, I would give him that.


    "I see," he said with a shark''s smile-a smile that told me that our conversation had only just begun. Then, with another bow, he said, "I''ll leave you two to it. I''m afraid I have some mingling to do. Luna. Alpha."


    "It was a pleasure seeing you," I said in a tilting voice, dipping into a curtsy. Noah, still stiff as a board, merely inclined his chin at Drake and sipped his champagne as he watched him go.


    "Are you drunk already?" Noah blurted out, ncing at the water in my free hand. "You''re not acting like yourself."


    "No."


    With nothing more than that singr, curt word, I released my grip on his arm so quickly it was almost as though I had been burned. I turned on my heel and strode off, my pleasant smile instantly dropping from my face the moment he could no longer see me.

 Chapter 37

    Chapter 0037 Hannah


    +20 BONUS


    With a fresh scowl now etched onto my face, I strode away from Noah, the rapid clicking of my heels against the marble floor echoing the pounding of my heart.


    Are you drunk already, he had said. All because of what? Because I was polite to Drake? Because I was affectionate toward him? Bastard, I thought to myself. Bastard.


    Before I could escape into the crowd, however, a light tap on my shoulder brought me whirling around. Speak of the devil-there stood Drake himself, his lips curved up into that handsome, albeit serpentine, smile.


    "Luna Hannah," he murmured, dipping into a shallow bow. "Might I have the pleasure of this dance?" A refusal danced on the tip of my tongue, but something in Drake''s cial stare gave me pause. With a curt nod, I extended my gloved hand. "Of course, Alpha Drake."


    Sweeping me into his arms, Drake guided us seamlessly into the waltz. We moved in sync, my body following his lead with ease despite the tension thrumming between us. I felt a blush color my cheeks when he tilted his chiseled jaw to regard me, a pleasant smile on his face.


    "So," Drake said after a measured silence, "while I must say I''m honored to be dancing with you right now, I''d be lying if I said that I didn''t have an... ulterior motive."


    I arched a brow at his words. "And what would that be?"


    Drake''s mouth twitched ever so slightly and he leaned in closer, his breath tickling my ear as he spoke. My wife," he said, his voice taking on a mncholy tone just at the mention of Zoe. "Is she...?"


    I knew where this was going. "I don''t think she wants to talk to you, Drake," I said, pulling sorry."


    back a little. I''m


    "I see." Drake''s tone remained light, but I could see the flicker of regret cross his features-and it made me soften. "I''m just worried about her, that''s all. I... miss her. And Adam."


    My steps faltered for the briefest moment as I saw the sad look behind his eyes. I tightened my grip on his shoulder ever so slightly, and shot him a thin smile, "She''s okay," I said softly, "She''s safe. And Adam is doing well."


    Drake let out a soft breath and nodded once. "Good. I''m d."


    Wepsed back into silence as the song swelled around us. I could practically hear the gears turning in Drake''s head, though, and I knew this wasn''t over.


    Finally, he spoke again, his voice even lower this time. "I know she doesn''t want to speak to me, but..." His eyes flicked across the crowd, obviously searching for Zoe, before returning to me. His eyes seemed a little wetter now, although I knew that Alphas like him never shed a tear. "I''d like to at least see my son."


    "I''m not sure if I can help you with that," I replied.


    Drake sighed. "I understand. But... I have to admit, you two seemed so friendly on the television during your eptance ceremony. I thought..."


    His voice trailed off, and he clenched his jaw and looked away, falling silent once more.


    As I watched the muscles tick in the side of his face, I found myself wavering. Drake''s pleas tugged at something deep within me-that innate drive to help, to nurture. He seemed so earnest, so heartbroken. He just wanted to see his son.


    And as someone who had already lost her unborn child in herst life, and who now wanted nothing more than to ensure the safety of that little fetus blooming in her belly, I felt myself crack just a little bit. Perhaps I had misjudged him.


    "..." I began haltingly. "I''ll speak with Zoe. But I can make no promises, Alpha Drake.


    Drake''s grip on my waist tightened ever so slightly as he dipped his head. "That''s all I ask. Thank you, Luna."N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    With that, the song came to a close. Drake released me with one final bow, and then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd as quickly as he had appeared. I watched him go, my mind whirling.


    It didn''t take me long to locate Zoe after that. I found her by herself in a quiet alcove by theer, pensively looking out the window and nursing a ss of deep red wine. Her eyes snapped up warily as I approached.


    "There you are," I said, forcing lightness into my tone as I sidled up beside her and followed her gaze out the window, toward the sprawling gardens below. "I was looking for you."


    Zoe''s brow furrowed at that. "Is something wrong?"


    "Well..." I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "I just had an interesting conversation with Alpha Drake."


    Her entire body went rigid at the mention of his name, her knuckles paling around the ss. "I see," she bit out. "And how did that go for you?"


    Bristling at her venomous tone, I cleared my throat and forced myself to keep my tone steady. "He said he just wants to see Adam. Just for a few minutes."


    "Is that so?" Zoe barked out a harsh, mirthlessugh, swirling the wine in her ss. "As if I''d let that beast anywhere near my son."


    My frown deepened. "Zoe, I don''t mean to overstep... But if there''s more to it-"


    "You want the truth, don''t you?" She whipped her gaze up to mine, her eyes zing. "The truth is that that man is a womanizer who couldn''t keep his dick in his pants if his life depended on it."


    My eyes widened. "You mean... he cheated?"


    "Constantly." A muscle in Zoe''s jaw ticked as she drained her wine in one gulp. "I caught him with so many different women over the years, I lost count. Finally, I walked in on him with some vapid little thing while my son was sleeping in the next room over, and that was it for me. I took Adam and left that very night."


    I felt my heart clench at her words, at the bitter look in her eyes. "He... He brought a stranger into your home while your son was right there?"


    She nodded. "He did. He never cared about Adam." She paused, taking a big swig of her wine. "I''m sure. Drake wants to get his hands on him for appearances'' sake, nothing more. If he truly cared about Adam, he wouldn''t have done what he did." With my cheeks flushing with shame, I reached out to grip Zoe''s arm. "Zoe, I''m so sorry, I should never have entertained his lies, not even for a moment."


    She sighed, the anger draining from her face as she patted my hand. "It''s alright, Hannah. I know how persuasive he can be when he wants something." A wry smile curved her lips. "I''ll give him this-the wolf certainly knows how to don sheep''s clothing." Offering her a weak smile in return, I gave her arm a final squeeze. "Would you like to join me?" I asked, nodding my head toward the bar.


    Zoe paused, following my gaze-and for a moment, I saw her move to follow me. But then she returned her gaze to the window and shook her head, an apologetic look crossing her features. "I think I''d like to be alone for a few minutes, if you don''t mind." "I understandpletely."


    With that, I left Zoe standing by the window. Assuming that what she said was true and I hadn''t been yed by both of them, then I felt for her, truly-and I intended on giving Drake a piece of my mind, or something akin to it, once I had powdered my nose andposed myself.


    But just as I was rounding the corner to the corridor, I heard raised voices. I stopped in my tracks, carefully peering around the wall.


    There, just up ahead, stood Drake and Noah in the hallway-seemingly in the midst of a heated discussion. I couldn''t quite make out Noah''s words, but Drake''s voice rang out loud and clear.


    "You have such a beautiful wife at your side, yet you feel the need to steal mine?"

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 0038 Noah


    Noah watched as Hannah stalked off with a scowl, her hips swaying with each step. His jaw clenched as she disappeared into the crowd without a backward nce, her long ck dress moving behind her.


    She looked so... differenttely. Was It Just because she had been eating more? No, he thought to himself. It''s not just that.


    It wasn''t just her appearance. It was her demeanor, too. She was more confident, but also more abrasive.


    Noah couldn''t decide if it infuriated him or turned him on.


    Downing thest of his champagne, he set the empty flute on the bar with a soft clink and asked the bartender for another. As he waited, his jaw worked beneath his skin. That little disy with Drake had. been entirely unnecessary on her part. Did she have to y up the fawning devotion quite so much?


    No, of course she didn''t. She was trying to piss him off, to make him feel... what? Make him feel bad for getting her a gift?


    "It''s not just a gift," Noah''s wolf rumbled in the back of his mind. "You know that,"


    Noah clenched his jaw even harder and exhaled through his nostrils. "I know. But how else am I going to get her to listen? I need her to-"


    "Alpha Noah." The sound of an all too familiar voice made Noah stiffen. "A word?"


    He turned to find Drake regarding him with an inscrutable look, his piercing dark gaze entirely too knowing for Noah''s liking. With a deferential nod, Noah replied, "Of course, Alpha Drake. Shall we?"


    Without waiting for Drake''s response, Noah strode off down the nearby hallway-putting some distance between them and the prying eyes of the g crowd. Drake fell into step beside him, their footfalls echoing against the marble floors.


    Noah hated that he had to see Drake tonight-for Zoe''s sake. She was still an old friend, and a member of Nightcrest pack under his protection. Of course he didn''t want her to feel ufortable or unsafe.


    But what was he supposed to do? Drake was on the Alpha council. There was no changing that.


    "I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised to see you and Hannah so close," Drake began once they were rtively isted, his tone conversational. "I''ve heard some nasty rumors about the two of you. I''m d to see that they''re just that: rumors."


    Noah fought back a derisive snort at Drake''s words. "What did you want to talk about, Drake?" he asked. A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of Drake''s lips. "Ah, Noah. You''ve never been one to mince words. I''ve always admired that about you." He paused then, clearing his throat before continuing. "Zoe returned to Nightcrest."


    "She did."


    Drake quirked an eyebrow. "Did you have anything to do with that? Your wife seemed to handle it so gracefully at your eptance ceremony, I thought..."


    "Hannah handled the situation with about as much grace as possible," Noah responded evenly, remembering how Hannah had hugged Zoe like old friends and had even given little Adam a toy. "But I assure you, I had no knowledge beforehand of Zoe''s choice toe here. It was a surprise."


    "To both of you?"


    Noah pursed his lips. "To me, at least."


    Drake hummed under his breath, his face betraying no emotion as they fell into a tense silence. Noah could practically taste the weight of what Drake was about to say next.


    Finally, Drake spoke again, this time making no attempt to veil the undercurrent of steel in his tone. "I would appreciate the chance to speak with Zoe while I''m here, Alpha. Privately."


    Noah narrowed his eyes and folded his arms across his chest, leveling Drake with an unyielding stare. With all due respect, Alpha, I don''t believe that would be wise."


    Drake''s brows hiked upward. He was feigning ignorance: Noah could tell. "Why not?" he asked.


    The muscle in Noah''s jaw ticked with barely restrained irritation. Of course Drake would y dumb-it was just like a scoundrel like him. Tamping down the urge to put the bastard in his ce, Noah responded in a clipped tone.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    "I think we both know you have something of a... reputation, when ites to the fairer sex." He held Drake''s gaze, letting his words sink in for a moment. 1 simply would hate to see Zoe made ufortable in a ce that''s supposed to be her refuge." "Refuge?" Drakeughed. "It''s not like she fled her home.


    "Are you sure about that?" Noah asked.


    For a fleeting moment, Drake''s icy veneer cracked-a sh of something dark and vtile flickering across his features. Noah braced himself for the cutting retort, the heated denial, the thinly veiled threats.


    But then, just as quickly as it hade, the look was gone. Reced by one of cold, practiced Indifference.


    "You seem to have formed some... misconceptions about me, Alpha Noah," Drake said in a low, measured tone. His eyes bored into Noah''s with an usatory glint. "Tell me-were these notions nted by Zoe herself? Or did they perhaps stem from your own... indecent feelings toward my wife over the years?"


    The insinuation hit Noah like a knife to the gut, his entire body going rigid as he struggled to keep his expression impassive. Yes, he and Zoe had a history-but that was all before any of them got married. He never would have touched another woman, especially a married woman, when he was sworn to someone else.


    "I can assure you, there is nothing unsavory about my rtionship with Zoe. She is my packmate-my friend. Nothing more."


    "Of course," Drake said with an infuriatingly cid smile. "My mistake. It''s just that Zoe was never one to run away from her problems before. I can''t help but wonder if certain.... outside factors influenced her recent choices."


    There it was again-that not-so-subtle implication that Noah had yed a part in driving a wedge between Drake and Zoe. As if Drake were utterly meless in the matter.


    "Believe me, Alpha, your wife''s decision to leave had nothing to do with me," Noah bit out, struggling to keep his tone even and respectful. "I''m afraid your reputation alone precedes you in that regard." Drake smirked. "And so does yours," he said, his eyes flickering over Noah''s shoulder. "Tell me, Noah..." He took a step closer. "You have such a beautiful wife at your side, yet you feel the need to steal mine?" Noah furrowed his brow and opened his mouth to retort, but before he could, the familiar lilt of Hannah''s voice and the clicking of her heels on the marble floors made him shut it again.


    "Noah? Is everything alright down here?"


    Noah turned to see his wife round the corner toward them. Drake''s eyes raked over her with an unmistakable hunger, drinking in the elegant lines of her gown and the glittering diamonds at her throat.


    Noah felt his blood begin to simmer just below the surface. How long had she been there? How many of Drake''s words had been perfectly curated for her ears?


    Before Noah could react, Drake was already sidling closer-close enough that the scent of his sandalwood cologne made Noah''s nose wrinkle.


    Noah shifted to put himself between them, fixing Drake with a warning re. Drake merely smirked back at him, utterly unfazed.


    "Luna Hannah," Drake said silkily, peeking around Noah. "How nice to see you again."


    Hannah stopped beside Noah and shot Noah the briefest of nces before inclining her chin toward Drake. "Alpha Drake," she said. "I was just looking for you."


    "Looking to continue our conversation from earlier?" Drake asked, a serpentine smile curving his lips. Hannah paused, shooting Noah another nce, then nodded. Drake''s smile widened. "Come, show me to the bar. I''m parched."


    Conversation? Noah felt the tips of his ears burn as Hannah''s gaze flickered uncertainly between them, clearly picking up on the charged atmosphere. Still, she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin with a polite smile. "Of course, Alpha. Allow me to show you the way."


    Drake dipped his head graciously, looping his arm through hers without a moment''s hesitation. As Hannah turned to lead him off, Drake paused-ncing over his shoulder to pin Noah with one final, weighted look.


    And Noah felt his blood turn from simmering to boiling as he watched Drake walk


    ... with his wife.


    +25 BOHUS

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 0039 Hannah


    I led Drake over to the bar, my heels clicking decisively against the marble floor with each step. Part of me felt like I was betraying Noah somehow, despite the fact that he was the one acting unreasonably jealous.


    He has no right to be jealous, I thought to myself. He''s the one with the hots for his ex-girlfriend.


    Still, I pushed those thoughts aside as I imed two empty stools, gesturing for Drake to take a seat beside me. The bartender materialized in front of us almost immediately.


    "What can I get for you, Alpha Drake?" he asked.


    "I''ll have a whiskey, neat," Drake replied coolly before looking over at me. "And for you, Luna Hannah...?"


    My lips twitched faintly. "Just a water for me, thanks."


    Drake blinked once in apparent surprise, but didn''t question it further as the bartender moved to fill our orders. An awkward silence fell between Drake and I-one I feltpelled to break.


    1, ah... I spoke with Zoe, like I said I would."


    Drake''s eyes sharpened with interest at that. "Oh? And what did my darling wife have to say?"


    I hesitated, pinning him with a measured look as I considered how to respond. Finally, I opted for the truth -or some version of it, at least.


    "She wasn''t too keen on seeing you, or letting you see Adam, I''ll be honest. She said..." My brow furrowed as I chose my words carefully. "She said you were unfaithful, Drake. Multiple times over the years. With... well, with other women." To his credit, Drake didn''t so much as flinch at the blunt usation. He merely sipped his whiskey, his gaze carefully impassive.


    "I see," was all he said after a long pause.


    I arched a brow at his nonchnt reaction, "Is it true, then? What she said?"


    "Does it matter if it''s true or not?" he asked with an idle shrug. "Clearly Zoe has made up her mind about me either way."


    Letting out a humorless puff of air, I shook my head in disbelief. "You''re unbelievable, you know that? Do you honestly think for even a minute that I believe a word thates out of your mouth?"


    Drake froze, seemingly shocked by my words; and truthfully, I was shocked by my candor, too. But I was tired of keeping my mouth shut, of being the demure Luna who never spoke her mind.


    But much to my surprise, Drake''s lips curved up into a smile. "You''re a lot like your husband," he said.


    I bristled at his words. "I''m nothing like him."


    "I didn''t mean offense," Drake replied. "It''s just that both of you are brutally honest. I like that."


    Honest, I thought to myself. Yeah, right. Noah was anything but honest. "Yeah, well, maybe you could take


    1/3


    a page out of my book," I retorted. "And stop cheating on your wife."


    Drake sighed. "I know I fucked up, okay?" he asked, lowering his voice and leaning in closer. I just want to apologize to her. And to see my son."


    At the mention of little Adam, my shoulders slumped, my righteous anger deting just a little. "Look, Drake..." I began carefully. "Whatever happened between you and Zoe is your own business, I suppose. But I can''t help you win her back, even if I wanted to." "Can''t?" Drake repeated, refocusing on me with that infuriatingly smug look. "Or won''t?"


    I scowled at his words. "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    Leaning in conspiratorially, Drake''s lips curved into a slow smile that made my skin prickle.


    "Come now, Luna," he murmured, holding my gaze intently. "You and I both know our interests here align more than either of us would like to admit."


    My mouth went dry, panic fluttering in my chest as I searched his face. "I don''t know what you''re talking


    about."


    Drake merely tsked, shaking his head in a mockery of sympathy. "The lovely gown," he drawled, letting his stare trail slowly down the lines of the ck silk draping my body. "The diamonds at your throat that seem to weigh so heavily. The tension between you and your husband that''s so thick, I could cut it with a knife..."


    Heat flooded my cheeks as I averted my gaze, my nails digging into my palms. How could he possibly


    know...?


    "Word travels fast among the elite circles, I''m afraid," Drake continued. "Talk of trouble in paradise in the very heart of Nightcrest and all that."


    My jaw clenched hard enough to make it ache. Drake''s reputation certainly preceded him-but so did mine, it seemed.


    "So you see," he went on, unperturbed by my stony silence, "you want Noah''s attention just as badly as I want Zoe''s affection again. Perhaps we could... help each other out?"Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    I swung my head around to gape at him, hardly able to believe what I was hearing. "Attention?" I hissed." You''re mistaken."


    But Drake just leveled me with a knowing gaze. He said nothing for the longest time, and finally, I felt as if he had seen straight through to my core-maybe even more than I had ever seen myself. I quickly looked away, gritting my teeth.


    "So what are you suggesting?" I asked, taking a sip of my water.


    "We can make them jealous," he whispered. Upon seeing my eyes widen, he held up his hand in a cating gesture. "Nothing too indecent, I assure you. But a little flirting can go a long way, you know?"


    When my withering re didn''t falter, he pressed on in a low tone.


    "Just think about it, Hannah. It could work perfectly-you make Noah jealous and I soften Zoe up again. We can win our respective partners back without any.. emotional entanglements getting too messy." My head was whirling even as my instincts screamed at me to shut this down immediately. I didn''t want


    Noah back; I didn''t love him anymore. And Drake was everything I despised-a yboy only looking out for himself.


    "Who says I want Noah back?" I said.


    Drake raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. "Well then what do you want?" he asked. "I assure you, your words here will not be repeated."


    I paused, worrying my lower lip between my teeth. I had no grounds to trust Drake on, and so I decided to keep it simple.


    "I want a good reputation for myself," I said. "For my own future."


    Drake blinked for a moment, and then realization seemed to dawn on him. "Very well. How about this: if you help me make Zoe jealous and win her back, then I''ll assure that Nightcrest is voted as the pack to host the Lunar Festival-and I''ll be sure to make it known that your pack''s sess in this endeavor is because of you, the illustrious Luna."


    I felt my heart skip a beat at his words. Now that... that was an intriguing prospect. But still...


    "Why should I trust you?" I demanded. "You''re a yboy, Drake-everyone knows it, except for me, apparently."


    He spread his hands in an all too casual disy of innocence. "I give you my word, Luna: No under-the-table deals, no indecent proposals. Just an alliance of mutual benefit between two people who want something."


    I opened my mouth to retort, but the words died in my throat as Noah''s familiar figure materialized beside me. My husband''s presence was like a sudden, suffocating weight in the air, and I felt myself stiffen.


    And I felt myself stiffen even more when I felt his arm snake around my waist. "Hannah," he murmured in my ear, his voice abination of annoyance and something more-something huskier. "Let''s dance."


    Before I could so much as blink, Noah was already steering me away from the bar-away from Drake. As I was pulled back into the crowd, I chanced onest nce over my shoulder.


    Drake raised his ss in a subtle salute, his lips pulling into a wicked smirk.


    "Don''t forget, Hannah," he called out, just loud enough for me to hear. "You promised to give me a tour of the pack tomorrow, didn''t you?"


    I nodded in agreement without thinking.

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 0040 Hannah


    Noah pulled me onto the dance floor with perhaps a bit more force than was strictly necessary, his grip firm around my waist as the music swelled around us. His brow was furrowed, jaw set in a tense line as he met my gaze head-on.


    "What was that about giving Drake a tour of the pack?" he bit out without preamble, his toneced with a mixture of exasperation and... something else. Jealousy, maybe? No. Not jealousy. Why would Noah ever actually feel jealousy toward me and not his precious Zoe? I arched a brow, feigning nonchnce despite the sensation of my heart fluttering in my chest. "Does it matter? It''s not really any of your business anymore, is it?"


    Noah''s eyes shed at my words, but I pressed on before he could retort. "But if you must know, I agreed to show him around the pack''s territory tomorrow. He seemed... interested in learning more before he makes any decisions about the Lunar Festival."


    A muscle ticked in Noah''s chiseled jaw as his grip on me tightened ever so slightly. His fingers dug slightly into my lower back, their warmth pressing through the soft silk of my dress. "And you just couldn''t wait to amodate him, could you?" he asked. Bristling at his usatory tone, I opened my mouth with the intent to deliver a scathing retort-but the words caught in my throat as Noah abruptly dipped me low. My heart stuttered as his face hovered just inches from mine, our bodies pressed flush together from thigh to chest.


    "Listen to me very carefully, Hannah," Noah growled in a low, dangerous tone that sent a flush of heat radiating outwards from my belly to my throat. "You need to stay away from Drake while he''s here."


    My breath came out in a ragged pant as the scent of his cologne overwhelmed my senses. Noah''s eyes were zing, his pupils practically taking up the entirety of each iris as they raked over my parted lips.


    For a dizzying moment, it felt like the entire world had narrowed to this-just the two of us, the sound of my blood rushing through my ears, the sensation of his fingers gripping one of my thighs and pulling it against his side.


    Then, with a sharp tug. Noah hauled me upright again-putting an abrupt end to the heated tension that had built up between us. As I struggled to catch my breath and collect my scattered wits, I saw the warning flickering behind Noah''s eyes.


    So he was jealous, Undeniably, irrevocably jealous-of Drake and the implication that there could be something between us.


    The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning, sending a shock through my core-and filling me with an unexpected sense of satisfaction. Squaring my shoulders, I tightened my grip on Noah and offered him a coy smile.


    "Is that what you''re worried about, Noah?" I practically purred, arching into his touch as our bodies swayed together, "You didn''t seem to care when you were so busy making eyes at Zoe every chance you got."


    Noah''s jaw ticked again, but I didn''t give him the chance to speak. Boldly, I reached down to guide his hand lower, settling it at the swell of my hips, just above the curve of my backside.


    "You know," I breathed, dipping my chin to look up at him through myshes, "When we were dancing earlier, Drake couldn''t seem to keep his hands off me right... here."


    As if to emphasize my point, I pressed Noah''s palm down more firmly-letting the words and implication hang heated and potent between us. Noah''s throat bobbed with a harsh swallow, but he made no move to extricate himself from my grasp.


    I hated the fact that the look in his eyes made me feel a sense of satisfaction; and that maybe, just maybe, Drake had been right in a sense. I wanted to make Noah jealous, not to keep him with me necessarily, but to make him realize what he was missing by the time we finally got divorced.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    I had him wrapped around my little finger now, spellbound and burning with jealousy.


    But as quickly as the haze of desire descended, it dissipated again-leaving Noah''s gaze sharp as steel. "We''ll discuss thister," he bit out in a tone that left no room for argument. "I still need to talk to you."

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 0041 Chapter


    0041


    With that, Noah extricated himself from my arms and turned on his heel-stalking off into the crowd without another word or backward nce.


    The song hadn''t even ended.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Hourster, long after the guests had gone home and the servants had cleared the ballroom, I paced the bathroom connected to my private chambers like a caged lioness.


    Every few moments, my fingers would drift to the soft silk robe draped over my nude form, toying with it as I considered... and dismissed the notion of leaving it open.


    With a huff, I whirled to face the mirror again-examining my reflection with a critical eye. Loose waves of hair tumbled freely over my shoulders, rich and glossy from the indulgent bath oils I hadthered in my hair. The whole room smelled likevender and sage, a dizzying, headybination.


    Noah should have been here by now. He had told me he would stop by my chambers before he left for the night, but....


    Goddess, why was I anticipating his arrival like a lovesick schoolgirl? I wasn''t in love with him anymore- and hadn''t been for a long time-and it wasn''t even our intimacy night.


    Suddenly, a sharp rap against the bedroom door made me start, my gaze swinging to fix on the omate wood. Noah.


    Drawing a steadying breath, I pasted on my most sultry smile-the one that always made Noah''s pupils go wide. Then, with a little extra sway in my hips, I drifted towards the door and pulled it open a crack.


    Noah stepped into the room without so much as a ''hello'', his demeanor all business. I sighed, shutting the door behind him, and turned to find him now standing in the middle of the bedroom.


    1-" he began, but his voice trailed off. His eyes dropped lower, down toward my robe,


    I followed his gaze, and instantly felt all of my blood rush to my face. At some point during my rush to open the door, my robe had fallen open after all-revealing one round, milky white breast. They were starting to get just a little bit bigger already, although whether it was from the pregnancy or eating moretely, I couldn''t quite tell.


    I held my breath for a moment, watching the rhythmic bob of Noah''s throat as he swallowed hard-forcing his stare upwards to meet mine again, his jaw clenched hard enough to shatter stone.


    For a long moment, tense silence stretched between us. Then, finally, I slowly lifted my hand and pulled the robe closed. I made sure to let my finger trailzily across my hard nipple on the way.


    Once I was decent again, Noah ground out in a strained rasp, "We need to talk. About the ne."


    I quirked a brow at him, my lips curving upwards in a sultry smirk. "I know. You mentioned it earlier. Go on." I sauntered over to the settee and sat down, leaning back on my palms and crossing my legs. The robe fell open around my thighs.


    Noah wet his lips, his gaze flickering tellingly over my parted robe again as he visibly steeled himself. You were right earlier, there was... an ulterior motive behind my gift. I want something from you."


    My heart stuttered in my chest, my pulse kicking up ever so slightly. He wanted something from me? I couldn''t deny it; being here with him now, in the Intimacy of our bedroom where we had spent one night every month making passionate love-if one could even call it lovemaking-part of me did secretly wonder if what he wanted from me was... well, me.


    Angling my body further, I let the robe slip even more open. Noah''s eyes raked upwards where the robe nearly exposed my hip bone, but then he quickly snapped his gaze away and turned to face the window instead. "And what do you want?" I finally asked with a sigh, realizing that the moment was over-and that it had indeed been brief.


    Noah cleared his throat, staring out the window for a moment before turning once again to face me. This time, the redness in his face had dissipated and his eyes had taken on that businesslike quality once again. "I want you to call off the divorce."

 Chapter 42

    Chapter 0042


    Hannah


    I couldn''t help but bark out augh at Noah''s ridiculous request.


    "Call off the divorce?" I echoed, shaking my head slowly as my amusement faded into disbelief. "You can''t be serious."


    Noah''s jaw clenched, his gaze hardening. "I ampletely serious, Hannah. This divorce could jeopardize everything for Nightcrest-our chances of hosting the Lunar Festival, our alliances with other packs, our reputation... our entire standing as a pack."


    I shot to my feet at his words-my silk robe swirling around my ankles as I whirled to face him fully. "Are you honestly telling me the only reason you want to stop this is for political gain?" I demanded.


    Noah flinched almost imperceptibly at my venom, but his tone was measured as he responded. "It''s our pack, Hannah. It''s our duty to consider what''s good for Nightcrest."


    I strode "And pray, tell me, how staying in a miserable sham of a marriage would be good for Nightcrest? forward, jabbing my finger into his chest. "Besides, you could just marry Zoe once I''m gone; it won''t be your reputation that will suffer, thanks to you and your star- crossed lover."


    Before I could blink, Noah''s hand whipped out to mp around my wrist-not hard enough to hurt, but enough to pin me in ce as his tall form crowded over me. I sucked in a sharp breath as he pressed me back against the wall, the hard nes of his body caging me in on all sides.


    and bitter "Watch your tongue," he growled in that same low, dangerous timbre that used to light my chest on fire- only this time, there was no stirring of desire to be found in my heart. Just seething anger resignation


    "Or what?" I shot back, jutting my chin out at him. "You''ll keep going on as you have been? Bedding me once a month like a little doll to keep on the shelf, sleeping in your office, treating me like a stranger whose only purpose is to provide you with an heir?" Something dark and feral flickered across Noah''s expression then-there and gone once again in a heartbeat. When he spoke, it was through gritted teeth, each word measured and precise. "If it''s more sex that you want, I''ll take you to bed every night and have you screaming my name until dawn."


    White-hot ragenced through me in an instant, recing any hint of desire that was left in my body.


    How dare he? How dare he reduce my needs to nothing more than extra sex?


    With a snarl of outrage, I shoved Noah off of me hard enough to make him stumble back a step. Then, with an exaggerated roll of my shoulders, I let the robe slip off of mepletely-pooling in a puddle of crimson silk at my feet. stood there, my chin held high and my spine straight, every inch of my nudity on full disy.


    "Is this what you want?" I spat, gesturing toward my naked body with bitter disdain. "Because you should know by now, Noah, more sex isn''t anywhere near enough for me. Not anymore.


    Noah swallowed hard, his green eyes wide and darker than ever as he drank in the sight of me. He opened his mouth to retort, but then snapped it shut again and quickly looked away. Chapter 0042


    #25 BONUSContent property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "Get de


    "Get dressed, Hannah."


    dun


    "No." I strode forward, my hands curled up into white fists at my wise. "If you truly want me to stay, Noah, you''re going to have to do a hell of a lot better than sticking your cock in me every now and then."


    I took another step, so close now that I was forcing him to backpedal until his calves hit the edge of the mattress. Then, with one harsh shove, I sent him sprawling back onto the sheets-leaving me towering over him in all my furious, naked glory.


    "For starters, you''ll need to make mee over and over again until I''m so breathless I''m on the verge passing out," I said, my voice low and biting. "And you''ll need to stick around after to hold me, adore me, treat me like the wife you im to want instead of the yapid little bedwarmer you so clearly see me as."

 Chapter 43

    Chapter 0043


    Noah''s jaw went ck as I pressed my left hand into his chest, the other working at his belt. His hands curled up into fists around the sheets, just like mine had so many countless times. I could see his obvious arousal tenting the fabric of his trousers, straining for frictionBelongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    and release.


    "But I want so much more than that," I murmured as I tugged his belt out of the sp, then began unbuttoning his trousers. "I want dates. Weekly dates. I want respect. I want to be showered not only with gifts, but with love and affection and everything that a wife deserves."


    Once his belt was free, I worked my hand into my pants and grasped his hot, rigid length in my palm- giving him a fewnguid, teasing strokes that had him bucking up into my touch with a strangled groan.


    "And I don''t just want to be your wife," I continued. "I want to be your Luna, in every sense of the word. There should be no doubt, not in anyone''s mind, that I''m wholly yours and you''re wholly mine."


    For a moment, I allowed myself to stroke up and down the warmth of his cock, my fingers tight around his skin. I allowed myself to relish in the sound of his strained groans, in the sight of his clenched jaw. But then, I released him-leaving him panting, flushed, teetering on the razor''s edge with no relief in sight.


    "But you and I both know you''d never do any of those things, would you?" I hissed, striding over to my robe and slipping it back over my shoulders. "You would never cherish me like I deserve to be. You would just rut into me with your eyes closed, thinking of someone else..."


    My eyes met my own reflection in the mirror. My face was redder than I had anticipated, and it was only then that I noticed the tears misting over my eyes. Behind me, I could see Noah fixing his belt, avoiding my gaze.


    But it was the diamond ne around my throat that my eyes flew to in the end. Just seeing them there made me sick, made me feel as though they were constricting me, their sharp edges cutting into my skin


    Blinking the tears away, I turned on my heel and yanked the ne off, breaking the sp without a care. Then, I hurled the glittering diamonds squarely at Noah''s heaving chest-relishing the dull thud as they struck home.


    "You can take your pretty little trinkets and shove them, Noah," I spat, suddenly weary to the bone as the anger left my body in a hot, breathless rush. "I''m done pretending this was ever about more than just tics for you."


    Noah''s fingers curled around the ne, his eyes finally meeting mine with shock and anger, I simply lifted my chin, steeling my resolve against the tiny sensation of doubt and heartache that insisted on creeping in. "Now get out," I hissed. "Before I forget myself and do something we''ll both regret."


    For a moment, Noah looked as though he might refuse-like he might open his mouth and try to convince me otherwise. But then, slowly, he pushed himself to his feet and strode toward the door without a word. He left without looking back.


    Only once he was gone did I let out the breath I had been holding. I sank down onto the edge of the bed, clutching my robe closed with shaking hands. Chapter 0043


    It would all be over soon, I told myself. Soon, I would finally be free-free to put this pack and its heartbreaks behind me for good, and return to my own pack as the rightful Alpha.

 Chapter 44

    Chapter 0044 Hannah


    I slipped my feet into a pair of ck ts and smoothed my hands over the pale yellow dress I had chosen for the day. It was a little tighter and more revealing than I would normally wear, but I wanted to make an impression-both on Drake and on anyone else who might be watching.


    Noah wasn''t here, of course. He had left the housest night after our argument, and still had yet to return. Part of me was annoyed that he wasn''t here to see me leave with Drake, but I knew he would be hearing about itter.


    When I stepped into the foyer, Drake was already waiting for me, looking handsome in a crisp button-down shirt and cks. His eyes widened slightly as he took in my appearance, but he recovered quickly with a charming smile. "Good morning, Hannah," he greeted, taking my hand and brushing a gentlemanly kiss over my You look lovely today."


    I returned his smile, although I couldn''t deny the lingering sense of annoyance at his presence. I supposed I had dug this grave for myself, though. "Thank you, Drake. Shall we get going?"


    knuckles.


    The chauffeur was waiting for us outside with a sleek ck town car, and we slid into the back seat together as he pulled away from the mansion. I leaned back against the plush leather, letting my legs cross at the knee in a way that hiked my skirt up just a bit. "So, where would you like to go first?" I asked, watching Drake''s gaze flicker from the window to my exposed knee.


    "Surprise me," he replied with a grin. "I don''t know much about what Nightcrest has to offer, anyway." With a nod, I directed the driver to take us on a tour of Nightcrest''s most impressive sights-the grand, sweepingwns of our estate grounds, the pristine athletic facilities, the glittering shopping district. We stayed in the car for the most part to avoid public scrutiny, at least for the time being.


    Drake whistled low under his breath as we cruised past each new sightseeing location, although he didn''t really look all that surprised.


    "It Nightcrest has certainly done well for itself," he murmured, leaning in a bit closer. seems as i


    I nodded; Noah had made sure to dump a lot of our yearly budget into pack beautification. It was one of the few things I admired about him; he was always a staunch supporter of green initiatives and trash clean -up. "We take a lot of pride in our pack''s greenery," I said, Eventually, I instructed the driver to pull over in the center of town. Drake raised an eyebrow at me as ! gathered my small clutch, but he didn''t protest when I looped my arm through his and led him onto the bustling sidewalk-right into the eye of the public. I could feel the weight of curious stares boring into us as we strode past the high-end boutiques and cafes, and I reveled in it. Let them look-let them wonder and gossip and specte all they wanted about the nature of Drake''s visitN?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    The rumors would be flying soon enough, and then perhaps I could do another interview to help smooth it over, to paint myself as the ever-weing and gracious Luna.


    25 BONUS


    "Care to do a little shopping?" I asked Drake, quirking an eyebrow at him.


    His lips curved up in an amused smile. "Lead the way."


    We dipped in and out of a few of the fancier clothing stores, and I made a point of trying on a few decadent outfits. It was nice to try on clothes again-it had been a while since I had been able to wear normal sizes, and although many of the smallest sizes still hung a bit loosely on my frame, it was a start.


    By the time we made our way out of the boutique, our armsden with shopping bags, I was even starting to feel a wee rumbling in my stomach.


    "I don''t know about you, but I''m famished," I said, pitching my voice to carry just a bit as I sidled up next to Drake again; I wanted the eavesdroppers to hear that Luna Hannah was indeed no longer starving herself. "What do you say we get lunch?" Drake nodded. "That sounds like a fantastic idea."


    The little French bistro I chose was easily the most upscale restaurant in town, with sleek modern decor and an extensive wine list. I could sense Drake''s surprise as the host led us to a table right next to the floor-to-ceiling windows as though we were on disy but he didn''tment, not that he needed to.


    I could see the approving look in his eyes.


    As we ate, I made sure to keep a smile on my face and my voice just high enough to be overheard by others as we conversed about lighter topics-his travels, his interests, his ns for the future.

 Chapter 45

    Chapter 0045 Chapter 0045


    #26 BONUS


    I was an engaged listener,ughing at all the right moments and politely sipping my coffee. To any outsiders who were listening, we were like old friends spending time together.


    Eventually, though, the curious bystanders seemed to lose interest. The restaurant began to thin out, and finally, our conversation was able to shift toward... darker topics. Our voices dropped a bit, and it became just a bit more difficult to keep my smile stered to my sore lips. "I have to ask," Drake said, swirling the wine in his ss pensively, "how did things get so...plicated between you and Noah? Aside from the obvious, I mean."


    I felt a pang in my chest at the vague mention of Zoe, but I pushed it aside with a soft snort.


    "That''s the million-dor question, isn''t it? Noah and I we really were good together. We got along in a lot of ways."


    I took a sip of my coffee, letting the bitterness of it linger on my tongue for a long


    g moment.


    "But somewhere along the way, things shifted. He grew distant, cold, always putting the pack''s interests before my own. And... her..." I trailed off with a clench of my jaw, but I didn''t need to continue. Drake knew who I was referring to.


    as


    He let out a soft, humorlessugh. "They always were the star-crossed lovers, weren''t they? And what were we? Unwilling bystanders?"


    I quickly shook my head. "No. Not unwilling."


    Drake''s brow furrowed as his eyes searched my face. "What do you mean?"


    I shrugged, thinking back on some of my... old behavior. My inability to stand up for myself. Myck of confidence and low self esteem. And then I thought about Drake''s cheating, and I met his gaze. "Maybe we''re not as meless as it seems." I paused, sucking in a deep breath. "I don''t see her as a bad guy


    anymore."


    "You don''t hate her, then? Even after everything?"


    "Hate her?" I echoed with a wry smile. "Goddess, no. It''s not Zoe''s fault that she was once fated to Noah."


    I leaned back in my chair with a sigh. "Although I do wish it had been different, that''s all."


    Drake''s eyes widened a fraction, his fingers stilling on the stem of his ss. "It sounds like you have a very unique perspective on the whole situation."


    "Maybe I do," I said with a shrug, trying not to picture the moment I had died in my bathroom. "But I''m learning to ept it all and move on, one way or another. Speaking of..."


    I trailed off as our car pulled up to the curb outside the restaurant. The chauffeur stepped out and opened the door for us, and I gathered my clutch as Drake settled the check with the waiter.


    Soon, we were on our way back to the mansion. The car was silent, each of us lost deep in thought. Finally, the mansion came into view, its dark brick edifice standing in stark contrast against the deep green pines surrounding it.


    "Well... This was nice," I said, unbuckling my seatbelt.


    Drake nodded. "We should do something like it again."


    Just before I could slide out of the car, though, Drake caught my wrist with his free hand. "Wait, I almost forgot..."


    He fumbled in one of his shopping bags for a moment before extracting a small gift bag, borately wrapped with crisp white paper and a satin ribbon. My brows hiked up as he pressed it into my palm.


    "I picked that up for you while we were out," he said with a sheepish grin. "You know, as a little thank-you for... showing me around."N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    My lips curved up in a grin as I peered into the bag, catching a glimpse of something silver nestled inside. "Drake, you shouldn''t have..."


    "I wanted to," he insisted firmly, his fingers tightening around my wrist for a fraction of a moment. "It was my genuine pleasure, Hannah. Truly." He shot me a wink, and realization dawned on me; the Lunar Festival. I had almost forgotten that that was the real reason why we had done any of this "Thank you," I murmured, shing him a tight smile as he released his grip on my wrist.


    Then, with a deep breath, I straightened my spine and slid out of the car. I was just turning to head up the front steps when a flicker of movement in the mansion''s front window caught my eye.


    Noah was there, staring out at me with an inscrutable expression on his face.

 Chapter 46

    Chapter 0046 Hannah


    As soon as I stepped through the front door, Noah was there waiting for me like a guard dog on duty, his arms crossed over his chest and a stern expression etched onto his face. "There you are," he said, his tone clipped. "I trust you had a good time gallivanting around town with your new... friend?"


    I rolled my eyes, brushing past him toward the sitting room with my shopping bags in hand. "Don''t be so dramatic, Noah. Drake and I were just having a friendly outing." "A friendly outing?" Noah echoed, following on my heels. "Hannah, the two of you were parading around the most high-profile spots in town like you were on a honeymoon." Turning to t


    to face him, I arched a brow. "Well, how else was I supposed to show Drake a good time? He''s our guest, after all-and an important one, at that." hand through his tousled hair. "Yes, because he''s the only Alpha on the council who has a say in Nightcrest hosting the Lunar Festival,


    Noah scoffed, raking a hand t


    "Oh, don''t be so stingy," I countered sharply. "I seem to recall you harping on endlessly about how vital it is that we secure the right to host it this year. About how it could make or break our reputation, our standing, our ce among the other packs. Well, here I am trying to


    secure it; and if f any of the other Alphas had asked for a tour, I certainly would have given them one."


    A muscle ticked in Noah''s jaw as my words hit home. For a long moment, we simply stared each other down in tense silence.


    A


    Finally, Noah sighed, seeming to dete a bit. "You didn''t have to make such a public spectacle of it, though."


    "I wasn''t trying to make a public spectacle," I said.


    Noah tightened his folded arms and scoffed. "Don''t y dumb, Hannah. I know that there''s more than meets the eye here. What did he promise you, hm?" He nodded his head toward the gift bag in my hand, which he had no doubt seen Drake give to me as I got out of the car. "Is he showering you with gifts to get more out of you?"


    "What''s it to you if Drake bought me a little something?" I asked coolly. "I''m a grown woman, Noah-I can ept gifts from whoever I please. And besides, not everyone buys people gifts just to get something in exchange. Or have you forgotten that people do things out of kindness sometimes?"


    Noah scoffed. "Drake''s a yer. And he''s ying you like a fiddle." He sighed, turning his head. "Don''t forget you still belong to me. It''s not bing of a Luna to be epting gifts from another man. What did he even give you?"


    As he spoke, he reached for the bag, attempting to take it from me.


    White-hot anger surged through me at his audacity. Yanking the bag away, I stalked toward Noah until we were nose-to-nose, ring up at him defiantly.


    "I don''t belong to you or anyone else, do you understand me?" I hissed, jabbing a finger into his chest. "I''m


    Chapter 0046 not some


    UMO OMO


    possession for you to boss around and dictate terms to, Noah. I''m still a whole person on my with or without you. And I make my own decisions and open my own gifts."


    Noah flinched almost imperceptibly at the venom in my tone, but he held my gaze, his own eyes zing with an intensity to match my own. For a long, charged moment, something seemed to crackle between us-a spark of danger, of unresolved tension, of overwhelming want.


    Then, just like that, the moment was gone. Noah blinked and averted his stare, taking a small step back to put some distance between us once more.


    "Fine. Do what you want, Hannah," he muttered gruffly. "Just don''te crying to me when Drake''s true Intentions be clear."


    With that parting remark, Noah turned on his heel and swept out of the room, leaving me standing there. seething in his wake. I watched him go, my hands curling into fists at my sides as I struggled to rein in my temper. The audacity of him, I fumed, grabbing my bags and storming up the stairs.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Once I was safely locked away in my room, I carefully opened Drake''s gift.


    A tiny gasp escaped my lips as I pulled out the contents-a dainty silver charm bracelet, each link and pendant sparkling almost blindingly in the low light. It really was lovely, much too thoughtful a gift for a shameless flirt like Drake. But then, Noah''s words shed through my mind. His true intentions. As if I needed Noah to tell me-I knew very well what Drake''s true angle was. He was buttering me up, biding his time until he needed another favor in his scheme to win Zoe back. better than to fall to fall for such cheap tricks.


    Snapping the bracelet''s sp closed around my wrist, I turned it this way and that, admiring the shimmer and sparkle on my skin. It truly was exquisite, I had to admit... but not quite exquisite enough to make me lose my head. With a soft hum, I I unsped it once more and padded over to my bedside table, tucking it neatly into the drawer for safekeeping. Out of sight, out of mind-1 would deal with whatever Drake wanted in return another day. For now, all I wanted was to slip into a hot bath and try to put the day''s events behind me. Maybe then h could find some semnce of peace, if only for a little while.


    The next morning, I awoke feeling uncharacteristically refreshed, my mind clear and unburdened by the usual worries that so often gued me. It was a wee reprieve, and I intended to savor it for as long as possible. I dressed leisurely, taking the time to style my hair into soft waves and dab on a bit of makeup to brighten my features. I got dressed in a matching skirt and top set, and slipped my feet into the same ck ts I wore yesterday. Once I was satisfied with my appearance, I made my way downstairs toward the kitchen in search of something to eat. The house was quiet, the servants going about their own duties and Noah still gone. Chapter 004%


    BONUS


    +25


    Or so I thought.


    I was in the process of fixing myself a mug of strong, ck coffee when something metallic glinted in my peripheral vision, catching my eye. Frowning, I turned toward the movement, only to feel my stomach drop at what I saw. There, amongst the crumpled remains of a banana peel and a few discarded sugar packets,y the delicate silver charm bracelet Drake had gifted me-haphazardly tossed into the trash can like a worthless trinket when it had been safely locked in my bedside drawer the night before.


    Gasping, I pulled the bracelet out and immediately felt anger seethe through me.


    "Noah," I hissed, clenching my fist around the silver bracelet.

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    Chapter 0047 Hannah +25


    fury


    BONUS


    With the ruined charm bracelet clenched in my fist, I stormed down the hallway toward Noah''s office, t rising in my chest with every step. How dare he? How dare he rifle through my private belongings and defile that gift in such a callous, petty manner? "When did he even...?" I hissed to myself as I stormed through the mansion''s hallways. I had stayed in my room for most of yesterday after I had gone out with Drake. Had Noah really walked into my room while I was sleeping and taken the charm bracelet? Goddess, I thought to myself, forgive me for killing this man.


    I


    I didn''t bother knocking before I flung the door open, the wood mming against the wall with a resounding bang. Noah jumped in his seat, his head whipping up from behind hisrge mahogany desk to gape at me in surprise. "Hannah, what-


    "What is your issue?" I spat out, stalking forward to m the crumpled bracelet down on his desk. The delicate charms clinked together harshly, and part of me secretly hoped that they would dig gouges into the expensive wood of Noah''s precious desk. Noah''s gaze flicked from the ruined jewelry to my livid expression, his brows knitting together in confusion. "I don''t know what you''re talking ab-"


    "This is


    "Don''t y dumb with me," I snarled, leaning over the desk to jab an usatory finger in his face. "Yout went into my room, opened my nightstand, and threw Drake''s gift in the trash like some sort of jealous, petnt child! What is wrong with you?" Understanding flickered across, Noah''s features the quick without a shred of hesitation to Worse, sky, then recover, picked up the shan the mangled bracelet with this fingers, yet up it with obvious disdain a that''s all I did to it," he muttered darkly. Then, without a shred of hesitation or remorse, he leaned over, picked up the small metal wastebasket next to his desk, held it up in the air... and made a show of throwing the charm bracelet inside right in front of me. This is is trash, Hannah," he said as he set the wastebasket back down and dusted his hands off. "Let it go. I''ll buy you something better." I felt my jaw drop in outraged disbelief as the gleaming silver bracelet disappeared from view once again. Sputtering, I whirled around the desk and gripped the handles of Noah''s chair, leaning over him. The wheels squeaked in protest at the added weight, but I only pressed down harder.


    I


    "What the hell is your problem?" I asked, towering over his seated form. With our faces mere inches apart now, I could feel his breath on my neck.


    Noah met my heated re with infuriating nonchnce, his features schooled into an imprable mask, "The problem, Hannah, is that you''re a fool if you think Drake''s cheap trinkets actually mean anything. He''s trying to get something out of you, clearly." "I''m aware they don''t mean anything." I shot back through gritted teeth. "Drake is an insatiable flirt who gives gifts with ulterior motives-I''m not blind to that fact. But that bracelet wasn''t yours to throw away, Chapter 0047  +25.


    Noah! It''s the principle of the thing!"


    Noah snorted derisively at that. "You really want to lecture me about principles, after you''ve spent the better part of a week publicly parading around with another man right under my nose?"


    "I''ve done nothing scandalous," I hissed, leaning down until we were nose-to-nose. "If anyone is scandalizing this marriage further, it''s you with your jealous tantrums and inability to treat me like your equal!"


    For a long, tense moment, we simply glowered at one another, our chests heaving with the force of our anger. Then, quite abruptly, Noah broke eye contact with a scoff.


    "Whatever," he muttered, leaning over to retrieve a stack of papers from his desk. "Make whatever excuses you want, Hannah-I won''t stop you. Just don''t expect me to sit idly by while you unt your indiscretions for all the world to see."


    "Indiscretions?" I echoed in disbelief. "Drake was here on official pack business! Would you have preferred-1 ignore himpletely, only for him to turn around and deny us the right to host the Lunar Festival? It''s not as if you''ve been the glittering host." Noah''s jaw ticked, his grip tightening ever so slightly on the papers in his grasp. Before he could unleash another tirade, though, a sharp knock rang out from the door, making us both freeze.


    "Go away." I snapped over my shoulder, my re still trained squarely on my husband.


    "Come in," Noah called out at the same time, his voice clipped but distinctly louder than mine.


    The door creaked open to reveal one of our timid s***nt girls, her dark head bowed as she crept into the


    room.


    "A delivery for you, Alpha," she said in a tiny voice, extending a sealed envelope toward Noah. With an impatient wave of his hand, Noah beckoned the girl forward. She scurried up to the desk, carefullyying the envelope on top of the stack of papers there before making a hasty retreat, her footsteps rapid against the floor. Clearly, she had heard our little argument. And I didn''t care.


    And


    For a long moment, neither of us moved to touch the mysterious envelope. I was too frustrated to care what it contained, and Noah seemed simrly disinterested-until, suddenly, his fingers curled around the thick paper and he tore it open with a quick flick of his thumb. His eyes scanned over the contents briefly, his brow furrowing deeper with each passing second. Then, without so much as a word of exnation, he whipped the envelope toward me with enough force for the heavy paper to slice through the air like a de. "This is where your so-called ''hostess'' abilities have gotten us," Noah said with a thick sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.


    Shooting him another glower, I s****ed the paper out of his hand and read the contents. The more I read, though, the more I felt my anger slip away into bitter regret.


    A...


    dinner date?" I muttered, slowly raising my gaze to meet Noah''s. "With Drake and Zoe?"


    Noah nodded and s**d the paper back from my now-ck hands. He stood, crossing over to the


    window and looking out with his hands sped behind his back. "This is what you don''t understand about Drake," he said. "You give an inch, and the ba***rd takes a mile."


    I frowned at the back of his head. "What did I have to do with this?"


    Noah scoffed. "You opened the b***dy door, that''s what you did," he said, not even deigning to turn around to face me. "You made him feel weed-and now Zoe probably felt pressured into epting his dinner invitation."N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    "Are we going to allow ourselves to be pressured, too?"


    He was silent for several long moments, although I could vaguely make out the outline of his jaw working beneath his skin from where I stood. Finally, he turned and tossed the invitation back down on the desk between us and fixed me with an icy look. "Unfortunately, it seems we have no choice."

 Chapter 48

    Chapter 0048 Hannah


    Viona and I stepped out of the nail salon, freshly manicured and ready to take on the world-or at the very least, a tedious dinner engagement with my soon-to-be ex-husband and his would-be mistress. "That color looks perfect on you," Viona said, admiring her glossy pink nails as we strolled down the street. "And they''re so... long."


    I hummed in agreement as I admired my own nails. I usually kept my nails clipped rtively short with nude or pink polish, buttely... that just didn''t feel like me anymore. This time, I had gone for deep crimson, almond-shaped acrylics. And I was d I did. As we passed by a shop window, something vibrant caught my eye, making me pause. It was a deep emerald green mini dress, not too short and not too long, with long sleeves and a square neckline and a fitted skirt. Perfect for dinner. "Oh, that''s gorgeous," Viona breathed, immediately stopping in her tracks to admire the dress with me. You should try it on."


    "You really think so?" I frowned, biting my lip as my eyes caught my reflection in the window-still skinny as hell, despite my recent attempts to eat more. "I doubt they''ll even have it in the right size."


    Viona shot me an incredulous look over her shoulder, already making her way toward the door. "There''s no harm in trying it, right?" she asked. "And besides, the whole reason we went out today is so you can look your best tonight."


    At the mention of tonight, a tiny tendril of dread unfurled in my chest. Tonight, I would be going out to dinner with Noah, Zoe, and Drake. I wasn''t exactly looking forward to it, but... Viona was right. I did want to look my best. "Alright. I''ll try it on." Squaring my shoulders, I followed Viona into the boutique, the cheerful tinkling of the door chime ringing in my ears.


    Once inside, Viona made a beeline for the emerald dress, plucking it off the rack and thrusting it toward me expectantly. I took it with a weary sigh, watching as she ran her hand through a rack of blue sundresses. She pulled one out and held it up to herself in the mirror, turning this way and that.


    "That blue matches your eyes," I said with a smile, sidling up behind her. I caught another glimpse of myself, and let out a tiny huff of air. My own eyes had been looking a little less sunkentely, at least. That morning, I had had an entire slice of avocado toast and had even added cream to my coffee. It wasn''t much, but it was something. Although, I had been mentally beating myself up ever since then, which wasn''t healthy. Viona smiled and turned to face me. "I think I''ll try it on Come on, let''s go."


    "Remind me again why I agreed to go to this at all?" I muttered as Viona herded me toward the dressing rooms.


    She shrugged, one perfectly sculpted brow arching up. Because saying no would make Nightcrest look weak-and potentially ruin our chances of hosting the Lunar Festival this year?"  Chapter 0048


    I scowled as I stepped into the tiny fitting room, already shimmying out of my clothes. Why did I always somehow wind up wearing jeans and tight sweaters when I was trying on clothes? "Right. Because that''s far more important than my own peace of mind, apparently," I said with augh. There was a humorless chuckle from the other side of the divider. "You''ll be fine. It''s just dinner, and besides-Drake and Zoe and Noah will do enough arguing for you to be able to just stay quiet and pretend you''re not there."


    Gritting my teeth, I said nothing as I tugged the soft fabric over my hips. Already, I could feel the familiar tightness in my chest beginning to build. I shouldn''t have eaten this morning, I thought to myself against my better judgment. I look... "Well, who knows?" Viona went on, blissfully ignorant to my inner turmoil. "Maybe this dinner will actually convince Zoe and Drake to get back together. Then at least you''d have one less thorn in your side to deal with, right?" Wrong.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    With the dress zipped up all the way, the clingy material embraced every dip and curve of my body in a way that was... less than ttering, to say the least. I froze, staring at my reflection with a creeping sense of dread and shortness of breath. There was the slightest swell of my belly visible through the fabric, just a tiny hint of softness that shouldn''t even be there-


    "You about ready in there, Hannah?" Viona''s voice jolted me out of my thoughts. "Let''s see how it looks!"


    "J-Just a second," I stammered, struggling to tear my gaze away from the mirror as I began tugging and adjusting the fabric, desperate to hide that one small imperfection-that tiny bulge in my lower belly, something that I always thought was normal and beautiful on everyone except myself.

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    Chapter


    But no amount of fussing could disguise the truth. I knew deep down this wasn''t a question of an ill-fitting dress-it was my own body that was the problem, soft and ugly and- "Hannah? You okay?"


    "Fine!" I squeaked out, my head spinning as I hastily unzipped the dress and tore it off over my head.


    By the time I emerged from the dressing room, clutching the crumpled ***d of green fabric to my chest and dressed in my jeans and sweater again, Viona was regarding me with open concern. "You don''t like it?" she ventured carefully.


    I swallowed hard, my throat working against the lump of anxiety that had lodged itself there. "I just... maybe we should try something else? Something a little looser, you know?" Understanding flickered in Viona''s eyes then as she held out a hand to stop me. "Hannah... This isn''t one of your rpse moments, is it?"


    Of course she could see right through me-she always could. I opened my mouth to protest, to wave her off, but one look at her severe expression had the excuse dying on my lips.


    "Look," Viona said in a low, gentle tone. "I know tonight is going to be hard for you, seeing Zoe and all. But you''ve been making such amazing progress with your recovery. Don''t let any of these **** derail all of that hard work, okay?"


    A flush crept up my cheeks as I averted my gaze, abruptly feeling very small and childish. "I know, I know... It''s just..."


    With a sigh, Viona reached out and squeezed my arm, her eyes warm and steady. "Look. If you''re really struggling, just say the word, and you and I can skip out on the group meeting tomorrow night. But I really think that going, even just once, would be amazing for you." I worried my lip between my teeth, thinking back on our uing Saturday night ns: the local eating disorder support group. I had promised Viona that I would go, so long as she went with me. And I really didn''t want to break that promise. "Don''t worry," I said after a long moment. "I''ll still go."


    Viona beamed at me as I turned to hang the green dress back up. We ended up picking out a more flowy option in a sage green color instead, which sported the same long sleeves and square neckline but a slightly more flowy fit.


    It was perfect, I figured-exactly the sort of armor I would need to get through tonight.


    A few hourster, I found myself smoothing my hands over the soft material of the dress as Noah''s car idled in front of the restaurant where we were to meet Drake and Zoe. I could feel Noah''s eyes boring into me from the driver''s seat, heavy and Inscrutable I couldn''t quite meet his stare. Instead, I surreptitiously tugged the fabric a bit lower over my abdomen, anxiety gnawing at me in spite of Viona''s reassurances Chapter 0049.


    When Noah didn''t move to open my door for me, I simply sighed and let myself out, my purse clutched protectively over my midsection as I made my way toward the imposing front entrance of the restaurant. Noah followed a few paces behind, his footsteps clipped and


    tense.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Inside, Drake was already waiting for us, looking handsome but not too formal in a crisp zer and cks. His face lit up when he caught sight of me, although his smile dimmed slightly as Noah materialized at my side.


    "Hannah, you look beautiful, as always," Drake purred, taking my hand to brush a kiss across my knuckles. Beside me, I could feel Noah tense up, but I ignored him.


    Suddenly, the sound of heels clicking made us all turn, and there was Zoe-beautiful as always in a satin ck shift dress, dark pantihose, and tall boots. She looked like something out of a fashion magazine with her leather jacket draped over her shoulders and her hair perfectly curled down her back. She had emphasized her eyes with dark winged eyeliner and sultry eyeshadow, and....


    She was everything I could never be.


    I quickly averted my gaze, my heart already pounding. Home was already calling to me.


    Home, and diet pills. It was a good thing I had flushed them, at least.


    "Darling Zoe," Drake murmured, his arm extending as he took a step toward her. "It''s so good to see-"


    Zoe sidestepped his gesture, her red lips pressed into a thin, unamused line. Turning her back on Drake entirely, she faced Noah and me instead, that familiar fire dancing in her eyes. "Well. Shall we, then?"


    Over Zoe''s shoulder, I noticed Drake dete, his outstretched hand hanging awkwardly in the air. Oh yes. this was going to be worse than I could have ever imagined.


    As the four of us were led to our private table, I exchanged a loaded nce with Noah. It seemed, despite our differences, that we would agree on at least one thing. Tonight was going to be a long

 Chapter 50

    Chapter 0050 Hannah


    Dinner was every bit as awkward and tension-filled as had anticipated-and then some.


    Zoe sat across from me, her posture rigid and her gaze fixed resolutely on her te as she nibbled at her food in silence. It was clear from the tight purse of her lips and the furrow in her brow that she wanted to be anywhere but here. Why had she even epted Drake''s invitation, I thought to myself? She could have said no. But then again, so could we.


    On my left, Noah nursed a ss of whiskey, his free hand toying with the silverware in a way that made the metal clink sharply against the china every few minutes. His eyes kept flicking from me to Drake with thinly-veiled disdain, as though he couldn''t quite decide which one of us he despised more in that moment.


    And Drake... Drake simply smiled that easy, charming smile of his, seemingly unbothered by the blistering awkwardness that hung thick in the air around us. He made idle small talk,menting on the exceptional wine selection and quality of the restaurant''s interior design. I could barely bring myself to eat, my stomach tied up in anxious knots. Every time I lifted my fork to my mouth, I felt the weight of Noah''s stare boring into me, silently judging and assessing my every move. It made me want to shrink into myself, to disappear from view entirely. "So," Drake said, cutting his steak as he spoke. "Noah. I must say, I''m very grateful that you and Hannah epted Zoe back into Nightcrest so willingly; it''s nice to see her in a safe, familiar ce during our little break."


    Zoe snorted softly into her ss of wine. I froze, ncing over at Noah.


    "Break?" Noah asked. "From what I gathered, you''re divorcing. Not simply taking a break."


    "Yes, well..." Drake popped a piece of steak into his mouth, chewed slowly and swallowed before continuing. "Love endures." He flicked his gaze between me and Noah, clearly implying something that I didn''t want to delve into at the moment. Love, I thought to myself as I nced over at Zoe. She didn''t seem like a woman in love. She seemed like she didn''t want to be here. Same as myself.


    Noah stared down into his ss, but didn''t bother arguing further. Wepsed back into strained silence after that, broken only by the soft clink of silverware on china and the low hum of ssical music in the background.


    It was torture, pure and simple. I wished more than anything that I could simply disappear, or wake up from this hellish nightmare of an evening


    Anything to escape the simmering hostility and Zoe''s prating stare that seemed to bore straight through me every time our eyes met. Did she know about my arrangement with Drake?


    Finally, just when I thought I might snap from the tension, Drake set his napkin aside with a decisive flourish and sat back in his chair.


    "Well, this has certainly been a delightful little dinner party," he announced in a tone that suggested the exact opposite. "But I don''t know about the rest of you... I was rather hoping we might do a bit more than simply eat this evening. I frowned, sharing a confused look with Noah. "What did you have in mind?" I asked.


    A slow smile curved Drake''s lips as his gaze swept over to me. "If memory serves from our tour the other day, Hannah, Nightcrest is in possession of a rather famous haunted attraction, isn''t it? What was it called again? The Emily House?"


    My brows hiked upward as realization dawned on me, the Emily House was an attraction in Nightcrest seated at the top of a tall hill; an old mansion that was said to have been haunted by a spirit named Emily. Supposedly, a family had stayed there in the 80s and were terrorized by Emily until they ultimately just upped and left in the night, leaving all of their belongings behind,


    Now, it was nothing more than a tourist attraction. During the daytime, visitors could tour the home and hear about all of the spooky history behind it. On Friday nights, however, the ce was turned into a real haunted house attraction-actors in masks and flickering lights to boot.


    It was an attraction for edgy teenagers, nothing more.


    "You can''t be serious," I managed with augh.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

 Chapter 51

    Chapter 0051


    "Oh, but I am," Drake said, leaning forward on his elbows. "It sounds exciting, and besides, you know what they say about a good scare-it gets the blood positively pumping." At thatst word, he slid his gaze over to Zoe. Her cheeks reddened and she shifted ufortably in her seat. A beat of silence passed as we all traded uncertain looks, clearly thrown by this curveball of a proposition.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "I don''t know, Drake..." I began hesitantly. I''m tired, and I''m sure Noah..."


    "Well, it sounds terribly exciting to me," Zoe interjected, speaking up for the first time all evening as dabbed at theers of her mouth with her napkin. "I haven''t visited the Emily house since... well..."


    H


    she


    Her voice trailed off, and beside me, I noticed the tips of Noah''s ears turn pink. I quickly looked away, clenching my jaw. I could already imagine the two of them going on all kinds of dates when they were together, and the Emily House had likely been one of their favorite haunts... no pun intended.


    Drake''s face lit up like a kid on Solstice morning at Zoe''s words, and he quickly looked over at Noah. Well? What do you say, Alpha? Shall we give it a go?"


    For a long moment, Noah simply stared at Drake, his expression utterly unreadable. Then, with a barely perceptible shake of his head, his features settled into a mask of grim resignation. 1 don''t see t that is."


    that we have much choice," he ground out. "Not if we want to impress our esteemed guest,


    Drake beamed, pping his hands together once. "Splendid! Then it''s settled-we''ll take in your haunted. house after we''ve settled the check here. And don''t worry, dinner is on me."


    I found myself inching cautiously through the dark, strobe-lit corridors of Nightcrest''s haunted house, trailing behind the others with my arms wrapped protectively around my middle.


    Somewhere ahead of me, a shrill scream rang out, quickly swallowed up by the eerie sounds of chains rattling and ominous groans. My heart leapt into my throat as my head whipped around, searching the shadowy recesses for any sign of danger.


    This had seemed like such a stupid idea from the start-why had I let Drake talk me into this insanity? I was too old and jaded for these childish fear tactics to work on me anymore.


    And yet, as the sound of heavy, thudding footsteps began resonating from somewhere behind me, I could feel my pulse quickening in spite of myself.


    Then, without any warning whatsoever, a hulking, masked figure burst through a doorway off to my right, harsh spotlights illuminating the whirring de of a chainsaw as it roared to life mere feet away from me.


    I must have screamed, because the next thing I knew, I was stumbling backward, gasping for air as my heart thundered in my ears. My hands clutched uselessly at the humid air, searching for anything solid to anchor myself.


    But I found nothing-nothing except the disorienting blur of strobe lights and the stomp of heavy boots drawing nearer and nearer.


    "Noahl" Leriod out bef


    25 BONUS


    Just as quickly as the terror had overtaken me, it dissipated again. Strong arms encircled me from behind, dragging me flush against a solid chest as a masculine scent overwhelmed my senses.


    I whimpered, the sound high and pitiful as tears sprang to my eyes. "Noah..."


    "Shh..." a low, soothing murmur breathed against the curve of my neck. "You''re safe now, darling. I''ve got you."


    My eyes shot open. It was Drake''s voice, not Noah''s, that met my ears. For the briefest of moments, I froze, confusion swirling through me.


    Then, just as quickly, amanding shout sliced through the darkness from somewhere in the distance, making my head whip around.


    "Stop the show! Now!"


    Noah''s voice, gruff and authoritative, rang out mere seconds before the house''s lighting transitioned from ominous reds and purples to the warm, amber glow of overhead lights and standingmps. I squinted against the sudden light, blinking as I pulled back from Drake. And there, across the room, I could just make out Noah''s tall silhouette as his arm curled around another figure-one that seemed to be cowering against his side. Zoe.

 Chapter 52

    Chapter 0052 Hannah


    I stood there, frozen in Drake''s arms as the chaos around us dissolved into normalcy-or at least, something akin to it.


    The warm amber lights bathed the room, revealing the haunted house for what it truly was-nothing more than an intricate set,plete with masked actors and special effects.


    As I pulled away from Drake, my heart still pounding in my chest, my eyes lingered on Noah across the room, his arms wrapped protectively around Zoe''s trembling form. She was crying, her shoulders shaking with quiet sobs as she clung to him. Drake simply shrugged when I nced at him, his expression one of mild amusement. "Shall we?" he asked, inclining his head toward Noah and Zoe.


    I nodded mutely, trailing after him as we made our way over to the two of them. Noah looked up as we approached, his features hardening ever so slightly.


    "What''s going on?" I asked, frowning at the sight of Zoe in such a state. Although, whether I was frowning more at her apparent upset or at the fact that she was in Noah''s arms, I couldn''t quite tell,


    nothing." No


    Noah replied gruffly, tightening his hold on Zoe. "Just too much stimtion for her, I think."


    Zoe let out a m***ed whimper, burying her face against Noah''s chest. My brow furrowed with concern and a twinge of something else, something sharp and unpleasant that gnawed at the pit of my stomach no matter how hard I tried to bite it back. "Are you sure she''s alright?" I pressed. "Maybe we should call it a night."


    !


    "An excellent suggestion," Drake piped up from beside me. "I think we''ve all had enough excitement for one night. Wouldn''t you say so, Zoe?"


    At the sound of Drake''s voice, Zoe''s head snapped up, her gaze zeroing in on him with a look of pure venom. Then, with a strangled noise of distress, she wrenched herself out of Noah''s grasp and stumbled away, one hand pressed to her mouth as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.


    Noah watched her go, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, the rest of us simply hovered there in awkward silence, unsure of how to proceed. Then, with a low sigh, Noah turned and strode after Zoe without a word, leaving Drake and me alone together once again.


    Well,"


    Drake said, arching one brow at me. "That was certainly... dramatic"


    I shot him a withering look, but didn''t bother responding as I hurried to follow after Noah and Zoe.


    I found them just outside the entrance to the haunted house, Zoe hunched over with her hands braced on her knees as she gulped in deep, shuddering breaths. Noah hovered beside her, his hand resting on her back in a soothing gesture. AST As I approached, Noah looked up, his gaze finding mine. I opened my mouth to ask what was wrong, but he simply shook his head, silencing me.  Chapter 0052


    +25


    "She''s alright," he murmured. "Just overwhelmed."


    I frowned, my arms crossing over my chest as I studied Zoe''s trembling form. Then, grabbing Noah''s arm, I pulled him away. He resisted, but one venomous look from me made him let go of Zoe and follow me over to a secludeder. "What''s really going on, Noah?" I asked in a low voice, shooting a cautious nce at Drake, who had wandered up to Zoe in the background. "I mean, first the dinner, and now this..."


    Noah passed a weary hand over his face, exhaling slowly. "Zoe''s been under an incredible amount of stresstely," he admitted quietly. "With the divorce and everything going on with Drake..." He shook his head, his expression pained. "Tonight was just too much for her, I think." think.


    Ha. Stress, I thought to myself. I was bloody stressed, too, but my stress didn''t seem to matter.


    Still, a pang of guilt twisted in my gut as I watched Zoe struggling to catch her breath, her shoulders still shaking. I had been so caught up in my own hurt and anger that I hadn''t even really taken the time to consider what she might be going through tonight as well. Zoe lifted her head then, swiping furiously at the tears streaking her cheeks as her gazended on me. Hannah, I''m so sorry," she gasped out, her voice trembling. "I never meant to ruin your evening like this..."


    I took a step toward her, my arms dropping to my sides. "No, Zoe, you didn''t ruin anything. I..." My voice trailed off.


    Before I could second-guess myself, I closed the distance between us and pulled Zoe into a fierce hug. feeling her stiffen with surprise before slowly melting against me.


    "I''m sorry,"


    ''I murmured into her hair, squeezing my eyes shut against the fresh wave of guilt washing over me. Tonight felt like my fault-my little arrangement with Drake had gone further than I expected, and I never meant to hurt her. It had been entirely self-serving and cruel of me to conspire with her ex-h with her ex-husband to win her affection back.


    We stood like that for a long moment, Zoe''s shoulders trembling in my arms as Drake and Noah watched with surprise from the sidelines. When we finally pulled apart, Zoe managed a watery smile.


    "Thank you, Hannah," she said softly.


    "I feel better now.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    I smiled back, giving her arm a gentle squeeze before ncing over at Noah. His expression was inscrutable, his green-eyed gaze flickering between Zoe and me with an intensity that made my stomach twist into anxious knots. The four of us began making our way toward the parking lot then, yet another silence falling over the group. As we reached the cars, Drake cleared his throat, drawing our attention. "Well,dies," he said, "this has certainly been an eventful evening. Zoe could I give you a lift back to your apartment?"


    Noah opened his mouth to retort, but before he could, Zoe shrugged and nodded at the same time. "Sure. I guess.


    With that.


    with Drake and Zoe headed off on their own, leaving Noah and me alone in the amber-lit parking lot. An ufortable silence stretched out between us as we watched them go.


    +25


    Finally, unable to bear it any longer, I turned to Noah and blurted out the words that had been burning in the back of my throat all evening.


    "Did you hear me calling for you back there?" I asked, my voiceing out shakler than I would have liked. "In the haunted house, when that man with the chainsaw showed up... I called your name."


    Noah''s expression softened ever so slightly as understanding flickered in his gaze. But then, just as quickly as it had softened, it hardened once again. "Yes," he said, turning to unlock the car. "I heard you."


    I stared at the back of of his head, feeling my hands ball up into tight white fists at my sides. "Then why didn''t youe for me?" I demanded. "Why was Zoe the only one who mattered in that moment?"


    As the bitter words hung between us, I could see Noah''s jaw tighten, his features hardening once more in the reflection of the car window as he opened the door. When he spoke, his tone was clipped, devoid of any warmth. "Zoe needed me." was all he said.


    White-hot furynced through me at his simple words. couldn''t hold it in anymore.


    "You still love her," I hissed, pressing my hand into his car door and mming it shut right in front of him. before he could get in. "Don''t you?"


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 53

    Chapter 0053 Hannah


    Noah was silent for a long moment, his expression utterly unreadable in the dim glow of the parking lot lights. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and even. "We don''t need to talk about love right now, Hannah."


    I let out a bitterugh, shaking my head in disbelief. Of course he would dwindle it down to that; down to nothing at all.


    "No? Then when, Noah?" I demanded, taking a step closer to him. "When are we going to talk about the fact that you clearly still have feelings for your ex-girlfriend? That you''ve had feelings for her since.... forever?" "Hannah..." Noah pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a weary sigh.


    "You''re a coward," I spat out, the words rushing out of my lips before I could stop them. "You''re too afraid to face your own emotions, and it''s going to cost you everything in the end."


    Noah''s head snapped up, his eyes shing with a mixture of hurt and anger. "You don''t know what you''re talking about," he bit out.


    "Don''t I?" I challenged, crossing my arms over my chest. "If you don''t get your act together and start being honest with yourself, Drake is going to swoop right in and steal Zoe away from you for good. And then where will you be? Because I''m not going to be here for much longer, either. You won''t have little old me to fall back on anymore."


    Noah''s jaw clenched, his hands balling into fists at his sides. For a long moment, he simply stared at me, his chest rising and falling heavily. Then, without a word, he turned and wrenched open the car door again, sliding into the driver''s seat. "Get it," he said.


    I stood there, frozen in ce, unsure of what to do or say next. Part of me wanted to apologize, to take back the harsh words I had flung at him in my anger and frustration. But another part of me, the part that was still seething with resentment and jealousy, refused to back down.


    The car rumbled to life, and Noah rolled down the window, fixing me with a hard stare. "Get in the car, Hannah," he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    Biting back a retort, I yanked open the passenger door and slid inside, mming it shut behind me with more force than was strictly necessary.


    The drive back to Nightcrest was tense and silent, the only sound the low hum of the engine and the asional crackle of static from the radio. I sat with my gaze fixed out the window, my arms tightly bound across my chest.


    As we pulled up to the front of the mansion, Noah put the car in park and turned to look at me.


    "Go on inside," he said, his voice t and emotionless. 1 have some business to take care of."


    I opened my mouth to protest, but the look on his face made the words die in my throat. With a curt nod, I pushed open the door and stepped out onto the gravel driveway, watching as Noah pulled away without Chapter 0053N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    so much as a backward nce.


    The next evening found me standing outside the doors of themunity center, my palms sweating and my heart racing in my chest. Beside me, Viona offered an encouraging smile, giving my arm a gentle squeeze. "You''ve got this, Hannah," she murmured. "It''s going to be okay."


    I nodded, mustering up a shaky smile of my own. "Thanks, Viona. See youter?"


    "Of course. We''ll grab some nachos and you can tell me everything," she replied, giving my hand onest squeeze before turning and heading back to her car.


    Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the doors and stepped inside, following the sound of muted voices down a long hallway. At the end of the corridor, I could see an open doorway spilling warm light into the dimly lit hall, and as I drew closer, the sound of women''sughter and quiet conversation reached my


    ears.


    I hovered in the doorway for a moment, my heart in my throat as I took in the scene in front of arving


    I A circle of chairs had been arranged in the center of the room, most of them upied by women of ages and backgrounds.

 Chapter 54

    Chapter 0054 ChapterBelongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    0054


    At the far end of the room, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a gentle smile stood beside whiteboard, scribbling something down as she nodded along to whatever was being said. As my gaze swept over the group, a few of the women noticed my presence and fell silent, their expressions morphing into ones of surprise and confusion. Of course they recognized me. One woman, a girl who couldn''t have been much older than twenty, opened her mouth to say something, but I held up a hand, stopping her.


    "Please, don''t get up," I said, mustering up a small smile as I stepped further into the room. "I''m here as a member of the group tonight, not as the Luna of Nightcrest."


    Murmurs of understanding rippled through the circle as I crossed the room and imed one of the few empty chairs. The woman at the whiteboard turned to face me, offering me a warm smile. "Wee," she said, her voice gentle and soothing. "We were just getting started for the evening, so you''re right on time. Why don''t you introduce yourself to the group?"


    1 swallowed hard, suddenly feeling very much like I was back in school, about to give an oral presentation in front of the entire ss. "Hi, everyone," I began, forcing my voice to stay steady. "My name is Hannah, and I... well, I''m here because I struggle with an eating disorder." The words seemed to hang in the air for a moment, and then the woman at the front of the room was nodding, offering me an encouraging smile. "Thank you for sharing that with us, Hannah," she said. "We''re d to have you here tonight." As the meeting progressed, I found myself slowly beginning to rx, sinking into the rhythm of the group as we went around the circle, each woman sharing a bit of her story, her struggles, her triumphs. I nodded along and offering words of support and understanding where I could, but mostly just listened quietly. Finally, it was my turn to speak. I cleared my throat, my hands twisting together in myp as I struggled to find the right words.


    "1, um. I used to love my body." I began. "I used to look in the mirror and feel nothing but pride and appreciation for the strength and beauty of my own form. But then..." I trailed off, shaking my head. Something happened, and everything changed."


    I paused, drawing in a deep breath as memories flickered through my mind-memories of my first month being married to Noah, when it had all started. Of catching sight of my reflection in the mirror and thinking, ''not good enough, not good enough, not good enough." "Now, I feel like a ve to my own mind," I continued after drawing in another shaky breath. "Like my body is a prison, trapping me inside this... this shell that I can barely recognize anymore. And the worst part is, I know it''s not healthy. I know that the way I see myself, the way I treat myself, is damaging and destructive. Hell..."


    My voice trailed off, and for a moment, I couldn''t seem to find the right words to describe how I had died and was reborn on the cold tiles of my bathroom floor Finally, I managed to continue. "Sometimes, It... It feels like I was given a second chance," I managed, furrowing my brow. "If that makes sense; like... I was teetering on the edge, and managed to pull myself back. But I still can''t seem to stop, no matter how hard I try."  Chapter 0054


    I fell silent then, my chest constricting as I fought back the hot tears that were pricking at the backs of my eyes. Around me, the room was utterly still. I carefully blinked and looked around, afraid of seeing judgment or hatred at their Luna for being so vulnerable. But instead, I saw nothing but quiet support.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the counselor at the front of the room spoke up with a smile warm enough to melt the ice around my heart.


    "Second chances are what this group is all about," she said softly.

 Chapter 55

    Chapter Hannah


    0055


    The next day, my phone buzzed with an iing call as I was brushing my hair out in front of the mirror. Picking up the phone, a knot of dread instantly formed in the pit of my stomach as I stared at the name shing across the screen.


    Emma.


    Thest time we had spoken, things hadn''t exactly ended on the best of terms. I had, after all, revealed that her husband was cheating on her. Surely she didn''t think very highly of me. With a heavy sigh, I swiped to ept the call. "Hello?"


    "Hannah, it''s Emma," her voice filtered through the speaker. "I hope I''m not catching you at a bad time."


    "No, no," + assured her, rubbing my temple as I settled onto the edge of the bed. "What''s up?"


    "Well, I was hoping we could get together for dinner tonight?" she asked, her tone taking on a slightly hesitant edge. There are some things I''d like to discuss with you, if you''re free." 1 pressed my lips together, weighing my options. After the way I had callously revealed her husband''s infidelity at the charity g, I wouldn''t have med Emma if she never wanted to speak to me again. But still, there was something in her voice that made me curious, "Yeah, sure," I finally said. "Dinner sounds good." Thanking the host, I settled into a cozy corner booth at the pub in town-I had thought it was an unlikely ce for Emma to frequent, but figured that maybe she was trying to fly under the radar and had picked this little hole-in-the-wall to do just that.


    I fidgeted with my ss of water, taking a sip as my eyes roamed the dimly lit room for Emma. Finally, I caught a glimpse of her striding in through the door, dressed down with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. It hit me, then, that I had only ever seen her dressed to the nines with a cake of makeup covering her face. She looked beautiful like this.


    "Hannah," she greeted me with a surprisingly warm smile as she slid into the booth across from me. "It''s so good to see you."


    "You too," I replied, offering up a small smile of my own despite the nervous fluttering in my stomach." Listen, Emma, before you say anything else, I just want to apologize for how I acted thest time we spoke. It was cruel of me to reveal your husband''s affair like that, and I''m sorry. I was being vindictive, andN?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    To my surprise, Emma simply waved a dismissive hand. "Don''t worry about it, Hannah, really. In all honesty, you did me a favor."


    I blinked, taken aback. "What do you mean?"


    Emma leaned forward, dropping her voice. "I''m leaving him," she confided in a low voice. "I''ve already started making arrangements to move out and file for divorce."


    My brows hiked upward. "Wow... Emma, I''m so sorry. I had no idea. I mean, I guess I could have guessed, but." ast with


    She shook her head. "Don''t be sorry. This has been a long timeing, if I''m being honest myself. He and I have been growing apart for years now, and his infidelity was just the final straw that made me realize I deserve better than to be stuck in a loveless marriage. I can do so much better."


    I nodded slowly, feeling a newfound surge of respect for this woman I had once viewed as little more than a vapid, preening trophy wife. "I''m d you''re standing up for yourself," I told her sincerely. "That takes a lot of courage."


    Emma offered me a small, grateful smile before her expression turned slightly hesitant once more." Actually, Hannah, there''s another reason I wanted to speak with you tonight..."


    She drew in a deep breath, seeming to steel herself before she spoke. "For a long time, I was incredibly envious of you," she admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Not just of your beauty, but of your confidence and the way you carried yourself with such poise and grace. I found myself constantlyparing my own looks, my body, my aplishments to yours, and alwaysing up short in my own mind."

 Chapter 56

    Chapter 0056


    Me? She was envious of me? I didn''t believe it.


    opened my mouth to protest, but Emma held up a hand, effectively silencing me.


    "Please, let me finish," she begged. "It wasn''t until recently that I realized how toxic and damaging that mindset was not just for my self-esteem, but for my overall wellbeing. I was so focused on measuring myself against other women that Ipletely lost sight of my own worth and value as an individual."


    "And," she added, "I was cruel to you in turn. Don''t think for a second that I didn''t know what I was doing all those years when I was giving you backhandedpliments and making snide remarks."


    She reached across the table then, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "But you helped open my eyes to that, Hannah, whether you intended to or not-between your eptance of Zoe, and the advice and hug you gave me at the charity ball. And for that, I''m truly grateful." I stared at her for a long moment, feeling an unexpected surge of emotion welling up in my chest. All these years, I had hated her guts-and she had hated mine. But now..


    "Emma, I... I don''t know what to say, I finally managed, my voice little more than a rasp. Part of me wondered if she was toying with me, trying to give me a false sense of security, but I saw nothing but sincerity in her eyes.


    She was telling the truth.


    Emma''s lips curved into a soft smile as she patted my hand. "You don''t have to say anything, Hannah. Just know that if you ever need someone to talk to, someone who will listen without judgment or pretense, I''m here for you. Just as you were here for me."


    I nodded mutely, blinking back the tears that had inexplicably sprung to my eyes. "Thank you," I murmured. "That means more than you know."


    Her smile widened. "Friends?"


    "Yeah... Friends," I replied, my cheeks tinging pink.


    Wepsed into afortable silence for a few moments before I drew in a deep, steadying breath. "In the spirit of things... If I''m being honest... things between Noah and me have''t been greattely, either," I confessed, keeping my voice low. Emma''s brow furrowed


    Concern, but she didn''t press for details, simply giving my hand another


    reassuring squeeze. "I won''t press you for details," she said softly. "But have to ask... are you.... you know


    She tapped my wedding ring with her finger.


    I swallowed and leaned back in my seat. My wedding ring glinted in the light, and I gathered her implications. I nodded. "A divorce is on the horizon," I whispered. "But... I don''t think that my approval ratings are even high enough for me to make it on my own." Emma furrowed her brow. "Hannah, you do know that Nightcrest is just as much yours as it is Noah''s, don''t you?"


    "What do you-"


    "I mean," she borated, "the people of Nightcrest support you. Even just these past few weeks, you''ve


    outdone yourself. You have all of the qualities of being a leader, and..." She leaned in, lowering her voice." I know that you have the bloodline of a female Alpha in you, and that you gave up the rights to your previous pack when you married Noah. But you are capable of having all that back."


    I held her gaze for a long moment, feeling something warm and unfamiliar blossoming in my chest at her words. Finally, I managed a small smile, averting my gaze to the now-melted ice in my cup.


    "Wow, um... Thank you, Emma," I said softly. "Really. I think I needed to hear that more than you know."


    As we made our way out of the pub a little whileter after sharing an appetizer and just chatting, I couldn''t help but smile. Emma''s turn in demeanor had softened me, and it felt good to-hopefully-have a new friend. Especially someone who understood what was going through. My smile faltered, however, as I stepped out onto the sidewalk and caught sight of a familiar ck SUV idling at the curb.


    Noah''s gaze locked onto mine through the tinted windshield.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    X

 Chapter 57

    Chapter 0057 Chapter Hannah


    0057


    I squared my shoulders, steeling myself as I approached Noah''s idling SUV. With a sharp rap on the tinted window, I made my presence known, watching as he startled slightly before rolling it down. "Can I help you?" he asked, his tone clipped.


    I arched a brow. "You''re the one lurking outside the pub like some kind of creep. I should be asking you that question."


    Noah''s jaw tightened fractionally. "I wasn''t lurking," he countered. "I just happened toe here for a drink."


    I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest. "Right. And I''m the Alpha of Nightcrest."


    His eyes narrowed at my


    "Believe what you want, Hannah. I don''t have to exin myself to you."


    Smirking, I leaned down until I was eye-level with him through the window. A piece of my hair caught the breeze and ruffled toward his face.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "You''re right, you don''t," I agreed, my voice low. "But if you were so desperate to see me, you could have. just asked me out on a date yourself instead of following me around like some kind of stalker." Noah''s brows hiked upward at that. "A date?" he echoed, something that almost looked like amusement flickering in his steely gaze. "Is that what you think this is about?"


    I shrugged one shoulder, feigning nonchnce even as my heart hammered in my chest. "Well, since you''re clearly too in love with Zoe to care about me anymore, I decided to go on a date with a real man instead." The words ha


    had barely left my lips before Noah threw his head back, letting out a loud burst of abrasiveughter that made my face instantly flush with humiliation. I straightened up, sping my hands tightly in front of me as I waited for his amusement to subside.


    T


    Finally, he shook his head, regarding me with mock pity. "You really are something else, you know that?" he mused. "But I saw youe out of there with Emma, so I know you weren''t on a date. If you want to y games and make up stories to get my attention, be my guest. But don''t insult us both by lying about it."


    I sighed, suddenly feeling very weary. "Alright, fine. You got me," I admitted with a shake of my head. "1 was bluffing about the date. But then why are you really here, Noah? Don''t tell me you just randomly decided to stop at this dingy little pub for a drink." He studied me for a long moment before responding. "You''re right, I didn''t just randomly end up here," he confessed. "I was going to stop for a drink at the bar down the street, but I saw you through the window here and decided to wait


    I frowned, folding my arms across my chest. "Wait? For what?"


    To make sure you got home safely," he said matter-of-factly. "How were you nning on getting back, by the way? Were you going to call the chauffeur?"


    I nodded, still feeling utterly perplexed by his sudden concern for my well being-but I knew it was utter


    bullshit. "Yeah, I was going to have hime pick me up," I said, not bothering to mention the fact that I wasn''t drinking anyway."


    Noah grunted. "I can drive you home instead, if you want me to. But I''d like to have my drink first."


    I hesitated for only a moment before nodding again. "Sure. I guess that would be alright."


    With a nod of his own, Noah pulled the key out of the ignition and pushed open the door, gesturing for me to lead the way back into the bar. I did so, trying to ignore the way my pulse seemed to quicken at the thought of spending more time in Noah''spany-although, I couldn''t decide if it was juvenile excitement or bitter loathing that made me feel that way.


    We settled onto a pair of stools at the bar, Noah ordering a whiskey neat while I simply asked for a soda. As the bartender set our drinks down in front of us, Noah cast a sidelong nce in my direction.


    "No alcohol for you tonight?" he asked, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. "You haven''t had anything to drink in a while."


    I shook my head, running my finger idly through the condensation on my ss. "No, I just... don''t really like the taste anymore," I lied smoothly. "And I like feeling clear-headed."

 Chapter 58

    Chapter 0058


    Part of that was true-the clear-headed part. I had picked up a slight obsession with alcohol since Noah and I had gotten married, and had often used red wine to dull my frayed nerves. But not anymore.


    Out of the corner of my eye, I could have sworn I saw Noah''s eyes flick briefly to my belly before returning to my face, but when I turned to look at him fully, his expression was carefully neutral. Wepsed into silence after that, the awkwardness hanging heavy in the air between us as we slowly nursed our respective drinks.


    I found myself stealing furtive nces at Noah, taking in the strong line of his jaw, the way his brow furrowed ever so slightly as he stared down into his ss. He looked... pensive, I realized.


    Troubled, even


    But then, suddenly, he cleared his throat. "So. What were you doing with Emma earlier? I thought you! hated her."


    I gave a casual shrug. "I don''t hate her."


    Noah quirked an eyebrow. "That''s news to me. What changed?"


    I hesitated, suddenly reluctant to divulge the true nature of our meeting without Emma''s explicit permission. She had, after all, asked me to keep the divorce a secret for now. And although we had a troubled past, I truly felt for her-seeing as how we were in simr positions-and there was no way I was going to break my promise already.


    "It was just... a personal matter," I said, taking a sip of my soda.


    Noah''s eyes narrowed slightly at my evasiveness, but to my surprise, he didn''t press the issue further." Fair enough," he said with a nod, returning his gaze to his whiskey.


    Another stretch of silence passed between us, this one slightly less strained than thest. As I studied the bubbles in my ss, I found myself mulling over the words Emma had spoken to me earlier that evening about leadership.


    "Noah?" I finally asked, unable to keep my thoughts fully to myself any longer. "Can I ask you something?"


    "What is it?" he asked somewhat curtly.


    I drew in a deep, steadying breath. "Do you think... I mean, have you ever thought that maybe I could be a good leader? For the pack, I mean?"


    Noah went perfectly still beside me, his ss frozen halfway to his lips. For a long, agonizing moment, I didn''t think he was going to answer me at all. Then, finally...


    "I''ve always thought that about you," he said rather matter-of-factly before taking a sip of whiskey. My head whipped around at that, my eyes widening with surprise. Talk about news. "You... you have?"


    He nodded, knocking back the rest of his whiskey with a slight grimace, then rapped two knuckles on the bar to signal a refill. "Yeah. Just as long as you actually apply yourself, and you don''t-" He stopped suddenly, snapping his mouth shut as though he was about to say something nasty but then thought better of it.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    +21 BONUS


    I narrowed my eyes. "If I don''t what?"


    Noah paused, sucking in a sharp breath through his teeth before he spoke. "As long as you don''t let people''s opinions of you beat you down," he finally said.


    For a moment, I was angry at his words. But then, I realized that they were true; in the past, I had never applied myself, not really, to the position of Luna. And well, people''s opinions of me had been the thing that had killed me in my past life. "You''re right," I said.


    Noah blinked rapidly at me, his gaze finally meeting mine for the first time since we had sat down." Really?" he blurted out.


    I nodded. "I haven''t applied myself. And I do let others'' opinions of me get the better of me. But I want to change that." I paused, inhaling deeply before continuing. I turned and face him on my stool. "I want to work with you." "Work with me?"


    "Yes. I want to start getting involved more." I quickly looked away, suddenly feeling an undeniable heat rise to my cheeks at the sight of his green-eyed gaze on me. "If you wouldn''t mind that, I mean."


    Noah was silent for a long time, and if I was being honest, I felt like a fool. You shouldn''t have asked for permission at the end, I told myself. You sound weak,


    But then, his response-short but sweet-shocked me like a jolt of electricity.


    "Sure."

 Chapter 59

    Chapter 0050 Chapter 0059


    Hannah


    I stood in front of the full-length mirror, my hands trembling slightly as I drew in a deep, steadying breath. Slowly, almost as though I was afraid of seeing my own skin, I lifted the hem of my oversized t-shirt and bared the pale expanse of my midriff to my own scrutinizing


    gaze.


    There it was-the slightest swell of softness rounding out my stomach, the faintest hint of curves returning to my hollowed frame. My ribs weren''t quite as pronounced beneath my skin as they had been mere weeks ago, the sharp ridges giving way to a smoother, healthier


    silhouette.


    I had gained weight. I should have been happy, but... I wasn''t.


    A flicker of panced through me at the sight of my belly, that ever-present voice in the back of my mind whispering its cruel taunts. You''re getting fat again. Disgusting. Weak. Unlovable.


    I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the toxic thoughts away as I focused on the breathing exercises I had learned in counseling. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Slow and steady, just like that.


    "I am beautiful," I whispered to myself, the mantra still feeling strange and awkward on my lips. "And I strive to be healthy."


    A soft snort ofughter drew my attention, and I nced over my shoulder to find Viona and Amber lounging on the bed behind me, matching expressions of amused fondness on their faces as they swirled their wine around in their sses. ""What?" I said.


    "Sorry," Viona said, sitting up fully. "We''re not making fun of you. It''s just cute, seeing you work so hard on


    this."


    Amber nodded in agreement, taking a sip of her wine. "We''re really proud of you. But I guess we never took you for the mantra type."


    I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment even though I knew they weren''t serious, quickly tugging my shirt back down to cover myself. "Neither did I. It feels awkward."


    "Maybe, but you''re making progress," Viona pointed out. "That''s what matters. Plus, that support group seems to be doing wonders for you so far."


    "In more ways than one," Amber added.


    It was true-I had only been to two meetings so far, but already I was starting to feel like I could.... understand my eating disorder a bit better. It also helped that the word was spreading about my attendance, causing people to see me as more of a person than some kind of untouchable vase of a


    woman.


    And if I wanted support, if I wanted to return to my old pack and be Alpha, then I needed to keep going.


    "Yeah, it really has been helpful," I agreed with a small smile. "I''m actually kind of excited to go back this week."C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Amber arched a brow at that "Speaking of which, you mentioned wanting to do some other stuff too.


    Chapter 0059.


    right? Something about getting more involved or whatever?"


    I nodded, sinking down onto the foot of the bed with a sigh. "Yeah, that''s right. I''m just... I''m tired of feeling like nothing more than a glorified trophy wife, you know? Like I''m only good for looking pretty on Noah''s arm and that''s it." Viona scoffed at that and gestured with her wine ss. "Oh, please. You''re so much more than that, Hannah, You''re one of the strongest, most capable women I know."


    I couldn''t help but snort. "Maybe to you," I conceded. "But I want other people to see that. Noah actually agreed to let me start working with him on some pack stuff, and I want to prove to everyone-him included-that I can be a real leader, not just some pretty little ornament." Amber nodded slowly, seeming to mull over my words "Well, in that case, you should probably start small," she suggested. "Build up your confidence and leadership skills bit by bit before you dive headfirst into the deep end, you know?"


    I considered that for a moment before giving a hesitant nod of agreement. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. But what did you have in mind?"


    "Just little things at first," Amber said with a casual shrug. "Like, I don''t know, reading to kids at the library or helping out at the soup kitchen on weekends. Stuff like that."


    "Luna stuff," Viona added.


    Luna stuff. I hated that terminology, but they were right. If I wanted to be an Alpha, then I needed to prove that I was capable as a Luna first. And it just so happened that Lunas were most revered when they participated in themunity.


    "You know, that''s actually a really great idea," I mused, "I could definitely see myself doing something like that, and it would be good practice for working with people in a leadership role."


    Viona grinned, already whipping out her phone. "Well, what are we waiting for then? Let''s look into signing up to volunteer this weekend!"


    I beamed back at her, suddenly feeling lighter than I had in ages. "You guys are the best, you know that?"


    As Viona tapped away at her screen, Amber leaned back against the pillows, regarding me with a thoughtful look. "You know, this could be a really good opportunity to let Emma tag along too," she pointed out. "Show her that you''re serious about turning over a new leaf and all that."


    I opened my mouth to agree, but Viona beat me to it, letting out a derisive snort as she nced up from her phone.


    "Emma?" she repeated, her nose wrinkling with distaste. "Come on, are you serious right now? After the way y she used to treat you?"


    I held up a cating hand, shaking my head. "No, Amber''s right," I insisted. "Emma and I... well, we''ve sort of made amends recently. She''s in a really tough spot with her husband right now, and it seems like she''s been trying to change her ways. I think having her involved in something positive like this could be really good for her. For all of us."


    Viona didn''t look entirely convinced, but Amber simply shrugged, seemingly unbothered by the suggestion. "As long as you feelfortable with it, there''s no harm in trying."


    Nodding decisively, I pulled out my own phone and typed out a quick message to Emma, filling her in on our ns and inviting her to join us. Her reply came back almost instantly-a simple "1 would love to!" apanied by a smiley face emoji.


    After a few minutes, Viona finished submitting our applications. Our conversation turned to other things- such as uing events, the Lunar Festival, that sort of thing. I knew that Viona and Amber were trying not to bring up that strange little double date with Zoe and Drake, which I had filled them in on, and I was grateful for it.


    I didn''t want to think about my soon-to-be ex-husband, his love, or her ex-husband today. I wanted to think about working on myself and bing better, not just for myself, but for my pack. For my rightful ce as Alpha


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity of waiting, Viona''s phone chimed.


    "Hey," she announced, holding up the screen with a triumphant grin. "Our application to volunteer was epted already."

 Chapter 60

    Chapter Hannah


    0060


    I strode through the front doors of the soup kitchen, my heart pounding with a mixture of nerves and excitement. This was it-my first real foray into volunteer work, into proving that I could be more than just a pretty face trailing after my husband. I was determined to make a good impression


    A kind-faced older woman with graying hair tied back in a messy bun immediately approached me when I stepped through the doors, her eyes widening slightly as she took me in. "Oh! Luna Hannah, it''s an honor to have you here," she said, bowing her head politely.


    I offered her a warm smile, holding out my hand to shake hers. "Please, just call me Hannah. It''s wonderful to be here."


    The woman grasped my hand firmly, giving it a gentle shake as she returned my smile. "Of course, of course. I have to admit, I''m a bit surprised to see you volunteering here." A faint blush crept into her cheeks as she seemed to realize how that sounded. "Oh goodness, I''m sorry. That was rude of me, Luna Hannah."


    Laughing lightly, I waved off her concern with one hand. "Not at all. You''re absolutely right; I haven''t really made much of an effort to get involved with themunity before now."


    As I spoke, I felt the weight of several curious stares prickling at the back of my neck and noticed couple of phones discreetly angled in my direction, no doubt snapping pictures or videos.


    Now''s the time to shine, I thought to myself. I couldn''t mess up in front of the cameras. Not when I had an opportunity to direct the narrative.


    Squaring my shoulders, I met the woman''s gaze levelly "But that''s something I intend to change going forward. This pack has been my home for years, and it''s long past time I started giving back and being a part of things."


    A hushed murmur of approval rippled through the small crowd of onlookers, and the woman''s expression melted into one of genuine warmth and eptance. "Well, we''re thrilled to have you here, Luna Ha- Hannah. Why don''t youe along and I''ll get you set up?" I followed the woman further into the kitchen, where Viona, Amber, and Emma were already bustling around, assembling trays of food for the lunch crowd, Viona shot me a sidelong nce as I stepped in, her eyes momentarily darting to Emma on the sly as if to say, I''ve got my eye on your new "friend". I rolled my eyes surreptitiously. Leave it to Viona to be concerned over that.


    The rest of the morning passed by in a blur. I found myself falling into an easy rhythm alongside my friends, passing out bowls of stew, fresh-baked bread, and bottles of water to the people in line.


    Thank you, Luna Hannah," one older man said as I handed him his tray, his weathered oyes crinkling at the corners. "Really, thank you."


    "No, thank you," I said with a practiced smile. "Thank you for staying strong."


    The old man smiled in return and shuffled on his way, and I moved to the next person in line. I felt myProperty belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    11/2


    heart sink and my smile fade, however, as I saw who stood in front of me: a single woman, possibly even younger than me, and a little girl who was barely older than four or five.


    The little girl gasped when she saw me. "Luna Hannah!"


    "Hello," I said, immediately circling around the counter and dropping to a crouch in front of her. "What''s your name?"


    The little girl looked expectantly up at her mother, who gave her a small nod. "Patti," she finally said in a tiny voice.


    Reaching out, I took her tiny hands in mine, offering her an encouraging smile. "Hello, Patti. That''s a pretty name." I paused, worrying my lower lip between my teeth for a moment. "Are you here for some soup with your mommy?"


    The little girl nodded her head solemnly, her expression brightening just a touch as I pulled her in for a brief hug. When I straightened and caught her mother''s wide-eyed gaze, I felt a strange tugging in my chest-a fierce protectiveness not only for the little girl, but also for the mother who, upon closer inspection, couldn''t have been older than eighteen.

 Chapter 61

    Chapter 0061


    And she looked... scared.


    Leaning in close, I murmured in a low voice, "Are you alright?"


    For a long moment, the girl simply stared at me, her eyes red-rimmed and tired looking. Then, finally, she gave a small nod, biting her lip. "We... we had to leave. My husband, he- Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard. "He wasn''t a good man."


    She didn''t need to borate; I knew what she was implying. Wordlessly, I took her by the elbow and guided her away to a secluded corner.


    Hardly daring to breathe, I fumbled in my pocket for my checkbook and a pen, hastily scribbling out a check for five thousand dors. It wasn''t much money for me or Noah, and it certainly wasn''t in the grand scheme of things even for her, but it would be enough to get them into a decent apartment and buy some basic furnishings and necessities.


    "Here. Take this," I murmured, pressing the folded check into the girl''s trembling hand and closing her fingers around it. "And here''s my number. Use me as a reference if you need to-it''ll make sure no one gives you any trouble about getting a ce." Tears welled up in the girl''s eyes, her mouth going ck at the sudden gesture. "You... You mean..."


    I nodded. "It''s yours. Just promise you''ll use the money wisely, and... You''ll keep this between us?" Between us, I thought to myself as I saw the girl nod profusely and scurry away with her daughter. Acts of phnthropy didn''t seem so useful for my reputation when they were kept secret, were they?


    But maybe this wasn''t about my reputation. Maybe this was about helping someone else, nothing more.


    By the time thest tray had been cleared away and the kitchen tidied up, I felt both exhausted and yet somehow lighter and more energized than I had in longer than I could remember.


    Viona and Amber immediately pounced on me the second the volunteers were dismissed, bombarding me with enthusiastic questions andments.


    "Did you see how happy everyone looked when you showed up?"


    "What happened with that little girl and her mom? What did you say to her?"


    "I just gave her my business card," I lied with a wave of my hand. "So she could put me down as a reference to get an apartment."


    Viona and Amber exchanged nces, but didn''t press the issue further. Finally, Viona took a step closer and nodded her head toward Emma, who was chatting with one of the other volunteers off to the side. "She got along well, didn''t she?" she whispered.


    Amber smirked. "Maybe you were right, Hannah-about a new leaf and all that."


    I smiled faintly, giving a short nod of acknowledgment Emma had gotten along with our little trio


    splendidly that day. But aside from her, or anyone else for that matter, I felt... good.


    Why had I waited so long to do this?Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Suddenly, my introspective little bubble was abruptly burst as a tall, broad-shouldered figure stepped through the front doors, his expression pinched with obvious concern. Scott.


    "Luna Hannah, There you are," he huffed out as he approached. "I''ve been looking for you."


    I turned to him and tilted my chin up. "Hello, Scott. Did you need me for something?"


    Scott''s face twisted a bit as he nodded. "Alpha Noah requested me to bring you to his office." "Why?"


    "He didn''t say. He just said it was urgent."


    My heart stuttered in my chest for reasons I wasn''t about to admit, but I didn''t let it show on my face." Alright. Let''s go."


    It wasn''t long before I was stepping into Noah''s office away from home-a sleek, modern corner space on the top floor of Nightcrest''s tallest highrise. Scott opened the door for me, revealing Noah sitting behind his ss-topped desk, silhouetted by the setting suning in through the massive windows behind him. "Hannah," Noah said, looking up from hisputer. "Take a seat."

 Chapter 63

    Chapter 0063


    My nostrils red with a burst of fresh anger. "Are you implying you want to volunteer with me?" I asked incredulously. "I would have asked if you wanted to join me, but you''re hardly ever home. And Goddess knows you don''t answer your phone when I''m the one calling." Before he could answer, I allowed a mocking littleugh to escape my lips. I raked my eyes over his pristine suit and silk tie and gestured to him. "But let''s be real, Noah. You would never deign to sully your shoes and get your hands dirty volunteering down at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. We both know that you''re only interested in doing it now because you don''t want to be upstaged by me." In the blink of an eye, Noah was on his feet, his broad frame towering over me as he closed the distance between us with a few long strides. My heart stuttered in my chest as the familiar earthy, masculine scent of him enveloped me, his shadow practically blotting out the setting sun. "What makes you think that?" he asked. His voice was a low growl, barely more than a whisper, but deep enough to rumble through my chest and make me waver ever so slightly. "Just because you''ve only just started getting involved because you want to look good for the divorce doesn''t mean you have some moral high ground over me, Hannah." I swallowed hard, fighting to keep my voice from wavering as I met his icy green-eyed gaze.


    "You''ve never done anything like that, though. Not since we were married, at least. And everyone knows you like keeping up that perfect Alpha image-can''t have the Alpha of Nightcrest getting dirty or disheveled, right?"


    As I spoke, I tugged absentmindedly at the silkypels of his suit jacket-a gesture that, I was just learning, made him shudder. He tried to hide it, but I could see the goosebumps beginning to raise his neck.


    e along


    "No," I said, tugging him a little closer. "You''re too concerned with your perfect image. You always have been." Finally, I released my grip on him and took a step back, and felt the hot air between us go cool." Behind closed doors, though... I let my words trail off, but was satisfied to see them strike home. ¨¢ muscle in Noah''s jaw ticked with


    close they really had struck.


    barely restrained frustration, revealing ho


    "So because I''ve simply lived up to a certain standard," he growled, "that must mean that I think I''m too good to help the less fortunate?"


    "I didn''t say that, exactly," I replied, hating the way my pulse raced beneath his searingly intense scrutiny." But I also can''t seem to recall thest time anyone even asked you to volunteer for that sort of thing. Or thest time you offered."Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    His nostrils red as he sucked in a sharp breath. "Maybe not," he hissed through gritted teeth. "But that doesn''t give you the right to make me feel like some kind of selfish,zy a***le, either."


    I shrugged one shoulder, striving for nonchnce even as that same smug look from earlier ghosted across Noah''s rugged features and made my heart flip "Whatever you say. What time should I be ready


    tomorrow?"


    Noah held my gaze for a few more moments before finally giving me a reluctant nod. He turned on his heel, turning his back to me, and began shuffling papers on his desk.


    "Be ready by nine a.m, sharp," he said without so much as looking at me. "Or I''m leaving without you."

 Chapter 64

    Chapter 0064 Hannah


    The next morning, I woke up feeling more nauseous than I could ever remember. My stomach roiled and churned, protesting even the mere idea of breakfast. I barely had time to throw myself out of bed and stagger to the bathroom before violently emptying the contents of my belly into the toilet. Wave after wave of intense nausea rippled through my body, doubling me over the porcin bowl as I heaved and retched. Tears pricked at the backs of my eyes, my throat burning from the harsh, acidic sting of bile. When it finally seemed to pass, I copsed in a trembling heap on the cool tile floor, my head spinning.


    Goddess, I felt so weak-weaker than I had in months. In fact, thest time I remembered feeling like this was... well, when I had died. What y


    was even worse, though, was that when I finally mustered the strength to push myself upright and nce at my reflection in the mirror above the sink, I looked thinner than ever. All the careful progress! had painstakingly made in eating more and gaining weighttely seemed to be rapidly dwindling right in front of my eyes. Better, that little voice said in the back of my mind. Thinner now Better...


    I frowned, lifting my shirt to get a better look at my emaciated stomach. For a moment, just a moment, I wondered...


    Would it really be so bad if I lost a little more weight?


    A tiny bit of warmth in my belly, however, immediately brushed aside those thoughts. "No," I said out loud.


    I had to remind myself that I was growing a new life inside me-my child. My child who had died alongside me in my past life, who had been given a second chance along with me.


    Of course there would be unpleasant side effects, unavoidable changes to my body. This was just one of them. And I couldn''t let the morning sickness urge me into more bulimic episodes.


    "I"


    Suddenly, the sound of a gasping from the open bathroom door caused me to whirl around. "Luna Hannah?" My handmaid stood in the doorway, her eyes wide, holding a tray of tea and toast. "Are you alright?"N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    My stomach twisted with a fresh wave of nausea-only this time, it was born of dread-rather than morning sickness. I couldn''t exactly tell anyone the truth, not yet. No one knew about the pregnancy, and I nned to keep it that way until the divorce was finalized. But I also couldn''t very well lie about being ill, could I? No, she had seen too much; I needed to think. Quickly


    "I... I''m fine," I finally managed to reply, hating how weak and unconvincing my voice sounded. "I just, um... had a bit of a rpse, that''s all. Made myself sick again."


    Dead silence answered me for several long moments before my handmaid scurried over to the counter and set my breakfast down, her face tight with worry. "Oh, Luna..."


    She hurried over and peered at my face, touching my wrist to check my pulse. "But I thought you''ve been


    doing so welltely," she said as she checked me over. "Why would you do this to yourself?"


    My eyes burned with a sudden prickle of tears, equal parts guilt and frustration. I hadn''t asked for any of this-the eating disorder, the baby, the... well, everything. But that was a reality I would have to deal with on my own for now. Suddenly, a knock on the bedroom door cut me off.


    "I''m sorry," I rasped out, forcing a thin smile. "Silly of me, I know. And counterintuitive. But I''ll be okay, I promise. We just... need to get me cleaned up and ready for-"


    My handmaid rose to her feet without hesitation and scurried over to the door. "I''ll get that. You just rest here for another few minutes, alright?"


    I could only nod weakly as she made her way out of the bathroom. A few secondster, Noah''s voice floated through the room, his tone impatient as ever.


    "Is she ready? We''re going to bete."


    Before my handmaid could answer, I swept out of the bathroom and into Noah''s view. When his eyes caught me and saw that I was still in my pajamas with my hair down, they narrowed a fraction. "What the hell, Hannah? We''re supposed to leave in fifteen minutes."


    I sighed. "I''ll be quick. I was just..." I paused, biting my lip. Obviously I couldn''t tell him-and if I lied and said it was a rpse, he''d be just as angry. "I overslept." again

 Chapter 65

    Chapter 0065 Chapter 0065


    Noah stared at me for a moment over my handmaid''s shoulder, who made no move-thankfully-to tell him the truth. Finally, checking his watch, he took a step back. "Fine. Just hurry."


    With that, he turned on his heel and disappeared. My handmaid quickly shut the door, scurrying into the closet to pick something out for me to wear. While she was doing that, I made my way back into the bathroom, my body still feeling wrung out and utterly drained of energy. After sshing some more cool water on my face and dabbing on a bit of makeup to hide how worn and pale I looked, I tugged on the simple knit dress and boots that she had picked out for me. It wasn''t much, but it would have to do.


    By the time I emerged from the bedroom and made my way down the stairs, Noah stood waiting in the foyer, his arms crossed and his foot tapping with obvious impatience. He nced up sharply as I approached, his eyes raking over me from head to toe in a single dismissive sweep before checking his watch with a scowl. "Good, you''re finally ready," he huffed, already heading for the door. "I almost left without you."


    I bit back a wounded retort, swallowing hard around the lump of dejection lodged in my throat as I hurried to catch up with his long stride. If only he knew what I was going through... but no, I couldn''t tell him before the divorce was finalized. Not yet. Maybe not ever. An ufortable silence lingered between us for the entire drive to the orphanage, Noah''s jaw ticking tightly with obvious tension. When we finally arrived, I was more than ready to get out of the car and put some distance between us.


    No sooner had the driver cut the engine, however, than a gaggle of young children came scurrying around the side of the building, giggling and shrieking with delight. I blinked in surprise as they swarmed toward us, each one wearing a colorful paper crown perched crookedly on top of their little heads.


    Then, a kind-faced older woman-the orphanage director, if I had to guess-followed behind, tworger crowns clutched in her hands.


    "Luna Hannah, Alpha Noah, wee!" she called out warmly as she joined the children. The little ones made these hats for you. Of course, you don''t have to wear them if you''d prefer not to."


    Before Noah could respond with what was sure to be a curt refusal, I was shaking my head vehemently. Nonsense!"N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Bending down with a bright smile, I allowed two of the giggling little girls to ce the oversized paper crown on top of my head before straightening, sweeping one of the smallest children up into my arms as I did so. She shrieked happily, her tiny fingers immediately finding their way into my hair.


    "Well, aren''t you just the sweetest little thing!" I cooed, tickling her belly until she dissolved into a fit of squealingughter.


    When I finally nced up, still cradling the little girl against my hip, Noah was staring at me with an Indecipherable expression, his paper crown dangling forgotten from one hand at his side.  Chapter 0065


    An impish grin tugged at the corners of my lips as I jerked my chin toward the top of his head. "Aren''t you going to put yours on, Alpha Noah? I think it would be rude not to." At thatst statement, I narrowed my eyes fractionally-a warning that I hoped he would head. All eyes turned expectantly toward Noah, dozens of wide, hopeful gazes fixed on him. To his credit, he held my challenging stare for all of two seconds before his shoulders slumped almost imperceptibly with a resigned sigh.


    Moving with clear reluctance, he carefully situated the slightly squashed crown on top of his head, smoothing a stray piece of paper back into ce.


    I beamed at him over the little girl''s head, thoroughly pleased with myself. "Well? What do you think?" I asked, turning to face the children again. "Doesn''t Alpha Noah look handsome?"


    A delighted chorus of giggles and excited squeals erupted around us, all the children moring to get a better look at their Alpha sporting his makeshift hat.

 Chapter 66

    Chapter 0066


    Hannah


    The director was a kind, rosy-cheeked woman in her mid-fifties who introduced herself as Margaret. She beamed at Noah and me as she led the way inside the orphanage, chattering about the facility''s history and her dedication to providing the children with a warm,


    loving home.


    I only half-listened, to be honest, too busy sneaking sidelong nces at Noah out of the corner of my eye. As promised, the slightly mangled paper crown was still perched on top of his head, although he kept reaching up to adjust it self-consciously every few minutes. Unable to help myself, I bit the inside of my cheek to stifle a grin. He looked utterly mortified beneath that silly hat, his shoulders hunched and his gaze fixed firmly on the floor in front of him.


    It was... well, kind of cute, in an odd way. Like a surly teenager apanying his parents on a dreaded family outing.


    Only instead of his mother, I was his wife. I wondered, as we wandered the orphanage, if I had ever even seen him be silly during our years of marriage. I certainly couldn''t remember a time. What was marriage if we couldn''t be silly together?


    After a few minutes of touring themon areas and yrooms, the director paused to turn and face us with a bright smile. "And this next area is-oh!"


    My stomach chose that precise moment to let out a long, pitiful grumble, the noisy rumble echoing loudly in the tiled hallway. 1 flushed a deep shade of red, quickly moving my hand to cover my stomach. Unfortunately, after my bout of morning sickness, I hadn''t had the time or the stomach to eat the breakfast my handmaid had brought me.


    The director, however, seemed utterly unbothered; perhaps spending the better part of your day with kids does that to you.


    "It sounds like someone is in need of a meal," the director said with a warm smile. "It''s about lunchtime: would you like me to have the kitchen prepare you something, Luna Hannah?"


    "Oh no, there''s no need-" I started, keenly aware of Noah''s suddenly sharp gaze boring into the side of my head.


    "But


    you


    have to eat, Luna Hannah!" one of the little girls, an adorable six-year-old with bright red pigtails and a button nose, piped up as she began tugging insistently at my skirt. "Grownups gotta eat too!"


    A chorus of childish agreement rose up all around me as the rest of the kids chimed in, their pleas swiftly bing too impassioned to wave off. It seemed as though they were hungry as well-or at least, the promise of food made them think they were hungry.


    I shot the director a helpless look, but she simplyughed and held up her hands in a cating gesture. "Well, it seems you''ve been overruled. I''ll have the kitchen staff prepare some-"


    Suddenly, I had an idea. "Actually," I cut her off firmly, raising my hand, "if it''s not too much trouble, would you mind if I handled the cooking myself? I like to cook."


    Dead silence answered me. The director gaped at me, clearly stunned, while Noah let out a loud bark of Chapter 0066


    Noah smirked at me, that infuriatingly smug look I knew so well settling onto his chiseled features. What''s with you and cookingtely?" he teased, then leaned over to address the director. "Hannah rarely cooks."


    My nostrils red with indignation at Noah''s tone; he was clearly trying to keep his tone light as though he were merely teasing me, but I knew better. Still, I kept my smile on my face as I turned back to face the director. "It''s true; I don''t cook often," I admitted. "Buttely, I''ve been developing more of an interest in it. And I''d love to prepare something for the children."


    From behind me, I could feel Noah''s gaze boring into me again. But the director simply nodded and shot both of us a warm smile.


    "I think it sounds fun," she said. "And it''ll be an excellent chance to show you our cooking facilities."


    With that, the director turned and made her way down the hall. I followed, casting onest nce at Noah out of the corner of my eye. He had fallen silent.


    The kitchen was spacious yet cozy at the same time, with clean granite countertops and vintage, but functional, appliances. I immediately felt at home there, like I had just stepped into my grandmother''s kitchen.


    "Well then," I said, pping my hands together and turning to face the children. "How does everyone like spaghetti?"


    Before long, the scent of aromatic pasta sauce and freshly baked bread was wafting through the kitchen, practically making my mouth water, I chopped vegetables on a cutting board, delegating tasks to the workers around me.


    Noah, of course, did not lift a finger to help. But he made sure to stay right in the doorway, watching with an unreadable expression on his face.


    I chose to ignore him.


    By the time the director poked her head in to check on our progress, I already had the pasta sauce simmering on the stove and the bread proofing on the counter. When her jaw dropped at the sight of the neat rows of unbaked loaves, I couldn''t help but shoot Noah a smug little smile of my own.


    "See? I told you. I''ve been reading a lot of recipestely"


    To my surprise, Noah simply shrugged one shoulder, his eyes flickering almost begrudgingly toward the stove where the sauce was simmering. "I guess I stand corrected."


    Pleased pride surged through me at his admission. Obviously, he was still far too full of pride and stubborn as hell to apologize... at least, not in front of anyone else.


    It was less than an hourter when I strode into the cafeteria, Noah on my heels and a tray loaded with heaping bowls of pasta and several loaves of fresh bread bnced carefully in my hands.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    The director ushered us to one of the long tables near the front, Noah and I settling in at the head while the rest of the seats rapidly filled up around us. I found myself nked on either side by a gaggle of giggling little girls, all of them gazing up at me in open adoration. Digging into my own bowl, I couldn''t help but nce over at Noah to gauge his reaction. He had already made a sizable dent in the food on his te, shoveling forkfuls of pasta into his mouth like his life depended on it-not at all like the way he ate at the family banquet when Zoe did most of the cooking "Wow," I prompted, unable to hide my growing smirk. "It can''t be that bad if you''re eating so quickly."


    Noah paused mid-bite, his cheeks coloring slightly as he caught me watching him. The children closest to


    erupted intoughter, clearly picking up on my implied teasing.


    US


    For one heart-stopping moment, I wondered if he was going toe up with some new scathing retort, or maybe even get up and leave. But he didn''t.


    Instead, he simply sighed and gave a nod, stabbing another piece of pasta with his fork.


    "Alright, I take back what I said," he conceded gruffly. "You are a good cook, Hannah."


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 67

    9/3


    Chapter 0067 Chapter 0067 HannahContent property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    25 BONU:


    After the meal, I insisted on helping to clean up despite the director''s protests. With the way Noah had spent the better part of our visit openly mocking me, I felt I had a point to prove-both to him and to myself. "Really, Luna Hannah, you''ve already done so much!" the director protested. "We couldn''t possibly ask our Luna to clean the kitchen." "Nonsense," I said, already gathering my te and rolling up my sleeves. "I''d love to help."


    The director, with wide eyes, fell into a series of thank-yous andpliments. As I made my way to the kitchen, Noah caught my elbow and shot me a curious look. "Cleaning, too?" he whispered, low enough so only I could hear. "What kind of an image-" "It''s the right thing to do," I retorted, not bothering to keep my voice low as I stered that same smile across my face that I had been wearing all day. "You should help, too, Alpha Noah,"


    With that, I pulled my arm away, leaving Noah in the dust behind me. I heard him huff slightly, but I didn''t turn to


    ook at him.


    Although, at some point, I felt him materialize at the sink beside me and begin scrubbing.


    I was still scrubbing dishes alongside Noah, the director, and her staff when the first wave of nausea hit me like I had been punched in the gut. A cold sweat broke out across my brow as my stomach clenched viciously, and I barely had time to sp a hand over my mouth before the urge to vomit became overwhelming.


    "E-Excuse me," I managed to gasp out before I scurried away to the nearest bathroom, struggling to maintain a calm demeanor.


    No sooner had the door shut behind me did I drop to my knees in front of the toilet and began to retch. My body shook with the convulsions, tears streaming down my cheeks.


    Well, there went lunch.


    When it was finally over, I slumped back against the cool tiled wall, breathing deeply through my nose. I raked the back of my shaking hand across my forehead, trying not to gasp out loud. Goddess, I felt like an empty husk. Suddenly, a hesitant knock sounded on the bathroom door, making me nearly jump out of my skin. "Hannah? Are you alright in there?"


    I quirked an eyebrow. I had expected to hear the director, one of the staff, or maybe even one of the children on the other side of the door. But instead, it was Noah''s voice that came through the wood.


    A feeling of panic worked its way through me, but was quickly reced by a surge of annoyance. Of course he would choose now to start giving a damn about my wellbeing. Hastily, I flushed the toilet and sshed some water on my mmy face in an effort to pull myself together before going to answer the door.


    "I''m fine," I called out as evenly as I could manage, grimacing at the raspy croak of my voice. "I''ll be out in


    +25 BONU:


    a minute."


    I was met with a moment of silence before Noah spoke again, and he sounded skeptical. "You sure?"


    Gritting my teeth, I tugged open the bathroom door to find him hovering in the hallway just outside, his mouth tugged downwards into a frown. Our gazes met and held for a long, weighted moment-and for that moment, I wanted nothing more than to tell my husband the truth.


    That I was pregnant. That I had died before and so had our child, and this was my second chance. And that I needed some f***ng help from my husband. "I''m fine."


    But I didn''t say any of that. How could I? Instead, I simply shook my head with a tight smile.


    Noah regarded me silently for a few more moments, his green eyes roving over my pale, mmy face. Just when I was certain he was about to demand the full truth, he simply gave a curt nod instead.

 Chapter 68

    Chapter 0068


    "Alright. Well, the director just told me that she set something up in the rec room. We should get the photo opportunity and then get out."


    I blinked at his words. Photo opportunity. Right; we hade here for positive press, after all. That was, ultimately, why I was doing... well, everythingtely. But wasn''t sure if I was seeing it that way anymore. "Right." Straightening my spine, I brushed a stray strand of hair away from my face and squared my shoulders. "Let''s go."


    The moment I stepped through the doors to the orphanage''s rec room, I was assaulted by the high-pitched shrieks and giggles of several dozen excited children all clustered around a makeshift collection of tables shoved haphazardly together. "Look who decided to join us!" the director called out as soon as Noah and I walked into the room. "Luna Hannah! Alpha Noah!" One little girl with wild auburn curls was practically vibrating with excitement as she beckoned us over. "We''re gonna y chutes anddders! You gotta y with us!"


    Almost against my will, my lips curved into a helpless smile at her adorably insistent invitation. Who was I to deny the wishes of children? And besides, I couldn''t remember thest time I had yed a board game. I had certainly never seen Noah y one. Noah shifted ufortably beside me. "I don''t know if we have the time-"


    "Of course we''ll y." I interrupted before he could finish, shooting him a warning re over my shoulder. "Alpha Noah and I would be honored."


    Striding back over to him, I hooked my hand around his elbow and tugged insistently. "Don''t be such a sourpuss," I chided under my breath. "All work and no y makes Noah a very dull boy."


    As expected, Noah''s jaw clenched beneath his skin. To my surprise, however, he made no move to argue or pull free of my grip as I guided him toward the cluster of tables where the kids were waiting.


    We wound up at opposite ends of one of the longer tables, kids wedged in all around us as the director meticulously set up the chutes anddders board. The second she ced the final piece, tiny hands were already rolling the dice and moving the vibrant blue and red game pieces. Over the next couple of hours, one games into two, then three, then four. We yed board game after board game, and there was no end in sight. By the time we reached thatst one, I was breathless fromughter, my cheeks aching from smiling.


    At one point, I happened to nce up to find Noah watching me from across the table, his expression inexplicably soft as the corners of his lips twitched upward in a hint of a rare, genuine smile. Our eyes met for a fleeting instant, and much to my utter astonishment, my pulse kicked up a notch as an unexpected flutter began to radiate outwards from my belly. Quickly, I dropped my gaze, my cheeks heating up. It had been so long since I had witnessed an unguarded, unforced expression of anything resembling happiness from Noah-least of all directed at me. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, I reached up to toy with a loose tendril of hair, chewing absently at my lower lip. When I finally dared to risk another nce toward Noah, he had already turned his attention back to the little girl next to him, his smile reced by his usual brooding pout. Chapter 0068-


    I tried to shrug off the odd fluttering sensation still lingering in my stomach. Clearly, it was just a coincidence, or maybe even just a trick of the light. Nothing more.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Noah and I were in the process of ending our marriage, after all. Any spark of tenderness that we may have once shared-if we had ever even shared such a thing-had long since fizzled out, reced by bitterness and hatred. Less than three months, I told myself. Less than three months.

 Chapter 69

    Chapter 0069


    Hannah


    I let out a long, shuddering sigh as I closed the bedroom door behind me, leaning back against the cool wood for a moment.


    Godden.


    food


    lood


    I felt utterly drained-like all the energy had been sapped straight out of me. Which, I supposed, wasn''t too far from the truth considering how violently ill I had been feeling all day. I had been on the move all day at the orphanage, and hadn''t kept a single bite of Pushing away from the door, I trudged across the plush carpet of the bedroom, just longing for a hot bath and the softness of my bed. I stopped short, however, when I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the floor-length mirror against the wall. I turned to face the mirror, my brow furrowing slightly as I studied my appearance. My cheeks looked a little hollow, my corbone jutting out ever so slightly beneath the cor of my blouse. My waist looked tinier than ever, and my hip bones were poking against my skirt. Had I lost weight again? I hadn''t gained muchtely, but... I hadn''t been quite this skinny before.


    A small, rueful smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I took in my increasingly slender figure. Despite everything-despite the harrowing bouts of nausea and vomiting, the relentless fatigue, the persistent feeling that I needed to get back on track for my baby''s sake-l couldn''t quite smother the tiny flicker of pride that began to burn in my belly. How long had it been since thest time I had looked this thin? This delicate? This....


    pretty?


    But then, the self-satisfied smile slipped from my face as quickly as it had appeared, immediately reced by a surge of white-hot shame and disgust. At myself, at the dark path my thoughts had started traveling down so easily.


    I knew how unhealthy this was-I had been there, regrettably, before. It had literally killed me; the problematic obsession with thinness, with controlling my weight and appearance through whatever means necessary, even destructive ones.


    It was a vicious cycle I had thought-hoped-I had finally begun to move past thanks to a second chance from the Moon Goddess.


    And yet, here I was again, unable to fully extinguish those feelings of gratification at seeing my body wither away right in front of my eyes.


    Better, , that little voice echoed in the back of my mind. Thinner... Thinner... Need to be thinner..


    Feeling suddenly nauseous for an entirely different reason, I tore my gaze-away from my reflection, instead focusing on the floor as I crossed the room to my bed. I sank down and slipped my phone out of my purse, swallowing hard around the lump in my throat as I did something that I knew I shouldn''t. My hands shook slightly as I navigated to the private channel I used to order my diet pills. Sure enough, there was a new message waiting for me from the nameless dealer that I had been using for years: White Rabbit.


    I never knew his or her real name; I only knew them as WhiteRabbit, a private dealer who had been supplying me with my diet pills since the beginning-ever since a mysterious little text had made its way


    1/3


    into my inbox with four simple words: "Want to be skinnier?"


    Now, yearster, White Rabbit had been my go-to. Their diet pills worked really well, and they were discreet and inexpensive.


    I stared at the screen for a few moments, chewing my lip.


    It would be so easy, I knew. A few taps of my finger and I could have my usual order-a month''s supply of my favorite diet pills-delivered straight to my doorstep by the end of the week. I had done it countless times before, after all, Something twisted deep in my gut-though whether from guilt or temptation, I couldn''t quite tell. I knew this was wrong, but I also couldn''t deny the sick, unbridled joy that warped through me at the sight of my hip bones in the mirror. Just a few pills wouldn''t hurt, right?


    Before I could think better of it, I began tapping out my message to White Rabbit, my teeth digging into my lower lip. I paused, my thumb hovering over the ''send'' button, every muscle in my body tensed as I battled with myself. This is so, so wrong, a voice at the back of my mind whispered. I had died, had identally killed my baby, and the Moon Goddess had given me a second chance. I was on the road to recovery.


    What


    would the counselor or the other women at the eating disorder support group think? What would they say when they found out that their Luna had rpsed?


    But in that moment, none of that mattered. That evil little voice, the voice I attributed to


    to my eating disorder, was louder than all the rest. Must be thinner, it seemed to say. Must be prettier.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    "F***k it," I whispered, hitting "send".


    denly A m****ed voice called out from the hallway-Noah''s voice, much to my surprise and my chagrin. "Can Ie in?"


    the sound of someone knocking on the door nearly caused me to jump out of my skin. I quickly shut off my phone, feeling as though I had nearly been caught watching p**n-


    I opened my mouth, but no words came. I simply watched, feeling paralyzed, as the door creaked open to reveal Noah lingering in the open doorway. He was wearing his shoes and jacket, like he was about to go out-likely he was heading out for the night, just as he always did.


    He blinked at me wordlessly for a moment, seeming to take in my startled expression, my flushed cheeks, the phone clutched against my chest like a shield. Momentary confusion flickered through his eyes,bined with something that would have looked like concern to me if I didn''t know better. "What are you doing?" he finally asked, taking a step forward.


    1-"My voice came out embarrassingly strangled, so I paused to clear my throat before trying again. Nothing. What do you want?"


    A heavy silence stretched between us for a few moments. Just when I thought Noah was about to push The subject and demand the truth from me, he simply sighed.


    "It''s a nice night out," he said, ncing over at the window.


    2/3


    215


    +25 BONIUS


    +25


    Furrowing


    my brow, I allowed myself to follow his gaze; it was, indeed, a nice night out. Despite being January, it hadn''t snowed in a while and there was nothing more than a light breeze in the evening air. It was cold, but not that bitter sort of cold that set itself into your bones. Honestly, the chilly airing in through the window was refreshing against my hot skin.


    Returning my gaze to him, I shrugged. "It is. What of it?"


    Noah paused for a moment, opening his mouth and then closing it again as though he couldn''t seem to figure out what to say. Just when I was beginning to grow impatient, he finally cleared his throat and met


    my gaze.


    1 was nning on heading out for a walk," he said. "Would you like to join me?"

 Chapter 70

    Chapter 0070 Hannah


    from my face.


    The evening air nipped at my cheeks as Noah and I walked in silence, our footsteps crunching softly against the frosted leaves and twigs that littered the pathway. I pulled my jacket a little tighter around myself, exhaling and watching as the little cloud of mist floated away I couldn''t remember thest time we had walked down this particr trail that wound its way through the secluded woods surrounding the mansion grounds. We had frequented it early on in our marriage-back when everything still felt so new and exciting, back before the cracks had begun to show. Simpler times.


    I


    My chest tightened at the memory of our old after-dinner walks. It had been ages since those walks had happened, and the path had be a bit overgrown. wondered what made Noah want to walk it now, but I didn''t bother asking. It wasn''t worth it. I didn''t notice the thick briar vine snaking across the trail until the veryst second. With a m***led cry of surprise, my foot caught on the twisted brambles, sending me pitching forward before I could catch myself. Bracing myself for a harsh impact with the unforgiving ground, my eyes squeezed shut in preparation-


    Only to feel a pair of strong, steady arms circling my waist from behind, yanking me upright with ease.


    I let out a breathless gasp, my body instinctively stiffening at the sudden closeness of Noah''s body as he effortlessly righted me. His firm chest was pressed flush against my back, his hands syed across my abdomen to hold me steady. "Don''t fall." Don''t fall


    My heart stuttered in my chest at the feeling of his body heat radiating through theyers of our clothing. followed by the deep rumble of his chest. This close, I swore I could almost feel his heart beating against my back. Noah didn''t let go right away, and I didn''t make any moves to pull away myself. We just stood there for a moment, the light of the crescent moon overhead casting a pale yellow glow over us.


    Suddenly, and rather illogically, the thought of turning around in Noah''s arms to press my lips against his shed through my mind-Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    No. I couldn''t. I didn''t want to, I didn''t want... him.


    I


    "Thanks," I mumbled, pulling away. "No problem."


    A1 tense silence fell between us as we continued on our walk, one that was only punctuated by the sounds of our footsteps, the asional hoot of a snowy owl, and my own blood rushing through my ears. Eventually, Noah cleared his throat.


    "You were... really good with the kids today," he remarked, his tone cautious but shockingly. conversational although he deliberately kept his gaze averted. "Back at the orphanage. I was a bit


    +25


    surprised."


    I couldn''t quite suppress my snort of wry amusement as I nced over at him. "Is that so hard to believe?"


    "A little."


    I sighed. "It''s not exactly a challenge to get along with children, Noah. Not if you actually put in some effort and meet them on their level."


    As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them wondering if I had been too harsh, too usatory. I knew that I was just trying to protect myself by being cruel, just as he had done to me countless times. I wasn''t blind to that fact.


    To my surprise, though, Noah simply sighed and shook his head. "I know," he admitted. "Kids have never been my strong suit. I''ve never really known how to act or what to say around them."


    I tilted my


    head slightly to study his side profile. This may have been the first time ever that I had actually heard Noah openly admit to his own shorings.


    Stopping, I reached out and pressed my hand to his forehead. Noah froze and blinked at me, instantly swatting my hand away. "What are you doing?"


    I shrugged and kept walking. "Just checking to make sure you''re okay." I teased, stepping over a fallen sapling. "I don''t think I''ve ever heard you admit your own shorings before, so I wanted to see if you''re ill or something."


    Noah was quiet for a moment, although I heard him huff behind me. We walked in silence for a little while, longer before he spoke again.


    "I don''t know. For a long time, I thought it was just because I''m a man-that nurturinges more naturally to women. But watching you today, seeing how you were... I don''t think that''s it, really."


    I


    I blinked, vaguely taken aback by the sincerity behind his words. Noah gave a mirthless chuckle. "I think I just don''t have that gene for yfulness and imagination. That''s all."


    An unexpected pang twisted in my chest at the resignation in Noah''s voice. Without really thinking it through, I found myself speaking up again.


    "You know... I was thinking about volunteering at the library soon. Reading to the kids." I watched Noah''s expression carefully from the corner of my eye, searching for a reaction. "Since you mentioned that we should volunteer together, you shoulde. Noah let out another huff. "I guess I did say that."


    I let out a breath. "Well? What do you think?"


    Tet


    Noah regarded


    I me carefully for a long moment, something Indecipherable flickering behind his emerald eyes. Finally, he gave a slow nod. "I''ll think about it."


    Wepsed back into yet another silence, although this one was somewhat less tense than before. But then, out of nowhere, Noah stopped in his tracks and spoke up again.


    "Do you want to be a mom?"


    I inhaled sharply, the air stinging my nostrils. Almost involuntarily, my hand started drifting down toward my belly, toward where the little life had taken root inside of me. If only he knew; if only he knew what had


    0070


    0070


    Cpened, what I had already lost and what I had sworn to never lose again.


    But I quickly stopped myself. He couldn''t know; not before the divorce, at least. Maybe not ever.


    "Isn''t that the whole point of our monthly intimacy nights?" I asked. "To put an heir in me?"


    Noah clenched his jaw. "I mean, do you want to be a mom?" he rified. "Outside of duty?"


    I nodded before I could stop myself. "I do."


    "To my child?"


    ¦°¦©¦¯


    "No."


    His words made my heart stop in my chest. Goddess, had he figured it out? Would he try to keep us from divorcing? Maybe that was why I blurted out my next word, the sound ripping from my lips far more harshly than I had intended. Noah seemed to flinch almost imperceptibly at my word. He quickly set his jaw and looked away, his Adam''s apple bobbing as he swallowed. I instantly felt my stomach sink, but then I corrected myself. I hadn''t hurt him. I couldn''t hurt him. He never loved me why would he care if I wanted to be the mother of his child?


    There was a long silence that seemed to stretch on foran eternity after that. Neither of us spoke, neither of us made a move to continue on our walk. During those moments, I knew that whatever sense of candor and camaraderie we had briefly experienced was long gone now; perhaps for the better.


    "We should get back," he finally said, turning on his heel and striding away without another word.


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 71

    Her Rebirth 71Her Rebirth 71Chapter 0071 Chapter 0071 Hannah


    A few dayster, there was a knock on the front door that made me jump. My heart started pounding as set down the book I had been reading and crossed the living room to answer it.


    The delivery man didn''t even have time to say anything before I snatched the in cardboard box from his hands, quickly thanked him, and mmed the door shut again, locking it behind me. I knew exactly what was inside that box without even having to check I carried it upstairs and into my personal en suite bathroom, my fingers trembling slightly as I used the tiny pair of bathroom scissors to cut through the tape sealing the box closed. Sure enough, there was my usual order from White Rabbit-enough diet pills tost me at least another month. Maybe two if I really rationed them out. As I stared down at the stark white bottles filled with those little blue tablets that had been my crutch for so many years, I felt a churning of various different emotions in my gut: guilt, excitement, relief, anger, sadness... and so much more.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Part of me, the more sane and logical part, was already mentally preparing to march right over to the bathroom and flush everyst one of them down the toilet. Just like I had promised myself-no, promised my child, the Moon Goddess, the counselor and the other women in the eating disorder support group- that I would do if I ever felt the urge to rpse again. But the other part of me, the darker and more insidious part... that part was whispering that I should hang onto them. Just in case of an emergency; after all, what if I suddenly put on a bunch of weight during the pregnancy? They didn''t have to be gone for good, not really.


    My grip tightened ever so slightly around the bottle as that evil voice took hold of me. I could feel the granted me.


    familiar itch, that nagging craving for control over my body that the pills had alwae. I could feel the


    Just a few wouldn''t hurt, right? I could take them and still be in control this time, I lied to myself. Not like before. I would wait this time, I would wait until it was absolutely necessary. And then they would be here, waiting. Eventually, with shaking hands and a shuddering breath, I tucked the bottles deep inside the back corner of the medicine cab above the bathroom sink and hid them behind a few other things.


    Out of sight, out of mind, I thought to myself... for now, at least. Just in case.


    I felt sick with myself as I closed the medicine cab door, gritting my teeth against the wave of shame that washed over me upon seeing my reflection staring back at me in the mirror. So much for being strong. So much for getting better,


    That night, I spent an hour staring at my gaunt reflection in the bathroom mirror, clutching my knees to my chest as I cried silent tears until my eyes stung and my throat felt raw.


    Out of sight... Out of mind.


    under0071


    The sound of a knock on my bedroom door caused me to look up from my phone. "Come in," I called out, even though I already knew who it was.


    A momentter, my handmaid stepped into the room. "Are you ready, Luna Hannah?" she asked, her eyes roving over my sleek ck dress. "Alpha Noah is waiting in the car."


    I sighed and nodded, standing and smoothing down my dress. I had picked something in and unassuming to wear to tonight''s dinner party-one of Noah''s old friends had just bought a new house and was throwing a housewarming party, and of course we were expected to attend. "I''m ready."


    A little whileter, Noah and I were pulling up to the front of his friend''s new house. It was a sleek modern house with a perfectly-manicured front garden, a Scandinavian sort of design with light wood ents against the dark metal. Not really my style, but it was nice. Chapter 0072

 Chapter 72

    Chapter 0072


    The driver put the car in park, and I quickly pulled mypact out of my purse to check my lipstick before we headed in.


    1 should let you know," Noah said matter-of-factly, "Zoe is going to be here."


    I froze at Noah''s words, my stomach dropping. Zoe. I hadn''t seen her since that ufortable double date. Why hadn''t he told me?


    "Gee. Thanks for the warning." I said, returning my gaze to my reflection in mypact mirror.


    Of course he hadn''t warned me. Why would he? He knew damn well how much her presence made me squirm, even after all this time. Part of me wondered if he had failed to inform me on purpose just to get under my skin.


    For a few moments, the car was silent. I took my time reapplying my dark red lipstick and primping my hair, but there was only so much I could do. My cheeks had been looking a little fullertely, but not now.


    My cheeks looked horribly gaunt. And there were those damn shadows under my eyes again, no matter how much concealer they packed on. I definitely needed to up my calorie intake these next few days if I wanted to start looking... healthier. Finally, we stepped out of the car. I walked around the back, catching my reflection in the shiny car exterior, and felt my stomach drop once more.


    "I look fat," I blurted out, smoothing my hand over the soft fabric of my dress


    Noah, who had already begun making his way toward the front path leading up to the house, froze in his tracks. I nced over, seeing his shoulders tense up before he turned around to face me.


    "Hannah," he sighed, "you''re not fat. Not even close. "But-"


    "I won''t hear any more of it."


    I blinked owlishly at him, my breath catching in my throat. Noah''s eyes roamed over my face for a moment before flicking down to my hands-only then did I realize they were trembling where they gripped my shawl around myself. Without a word, Noah took one of my hands in hisrger, warm one and gave it a tight, reassuring squeeze. I stared down at our joined fingers, feeling my heart flip over and over again inside my chest.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    When was thest time he had touched me willingly like this? When was thest time he had made any effort whatsoever tofort me or address my insecurities? My throat worked uselessly as I opened and closed my mouth, unable to find the right words. But it was over just as quickly as it had begun. Noah cleared his throat and let go of my hand, taking a small step back. "Enough dilly-dallying. We should head inside," he said gruffly, not meeting my eyes as we walked up the path together. We stopped at therge front door and Noah pressed the buzzer, another silence falling between us as we waited.  Chapter 0072


    "If you decide to stick close to me tonight, I won''t hold it against you," he blurted out.


    I opened my mouth to speak, but no words woulde. Not that it mattered, anyway-before I could even answer, the door was opening and Noah''s friends were ushering us in, taking our jackets, giving us a tour and pressing drinks into our hands. "And here''s the dining room," the host said, gesturing openly at therge room as we stepped through the square archway. A spread of delicious-looking food was alreadyid out, the sound of soft music ying over the speakers.


    But I hardly saw any of that. I only saw Zoe, standing at the far window with a ss of red wine in her hand, wearing a nearly identical dress to mine. And oh, how much more beautiful she looked in it than I. Instinctively, I moved closer to Noah,

 Chapter 73

    Chapter 0073 Hannah


    As I picked at the food on my te, methodically pushing the bits of grilled chicken and roasted vegetables around with my fork, I could feel multiple sels of eyes on me. Out of my peripheral vision, I caught Zoe sneaking nces my way every few moments, her lips pressed into a light line. Fat, fat, you''re so fat and they all know it, that vicious voice echoed in the back of my mind. Why would you even bother eating when you already look like that? You''re better off just not touching your food at all.


    I grit my teeth, my grip tightening around the fork until my knuckles turned white. I needed to get a grip; I had been doing so welltely, eating more and trying to view my body in a positive light. It was just the morning sickness making me rpse, that was all. I could handle this.


    "So, Hannah," the host spoke up, "I couldn''t help but notice you''ve barely touched your te this evening. Everything alright there?"


    I nodded, maybe too quickly and reached for my water, "Yes, it''s delicious," I said with a thin smile." You''ve really outdone yourself."


    The host eyed me for a moment before continuing. "I''m d to hear it. Actually, I heard a rumor that you were spotted attending some.. eating disorder support group recently."


    I froze, feeling as though all the air had been sucked out of the room, but managed to keep my smile. stered on my face-a skill I had gotten quite good at since my rebirth. "It''s true," I said. "I have been attending a support group."Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Must not be working very well if you can barely even manage a few bites," another guest pointed out with a lightugh...


    My heart clenched painfully in my chest, tears of shame already pricking at the backs of my eyes. I knew that they weren''t trying to be mean, and had no idea how much their words hurt; but I still wanted nothing more than to get up from my chair and run. 1 Just as I began to seriously contemte bolting from the table, however, Noah surprised me by abruptly speaking up, the clearing of his throat echoing in the quiet room.


    "Alright, that''s enough." he said, his deep voiceced with amanding edge that immediately silenced the titters ofughter from around the table. "Hannah is doing her best to ovee an incredibly difficult and personal struggle. I''d appreciate it if you didn''t mock her efforts.


    I could only gape up at Noah, utterly dumbstruck, as he crossed his arms over his broad chest and leveled his friends with a stern look. Never-not once in the entire time I had known him-had I ever witnessed Noahe to my defense like this, especially not regarding my eating disorder. An ashamed hush fell over the table, the host quickly stammering out an apology. "Oh my Goddess, Hannah, I''m so sorry. I didn''t mean to-"


    1 shook my head quickly, struggling to find my voice. "No, it''s quite alright. I understand that you weren''t trying to offend." I offered up what I hoped was a reassuring smile as Noah slowly returned his gaze to his te. "To be perfectly candid... yes, I have been attending a support groun for 25 BONUS


    Charter 0073


    a struggle, but I n to continue going for as long as I need that extra help and guidance."


    A smattering of quiet murmurs broke out, a few whispers of admiration and encouragement rippling across the table. The host beamed at me from the end of the table.


    "That''s great, Hannah," he said. "And I''m certain the other attendees will be so proud to have our very own Luna Hannah in attendance with them. And think of the positive impact you could have-others may very well be inspired to seek help thanks to your example." I couldn''t quite suppress the small burst of pride that bloomed in my chest at his words. He was right-if my very public admission to the struggle and mymitment to recovery could convince even one other person to take those terrifying first steps, it would be more than worth it.

 Chapter 74

    Chapter 0074


    And perhaps that would be the thing that would keep me from rpsing.


    "You''re absolutely right," I said with a firm nod. "If my attendance and advocacy for seeking proper treatment can help remove the stigma, even just a little... then I would consider that immensely rewarding."


    A chorus of sincere agreement arose as everyone began to dig back into their meals, leaving me finally feeling as though I could breathe easily again. Perhaps would actually attempt to eat something now, I mused, carefully spearing a few pieces of chicken onto my fork. Just as I lifted the first bite toward my mouth, however a smooth, lilting voice cut through the gentle din of conversation like a hot knife. That''s verymendable, Hannah."


    My fork froze just inches from my lips as my gaze snapped toward the source of those words-Zoe, regarding me from down the table with an inscrutable look on her beautiful features. Something about her tone, the underlying implication there, caused the back of my neck to prickle with unease. Her words were kind enough, but... Something didn''t feel right.


    I wasn''t imagining the brief sh of resentment that flickered across Zoe''s expression before she smoothed it over, was I?Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Thank you, Zoe," I managed.


    As I popped my chicken into my mouth, I caught Noah watching me carefully from the corner of my eye. Something told me the brief moment of unity between us was already over and done.


    The rest of the evening passed by in a blur, myck of participation in the conversation growing more and more pronounced as the knot of anxiety in my stomach twisted tighter and tighter. By the time Noah and I bid our goodbyes and headed for the car, I felt emotionally and physically drained in a way I hadn''t experienced in quite some time.


    We rode in tense silence for several long minutes, the only sound that of the tires against the road and the driver asionally sniffling. Eventually, Noah''s deep voice cut through the quiet, nearly making me jump


    "Are you going to follow through on what you said in there?" he asked, not looking at me as he kept his eyes fixed out the window. "About continuing to attend those support group meetings?"


    I frowned faintly, picking absently at a loose thread on the skirt of my dress. "Of course I am. I need to... I need that extrayer of ountability right now."


    Noah''s jaw ticked almost imperceptibly as he nodded once. "I see." He was quiet for another moment before speaking again, and his next words made my blood run cold.


    "Then I assume you haven''t been inducing vomiting again?"


    My mouth went dry as cotton as I slowly turned to face Noah fully, searching his stony profile for any hint of emotion. How could he possibly-7


    "Don''t act so shocked," he interjected tly before I could gather my wits. "I''m not blind, Hannah You


    clearly lost weight again recently, and you hardly ate anything tonight despite your ims about trying to get better." Noah shook his head slowly. "I''d have to be an idiot not to put two and two together."


    "I''m surprised you''ve even noticed," I bit out, unable to deny my recent vomiting spells but also unable to tell him that it was morning sickness and not bulimia. "You''ve never seemed to pay any attention to my appearance or my eating habits before."


    A terse silence fell over the car once more, thick and suffocating. I looked away from Noah, focusing my gaze out the window and blinking rapidly against the hot prickling of tears in my eyes.


    Just as I was certain Noah wasn''t going to give me a response, his gruff voice sounded once more- softer this time, almost gentle.


    "You don''t need to be so defensive around me, Hannah."

 Chapter 75

    0075


    Chapter 0075 Chapter Hannah


    I awoke with a start to the sound of rustling curtains and soft footsteps across the bedroom floor. Squinting against the morning sunlight, I pushed myself up on my elbows to see my handmaid, Ana, moving around the room. Yawning, I sat up fully and rubbed my eyes. Ana pulled open the curtains to another window, letting even more sunlight stream in.


    "Good morning, Luna," she said without turning, her voice sounding more hoarse than usual. "I hope your slept="


    Before she could finish, she fell into a fit of coughing. I blinked hard, taken aback by how sick she sounded.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "Are you sick, Ana?" I asked, furrowing my brow.


    She turned towards me then, and I immediately noticed how pale and sickly she looked. "I''m so sorry, Luna," she said, clearing her throat. "It''s just allergies."


    "Allergies?" I threw the covers off of myself and swung my legs over the side of the bed, standing. As I approached, I could see the dark circles under her eyes and the pale look on her face. "You don''t seem like someone who''s suffering from allergies." My handmaid paused for a few moments, clearly grappling with whether to tell me the truth. Finally, her shoulders slumped ever so slightly. "I''m sick. I think it was something I ate." And then she hurried to add, But don''t worry, Luna! I won''t let it get in the way of my duties." With that, she turned on her heel and began making my bed.


    I couldn''t help but frown as I watched her work, my mind shing back to the countless times in my past life that she had dutifully cared for me through my own bouts of debilitating illness-the severe vomiting, the dizzy spells, the emotional breakdowns. In my past life, I had treated her-and all of the servants-with nothing but cold indifference and callous disregard, too wrapped up in my own misery to pay her any empathy or kindness in return.


    A pang of guilt twisted in my gut as I really looked at Ana-this woman who had devoted herself to me, who had handled the brunt of my foul moods and childish behavior withoutint for years now.


    The sting of shame was sharp and visceral.


    Well, not anymore. Not this time around.


    "Don''t be ridiculous," I said, crossing the room to take her by the elbow and guide her toward the armchair next to the firece. "You''re in no condition to work. Sit down. I''ll be right back."


    Ana opened her mouth to protest, but I shot her a look that promptly silenced her. Before she could try to argue further, I turned on my heel and hurried into the bathroom.


    I returned momentster with a cool, damp cloth draped over one arm and a small pill bottle clutched in my other hand, Ana was perched on the very edge of the chair, her arms folded tightly over her midsection, when I knelt in front of her.  Chapter 0075


    "Luna, you don''t need to-" she tried again, but I simply held up my free hand to stop her.


    "Enough," I murmured, reaching up to gently dab the cloth along her neck, which instantly seemed to give her some relief. "You''ve taken care of me more times than I can count over the years. I''d like to start returning the favor."


    A delicate pink color tinged Ana''s pale cheeks as she averted her gaze, seeming almost.... ashamed? I said nothing, simply continuing to tend to her in silence as I smoothed the damp cloth across her mmy forehead and flushed face. Only once some of the sickly pallor had faded from herplexion did I uncap the pill bottle.


    "Take these," I instructed, tipping two pills into the palm of her hand and holding out a ss of water toward her. "They''ll lower your fever and settle your stomach."


    For several long moments, Ana simply stared down at the pills resting in her hand, her expression utterly baffled. Then, finally, she swallowed the pills with a gulp of water and leaned back in the chair.

 Chapter 76

    Chapter 0076


    "Thank you, Luna," she breathed. "But I don''t understand. Why are you doing all this? You''ve never..."


    Her voice trailed off, but she didn''t need to finish; I could hear the unspoken words loud and clear. You''ve never shown me this level of care orpassion before. I felt my chest constrict painfully, a lump forming in my throat. Because it was true. Offering her a thin smile, I patted her hand and stood.


    "Take the rest of this week off," I said gently. "You need time to recover fully. And don''t worry; I''ll make sure you still receive your regr wages during that time, no arguments."


    If it was even possible, Ana looked


    ven more stunned by my words. She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it again, clearly too stunned to even speak,


    "Luna Hannah, 1.." She finally said, swallowing hard and shaking her head slowly. "Thank you. You''re very kind. I don''t know how to make it up to you-


    "There''s no need to make anything up to me," I interjected firmly, taking a step back. "You''ve more than earned a bit of rest and care, Ana. Please, think nothing of it."


    Ana blinked owlishly up at me again, but finally nodded and stood. I watched as she made her to the door to leave. She paused there for a moment, her hand resting on the doorknob.


    Her next words caused my blood to run cold.


    way over


    "One more thing. Luna," she said, slowly turning to face me onest time. Her gaze flickered towards the bathroom almost imperceptibly. Those supplements you have hidden away. Are you nning to start taking them again?" My mouth went dry as cotton as I felt myself instinctively following Ana''s line of sight towards the bathroom where I knew that little bottle of diet pillsy tucked away in the shadows of the medicine cab. Part of me wanted to lie, to hastily deny her insinuation and brush it off entirely.


    But I knew she must have seen them, perhaps while cleaning at some point. And I was no longer interested in lying


    "I''m trying not to," I admitted in a small voice, unable to keep the shame from creeping into my tone. "But it''s difficult."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    A heavy silence fell over us then, full of the weight of my own demons. Ana looked at me, and something unreadable shed through her eyes. When she finally spoke, her voice was low and insistent. "Flush them," she urged, her eyes widening ever so slightly. "Flush them and never take them again." I blinked in response. "I know I''ve gotten too thin-" I began, but she cut me off with a shake of her head. "It''s not about your weight." Her eyes flickered down to my belly, and for a moment, I felt oddly naked in front of her. When she looked back up at me, I felt my stomach drop. "They''re not what you think they are.


    I frowned. "What do you mean?"


    "Just be careful."


    Before I could open my mouth to respond, she was gone.


    I only allowed myself a moment of stunned confusion after that before I was scurrying to the bathroom to take a look at the pills.


    With shaky hands, I pulled the bottle out and dumped several pills into my hand, inspecting them closely. They looked normal, just like they always did: small, blue, with a little "W" to represent White Rabbit stamped into each one. They''re not what you think they are, she had said.


    I furrowed my brow, thinking deeply, so deeply, in fact, that I almost didn''t notice the sound of the bedroom door opening again.

 Chapter 77

    GET IT NOW Chapter 0077


    But I didn''t do that.


    ms


    "No," I said defiantly, folding my arms across my chest. "Why?"


    Noah huffed and reached out, pinching my face in the palm of his hand. "Open," he demanded. "I want to see if you''re hiding a pill in there."


    I frowned, but I also knew better than to defy Noah when he used that tone. Slowly, reluctantly, I parted my lips to allow him to inspect my mouth for any trace of the little blue pills.


    He searched my mouth thoroughly for a long moment before finally pulling back, seemingly satisfied that I hadn''t ingested any pills recently. But his frown remained firmly in ce as he eyed me sternly. "What?" I asked, taking a step back. "I haven''t taken any pills. What more could you want?"


    Noah was silent for a moment, his jaw working as he seemed to consider something. Then, in a gruff voice, he said, "Hold out your arms."


    I barked out an incredulousugh. "My arms?"


    He nodded. "You could have pills on you. I heard a pill bottle moving around in here. How do I know you weren''t about to take some and then stuffed them in your pocket when you heard meing?" "Noah, this is ridiculous..." "Do it," hemanded.


    After staring at Noah incredulously for another moment, I finally stuck out my arms, obediently allowing Noah to run his hands firmly along the lengths of them. His touch sent tingles along my skin, his hands warm through the soft silk of my robe.  Chapter 0078


    He moved behind me then, pressing close as he patted down my back and sides.


    Goddess, it had been too long since I had been touched so intimately. Far too long: I felt like a mare in heat just then.


    I shuddered at the feeling of his hands on me, my face growing warm despite myself. Noah seemed to take no notice as he continued his search, finally moving around to my front again to pat down my abdomen and my bare legs.


    By the time he had me turn in a full circle, I felt oddly breathless, my body thrumming with tension and, no matter how much I tried to deny it... desire. As his hands smoothed along the curves of my waist, I found myself leaning into his touch instinctively. Maybe he felt the same spark, because Noah''s hands stilled momentarily, his gaze locked intensely on my face. A soft smirk began to tug at the corners of his lips then, and he took a step back. "Take off your robe."


    I felt my cheeks instantly redden beneath his heated gaze. "What?" I hissed.


    "You heard me," he said, lowering his voice to a husky level. "I want to be thorough."


    I swallowed, unsure of what to say or do for what felt like the longest time. I was nude beneath my robe, save for my panties. No bra. And right now, in the cool air of the bathroom and with the lingering sensation of his hands on me, my nipples were hard and my skin was raised with goosebumps.


    But Iplied. My hands moved of their own ord, trembling ever so slightly as I carefully untied the sash on my robe and let it fall open, exposing my breasts.


    Noah wordlessly took a step forward, reaching his hands out to brush along my shoulders and push the robe away. I shuddered, and the robe fell into a silky pool at my feet, leaving me standing mostly nude in front of him. His hands slowly worked down my body, running over my bare breasts and belly. In that moment, I felt a warmth radiate outward from my lower stomach, no, even lower than that; my hips began to voluntarily move forward toward his, aching with a yearning so deep I thought I might go mad. He''s st


    still my husband, I thought to myself. And I wanted him. Goddess, no matter how angry he made me, I wanted him. I wanted him to take me right here, bent over the bathroom sink. I wanted to feel his lips trailing across the sensitive skin of my neck.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    And for a moment, I thought he might do just that. He raised one finger and moved it in a circr motion, silently ordering me to turn around. I didn''t hesitate, and felt myself bite my lower lip to stifle any sound as I felt his hands run down the small of my back, over thece of my panties, across my behind and down, down toward my thighs.


    In those moments, the air between us seemed to crackle with energy, his hands creating static shocks as they roved my body. All I could think about was how lonely I was.


    How much I craved his touch, missed his embrace, ached for thefort and warmth of his affection, affection that I had perhaps never had...


    But then, just as quickly as the tension had mounted, it dissipated. Noah blinked hard and took a hasty step back, putting distance between our bodies once more as the moment shattered.


    He cleared his throat roughly, averting his gaze as he seemed to collect himself. When he finally looked at me again, an unreadable expression flickered through his green eyes.


    "I''m sorry," he murmured gruffly. "That was out of line. I got carried away."


    With that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving me standing alone in nothing but my panties.

 Chapter 78

    Chapter 0078Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    He moved behind me then, pressing close as he patted down my back and sides.


    Goddess, it had been too long since I had been touched so intimately. Far too long: I felt like a mare in heat just then.


    I shuddered at the feeling of his hands on me, my face growing warm despite myself. Noah seemed to take no notice as he continued his search, finally moving around to my front again to pat down my abdomen and my bare legs.


    By the time he had me turn in a full circle, I felt oddly breathless, my body thrumming with tension and, no matter how much I tried to deny it... desire. As his hands smoothed along the curves of my waist, I found myself leaning into his touch instinctively. Maybe he felt the same spark, because Noah''s hands stilled momentarily, his gaze locked intensely on my face. A soft smirk began to tug at the corners of his lips then, and he took a step back.


    "Take off your robe."


    I felt my cheeks instantly redden beneath his heated gaze. "What?" I hissed.


    "You heard me," he said, lowering his voice to a husky level. "I want to be thorough."


    I swallowed, unsure of what to say or do for what felt like the longest time. I was nude beneath my robe, save for my panties. No bra. And right now, in the cool air of the bathroom and with the lingering sensation of his hands on me, my nipples were hard and my skin was raised with goosebumps.


    But Iplied. My hands moved of their own ord, trembling ever so slightly as I carefully untied the sash on my robe and let it fall open, exposing my breasts.


    Noah wordlessly took a step forward, reaching his hands out to brush along my shoulders and push the robe away. I shuddered, and the robe fell into a silky pool at my feet, leaving me standing mostly nude in front of him.


    His hands slowly worked down my body, running over my bare breasts and belly. In that moment, I felt a warmth radiate outward from my lower stomach, no, even lower than that; my hips began to voluntarily move forward toward his, aching with a yearning so deep I thought I might go mad. He''s st


    still my husband, I thought to myself. And I wanted him. Goddess, no matter how angry he made me, I wanted him. I wanted him to take me right here, bent over the bathroom sink. I wanted to feel his lips trailing across the sensitive skin of my neck.


    And for a moment, I thought he might do just that. He raised one finger and moved it in a circr motion, silently ordering me to turn around. I didn''t hesitate, and felt myself bite my lower lip to stifle any sound as I felt his hands run down the small of my back, over thece of my panties, across my behind and down, down toward my thighs.


    In those moments, the air between us seemed to crackle with energy, his hands creating static shocks as they roved my body. All I could think about was how lonely I was.


    How much I craved his touch, missed his embrace, ached for thefort and warmth of his affection, affection that I had perhaps never had...


    But then, just as quickly as the tension had mounted, it dissipated. Noah blinked hard and took a hasty step back, putting distance between our bodies once more as the moment shattered.


    He cleared his throat roughly, averting his gaze as he seemed to collect himself. When he finally looked at me again, an unreadable expression flickered through his green eyes.


    "I''m sorry," he murmured gruffly. "That was out of line. I got carried away."


    With that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving me standing alone in nothing but my panties.

 Chapter 79

    Chapter 0079 Noah


    Noah strode into the library, his eyes immediately searching for Hannah. She should have been here by now, but...


    "Once upon a time...


    He heard her voiceing from around a corner, and followed it. A momentter, he found her sitting on a small stool in the center of a circle of children. She was holding up a picture book with one hand and wearing a dragon puppet on the other.


    The children watched with rapt fascination as Hannah told the story. Noah leaned against the wall with his arms folded across his chest, listening to her do all of the voices for each character.


    "She''s a natural, isn''t she?" a soft voice came from behind him, causing him to turn. "With the children, I mean."


    Noah turned his head to see the librarian, an older woman with a pair of round spectacles on her face, sidling up next to him. He gave her a curt nod and returned his gaze to Hannah. "Yeah. She is."


    Noah wasn''t lying: Hannah really was a natural. Far more of a natural than he could ever be, and despite all of Hannah''s shorings-although the list of them seemed to be getting shorter these days-he couldn''t deny it.


    Part of him wished that she would have his child, not only so he could have an heir to Nightcrest, but also because... he thought she might be a good mom.


    But that would never happen. She had made it abundantly clear, and besides...


    They were getting divorced. The date was ticking closer now, with only a little over two months left, and he was no closer to convincing her to stay. She seemed to be convinced that he was a bastard who was madly in love with his ex-girlfriend, and she wouldn''t take no for an answer.


    Dammit, he thought to himself, turning his head to look away from her as she reached the climax of the story and caused the kids to gasp as they wondered if the dragon might eat the princess. He knew he needed to stop having these thoughts,


    He and Hannah were getting divorced, and perhaps it was for the best.


    When Hannah reached the end of the book, her voice tapering off as she closed the cover with a dramatic flourish, the children erupted into a chorus of disappointed groans and pleading cries for another story.


    "I''m sorry, kids," Hannah said with an apologetic smile, her voice a little hoarse. "My throat is getting a bit tired."


    The kids'' faces fell, their eyes downcast and lower lips jutting out in identical pouts. Clearly, they were fascinated with their Luna''s storytelling. But then, Hannah''s gaze flickered toward Noah for the first time since he had gotten here, and she gave him a look he couldn''t quite read before she turned back to the children.


    cely, we could convince Alpha Noah to read a story for


    ids towards Noah, their eyes wide and imploring. Noah en onught of hopeful gazes.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    y agreed toe here in order to save face. It wasn''t s volunteer work to get her approval ratings up while proval for the divorce just as much as she did.


    h, no, I couldn''t possibly-"


    nds sped together in front of her. "Pretty please?"


    pleading, their voices quickly bing almost out she merely arched an eyebrow at him, her

 Chapter 80

    Chapter 0080


    Dammit, he thought. Dammit all.


    With a resigned sigh, Noah pushed away from the wall and made his way over to the group. Hannah stood, gesturing to the stool with a smirk, and Noah shot her a withering look before sitting in her ce.


    A young boy immediately thrust a book into his hands, and Noah found himself the recipient of a dozen expectant stares


    Steeling himself, Noah cleared his throat and opened the book, scanning the first few pages with a furrowed brow. When he began to read out loud, his voice was t and monotone, utterly devoid of any of the animation or voices that Hannah had used. "Once upon a time, there was a greedy dragon..."


    The children listened politely for all of two paragraphs before the firstint rang out.


    "You''re not doing the voices!"


    Noah''s gaze snapped up from the book, the tips of his ears turning red as the rest of the kids immediately echoed the first kid''sint with a chorus of disgruntled murmurs. He shot Hannah another look, but she simply shrugged one shoulder and offered an impish grin in response.


    "Using the puppets helps," she said quietly, pointing at the bin of cloth and paper mache puppets at his fect.


    Noah felt his cheeks flush hot as he shook his head almost imperceptibly. As if he would debase himself. by putting on a silly puppet show, all so he could- "Please, Alpha Noah!"


    A high-pitched whine of pleading from one of the younger girls cut through his thoughts, and Noah found himself the target of a barrage of tiny voices once again. He could practically feel the weight of Hannah''s stare as well, her silent challenge lingering in the air between them.


    You wouldn''t want to disappoint the children, would you? Her gaze seemed to say. Or disappoint me?


    With an inward groan, Noah reluctantly reached for the nearest puppet-a garish purple dragon with a floppy tail and a lopsided grin. He slipped his hand inside, his fingers finding the holes to bring the puppet to life as he cleared his throat.


    "Once upon a time," he began again, deepening his volde into an exaggerated growl as he moved the dragon puppet through the air, "there was a greedy dragon named... Sir... Snorts-a-lot."


    The children immediately perked up, their tiny giggles causing the faintest ghost of a smile to tug at the corners of Noah''s lips.


    "Sir Snorts-a-lot liked to fly down to the vige and steal all the gold..."


    Slowly but surely, Noah found himself growing a little more confident. Soon, he found himself moving the dragon around, doing the voices...


    And even crawling around the group on his hands and knees as he acted out the various characters. At that point, he wasn''t even reading the story anymore-he was just making it up as he went along.


    Finally, with onest sweeping motion of the dragon through the air, Noah reached the end of the story and leaned back onto his heels, panting lightly. The children immediately burst into apuse and cheers. "That was the BEST!" one little boy cried out. "My favorite part was when the farmer boy fought the dragon!"


    "Well, my favorite part was when..."


    Noah stood, his cheeks aching from smiling. He nced up at the clock, thoroughly astounded to find that an hour had passed, and he hadn''t even noticed.


    But then his gazended on Hannah, still standing by the wall, and he felt his smile fade.


    She was watching him with tears in her eyes


    "Hannah?" he murmured, taking a hesitant step forward.


    But even as her name left his lips, Hannah was turning on her heel and darting away, one hand pressed to her mouth as she fled from the room.


    Noah stared at her retreating form as the dragon puppet slipped from his hands.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

 Chapter 81

    Chapter 0081 Chapter 0081 Hannah


    I couldn''t breathe.


    Something dreadful swelled in my chest, my breath lodged in my throat as I stumbled blindly away from the library room, Hot tears streamed down my cheeks, my shoulders shaking with the force of my silent sobs. Seeing Noah like that,ughing and joking and carrying on with those kids... It was like a punch to the gut. I felt as if all of the air had been knocked out of my lungs, or like the rug had been pulled out from under


    me.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    He was so good with them. So natural, so yful, so utterly at ease. Sure, it had taken him a few minutes, but...


    I guessed a part of me had always known, deep down, that he would make a wonderful father. But seeing it with my own eyes was almost too much to bear.


    Especially when paired with the crushing knowledge that I was pregnant with his child. His child that he might never know about, never get to experience this kind of joyful bonding with.


    The hallway seemed to spin around me as I finally found a quiet stairwell, sinking down onto the steps and burying my face in my hands. Wave after wave of sobs crashed over me, my shoulders heaving with the effort of holding back the sounds. No, I couldn''t let anyone see me cry.


    I had no idea how long I sat there, lost in my own thoughts, before a sudden creak of the door reached my ears. I flinched, hunching my shoulders instinctively as I tried to stifle my cries. But it was toote. "Hannah?"


    Noah''s low voice drifted toward me, achingly familiar but also filling me with anger just at his presence. So now he decided toe to me, when I had needed him at the haunted house, though, he had gone to Zoe instead. If she were here, would he havee to me at all? I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling fresh tears slip from beneath myshes as my cheeks flushed hot with humiliation and anger.


    I heard him cross the small space, and a momentter the stair creaked ever so slightly as he settled himself a few feet away from me. He didn''t speak again, didn''t press or pry. I couldn''t decide if his silence wasforting or if it just made me even angrier. Why couldn''t he just f***g say something? What do you want?" I hissed, maybe a bit more forcefully than intended.


    He remained silent. I didn''t look at him, didn''t pull my hands away from my face. But I felt the air shift around me as Noah extended one arm, the warmth of his palm pressing against the center of my back. He didn''t move his hand in a circle, nor did he try to pull me into his arms like a husband should. He simply let it rest there as my body shook with the force of my sobs. And somehow, impossibly, that simple gesture made me cry even harder.

 Chapter 82

    Chapter 0082 Hannah


    I pushed open the door to the apothecary, the little bell above tinkling against the ss as I stepped inside. The familiar scent of dried herbs and crushed botanicals filled my nostrils, somehow both soothing and making my stomach twist with anxiety. "Good morning," the elderly man behind the counter greeted me with a warm smile. "What can I do for you today, Miss?" Clutching the small paper sack containing one of my diet pills, I approached the counter-wearing a surgical mask and some sunsses to hide my identity.


    "I was hoping you could analyze the contents of this for me," I said, trying to keep my voice level. "There are some... concerns about what might be in it."


    The apothecary''s bushy eyebrows rose, but he didn''t question me further. With a solemn nod, he took the bag and made his way over to the workspace on the other side of the shop. I watched with bated breath as he carefully emptied the contents of the bag onto a ceramic te and began crushing the little blue pill with a mortar and pestle.


    It had been an eventful couple of days, to say the least I couldn''t stop thinking about what my handmaid had said-about how I should be careful taking those diet pills. That it wasn''t about weight. Yesterday, I had decided to send White Rabbit a message. Nothing too suspicious; just a reasonable question.


    "What are the ingredients for those pills you give me?"


    WhiteRabbit had begun to type almost immediately, but then they had stopped abruptly. The next thing


    knew, White Rabbit was just.... Gone.


    The faceless inte seller who had never failed to provide me with my diet pills, diet pills that really worked, was gone. They didn''t say a word to me, didn''t block me or anything of that sort. Their ount had been deleted.


    Instantly, I had known that something suspicious was going on. So now here I was, bright and early the next morning, in the apothecary.


    My heart was practically pounding in my ears as the minutes ticked by. They''re just diet pills, I kept telling myself. Nothing more than herbs and chemicals that kill my appetite and purge my body.


    But I couldn''t help but wonder... What if my handmaid was right? What if there really was something more sinister in those supposed diet supplements? A hundred terrifying scenarios shed through my mind, each more disturbing than thest. Finally, the apothecary returned after what felt like an eternity with a small sheet of paper gripped in his weathered hand. "I have run the standard analysis," he said, holding the sheet out to me.


    I felt my throat constrict as I reached out with a trembling hand to take the paper. Unfolding it slowly, I scanned the list of chemicalpounds, my eyebrow furrowing in confusion as I reached the final entry.


    +26 BONUS


    "Mife...pristone?" I asked, struggling to pronounce the foreign word.


    The apothecary nodded and leaned on his counter. Mifepristone is an emergency contraceptive," he said. "Often used in the medication abortion pill. Your pill had trace amounts." "What does that mean?" I asked.


    "Well..." The apothecary straightened and ran a hand through his hair. "It''s not enough to cause an abortion on its own. But if taken over a long enough period of time.


    "Could it kill an embryo?"


    The a


    H


    H


    apothecary''s jaw tightened, and he nodded gravely. That was all the information I needed.


    The blood drained from my face as the events of my death yed through my mind over and over again. A toxin, a powerful contraceptive often used in medication abortions-present in the very same diet pills I had been taking for months. No. Years.


    Suddenly, everything made horrible sense. The struggles to conceive, the miscarriage...


    All this time, I had thought that I had killed my baby the same way I had killed myself: with starvation. But no, now I knew better.


    Someone had been trying to poison my baby. Someone had been systematically dosing me with contraceptives, intent on ensuring I would never be able to have a child. But who?


    But


    The apothecary was saying something, but his words were just a dull buzz in my ears. With shaking limbs, I simply thanked him, threw a w***d of cash on the counter and stumbled away, fighting the urge to be violently ill right there on the shop floor. Only once I was out of the shop and a good way down the street did I finally yank down my mask. I desperately gulped in severalrge lungfuls of fresh air, my mind reeling.


    Who could have done this? And why? Rage and fear boiled in my veins as I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails bit into my palms.


    Once again, my handmaid''s words echoed in my mind: "Be careful... It''s not about weight...


    With trembling hands, I slipped my phone out of my pocket onest time to check the app I had always used tomunicate with White Rabbit.


    Still gone. Just a small popup stating "User not found" when I typed their name into the search bar. "Dammit," I whispered, blinking rapidly.


    I was sure of it now; this was a calcted, malicious attempt to strip me of my fertility. To deny me the child I had fought and died for. White Rabbit may have been the culprit, although perhaps there were others involved in it. My own se***nt had seemed to know about it, or at least have an inkling of it. Who else knew?


    Hot tears p***ed at the corners of my eyes as I thought about my precious baby, the little life that had


    +25


    beenC0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    growing inside me only to be cruelly snuffed out. Thankfully, we had both been given another chance by the Moon Goddess; but I couldn''t stop thinking about that night. Had this been the reason? Had some twisted, f***d up person made the decision to poison me over the course of years in order to keep me, the Luna of Nightcrest Pack, from getting pregnant? This was treason.


    A violent shudder ripped through me at the thought. Pressing a hand to my abdomen, I drew in onest shaky breath before I continued down the street.


    As I climbed back into the waiting car at the end of the block, I wondered if I should tell Noah about this- he would be furious. But then


    No. Ho again....


    have had anything to do with it, would he? Would he seriously go to such lengths to keep his own Luna from conceiving with him, all so he could find a good reason to be with Zoe instead?


    No, I told myself again. Noah wouldn''t do that; he was a lot of things, but he certainly wasn''t evil. And besides, if he didn''t want to get me pregnant, he wouldn''t have shown up to our monthly intimacy nights.


    As the driver pulled away from the curb, it hit me then: a few nights from now would have been our normally-scheduled intimacy night. Surely he wouldn''te to me; we weren''t interested in that anymore, or at least, I certainly wasn''t. And now that I knew that someone had been trying to poison my baby all along. I was even more on edge at the idea of being around anyone, even my own husband.


    Perhaps I couldn''t trust anyone.

 Chapter 83

    Chapter 0083


    Hannah


    "Thanks for meeting me," I said, shrugging off my jacket and sliding into the leather booth. "I didn''t want to do this over the phone."


    Viona arched an eyebrow, but she didn''t press me for details right away. Instead, she simply signaled the waiter for a couple of drinks as I withdrew the crumpled sheet of paper from my pocket.


    It was a Friday night, and the restaurant that I had asked Viona to meet me in was as crowded as ever. I appreciated that-the noise gave us some privacy. And right now, Viona felt like the only person who I could truly trust. "What''s that?" she finally asked once our drinks came.


    "I had one of my diet pills analyzed by the apothecary."I carefully unfolded the paper and slid it over to her face-down. "Look at the ingredients."


    Carefully picking up the paper, Viona''s eyes scanned the list ofpounds before her gaze flickered up to meet mine. "Mifepristone," she said softly. "Isn''t that what they use in the..


    I nodded grimly. "Someone has been slipping me abortion medication, masking it as a weight loss supplement. The words felt like ash in my mouth. "For who knows how long."


    Viona blinked at me for a moment, abination of worry and rage flickering through her eyes-I knew I could trust her just from that one look.


    "I''ll kill whoever''s doing this," she growled. "You don''t think it could be..."


    Shaking my head, I raked my fingers through my hair. "No, I don''t think Noah would do something like this. But my maid seemed to suspect something was off about those pills from the start. She warned me... My voice trailed off as guilt and pain coiled together in my chest. How could I have been so blind? Then you need to tell Noah," Viona said firmly. "If someone is targeting you like this, poisoning you to eep you from getting pregnant, then it counts as treason. Whoever is doing this needs to be punished." opened my mouth to protest, but Viona held up her hand to stop me.


    Look, I know things between you two have been... strainedtely." She grimaced faintly. "But this is erious, Hannah. Someone is trying to sabotage you, strip you of your ability to conceive an heir. Noah ould want to help protect you-and your future child. hollowugh slipped past my lips as I leaned back in the booth, folding my arms across my chest. If nly Viona knew that I was already pregnant, that I had died and so had my baby and we had both been iven another chance by the Moon Goddess. ut I couldn''t tell her. Not quite yet.


    Would he, though? Or would he just use me of being naive and irresponsible for taking those damn Ils in the first ce?" I asked with a wryugh,


    ona pursed her lips. "You won''t know unless you tell him the truth."C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    I sighed, passing a hand over my face. As much as I hated to admit it, she was right; Noah did deserve to know what was going on. This affected him just as much as it did me, considering it was his heir someone seemed hellbent on preventing. "I''ll think about it," I finally conceded, offering Viona a halfhearted shrug.


    She studied me for a moment longer, then seemed to ept my response with a short nod.


    "Fair enough. Just don''t wait too-".


    A suddenmotion from the other side of the bar cut Viona off, both of us turning in unison toward the sound.


    My eyes widened as I spotted James, my bodyguard who had apanied me to the restaurant, standing face-to-face with another man I didn''t recognize-although, judging from his thick ck tattoos and his distinctive white-blond hair, he was from one of the Northern packs and not Nightcrest. "What''s going on over there?" I muttered.


    Before Viona could respond, I was already sliding out of the booth and striding across the crowded bar floor, dodging servers carrying trays of drinks. The closer I got, the clearer the raised voices became, the stranger''s words slurring.


    *...think you can just hit on my wife like that?" he was growling, jabbing an using finger at James''s chest. "Show some respect!"


    James simply held up his palms in a cating gesture. "I''m sorry. I didn''t realize thedy was spoken for," le said evenly. "Allow me to send over some drinks to make amends-"


    Don''t patronize me," the irate man snarled, giving James''s shoulder a forceful shove that nearly knocked im off bnce.


    hat was enough for me. "Hey!" I snapped, my temper ring as I hurried forward and nted myself etween the two bristling men. "What''s your problem?"

 Chapter 84

    Chapter 0084


    "Mind your own business, bi- The man''s eyes widened as he finally registered who I was. "L-Luna Hannah," he stammered, some of that drunken bravado fading. "1, uh-" "You''re going to apologize to my friend here," I cut him off sharply. "And then you''re going to go sleep it off before I have you thrown out of this establishment entirely." He opened his mouth-likely to protest-but I held up a hand to silence him, my re boring daggers into his skull.


    "Don''t make me repeat myself," I said. "Apologize. Now


    The man swallowed hard, then finally mumbled a halfhearted apology in James''s direction. I nodded curtly, satisfied for the moment, and turned to signal the bartender.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    But before I could call out, I felt the stranger''s rough hand seize my arm in a bruising grip, whirling me back around with surprising force. "You know what?" he snarled, his words still slurred. "I don''t want to apologize. This ugly fucker tried to hit on my wife." Gasping, I stumbled, my back mming hard into the edge of the bar as sses toppled from the impact, shattering on the floor around me. James stepped forward, his fangs bared and ready to strike.


    But before he could, a familiar deep voice cut through the din as a pair of strong hands mped down on my assant''s shoulders, wrenching him back. "Get your hands off of her!"


    Drake.


    Relief flooded through me as the tall Alpha stepped between us, his broad shoulders set in a defensive tance as he pushed the drunken man back so hard that he mmed into the bar and sent severalsses careening, shattering on the floor. You should go, Hannah," Drake murmured, casting me a worried nce. "Before it gets ugly."


    Like hell I''m leaving." I shoved past Drake''s outstretched arm, ignoring his startled protest as I stalked ght up to the drunken idiot who had dared to just manhandle me. Without hesitating, I reared back and nded a stinging p across his cheek, the sound cracking through the sudden silence that had fallen ver the bar.


    ne man staggered back a step, gaping at me in shock as he raised a hand to his reddened face. I could el the blood pounding in my veins as I rounded on the bartender.


    et this piece of trash out of here," I bit out through gritted teeth. "If he or anyone else causes any more suble, you have my permission to call their Alpha directly."


    le bartender nodded obediently, already gesturing for a trio of burly security officers to assist in forcibly moving the drunken man from the premises. Drakeid a hand on my arm, his expression tight with


    ncern.


    re you okay?" he asked, his eyes searching my face. He should be thrown in prison for touching a Luna e that."


    n fine," I said curtly, pulling free of his grip and smoothing my hands over my rumpled clothes. Shoving hair back from my face, 1 turned to seek out Vlona, Inding her hovering nearby with James at her side. Chapter 0054


    "James," I said, tilting my chin up, "what the hell did you do to piss him off like that?"


    James stared down at the floor with a look of embarrassment on his face. "I bought ady a drink. I didn''t know she had a husband."


    I couldn''t help but huff out a breathlessugh at that, some of the tension easing from my Take the rest of the night off," I said. "Drake will take me home."


    "Will I, now?" Drake asked almost amusedly, raising an eyebrow at me.


    I nodded and folded my arms across my chest. "You will."


    "My wish is yourmand, Luna."


    shoulders."


    Not longter, I was sitting on my couch after the whole ordeal. The living room was dark save for the flickering light of the TV, although I wasn''t watching the cheesy movie that was ying; rather, my eyes were glued to my phone, where onest text from Drake stared up at me.


    "I didn''t get the chance to say this earlier, but I''m really impressed with how you handled that situation," he said. "And I''d also like to ask... Would you like to go out tomorrow? Lunch?" Shrugging to myself, I sent back a simple text: "Sure. Pick me up at noon."


    No sooner had I hit send, however, was the phone suddenly yanked out of my hand. I gasped, turning and looking up to see Noah standing behind the couch, his lips twisted into a scowl. "You can''t hang out with Drake," he growled. "I won''t allow it."

 Chapter 85

    GET IT NOW  Chapter 0085 Chapter Hannah


    !


    0085


    Noah scowled as he stared down at my phone, the message from Drake still disyed on the screen. I could practically see the wheels turning in his head, a muscle in his jaw ticking ever so slightly.


    I knew what this was: he was jealous.


    "Well, well," I couldn''t resist teasing, standing and turning to face him with my hands on my hips. "Is the big bad Alpha feeling a little territorial?"


    He bristled at at that,


    his nostrils ring. "This has nothing to do with being territorial," he bit out. "I''m just concerned that Drake might be up to no good."


    to no good?" I echoed with a derisive snort. "What, you think he''s plotting some nefarious scheme by asking me to lunch?Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "You know how things get twisted around here," Noah insisted, raking a hand through his tousled hair. "If people see the two of you out in public like that, it''ll only breed even more nasty rumors. It was bad enough the first time."


    I arched a challenging eyebrow at him. "And whose fault is that, exactly? You''re the one who''s been so hot and cold with metely that nobody can figure out what the hell is going on between us." I opened his mouth, likely


    to argue, but I held up a hand to stop him.


    Besides, it''s good for the Luna to be seen bonding with members of the Alpha Council," I reasoned, vaving a dismissive hand. "It shows unity, strength, understanding. The Alpha Council will eat that right


    it that, Noah''s brows drew together in a scowl. "Is that really what this is about? Putting on some kind of erformance for the council?"


    Sure it is." I circled around the couch, plucking my phone out of his now-ckened grip. "Besides, it''s not ke you ever have a good excuse for all those cozy moments with Zoe."


    s soon as the words left my lips, I knew I had struck a nerve. Noah''s entire frame went rigid, the muscle his cheek twitching as his gaze bored into me.


    ve never been intimate with Zoe," he said, each word precise and clipped. "How many times must I say before you believe me?"


    harshugh twisted my lips as I folded my arms across my chest. "Not yet," I countered c***ly. "And in''t think I''ve forgotten about that haunted house trip-everyone saw how you cradled her while she was ving. How is that not worse than going out for lunch in public on a sunny Saturday afternoon with ake?"


    angry growl rumbled up from Noah''s chest as he raked his hands through his hair again, pacing a few ps away from me. When he whirled back to face me his eyes were zing with a mixture of frustration


    d hurt. u''re digging your own grave here, Hannah," he bit out. "But go ahead. Go out with Drake and see what opens; just don''t say I didn''t warn you when it all backfires."  +25 Chapter 0085


    With that ominous warning hanging in the air, Noah turned on his heel and stormed out of the living room, his broad shoulders rigid with tension. I stared after him for a long moment, and only then did I realize how hard my heart had been pounding in my chest. I stood in front of the mirror, my curling iron hot against my hair. I had gone for simple makeup, not much more than some well-ced concealer to hide my dark circles, some mascara, and a light shade of lipstick. It was a a beautiful, sunny moming; a little chilly given the time of year, but stillfortable. I had awoken with


    an undeniable feeling of excitement in my belly, although I couldn''t seem to decide whether it was excitement over the prospect of going out or if it was over the idea of pi***ng Noah off a little-if only to get back at him for walking away from me at the library.


    anworked, I


    As I


    He


    I kept thinking back to Noah''s words fromst night: "Don''t say I didn''t warn you when it all backfires."


    me knows nothing, I thought to myself. It''ll be fine. Drake is... an ally.


    My phone chimed on the counter then, startling me out of my reverie. ncing down, I saw a text from Drake light up the screen.


    "Wear something casual," his message read. "Where we''re going, you''ll want to befortable. Oh, and wear pants."


    frowned slightly at that, puzzling over his cryptic words. Where exactly did he n on taking me that would require casual attire? The furrow in my brow deepened as I tapped out a response.


    Should I be I be concerned?" I teased. "You''re not about to drag me off into the woods and have your wicked vay with me, are you?"


    lis reply was instantaneous. "Tempting, but no. It''ll be fun, you''ll see."


    reluctant grin tugged at


    I at the corners of my mouth as I set my phone aside and continued curling my hair. un, he had said. I supposed I needed a little fun.


    ow that Drake had given me that warning, I had to abandon my initial outfit choice in favor of something loreid-back yet still ttering. ck skinny jeans that hugged my curves, a close-fitting burgundy weater that hugged my waist, and a pair of low-heeled boots with just a hint of a hint of a pointed toe. imple yet stylish, an outfit designed to turn heads-but not make it seem as if I was trying too hard.


    ''hen I finally stepped back to evaluate my appearance in the full-length mirror, I couldn''t help but smile a 1. Casual, yet undeniably attractive. It was just the right blend to keep Noah wondering what was going 1 today.


    noon on the dot, just as promised, the faint rumble of an engine reached my ears from outside. Casting lest nce in the mirror, I touched up my lip gloss and strode out into the main hall, grabbing my cket off of the hook as I went. ouldn''t deny the small flutter of anticipation in my belly as I pulled open the front door, curious to see at Drake had up his sleeve for our little outing. But I waspletely unprepared for the sight that eted me. S BONUS Chapter 0085


    +25


    +25


    Idling at the curb in a sleek ck leather jacket that hugged the lines of his muscr torso, Drake shot me a lopsided grin as he extended a motorcycle helmet in my direction.


    My jaw dropped as I took in the gleaming chrome and polished ck metal of the motorcycle beneath him, its powerful engine purring enticingly. Drake''s grin widened at my stunned expression.


    "Are you ready for a little adventure?" His eyes raked over me, a satisfied expression oveing him." You dressed well. I hope you''refortable going fast, though,"


    I took a hesitant step forward, my heart lodged in my throat. The motorcycle purred beneath Drake like a metallic feline just waiting for the signal to pounce.


    Before I could speak, he patted the seat behind him.


    "Get on," he said, his voice low and just as gravelly as the motorcycle''s engine. "I told you we were going to have fun."

 Chapter 86

    Chapter 0086 Hannah


    My hands trembled as I gripped the sleek leather of Drake''s jacket, the low rumble of the motorcycle''s engine vibrating up through the soles of my boots. Up close like this, straddling the seat behind him, the machine seemed even more intimidating. And precarious. "You settled in back there?" Drake asked over his shoulder.


    1... Um..."


    "Don''t tell me the big bad Luna is scared of a little bike," he teased.


    I bristled at the lilt in his words, my chin lifting defiantly as I tightened my grip on his jacket. "Of course not," I scoffed, even though we both knew that was a tant lie. "Just... go slow, okay? I''ve never done this before."


    Drake let out augh and turned his head to look at me over his shoulder. "Where''s the fun in that?"


    ww


    there.


    Before I could protest further, he reached out and grabbed my hands, tugging insistently until my arms circled around his abdomen. A startled gasp slipped past my lips as he pulled me flush against the solid wall of his back, my breasts pushing up against the firm muscles there. Heat flooded my cheeks, my heart pounding against my ribs as he tugged me even tighter and forced my fingers to sp together around his midriff. "There," he said, releasing his grip on my hands. "Just hold on tight, just like that, and you''ll be fine." Then, before I could even gasp out a single syble, Drake was already kicking the motorcycle to life. I barely had time to suck in a sharp breath before we were peeling away from the curb, the sudden. eleration ttening me against Drake''s back as the world moved around us.


    For a few moments, terror took over me. I grit my teeth, d for the privacy that my helmet afforded me as my fingers tightened around Drake''s jacket.


    §Õ§à§Ô§Ñ


    But soon, as the city streets gave way to the winding roads curving their way through the forest, as the brisk wind whipped at the strands of my hair and the crisp scent of pine filled my lungs.... Something began to loosen inside me. Something that hadn''t felt sweet release in a long, long time.


    My wolf.


    My fear soon began to turn into thill, an electric sort of exhration that left my entire body tingling. I was flying-soaring through the world in a way I never dreamed possible, and my wolf was howling in excitement inside of me. I couldn''t help it. As we whipped around another curve in the road, a wild whoop of excitement rang out from somewhere deep in my chest. There was no holding it in, and no embarrassment to be felt; not out here, where there was no one to judge me, no one to makements about the Luna of Nightcrest acting like a fool in public.


    So, I craned my neck back, feeling more gloriously alive than I could remember as the crisp winter breeze BONUS


    25Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Chapter con


    whipped across my hair and my hands.


    Then,


    when a massive snowy owl took flight from a roadside branch right before us, I couldn''t contain my reaction-my shout of surprise and unbridled joy echoing through the trees as it streaked past us, almost as though it were trying to race. Drake seemed to feed off my exhration, his muscles tensing as he hit the throttle even harder. Before I knew it, we were practically moving at lightspeed through the snow-dusted forest, and for a moment-just a moment-1 thought that if I died right here, if this was the end d of the Moon Goddess''s grace, then at least I would go out in glory. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of whipping past blurredndscapes, Drake began to ease back on the throttle. Our breakneck speed slowed down to a rxing cruise, and it was only then that I realized how sore my face was from smiling. As we finally came to a stop in a small pull-off area, I blinked dazedly, my surroundings slowlying into focus. We had ascended quite high into the mountains, I realized, because below us the whole of Nightcrest was revealed. "Wow..." I breathed,


    eathed, reluctantly loosening my iron grip on Drake to slide off of the motorcycle and back onto my shaky legs. "I don''t think I''ve ever seen the entire pack like this."


    It was true; in all my time as Noah''s wife, he had only ever taken me to ces where business was to be conducted-councils, negotiations, dull political affairs that required a united front. He had never taken me sightseeing. Not like this, at least. Thats a crime, Drake murmured, lifting his helmet off and tucking it under his arm as he joined me at the overlook. "You''re the Luna of Nightcrest, and you''ve never seen a view of your entire pack?"


    "That''s


    I shook


    my head and quickly looked away, gritting my teeth. No. Of course I hadn''t.


    "What about you and Zoe?" I found myself asking, tilting my head to nce up at Drake. "Do you take her on your motorcycle for sightseeing?"


    To his credit, Drake didn''t tense or seem to grow angry at the mention of her. He simply averted his gaze to his boots, a guilty expression covering his face.


    "Not as much as I should, I''m afraid." He let out a weary sigh. "Ever since Adam was born... well, I''ll admit I haven''t been the most attentive husband." not?" I blurted out. "Forgive me, but usually having a child is what makes couples even more bonded


    Why


    to ach other."


    He paused, clenching his jaw tightly for a moment before he spoke.


    "There are certain rivals of mine who wouldn''t hesitate to use Zoe and Adam as coteral against me if given the chance. Holding them hostage, threatening their lives... all to gain power and control over me. Over my pack." Drake''s jaw ticked, but he kept talking had to create a persona to throw off any hint that they meant


    "Sol


    anything to me beyond another duty. And it worked."


    The realization hit me then: his coldness toward Zoe, his apparent phndering, the rumors that seemed to follow him across the entire region. It was all a lie.


    +25


    He was no yboy after all. Just a man making terrible heart-wrenching sacrifices to keep his family safe.


    My fingers move of their own ord toward Drake''s shoulder and gave him a squeeze. "I''m so sorry," I murmured. That must be extremely difficult."


    Drake let out a mirthlessugh. "That''s putting it lightly," he said, casting me a sidelong nce. "And I''m pretty certain that my behavior is what pushed Zoe back toward Noah."


    I felt my chest clench at the mention of Noah and Zoe together; but this time, for a different reason than normal. All this time, I had only seen their rtionship as an insult to me and no one else. But now, seeing the sincerity in Drake''s eyes, I knew that I wasn''t the only one who was suffering. Suddenly, however, I had an idea. I pulled my hand away and turned to face Drake fully, tilting my chin up in an attempt to appear more confident than I truly felt in that moment. When I finally spoke, my voice was surprisingly clear. "Let me help."

 Chapter 87

    Chapter 0087 Chapter 0087 Noah


    Noah strode out of the conference room, his face set in a stern mask as he tugged at the cuffs of his suit jacket. The meeting with the foreign diplomats had been grueling, every little movement having to be as calcted and precise as thest. Just another day in the life of the Alpha, he mused, rolling his broad shoulders to work out the lingering tension.


    His phone chimed in his pocket, prompting him to fish it out and nce at the screen. It was a message from Scott-and from the looks of the brief line of text, it was a matter of some urgency. "Need to see you ASAP. Meet at your office?" Noah''s brow furrowed slightly at the cryptic text, but he didn''t hesitate in tapping out an affirmative response. If his Beta and half-brother felt the need to meet in person rather than simply rying whatever issue had arisen, he knew that it must be delicate in nature. Not even an hourter, Noah was striding up to to the front door of his office away from home. Scott was already waiting for him there, and rose from the small bench just outside the door to greet him as he approached. "What''s going on?" Noah asked without preamble as he unlocked the door to his office and swung it open. "This have anything to do with thatmerce situation we discussedst week? The topic was mentioned at my meeting."


    To his surprise, Scott shook his head grimly and followed him into the office. "I wish it was something that simple." He paused, pulling out his phone and tapping at the screen a few times before extending it toward Noah, "Here. Take a look at these." Noah frowned, but took the phone and began swiping through what appeared to be a series of high-resolution photographs.


    His eyes widened ever so slightly as the images slowly registered-a sleek ck motorcycle idling at the curb, the rider''s jacket and helmet unmistakable despite the clear attempt at concealing their identity- Drake. Anyone who knew who Drake was could tell. And wrapped intimately around the rider''s torso... was Hannah.


    A muscle ticked in Noah''s jaw as he flicked to the next photo, then the next, his chest constricting painfully at the sight of them. Hannah''s arms were wrapped tightly around Drake, her body molded to his frame.


    Her breasts were pushed up against his back, and although her face was obstructed by the dark visor of her helmet, her expression wasn''t necessary, their close proximity spoke volumes.


    in a few of the shots, they appeared to be stopped at some kind of scenic overlook. Hannah had her helmet off now, and was turned, facing Drake with one hand on his shoulder.


    Then, in a


    were sent over by some paparazzi agency just a little while ago," Scott said as Noah scrolled through the photos.


    Those  +25


    Chapterous?


    "Have they posted them yet?" Noah asked, handing the phone back.


    Scott shook his head. "Thankfully, no. But they are looking to sell the whole set for a pretty hefty sum... otherwise, I would wager those pictures will be hitting the front pages any day now. Along with whatever twisted narrative they want to spin about Hannah and Drake." Noah felt his stomach twist at the implication in Scott''s tone. He had warned Hannah, and now....


    Goddess, Drake probably had this nned all along. He wanted to make Noah look like a cuck. He was sure of it


    But Noah wasn''t about to let that happen.


    "How much do they want for the pictures?" Noah asked simply, casually straightening his cuff links and sitting down behind his ss-topped desk.


    Scott quirked an eyebrow, clearly surprised by Noah''s willingness to even entertain the idea of paying off the shady agency.


    "A pretty hefty sum," he repeated gruffly. "Six figures.


    A hardugh twisted Noah''s lips at that, although it contained no real humor. "Fine. Get them on the line. Tell them I''ll pay whatever they want for the entire set, no questions asked." His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching.


    "Just so long as this doesn''t get out."


    "You''re e sure?" Scott asked.


    "Don''t question me."


    "Alright."


    With that, Scott turned and left, already raising his phone to his ear to contact the agency. Noah watched him


    go, and only once he was finally alone did he m his hand t down onto the ss top of his desk. #


    What the hell were Hannah and Drake ying at, gallivanting around with each other where anyone could see? Letting things drift so far into dangerous territory that the paparazzi was now involved? The move reeked of recklessness and disrespect, a tant disregard for the position Hannah held.


    More than that, though, it stung his pride in a way Noah hadn''t anticipated. He was her husband-yet Hannah had been so quick to cozy up to another, to allow that level of casual intimacy to transpire behind his back. It didn''t matter that things between them had grown so painfully strained ofte, that a divorce was impending.


    That was no excuse. Dancing with random men at a party was one thing, but this....


    This was too far. Noah needed to speak to Hannah immediately. He needed to set her straight.


    By the time Noah reached Hannah''s office back at the mansion-a small, chaotic little room that she most often used for reading, writing in her journal, and answering the odd email, although she had been using it moretely with her sudden interest in Luna duties-the anger working its way through his veins had turned into full-on fury.


    +25 to 0087


    Chapter


    Without knocking, he simply turned the handle and shoved his way inside, his narrowed gaze seeking out his wife.


    It didn''t take long to locate her. Hannah was seated at her desk... immediately


    Her chin was resting on her folded arms and her long chestnut hair was syed in silky disarray across the scattered documents surrounding her. She was fast asleep, her features rxed and exquisitely peaceful in the golden afternoon light filtering through the windows. Noah''s steps slowed despite himself, his breath catching ever so slightly in his throat as he looked down at her.


    With the hard mask of bitterness and condescension that she typically wore stripped away in sleep, Hannah looked... innocent. Youthful and unbearably lovely, a stark contrast to the hard exterior she had put on recently.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    In that moment, she seemed far more like the soft-hearted young woman he had fallen for all those years. ago. The one who had bound herself to him. The one who, once, did truly love him.


    When was thest time Noah had seen her sleeping? He couldn''t remember thest time he had spent the night with her.


    No, he thought to himself. This wasn''t the time to be fawning over her sleeping form. He was supposed to be angry. Furious, even.


    Shaking his head sharply, he closed the distance between them and towered over her, opening his mouth to shout at her to wake up.


    But before he could say a word, his gaze drifted over the chaotic disarray of her desk then, his eyes catching on what appeared to be an array of documents covered in Hannah''s handwriting. His eyebrows drew together slightly as he leaned in for a closer look Detailed ns for the rapidly approaching Lunar Festival celebrations, it seemed-not just the festival itself, but leading up to it as well. And no matter how much Noah tried to deny it, the ns were... really good.

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    Chapter Hannah


    0088


    I found myself in a dark room-my room. No, my bathroom. I couldn''t see it, but I could recognize the smell, the feeling of the cool marble tiles under my hips, the hot steam rising into the air. Somewhere, the shower was running. But it didn''t matter. I was dying. 1 gave you another chance."


    I whipped around at the sound of the woman''s voice, but there was no one there; or at least, I didn''t think there was anyone there, but it was so dark I couldn''t see. "Who are you?" I asked.


    The woman paused before speaking again. "I gave you another chance, and you''re going to ruin it. If you don''t... Be careful..."


    Her voice trailed off, thest of her words echoing off of walls that didn''t exist. I reached forward blindly. calling out to the woman whose voice I now recognized. "Moon Goddess... Moon Goddess..." "Hannah."


    I woke up with a jolt, the feeling of a firm hand on my shoulder ripping me out of my strange dream. Blinking rapidly, I quickly wiped away the thin trail of drool that had escaped the corner of my mouth while I was asleep at my desk. Goddess, how embarrassing. "Hannah." The deep rumble of Noah''s voice made me stiffen. I straightened up, pushing my hair back from my face as I turned to see him towering over my desk with his phone clutched in one hand and the other pressed into his hip.


    "Noah? I thought you were working." I said, trying to keep my tone neutral despite the way my heart had begun to race at his unannounced intrusion-especially upon him seeing me in my most vulnerable state, passed out on my desk after a night of work. Rather than answering right away, his gaze dropped to the chaotic mess of papers and documents sc**ed across my desk. I followed his eyes, feeling a p***le of self-consciousness as I realized how disorganized and unkempt the whole setup must look My whole office was in a state of chaos, really; it was the one room in the mansion that was entirely mine, and I never permitted anyone to enter. Not my friends, hot the servants, not even Noah.


    Noah didn''t know this about me-or maybe he did-but secretly loved collecting antiques. It was one of my hobbies before we got together, and although my collecting had dwindled, I still liked to go on the hunt for rare finds every so often.


    My office was where I kept all of those things: old clocks, quirky little statuettes, yellowed books, interesting art.


    It was the one ce where I could be myself. And now Noah had marched in here without my permission.


    Before I could say anything. Noah''s hand reached out, plucking up one of the pages covered in my chaotic handwriting. "What''s all this?" he asked gruffly


    I swallowed hard, my shoulders straightening a little. "Just... some ns I''ve been working on. For the Lunar Festival celebrationsing up." I wet my lips nervously. "I was thinking we could do a sort of..munity pic, soon. To help drum up more support and involvement from the Alpha Council before they make their decision" Noah''s eyes scanned over the page, his expression unreadable. "Hm. A pic," he repeated tly, ncing up at me. In the middle of winter?"


    "Yes," I replied. "A big one, held out on the grounds near the gardens. With live music, dancing, locally-sourced food and entertainment vendors to really showcase our pack''s talents and abilities. We''ll have fire pits set up so it won''t be too cold." I sat up a little taller. "It could be a great way to make the Alpha Council see what we could do if we were chosen to host the festival," I finisheOriginal content from N?velDrama.Org.


    There was a heavy silence then, the weight of Noah''s cold stare making me shift ufortably in my seat. I searched his face, feeling my stomach twist with dread. He was going to call the whole idea s**id, I just knew it.

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    Chapter 0049


    "It''s... actually not a bad idea," he finally said.


    I blinked, caught off guard. "What?"


    "The pic thing." His broad shoulders lifted in an indifferent shrug. "Could be a good way to get people engaged and interested ahead of time, yeah." Relief washed over me, quickly followed by surprise-and then a flicker of Indignation. Noah was never the type to ept my-or anyone''s-ideas so easily, "But you should have told me sooner," he added.


    There it is.


    "Like you would have listened," I retorted, folding my arms across my chest. "You''ve never shown any interest in what I do as your Luna. Why start now?" Noah sighed. "You only started acting like a Luna, like, yesterday. And even that''s a stretch."


    "So if I had done more sooner, you''re saying you would have listened to me?"


    A muscle ticked in Noah''s chiseled jaw at that, but he didn''t argue-either because he knew I was right or it wasn''t worth arguing over.


    After an awkward stretch of silence, I shook my head and sighed heavily. "Anyway... why did youe barging in here in the first ce?" I asked wearily. "I doubt it was just to critique my party-nning skills."


    Noah''s expression darkened. Without a word, he tossed his phone onto my desk with the screen open to a camera roll folder. "Look at this," he said, jerking his head toward his phone.


    I stared at the phone for a moment, apprehension coiling low in my belly, before gingerly picking it up. As the first image on the screen registered, I felt my heart plummet into my stomach.


    It was... me. With Drake. Wrapped around him on his motorcycle, our bodies intertwined in a way that was entirely too intimate for public viewing. The next few shots only drove the point home further-me reaching out to caress his shoulder, a soft smile on my face. "What is this?" I whispered.


    "I had to pay off an entire goddamn paparazzi agency to keep those from leaking." Noah growled. "Six figures, Hannah. All to keep the Luna of my pack-and myself-from bing aughing stock because she can''t keep her hands off of another man." My cheeks burned with shame and anger, the phone falling from my trembling hands as I met Noah''s hard re. It''s not like that with Drake and I," I said.


    "Then what is it?" Noah demanded, leaning forward to brace his hands on my desk as he towered over me. "Because from where I''m standing, it looks an awful lot like you''re being reckless. Selfish. Putting this pack at risk with your idiotic disys of-"All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "I don''t see how this is any worse than the things you''ve done with Zoe in public," I snarled, rising from my chair. "Holding her while she cries. Matching outfits with her at a g. Showing up to wee-home parties for her..."


    11/2


    Noah clenched his jaw. "So is that what this is? Revenge? And how many times do I have to tell you, nothing ever happened between me and Zoe?"


    "It''s not about revenge." I sighed, turning my head so I didn''t have to look at him. "Drake and I are just friends. I''m sorry I wasn''t more careful, but.... I''d never cheat. We''re still married."


    Noah stared at me for a long, heavy moment, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he gave a curt nod. "Whatever." "Whatever?" I scoffed.


    He shrugged. "Yeah. Whatever." He paused then, sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose. "Let''s just


    host this pic thing of yours this weekend," he said gruffly. "Be there, bright and early to make sure it all goes ording to your ns."


    With that


    With that, he straightened and turned on his heel, striding out of my office without another word.

 Chapter 90

    Chapter 0090 Hannah


    By the time I stepped out onto the manicured grounds behind the main house, the festivities were already in full swing. Lively music filled the air, a folk band ying on a small stage erected near the gardens. The scents of roasting meats and fresh-baked pastries wafted


    through the crisp winter breeze, making my mouth water.


    Small bonfires had been lit at regr intervals around the open field, their crackling mes casting a warm, flickering glow over the milling crowds. Clusters of people mingled andughed, paper tes piled high with food from the various vendors that lined the edges of the space. It was just as I had envisioned -a lively celebration, intimate yet grand, the perfect way to show off our pack''s charms. But I couldn''t see Noah anywhere.


    Furrowing my brow, I stepped further into the crowd, politely smiling in response to "Hello, Luna!" and "It''s so lovely to see you, Luna!"


    My gaze swept over the festival until I finally spotted him: Noah''s imposing figure near one of therger fire pits. He was engaged in conversation with none other than Zoe, the two of them standing rather close together as they spoke.


    A flicker of irritation sparked low in my belly at the sight. Of course.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Without hesitating, I began to make my way across the grassy field toward them, carefully sidestepping clusters of people and woven pic nkets strewn about. As I drew nearer, I could see the way Zoe was almost leaning into Noah, her expression animated and vibrant as she spoke. Noah, for his part, seemed somewhat bemused, but there was no mistaking the warm regard in his eyes as he gazed down at her. It made my heart twist in my chest, an ugly coll of jealousy unfurling inside of me before I could shove it away. Clearing my throat loudly, I approached from behind and boldly linked my arm through Noah''s, pressing up against his side. His head whipped around, eyes widening slightly at my sudden proximity before narrowing dangerously. I simply smiled at him, all sugary sweetness, before turning that smile on Zoe.


    "Hello, you two," I said, tightening my grip ever so slightly on Noah''s bicep-firm, as usual. "Lovely day for a pic, isn''t it?"


    Zoe blinked at me, clearly caught off guard. "Oh... Hannah, hl. Yes, it''s really lovely." She forced a small smile, but her gaze kept flicking between Noah and I uncertainly.


    An awkward silence fell over the three of us for a beat. Then Noah seemed to shake himself, frowning at me out of the corner of my eye. "We should probably start mingling soon," he said gruffly, shifting his arm in my grip as though my touch was burning him. I felt a tiny hint of satisfaction course through me at the implication that my presence was making him uneasy. Good. For once, I was the one putting him on edge. "Of course," I agreed easily, tightening my hold again. turned my smile back on Zoe, widening it ever so slightly. "You''ll have to excuse us, Zoe."


    12


    With that, I tugged Noah along beside me, away from the fire pit and back out into the throng of people. I could feel the tension radiating off of him, could practically hear the harsh words he was biting back as we wove through the crowd. Finally, once we were a safe distance away, Noah wrenched his arm from mine and rounded on me, his eyes zing. "What the hell was that about?" he hissed, his jaw clenched.


    I arched an eyebrow at him innocently. "What was what about? Oh, I can''t stand with my husband at public event?" I shot back, pressing my hand into my cor bone as I feigned offense. "Would you rather I stand with Drake instead?" Noah''s nostrils red at my words, but he didn''t take the bait-at least, not fully. After a tense moment, some of the fight seemed to bleed out of him and he simply sighed, shaking his head. "You''re right," he muttered, almost too quietly for me to hear over the swell of noise surrounding us. "I''m... sorry."


    My bravado faltered slightly at the unexpected apology, caught off guard. Noah didn''t say sorry often-if ever-especially not to me these days. Clearing my throat, I slipped my arm back through his more gently this time. "Shall we?" I prompted, gesturing out at the crowd with my free hand.


    Noah hesitated briefly, those intense green eyes of his searching my face, before giving a curt nod. Together, we began to make our way through the pic grounds, stopping here and there to greet various members of the pack. Noah seemed more at ease now, his stance rxed and open as he engaged in lighthearted conversation with everyone we encountered.


    I remained pressed against his side, unable to help the way my senses were hyper-focused on him-the solid warmth of his body, the clean scent of his cologne, the shift and flex of the muscle in his bicep beneath my fingers. It had been so long since I had been this physically close to my husband. Too long since I''d had any kind of intimate contact at all.

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    Chapter 0091 Chapter


    0091


    A dull, familiar ache blossomed inside of me at the idle thought, an old emptiness that I had grown. ustomed to pushing away rising up in the wake of Noah''s proximity. I quickly averted my gaze, my cheeks flushing slightly as I fought to regain myposure. my nose Clearing my throat again, I gently extracted myself from Noah''s side. "I''m just going to... powder my real quick," I mumbled, already starting to turn away. "I''ll be right back."


    Noah simply nodded absently, his attention having been snagged by something across the field. I didn''t wait for him to reply further before hurrying away, my steps sharp and brisk as I made a beeline for the house, my cheeks still burning hotly. Once inside the cool interior of the mansion, I drew in a deep, steadying breath, allowing my shoulders to slump ever so slightly. Get a grip, I chided myself sternly. Thest thing I needed right now was to start getting flustered and ridiculous over nothing. Lifting my chin high again, I made my way toward the bathroom just off the main foyer. The soft sound of the pic drifted through the open windows, an oddly rxing sound. Reaching out, I turned the handle, swinging the door open- "Hannah."Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I turned at the sound of the voice to see Drake hurrying down the hall, an easy smile on his lips.


    "Drake," I said, releasing my grip on the door and turning. I felt a reluctant smile tugging at the corners of my own lips as he pulled me into a loose hug. "I trust you''re enjoying the pic."


    Drake simply hummed in acknowledgment, his knowing gaze flickering over my face.


    "Everything going okay? No... issues?" he asked carefully.


    I knew what he was really asking-whether I had been able to pull Noah and Zoe apart. That was our n, after all; the other day, when Drake and I had gone on that motorcycle ride together, I had made him a promise.


    I had promised that I would work to keep Zoe and Noah apart so that Drake could talk to her. So that he could exin why he had been acting the way he had for so long.


    And hopefully, so that they could make amends.


    "Zoe went off on her own," I said quietly, nodding my head toward the direction of the pic. "You should have a good chance."


    Tipping his head back, Drake regarded me through hooded eyes for a long moment. Then, finally, he nodded once and straightened, resting his hands on his hips. "Alright. I''ll go try to find her," he said. "Keep your fingers crossed for me?" "Of course," I replied, keeping my tone as light and unburdened as I could manage. "I hope it goes well. You... You both deserve that happiness."


    Drake simply grinned at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners, before giving me a yful wink and slipping back out of the mansion. I watched him go, my smile fading slowly as the door swung shut behind him.


    Letting out a heavy sigh, I pushed my way into the bathroom and strode over to the mirror, leaning on the


    cool marble sink as I poked and prodded at my makeup. I had gone for a matching pants and top set today with stylish boots, seeing as how I would be spending the day outside, and wore a cropped jacket over the top to keep myself warm. I looked good. Too bad my husband wouldn''t be noticing. My husband.


    For a moment, my hand fluttered down to my belly-not only where the little life inside of me was taking root, but also where that undeniable sense of want had blossomed before. Goddess, it had felt like forever. Tonight would have been the night of our monthly intimacy. But not anymore. Not when...


    Suddenly, the door crashed open, causing me to gasp and whirl around. A tall figure loomed in the doorway, and I parted my lips to call for help as my fingers curled around the marble of the sink behind me -only to realize who it was.


    "Noah? This is thedies'' bathroom!" I eximed.


    Noah didn''t seem to care. He mmed the door shut and locked it without a word, then strode over to me


    He came so close that the hard nes of his body pressed into mine, pushing me further up against the sink.


    "Were you with Drake just now?" he hissed, his voice low and dangerous.


    +25

 Chapter 92

    Chapter 0092 Hannah


    Noah towered over me, the hard muscles of his chest and abdomen pressing into my body so hard I could barely breathe. The cool marble of the sink behind me felt like ice against my lower back, my fingers curling instinctively around the edge. But still, I stared up at Noah defiantly, refusing to be cowed by his intimidating presence looming over me. "I wasn''t with Drake," I stated firmly, squaring my shoulders. "At least... not in the way you''re implying."


    Noah''s deep green eyes narrowed to slits at my response. "Don''t lie to me," he growled, leaning in even closer until I could feel the heat radiating off of his body. "I saw you two together just a few minutes ago. Hugging. Looking awfully cozy." Anger red hotly inside of me at the baseless usation, my cheeks flushing. "It was just a friendly embrace, Noah," I shot back, lifting my chin. "Is that not allowed now, either? Am I just supposed topletely iste myself from any human contact besides you?" A muscle ticked in Noah''s chiseled jaw, his nostrils ring slightly. For a moment, I thought hetsh


    I


    out-either verbally or physically, not that he had everid a finger on me before. The air between us thick with tension, crackling like a storm of electricity.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    I


    "Oh wait," I pressed on, a tiny little part of me almost enjoying the way my words angered him. "I''m not allowed to have any contact with you, either. I almost forgot how I offended you just by touching your arm when you were talking to your precious Zoe." "That was different," Noah insisted, pressing his body harder against mine as something hungry-feral, almost-seemed to take over his eyes.


    I couldn''t help but let out a smallugh as I ran one manicured finger up his strained forearm. "You''re just jealous," I murmured coolly.


    For another few long moments, Noah red at me with his jaw clenched-and this time, I thought he might either storm out or ravish me right there on the bathroom sink.


    away


    But then, atst, he seemed to dete somewhat, shoulders slumping minutely as he tore his gaze from mine. He took a step back, and finally I could breathe now that there was some space between us. "Maybe I am jealous," he admitted in a low grumble, almost too quiet for me to properly hear.


    1 blinked, my amusement faltering in the wake of the unexpected confession. "What?"


    "Maybe I''m jealous," Noah repeated, a bit louder this time as his eyes snapped back to mine, filled with a sudden intensity that made my breath catch in my throat like a shard of ss. "Because even if you do... sleep with Drake-" He spat the words like they were acid on his tongue- "He''ll never really know you. Not like I do."


    My mouth opened and closed slightly at that, a scathing retort dancing on the tip of my tongue.


    "You don''t know the first thing about me anymore," I murmured, my voice hardly more than a whisper." Maybe you never have. Because you never make the time for me.


    "Is that what you think?" he asked.


    I nodded. "I know it''s the truth. We''re strangers, Noah.


    Before I could utter another word, Noah was suddenly in motion-closing what little distance remained between us until every solid inch of his body was pressing against mine once again.


    His hands came up to bracket me on either side, his fingers sying against the cool marble of the sink behind me.


    "Very well. But you have to admit, at the very least," he purred, leaning over so that his lips brushed against the soft flesh of my earlobe, 1 know every inch of this body better than anyone. Maybe even better than you do."


    To emphasize his point, one of Noah''s cool hands slid from the counter to trail as light as feathers across my cor bone, his fingertips trailing a scorching path over my clothes. My breath hitched sharply in the back of my throat, a jolt of electricity working its way through me at the deceptively gentle contact.


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 93

    Chapter 0093 Chapter


    He knew.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    0093


    He knew exactly where to touch, which seemingly innocuous spots made my knees go weak and a needy ache bloom between my thighs. As if to prove it, Noah''s hand drifted lower, his fingertips now grazing across the top of my breasts. "I know all the spots that make you tick," he murmured as his hand trailed lower, over my abdomen and toward the slight swell of my thighs. "All these years, when we had our monthly intimacy nights, you thought I wasn''t paying attention..." He paused, letting his fingers rest just on my hip bone. When he spoke again, his voice was huskier than


    ever.


    But I was taking notes," he finished, and then dug his fingers into my hip and pulled me flush against his body once more.


    I couldn''t help it-a tiny whimper slipped away from my lips as our groins pressed together, my eyelids fluttering helplessly as my head tipped back against the mirror. My body was reacting on pure muscle memory, unable to deny the instinctive response that Noah''s skilled touch invoked. He was right. Even after all this time, after all the strain and hurt between us, Noah knew exactly which buttons to push to have me melting into a pile of wanting desire.


    Slowly, I trailed my eyes up his hard body and toward his deep green eyes. I held his stare for a moment through myshes, and that was when I felt it: something warm and hard pressing against my leg.


    I couldn''t help it. Smirking, I bucked my hips just so against him. He tried to hide it, but I could see the way his jaw clenched beneath his skin and the way his eyes rolled back when he blinked feverishly. For a moment, I allowed my eyes to slide over to the bathroom door. It was still locked, the bathroom empty except for us.


    We could....


    The realization was like a jolt of electricity through me. This right here-the physical intimacy we still craved from one another, the insatiable hunger that clearly had yet to be extinguished despite everything- was precisely what had gotten us into this mess in the first ce. We were hopeless, the both of us.


    With a harsh inhale, I wrenched my eyes open fully once more and shoved hard against Noah''s chest, putting some much-needed space between our bodies


    "That''s enough," I hissed, shooting him a scathing re despite the way my skin still tingled from the ghost of his touch. I smoothed down my shirt and turned back toward the mirror. "I''m not interested."


    Noah blinked at me in the reflection of the mirror, his expression one of startled bewilderment at my abrupt rejection. Before he could find his words again, pulled my lipstick out and uncapped it, dragging it across my lips as I spoke.


    "If you''re really that desperate for some action, you''d be better off going to Zoe." The words tasted like acid on my tongue-and I knew that they were going directly against the promise I had made to Drake-


    but I forced them out anyway, driven by an irrational desire to wound him the way he had wounded me with his usations and heavy-handed seduction.


    A flicker of hurt shed across Noah''s features at the low blow, quickly reced by an icy mask o


    of indifference.


    "You''re my wife," he bit out, his voice hard. "Not her."


    I couldn''t help but scoff. "Not for long."


    Noah''s re hardened, his jaw clenching. Without a word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the bathroom, the door mming shut behind him with enough force to rattle the mirror behind me. I watched him go in the mirror, my shoulders slumping only once the door was fully shut. I let out a shaky breath, blinking rapidly and looking upwards in order to not cry and ruin my perfect makeup. Da***it.

 Chapter 94

    Chapter 0094 Hannah


    I hummed along to the music drifting from the small speaker on the bathroom counter as I stepped into the steaming shower, eagerly anticipating the way the scalding water would soothe my tired muscles. The pic had been a rousing sess, both in terms of entertainment value and my own personal ns, and I felt lighter than I had in ages.


    Tipping my head back, I allowed the hot spray to soak my hair, the water trailing over my face in warm, soothing streams. Even though the pic had been off to a rocky start, it was a sess in the end.


    We were closer than ever to being chosen as the hosts for the Lunar Festival. In fact, just as the pic had beening to a close, the Alpha Council-Drake included-hade directly to me and Noah to congratte us on a wonderful event.


    Soon, all of this would be behind us. Once we hosted the Lunar Festival, my approval ratings would be higher than ever-plus, I still had more ns of my own in between now and then.


    And then, in two months, Noah and I would get divorced. I would return to my home pack and take my rightful ce as female Alpha, and I would continue with a healthy pregnancy.


    But it was as I was closing my eyes to wash my face that the faint whisper of a chill breeze against my damp skin made me shiver, the hairs along my arms and at the back of my neck prickling upward. Frowning slightly, I turned to nce at the ss shower door, certain I had secured it fully closed before stepping into the shower.


    Sure enough, a gap of a few inches had somehow appeared, allowing the cooler air from the bathroom to snake inside and disrupt the steamy cocoon. As I watched, the ss almost seemed to rattle ever so slightly in the frame, almost as though it had been disturbed by an unseen force. Odd.


    Shaking my head, I chalked it up to a draft from the open window and reached out to tug the door fully closed once more. Thest thing I needed was for the floor to get soaked while I was busy enjoying my shower.


    By the time I finally stepped out and toweled off a little whileter, I felt boneless and rxed, my muscles pleasantly loose. Wrapping the plush white towel around my body, I padded out into the bedroom and over to the vanity to begin my nightly skincare routine.


    As I was smoothing a rich, fragrant moisturizer over my face, a faint flicker of movement in the mirror''s reflection caught my eye. Freezing, I peered intently at the mirror, straining to detect the subtle shift again.


    There-a dark, indistinct shape blurred across the far side of the room in the shadows before disappearing from view entirely.


    My breath caught in my throat as I whipped around, my head swiveling to catch whomever had just wandered through my room.


    "Hello?" I called out, cautiously rising from my chair. My eyes scanned the dark room, silently cursing the ce for being too big for my little vanitymp to light up the entire space.  Chapter 0094


    There was no one, of course-just more paranoia, that was all.


    But....


    The soft creak of a footstep on the hardwood sent a jolt of ice through my veins, every hair on my body standing on end in an instant as my fight-or-flight instinct kicked in. There was someone else in here with me.


    I whirled around with a startled shriek, my towel slipping precariously as my gaze raked over the room, desperately seeking out any sign of an intruder.


    "Noah?" I called out before I could think better of it, my voice trembling despite my attempts to keep it steady.


    No, wait. Noah was probably at his office, spending the night there like usual-


    My internal monologue was cut abruptly short as the unmistakable creak of footsteps sounded from somewhere behind me again, much closer this time. Gasping, I whipped back around, my hands groping blindly along the surface of the vanity until they closed around the hefty spine of a leather-bound book.


    "Who''s there?" I demanded in a shrill voice, my chest heaving as I held the book up, ready to m it on any intruder. "Show yourself!"C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    There was a moment of silence so profound it was practically suffocating. Then, from the doorway. Hannah-"


    down


    Today''s

 Chapter 95

    0095


    Chapter


    The book went sailing through the air before my mind could fully process the familiar tone of Noah''s voice. It whipped right past his head, thudding hard against the wall.


    Noah stepped out of the doorway then, his hands raised in a cating gesture. His gaze traveled between the book lying haphazardly on the floor and back to me, his mouth slightly open. We simply stared at one another for several long, excruciating moments. Then, finally, I found my voice again-although it emerged as more of a breathless whisper. "I was down the hall. Heard you call out my name. Is everything okay?"


    "... I thought you were an intruder," I stammered out, my towel slipping a little further down my chest as my arms fell limply to my sides. "I didn''t... I didn''t know you were home." Noah''s brow furrowed slightly. "If you thought I wasn''t home, then why did you call out my name?"


    I opened and closed my mouth, grasping for an excuse that didn''t immediately spring to mind. Finally, my shoulders slumped. "I don''t know. I was frightened. It was... instinct, I suppose."


    My cheeks flushed hotly under his gaze, certain he would interpret that particr admission as some deeper, more meaningful thing. And, from the way Noah''s expression softened ever so slightly around the edges, his faceced with smug satisfaction... he had. Taking a step toward me, then another, Noah closed the distance between us until we were nearly chest to chest. Up close, I could smell the warm, familiar scent of his cologne, just as I had earlier that day in the bathroom. It made my mouth go dry.


    "Is that so?" he murmured, his gaze wandering my body in a way that reminded me that I was wearing nothing but a towel. Instinctively, I clutched at the towel, attempting to keep it from falling.


    Noah''s lips quirked upward at the movement. Lifting one hand, he extended his index finger to toy idly with the loose edge of the towel where it hung dangerously low over the swell of my breasts.


    "You know... it is the night of our monthly intimacy, isn''t it?" he said, the words dripping with heavy insinuation as the towel slipped a few tantalizing inches lower.


    My breath hitched sharply at both the realization and the burning trail left in the wake of Noah''s fingertip grazing along the top curve of my breast. Suddenly, the scent of his skin, his proximity, the familiar hardness of his body-it all began to make my head spin. Goddess, I wanted him.


    But I knew I needed to step back, to put some space between Noah and myself before I did something I would regret-before I made things even moreplicated than they already were.


    Just as Noah''s finger curled, clearly prepared to simply yank the towel off entirely and have his way with me right here, right now, I managed to get a grip on myself. I took a step back, looking away with a clenched jaw,


    "There''s no need for that anymore," I managed, my voice sounding more confident than I really felt in that moment. "Those nights are over."


    Noah arched one eyebrow at me, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of something I couldn''t quite read as


    he looked at me. "Is that so?" he asked. "And why is tC0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    As he spoke, he moved closer still until his body was washing over me in waves. Noah''s hand came up to c mouths were aligned.


    "Unless you''re finally pregnant?" he murmured, his bre


    I felt the blood drain from my face at the words, my st he-?


    But then Noahughed again, louder this time, and to


    "I''m just messing with you," he said, tugging on his shi no intruders in the house-not while I''m here."


    With that, he strode out of the room. My towel slipped

 Chapter 96

    Chapter 0096 Noah


    Noah strode into the conference room, his brow furrowed in thought as he took his seat at the hea the long table. It was early, far too early for most, but his team had grown ustomed to his prope for pre-dawn meetings over the years. One by one, the others began to file in-Simon, his head of security, Margaret, his chief of staff; Leo his lead event coordinator. They muttered good-mornings and took their respective seats, blinking r to stave off sleep. Only once they were all seated did Noah break the heavy silence, clearing his throat.


    "I''ve called this meeting to discuss the ns Hannah has been working on for the uing Lunar Festival celebrations," he began, withdrawing the notes he had taken from Hannah''s office out of his briefcase and sying them out on the table. "Take a look at these and let me know your thoughts." The others leaned in, scanning over the pages covered in Hannah''s handwriting. Detailed outlines, proposed event schedules, lists of potential vendors and entertainment acts-it was all there, meticulously plotted out.


    After a few moments of silence, Margaret was the first to speak up. "These are... very impressive, Alph She nced up at Noah over the rim of her fashionable sses. "I had no idea the Luna had such an e for this sort of t hing."


    Me neither, Noah thought to himself. Seriously, where did thise from? It sometimes felt as if the meek, pouty little Hannah he hade to know over the years had beenpletely reced by someone else.


    A murmur of agreement rippled around the table as the others slowly began to nod, their expressions a mixture of surprise and begrudging respect.


    Even Leonard, typically one of Hannah''s most vocal critics, couldn''t seem to find anything overtly negative to nitpick as his sharp gaze raked over the ns again and again.


    "Where is the Luna this morning?" Simon asked rather abruptly. "Shouldn''t she be here?"


    "Yes, Alpha," Margaret added with a curt nod. "Perhaps, with the Alpha Council choosing a host for this year''s Lunar Festival quite soon, she should be here-after all, she seems to be taking an interest in the matter."


    "You think she should have a seat on my council?" Noah couldn''t keep the slight edge of disbelief from creeping into his tone, although he did his best to keep his expression neutral.


    Simon and Margaret nodded in unison, although Leonard remained momentarily quiet.


    The idea hadn''t been one that Noah had honestly entertained before. After all, Hannah had only just recently begun taking an interest in the pack. Normally, she spent all of her time drinking and shopping and going out with her friends. Buttely. Lately something had changed. Almost like a switch had been flipped. Now, all of a sudden, she was interested in all kinds of things.


    1/3


    +251


    Noah couldn''t deny the truth of the matter: these ns really were damn good, better than anything his own team could have hoped to put together. If Hannah could channel this same dedication and skill on a more consistent basis, then..... Well. He would have been a fool to simply dismiss the Idea from the start, no matter how angry she made. him sometimes.


    "I must say," Leonard piped up unexpectedly, pulling Noah from his reverie, "Luna Hannah has been improving in leaps and bounds ofte, that much is undeniable."


    There was a pause, during which Leonard''s deep set eyes seemed to bore straight through Noah. Noah. knew what wasing. However.


    "However..." The word hung heavy between them for a moment before Leonard continued. "I must question the wisdom of giving her too much responsibility, too much power. Particrly where you are concerned, Alpha. If I may..." Noah''s jaw clenched instinctively at the "Put simply," Leon


    n''s jaw card continued grimlytle insinuation in Leonard''s tone-but he nodded, waving his hand toward Leonard. "Go ahead, Leonard. Speak your mind."


    rift between yourself and the Luna has not gone unnoticed by the pack despite your efforts to preserve a unified front. Word travels, whispers of an impending separation and even a divorce grow louder by the day. You would do well to consider whether inviting vtility into the heart of y of your inner circle would be prudent, given the circumstances." The words hung heavy between them all, a stark truth given voice that could no longer be ignored or pushed aside. Noah felt a muscle ticking in his cheek as he mulled over Leonard''s words.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    He was right, damn him. For all of Hannah''s recentpetence in her Luna duties, from nning events to volunteering and handling social issues with grace, at the end of the day their distance between one another posed a very serious threat. position with the Alpha Council if Noah wasn''t careful.


    Noah hadn''t been close close enough with Hannah for 101 a


    And that not knowing couldpletely undermine thy long time, and thus he didn''t even truly know where her loyaltiesy. He didn''t truly know what was going on in her head, or what her ns were once their three-month agreement was up.


    Slowly, Noah swept his gaze over the other members of his team. He could see the conflict flickering in their expressions, the silent acknowledgment that Leonard was right. Noah''s rtionship with Hannah was a bit of a loose cannon, and rumors... Well, rumors held a lot of weight. A lot, especially if they were true.


    With a resigned sigh, Noah ced his hands t on the table in front of him and rose to his feet abruptly.


    "Thank you for your candor, Leonard," he said. "I need to think for a while. You''re dismissed."


    With that, he watched as his team got up and left. Only once he was alone again did he sink back down into his chair and pinch the bride of his nose.


    "Hannah, Hannah," he muttered to himself, shaking his head.


    +25


    He knew what he needed to do. If rumors about their impending divorce really were beginning to throughout the pack... spread


    He would have to take drastic measures to salvage what little remained of his and Hannah''s public image -even if it meant deluding everyone, himself included, if only for a little while longer. Just long enough to host the Lunar Festival, boost their approval ratings, and then divorce one another quietly. I hopefully, peacefully.


    And


    Noah wasn''t sure if he knew what that meant anymore when it came to his wife. But if she wasn''t happy, the people could tell-and the people seemed to love her ofte. If Noah wasn''t careful, she very well might take the whole damn pack with her when they got divorced.


    Peace


    And then he would not only be the Alpha who had lost his Luna, but the Alpha who had lost... well, everything.


    No. That couldn''t happen, and Noah knew what he needed to do in order to keep it from happening: damage control. In public, where everyone could see.


    Shaking his head sharply, Noah fished his phone from the inner pocket of his suit jacket and tapped out a quick message to his assistant.


    "Book The Eclipse for this weekend. Invite everyone we know."

 Chapter 97

    Chapter 0097 Chapter 0097 Hannah


    I stood in the bathroom, staring at my reflection in the mirror as Viona fussed with my hair. My fingers fidgeted nervously with the satin fabric of the simple silver gown that Noah had sent over earlier.


    The straps were encrusted with delicate pearls, and it had a sweetheart neckline that entuated my breasts in a way that I doubt he expected-if he was even the one who had picked out the gown and not his assistant.


    "I can''t believe he''s doing this again," I muttered, shaking my head. Viona met my gaze in the mirror, her brow furrowing slightly.


    "Trying to butter you up, you mean?" she asked as she curled a lock of my hair into an elegant updo. I nodded, pursing my lips.


    A soft knock came at the door then, and Amber poked her head in. "Everything okay in here?" Her gaze fell on the gown that I was wearing. "Oh, wow. That''s gorgeous."


    Emma trailed in behind her, her eyes widening a bit when she saw me. "Is that for tonight? Alpha Noah has good taste."


    I shifted ufortably at the reminder, Noah was up to something, that much was clear. But what?


    "Here, let me," Amber said, stepping up beside Viona. The two of them worked in tandem, gently tilting my head this way and that as they put the finishing touches on my hair and makeup.


    Emma hovered by the door, watching quietly. I caught her eye in the mirror and gave her a warm smile, which she returned shyly. It was clear that she still wasn''t used to the whole idea of being a part of our friend group, but she was slowly warming up to us-and us to her. "You''re going to look so beautiful," she said softly. "Alpha Noah won''t know what hit him."


    I wanted tough at that, but there was something so earnest about Emma''s tone that I couldn''t bring myself to make light of it. Instead, I simply nodded.


    "Alright, I think you''re ready," Viona announced, stepping back to admire her handiwork, I turned this way and that in the mirror, admiring the transformation-I really did look beautiful. And I felt it, too; not just a mask.


    If only this sudden, impromptu event that Noah had invited me to was in earnest. But I knew better than that now. He had something up his sleeve, I just didn''t know what.


    Suddenly, Emma sna***ed up a bright red lipstick from the counter. "I think you need this," she said, holding it out to me. "It''ll go with the dress really well. And give you a little extra confidence."


    Iughed, but took the offered lipstick, carefully swiping it over my lips and pursing them at my reflection. The bold color made me feel powerful, desirable-s****yAll content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Perfect," Viona said with a nod of approval.


    There was a suddenmotion from downstairs, the sound of the front doors opening and shoes scuffing against the marble floor. My heart leapt into my throat as I recognized Noah''s voice. Chapter 0097


    +


    I wasn''t expecting him to still be here. I had assumed he would go on ahead, leaving me to make my own way to... whatever this event was.


    The others seemed to realize it too, exchanging worried nces.


    T''ll go have a look," Viona whispered, slipping out of the room.


    For a moment, there was silence, then the sound of Vigna''s stunned voice drifting back up the stairs.


    "Oh, Alpha Noah... you look very handsome this evening."


    There was a murmured response from Noah that I couldn''t quite make out, and then the sound of Viona''s rapidly approaching footsteps. A momentter, she reappeared in the doorway, shooting me a meaningful look. "He''s waiting for you in the foyer," she said simply.


    I couldn''t help but scoff. "Well, I''ll be," I mused, gathering up my clutch and primping my hair onest time in the mirror. "Noah must have died and been reced with someone else if he''s actually waiting for me."


    Viona and Amber both let out snorts. Emma eyed the three of us for a moment before shooting me an empathetic nce; no doubt her own husband had pulled simr antics on her while he was cheating. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I gave a sharp nod and started toward the door. I made my way downstairs, and I could feel my pulse thundering in my ears with every step.

 Chapter 98

    Chapter 0098


    And then, there he was. Standing in the middle of the foyer in an impably tailored tuxedo, hands sped behind his back, Noah looked... Well, he looked amazing. His broad shoulders seemed to strain ever so slightly against the fabric of his jacket, his waist narrowly nipped in on either side. Our eyes met across the space between us, and I watched as his gaze roamed over me in a slow once- over that made my stomach flip. For the briefest of moments, his expression shifted, softening ever so slightly as his lips parted. It was so fleeting I couldn''t be sure I hadn''t just imagined it. But then he seemed to catch himself, his features settling back into their usual inscrutable mask as he strode toward me. Stopping just in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne, Noah held out his hand, his palm facing up. "Shall we?" he asked.


    I stared at his hand for a heartbeat, feeling utterly perplexed by the gentleman who stood in front of me. Part of me wanted toe up with some sort of witty remark, some bitingment that would bring out his usual harsh self.


    But I didn''t. I couldn''t bring myself to. Instead, I nodded slightly then ced my hand in his, trying not to dwell on how perfectly it seemed to fit against hisrger one.


    He gave my fingers the smallest of squeezes before turning and leading me toward the front doors where a sleek town car was idling outside. One of the servants hurried forward to open the door for us, and Noah paused, gesturing for me to go ahead of him. "Go on," he said, his voice taking on a gentler tone that I had perhaps not heard in months, maybe even years. "Ladies first."


    "Thank you." I couldn''t quite keep the bewildered frown from creasing my brow as I ducked into the car, sliding across the soft leather seats to make room for him beside me. He slid in after me, and the servant shut the door,


    As the door closed behind us with a quiet snick, cutting off the cool evening air, I found myself abruptly very aware of just how close Noah was sitting to me. So close, in fact, that his thigh touched mine through my skirt. "Where are we going?" I asked, partially out of curiosity and partially to fill the awkward silence.


    "You''ll see." Noah nodded to the driver, who pulled away from the curb and began to head down the driveway.


    As the sound of the pebbled driveway beneath the tires filled the car, Noah''s arm brushed against mine once more. The crisp scent of his cologne surrounded me, and I felt heat prickling along the back of my neck as his piercing green gaze settled on me-really settled on me, not just ncing in my direction.


    "Are you excited?" he asked.


    1 licked my lips nervously, struggling to think of what to say in response. Of course I wanted to be excited, but I was also wary of whatever he was ying at.


    All I knew was that he had scheduled an impromptu event tonight, and that a lot of people would be there. Even Viona, Amber, and Emma would be heading there after me. But that was all I knew. I didn''t know the reasons behind this event.


    And I especially didn''t know the reasons behind this lovely gown and Noah''s oddly gentlemanly behavior.


    But before I could even begin to find the words in response, Noah spoke, his voice a low rumble barely audible over the purr of the engine.


    "You look beautiful tonight, Hannah." His green eyes met mine, and he reached out to brush a stray strand of hair out of my eyes. "Truly."


    mAll content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    My breath caught in my throat at the suddenpliment, a flush creeping up into my cheeks. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, and it was all I could do to not swoon into hisp right then and there. He was just trying to butter me up. He had to be. That was the only exnation for...


    For all of this.

 Chapter 99

    Chapter 0099  Chapter Hannah


    0099


    The town car pulled up to the curb outside an upscale restaurant downtown, its sleek lines and modern architecture gleaming under the soft glow of the streemps. The Eclipse. I found myself eyeing the ce with a mixture of apprehension and begrudging curiosity: Noah hadn''t taken me here before. Just what kind of event was this, exactly?


    Noah stepped out first, straightening his tuxedo jacket as the driver came around to open my door. He held out his hand to help me out, and I took it warily, still half-expecting his usual gruff demeanor to snap back into ce at any moment. But he simply gave my fingers a gentle squeeze before gesturing toward the restaurant''s entrance with a slight dip of his chin. "Shall we?"


    With a small huff, I allowed him to tuck my hand into the crook of his elbow, leading me up


    p the short flight of steps to the ornate double doors. A sharply-dressed host waited on the other side, his expression polite as ever. "Alpha Noah," the host said with a deep bow before turning to me. "Luna Hannah. Right this way."


    The host ushered us through the extravagant lobby toward a pair of elevators, pressing the call button with a white-gloved hand. The soft ding of an arriving elevator sent a strange flutter of nerves through my stomach that I couldn''t quite ce. Noah''s behavior had been so bizarre tonight, so oddly gentlemanly-so much unlike his usual abrasive self. I still couldn''t shake the nagging feeling that he had some sort of ulterior motive, that he was ying at something I couldn''t yet see. Either that, or I had been reced with Zoe''s appearance and I hadn''t even realized it yet. Maybe I should check the mirror, I mused to myself with a faint ghost of a smirk tugging at my lips.


    "Your party is on the top floor," the host said as we stepped onto the elevator. "I hope you enjoy your experience."


    "Thank you," Noah said as the doors slid shut.


    Only once we were alone and the elevator was slowly dinging its way up each floor did I finally-find it impossible to hold my tongue. "What''s all this about?" I found myself asking, turning to look up at the underside of Noah''s chiseled jaw. "Noah, if this is another-" "Patience, Hannah." His voice was low, and when he tilted his chin down to regard me down the length of his nose, there was a surprisingly soft glint to his eyes. You''ll see soon enough."


    The rest of the elevator ride up the tall high-rise building was silent, filled only with the sound of my heart pounding in my ears as I struggled not to let my mind run away from me. Now, my curiosity was more piqued than ever. But I supposed I would find out soon.


    Finally, the doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing what could only be the restaurant''s most luxurious private event space at the top of the building Soft music and the dull roar of conversation


    +25 BCNUS Chapter 0099


    spilled out into the hallway, and I caught a glimpse of twinkling ss chandeliers and white tablecloths through the open double doors.


    "After you," Noah murmured, his breath fanning across the fine hairs at the nape of my neck as he gestured for me to lead the way.


    Squaring my shoulders, I stepped out into the dimly lit space, immediately spotting a few familiar faces. mingling amongst the well-dressed crowd. I knew instantly that it must have been some kind of high society event, just judging from the high profile Alphas and Lunas. Networking. That was what this was. Nothing more, nothing less.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Almost as soon as I had the thought, a towering figure detached itself from the nearest group, striding toward us with purpose.


    "Alpha Noah!" The booming voice belonged to an Alpha who I didn''t recognize at first, although as he approached, I could ce him as the Alpha of one of our neighboring packs. I couldn''t quite remember his name, as I hadn''t seen him or his wife in a very long time. "Evening, Alpha Matthias," Noah inclined his head respectfully as the other man approached. "It''s been too long, my friend."

 Chapter 100

    Chapter 0100


    "Indeed, indeed." The Alpha waved a hand dismissively, his clever eyes raking over me in an appraising sort of way. "And this enchanting creature must be the lovely Luna Hannah. It''s been a while since we''ve met, Luna."


    I managed a terse smile and held out my hand. "It''s a pleasure, Alpha Matthias."


    "The pleasure is all mine." The Alpha lifted my knuckles to his lips, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he kissed my knuckle. "And might I say, your beauty is simply unmatched this evening. Truly, Noah is a lucky man."


    I felt Noah stiffen almost imperceptibly beside me, but simply smiled again and murmured my thanks. Seemingly satisfied, the Alpha pped his hands together and turned an expectant look on Noah. "Now, Alpha, you know the rules-we mustn''t let our women go thirsty!". With that, he reached out and waved over a waiter who was carrying a tray of bubbling champagne flutes. He took two and handed one to Noah, then held one out to me while he took a third for himself.


    I felt my stomach drop. "Oh, no alcohol for me tonight, I said with a wave of my hand, refusing to the drink. "Thank you, though."


    takeC0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    The Alpha shot me an almost offended look. "It''s customary for the host to drink to a toast, isn''t it?" he asked, raising his own ss. "Come now."


    There was a tense silence for a moment, and I began considering whether it would be easier to just take the ss and pretend to sip in order to avoid scrutiny. But before I could even move, Noah spoke up.


    "I''m afraid Hannah is abstaining from alcohol this evening per her doctor''s orders. A stomach bug, you see." He shot me a meaningful look out of the corner of his eye. "However, I would be honored to drink for the both of us tonight."


    A slight frown creased the Alpha''s brow for the shortest of moments before he let out a deep, rumbling chuckle and pped Noah firmly on the shoulder.


    "We''ll just have to double up your servings then, eh?" He chortled again, shaking his head in amusement as he handed the out ss that was meant for me toward Noah instead. Noah took it easily, now holding one drink in each hand. "To a good evening." Noah then said simply, tipping one ss back and draining it in one long pull.


    I watched in disbelieving silence as he set the empty flute aside and lifted the second to his lips without preamble, seemingly unaffected by the bubbling champagne. Only once he had drained that ss as well did the other Alpha seem pleased.


    "A true Alpha drinks like a man!" he said, pping Noah''s shoulder again with enough force to rock him on his feet. "Well done, well done. Now if you''ll excuse me, I''m afraid I''ve been neglecting my own wife this evening...


    With that, he turned and lumbered away, disappearing back into the crowd with a surprising litheness for a man of his age and stature. Noah watched him go, his expression carefully neutral.


    Then, without warning, he reached out and took my arm, steering me firmly toward the hallway that led back to the elevators.


    "Noah, what-?"


    "Shh." His voice was low, dangerous, the smell of champagne sharp on his breath as he hauled me into the empty corridor and pinned me against the wall.


    I opened my mouth to protest, but the words caught in my throat as he leaned in close, those piercing green eyes suddenly feverish. I felt feverish now, too, with his body pressed firmly against mine. "You''re pregnant," he growled, onerge handing to rest on my abdomen, his fingers sying out possessively. "Aren''t you?"


    My heart stuttered in my chest, my eyes widening in shock and sudden, Inexplicable panic.


    "Noah, I-"


    "Don''t lie to me," he cut me off, his voice going low and gravelly in a way that sent a shiver rippling through me. His breath was hot against my cheek as he leaned in closer still, his fingers flexing against my stomach. "You are pregnant with my child, aren''t you?"

 Chapter 101

    Chapter 0101


    Hannah


    Noah''s breath fanned across my skin, raising trails of goosebumps in its wake.


    "I''m.... I''m not pregnant, Noah," I said slowly, willing my voice to remain steady beneath his re. His eyes bored into mine, that piercing green gaze somehow making me feel utterly exposed despite the dim lighting of the restaurant. "Don''t lie to me," he growled again, his fingers flexing against my abdomen. "You haven''t had a drop of alcohol in weeks now. And you''ve been throwing up, I know you have... And your cravings..."


    His voice trailed off, and I felt a flush of heat creep up the back of my neck. It was true-all of those things were true. I was pregnant. But I couldn''t tell him; not now, not when we only had two months left before our divorce.


    Noah seemed to sense my hesitation, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly as he leaned in event closer. I could smell the tang of champagne on his breath, see the slight flush dusting his chiseled cheekbones as the alcohol began to kick in. know what you''re like, better than you think I do," he rumbled. "You used to drink all the time, maybe even a bit too much if we''re being honest. But now..."


    He shook his head slowly, his eyes flickering down to my stomach once more. "Something''s different."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    I opened my mouth, struggling to find the words to reassure him even though I knew all of it would be a lie. Swallowing hard, I reached down and gripped his wrist, guiding his palm t against my emaciated stomach.


    "Do I even look pregnant to you?" I asked quietly, unable to keep the slight tremor from creeping into my voice. "I''m... I''m thinner than ever, Noah. Just look at me. I''m disgusting."


    Noah''s gaze dropped to where my body met his hand, where his fingers were syed over the satin material of my new dress. I watched his throat work as he swallowed hard, the muscles in his jaw ticking almost imperceptibly.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity of nothing but silence, Noah stepped back abruptly, releasing me from his intense scrutiny. I felt like I could breathe again as his solid warmth retreated away from me.


    "You''re right-about one thing," he said quietly. "You do seem thinner. But..."


    He paused, swallowing hard again before he turned his head and continued. "You''re not disgusting. Hannah."


    Thosest words struck me to my core, and they seemed to do the same for him. I watched as a muscle jumped in his chiseled jaw, conflict flickering behind those green eyes of his. Part of me wanted to reach out, to pull him back toward me. But the other part, the sicker part...


    The other part of me felt relieved that he had finally noticed.


    Maybe it was twisted. But I couldn''t deny the small flutter of satisfaction-that maybe, just maybe, he cared. Even if only a little.


    "Thank you," I said simply.


    Chapter 0101 25 BONUS


    He stared at me for a long moment, seemingly weighing my words. Then, almost of its own ord, his hand lifted, those long fingers skimming the soft flesh of my cheek before I had a chance to recoil.


    "Just promise me," he said gruffly, "that you won''t take those damn diet pills anymore. Or...or make yourself sick." His expression twisted briefly, as though the very thought was distasteful to him.


    I felt heat rushing to my face, a potentbination of shame and relief and guilt over the fact that I hadn''t told him what I had learned about the diet pills. For a moment, I almost did tell him; but not now. Not tonight. Another night. Wordlessly, I extended my hand and stuck my pinky out.


    1 pinky promise."


    Noah''s eyes crinkled ever so slightly at the corners as he stared at my small finger for a moment. Then, slowly, he lifted his own hand and curled hisrger finger around mine. "Like we used to," I said softly, feeling an inexplicable sting behind my eyes at the memory of days long ago when we participated in silly, romantic little gestures like pinky promises and butterfly kisses. "Do you remember?" Chapter 0102

 Chapter 102

    Chapter 0102


    The smallest hint of a lopsided smile tugged at the corner of Noah''s mouth as he gave a slow nod. "It''s been a while, but yes. I remember. I think thest time was on our honeymoon."


    The words knocked the breath from my lungs in a surprised little huff. My mouth curved upwards despite myself as I felt a distant memory tug at the edges of my consciousness. "You really remember that?" "Of course I do." Noah''s voice was low, so low I almost couldn''t hear it. "I pinky promised to... to always love you."


    The breath caught in my throat as my eyes snapped up to meet his, that fluttery, hopeful feeling suddenly surging through me like I was falling in love all over again. "Noah..."


    But the moment was broken as a strange shadow flickered across his expression, his eyes going shuttered and distant as he seemed to remember something. His hand fell away from mine as he straightened abruptly and smoothed down his jacket. "But you broke that promise," I found myself saying, the words slipping out from between my lips before I could stop them.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Noah''s jaw clenched hard, the muscle beneath his skin ticking furiously as he stared down at me for a long few moments. I could practically see the anger, the frustration rolling just beneath the surface, threatening to boil over. There it is, I thought to myself. The man beneath the mask.


    I guess I felt a little bad for goading him out. 1 liked this gentlemanly version of him; maybe I had been too harsh just then.


    Then, just as abruptly, the storm seemed to pass. His expression went carefully nk as he simply turned on his heel and started walking back toward the main event space, leaving me to trail uncertainly after him.


    The dull roar of mingled conversation and soft music washed over us as Noah led us back out onto the edge of the dance floor. I opened my mouth to speak-but the words caught in my throat as he turned suddenly, sweeping me into his arms in one smooth motion "Noah, what-?"


    "Just dance with me," he said curtly, his palm settling against the small of my back as he guided us into a slow waltz to the time of the music.


    I had no choice but to go along with him, falling into step beside him almost automatically. We moved together in silence for several endless moments before I found my voice again.


    "What''s your angle tonight?" The question slipped out before I could think better of it, my eyes searching his closed expression for any hint of what was going through that unfathomable mind of his.


    "What do you mean?"


    shrugged. "You''re being... a perfect gentleman." Despite you egging him on, I thought to myself before. continuing. "So unlike you."


    A muscle twitched just above Noah''s eye, but his gaze remained steadfastly fixed over my shoulder,


    refusing to meet my gaze.


    "I don''t have an angle," he finally said in a perfectly measured tone.


    I scoffed before I could stop myself, the sound sharp and disbelieving even to my own ears. "You''re going to try and tell me you don''t want something from me? That this whole..." I waved a hand vaguely, indicating his pristine tuxedo, thevish event surrounding us, thing isn''t just to get something that you want? Just like the diamond ne?" Those piercing green eyes flickered briefly in my direction, holding my gaze for the smallest fraction of a second before sliding away again. But in that fleeting instant, I thought I caught a glimpse of... something. Something raw, unguarded. Almost like regret.


    Then, just when I was certain he was going to brush me off or pull away entirely, Noah moved so quickly and with such unexpected purpose that I let out a gasp.


    One moment I was staring up at him, swaying slowly to the music. The next, his hands were cupping my face, tilting my chin up. His lips locked together with mine for the first time in... Forever.


    GE

 Chapter 103

    Chapter 0103


    Chapter


    Hannah


    0103


    The kiss felt like a dam had broken.


    I melted into Noah''s arms despite my best efforts, my fingers clutching almost desperately at the crisp fabric of his tuxedopels. It had been so long-far too long-since I had felt the heat of his mouth against mine.


    He hadn''t kissed me in what felt like an eternity; we hadn''t even locked lips during our monthly intimacy nights in ages, too focused on simply getting the job done. But now...


    A soft, broken sound escaped the back of my throat, something between a gasp and a moan m**ed by the insistent press of his lips. Thankfully, it was drowned out by the music.


    Too much, it was too much. And yet, somehow, it was nowhere near enough all at once.


    I


    Just when I thought I might actually copse from the sheer intensity of the moment, Noah was pulling away. Not far, just enough to allow us both to breathe a little. His hands remained pressed aroun his shoulders crowding around me like a solid wall. my jaw,


    My eyes fluttered open slowly, dazedly, only for the breath to catch in my lungs once more at the fiery hunger zing in Noah''s eyes. The depths of those green irises seemed to burn with a fire I hadn''t seen in well, forever, if I was being honest with myself.


    I couldn''t decide if I wanted to lean in and taste that smoldering heat with my lips one more time for good measure, or whether I wanted to turn and run as far from this ce as I possibly could.


    But it didn''t matter, because it seemed as though the awe-stricken crowd had decided for me. Their lovesick Luna and Alpha had just kissed in public, after all. It was quite the spectacle. "Alpha Noah! Luna Hannah! Over here, please!"


    We both startled, Noah''s hands falling away from me as if he had been burned as he snapped his head. toward the sound. A sharply dressed reporter was pushing her way through the crowd, and I recognized her immediately. Emily, the journalist who I had once hired.


    "Could I interview the two of you?" she asked as she approached. "Just a few questions?


    Noah''s expression had gone carefully nk, that brief glimpse of himself tucked neatly away once more. I nced up at him, but found nothing there. Not even a whisper of that almost feral desire that I had seen moments before. The smart thing to do would be to politely decline. After all, I had had one interview with Emily before and Noah hadn''t necessarily approved.


    But I knew that Noah had likely invited her here for a reason. And who was I to shy away from a little more positive press?


    "I''d love to," I said, looping my arm through Noah''s once more. "What do you say, Noah?"


    Noah paused beside me for a split second before seeming to force himself to rx, his free handingAll content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    up to rest on top of mine. "That sounds nice," he said.


    The three of us made our way off to the side, ignoring the curious looks of the other guests as we found a table to settle at. Noah waved over a server, who set down various drink sses and a tray of hors d''oeuvres in the middle of the table. "So," Emily said,ying out her notepad, "this event is quite exciting, and such ast-minute affair. May I ask what the reason for celebration is?" Noah cleared his throat smoothly before I could speak. It''s our anniversary."


    My eyes widened. Anniversary? We had gotten married in the fall, not...


    "The anniversary of our meeting." he added, shooting me a pointed nce. I paused, trying not to furrow my brow. But we hadn''t met on this date. He knew that, right?


    "Oh, how romantic," Emily said, jotting on her notepad, "It''s so sweet that you remembered. Most couples only care about their wedding anniversary, or the date that they started going steady."


    "Yes, well," I started, trying not to show how perturbed I was as I tried to gather my racing thoughts. "Noah and I are="

 Chapter 104

    t


    Chapter 0104 Chapter 0104Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    "We''re the sentimental type," Noah Interjected smoothly, his warm palm settling firmly over my hand. He shot me a subtle look-almost a warning.


    So he was up to something tonight. I was sure of that now.


    If Emily noticed anything amiss, she didn''t show it. She simply nodded agreeably, waiting with her pen


    poised over her notepad as Noah proceeded toy out a slick, clearly pre-rehearsed response about the importance of the little things when ites to love. Bullshit, all of it, I thought to myself. Seriously, what''s his angle? This isn''t the day we met. It''s just a random Saturday.


    Still, I calmly watched his profile as he spoke, admittedly impressed by the steady cadence of his deep voice and the effortless confidence and charisma he projected. This was the Noah I remembered so vividly from our earliest days, the born leader with an uncanny ability tomand any room.


    Had he always been a liar like this? Even back during the days when he did things like making pinky promises? Were those all rehearsed moments, too? Before I could dwell too long on my thoughts, however, Emily cleared her throat gently and pulled me from my reverie.


    "Lovely sentiment, Alpha. And you, Luna Hannah?" she turned to me with a pleasant smile. "Might we have a few words from you as well?"


    "Excellent," Emily said, flipping to the next page of her notebook. "I have to ask-how old were you when you and the Alpha first met, Luna Hannah? Before your bond was sealed, I mean. There''s been such a veil of secrecy surrounding the details of your rtionship. How many years has it been today?"


    I opened my mouth to respond. "I was se


    But before I could finish, Noah jumped in, smooth as ever. "Hannah was fifteen years old when we first met," he answered, patting my hand. "I was going on eighteen. We would have been high school sweethearts, had we been from the same pack."


    My head whipped around at that, my heart pounding. That wasn''t right. Not at all. I had been seventeen, Just a few months younger than Noah.


    As Noah went on to prattle along about young love and the like, I felt as if my world had twisted around me. Another lie, another subtle changing of details... and for what? For his own gain, his own narrative?


    Or had he truly forgotten about our past together?


    It hit me then, as I sat there. Goddess, I couldn''t believe it; he had mixed me up with Zoe. He had mixed up their meeting story with ours. How could he? I couldn''t hold it in anymore.


    "Noah," I interrupted, turning to face him, "you got the dates wrong. I was seventeen when we met; I''m only a few months younger than you."


    A tense silence fell over the table at that. Emily''s pen stopped scratching across the paper, Noah''s jaw hung open, and it almost felt as though the entire party had gone utterly silent even though it really hadn''t. I just stared at him nkly, stared at the man who called himself my husband but couldn''t even seem to


    remember my own age..


    And he stared right back at me, unblinkingly, for the longest time.


    Finally, Emily let out a small, nervousugh. "Fifteen and seventeen," she said, taking a sip of her drink. Those are two very different numbers."


    "Yes, they are," I said, keeping my expression carefully neutral as I turned back to face Emily. I managed a thin smile and waved my hand dismissively. "Ah, well. Perhaps he just got me mixed up with someone else." Emilyughed at my light barb, oblivious to the tension beneath the table. Noah, however, had fallen utterly silent.


    Good, I thought to myself as I stered that fake smile on my face and continued on with the interview as if nothing had happened. Serves him right.


    Not that it made it hurt any less.

 Chapter 105

    Chapter 0105 HannahAll content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    The ride back to the mansion was silent, the low rumble of the car''s engine and the tires crunching across the pavement the only sounds that filled the void between us. I kept my gaze fixed out the window, watching the city lights blur past us all too slowly for my liking. I didn''t even dare to turn and look at Noah. How could he not even remember something so simple, so fundamental as the age we were or the date when we had met?


    I remembered every tiny, infinitesimal detail of that night as though it had been just yesterday. From the color of the tie Noah had been wearing on our first date-a deep forest green that almost perfectly matched the color of his eyes-to the slightly nervous way he kept adjusting his shirtsleeves. Hell, I could probably recreate the entire exchange word-for-word if I concentrated hard enough. That moment had been seared into my memory, reyed in my mind''s eye more times than I could count over the long, bitter years that followed. But he had mixed me up with Zoe.


    Zoe, his perfect girl. His true high school sweetheart. I was just an afterthought, and so was our entire rtionship. And tonight, I had made the mistake of thinking for a moment that he actually cared rather than the fact that he was simply using me to fulfill some agenda of his.


    The question was... what agenda? I snuck a sidelong nce at his imposing profile, feeling my teeth grit just upon looking at him.


    Just what had tonight been about, really? All of the soft words and gentlemanly gestures, the pretty dress, and the fancy event... had any of it been real? Or was this whole evening simply another calcted chess move in whatever game Noah was ying? I couldn''t stand the nagging uncertainty any longer.


    "Alright," I said abruptly. "Now that the event is over, are you going to tell me what you actually want?"


    Noah''s piercing gaze flickered in my direction briefly before he looked away once more, but not before I caught a glimpse of something that almost looked like guilt in his eyes. Again,


    "I don''t want anything from you," he finally said, his deep voice even and controlled as ever. "I wanted to have a nice evening out, celebrate our first meeting. Is that so hard to believe?"


    I scoffed before I could stop myself. "Yes, considering that you got me mixed up with Zoe."


    Noah turned to look at me fully again. "I already told you," he insisted, "this has nothing to do with Zoe."


    "But you got our meeting date and ages mixed up.


    "It was an ident." He shook his head and looked out the window again. "I met Zoe in the spring, not the winter. And we were both kids."


    "Oh, so you remember that easily, but not meeting your own wife," I pressed. I shook my head slowly, pursing my lips. "You''ve always cared more about her, anyway. I don''t even know why I let it upset me at Chapter 0105 this point."


    That seemed to strike a nerve. Noah''s jaw clenched for a moment, and he didn''t speak. Finally, when he did, his voice was strained as ever. "Is that what this is about?" he growled. "Dates?" "You tell me. You''re the one who supposedly wanted to celebrate our meeting anniversary."


    For a handful of moments, there was only silence, so heavy it felt like I could hardly even breathe beneath the weight of it. Then, Noah spoke, the wordsing out slow and through gritted teeth. "Fine. There have been... rumors. About us." A muscle in his jaw ticked. "About an impending separation."


    Of course there would be rumors; neither of us had exactly acted like we were madly in love in.... well, years. Maybe not even ever, actually. But that wasn''t what hurt.


    2/2


    Chapter ton

 Chapter 106

    Chapter 0106


    No angle, I thought bitterly, fighting the sting of shameful tears burning at the backs of my eyes. No, not an angle at all, except an attempted coverup, For one fleeting, foolish instant, I had actually allowed myself to believe that Noah was trying. That maybe, just maybe, he wanted to rekindle whatever spark had burned so bright between us once upon time. That the fiery passion in his eyes when he had kissed me might have been real. But of course it wasn''t. Of course not. I was a fool.


    a


    It was nothing more than a desperate ploy to sweep our marital problems back under the rug, to preserve a unified front for the sake of appearances. Politics and posturing, as always.


    And I had fallen for it, dangling helplessly from the gossamer threads of hope like a lovesick moron.


    "1 see," I finally muttered, the words feeling like shards of broken ss in my throat. I shifted my gaze to straight ahead, unable to even look at the man beside me any longer. "Well, thank you for the dress and the lovely evening out, Noah, I appreciate you taking the time to put on such a convincing act, even it was just for show." Out of my peripheral vision, I saw Noah flinch almost imperceptibly at that.


    Tell me one thing, though?" I asked, swiveling my head to pin him with a level stare. "That promise you made on our wedding night about always loving me was that a lie, too? Or were you just a better actor back then?"


    Noah''s expression went utterly, painfully nk at that. For an endless moment, the car was utterly silent not even the engine seemed to make a sound. I was grateful for the partition keeping our conversation private from the driver, because he probably would have been holding his breath, too. Then, Noah swallowed.


    "Hannah.." His voice was low, scratchy, almost pained


    But I didn''t let him finish.


    "Never mind," I said, waving a hand dismissively as I turned to look back out the window. "I don''t want to


    know."


    We spent the rest of the drive in uneasy silence, neither of us daring to speak. Although, I don''t think either of us had anything to say at all.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the wrought iron gates of the mansion came into view. I let out a small breath of relief when I saw the familiar rusty red cups and the thick green ivy climbing the bricks


    Goddess, when we got divorced, I would miss this house. It was always quite pretty.


    The car rolled to a stop at the top of the pebbled driveway, and I reached for the door handle without hesitation.


    "I think you should stay in your office tonight," I stated tly, not even bothering to look in Noah''s direction as I shoved the door open and stepped out onto the driveway. "I want the house to myself."C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Noah didn''t respond, not that I expected him to.


    1/2


    Only once Noah had given the brusque order for the driver to pull away did I turn on my heel, heading for the front door. But I stopped when I heard his voice call after me. "Hannah."


    I froze, feeling my hands clench at my sides. My eyes closed almost involuntarily, and for a moment-just a moment-l almost imagined him jumping out of the car and running to me, taking me into his arms and kissing me there, I imagined him telling me that he always loved me, that he always would, that his promise had been true.


    But he didn''t.


    I turned, slowly, and opened my eyes. He was holding my clutch out the window with a stony expression on his face. 1


    "You forgot this."

 Chapter 107

    Chapter 107.


    My throat tightened as I imagined pouring my heart and soul into something like this, carefully measuring and mixing and frosting, for it to go unappreciated. I thought about the countless hours she must have spent scouring recipes, shopping for the perfect ingredients, preparing and baking and decorating it, only to have it mostly ignored by the very people she had made it for I couldn''t bear it any longer.


    I lifted the fork with a renewed sense of determination, spearing a bite that contained all threeyers and a few berries. I shoved it into my mouth, barely chewing before swallowing it down.


    The richness was almost overwhelming, the bittersweet notes of dark chocte lingering heavily on my sugar-deprived tongue. Goddess, I used to love chocte-but it had been so long since I had had any proper sweets that even the smallest amount of sugar made me feel like I was on crack.


    But I simply speared another bite as soon as I had washed down the first, letting out an audible sound of enjoyment loud enough for the entire room to hear.


    "Oh my. This cake is so good," I dered loudly, shooting Georgia an encouraging smile. "Seriously-great job. You did an amazing job with this."


    Georgia''s head jerked up at the sound of my voice, surprise and excitement registering on her face. I. continued eating with exaggeration, cramming bite after bite into my mouth before pausing to praise her baking skills with a full mouth. "The frosting is just perfect," I said around the cake in my mouth. "And those berries... what a nice touch. You must have bought them this morning."


    Slowly but surely, I started to see movement in my peripheral vision. First one person, then another began following my lead and sampling their slices. More murmurs and noises of enjoyment filled the room, punctuated byughter and chatter, until eventually Georgia was beaming once again.


    At one point, she crossed the circle to settle into the seat beside me, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. I offered her a smile. "Happy birthday="


    "Thank you. For doing that," she whispered before I could finish, her lower lip trembling along with her voice. "Thank you, Luna Hannah."


    I paused, taken aback by the sincerity in her tone. All I had done was eat some cake, and try to encourage others to do the same. "It''s... Delicious cake," I muttered. "It would be a shame to see it go to waste."


    But Georgia simply smiled knowingly, shaking her head at me. "I know what you were doing: setting an example. You didn''t have to, but you did. And I''m d that our very own Luna is a part of this means a lot more to all of us than you realize." group. It


    I paused, unsure of what to say. Maybe the birthday girl was right-maybe it was helpful to the others to have their Luna attend a group like this. I just hoped that, when I eventually divorced Noah and returned to my own pack in the next two months, these women would continue to feel bolstered by the time I spent here.


    But more than that, it else''s spirits. To make them feel epted. Understood.


    relt worth it to lift some


    That was what this group was all about.


    Chapter 0107.


    When the meeting concluded, I felt lighter than I had in a long time as I made my way out to the parking lot, the choctey sweetness of Georgia''s cake still lingering on my tongue.


    I was still smiling to myself as I let myself into the mansion, calling out for my servant to draw me a bath as I slipped off my jacket and my shoes. But the sound of low voices gave me pause, and I froze as ! rounded the corner into the living room,C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    There, on the sofa, sat Noah and two strangers I didn''t recognize-a man and a woman, both wearing matching uniforms. They hadrge bags by their feet with the name of what looked like some sort of spa embossed on the sides. And they seemed to be waiting Noah nced up sharply as I appeared in the doorway, the corners of his lips twitching upwards in a cold, thin smile.


    "Good," he said, checking his watch. "You''re finally home."


    Chapter Dion

 Chapter 109

    Chapter 0109 Hannah


    Noah and I stood in front of each other in the wake of the esthetician''s exit, clutching our robes in our hands. We stared at each other in shocked silence.


    Without a word, Noah turned to walk into the bathroom for some privacy. But my hand shot out to stop him, and I forced a teasing lilt into my tone. "Don''t tell me you''re getting shy on me now."


    Noah''s jaw ticked almost imperceptibly, but he said nothing as he sighed and began unfastening his tie right in front of me. I watched, feeling heat creep up the back of my neck, as he unbuttoned his shirt and inch by inch his broad chest was slowly revealed to me. It had been so long since I had allowed myself to be vulnerable like this in Noah''s presence, to get fully nude. Even during our intimacy nights, I had always wom lingerie. He hadn''t seen me fully naked in... I I couldn''t even remember how long. Too long...


    I cut the thought off abruptly, my cheeks ming. Shaking my head to dispel the memory, I quickly undressed as well, refusing to let my mind wander. Once


    Thee I was fully undressed. I snatched up the plush white robe and wrapped it hastily around myself, fastening the sash at my waist. When I nced up, Noah was shrugging into his own robe, his expression unreadable. silent.


    Noah was silen


    said with mock levity in my tone.


    A few minutester, the estheticians returned with the second massage table, which they set up right next to the first one. Noah gestured for me to take my ce first, and I did-having to disrobe again in front of all of them now. The estheticians were professionals, so that didn''t matter to me. But Noah...


    I


    I could feel the way his eyes wandered my body, even though he tried to hide it. And I couldn''t help but think about that moment at the pic, when we could have... No. Control yourself, Hannah.


    I dropped my robe around my feet and climbed onto the table, keeping my face carefully empty. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Noah mimicked my movements, dropping his own robe to reveal something thick and warm and utterly delightful. My breath caught in my throat, despite my best efforts. Goddess, I needed to get a grip. The longer I stared at his manhood, the more obvious it would be that I wasn''t used to seeing it. And we couldn''t risk any more rumors.


    The massages began, and thankfully, I felt myself rx My esthetician worked with practiced ease, her hands deft and knowledgeable. My muscles began to uncoil in ces where I hadn''t even realized I had been holding tension, and I knew that I needed this. Chapter 0100  +25 NOS


    But then.


    But then.


    "Nngh..." A low, throaty groan pierced the silence.


    I tensed despite myself, my eyes shing open in surprise as sensations not entirely rted to the massage sparked low in my belly. Noah... that rich, rumbling sound hade from him.


    I shifted instinctively, rolling my head across my arms to better see him. Noah''s eyes were clenched shut, his jaw ck as heid on the table. Another soft, deep moan escaped his lips as his massage therapist dug into a particrly tight spot around his broad shoulders, and I felt the urge to wriggle against the sudden heat blossoming throughout my belly. Goddess Godd help the sounds of his moans were intoxicating. Arousing in a way I had not felt in so painfully long. I found myself slipping into a fantasy, one that involved those moans over top of me, in tandem with mine. His muscr shoulders blotting out the light. His narrow hips moving back and forth....


    me.


    Noticing my difort, my therapist cleared her throat softly somewhere above me.


    "Is everything to your liking. Luna Hannah?" she asked.


    Grateful for the sound of her voice pulling me out of my reverie, I dug my face down into my arms to hide my blush and nodded.


    "Yes," I replied. "It''s perfect."


    We


    e spent the remainder of the evening being given the celebrity treatment. Once our massages were done and our bodies were practically thered in massage oils, we were each given samples of the spa''s signature soaps and salts and instructed to shower without wetting our hair just yet. The warmth of the water felt good washing down my body, the scent of the soaps even more rxing than I had anticipated-and they seemed to wash away my dirty fantasies, too. I felt like a new woman when I came out. t over.


    But the night wasn''t


    Next, we each got our facials. Weid face-up on our tables, our faces being exfoliated and smothered in lotions and massaged until it felt like every pore was delightfully empty.


    "My goodness, Luna Hannah," my esthetician mused as she worked my skin. "You have lovely ss skin. It''s absolutely wless."


    I couldn''t help but smile; my skin was my crowning glory. I may have once considered myself fat and I may have now been far too skinny, but my skin... my skin was always beautiful.


    Before I could answer, though, Noah cleared his throat, "She has quite the skincare routine," he said, not in a cruel or judgmental way. He paused then, and what he said next made my cheeks redden even more. "She does have beautiful skin."


    Next, we moved on to our hair. We were each given deep conditioning treatments, followed by scalp massages as the stylists washed our hair out in the sink. Noah''s haircut was first-his hair was quite short, so it didn''t take long-and I watched as the stylist deftly trimmed and styled his hair into a swept- back, effortless look. He looked even more handsome by now, and I had to look away just to hide my awe.


    4


    +25


    Finally, it was my turn. I slid into the chair in front of the vanity and my stylist got to work, carefully trimming my hair andyering it skillfully. She kept the style I always liked, but added subtle curtain bangs that made me feel like a model or an actress. Noah watched from behind, his eyes asionally meeting mine in the mirror. I wanted to tell myself that he enjoyed watching the process of his wife being made even more beautiful, but....


    I knew that he was just entranced by the methodic movements of my stylist, and nothing more.


    "Hmm," my stylist said softly, pinching a strand of hair between her fingers. "Your hair is quite dry still, Luna. You may need another treatment."


    but let out augh. "It''s been bleached within an inch of its life," I admitted.


    I couldn''t help butProperty belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    My


    stylist frowned. "But your hair is a natural blonde, isn''t it? Why bleach it more?"


    Pausing. I nced in the mirror and met Noah''s gaze. His jaw was set hard, his face betraying no emotion where there should have been. I had, after all, traded my beautiful honey blonde locks for tinum ever since we had gotten married. T


    All so I could look more like Zoe.


    Taking a deep breath, I finally answered with a sickly sweet voice. "My husband always preferred the bleach blonde look," I said with a dismissive wave of my hand.


    The stylist chuckled, and I did as well-but I also nced back toward Noah again, secretly hoping that my words had cut him, at least a little bit.


    But when my eyes darted toward the spot where he had been, he was now gone.

 Chapter 110

    Chapter 0110 Hannah


    I smoothed my hands over the front of my dress one final time, allowing the stylist to fuss with a stray lock of hair and apply onest dusting of powder to my face. Across the foyer, Noah was being subjected to a simr flurry ofst-minute primping-his necktie straightened, a bit of pomade worked through his dark hair to hold that sleek look in ce. We didn''t dare make eye contact. Not yet. The tension still cr***d between us, heavy and suffocating. and I couldn''t wait until all of this was over so we could go back to our usual routine of pretending the other didn''t exist. Still, I couldn''t stop thinking aboutst night: about our couples'' spa treatment.


    Being in such intimate proximity to Noah for so long, feeling the heated weight of his gaze raking over my nude body, had awakened something primal and ravenous inside of me. Something I had fought tooth and nail to keep tightly leashed as ofte. Desire. Raw, untempered yearning for the sort of physical intimacy we had never shared easily, Goddess, I just wanted something hot and passionate, and no matter how much I tried to shove it away, I wanted it from him. But it would I never happen. Now, Finally, the


    I carefully avoided Noah''s gaze as our attendants worked, even as I felt the heated **le of it against the side of my face.


    the stylists drew back, allowing Noah and I a moment to breathe before our esteemed guest arrived. A heavy, weighted silence fell over therge foyer, so thick that I could hardly even breathe. Then, Noah shifted ever so slightly. My head turned of its own ord, my gaze immediately meeting his. He was already looking at me.


    Fire burned through my veins. Noah''s eyes were dark, his pupils practically taking up his entire iris so that only a small ring of green was left. His jaw clenched a little tighter when I looked up at him, that handsome chin of his straining beneath the tension. We stared at each other for a moment, each of us seeming to grapple with some sort of unspoken thought. But before I could manage to speak, the doors flung open to reveal two guards nking a woman in the doorway. "Announcing Luna. nna, the Luna Queen," a steward announced, his voice ringing through the foyer. Noah and I were quickly ripped out of our reverie as the Luna Queen, dressed in a sleek ck pantsuit with her gray hair swept back into a perfect updo, stepped through the doors. Noah swept into a perfect bow beside me, and I curtsied, taking care to keep my movements s utterly wless. M-my Queen," I managed to stammer out, my voice timid despite my best efforts. "We are honored to wee you into our home." T Chapter 0110


    StandOriginal content from N?velDrama.Org.


    up straight," the Luna Queen barked without preamble, her voice thin and severe. "And speak clearly, girl. I won''t tolerate sniveling."


    I flushed hotly, feeling the tips of my ears burn a bright shade of red as I hurried to obey. Smoothing my skirts, I rose to my full height, squaring my shoulders as I resolutely lifted my chin. "Please ept my sincerest apologies," I said carefully, willing my tone to remain crisp and clear this time. "It will not happen again."


    The Luna Queen regarded me with beady, hawk-like eyes for several moments, her bony arms folded across her chest as she took me in. Finally, she gave a curt nod, seeming satisfied before turning to Noah. "Now then," she remarked crisply, already pivoting on her heel to brush past us. "Let us begin the tour. I haven''t got all day." Noah a


    and I exchanged a brief, pained look over the Luna Queen''s petite but imposing figure as she marched ahead. This tour was going to be merciless, I could already tell-the old bat would surely find a way to nitpick and criticize everyst square inch of the estate. way nerves were it would be a miracle if I made it through the ordeal without into a fit of rage or even tears As expected, over the next two hours the Luna Queen stalked from room to room, corner to corner, with Noah and I trailing dutifully in her wake, Her bony finger jabbed and gestured at every little w and Imperfection, drawing my attention to microscopic specks of dust on the mantle or slightly askew paintings 1-or anyone else, for that matter-never would have noticed otherwise.


    And


    "Tsk, tsk... you call this a properly maintained residence?" she would chide, pursing her lips into a thin line. "Shameful. Absolutely shameful."


    I gritted my teeth against the urge to bite out a retort, instead ncing over at Noah to see his reaction. He was making a valiant effort at not reacting at all, which I had to admit I admired. I, on the other hand, felt a bit like a live grenade ready to explode. But I med it on the pregnancy hormones and schooled my face into an impassive smile. "Thank you


    I


    k you for pointing that out, Luna nna," I would say with a polite dip of my head before pping to the nearest s***ts. "See that this space is cleaned over again, please." But at one point, as the Luna Queenined over a microscopic scuff on an ornate bannister, I let my gaze slide towards Noah once again. Almost of its own volition, the corner of my mouth twitched upwards in a rueful half-smirk, silently pleading for him to share in my frustration. To my surprise, Noah''s mask slipped the tiniest bit, the line of his jaw softening as he c***d his head mildly in my direction. A hint of wry amusement flickered in the depths of his green eyes, and for the first time in forever, I thought I saw what almost looked like a hint of camaraderie. And suddenly, it was as if no time had passed at all. As though we were simply... Hannah and Noah, back when we had first met. The two teenagers who bonded over shared experiences and maybe, just maybe, loved each other. My heart stuttered in my chest at the thought. No. It wasn''t like that anymore, hadn''t been like that in a long time, maybe had never even been. I quickly tore my gaze away and continued with my measured responses to nna''sints. Finally, the Luna Queen seemed to have run out of steam. "Very well," she said. Chapter 0110


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    25.


    With one


    final, dismissive wave of her hand, she swept towards the front door without so much as a goodbye.


    Noah and I followed her to the door, watching in silent shock as she wordlessly climbed into her expensive car and pulled away.


    "The hell?" Noah blurted out, running a hand through his hair. "She didn''t even say if she was appeased, or well, anything."


    I snorted and turned on my heel. "I think it''s impossible to appease the old b***h," I huffed with a wave of my hand.


    Behind me, Noah made a rough sound at the back of his throat-one that, after a startled beat, made me whip around to stare at him in surprise.


    He was... smiling. No, not just smiling, butughing. Just a snort, really, but a sound of amusement nheless-and at something I had said, no less. And now, his taut jaw was stark against his neck, his white teeth revealed in the first expression of humor I had seen in... well, forever. Goddess, he looked handsome when he was smiling.

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    Chapter 0112 Hannah +25


    y


    BONUS


    eyes


    I groaned as the shrill beeping of my rm clock pierced through my dreams. When I cracked my open against the harsh sound, I was met with a dark room-not even the sun hade up yet.


    For a moment, I considered hitting the snooze button and curling back up under the soft nkets, convincing myself it had just been a mistake and that I still had time to sleep. But then the memory of the previous night came crashing back.


    Noah wanted me up before the sun even rose, dressed and ready in the home gym for our first ''training'' session-whatever the hell that entailed. The mere thought of having to spend extra time with him outside of what was strictly necessary forpetition preparations made me want to pull the covers back over my head and hibernate. But, it needed to be done if we wanted to host the Lunar Festival.


    With a resigned sigh, I forced myself to sit up, throwing the covers back and swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. At least the morning sickness that had been guing metely seemed to have taken the day off, or maybe it was too early yet to start feeling it. Twenty minutester, after brushing my teeth and getting ready, I was making my way down the curved staircase to the first floor. I had my hair pulled back in a messy ponytail and athletic wear that I hadn''t used in ages hugging every curve of my body. The sounds of grunts and thuds echoed out t from the direction of the of admired that about him. Even if it made me roll my eyes.


    making meetings at the crack of dawn. but I had to admit that I sort gym, and I realized with a start that Noah must have already arrived and started his warm-up. Of course he had; he was always an early bird. More than once I had heardints from his team for


    I rounded the corner, my fingers tightening around the end of my ponytail, and promptly froze in the entryway.


    There


    was Noah, bent a at the waist as he gripped the end of a cable weight, his biceps bulging intensely with each rep of his rowing exercise. A sheen of sweat coated his bare torso, stering strands of his tousled hair to his forehead... And I couldn''t help but stare and drink in the delicious sight of him.


    T


    He was irresistibly hot like this. In fact, the thought of having to spend any amount of time in close proximity with him while he looked like that was nearly enough to make me turn on my heel and storm right back out of there. I could feign sickness, I figured; he would be p***ed, but he wouldn''t force me out of my room.


    But unfortunately, it was already toote. Noah''s gaze flicked up before I had a chance to slip away, locking onto me immediately. Wordlessly, he straightened and reached for a towel draped over a nearby railing, using it to wipe the sweat from his brow. "You''rete," he said simply, his voice gruff-although whether from sleep or exertion, I couldn''t be entirely sure.


    bristled at his brusque tone, instantly feeling my earlier desire fade away. "It''s five in the morning. You


    +25 BONOS


    should be d I''m even here right now."


    He quirked an eyebrow at me, but didn''t argue further. Instead, he jerked his chin towards the mats that were waiting at the center of the gym. "We''ll start with some warm-up stretches, then move into light cardio and calisthenics before we get into the real training." Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I strode over to the mats, already dreading whatever Noah had nned for the morning. We settled onto the floor, facing each other, and began our routine of stretches and toe-touches. my surprise, Noah seemed to be


    taking it rtively easy on me-none of the punishing exercises or borderline-sadistic regimens that he usually put himself through in order to achieve his own sculpted physique. But, it seemed as though my peace was short-lived. Because once we had worked up a decent sweat, Noah called for a break and reached into a tote bag I hadn''t noticed before, pulling out... a length of rope? I I couldn''t help but smirk. "Noah, I didn''t know you were into the kinky stuff."


    !


    Noah lled his eyes and shook his head at me. "It''s not like that. It''s in preparation for one of the game challenges," he exined, looping one end of the rope around his right ankle before tossing the remaining half towards me with an expectant look on his face. them and shot him an incredulous look. "You want to tie


    He shrugged. It''s a ssic couples game. We''ll have to race to the end of the mat, turn around, then race back while supporting each other''s weight and maintaining our bnce."


    The skeptical look must have been evident on my face, because Noah''s expression hardened slightly.


    "Just trust me and do it, Hannah."


    Muttering under my breath, I bent down and secured the rope around my left ankle, leaving no ck between us so that my left leg and his right leg were pressed together. We rose to our feet, and Noah looped his arm around my waist.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    It was a gesture that would have made me blush, had not known that it was just for support. I did the same, trying to ignore the hard nes of his bare waist beneath my fingers.


    "Okay, ready?" Noah asked once we were steadied. At my hesitant nod, he turned us towards the far end of the mat. "Three... two... one... Go!"


    We lurched forward, our tethered legs stumbling and hopping clumsily in an attempt to propel us across the mat. I grunted, focusing all my effort on keeping my movements synchronized with Noah''s, but it was useless. We careened towards the end,pletely out of rhythm, and ended up crashing into the padded wall with a dull thud.


    "Dammit!" Noah fumed, gritting his teeth. "You need to move with me, Hannah! We''ll never win like this if we can''t get our rhythm right,"


    I bristled, cing one hand on my hip. "Well, maybe if you didn''t have such... ridiculously long legs that you clearly can''t control, this would be easier!"


    "Oh, that''s real riching from you! You''re short enough to be a child!"


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    We were practically chest-to-chest now, our faces reddening with frustration and anger as we hurled insults at each other. We were so caught up in our bickering, in fact, that neither of us noticed as we began to lose our bnce, teetering precariously- Until, with a startled yelp, we went crashing toward the mat in a tangle of iling limbs. I gasped as the wind was knocked out of me, my back mming against the floor with a solid thwack.


    Not even momentster, Noah''s weight came mming down on top of me.


    "Noah, watch out-"I began, but it was toote. He was already falling with no way of catching himself in time.


    I cried out in pain as his shoulder connected with my outstretched wrist.

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    Chapter 0113


    Hannah


    "Ow."


    I cried out in pain as Noah''s shoulder collided with my outstretched wrist, mming it directly into the section where the soft mats ended and the hard gym floor began. Tears instantly sprang to my eyes, and the sound that escaped my lips next was a pathetic whimper. Noah reacted quickly, although not in the way I expected, I really expected him to tell me that I was fine and to stop being a baby, but he didn''t. Instead, with a muttered curse, he pushed himself up into a seated position, his weight shifting off of me so I could finally His gentle fingers then circled around my hurt wrist, inspecting it closely as concern flickered through his handsome features.


    breathe.


    "Hannah? Are you alright?" His voice was tight with a sense of worry that made me pause. I blinked rapidly, fighting back the tears that were already spilling over despite my best attempts. For several long moments, Noah hovered over me, hisrge frame surrounding mine protectively as he cradled my injured wrist in one warm palm. The furrow between his brows deepened as he took in the hot tears that had streaked down my face. "1-I''m fine," "I lied.


    "No, you''re not. Shit, I''m so sorry," he murmured, using his free hand to tenderly brush away my tears with. the pad of his thumb. "I didn''t mean to hurt you. You know that, right?"


    I could only nod mutely, made speechless by the unexpected tenderness of the man who I had never seen being tender in my life-not toward me, at least. But now, his touch was impossibly gentle, a stark contrast to his usual surly demeanor.


    "Let me look," he said softly, cing my wrist t on his palm. He turned it this way and that, poking and prodding for a moment. I winced a bit when he turned it, but it wasn''t too bad. "It''s not broken. Can you bend it?"


    I nodded again, bending my wrist to satisfy him. It moved easily, indicating that although the pain had been a shock, I was fine.


    Toda


    When Noah finally seemed satisfied that I wasn''t seriously injured, he made to pull away-only to freeze, his green eyes widening almostically. I followed his gaze down to where our legs were still bound together by the length of rope, intimately tangled on the floor. A blush crept up my neck as the realization hit me. Noah cleared his throat roughly, color flooding his cheeks as he quickly got to work untying us. I sat up and moved to help him, our fingers brushing and bumping against each other as we worked. Once we were finally free, Noah immediately turned his attention back to me.


    "You''re sure you''re alright?" he asked, his voice gruff as usual butced with a certain sort of tenderness that made my heart flutter. "I can call the doctor."


    I swallowed hard and shook my head. "N-no, I don''t think so. It just startled me, that''s all.


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    Some of the tension seemed to bleed out of Noah''s shoulders at my words. He cradled my hand between both of his, cupping it gently and causing my heart to pound just a little harder.


    "I hope you know that I would never intentionally hurt you, Hannah," he said softly. "No matter what happens between us... you have to know that."


    His gaze burned into mine, leaving me speechless again. All I could manage to do was blink stupidly up at his zing green eyes like a deer caught in the headlights. My mouth worked uselessly, opening to let out a response but then closing again when no words would Finally, I managed to mutter out two tiny words: "I know."


    Noah let out a soft sigh and nodded, and for the briefest of moments, I swore I could see the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. But it came and went so quickly that I was certain I had imagined it.


    Then, seeming to realize he was still gripping my hand, Noah abruptly dropped it and cleared his throat again, the tips of his ears turning red. "Right, well... I think that''s enough training for today."


    We helped each other to our feet, an awkward silence falling over us in the wake of whatever the hell had just happened. I rubbed absentmindedly at my wrist, not because it was still hurting me, but because 1 could feel the ghost of Noah''s touch lingering there like his fingers were still wrapped around me.


    Noah turned, grabbing his shirt off of the bench and slipping it over his head. I watched out of the corners of my


    y eyes and tried not to let myself blush at the sight of him.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    But then my eyes wandered to his forearm-to the spot where I had bitten him a month ago. It was healed now, but I could still see two small white scars where my fangs had sunk into his flesh.


    The thought made me shudder.


    "You know, I never did properly apologize for... that," I said softly, gesturing to his arm. "The bite I gave you. I''m sorry. Really."


    Noah turned to face me, one eyebrow quirking upwards as he looked at me. "Why are you apologizing?" he asked.


    "I made you bleed. And I left a couple of scars, from the looks of it."


    .


    For a moment, Noah''s gaze fell to his own arm, turning it this way and that as he took in the scars. But then he shrugged. "It''s nothing," he said, then paused, swallowing. "And if I''m being honest... I''m d you did it."


    "Why?"


    "Because it lets me know that you''re capable of protecting yourself if someone ever tries to hurt you."


    My lips parted, but no words came as Noah reached out and traced the faded mark on his forearm.


    I swallowed hard, recalling the night in vivid detail-the brief moment of him grabbing my arm, making me feel cornered. The fight or flight instinct kicking in. That feral need to bite down, to show him that I was no longer the meek little Luna who could be bossed around so easily. Finally, I found my voice. "Still, I''m sorry about that. You didn''t do anything to warrant it, and it was an overreaction and-"


    +25


    "Don''t." Noah cut me off with a shake of his head, letting his hand fall back to his side. "I deserved it. I scared you that night, and you reacted the way anyone should."


    Wepsed into silence once more, each of us seemingly running out of things to say. A slight smile twitched at my lips, but I quelled it and looked away whille Noah gathered his things.


    "Let''s call it a day," he said, checking his watch. I have a meeting to get to."


    I nodded, noticing how his all-business demeanor returned so quickly. Well, that was the end of that, I supposed.


    With that, I turned on my heel and left, knowing that whatever moment we had shared back there had been impermanent, just a fleeting sensation.


    But I couldn''t stop touching my wrist as I walked back to my room-not because it still hurt, but because I could still feel the heat of Noah''s fingers around my

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    Hannah


    0114


    I fidgeted nervously as the stage assistant guided me and Noah through the bustling backstage area, leading us toward the other contestants. The whole ce was like a cacophony of noise-almost too much for my frayed nerves. The games were to be held on arge, t athletic field, and each of the contestants was asked to wear athletic gear. The thought of that made my stomach churn a bit; I wasn''t exactly in the best shape, not with my anorexia and the pregnancy. But I had to perform well today. This was it, after all: the impromptu couplespetition that would determine which pack would be hosting the Lunar Festival this year.


    "You ready for this?" Noah''s gruff voice made me startle, and I nced up to find him watching me with an inscrutable look on his face.


    I opened my mouth, aiming for some appropriately witty retort, but the words got lost on my tongue as movement over Noah''s shoulder caught my eye. My steps faltered as I registered the two figures crossing the field toward us. Drake? Zoe?" I muttered, turning.


    Sure enough, the tall, muscr form of Alpha striding alongside the petite blond Luna could be no one else. Drake and Zoe were here, and they were dressed topete.


    But why? Drake was on the Alpha Council this year, which meant that he wasn''t in the running to host the Lunar Festival. After all, whoever was on the Alpha Council-which rotated every year in order to avoid the same Alphas making all the decisions each year-wasn''t allowed topete to host the Lunar Festival.


    It was only fair, and it was how we had done it for... well, forever. So why did they look like they werepeting, with numbers on their shirts and everything?


    "Are theypeting? Noah asked, clearly sharing in my confusion.


    "I don''t know," I replied, stering on that award-winning smile of mine and waving at the two of them. Drake easily returned my smile, although Zoe could hardly seem to manage more than a stiff nod. "Luna Hannah," Drake said, nodding his head politely as he stopped in front of us. He then turned to Noah, and his smile faltered ever so slightly. "Alpha Noah."" "Drake." Noah''s tone was like ice.


    I turned to Zoe then. "Zoe, it''s so nice to see you. I was actually hoping to speak with you for a moment, if you wouldn''t mind." She shrugged. "Not at all."


    Without waiting for Drake to protest, I looped my arm through Zoe''s and tugged her away, weaving -through the maze of equipment crates and clothing racks until we were rtively isted a little ways away.


    "Zoe, what''s going on?" I asked without preamble, cutting straight to the chase. "Why are you and Drake


    Chapter 01 14


    here? I didn''t think Drake couldpete this year, and you... well, you''re a part of Nightcrest now."


    She sighed, her lips turning down. 1''didn''t want to do this, trust me," she said, ncing over at her shoulder at Noah and Drake, who seemed to be in the midst of a rather stiff conversation. "But..." "But what?"


    "Adam found out about thepetition and got so excited." She shook her head and bit her lip. "You know how kids can be-he got so excited over the prospect of his mommy and daddy being TV stars for a day. He begged me to do it." "And you couldn''t say no to your son," I finished for her.


    Zoe offered a thin smile. "Exactly."


    I was quiet for a moment as my other question was left unanswered. Zoe, however, seemed to read my mind and continued for me.


    "I know what you''re thinking. And... no, Drake is notpeting to host the Lunar Festival. Neither am I." "So what are you doing?" I asked.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    She shrugged, sying her hands out at her waist. "Who knows? I think his aunt insisted. I didn''t bother to get the details."


    Understanding settled over me as Zoe spoke. It all made sense, then-Luna nna, the Luna Queen, adored Drake. Ever since her own daughter had died years ago, she hadn''t ever had another child. But she did treat Drake as her own son. And perhaps... "Zoe, you don''t think that the Luna Queen wanted you and Drake topete together so you could..." voice trailed off, but I didn''t need to finish. Zoe sighed, seeming to understand what I was implying: that the Luna Queen forced Drake and Zoe topete as a ploy to make them get together.

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    Chapter 0115


    1 had the same thought cross my mind," she admitted. "But I didn''t want to sound-


    *-Ladies! If I could have you join the others, we''re about to begin!"


    The announcement cut me off, and Zoe and I both


    T


    directors waving us towards center stage, startled, whipping around to see one of the assistant


    With a resigned look, Zoe tossed her ponytail over her shoulder and strode off toward Drake. I did the same, avoiding Noah''s gaze as I walked up to join him.


    No sooner had the final couple taken their ce on the field than a hush fell over the space. The camera panned over to a tform off to the side, where a lone figure stood holding a microphone. Luna nna. "Alphas, Lunas... wee," the Luna Queen announced. "You have all been gathered here today to prove your worth-to show the people which is truly the best couple to represent the Lunar Festival this year." Her piercing gaze swept over the contestants, seeming to linger just a fraction longer on me, Noah, Zoe, and Drake before moving on. "We will start with a game of agility and coordination," she stated, then paused for dramatic effect. "The egg pass."


    A low murmur rippled through the contestants, broken only as a pair of attendants emerged carrying baskets of eggs, which they passed out to each couple. As the rules were exined, I felt Noah shift ever so slightly next to me.


    I nced up at him, taking in the clench of his jaw and the tense set of his shoulders, and felt a spark of my ownpetitive spirit inside of me. Noah seemed to beser-focused on this; utterly determined to


    win.


    I admired that about him.


    The egg passmenced, each couple passing the egg back and forth and taking one step back. Soon, the eggs were no longer being passed, but tossed-and couple after couple was eliminated when their egg would fall and crack on the ground. But not us. Not Drake and Zoe, either.


    Finally, the buzzer went off, leaving just a handful of couples still in the game. The crowd cheered for that round''s winners, and then the Luna Queen announced the next round; the staring contest.


    Each couple had to hold hands and sit cross-legged in front of each other, holding one another''s stares for a full five minutes. Contestants could blink, but they could not look away,ugh, or fully shut their eyes.


    I cursed inwardly as I sat down, feeling Noah''s warm hands wrap around mine and our knees brush as we settled across from one another. Holding his green-eyed stare was difficult, especially as other couples broke out intoughter around us, eliciting moreughter from the audience. But once again, not us. I wasn''t sure how I did it, but I held Noah''s stare easily, my hands steady in his palms, I breathed slowly, steadying myself, and lost myself in those green depths.


    He seemed to do the same. Not a single flicker of amusement passed over his chiseled face as he stared


    at me.


    I couldn''t decide whether it was ack of interest in me that made this challenge so easy on his end, perhaps he was in another ce in his mind, or perhaps he was simply thatfortable with me.


    It was just as I was going for the second option that the buzzer went off.


    Blinking against the sting in my eyes, I quickly released Noah''s hands and looked around. There were only four couples left: us, two couples from neighboring packs, and... Drake and Zoe.


    How? How the hell had they made it this far? How the hell had they even been allowed to make it this far for people who weren''t supposed to bepeting? My gaze slid over to the Luna Queen, who was still sitting in her plush chair on the tform, and her face was inscrutable-although I still had the inkling that she wanted this, that she wanted Drake and Zoe topete just long enough to rekindle their love. I could just feel it.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    But before I could dwell too long on that thought, Luna nna stood, raising the microphone to her lips


    once more.


    ""Now," she announced, "for the final round... The race!"

 Chapter 116

    Chapter 0116 Hannah


    My heart sank as one of the attendants approached us, a length of rope held in his hands. I eyed it warily, already envisioning the tangled disaster Noah and I were sure to be. We hadn''t trained for this since that one dayst week when we had fought so hard that we had t fallen. "For the final challenge, you''ll be tying your legs together," the man exined, gesturing for us to sit." Once the buzzer goes off, you will race from this starting line to that g over there and back."


    I followed the man''s finger toward the yellow g that had just been erected a ways down the field. Goddess, it looked so far from here. We would never make it, not with our horrible chemistry and vast height difference.


    nothing I could do about it now. With a resigned sigh, I watched as the attendant tied my left leg and Noah''s right leg together. I nced up at Noah, but his expression betrayed nothing-just the way it had been all morning. I couldn''t help but wonder what was going through Noah''s head at that moment. Was he excited? Nervous? Annoyed? All of the above?


    But


    there


    was


    It was almost infuriating that his face was so stony. Maybe, just maybe, if he would show the tiniest shred of a personality behind that mask, I might have felt as though I waspeting with a real person and not a stone-faced shell of a man.


    Once the attendant was finished tying us together, I tentatively tested the tension of the rope, my calf brushing against Noah''s in the process. A shiver worked its way up my spine at the contact, and I felt heat creeping up the back of my neck just at the close proximity. Get a grip, I chastised myself harshly. This was just a stupid challenge, nothing more. I was being ridiculous.


    chanced another nce at Noah, however, his face was still that irritatingly inscrutable mask. His lips were set in a grim line, his eyes narrowed as he took in the other two couples. Of course he wasn''t looking at me.


    The other couples seemed to be taking the whole thing in strideughing and shoving each other yfully as they were tied together. Even Drake had his arm looped casually around Zoe''s shoulders, and she was smirking at something he said despite her obvious efforts


    When!


    not to.


    But not Noah. He was coiled like a spring, every muscle in his body tensed. Goddess forbid he actually had a little fun for once, Maybe this wouldn''t have been so bad if we could onlyugh about it. Before I could say anything else, however, a hush fell over the crowd and drew my attention to the tform. The Luna Queen raised the microphone to her lips again. "The final challenge is a test of teamwork and synchronicity," she called out. "Once the buzzer goes off, you and your partner will race to the g, then back. Thepetition ends here, with the winners being granted the honor of hosting this year''s Lunar Festival Unde Understood?"


    A chorus of murmurs worked its way through the crowd. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Noah giving a sharp nod, his attentionser-focused.  Chapter 0116 This was it,


    +25


    then.


    the sound of the buzzer, my heart leapt into my throat. On instinct, I surged forward-and immediately felt the rope snapping taut, halting my momentum as Noah failed to move in sync. The other couples moved forward, hopping andughing together. But not us. "Noah!" I hissed, the word choked out as I fought to regain my bnce. "You need to go when I go!" "Then don''t take off without warning me," he bit out through gritted teeth.


    At t


    We set off again, this time in better harmony, bunny-hopping along in aically uncoordinated gait. All around us, other couples were bounding ahead, some dissolving into helplessughter even as they tripped over themselves and each other.


    1, however, had no breath to spare forughter. My thighs were already burning from the strain of dragging Noah''s bulk along with me. Not only that, but I felt a surge of morning sickness hit me, causing my stomach to twist. Oh, Goddess. At this rate, I was certain we would be deadst,gging hopelessly behind the others.


    But then, as if reading my mind, Noah angled his body inwards and wrapped one arm snugly around my waist. The shift in position allowed me to use his momentum, our strides evening out into a smooth, coordinated rhythm.


    We picked up speed, quickly closing the gap between us and the couple that was in third ce. With my heart pounding wildly, I chanced a sideways nce at Noah. His brow was furrowed in concentration, his muscles rippling beneath his damp shirt with every move. Just a few more paces and we were passing the next couple. And then, not long after that, we were neck-and-neck with Drake and Zoe, their expressions equally determined.


    The turnaround at the g was a blur, all of us jostling and moving desperately in order to minimize wasted motion. Drake practically shoved Noah with his elbow, nearly sending us sprawling. I cried out, hooking my arm around Noah''s narrow waist and managing to right myself just before I fell. From there, we were racing back toward the starting line, the freshly-mowed grass whipping at our ankles. My lungs burned with the exertion, my vision turning into a tunnel until all I could process was Noah''s face -clenched jaw, sweat-damp hairline, ring nostrils. We were giving it our all. That was undeniable. And though I refused to tear my gaze away from the finish line, I could sense a space growing between us and Drake and Zoe, putting us in first ce.


    It was only Noah and I then, racing toward the finish line. We picked up our pace, Noah''s fingers digging into my waist as he pulled me along. I looped my fingers into his shirt, gritting my teeth as I moved in tandem with him. roar of


    The


    Then,


    f the crowd hardly seemed to register in my ears, easily tuned out by my own focus. We were so close, the finish mere paces away. With immense effort, I shoved away my nausea and pushed harder, lengthening my strides to match Noah''s. there it was-the finish line, where two attendants were holding a colorful streamer across its length. Noah and I surged forward, and burst through.


    For a fraction of a moment, all I could hear was the roar of the audience and the cheers of the other +25 BONU!


    +25.


    I had just enough time to glimpse his face-eyes wide, mouth parted in surprise-before we went tumbling to the ground in a tangle of limbs.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Dimly, I registered the screams and cheers of the crowd and the sound of the buzzer. I knew we had won, then; and although the air had been knocked out of my lungs, I couldn''t help but grin.


    The next thing I knew, I was being hauled to my feet, the world tilting in a dizzying kaleidoscope of shapes and colors. I saw Noah''s face-smiling, finally-and I felt his hands under my arms. He picked me up and spun me around, the sounds of the crowd fading away into the distance.

 Chapter 117

    Chapter 0117 Hannah


    As soon as my feet touched back down on solid ground, the world came crashing back into focus. A deafening roar of cheers and apuse reached my ears, along with the sound of my own breathsing out ragged and startled. Noah released me, although his hands momentarily remained around my waist as if to steady me. I blinked dazedly up at him, searching his expression. For the briefest of moments, the hardness of his face had softened into something resembling a genuine smile-one that made my stomach flutter and my nausea fade. But then, like a switch had been flipped, the moment was gone. Noah''s smile faded and he quickly let go of me, stepping away as soon as our ropes were untied. I grit my teeth, looking away.


    Of course, he had only been smiling because we had won. Not because we had worked together. Not because we had fun. 1


    A lump formed in my throat as I swallowed back the sting of disappointment. I knew I was being


    ridiculous, but I supposed a tiny part of me had hoped that today might rekindle some tiny spark between


    US


    But before I could think about it too much, the Luna Queen was approaching with her two attendants by her sides.


    I automatically stered on my practiced smile, shoving aside my feelings once again. The cameras would undoubtedly be focused entirely on us now, so theeded to pull myself together and y the part of the happy Luna With practiced ease, I epted the flower crown passed to me by the attendant and allowed them to fasten around my head while a golden sash was ced over Noah''s shoulder.


    "Well done," the Luna Queen said, her eyes flickering with an unreadable expression. "It looks like Nightcrest is going to be hosting the Lunar Festival this year."


    "It''s an honor, Luna nna," Noah said, dipping his head politely.


    The Luna Queen merely nodded. "We will make the official announcement tonight, at the reception," she said.


    With that, Luna nna turned on her heel and strode away. Just like that, the event was over. I couldn''t decide whether I was d it was finally done or if I was just the tiniest bit disappointed. "Hannah!" Mannan!


    The voice cut through the din, causing me to turn. Drake approached, sweaty but smiling "Drake," I said, managing a more genuine smile this time. "You seem to have had some fun." "It was fun." Drake nced over at Noah "You two looked good out there."


    I winced inwardly. Noah merely grunted in acknowledgement and extended his hand for Drake to shake. "Thanks. You and Zoe didn''t make it easy."


    +25 B


    Drake nodded and shook Noah''s hand. "Yes, well..." his voice trailed off before he visibly steeled himself, "Look, Hannah, can I... speak to you for a moment? Privately?"


    My brows jolted upwards, my gaze flicking instinctively toward Noah. To my surprise, he gave a nonchnt half-shrug and turned away, clearly dismissing me. "Make it quick," he threw over his shoulder as he stalked off. "We have to get ready for the reception."


    I frowned after him, chewing my lower lip. Why did he always have to act like such a raging ass? We had won. Couldn''t he just be happy for five minutes?


    "Hannah?" Han


    Pulled from my reverie, I turned back toward Drake with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, you were saying?"


    "It''s about Zoe," he admitted quietly, stepping closer so as not to be overheard. "Before thepetition. started today, I noticed you two talking-"


    "Let me stop you right there," I interjected firmly, holding up a hand. "That was a private discussion. If you expect me to tell you everything that she said, I won''t.


    Drake''s shoulders slumped infinitesimally, but he didn''t argue. "Of course," he said. "I''m just wondering. If you think it''s still worth it to try to get back with her. If you noticed anything about today, anything at all."C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    My gaze strayed over Drake''s shoulder,


    But then. I recalled what she had said earing on Zoe, She was crouching in front of little Adam, who was absolutely beaming. He was holding out a bouquet of flowers for his mother even though she didn''t win-it was sweet enough to make me smile.


    I earlier: how she didn''t want this, and how she only did it to make her son happy.


    For a moment, I thought about telling Drake that it was a lost cause; that he should just let her go, respect her wishes. It would have been the right thing to do.


    ¦£¦É¦Á


    And then I thought about Noah. And I thought about how, despite everything, a small part of me didn''t want to give up on this n yet-because, no matter how much I tried to deny it, I liked the idea of keeping him from Zoe.


    I swallowed hard and refocused on Drake.


    "Don''t give up just yet. I think, with time and a little persistence, Zoe might starting around."


    A wave of relief washed over the Alpha''s features, his shoulders pulling back almost imperceptibly as he nodded. "Thank you, Hannah. That means a lot."


    I pasted on my most convincing smile as Drake pulled me in for a brief hug. Over his shoulder, Zoe''s curious gaze met mine, her brows furrowed ever so slightly.


    By the time I arrived at the towering hotel where the reception was being hosted, I practically felt as though I might keel over from exhaustion. However, my excitement thankfully trumped that feeling.


    I smoothed my hands over my outfit-a simple silk dress that reached my thighs and hugged all the right curves. Noah was wearing a ck suit with a dark red te, Nightcrest''s colors, which matched my shawl


    perfectly.


    A few paparazzi loitered outside the main entrance, held at bay by a couple of burly security personnel. I felt my pulse kick up a notch as I saw them, knowing that the tabloids would certainly have at least one lousy article to publish in the morning: "Luna Hannah and Alpha Noah Win Luna Queen''s Competition, but Can Barely Stand Each Other?" Part of me expected Noah to get out of the car and stride in without me, just as he had so many times before.


    But he didn''t.


    But he


    A over


    No sooner had I stepped out of the car than he had me, brusquely grabbing my hand and looping it through his elbow. "Here," he said. "Hold onto me."


    I furrowed my brow, my fingers tightening around my small ck clutch as I looked up at him. "Why-" "You have to stay by my side," he murmured as we ascended the carpeted steps toward the tel. "Just in


    case.


    His voice trailed off, but he didn''t need to finish because I knew what he was going to say: that we needed to stick together tonight in case the Luna Queen was scrutinizing us. We may have won thepetition, but one slip-up could still cost us the Lunar Festival. "Right," I managed, unable to entirely ignore that faint glimmer of disappointment. I supposed that, once again, a part of me had almost-almost-hoped that he wanted me to stay close to him because... Well, because I was his wife and he wanted me by his side.


    As we slipped through the doors and were met with the bustling party, however, I couldn''t help but notice the way that Noah''s hand moved to mine, gently pressing my fingers harder into his firm bicep.

 Chapter 118

    Chapter 0118 Hannah


    The lights of the grand ballroom seemed to blur together as Noah and I took center stage, the Luna Queen''s attendants cing ornate crowns on top of our heads and sashes around our shoulders. My heart pounded in my ears, the roar of apuse fading into the background as I turned toward Noah. This was all so much-far more than I had anticipated, It seemed as though the Luna Queen''s frivolities had no limit, and I was growing tired of the crowd.


    But then Noah''s gaze met mine, the corners of his lips twitching upwards into the faintest hint of a smile.


    In that moment, it didn''t matter that this was all for show, that he wasn''t truly smiling for me but rather for the cameras. That spark of warmth in his eyes made my breath catch despite myself, and I couldn''t help but return the smile even though I knew I shouldn''t. "Congrattions," Drake said, shaking our hands amongst the line of other members of the Alpha Council. His eyes shed ever so slightly as they met mine. "You two truly earned it." Before I could answer, Noah was nodding. "Thank you, Alpha Drake. It''s an honor," he said stiffly.


    Drake''s smile widened. "Shall we pose for a picture?"Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    "We shall."


    The shes from the cameras were near blinding, but I could have sworn I felt the ghost of Noah''s hand on the small of my back as we posed together. His arm absentmindedly tugged me a little closer, and for the briefest of moments, I felt like a little doll to be moved around as I vaguely stumbled into him.


    Of course, once the photographers had their shots, Noah''s hand fell away immediately and we were ushered off to the side. Reality came crashing back in yes, it was just as I thought. Goddess, I felt like such a fool. He wasn''t touching me because he wanted to. He was touching me because he had to. 1


    But, we needed to stick together for the remainder of the night. Here, beneath the Luna Queen''s discerning gaze, we were still on trial. One moment, one misstep, and we could lose theurels that we had only just obtained. As though reading my mind, Noah''s fingers circled around my wrist in a firm grip.


    "Remember to stay close," he murmured. I suppressed the shiver that raced up my spine at his touch and gave a small nod.


    As the reception carried on, my eyes were continually drawn to Zoe across the room. Drake hovered by her side, his hand resting possessively on her lower back while she nursed a ss of wine. Her difort was palpable, her shoulders tense and her smiles tight- lipped whenever Drake would lean in close.


    A pang of sympathy twisted in my gut. Perhaps Drake was taking things too far in his efforts to win her back. A woman should have the freedom to make her own choices, especially when it came to matters of the heart. Was it right for the Luna Queen to try and manipte Zoe into this reunion?


    My resolve wavered, however, as a tendril of guilt unfurled in my chest. I had been aiding Drake''s pursuit,


    1/2


    motivated more by my own selfish desires to keep Noah and Zoe apart than any noble intentions.


    Maybe I wasn''t better than any of them.


    The entire situation left a bitter taste in my mouth. Perhaps I had been too hasty in throwing my support behind Drake without considering Zoe''s perspective. Perhaps- "Hannah."


    e over


    I jumped at the sound of the Luna Queen''s voice, my head whipping around to find her beckoning me to the high table she was seated at with a crook of her finger. Noah made a low sound of disapproval in the back of his throat as I began to step away without bringing him along with me.


    "I won''t be long." I assured him. "She likely just wants toin about my hair or my dress."


    A muscle in Noah''s jaw ticked, but he said nothing as I turned and made my way across the room. I offered a small curtsy as I reached the Luna Queen''s table.. "You wished to see me, Your Grace?"

 Chapter 119

    Chapter


    0119


    She regarded me for a long moment, her expression unreadable before she pulled out the chair beside her with a loud scrape. "Sit."


    I did as instructed as she leaned back, swirling her wine idly while regarding me down the length of her birdlike nose.


    "You have been a busy girl, haven''t you, Hannah?" Her voice was low, barely audible over the other conversations around us. "Busy with my nephew?"


    My heart stuttered in my chest at her words. Did she know about my discussions with Drake? About our efforts regarding Zoe? Or did she think that I was sleeping with Drake, just as others had tried to use me? I opened my mouth to respond, but she held up a hand to silence me. "I must admit, when I first met you at my nephew''s wedding, I had my doubts." She paused, taking a sip of wine. "I saw you as little more than a vapid trophy wife, content to simply look pretty on your Alpha''s arm." I felt the heat of shame creep up my neck-because it was true-but I remained silent as she continued.


    "ButProperty belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    you have proven me wrong, dear girl. This scheme of yours to assist Drake in repairing his marriage She shook her head slowly, something like approval glinting in her eyes. "It is a noble effort, and one I had not expected from you." My mouth worked uselessly, struggling toe up with a response to the unexpectedpliment. "I-I... L-Luna nna-" "Don''t stammer, girl. It doesn''t be you."


    I swallowed and lowered my gaze to myp. "I''m sorry.


    1 chose you to host this Lunar Festival for a reason, Hannah," the Luna Queen continued, leaning forward now-her perfume smelled strongly of sage. "Because I see great potential in you. Not just with my nephew, but with your entire pack. You are evolving, blossoming into a true Luna-one who ces the needs of her people above her own."


    I could scarcely believe what I was hearing. All this time, I had been under the impression that the Luna Queen had utterly hated me. Maybe I had been wrong.


    "Perhaps in time," she mused, "you may even be considered for a seat on my Council."


    My breath stopped in my lungs as I processed her words. A seat on the Luna Council? That was quite literally the highest honor that a Luna could achieve. To be on the Luna Council meant working closely with the Luna Queen, practically being one of her most trusted advisors...


    I blinked rapidly, my head spinning.


    "Luna nna..." I started, then paused to collect myself. "I.. I am humbled beyond words. To be seen as worthy of such a role..."


    A small smile yed across the Luna Queen''s lips as she reached out,ying her hand on top of mine in an uncharacteristically warm gesture. "Then prove yourself worthy, dear girl. Continue on this path of service andpassion, and great things shalle your way."


    I could only nod mutely, my heart hammering in my chest as she pulled her hand away and took another sip of wine, effectively dismissing me.


    "Oh, and do stop stammering," she said just before I walked away. "You have such a lovely voice; it''s a shame to waste it on drivel."


    The walk back to Noah''s side passed in a daze, my mind whirling. By the time I reached him, the Luna Queen''s gaze had found mine once more from across the ballroom. She offered me a subtle wink, the faintest raising of her wine ss. "Well?" Noah pressed impatiently when I rejoined him. "What did she want?"


    For a moment, I almost told him the truth-that the Luna Queen offered me a potential seat on her very own council someday. That just once, my actions had meant something to somebody.


    But I couldn''t. Because if he knew that I was valuable, then he would never divorce me. And then I would truly be trapped in this loveless marriage.


    "Nothing," I finally lied with a wave of my hand. "She was only giving me a lecture about..."


    I paused, my gaze flicked towards the Luna Queen briefly before settling back on Noah''s expectant expression."...About stammering."

 Chapter 120

    Chapter 0120 Hannah


    I couldn''t quite help the way my stomach grumbled as the scents of the reception''svish buffet wafted through the ballroom. te after te piled high with gourmet delicacles caught my eye-tender cuts of meat glistening under a sweet ze, buttery pastries dusted with powdered sugar, colorful disys of exotic fruits. I chewed my lip, my gaze wandering over the spread as the voice of my eating disorder battled relentlessly against the voice of logic. One little voice told me that this dress clung a little too snugly in certain areas for my liking. That if I took one bite too many, I might just go and burst right out of the seams. That I was a fat pig who didn''t deserve food even though my hip bones still protruded from beneath my dress. But the other little voice, the more logical one, told me that just one or two things wouldn''t hurt, would they? That I had worked hard today, and I deserved something good to eat. That everyone deserved food anyway, no matter what, and I was no exception. tiv as


    That I was beautiful, and I deserved to be healthy, not only for myself, but for my baby


    well.


    well.


    It was when a tray of fresh, fragrant bread and various mouthwatering cheeses was finally carried past me that I couldn''t take it any longer. I was starving, ***t. And that food looked *good.


    With my decision made, I quietly excused myself and temporarily slipped away from Noah''s side, heading, for the buffet tables lining the far wall. Choosing carefully, I selected a few items-a couple chocte-dipped strawberries, a little watercress sandwich, a glistening jam tart. All definitely foods that were on the ''safer side, but still made my mouth water.


    As I surveyed the rest of the food on disy with envy, trying to decide if I should go for a slice of cheesecake to top it all off, movement in my periphery drew my gaze upward. she was, across the room: Zoe. Watching me with an inscrutable expression, her eyes glittering from over the rim of her wine ss as she raised it to her lips.


    There


    !


    I froze, feeling the hair starting to p**le a little on the back of my neck as her lips curved upwards into a smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes. There was something almost... malicious about it. Predatory.


    Like the cat catching the mouse trying to get the cheese.


    Her


    Her gaze held mine for a moment too long before she looked away and strode off with a swing of her hips, leaving me to wonder if I had simply imagined the dark look, Surely I had-Zoe didn''t actually care if Late. If anything, she probably even encouraged it. But the brief moment was enough to dull my appetite, the knot of unease in my belly overriding the hunger pangs rmming up, I set my te down without taking a single bite. Maybe next time.


    "Not hungry?"


    The sound of Noah''s voice made me jump ever so slightly. I turned around to find him frowning down at my untouched te.


    13


    +25


    "Oh! Um..."


    "I waved a hand in a dismissive gesture, unable to meet his probing stare. "Actually, I''m feeling a bit off. Decided against it. Do you want my te?"


    Clearly unconvinced, Noah simply arched one eyebrow at me and crossed his arms over his chest-his entire stance radiating disbelief and annoyance. I couldn''t help but wince.


    He knew I was lying. But it wasn''t like I could tell him the truth, that just looking at his ex-girlfriend had made me no longer want to eat for some inexplicable, ridiculous reason. He would just think I was even more nuts than he already thought I was. "You need to eat," he stated simply.


    Before I could protest, he was s***ng up my te again and practically shoved it into my hands. Up close like this, the masculine scent of his cologne clouded my senses, weakening my knees just a bit.


    I''m not hungry."


    "I don''t care. Take at least one bite," he ordered, his voice low enough so only I could hear as he sidled a little closer. "Or I''ll have to force feed you myself."


    I


    A shiver rippled through me at the stern edge in his voice. I quickly looked away, unable to stammer out a response.


    Noah''s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, studying the side of my face. My cheeks flushed under his scrutiny as arousal stirred deep in my core, making me shift my weight from foot to foot. Goddess, why did he have to say things like that? "Fine."


    With a resigned huff, I plucked up one of the chocte covered strawberries and popped it in my mouth to appease him. Noah''s eyes remained locked on me, watching me chew and swallow. It was delicious, I had to admit-the chocte was rich and dark, and the strawberry was perfectly ripe despite the time of year.


    The look of approval that flickered across his chiseled features made my toes curl inside my high heels.


    "Good girl," he muttered, plucking up another strawberry from my te. He popped it into his mouth, his lips slowly expanding around the sweet fruit.


    At the sound of his sultry words, I felt my belly clench reflexively around the sudden tightening in my groin. I bit back a whimper as another rush of heat flooded my core. This wasn''t the time or ce, but my body clearly didn''t care. I needed to get out of there. Now.


    "Excuse me," I managed in a strangled tone. I shoved my te back into his hands, spun on my heel and beelined away from Noah before he could see the full effect his words had on me.


    I didn''t dare look back, keeping my eyes locked dead ahead as I half-ran, half-walked towards the nearest hallway I could duck into. The heavy p**k doors groaned in protest as I pushed through them, finding myself in a dimly lit corridor. I just needed some fresh air to clear my head and regain myposure.


    Air,


    With a shuddering exhale, I leaned back against the cool stone wall, screwing my eyes shut as I willed the


    +25


    throbbing ache between my legs to subside. This was utterly ridiculous.


    So he had called me a good girl in that same syrupy tone he used whenmanding me around behind closed doors. That shouldn''t have been enough to make mepletely lose control. But it had.


    After drawing in a deep breath through my nose and out through my mouth a few times, I wrenched my eyes shut and shook my head.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Get a grip. I thought to myself before pushing myself away from the wall and heading back toward the party. They''re just words. Nothing more. I just need to get back to the party and y it cool and- Before I could fully formte that thought, a hulking form stepped in my way. A jet ck suit, a crimson tie, and a pair of green eyes stared at me from behind a head of dark hair.


    Noah smirked down at me, pressing his palm into the wall behind me.


    "You''re embarrassed," he murmured, his voice low and husky. "I can tell from the redness in your ch***ks."

 Chapter 121

    NOW


    Chapter 0121 Chapter


    Hannah Hannan


    0121


    "You''re embarrassed." Noah''s low voice ran across the side of my ear, making me flinch. "I can tell from the redness in your cheeks."


    recoiled, blinking owlishly up at him as he smirked down at me, one broad palm braced against the wall beside my head. His cheeks were somewhat rosy from drinking, and his breath smelled faintly of sweet champagne.


    "1-I''m not embarrassed," I stammered, cursing the waver in my voice that betrayed me-so much for following the Luna Queen''s advice. "You''re just seeing things because you''re drunk already."


    "I''m not drunk yet." Noah narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. "And besides, from where I''m standing... You certainly look as sheepish as ever. Was it what I said earlier? Calling you a good girl?"


    Even just the mention of those words again made my thighs clench. I felt the flush creeping down my chest and pressed my lips together firmly, looking away.


    "You''re imagining things," I muttered, unable to meet that piercing green stare. "Whatever you think you saw back there, it wasn''t... that."


    A low hum worked its way out of Noah''s throat as his free hand reached out, his fingertips grazing my jawline to tip my chin upwards. I froze, my pulse kicking up several more notches at his touch. "You''re sure about that?" His thumb traced the curve of my lower lip, sending a a shiver down my spine," Because your pupils are expanded, your breathing is heavy..." Noah leaned in closer, his cologne overwhelming my senses. "Signs of a woman who''s aroused, if I''m not mistaken." My mouth worked uselessly as he spoke. No matter how hard I tried, no words woulde; and ! certainly couldn''t manage to force my body to walk away from this nonsense, either. "Go on," he murmured. "Tell me I''m wrong."


    I swallowed hard against the lump forming in my throat. Because he was right-the unmistakable feeling of desire was still very much present, like embers of a fire burnt down in my core. All because of a few words he had uttered while trying to convince me to eat. But with that realization also came a pang of shame, like my own body had betrayed me. Getting worked up over a few words from a man who never wanted me to begin with? It was pathetic, really. Noah, seeing the shift in my expression, nodded. "I see.


    Before I I could I respond, he dropped his hand from the wall and took a step back, leaving me suddenly chilled in the cold corridor by theck of his body heat, "Well then...


    With a few taps on his phone, Noah pulled up his calendar app and studied the screen with furrowed


    ows. I


    I watched in bewilderment, opening and closing my mouth a few times before managing to speak. "Are you... checking a schedule right now?" I sputtered Incredulously.


    "Just cross-referencing the dates," he muttered without looking up. "What in the goddess''s name are you-" Chapter


    Before I could finish, Noah slipped his phone back into his pocket and fixed me with a serious look. "Your ovtion period ended recently. And you''re still... Interested?" His words hung in the tense silence between us as I gaped at him, utterly dumbfounded. Had I really heard what I thought I had heard? Or was I simply going mad?


    Noah c***d his head slightly in the wake of my silence, regarding me with genuine confusion etched across his face. "Shouldn''t you only be interested in sex when you''re fertile?"


    At first, I could only blink at him, certain I must have misheard. But when his frown deepened, the realization set in-he was dead serious. I felt like I might be sick.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Are you... are you kidding me right now?" Outrage surged through me, snapping me out of my dumbfounded stupor as I nted my hands on my hips. "That''s the most ridiculous thing I''ve ever heard! You have to be messing with me." Noah shrugged and shook his head at the same time. "I''m not. I thought that you were-


    "Women have sexual urges at


    at any given point in their cycle, Noah," I said through gritted teeth, fighting to keep my voice low. "Not just during ovtion."


    His brows drew together for a moment before he cleared his throat. "I know that women have sexual urges during any given point," he rified, "but not you. Because of your body."


    I gaped at him, half-convinced this had to be some borate prank. But the utterly earnest look on Noah''s face revealed the truth-he actually believed the words he was speaking. Goddess, was I trapped in some kind of absurd nightmare?


    "And where, pray did you even hear such an asinine thing?" I demanded. "Because I know you''re not that dumb."


    Noah''s frown deepened as he shifted his weight to his other foot. "It''s what our family doctor told me when we first married," he said gruffly. "He provided me with the specific dates of your ovtion cycle, stating that your body was too frail to handle intimacy at any other point in the month. That you couldn''t even be aroused at any other time due to ack of hormones."


    My jaw dropped as I processed his words. Of all the insane, nonsensical bullshit... did he not realize how utterly ludicrous that sounded? How demeaning and objectifying? My hands curled into fists at my sides as a fresh wave of fury washed over me.


    "You didn''t think to ask me if that was true?" I hissed, taking a step closer to him. "I mean, that is the most outrageous, misogynistic thing I''ve ever heard, I... I can''t believe this, Noah. That you would-" Suddenly, the sound of a tinkling ss cut me off, echoing through the corridor. Noah and I both turned toward the doors as the Luna Queen''s voice rang out, high and clear.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention.....


    cast


    Noah Fuming, I pressed my lips into a tight line and brushed past him without a word, tossing a lock of my blonde hair over my shoulder. Discuss thister, I thought to myself. Oh, we would be discussing it alright. Chapter 0121


    me a sidelong nce, almost a grimace. "We''ll discuss thister. For now..." He jerked his chin towards the ballroom, "It seems we''re needed."


    The audacity of my own husband to believe such nonsense. And the audacity of my doctor to be speaking such nonsense to begin with, all without even speaking to me first!


    What was 1, then? Some broodmare whose only purpose was to get aroused during ovtion so I could get pregnant? The thought made me want to punch something.


    But I didn''t, of course. I stered on my usual smile and lifted my ss as the Luna Queen made a toast, and I added this transgression to the list of reasons why I had to leave Noah.


    Once the Luna Queen finished her toast, the reception resumed, the sound of music andughter filling the space once more. I began to wade through the crowd, my eyes hawlike as they sought out Noah. But I froze when I saw him.


    There, already in the center of the dance floor, was Noah-and he wasn''t alone. He was with Zoe, his hand pressed into the small of her back as they swayed together,


    She tilted her chin up and smiled at him through hershes, and I felt as though I might be sick.

 Chapter 122

    Chapter 0122 Noah


    Noah''s gaze followed Hannah as she brushed past him, her hips swaying in that infuriatingly alluring way that always made his mouth go dry. The scent of her shampoo-light and floral-wafted towards him, stirring his wolf''s interest despite his best efforts to quell it. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he watched her disappear through the heavy oak doors and back into the crowded ballroom. Even now, after all this time, he couldn''t deny the visceral attraction he had to her. His body begged for her, craved the taste of her skin and the warmth of her lips on his neck. It had been so long since they had been intimate, and the way things were looking right now, it might never happen again.


    Noah closed his eyes, drawing in a slow, steadying breath as the memory of that day he had heard about Hannah''s issues resurfaces.


    The family doctor had a frown on his face as he reviewed Hannah''s medical reports, using one finger to push his wire-rimmed sses a little further up on his nose.


    "You understand her... condition, yes?" the doctor asked, ncing at Noah. "How frail her body is?"


    Noah had nodded stiffly. "I''m aware."


    The doctor hummed, tapping his pen against the man folder. "In that case, I trust you will exercise discretion when ites to... intimate matters. Given her body''s frailty, I would strongly advise against sex outside of her ovtion window." The words had left Noah dumbfounded. "You mean...."


    "Yes. It is highly unlikely for her to even get lubricated on her own outside that window," the doctor exined. "Her vagina will also be far too tight. It will be incredibly painful for her. Be sure to only initiate sex during these times if you want to avoid that..." Noah''s hands clenched at his sides as the memory faded, jaw clenching hard enough for his teeth to grind together. All these years, he had followed that warning to the letter-even going so far as to avoid sleeping in Hannah''s bed outside of her fertile periods. Sleeping in his office study to keep himself from getting aroused by her.


    So many nights had been spent on that wretched sofa, his back and hips aching. All to protect her, to spare her from any potential harm that intimacy could cause in her delicate-state.


    But now, in light of her words, it seemed like those precautions might not have been necessary after all. She seemed far more aroused now than he had expected, and their monthly intimacy night had passed already.


    Noah''s brows drew together. Had the doctor been mistaken, after all?


    His gaze drifted back toward the ballroom doors, fixating on the point where Hannah had disappeared in the crowd. Even with the distance between them, his wolf felt the maic pull toward her.


    And now, maybe he could actually have a chance. He wouldn''t need to be afraid to get too close to her, because maybe, just maybe, she wouldn''t experience the pain and difort that he had expected all  Chapter 0122


    these years.


    Noah raked his fingers through his hair, gritting his teeth against the insistent throb between his legs as he made his way back to the ballroom. The sensation had been easily ignored before when he thought that it would be impossible anyway, but now. Goddess, he could practically smell the pheromones clinging to her skin before she had stormed off. He could picture the way her cheeks had flushed, the way her nostrils red when she breathed deeply.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    A low growl rumbled from somewhere in Noah''s chest as he gritted his teeth even harder to quell the beginnings of an erection straining inside his pants.


    Perhaps, he mused with a scowl, it was because Hannah''s figure had filled out so tantalizingly recently. She had put on a little bit of weight, and it suited her. And her hips and breasts... Goddess, they looked biggertely. Had she started taking some kind of supplement? Noah shook his head sharply, chastising himself. Not now, he thought to both himself and his wolf. But perhapster... Yes, perhapster they could talk.


    And maybe some good lovemaking was all they needed to rekindle their love.


    For now, Noah smoothed his hands over thepels of his suit jacket and re-entered the ballroom just as -the Luna Queen was wrapping up her toast. His gaze swept over the crowd of guests, searching for


    ffer

 Chapter 123

    Chapter 0123 Chapter 0123


    But Hannah was nowhere to be found in the sea of gowns and tuxedos. Noah frowned, wading deeper into the throng.


    Suddenly, a sh of blonde hair bobbed through the crowd up ahead. Feeling his breath catch, Noah began making his way toward her with determined strides-only to be brought up short by a hand curling around his bicep. "There you are."


    Noah turned to see none other than Zoe standing there, her slender fingers subtly tightening around his bicep.


    "Oh, Zoe," he said, inclining his chin politely.


    She offered him a lovely smile. "Dance with me?"


    Noah paused for a moment, still surveying the crowd. "Actually, I was looking for-"


    "Just one dance," Zoe insisted, leaning in so that the floral notes of her perfume nearly overwhelmed Noah''s senses. "Please?"


    With his jaw tightening. Noah let out a sigh and nodded. Hannah wouldn''t want to talk to him right now anyway, he figured; maybe it was best to let her stew for a while before he tried again. Zoe beamed, pulling him onto the dance floor. Automatically, Noah ced one hand on the small of her back while he held her hand in his other palm. Her free hand came to rest on his shoulder, although he could feel her fingers graze the part where his shirt cor ended and his neck began. "Doesn''t this bring back memories?" she murmured, tilting her head to the side.


    Noah merely nodded, his attention divided between not trampling her toes and trying to spot Hannah through the sea of people. But then his gazended on Drake, who was chatting with some other Alphas by the bar. Just seeing him made his blood pressure spike. "I must admit, I was surprised to see Drake enter thepetition," he suddenly said. "Given his position on the Alpha Council this year." Zoe hummed. "He must have had his reasons." "Such as?"


    She shrugged delicately. "Well..." She pursed her lips, considering her words carefully. "I have a sneaking suspicion that the Luna Queen wanted to see us reunited. I mean, even if he had won thepetition, it would have been a major faux pas for an Alpha on the Council to host the Lunar Festival."


    Noah''s eyebrows hiked upwards. It was true-those who were on the Alpha Council in any given year couldn''t host the Lunar Festival. It was how things were kept fair. And often, those who had hosted the Lunar Festival in the past year would sit on the Council the year after.


    "So," Zoe mused, her eyes flitting over to where Drake stood, "I suppose the Luna Queen always has doted on her nephew. Although this feels too far."


    Noah felt his heart sink. It was too far; and it was unfair to Zoe, If she was being pressured into things she


    didn''t want. He lowered his voice, leaning in a little closer. "Listen, Zoe... if the Luna Queen or Drake are pressuring you into anything-


    "Noah." Zoe cut him off with a tight smile and a gentle press of her fingertips against his chest. "I appreciate the concern, I truly do. But perhaps this isn''t the ce to talk so openly about it."


    For a moment, Noah was taken aback. But then he nodded, realizing that she was right.


    "We''ll talk another time, then," he muttered.


    Zoe offered him another smile, her slender fingers pulling away from him-but not before they ran slowly across his skin and the fabric of his suit, making him shiver despite himself. "It''s a date," she said, before slipping off into the crowd.


    Noah watched her go, but only for a moment. He had other things to worry about tonight, like finding his wife. And as his gaze swept across the crowd onest time....


    There. He saw her eyes blink at him from the throngs of people, and he saw... the hurt in them. Right before she tossed her hair over her shoulder and slipped away far too quickly.


    Noah tried to go after her, but it was no use. She had practically run off, disappearing into the crowd before he so much as had a chance to call her name.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


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 Chapter 124

    Chapter 0124 Hannah


    I kicked off my heels with more force than what was necessary. Flopping down on the edge of the massive bed, I angrily ripped the glittering chandelier earrings from my ears and tossed them haphazardly aside.


    My chest heaved with ragged breaths, my fingers trembling as I worked to take down the ornate updo that my hair was in. But I fumbled, unable to work out the bobby pins. That dated image was too seared into my mind to be able to focus on anything else. Noah and Zoe, swaying together on the dance floor. Her head tilted towards his, her fingers trailing along the nape of his neck. The way his broad palm had syed across her lower back-


    A mirthlessugh bubbled up from somewhere deep in my throat, the sound harsh and bitter in the stillness of the bedroom. As if seeing them together wasn''t torture enough, I still had Noah''s idiotic words echoing endlessly on a loop in my mind. "Shouldn''t you only be interested in sex when you''re fertile?"


    My fingers curled into fists around the duvet, my nails digging into my palms hard enough to sting. The humiliation, the sheer indignity of it all made heat p***le along the back of my neck.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Is that what he had believed all this time? That I was nothing more than a broodmare to be utilized during an ovtion window every month? All thanks to the words of some mo***nic doctor?


    I shuddered, swiping angrily at the dampness clinging to myshes. Goddess, how I wished I could march right down to the clinic and give that idiot doctor a piece of my mind.


    Of course, that might have proven difficult-a quick nce at my phone confirmed that the doctor had recently taken a leave of absence. My fingers tightened even harder into a fist, my teeth grinding. How convenient. Disappearing right when I had a bone to pick with him.


    Suddenly, a sharp rap at the door sent me jolting upright, barely stifling a groan.


    "Go away." I called without ncing back over my shoulder. I didn''t want to see anyone right now, regardless of whoever it was.


    "Hannah," Noah''s voice rang out as the door creaked open despite my demand. "We need to talk."


    Grinding my teeth, I shot him a withering re over ong shoulder. "Oh, so now you want to talk? Couldn''t be bothered earlier when you were too busy whirling your ex around the dance floor?"


    Instantly, Noah''s expression clouded over. I would have been satisfied that my words had hurt him, had I not been so hurt myself.


    "She just needed to discuss something," he muttered, his voice clipped. "About Drake and the Luna Queen


    "What, is that the excuse you''re going with?" I scoffed, surging to my feet and rounding on him. "Don''t bother. I don''t want to hear it."


    Noah''s jaw ticked with obvious frustration as he puffed out his chest. "Would you just listen for one d***n


    1/2


    minute? This isn''t what you think."


    "Oh, isn''t it?" I folded my arms across my chest, my chin jutting out. Part of me didn''t even care about Zoe at that moment, if I was being honest. I only cared about the lies he had allowed himself to believe-the lies that had not only hurt me but our marriage-all these years. "Go on, then. Talk." With a huff, I sat back down on the bed and crossed one leg over the other. "But I''ll warn you, if any portion of this involves more b***it pseudoscience about how I can only get aroused during my ovtion-" "Alright, alright," Noah cut me off with a curt wave of his hand. "I know it was idiotic."


    He sighed, his shoulders slumping almost imperceptibly as he dragged his free hand over his face. For the briefest moment, that egotistical mask of his slipped to reveal something that almost resembled regret. Just seeing that sliver of humanity made my heart twist a little. Look. I should not have blindly epted the doctor''s words," he finally admitted, his gaze meeting mine once more. "It seems he was... misinformed."

 Chapter 125

    Chapter 0125


    I blinked, temporarily taken aback by his admission of fault. The great Alpha Noah, admitting he was wrong? Perhaps Hell had frozen over after all.


    "You don''t say." I said tly when I found my voice, falling back on the protective barrier of sarcasm rather than betraying how his admission had actually softened me a bit.


    "Forgive me for being a fool, Hannah: I''m sorry. But I only ever wanted to protect you. He told me that it would be painful for you, and..."


    Noah''s words trailed off as he dropped his gaze. I opened my mouth to retort but closed it again, unsure of what to say other than: 1... see."


    Noah took a hesitant step closer. It was only now that could pick up the scent of his cologne and could see the way his tie was loosened around his neck, the first button of his shirt undone to reveal a taut vein beneath.


    "That''s why I only had intimacy with you once a month, he said softly. "Because I didn''t want to hurt you. And..." He paused, clenching his jaw and looking away. That''s why I always left the house at night,


    I furrowed my brow. "Exin."


    The faintest pink color tinged Noah''s cheeks as he spoke. "I know you don''t want to believe me, but I''m attracted to your body," he muttered. "I get more turned on by you than you realize. Even just being in the same house would make me feel feral, so I slept in my office." He paused, thenughed wryly. "My own body paid the price for that. Sleeping on a couch for years isn''t exactly the best thing for a man''s back."


    "You couldn''t even manage to stay in a spare room here?" I scoffed.


    Noah shook his head. "I couldn''t. I didn''t want to risk losing control and trying to have sex with you when it hurt you."


    For a moment, I was ttered, and maybe even ted my husband had, after all, admitted that he could barely control himself around my body.


    But that was just it: my body. Not me. I was still ipatible with him. Compatible sexually, perhaps, butpletely ipatible in every other way. A piece of meat.


    "Well then." I stood, crossing the room if only to put some distance between us as I got to work taking my hair down in front of the vanity mirror. "I don''t want you to hurt your precious back. So you should stay here."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Noah''s eyes


    widened fractionally as they flickered to our bed-no, my bed. "You mean-"


    "Not in my bed," I said tly, tossing a bobby pin down on the vanity. "Use one of the spare rooms. I''ll lock my door at night."


    For a moment, Noah was silent, I chanced a nce at him in the mirror, only to see him clenching his jaw harder than ever as he stared at the bed canopy. I thought he might refuse, that he might insist on sleeping in our marriage bed-and if I was being honest, maybe a part of me did want that.


    Maybe a part of me got off on the idea of him finally acting like a husband, finally putting his foot down


    and saying, "No, I''m sleeping in our bed... And I''m making love with you, because I''m your husband and I want you."


    But of course he didn''t say any of that, because that was only a fantasy. He simply nodded, muttered, Goodnight, then," and slipped out of the room.


    I watched the door click shut behind him, and only then did I finally let out the breath I had been holding. Only then did I allow myself to show the fact that my hands were trembling.


    Huffing, I crossed over to the door and slid the lock over. I nodded to myself and turned on my heel to finish getting ready for bed.


    But then I froze, chewing on my lower lip. No. Maybe... Just maybe...


    I turned and unlocked the door again,


    Just in case..

 Chapter 126

    Chapter 0126 Chapter 0126 Hannah


    "Hannah... Hannah..."


    Noah moved on top of me, his warm member sliding back and forth with soft, gentle strokes. He cupped the nape of my neck in one hand and peppered kisses along my neck and cor bone. I arched my back away from the bed and gave in to the pleasure radiating out from my lower belly. "Oh, Noa Noah..."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Go


    As I arched my back, I felt his lower pelvis grind gently into my c**t. He began moving slow circles, his green eyes watching me as my own began to roll back. "he said softly, his voice low and and like music to ears. "Come..." I couldn''t hold it in anymore. It felt as if something in my belly exploded, throbbing heat emanating outwards. I felt every muscle pulse, ripples of cooling goosebumps trailing up and down every limb until I was certain I would go numb. "Hannah..." Noah...


    Suddenly, I awoke with a start. The throbbing sensation remained, but what was left of Noah slipped away like liquid through the cracks between my fingers. He was gone-he had never been here. It had all been a dream. Well. Well, most of it, at least.


    Only once the aching throb ebbed away did I finally dare to open my eyes. I was stillying in the center of my bed, my arms stretched out to either side. Something warm and pleasant had taken up residence in my panties. Something wet. I quickly sat up, feeling my cheeks flush hot beneath the sensation. Carefully, I moved my fingers down between my legs where the wetness was. When I pulled them away, they weren''t red; just warm and a little sticky.


    My face turned an even brighter shade of crimson as I threw the covers off and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. Turning, I let out a soft gasp when I saw the small wet spot where I had beenying.


    Had the dream really been so intense, so realistic, that I had managed to have an o***m in my sleep? If the tingling in my fingers and toes was any indication, then I must have; and all at once, I felt utterly ashamed. It wasn''t that the Idea of a w*** ashamed me. W***ms weremon, especially among pregnant women with all those hormones raging constantly.


    But to have a dream like that about Noah, the man who I had lost all love for... it felt like a betrayal.


    1/3


    As I jumped into the shower and quickly scrubbed away the feeling, I couldn''t help but chide myself. If only I had more control, I kept thinking to myself, then maybe it wouldn''t have happened. If only... If only... If only. Chapter 0126


    6


    Somehow, by the time I got out of the shower and got dressed, I felt as though I hade to a shocking conclusion: I hadn''t been strict enough with myselftely. Yes, that had to be it. And the next best thing to help regain control? ***ng breakfast.


    "I''ll just have a coffee," I muttered to myself as I pulled my hair back into a bun in front of the mirror. Yes, just a coffee-even though I was already trembling from ack of food. I''d have lunchter, but for now, I needed to regain control. Control. Everything needed to be under control.


    I slipped out of my bedroom and began heading down the hallway toward the kitchen, painfully trying to decide whether adding a ssh of cream to my coffee would be a sin. It didn''t take long before I began to convince myself that the cream wasn''t necessary, that the extra calories would only make matters


    worse.


    Even though my legs were shaking and my knees were buckling.


    Maybe I was too lost in my head. Maybe I was thinking far too much about the d***n coffee and about the w***am to think clearly.


    Maybe that was why I missed thest step.


    Suddenly, just as I was thinking to myself, I''ll just measure out my creamer with a half teaspoon so it''s not too much, the world tilted. I felt my stomach drop and my hand shot out for the railing, but it was toote -the next thing I knew, my feet were up over my head, and.... The edge of the step connected with the back of my head and everything went ck.


    44


    I should have just had the f***g creamer.


    "I gave you this second chance for a reason," her voice called out in the darkness. "I gave it to you for a reason... Do you not appreciate my gift?"


    I strained my eyes, whipping my head around to find the source of the voice. "No, I... I do appreciate it! appreciate it more than anything!" I cried out.


    The Moon Goddess was silent for a moment. I stopped whirling around, I think because a part of me realized that her voice wasing from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Trying to look at her was futile.


    #


    #


    .Then stop treating it like a burden," she finally said. "You have to make the most of this second chance Because I won''t give you a third."


    When I awoke again, the first thing I noticed was the throbbing ache in my skull-like someone had cracked me upside the head with a cricket bat. Then, the next thing I noticed was the softness underneath me.


    For a moment, as I collected my bearings and gathered the familiar scents of my own bedroom, I wondered if it had all been a dream. Perhaps I was waking up now for the first time all day, and that the


    2/3


    5 BONUS


    +25


    entire episode with the w***t dream and the coffee creamer and the stairs had all been a nightmare.


    But then I tried to turn my head and winced at the pain, and I felt the warm hand withdraw from my leg, and I knew that it had all happened. Someone had just moved me to my bed. "Hannah?"


    The sound of Noah''s voice floated through the void, and I finally cracked open my eyes. I found him sitting in a chair beside my bed, his chin propped in his hands as he leaned over his knees. He looked concerned, his green eyes searching my face. But he didn''t touch me. Not anymore, at least. Of course he would pull away the instant I showed signs of waking up. "What... What happened?" I muttered, my voice cracked and strained.


    Noah sighed and stood. "You had a nasty spill on the stairs," he said. "But you''re alright. The doctor came and said that you just broke the skin. No concussion or anything."


    I pursed my lips, attempting to push myself up to my elbows but ultimately failing. Even that movement felt like too much. Naturally, my hand fluttered to my belly, although Noah likely only read it as a random movement. "Was the doctor certain?" I asked.


    "Positive," Noah replied. I strained my eyes against the dim light to see him already crossing toward the door.


    "Noah-"


    "I have to go," he interrupted, checking his watch with an air of impatience that made my stomach clench violently. "You''ll be fine."

 Chapter 128

    Chapter 0128 HannahC0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    It was quiet as Iid in bed, the roompletely dark save for thest bit of sunlight peeking through the curtains. I pressed the cool washcloth a bit harder against my aching forehead, yearning for relief.


    My hand ran up and down across my belly as Iid there-at least my baby wasn''t hurt. I had only hit my head when I fell.


    Only, I thought to myself with a snort. It was still bad enough that I had hit my head.


    And my husband was still nowhere to be found.


    "Luna Hannah?" a soft voice pulled me out of my reverie. I cracked my eyes open to see none other than my maid, Ana, poking her head through the door.


    "Ana," I croaked out, sitting up a little further. "Please,e in."


    Ana walked into the room with a tray in her hands; upon closer inspection, it contained some toast with jam and a cup of tea, as well as some more painkillers. Instantly, I felt my stomach grumble. That nagging little eating disorder voice in the back of my mind still wanted me to starve, but I wouldn''t listen to it. Not today, at least.


    "Here," Ana said gently as she set the tray down on the edge of the bed. "This will give you some strength."


    "Thank you, Ana," I said, setting aside the cool washcloth. I picked up the toast and nibbled at a corner, instantly feeling a bit better just from the taste of the sugary orange marmde on my tongue.


    As I nibbled, Ana walked around the room, fussing with various things. I watched quietly as she stoked the fire, cracked open the windows, shook out the throw nkets.


    But as I watched, I couldn''t help but think about thest time I had spoken to her-back when she had fallen ill. I hadn''t seen her since then, and thest words I remembered her speaking were in regards to my diet pills.


    The pills that were secretlyced with a contraceptive.


    "Ana?" I asked, clearing my throat.


    "Yes, Luna?" She turned to face me, and when I patted the spot on the bed next to me, she hesitated in mild shock for a moment before crossing the room and taking a tentative seat. "Is everything okay?"


    I nodded, then paused, trying to figure out how to frame the issue without making her feel threatened. Finally, I decided to just be direct and hope for the best.


    "I keep thinking about what you said about my diet pills thest time we spoke," I said. "About how... they''re not what I think they are. Something along those lines."


    Ana nched visibly and opened her mouth to speak, but I stopped her with a raised hand. "I''m not scolding you, Ana," I assured her. "But I had those pills taken to the apothecary, and they were found to have abortion contraceptives in them. Do you know anything about that?"


    The mousey maid''s eyes widened into saucers. Her lower lip began to quiver and she moved to get up,


    1/2


    but I stopped her again, this time by cing my hand on her arm.


    "I''m not using you of anything. I just want to know how you knew that something was wrong."


    For several long moments, Ana simply stared at me in shock, her mouth opening and closing quite a few times. I watched as her eyes darted over to the door on more than one asion, clearly trying to decide if she should make a run for it. But I simply waited patiently, never removing my hand from her arm.


    Besides, if she tried to run, then I would hold onto her. I needed the truth.


    Finally, rather than running, she swallowed hard and lowered her gaze to her hands in herp.


    "A few months back, I..." She paused, clenching her jaw. "I took some of your pills. To lose weight."


    I raised an eyebrow. "You did?" I asked, my eyes wandering my maid. She was beautiful-petite and healthy-looking with a curvaceous body and a cute, sweet face. She looked like something out of a Renaissance painting. "You don''t need to lose weight, Ana."

 Chapter 129

    Chapter Chapter


    0129


    0129


    "I... I was suffering from a binge eating disorder," she admitted. "And it was beginning to get out of hand. I knew you took those pills to help yourself purge, so I decided to give them a try." "But...?" I urged her, knowing that there was more to the story.


    Ana sighed. "But... My husband and I were also trying to conceive our second child. My menstrual cycle became erratic, and I found difficulty conceiving even when I had had no issues with my first child. So I had bloodwork done, and they found trace amounts of the contraceptive in my body." My eyes widened. "Is that true?" I whispered, pulling my hand back. "So... So you knew all this time?"


    The maid nodded hastily, but then leaned closer, gripping my hand tightly. "I didn''t know whether you were aware of the contraceptives, Luna," she quickly said. "At first, I thought that maybe you did it intentionally. I knew you and Alpha Noah didn''t have the best rtionship..."Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Her voice trailed off then, and I let out a derisive snort. "That obvious, huh?"


    Ana merely shot me a nce before continuing. "Eventually, I just became too afraid to tell you because it would mean having to admit to stealing from you. And for that, I''m sorry."


    "Ana, you can tell me anything. I wouldn''t have held it against you. We''ve known each other for years."


    "Yes, but..." Ana paused, staring at her hands again. "Luna, if I could be candid now-"


    "Absolutely. Speak your mind."


    She drew in a deep breath, almost seeming to steel herself, before meeting my gaze. "You weren''t always very kind to me. Only in this past month has it seemed as though you didn''t... hate me."


    "Hate you?" I breathed, momentarily astounded. But then it hit me-all of the times in my past life when I had been cruel to her. All of the snide remarks, the little jabs at her cleaning abilities or her attitude. I sighed, feeling my shoulders sag. "You''re right. I was a real b****h." "Luna, no-"


    "No, it''s alright," I assured her. "I was. But I''m trying not to be anymore." I paused, wetting my lips with my tongue as my mind raced. Finally, I patted her hand and offered her a warm smile. "Thank you for being honest, Ana. And I hope you know now that if you''re ever struggling with your body image, you''re beautiful -truly."


    Ana blinked rapidly and bit her lower lip, clearly trying to suppress a smile. "Thank you, Luna."


    "It''s the truth," I said. "If you ever feel like you''re hating on your body,e to me first. I understand what it''s like to hate what you see in the mirror. I wouldn''t wish that upon anyone."


    Ana nodded and stood. I released my grip on her hand, watching as she walked over to the door. But just as she was about to leave, I called out, "Wait."


    She turned. "Yes, Luna?"


    "Call me Hannah from now on," I said. "Please."


    Ana let out a small breath of what almost looked like relief. "Okay. Goodnight... Hannah." Chapter 0129


    Once Ana was gone, I sank down a little further into my bed and furrowed my brow. My mind reeled from what I had learned-and from what I already knew. I kept thinking back to the disappearance of White Rabbit, as well as the strange news that Noah had given me. About how our own family doctor had imed that I was too ''frail'' for sex outside of our ovtion window.


    Somehow, I wondered if they could be connected. So, too curious to get any rest, I quickly called up the doctor''s office and asked for the information on when our family doctor went away.


    "Let''s see," the receptionist on the other end said, pausing for a moment. "The doctor went on his trip... exactly two weeks ago."


    I furrowed my brow, quickly tapping on my phone to check myst message sent to White Rabbit-whose ount was now gone, but the messages between us still remained.


    I had sent myst message to White Rabbit exactly two weeks ago.


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 Chapter 130

    Chapter 0130 Hannah


    Noah didn''t return all day and all night; not that I expected any different from him at this point. I could already picture how he likely spent the night sleeping next to Zoe in the hospital, holding her hand through everything. Something that he couldn''t be bothered to do for me.


    The next morning, I awoke with a new sense of purpose. My head was feeling a bit better, and spending the nightying in bed had given me plenty of time to think about... well, everything. White Rabbit, our family doctor, Noah and Zoe. Most importantly, I had to I had to get to the bottom of this diet pill matter-without Noah''s help. From what it seemed to me, someone didn''t want me getting pregnant with Noah''s baby. And it seemed as though, one way or another, our family physician was rted to the issue.


    But it was just as I was stepping into the kitchen to prepare some coffee and toast that I ran into Noah. He was sitting at the kitchen counter ind, looking disheveled in the same clothes he had been wearing yesterday, with a bowl of cereal in front of himself. "Morning," I "I said gruffly as I brushed past in my nightgown, not even bothering to make eye contact with him. I quickly busied myself with preparing the coffee-admittedly taking care to swing my hips with every step. My nightgown was sheer andcey, and I knew that Noah still wanted my body if nothing else.


    well, let him want it. He wasn''t getting it.


    Yeah, well, let him


    Noah cleared his throat. "Morning. Making coffee?"


    "What does it look like?"


    "Hannah, do you really have to-" he began to huff, but then seemed to stop himself when I turned around and shot him a dark re. He raised his finger as if to speak, but then resorted to shaking his head and forcefully scraping his spoon through his cereal bowl. Satisfied, I turned and watched as the coffee began to brew. "So," I said, gripping the edge of the counter so hard my knuckles turned white, "how was your girlfriend?" I heard a tter as Noah dropped his spoon into his bowl. "Dammit, Hannah," he growled. "It''s not like that."


    i


    I simply shrugged. "I was just asking a question."


    There was a tense silence, one that was punctuated only by the sound of the coffee maker. I watched as my cup filled, followed by a pleasant little ding as the toaster popped up at the same time. This morning, I decided to have creamer in my coffee-and jam on my toast. As I busied myself with preparing my breakfast, I carefully ignored Noah''s presence, avoiding his sharp gaze at all costs. He remained silent, and it was only as I was brushing past him again with my toast and coffee in hand that his hand shot out and grabbed my wrist. "Don''t make me bite you again," I growled, wrenching my arm away.


    1/3


    1/3


    +25


    Just as I was about to reach the kitchen door, the sound of Noah''s voice stopped me. "What is your problem, Hannah?"


    I almostughed out loud. Turning slowly, I leveled him with a dagger-like stare. "Is that really a question?" I huffed.


    He shrugged. "Maybe we wouldn''t have so many issues if you would justmunicate your feelings once in a while. That''s all I''m saying."


    "Ha! That''s rich," I bit back. "Since when do you want me to express my feelings? Last time I checked, you''d rather I just be quiet and keep my opinions to myself." Noah narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. "Just tell me what it is, Hannah."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    "If


    I have to tell you, then you''re an even bigger idiot than I thought." With that, I tossed a lock of hair over my shoulder and began striding out again. But, seeing as how history so often repeats itself, Noah cleared his throat and the noise made my steps falter once more. "Yes, I


    it''s about Zoe, you fool!" I whipped around, nearly spilling my coffee in the process. For several long moments, my lips stayed apart, my chest heaving as I scrambled for a lecture to give him-but then I stopped myself. No. It wasn''t worth it; why even bother if I knew that my words would simply fall on deaf ears?


    "You know what?" I drew in a deep breath and pulled my shoulders back, stering that pleasant smile that I had gotten so good attely on my face. "Nevermind. I''m not going to exin anything to you, because this ismon sense."


    Noah let out a heavy sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look," he said. "You bumped your head. Yes, I was worried about you; but I went to every effort to ensure that you would be fine. Zoe, on the other hand, was in the hospital with a burst appendix. People die from tha that.'' "People die from ''bumped heads, Noah," I growled darkly. "And besides, a burst appendix is a very treatable condition. You would think that simply knowing that she was in the hospital and being cared for would have been enough for you to stay with your wife. We both fell silent after that. I watched as Noah''s jaw clenched and unclenched beneath his skin in that characteristic way of his-something that I once found to be roguishly handsome but now just saw as annoying.


    Finally, he muttered, "I have our family doctor on speed dial. I knew that you were cared for, Hannah. I


    wouldn''t have left otherwise."


    T


    I couldn''t contain my scoff. "Yeah," I said. "Cared for. Sure."


    "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    I shrugged. "I just find it hard to feel cared for'' when I''ve just discovered that our ''trusted'' doctor spent years spreading misinformation about my body."


    Noah opened his mouth, likely to retort, but then shut it again and nodded stiffly. Even he couldn''t seem to argue that. "Well, the doctor is on vacation," he said. "One of his nurses came. So you don''t have to


    +25


    Chapter 0130 worry."


    "Mm." I narrowed my eyes, chewing the inside of my cheek for a moment as I thought. "Where did you find that doctor, anyway?" I finally asked. "He seems like a bit of a hack if he doesn''t know how the female body works." "He was my family doctor," Noah replied. "I''ve known him for years. My father insisted that we hire him as our doctor once we bought this house." see.


    So Noah''s father, Marcus, was the one who originally hired our sham of a doctor. Interesting, I thought to myself. I would have to do some more research on thatter.


    With that, I nodded and turned on my heel, heading toward my bedroom. But, yet again, Noah''s voice caused me to stop in my tracks. "Hannah," he called out. "Come back."


    For a moment, just a moment, I felt my heart pinch in my chest. I turned, slowly, wondering what he could want to apologize, maybe? Exin himself a bit better? Admit, just this once, that he was in the wrong? But no. It was never that. I was so foolish.


    "Let''s go to Zoe''s house tonight," he said, scooping up another spoonful of cereal. "We should be there for her when she gets home from the hospital." Not interesting at all

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    Chapter 0132 Hannah


    Zoe''s house was a mess.


    I couldn''t believe my eyes as I stepped into the living room. What was clearly meant to be a sleek, modern living room was instead covered in unfoldedundry, dirty dishes, and used takeout containers. The surfaces were cluttered with books, mail, and other random junk, and several pairs of muddy shoes were sitting by the front door in a heap. "The kitchen is just through here," Noah said, seemingly unfazed by the mess. He led me through the living room and into what should have been a beautiful and spacious kitchen, but somehow, the kitchen was even worse than the living room.


    tely. I was hit with the smell of a full garbage can. Fruit flies buzzed around a bowl of fruit on the counter, and the sink was full of dirty dishes.


    up my nose as I set the casserole dish down on the counter and looked around. How was this possible? Zoe had never seemed like such a messy person. Maybe she got too used to the servants living with Drake, I thought to myself with a self-satisfied smirk; that had to be it. Surely the princess had be ustomed to the life of having someone else pick up after her and had forgotten how to do it herself. Or.... My eyes wandered the living room again, and I suddenly became aware of something else: Adam''s things. Toys, school reports, drawings stuck to the fridge. Jars of dried y-Doh sitting open on the dining room table, half-used crayons, overflowing backpacks, muddy overalls Suddenly, I felt my heart twist a bit.


    Late


    I had been too cruel to Zoe; she was a mom, after all. And a single mom now. I could already picture her scrambling around to keep up with Adam, trying to keep him upied and happy while his parents were in the midst of a divorce. nights spent trying to get him to sleep. Driving back and forth to school for parent-teacher conferences, too tired to cook so she would stop for takeout. No one to help her do the dishes after, her feet so sore she couldn''t even bear to stand in front of the sink. "I''ll just do the dishes in the morning" she''d likely say to herself. But then the next morning woulde and it would be the same routine all over again. For the first time, I felt truly empathetic toward Zoe-for all I knew, this could be my life soon. With a newborn, no less. I would have it better than her, too, since I would be returning to my rightful pack as the female Alpha.


    Here, in Nightcrest, Zoe was nothing more than a typical single mom. And I was just another **jack*who was making fun of her rather than offering help.


    Snapping my gaze over to Noah, I said, "We should clean up before she gets back."


    Noah shot me a surprised look. "Why?" he asked. "You don''t have to-"


    "If you were Zoe, would you want toe home to a mess like this?" I asked, gesturing around us. "She''s


    +25


    Chapter (13)


    probably exhausted from being a single mom, and then to add a burst appendix to it... It''ll only take us a little while if we both work fast."


    Noah paused for a moment, clearly still in shock, before he nodded. "Alright, well... Yeah, that''s a good idea."


    "I''ll take care of the dishes andundry." I said, already pushing up my sleeves. "You take care of the garbage and vacuuming. Oh, and let''s toss all of Adam''s toys in that basket over there..." Before I knew it, Noah and I were scurrying around Zoe''s house, cleaning up the mess. The dishes were cleaned and put away, the counters were wiped down,undry was thrown in the washing machine, floors were vacuumed, toys were picked up, and the bathrooms were cleaned. aned. Soon, the cute house thatid beneath the mess was slowly exposed. I wandered the house with aundry basket, picking up anything that I missed. Pausing outside of Zoe''s bedroom, I took a deep breath before entering.


    Just like the rest of the house, the bedroom was a mess;undryid strewn about, the bed unmade and the vanity scattered with makeup and other things. ?ighing, I made my way around the room and tidied up. The bedroom felt more personal, so I avoided touching too much, instead focusing on simply picking up trash and dirtyundry.


    Perhaps


    As I was making the bed, though, I was given pause. There, on both pillows, were dents-both pillows had been used. I frowned as I tugged the sheets up, my hands wandering to touch the soft fabric. Adam had slept in Zoe''s bed? He was still a little kid, likely scared of this new house. Maybe... My eyes then wandered over to the nightstand. The drawer was open a bit. ncing over my shoulder to make sure that Noah wasn''t watching, I carefully pulled the drawer open the rest of the way. Zoe''s j journal stared up at me.


    My fingers itched to pull it out, to open it and read what was written inside. Surely there was some juicy information-perhaps even something about Noah. Oh, who was I kidding? There were probably entire chapters about my husband. My own name was probably in there countless times as well.


    Slowly, I reached for the journal, just dying to see what was written. My pupils practically dted at the thought, and as my fingers brushed the soft leather...


    No, I thought to myself, pulling my hand back quickly as though I had been burned by the journal. This was too far, I may have had a lot of thoughts about Zoe and my husband, but I wasn''t about to go snooping into her journal like this. 1 That was just... wrong.


    Shuddering, I quickly closed the drawer and finished making the bed, taking care to fluff the pillows. I grabbed theundry basket and turned, striding toward the door.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    But then my eyes caught something else: ab on the dresser by the door, A men''sb.


    A men''sb with straight, dark hair.


    1 felt my breath catch as I saw it. This was not Zoe''s hair, nor was it Adam''s or even Drake''s-both Adam and Drake had slightly curly hair.


    +25


    No, this hair was all too familiar. This hair belonged to Noah..


    Momentarily forgetting about theundry, I picked up theb with shaking fingers and inspected it in the light. Yes, this was certainly Noah''s hair-not quite jet ck like Drake''s, more of a dark brown and perfectly straight. My fingers curled instinctively around theb, my eyes snapping up as I felt my blood begin to boil.


    So he had slept here before. I looked over at the pillows I had just fluffed, wondering if he hadid his head on one of them. Surely he had.


    "Noah!" I growled without thinking, storming out of the room with theb in my hand. "What is this-"


    My words died in my throat, however, as the sound of a female voice caught my attention: Zoe''s voice. I heard the front door shut, and saw the shadow of Noah''s back as he ran over to help her inside.


    With my heart in my throat, I panicked and chucked theb under the sofa just as Zoe and Noah walked into the room.

 Chapter 133

    Chapter 0133 Hannah


    Theb had just barely managed to slide beneath the couch, hidden from view, when Noah walked into the room with Zoe holding his arm. They both paused in the doorway, Zoe''s mouth hanging open in shock as her eyes roamed her once-filthy living room. "Oh my..." Her hand fluttered to her mouth as she took in the clean space. Even the air smelled sweetly of vani, a candle having been lit on the mantle.


    "What do you think?" Noah asked, gesturing around. "Much better, right?"


    "Much better?" Zoe turned to face him, her pale face splitting into a smile. "That would be putting it lightly; this is amazing. Thank you so much, Noah." She threw her arms around him.


    I felt myself bristle at the sight of them. My jaw clenched so hard that I thought I might break my teeth, and I had to look away from the sickening disy.


    Of course they would hug in front of me like two lovers. And of course Noah would take all of the credit for the cleaning, which was-


    one


    "It was actually Hannah''s idea," Noah said suddenly as he pulled away from Zoe''s hug. "She''s


    s the o who offered to clean."


    Zoe''s mouth hung open again, and even my own eyes widened in shock. Maybe I had been too quick to assume that Noah wouldn''t give me any of the credit for cleaning. Not that it made that littleb discovery any better. "Hannah..." Zoe took a step forward, still holding Noah''s arm for support-she did look shaky and a bit out of it, I would give her that much. "You didn''t have to..."


    Despite myself, I waved my hand dismissively and shat her a stiff smile. "Of course I did. And there''s a casserole heating up in the oven as we speak."


    "A casserole?" Zoe''s eyes widened into saucers. "Oh, I''m starving. They didn''t even let me eat jell-o at the hospital."


    Nodding, I plumped a few pillows on the couch and gestured to it. Noah helped Zoe to sit down, and she let out an audible sigh of relief as she sank down into the cushions.


    "I really can''t thank you two enough," she called out over her shoulder as I made my way into the kitchen. I''m so sorry it was such a mess. It''s just that with Adam and everything.


    "You don''t need to exin yourself." I shrugged even though I knew she wasn''t looking at me as I busied myself with scooping steaming mounds of the casserole and a side of bread rolls onto three tes. "I''m sure it''s difficult being a single mother."


    Zoe let out a scoff. "You can say that again. Adam and are still settling into a routine, and... Well, if I''m being honest, he''s been extra rambunctioustely. I think he''s acting out a little bit because of the divorce. Refusing to put away his toys, not wanting to go to bed, that sort of thing.


    "It''s normal," Noah said. "He''ll settle in eventually."


    I frowned with my back turned, gritting my teeth. Noah had no ce to speak on the subject. If he had


    been staying here with her, why wasn''t he at least helping out? Pig.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    "Where is Adam, by the way?" I asked, pasting that damned smile on my face as I set the tes out on the table.


    Zoe waved her hand and struggled to her feet, making her way over to the dining table with Noah''s help. He''s staying with my parents for a couple of weeks. I figured it would be better this way so I don''t have to worry about popping a stitch running around with him." The three of us settled into our ces-I had taken care to seat Noah and Zoe right next to each other so I could watch their mannerisms.


    As they ate, I barely picked at my food. I couldn''t stop thinking about the hair and the pillows, my eyes darting asionally over to the couch where theb was still hidden underneath. How many nights had Noah spent sleeping here with her? When was thest time he had stayed? Last night? The night before?

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    Chapter 0134


    "This casserole is delicious," Zoe said around a mouthful of pasta, waving her fork around. "You made this, Hannah?"


    I nodded, although I hadn''t done much more than poke at my own food. "I did." "Ah. Well, you''re a good cook."


    Noah snorted. "It still shocks-" he began, but suddenly stopped, noticing my withering re, and busied himself with shoving another forkful of pasta into his mouth. I narrowed my eyes and looked away.


    Seeing Zoe eating so heartily made me lose what little appetite I had left. This whole ordeal with Noah being with her in the hospital had destroyed my appetite, but now it was even worse. Soon, I gave up trying to eat entirely, pushing my te away. In order to avoid scrutiny, I rose from my chair and busied myself with making tea in the kitchen.


    Although, I doubted that Noah or Zoe noticed. Noah had shot me a strange look when I got up but was ultimately too fixated on her, asking if she needed anything every five seconds like a doting husband, to ask why I wasn''t eating. Of course he hadn''t asked me the same questions when I had hit my head. My skull still throbbed and ached from my fall, a scab forming beneath my hair, but he didn''t ask about it even once. Maybe he even forgot already.


    Finally, Zoe pushed her empty te away and leaned back in her chair. "I feel so much better," she said, resting her hand on her stomach. "Although, I think all this moving around is making me sore..." "Here." I was already crossing to her with her pain meds and a ss of water in hand. "You should stay ahead of the pain."Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Thank you." Zoe took two pills and downed them with half of the ss of water. When she was finished, she stood slowly, gripping the edge of the table to keep herself steady. "I should probably lie down."


    "I''ll take you to bed," Noah said quickly, grabbing her elbow. He didn''t notice how I quickly turned away to hide my grimace.


    "Actually," Zoe said, "I wanted to ask... would you two mind staying tonight? I''m afraid of falling and hurting myself if I need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night."


    Before Noah could answer, I was biting out, "Of course" But all the while, I was thinking. Noah will likely be morefortable here. Since he''s so used to sleeping here.


    I didn''t say that, of course.


    "You two can stay in my guest room," Zoe said as Noah led her away. "There are towels in the linen closet


    As they disappeared, their voices fading, I knew there was no way I would sleep next to Noah. Sighing. I nced at my phone to check the time-even considering calling myself an Uber. It wasn''t as if both of us needed to be here. But, ultimately, my feet were too tired to move. As soon as I sank down onto the couch, I felt like I might not be able to get back up. Chapter 0134


    And in fact, with Zoe and Noah gone, my eyes fluttered closed. The scent of the vani candle began to lull me to sleep, and I began to think that maybe I could just sleepfortably on the couch tonight...


    But just before I was able to drift off, I was abruptly awoken by a hand on my shoulder. I snapped my eyes open and jerked my head up to see a fresh te of casserole hovering in front of me. Noah''s green eyes started sternly down at me as he thrust the te a little closer.


    Eat."

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    Chapter 0135


    Hannah


    "Eat."


    Noah held the steaming te of casserole in front of me, thrusting it a little closer into my face. I narrowed my eyes at him and leaned away, shooting him a wary look.


    I''m not hungry."


    "Yes, you are. You have to eat something."


    Yes.


    Dammit. Noah was right, I was starving. But I wasn''t about to eat that, and especially not in front of him. Not when theb he used when he spent the night with another woman was sitting just a few feet away from me. Turning my head, I waved him away. "I''m fine. I''ll eatter."


    Noah sighed and circled around the couch,ing to sit next to me. "I know you have been starving yourself again," he said. "You need calories to survive, Hannah. You know that, right?"


    1 swallowed, thinking back on the night when I had died-the night that he still didn''t know about. If only he knew. If only he knew that I had firsthand experience of that.


    But even then, that little eating disorder voice was strong in the back of my mind. I would not eat tonight.


    "I haven''t been starving myself," I lied.


    "Is that so?" Noah suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist, holding it up to the light so we could both see. Hisrge hand fit easily around my wrist with space between-not that I was surprised. He just had big hands. But then, almost as though he were reading my mind, he began to slide his hand up my arm. I felt a shudder ripple through me at his warm touch, his calloused palms brushing against my skin.


    It wasn''t until his hand went past my elbow and halfway up my upper arm that his fingers stopped being able to reach all the way around it and he finally stopped.


    "See?" he said. "I shouldn''t be able to fit my fingers around someone''s upper arm, especially not with space still in the middle." He dropped my arm and shoved the te closer. "You may be making efforts in public to show that you''re in recovery, but you''re not following those same practices in private."


    I felt my breath catch, realizing that he was right; despite all of my public efforts, such as attending that group counseling session, I wasn''t doing much in my personal time to get better. Sure, maybe here or there I would eat a nibble of something or try to use my mantra, but...


    It wasn''t enough.


    Finally, I took the te with a sigh. Noah watched quietly as I speared a piece of pasta with my fork and raised it to my lips. My hand trembled as the fork hovered there in front of my mouth, the tantalizing scent of garlic and rich, creamy sauce wafting through my nose. But I couldn''t do it. Inside of me, it was like that little voice was screaming: Too many carbs! Don''t eat it! No! Nooo!


    The fork fell back to my te with a tter. Almost as though a switch had gone off, my eyes began to


    prickle with hot tears, and it was all I could do to keep them from spilling over..


    "I... I can''t," I whispered, shoving the te back into his hands. "Leave me alone. I don''t want to eat."


    For several endless moments, Noah simply stared at me with the te in hisp. I figured that he might give up and leave, just as he always did. That he would go to Zoe''s bedside instead and give her the attention that I really needed. That he wouldter use me of not being in control of my emotions, that he would use this moment against me somehow when the divorce came.


    But... He didn''t


    Rather, he picked my fork back up and held it out to me.


    "Just one bite," he said softly, leaning close so that his breath ruffled my hair as he spoke. "Please. For


    me."


    I felt a knot form in my throat as I lifted my gaze to meet his. I hadn''t realized it, but a tear had escaped and streaked down my face, the salty liquid curving into my lips and touching the tip of my tongue. Noah''s green eyes remained fixed on my face, his hand steady as he held the fork out to me.


    "Just one bite, and I''ll leave you alone."


    Swallowing, I nodded stiffly and opened my mouth. My lips trembled as Noah gently leaned forward, his eyes wandering down to my tongue. He hesitated there for a moment, and for the briefest of seconds, I saw his own tongue dart out to wet his lips.


    And then he gently pushed the pasta into my mouth. Shuddering. I closed my lips around the fork, pulled the pasta off, and chewed.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    vor exploded in my skull, rich green beans and savory cheese coating my tongue. I felt as though I had just taken a drug-my pupils dting, my heart beginning to race in my chest.


    Noah, noticing this, smiled a bit and speared another piece. "One more?" he asked.


    I nodded quickly and took the second bite much more easily, chewing rapidly. It was delicious-truly delicious. And I was fucking starving


    Without a word, Noah gently handed me the te. Over the next ten minutes, neither of us spoke as I sat there, eating everyst piece of pasta on the te. I didn''t care if it made me sick or if it made me hate myself. My body needed this nourishment. It craved it. With each bite, I felt less and less weak, the color returning to my skin and my tears turning into tears of joy.


    All the while, Noah sat quietly and patiently, just... watching me.


    When I was finished, I covered my mouth in shame and went to stand. "I''ll go wash-"


    "Rx," Noah suddenly said, grabbing the te from me. "I''ll wash the dishes."


    Before I could even protest, Noah was already striding into the kitchen. I watched him go with wide eyes. A few momentster, I heard the sink running and the soft clinking of cutlery as he cleaned up.


    Suddenly craving a ss of water, I stood and walked into the kitchen. I paused there in the doorway, watching as he carefully washed each dish and ced it in the drying rack. With his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his hair slightly tousled, he looked incredibly handsome, even from behind.


    My stomach twisted, though. Because seeing him like this, doing something so domestic as washing the


    dishes, was just a painful reminder that he had stayed here with Zoe.


    He wasn''t my husband, not really. He never had been. This was Zoe''s house. And theb he had used was still sitting underneath the couch.


    I felt my


    blood begin to simmer just beneath the surface once again. Turning with a clenched jaw, I strode over to the couch and got down on my knees, reaching out to retrieve theb. I had to confront him now, rip off the band-aid before it really festered. But my hand met nothing except empty carpet.


    Furrowing my brow, I leaned down further to peer under the couch. Lo and behold, theb was gone. Not moved, not jostled, just....


    Gone.


    How..?


    "Hannah, what are you doing down there?"

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    Chapter 0136


    Chapter 0136 Hannah


    The sound of Noah''s voice made me stand so abruptly that I whacked my head on the sofa. Reeling, I clutched the side of my head and began to careen backwards, my other hand windmilling in search of something to grab onto. "Easy, there."All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I felt two strong, warm arms wrap around me from behind, catching me before I could fall. My feet barely touched the ground now, and when I looked up, I was met with Noah''s concerned gaze. "S-Sorry," I said, hating how childish I sounded at that moment.


    He shook his head at me bemusedly and set me down on the couch where I could collect my bearings." What were you doing just now?" he asked, c**g his head to the side. "And why are you so jumpy?"


    I opened my mouth to tell him that I had found theb he had apparently used when he spent the night here with Zoe, but the words died in my throat before they even reached my tongue. I couldn''t bring myself to mention it right now, not when he was sitting next to me and stroking my shoulder with one of his warm, broad palms. No matter how angry I was with him, I couldn''t ruin the rare tenderness of this moment.


    Instead, I turned my head to the side and pressed my lips into a thin line as though that would somehow hide the blush in my cheeks.


    "Nothing." I lied with a wave of my hand. "I just thought I dropped my ne."


    Noah shot me a strange look. "Your ne is still around your neck," he replied.


    I merely shrugged. "Yeah, well, I wasn''t thinking."


    For a moment, Noah just blinked at me in mild confusion, his hand still roaming my shoulder. This close, the scent of his cologne overwhelmed my senses-smokey and woodsy, like an aged whiskey or a smoldering campfire. No doubt Zoe had smelled his scent this close, too, when they had shared a bed.


    Finally, he pulled his hand away and yawned, standing. Well, I''ll take the couch tonight," he said. "You can have the guest room. Zoe said it''s down the hall and to the left. You can use the shower or whatever else you need." "I''m fine," I said, standing myself now that the moment had been broken. "Goodnight." "Goodnight"


    With that, I turned around and made for the doorway. But before I could make it, I heard Noah clear his throat. Suddenly, his hand shot out past me, darting across the doorway and pressing into the molding so that I was caged in. I felt my breath catch as I reeled back a bit, looking up at those deep green eyes of his.


    "Is there something else you need?" I asked, my voice far more timid than I intended it to be. I couldn''t help it; here, beneath his gaze and the stony outline of his chest towering over me, I felt like a damali  Chapter 0136


    distress.


    He paused for a moment, his eyes darting up and down my face before he finally spoke in barely more than a whisper. "Hannah, I''m.... I''m sorry. For making you feel the way you did when you fell."


    As soon as he finished speaking, the tips of his ears turned red. He quickly pulled his hand away from the doorframe and took a step back to give me space to leave, but I didn''t. "You''re sorry?" I blurted out. "You really are?"


    He nodded. "I''ve been thinking about it, and I know you must have felt like shit when I walked out like that," he said. "I should have stayed with you longer."


    Yeah, I thought to myself. You should have. But you came here instead, and slept in her bed, and.....


    Of course, I didn''t voice any of that. I could see the remorse in his eyes, and once again, I felt myself soften ever so slightly.

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    Chapter 0137


    "Just... Why?" I managed, swallowing hard around the lump in my throat. "Why would you go be with her when your wife was injured at home?" He paused, a muscle ticking in his jaw before he answered. "It was for Adam." "Adam?"


    1 didn''t want him to watch his mom go through that all on his own," he said. "And I didn''t trust Drake to show up. So I stayed with him herest night until his grandparents were able toe and take him back with them." All at once, it felt as though my insides fell out. The dented pillows, theb, the hair....


    Noah had slept herest night, but not for the reasons I had thought. He wasn''t sleeping with Zoe. He was taking care of a scared little boy. "Oh," was all I could manage.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    There was a long silence after that, both of us unsure of what to say. Finally, reaching out, I touched his arm. "You''d make a good dad," I said softly "Really." Noah''s jaw clenched, his arm recoiling instinctively. Even I winced, I had hurt him. Thest time we talked about parenthood, I had reflexively told him that I would never have children with him. But now, here I was, pregnant with a child he didn''t even know about. "Noah, I."


    I parted my lips, the words lingering right there on the tip of my tongue. I''m pregnant, I wanted to tell him. I''m pregnant with your baby.


    Goddess, I wanted to tell him more than anything. That strange, lovesick part of me wanted him to know that I was going to have his baby, that he would scoop me up into my arms and twirl me around and kiss me deeply and tell me that everything would be okay. But I couldn''t tell him. Once again, I found myself unable to do it. Because, ultimately, that wouldn''t ever be his child-not in the ways that mattered. Everything I had imagined was just a fantasy, nothing more. "Anyway," he said before I could finish, pulling away, "I''m d you ate. It''s good to see you enjoy food-1 know you''ve always enjoyed it, even when you don''t want to allow yourself to."


    I couldn''t help but blush at his words as I turned to head to bed. I supposed thad always loved food, ever since I could remember. In fact....


    "Hey," I said suddenly, turning onest time to face him, "do you remember when we were teenagers, and we stole those roasted quail eggs from my parents'' kitchen?" My face took on a fond, distant look as I spoke, recalling that old memory. "My parents were furlous, because the eggs were meant for guests. But the way the juice ran down our chins, the vor... It was worth it."


    I could still remember it clear as day now: the two of us sneaking through the kitchens, stuffing roasted quail eggs into our pockets before the summer pic. We ran from the angry chef until he eventually gave up, and we found a spot beneath a tree to feast on our spoils. The summer breeze had caused the leaves to sway over our heads, the warm, sticky, gooey insides of the


    eggs running down our chins and staining our shirts. We hadughed so much, and ate until our bellies. were full. And we hadughed even when we had been scolded by my parents.


    When my eyes refocused on the present, however, I was met with nothing more than a confused look in Noah''s eyes. He shook his head, furrowing his brow.


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about, Hannah."


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 138

    Chapter 0138 Hannah


    I stood there frozen, my heart sinking as Noah shook his head at me in confusion. He blinked at me, pursing his lips; this was no prank or cruel joke. He genuinely didn''t remember-just as he hadn''t remembered our meeting date.


    "You don''t... You don''t remember?" I all but whispered, trying and failing to keep my voice from quivering.


    Noah furrowed his brow at me and shrugged one shoulder like it was nothing. "No, I don''t," he said. "Are you sure that was us and not one of your friends? You and Viona, maybe?"


    I felt as if a knife had been twisted in my gut at those words.


    No, it hadn''t been me and Viona, It had been me and Noah. Just months before our wedding. The summer that I was neen and he was going on twenty. It had been an incredibly hot day, too, and our families had been preparing for the annual summer pic. The memory of us stealing those roasted quail eggs was one I had always treasured. Years had passed, but I had never forgotten that day, not for a moment. Even now, I could still taste the sticky yolks of the eggs and feel the summer breeze on my cheek. he just stood


    Meanwhile, Noah had forgotten like it was nothing more than a fleeting dream. And now he there staring at me like I was nuts.


    1, um..." I froze, my throat bobbing as I swallowed hard. Words failed me then. I just felt... empty, like at puppet whose arms were hanging dumbly at its sides. I opened and closed my mouth several times, but no words woulde. What could I even say? What could I even do?Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Moments like that day we stole the quail eggs felt so pivotal to me. But not to Noah, apparently. No, they were just blips on his radar, nothing more than a burden to remember.


    How much did he remember about his rtionship with Zoe, I wondered? Every moment, I guessed. I doubted that he had lost even a second of his time with her to the years, but with me... Hell, I still hadn''t forgotten that he hadn''t even gotten our meeting anniversary right at that party. "Harinah?" Noah''s gruff voice snapped me out of my daze. "What is it? You look like you just saw a ghost."


    I quickly blinked back the tears that were welling up in my eyes and swallowed hard around the lump in my throat. Part of me wanted to grab his shoulders and shake him, screaming in his face. I wanted to knock the sense back into him, force him to remember But I knew, deep down, that it was no use. He couldn''t remember. Or maybe he just wouldn''t.


    Get it together, I thought to myself. This doesn''t change anything. You knew it was this bad.


    "Yeah, I''m fine," I lied, forcing that tight smile of mine once again-soon, it would stay glued to my face. "I think you''re right-it was me and Viona. But, um... I''m getting tired. I''m gonna head to bed."


    "Okay. Goodnight."


    "Night."


    Without waiting around to give either of us another chance to speak, I turned and hurried down the


    J

 Chapter 139

    ust as I was about to open the door, however, a firm hand shot out and shoved it shut once again. I stopped in my tracks, my hand still lingering on the doorknob, as I looked up to see Noah''s tall form towering over me. "Why are you leaving?" he whispered, leaning closer. "What about the car?"


    I simply shrugged and ced one hand on my hip. "I figured you could call the driver toe and pick you up whenever you''re ready," I said, ncing around theer to see Zoe still bustling around the kitchen with a satisfied smile on her face. "Although, you seem cozy enough here. Maybe you should stay. here for a few days"


    Noah visibly bristled at my words, his ears turning a new shade of red.


    "Why would I stay here?" he growled.


    I didn''t bother to answer; I simply tilted my chin down at him and shot him a scathing look through my eyebrows before roughly yanking the door open, causing him to lose his grip and stumble backwards. I then held my hand out t and waited.


    Noah clenched his jaw for a moment, his eyes darting back and forth across my face, before he finally sighed. Fishing his car keys out of his pocket, he plopped them in my hand and stalked off.


    Without so much as ncing back, I strode down the path to the car and drove away.


    Pulling the car over to the side of the road, I put it in park close to the small sign and peered through the windshield.


    "Bake Sale," the sign read. "Children''s Center Fundraiser."


    My stomach was growling again, and the idea of a muffin sounded appetizing-and besides, I didn''t feel like going home. Out of spite, I felt like taking Noah''s precious car on a bit of a joyride. Maybe I would take it to the next town over for some shoppingter, too. As I walked inside the smallmunity center, I was immediately hit with the sweet scent of confections and the sound of soft music. Tables were scattered around containing various baked goods, and I slipped my sunsses up onto my head as I browsed. "Luna Hannah? Is that you?" a soft voice suddenly asked. I lifted my head to see a middle-aged woman in an apron walking up to me, a group of young children watching from afar.


    "Hello," I said with a smile. "How can I help you?"


    The woman beamed at me and wrung her hands a bit as she nodded her head toward the kids. "I''m Maggie, one of the instructors at the pre-school. The kids recognized you and wanted me to ask if you''d like to join us for our dreamcatcher-making session. Quirking an eyebrow, I peered past the woman at the group of kids; they were all quite small, wearing matching little aprons and watching with wonder on their tiny faces.


    Instantly, I felt whatever anger I had been feeling before ebb away. I offered the woman a grin and nodded. "I''d love to join. Thank you for inviting me."


    I followed the woman to the kids, who shyly greeted me with bashful looks on their faces. Crouching


    Chapter 0130.


    down to each of them, I greeted them all by name, taking my time toment on their hair or their face paint or their aprons.


    Over the next half hour, I joined in on the dreamcatcher session; I sat on the floor with the kids, helping them to properly wrap the string and attach the beads and feathers.


    It was moments like this-being with the children, surrounded by their innocence and the sounds of their tinklingughter-that I felt most at ease. In fact, I had all but forgotten about Noah and Zoe by the time our dreamcatchers were finished, and I even agreed to stay for another arts and crafts session as well.


    "Thank you, Luna Hannah!" one of the little boys said, holding his dreamcatcher up triumphantly. "Now I can tell everyone that I got to y with a Luna!"


    Iughed and pinched his cheek. "And now I get to tell everyone that I got to y with you kids," I said.


    Suddenly, however, a familiar male voice cut through the din of tiny children''sughter.


    "Fancy seeing you here."


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

 Chapter 140

    Chapter 0140 Hannah


    The kids all looked up in unison at the sound of the voice. One little boy gasped: "Alpha Drake!"


    Indeed, there he was: Drake, in all his glory, standing against a nearby wall with his hands in his pockets. He had a grin on his face as he pushed away from the wall and approached.


    "Hannah," he said, stopping a few feet in front of me. "I didn''t expect to see you here."


    I rose and wiped my hands off on the front of my pants. "I could say the same thing about you," I said, walking a little ways away with him so we could have some privacy and avoid riling up the kids even further. "I wouldn''t guess you''d take part in something like this." Is it really so surprising?" Drake raised an eyebrow, but the smile on his lips remained, "I saw the advertisements for this and decided to contribute to the fundraising efforts." He held up a bag of mu***ns. I couldn''t help but smile in return. "That''s very kind of you."


    Drake merely shrugged and reached into the bag, breaking off a piece of a mu****n and popping it into his mouth. "I''m really just being selfish because I wanted something sweet for breakfast. Want some?"All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I shook my head and held my hand up to stop him. "Thank you," I said, "but I''m alright."


    Peering past me, Drake nodded his head toward the children, who were now busy making paper turkeys using the outlines of their hands for the bodies. "You seem to be good with kids. Not that I''m surprised, after how you treated Adam at the eptance ceremony." "I love kids," I said, following his gaze. "They''re... innocent. Untouched by decades of misery." Drake co***d his head at me. "Spoken like an angsty teen," he teased.


    Rolling my eyes, I waved my hand at him dismissively. 1 didn''t mean it like that," I said. "It''s just... It''s nice to have a positive impact on children-to give them those happy memories so that our next generation can be better than we were."


    Drake paused, seemingly absorbing my words for a moment, before he nodded. "Well... You''re certainly doing a good job of that," he said. "With Adam, too; he loves that Optimus Prime toy you gave him. It''s like his favorite thing. I never got to thank you on his behalf." "Zoe is letting you see him?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.


    He shrugged, and for a moment, his eyes took on a faraway look as a muscle ticked in his jaw. asionally. Not enough."


    I opened my mouth to speak, but no words woulde. It wasn''t just that I felt bad for Drake since he couldn''t see his son as much as he liked-it was also that, someday, Noah might be in the same situation. But Noah deserved it, I kept telling myself. He would only view our child as a key to his lineage, anyway, and besides... If he was really sleeping with Zoe, then I wasn''t obligated to feel sorry for him. Not now, not


    ever


    "Well... You know he''s with his grandparents right now, I said.


    Drake''s eyebrows shot up. "He... Why?" he blurted out.


    "You didn''t know?"


    "No," Drake said, slowly dropping the second piece of m***n back into the bag with suddenly-ck fingers. "What, did something happen?"


    "Nothing too serious." I shrugged, "Zoe had her appendix out the other day. She had Adam sent to stay with his grandparents while she recovers."


    Drake''s mouth opened and closed a few times like a fish out of water, his eyes swiveling back and forth. I could see a look of hurt pass through his gaze, followed by anger.


    "And she wouldn''t ask me to take him?" he growled. "His own father?"


    I didn''t know what to say, I hadn''t expected Drake to be so hurt, but then again, I supposed that was naive of me. Of course he would be upset that the mother of his child wouldn''t reach out to him in a situation like that. If I were in his position, I would have been furious. Finally, with a huff, he folded his arms across his chest. "You know, I really thought we might have been getting somewhere at thatpetition," he said softly. "I thought she was finally beginning toe around. I guess I''ll have to double my efforts."

 Chapter 141

    Chapter 0141


    I frowned, cing a hand on his arm. "Drake."


    Drake snapped his eyes over to me, his muscles tensing as he likely prepared some kind of retort. But then his shoulders ckened, and he let out a sigh as he ran a hand through his hair. "I know, I know. I can''t strong-arm her into falling back in love with me," he said, then paused, licking his lips. "You know, that whole thing was my aunt''s idea-not mine. I told her it was too far, but..." "It''s alright. There will be other opportunities. Less... intense ones, maybe."


    Drake nodded and pulled the piece of m****n back out of his bag. "You''re right. Something that will show her I miss her without making her feel like I''m cornering her. And-"


    Suddenly, before Drake could finish, my stomach growled. Loudly. I instantly ced my hand over my stomach, my face reddening, as I realized that I still hadn''t eaten a bite of food all morning. "I''m so sorry," I said, looking away. "That was embarrassing."


    Drake merely chuckled. "Here. Eat."


    I turned to look at him, seeing that he was now holding the piece of m***fin out to me. For a few moments, my eyes flickered to him and to the m****n, then back to him. It did look good. It smelled good, too. Finally, unable to resist, I leaned forward and took a bite.


    My lips brushed his fingers, but I didn''t mean to; I only noticed the sweet taste of the blueberries, the hard grains of raw sugar


    on top, the fluffy dough.


    "Wow," I said, cing my hand over my mouth as I chewed and swallowed. "These m***ns are delicious."


    Drake grinned, "I told you."


    By now, we were nearly at the door. I stopped, turning to Drake, and offered him a warm smile. "It was good seeing you."


    Drake nodded and gave my arm a squeeze. "We should hang out again sometime," he said, then paused, looking a bit embarrassed. "Not just to fulfill our n with Zoe and Noah, but... as friends. I enjoy yourpany.*


    "I enjoy yourpany too, Drake," I said, leaning forward to hug him. "I think it would be nice to spend some time together."


    My feet were sore as I flopped down on the couch with a heavy sigh. I had spent the day running around town-driving Noah''s car to the mall, to the coffee shop, to the nail salon. I had even picked up Viona to join me on my adventures, who was currently sinking down into the armchair across the room with a sigh of her own.


    "You didn''t fill the tank, did you?" she asked, peering at me over the top of her phone.


    I giggled and shook my head as I flipped through the TV channels. "Of course not. If he''s going to cheat on me, then I''m not buying him gas.


    Viona grinned. "Good girl."


    We sat there in silence for a few minutes as I tried to find something good to watch-I was craving something cheesy and romantic tonight. Something to take my mind off of the reality of my own romantic life.


    But just as I was about to get up to make popcorn, Viona gasped and nearly dropped her phone.


    "Hannah!" she breathed, rushing over to me and shoving her phone in my face. "Look at this!"


    Frowning, I took her phone and peered at the picture on the screen; and instantly, I felt my stomach drop straight through the floor beneath me.


    There, stered on the front page of a local tabloid, was a photo of me and Drake taken the moment that I had eaten the **out of his hand, my lips brushing his fingers.


    "And there''s another one," Viona breathed, scrolling down to another picture: this time depicting us smiling at one another and hugging.


    I felt as if I might be sick when I read the headline.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Alpha Drake and Luna Hannah: Sordid Affair?!?"

 Chapter 142

    Chapter 0142 Hannah


    It was only a few moments after Viona showed me the tabloid that my phone began to ring on the coffee table. Exchanging nervous nces with my friend, I carefully leaned forward and felt myself visibly cringe


    at the name on the caller ID.


    "It''s Noah," I murmured, my voice trembling despite my best efforts. Viona gasped softly and gripped my knee. "Are you gonna answer it?"


    My hand hovered over the phone for a few moments as I grappled with the decision that needed to be made; if I answered it, then Noah would certainly chew me out. There was no doubt in my mind that he had seen the pictures, because he wouldn''t be calling me otherwise. On the other hand, if I didn''t answer it ... Well, he might just be even more angry. I really w


    was caught between a rock and a hard ce.


    Ultimately, though, I couldn''t pick it up. I felt too stunned to speak, let alone to handle Noah right now. Instead, I pulled my hand away and let the phone continue to ring. I chewed my lip and shot Viona al terrified nce. "I can''t," I said softly.


    Viona shuddered and nodded, sinking down onto the couch beside me. For several breathless moments, we simply watched as the phone rang and rang. It felt like an eternity before it finally stopped, and it was only then that I let out a gasp of air I didn''t realize I had been holding.


    "It wasn''t like that, you know," I murmured, shaking my head. "Drake and I are friends. Nothing more."


    "I believe you." Viona rubbed my back in a slow circle. "But the press likes to make up its own stories."


    "Trust me, I know." I held my head in my hands, pressing my fists into my eyelids as though that would somehow help. Viona and I stayed like that for a long time before the sudden sound of the front door opening and mming shut, followed by the sound of Noah''s voice in the foyer, caused us both to jump. "Go," I said softly to Viona, nodding my head toward the direction of the back door. "I don''t want you to hear this."


    Viona nodded and scurried away. She hadn''t even been gone for a few moments before Noah suddenly appeared in the doorway, his phone clutched in his hand and his nostrils ring with anger.


    "What the hell, Hannah?" he asked, crossing the room in two quick strides and shoving his phone in my face to show me the pictures I had just seen.


    I swatted his hand away and turned my head toward the wall. "I don''t need a scolding." I growled in response.


    Noah red at me for several long moments, huffing deeply through his nose, before he finally lowered his phone and turned away. "I warned you against this sort of thing." he said quietly. "I warned you, when you went out with him the first time, that it would backfire. And I wouldn''t help you again."


    that


    I


    I clenched my jaw, "I know."


    But you did it anyway," he growled. "You couldn''t have juste home this morning like you said you would; you had to go gallivanting around with him. Eating food out of his hands, hugging him in public. And now look what happened."


    I opened my mouth to retort and tell him that it wasn''t like that, that the picture had only been a moment between two friends that had been misconstrued, but then I shut it again. No, I thought to myself. Let him think that Drake and I have a thing with each other. After all, it would serve him right for whatever the hell he was doing with Zoe.


    Instead, I


    I simply


    stood and crossed over to the window. I peered out into the dark front yard for a moment before I snapped the curtains shut, feeling almost as though we were being watched right that second.


    I''ll handle it," I said simply.


    I heard Noah scoff behind me, but I didn''t turn to face him.


    "Of course you will," he


    he growled angrily. "And you''d better do it quickly."Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Quickly?" I finally turned to face him and shot him an incredulous look. "What, are you timing me now?"


    Noah merely shrugged. "Forty-eight hours," he replied coldly, his hands clenched into tight white fists at his sides. "I''ll give you two days to figure this out. And if you don''t..."


    "What?" I scoffed. "You''ll beat me? Lock me up? Prevent our divorce?"


    "No, Hannah! Goddess," he said, throwing his hands up into the air in exasperation. "What do you think of me? That I''m some kind of tyrant?"


    When I didn''t respond and merely stared at him with pursed lips, he turned on his heel with a huff and strode over to the doorway. "If you don''t handle this, I will; but only because it affect both of us, not just you. And this time, I''m going to charge you for my time, I''m tired of running around cleaning up your messes for free." "Oh, like time i is


    Before I could finish, Noah''s icy eyes snapped to me like two daggers. I fell silent, my mouth working uselessly for a few moments before I gave up and looked away.


    I


    "I bit out through clenched teeth. "You seem to have plenty of time to spend with-" "Fine," was all I could manage to say.


    With that, Noah stormed out. I stood frozen, still clutching the curtains, until I heard the sound of the front door opening and closing again. Only then did I lean against the wall and slide to the floor, too exhausted to even walk over to the couch. Forty-eight hours. That was all the time I had to figure this out-to figure out a situation that wasn''t even really my fault, all thanks to the tabloids having a field day with an intimate moment. Yeah, well, I already had a n,


    The next morning. I woke up bright and early and immediately hopped out of bed. As I quickly showered, dressed, and got ready for the day, I felt more motivated than I had in a long time. +25 DONUS


    +25


    Today, I had a trick up my sleeve, something that had been brewing for some time now. I had to cut a few corners to bring it to fruition sooner than I would have hoped, but it all seemed to be turning out okay so far


    Now, Noah would be eating his words-because, unlike he apparently seemed to assume of me, I was always prepared as ofte. I supposed that dying and being brought back to life gave me that trait.


    It was a little whileter that I stepped out of the car, thanking the driver and climbing the steps to thergemunity center. From outside, I could see people bustling around within-hangingst-minute flyers, wheeling the podium to the center of the room, arranging flower disys and information booths.


    And there, in the center of it all, was arge banner hanging overhead.


    "Eating Disorder Awareness

 Chapter 143

    Chapter 0143


    Hannah


    I waved my hand as I stepped up to the podium, that well practiced smile of mine spread across my face. The sh of the cameras was nearly blinding, but I didn''t let it faze me-this moment was too important for that.


    "Hello, everyone," I said warmly as I leaned into the microphone. "Thank you all foring today."


    There was a ripple of murmurs across the assembled crowd in response, I swept my gaze over the audience to take stock of everyone who hade; it was a better turnout than I had expected. It seemed as though, despite the fact that I had decided to hold this event far sooner than I had initially anticipated, a lot of people were excited for it.


    And so was I; after all, I had been working on this event for weeks, unbeknownst to Noah. I had managed to hide my ns that day that he had seen all of my other notes for the Lunar Festival because I wanted to keep this to myself. I didn''t need him stepping in andmandeering everything like he did so often. My idea for the Eating Disorder Awareness campaign had taken root just after my first attendance at the support group about a month ago when I was chatting with the counselor one night.


    We had mentioned the concept of one day moving the support group to a new location, as the church that it was located in was nning on converting the room into storage. I had suggested opening an office somewhere downtown.


    But slowly, over time, it had blossomed into something more-a full month-long campaign to not only raise awareness for those with eating disorders, but also to fundraise for a center for eating disorders.


    Initially, I had figured that this campaign could be good for my approval ratings. I figured that it would help people like me more for the divorce and prepare me for an easy exit from my marriage to Noah.


    But eventually, that goal shifted. I wanted to see the small counseling sessions blossom into something more: an entire center for eating disorder support and recovery. A ce where anyone of any age and gender could go for therapy, information, and even inpatient assistance in severe cases.


    "As the Luna of Nightcrest," I began, keeping my voice carefully chipper, "it is my duty to ensure the safety and wellbeing of my people. That''s why I''ve decided to run this campaign-to not only increase awareness for one of the most deadly mental disorders, but also to provide help to anyone who suffers from an eating disorder."


    I paused then, gesturing to the woman behind me. "That is why I''ve partnered with Sophia, the head counselor for our local eating disorder support group."


    As I spoke, I waved Sophia forward and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. "Sophia and I have recently been discussing opportunities to expand the support group," I said. "We hope to extend the group''s outreach, eventually focusing on developing a new, state-of- the-art center for eating disorder support."


    Over the next few minutes, I slowly unveiled my ns for the new building a rtively small but modern structure that would hopefully be located in the heart of the city, right next door to the local hospital campus.


    The building would be staffed 24/7, allowing anyone who needed help to apply for counseling or


    admission. It would have twenty private rooms that were free to those who needed them, and there would be specialized nurses and doctors on staff to monitor the patients'' recovery.


    Here, at this new center, patients would receive personalized care. Those with eating disorders would not be lumped into the psych ward at the hospital where the staffcked certain expertise, but would rather receive the niche care that they needed. And insurance wasn''t necessary, everything would bepletely free.


    "You know..." I paused after giving my spiel, cautiously licking my lips as I surveyed the crowd. "I, too, suffer from an eating disorder."


    The crowd murmured softly and shifted in their seats.


    "It''s true." I said. "I have suffered from anorexia for years; binging and purging, starvation, diet supplements, fear of food. I have experienced it all and suffered greatly. But..." I paused again, drawing in a shuddering breath. "Thanks to the help of those like Sophia and my friends, I have begun the road to recovery."


    Scanning the crowd, I finally caught sight of who I was looking for: Drake. I pointed at him, grinning widely.


    "One of my confidants is none other than Alpha Drake, a wonderful friend of mine," I said. "On more than one asion, he has convinced me to eat, even when I''m terrified to do it even going so far as to feed me with his own hands."


    All eyes turned to Drake then, who blinked curiously at me for a moment. I hadn''t warned him about this. but it didn''t matter, all that mattered was that people bought it, and that it detracted from those damn tabloids.


    After all, that was part of the reason why I had held this event today, instead of two weeks from now like I originally nned. If I could change the narrative of what had been going on in that picture-and technically, I was telling the truth-then all of this nonsense about a ''sordid affair'' would blow over in an instant.


    Before the crowd could bristle for too long. I continued, "A wonderful support system is key for any recovery." I said. "And that is why I''m beginning this campaign; to provide support for those who need it. Sophia, would you like to unveil our first fundraising event?" "Certainly, Hannah." Sophia leaned into the microphone next. "In two weeks'' time, we will be hosting a pageant."


    The crowd shifted ufortably at that, just as I suspected they would.


    "A beauty pageant?" someone called out. "Isn''t that counterintuitive for an eating disorder campaign?"


    I smiled and shook my head. "This pageant will be different. We will not be choosing the winners based on looks; only on merit and pureness of heart. All of the contestants will be hidden behind a screen for this reason, forcing the judges-and all of us-to choose a winner without being swayed by appearance."


    For several moments, the people in the crowd looked at each other with uncertainty. I saw a few people shake their heads and purse their lips, but I expected this; of course some people would be against it.


    But, as the first person rose to begin the apuse, I knew that the majority would approve.


    Soon, the entire room had erupted into apuse. Sophia and I grinned at each other, and she gave me a tight hug.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Thank you," she whispered as we pulled apart. I''m so excited."


    "Me too," I replied with a grin.


    Together, Sophia and I stepped off of the podium to begin mingling. We shook hands and answered questions, smiling for the cameras as we slowly made our way through the crowd.


    But then I felt the sensation of a familiar pair of eyes on me. Lifting my head, I saw him.


    Noah stood in the doorway, his mouth hanging open in shock.

 Chapter 144

    Chapter 0144 Hannah


    I strode up to Noah with a grin on my face and instantly threw my arms around him, pulling him in for a hug and a kiss on his cheek.


    His muscles tensed beneath my touch, but I held him tight so that everyone could see us. If part of this event was for damage control, then I needed to make sure I was seen being romantic with my husband, even if it made me want to w my own eyes out. When we finally pulled apart, I leveled him with a hard look while he nced around curiously.


    Who came up with all of this so fast?" he asked, gesturing around at the bustling event.


    1 did.


    I did.


    Noah shot me a surprised expression. "You... What?" he asked, sounding genuinely shocked.


    I nodded. "It''s an idea I''ve had for a while now. Why do you seem so surprised?"


    Thod


    For a few moments Noah just blinked at me, clearly too stunned to speak. I just watched him with a self-satisfied smirk on my face as my nails dug into his forearm. Everyone else thought we were just having an intimate moment,pletely oblivious to the fact that we were in the midst of a silent war against one another. Finally, he scratched his head and shrugged. "I don''t know. I''m just not used to you doing stuff like this."


    "Yeah, well, get used to it." I released my grip on his arm and began to strut over toward the beverage bar for a drink, I didn''t check to see if Noah was following, but I knew he would.


    t like clockwork, Noah let out a sigh as he jogged to catch up with me. "I guess I should have learned my lesson with the whole Lunar Festival ns thing." he admitted. As we walked, he kept looking around at everything-the streamers and banners, the waiters passing out drinks, the mingling crowd-like a kid at the zoo.


    Just


    We stopped in front of the bar and I ordered a lemonade.


    "Make that two," Noah said, holding up two fingers.


    I had to restrain the urge to roll my eyes. Thest thing I wanted was to spend more than five seconds around him, but it seemed as though he had little intention of leaving me the hell alone.


    our lemonades. I gestured around at the space. "What do you think?"


    "Well?" I asked asked once we were given our


    Noah paused for a moment, running his finger across the rim of his ss. I could practically taste the scathingment he was no doubt brewing up-likely some retort or another to put me down right after I had done something that people actually liked. But to my surprise, he didn''t say anything like that. Instead, he raised his ss.


    "You have a knack for this kind of thing, Hannah. I''m impressed."


    felt frozen for a moment as Noah''s ss hovered in the air. It was so unlike him to offer up


    +25


    0144


    seem to stop the red flush from covering my cheeks.


    Looking away, I clinked my ss with his. "Thanks," I muttered, taking a sip of the tangy lemonade. "1 think I handled the whole Drake thing pretty well, too. Don''t you think?"


    A muscle ticked in Noah''s jaw at the mention of Drake, but he nodded nheless. "Yes. You did."


    "Brilliant of me, actually," I continued. "You should have had a little more faith in me instead of just assuming that I would be nothing but a big f****efore he could, the sound of Drake''s voice cut through the din-speak of the devil.


    "Han" "Hannah! Noah!" he said as he pushed through the throng to get to us. He stopped in front of me and bowed his head respectfully, then did the same for Noah after a slight pause. "Hannah, your speech was incredible. And I''m so excited to see your awareness campaign take


    As he spoke, Drake took a step forward and enveloped me in a near-bone-crushing hug. Around us, I could hear the soft sighs and murmurs of the event attendees-apparently, our hug was just another example of our friendly, wholesome rtionship. And it made Noah bristle visibly, which was all the more pleasing to me.


    "Another lemonade," I said, gesturing to the bartender once Drake and I pulled apart. When it arrived, I handed it to Drake. "Thank you, Drake. That means a lot."


    Drake grinned and sipped his drink. He nced over at Noah, who seemed to be all too interested in the slice of lemon sitting on the rim of his ss.


    "You know," Drake said, turning back to me with a quirked eyebrow, "I didn''t know you were suffering from an eating disorder, Hannah."


    furrowed my brow as I looked at him. Gesturing to my skinny arms, I said, "It wasn''t obvious?" chuckled. "I had


    Drake "I had an inkling, I suppose. But I didn''t know it was to the extent you described." "Well, it was." I shot Noah a look, which he didn''t return. "But I hope to tackle it and ovee it. And I appreciate your help; what you did yesterday, feeding me that m*n when you knew I was I was hungry, was more helpful than you realize." "I''m d to do do whatever I can."


    There was a brief pause after that. Noah stayed silent, but shifted ufortably from foot to foot. He was clearly fr**d, but I didn''t care, I had been f***led, too, when he went to Zoe''s bedroom the other night. "Actually," Drake said, "I was just thinking... I might have an idea to help you start eating more."


    "Oh?" I raised both eyebrows in unison. "And what would you suggest?"


    I


    "She''s got it under control," Noah suddenly burst. "I''ve been helping her eat at home. Unless you''ve forgotten about the casserole already, honey?"


    The false sweetness in Noah''s tone made my fingers tighten instinctively around my ss. Turning to him, I drew in a slow breath through my nose andposed myself before I managed a stiff smile. Charter 0144


    Char


    Yes.


    you did feed me a few bites of that casserole," I said. "Don''t worry. I haven''t forgotten. You were saying, Drake?"


    Clearly, the dismissal in my voice made Noah all the more ufortable. He raised his finger, opening his mouth to retort, but was quickly cut off.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "I was just going to suggest that you and I could sample some of the restaurants in the region," Drake said, either oblivious to Noah''s turmoil or choosing to ignore it like I was. "I''d be more than happy to take you wherever piques your interest."


    Drake paused, gesturing around at the event. "In fact, perhaps you could even consider televising it for your campaign. It could be an excellent way to not only document your journey of trying some of your fear foods, but also to showcase the restaurants in the area." A tense silence fell after that. Behind Drake, I could practically feel the hatred radiating off of Noah in waves-his shoulders trembling and his face reddening until I thought he might burst.


    Seeing him like that made me grin. Good, I thought to myself. Let him be angry.


    "You know what, Drake?" I asked, raising my ss and clinking it against his. "I think that would be an excellent idea."

 Chapter 145

    33


    Chapter (145 +25


    BONUS Chapter 0145 Noah


    Noah couldn''t stop himself from practically vibrating with rage as he watched Hannah and Drakeughing together, clinking their sses and making ns to be ''dinner buddies''. Goddess, it made Noah sick. And what made it even worse was the way that Drake looked at her; the way his eyes crinkled at theer when she spoke, the way they leaned a little closer together.


    Hannah had handled the whole tabloid situation surprisingly well, crafting a new narrative that seemed to appease the masses and repair her public image-there was no denying that, and Noah was impressed, not only by that, but also by her uing campaign. It seemed as though she was smarter and more prepared than she let on.


    But that didn''t make Noah any less uneasy about the undeniable closeness between her and Drake. And now, the idea of them going out on countless dinner dates together.... Well, the thought practically made his blood boil. oah mmed his ss on the bar and turned toward Hannah.


    Downing thest of his I of his lemonade, Noah


    "Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked,pletely ignoring Drake''s presence over his shoulder.


    Hannah rolled her eyes but nodded toward Drake and allowed Noah to lead her away. A few momentster, they found themselves in a narrow hallway, away from the prying eyes over the other event goers. Hannah turned to Noah and ced her hands on her hips. "What is it?"


    "If you go out with Drake to ''test food'' or whatever the hell he''s suggesting, you''re going to give him-and everyone the wrong idea," Noah hissed, keeping his voice low so as not to be overheard. "He''ll think it''s a date.¡± Noah expected Hannah to nah to be smart about this; but to his surprise, she merely shrugged, her expression shockingly bored. "So what if he does?" she asked, checking her nails. Noah recoiled, blinking rapidly. "What do you mean, ''so what? You can''t be serious, Hannah."


    "Why not?" She arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at him. "Drake''s a good man. He''s kind to me-far kinder than you''ve been as ofte. And we''re getting divorced soon, so..."


    ner


    voice trailed off, but the implication lingered. Was she seriously suggesting...


    ?


    Anger zed through Noah''s veins like wildfire. How dare she insinuate something like that? Without thinking, he stepped forward, caging Hannah against the wall with his body as his hand mmed into the ster beside her head. "You think Drake is kind?" he snarled, his face mere inches from hers. "You think he cares about you the way I do?"


    He searched Hannah''s eyes, hoping-no, expecting-to see a flicker of desire, a hint of the passion that had once burned so bright between them. Surely she couldn''t be immune to his proximity, to the heat rolling off his body in waves. Surely she would take back what she had said.


    But Hannah merely regarded him with cool indifference, her gaze unwavering. Then, with a harsh shove, she pushed him away, putting distance between their bodies once more.  +25 BO Chapter 0145


    "Watch yourself, Noah," she warned in a low voice. "We''re in public."


    Stumbling back a step, Noah could only gape at her, his mouth working uselessly as he watched Hannah stride off, her hips swinging dangerously.


    Later that day, after the event had wound down and the crowds had dispersed, Noah found himself pacing the floor of the guest bedroom, his head spinning. He still couldn''t shake the image of Hannah and Drake together, but that wasn''t all that was on his mindtely. Noah hadn''t stopped thinking about what Hannah had told him at the Luna Queen''s reception-about her ovtion window.


    He still felt like a fool for that, but he hadn''t had the time to dig into it yet.


    And now, with Hannah implying that there might be a rtionship with Drake in the future... What if Drake got her pregnant? After all, if she was able to have sex outside of her ovtion window and yet had tantly turned Noah down on more than one asion.... Noah coul couldn''t t take it anymore. Desperate for answers, he snatched up his phone and dialed the number for their family doctor''s office. If anyone could shed light on everything, then it would be Dr. Patel. The line rang several times before a cheerful voice answered, "Dr. Patel''s office, how can I help you?"


    "Yes, hello," Noah said, running a hand through his hair. "This is Alpha Noah. I need to speak with Dr. Patel,"


    There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. "I''m afraid Dr. Patel isn''t avable at the moment. He''s currently out of the country on holiday."


    Noah''s brow furrowed.


    "It was rather sudden from what out he never mentioned taking any time off."


    from I understand," the receptionist admitted. "He didn''t show up to the office one morning and left a note saying he had gone abroad. No one was expecting it."


    A knot of t of unease formed in the pit t of Noah''s stomach.


    hade to the house rather than Dr. Patel himself. In all the years he had known their family doctor, the man had never once gone on holiday without advance notice. Although, now that he thought of it... He supposed that when Hannah had her fall, one of the nurses


    "Do you happen to know where he went?" Noah pressed. "Or when he might be back?"


    "I''m afraid not, Alpha Noah. The note didn''t provide many details."


    Noah pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly. "All right. Thank you."


    "Is there anything that I could do for you instead?" the receptionist asked.


    Noah paused, pursing his lips, before he nodded even though the receptionist couldn''t see him. "Yes, actually. Could I speak to one of the nurses?"


    "Absolutely.


    I''ll transfer you."


    A few momentster, Noah was on the phone with one of the nurses. "What seems to be the issue, Alpha  +25 Chapter 2185


    Noah?" the nurse asked. "I''ll do whatever I can to help


    Noah took a steadying breath before beginning. "Dr. Patel once told me that my wife, Hannah, was too... frail'' for sexual activity outside her ovtion window. But Hannah recently imed that wasn''t true. I need to know what her actual condition is and why she would be limited in that way." There was a heavy pause, and Noah could practically hear the nurse''s hesitation through the receiver, I''m afraid I don''t see anything of that sort in her file," she replied slowly. Noah''s frustration began to mount. "Nothing? Not a single note anywhere?"


    "I''m sorry," the nurse said, "but there''s nothing. I''ll tell you what, though: I''ll leave a note for Dr. Patel, and when he returns from his holiday, he''ll call you right away." Noah''s jaw clenched. "Alright, that''s fine. Thank you for your time."


    With a harsh punch of his finger, Noah ended the call and tossed his phone on the bed. He let out a frustrated sigh and ran his hands through his hair.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    With their family doctor on a sudden, unexined holiday, Noah was no closer to getting to the bottom of


    Hannah''s ''condition''.


    Which only meant one thing: if Hannah was nning on sleeping with Drake, then he needed to step in. Quickly.


    Before she got pregnant with a baby that wasn''t his.

 Chapter 146

    Chapter 0146


    Hannah


    I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing on the nightstand. Squinting against the bright morning sunlight streaming through the window, I snatched it up and saw a text from Drake on the screen. "Are you ready?"


    A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I typed out a quick reply. "Of course. See you soon."


    I tossed back the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed, suddenly filled with a renewed sense of energy. Despite the lingering morning sickness and exhaustion that gued me these days, the prospect of our first day trying new foods was exciting to me. This was just the next step in my eating disorder awareness campaign, anyway-which would boost my approval ratings greatly. Although, it was hard to think about that when I was just excited to try something


    new.


    A couple of hourster, I emerged from the bedroom, showered and dressed in a flowy dress that skimmed across my thighs. Noah was nowhere to be seen, likely still holed up and brooding over yesterday.


    The thought of it made me smirk. Good; let him brood, Drake and I were just friends, but I didn''t mind making Noah squirm. 1


    I grabbed my purse and headed for the front door. Sure enough, Drake was already waiting outside, leaning against his sleek sports car with a bright smile,


    "Hey," he said, pushing off the vehicle to greet me with a friendly hug. "You look lovely today."


    I felt my cheeks warm at thepliment. "Thank you, Drake. Shall we get going?"


    With a sweeping gesture, Drake opened the passenger door for me before sliding behind the wheel. himself. As we pulled away from the house, he nced over at me.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "So, I was thinking we could try that new experimental restaurant downtown today," he said. "I checked. out the menu, and it looks fun."


    My stomach gave a little lurch at the mention of it, but stered on a smile and nodded. "Sounds great." The drive passed quickly, my mind racing with anxiety. Before I knew it, we were being shown to our table at the restaurant, right in the window. The other diners lifted their heads and murmured themselves at our entrance, which made me hold my chin a little higher.


    amongst


    But soon, as course after course arrived at our table, I felt my shoulders beginning to slump. Each one was more bizarre and unappetizing than thest. Caviar, vored foams, strange ingredients I couldn''t even begin to identify-it was all too much.


    I did my best to choke down each bite, forcing smiles and kindments whenever Drake''s expectant gazended on me. But by the time the final te was cleared away, my stomach was roiling, and I was fighting back waves of nausea.


    Drake must have noticed my difort, because he reached across the table and ced his hand over


    mine.


    "Hannah, are you alright?" he asked, his brow furrowed "You haven''t seemed to enjoy any of the food."


    I opened my mouth to reassure him, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I simply shook my head, feeling tears of frustration prickling at the backs of my eyes.


    I''m so sorry, Drake," I said. "Believe me, I wanted to love it all, but..." I trailed off, grimacing at the tremble


    in my voice.


    Drake merely squeezed my hand and offered me a warm smile.


    "Hey, no need to apologize," he said gently. "I should have realized that this kind of experimental food was too much to start with."


    He paused, studying me for a moment before continuing.


    "If you


    u could eat one thing without any problems, what would it be?"


    The question hung in the air for a few seconds, and I found myself picturing it almost immediately: a big, juicy cheeseburger, the kind that made your fingers glisten with grease and left streaks of ketchup and mustard on your chin. Just the thought of it made my mouth water.


    "A cheeseburger," I admitted with a sheepish grin. "A really messy one, with all the toppings and a heaping pile of fries on the side."


    Drake let out a snort, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Say no more," he said, signaling for the check. "I know just the ce."


    A little whileter, we found ourselves strolling along the boardwalk as the sun began to dip below the horizon. The ce was so packed and bustling, the sounds of carnival games andughter filling the air, that hardly anyone even noticed us.


    "You''ll love this ce," Drake said as he led me to a burger joint tucked away in a corner. Before I knew it, a greasy paper basket overflowing with food was being set in front of me.


    The aroma was intoxicating, and my mouth flooded with saliva as I picked up the hefty burger, relishing the way the juice dribbled down my fingers. I drew in a breath to steel myself before I took the tiniest bite


    And an involuntary moan of pure bliss escaped my lips


    It was messy, it was indulgent, it was everything I had been craving and more.


    And, Goddess, I hadn''t had something so decadent in.. Well, I couldn''t even remember.


    For the next twenty minutes, the only sounds were the crunch of fries and the asional contented sigh from me as I devoured bite after glorious bite.


    During those moments, it felt like that little eating disorder voice in the back of my head was drowned out by the sound of the boardwalk, and I barely even hesitated between bites. I wound up eating half of the burger, which was way more than I anticipated managing to consume today.


    When I finally set down what remained of the burger, leaning back against the bench with a satisfied sigh, Drake chuckled.


    "Feeling better?" he asked.


    Blushing, I quickly wiped my mouth. I wondered how I must look at that moment-perhaps like a pig at a trough


    But seeing the grin on Drake''s face, feeling that satisfied sensation in my stomach that I hadn''t felt in so long, made those thoughts dissipate.


    "Much better," I said softly


    We sat there for a while longer, just listening to the sounds of the boardwalk. Off in the distance, I could see a group of teenagers ying a carnival game, theirughter carrying across the breeze. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to simply exist in that moment, the salty tang of the sea air mingling with the lingering scent of grease and ketchup. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was content. That contentment was shattered, however, when I cracked open one eye and noticed a familiar figure lurking in the distance, partially obscured by one of the boardwalk game stands.


    My stomach dropped as I watched Noah peer directly at us, his eyes momentarily widening when he realized he had been spotted. Quickly darting away, he hid behind a nearby magazine stand, you kidding me?" I muttered under my breath.


    Drake furrowed his brow and followed my gaze. "What is it?" he asked.


    "It''s Noah."


    Without a second thought, I shot to my feet and stormed over to where Noah was standing with his face. now buried in a newspaper, my hands balling into fists at my sides. When I reached him, I grabbed a fistful of his shirt and yanked him around. "What the hell are you doing here?"


    Chander 0147

 Chapter 147

    Chapter 0147


    Hannah


    I red daggers at Noah as I yanked him closer, my fingers still twisted in the fabric of his shirt. His eyes widened in surprise, but I didn''t care-he had just been caught red-handed, watching us like some kind of detective on a case. "What the hell are you doing here?" I hissed, twisting my hand even harder around the front of his shirt.


    Before Noah could respond, Drake was at my side, cing a gentle hand on my arm as he regarded my husband with an amused grin.


    "Rx, Hannah," he said easily. "Your husband was just enjoying a bit of entertainment, that''s all. Isn''t that right, Noah?"


    Noah''s jaw clenched, but he gave a terse nod. "I was just in the area and happened to glimpse you two together. That''s it."


    The tant lie made my blood boil, and I opened my mouth to call him out with a scathing retort, but Drake beat me to it.


    "Come now, Noah, there''s no need for deception," he chided. "If you wanted to join us, you could have just asked. Hannah and I are just friends, despite what you think-I''m not trying to steal her away, I assure. you."


    A flicker of shame crossed Noah''s stony features, but he quickly schooled his expression into one of indifference. "I wasn''t trying to join you," he muttered. 1 was just passing through."


    "Bullshit," I growled. "I saw you lurking like this was some kind of spy movie. Honestly, I''m surprised your didn''t have binocrs."


    "Noah? Where did you go?"


    The all-too-familiar sound of a female voice caused both me and Drake to whip our heads up in shock. No, I thought to myself. It couldn''t be....


    My heart plummeted as Zoe sauntered into view, her face stretched into a sickly-sweet smile as she clutched a fistful of game tickets in her perfectly manicured hand. Of course Noah wouldn''t be alone-he had brought Zoe along with him.


    Had we just walked into a secret date between the two of them, or was Noah actually trying to get under my skin?


    "Zoe," Drake said first, his voice tight. "I didn''t realize you would be here as well."


    Zoe waved a dismissive hand and flipped a blonde curl over her shoulder. "Yes, well, Noah was so kind as toe and cheer me up after my surgery," she said in that sing-song voice of hers, practically batting hershes at him. "I was feeling a bit down, and he just showed up at my door, telling me to get ready to go out and have some fun with him.".This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    felt like I might be sick. Suddenly, that burger wasn''t sitting very well. My hand instinctively fluttered over my belly, that urge to cover the small food bump beneath Zoe''s discerning gaze suddenly bing all too strong. Chapter 0142


    #25 BONUS


    Noah''s gaze flickered to me at that moment, but I quickly averted my eyes and dropped my hand back to my side, my chest caving in on itself. Of course he would parade Zoe around in front of me-just another twist of the knife.


    Drake must have sensed my difort, because he stepped closer, wrapping a protective arm around my waist and pulling me against his side.


    "Well, in that case, perhaps we should make this a double date," he said. "Hannah and I were just getting ready to stroll down the boardwalk and y some games. You two are wee to join us." Noah opened his mouth, no doubt to protest, but Zoe cut him off with a smile as she held up the tickets in her hand.


    "That sounds nice," she said. "We were just about to y some games as well."


    With that, she gestured for us to follow and began to lead the way, leaving Drake and me little choice but to follow. As we fell into step behind them, Drake leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear.


    GET IT NOW


    Chapter 014E

 Chapter 148

    Chapter 0148


    "Are you alright?" he murmured.


    I swallowed hard, forcing a tight smile as I nodded. "I''m fine," I lied.


    In truth, I felt anything but fine. Every step along the boardwalk was agony, Zoe''s incessant chatter grating. on my ears as she talked all about how kind and caring Noah had been in the wake of her surgery.


    "It''s just so nice to get out of the house, you know?" she said. "Don''t get me wrong, I love Adam. But I''m more than just a ''mom''. I like to have fun, too."


    I wanted to vomit. ?learly, Noah was treating Zoe like a downright princess-giving her a break from motherhood, taking her out, cooking her meals... sleeping in her bed.


    "Where is Adam, by the way?" Drake asked, although he already knew the answer.


    Zoe shot him a look, her gaze darkening a bit as she nced at him. "He''s with my parents."


    "You didn''t think to ask if I might want to take him for a while? He''s my son."


    Zoe narrowed her eyes, and for a moment, the silence was so heavy I thought it might fall and crush all of us. Finally, with a shrug, she said, "I figured you''d be busy. You''re always busy."


    And with that, she kept walking down the boardwalk with Noah beside her.


    Beside me, Drake''s jaw was ticking, his free hand clenched into a tight fist at his side. I could only imagine how ufortable this must be for him as well, being forced to watch his wife talk about how she needed a break from their son after she hadn''t even asked him to take care of Adam during her


    recovery.


    I exchanged a silent, vengeful nce with Drake then, and he shot me a knowing look. His fingers tightened around my waist, his jaw setting hard, and I gave him a subtle nod as if to say that we were on the same page. Make them jealous.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I knew it was hypocritical of me; I had been leading Noah to believe that Drake and I might have an interest in each other all along, and meanwhile, I was getting pi***ed over the two of them doing the same. But Drake and I had no intentions of any such thing, despite his pl***y reputation. Noah and Zoe on the other hand. Well, they had already shared a bed. And it was all the more obvious tonight. Suddenly, Zoe stopped in her tracks.


    "Oh, look!" she said, pointing at a stuffed animal on a shelf above a game-booth-one of those shooting games where you''d try to hit moving cardboard ducks with foam bullets from a toy rifle. "That''s adorable." She nced up at Noah then, shooting him a curious look. "Do you think you could win it?"


    I followed her gaze to see an oversized plush dolphin hanging among the prizes, its ssy eyes seeming to mock me. Of course Zoe would want Noah to win something for her.


    Noah didn''t respond at first, his expression unreadable as he stared at the booth. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to hope that he might refuse, that he might put an end to this charade and leave Zoe to her own devices. I took a slow step forward out of instinct, my fingers itching to take his hand despite


    1


    But then, without a word, he strode towards the game attendant and pped a few dor bills down on the counter. Drake pulled me back against his side and gave me a squeeze, subtly shaking his head as Noah picked up the toy gun "How much to win that stuffed dolphin up there?" Chapter 0140

 Chapter 149

    Chapter 0149 Hannah


    I watched with disgust as Noah stepped up to the tform and pped his money down on the counter of the game stand.


    "How much to win that stuffed dolphin up there?" he asked, pointing up at the toy.


    The bored-looking teenager running the stand simply shrugged, not even following Noah''s finger. "That''s our top prize. You have to hit all of the ducks to win it." "Don''t do it, Noah," Drake said with a chuckle. "All these games are rigged-you''re just going to waste


    your money."


    A muscle ticked in Noah''s cheek, but he merely shrugged off Drake''s words as he picked up staring down the barrel at the row of cardboard ducks bobbing back and forth. "I''ll be fine," he muttered, squeezing the trigger. the toy rifle,


    The bright orange foam disc sailed through the air, missing its mark by a wide margin. I stifled a snort and exchanged an amused nce with Drake, who looked like he was about to burst withughter.


    But, undeterred, Noah tried again... and again, and again-but each shot veered entirely off-course, bouncing harmlessly off of the booth''s wooden frame. One even flew into the nearby crowd, causing some high school girls with ice cream cones to giggle maliciously. "Maybe you should try an easier game," the teenager said with a smirk, pointing at the nearby fishing game for kids. Noah''s ears reddened, but he threw more money down on the counter and lifted the rifle again anyway. Zoe huffed out a small breath, clearly bristling at the disy. "Wait. Let me try," she finally said, reaching. for the gun.


    But Drake was quicker, snatching it out of Noah''s grasp before Zoe could get her hands on it. "Allow me," he said.


    I couldn''t help but smirk as Drake took his stance, his brow furrowed in concentration. Typical Alpha male posturing-the game was rigged. Likely the toy gun was bent in some way so that it would never fire where you aimed it.


    my surprise, the first few shots Drake fired were solid hits, knocking the ducks cleanly off their perches one by one. But then, just when it seemed he was about to clear the row, his next shot went wild and skimmed past the targets entirely. Drake blinked in surprise, then tried again-but the disc went careening off to the side once more, despite his steady hand and keen eye. "What the hell?" he muttered, his jaw ticking in frustration.


    Besic


    Noah let out a derisive snort. "Weren''t you the one who said it was rigged?"


    The smug satisfaction in his voice was like nails on a chalkboard to my ears, and I felt a re of irritation deep in my gut. Before I could stop myself, I was s**ing the rifle out of Drake''s grasp, pushing past the


    Beside him,  two of them to take my ce at the booth.


    +25


    "Let me give it a try," I said through gritted teeth.


    Drake opened his mouth to protest, but I waved him off, shifting my stance and bringing the rifle up to my shoulder. I could feel the weight of everyone''s gazes burning into the side of my face, no doubt waiting for me to fail just as spectacrly as Noah and Drake had. Well, I''d show them Taking a


    a deep, steadying breath, I stared down the barrel, my finger tightening on the trigger. Noticing a slight curve in the toy gun, I moved the end slightly to the left to ount for it. Then, I felt something warm touch my lower back-a hand, steadying me gently.


    I squeezed the trigger and fired a round of shots.


    Toi


    my surprise, every single disc found its mark, knocking the ducks down in rapid session until the row was cleared entirely. A giddy thrill worked its way through me then, and I couldn''t stop the wide grin from spreading across my face as I turned around, expecting to see Drake''s proud smile.


    But it wasn''t Drake who was standing behind me-it was Noah, his expression unreadable as he lowered his hands from where they had been pressed against my lower back. my ears.


    I froze, the rifle slipping from my suddenly-numb fingers as I stared at him, my heart pounding in my


    Before I could react further, the bored-looking attendant cleared his throat, gesturing towards the prize shelf.


    "You did it," he said tly. "Pick whatever you want."


    My gaze swept over the array of stuffed animals, ignoring the dolphin andnding on a plush bunny that was almost as big as I was. It was soft and fluffy, with floppy ears and a sweet stitched smile-the kind of toy I would have loved as a little girl.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    But just as I opened my mouth to im it as my prize, my eyes flickered to Zoe, who was watching the exchange with thinly-veiled frustration etched onto her features. In that moment, a wicked idea took root, and I felt a slow, vindictive smile curve my lips. Turning back to the attendant, I pointed towards the gaudy dolphin that Zoe had been coveting. "I''ll take that one."


    The young man shrugged, handing over the toy without a word. Cradling it against my chest, I turned toward Zoe.


    Her eyes lit up instantly, her fingers already moving to take the toy. Like hell I was about to give it to her; ignoring her, I scanned the crowd until I spotted a little girl, no more than five or six years old, standing at few feet away and staring at the toy with wide, longing eyes. Perfect. Perfect. Without hesitation, I strode over to her, crouching down to her level as I held out the dolphin.


    "Here you go, sweetie," I said, offering her a genuine smile. "This is for you.


    The little girl''s jaw dropped, her eyes going as round as saucers as she tentatively reached out to take the


    0140


    toy from m


    my hands. When her fingers closed around its soft body, she let out a delighted squeal and flung her arms around me in an enthusiastic hug


    "Thank you, thank you!" she cried, her voice m***d against my shoulder.


    I hugged her back, savoring the moment-it was genuinely nice to make a child happy. When I nced up.


    I saw Zoe watching us, her face beet red with barely concealed rage. Beside her, Drake was shaking his head, an amused grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.


    Served her right, I thought with a rush of malicious satisfaction. Let her be the one feeling embarrassed and inadequate for once.


    The little girl pulled away, clutching her new prize to her chest as she scurried off to rejoin her family. Her parents, who had just watched the exchange, waved happily, "Thank you, Luna Hannah!"


    1 merely smile


    and waved in return. "I hope she enjoys her new toy!" I called out.


    As I rose to my feet, brushing off my dress, Zoe turned on her heel and stormed away with her shoulders rigid from fury. Drake moved to follow her, casting me an impressed look over his shoulder. Noah went to follow as well.


    But 1 grabbed his arm and yanked him back before he could.


    "You''re not going anywhere," I growled.

 Chapter 150

    Chapter 0150 Hannah


    I tightened my grip on Noah''s arm, my nails digging ever so slightly into his flesh as I yanked him back toward me. He stumbled slightly, an irritated frown creasing his brow as he turned to face me. "What the hell is your problem?" he snapped, trying to shrug his arm out of my grasp.


    With a huff, I held my grip firm on him and led him away to a more secluded spot behind a nearby food truck that appeared to be closed for the day-its doors and windows shut and the interior dark. Practically pressing the two of us up against the cold metal, I finally whirled to face him and leveled him with a withering re.


    "You want to know what my problem is?" I echoed, arching a challenging eyebrow at him. "Why don''t you. tell me what your problem is, Noah? Why are you really here with Zoe?"


    He opened his mouth, no doubt to spout off some excuse or another, but I cut him off with a harshugh and waved my free hand dismissively, I noticed some people watching, so I quickly softened my gaze into a false smile and stroked his arm, trying to make it appear as though we were just having an intimate conversation. Noah, noticing this, did the same. "Actually, let me guess," I said with a sarcastic smile, not giving him room to speak. "You felt bad for Zoe, so you decided to take her out? Did you decide toe here because you knew I''d be here too?" I scoffed, looking away. "As if you haven''t already twisted the knife enough." A muscle twitched beneath the taut skin of Noah''s jaw, but he didn''t deny my usation-of course he wouldn''t. He had always been Zoe''s white knight, rushing to her rescue at the slightest provocation. Even when I had beenying in bed after a nasty fall, he had gone to her. Slept in her bed. "Maybe I did want to make her feel better," he growled through grit teeth that looked like nothing more than a gentle smile from afar. "You have been out with her ex-husband, after all. She''s already going through enough, and now you''re the one adding salt to an open wound." "Drake and I are just friends," I said with a huff. I trailed the fingers of my free hand up his chest, admittedly noticing how he shuddered as I did. "We have no interest in each other in that capacity. We never have, and we never will."


    Noah narrowed his eyes at me. "Yeah, well, Zoe doesn''t know that."


    I couldn''t help the growl from rumbling somewhere deep in my throat. "Why do you care what she thinks?"


    "Because," Noah said, "she''s my... friend."All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Friend." I scoffed at the obvious lie. "You always put her first, you know?" I retorted, no longer able to keep the exhausted sort of bitterness from seeping into my tone. "Did it ever ur to you that maybe if you had been the one to offer to take me out to try new foods, I wouldn''t have gone out with Drake in the first ce?"


    Noah bristled at my tone, his nostrils ring. He leaned over me, pressing his hand into the cool metal above my head-effectively locking me in between his firm body and the food truck. He leaned down, his lips brushing my ear.


    "That''s not true, and you know it," he whispered. "I''ve been nothing but supportive of your recovery, Hannah. I''m the one who''s been there for you every step of the way, whether you realize it or not."


    "Oh, like feeding me a casserole once is enough to consider ''supportive of my recovery," I said, struggling to stifle the urge to shiver beneath his touch. "Viona is the one who has been taking me to my support group. You haven''t even been around long enough to check on me at home-hell, you left me alone with stitches in my f***ing head after that fall, and I''m-


    Suddenly, my mouth snapped shut like a puppet''s jaw. Lalmost divulged the fact that I was pregnant, yet again; Goddess, how long could I keep up this lie

 Chapter 151

    Chapter 0151


    Finally, I waved my hand and said, "You''ve done shit-all to help with my recovery."


    Noah''s eyes narrowed and he pulled back a bit. "What''s really your problem, Hannah?" he asked, momentarily raising his tone but then quickly clearing his throat and lowering his voice so that we wouldn''t be overheard by a passing group of teenagers "Look," he continued, "I apologized for not being there for you when you hit your head, but a child needed me. I thought you might at least understand that."


    I frowned, opening my mouth to bite out a retort, but the words wouldn''te. Noah was right, at least in that matter; Adam did need someone. And apparently Zoe didn''t see Drake as a viable option. That was her business, and I wouldn''t question the choices she made about her own son.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Listen. You''ve been acting... weirder than normal since we spent the night at Zoe''s house," he said. "Just tell me what your issue is."


    I barked out a derisiveugh and shook my head in disbelief. "Fine, I''ll tell you. I know what you did that night, Noah. I saw you go into her room," I snarled.


    His eyes widened in shock, his mouth falling open as he sputtered incoherently. His hand, which had just been twirling the end of a strand of my hair in an attempt to look romantic around all the prying eyes. froze. 1... You... Are you implying what I think you''re implying?" I shrugged and looped my arm around his neck, pulling him close so that my breath tickled his hairline as I spoke.


    "What I saw that night was pretty clear; you going to her room, her calling your name..." I paused,


    clenching my jaw as I looked away. It was all I could do to fight the tears that were prickling at the backs of my eyes. "... Her hands reaching for you."


    For several breathless moments, Noah just stared at me inplete, utter shock. This close, his cologne blocked out all the other scents of the boardwalk-something that normally would have made my knees buckle. But not tonight. Tonight, it just made me dizzy "That''s absurd," he finally managed to choke out. "I honestly can''t even believe you would think I''d do something like that. You''re my wife."


    "Am I, though?" I challenged, leaning closer so that my lips brushed against his as I spoke. "Because thest time I checked, we''re just ''unwilling participants in a sham of a marriage, aren''t we?"


    I echoed the cruel words he had flung at me not all that long ago. After letting my lips linger close to his for a second, I leaned back, watching as the blood drained from Noah''s face. For a long, tense moment, he could only stare at me, his jaw working uselessly as a flush of hot red shame crept up his neck.


    Suddenly, however, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the charged silence between us. I nced over Noah''s shoulder to see Drake and Zoe making their way back towards us, Zoe''s arms cradling a new plush toy-a garish, hot pink unicorn this time


    "We''ll continue this discussionter," I hissed, pressing my hand into his chest and pushing him away.


    feel like bothering at that point."


    00000


    Noah simply grumbled something Incoherent under his breath and smoothed down the front of his jacket


    as he turned around.


    Of course, I thought with an inward roll of my eyes as I watched Zoe walk up to us with her new stuffed animal in her arms. Leave it to Zoe to throw a tantrum until someone bought her the shiny new thing she wanted.


    As they drew closer, I could see the smug satisfaction painted across Zoe''s features, her chin jutting out defiantly as she clutched her prize to her chest. Drake, on the other hand, looked utterly resigned, his shoulders slumped in weary defeat. But I didn''t expect what happened next.


    "Here." Zoe said curtly as they reached us, unceremoniously thrusting the stuffed unicorn toward me. "I want you to have this, Hannah."

 Chapter 152

    Chapter 0152 Hannah


    As Zoe thrust the hot pink un into my hands, my mouth fell open. I didn''t know what to say or do-all I could manage was to just stand there, blinking owlishly at her, and wonder whether I was imagining it or not.


    "Hannah," Noah suddenly said, nudging me with his elbow, "that was nice of Zoe, wasn''t it?"


    With my tongue working uselessly in my mouth, I slowly looked up at Noah to see a satisfied smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. My face instantly turned red and I looked back at Zoe, feeling utterly dumbfounded and embarrassed. "Y-Yes," I managed. "Thank you, Zoe. But why...?"


    Zoe merely shrugged and stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets. "I have to admit, I admire how your gave that toy to that kid earlier even though you were the one who won it," she said. "And I thought your


    deserved a new one for your trouble."


    For several long moments, I stood in silence as my eyes flickered back and forth between Zoe and the stuffed unicorn. Drake stood behind Zoe, watching with a bemused expression on his face. Meanwhile, Noah continued to smirk at me, his arms folded across his chest.


    "Well, um... Thank you," I said, even though a part of me couldn''t help but wonder if this was some kind of trick to make me look bad and call me out for tantly trying to hurt Zoe by giving her coveted plushie away. "I appreciate it, Zoe. But you didn''t have to." She simply shrugged again, already turning on her heel. "I wanted to."


    With that, Zoe began marching over to a nearby food stand. As she fished a few bills out of her wallet to buy herself an Italian ice, I dug my fingers a little deeper into the soft fur of the toy unicorn. Its beady eyes seemed to stare up at me, mocking me as Noah and Drake moved to follow Zoe.


    My face turned a deeper shade of red.


    Perhaps I had been a jerk for doing that with the stuffed animal; Zoe clearly wanted it, and I practically stole it from her. It wasn''t as though I had given the toy to that little girl out of the goodness of my heart, either.


    No-no matter how much I tried to deny it, I had really only given the stuffed animal to the kid to piss Zoe


    off.


    And what did Zoe do in response? She went and bought me another stuffed animal, presumably with her own money, and had given it to me without expecting anything in return. Sure, maybe she was just trying to make me feel bad, but maybe I also deserved to feel bad. ""Hannah? Hannah!"


    The sound of Drake''s voice pulled me out of my train of self-loathing, and I lifted my head to see him looking at me expectantly beside the Italian ice booth. My neck flushed, and I called out, "Yeah?" "You want an Italian ice?"


    I must have looked as red as a tomato when all of their eyes turned toward me-Noah and Zoe already


    +


    Charter (15


    eating their ice, the food stand attendant looking bored, and Drake holding up a wad of money. All while I was still standing there, too stunned to even move, my fingers digging so deep into the soft unicorn that I thought I might identally rip a hole straight through it "Oh, uh... Sure," I called out, my voice cracking beneath their gazes.


    The parking lot was quiet as Noah and I made our way to the car, the only sounds that of the distant fairgrounds shutting down and our shoes clicking on the pavement. Noah''s car was one of a few left, the lot cast almost eerily in the amber glow of the streetlights. Drake and Zoe had long since left; Drake had insisted on driving her home, and I had agreed to leave with Noah. Right now, though, part of me wished I had just called an Uber.


    I still had that damn pink unicorn clutched to my chest, my fingers still trembling slightly as I held it. Noah shot me a sidelong nce and another one of his infuriating smirks as we walked up to his car. He had been looking at me like that all night since Zoe had given it to me.


    "Go on," I groaned, pursing my lips without meeting his gaze. "Say it. I know you want


    Noah let out a small huff of satisfaction. "On a scale of one to ten, how ashamed are you right now?


    "Ter."


    "Good," he said with a shake of his head. "You should be." He paused next to the car, turning to look at me down the bridge of his nose. "It''s not bing to try and disguise your attempts to make someone feel bad with disingenuous acts of charity":"


    I felt my face flush hot beneath his gaze, and I quickly looked away with a clenched jaw. We stood in silence for several long moments, my mind whirling toe up with some biting retort while Noah''s gaze bored holes into the side of my head. Finally, when I realized that there was nothing I could say to make either of us feel better, I sighed and felt my shoulders slump.


    "I know," I muttered. "That was... cruel of me."


    I heard Noah inhale sharply through his nose, and when I looked up, he looked a bit bemused.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Oh, don''t look so surprised," I said, striding past him. "I know I fucked up. I''m notpletely self- unaware."


    Noah watched me for a moment longer, saying nothing as I circled the car and tried to open the passenger door. It was still locked, the sound of the handle echoing in the quiet parking lot. I huffed softly and tapped my foot, waiting


    With a sigh, Noah finally circled around to my side. His broad frame leaned over me as he reached for the handle, his breath tickling my ear as he said, "Good. I''m... proud of you for recognizing that."


    And with that, he pulled the door open and gestured for me to climb in. I shot him onest withering nce before I did, and as I moved into my seat, I swore I felt the soft touch of his warm hand against my Tower back


    But it was gone just as quickly as it came, leading me to wonder if I had just imagined it


    +35 BONUS


    It was nearly midnight by the time we arrived back at the mansion; Noah disappeared into the guest room without a word, apparently too tired to go back to Zoe''s ce for the night. I stepped into my own room with a sigh and kicked off my shoes. Despite everything, my belly was still pleasantly full from eating a real meal for once. Still, I decided to take care in avoiding my reflection for the night, not wanting to ruin my bliss with the appearance of my stomach swelling.


    Before I got ready for bed, I walked over to the dresser and set the unicorn down gently. Goddess, it was ugly, and those eyes still seemed to mock me for what I had done...


    But it was nice of Zoe. And I had been a jerk after all. Chapter 0151

 Chapter 153

    Chapter 0153 Hannah


    "How did you know when you needed to start making a change?"


    The room was quiet as the journalist, Emily, and I sat across from each other, the only sounds that of the grandfather clock ticking against the wall and the birds chirping outside. A soft breeze blew through the cracked window-the first signs of an early spring this year, although it wasn''t even March yet.


    cup


    On the table between us sat a tray of steaming hot cups of tea and fresh cookies. I held my c my hands, staring down into the tendrils of steam as they curled up into my face. firmly in "Well.." I paused, chewing the inside of my cheek as I thought about her question.


    We had been going at this for the better part of an hour now; thanks to Drake''s suggestion, I had decided to hire Emily yet again to put together a short documentary on my eating disorder journey. With clips of myself trying my ''fear foods'' cut in between, the documentary would mostly be an interview about my journey to get healthy again.


    So far, the interview had gone smoothly; I had answered all of Emily''s questions with practiced ease, trying to keep the tone lighthearted enough for viewers to casually enjoy but also while ensuring that the point of my campaign got across. Emily and I had built up enough of a rapport so that it felt more like a conversation between friends than an interrogation. But thisst question of hers. Well, it threw me for a bit of a loop.


    Because I couldn''t tell Emily the truth about why and when I had realized that I needed to change my ways


    -because no one would ever believe me.


    That night in my bathroom,


    with the shower steam curling around me and the cold marble pressing into my protruding hip bones, was still seared into my memory as though it had been yesterday. I could still smell the hairspray in my hair, the essential oils wafting out of the shower. I could still feel the pain of seeing my unborn baby seeping out onto the floor in a tiny pile of blood and flesh. And I could still feel the shock that I had felt when I had closed my eyes, died, and reopened them again just momentster, only to find myself being thrust into the past.


    Three months prior to my death. The Moon Goddess had sent me back to the beginning of my pregnancy. Back to the moment before everything had shattered once before.


    Part of me still wondered if it had all been a dream; or perhaps some kind of mental episode brought about by my diet pills, my brain fooling me into thinking that something had happened when it hadn''t. Perhaps I had simply passed out that night and imagined all of those three months, including my own death.


    But I knew that wasn''t true, because events had happened after my rebirth that I remembered from my first life.


    And I had changed the course of those events permanently.


    .." I paused again, still trying to grapple with how to answer Emily''s question. "Well, you see, there. was one day when... Um..."


    "I, um..."


    My voice trailed off, leading Emily to c***k her head at me from across the table, her pen poised to write. Do you need a minute?" she asked, "We cane back to this one."


    I nced over at the blinking red light on the camera set up a few feet away and shook my head quickly, forcing a smile. No, I couldn''t risk having my blunder being published on the inte for all to see.


    "No, no, that''s alright," I said, waving my hand dismissively. "It''s just a difficult subject, that''s all. But... yes, there was a moment when I realized I needed to make a change."


    "Would


    I you befortable sharing that moment?" Emily asked pleasantly.


    I nodded despite the lump in my throat. "Well, truthfully. I knew I would die if I didn''t do something," I said -not aplete lie. I didn''t want to die, of course. And I remember there was a day when I nearly passed out in my bathroom after taking too many diet pills, and I thought to myself..."


    I paused, my voice choking up a bit, but I continued nheless. 1 thought to myself that if I just let my grip slip away from the bathroom counter that I was holding onto, that if I just closed my eyes, it would all


    be over."


    Emily was silent, her pen scratching on her notepad as she furiously scribbled my words down. "But you didn''t," she said softly, meeting my gaze.


    "No." I swallowed and looked away-right at the camera. "I didn''t."


    There was a brief pause after that, Emily didn''t ask any other questions, and when I finally looked back at her, I saw that she was closing her notebook. "I think that''s enough for the day," she said gently as she slid a box of tissues toward me. "Perhaps we could pick this up another time."


    Instinctively, my hand fluttered up to my cheek. I hadn''t realized it, but a tear had slipped free and was now rolling down my face. Apologizing quickly, I grabbed a tissue and blotted it away.


    "Yes," I said quietly. "Let''s pick this up next week."


    Emily gathered her things and left me in silence. The birds seemed to have stopped chirping, the ticking of the grandfather clock having faded into the abyss. All I could hear was the sound of my heart racing in my chest.


    I lowered down into arms on the table now that wasContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Goddess, it was so unfair that I couldn''t tell anyone about what had happened; I felt so alone, so isted. I wished that there was just one person who I could tell, but... no one would ever believe me. They would just think I was insane. They''d send me away, lock me up,


    and.


    The divorce would never go through if


    Before I could even finish that thought, a hand on my shoulder suddenly caused me to jerk my head up. It seemed I was so lost in my turmoil that I hadn''t noticed Noah walking in, and he was now standing over me with a mildly concerned look on his face. "You alright?"


    J quickly nodded, swiping at my cheeks with my fingers as I abruptly rose and walked over to the window- anything to get away from him, away from his broad shoulders and his piercing green eyes and the smell of his cologne, Chapter 0153  fine."


    Noah said nothing. I almost expected him to have left already, but when I turned, I saw that he was still standing there with his arms hanging loosely at his sides. The sight of him made me feel both frustrated and intrigued at the same time, I wanted to be left well enough alone, but the strangely innocent look on his face gave me pause. "Do you need something?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest.


    He opened his mouth and then closed it a few times, clearly grappling with whatever he was trying to say, then, finally, his ears turned pink and he cleared his throat.


    "Can I take you out to dinner tonight?" he asked. "Just you and me?"

 Chapter 154

    Chapter 0154 Hannah


    "Can I take you out to dinner tonight? Just you and me


    T


    I blinked incredulously at Noah for a long time in the wake of his request, trying to figure out whether he was being serious, messing with me, or if he had something else up his sleeve just like thatst party that he invited me to. "Just the two of us?" I asked, cing one hand on my hip and shooting him a disbelieving look. "Why? Is it just going to be anotherworking event? Or perhaps Zoe will be there?"


    Noah sighed and ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head in annoyance. "No, Hannah," he replied tersely. "It''s just..." He paused, gritting his teeth before shaking his head again, this time more vigorously than thest time. "You know what? Nevermind. Clearly you don''t have an interest in going, so..." With that, he turned on his heel to leave. Despite myself, I felt a bit of panic bubble up inside of me; my hand shot out of its own ord to catch his elbow, stopping him from walking away before he reached the door. "Wait," I said, my voice catching slightly no matter how hard I tried to hide the tremor. "... I might be interested."


    Noah paused and shot me an amused nce over his shoulder, a ghost of another one of those infuriating smirks tugging at his lips. "Is that so?" he coped annoyingly, pulling his arm away from my grip and turning to face me once again. "Now you''re interested now that the offer is off the table?" the offer is


    I pressed my lips into a thin line. "Just tell me the details," I said. "And if it''s going to be another trick to get me to attend aworking event where you can publicly humiliate me likest time, I''d at least appreciate some warning." For a 1 a few moments, Noah just stared at me with an incredulous expression on his face. Finally, he sighed and threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. "It''s not like that, Hannah," he insisted. "Can''t you have a little faith in me for once?"


    "How could I?" I retorted with a wry chuckle. "Last time you said that you were going to take me out, it turned out to be aplete self-serve on your part; and let''s not forget how, that night, you admitted to not knowing the date of our anniversary to a reporter." Noah nched visibly at my words; clearly the memory still bothered him just as much as it bothered me. "Alright, alright," he said. "I know thatst thing was s***ty, and I''m sorry. But I swear, it''s just a reservation at Amici''s tonight for you and me. A private room, a bottle of Amici''s... One of the most romantic spots in the city. A cozy, intimate little Italian bistro nestled in the heart of downtown, overlooking the river. We hadn''t been there in some time. In fact, I couldn''t remember thest time we had gone. The prospect of going together now was tempting, that was for sure. But I still couldn''t shake the ideal that there was more to it. "What for, though? I found myself asking. "Is today a special day for you or something?" ten wrong for me to


    No."


    He shrugged nonchntly. "Is want to treat you?"


    Narrowing r


    my eyes, I searched his face for some kind of lie-but unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I found none. Noah''s face was as open as could be, his green eyes flickering across my features. He still had that usual stony look in his eyes, but I knew he was telling the truth in in spite of it.


    Finally, I let out


    I let out a slow breath through my teeth and felt my shoulders slump in defeat. "Alright."


    He quirked an eyebrow at me. "So you''lle?"


    "I felt face redden beneath his and I quickly looked "I''ll go."


    Noah pulled the car up to the curbter that night, and I leaned forward to peer at the little bistro through the windshield. The soft flickering of candles emanated from therge windows, couples seated at white cloth-covered tables with bottles of wine between them. People walked on the sidewalk hand-in-hand, headed for the small park down the street that overlooked thenterns on the river.


    It was so romantic. Too bad my husband wasn''t the romantic sort, at least not when it came to me.


    "So, what made you pick Amici''s?" I asked, ncing over at Noah as he straightened his tie in the rearview mirror.


    He shrugged nonchntly-an infuriating gesture given how intimate the little Italian bistro was known for being. This wasn''t a date, of course, it couldn''t be. So why, then, did he want to bring me here, of all ces? "I like their gnhi," was all he replied.


    "


    I pursed my lips at his se attitude-The gnhi, I thought to myself wryly, having a feeling that it was more than just that-but said nothing more about it.


    We stepped out of the car and headed inside, where the sound of soft violin music and the clinking of silverware filled the air. No sooner had we stepped through the front door than a hostess dressed in an impable white shirt and a ck skirt had materialized in front of us, bowing her head respectfully. "Alpha Noah, Luna Hannah. Right this way," she said, gesturing for us to follow.


    As the hostess followed us through the dimly lit dining room and down a hall toward rows of private rooms, I couldn''t help but chance a sidelong look over at Noah. His face betrayed nothing, but his freshly-undered suit and sh***d face told a different story. He looked... perfect tonight. Impably dressed, clean-s****n, hair ge***d to a T.


    Meanwhile, I wore a slim ck dress that fell just above my ankles, a pair of strappy heels, and a velvet shawl to cover my shoulders. Gripped in my hand was a small red clutch, a pop of color that matched the shade of my lipstick. My own hair was perfectly curled and swept into an updo-I had gone all out tonight despite myself.


    I wondered if Noah was having the same thoughts of me as I was having of him; did he think I looked nice? Beautiful, even? If he did, he didn''t say it.


    The hostess finally stopped in front of the door to one of the private rooms and stepped aside to allow us entry. "Here you are," she said, gesturing to the door. "Your server will be right with you."


    With that, the hostess scurried away, her heels clicking on the tiled floors. My gaze followed her for a


    +23 BONUS


    moment


    t before snapping back to Noah, who still hadn''t entered the room-but now he was holding something in his hands.


    An extra necktie.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I furrowed my brow and gestured to it. "What''s that for?"


    Pausing for a moment, he held it out to me. "For your eyes."


    "My... eyes?" I blurted out.


    He nodded. "I''d like for this to be a surprise, if you don''t mind."

 Chapter 155

    Chapter 0155 Hannah


    Noah stepped forward and ced the necktie over my eyes. I held it in ce with one hand while he tied it in the back, the cool flesh of his fingers brushing against the nape of my neck as he did so.


    "Thanks forplying with me," he said once he had finished tying it. I heard his footsteps clicking against the tiled floor and his breath fanning across my exposed shoulder as he walked back around me. I promise it''ll be worth it." hope so." I said with a nervous chuckle. There was no denying the way my heart pounded in my chest, the way my pulse kicked up just at the thought of what he might have in store for me. Noah... Why was he surprising me, and what was he surprising me with? I didn''t want to get my hopes up.


    but it was hard not to.


    He hadn''t been spontaneous and romantic like this in well, years, and a small part of me-the part that was still a young, hopeless romantic with stars in her eyes, just wanting to be swept off of her feet- hoped that whatever it was would just be the beginning. And maybe, just maybe, there would be a way to rekindle what we had lost.


    But that was just wishful thinking, right?


    Finally, I heard the door to our private room creak open. I took a shaky step forward, my hands groping out in front of me-only for them to be met by a set of cool, steady fingers wrapping around them.


    "Here," Noah said softly, cing his other hand on my lower back as he steered me.


    I felt a shiver of anticipation run down my spine at his touch. It was like ice cold water through the thin fabric of my dress, both shocking and exhrating. I didn''t pull away, instead letting him gently guide me into the room. And then.... "Vo."


    Noah pulled the necktie off of my face with a flourish, and instantly, a gasp escaped my lips. My hand. pped over my mouth, my eyes widening as I saw the spread in front of me, and it was all I could do to whirl around to face Noah with an incredulous look on my face. "Noah, did you...?"


    Uncharacteristically for the usually-stern and stoic Alpha, Noah grinned and nodded. He gently took me by the shoulders and guided me over to my chair.


    "You like it?" he asked, gesturing to the arrayid out in front of us.


    "Like it?" I echoed. My eyes wandered the long white tablecloth, upon which wasid out a dizzying array of various small dishes-samples of shrimp, scallops, fine cuts of beef, saucy pasta, ky spanakopita, vibrant vegetables, slices of cake.


    It was a veritable feast, although each te contained hardly more than a bite of each dish to be sampled.


    F


    "I love it," I finally breathed.


    Noah let out a soft breath that almost sounded like one of relief as he pulled my chair out for me. "Good," he said, pushing my chair in once I had sat down. "I called the chef ahead of time and asked him to prepare samples of everything on the menu." He paused, eyeing a few tes of mussels and ms and other fragrant seafood that I couldn''t even identify. "Although, it seems he also took the liberty of making a few things that aren''t on the menu as well."


    All I could manage to do was blink owlishly as I took in the spread. Noah sat at the chair across from me, his gaze patiently fixed on me.


    "But... why?" I murmured. "Why go to all this trouble?"


    Noah simply shrugged. "I felt bad for not being the first to offer trying new foods with you," he said, his voice shockingly soft. "So I thought it would be nice to surprise you. And..." He paused to push a te of pasta over to me. "If there''s anything you really like, I''ve hired the chef here part-time toe and cook for you at home."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "At home?"


    He nodded. "Yep. Mondays and Wednesdays, he''lle to cook you dinner at home. Whatever you like, and however much of it you like."


    GET IT NOW


    2/2

 Chapter 156

    Chapter 0156


    L


    I didn''t know what to say. The offer was quite possibly the sweetest thing I had hearde out of Noah''s mouth in a long time; and in fact, I could already feel the first prickling of tears behind my eyes.


    But this was no time for crying-we had food to test.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Over the next couple of hours, Noah and I tried anything and everything from the menu. We hardly talked, but we didn''t need to, we were so caught up in the delectable vors and textures and making notes of what particrly suited my fancy that it didn''t even ur to us to have a conversation about anything but the food. And in a strange sort of way, that wasforting.


    "I really like this shrimp scampi," I said, sighing contentedly as I patted my slightly-protruding belly. "And the beef wellington."


    Noah nodded and jotted down the note on a pad of paper he had by his side. "Shrimp scampi and beef wellington it is," he said. "An interestingbination, but so long as you like it... Here, you should try the brussel sprouts next." I grinned and took the proffered te of roasted brussel sprouts, spearing one with my fork and waving under my nose. It smelled sweet and spicy at the same time, a perfect amount of red pepper kes and the smallest dusting of brown sugar to give it that signature caramelized appearance. But it was as I popped it into my mouth, chewed, and swallowed, that it happened. Oh no.


    Something about either the brussel sprouts or something else I ate didn''t agree with me-or maybe it was thebination of everything that was just too much. Suddenly, I felt the urge to vomit.


    And I had learned from being pregnanttely that when I felt the urge, there was no stopping it. Covering my mouth, I abruptly rose from my chair, causing the legs to scrape back on the floor. "I have to use the restroom," I said, my voice strained. Noah shot me a curious look, but I was already turning on my heel and heading for the door, intending on making a beeline for the toilet. Oh no, oh no, oh-


    "Two cappinos,ing right up!"


    Before I could make it out the door, the waiter suddenly appeared with two-cups of frothy coffees in her hands. I froze when she blocked my way, my stomach clenching violently, my throat so constricted that I couldn''t even tell her to move.


    And then, suddenly, it was happening.


    I barely made it to my knees in front of the nearby trashcan before the entire contents of my stomach- the entire meal we had just eaten-wereing up. Everyst bit of it was expelled into the garbage, the only sounds in the room now that of my chokes and sobs. When I was finished, the room was utterly silent.


    Gasping, I gripped the wainscoting with one hand and climbed to my feet, still clutching my stomach with


    the other. Noah was standing now, his eyes wide, his hand outstretched. "Hannah, are you okay...?"


    I felt my face turn the brightest shade of red known to man. Shaking my head, I stumbled backwards, murmuring, "I have to go... I''m sorry...


    Before anyone could catch me, I was out the door-practically knocking the cappinos out of the server''s hand as I bolted past. Noah called something after me and the other patrons stared at me as I ripped through the dining area, but I didn''t stop until I was out on the


    street.


    Up ahead, a cab was idling at the curb. Panicking, I flung the door open and practically leaped inside, ordering the driver to take me away. Just... anywhere but here. Anywhere but with my husband, who was bound to realize that I was pregnant any minute now. As the cab screeched away from the curb, I finally saw Noah burst out onto the sidewalk. His form faded into the distance, rapidly turning into a speck on the horizon.


    Chapter 0157.

 Chapter 157

    Chapter 0157


    Noah & Hannah


    Noah''s POV


    Noah burst out of the restaurant and into the cool night air, his gasps of breath mingling with the sound of his shoes on the pavement and the screech of the cab''s tires. There, up ahead, was Hannah-already in the back of a taxi that was pulling away from the curb at breakneck speeds.


    "Hannah!" Noah cried out, skidding to a stop in the middle of the sidewalk. "Hannah,e back!"


    But it was no use; Hannah was already gone, the cab up ahead disappearing around a corner. Noah watched, breathlessly, as thest vestige of the garish yellow car faded awaypletely.


    "Dammit!" he cursed, whirling around and kicking a stone on the sidewalk. He watched it tter into a nearby sewer grate, his nostrils ring and his heart pounding. Why had she run off like that? And, more importantly, why had she vomited? Noah took a deep breath to steady himself as he tried to ignore the prying eyes of the other diners inside the restaurant. Squaring his shoulders, he yanked open the front door and strode back inside to pay the bill.


    Hannah hadn''t just thrown up because she ate too much, had she? No, Noah was sure it was something else.


    Gritting his teeth, he walked back into the private room they had shared; Hannah had left her velvet shawl on the back of her chair, and he picked it up and clutched it tightly. It smelled like her: sweet but not floral, more like sage.


    His wolf growled inside of him at the scent of her perfume.


    "Something is going on with her," his wolf said,


    Hannah''s POV


    Viona opened the door just moments after I knocked, her hair askew in a sloppy bun and a ss of wine in her hand.


    "Hannah?" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"


    1. Um..." I could barely even speak-my throat felt too constricted after everything. Viona, noticing this, stepped aside to allow me entry.


    "Come in, honey. Tell me what happened."


    Taking a deep breath, I stepped into Viona''s small apartment; it was a cute little loft downtown, not far from Amici''s, and it was the first ce I thought of going when I climbed into that cab. I couldn''t bear to go back and talk to Noah, and I certainly didn''t want to go home because he would likely get there before I did for all I knew.


    "Thanks, Vi," I said softly as she fluffed a pillow for me on herrge sectional. Kicking off my shoes, I sank down onto the plush couch and pulled my knees up to my chest. "It''s been a rough night."


    "Tell me what happened." Viona settled onto the cushion next to me and sipped her wine, watching me intently.


    For several moments, I couldn''t bring myself to say anything-not that I even knew where to begin. How was I supposed to exin why I had run out of that restaurant when I hadn''t even told her that I was pregnant yet?


    Finally, though, when Viona''s gaze didn''t waver, I knew I couldn''t keep it in any longer.


    I had to tell someone. I was tired of keeping everything to myself, and... Viona was my best friend. I needed her support. To hell with it if she thought I was crazy. I couldn''t f****ng take it anymore.


    Swallowing hard against the lump in my throat, I turned to her and grabbed her free hand. "Viona, I have to tell you something." I said, fixing her with a stern gaze, "but you have to promise not to tell a soul." Viona chuckled and sipped her wine. "Alright. Sure."All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "I mean it." I gripped her hand even more tightly and leaned in. "You have to swear. Swear on.... on your mother."


    My friend''s eyes widened fractionally. Her mother was easily the most precious thing to her, seeing as how Viona''s father had died when she was young and she had always cared for her mother since then. "Hannah, what''s going on?" she whispered. "Just... Promise me, Vi," I pleaded. "Please, I need you to swear you won''t tell anyone what I''m about to tell you."


    A muscle ticked above her eye as she strained to search my face for any hint of a prank or deception. Of course, she would find nothing: I was being utterly sincere.


    Finally, she sighed and set her wine ss on the coffee table,


    "Alright. I swear on my mother that I won''t tell a soul, Hannah."


    I let out a breath of relief and leaned back against the cushions. "Thank you."


    Viona raised an eyebrow. "Now, are you going to tell me what this is all about?"

 Chapter 158

    Chapter 01:58 Chapter 0158


    When I was finished telling Viona my story-everything from my pregnancy to my death to my rebirth, all of it from beginning to end-the room was utterly silent. Down below, the sounds of the bustling city rose into the air, but I hardly heard any of it. Only the sound of my blood rushing through my ears filled that


    space.


    Viona said nothing for a long time, her mouth working uselessly. Her face had gone pale, her eyes blown wide like she had just seen a ghost.


    I''m sure I looked much the same as her.


    And th


    then, suddenly, she.... startedughing. "Hannah, this is ridiculous," she crowed, smacking me on the arm and rising from the couch to walk to her kitchen. "Did Amber put you up to this?"


    I furrowed my brow and followed her, watching incredulously as she began casually preparing two cups


    of tea. "Viona, I''m serious," I said.


    She chuckled again. "Yeah. Sure."


    T


    "Viona." Stomping my feet, I circled around the counter ind and gripped her shoulders to force her to look at me-so she could see my sincerity. "I''m serious."


    For a few long moments, Viona blinked at me, her face slowly nching once more.


    "Hannah..."


    "Look, I know how it sounds," I said, releasing her and stepping back, "but it''s true. All of that stuff that happened at the eptance ceremony with Zoe? Yeah, in my past life, I didn''t handle it well and faced a lot of public scrutiny. That was why I took it so well this time; because I knew it wasing."


    Viona swallowed, hastily shaking her head. "Oh, honey," she breathed, "you need help. I''m sorry, Hannah, I know you''re going through a lot, but it''s simply not possible."


    "When have I ever lied to you, Viona?!" I snapped.


    Her eyes widened even further, if that was even possible. Her mouth waggled as she tried toe up with a retort, but clearly there was none.


    Finally, gripping her hair, she whirled around and strode over to the window. "Okay, okay... So let''s just say, for the sake of the argument, that this really did happen..." She paused, and I could hear her audibly gulp.


    What about Noah? He doesn''t know any of this?"


    "No. And he never will."


    "Even the baby?" she asked.


    felt my chest clench at the mention of it. "I might tell him about the baby when the divorce is finalized. But not a moment before. And likely not at all."


    Viona whirled around, her mouth hanging agape. "Hanrah, you can''t keep his child from him," she breathed. "The whole... rebirth thing is one thing, but your baby? His heir? He''ll find out anyway!"Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    1/2


    #25 BONUS


    "And if he does, then I''ll be protected," I said. "I already made him promise that once we''re divorced, I can take anyone or anything that I want from Nightcrest back to my own pack. That includes our child, although he doesn''t know it yet." Viona continued to stare at me incredulously.


    "Look, Vi," I continued, "I know how it sounds. But I can''t tell Noah about the baby, I just can''t. Because if I do, he''ll make me stay in this marriage. And..." I paused, my throat constricting. "...I can''t do it, Viona. I can''t stay in a loveless marriage forever. If I do, then I know I''ll just wind up dead again."


    After I spoke, I looked away and clenched my jaw hard. No, I wouldn''t cry. I needed to be strong, but damn, it was hard.


    Viona sighed softly and crossed the room again, gripping my hands in hers. "I understand," she said gently. "But... is it really so loveless?"


    "Wh...What?"


    She shrugged. "I mean, it seems like he''s trying. Maybe you two could... I don''t know, rekindle what you once had."


    I let out a wryugh. "Fat chance of that happening."


    There was a long silence after that-long enough for Viona''s words to sink in, at least. Maybe she was right... Maybe there was a way to rekindle our love. Unlikely, but there had to be at least a shred of a chance. "Hannah," Viona finally said, "I won''t tell anyone because I respect you and love you. And if you decide not to tell him, then I''ll support you through that."


    "Thanks, Viona."


    "But..." She paused, fixing me with a stern look. I braced myself for what was toe. "At least consider telling him," she said softly, her handing to rest on my belly. "Just consider it."


    I swallowed hard and looked away. "I''ll think about it, Viona. I will."


    Cracter 0159


    5

 Chapter 159

    Chapter 0159


    Hannah


    "Right this way, Luna Hannah. Patty will handle your hair and makeup today."


    I walked into the makeup room at the stage assistant''s directions, my stomach already in knots the moment I saw that familiar pair of shoulders and that familiar head of hair sitting in the chair.


    Of course Noah was here already-of course he was sitting in one of the styling chairs. Of course wouldn''t be able to get through today with minimal contact.


    He looked ridiculously put-together, his dark hair neatly styled and a crisp suit hugging his broad frame. I could just barely make out his face from the reflection in the mirror, and... Goddess, he looked handsome, too. Swallowing hard, I forced myself to ignore him as I slid into the chair beside his, flipping open a magazine and pretending to be engrossed in an article on some fashion designer I had never heard of.


    We hadn''t spoken in two weeks-not since I had run out of that restaurant after vomiting in the trash can. Not since I had confided everything to Viona. She had urged me to consider telling him the truth, of course, but I just couldn''t bring myself to do it. Not right now, at least. Part of shoping Noah would have forgotten by now, that he wouldn''t bother asking me about that night. But another part of me secretly hoped that he would, in a weird sort of way. Like an outside force making me tell him the truth. That would be easier than deciding to tell him the truth myself, right?


    me was


    Of course, there was nothing but silence as I turned the glossy pages of the magazine. My eyes zed over the words without actually reading them; I couldn''t focus on anything but him.


    Blissfully, though, the makeup artist soon arrived and began preening me for today''s event: the pageant. Today, our eating disorder awareness pageant would be held. The four judges were, of course, me and Noah as well as Drake and Zoe.


    I cringed just at the thought of Zoe being there. Thest thing I wanted was to sit next to her on stage, but I didn''t have much of a choice. My campaign manager had insisted that it would look good for the press and would quell the rumors about the four of us, painting us as nothing more than good friends.


    Ha! Friends. But my manager was right; and Noah had agreed with her immediately, so that was the end


    of that.


    of that.


    Once the makeup artist was all finished, Noah and I were left alone in the styling chairs to wait for the call to stage. I grit my teeth and roughly flipped to the next page of my magazine, carefully avoiding his gaze. But out of the corners of my eyes, I could see Noah''s hands shift in hisp. Here ites, I thought to myself. "You look good."


    My cheeks immediately flushed with warmth at the unexpectedpliment. Swallowing hard, I continued avoiding his gaze and muttered, "Thanks."


    More silence. Chapter 0150


    +25


    Finally, Noah cleared his throat. "So... are you going to tell me why you ran off that night?" he asked quietly. "And don''t give me that crap about food poisoning again. You and I both know that''s not what happened."


    Brusquely, I flipped the page so hard I almost tore the paper as a lump formed in my throat. Maybe if I ignored him, he would get the hint. But when his eyes remained glued to me, I knew I had to say something. "Well, it was food poisoning." I said curtly. "What other exnation could there be?"


    Noah stared at me for a long moment before abruptly rising to his feet. My heart stuttered in my chest as he stalked over, those broad shoulders of his seeming to blot out all the light in the room. nting himself directly in front of me, he ced one finger on the top of my magazine and pushed it down, essentially forcing me to look up at him.


    "Don''t y dumb with me, Hannah," he said in a low voice, fixing me with an admittedly sexy, stern look that made me squirm ufortably in my chair. "We both know something else is going on with you... and I''m going to find out what it is, whether you like it or not." opened my mouth to respond-but at that moment, the stage manager swept into the room with a wide smile.


    "All ready, you two?" she asked. "We''ve got to get you on stage in five minutes!"


    Just


    t one moment," Noah said, prompting the stage manager to leave us again.


    "We should go." Just looking for an excuse to flee, I abruptly shoved Noah out of the way and rose to my feet-but in the process, I smacked my head directly into his with a'' sickening crack. Tears sprang to my eyes as I crumpled to the floor, clutching my throbbing forehead and cursing under my breath.


    "Shit! Hannah, are you alright?" Noah had tumbled down beside me, hisrge handing up to grip my shoulder.


    Fuming. I swatted his hand away and red up at him through watery eyes. "I''m fine," I muttered, rubbing a circle on my forehead. "It''s your fault for standing so damn close to me!"


    "My fault?!" Noah gaped at me incredulously. "You''re the one who jumped up so fast! If you had just- "What on earth is going on here?"


    We both froze at the sound of the familiar voice-and when I followed it to the source, I felt my heart plummet into my stomach.


    Zoe


    Zoe


    Of course she would walk in at this exact moment to find Noah and I sprawled on the floor like idiots. Of course she would see this pathetic disy of us bickering and rolling around like children. Swallowing hard, I averted my eyes as Noah scrambled to his feet, brushing off his pristine suit with flushed cheeks. "Zoe! We were just... uh..."


    Rolling her eyes, Zoe strode over and crouched down beside me, gently taking my chin and examining the reddened skin on my forehead. "Let me get some cover up on that," she murmured, quickly digging through her makeup kit. "You too, Noah-that''s already turning into a nasty bump."


    +25


    01591


    Chapter 0159 "Thanks," IContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "I said, rising, "but I can do it myself."


    Zoe let out a nearly inaudible sigh as I turned to the mirror and grabbed a stick of concealer. "Suit yourself."


    Zoe crossed the room to where Noah waited and began getting to work. Try as I might not to look at them in the reflection of the mirror, I couldn''t help it-and the sight of the two of them made me bristle.


    Her delicate hands touching his face. Her breasts practically pressed up against his arm. The way she stood up on her tiptoes even though she was plenty tall enough to reach, just in an attempt to look as tiny as possible.


    "There," Zoe finally said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "All better. Hannah, you ready?"


    I grimaced as I finished touching up my makeup and recapped the concealer stick.


    "Yeah," I said, stering that well-practiced smile on my face. "Ready."

 Chapter 160

    Chapter 0160 Hannah


    pageant.


    The lights were blinding as Noah and I took our seats behind the long judges'' table, our names proudly disyed on ques in front of us. I squinted against the harsh re, trying to make out the rows of empty seats that would soon be filled with attendees for tonight''s My heart was pounding already-not out of nerves, but out of that horrible, simmering tension between Noah and me. I wanted to kiss him and wring his neck at the same time, maybe even worse. And that little situation in the makeup room only made it all the more Zoe and Drake soon joined us, sliding into the remaining two chairs with practiced smiles and little waves to the crew backstage. I couldn''t help but notice how close Zoe''s chair was scooted to Noah''s, their arms nearly brushing.


    prominent, even more so with the throbbing ache in my forehead.


    Swallowing hard, I tore my gaze away and smoothed my hands over my sleek ck dress. I needed to focus-to be professional. That was the whole point of Noah and I appearing together today; to show the world that we were on good terms, that there was no bad blood between us and that we fully supported each other''s respective causes.


    Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. But we had put on this charade before, and we would do it again tonight.


    "Alright,dies and gents," came a sudden voice through my earpiece-the stage manager giving us our cues backstage. "We''ve got five minutes until showtime. Just a reminder that there are ten contestants tonight, and each of you will ask one question per round after their introductory speeches. We''ll do three rounds, so you''ll each ask three questions total. Everyone got that?" We all murmured our assent, and I could feel Noah''s gaze practically burning a hole in the side of my head. Out of my peripheral vision, I watched as he uncapped his pen and flipped open a small leather journal.


    "What''s that?" Drake beat me to the question, nodding his head toward the journal.


    Noah shot him a withering look. "A journal." "Yeah, no shit," Drakeughed. "What''s it for?" "Notes."


    In the wake of Noah''s terse responses, Drake and I exchanged amused nces behind his back. Zoe, meanwhile, remained impassive-staring at the curtain where the pageant contestants would be hidden. For the next few minutes, the auditorium was utterly silent as we waited for the audience to be seated. My knee bounced anxiously under the table until Noah suddenly reached over and ced a hand on my thigh. I tensed immediately at his touch, my gaze snapping over to meet his frown. "You''re shaking the whole table," he murmured. My mouth went dry, and I could only nod wordlessly before forcing myself to still the spastic bouncing of my leg.


    Of course he wasn''t touching me just tofort me. He was touching me because I was annoying. He


    was-


    +25


    "Good


    evening, friends and family. Wee to the new annual Nightcrest Beautiful Hearts Pageant!"


    Before I could finish my thought, the announcer began her spiel and the crowd began to bristle with excitement. stering my smile onto my face, I rose from my seat and waved when my name was announced, all good sportsmanship and poise. Since


    But as the preliminary portion of the pageant waspleted, I found myself distracted-by the way that Noah seemed utterly enthralled. His brow was furrowed in concentration, his chin resting on one hand while the other swiftly scribbled notes in that journal of his. when did he take stuff like this-Luna stuff-so seriously? couldn''t help it. Throughout the pageant, I kept looking at him; I kept taking in the stern set of his jaw, the way that he never seemed to lose focus for even a moment.


    He looked so... engaged.


    No matter how hard I tried to quell it, my throat constricted with the memory of how


    ons used to be even sly forced those thoughts down and turned my attention back to the stage just as thest of the contestants was finishing up her opening speech from behind the curtain.


    us-how attracted I had once been to his passion. I supposed that hadn''t changed much over the years. Clearing my throat, I ruthl


    And then, the first round of questioning was upon us.


    Noah went first, leaning forward into the microphone. "In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue for underprivileged youth today? And how would you seek to address that issue if given the chance?" There was a brief pause as the contestant mulled over her response. Then, she replied in a beautifully poised voice-mentioning theck of educational opportunities among inner-city children. All the while, Noah scribbled furiously in his notebook, nodding to himself.


    All


    Huh. Maybe he was actually considering her words rather than just judging them at face value.


    That


    was... unexpected, but also


    but also vaguely endearing in a way that made my cheeks flush with warmth.


    Dammit. I ruthlessly shoved that thought aside as Drake asked his question next, followed by Zoe. And then, finally, it was my turn.


    It went on like this for two more rounds, the questions slowly intensifying. Some contestants sputtered, others handled their answers with poise, some answered a little too enthusiastically.


    And d all the while, Noah scribbled in his notebook. And scribbled. And scribbled.


    Suddenly, the announcer called out, "Luna Hannah, you''re up.""


    Shit. I had gotten so lost watching Noah analyze everything happening on stage that I hadpletely missed my cue to call out my final question. stering a serene smile across my face, I leaned forward. and tried not to let my voice waver


    Throughout this process, you''ve had to grapple a lot with society''s expectations around beauty. confidence, and self esteem." I began, unable to resist stealing a sidelong nce at Noah. "What would you consider to be the most toxic of those expectations, and how can the rest t of us begin to dismantle  Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    0160


    Chaindset?"


    that


    that


    The


    The contestant behind the curtain hesitated for a moment beforeunching into her response-equally as poised as all of her other answers. I only recognized her by her red espadrilles peeking out from beneath the curtain, but she was my favorite so far. "In order to change how we conceptualize ideals like these," she began, "we have to start by changing the fundamental beliefs we all grew up with..."


    As she spoke, Noah''s pen practically'' flew across the page. Without entirely meaning to, a soft smile stretched across my lips as I watched him. He was utterly rapt, like a schoolboy in ss. So much like the teenage boy who I once fell in love with... "Luna Hannah?"


    I blinked, looking up in surprise at the sound of the announcer''s voice. "I-sorry?" I blurted out without thinking.


    A ripple ofughter made its way across the audience, and I felt my face redden. Once again, I had zoned out while daydreaming about Noah-daydreaming about the days we had spent together all those years ago, eating quail eggs beneath the oak tree. But those daydreams had ended.

 Chapter 161

    Chapter 0161 Hannah


    Everyone blinked at me, waiting patiently for my announcement. I felt my face turn the brightest shade of red beneath their gazes, only just now realizing that I had gotten so caught up in my daydreams that I hadpletely forgotten to even write down my vote. "Oh... Just one moment," I said hastily, grabbing my pen and a ballot card. The announcer grinned into her microphone. "Daydreaming, Luna Hannah?" she teased.


    Another ripple ofughter worked its way across the crowd, making my heart pound faster. But, somehow, I managed a smile and a quip in response: "Yes. I''m afraid I got a little lost there for a moment. I was looking at my handsome husband. My apologies. "Aww..."


    The crowd practically swooned at that, and beside me, I could see Noah squirming ufortably in his seat. Good, I thought to myself. At least I didn''t have to be the only one squirming Behind him, Zoe''s face remained a stoic mask of indifference and Drake grinned at me from over Noah''s shoulder.


    "He''s quite the looker, isn''t he?" Drake said, elicitingughter from the crowd.


    Now that I had filled out my ballot, I stood and held it out for the announcer to take. "Sorry for that," I said with a pleasantugh and a wave of my hand. "I promise I was paying attention to all of our lovely contestants'' speeches."


    "No need to apologize, Luna Hannah," the announcer said as she shuffled the ballot cards. "It''s sweet to see our beloved Luna and Alpha still so in love."


    I nearly snorted. Yeah, right; in love. But still, as I sat down, I threw a smile in Noah''s direction for the


    cameras.


    When he returned it, though, I felt my heart leap into my throat.


    Thankfully, my attention was quickly ripped away by the sound of the announcer''s voice. "And the winner of the pageant is..." She paused, leaving room for a drumroll. "...Felicia Green!"


    The crowd erupted into cheers, and I couldn''t help but smile too; the contestant named Felicia had been my favorite, the girl with red espadrilles. The curtain slowly rose, and there she was: petite and curvy, wearing a simple skirt and sweater with her red hair pulled back into a neat bun. She wore sses, had freckles dotted across her aquiline nose, and round cheeks.


    Thank you so much," she said, her hands trembling as she took the microphone from the announcer. "I''ve


    I''ve never received an award like this. Truly, it''s an honor."


    There was a pause as I rose from my chair and crossed over to the center of the stage where Felicia stood. An attendant gave me a flower crown, which I carefully lowered onto the winner''s head.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "Well, you deserve it," I said gently, pulling Felicia in for a hug as the crowd cheered. "You did wonderfully."


    "Thank you, Luna Hannah... Thank you..."


    "Luna Hannah? May I speak with you for a moment?"


    lifted my gaze from the cup of iced tea in my hand to see that familiar pair of sses and head of red hair standing in front of me. Felicia beamed at me, still wearing her flower crown, now clutching a drink. and a cupcake in her hands. Offering her a smile and a nod, I gestured to the spot on the bench next to me. "Of course, Felicia. Please, sit down."


    As the winner of the pageant nervously settled next to me, I allowed my gaze to sweep over the small luncheon-all of the contestants, the contestants'' friends and families, and those who had worked on the show were here to celebrate a sessful afternoon. All except for Noah. He had slipped away at some point without a word, and I hadn''t seen hide nor hair from him since then. Perhaps he left; after all, he had already done his part by appearing on stage. Which led me to wonder... Did he really care about this whole thing like I hoped or, was it all an act?

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    Chapter ChapterContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    0162 0162


    "I hope you''re enjoying the luncheon, Felicia," I said pleasantly, raising my ss to her. "Is your family here?"


    Felicia visibly nched a bit. I''m afraid they didn''te."


    "At all?"


    She shook her head, her gaze falling to herp. She pushed her sses up onto her nose, and I saw her lower lip quiver slightly. "No. They assumed I would lose." I felt my chest clench at those words. "Why would they assume that?" I asked. "Your speech was phenomenal, and you answered every question with grace. Your charity work overseas was incredibly impressive, and your work as a local school teacher for inner city kids ismendable."


    Felicia paused, drawing in a breath through her teeth. She opened and closed her mouth once as though struggling with how to respond before she finally turned to me with a sad smile on her face. "I''m not... pretty," she said softly. "Felicia-"


    "I mean, look at me," she cut me off, gesturing to herself. "I''m short and a bit chubby, and I wear sses. My hair is frizzy and my nose is too big and I have a bit of a lisp. It''s okay; I''m not upset about it. It''s just.. one would typically assume that I wouldn''t be the type to win apetition like this."


    My mouth tugged into a deep frown despite myself. "None of those things make someone unattractive, Felicia," I said gently, cing my hand over top of hers "I see a bright, beautiful young woman with a kind heart. And frankly..."


    I lowered my voice, leaning in a bit closer so no one else could hear.


    "I think you have a gorgeous body. I wish I was as curvy as you. Your hair is beautiful and vibrant, and I''d love to see how wild it is when you let it down. Your sses are cute and your nose speaks to your heritage and your lisp makes you stand out. Who told you that any of that isn''t beautiful?"


    Felicia flushed deeply and bit her lower lip, looking away. "A lot of people," she admitted with a wryugh. "But... That means a lot to hear from you, Luna Hannah. Thank you."


    I offered her a grin and patted her hand. "Besides," I said, "I know you''ll use that reward money well."


    She nodded vehemently. "Oh, yes. I already have ns to use the funds to buy new equipment for my school''s ssrooms, and..."


    Over the next half hour, Felicia and I chatted nonstop; she really was a sweet and intelligent young woman, and I was d that she had won the majority vote.


    Although, I couldn''t help but be curious as to who Noah voted for. Did he vote for Felicia, or someone else? I wanted to ask, but I still hadn''t seen him.


    In fact,e to think of it... I was curious who Zoe voted for, but I hadn''t seen her in a while either. Only Drake remained, chatting animatedly with one of the stage crew in the corner,


    Frowning. I began wandering through the event to see if I could at least find my husband. When I didn''t


    find him in the crowd, I rounded the corner to the bathrooms, wondering if he was there.


    And that was when I saw it: Noah and Zoe, huddled at the end of the hallway.... Their heads bent close, their hands gesturing wildly.


    "She... I don''t... I know...."


    I could only make out tidbits of what they were saying, but something about it made me ufortable. Pressing myself close to the corner, I carefully peered around to watch, pricking my ears in an attempt to make out their conversation. But it was then that Zoe''s head suddenly snapped up, her nostrils ring dangerously.


    "Quiet, Noah," shemanded, raising her hand to stop him mid-sentence. "We''re being watched."

 Chapter 163

    Chapter 0163 Hannah


    Just as Noah and Zoe turned, I managed to slip back behind the corner and bolt away. My heart pounded in my throat as I scurried out of sight, my eyes darting back and forth in search of an escape. Their footsteps were approaching rapidly, and out of panic, I spotted a


    nearby water fountain and began


    nto


    drink.


    A few momentster, I felt a tap on my shoulder.


    Straightening, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and turned to see Noah standing behind me with one hand on his hip. Zoe was nowhere to be found, thankfully. "What are you doing?" he asked I gruffly.


    I gestured to the water fountain and shot him a withering look, hoping that my face wasn''t too flushed from nearly being caught eavesdropping. "What does it look like I''m doing?" searched my face for several moments, but I betrayed nothing from behind my impassive mask. Finally, finding nothing, his shoulders slumped slightly. "Okay."


    His green eyes


    I quirked an eyebrow at him; part of me wanted to ask what he was doing talking to Zoe in the hallway. but I didn''t want to reveal that I had just tantly lied. So, deciding to test him a bit, I asked, "Where have you been? I''ve been looking all over for you." For a few moments, Noah''s mouth opened and closed itself repeatedly. I wondered if he might tell me the truth-that he had been talking to Zoe in private.


    Hell, maybe the conversation wasn''t even anything suspicious, although something about the way their heads had been so close together and the way that his broad shoulders had practically been caged. around her told me otherwise.


    But of f course he wouldn''t do that. When was thest time either of us had told the truth to each other about, well... anything?


    "I was in the bathroom," he said simply.


    I almost scoffed out loud. "You''ve been missing for the entire luncheon. Are you sick?"


    "No. I''ve been around."


    My lips parted to tell him that I knew he was a liar, that I knew he was probably with Zoe that entire time- doing whatever the hell they liked to do with each other or to each other in private. But it didn''t matter, not really; he had failed my test. Finally deciding that it wasn''t worth arguing over, at least not in public like this, I gestured to the bustling luncheon. "Well, we should make the rounds onest time before we leave." Together?" he asked.


    I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Noah. Together." With that, the two of us turned on our heels and began making our way around the luncheon to offer words of praise to the contestants and their families and thank-yous to the staff who had made today Chapter 0163. possible.


    All the


    All the


    the while, my tongue burned to snap at Noah and tell him that I knew that he and Zoe were up to something. I wanted to know what they were talking about in the hallway, and why Zoe had looked so panicked when she had realized that they were being watched. But I couldn''t. It wasn''t worth it; and if anything, it was just another bitter reminder that soon, we would be divorced and that I would be a much happier woman. Much happier.


    "Noah. Hannah. There you are!"


    Noah and I turned to see Drake striding toward us; the luncheon had begun to thin out, the contestants and their families going home and the staff beginning to clean up the leftover food and folding tables.


    I offered Drake a smile, but then felt the urge to grimace when I saw Zoeing up behind him.


    "Drake," I said, trying to keep my tone even despite myself, "are you heading out for the day?"


    "I am. Sort of." He paused, ncing back and forth between me and Noah with a discerning eye as though. he could sense the tension. "But I actually have other ns and wanted to know if you''d like toe." "ns?" "Noah asked before I could say anything. "What sort of ns?"


    Drake grinned. "Well, there''s a fight going on down at the fight club tonight. I was nning on going, and I was hoping you two would like toe as well."


    Before Noah could refuse-which I knew he would-I quickly blurted out, "Yes! I haven''t seen a fight in forever." Beside me, I could feel Noah bristle; not that I cared. I didn''t want to go home, and besides, it would be nice to have something fun to do for once. And maybe seeing a little blood would quell my fury, at least for the time being.


    Drake practically beamed from ear to ear. "Perfect! The fight starts at eight. And you, Noah...?"


    "Fine,"


    Noah grumbled, shooting me a sidelong nce,


    "I''d like toe, too."


    I turned to see Zoe standing beside Drake, her eyes shing as she looked at me.


    Noah pulled up to the curb with a grimace. "I''m only doing this because I don''t trust Drake to be alone with you," he growled as he put the car in park. "You know I hate these stupid fights."


    I let out a bitterugh as I touched up my lipgloss in the rearview mirror; I had changed into something more casual, a pair of jeans and boots with a tight t-shirt that hugged my curves. "You''re such a bore." frowned. He had been shooting me nces ever since I had gotten into the car, his eyes roaming the way that my jeans clung to my thighs-even now, despite my retort, he shot me onest look and licked his lips.


    Noah f As we stepped out of the car and headed up to the bustling fight club, I couldn''t help but swing my hips bit. My heels clicked on the pavement, my hair cascading across my shoulders in a loose style.  Chapter 0163


    Before we reached the doors, however, Noah stopped me with one hand on my arm. "Hannah." "What?" "Here


    Scowling, he slipped his jacket off and held it out to me, practically thrusting it into my arms. before I even had a chance to protest. "To cover yourself."


    I frowned. "What''s this for?"


    "Why?"


    Noah red at me for a moment before lowering his voice and growling, "Your shirt is low-cut and your jeans are tight. This is the type of ce where women like you get ogled by every-" like me?" I echoed, running my finger across his forearm. "Why, Noah, what are you implying?"


    Women


    His


    scowl deepened. "Don''t make me say it."


    HIS


    "Say it,"Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    it," I insisted, narrowing my eyes.


    He pursed I his lips, looking away to reveal his clenched jaw. After a few moments of floundering, he finally said the words I was hoping to hear him say. "You look. hot, alright?" he practically whispered. "Other men are gonna be staring at you." My lips curled up into a sharine smirk. "Good. Let them." With that, I thrust his jacket back into his hands and strode off.


    Perfect, I thought to myself as he begrudgingly handed the bouncer our IDs and we headed inside. If Noah was going to have a secret rendezvous with Zoe right under my nose, then I was going to at least make him suffer a little bit. "Noah! Hannah! Over here!" Drake waved from up ahead, right next to the ring. Zoe was beside him, clutching a bottle of beer in her hand with a terse smile on her face. Without waiting for Noah, I grinned and jogged up to join them.

 Chapter 164

    Chapter 0164 Chapter 0164 Noah


    Noah hated these stupid fights. He hated them with a burning passion; he had always despised attending them when he was younger, back when his young male friends were obsessed with blood and sweat and testosterone.


    What baffled Noah, though, was that Hannah seemed to enjoy it now. She had never once shown any interest in attending fights, and had never even shown on interest in learning to fight herself despite the fact that sparring training was amon practice for Alphas and Lunas who were in good health.


    In fact, on more than one asion, Noah had tried to convince Hannah to try sparring. She always refused, saying that it was brutish and that a ''delicate'' woman such as herself should never shed blood. But now, apparently, that had changed.


    As the crowd roared and the announcer''s voice boomed across the stadium, as the fighters the rest


    stepped out into the ring in all their shirtless, muscr glory, Hannah was screaming and cheering along with the rest of them and bouncing on her toes like a giddy kid in a candy shop.


    Noah was d, at least, that they had box seats; a ce fit for Alphas and Lunas. Something to set them apart from the creeps who might try to squeeze past Hannah and touch her hips or grope her ass.


    Goddess, but she did look hot tonight. Despite his anger and annoyance, Noah couldn''t help but let his eyes asionally flicker down to her breasts or her thighs.


    She was wearing tight jeans and an equally tight, low-cut shirt-so different from her usual prim and proper attire. Her blonde hair was in loose waves over her shoulders, nearly reaching her butt. When had it gotten so long?


    Andtely, she hadn''t been bleaching her hair as much... The darker strawberry blonde, her natural color, suited her better than the tinum crap.


    If only they didn''t hate each other''s guts. Maybe then he would have put his arm around her like so many of the other couples in this ce. Maybe he would have pulled her flush against his side, letting his hand roam across her peachy rear end and her round hips. That, at least, would have made him not despise the entire asion to his very core.


    At the same time, though, Noah couldn''t help but nce over at Drake and grimace.


    Drake was standing right beside Hannah, cheering for the fight along with her. He was saying something in her ear, pointing at the two muscr men who were beating each other to a pulp in the middle of the ring


    Every time the bell would ding, it was like Drake would shift a little closer. Soon enough, their shoulders were brushing, and Noah didn''t see Hannah showing any signs of moving away.


    "I still think she''s fucking him," Noah growled inwardly to his wolf as he sipped his beer. "In fact, I''m sure


    of it."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    His wolf bristled in response. "You''re still on that?"


    "Of course I am. All of the signs are pointing to her being pregnant, too... It has to be his kid, because we


    haven''t had sex in ages."


    It was true; it had been months since they had had sex. And unless Hannah was hiding an heir from him, Noah had an inkling that she was hooking up with Drake in private.


    Maybe she even had intentions of leaving Nightcrest to join Drake at his pack. Maybe they already had an heir of their own on the way, even though she and Noah had been married for years and had had sex during her ovtion every month like clockwork and she had never gotten pregnant. "It''s still possible that she only had food poisoning that night at the restaurant," his wolf stated-always trying to be the logical one.


    Noah pursed his lips. No, it wasn''t just that night at the restaurant that had him wondering; she had been showing signs of it for a while. Avoiding alcohol like the gue, always trying to touch her belly like he wouldn''t notice, suddenly caring about her health. +25 BONU

 Chapter 165

    Chapter 0165


    Her health... She had put on a bit of weighttely, which was a good thing. Noah had been watching her belly in particr, though. If she was pregnant, she hadn''t begun to show yet-but Noah would notice whenever she did.


    Unless they got divorced before that happened.


    The bell rang loudly, signifying the end of the first fight. Noah snapped his attention back to the group as Drake, Hannah, and Zoe turned to him.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Drake held up his empty beer bottle. "I need a refill," he said, shaking the bottle slightly. "Anything for thedies?"


    Zoe shrugged. "Another beer for me."


    Drake nodded. "Beer for Zoe, and Hannah, I''m getting you a soft pretzel whether you like it or not. Got it?" Hannah giggled coyly, causing Noah to bristle. "Sure, I''ll take a pretzel. And a diet soda, too?" No alcohol for Hannah, of course.


    "Come with me, Noah?" Drake asked then. "I might need help carrying stuff."


    Despite the fact that being close to Drake made Noah want to vomit, he begrudgingly agreed. They walked over to the food stands together and Drake put in their order for three beers, a soda, and four soft pretzels.


    "So." Drake said as they waited for their food, "how''s everything going? With you and Hannah, I mean."


    Noah raised an eyebrow, "What business is that of yours?" he asked.


    Drake shrugged, seemingly unaffected by Noah''s bitterness. "Hannah just seems a bit sadtely, that''s all. And I''d be lying if I said that she didn''t mention you two are having some... issues."


    Noah felt his blood pressure go up at that. Had Hannah really been opening up to Drake, of all people?


    "Anyway," Drake continued, "I just wanted to ask if you''re doing alright. Hannah''s a good woman. Maybe we can talk about it, man to-"


    "Like hell." Noah''s fury got the better of him, and before he knew it, he was curling the front of Drake''s shirt into his fist and pushing him up against the wall. His upper lip curled back to reveal his fangs, and he snarled, "I know you''re trying to fuck my wife, you pig. Drake''s eyes widened into saucers. "Noah, what the hell?"


    For a moment, the only sounds between them were that of their harsh breathing. Noah tightened his grip on Drake''s shirt, grateful for the chaotic atmosphere that kept others from paying them any mind. Fights outside the ring weremonce here, after all. "Look, man," Drake finally breathed, holding his hands up in surrender, "Hannah is my friend. I''m just trying to help. That''s all "


    ahut his teeth, his eyes shing with hatred. "Don''t try to


    "Yeah, well, mind your own business." bullshit me. I know your angle. And I know your reputation."


    There was another long silence, Drake''s Adam''s apple bobbing in his throat as he swallowed hard. Then, finally, his upper lip curled back to reveal a sneer.


    "I have no interest in having sex with your wife," he snailed, leaning closer so that their noses were almost touching. "But I will say, you make her feel so lonely that it would probably be pretty easy if I wanted to."


    Noah grit his teeth, his grip tightening around Drake''s shirt. Instinctively, he pulled his fist back, aimed tond a sickening punch right in the center of Drake''s gut.


    But suddenly, the sound of Hannah''s voice gave him pause. "Noah? Drake? Where''d you go?!"


    Noah let out onest warning growl before releasing Drake''s shirt and stalking away.


    X

 Chapter 166

    Chapter Hannah


    0166


    The arena was packed with people, their voices mingling into an intense din. The crowd mingled like a throng, excited attendees chattering about the next fight on tonight''s roster. The whole ce smelled like sweat, beer, and cheap food. Truth be told, I had never really thought much about the fight club. It wasmonce for werewolves to attend fights like this in our pack-in most packs, really-and was often considered one of the staples of pack life. But I had never cared much for it. I still didn''t, really, and had really only epted Drake''s invitation to pi** Noah off.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Although, I couldn''tpletely deny the way that it got me so excited tonight. It raised my heart rate, made my pupils dte. Every drop of blood on the ring floor made my veins seem to thrum with anticipation, my wolf bristling inside of me. Blood. Maybe that was what I needed, Some good, old-fashioned, blood and sweat.


    Zoe, of course, had immediately dropped her mask of excitement now that Noah and Drake were gone. She had taken her seat and started scrolling through her phone, tapping her foot on the cement floor, and hadn''t said much of anything to me. I nced at the time on my phone and realized that the next fight was about to begin, but on a cursory nce, the crowd was too thick for me to see Noah and Drake headed my way.


    "They''ve been gone for some time," I said, standing on my tiptoes to get a better look.


    Zoe nced up at me from her phone. "You think they got lost?"


    I shrugged and tossed her a smirk. "Maybe. They are men, after all."


    To my surprise, Zoe smirked in response to my joke before she returned to her phone once more. Sighing. I stepped out of our box area and began pushing my way through the crowd in search of Noah and Drake.


    A few minutester, I found them standing beside a food stand. Noah was digging through his wallet for some crumpled bills and Drake was standing off to the side with a perturbed look on his face. "There you guys are."


    Noah grunted something in response. It was as I drew closer, though, that I noticed that something was off-Drake''s brow was furrowed, the front of his shirt slightly rumpled in one spot. He nced at me, then at Noah, and then over the top of the crowd with a clenched jaw Strange. So unlike Drake-usually he was the jovial one


    Before I could ask what was going on, Noah turned and suddenly thrust a soft pretzel and a cup of soda into my hands. "Thanks," I muttered, taking a sip of the soda. It was cold and crisp, and the carbonated sweetness practically made my pupils dte. "Need anything else?" Noah asked. Drake was already grabbing his and Zoe''s beers and pretzels and disappearing into the crowd. Chanter 0166


    t


    I shook my head and held the cup up a bit. "This is diet, right?" I asked, taking another sip.


    Noah pursed his lips. "You don''t need that diet crap. It''s not any better for you than the regr stuff."


    Shocked, I opened my mouth and then closed it again, had asked for diet soda, not r


    regr. "But the sugar," I protested, picking up my pace into a jog in order to catch up with Noah''s long strides as he began making his way back to our seats. "It''s too many calories."


    He shot me a withering look over his shoulder, his green eyes roving me up and down-and finallying to linger on my thighs. My thighs, which,tely, had been a bit more fleshy and were even more pronounced tonight in my tight jeans. F he was


    Instantly, I felt my face redden to a tomato when Noah''s gaze lingered there. I couldn''t quite tell if he judging me or taking a big bite out of me with his eyes. Maybe both? Or neither? Chapter 0167 +25 B

 Chapter 167

    Chapter 0167


    "You''ve gained weight," he said suddenly, stopping to turn and look at me fully.


    My mouth hung open. If my hands hadn''t been full, I would have smacked him. Suddenly, I lost the urge to drink my soda or eat my pretzel, no matter how tantalizing they both looked. Before I could utter a response, though, he rolled his eyes at me. "Don''t look at me like that, Hannah. That


    was apliment." He paused, his tongue momentarily darting out to wet his lips as his eyes roamed my body for onest fleeting second. "You look... Good. Keep up the good work." "You... You think so? I blurted out, ncing down at my own body now. It was true; I had gained a few pounds. Four pounds, actually. I was still on the fence about it because of that damned little eating disorder voice in the back of my head, but to hear him say that it looked good on me.. He nodded and turned on his heel again. "Yes. So drink the damn soda and eat the pretzel, alright?"


    With that, he strode off toward our seats. A tiny smile tugged at my lips as I jogged after him, taking a big bite out of my pretzel.


    A few minutester, the next fight began. The crowd rose into a deafening roar as the two men battled each other in the ring, fists and feet flying. My favorite part was when their fangs dropped and their pace picked up, tapping into the strength of their wolves. Goddess, how I wished I could do that. I hadn''t borrowed my wolf''s strength in years, and I wasn''t even sure if I could anymore. I hadn''t sparred since I was a kid in training, back when my parents forced me to attend my lessons like all of the other kids. I hated it back then, but now, I felt a sudden urge to feel that rush for myself again.


    Maybe it was impending motherhood that had me wanting to train again; to stay strong if I ever needed to protect my child. If I ever needed to protect myself, too. After all, I wouldn''t have an Alpha husband to be my bodyguard for much longer. At some point during the fight, Drake leaned close and pointed at the fighters, his shoulder brushing mine. "See how the guy in red just started pulling his punches?" he asked. "He''s toying with the other guy."


    I nodded, narrowing my eyes to watch intently. "Oh, I see it now," I said as I watched the fighter in the red shorts start slowing his pace, cing more energy into dodging and egging on the crowd. He was not only trying to tire the other guy out, but also to make a fool out of him in front of everyone-


    Suddenly, I felt a warm arm slide around me. In an instant, I was pulled roughly away from Drake and against someone else: Noah. Right up against the hard expanse of his side, so close I could practically feel his pulse thrumming through his skin. I gasped softly and nced up at him, my face instantly reddening at the sudden proximity. His expression remained impassive, his jaw set hard above me as he continued to watch the fight.


    Something warm radiated out from my lower belly at that. Something deep and primal, yearning and, frankly, pathetic. But I didn''t pull away. I couldn''t bring myself to. Some part of me wouldn''t let me do anything except lean into his warmth, feeling his arm tighten around my waist and his fingers dig into my skin.


    Out of instinct or something like it, I nced over at Drake and Zoe.


    But Zoe was gone.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 168

    Chapter 0168 Hannah


    I frowned at the spot where Zoe had been standing just a few minutes ago; her bag and her jacket were gone, too, with nothing but a half-eaten pretzel sitting on her chair. If she had left, then she had slipped out without anyone noticing. But why? Adam was still with his grandparents for a couple more days as far as I was aware, so she didn''t need to rush home to him. Turning my attention back to Noah, I nced up at the underside of his hard jaw, Seeming to notice me looking, he nced back down at me as well. His eyes instantly flickered with something I couldn''t quite read, his fingers tightening around my waist. I could feel it; the tension radiating off of him in waves. It made me smirk.


    "What''s got you so affectionate all of a sudden?" I asked, leaning up on my tiptoes so he could hear me. My breath brushed across his ear as I spoke, and I could see his face redden slightly.


    Good. If he was going to get sentimental on me, then I was going to tease him for it. I couldn''t help myself.


    But to my chagrin, he merely shrugged and schooled his expression back into one of cool indifference. I watched as his green eyes scanned the crowd,nding in particr on a group of men across the way who were leaning over the edge of the railing, beers in hand, their eyes flickering over to me every so often. Oh. So this was about jealousy, was it?


    "You''re still my wife for the time being," he growled. "I can''t have strange men ogling you."


    I curled my upper lip back in a slight sneer. "You''re jealous?" I asked. Maybe part of me hoped that he was.


    I


    Right


    "I just don''t need to be embarrassed by my wife getting stared at and hit on, at least not when I''m right here." I thought f t to myself as fas I returned my attention to the ring-the fight wasing to an end, the man in red shorts now raining onest finishing movebo down on the other guy, who was too sweaty and exhausted to put up a fight any longer. So this was just about Noan s ego after all, as usual. But even then, as the bell I rang and I went to push away Noah held me tighter. I frowned, shooting him onest nce. He didn''t look at me, of course, but I could see the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed.


    Sighing, I


    leaned against him and rested my head on his chest. It was then that I could hear his heart racing, and a delighted current ran through me at the thought Was he... nervous? Or was it just the fight?


    Curely it was the fight. It couldn''t possibly be anything else.


    "Where did Zoe go?" I asked suddenly, turning to Drake, She still hadn''t returned.


    Drake paused, ncing around, then shrugged and sighed at the same time. "Sh left," he said. "Called an Uber."


    said she was tired and Chapter 0166


    +25


    "Oh." I nced up at Noah, who did look somewhat surprised as well. Yeah, you miss your girlfriend, don''t you? I thought to myself as I red up at him. Maybe she had slipped out because she saw him holding


    me.


    "Well..." Drake nced at his watch; it was nearly midnight by now, and the fight was over. The crowd was beginning to file out of the arena, leaving behind messes of food wrappers and empty beer cans for the staff to clean up. I guess it''s time. That was fun, guys." I nodded, finally feeling Noah''s grip loosen enough around me to disentangle myself from him. "Yeah, it was. We should do this again."


    Drake quirked a curious eyebrow at me. I thought I saw him shoot Noah a curious nce, but the look. was gone just as quickly as it came. "Really? You''d wanna do this again?"


    I nodded again, but before I could say anything. Noah let out a rumbling chuckle from behind me. "What''s got you so interested in fighting all of a sudden, Hannah?"


    Frowning. I turned to re at him with my arms folded across my chest. "I''ve always been interested."


    "No. haven''t. Don''t you


    ***it, I


    tlie."


    "It''s if want to, Hannah, Drake said as he


    not for out my bluffs.


    s okay if you don''t want to, Hannah," Drake said as he gathered his jacket. "It''s not for everybody."


    I sighed and dropped my arms to my side. "Alright, alright. It''s true; I never cared for this before. But.." I paused, momentarily feeling the need to touch my belly but ultimately stopping myself. "I don''t know. I guess I''ve changed." Drake grinned. Noah blinked at me in surprise.


    "Actually," I continued, "I might consider taking up sparring training again."


    Both men appeared dumbfounded at that, their mouths hanging open in unison. I threw up my hands in response, my eyes widening. "What? Is it that preposterous?"


    Noah scoffed. "For you? Yes."


    "Why?"


    Why?


    "Because..." He shrugged, a ghost of a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "You''ve never shown any interest in any sort of physical activity, let alone


    "That''s b***t, Noah. You know how much I like walking, ptes, cycling..


    "Sure, sure. But sparring?" Noah scoffed. "Where did thate from?"


    I opened my mouth to bite out a retort, but then closed it again. It wasn''t as if I could tell Noah the truth: that I wanted to prepare myself to be a single mom and a female Alpha. That I wanted to be able to protect both myself and my child if the need arose, without a man to do it for me. "Hey,e on now." Drake shrugged his leather jacket on and ced his hands on his hips. "If you want to start sparring, Hannah, then you should go for it. Don''t let anyone stop you."


    +25


    y


    lower


    lip


    I threw a satisfied smile in his direction. "Thanks, Drake," But then I paused, worrying my between my teeth. "I''ll need a sparring partner, though,Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "I''ll do it."


    Both Noah and Drake spoke at the same time, leading me to blink in surprise at the two of them. Even they looked over at each other with matching expressions of shock but


    wife," Noah said with a dismissive wave of his hand before Drake could speak. "Thanks for the offer." yourself," Drake replied, "but I''m a certified personal trainer. And besides, ultimately, it''s up to Hannah." Hann


    Noah grumbled something under his breath. Both men looked at me expectantly, and it was then that an evil little idea began to take root in the back of my mind. I grinned, cing my hands on my hips. "Who said I would pick either of you?" I teased. "Maybe you''re the ones who need to prove worthy of training me." that you''re


    Once again, Noah grumbled. Drake, picking up what I was putting down, smirked broadly and turned to Noah


    "What do you say, Noah? Shall we each train Hannah for one session and see who she prefers?"


    For a long moment, Noah red down at Drake before shooting me a sidelong look. I held my ground, c**ng an eyebrow at him in a silent challenge. Finally, he let out a sigh that made his shoulders slump "Very well."

 Chapter 170

    Chapter 0170


    "Nice of you to finally show up," Noah grumbled, turning away to rifle through his own bag


    Drake huffed as he set his stuff down on the bench. "Sorry," he replied casually. "Hit traffic. Are you all warmed up, Hannah?"


    "I only just got here myself." I shot Noah a nce, but he wasn''t looking-his broad back now turned to


    me.


    "We''ll start off slow, then." Drake slipped his feet into his training shoes, not taking care to tie them tightly like Noah had, and then grabbed his gloves out of his bag. He nodded toward the ring as he slid them on. Let''s go."


    With a deep breath, I rose from the bench and followed Drake to the ring. I climbed under the ropes and up onto the squidgy rubber mat, slipping on my own gloves as I did so. There, beneath the spotlight, I felt almost blinded-and far more intimidated than I expected. Drake, noticing my hesitation, slid up onto the mat beside me and patted me on the shoulder. "Hey, it''s just training. We''ll go easy."


    I nodded stiffly, trying to ignore Noah''s piercing eyes on me as he leaned on the ropes. "Alright."


    With that, Drake and I got started. We began with a simple exercise, Drake holding pads in his hands and directing me to do various punches. I remembered the basics from my training as a kid, right and left hook, uppercut, high kick, that sort of thing. "You seem to have this down," Drake said, setting aside the pads. "We''ll try some hand-to-hand."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Noah scoffed from the sidelines. "She''s not ready for hand-to-hand."


    I shot Noah a withering re, but Drake cut in before I could speak. "Don''t worry, Noah. I''m not gonna hurt her."


    Noah pursed his lips and looked away, the tips of his ears reddening ever so slightly. Was that what he was worried about? Me getting hurt?


    "Alright, Hannah," Drake said, "let''s start with some basic grapples..."


    Over the next few minutes, Drake and I practiced various grapples, both on our feet and on the mat. I was a bit more rusty with this, and although Drake was patient and gentle, it was a bit intimidating; he was a lot bigger than I was, and I was paranoid about identally hurting my stomach where my baby was safely nestled.


    But it didn''t matter, because it was cut short anyway, just as Drake was teaching me how to get him into a standard headlock, Noah cleared his throat loudly and caused us both to stop.


    "Drake," he grumbled, hopping over the ropes, "this is ridiculous. She needs to learn more self defense maneuvers, not how to put someone in a headlock. She should know how to get herself out of something like a headlock."


    Drake, disentangling himself from me, sat up. "It''s best for her to know how to put someone in the maneuvers before learning how to get herself out. That way, she''ll understand how the differentponents work." Chapter 10


    Noah narrowed his eyes and ced his hands on his hips. "Yeah, right. Like an attacker is gonna follow all these standard grappling maneuvers. She should know how to escape any hold, then how to f***** someone up and run." "How can she know how to ***k someone up if she doesn''t even know the basics?"


    "She knows the basics. You''re treating her like a m**n


    Tm


    not. I''m just taking it slow," Drake retorted.


    Noah scoffed. "Is that so? Or is it just that you''re not as skilled as you''re making yourself out to be?"


    By now, Drake was on his feet, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Still on my knees, I gaped up at the two men-their noses were practically touching. "Guys-" I began.


    But they didn''t hear me. Drake was already pulling his gloves off and tossing them to the floor between their feet.


    "Since you seem to be an expert," Drake growled, "maybe you and I should just fight instead and decide who''s more qualified that way."


    "Guys-"


    "I think that''s an excellent idea," Noah replied, ignoring me. "I''ll show you how to really fight."

 Chapter 171

    Chapter 0171


    Noah & Hannah Noah''s POV


    Noah was tired of Drake''s obvious posturing. He was tired of the bastard constantly undermining him, trying to make him appear like an asshole. He was tired of Drake manipting Hannah into thinking that he was anything more than a simpering yboy.


    "Guys, please don''t do this." Hannah stood, dusting herself off, and ced her hands on her hips. "This is ridiculous. I''m here to train, not to watch you two have a pissing contest."


    But Noah didn''t care. He whipped his head toward Hannah, gritting his teeth. "Hannah, go sit on the bench," hemanded.


    Drake nodded before Hannah could refuse. "It''ll be easier this way. You can choose whoever wins as your sparring partner."


    Hannah paused for a moment, her eyes flickering back and forth between the two of them, before she finally threw her hands up in exasperation and let out a huff. "Whatever," she grumbled, brushing past them-making a point to nudge Noah roughly with her elbow as she passed.


    A soft growl rumbled in the back of Noah''s throat at Hannah''s touch, and he felt his wolf surge inside of him.


    Maybe it was stupid, but his wolf wanted to impress her.


    And so did Noah.


    Hannah''s POV


    I stomped over to the edge of the ring and ducked under the ropes, shooting Drake and Noah each a withering nce as I did. Not that they noticed, thought they were already preparing to fight.


    Goddess, what a drag. I thought to myself as I hopped down to the floor and made my way over to the bench. I was just here to train so I could prepare to be a single mom and a female Alpha; but of course they had to get in the way of that.


    They were like a couple of teenage boys, having to posture to show who was ''better.


    Yeah, well, now I wasn''t particrly inclined to pick either one of them."


    As the two of them began warming up for their fight, I shook my head and slipped out my phone. A text from Viona in the group chat was waiting for me: "How''s your training session going?"


    "Horribly," I typed back with an eye-rolling emoji. "They''re about to fight each other."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Amber: "What? Why?"


    Emma: "I can guess why."


    I rolled my eyes, just like the emoji. "Because they''re men," I replied. "in and simple." My friends dissolved intoughing emojis and jibes directed at the Alpha male nonsense. Chapter 0171


    Up ahead, I saw that Noah and Drake were now in position and ready to fight. "You know you don''t have to do this," I called out. 1 might not pick either of you at this rate."


    But of course, neither of them was listening. Only Noah replied, "Hannah, start the timer."


    Drake nodded. 1 bet I can have you tapping out in three minutes."


    Noah grit his teeth. "Very well. Hannah, set it for three minutes."


    "You''re ridiculous." I opened my clock app and started the timer, not that I cared; my eyes were already flickering to the door, already contemting whether I should just slip out while they were distracted and let them duke it out. I could pay an actual trainer instead, someone who wouldn''t get caught up in this


    nonsense...


    But as soon as I called out, "Go!" and the fight began, I realized that I couldn''t leave them here because they were out for blood.


    Like two loaded springs, Noah and Drake leaped at each other in a flurry of fists and fangs. They were a blur-each tapping into the strength of their wolves until I could hardly even make out which limb belonged to who.


    Drake aimed an uppercut toward Noah''s stomach right off the bat, but Noah deftly dodged, whirling on his toes anding back tond a blow on Drake''s shoulder. Drake staggered, grunting, and lunged forward on one leg. His right arm came around in a right hook, catching Noah in the side.

 Chapter 172

    Chapter 0172


    I gasped, instinctively leaning forward and gripping the edge of the bench as Noah groaned and veered a roundhouse kick toward Drake. With a swift swipe, he caught Drake right in the side of the head. "Drake!" I cried out, leaping to my feet. The fight had only just begun, and yet it seemed as though they were out for blood-far more than a simplepetition.


    But Drake didn''t waver for more than a moment. Spitting a wad of blood out onto the rubber mat, he slid forward and threw his arms around Noah''s back leg, throwing him off bnce. Noah''s arms wheeled, his head tilting back in surprise as he was mmed to the floor. And then Drake was on top of him, raining punches down on him. Noah rolled and dodged each one, narrowly avoiding getting hit squarely in the face. His legs came up and looped around Drake''s shoulders, throwing him back-and then Noah was on top. And unlike Drake, Noah didn''t miss. Hended a solid punch squarely in Drake''s nose, sending blood gushing instantly.


    "Noah! Stop!" I shrieked. I lunged toward the ring, gripping the ropes, but found myself unable to enter- because Drake had somehow gotten the upper hand again, and now they were rolling around on the floor, Drake''s arms around Noah''s throat and Noah''s legs kicking. "Yield!" Drake groaned, spitting out more blood. "Yield, dammit!" Noah choked and sputtered. "Never." "Noah!" I shrieked. "Just yield, for Goddess'' sake!"


    Noah, of course, didn''t pay me any mind. Neither of them did, no matter how loudly I shouted at them to stop. They just kept rolling around on the floor, throwing kicks and punches and snarls, fangs dropped and blood dripping


    I had to do something, and quickly-especially when I saw Noah on top of Drake again, throwing feral punches at him. Some of them hit, resulting in sickening cracks and sputters, and some of them missed, turning Noah''s knuckles bl***y against the rubber mats. Noah was going to kill Drake if Drake didn''t get out from under him. And if Drake got out, then he might very well turn around and kill Noah.


    Whirling, I caught sight of a sink and a mop bucket in theer. I grit my teeth and sprinted over, thrusting the bucket under the tap and turning it on. The sound of the rushing water barely covered the sound of the fleshy hits in the background. Tears pricked my eyes, my heart pounding as I urged the bucket to fill faster.


    Once it was about halfway full, I grabbed it and whirled back around, nearly dropping it as I saw the scene in front of me-Drake had Noah on his feet again, up against the ropes, with his shirt clutched in his fist. He was pummeling him in the gut, each punch causing Noah to crumple even more-but never fall.


    With onest shriek, I full-on sprinted at the ring. I held the bucket up over my shoulder, and...Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    1 forced all of the water right on top of their heads.


    Only then, in the wake of a sudden rush of ice cold water, did their punches slow. Only then did Drake


    Chapter 0172.


    release Noah''s shirt, stumbling back and falling to the floor. Only then did Noah wipe the watery blood from his mouth with the back of his hand and lean against the ropes, panting heavily.


    I threw the bucket down with a tter.


    "You animals!" I shrieked, stamping my foot. "This was supposed to be my training day! And you had to go and make it about you!"


    Neither of them responded, although I didn''t think they were even capable at that point.


    nt. Not that it mattered, anyway. I had to get out of here, get some fresh air, get away from the sickly sweet scent of blood and sweat and saliva.


    Before they could see me cry or vomit or scream or maybe all three, I whirled on my heel and burst out of the training center.

 Chapter 173

    Chapter 0173 Hannah


    I burst out into the cool morning air, gasping for breath and clutching my stomach. The image of Drake and Noah pounding each other into a pulp was seared into my mind, both terrifying and sickening all at once.


    All I wanted was to learn how to fight again-how to protect myself and my baby, how to prepare for when I would be a single mom and a female Alpha.


    i


    But thanks to a couple of Alpha males, I couldn''t even do that. They just had to make today about them, and they had to nearly kill each other in the process.


    My


    y car was waiting down the street, but I couldn''t drive right now, and I had left all of my stuff inside. All I could manage to do instead was find a nearby bench and sink onto it, holding my face in my hands and pressing my knuckles into my eyes so I wouldn''t cry.


    Goddess, even my shirt was soaked all the way through. I hadn''t even realized how the water sshed all over me in my frenzy to make them stop. There were a couple of small blood stters on my top, too, although I didn''t know who they came from. And all for what? So Noah and Drake could finally have their long-awaited pissing contest and duke it out in the ring?


    As I sat there, my shoulders shaking with barely-contained sobs, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. I jerked my head up, baring my fangs, to see Drake approaching. Noah was a few paces behind him, and both of them were holding ice packs to their bloodied and swollen faces.


    "Fuck off," I growled, baring my fangs. "I don''t want to see either of you."


    They both paused a few paces away. Drake shifted nervously from foot to foot and Noah remained stoic, staring nkly at the ground in front of him. Much to my chagrin, neither of them moved to leave me alone despite my order.


    With a huff, I rose from the bench and went to brush past them. But before I could do that, Noah stepped in the way.


    300


    My breath caught in my throat as I looked up at him. His eye was swollen, his lip ck and blue, his shirt soaked with water and blood. He looked like death as he stared down at me from behind his ice pack.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    But he didn''t move out of the way, not even when I pulled my upper lip back to reveal my fangs again-my fangs, which hadn''t retracted since all of this had started.


    For a moment, he just blinked at me silently, his stance unwavering. His lips were pressed into a downward line, one corner twitching slightly with unspoken words.


    And it was in that moment that I felt myself soften. My fangs involuntarily retreated, my eyes wandering his face. I felt my heart stutter a bit in my chest at the sight of him. I wanted nothing more than to pull him into my arms and take care of him.


    But before I could even say anything, Drake was the first one to break the silence.


    I''m sorry, Hannah. This is my fault."


    I whipped my head around to face Drake, who looked even worse than Noah did. His shirt was torn, his hair a disaster and his face covered in blood and bruises. I knew he would heal quickly, just as Noah would, but it still made my knees feel like jelly just looking at him. "It''s both of your faults," I growled in response.


    Drake sighed and cast a nce over at Noah, who remained silent. "Well..." Drake shrugged. "I''m sorry. Really


    I looked back and forth between the two of them for a moment and felt my shoulders slump. I felt like a schoolmarm scolding two unruly kids, not two adult men.


    "You know I''m inclined not to pick either of you as my sparring partner," I chided.


    Noah grit his teeth and looked away. "Wouldn''t me you."


    "But..." I sighed, throwing my hands up in exasperation, "You''re both good fighters. I need a good fighter


    to train me."


    Drake quirked an eyebrow at me. "You''re going to let me train you?"


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 174

    Chapter 0174


    "I''m going to let both of you train me," I replied coldly, turning on my heel to make my way back to the training center. "Separately, because you''re clearly both too childish to work together." With that, I brushed past them and stormed off. As we stepped back into the training center, Noah grumbled, "What changed your mind?" I paused in the midst of gathering my things and stuffing them into my bag. Truthfully, I wasn''t sure-that little disy was both sickening and infuriating. But it also spoke to their fighting abilities and their passion. "Just... ept it and shut up," I finally growled, zipping my bag forcefully and throwing it over my shoulder. "And if either of you f*** up again, I''m calling a real trainer."


    Noah and Drake exchanged nces and paused a moment before they both nodded. But I wasn''t satisfied.


    "I expect you two to apologize to one another before I do anything, though."


    There was a weighty silence after that. Both Noah and Drake stiffened, the hairs on the backs of their necks raising. I could see Noah''s nostrils re, hear Drake intake a sharp breath through his teeth.


    "I mean it," I growled, letting my fangs show just ever so slightly onest time.


    Drake was the first to move. He turned toward Noah and thrust his hand out, dropping his ice pack to his side to reveal his full, bruised face. "I''m sorry, man," he said quietly. That was too far."


    Noah remained stiff, his eyes bouncing back and forth between Drake''s hand and face. For a moment, I thought he might turn and storm off; but he didn''t.


    To my surprise, he shook Drake''s hand. "I''m sorry, too. And..." He paused, clenching his jaw and looking away. "You''re a good fighter. I''ll give you that."


    Drake chuckled. "You''re not so bad yourself."


    "Good," I huffed, brushing past them again. "Now put it behind you or next time, I''ll be the one to pummel both of you."


    Without another word or even a look back, I stormed off toward the door-although, I was d to hide the tiny smile that was tugging at my lips. Maybe that apology, especially from Noah, was some kind of progress. I couldn''t be sure. Before I could reach the door, though, I heard the sound of footsteps pounding after me. Drake skidded to a stop in front of me, dipping his head.


    "I have to ask you something," he said quietly, his voice hardly more than a whisper. "Aboutpensation


    I frowned, taken aback, and adjusted my bag on my shoulder. "You want me to pay you?" I asked Incredulously. "What, are you strapped for cash or something?"This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Drake shook his head quickly and lowered his voice even further, ncing up at Noah-who was busy rinsing his face at the sink-as he did. "No, nothing like that. It''s just... I was wondering, if I train you, if you could help me with Zoe again?" Chapter 0174:


    My lips pursed of their own ord. Zoe."


    "All I ask is for onest date," he said. "If you can help me set up a date with her, I''ll train you. And I won''t do anything like this again." He gestured to the blood on his shirt.


    I paused for a little while, unsure of how to respond, Zoe didn''t seem interested in him, and frankly, I wasn''t interested in anything to do with her anymore. But despite how I felt, Drake had be a friend to me-and he looked too desperate for me to say no, And then my gaze fell on Noah in the background, where he was sshing water over his face, and I felt myself soften even further for reasons I didn''t want to admit, and I thought that maybe, just maybe, if I could get Zoe away from him, then..... I shouldn''t have considered it, but I did. Because I saw a part of Noah that day, a part of him that would fight for me. A part of him that might actually care


    Shoving past Drake, I bit out, "Fine But this is thest time."

 Chapter 175

    0175


    Chapter 0175 Chapter Hannah


    It was another early morning, but unlike thest one, it was particrly cold and rainy-the first signs of a long and very wet spring. It took all of my willpower to roll out of bed that morning, and just about all of my energy to pull my hair back into a ponytail and put on my training clothes. "Here goes a


    a second try," I muttered to myself as I pulled my bedroom door open and stepped into the hallway.


    It had been a few days since thest disaster of a training day, and Noah insisted that he had recovered enough to begin training. I had promised to alternate between Noah and Drake for training, and today was Noah''s day-thankfully in our own home gym. But as I made my way downstairs and toward the west wing of the mansion where the gym was located, I couldn''t help but feel nervous. It wasn''t just that thest training day had been a disaster, it was also that I hadn''t trained with Noah, really trained, in years. Andst time we tried to train together, right before the Luna Queen''s tournament...


    Well, it had been a bit of a nightmare. My wrist still throbbed on instinct when I thought about how we fallen together in a tangled-up heap.


    When I stepped into the gym, Noah wasn''t there yet-surprisingly. Normally, he was always the first person in the room, but apparently not today.


    mad


    I sighed, my eyes scanning the home gym: the state-of-the-art equipment, the lockers by the door, the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows taking up one entire wall.


    I stepped over to the windows and peered out. The rain fell on the ss in droves, the sky so dark with heavy rain clouds that I could see my reflection in the window. Somewhere in the distance, there was a


    dark. sh of lightning followed by a low rumble of thunder. I shuddered slightly and wrapped my arms around myself.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Stormy today."


    I whipped my head around to see Noah stepping into the room in his usual training gear. His face was mostly healed already, save for a small crack of red on his lower lip-a cut that hadn''t healed fully yet because I had a theory he had been picking at it. "Yeah." I shrugged and turned fully to face him. "1 guess I''m not going outside today."


    "Me neither," he said, striding over to the center of the room. I watched as he began pulling out a mat for us to use. "It''ll be a good day to stay inside, maybe even watch a movie..."


    My eyebrows raised of their own ord. "You? Watching a movie?" I couldn''t help but chuckle. "That might be a first."


    He shot me a sidelong nce. "I meant for you. I have work to do."


    "Oh." I had to quickly look away to hide my disappointment. Despite myself, a tiny part of me had secretly hoped that he would have been implying that we should watch a movie together-like a real husband and wife. Chapter 0175


    But of course the cold Alpha had work to do. I couldn''t even remember thest time we had watched a movie together.


    Once the mat was arranged, Noah stretched his girthy arms over his head and nodded toward it. "Ready?" he asked.


    I nodded and strode over to the mat, carefully avoiding his gaze. We stretched in silence for a few minutes, the only sound that of the fan running and the storm raging on outside. Finally, Noah was the first to break that silence. "Let''s get to work," he said, straightening. "We''ve got some training to do."


    Iid back on the mat, out of breath and my forehead caked with sweat. Noah pushed himself up to his knees and wiped his brow with the back of his wrist.

 Chapter 176

    Chapter me."1


    0176


    "Not bad," he said, catching his breath for a moment before standing and holding his hand out to me. "I think we can call it a day now."


    Nodding, I took his hand-he hauled me to my feet with little effort, practically lifting me off the ground entirely as he did so. "Thanks. That was..." I paused, watching as he turned to gather his things. "That was a good session," I finally finished. Noah nced at me over his shoulder. "You really mean that?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    I nodded again, the tips of my ears reddening slightly. It really had been surprisingly good-he had been amazingly patient, far more than I had ever seen him before. We had spent most of the session on the floor, with Noah teaching me how to get out of various holds. More grappling than kicks and punches, and I had finished unscathed. "Yeah," I replied, "I do,"


    Noah stiffened for a moment, and I caught his gaze in the mirror on the opposite wall, Before I could decipher what was going on behind those green eyes of his, he straightened and began heading for the door.


    "I''m hungry. Let''s go have a protein smoothie."


    A few minutester, we found ourselves in the kitchen-I was seated at the kitchen counter and Noah was rummaging through the cupboards for the fixings of a protein shake.


    "You should have one every day, you know," he said as he pulled out a container of protein powder, a carton of milk, and a bag of frozen fruit. "Especially if you''re trying to gain weight."


    I pursed my lips and looked down at myself; I was gaining weight slowly but surely, but I still had a long way to go before I looked like my old self again. "I''ll keep that in mind," I said, watching as Noah dumped the ingredients into the blender. When he was finished, he poured the smoothie into a ss and slid it over to me-but there was only enough for one serving.


    "You''re not having any?" I asked, noticing how he was already rinsing out the blender.


    He shrugged. "We''re all out of protein powder. I''ll eatter."


    "No." I frowned, jumping down from my stool, and strode over to the drawer. As I pulled out two straws and thrust them into the ss, Noah blinked at me warlly. "Let''s share."


    "But-


    "I won''t be able to finish all of this by myself anyway," I insisted, taking my seat again and gesturing to the


    t next to me. "Help me out."


    seat


    Noah gaped at me for a moment, clearly trying to decide whether to follow my orders or not. When I shot him a warning re, however, he huffed and took his seat. I gestured to the ss as I sipped and he cautiously leaned forward, sipping himself. For a few minutes, the kitchen was blissfully silent as we drank, I couldn''t deny the heat that rose to my checks, though, nor the asional brush of our knees beneath the counter. I didn''t pull back rinhi muun


    and neither did he-although his face remained impassive, leading me to wonder what was going on behind those eyes of his.


    But then, suddenly, that changed. It happened just as we both leaned forward at the same time: our noses bumped. Hard.


    Noah pulled back so abruptly that it was almost as if he had been burned. I pulled back, too, rubbing my nose as an involuntary giggle escaped my lips. "Sorry," muttered.


    "I have to go."


    Before I could even ask where he was going. Noah was suddenly on his feet. Thest I saw of him before he swept out of the room in a flurry was his face turning the brightest shade of red I had ever seen... And an undeniable tent in the crotch of his pants.

 Chapter 177

    Chapter 0177 Hannah


    The water was so hot it almost scalded my skin as I stepped into the shower, but I didn''t mind; if anything, it soothed my sore muscles and tender flesh. I let out a sigh as I slid the ss door shut behind me, inhaling the steam and the scent of echinacea.. well, I had work to do, too.


    I shut my eyes as I ran my hair under the water, just letting the day wash away. It had been eventful, beginning with a sweaty training session with Noah and campaign work in my office. Noah had too much work to watch a movie and wait out the storm with me? Yeah, In reality, though, all of my work that day had been a distraction-anything to keep my mind off of the way he had looked when he had scurried out of the kitchen.


    The redness in his face, the bulge in his pants.. it made me smirk and tremble at the same time as I washed my skin and my hair.


    For a moment, and only a moment, I allowed myself to imagine how it would feel if he were touching me right now-how his fingers would feel grazing across my skin, how his breath would fan across my neck. Our hot bodies pressed together beneath the cascade of water... I hated him, but I wanted him so bad I thought I might explode. How did that even begin to make sense? "Hannah? Are you in here?"


    Suddenly, the sound of Noah''s voice floating through the steam caused me to rip my eyes open. Speak of the devil.


    "I''m in the shower," I called out, massaging the conditioner out of my hair.


    "Oh." I saw Noah''s tall form stop in the bathroom doorway, instantly turning away. He was holding something. "Sorry. I''ll go."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "It''s fine. Wait there." I sighed and shut off the water, sliding open the shower door. A puff of steam billowed out, and once it parted, I saw Noah''s green eyes rove across my nude body before he quickly looked away.


    As I grabbed my towel off the rack, I cooed, "We''ve seen each other naked before hundreds of times. You don''t need to act so bashful, even if we are getting divorced."


    Noah said nothing, clenching his jaw.


    I wrapped the plush white towel around myself and stepped out of the shower, crossing to the sink, where


    I began my skincare routine. "What did you need?" I asked. My eyes flickered to his hands in the mirror, where he was holding a small box.


    He held the box out. "I got something for you."


    Instantly, I felt my hands fall to my sides and I shot him a wary look. "This again?" I asked. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop trying to butter me up? It''s not going to work."


    Noah sighed and thrust the box out a little harder. "Just open it, will you? It''s not like that."


    Frowning, I took the box and lifted the lid off. Inside was a brand new pair of training sneakers in my size-


    a clean white color with soft pink ents, girly but practical at the same time. "What''s this for?" I asked, lifting one of the sleek shoes out of the box.


    He shrugged, running a hand through his tousled, dark hair. "I just noticed that your shoes were looking a little beat up. If you want to start training seriously, you should have good shoes; unless you''re trying to hurt yourself." "Oh. Well Thank you, Noah." I walked up to him in the doorway, still admiring the shoes. They were exactly my kind of style, and I was excited to wear them-I just hated the fact that I had to be so wary since he had a bit of a track record trying to butter me up with gifts.  GET IT NOW


    Chooter 0176

 Chapter 178

    Chapter 0178


    But still, I couldn''t help myself. Without even really thinking about it, I raised myself up onto my tiptoes and nted a kiss on his cheek. "Really, I murmured. Thank you."This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Noah''s face reddened into a ripe tomato. I went to pull back, still holding the box in my hands, but suddenly his own hand shot out-and wrapped around my wrist.


    Before I could even fathom what was happening, he was yanking me toward him. The box fell from my hands and to the tile floor with a tter, and my towel, too, came loose. Just one movement, and I would be entirely nude in front of him. "Noah-"I choked out, but it was no use. The words wouldn''te; not with his body pressed up against mine like this, not with his fingers looped around my wrist. And especially not with his chest heaving and nostrils ring like a stallion in heat. Wordlessly, he reached his other hand out and tugged my towel free with one finger. It pooled at my feet, exposing my flesh-pink from the heat of the shower-to him.


    For an eternal, breathless moment, we just stared at each other. His green eyes roamed the nude expanse of my body, making me feel both bashful and heated at the same time. My pelvis felt like it might explode with desire, my clit instantly swelling beneath his gaze. I opened my lips to utter his name again, but it was toote-with a low growl, he was suddenly lifting me from


    my


    feet and carrying me over to the bed, throwing me down onto the edge, and ripping the front of his shirt open.


    A gasp escaped me as buttons went flying and scattered across the floor. Before I could evenment on it, he was working at his belt next, unbuckling himself just enough to slide out his hot, throbbing manhood.


    Only one moment passed between that instant and the next one moment in which he gazed at me, an asking look in his eyes. One moment that I nodded stiffly, biting my lower lip, and spread my legs,


    Another growl worked its way through his throat, and he pressed himself between my legs. His warm member hovered there for only the briefest of moments before I felt it pushing against my soft lips, sliding inside..


    I wanted this. I wanted it, no matter how hard I tried to pretend that I didn''t. And I didn''t fight or say at word as he pushed himself into me; I just propped myself up on my elbows, tracing my fingers along the broad expanse of his chiseled abdomen, as he filled me for the first time in far too long.


    But he didn''t kiss me. He didn''t lower himself to my lips, didn''t run his tongue along my throat; he just pushed himself into me, shut his eyes, and...


    "No."


    Before I could think twice, I was shoving him back, away from me, away from every part of myself. I was on my feet in an instant, grabbing my towel from the floor and wrapping it around my nude body. "Hannah-" "Get out," I said. "We can''t be doing this."


    25 BONUS


    He growled lowly but didn''t protest as he tugged his pants back up and tucked his erection back into them. "You''re right," he murmured. "We shouldn''t be doing this with our divorce so close."


    With that, he stormed over to the door and yanked it open-but then stopped in the doorway, pausing onest time to shoot me an angry re over his shoulder Why don


    you call Drake instead?" he growled.


    I opened my mouth to call out to him, to tell him that he should just call Zoe if he was going to make those implications, but it was toote. He was already gone. Chapter 0176

 Er Rebirth 179

    Chapter 0179 Hannah


    The sleek gray facade of the youth center stood stark against the bright blue sky, its barred windows almost looking like big, empty eyes staring at nothing. Ishuddered as I looked up at it.


    "Is this really what our local youth center looks like?" I murmured, ncing over at Sophia, the head counselor from my eating disorder awareness group-and my partner in the campaign. "I had no idea." Sophia grimaced as she looked up at the cold, uninviting building, and gave me a terse nod." Unfortunately, yes. I''ve been trying to direct parents away from sending their kids here for years... It''s not a friendly ce."


    I pressed my lips into a thin line and began striding up the stone steps. I would have to mention this to Noah, this ce needed an upgrade. Greenery, murals, anything to make it look more like a ce for rehabilitation for minors and less like a prison.


    Honestly, the fact that I hadn''t ever noticed this ce before now made me sick to my stomach. Too long I had spent ignoring my pack, instead focusing on my own ego and turmoil. Even if I was going to return to my rightful pack soon, I couldn''t leave Nightcrest with ces like this still scattered around.


    Although, I hadn''t talked to Noah in several days now and I was afraid to ever since ourst little tryst. Maybe I''d try to go through Scott instead, have him ry the message for me,


    But Noah was notorious for ignoring Scott, and I knew that despite everything, he''d be more likely to listen to me directly.


    Still, the thought made me shudder.


    Sophia and I stepped into the building nked by camera crew members and campaign staff, and were greeted by a tall nurse in pink scrubs.


    "Wee, Luna Hannah," the nurse said with a polite dip of her head. "Wee to Nightcrest Youth Center. Right this way."


    We followed the nurse through thebyrinthine hallways to the eating disorder ward, and soon, we were pushing through a set of heavy metal doors into themunal space. A nurse behind a nurse''s station eyed us over her sses, but said nothing as we entered. "This here is our eating disorder ward''smunal room," the nurse in pink exined, gesturing to the surrounding chairs, stic-covered sofas, and folding tables. There was a small television in the corner with a few teenagers sitting around it, and patients were scattered at tables ying various board games and doing other activities.


    One thing stood out to me: theplete and utterck of color. It was like someone threw up gray and beige all over the damn ce. And even though there was amunal kitchen off to the side, there was absolutely nothing appetizing about it.


    "This is it?" I asked, turning to face the nurse in pink. The cameras zoomed toward us, Emily directing them to get the perfect shots for the documentary.


    The nurse in pink nched slightly. "Yes," she said. "This is it."


    +


    I frowned as I looked around at the drab interior. For a so-called ''youth ward, it looked like something out of a horror movie.


    "Hm. What''s funding like?" I asked.


    The nurse nched again. "Sparse," she admitted with a wry chuckle. "We try to do what we can for the kids, but unfortunately..." She gestured at the board game table, where all of the games appeared so worn you could barely even read the text on the cards. "I''ll speak to my husband and see what we can do." I turned then to take in the patients themselves-all teenagers, mostly female. A few especially young ones, which really broke my heart. Some of them were deathly skinny, some were morbidly obese, but many lookedpletely ''normal".


    I exchanged a nce with Sophia and felt her pain. We both knew howmon it was for people with eating disorders to look just like everyone else. That was what made them so deadly.


    "Luna Hannah?" The soft sound of a girl''s voice caused me to turn, and there was a slight young girl sitting at a nearby table, wringing her hands nervously. She had various pieces of construction paper in front of her and at least a dozen paper cranes spread out on the table.


    "Did you make these?" I asked softly, crouching down to her level.


    The girl nodded excitedly and handed one to me. "They keep my hands busy," she said. "It helps when I get anxious.*Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Hmm..." I paused, turning the tiny paper crane this way and that in my hands. "Do you think you could teach me? I could use something like this to keep my hands busy, too." The girl beamed widely.


    I spent the afternoon with the kids-making paper cranes, ying board games, having tea, just chatting. The kids seemed lonely, and I genuinely felt for them; they needed the care that this ce provided, of course, but they missed their friends, their families, their ssmates


    GET IT NOW


    me othe

 Chapter 180

    Chapter 0180


    One thing was for certain, though: having their Lunae to visit seemed to be the highlight of the day. By the time the kids all caught on to the fact that I was there, I was practically swarmed with small hands and homemade cards and requests to y games. Throughout the day, however, I noticed one boy who didn''t join in with the others. He was sitting by the window in a wheelchair, just staring up into the sky. At first, I thought that maybe he was sleeping or maybe even catatonic, but when I caught him looking over every so often, I realized that that didn''t seem to be the case. "Who is that boy?" I asked the nurse, curious.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    The nurse sighed. "That''s Tom."


    "Is he sick, or..?"


    "He''s very shy," the nurse replied softly. "Doesn''t like hanging out with the others. Barely talks in group therapy. We''ve tried everything."


    I frowned. "May I?"


    The nurse shrugged. "Sure, you can try to talk to him. He might not answer, though."


    With a nod, I cautiously walked over to the boy''s wheelchair. As I drew closer, I realized he must have been about sixteen. He seemed anorexic, his legs so thin that he must have been bound to that wheelchair for most of the day.


    I just stood there for a moment, following his gaze, until I realized what he was looking at: a bird''s nest in the tree by the window. There were babies inside, and the mother had seemingly just returned with dinner "You''re watching the birds?" I asked,


    The boy shot me a look but said nothing. Sighing, I sank down cross-legged onto the floor beside him. Together, we just watched the mother feed her babies until she was finished, and then she flew away again.


    "She''s always feeding them," Tom suddenly blurted out. "Back and forth all day."


    "I wonder if she gets tired," I replied.


    Tom shot me a sidelong nce. "I doubt it. Birds are wired for that sort of thing."


    "They still get tired, though," I replied. Tom smirked, and I scratched my head before continuing. "Don''t you want toe and y a board game with us?


    For a moment, the boy stiffened-but then he nced over at the others, grimaced, and shook his head. Nah. I don''t fit in."


    "Why not?"


    He shrugged, then gestured at himself. I''m a guy. And I''m anorexic. Look at me."


    "So?" I asked as I eyed the boy''s thin arms. "What''s that got to do with anything?" "Guys aren''t supposed to be anorexic. It''s... weird."


    "Who told you that?"


    For a moment. Tom was silent. Then, turning his head, he bit out through clenched teeth, "Everyone."


    I frowned deeply. "Well, I don''t think that''s true. Plenty of guys have eating disorders, anorexia included."


    Tell that to my parents," Tom said with a scoff. "My anorexia was ignored until I was almost dead. No one believed me, and now look at me. And now no one wants me around while I''m in this damn wheelchair." Lout a retos


    My lips parted to the teenager''s poor attitude, but I stopped myself. He was right, men were often overlooked for eating disorders. And now he was in a wheelchair, feeling alienated because of his disorder,


    "Do you think your peers think that?" I asked, gesturing to the others. "Have they told you that they don''t want you around, or have you just assumed that?"


    Tom opened his mouth, but then shut it again. His eyes, a deep blue, met mine-and it was in that moment that I made a decision, With a huff, I grabbed the handles of his wheelchair and spun it around, pushing it back toward the games table. "Hey!" Tom shouted. "What the hell-"


    "We''re ying Monopoly," I said, "and you''re joining in


    By the time I walked out of the youth center, the sky was already dark. I stifled a yawn as I said goodnight to Sophia; somehow, we had spent the entire day there. After I had pushed Tom over to the games table, I had convinced him to join in on a game of Monopoly-and before I knew it, we were three hours into the game with no end in sight.


    I promised toe back, of course. How could I not?


    But it was as I opened the car door, about to tell the driver to take me home, that my phone buzzed. A text from Viona illuminated the screen. "Meet me at Crescent Pub. NOW."

 Chapter 182

    Chapter 0182


    A grimace tugged at my upper lip. "Well, even if the divorce thing gets out, we''re nearing the end of our three-month agreement," I said. "So we could handle that. But as for the affair..."


    Viona shot me a withering look. "Just tell me, Hannah-


    "Oh, Goddess, no." I waved my hand before she could even get the question out about me and Drake." Never. Not in a million years."


    She huffed. "You''re sure? With all that stuff you guys have been doingtely.. I mean, I''m not judging, but it''s risky, Hannah."


    "I''m not. I swear," I growled. "It''s never gonna happen. Drake and I are just friends."


    Viona, believing me, nodded and leaned back in her seat. "Well. I think that you should talk to Noah about this at the very least. If someone is traipsing around with this kind of gossip, it could spell the end for you. And with your little one on the way... Her voice trailed off, but the implication remained; with a baby on the way, I needed to be careful. I couldn''t risk any public upset until I was safely back in my rightful pack as the female Alpha.


    "I know," I said softly. "I''ll keep an eye on things."Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "Hannah." Viona narrowed her eyes at me and folded her arms across her chest, leveling me with a stern re. "You have to tell Noah. You have to tell him everything."


    My eyes widened into saucers. "You mean-


    "Yes, Hannah. You have to tell him about...." She mouthed thest two words: "Your baby."


    "No. No way." I shook my head, waving both hands together. "Not happening, Viona. He can''t know. He.


    Can''t. Know."


    She furrowed her brow. "Why not?"


    "Because," I huffed, "if he finds out that I''m pregnant with his baby, he''ll forbid the divorce. You know I can''t stay with him. I can''t live like that, and neither can my child."


    "So you''d rather put your child in danger?" she asked. "Hell, Hannah, you''re making all of these assumptions about him and-"


    "I''m sorry, Viona, but I know him better than you do."


    Viona quickly shut her mouth and sighed. "Fine, fine. I understand," she said. "But I think it''s worth considering. If someone really is out there trying to start shit on this scale, you''ll want him-the Alpha of Nightcrest-on yours and your baby''s sides." Another retort died in my throat. Viona was right, of course; it would be safer with Noah knowing the truth. We could tackle whatever nefarious bullshit that was going on together. He wouldn''t let anyone do anything that would harm our baby, and that was a fact. "Listen," Viona said softly, reaching across the table to touch my hand, "you could just talk to him. Tell him what you want. Maybe you could still have a divorce while figuring out something that works for your two and the baby.."


    12


    I sighed. "... I can''t handle joint custody, if that''s what you mean," I said.


    "It doesn''t have to be like that. But i think you really should consider just talking to him." Viona blinked at me after she spoke, jutting her chin out-silently urging me to think about her proposal. And she did have a point, no matter how much it hurt. "Fine," I finally said after a beat of silence. "I''ll consider talking to Noah."


    "Talk to Noah about what?"


    The sound of an all-too-familiar voice caused us both to jerk our heads up in panic. Turning. I saw Scott headed toward our table.

 Chapter 183

    Chapter 0183 Hannah


    Viona and I exchanged wary looks as Scott approached. Despite myself, I slid over to allow him to sit with us, even though my heart was pounding.


    "Scott," I said, trying to keep my tone even, "I haven''t seen you in a while. Where have you been?"


    Scott sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he slid into the booth beside me. It was true; I hadn''t seen him in weeke


    "Noah sent me overseas, actually," he replied, sipping his beer.


    "Overseas?" I exchanged another nce with Viona, who was practically digging her fingernails straight through her ss because she was gripping it so tightly. "Why did he send you overseas?"


    He raised an eyebrow at me. "You don''t know?"


    I gaped at him for a moment. "No, Scott," I said sarcastically. "I don''t know anything about my husband''s antics. I thought you would have gathered that by now.


    Scott cringed visibly and ruffled his hair again, taking a long drag of his beer. Beneath the table, Viona kicked my ankle-it was all I could do not to yelp in pain and surprise, but when I met her gaze, I could see the whites all the way around her eyes and I knew exactly what she was thinking.


    How much had Scott heard? And how much trust could we have in him if he heard about the pregnancy?


    When Scott had finished drinking, he set his ss down and wiped his mouth with a nearby napkin. "I probably shouldn''t tell you," he said, causing me to narrow my eyes, "but I will."


    "Okay. Spill."


    Scott sighed. "Noah sent me abroad to look for your family doctor. Said he was missing and that he left under.... mysterious circumstances."


    Mysterious circumstances... I furrowed my brow, thinking back to the day I had found out about our family doctor''s sudden leave of absence, along with the incident involving White Rabbit. I had all but forgotten about that whole thing, although it was always in the back of my mind in some capacity or another.


    But most importantly, what was Noah''s reason for wanting to find our family doctor? Whatever it was had to be a pretty big deal if he was sending his own Beta and half-brother overseas to hunt him down.


    "Why did he send you?" Viona suddenly blurted out, asking my question for me. "I don''t mean that in a bad way, Scott. It just seems weird that he''d send his own Beta away to look for a doctor."


    Scott nced over at Viona and shrugged. "Beats me. He just told me I had to find him."


    "And? Did you?" I asked.


    He shook his head. "No. I looked all over, followed every lead. Showed up at every hotel in the area, asked every local, tracked down everyst scrap of CCTV footage. The guy just... disappeared." Disappeared.


    Just like WhiteRabbit.


    I opened my mouth to ask Scott more questions, but it was obvious that he had told us all he knew-sol .


    shut it again. With a heavy sigh, I exchanged onest nce with Viona and took a sip of my drink,Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    T


    "Well... Wee back," I said, raising my ss.


    "I''m d to be back. Although, it''s a lot colder here," Scottughed. There was a pause as we all sipped our drinks, and then he continued. "I didn''t mean to eavesdrop earlier, by the way. I just heard you mention that you had to talk to Noah about something." Viona kicked my ankle beneath the table again. This time I wasn''t able to contain my yelp, eliciting a curious nce from Scott.


    "It''s nothing, Scott," I finally said with a wave of my hand. "It''s... personal."


    "Oh." His eyes flickered between me and Viona for a moment. "Well, if there''s anything I can do to help...


    I paused, ready to tell him thanks-but-no-thanks, but then thought better of it.


    Hannah


    Viona and I exchanged wary looks as Scott approached. Despite myself, I slid over to allow him to sit with us, even though my heart was pounding.


    "Scott," I said, trying to keep my tone even, "I haven''t seen you in a while. Where have you been?"


    Scott sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he slid into the booth beside me. It was true; I hadn''t seen him in weeke


    "Noah sent me overseas, actually," he replied, sipping his beer.


    "Overseas?" I exchanged another nce with Viona, who was practically digging her fingernails straight through her ss because she was gripping it so tightly. "Why did he send you overseas?"


    He raised an eyebrow at me. "You don''t know?"


    I gaped at him for a moment. "No, Scott," I said sarcastically. "I don''t know anything about my husband''s antics. I thought you would have gathered that by now.


    Scott cringed visibly and ruffled his hair again, taking a long drag of his beer. Beneath the table, Viona kicked my ankle-it was all I could do not to yelp in pain and surprise, but when I met her gaze, I could see the whites all the way around her eyes and I knew exactly what she was thinking. How much had Scott heard? And how much trust could we have in him if he heard about the pregnancy?


    When Scott had finished drinking, he set his ss down and wiped his mouth with a nearby napkin. "I probably shouldn''t tell you," he said, causing me to narrow my eyes, "but I will."


    "Okay. Spill."


    Scott sighed. "Noah sent me abroad to look for your family doctor. Said he was missing and that he left under.... mysterious circumstances."


    Mysterious circumstances... I furrowed my brow, thinking back to the day I had found out about our family doctor''s sudden leave of absence, along with the incident involving White Rabbit. I had all but forgotten about that whole thing, although it was always in the back of my mind in some capacity or another.


    But most importantly, what was Noah''s reason for wanting to find our family doctor? Whatever it was had to be a pretty big deal if he was sending his own Beta and half-brother overseas to hunt him down.


    "Why did he send you?" Viona suddenly blurted out, asking my question for me. "I don''t mean that in a bad way, Scott. It just seems weird that he''d send his own Beta away to look for a doctor."


    Scott nced over at Viona and shrugged. "Beats me. He just told me I had to find him."


    "And? Did you?" I asked.


    He shook his head. "No. I looked all over, followed every lead. Showed up at every hotel in the area, asked every local, tracked down everyst scrap of CCTV footage. The guy just... disappeared." Disappeared.


    Just like WhiteRabbit.


    I opened my mouth to ask Scott more questions, but it was obvious that he had told us all he knew-sol .


    shut it again. With a heavy sigh, I exchanged onest nce with Viona and took a sip of my drink,


    T


    "Well... Wee back," I said, raising my ss.


    "I''m d to be back. Although, it''s a lot colder here," Scottughed. There was a pause as we all sipped our drinks, and then he continued. "I didn''t mean to eavesdrop earlier, by the way. I just heard you mention that you had to talk to Noah about something." Viona kicked my ankle beneath the table again. This time I wasn''t able to contain my yelp, eliciting a curious nce from Scott.


    "It''s nothing, Scott," I finally said with a wave of my hand. "It''s... personal."


    "Oh." His eyes flickered between me and Viona for a moment. "Well, if there''s anything I can do to help...


    I paused, ready to tell him thanks-but-no-thanks, but then thought better of it.

 Chapter 184

    Chapter 0184


    "Actually," I said, "I think there is something you can do for me, Scott. But this has to stay between us."


    "Of course, Luna Hannah. Whatever you need."


    7


    "I need you to research an inte user known as WhiteRabbit."


    "Drake?" I called out as I stepped into the dimly lit training center. "You in here?"


    "Over here!"Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    I followed the sound of Drake''s voice, and there he was-stretching off to the side of the sparring ring, his muscles straining against his shirt and his hair slightly mussed from his motorcycle helmet. It was early, although not nearly as early as my training sessions with Noah.


    "Are you ready to get started?" he asked as I approached, a cheeky grin on his face. "Ready training?"


    I pursed my lips. "My training with Noah is real," I retorted.


    Drake huffed and ran a hand through his hair. "You''re right. I''m sorry."


    "It''s alright. But, yes. I''m ready."


    for some real


    With that, we stepped into the ring. Our training session began much as it did thest time we were here- practicing punches and kicks first, followed by footwork, and then rigorous grappling on the mat.


    "It''s best if you avoid letting your arms get separated, like this," Drake exined, positioning himself on top of me with one arm to my left side and the other up beside my head. "Grab my arm that''s by your head, pull, and watch what happens."


    I did as he said, and suddenly, his hands syed out further. He fell on top of me, nearly crushing me beneath his weight-and because of his stance with one arm trapped, he was helpless in getting back up on his own.


    "See how I just lost my bnce easily?" he asked. "It''s better not to stagger your limbs like that; it makes it too easy for an attacker to gain control."


    Nodding. I bit the inside of my cheek and continued training.


    We went on like that for some time, practicing basic moves and grapples. He took it slowly, teaching me how to not only get him into various holds but also to get out of those same holds myself.


    "Alright," he finally said, standing and helping me to my feet. "Let''s practice a little sparring, shall we? Just sixty seconds."


    cixty seconds?" I cocked my head. "That''s not a very long time."


    Drake chuckled. "It feels like a lot longer when you''re in it."


    With that, we set the timer and began to circle each other. I kept my stance low and wide, just as both Drake and Noah had taught me, my hands up and head ducked. I lunged forward on one leg, wrapping my arms around Drake''s waist in an attempt to get him down on his back, but he was too powerful.


    Chapter OTER


    Suddenly, the world was tilting under me as he returned my grapple, flipped me, and threw me on my back


    I felt the breath leave my lungs. Drake stepped back, allowing me to climb to my feet, my head reeling.


    "Try again," he ordered.


    [


    With a nod, I regained myposure and lunged again-but I was even slower now, and this time, Drake aimed a blow at me.


    A blow aimed straight at my stomach.


    Something awakened in me at that moment. Something that only a mother could feel. A feral growl ripped from my throat, and suddenly, I was lurching backwards, falling to a crouch a good few feet away- like a cat prepared to pounce. "Don''t go for my stomach like that!" I snarled, fire burning in my eyes as one hand clutched my belly.


    Drake''s eyes widened as they flickered to my belly, where my hand was still protectively clutched, and then to my face-and recognition dawned across his features as he saw the zing fury in my gaze. "Hannah," he breathed, "are you...?"

 Chapter 185

    Chapter 0185 Hannah


    The sounds of fighting had stopped, the ring going utterly silent save for one thing: the growls that escaped my throat before I even realized what I was doing.


    Drake blinked at me in shock for a moment, his eyes flickering down to my stomach-where my left hand was still protectively pressed. And then he met my fiery gaze, and realization seemed to dawn on him. "Hannah, are you...?"


    No, I thought to myself. Oh no. Pull yourself together, Hannah! Snapping out of it, I quickly straightened, cleared my throat, and stepped out of the ring, wondering if I could y it off as nothing more than a stomachache. "Sorry, Drake," I mumbled, heading for my gym bag with quick steps. "I''m not feeling well. Maybe we should call it a day."


    But Drake wasn''t buying it. He followed me, his footsteps echoing in the empty training center. I kept my back turned in the hopes that he wouldn''t see how beet red my face had just be, just focusing on grabbing my bag and getting the hell out of here. "Hannah, wait," he called out, jogging now to catch up. "Wait! We need to talk."


    I quickened my pace, my breath hitching in my throat, but Drake was faster. He caught up to me just as I reached my bag, cing a hand on my shoulder to stop me before I could make a run for it.


    "Hannah," he said, his voice low and serious. "You''re pregnant, aren''t you?"


    I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. He couldn''t know, no one except Viona could know. Hell, I even questioned whether I had made the right choice in telling her half the time. Slowly, I turned to face him, trying to keep my expression as neutral as possible. "What?" I scoffed, feigning ignorance. "No, I just " "You don''t need to lie to me," Drake interrupted, his eyes searching mine with an intensity that made my stomach twist painfully. "The way you reacted when I went for your stomach, the protectiveness... It all makes sense now."


    I opened my mouth to deny it again, but no words woulde out. My silence seemed to satisfy Drake, and he nodded slowly.


    "I thought so," he murmured, sighing and running a hand through his dark hair. "Look, I won''t tell anyone, okay? You don''t even have to admit it out loud. But Hannah, you can''t be engaging inbat like this if you''re pregnant. It''s too dangerous."


    I pressed my lips into a thin line as my heart hammered like a war drum in my chest. Dammit, I thought to myself; Drake was too smart for his own good, and there was no going back now.


    "Drake, I... if I am pregnant," I said carefully, still not confirming it outright, "then I need to be able to protect my future child. I can''t just stop training and be vulnerable again."


    Drake''s expression softened, and he took a step closer "I understand that, I do. But there are safer ways to train, ways that won''t put you or the baby at risk."


    1/2


    "Like what?" I asked, curious despite myself.


    "Well, we could focus more on defensive techniques, evasion, and non-contact drills," Drake suggested. "I can modify the exercises to avoid any impact to your abdomen. If you want to continue training, I''ll find ways to do it safely."


    I narrowed my eyes, unable to avoid feeling suspicious of his good nature even though he had never given me a real reason to feel that way. "And, hypothetically, if I needed these special amodations- which I don''t-what would you want in return?" Drake smiled sheepishly. "Just what we agreed on before. A date with Zoe."This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I couldn''t help but chuckle. "You''re still hung up on that, huh?"


    "What can I say? I''m persistent," Drake grinned. Then his expression turned serious again. "But Hannah, I mean it. I want to help you. This isn''t just about Zoe."

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    Chapter 0186 Chapter


    0186


    I studied his face, looking for any sign of deception. But all I saw was genuine concern and sincerity, and my shoulders slumped ever so slightly.


    "Alright," I said finally. "I believe you. And for the record, I never nned on going back on my promise about Zoe. I''ll set it up soon, okay?" Drake''s face lit up. "Really? Thanks, Hannah. You won''t regret it."


    "I''d better not," I warned, but there was no real heat behind the words. "Now, if you don''t mind, I really should get going."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Drake nodded, stepping back. "Of course. Take care of yourself, Hannah."


    Nodding myself, I grabbed my back and whirled on my heel. It was only then, once my back was turned to Drake, that I allowed my expression to twist into one of pure fear and worry. I had to get out of here- away from him, away from everyone. Goddess, that was too close of a call; I couldn''t confirm anything, just in case...


    Suddenly, the sound of Drake''s gruff voice caused me to stop in my tracks. "Hey, Hannah?" he called out, his voice echoing in the empty training center. I froze by the door, my hand resting on the doorknob, but I didn''t turn.


    "Yeah?" I called out, my voice trembling.


    Drake paused before saying, "Congrattions. If congrattions are in order, I mean."


    My shoulders tensed instinctively, my eyes widening even further. I said nothing in return; simply swung the door open and hurried out into the bright morning sun.


    As I drove home, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Drake knew now, or at least strongly suspected that I was pregnant. How long would it be before others started to notice? How much longer could I keep this secret? How long until I officially began to show, and then there would really be no denying it?


    I couldn''t help but shudder at the thought, but one thing was for certain.


    This divorce needed to happen before anyone else figured it out. Especially before Noah did.


    When I arrived home, I kicked my shoes off by the door and began scurrying toward my bedroom-in need of a hot bath to rx my tightly wound muscles. But, just as I reached the steps, the sound of muttering and papers rustling in the other room gave me pause. Frowning, I followed the source of the noise-and that was when I found Noah sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, surrounded by a sea of papers with his shirt sleeves rolled up and his tie hanging discarded over the arm of the chair beside him. Lunar Festival ns were scattered all around him, and he looked more stressed than I had maybe ever seen him; or at least, more stressed than I had seen him in a very long time, which was surprising given how tumultuous our lives had beentely. I stood in the doorway for a moment, watching his hair fall into his eyes as he bent his head over the


    papers. With the festival just a couple of weeks away now, I could see the toll it was taking on him. Despite my own worries and fatigue, I knew I couldn''t leave him like this.


    "Do you need help?" I asked softly.


    Noah''s head snapped up, surprise dawning across his face. He blinked at me a few times, as if processing my offer. "I... what?" he said, his brow furrowed.


    I gestured to the mess of papers around him. "With the festival ns. Do you want some help?"


    Noah stared at me for a long moment, and I could almost see the gears turning in his head. Finally, he nodded slowly.


    "Sure," he said, gesturing to the cushion on the floor beside him. "I guess I''d appreciate the help."

 Chapter 187

    Chapter 0187 Chapter 0187 Hannah


    I settled down on the cushion next to Noah with a soft sigh, tucking my legs underneath myself and casting my eyes over the chaos of papers spread out in front of us. Noah hummed to himself beside me and picked up one of the papers, muttering something before crumpling it up and tossing it into a nearby pile of other papers that had also been discarded. "Okay, where do you want to start?" I asked, picking up the nearest sheet to me and scanning it quickly.


    Noah ran a hand through his hair, sighing heavily. "Honestly?" he asked with a surprising amount of candor in his tone. "I''m not even sure anymore. It feels like everything''s falling apart at thest minute."


    I pressed my lips into a thin line, but nodded sympathetically. "Okay, um... Let''s just take it one thing at a time, then. What''s the biggest issue right now?"


    "The entertainment," Noah groaned. "Our main act canceledst week, and I haven''t been able to find a decent recement on such short notice."


    I frowned, thinking for a moment. Sifting through the papers, I found nothing that would help-so, grabbing my phone, I opened I*******m and began to scroll. Noah shot me a withering re. "You''re already giving up?" he growled. "It''s been, like, two seconds,


    Hannah."


    "Have a little faith in me," I replied, waving my hand dismissively. "I''m looking at some of the local entertainment ounts I follow. Oh... What about the local circus troupe? They could do dances in costume, maybe some acrobatics. It would fit the mood, don''t you think?" Despite himself, Noah''s green eyes instantly lit up with a mixture of relief and surprise. "That''s... actually a great idea," he muttered, furrowing his brow as he jotted the information down on a nearby nk sheet.'' Why didn''t I think of that?"


    I shrugged, feeling a small spark of pride and folding my arms across my chest. "You''re very wee."


    We spent the next few hours going through the ns, with me offering advice and help wherever I could. Noah seemed surprisingly grateful for the assistance, and I found myself enjoying the coborative process more than I had initially expected.


    As the afternoon wore on, I got hungry, so I brought out some snacks and tea. We munched on cookies as we worked, the atmosphere surprisinglyfortable given our recent... tensions. It was as if, for just a little while, things were ''normal''-whatever that meant anymore.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Oh, here''s that damn vendor list," I said, fishing out the folded paper we had been looking for from beneath a stack. "Have you confirmed all of these?"


    Noah nodded, leaning over me to look at the paper. The smell of his cologne momentarily overwhelmed me, but I quashed the instinct to lean closer to him by taking a sip of my tea. "Most of them," he replied. There are a few I still need to follow up with." 1 made a note on the paper, then reached for another cookie. My hand brushed against Noah''s as he


    reached for the same one-thest one on the te.


    "Oh. Sorry," I said, pulling back. "You can have it."


    There was a pause, but then Noah was shaking his head and leaning back. "No, you take it. I''m... d to see you eating moretely."


    Something in his tone made me stop. ncing up, I saw that he had already directed his attention back to the paper in his other hand, but I could see the tiniest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.


    I couldn''t help myself. Maybe the scent of his cologne had gotten to me after all, or maybe I was feeling a little bit evil, or maybe I was feeling... just in hopeful.


    I knew I shouldn''t feel that way, truly. There was nothing to hope for anymore-there was only a tense wait before the inevitable crash.

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    Chapter 0188 Chapter


    0188


    But, deep down, something stirred in me. A But, deep down, something stirred in me. And I couldn''t help but act up, even if only a little bit.


    "How about we share it?" I suggested, picking up the cookie. I put half of it in my mouth, leaving the other half sticking out, and leaned close to him on my palms. "Bite the other half off," I mumbled around the cookie.


    Noah''s eyes widened slightly, and he leaned back. "No, that''s alright-" he began, only for his voice to die in his throat when he saw the intensity in my gaze.


    For a moment, he floundered there, the tips of his ears reddening... But then, finally, he leaned in. Our faces were inches apart as he carefully bit his half of the cookie.


    I felt a familiar flutter in my stomach at his proximity; he lingered there for several long moments, carefully biting the treat. A few crumbs fell to the carpet between us, but I hardly noticed.


    All I could do was slowly lower my eyelids until his broad form was lost amongst myshes, and hope- even though I knew I shouldn''t-that....


    But it was over just as quickly as it had begun, and there was no way I could go without noticing how he took the utmost care not to let our lips touch. The realization stung more than I expected, especially when he pulled away quickly and ate his cookie without a word, instantly averting his gaze back to the


    papers.


    As we chewed, an awkward silence fell between us. I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the lump forming in my throat and the fact that the sugar now tasted like soot.


    It''s almost over, I reminded myself. I shouldn''t be upset; I should be d that there are no more hard feelings. That our rtionship won''t be missed.


    "So," Noah said after a moment, his voice slightly strained. "What are your ns after... you know."


    I tensed, suddenly made wary by the unexpected question. "After the divorce, you mean?"


    Noah nodded, not meeting my eyes.


    I sighed, picking at a loose thread on my sleeve. "I was thinking of returning to my pack. Might take up my position as female Alpha there."


    There was a tense silence before he cleared his throat. "I see. Is that the only reason?" Noah asked, his tone unreadable. "For the power of being an Alpha?"Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    I felt a sh of pain at his assumption, and I couldn''t help but wince. "No, of course not. If we didn''t have... issues, I wouldn''t be leaving at all. I gave up my status as female Alpha to be with you, remember?"


    Noah''s face reddened slightly. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again. He remained stiff and silent for several long moments, and during that time, I thought he might not speak again at all.


    "I... thank you," he finally said, then cleared his throat, running his hand through his hair. "For your help today, I mean. But it''s gettingte, so I should probably head to bed."


    I nodded stiffly, watching through heavily lidded eyes as he stood up and gathered a few papers from the floor. "Goodnight, Noah," I said softly.


    He paused there in the doorway, ncing back at me with tense shoulders. For a moment, just a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something in his eyes-regret, maybe? Longing? Or something else? But then it was gone, and he was turning away. "Night," he murmured tersely before disappearing down the hallway.


    I sat there for a long time after he left, surrounded by the remnants of our day''s work... And I couldn''t help but feel more

 Chapter 189

    Chapter 0189


    Hannah


    6


    The second I entered the private restaurant, my eyes were already scanning the room critically. Everything had to be perfect for Drake and Zoe''s date-everything. Not even saying a word to the hostess, I moved swiftly to the table in the corner and began nervously smoothing out the white tablecloth, rearranging the candles, and primping the flowers.


    "Hannah?" Drake''s voice startled me as he entered. "You got here early."


    I didn''t even bother to look up, keeping my gaze focused on preening the pretty pink rose petals in the vase. "Just making sure everything''s ready," I replied. "You''re early too."


    Drake nodded as he stopped in front of me, and upon a brief nce I could see his eyes darting around nervously despite his handsome appearance. "Yeah, I... I wanted to thank you again for setting this up. I know it wasn''t easy."


    A pang of guilt twisted in my stomach. "So, um... About that," I began, biting my lip. "I sort of had to tell Zoe that I had a business proposition for her. It was the only way to get her here."


    Drake''s eyebrows shot up. "What? Why?"


    I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "She''s been looking for a job, I guess. I don''t know... it was the only thing I could think of that would guarantee she would show up." It was true; I had considered everything. Unless Noah was in the picture, which he obviously couldn''t be for something like this, I was certain that Zoe would have said no to an invitation to meet me for dinner.


    "Hannah," Drake groaned rubbing his hand over his face, "that''s... that''s not good. She''s going to be furious."


    "I know, I know," I said quickly. "I feel terrible about it. But I promised I''d help you, and... well, this was the best I could do in the amount of time I had."


    Drake was quiet for a moment, then he nodded and smoothed down the front of his suit. "Okay. Well, if she gets angry, I won''t let you take the me. I''ll tell her it was all my idea."


    "Thanks," I murmured, not feeling much better. If one of us went down, then both of us surely would. I doubted that Zoe would discriminate with her ire when it came to this.


    We waited in tense silence for a while for Zoe to arrive. I kept myself busy by unnecessarily rearranging things, while Drake paced back and forth, clutching a single rose in his hand and repeatedly smoothing his hair in the window''s reflection. He kept his back turned, although whether to hide his terror or surprise Zoe, I couldn''t be sure.


    Finally, the door opened, and Zoe walked in. The hostess said something to her and led her across the crowded restaurant, finally bringing her to us. Stopping a few feet away, Zoe looked confused for a moment, her eyes darting back and forth between Drake and me. "Hannah? What''s going on?" she asked haltingly, clearly suspicious.


    Before I could answer, Drake turned around and stepped forward, offering Zoe the rose. "Zoe," he said, his voice surprisingly steady. "I''m so d you came." Chapter 0189


    Zoe''s eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed to dangerous slits. She looked from Drake to me, her face flushing bright red with anger.


    "You," she hissed, pointing at me. "You lied to me, didn''t you? There''s no job, is there?"


    I swallowed, holding my hands out in a cating gesture. "Zoe, Drake has been dying for a date with you,"


    I said gently, taking a step closer. "You don''t have to stay if you don''t want to, and we would understand. But this was the only way I could get you here."


    Zoe''s face twisted with fury. "You bitch," she growled, causing me to flinch. "After all that talk of understanding my situation? After promising me that you would stay out of it? How long have you two been working together?"


    I opened my mouth to exin, but no words woulde out. Not that Zoe waited for an answer, anyway; she was already turning back to Drake and snatching the rose from his hand.


    "And you!" she spat, holding the rose up between them. "I told you that I''m not interested, time and time again. Who the hell do you think you are?" She paused, her teeth grit as she looked back and forth between the two of us again. "I''ll tell you what you are! You''re both dirty little schemers!" With that, she threw the rose to the ground and stomped on it, grinding it beneath her heel. Drake flinched at the sound of the stem snapping.


    "Zoe, please," he started, but she was already storming out of the restaurant.


    Drake and I exchanged a brief, panicked look before I nodded at him and he bolted after her. "Zoe, wait!"


    The door mmed behind them, leaving me alone in the suddenly too-quiet restaurant. The nearby patrons had paused their dining, their eyes turning to me. I sank into the nearest chair, burying my face in my hands in the hopes that they would return their attention to their meals.


    "Well, that went spectacrly," I muttered under my breath.


    I sat there for a while, reying the disaster in my mind. Eventually, I pulled myself together and left, climbing back into my waiting car and instructing the driver to take me home-home, where I could finally, blissfully, sink into a hot bath and shut myself off from the world, if only for a little while.


    When I finally arrived, the house was dark and quiet. I kicked off my shoes with a sigh of relief, my aching from the heels I had been wearing all day.


    feet


    What a pain; I had been running around like a chicken with my head cut off since early morning, barely having gotten any sleep after helping Noah the night before and spending the day curating the perfect blind date for Drake and Zoe, only to have it explode in my face. "Hello?" I called out softly into the dark house, hoping I wouldn''t receive an answer.


    Silence greeted me-thank the Goddess. I made my way to the living room, flipping on the light switch as I entered.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw Noah sitting in an armchair, his face partially hidden in shadow.


    "Goddess, Noah," I gasped, clutching my chest. "You scared me half to death. What are you doing sitting in the dark?" Noah didn''t answer immediately. He leaned forward slightly, his green eyes glinting in themplight.


    2/3


    There was something in his expression that made my stomach drop, and instantly I knew-he knew.


    But how much did he know, exactly, I wondered? I didn''t need to ask, because he answered that question for me.


    "I heard about your little scheme today," he said, his voice low and controlled. A moment passed with neither of us speaking, and finally, he rose to his full height. It was times like this when I realized just how tall he was, just how much he couldmand a room. Despite myself, I felt my posture shrink a bit beneath his gaze, and it was then that I knew I really fucked up.


    Before I could speak, Noah gestured to the chair opposite him and clenched his jaw tightly.


    "Take a seat, Hannah. We need to talk."

 Chapter 190

    Chapter 0190 Chapter 0190


    Hannah


    I hesitated for a moment before sinking into the chair across from Noah. His eyes followed me the entire way, his jaw clenched tight. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel my heart racing in my chest.


    "So," Noah began, his voice low and surprisingly controlled, "do you want to exin to me why you thought it was okay to trick Zoe like that?"


    I swallowed hard, my fingers fidgeting in myp. "Noah, I-"


    "A job opportunity, Hannah? Really?" he blurted out before I could finish. He leaned forward, his green eyes zing with a fiery intensity that made me shrink back ever so slightly. "Do you have any idea how hurt she is?"


    I bit my lip, guilt churning in my stomach despite myself. "Look, I know it wasn''t right, but-"


    "But what?" Noah snapped, cutting me off. "What could possibly justify this? Zoe has never said or done anything to hurt you."


    My mouth hung open. For a moment, I wanted to say what was on my mind: that she had. Just by trying to steal my husband away-


    But no. I stopped myself in the middle of that thought, knowing that it wasn''t the full truth. Maybe she was trying to steal my husband away, but Noah was just as much to me.


    Taking a deep breath, I decided toe clean about the real reason behind why I had done what I had done. There was no point in hiding it now. "I promised Drake I would help him get a date with Zoe in exchange for his training," I said. "He wants her back." Noah''s eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed dangerously. "You did what?" he hissed, his voice barely more than a whisper. "So not only did you trick Zoe, but you''re also scheming with Drake behind my


    back?"


    "It''s not like that," I protested, feeling my own anger rising. "Drake has been a good friend, and he wants to get back with Zoe. In exchange for training-and everything else he has done for me-I promised to set up a date."


    "And you thought that would justify the way you manipted Zoe?" Noah stood up abruptly, pacing the room. His footsteps echoed in the tense silence, each step causing me to flinch. "I can''t believe this. I''m furious with both of you, but I''m more furious with you. I can''t believe you would trick Zoe into going on a date with someone."


    Those words gave me pause, and as I watched him pace, a thought struck me then. His reaction seemed... excessive. Almost personal. The pieces started to fall into ce in my mind, taking root like a seed.


    "Noah," I said slowly, carefully choosing my words, "why are you really so upset about this? Is it because you''re worried about Zoe, or..." I paused, steeling myself for his reaction. "Or is it because you don''t want her to date someone else?"


    Noah whirled around instantly, his face flushed. "That''s ridiculous, Hannah. You''re being absurd. AndText ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    1/2


    vindictive."


    "Am I?" I stood up and pressed my hands into my hips, meeting his gaze. "Because it seems like you''re awfully invested in Zoe''s love life."


    Noah''s jaw clenched, a muscle twitching in his cheek. He stared at me incredulously for a moment before shaking his head and muttering, "I''m leaving. This conversation is over. Throwing around baseless usations like that..."


    But as he tried to brush past me, I stepped in front of him and blocked his path. My heart was pounding beneath his towering form, but I stood my ground and curled my upper lip back ever so slightly. "My usations aren''t baseless, Noah," I said, my voice barely more than a growl. "I know what you two have been up to." Noah''s eyebrows raised, a challenge in his eyes. "Oh yeah? And what would that be?"

 Chapter 191

    Chapter 0191


    I took a deep breath, knowing that what I was about to say could either reveal something that I didn''t want to know or just piss him off even further. "I saw you and Zoe talking after the pageant," I finally muttered. "You seemed... intimate. And you lied about being with her that day. You said you were mingling, but you weren''t."


    The color drained from Noah''s face. He took a step back, his eyes darting away from mine. "It... it was nothing. You misunderstood."


    "Did I?" I pressed, feeling a mixture of anger and hurt bubbling up inside of me. "Because it sure didn''t look like nothing. What were you really talking about, Noah?"


    For a long moment, Noah was silent. I could almost see his whirling thoughts ying out on his face. The silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.


    "It''s not what you think," he said, lowering his voice as though not wanting to be overheard, even though we were home alone. "Zoe is in a difficult situation. Her parents... they won''t return Adam to her unless she gets a job."


    I blinked, confusion recing my anger. "What? Why?"


    Noah ran a hand through his hair, a telltale gesture I had seen him do countless times before when he was stressed. "They think she''s not responsible enough to care for Adam on her own. That''s why she''s been looking so hard for worktely. And that''s why..." he trailed off, shaking his head.


    When he finally regained his voice, his eyes met mine. "And that''s why she''s in so much pain after what you two did-why she came to me to tell me what happened. She thought she might finally have a lead on a job, a chance to get her son back. And it was a trick." The weight of his words hit me like a punch to the gut. I sank back into the chair, my head spinning. "I... I had no idea," I whispered, suddenly feeling like the biggest, most royal asshole to have ever walked the.


    Noah nodded, his expression softening slightly-but only slightly. "I know you didn''t, because you never think to ask about stuff like this," he said with a sigh. "And now, because you did this, Zoe is hurt and humiliated."


    I buried my face in my hands. To think that Zoe had her son taken from her, and I had twisted the knife in the proverbial wound... "Goddess, I''m such a jerk," I muttered into my palms. "I never meant to cause her more pain. I just thought that if she and Drake could go on one date, then..."


    My voice trailed off painfully; I couldn''t bear to utter the truth.


    That if she and Drake went on a date and reconciled, then maybe, just maybe, Noah wouldn''t leave me for her like I knew he would.


    Noah was silent for a moment, then said, "You should go apologize to her. In person."


    I looked up at him, seeing the seriousness in his eyes. He was right, of course. I had royally screwed up,


    and Zoe deserved a face-to-face apology. Despite everything, she was in a tough situation-and I had only made matters worse.


    "You''re right," I said, my voice hoarse. "I''ll talk to her tomorrow."


    1/2


    +25


    S BONUSContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Noah nodded, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Good. She deserves that much."


    With that, Noah turned on his heel and left. I didn''t move a muscle until I heard the front door open and shut followed by the rumble of his car pulling out of the driveway, and even then, I only sank even further down into my chair. He was right; I had to apologize to Zoe.

 Chapter 192

    Chapter Hannah


    0192


    The chair across from me remained suspiciously empty, and all I could do was nervously fidget with my napkin. The waiter hade by three times already, each visit more pointed than thest. I checked my phone again-still no word from Zoe.


    I kept telling myself that she woulde, even though I had been sitting here for more than thirty minutes past our meeting time. Scott had assured me he had set up this meeting. He wouldn''t lie, right?


    Soon, an hour passed. Then two. The sympathetic looks from the staff were bing unbearable. I had gone from sipping my coffee to practically gulping it down, my nerves frayed and my patience wearing thin. Finally, frustration overtook my patience. I stood up abruptly, tossing some cash on the table for my now- cold coffee.


    "To hell with this," I grumbled, storming out of the restaurant.


    The drive to Zoe''s house was a blur. Why hadn''t she shown up? Did she hate me that much? Was she really that angry? I only wanted to make amends, to apologize and treat her to dinner. She had promised toe, or so Scott had said. And yet...


    By the time I pulled up to her driveway, my knuckles had gone white on the steering wheel. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down before approaching her door. This was about making things right, I kept telling myself, not letting my temper get the better of me. I knocked, perhaps a bit too forcefully. After a few moments, the door swung open. Zoe stood there in nnel pajamas, her hair messy and her eyes bleary. She blinked at me in confusion, clearly not expecting me to be there.


    I, too, blinked in confusion-because to see the usually perfect Zoe so mussed and unkempt was perhaps the rarest urrence in all of history.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Hannah?" she asked, her voice hoarse as though she had just been napping. "What are you doing here?"


    I stared at her for a moment, my prepared speech dying on my lips. "Zoe, don''t... Don''t you know we were supposed to meet?" I muttered.


    Zoe''s brow furrowed. "What are you talking about? I haven''t heard anything about a meeting."


    My stomach dropped. "But... Scott said he called you. Set up a time for us to talk at the cafe."


    "Hannah, I never got a call from Scott," Zoe said, shaking her head. "This is the first I''m hearing about any of this."


    I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my mind whirling. Either Scott had outright lied to me, Zoe had forgotten about our meeting, or Zoe was the one who was lying. Either way, I was confused and, frankly, annoyed.


    "I, um..." I stammered, suddenly feeling sheepish beneath her gaze. Better now than never, I supposed. Look, I wanted to meet so I could apologize for the whole Drake situation. So... I''m sorry. Really. I didn''t

 Chapter 193

    Chapter 0193 Hannah


    I descended the staircase, my hand trailing along the polished banister. The chatter from the living room grew louder as I approached, and I took a deep breath before taking thest step. For a moment, I just paused, smoothing down the front of my dress. It was the night before the Lunar Festival and, just a few hours prior, Noah had informed me of his intent to have a gathering at the house-a gathering which, much to my chagrin, would include Zoe. I hadn''t seen Zoe, nor had I spoken to her since the day I had showed up at her house. That was a week ago now, and I supposed that a stupid, tiny part of me had hoped that I wouldn''t have to see her at all before the Lunar Festival. But here we were.


    Finally, I nodded to myself, rounded the corner, and stepped into view.


    The conversation died as every head in the room turned toward me. I felt my cheeks flush under their scrutiny, acutely aware of how my dark blue dress clung to my slightly fuller figure-I had been gaining weighttely, which was a good thing, but still made me feel self


    conscious.


    Zoe''s eyes widened as I approached the group, her gaze sweeping over me appraisingly and momentarily lingering on myrger breasts. Even Noah, standing by the firece, seemed taken aback by my appearance.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    But it was Drake''s reaction that caught me off guard. His eyes locked onto mine, a mixture of surprise and something else I couldn''t quite ce flickering across his face.


    I just stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say. The room was full of people, many of whom had returned to their idle conversations, but I felt like I was in my own little bubble of silence.


    Zoe, surprisingly, was the one who broke that silence. Before I could say a word, she was hurrying over to me with two sses of champagne-one in each hand. "Hannah," she said, her hips swinging as she strode up to me. "Drink?" (1)


    I hesitated, knowing I should refuse, but Zoe''s expectant look made me falter. I''d have to swap it out for a non-alcoholic one, of course, but perhaps not beneath her prying eyes. Right now, with the divorceing closer and closer by the day, I couldn''t risk anyone else finding out about the baby. "... thanks, Zoe," I finally said.


    As I epted the ss, however, Drake smoothly intercepted. "Actually, I think Hannah might prefer this one," he said, his fingers brushing against mine as he swapped my drink for another. "I know you prefer gin and tonics over champagne." My eyes widened slightly. Drake winked at me subtly, turning his head so that only I could see. Frowning, I nced down at the bubbling ss-and it was then that I realized he had given me a non-alcoholic alternative. Upon taking a sip, I discovered that it was just Sprite with a slice of lime in it. "Oh, um, yes. Thank you, Drake," I said, smiling gratefully. I nced over at Zoe, who was checking her nails with disinterest, and felt my shoulders sag slightly with relief. As I took another sip of my soda, I caught Noah''s eye from across the room. But he quickly looked away, his jaw tightening. Chapter 0193


    Dinner passed in a blur ofughter and small talk, of catching up with old friends and packmates who I hadn''t seen in a while. Congrattory toasts were had, speeches were made, dessert was served, and all the while, I kept a pleasant smile on my face and continued to sip my soda. As thest tes were cleared and the party began to split off into small groups of people dancing, ying games, and chatting, I excused myself to freshen up. I slipped into the bathroom and took a deep breath, running my fingers through my perfectly-curled hair. Exhaling, I turned sideways in the mirror. There, ever so slight, was a little bump on my lower belly-not my baby just yet, but something just as precious. A little bit of extra, healthy, flesh.


    I couldn''t help but smile a bit as I looked in the mirror. Since the beginning of my eating disorder recovery journey, I had officially gained eight pounds. And it showed, too, not just in the fat deposits on my body, but in my hair, my skin, my eyes. I was... glowing. Things were looking up, weren''t they?


    For a moment, though, my fingers itched for my phone. I had been checking that damn forum post every day, watching as the likes ticked up one by one. Last week, it had already been at five thousand. The count had since slowed, only reaching a little less than six thousand now, but... still."

 Chapter 194

    Chapter 0194


    Before I could pull my phone out and check, I quickly shook my head and turned back toward the door. No. I wouldn''tment over some bullshit forum post; it was likely just a troll, someone trying to get inte clout at my expense. Besides, there was no proof anywhere that Noah and I were getting a divorce... Right?


    When I finally returned to the party, the sound of voices in the study carried out into the hallway. Rounding the corner, I found a small group gathered there: Noah, Drake, a few others, and... Zoe, ofText ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    course.


    "There she is!" Drake called out when he saw me. "We''re just starting a game. Care to join?"


    I approached cautiously, still gripping my ''gin and tonic in my hand. "What kind of game?" "Truth or drink," Drake replied.


    I raised an eyebrow. "Truth or... Drink?"


    "It''s like truth or dare, except only truth. Drink if you don''t want to answer, or if someone calls you out correctly on a lie," Zoe replied, leaning against Noah''s desk. Noah, meanwhile, was silent-sitting in his swiveling office chair with a stony expression on his face. Against my better judgment, I sat down in one of the chairs opposite the desk and crossed my ankles, pointedly ignoring the feeling of both Drake''s and Noah''s eyes on my cleavage. "Alright, sure. I''ll y."


    The game started off tame enough, with innocuous truths and obvious bluffs. I sipped my soda each time, watching as the others got drunk in front of me. But as the game went on, the questions grew bolder. Drake''s turn came, and he fixed his gaze on me. "I pick Hannah," he said, pointing at me from around the rim of his ss.


    "Hit me."


    He leaned forward, his eyes suddenly growing intense in a way that made me instinctively lean back in my chair. "Would you ever be attracted to a man other than Noah?"


    The room fell silent. I could feel Noah''s eyes boring into me, both waiting for my answer and silently daring me to watch what would happen if I did. My heart raced as I considered my options. Tell the truth, bluff, or...


    I reached for my ss, taking a long sip-the coward''s way out. Noah''s jaw clenched, but he remained silent.


    Zoe''s eyes narrowed, flicking between Drake and me. "My turn," she suddenly said, standing from the edge of Noah''s desk, where she had been perched this entire time. "I choose Drake." Drake nodded, seemingly unfazed. "Go on."


    Zoe''s lips curled into a smirk. "Do you have feelings for anyone in this group?"


    Drake''s confidence faltered. He looked at Zoe, then his gaze shifted to me. Our eyes met, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the room. Then, without breaking eye contact, he raised his ss and drank. Chapter 01


    EEGBB Underworld Aristocrat I Graffiti Street M249 Full Maxed I Bonus Pass I PUBG #EEGBB


    Zoe huffed, clearly annoyed. "Coward," she muttered, sinking back down onto the edge of Noah''s desk. z


    The tension in the room was palpable by this point, only broken when Noah stood abruptly. "I think that''s enough for tonight," he said, pping his hands together and turning to one of the other guests. "How about we make our way to the living room? Steven, I''ve been meaning to show you my new record yer."


    The other guest nodded, following Noah-whose shoulder brushed me and made me grit my teeth as he passed-out of the room. As the others began to disperse as well, I caught Drake''s arm. "Can we talk? Privately?"


    He nodded, following me out onto the small veranda behind Noah''s office. The cool night air was a wee relief after the stuffy room, and I paused for a moment, my fingers tightening around the railing.


    Finally, I turned to face him and crossed my arms. "What was that back there?"


    Drake ran a hand through his hair, looking conflicted. "Hannah, I..,"


    "You what?" I pressed. "You''ve been acting strange all night. The drink swap, the looks, and now this?"


    He stepped closer, his eyes roaming shamelessly over me in a way that made my face instinctively redden. "Can''t you guess?"


    I felt my breath catch, and I quickly took a step back. "No. I''m not ying games anymore, so you''d better just tell me what''s going on."


    He sighed, and his gaze was intense as it met mine. "I think you know, Hannah."

 Chapter 195

    Chapter 0195 Hannah


    "I think you know, Hannah."


    I stared at Drake after he uttered those words, my mind reeling. Was he implying what I thought he was? That he had feelings for me? It couldn''t be possible; he loved Zoe more than anyone, and we were just friends. We had established that already. No, that wasn''t it; surely I was just reading into things. But my heart continued to race despite myself, and I found myself at a loss for words. Finally, I managed to stammer out, "But... What about Zoe?"


    Drake sighed deeply and ran a hand through his dark hair, which was slightly ruffled by the evening breeze. "Zoe and I... I think I''ve realized that we''re just not a good match," he admitted.


    He paused, shaking his head, and leaned against the veranda railing. His throat bobbed as he tilted his head up and swallowed, staring at the sky. "I''ve given up on trying to rekindle things with her. It''s over." "What do you mean?" I asked, frowning. Only a week ago, he had been dying for that date with her at the restaurant. "Did something else happen?"


    He pursed his lips for a moment, thinking. "I think... What Zoe wants is a strong Alpha to hold her in the palm of his hand like a porcin doll," he muttered, his eyes taking on a faraway look. "And I''m... well, I''m just not in a position where I can-nor do I want to-do that." I raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that that''s what she needs?"


    Drake shrugged. "After that failed date, I ran after her," he said slowly, his eyebrows furrowing as though the memory pained him. "I finally managed to corner her, and we talked for a long time. She said a lot of things, but I could tell-deep down, she really just wants to be pampered, treated like a princess, never having to lift a finger. And I''m not sure if I want to do that for someone." For a moment, my mouth hung open in surprise. So the independent, job-searching, single mom Zoe wanted to be pampered... It was a bit shocking, to say the least.


    "So you''re saying...


    I


    "I''m saying," he said, pushing away from the railing and shooting me a sidelong nce, "that I think I''ve realizedtely that if I''m going to be with a woman, I''d prefer someone who is strong. Someone who is independent. Someone who works hard, takes initiative in her own life. Someone like...


    His voice trailed off, but his gaze lingered on me. We stood in silence for a moment, the implications of his words hanging heavy in the air between us.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    guess that means I''m released from my contract to help you win her back?" I murmured in an attempt to bring some levity to the situation, although my voice cracked ever so slightly despite my best efforts.


    A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, I suppose it does."


    I couldn''t help but feel a bit relieved. One lessplication in my alreadyplicated life... Or so it seemed. But nothing was ever simple, was it? "But Drake," I said, shaking my head, "if you''re implying what I think you''re implying..."


    1/3


    +25


    His eyes locked onto mine as my words died, his gaze intense and utterly unreadable. "Hannah, I-" "There you are!"


    The sound of Noah''s voice caused us both to jerk our heads up, and it was only then that I realized how close we were standing-Drake had taken a step closer to me without me even realizing it. I turned to see Noah standing in the doorway, his eyes flicking between Drake and and me, and I quickly stepped back with my heart thundering in my chest.


    "What are you two doing?" he asked as he nced back and forth between the two of us.


    Drake


    e offered Noah an easy smile and waved his hand dismissively. "Just talking." Noah narrowed his eyes slightly with disbelief, but didn''t pry-not for the time being, at least. "Well, the photographer wants to get a group photo," he said in a rather clipped tone of voice. "Come on, Hannah. You need to be standing next to me."


    I nced back at Drake, who gave me a small nod. ''We''ll talkter,'' his gaze seemed to say. I wasn''t sure how I felt about that. Maybe I didn''t want to talk. Maybe I just wanted to be left alone.


    Swallowing hard, I followed Noah back into the house. As we walked, he slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me close to his side. The heat of his body against mine through the thin silk of my dress sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt my stomach twist. "Noah-"


    My


    "I don''t want to know," he growled, his fingers digging into the soft flesh at my hip. "Just stay by my side for the remainder of the night. That''s all I ask." face flushed hotly at the order, but I didn''t protest. We joined the rest of the guests in the living room, where the photographer was setting up her camera. Noah kept his arm firmly around me as we posed for the picture. Just before the sh went off, I couldn''t help but look up at him. His jaw was set, his eyes focused straight ahead. On the outside, he looked just as cool and collected as always.


    And yet, there was something almost... possessive about the way he held me. Something territorial about the way his fingers remained dug into my hip, about the way that he kept me held tightly to his side. And as I turned back to the camera, I caught Drake''s eye from across the room. He was standing off to the side, watching us with an unreadable expression on his face. Noah must have noticed, because his grip on me tightened even further. I felt my cheeks flush, a mix of embarrassment and... something else whirling through me. Something that felt dangerously close to arousal, no matter how much I tried to deny it.


    The remainder of the party passed in a blur of small talk and forced smiles. My feet, which had begun to swell slightly as ofte due to the pregnancy, were killing me in these heels. But I kept a pleasant expression stered on my face, determined not to show any weakness. Not in front of Zoe, or Noah, or even Drake, for that matter.


    Finally, mercifully, thest couple of guests left. As soon as the door closed behind them, I sank into the nearest chair with a heavy sigh and kicked my shoes off onto the floor.


    2/3


    213


    "Oh, Goddess," I groaned, reaching down to rub my aching soles. "I thought they''d never leave."


    Noah huffed and loosened his tie as he walked over to the sofa. There was a long silence between us as I continued rubbing my own feet and he worked at the topmost buttons of his shirt. When he finally turned, his eyes flickered first to my feet and calves, then to the pained expression on my face. "You good?" he asked, his voice gruff.


    I shrugged. "My heels were just hurting me. That''s all."


    Noah stood there for a moment, just looking at me. Then, to my shock, he knelt down in front of my chair and pushed his sleeves up.


    "Here," he said, patting his knee with one hand. "Put your feet up. I''ll give you a massage."

 Chapter 196

    Chapter 0196


    Hannah & Noah Hannah''s POV


    My leg tensed instinctively as Noah reached for it, a questioning look in his weary eyes. Frowning, he muttered, "Do you want the massage or not?"


    Even though I knew I shouldn''t and that it would only make things moreplicated, I slowly extended my leg. Noah grabbed my ankle almost impatiently yet with a surprising amount of gentleness and pulled it the rest of the way, setting it on top of his thigh. The tips of my ears instantly turned red. Whether Noah noticed or not, I wasn''t sure; but he certainly must have noticed when his fingers slowly began working the soft flesh of my calf, considering the fact that my face flushed the deepest crimson known to man. For a few moments that felt like an eternity, the room was mostly silent-save for the soft sound of music. still ying on the record yer. My throat bobbed as I swallowed hard and looked away, averting my gaze to the floor, the curtains, the empty champagne flutes scattered around the room. Anywhere but at him.


    Finally, he cleared his throat as he ran his fingers along my leg. "What were you and Drake talking about earlier?" he murmured.


    There it was. My leg tensed again, although when I tried to pull away, Noah just tightened his grip and shot me a reproachful look through hisshes.


    I sighed and pushed a curl out of my eyes. "Nothing, really. He was just telling me what happened between him and Zoe after that failed date." A half-lie. Noah pursed his lips. "I see. And?"


    "I guess he''s giving up. He and Zoe aren''tpatible."


    "Are you two morepatible?"


    His words made me freeze. For a moment, my eyes remained fixed on the fringe lining the edge of the carpet, too terrified to look at him. When I finally did, though, he wasn''t looking at me. His gaze was still on my calf, his fingers still smoothly running up and down my skin and kneading into my sore muscles. "What are you saying, Noah?"


    He merely shrugged. "It''s clear that Drake likes you now more than he does Zoe; maybe you share those feelings."


    "Noah, I-"


    "I''m not mad. If you want him, that''s up to you; all I ask is that you wait until we''re divorced to act on anything," he muttered, his green eyes finally lifting momentarily to meet mine.


    1 didn''t know what to say; if there were even any words that could be said at that moment, then they died in the back of my throat.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    1/2


    After a long, heated moment, I looked away again and clenched my jaw. "I don''t see Drake like that. You know what my ns are after we get divorced, and he''s not a part of them." "Not yet, anyway."


    My throat tightened at that, but I didn''t respond. I wasn''t interested in Drake in a romantic sense, but I also knew that there was no convincing Noah otherwise. Still, his fingers continued to work at the sore muscles of my legs, and I couldn''t help but lean my head back against the chair and shut my eyes.


    We stayed like that for a long time, the only sounds between us that of the music once again. Noah''s hands worked skillfully and methodically, trailing heated paths up and down my calves and over the soles of my sore feet.


    Then, his fingers began to move upwards-past my calves, skimming over my knees... And they began to push the hem of my skirt up ever so slightly to get at my thighs.


    When he began to massage along the soft skin there, my eyes snapped open of their own ord. Flushing once more, I looked down to see that Noah was staring at me-perhaps he had been this whole time.


    "Noah..."


    He didn''t respond, but he didn''t need to. Slowly, his fingers slid up beneath my skirt, gently massaging my inner and outer thighs. Despite my best efforts, I felt myself squirm in the chair, an undeniable heat creeping up from where his fingers grazed my skin and radiating throughout my lower body.

 Chapter 197

    Chapter 0197


    "Are you sore here, too?" he murmured.


    My face reddened, my teeth instinctively working my lower lip. But I nodded, if only to see how far he would go.


    Slowly and gently, but firmly, he began to press into my thighs. I squirmed again, my hips grinding into the soft cushion. Was he going to...?


    There was no helping the soft gasp that escaped my lips when it happened-when his fingers moved up, up, no longer even kneading into my muscles, but rather reaching... For my panties. And then, like an electric shock, they pressed into the thince. My mouth hung open, but his gaze didn''t waver. Those deep, dark green eyes of his bored into me as his fingers pressed harder there, deeper until I thought I might lose myself entirely. And all the while, he never once looked away.


    I didn''t know what was happening, why he was doing this. But I knew why I didn''t move away from his touch: I wanted it. This. Him.


    But then, it was over just as quickly as it had begun. With a flick of his wrist, he pulled his fingers out from underneath my skirt, slowly raising them to the light. If it was even possible, my face flushed harder upon seeing the slight sheen to his fingertips. I was wet. Gushing, really.


    For a moment, I wasn''t sure what Noah might do-leap onto me, maybe? Take me right there, on the living room floor? Or maybe run for the hills?


    He didn''t do any of those things. Rather, he simply sighed, wiped his fingers on his trousers, and stood.


    "Goodnight," he muttered before turning on his heel and striding from the room.


    Noah''s POV


    Noah tossed and turned in the guest bed, the springs creaking beneath him. Goddess, he needed to upgrade the bed for this room; it was hardly any better than the sofa in his office.


    Sighing, Noah sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He stood and padded out of the room, shirtless, and made his way toward the kitchen for a ss of water.


    "Noah..."


    A soft voice caused him to stop in the pitch ck hallway. With his heart thundering in his chest, he turned, expecting Hannah to be standing there-a nightmare, maybe? Or perhaps she couldn''t sleep, either? But Hannah wasn''t there. Rather, the sound wasing from the room next door-their marriage bed, long since turned into her private chambers. The door was cracked open ever so slightly, a dim light spilling out into the hallway, Chapter 0197 Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Noah..."


    Frowning, Noah leaned closer. If she needed him, then she certainly could have called more loudly for him rather than whispering under her breath like a ghost in the night. But as he drew nearer to the door, he began to realize that she wasn''t calling for him at all-not really, anyway.


    Carefully so as not to alert her, Noah peered through the cracked door. And his eyes widened when he saw what was inside.


    There was Hannah, eyes shut, all but her head and shoulders hidden beneath the thin white sheet. But she wasn''t sleeping, oh no; her hands were moving under the covers. Her hands were moving...


    "Noah," she whimpered, squeezing her eyes shut tighter. "Oh..."


    Noah stood frozen in the doorway. The bedsidemp, casting a gentle glow onto her slender frame, illuminated the white sheets. From where he stood, he could just make out the silhouette of her nude body, her back arching and her fingers swirling. Was she...?


    Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, a gasp not of ecstasy, but of fear escaping her lips.


    It was all Noah could do to slip behind the wall before she saw him watching her.

 Chapter 199

    0199


    Chapter 0199 Chapter Hannah


    I took a deep breath as Noah and I stepped up onto the altar. The crowd fell silent, all eyes on us as we prepared to begin the ceremony. The scent of incense filled the air as it was waved over us, the smoke curling around our bodies in fragrant gray tendrils. "Oh, Moon Goddess..."


    With practiced ease, Noah and I began our prayers to the Moon Goddess. The words-which we had been practicing for two weeks now-flowed from my lips easily, a traditional chant to plead with the Moon Goddess for the blessing of a good year. But they felt empty-pointless. Like nothing more than reciting a lecture.


    ncing over at Noah, I saw that his eyes were downcast, his hands sped in front of him. I sucked in a breath through my nose when he nced back at me and caught me looking. Focus, Hannah...This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Shutting my eyes, I pursed my lips and focused on the words. Anything but that charged moment between us in the dressing room. Anything but that. Today was supposed to be about the Moon Goddess, the deity who had given me-and my baby-a second chance at life. Nothing more, nothing less.


    As we finished, an attendant approached, carrying two cloth-wrapped bundles containing our offerings.


    I reached for mine, feeling the weight of my offering in my hands. The item inside was precious to me, although no one but the Goddess would know what it was. Noah did the same with his own private offering, and together we ced our bundles on the altar while the incense filled our senses.


    For a moment, I lingered there over the altar, my fingers resting on top of my bundle. Noah had already finished, and was rising to his feet. But I remained. "Hannah-"


    "One moment," I murmured, shooting him a sidelong nce. "I''m not ready."


    Noah raised his finger to stop me, but then lowered it again. The crowd was silent, save for the wind rustling through the trees. Focus, Hannah... I shut my eyes again, and this time, I really focused.


    "Thank you, Moon Goddess," I thought to myself, my fingers fluttering away from my offering anding to settle on my lower belly. "Thank you for this second chance..."


    Maybe she didn''t hear me as I thought those words. Maybe she couldn''t hear anything, and maybe I was just making a fool out of myself. But I couldn''t help it; today was about the Moon Goddess, and I needed to thank her.


    Because in my past life, my death would have just been days from now. Days.


    A long moment passed, the only sound that of the tiny bell chiming in the wind over the altar. When I finally opened my eyes, I was met with Noah''s concerned gaze.


    1/2


    "You alright?"


    Nodding quickly, I sniffled and stood, turning to face the crowd. I hadn''t realized it, but a small tear had slipped free from my eyes and streaked down my face, and I quickly wiped it away before anyone could notice.


    Noah and I bowed at the waist, and the gathered attendees did the same. Finally, a loud bell was rung, signifying the beginning of the Lunar Festival.


    As the ceremony concluded, the festival burst into life around us. Music filled the air, and the scent of traditional foods wafted on the breeze. It wasn''t long before I found myself swept up in the festivities,ughing and ying games with my friends. "Oh, look!" Viona eximed, pointing to a nearby stand. "They''re selling crescent cakes!"


    I grinned at the mention of the treat-a sweet, ice cream-filled wafer in the shape of a crescent moon. "I haven''t had that in years," I said as Viona grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the stand.


    We made our way to the stand, joining the growing line. As we waited, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning, I found Drake standing behind me with a warm smile on his face.


    "Luna Hannah," he said, dipping his head respectfully in front ofpany. "The Lunar Festival is amazing. You''ve really outdone yourself."


    I felt a flush of pride at his words. After all our hard work, it was finally here. It was bittersweet, in a way. Thanks, Drake. I''m d you''re enjoying it."


    Finally, it was my turn to order. I got my crescent cake, taking a bite before the vendor even gave me back my change. As I turned to rejoin my friends, I noticed that the vani ice cream inside was already starting to melt in the humid evening air.

 Chapter 200

    Chapter 0200


    Before I could react, a drop of ice cream slid down the side of my pinky, threatening to stain my ceremonial robe. Suddenly, Drake''s hand shot out, catching my wrist. In one swift motion, he leaned in and licked the melting ice cream from my hand. Our eyes met as he pulled back, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. There was an intensity in his gaze that made my cheeks burn, and yet I felt too frozen to even look away. "Careful," he murmured, his voice husky. "Wouldn''t want to ruin that beautiful robe."


    I blinked, suddenly aware of how close we were standing. A mix of emotions swirled through me then- embarrassment, confusion, and something else I couldn''t quite name. ncing over Drake''s shoulder, I caught sight of Noah watching us from across the festival grounds. The fury in his eyes made my stomach drop.


    It was only then that my muscles finally reacted.


    "Drake," I hissed, yanking my hand away. "What are you doing? That was way too brazen."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    His eyes widened, realization dawning on his face. "I''m sorry, Hannah. I wasn''t thinking. I just "


    "You can''t do things like that," I cut him off, making a show of raising my hand to stop him. "I''m still married, you know. And even if I weren''t..." My voice trailed off, but the implication remained: even if I weren''t married, Drake and I were still just friends. Just friends. Contrary to popr belief, apparently.


    A look of confusion crossed Drake''s face. "But... I heard a rumor that you... that you wanted me. Romantically, I mean."


    "What?" I eximed, nearly dropping my ice cream. "Where did you hear that?"


    Drake''s face fell, embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "... I''m sorry. I must have misunderstood. Goddess, I feel like an idiot."


    I sighed and turned, pursing my lips. Rumors. Of course there were always rumors. "It''s fine, Drake. Just... promise me you won''t do anything like that again," I muttered.


    Drake opened his mouth to say something, but then shut it again. He only managed to nod stiffly before he turned and disappeared into the crowd.


    As Drake walked away, I couldn''t help but nce back at Noah-hoping that he had seen me reject Drake. But he was gone.


    My eyes did catch Viona, however, who was standing a little ways off-and looking ufortable as a young man tried to engage her in conversation. I made my way over, gently linking my arm with hers. "Everything okay here?" I asked, giving the man a pointed look.


    Viona smiled gratefully. "Yes, thank you, Hannah. I was just leaving. It was good seeing you, Andrew."


    The young man, tall and thin with sandy curls, nodded sheepishly and dipped his head. "You too, Viona. Hope to see you soon."


    As we walked away, I could already see the tension leaving Viona''s shoulders. "What was that about?" I asked softly, nudging her with my elbow.


    She exhaled deeply and ran a hand through her hair. "That''s Andrew. My parents... they''re trying to set up an arranged marriage between us." I nearly choked on my ice cream. "What? Since when?"


    "Since, like, two weeks ago," she admitted. When I shot her a withering re, she quickly added, "You''ve been so busy, I didn''t want to bother you."


    I pursed my lips. "But you''re so young, Viona. Why are your parents suddenly deciding to do this?"


    Viona shrugged, her eyes downcast and her ice cream untouched. "I''ve told them I''m not interested, but they keep pushing. They say it''s a good match, that it''ll secure our family''s future."


    "But what about what you want?" I asked, stopping and turning to look at her.


    She frowned. "I don''t want to get married. Not now, anyway. I want to date, to enjoy my youth. Is that so wrong?"


    "Of course not. You should do what makes you happy, Viona. Take it from me-marriage to someone without true love can be... stifling."


    As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Not because they weren''t true, but because of who might have heard them. Sure enough, a familiar voice spoke up behind us, and I felt my stomach drop. "Is that so?"

 Chapter 201

    0201


    Chapter 0201 Chapter Hannah


    ""Is that so?"


    I froze, my heart skipping a beat as I heard Noah''s voice behind us. How much of that had he heard? Enough, apparently, to warrant saying something. Viona and I turned slowly, both of us caught off guard by his sudden appearance. "Noah," I said, my voice a bit hoarse. The sensation of Drake''s lips on my hand still lingered, even more so now that Noah was lookin directly in the eyes. "I didn''t see you there."


    His green eyes were hard a as she approached. "Clearly," he said, his tone t. "I couldn''t help but overhear your... enlightening conversation." gaze f


    Viona stepped forward, her chin raised defiantly. "This was a private discussion between friends, Noah. Hannah was helping me with some personal matters. It had nothing to do with you."This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Noah''s


    flickered over to my friend for a moment before returning to me. "Is that so? Because it sounded an awful lot like my wife was discussing our marriage."


    I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. What could I say? He had heard the truth, as painful as it was. Noah and I didn''t love each other anymore-and frankly, I wasn''t sure if he had ever loved me to begin with. I had certainly loved him in the beginning, those feelings had long since faded.


    Noah suddenly said, his voice softening ever so slightly. "Can we talk? Alone?"


    I nced at Viona, who gave me a concerned look. "It''s alright," I assured her. "I''ll catch up with youter. Go find Amber and Emma for me, would you?"


    Viona pursed I her lips, but nodded. As she reluctantly walked away, I turned to Noah.


    "What did t did you need?" I asked.


    Noah regarded me for a moment before replying, "Would you care to walk with me?" He nodded his head toward the bustling festival grounds, the throng of people practically solid between the rows of booths


    and attractions.


    Sure."


    Nodding, I fell into step beside Noah. We walked in silence through the pathways for a few moments, the sounds of the festival fading into the background behind us. Somewhere in the distance, the drums and flutes of the band were thrumming continually, but I hardly heard it anymore over the sound of my own pulse in my ears.


    After a little while, I opened my mouth to tell Noah what I had been talking about with Viona-as well as what he had seen with Drake. But he beat me to the punch.


    Before I could utter a word, he suddenly said, "What was that little disy with Drake earlier?" When I didn''t answer right away, too stunned to speak, he continued. "I saw you two by the ice cream stand," he said, his jaw tightening. "It looked... intimate." I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair. "It wasn''t what it looked like. Drake,... he misheard some rumors about me. He thought I was interested in him romantically."


    1/3


    +25


    Chapter 0201 Noah''s


    h''s eyebrows shot up. "And are you?"


    "No!" I said quickly, stopping in my tracks and turning to face him. "Of course not. I told him it wasn''t true and asked him not to do anything like that again."


    Noah was quiet for a moment, processing this information. My face was beet red beneath his gaze, although I wasn''t sure if he noticed or if he was too lost in his thoughts to notice much of anything. "Well I''m surprised," he finally said. "Drake seems like he would be a good match for you."


    I inhaled sharply. "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    He shrugged and met my gaze squarely. "You two have gotten close in the recent weeks. He seems to like you, and if he''s interested


    "Noah," I said, my voice surprisly firm despite the way that my heart was racing, "I''m not interested in Drake. Or anyone else, for that matter."


    "No one?" he asked. "Even once we''re divorced, you wouldn''t consider being with him?"


    I shook my head and lowered my voice. "My only n after our divorce is to return to my pack. Trust me, I don''t have any... backup men in mind."


    Something in Noah''s posture seemed to change then. Relief, maybe? His shoulders slumped slightly, and he let out a long breath. "Right," he muttered. "Of course."


    We continued walking through the festival grounds, the atmosphere between us tense and ufortable. I was acutely aware of every brush of our shoulders, every sidelong nce.


    But then, as we passed by the various vendor booths, something caught my eye. A small stand was selling handmade baby clothes-tiny onesies, knit booties, and adorable crocheted hats in soft pastel


    colors.


    realizing it, I had stopped stare.


    Wannabe Noah''s voice broke through my reverie. "What are you looking at?"


    Hann


    I tore my gaze away from the booth, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "Oh, nothing. Just... those baby clothes." I gestured to the booth. "They''re sort of cute, don''t you think?"


    Noah''s i brow t furrowed I as he followed my finger and looked at the disy. "I suppose," he said slowly. "t didn''t think you were interested in that sort of thing."


    "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.


    He turned to face me, his eyes searching mine. "Well, you made it pretty clear that you''re not interested in having a baby. Not with me, at least." memory


    The


    of that night in the woods, which weren''t far from where we stood now, hit me like a punch to the gut. "I... that''s not..." I stammered, struggling to find the right words. Involuntarily, my hand moved to touch my lower belly where, unbeknownst to Noah, his child was currently taking route. Noah''s gaze dropped to my belly, then back up to my face. There was a question in his eyes, one that made my heart race.


    "Hannah," he said slowly, taking a halting step toward me and narrowing his eyes, "Are you sure there isn''t


    +25


    0201


    hing you''re not telling me?"


    I opened my mouth, but no words woulde out. My mind was spinning, trying toe up with an exnation, an excuse, anything. Once again, I was on the verge of being found out-and once again, a little part of me, no matter how small, wanted to tell him. "I''m pregnant," I wanted to say. "I''m pregnant with your baby."


    As I stood there, Viona''s words from the night I had told her everything came back to mind. Maybe she was right; maybe I should tell Noah. Maybe it wasn''t fair to keep the truth from him. Maybe it was time...


    I could only imagine his reaction; perhaps he would be so thrilled that he would kiss me right here, right in front of everyone. Perhap would pick me up and spin me around and vow to make things right between us.


    But I knew that that wouldn''t be the case. He would be furious that I hadn''t told him sooner. And he would hold both me and my baby hostage in a loveless marriage... forever.


    "Hannah...?" Noah urged, snapping me out of my reverie once again.


    I opened my mouth to respond with something, anything. But before I could speak, a loud crack of thunder split the air.


    Suddenly, rain began to pour from the sky, fat droplets sttering against the ground and soaking us within seconds.

 Chapter 202

    Chapter 0202 Hannah


    The sudden downpour of rain caught everyone, myself and Noah included, off guard. Gasping, I stumbled backwards beneath the onught of cold water, my mouth hanging open. Even Noah''s eyes went wide as he took in the scene around us, his hair already stered to his head. Within seconds, the festival grounds had gone from a peaceful celebration to a chaotic mess of people rushing to save decorations, food, and-mostly-themselves from the unexpected downpour. Noah and I needed to move quickly if we were going to save the festival from certain disaster.


    "We need to move everythin


    c!" Noah shouted over the deafening cacophony of rain and panicked


    voices. "Hannah, help me direct the vendors!"


    I nodded, already soaked to the bone-having utterly forgotten what we were just talking about moments prior. "On it!"


    Noah and I split up, each taking a side of the festival grounds. I ran from booth to booth, urging vendors to pack up their wares and head for the dance hall inside the mansion.


    "Leave anything that can''t be saved!" I cried out, my voice nearly lost in the rain. "Just grab what you can and go!"


    The rain wasing down in sheets now, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead. I slipped and slid through the mud, my ceremonial robes clinging to my skin, but I didn''t pull my focus away from the task at hand.


    However, as I rounded a corner, a group of people rushing past knocked into me. I lost my footing and fell hard,nding face-first in a puddle with a grunt.


    "Luna Hannah!" someone gasped. "Are you alright?"Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    I pushed myself up, spitting out muddy water and wiping it from my eyes. Thankfully, I hadn''t hurt myself. " I''m fine," I assured them, waving them on. "Go, get inside!"


    As I started to stand, something in the mud caught my eye. I reached down and pulled it out, recognizing the soaked cloth bundle immediately. It was Noah''s offering from the ceremony.


    For a moment, I hesitated. It wasn''t my ce to take it, and it wasn''t my responsibility, but I couldn''t just leave it here in the mud. Making a split-second decision, I tucked the bundle into my pocket and hurried toward the throng of people sprinting toward the mansion. Inside, the atmosphere was chaotic but a bit less frantic. People were shaking out umbres, wringing water from their clothes, and vendors were setting up impromptu stalls wherever they could find space in therge dance hall.


    I spotted Noah across the room, directing servants and barking orders. "Put the food tables over there!" he was saying, his voice echoing loudly through the vaulted ceilings. "And make sure we have enough towels for everyone!"


    As I made my way toward him, thumbing his offering in my pocket, a delicate hand suddenly whipped out from the crowd and grabbed my arm. I turned to find Zoe, her usually perfect blonde hair stered to her


    1/2


    forehead and her mascara smudged around her eyes.


    "Some festival, huh?" she said, wiping water from her face with a small towel.


    I forced a smile. "We couldn''t have predicted this. At least everyone''s safe inside now, and the festival


    can go on."


    Zoe paused, wiping her face onest time. When she moved the towel away, I saw that her eyes were a bit narrowed, glinting with something I couldn''t quite read. "Maybe we should have seen iting. A freak storm on the day of the Lunar Festival? Seems like more than just bad luck to me, don''t you agree?"


    "I''m not sure if I follow," I replied slowly, despite the fact that there was a small knot beginning to form in the pit of my stomach for reasons I couldn''t quite ce my finger on.


    "I''m saying..." Zoe leaned in c That maybe the Moon Goddess is trying to tell us something. Maybe she''s angry."


    and lowered her voice as though she didn''t want to be overheard. "...

 Chapter 203

    Chapter 0203


    The venom in her words gave me pause. "I didn''t take you as the religious type," I said, furrowing my brow.


    Zoe simply shrugged. "I''m not, really. But rain wasn''t in the forecast today, and now for it to start downpouring like this out of nowhere..."


    Her voice trailed off meaningfully. I opened and closed my mouth a few times, unsure of how to answer... Whatever it was that she was implying. But before I could respond, Noah suddenly appeared at my side.


    "Hannah, there you are," he said. His eyes widened as he took in my appearance. "Goddess, you''repletely covered in mud. What the hell happened to you?"


    I pursed my lips and wiped a bit of water out of my eyes. "I fell."


    Noah eyed me up and down, his expression softening ever so slightly as he looked at me. Finally, he muttered, "Come on, let''s get you cleaned up."


    Without waiting for a response, he took my arm and led me away from Zoe, whose eyes I could feel boring holes into my back. No doubt she was p***d that she, too, was soaked to the bone and Noah had hardly paid her any mind. Honestly, I wasn''t even sure if he recognized her in her current state with everything else going on.


    Noah guided me down the hall, up the stairs, and to my bedroom. Once we were inside, he turned and closed the door behind us. The room was blissfully silent, the door effectively shutting out the chaos in the dance hall below.


    "We need to get you out of these wet clothes before you catch a cold," he said brusquely and without preamble.


    SPContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    I nodded, suddenly feeling oddly small under his intense gaze. Before I could protest, Noah stepped forward and began tugging at my muddy robes, his movements quick and forceful. I winced as he pulled a bit too hard on a tangled section of my sash, which had gotten utterly caked with mud when 1 fell.


    "Noah, I can do it myself," I protested weakly.


    He ignored me and continued to undress me with an efficiency that felt more clinical than intimate. "Do you have something else to wear?" he asked. "Plenty," I said stiffly.


    Noah nodded and continued to work. His fingers brushed my cor bone as he tugged my robe aside, parting the fabric to reveal myce bra underneath. My face reddened, my fingers moving to quickly shut the robe, but this only seemed to frustrate him. "We don''t have time for this, Hannah."


    "Then let me do it myself."


    "I''m trying to help-"


    Suddenly, as he yanked at my outer robe with frustration, I felt something shift in my pocket.


    1/2


    Toote, I remembered Noah''s offering. The bundle slipped out, hitting the floor with a wet st. The impact caused the soaked piece of cloth to fall open, revealing something inside.


    Noah froze, his eyes fixed on the object. "What''s-" he began, but his voice cut off sharply when he realized what it was: his offering.


    Before he could reach for it, I dove down and snatched it up. It was a folded piece of paper, miraculously dry thanks to the protective cloth. With trembling fingers, I opened it.


    My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the photograph in my hands. It was an old photo, a bit worn around the edges but still clear. In it, two teenagers smiled at the camera, their arms wrapped around each other and their cheeks pressed together. One was unmistakably a younger Noah. And the girl beside him, her face radiant and filled with joy, was Zoe.

 Chapter 204

    Chapter 0204


    Hannah & Noah Hannah''s POV


    A younger Noah and Zoe stared up at me from the faded old photographs, joyous smiles stered across their youthful faces. I hadn''t seen Noah smile like that in... I couldn''t even remember how long. Years. And he had offered this, a memory of that joy that he had never truly felt with me, to the Moon Goddess.


    For a long time, I could only stare at the photo in disbelief, my hands shaking. "Noah, what is this?" I finally breathed once I found my voice. "Why... Why would you offer a picture of you and Zoe to the Moon Goddess, of all the things to offer?" Noah''s eyes widened, and he quickly reached out to grab the photo from my hands. "Hannah, that''s not mine-"


    "Don''t lie to me!" I snapped, jerking the picture away from his grasp before he could take it. "I recognize the fabric. This is your offering. I found it in the mud, and now I wish I had left it there."


    "Hannah, it''s not mine," Noah insisted, his voice rising. "Look, I don''t know how that got there, but it''s not what I offered."


    "Oh, yeah? What did you offer, then?" I asked.


    Noah floundered for a moment, the tips of his ears turning red. "I... I can''t tell you."


    "Of course not. Because there was nothing else." I scoffed, struggling to fight back the burning tears that were pricking at the backs of my eyes. "The offering was supposed to be something precious to you. And you chose this?" I threw the photo at his chest, watching as it fluttered to the ground between us.


    After a brief, tense silence, Noah bent to pick it up, his face a mixture of confusion and frustration." Hannah, you have to listen to me," he said as he dusted off the photograph. "This isn''t what you think."


    "Then what is it?" I demanded, crossing my arms over my chest. "Exin to me why you had a picture of you and Zoe wrapped in the cloth of your offering. Exin to me why you still even have that picture to begin with."


    Noah ran a hand through his hair, clearly struggling to find the words. His eyes flickered down to the photograph and lingered there meaningfully for a moment. "I don''t know how it got there. That picture is old, from years ago. I haven''t seen it in-"


    "Save it," I cut him off, holding up a hand and gritting my teeth. "I don''t want to hear your excuses anymore."This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Noah stared at me incredulously, making it all the more difficult to hide my pain. The hurt was overwhelming, threatening to choke me. Even though we were getting a divorce, I had still put something signifying our rtionship into my offering. I still valued what we once had, the memories we had shared with one another.


    But apparently, Noah never valued our rtionship at all. I should have expected this, and yet... It stung all the same.


    "Hannah," Noah said, taking a step toward me. "I didn''t put this in my bundle."


    1/2


    I shook my head, instinctively backing away from him. Lies, I thought to myself. Just a bunch of lies. "I think you should go," I finally muttered. "But-"


    "Now, Noah," I said firmly, pointing to the door. "Just... Go. I need to change."


    For a moment, Noah raised his finger and looked like he might argue further. But then his shoulders slumped ever so slightly in defeat, and he lowered his hand. "Whatever. Have it your way," he said quietly, but not without a hint of venom in his voice. "But this isn''t over. We need to talk about this."


    I didn''t respond, just watched as he walked to the door. He paused with his hand on the knob, turning


    back to look at me onest time. Before he could say anything, I waved my hand at him and turned my head. "Get out of my sight."

 Chapter 205

    Chapter 0205


    Noah opened his mouth to say something, but then shut it again. His jaw clenched tightly as he turned and stormed out, mming the door shut behind him. The sound made me wince, my arms wrapping around myself in a protective gesture. It was only once he was gone that I let out a breath I hadn''t realized I had been holding, and a cold realization washed over me like ice water. Our marriage really was over. It had been over from the beginning. I knew that for certain now. Noah''s POV


    Noah stormed out of Hannah''s room and mmed the door shut behind himself. As he strode down the hall, he couldn''t keep his mind from reeling over what had just happened. A little ways down the hallway, as the sounds of the indoor festival reached his ears, his steps faltered. "Dammit..." he whispered to himself. He leaned against a nearby pir, the photograph of him and Zoe clutched tightly in his hand. Why wouldn''t Hannah listen to him?


    Noah couldn''t help it; a pang of sadness washed over him as he reyed Hannah''s words in his head. She genuinely believed he had offered this picture to the Moon Goddess, no matter how much he tried to convince her otherwise. She thought that he didn''t value their rtionship.


    But that wasn''t true. Perhaps their marriage was over, but that didn''t mean that Noah didn''t value it in some capacity. He wouldn''t have made an offering so tantly disrespectful of it.


    Noah hadn''t made an offering of this picture-he didn''t even know where it hade from. It was from years ago, a relic of a past he had long since put behind him. Last he could recall, he had slipped it into a box of old photographs and tucked it away in his closet. He would never...


    Sighing, he unfolded the photo and studied it closely in the dim light of the hallway. He and Zoe looked so young, so carefree. It was strange seeing it now, after all this time. Noah tried to remember thest time. he had felt this happy, and his mind came up nk. But that wasn''t important right now.


    As far as he knew, only he and Zoe had copies of this photo. So how had it ended up wrapped in the cloth of his offering?


    Noah''s brow furrowed as he considered the possibilities. Someone must have nted it there, but who? And why?


    He pushed himself off the door, tucking the photo into his pocket. He needed to find Zoe. If anyone could shed light on this situation, it would be her.


    As Noah descended the stairs back to the main hall, the sounds of the festival grew louder. People were Naughing and talking, the crisis of the sudden rainstorm seemingly forgotten. The dance hall smelled like fresh food and incense, and the servants scurried about mechanically with piles of towels in their hands.


    But Noah barely noticed any of it. His mind was focused solely on finding answers. And hopefully, the


    1/2


    culprit behind this.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Zoe wouldn''t do something like that, right? What would even be her motive?


    Noah stepped back into the crowded dance hall, his eyes scanning the faces around him. Vendors were busy selling their wares, children ran between the legs of adults, and couples swayed to the music ying in the background. But Noah saw none of it. His eyes darted from person to person, searching for a familiar blonde head in the sea of faces. His heart raced as his gaze swept across the dance hall, looking for Zoe.


    He had to find her.


    X

 Chapter 206

    Chapter 0206  Chapter Hannah


    Taking a


    0206


    a deep breath, I dove beneath the surface of the water, the world above me growing mu***d and distant. My hands reached out as I dove down, down, down... Finally, my fingers met the bottom of the little pond, stirring up tiny clouds of dust and silt that swirled around my fingers. Small, cool bubbles rose from a c***k in the ground, fresh spring water bubbling from beneath the surface. Opening my eyes a bit wider, I took a few moments just to marvel at the underwater world. Fish darted past, their scales glinting in shafts of sunlight that broke through the rippling surface. A frog kickedzily by, regarding me with bulbous eyes before disappearing into the murky water. It was so... peaceful.


    For a long moment, I finally forgot all about the pressures of pack life, about my parents'' expectations, about the looming responsibilities of being a future female Alpha. Here, I was just Hannah. Fifteen, awkward, and still finding herself. 1


    My sister and I had taken a much-needed vacation from our pack. She was a few years older than me, and so she had booked us a room in Nightcrest pack for the week, just the two of us. Our parents had been fighting a lottely, and so we needed a way out. And of course, when we found this little pond in the woods, we couldn''t help but go for a swim. "Hannah!" My


    I


    ''My sister''s slightly panicked voice, m***d by the water, snapped me out of my peaceful reverie and called me back to reality. Reluctantly, I pushed off the bottom and surfaced, gasping for air. "What?" I sputtered back as I pushed strands of wet hair from my face. But when I opened my eyes, I saw that my sister wasn''t looking at me. Her wide eyes were fixed on something on the shore. I turned, following her gaze. There, standing frozen at the edge of the pond, was a boy. He looked about my age, maybe a little older, with tousled dark hair and startled green eyes, sinewy muscles, and tanned skin. He was... cute.


    "Hello!" I called out, waving. The boy''s eyes widened even further as he took in the appearance of my slim form in my bikini. Before I could say anything else, he turned and bolted into the forest. "Hannah!" my sister hissed, grabbing my arm. "Who was that?"


    "I don''t know," I replied. But my curiosity piqued, and so I swam to the shore. I told my sister that I would be back, then quickly followed the boy''s footsteps.


    "Hannah, wait!" my sister called after me, but I was already running after the mysterious boy.


    I followed the sound of crashing through the underbrush, my bare feet pping against the forest floor. Finally, I cornered him in a small clearing.


    "Hey!" I said, slightly out of breath. "Why did you run?"


    The boy''s face was beet red as he stammered, "I-I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to intrude."


    1/3


    +25


    I couldn''t help but smile at his flustered state. "You weren''t intruding. I''m Hannah. What''s your name?"


    "Noah," he mumbled, still not quite meeting my eyes.


    "Nice to meet you, Noah," I said, gesturing over my shoulder. "Do you want toe swim with us? The water''s perfect."


    If possible, Noah''s face turned an even deeper shade of red, and his eyes widened. "..." 3


    The memory faded, leaving me standing alone in my room, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I grit my teeth and turned away from my visage, not even wanting to look at myself right now. Noah was gone now, having stormed out afte our argument. Or rather, I had sent him away.


    he hurt and anger still simmered beneath the surface of my skin just as the spring''s bubbles had risen hrough the pond''s water all those years ago, but I pushed it down. I had a festival to run, after all. With determined


    WI


    ined movements, I slipped out of my muddy robes and stepped into the shower. I quickly rinsed off, taking care not to get my hair wet, and then dried myself off and picked out a sleek red dress that hugged my curves in all the right ces. It was a bit more revealing than what I would have usually worn to such an event, my cleavage on disy and my hips taut beneath *fabric. It fell just a few inches above my knees, revealing my stockings and heels. It was... maybe a little too s****y for the Lunar Festival. But right now, it felt like armor. Like revenge. And I needed that, after what I had just seen in Noah''s offering bundle. Shuddering, the memory of that picture out of my mind and returned my attention to my work. Once I was dressed


    I fixed my hair and touched up my makeup, erasing any trace of mud-and tears. In the mirror, I pulled my shoulders back and lifted my chin. I was Luna Hannah, and I wouldn''t let Noah''s actions break me. Not in this lifetime. When I returned to the festival, the main hall was buzzing with activity. Peopleughed and danced, the earlier chaos of the rainstorm seemingly forgotten. I scanned the crowd, quickly spotting Viona, Amber, and Emma huddled near the refreshment table. As I approached, their eyes widened. I "Hannah!" Viona eximed. "You look... wow!"


    Amber let out a low wolf whistle as her gaze wandered my curves. "Da***n, girl. What happened to your ceremonial robes?"


    I shrugged, aiming for nonchnce. "They got muddy in the rain. This was all I had to change into."


    Viona raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Uh-huh. And it has nothing to do with a certain Alpha?" she asked, causing both Emma and Amber to giggle.


    felt my face heat up, but I kept my expression neutral and waved my hand as I grabbed a drink from the fountain. "I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    213


    2/3


    +23


    Amber grinned, nudging me with her elbow. "Well, wherever Noah is right now, he''s not going to be able to take his eyes off you in that dress."


    At the mention of Noah''s name, I instinctively scanned the room in search of him-even though I wanted nothing to do with him right now. Blissfully, he was nowhere to be found.


    I thought to myself. I didn''t want to see him. In fact, I hoped he left with Zoe. Surely her bed had gotten cold since thest time he had stayed there.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Good, It


    But as my eyes scanned the room, my gazended on Drake, who was standing across the hall by the bar with a ss of champagne in his hand. His eyes were already fixed on my red dress, his expression a mixture of surprise and... something else. In that moment, an idea came to mind. Perhaps a slightly evil one, but in my current state of anger, my sense of logic had gone out the window.


    Without thinking, I handed my drink to Viona. "Excuse me," I muttered, already moving across the room. My friends called after me, but I hardly heard them through my haze of fury and vindictiveness.


    Drake''s well-groomed eyebrows rose as I approached, but he didn''t look away-instead, he kept his gaze fixed on me, even as he sipped his champagne.


    When I reached him, I didn''t give him a chance to speak.


    "Dance with me," I demanded, tossing a lock of hair over my shoulder and extending my hand to him."


    Now."


    Drake''s eyes went wide, and he nearly dropped his champagne.

 Chapter 207

    Chapter 0207


    Hannah & fish


    Hannah''s POV


    Drake''s hand found my waist as we began to move to the music. His touch was life, almost hestant, as if he-Drake, the supposed yboy and womanize-eve that this was happening


    "You look stunning," he said, his eyes romm


    stunning," he said, his eyes roaming over my red dress. "Not that you don''t always look beautiful, but tonight..."


    forced a I a smile, "Thank you, Drake, I''m d you like


    We swayed to I to the music in silence for a moment before Drake spoke again. "Hannah, I hope you don''t mind me asking, but... why did you ask me to dance? Not that I''mining, but its atterexpecte after what happened earlier." I took a a deep breath to steel f before responding "Drake, I have a proposition for your


    His eyebrows shot up. A pronto" I said bluntly, watching as his cheeks flushed red. "And I''m willing to consider one date with you in two months."


    Yes I know you have feelings for


    Drake''s eyes widened ever so slightly, "Two months? That''s spectic, although not unwee. But why are you telling me this now?"


    "Because I want something in


    Drake''s brow furrowed. "With what?""ge," I said, lowering my voice so as not to be overheard, 1 need your help"


    I nced around to make sure no one was listening 1 Believe Noah and Zoe are still in love. I found a picture of them in Noah''s offering to the Moon Goddess"


    Drake''s grip on my waist tightened slightly. "What? Are you sure?"


    nodded. "I need proof that Noah is cheating"


    There was a brief silence after that as Drake processed my words. I couldn''t tell Drake just yes, but I needed the proof to present during our divorce proceedings, if I had that, then the divorce wouldn''t be denied Even if Noah found out about the baby


    "You want me to help you spy on Noah and Zoe? Drake asked, leaning back a bit to eye me suspiciously.


    "Essentially, yes," I admitted. "Will you help me?


    Drake was quiet for a moment, his eyes searching mine. Finally, he let out a slow breath. "You know I''m supposed to return to my pack now that the Lunar Festival is over" "You don''t have to help me," I said. "If you need to return to your pack right away, then you''re wee to do that. But all I ask is for a little bit of help, and then some patience" Chapter 0207


    +25


    Drake eyed me for a moment longer before finally nodding. "Alright. What do you need me to do?"


    Relief washed over me, and I felt my shoulders slump infinitesimally. "For now, just keep your eyes open. If you see anything suspicious, let me know immediately."


    "Okay," Drake agreed. "I can certainly do that."


    As we continued to dance, I couldn''t help but feel a twinge of guilt. Was I really doing the right thing, or was I giving in to my anger and bringing back the scheming side of myself that I knew was toxic? But then I remembered the picture of Noah and Zoe, young and in love, and my resolve hardened. I deserved the truth, no matter how painful it might be. Noah was cheating on me. I just needed proof. (1) Noah''s POV


    Noah''s eyes scanned the crowded dance hall, searching for a familiar blonde head of hair. The festival was in full swing now, with peopleughing, dancing, and enjoying themselves despite the earlier rain. But Noah couldn''t shake the unease that had settled in his stomach since his argument with Hannah. Suddenly, he


    he caught a glimpse of golden hair disappearing around a corner. Without hesitation, Noah pushed through the crowd, following the fleeting image of Zoe. He needed to speak to her. As he rounded the corner, he saw her again, this time further down the hallway. "Zoe!" he called out, but if she heard him, she gave no indication whether she did or not.


    Noah quickened his pace, practically chasing her through the winding corridors of the mansion. It was almost as if she was leading him somewhere, always just out of reach. Finally, he saw her slip behind a


    a heavy curtain in an alcove. Noah approached cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest. He pushed the curtain aside, revealing Zoe standing in the small space, her back to him. "Zoe," Noah said, his voice tight as he stepped into the alcove and snapped the curtain shut behind himself. "We need to talk." She turned slowly and shot him a doe-like look through her eyshes. "Noah. Were you following me just now?"


    Nodding,


    Noah pulled out the photograph from his pocket, holding it up for her to see without preamble." Can you exin this? Did you put this in my offering?" Zoe''s brow furrowed as she looked at the picture. "What are you talking about? I didn''t put anything anywhere."


    F


    "I hope you''re not lying to me," Noah said, unable to hide the frustration in his voice. "This was in my offering bundle, but I didn''t put it there. Hannah found it and now she''s pissed." Zoe''s eyes widened, and a look of genuine confusion crossed her delicate face. "Noah, I swear I didn''t do this."


    When Noah  Chapter 0287


    +25Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    didn''t seem entirely convinced, Zoe sighed. "Look," she said, reaching into her pocket and


    pulling out a small silverpact mirror. She pressed the button on the side and popped it open, revealing an identical photograph pinned to the inside. My copy is right here. I''ve always kept it with me." Noah stared at the two identical photographs, his mind reeling. He didn''t even give himself a chance to marvel over the fact that Zoe apparently carried the photograph everywhere with her, rather focused on how the hell his copy had made it into his offering bundle. "But if you didn''t... then who..." "You said Hannah found it?" Zoe asked.


    Noah nodded. "She had the bundle in her pocket. Said she found it in the mud."


    Zoe pursed her lips, snapped herpact shut, and slipped it into her pocket. "We all know that Hannah has a scheming side to her," she suggested. "You don''t think..."


    Noah b blinked I in surprise. "What are you saying?"


    "Well... She seems insistent on the idea that we''re sleeping together." Zoe paused, and in that silence, she. reached out and touched Noah''s hand with her forefinger. A brief and light touch, but it was enough to make Noah''s chest tighten. "So you''re saying she could be trying to pin some kind of cheating scandal on me?" Noah asked.


    Zoe shrugged. "I wouldn''t put it past her. Or at the very least, she''s trying to catch you in some kind of lie."


    Noah''s mind raced at that. A cheating scandal... It was beginning to make sense now. What if she wanted to frame him for cheating so that she could get the upper hand in the divorce proceedings?


    But... Noah didn''t want to believe it. He shut his eyes for a moment, thinking back to the horrified look on Hannah''s face when that picture fell out of his bundle. Unless she was the world''s best actress, she certainly seemed genuine. And most of all, she seemed... hurt.


    Hannah wouldn''t have gone so far as to him, would she?


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 208

    Chapter 0208  Chapter


    Hannah Hannan


    0208


    After my dance with Drake, I made my way back to where my friends were gathered. Amber, Emma, and Viona were huddled together with their heads bent, giggling about something that they were holding between them.


    "What''s so funny?" I asked as I approached.


    Amber turned to me, and it was then that I saw how much her eyes seemed to be sparkling. "Oh, Hannah! You''ll never guess what happened!" Before I could even attempt a guess, Amber thrust out her left hand, revealing a glittering diamond ring on her finger. "I''m engaged!"


    I gasped, grabbing her hand to get a closer look at the expensive stone. "Amber, that''s amazing! When did this happen?"


    "Just now!" Amber squealed. "Jake pulled me aside and got down on one knee right in the middle of the festival!"


    Emma pped her hands together. "It was so romantic. You should have seen it, Hannah!"


    "I''m


    So


    I felt a pang in my chest, wishing that I could have been there for my friend''s engagement rather than having to scheme over catching my own husband cheating. But I pushed the feeling aside and stered on a smile for my friend''s sake-and truly, I was happy for her. happy for you, Amber," "I said, pulling her into a tight hug. "Congrattions!" As we fawned over Amber''s I''s ring and discussed potential wedding ns, however, I couldn''t help but notice the way that Viona was growing increasingly ufortable. She kept ncing over her shoulder, her eyes darting around the room. "Viona?" I asked quietly. "Is everything She bit her t her lip, hesitating before answering. "It''s Andrew. He keeps trying to talk to me, and I just... I can''t deal with it right now. He kind of grosses me out."


    She


    I followed her gaze and spotted Andrew''snky frame hovering nearby, his eyes unabashedly fixed on Viona. When we looked, he quickly grinned and waved at us, causing us to snap our heads around and pretend we hadn''t seen him. "Do you want me to say something to him?" I whispered.


    Viona shook her head. "No, it''s fine. I just wish he would take the hint and leave me alone. But it seems that he thinks an arranged marriage means that I don''t need personal space."


    I ced a hand on her arm. "You know I''m here for you, right? If you need any help or support with this whole arranged marriage thing, just say the word."


    She gave me a small smile. "Thanks, Hannah. I appreciate that... Oh, Goddess, here hees." Turning, I saw Andrew approaching. I took a protective step in front of her, although she ced her hand on my arm to stop me. "Viona," he said, his voice hopeful. "Would you like to dance with me? Or perhaps I could buy you an ice cream."  Chapter 0208


    +25


    Viona''s shoulders tensed, and she jutted her chin out at him. "Andrew, I''ve already told you-"


    "If


    f we''re to be engaged, then we should at least spend a little time together," he insisted.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    I could see the frustration building in Viona''s eyes. She looked at me, then back at Andrew. "I''m sorry, but I''m not interested in talking right now. Or ever, really. Please respect that." Andrew''s face fell, but he didn''t back down. Pushing a stray brown curl away from his forehead, he said, "Your parents think we would be a good match, you know. Do you not agree?" That seemed to be be thest straw for for Viona. She straightened up, her voice firm. "No, Andrew. I don''t agree. I''m not interested in an arranged marriage, and that''s final."" Without another word, she turned to us. "I''m sorry, guys. I think I''m going to head home. This is all just... too much right now." "Of course," I said, giving her a quick hug. "Text me when you get home, okay?"


    Viona nodded and made her way toward the exit, leaving Andrew standing in her wake with a bewildered look on his face. I watched her go before I turned back to Andrew to give him a piece of my mind, but he was already gone. As I turned back to Amber and Emma, movement near one of the side rooms caught my eye. My heart dropped as I saw Noah and Zoe emerging together, their heads close as they spoke to each other softly. AST Bastard, I thought to myself, gritting my teeth.


    Noah''s eyes snapped up, instantly meeting mine across the crowded room as though he could sense my gaze. He started pushing his way through the crowd, clearly trying to reach me, his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed.


    I


    I couldn''t face him. Not now, not after everything that had happened tonight. Turning to my friends, I quickly said, "Amber, congrattions on your engagement. We should have a girls night soon. But unfortunately, I have to go." Amber and Emma widened their eyes slightly. "Oh... Okay, Hannah. Goodnight." "Night."


    With that, I turned and headed for the exit, weaving through the throng of people to avoid Noah.


    As I neared the door, however, I couldn''t help but pause by the Moon Goddess altar. The incense had been relit, filling the air with a sweet, heady scent that drew me in. For a moment, my footsteps faltered, and I found myself standing in front of the altar with pursed lips. Why? Why had the Moon Goddess given me a second chance at life if things still had to be so... difficult this time around? 2


    Of course, the tiny y statuette of the Moon Goddess stared back at me, silent and impassive. Her marbled eyes seemed empty, her long hairckluster. She wasn''t in that statue. She probably wasn''t even listening. Maybe she didn''t even exist and I had just hallucinated everything. "Hannah!" I heard Noah''s voice calling after me, snapping me out of my reverie. I looked up to see him still pushing through the crowd, and so, with a sigh, I turned away and hurried out into the corridor leading to my bedroom. Chapter 0209


    +25


    practically ran back to my room, the sounds of the festival fading rapidly behind me. Once I was safely inside, I took care to lock the door tightly-just in case Noah got any ideas about trying to talk to me. Although, I didn''t hear him knock or try the handle, so supposed he had given up. It was gettingte and the festival was winding down anyway, so I went through the motions of getting ready for bed, my mind reying the events of the night. Noah and Zoe emerging from that room together... what had they been doing? What were they talking about? No. It didn''t matter. It only mattered that I collect proof of his cheating so I could use it during the divorce proceedings.


    As I was brushing my teeth a whileter, long after thest guests had gone home and the sounds of the festival had faded into silence, a faint sound caught my attention. I paused, listening closely and straining my ears past the lively crickets. There it was again-someone calling my name.


    Frowning, I moved to the window and pushed it open. The cool night air rushed in, carrying with it the unmistakable sound of Viona''s voiceing from below.


    "Hannah! Hannah, down here!"


    I leaned out the window, squinting into the darkness. There, standing in the hedges below, was Viona

 Chapter 209

    Chapter 0209 Hannah


    I quickly made my way downstairs to let Viona in. I clutched my robe around myself, d to see that the house had long since gone quiet and that the festival hade to an end-and that Noah had apparently gone to sleep. As soon as I opened the back door, Viona rushed into my arms, tears streaming down her face. "Hannah, I''m so sorry to bother you thiste," she sobbed.


    I hugged her tightly, shivering in the cold night air. "It''s okay, Vi. I was still awake. Come on, let''s go inside and talk."


    Viona nodded and let me lead her inside. I strode into the kitchen and flicked on the light, gesturing for her to sit at the spot by the kitchen ind while I began boiling water in the kettle.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Thank you, Hannah," she sniffled as I prepared two cups of tea.


    I simply shrugged. My eyes wandered over to the two duffle bags sitting on the floor by her feet. Something had clearly happened tonight, although I wasn''t going to pry until she was ready to talk about it.


    A few minutester, once we were settled in the living room with two cups of steaming chamomile tea between us, Viona took a deep breath and began to exin herself without me even having to ask.


    "I went home after the festival and tried to talk to my parents about Andrew," she said, her voice trembling. "I told them that I didn''t want to marry him, that I wasn''t ready for marriage at all."


    "Good for you." I touched her arm and gave it a squeeze as I sipped my tea. "You should stand up for yourself, especially when ites to marriage."


    Viona let out a bitterugh at that. "Yeah, well, my parents don''t see it that way. They gave me an ultimatum: either marry Andrew or get out."


    "They really did that?" I murmured, my eyes widening. "To their own daughter?"


    "Yep. Obviously, I chose thetter. So I packed my bags and left. No amount of money is worth what they''re trying to put me through."


    I let out a soft sigh. "That must have been really difficult, Viona. But I''m proud of you."


    "Thanks, Hannah," she muttered, reaching for her teacup. "Although, I don''t know what I''m going to do now. I''ve never had to support myself before..."


    There was a long silence after that as Viona shakily sipped her tea. I frowned slightly as I watched her; Viona''s parents were loaded, and she had always lived in thep of luxury. I knew it sounded like a first world problem, but if they were really going to stick with their decision to cut her off and make her live on her own, that would be a tough adjustment.


    I thought for a moment, then an idea struck me. "What if you worked for me? I could use another assistant for the eating disorder campaign. It would only be part-time and temporary, but I could pay you and it would look good on a resume."


    Viona''s eyes lit up, and she nearly dropped her tea. "Really? You''d do that for me, Hannah?"

 Chapter 210

    I quickly made my way downstairs to let Viona in. I clutched my robe around myself, d to see that the house had long since gone quiet and that the festival hade to an end-and that Noah had apparently gone to sleep. As soon as I opened the back door, Viona rushed into my arms, tears streaming down her face.


    "Hannah, I''m so sorry to bother you thiste," she sobbed.


    I hugged her tightly, shivering in the cold night air. "It''s okay, Vi. I was still awake. Come on, let''s go inside and talk."


    Viona nodded and let me lead her inside. I strode into the kitchen and flicked on the light, gesturing for her to sit at the spot by the kitchen ind while I began boiling water in the kettle.


    "Thank you, Hannah," she sniffled as I prepared two cups of tea.


    I simply shrugged. My eyes wandered over to the two duffle bags sitting on the floor by her feet. Something had clearly happened tonight, although I wasn''t going to pry until she was ready to talk about it.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    A few minutester, once we were settled in the living room with two cups of steaming chamomile tea between us, Viona took a deep breath and began to exin herself without me even having to ask.


    "I went home after the festival and tried to talk to my parents about Andrew," she said, her voice trembling. "I told them that I didn''t want to marry him, that I wasn''t ready for marriage at all."


    "Good for you." I touched her arm and gave it a squeeze as I sipped my tea. "You should stand up for yourself, especially when ites to marriage."


    Viona let out a bitterugh at that. "Yeah, well, my parents don''t see it that way. They gave me an ultimatum: either marry Andrew or get out."


    "They really did that?" I murmured, my eyes widening. "To their own daughter?"


    "Yep. Obviously, I chose thetter. So I packed my bags and left. No amount of money is worth what they''re trying to put me through."


    I let out a soft sigh. "That must have been really difficult, Viona. But I''m proud of you."


    "Thanks, Hannah," she muttered, reaching for her teacup. "Although, I don''t know what I''m going to do now. I''ve never had to support myself before..."


    There was a long silence after that as Viona shakily sipped her tea. I frowned slightly as I watched her; Viona''s parents were loaded, and she had always lived in thep of luxury. I knew it sounded like a first world problem, but if they were really going to stick with their decision to cut her off and make her live on her own, that would be a tough adjustment.


    I thought for a moment, then an idea struck me. "What if you worked for me? I could use another assistant for the eating disorder campaign. It would only be part-time and temporary, but I could pay you and it would look good on a resume." Viona''s eyes lit up, and she nearly dropped her tea. "Really? You''d do that for me, Hannah?"

 Chapter 211

    Chapter 0211 Hannah


    Viona continued to stay with me for the next few days, although the atmosphere in the house remained icy whenever Noah was around.


    Throughout the days, I made a point of avoiding Noah at every turn. Whenever he would enter a room, I would find an excuse to leave. If he ever tried to speak to me, I would turn up the music or start a loud conversation with Viona.


    By the evening of the third day, the tension in the house was palpable. Even Viona seemed to be getting sick of it, and over dinner, she made it even more clear


    "You need to talk to him. I can''t take this anymore."


    I paused just as I was about to pop a piece of steak into my mouth. "There''s nothing to talk to him about."


    "Come on, Hannah. Whatever is going on between you two, it''s not helping any to give him the cold shoulder whenever he tries to talk to you."


    Yeah, right, I thought wryly. Nothing ever helped anyway; I could have tried to make amends with him all I wanted, but the fact of the matter was that Noah was still in love with Zoe, likely sleeping with her, and I was going to catch him in the act.


    I was in the studyter that night, going over some paperwork for the eating disorder campaign, when I heard the sound of someone knocking on the door. "Come in," I called out, expecting it to be Viona.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    But as soon as the door opened to reveal Noah, I regretted not locking it earlier. "Get out," I said coldly, returning my gaze to the papers in front of me.


    "Enough, Hannah," he growled, striding into the room and shutting the door behind himself. "We need to


    talk."


    I kept my eyes on the papers in front of me, not even deigning to look at him. "I''m busy."


    Noah mmed his hand on the desk, making me jump. "I know what you''re doing." He jabbed an usatory finger at me. "You nted that picture in my offering bundle at the Lunar Festival, didn''t you?" That got my attention. I looked up at him, my eyes narrowing into slits. "Excuse me?"


    "You heard me, Hannah," he snapped. "You''re trying to make me look bad. Create a cheating scandal that doesn''t exist so you can look better during the divorce. It''s just like you to scheme like this. And to think that I thought you had genuine remorse after yourst scheme against Zoe."


    I felt a surge of anger rise in my chest at his words. I did have genuine remorse... before I realized that Noah was still madly in love with Zoe and likely having sex with her on the regr.


    "Oh, that''s riching from you," I sneered. "I don''t need to ''scheme'' anything, Noah. You act suspicious enough on your own. I''ll catch you in your lies, and then you''ll really be sorry." Noah huffed in annoyance and ran his fingers through his hair, messing it up uncharacteristically. "What do I need to do to prove to you that I''m not sleeping with Zoe?" he hissed. I simply shrugged. "How about you travel back in time and decide not to ce that picture of you two in


    your offering bundle?"


    "I''ve told you a hundred times, Hannah... I didn''t put that picture in there. Zoe still has her copy, so she didn''t put it in there, either. You''re the only one who could have known where I kept it." "Is that so?" I scoffed. "Why did you even keep that picture anyway, Noah?"


    "It''s just a picture. I''m allowed to keep old photos from my past."


    "It''s more than just a picture'' and you know it, Noah. Zoe wasn''t just some ex who you''d like to reminisce about once in a while. She was your fated mate, and you never got over her."

 Chapter 212

    Chapter 0212


    A muscle in Noah''s jaw ticked as a weighty silence fell over the room. Satisfied, I rose from my desk and tossed my pen down. "I''m tired," I said, rounding my desk and making my way toward the door. "And this conversation is over."


    Noah reached out to grab my arm as I brushed past him. "We''re not done here," he said, his fingers tightening around my skin.


    "Move," I growled, my eyes shing.


    "Not until we talk this out." He didn''t let go of my arm.


    "Noah, if you don''t move, I''m going to throw you to the ground."


    Noah''s eyebrows raised, a challenge shing in his eyes. "I''d like to see you try," he whispered through grit teeth.


    In that moment, something in me snapped. Without thinking, I used one of the moves I had learned recently in my training sessions with Drake. It all happened so fast: I grabbed Noah''s arm, pivoted, and used his momentum to flip him over my shoulder.


    Noah hit the ground with a thud, the air rushing out of his lungs. Hey there, stunned and gasping for breath, his eyes wide and his hand clutching his chest.


    I stood over him with clenched fists, my heart racing. Growling deeply, I pressed my high heel into his chest and bent slightly to meet his eyes. "Don''t ever try to corner me again," I warned.


    Noah was silent, too stunned to speak-or maybe still too breathless. I bared my teeth at him before removing my heel from his chest, stepping over him, and sauntering out.


    A few dayster, I found myself in a bridal boutique with Emma, Viona, and an ecstatic Amber. The night that I flipped Noah onto the floor was still fresh in my mind-it would likely go down in my personal history book, if I was being honest, although I hadn''t told anyone else about it. Not even Viona.


    Noah, for his part, had given up on talking to me. I hardly even saw him anyway, and he had stopped sleeping in the house again; he was likely staying at Zoe''s house, I figured.


    As we waited for Amber to try on her first dress, Viona leaned in close to me, her voice snapping me out of my reverie.


    "I hate to say it," she whispered, "but I always kind of thought Jake might be... you know... gay.''This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I nodded slightly, thinking back on all of the times that Amber''s long-term boyfriend had exhibited more


    of an interest in men than women-such as atst year''s New Year''s Eve party, when he had brought his friend'', Doug, and had not left his side the entire night while Amber cried in the bathroom. "I''ve had the same thought," I admitted. "I''m more worried for Amber than anything."


    Emma overheard us and joined the conversation. "You guys think so too? I mean, not that there''s anything wrong with being gay, but..."


    "But getting married to a woman if you are would be unfair to everyone involved," I finished, eliciting nods


    1/2


    from both Viona and Emma.


    Our hushed discussion was cut short as Amber emerged from the dressing room. She was radiant in a flowing white gown, her face beaming with joy.


    "What do you think?" she asked, twirling for us.


    As I watched my friend glow with happiness, I felt my cynicism slowly starting to melt away. Maybe I was projecting my own marital issues onto Amber''s rtionship. Or maybe I was just the scheming, judgmental bitch that Noah thought I was.


    "Amber," I said, sping my hands together, "You look... beautiful."

 Chapter 213

    Chapter 0213 Hannah


    The music pulsed through the club, the bass thrumming in my chest as I moved on the dance floor. Viona grinded up against me, grinning and giggling along with me.


    The girls'' night out had been Viona''s idea, a chance for the four of us to let loose and forget about our problems for a little while-and to celebrate Amber''s engagement. And even though I couldn''t drink, I was d to get out of the house and have fun with my friends. "Look at this guy!" Viona shouted over the din, shoving her phone in my face. "Isn''t he hot?!" I strained my eyes to see; the screen was open to a Tinder profile of an extremely hot guy... who was also holding a fish in his first picture. I scrunched up my nose at the thought; was this what I had to look forward to when I eventually returned to the dating scene? "Ew, Vi," I moaned. "A fish guy? Really?"


    Viona pursed her lips and studied the picture again. "You''re right," she said, swiping to the next one. "What about him?" She held up another picture, this time a fairly innocuous mirror selfie of a guy in a tight white t-shirt that exposed his chiseled pecs. I nodded, shooting Viona a thumbs-up, and returned to my dancing.


    My mind wandered, then, back to my promise to Drake. One date once the divorce was finalized...


    I didn''t really see Drake that way. Not now, at least. But a promise was a promise, and he had kept up his end of the bargain. Although, it had been over a week and he still had yet to find any evidence about Noah. cheating; he had even been parking outside of Zoe''s house at night and had never seen Noah enter or leave.


    But Noah was cheating. I was sure of it... Drake and I just needed to catch him at the right moment, and then Noah would be sorry.


    "I need to use the bathroom," I said, suddenly feeling like I needed a moment to breathe. Viona nodded, and I slipped away from the dance floor in search of the restroom.


    But it was as I was weaving through the crowd that I caught sight of a familiar figure near the bar. A head of brown hair, a pair of wire-rimmed sses, and a pencil mustache.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    It was Jake, Amber''s fiance. His look was so unique, I could have recognized him anywhere.


    But he wasn''t alone. He was leaning in close to another man, their faces just inches apart. My heart dropped as I watched them, their bodynguage unmistakably intimate. Jake''s hand moved to touch the other man''s lower back, a smile spreading across both of their lips as they leaned in.... "Amber needs to see this," I whispered. I fumbled for my phone, determined to get evidence. But by the time I had it out, Jake and the mystery man had already separated. Jake was now standing by himself, Jeaning over the bar and casually sipping his drink. Cursing under my breath, I made my way to the restroom.


    By the time I returned, Amber, Viona, and Emma had reconvened at our table and wereughing about something amongst themselves. I tried to school my features into a neutral expression, not wanting to ruin the night with my unconfirmed suspicions. Chapter 0213


    forced a smile and slid onto my stool. "Yeah, just a bit overwhelmed by the crowd. And the bathroom


    "Hannah, you okay?" Viona asked, noticing my perturbed expression. She pushed a lock of hair out of her eyes and took a long sip of her vodka cranberry. is gross." re any of us could say anything more, Jake suddenly appeared at our table with a charming smile on face. I pursed my lips, fighting the urge to call him out then and there. "Ladies," he greeted, sliding an m around Amber''s waist. "I didn''t expect to see you here."

 Chapter 214

    Chapter 0214


    Amber giggled and nted a wet kiss on his cheek. "Same to you, babe. I thought you were going to the other nightclub. Are you having fun with Josh?"


    Jake grinned; I wondered if Josh was the guy who I had seen him with. "I am. But since you''re here, I think I''d rather be dancing with you. If your friends don''t mind me stealing you for a moment..."


    Amber''s face instantly lit up, her eyes sparkling as she hopped down from her stool. "Of course! I''ll be right back, girls."


    As they moved to the dance floor, I watched them closely. They looked... happy. In love, even. Had I imagined what I saw earlier?


    Emma nudged me with her elbow, pulling me out of my deep thought. "Earth to Hannah. What''s going on in that head of yours?"


    I shook my head. "Nothing. Just... thinking about their wedding, I guess."


    Viona raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Sure you are."


    Emma smirked from behind her ss. "You know, I get the sense that those two are pretty kinky in private," she said, nodding toward where Amber and Jake were grinding on the dance floor. Jake had Amber''s earlobe in his mouth, and Amber had her eyes shut and her back arched as she moved against


    him.


    I couldn''t help but blush at the thought. "Maybe," I mused. Hell, maybe he was just bisexual, and they wereBelonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    both into it...


    For a moment, my mind wandered back to my past with Noah-back to when we, too, experimented in bed. Not with other people, but with... toys. And ropes. And blindfolds. It was when we had first gotten married and we wanted to try some new things, back before Noah had that awful concept about my fertility nted in his head.


    The days when we had sex more than once a month felt like it was so long ago now.


    When Amber returned a few minutester, flushed and grinning from ear to ear, Emma leaned in conspiratorially. "So, Amber, spill the tea. What''s it like being engaged to such a hottie? Particrly..." "In bed," Viona finished.


    Amber blushed, nearly spitting out her drink. "Guys!" She smacked Viona''s arm. "We''re in public!"


    "Oh,e on, Amber," Viona urged. "We''re all friends here. Spill the details!"


    Amber hesitated, ncing around before leaning in. "Well... if you must know... it''s pretty amazing."


    "Amazing how?" I found myself asking, my curiosity getting the better of me.


    Amber''s blush deepened. "Let''s just say... I''ve never had to fake it. Not once."


    Emma let out a low whistle. "Damn, girl. Every time?"


    Amber nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Every. Single. Time."


    "How often do you guys do it?" Viona asked, wiggling her eyebrows.


    "At least once a day," Amber admitted. "Sometimes more. We just can''t keep our hands off each other. Especially now that we''re engaged."


    As Amber continued to gush about her incredible sex life with Jake, I found my earlier suspicions fading. They seemed genuinely happy and in love. Maybe I had misinterpreted what I saw earlier after all.


    "He''s just so attentive," Amber was saying. "He always makes sure I''m satisfied before he even thinks about himself. A lot of the time, he doesn''t even finish himself; we''ll use toys or whatever to make mee, and then he''s content just cuddling. He gets off on getting me off." 1 Emma sighed dreamily. "That''s so hot. You''re a lucky girl, Amber."


    I nodded in agreement, but a small part of me couldn''t help butpare Amber''s rtionship to my own failed marriage. Noah had never been that attentive, that passionate. At least, not with me.


    Zoe, on the other hand...


    Did he do that with her?

 Chapter 215

    Chapter 0215 Hannah


    "You want to know about my sex life?" Emma''s face turned a bright shade of red, and she averted her gaze to the drink in her hand. "Oh, I don''t know..."


    "Come on, Em," Viona urged her, nudging her with her elbow. "We''re dying to know what it was like with your ex-husband."


    Emma scratched her head nervously. "I mean..."


    "It had to have been awful. I mean, he was so much older than you," Amber added with a shake of her head. "And fat, and bald."


    "Amber!" Viona swatted at Amber''s arm.


    Emma shook her head and giggled at their teasing. "No, it''s true," she said. "He had a big pot belly and was missing half his hair, but if I''m being honest... his body kind of turned me on."


    All of our eyes widened in unison. "Are you kidding?" Viona retorted. "His body turned you on?"


    Emma nodded hastily. "I like older men who have a bit of weight on them. I don''t know why. I just... do. T always have." She paused, sipping her drink. "He wasn''t even particrly... big down there, either. But he knew how to use it. And his fingers were wide." (19 When Emma finished, her face was as red as a tomato. Viona, Amber and I blinked at each other in surprise. The thought of Emma''s ex in bed wasn''t the most appealing image to me, but if Emma enjoyed it


    "Hey," I said, raising my ss. "To each their own. Emma, I sincerely hope you find another fat, bald man to give you orgasms with his giant fingers."


    My friends giggled. Emma turned to me then, directing the attention at the table to me. "What about you, Hannah? What''s it like with Noah?"


    "He''s so hot, the bastard," Amber sighed dreamily.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Viona scoffed. "Too bad he''s such a jackass. Why is it always the hottest ones who are assholes?"


    I felt my cheeks flush as all eyes turned to me. The pulsing music of the club seemed to fade into the background as I struggled to find the right words, and even though I hadn''t been drinking, my head seemed to spin. "Oh, um..." I stammered, caught off guard by the question. "I''m not sure if you guys would be interested. It''s not that exciting."


    "Come on, Hannah," Emma urged, leaning in closer. "We''ve all shared. Your turn! There have to be at least some juice details."


    I took a deep breath, deciding to be honest. After all, these were my closest friends. If I couldn''t be truthful with them, who could I open up to? "Well, there was a time when we had an amazing sex life. When we were much younger, when we had just gotten married..." "And?" Emma prompted, leaning her elbows on the table.


    "And it was great. Really great," I admitted, a small smile ying on my lips as I remembered those early


    days. "We couldn''t keep our hands off of each other. It was passionate, exciting..."


    "But?" Amber asked, clearly knowing that there was more to the story.


    I sighed, my smile fading. "But then... it changed. Gradually at first, but then more noticeably."


    "What happened?" Emma asked.


    "It just... fizzled out," I exined, struggling to find the righ

 Chapter 216

    Chapter 0216


    Viona nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Sex should be fun and exciting, not a duty. You deserve better than that, Hannah." She shot me a pointed look.


    Their words stuck with me for the rest of the night. They were right; I should have been able to explore my sexuality and enjoy myself with my husband, but I hadn''t done that in a long time.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    dughed, I couldn''t stop thinking about the early days of my rtionship with Noah.


    to look at me, like I was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. The excitement in his would sneak away from events for a quick moment alone.


    verything had changed when that doctor told him about my ''frail'' body. Duty took precedent,


    sion was lost.


    now, it had been almost a year since I had had good, passionate, satisfying sex.


    By the time I got home, my mind was still swirling from the idea of it all. I tossed and turned in bed, unable to shake the thoughts of Noah''s hands on my body, his lips on my skin. I could almost feel the ghost of his touch, remembering how he used to caress me, how he would whisper sweet nothings in my ear as we made love.


    The clock on my nightstand seemed to mock me as the minutes ticked by. One o''clock. Two o''clock. Three o''clock. Sleep felt far away; my body was buzzing with a feeling that I had been trying to push away, but it was useless. I needed... I needed toe. Finally, frustration got the better of me. I reached into my bedside drawer and pulled out my toy-a small vibrating dildo that I had purchased not all that long ago. Maybe if I just took care of things myself, I could get my mind off of sex with Noah and finally get some rest. I closed my eyes as I started to use the toy, trying to focus on the sensation rather than any specific person. But as I got more into it slowly pushing the dildo back and forth, Noah''s face kept appearing in my mind.


    His strong jawline, his intense green eyes, the way his muscles rippled as he moved on top of me...


    I tried to push the image away, to think of anyone else, but it was useless. Noah was all I could see, all I could think about. In my mind, it was his hands touching me, his lips trailing kisses down my neck. Goddess, I could practically smell his cologne.


    Before I knew it, I was lost in the fantasy. In my mind, it wasn''t a dildo that I was using; it was Noah who was touching me, Noah who was bringing me pleasure. I arched my back, getting closer and closer to the edge. The toy buzzed softly under the covers, but in my imagination, it was Noah''s skilled fingers that were making me feel this way.


    "Noah," I moaned softly, too caught up in the moment to realize what I was doing. My free hand gripped the sheets as I felt the tension building, my toes curling in anticipation of the oing explosion of pleasure.


    Suddenly, I heard the unmistakable sound of the door creaking. My eyes snapped open, and I froze in shock. There, standing in the doorway, was Noah. His eyes were wide as he took in the scene in front of him, his mouth slightly agape and his hair mussed from sleep. For a moment, we just stared at each other, frozen in shock. The toy continued to buzz softly under the


    1/2


    covers, the only sound in the otherwise silent room. I felt my face grow hot with embarrassment, but I couldn''t seem to move, couldn''t even bring myself to remove the toy from between my legs. Then, without a word, Noah stepped into the room and shut the door behind


    Hannah


    The room was mostly dark once Noah closed the door, but I still felt just as exposed. My toy continued vibrating beneath the sheets, my fingers fumbling to shut it off


    "Get out!" I growled, my embarrassment quickly turning into anger when he just stood there, staringa me. "What are you doing in here?"


    Noah continued to stand there for several long moments without a word, his tall form nearly los amongst the shadows. I finally managed to shut off my toy and prop myself up on my elbows, ring at him.


    "I heard noise," he said, taking a step forward. "You''re keeping me awake"


    I felt my cheeks flush a deep shade of red. "Sorry, okay? Can you give me some privacy now?"


    Of course, Noah didn''t react-not to my words, at least, Instead, he crossed the room in a few quick strides, reached out, grabbed the nkets, and... threw them aside. I gasped,ying there, exposed and naked in front of him with my toy in my hand and my nightgown pushed all the way up to my bare breasts.


    ""Noah!" I shrieked, scrambling to cover myself,


    But it was toote. Before I could do anything, he was suddenly ripping the toy out of my hands and climbing onto the bed on his knees. I thought at first that he might throw it in my face and berate me for masturbating, but he didn''t.


    Rather, he turned the toy back on.


    The sound of the vibrations filled the space between us once more, leaving me wide-eyed and in shock in front of him. Slowly, he crawled between my legs, one hand pressing into my left knee to move my leg aside. "What are you..."


    "I''ve been staying in the guest room more than you think, you know," he said, holding the toy up to the light and inspecting the smooth purple silicone. "I hear you in here at night. You''re not exactly quiet."


    "So what if I''m not?" I reached out to grab the dildo, but he wrenched it out of my way before I could, 1 felt a fresh wave of fury overtake me then and I went to sit up, but once again, he kept me from doing that by pushing his hand into my chest and shoving me back down on the bed. Gently, but with enough firmness to leave me breathless and in shock.


    "I don''t care if you''re loud," he said, lowering the toy. His green eyes met mine and shed with something I couldn''t quite read in the dim light, although whatever it was, it was husky. "But I want to know something."


    I pursed my lips as I red up at him, my eyes lingering on the toy the further it came to the spot between my legs. Laying there, with my nightgown still mostly pushed up, I felt even more exposed than our first night together...


    And also more turned on.


    "What do you want to know?" I asked, and my voice came out as hardly more than a hoarse whisper. I


    1/2


    couldn''t help but lick my lips ever so slightly as he lowered the toy to me, resting it on my pubic bone and letting it vibrate there.


    "Close your eyes."


    That was a demand, not a request. Even my wolf reacted to the authoritative tone in his voice, and I snapped my eyes shut despite myself.


    I felt the toy begin to move. Slowly at first inrge circles across my groin. With each movement, he would bring it closer to the center, closer toward my wet pussy lips. I felt my hips buck slightly, squirming to get closer to that source of pleasure, but one firm hand pressed into my low belly made me stop. "Just hold still," he growled. "Let me..."


    "


    Every fiber of my being was screaming at me to not let him do this-to tell him to leave me alone, to smack the toy out of his hands. Part of me even wanted to flip him onto the floor again like I had that day in my office.


    But another part of me also wanted to see what would happen if, just once, I obeyed. Hell, maybe even that same part of me still wanted to flip him onto the floor, but only to sit down on him and ride him there. Would he let me?

 Chapter 218

    Chapter 0218


    Cracking one eye open, I saw Noah''s face set in hard determination as he slowly worked the toy closer and closer to my clit. Finally, just as he was about to touch me there, his eyes snapped up to mine and his expression hardened even further. "I told you to shut your eyes."


    Pressing my lips into a thin line, I did as hemanded and shut my eyes again. This time, he pushed the toy up against my clit. A pathetic little whimper escaped me as he let it linger there, the vibrations bringing a newfound heat to my arousal.


    "I want you to picture something," he said, his voice low and husky as he moved the head of the dildo further down, following the natural line of my lips. "Picture whoever you want the most; anyone you want. And imagine that this..."


    He paused mid-sentence, and in that moment, he slowly began to push the toy inside of me. Another tiny whimper slipped out, and I bit my lip in an attempt to quell it.


    "...Imagine that this toy is him," he finished.


    As Noah slowly began to push the toy further inside of me, the vibrations like jolts of electricity working through me, I squeezed my eyes shut and did as he asked. I imagined a tall, muscr form moving above me with each thrust of the toy, a warm, hard member rather than purple silicone...


    And I imagined him. Noah. Green eyes, tousled hair, a chiseled jaw.


    I imagined him thrusting himself into me, his arms wrapping around me and pulling me up into hisp. With another whimper, my back arched away from the bed and I pictured myself grinding into him, our heads tossed back in ecstasy. Goddess, how I wanted him. Each thrust of the toy pushed me closer to the edge, but I didn''t want the toy anymore. I wanted him. I hated him, every fiber of him, but I wanted him at the same time. No, I needed


    him.


    Suddenly, however, the sound of his voice snapped me out of my reverie. "Tell me who you''re thinking about," he whispered into my ear.


    I shuddered; at some point during my fantasy, he had moved closer to me and was now caging me against the bed with hisrge body, one hand gripping the headboard above me while the other continued to twist and thrust the toy into me. I had been so caught up in it that I hadn''t even noticed.


    And now, I could feel the warmth of his hard erection pressing against my leg, even through the soft nnel of his pajama pants. I could practically taste the heat radiating off of him, my tongue instinctively flicking out ever so slightly in the hopes that it might meet a bit of his skin.


    "Tell me," he repeated.


    "I''m thinking about..."


    His name was right on the tip of my tongue. I was nearly at the edge, and all the while, I pictured him. No one else; just him. If I told him now, then he might take me right then and there, and oh, how I craved that feeling of him.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    1/2


    But then his name died in my throat-because I couldn''t say it. I couldn''t tell him the truth, because the truth would ruin everything. Because he very well might decide to take me right then and there, and then it would only make things moreplicated. No. I still wanted, no, needed, this divorce, and therefore I couldn''t tell him.


    "Say it," he whispered in my ear, his breath grazing my skin.


    I grit my teeth and pulled my head back, my eyes snapping open to meet the bare skin of his shoulder.


    "Drake." 31


    Time froze at that moment. Noah''s hand stilled, his ragged breathing suddenly going silent. All that remained between us was the wild pumping of my heart in my chest and the vibrating toy still thrust inside of me.


    And then, all at once, movement returned. Noah pulled back to reveal a ckened face, his eyes dark with fury. Without a word, he ripped the toy out of me with a wet smack and threw it onto the bed, climbing to his feet. 2


    He left me there,ying in the middle of the bed with my nightgown pushed up and the toy vibrating beside me.

 Chapter 219

    Chapter 0219 Hannah


    I shuddered as I looked at my phone: the forum post iming to have proof of my divorce with Noah was up to 7,000 likes. Just 3,000 more, and the poster would supposedly post this so-called ''proof"... Whatever it may be. ""Hannah? Earth to Hannah?"


    The sound of Viona''s voice snapped me out of my haze. I quickly shut my phone off and slipped it into my purse, meeting her gaze from across the table. For now, I would have to push the thoughts of that forum post out of my mind. After all, I was supposed to be out for dinner with my friend.


    "You okay?" Viona asked, eyeing me from across the booth at our favorite restaurant. She dipped a chip into the nacho cheese, swirled it around, then took a big bite.


    I forced a smile and shook my head, sipping my drink. "Yeah, I''m fine. My mind is just... elsewhere right now."


    Elsewhere. Still stuck on that night with Noah, more like. I still couldn''t get that image out of my mind: his Jarge form hunched over me, the heat between us, the way his face turned ck before he stormed out. It felt like the final nail in the coffin.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Viona raised an eyebrow but didn''t push it further. Instead, she changed the subject. "So, about Amber''s wedding. Can you believe it''s only a month away?"


    I shook my head. "They''re getting married so fast... He only proposed a couple weeks ago."


    "That''s what I''m saying." Viona leaned in, lowering her voice. "This whole situation is fishy. Frankly, I still think Jake is gay."


    I bit my lip, remembering what I had seen at the club during our girls night. I hadn''t mentioned it to Vional yet, or anyone, really, because that also happened to be the fateful aforementioned night with Noah. "Actually, Vi... I saw something the other night that makes me think you might be right," I said, pursing my lips. "I almost forgot, what with everything else going on... But I think you should know." Viona''s eyes widened. "Spill. Now."


    I nced around to make sure no one was listening, then recounted what I had seen at the club-Jake with another man, their intimate bodynguage, the almost-kiss.


    "Holy shit," Viona breathed, leaning back in her chair. "I knew it. He''s using Amber as a beard!"


    "Hang on. We don''t know that for sure," I said, holding up a hand to cate her. "Maybe he''s bi?"


    Viona shook her head vehemently. "No way. If he was and they were in some kind of open rtionship deal, you know Amber would have mentioned it."


    I nodded, realizing that Viona was right. Amber wasn''t exactly a closed book. "Okay, but what do we do about it?" I asked. "Amber''s so in love, she would never believe us without proof."


    "That''s the problem," Viona sighed as she dunked another chip into the cheese. "We need solid evidence. But how do we get it is the ques-" Before she could finish, the chip slipped from her fingers and fell back


    1/2


    into the cheese. Her eyes widened as she looked over my shoulder, and I turned to see what she was looking at.


    Speak of the devil.


    Drake, brushing the rain water off of his jacket, caught sight of us almost immediately-like he could sense us looking. He didn''t hesitate before approaching. "Ladies," he greeted. "Mind if I join you?"


    "Not at all," Viona said, scooting over to make room for him. As he shrugged off his jacket, Viona shot me a sly wink that made me roll my eyes.


    As Drake settled in, he ordered a drink from the waitress. Once she was gone, he looked back and forth between us. "So, what are we talking about? You both looked pretty serious when I walked in."


    Viona and I exchanged wary nces. Drake wasn''t really privy to our personal friend group drama, but he had been helping me figure out what was going on between Zoe and Noah... Maybe he could help with this, too. "We''re talking about our friend Amber," I said.


    "We''re... worried," Viona added.


    Drake cocked an eyebrow at us. "Worried? Why?"


    With a sigh, I filled him in on our suspicions about Jake, including what I had seen at the club. Drake listened intently the entire time, his brow furrowed.


    By the time I was finished, his drink had already arrived. He took a sip, swallowed hard, and let out a low whistle. "That''s rough," he said. "Are you gonna tell her?"


    "We would, but the problem is," Viona chimed in, "we have no proof. And Amber would never believe us without it."


    "She''s totally in love with him," I added. "She''s been head over heels for him since they started dating a few years ago. She''d never believe us unless we ha

 Chapter 220

    Chapter 0220


    Drake was quiet for a moment, his eyes darting back and forth across the tabletop in an expression that I hade to know well as him thinking deeply. After several long moments, a sly grin spread across his face. "You know... I might be able to help with that." "How?" Viona and I asked almost in unison.


    Drake leaned in conspiratorially. "Well, not to brag, but I''m pretty good at attracting almost anyone I want." He shot me a loaded nce, causing my face to redden, before he leaned back and shrugged." That includes men. What if I were to, say... catfish Jake?" Viona''s eyes lit up. "That''s fucking genius," she whispered.


    I, however, was more hesitant. I had already learned my lesson about scheming with the whole Zoe debacle. To do the same with my friend... I wasn''t so sure about that. "I don''t know," I muttered. "Isn''t that kind of risky?" "Maybe," Drake conceded. "But if it would protect your friend from marrying someone who''s potentially using her, isn''t it worth the risk?"


    had to admit, he had a point. Amber might be pissed at us, but she would understand why we did what we did. 1


    Finally, with a sigh, I threw my hands up in exasperation. "Fine," I conceded. "So how would this work?"


    Drake pulled out his phone. "First, I''ll create a fake profile. Give me a minute."


    Viona and I watched as Drake''s fingers flew over his phone screen. After a few minutes, he turned the phone to show us. "Meet ''Tyler'', 28, fitness enthusiast and dog lover."


    The profile showed a handsome Al generated man with sandy blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. "Wow, that''s so realistic," Viona breathed. "I''d swipe right."


    Drake grinned. "That''s the idea. Now, let''s see if we can find Jake..."


    It took a few minutes of searching, but eventually, Drake located Jake''s profile. My stomach twisted as I saw the images of Jake with Amber carefully carefully cropped out. "That bastard," Viona hissed. "We should send her the screenshots."


    Drake shook his head. "No. Let''s see if we can get him to meet up first. If we just send her the screenshots of his Tinder profile, he might be able to im it''s not actually him."


    "If we can get him to meet up, we can photograph him and show it to Amber," I said.


    Drake nodded. Without hesitation, he sent a message. When he was finished, he showed us the screen. The message read: "Hey there, handsome. Love your smile. Want to grab a coffee sometime?" "And now we wait," Drake said, setting his phone down.


    We tried to make small talk while we waited, but the anticipation was palpable. After what felt like an eternity but was probably only about ten minutes, Drake''s phone buzzed.


    We all leaned in as Drake opened the message. Jake had responded: "Hey, Tyler! Thanks for the


    1/2


    "Holy shit," Viona whispered. "He actually responded."


    Drake quickly typed out a reply, suggesting a cafe and time for the next day. Jake''s response came almost immediately, agreeing to the meeting. And with a trap set up, it was only a matter of time.


    We finished up our meal, feeling both nervous and sad for our friend. With a promise to meet outside the coffee chop, we gathered our things and Viona headed out to the car. I hung behind for a moment to talk to Drake. "Drake," I said, pulling him aside. "Have you found any proof about Noah and Zoe yet?"


    Drake''s face fell slightly. "I''m sorry, Hannah. I''ve been watching them like a hawk, but... nothing. Note-night visits, no suspicious behavior. Maybe they''re not cheating after all."


    I felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment swirl around in my chest. "But... he has to be. I''m sure of


    it."


    Drake ced aforting hand on my shoulder. "Look, I''ll stay for one more week to try and find evidence. But that''s it, okay? If we don''t find anything by then, you might have to consider the possibility that Noah''s telling the truth."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    I nodded, feeling numb. As Drake walked away, my mind wandered back to the picture in Noah''s offering bundle-the one I was so sure he had put there himself. But if he wasn''t cheating with Zoe...


    A small, nagging voice in the back of my head whispered a thought I had been trying to ignore: that maybe Noah was telling the truth after all.


    And if that was the case, then who put that picture there? And why? 2

 Chapter 221

    Chapter 0221 Hannah


    "I just can''t believe it," Viona muttered through grit teeth as we made our way up the front steps. "After all these years, Jake has a secret Tinder profile..." "And he''s going to go on a date with ''Tyler," I said with a shudder.


    As I fumbled for the keys, Viona shot me a nervous look over her shoulder. "Amber''s gonna be heartbroken."


    "She''ll be alright." I paused, turning the key in the lock and pushing the door open. "Heartbreak sucks, but


    we''re here for her. That''s what matters."


    Viona hummed in agreement. Stepping inside, we both kicked our shoes off by the front door. Viona headed up to her room while I made my way to the kitchen to make a cup of tea before bed.


    As soon as I stepped through the doorway, I was met with the scent of something cooking. Rounding the corner, I saw him: Noah, pouring a serving of saucy pasta into a single dish.


    Our eyes met for a split second before he quickly looked away, his jaw clenching. Without a word, he grabbed his te and moved to leave the kitchen. As he passed by, his shoulder bumped into mine, hard enough that I knew it wasn''t idental.


    I gritted my teeth, biting back the urge to say something nasty. Instead, I kept my eyes forward and ignored him as he left the room. The sound of his footsteps retreating up the stairs echoed in the tense


    silence.


    With a sigh, I crossed over to the stove and put the kettle on. It had been like this for days now; ever since that fateful night with my toy in bed, things had been colder than ever between us. At this point, I was practically counting down the days until our divorce. And it couldn''te soon enough.


    Sleep didn''te easily that night. I tossed and turned, my mind racing with thoughts of Jake, of Amber, of Noah... When my rm went off at 7:30, I felt like I had barely closed my eyes.


    I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower, hoping the hot water would wake me up. As I got dressed, I tried to make myself look as unlike my usual self as possible-dark sunsses, a hat pulled low over my face, clothes I rarely wore.


    At 8:45, Viona and I slipped out of the house, not bothering to say goodbye to Noah. He was probably neck deep in work in his office anyway, or simply avoiding me.


    Viona and I met Drake outside the cafe at precisely nine AM. Viona was simrly disguised, while Drake... well, Drake looked like apletely different person. He had gone all out with his ''Tyler'' persona,plete with a blonde wig and colored contacts, along with a baseball hat and sunsses so it wasn''t too obvious.


    "Wow," I whispered as we huddled together outside the cafe. "You reallymit, don''t you?"


    Drake grinned as he ran a hand through his fake blonde hair. "Go big or go home, right?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Viona nodded approvingly. "Jake won''t know what hit him."


    1/2


    We quickly went over the n onest time before entering the cafe. Drake took a seat at a table near the window, while Viona and I settled at a table in the corner, partially hidden behind arge potted nt. "Remember," I whispered to Viona as we pretended to peruse our menus. "Act natural. We''re just two friends having coffee."


    Viona nodded, her eyes scanning the room nervously. "Right. Natural. I can do that."


    We ordered our coffees and settled in to wait; of course, the minutes ticked by agonizingly slow. I found myself checking my watch every few seconds, my heart racing with anticipation.


    Finally, after what felt like hours but was probably only about twenty minutes, the bell above the door chimed. I peered around the nt and felt my breath catch in my throat. "Jake is in the building," Viona whispered. "I repeat, Jake is in the building."


    Pausing in the doorway, Jake looked around the cafe for a moment before his eyes finally settled on Drake. A smile spread across his face as he approached the table.


    GET IT NOW


    X

 Chapter 222

    Chapter 0222


    "Quick," I hissed to Viona, snapping my fingers. "Get your phone ready!"


    Sputtering on her coffee, Viona fumbled with her phone and nearly dropped it in her haste. We both watched, wide-eyed, as Jake greeted Drake with a warm hug.


    "Holy shit," Viona whispered, snapping pictures furiously. "He''s actually hugging him!"


    I could barely believe what I was seeing. Jake sat down across from Drake, leaning in close as they began to talk. At one point, Jake reached out and touched Drake''s hand, his fingers lingering there for a moment too long to be purely friendly. "This is insane," I muttered, shaking my head in disbelief.


    Suddenly, Jake''s head started to turn in our direction. I grabbed Viona''s arm, yanking her down behind the nt.


    "Shit!" Viona hissed. "Do you think he saw us?"


    We held our breath, hardly daring to move. After a few tense seconds, I risked a peek around the nt. Jake was back to focusing on Drake, seemingly oblivious to our presence.


    "I think we''re okay," I whispered, letting out a sigh of relief.


    We stayed hidden for the rest of Jake and Drake''s ''date'', asionally sneaking nces and more pictures. After about an hour, Jake finally stood up to leave. We watched as he gave Drake another hug, this onesting even longer than the first. As soon as Jake was out the door, Drake made his way over to our table, a triumphant grin on his face.


    "Well," he said, sliding into the seat next to me and ripping off his wig, "I guess I still got it."Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Viona and I were too stunned to respond at first. We were already huddled around her phone, scrolling through the pictures she had taken.


    "I can''t believe it," Viona said, shaking her head. "It''s all here. The hugging, the hand touching... He even grabbed your ass during thatst hug, Drake. There''s no way he can exin this away."


    I felt a mixture of emotions swirling in my chest-vindication, sadness for Amber, anger at Jake, gratefulness for Drake.


    "What do we do now?" I asked, looking between Viona and Drake.


    Viona''s face hardened. "We have to tell Amber. As soon as possible."


    "Are you sure?" I asked, hesitating. "Maybe we should wait, figure out the best way to break it to her..."


    But Viona was already pulling out her phone. "No. She needs to know before she makes the biggest mistake of her life."


    Before I could protest further, she was dialing Amber''s number. It rang twice before Amber picked up.


    "Hey, Vi!" Amber''s cheerful voice came through the speaker. "What''s up?"


    Viona took a deep breath. "Hey, Amber," she said, keeping her tone cool despite the circumstances. "Do


    1/2


    was to trick him? To set him up?"


    "We knew you wouldn''t believe us otherwise," Viona exined. "We had to get proof."


    "So you yed detective behind my back?" Amber snapped.


    "We did it because we love you," I insisted. "We couldn''t stand by and watch you marry someone who isn''t faithful to you."


    "We''re sorry it has to be like this," Viona added. "But it was the only thing we could think of doing. And with the weddinging up so soon, we were desperate."


    I nodded in agreement. "Look, we know that having Drake pose as this ''Tyler'' guy wasn''t the best way to go about it. But we only did it because we care about you; and Jake took the bait almost immediately."


    "And this can''t be the first time he''s hooked up with another guy," Viona finished softly.


    Amber was quiet for a long moment, staring down at the phone in her trembling hands. Viona and I exchanged nervous nces. When she finally looked up, there were tears in her eyes. "I can''t believe this is happening," she whispered.


    I moved to sit next to her and put an arm around her shoulders. "I''m so sorry, Amber. We never wanted to hurt you. We just wanted you to know the truth."


    Amber leaned into me, her body shaking with silent sobs. Viona came to sit on her other side, rubbing her back gently.


    After a few minutes, though, Amber straightened up and wiped her eyes. "You''re right," she said, her voice a little stronger now. "Actually, I''m d you two did this. I... I need to talk to Jake."


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 223

    "Holy shit," Viona whispered, snapping pictures furiously. "He''s actually hugging him!"


    I could barely believe what I was seeing. Jake sat down across from Drake, leaning in close as they began to talk. At one point, Jake reached out and touched Drake''s hand, his fingers lingering there for a moment too long to be purely friendly. "This is insane," I muttered, shaking my head in disbelief.


    Suddenly, Jake''s head started to turn in our direction. I grabbed Viona''s arm, yanking her down behind the nt.


    "Shit!" Viona hissed. "Do you think he saw us?"


    We held our breath, hardly daring to move. After a few tense seconds, I risked a peek around the nt. Jake was back to focusing on Drake, seemingly oblivious to our presence.


    "I think we''re okay," I whispered, letting out a sigh of relief.


    We stayed hidden for the rest of Jake and Drake''s ''date'', asionally sneaking nces and more pictures. After about an hour, Jake finally stood up to leave. We watched as he gave Drake another hug, this onesting even longer than the first. As soon as Jake was out the door, Drake made his way over to our table, a triumphant grin on his face.


    "Well," he said, sliding into the seat next to me and ripping off his wig, "I guess I still got it."


    Viona and I were too stunned to respond at first. We were already huddled around her phone, scrolling through the pictures she had taken.


    "I can''t believe it," Viona said, shaking her head. "It''s all here. The hugging, the hand touching... He even grabbed your ass during thatst hug, Drake. There''s no way he can exin this away."


    I felt a mixture of emotions swirling in my chest-vindication, sadness for Amber, anger at Jake, gratefulness for Drake.


    "What do we do now?" I asked, looking between Viona and Drake.


    Viona''s face hardened. "We have to tell Amber. As soon as possible."


    "Are you sure?" I asked, hesitating. "Maybe we should wait, figure out the best way to break it to her..."


    But Viona was already pulling out her phone. "No. She needs to know before she makes the biggest mistake of her life."


    Before I could protest further, she was dialing Amber''s number. It rang twice before Amber picked up.


    "Hey, Vi!" Amber''s cheerful voice came through the speaker. "What''s up?"


    Viona took a deep breath. "Hey, Amber," she said, keeping her tone cool despite the circumstances. "Do


    1/2


    was to trick him? To set him up?"


    "We knew you wouldn''t believe us otherwise," Viona exined. "We had to get proof."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "So you yed detective behind my back?" Amber snapped.


    "We did it because we love you," I insisted. "We couldn''t stand by and watch you marry someone who isn''t faithful to you."


    "We''re sorry it has to be like this," Viona added. "But it was the only thing we could think of doing. And with the weddinging up so soon, we were desperate."


    I nodded in agreement. "Look, we know that having Drake pose as this ''Tyler'' guy wasn''t the best way to go about it. But we only did it because we care about you; and Jake took the bait almost immediately."


    "And this can''t be the first time he''s hooked up with another guy," Viona finished softly.


    Amber was quiet for a long moment, staring down at the phone in her trembling hands. Viona and I exchanged nervous nces. When she finally looked up, there were tears in her eyes. "I can''t believe this is happening," she whispered.


    I moved to sit next to her and put an arm around her shoulders. "I''m so sorry, Amber. We never wanted to hurt you. We just wanted you to know the truth."


    Amber leaned into me, her body shaking with silent sobs. Viona came to sit on her other side, rubbing her back gently.


    After a few minutes, though, Amber straightened up and wiped her eyes. "You''re right," she said, her voice a little stronger now. "Actually, I''m d you two did this. I... I need to talk to Jake."

 Chapter 224

    Chapter 0224


    Before we could say anything, she was already dialing his number. Viona and I exchanged worried nces as the phone rang.


    "Jake?" Amber said when he picked up. Her voice was cold, controlled. "We need to talk. Now."


    There was a pause as Jake responded.


    "No, notter. Now," Amber insisted. "I know you''re cheating on me and that you''re gay. The wedding isBelonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    off."


    Another pause. Jake''s voice came through faintly, sounding panicked.


    "Don''t try to deny it," Amber cut him off. "I have proof. Pictures of you with another man today. On a date. And a Tinder profile to match."


    Jake''s voice rose, bing clearer as he tried to exin.


    "I don''t want to hear it," Amber said firmly. "If you realized you were gay during our rtionship, you could have just talked to me about it. Not cheat on me with men behind my back."


    Before Jake could say anything else, Amber abruptly hung up. She sat there for a moment, breathing heavily, before looking up at us with a small, sad smile.


    "Thank you," she said softly. "Both of you. I... I''m d I know the truth now."


    Viona and I hugged her tightly, telling her how proud we were of her for standing up for herself. "So," I said after a while, trying to lighten the mood, "what do you say we break out that margarita mix you brought and have a proper girls night?" Amber managed a weakugh. "That sounds perfect."


    The rest of the night was spent watching movies, eating our weight in takeout food, and painting our nails. As the night wore on, Amber seemed to rx a little bit, her tears slowly drying on her cheeks.


    During a lull between films, Amber suddenly spoke up. "I think I need to get out of town for a bit."


    Viona and I exchanged nces. "What do you mean?" I asked.


    Amber shrugged. "I don''t know. It''s just... it''s been too long since we had a girls trip, you know? I think I could use some time away with my best friends."


    I nodded slowly, realizing she was right. "Thest time we all had a vacation together was... wow, almost three years ago, right after my wedding to Noah."


    "Exactly," Amber said. "I think we''re overdue."


    Viona and I both grinned. "I''m in," we said, almost in unison.


    Later that night, Viona and Amber had drifted off to sleep on the couch and armchair respectively. I was quietly cleaning up the remnants of our night, gathering empty takeout containers and rinsing out margarita sses. As I was finishing up in the kitchen, I looked up to see Noah standing in the doorway. I tensed, unsure what to expect.


    1/2


    "What do you want?" I asked, maybe a bit more harshly than I intended.


    Noah cleared his throat. "Can we talk for a minute?"


    "Fine." I set down my dish towel, crossing my arms as I waited for him to speak.


    Noah ran a hand through his hair, looking ufortable. "I, uh... I heard what you did for Amber."


    I braced myself, expecting him to use me of being a schemer again. But to my surprise, he didn''t.


    "It''s not what you think," he said quickly. "I''m not here to criticize you. In fact, I... I''m proud of you, Hannah."


    Noah''s POV


    Noah watched as the color drained from Hannah''s face. Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she finally muttered, "Thanks."


    Before Noah could say anything else, however, Hannah suddenly brushed past him. He turned, watching with a furrowed brow as she hurried down the hall and up the stairs-as if his very presence frightened her.


    But Noah knew the truth.


    That night, when he had told her to picture the man she wanted the most, she had said Drake... And yet, when he had slipped into her bedroom, he could have sworn he heard her moaning his own name. Hannah was lying about her love for Drake.


    Noah was sure of it. 1

 Chapter 225

    Chapter 0225


    Hannah


    "Wow, Amber," I breathed as I stepped into the vacation rental. My eyes widened as I took in the spacious living room with its vaulted ceiling and panoramic windows overlooking the mountains. "You really outdid yourself with this ce."


    She really did, too; the rental she had picked out was perfect for a week-long getaway, and she had spared no expense. A tray of fresh local cheeses wrapped in paper as well as two bottles of champagne were even waiting for us on the entryway table as we walked in, and the whole ce smelled like pine


    and vani.


    Amber grinned and dropped her bags on the floor. "Only the best for my girls," she said, throwing her arms around all three of us. "Thank you all so much foring with me. I really needed a few days to unwind after... well, you know."


    Viona squeezed her tight. "Of course. That''s what friends are for."


    Emma nodded in agreement. "And hey, look on the bright side. At least you found out before the wedding, right?"


    Amber managed a weak smile. "Yeah, I guess that''s true."


    I felt a pang of guilt, remembering how we had tricked Jake to get our evidence. But seeing Amber now, I knew we had done the right thing. She deserved so much better than a cheating fiance.


    In the days that had followed since Amber learned about Jake''s infidelity, so much had happened. He had confessed to countless hookups with other men prior to our little setup; his ''friend'', Doug, being the first


    of many.


    He imed that he didn''t know he was gay when he and Amber started dating, but it didn''t matter. What mattered was that he never talked to her, and instead resorted to cheating on her. Amber did, of course, kick him out of their shared penthouse-forcing him to move in with his brother.


    And now here we were.


    We spent the next half hour exploring the rental. It was even more impressive than the pictures online had suggested. Four spacious bedrooms, one for each of us, each with its own ensuite bathroom and jacuzzi. A gourmet kitchen with gleaming stainless steel appliances that would make any chef jealous. And best of all, a hot tub on the back deck with a stunning view of the misty mountains.


    As we unpacked, I couldn''t help but feel a tiny sense of relief wash over me. It felt good to be away from home, away from Noah and all the tension that had been building between us. He had wanted me to bring a bodyguard on this trip, but I had refused, of course, and for the first time in a long while, I felt... free.


    "Earth to Hannah," Viona''s voice broke through my thoughts. "You still with us, or are you off innd already?"


    I blinked, realizing I''d been staring out the window for several minutes straight. "Sorry, just admiring the view," I said quickly.


    Emma raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Sure you weren''t thinking about a certain someone back home?"


    1/3


    I rolled my eyes. "Please. The whole point of this trip is to get away from all that drama."


    "Exactly," Amber chimed in from the other room. "No boy talk allowed this weekend!"


    We spent the rest of the afternoon ying board games and card games in the spacious living room, snacking on the fancy cheese and crackers that the host left for us. As evening approached, Amber stretched and yawned. "So, what''s the n for dinner? Should we cook something here?"


    Viona made a face. "On vacation? No way. Let''s go out somewhere nice."


    "I saw a fancy-looking restaurant in town when we drove in," Emma suggested. "We could get all dressed up!"


    "Perfect. I brought a new dress that I''ve been dying to wear," Amber purred.


    Viona grinned. "We''ll have to take some pictures of you in it. For, you know, revenge."


    Amber rolled her eyes. "I don''t think it matters if my ex is gay, Vi. But... I''ll still take the pictures."This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    An hourter, we were all dressed up and piling into the rental car. I had slipped into a satin midi skirt and a ck turtleneck that had me feeling sexy, the soft satin pooling around my fuller hips as I sat in the back seat.


    Since the Lunar Festival, I had put on two more pounds-and I considered that a win. Just another fifteen, and I would be back to my original healthy weight before all of the eating disorder nonsense.


    The restaurant was even fancier than we expected. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the tables were set with crisp white linens and gleaming silverware. A host in a tuxedo greeted us at the door. "Good evening,dies. Do you have a reservation?"


    "Um, no," Amber said, chewing on her lower lip. "Is that a problem?"


    The host consulted his list. "I''m afraid we''re fully booked this evening. However..." He nced over his shoulder at the bar. "I may be able to squeeze you in at the bar, if you don''t mind waiting a bit there for a table to open up." We exchanged nces, then nodded. "That would be great, thank you," I said.


    We settled onto the plush bar stools, and a bartender approached us with a smile. "Good evening,dies. What can I get for you?"


    "I''ll have a ss of your finest red," Amber said, already pulling out her tinum card.


    Viona smirked. "In a spending mood this week, huh?" she asked.


    Amber blushed as the bartender walked away. "My parents... may have sent me a bit of extra cash to treat myself after what happened," she admitted with a cheeky grin. "Tonight''s on me, by the way. Well... This whole week is on me."


    Viona, Emma and I exchanged amused nces. Amber was easily the most wealthy out of all of us; her family was a long line of business owners. They had owned the first railroadpany in Nightcrest back in the early 1800s, and their wealth had only expanded from there. Now, they ran the biggest car


    2/3


    manufacturer in the entire continent.


    Money was no object to them-and Amber had a tidy sum of her own, along with a fancy penthouse apartment, without ever having to lift a finger.


    We spent the next few minutes debating which fancy dishes to order, from the truffle risotto to the lobster thermidor. I was just about to suggest we split a few different appetizers when I felt someone''s


    gaze on me.


    ncing to my left, I saw a man sitting a few stools down, watching me with interest. He was handsome, in a rugged sort of way, with salt-and-pepper hair and piercing blue eyes. When he caught me looking, he smiled.


    I quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks heat up. What was wrong with me? I was still married, for crying out loud. Even if things with Noah were...plicated.


    "Hannah? You okay?" Emma asked, noticing my distraction.


    I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, fine. Just... thinking about what to order."


    The bartender returned with our drinks, setting them down in front of us. As I reached for mine, I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder that nearly made me jump. "Excuse me, miss." I looked up to see those piercing blue eyes looking down at me. "May I pay for your


    drink?"


    GET IT NOW


    3/3

 Chapter 226

    Chapter 0226 Chapter 0226 Hannah


    The man smiled down at me, his piercing blue eyes meeting mine. I could feel my friends bristling with excitement behind me, causing my cheeks to flush red.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Oh, thanks, but that''s not necessary," I said, shing my wedding ring. "I''m married."


    The man''s eyes flickered to my ring, but to my surprise, his smile only widened. "A man can still buy ady a drink, no?" he asked. "I assure you, there will be no strings attached."


    I felt my cheeks heat up beneath his gaze. Well, that was certainly bold of him. But I shook my head again. "Really, thank you. But I''m not interested."


    "I see. Well, if you change your mind... I''m David," the man said, extending his hand.


    I hesitated for a moment before shaking it out of politeness. "Hannah."


    "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Hannah," David said, ncing at my friends. "And you as well,dies. Are you from around here?"


    "We''re visiting." Viona said, leaning forward with a sly grin on her face as she gestured to Amber. "Fresh breakup."


    Amber''s eyes widened, but David simply smiled. "I''m sorry to hear about that. Well... I''ll leave you to it, then. Have a nice night."


    "You too."


    David turned to leave, but then stopped and shot me onest heated nce. "You know," he said, "there''s a great hiking trail not far from here. Leads to a beautiful waterfall. If you''re interested, I would be happy to show you and your friends sometime." I smiled politely. "That''s very kind of you, but I think we''ll be okay on our own."


    David nodded, not seeming put off by my refusal. "Of course. Well, if you change your mind..." He pulled out a business card and slid it across the bar to me. "Give me a call. For hiking tips or... anything else."


    With a final smile, he left. As soon as he was out of earshot, my friends descended on me like vultures. Ooh, Hannah!" Viona squealed, gripping my arm. "That guy was totally into you!"


    Emma nodded enthusiastically. "Seriously, he couldn''t take his eyes off of you."


    I felt my face flush. "Come on, guys. He was just being friendly," I said, ncing down at the business card in my palm, which was also the hand that wore my wedding ring. "And besides, I told him I was married." Amber raised an eyebrow. "He didn''t seem too put off by that. He still practically undressed you with his eyes."


    "You should call him," Viona said, picking up the business card and examining it. "David Thompson, local real estate agent. Ooh, fancy. I bet you could tour some of thevish mansions around here and have some fun in the bedrooms while you''re at it."


    I snatched the card back. "I''m not calling him," I said, growling slightly. "Besides, I''m still married. How many times do I have to say that?"


    "Yeah, to a cheating a**ole," Viona muttered.


    I shot her a withering look over my shoulder. "We don''t know that for sure. Drake hasn''t found anything yet."


    Viona sighed and shook her head. "Come on, Hannah," Amber said gently. "Even if Noah isn''t cheating, you two are getting divorced. There''s no harm in a little flirtation."


    I shook my head firmly and tossed the business card into a nearby trashcan. "No. I''m not dating anyone until the divorce is final. End of discussion."


    The girls exchanged nces but dropped the subject. As we finally got seated at our table and ordered our meals, the conversation shifted, blissfully, to other topics. I was d to have the attention off of me, although the thought of that man and his business card still lingered in the back of my mind.


    "So, Amber," Viona said as she sipped her drink, "how are you holding up? Really?"


    Amber sighed, pushing her food around her te with her fork. "It''s... hard. I keep thinking about all the signs I missed, you know? I thought something was up when he wanted to have the wedding so quickly, but Ipletely ignored that feeling. But I''m d I found out now, before the wedding."

 Chapter 227

    Chapter 0227


    I reached out and gave her hand a squeeze. "There''s no way you could have known, Amber. Jake was good at hiding it."


    "I guess," she said with a shrug. "It''s just... I thought I knew him, you know? And now I feel like I never really did."


    We spent the rest of the mealforting Amber and making ns for the rest of our trip-including a reservation at the spa for the next morning and brunch afterwards, setting off a rather luxurious vacation.


    By the time we left the restaurant, the mood had lightened considerably. We called the driver back to pick us up and returned to the rental, where we all went to our respective rooms for some rest and solitude. That night, though, I found myselfpletely unable to sleep. The others had gone to bed hours ago, but I was still wide awake, my mind racing with thoughts. Particrly, thoughts of Noah.


    "I''m proud of you," he had said that night in the kitchen. I had been so stunned that I had just thanked him and quickly left, not even saying goodnight. How could he be so kind after how I had told him that I was fantasizing about Drake? Unless...


    No. There was no way he could tell I was lying, right?


    Quietly, I slipped out of bed, threw on my bikini, and made my way to the back deck. The hot tub was still warm, steam rising from its surface in the cool night air. I stripped off my bathing suit coverup and slid into the water, sighing as the heat enveloped me.


    As I sat there, gazing out at the starry sky, I couldn''t help but reflect on how much had changed. Just a few months ago, I had been so unhappy with my body, starving myself and taking diet pills until I literally...


    I didn''t want to think about what had happened. All that mattered was that now, I was healthier, stronger... and apparently more attractive, if the attention I had gotten at the bar tonight was any indication.


    I ran my hands over my curves beneath the water, marveling at how different I felt. My thighs were fuller, my hips were rounder, my breasts were more ample. For the first time in a long time, I felt... sexy.


    It was then that I let my fingers rest on my lower belly, almost protectively. I still wasn''t showing, and likely wouldn''t for some time. But that little life inside of me was taking root.


    My mind wandered back to the night I had told Viona everything. She was still urging me on asion to tell Noah the truth, but I still couldn''t bring myself to do it. If I couldn''t even admit to him that he was the one I was fantasizing about, then how could I tell him that I was pregnant with his child? Suddenly, the sound of a car engine broke through my reverie. I frowned, wondering who would be driving up here sote at night. As I peered through the darkness, I saw a ck car pulling up the driveway.


    My heart began to race as a familiar figure stepped out of the car. I recognized those broad shoulders and piercing blue eyes almost immediately: it was David, the man from the bar. What was he doing here? How did he know where we were staying?


    1/2


    Panic seized me-something wasn''t right about this. I scrambled out of the hot tub, grabbing a nearby towel and wrapping it around myself. I had to get inside, had to wake the others.


    But as I turned toward the door, I froze. Another man was standing there, blocking my path. In his hand was a gun, pointed directly at me.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Don''t scream," he said quietly. "Or I''ll shoot."


    I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see David approaching with his hands in his pockets, his earlier charm reced by a cold, calcting look.


    "Come with us, Luna Hannah," he said, his voice calm and even, "and no one will get hurt."


    ay''s Bonus Offer

 Chapter 228

    Chapter 0228 Noah


    Tossing and turning on the lumpy office couch, Noah checked his phone for what felt like the hundredth time that night. The screen remained stubbornly nk, no new messages from Hannah. He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration mounting.


    "Damn it, Hannah," he muttered under his breath. "One simple thing. That''s all I asked."


    He had been clear about the conditions of her trip. If she didn''t want to bring a bodyguard, fine-well, not fine, but he couldn''t really argue with her-but she was supposed to text him each night to let him know she was safe. It wasn''t such an unreasonable thing for a husband to request of his wife, was it?


    Rising from the sofa, Noah paced the length of his office, unable to shake the uneasy feeling in his gut. He knew Hannah could take care of herself, but still... couldn''t she see that he just wanted to make sure she was okay?


    After another hour of restless pacing andpulsive phone-checking only to find that Hannah wasn''t texting him, Noah gave up on the idea of sleep. He grabbed his keys and headed out, figuring that a drink might help calm his nerves.


    The bar was rtively quiet despite being a Friday night, not that Noah wasining; he needed the solitude. Sighing, he slid onto a stool and ordered a whiskey, neat-his usual drink when he just needed something to calm his frayed nerves.


    As he nursed his drink, his mind wandered back to Hannah. Things had been so strained between themtely. But then again, when had things not been strained between them? He couldn''t help but wonder if she was avoiding texting him on purpose, out of spite. That would be just like her. Noah was so lost in thought that he barely registered the tap on his shoulder until he heard someone clearing their throat behind him. He turned, surprised to see Zoe standing there in a stunning sparkling red dress. "Noah?" Zoe said, her eyes wide with surprise. "I didn''t expect to see you here at thiste hour."Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Noah blinked, taking in her appearance. The sparkling red dress she wore hung all the way to the floor, hugging her curves at every point. Her blonde hair was perfectly curled, her eyes smoky and her lips red to match her dress.


    "Zoe," Noah said, turning. "You look... good."


    Zoe smiled coyly as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks. I, uh, actually work here now. I''m the lounge singer."


    "Really?" Noah said, genuinely impressed. "That''s great. You always had an amazing voice."


    "You''re too sweet," Zoe said with a chuckle, touching his arm lightly as she did so. "I''m actually on break right now. Mind if I join you? Or are you with someone?"


    Noah hesitated for a moment, then nodded toward the empty seat next to him. "Please, sit. I''m not with anyone."


    As Zoe settled onto the stool next to him, Noah couldn''t help but notice how beautiful she looked tonight.


    He hated that he noticed, but it was impossible not to; the dress clung to her waist perfectly, and her eyes almost seemed to sparkle in the low light of the bar. He figured that it was all intentional:te-night lounge singers were always dressed to shine, to catch the eyes of lonely men drinking at the bar and get them to spend more money on expensive alcohol.


    "So," Zoe said, leaning in slightly as she waited for her ss of red wine. "What brings you out tonight? Trouble sleeping?"


    Noah sighed and shrugged as he ran a finger around the rim of his ss. "Something like that. Hannah''s out of town, and she didn''t want to bring a bodyguard. She promised she would text me before bed so I know she''s safe, but..."


    As Noah spoke, Zoe''s hand found its way to his arm again. "I''m sorry to hear that," she said in a low voice. "Do you want to talk about it?"


    Noah recoiled slightly at her touch. But there was no denying the fact that for a moment, just a moment, he was... tempted. It would be so easy to open up to Zoe, to let out all his frustrations and doubts. (1)


    GET INNOW

 Chapter 229

    Chapter 0229


    And the way she was looking at him... well, it had been a long time since anyone had looked at him like


    that.


    A fleeting thought crossed his mind then. What if Hannah was cheating with Drake after all? Would it really be so bad if he...?


    But no. Noah pushed the thought away immediately. He knew in his heart that Hannah wasn''t cheating. And even if she was, he wouldn''t stoop to that level. He wasn''t a cheater. "Neither is Hannah," his wolf growled in the back of his mind.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Noah cleared his throat and gently tugged his arm away from Zoe''s touch. "Thanks, but I''m okay. How about you? How''s the singing gig going?"


    If Zoe was disappointed by the change in topic, she didn''t show it. Sheunched into an enthusiastic description of her new job, her hands gesturing animatedly as she spoke. She was close to getting Adam back from her parents, and things were looking up. As Noah listened, he couldn''t help but think back to that day that Hannah had tricked Zoe into going to the coffee shop. It seemed so insignificant now, although it had been a big deal then.


    Had he been too harsh with Hannah? She had apologized to Zoe almost immediately. Maybe she really didn''t mean to hurt Zoe...


    "Noah?" Zoe''s soft voice broke through his thoughts, and Noah blinked to see that she was looking at him and that he hadn''t touched his whiskey in some time. "Are you sure you''re okay? You seem really distracted."


    Noah forced a smile and took a sip of his drink. "Yeah, sorry. Just... a lot on my mind, I guess."


    Zoe nodded sympathetically. "I understand. Listen, if you ever need someone to talk to..." Her voice trailed off as the bartender called her name. "Oh, that''s my cue. I''ve got to get back on stage. It was really good to see you, Noah."


    "You too, Zoe," Noah said. "Break a leg up there."


    As Zoe walked away, Noah couldn''t help but watch her go. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He needed to focus on fixing things with Hannah, not... whatever this mess was. Zoe was his ex; it was over. Their mate tie had been severed years ago, and he had no intention of rebuilding it.


    Just then, amotion near the door caught Noah''s attention. He looked up to see Drake striding into the bar, his eyes scanning the room like two arrows seeking their targets until theynded on Noah. Drake''s face darkened as he approached, his fists clenched at his sides. "I knew it," he spat. "I f****king knew it."


    Noah stood up, confused and irritated. "What are you talking about?"


    "Don''t y dumb," Drake said, gesturing toward the stage where Zoe was headed. "I saw you two together. How could you cheat on Hannah?"


    Noah''s temper red. "You''ve got it all wrong. Nothing is going on between me and Zoe."


    1/2


    Drake scoffed. "Right. And I suppose you just happened to be at the same bar where she works, looking cozy and intimate?"


    "Drake," Zoe said slowly,ing back down from the stage, "what are you-


    "I didn''t even know she worked here," Noah growled before Zoe could finish. "And what the hell are you doing following me, anyway?"


    "Me? I''m protecting Hannah," Drake shot back. "Someone has to do it, since you''re clearly not up to the task."


    Noah took a step forward, his wolf rising to the surface. Goddess, how he wanted to rip into Drake''s throat right then and there. "You don''t know a damn thing about me and Hannah."


    The two men stood toe to toe now, the tension crackling between them like electricity. The other patrons in the bar had gone quiet, watching the confrontation warily, and Zoe could only stand nearby with her hands wringing.


    But then, suddenly, all three of their phones buzzed simultaneously. Noah pulled his out, seeing a group text from Hannah.


    His heart raced as he opened it to see one word on the screen:


    "WATERFALL!"


    GET IT NOW


    X

 Chapter 230

    ut you? How''s the singing gig going?"


    If Zoe was disappointed by the change in topic, she didn''t show it. Sheunched into an enthusiastic description of her new job, her hands gesturing animatedly as she spoke. She was close to getting Adam back from her parents, and things were looking up. As Noah listened, he couldn''t help but think back to that day that Hannah had tricked Zoe into going to the coffee shop. It seemed so insignificant now, although it had been a big deal then.


    Had he been too harsh with Hannah? She had apologized to Zoe almost immediately. Maybe she really didn''t mean to hurt Zoe...


    "Noah?" Zoe''s soft voice broke through his thoughts, and Noah blinked to see that she was looking at him and that he hadn''t touched his whiskey in some time. "Are you sure you''re okay? You seem really distracted."


    Noah forced a smile and took a sip of his drink. "Yeah, sorry. Just... a lot on my mind, I guess."


    Zoe nodded sympathetically. "I understand. Listen, if you ever need someone to talk to..." Her voice trailed off as the bartender called her name. "Oh, that''s my cue. I''ve got to get back on stage. It was really good to see you, Noah." "You too, Zoe," Noah said. "Break a leg up there."


    As Zoe walked away, Noah couldn''t help but watch her go. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He needed to focus on fixing things with Hannah, not... whatever this mess was. Zoe was his ex; it was over. Their mate tie had been severed years ago, and he had no intention of rebuilding it.


    Just then, amotion near the door caught Noah''s attention. He looked up to see Drake striding into the bar, his eyes scanning the room like two arrows seeking their targets until theynded on Noah.


    Drake''s face darkened as he approached, his fists clenched at his sides. "I knew it," he spat. "I fucking knew it."


    Noah stood up, confused and irritated. "What are you talking about?"


    "Don''t y dumb," Drake said, gesturing toward the stage where Zoe was headed. "I saw you two together. How could you cheat on Hannah?"


    Noah''s temper red. "You''ve got it all wrong. Nothing is going on between me and Zoe."


    1/2


    Drake scoffed. "Right. And I suppose you just happened to be at the same bar where she works, looking cozy and intimate?"


    "Drake," Zoe said slowly,ing back down from the stage, "what are you-


    "I didn''t even know she worked here," Noah growled before Zoe could finish. "And what the hell are you doing following me, anyway?"


    "Me? I''m protecting Hannah," Drake shot back. "Someone has to do it, since you''re clearly not up to the task."


    Noah took a step forward, his wolf rising to the surface. Goddess, how he wanted to rip into Drake''s throat right then and there. "You don''t know a damn thing about me and Hannah."


    The two men stood toe to toe now, the tension crackling between them like electricity. The other patrons in the bar had gone quiet, watching the confrontation warily, and Zoe could only stand nearby with her hands wringing.


    But then, suddenly, all three of their phones buzzed simultaneously. Noah pulled his out, seeing a group text from Hannah.


    His heart raced as he opened it to see one word on the screen:Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ""WATERFALL!"


    GET IT NOW


    X

 Chapter 231

    Chapter 0231


    "Shut her up before someone else sees," David barked,


    A cloth was pressed over my mouth and nose before I could scream again. I held my breath, trying to fight it, but eventually, I had to inhale. The world began to spin, and darkness crept in at the edges of my vision.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Thest thing I saw before losing consciousness was the night sky, the stars t**ng above me as a pair of strong arms carried me away.


    When I came to, I was in motion. The low rumble of an engine and the feeling of movement told me I was in a car, although I couldn''t see anything. My hands were bound behind my back, and a rough fabric bag was over my head. Panic surged through me as the events of the night came rushing back. I had to get out of here.


    I started kicking wildly, my feet connecting with something solid-probably the back of the seat in front of


    me,


    "Fuck. She''s awake," a gruff voice said from nearby.


    "Just keep driving," another voice-David''s-replied. "We''re almost there."


    I redoubled my efforts, thrashing and kicking with all my might. My foot connected with something that gave way with a satisfying ***k, a feral growl ripping from my bloodied lips.


    "Da****it!" the driver cursed. "She broke the tail light, the little ***h!"


    "It doesn''t matter," David said calmly. "When we get paid, you can buy a whole new car."


    "F***k a car," the driver said with a chuckle. "I''m going somewhere warm and getting one of those motorbikes. What are they called... Vespas?"


    "Vespas are for girls," I heard David retort.


    Their casual demeanor left me infuriated, although when I tried to reach for my wolf''s strength again, it was useless; the drugs they had given me had weakened me too much, only leaving me able to scream


    and snarl like a feral animal..


    "Let me go!" I shouted, my voice mu***d by the bag. "You won''t get away with this, you ***ds!"


    "Oh, shut up," David said, almost like an annoyed sibling. "Or we''ll have to sedate you again."


    I did shut up after that, if only to keep my head clear enough to n an escape. I don''t know how long we drove. It could have been minutes or hours. With the bag over my head and the stic zip ties cutting into my wrists, time seemed to lose all meaning. Finally, the car came to a stop. I heard doors opening, footsteps crunching on what sounded like gravel.


    Then, hands were grabbing me and pulling me roughly from the car. As soon as my feet hit the ground, I tried to run. But with my hands bound and my vision obscured, I only managed a few stumbling steps before someone caught me. 1/2


    "Nice try," a gruff voice sneered in my ear. "But you''re not going anywhere."


    I was half-dragged, half-carried across uneven ground. The sound of rushing water grew louder with each


    step.


    "Where are you taking me?" I demanded, still struggling against their grip.


    "You''ll see soon enough," David''s voice replied.


    Suddenly, I was thrown onto hard ground and the bag was yanked off of my head. I blinked in the sudden brightness, my eyes slowly adjusting to the light of the full moon.


    I was kneeling on hard stones at the edge of a cliff. To my left, an enormous waterfall raged and cascaded over the cliffside. At my back were dense woods, the trees stretching up toward the starry sky.


    My gaze darted around, taking in my surroundings and looking for any chance of an escape route. But I was surrounded by men on one side and met with nothing but a sheer dropoff into a rocky water basin on the other side. And then I saw him.


    "Jake?" I breathed.


    He stood at the center of the group, nked by several other men I recognized from the years-men who, I had assumed, were all his lovers.


    But the Jake I saw now was nothing like the charming man I had once known as Amber''s fiance. I didn''t know what was going on here, but it was far more than a case of a closeted man cheating on his girlfriend.


    His face was twisted into a cruel smirk as he looked down at me. Slowly, he crouched down, bringing. himself to my eye level.


    "Hello, Hannah," he sneered, eyeing my bikini. "I see you''re already dressed for a swim."

 Chapter 232

    Chapter 0232


    Noah


    The single text from Hannah stared up at them from their screens: "WATERFALL!"


    "Waterfall...?" Zoe muttered, scratching her head as she looked at her own screen. "Has Hannah finally lost it?"


    Drake pursed his lips. "Maybe she''s ying a prank..."


    Noah wanted to side with the others and believe that Hannah was just ying some kind of joke, or maybe that she was even drunk, but he couldn''t help but feel a strange sense of... urgency wash over him upon seeing that text.


    "Something is wrong," his wolf growled, bristling with worry. "I can sense it... Our mate is in trouble."


    Noah''s chest clenched at that word: mate. Maybe he forgot that he and Hannah were mated sometimes, or maybe he chose not to act like it. But they were, and his wolf was right. Something was wrong. And Noah would be damned if he didn''t go to her when his mate needed him. "We need to go. Now," Noah said, slipping his phone back into his pocket.


    Drake nodded, already heading for the door. "I only brought my motorcycle, but-"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "No," Noah said firmly as he pulled his keys out of his jacket pocket. "I''ll drive. I know where the rental is."


    Zoe hesitated for a moment, ncing between the two men before finally letting out a huff of air that caused a lock of her blonde hair to flutter into her eyes. "I''ming too," she said, grabbing her purse.


    Noah didn''t have time to argue. The three of them rushed out to his car, piling in as Noah revved the engine. He peeled away from the curb like lightning, his tires screeching deafeningly against the asphalt.


    As they sped down the dark roads toward Hannah''s rental, Noah''s knuckles were white on the steering wheel. His wolf was restless, urging him to go faster, to find Hannah.


    "What do you think happened?" Zoe asked from the backseat, leaning forward between Noah and Drake.


    "I don''t know," Noah growled. "But it can''t be good. Hannah wouldn''t send a cryptic message like that without a good reason."


    "Maybe she''s drunk?" Zoe suggested.


    Noah narrowed his eyes. "Hannah hasn''t been drinkingtely, you know that. It can''t be that."


    Drake was typing furiously on his phone as Noah sped down the winding roads, "I''m trying to track her phone''s location, but it''s not working. Either it''s off now, or..."


    He didn''t finish the sentence. They all knew what the alternative could mean.


    "Well, keep trying." Noah urged. "Any information could help."


    The car fell into a tense silence, broken only by the sound of the engine as Noah pushed it to its limits. After what felt like an eternity, they finally pulled up to the rental house. Noah was out of the car before it had fully stopped, rushing toward the front door. Chapter 0237


    Inside, they found chaos. The living room was destroyed, furniture overturned, and a shattered vase on the floor-with what looked like blood on it, no less. Noah stooped, letting his wolf get the scent, and let out a breath of relief when he realized that it wasn''t Hannah''s blood.


    "Ahh!" The sound of a woman''s scream pierced the air, and Noah jumped back to his feet just in time to avoid a flying te. It hit the wall behind his head, shattering into a million pieces. With wide eyes, he turned to see Viona standing in the doorway to another room with another te held high.


    "Oh," she said, lowering the te. "It''s you."


    "What the hell is going on?" Noah demanded, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of Hannah. He saw Emma and Amber behind Viona, both holding makeshift weapons-a kitchen knife and a floormp-but Hannah was nowhere to be found.


    Viona shook her head, her eyes wide with fear. "We don''t know. We heard amotion and what sounded like a gunshot. By the time we got down here, Hannah was gone and a ck car was speeding away."


    "We called the police," Amber added in a trembling voice, "but they''re taking forever to get here."


    Noah ran a hand through his hair as he continued to look around the destroyed rental house. "Did you see anything else?" he demanded. "Anything at all that could help us find her?"


    Emma spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "Just before all this happened, Hannah sent that group text. Waterfall. We didn''t know what it meant at first, but then I remembered..." "Remembered what?" Drake stepped into the room.


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 233

    Chapter 0233


    "Well... At the bar earlier, there was this guy," Emma exined. "He was hitting on Hannah, wanted to buy her a drink. He mentioned something about a hiking trail nearby with a waterfall at the end." Noah''s ears perked up at this. "A guy was hitting on Hannah? She didn''t go anywhere with him, did she?" he asked, partially to ensure her safety and partially because, well... he was curious. "Of course not. She turned him down," Emma said.


    "She told him she was married," Amber added. "Showed him her ring and everything. He didn''t seem deterred, and gave her his business card, but she threw it away when he left."


    e girls spoke, a small part of Noah felt a surge of relief? Pride? He pushed the feeling aside, ing on the matter at hand. "Do you think this guy could be involved?"


    a shrugged. "We don''t know, but it''s the only lead we''ve got. He was really persistent.


    aybe turning him down pissed him off," Emma suggested.


    Noah turned to Drake and Zoe then. "We need to find this hiking trail with the waterfall. It might be our best shot at finding Hannah." He pointed at Drake. "Drake, youe with me. As for the rest of you, wait here for the police. Tell them everything you know. And call us if you hear anything, anything at all."


    Viona, Emma, and Amber nodded. But Zoe pursed her lips and folded her arms across her chest, still wearing her sparkling red dress-although now with Drake''s jacket on top of it. "No way," she said. "I''m going with you."


    Noah huffed, already brushing past her. "You should stay here. It''s dangerous-"


    "I know the trail they''re talking about. I''ve been here before, a few years back. I''ve hiked that same trail."


    With a sigh, Noah relented; it was best to have Zoe with them in that case, he supposed. "Fine," he said, flinging the car door open. "You navigate. Drake, you keep trying to track Hannah''s phone."


    "I never stopped," Drake growled.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    With that, they sped back off into the night, Zoe giving directions as Noah pushed the car as fast as it would go. The winding mountain roads were treacherous in the dark, but Noah navigated the curves and switchbacks with ease, sopletelyser-focused on finding Hannah that he hardly even noticed.


    "There!" Zoe suddenly called out, pointing. "That side road. The trailhead should be down there."


    Noah jerked the wheel, sending them careening down a narrow dirt road. Trees whipped past on either side as they bounced along the uneven surface.


    "Are you sure about this?" Drake asked, gripping the dashboard. "This doesn''t look like a road that leads to a popr hiking trail."


    "It has to be," Zoe insisted. "I remembering here years ago. It''s a bit off the beaten path, but that''s what makes the waterfall so special." 1


    Drake narrowed his eyes. "When did you even... Nevermind," he said, shaking his head.


    They drove for what felt like miles, the road getting rougher and narrower. Noah''s heart sank as they


    1/2


    rounded a bend and found... nothing. The road ended abruptly in a small clearing.


    "Is this... it?" Drake asked, leaning forward.


    "No..." Zoe whispered. "Wait, this can''t be right. I was sure..."


    Noah mmed his fist against the steering wheel. "Dammit, Zoe! You had one job!"


    "Hey, don''t get mad at me!" she bit back. "It''s dark."


    Drake leaned out the window, peering out into the darkness. "Maybe we missed a turn somewhere? Or there could be a hidden path we can''t see in the dark." "Look, I''m sorry," Zoe said softly. "I really thought it was this way. Maybe my memory isn''t as good as I thought."


    Noah took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger and frustration building inside of him. Getting angry wouldn''t help Hannah. He needed to think clearly. "Alright, alright," he finally said. "It''s not your fault, Zoe. We''ll find another way."


    With a heavy heart, Noah turned the car around, the tires kicking up dirt and gravel as they headed back the way they came.


    As they drove back toward the main road, Noah''s mind raced with possibilities. Where could Hannah be? Was she hurt? Who had taken her, and why? And underneath it all, a small voice, the voice of his wolf, whispered:


    "Why did it take something like this for you to realize how much she means to you?"

 Chapter 234

    Chapter 0234Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Hannah


    "Hello, Hannah. I see you''re already dressed for a swim"


    I didn''t even have a chance to be scared about that statement; I could only stare at Jake in disbelief, my mind reeling from his sudden appearance. This wasn''t the Jake that I knew. Yes, he was a cheater and a liar, but a kidnapper? And a... murderer?


    No, this had to be some kind of bizarre nightmare. Maybe I was still back in the hot tub, dozing off and having strange dreams from the heat.


    But even then, in my heart, I knew that wasn''t true. If this was indeed a nightmare, then why hadn''t I woken up yet?


    "What''s going on, Jake?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me and the throbbing pain in my body from being attacked. "Why are you here?"


    Jake sneered, his once-friendly face now twisted with malice. "Oh, Hannah. Always so curious, aren''t you? Well, I suppose you deserve to know the truth now. After all, you seem to have worked so hard to uncover


    it."


    He began to pace in front of me, his eyes never leaving mine. "You see, I''ve always known I was gay," he began. "I never had any interest in women, least of all Amber." He shuddered a bit just at the mention of her name, and I felt my blood begin to boil. Even now, on the edge of a cliff with a waterfall raging below me, the thought of someone speaking poorly about my friend filled me with fury.


    "But that airhead..." He shook his head and clicked his tongue. "She bought my act for four years. Hook, line, and sinker."


    "But... why?" I asked, struggling toprehend whatever madness this was. "Why pretend for so long? Why propose to her if you didn''t love her?"


    Jakeughed, a cold, humorless sound that sent chills down my spine. "Money, of course. Amber''s family fortune, to be precise."


    So that was what this was about in the end: her enormous family fortune. I should have known it from the beginning.


    "The n was simple," he continued, counting on his fingers. "I just had to seduce her, marry her, then convince her to sign over a sizable chunk of money before I divorced her. That was it."


    I felt sick to my stomach. "But how could you do that to her? She loved you! She trusted you!" I growled.


    "Oh, please," Jake scoffed, rolling his eyes and waving a dismissive hand. "No one would have gotten hurt. Amber has more money than she knows what to do with. She would still befortable even after I took my hefty share."


    "But that''s not the point," I argued. "You lied to her, manipted her... She was nning to spend her life with you, you bastard!"


    At the sound of my rising voice, one of the armed men stepped forward and swiftly raised the butt of his gun. A jolt of painnced through me as he whacked me squarely on the back with it, causing me to


    double over and let out a strained grunt. Thankfully, my hands were tied in front of me, so I was able to catch myself-but just barely.


    Jake sighed. "No need for that, Joseph," he said, shaking his head. "Help her back up. I''m not finished with my evil viin speech."


    With a huff, the man-Joseph-grabbed my arm and righted me. I bared my fangs at him, but it did nothing. Finally, I sank back onto my heels and blew a strand of hair out of my eyes.


    "I just don''t understand how you could do something like that to Amber," I growled. "If you needed money, you know she would have helped you. She''s a sweet person who takes care of her friends. Why go straight for the cruel route rather than just... befriending her?" "Befriend her? Please." Jake scoffed and ced his hands on his hips. "I can''t stand that insipid little bitch. All she wants to do is go shopping and get her nails done. Do you know how many nights I had to sit up with her, pleasuring her with toys just to make her happy?"

 Chapter 235

    Chapter 0235


    I grimaced at the thought, but said nothing.


    Jake''s eyes shed dangerously as he continued. "I was so close, too. Just a month until the wedding. And it would have worked perfectly if you hadn''t stuck your nose where it didn''t belong. You and your little schemes to figure me out. And now Amber has dumped me, and I''m left with nothing." "That''s your own damn fault," I hissed.


    This time, Jake was the one who hit me-right in the side of my face. I saw a sh of light and felt a burning sensation on my cheek, followed by the feeling of the hard rocks beneath me as I fell to the side. Then, just as quickly, I was righted again by Joseph''s callused hands.


    "Hit me all you want," I said, spitting out a wad of blood and saliva, "but you know it''s the truth."


    Jake growled menacingly. In a strange sort of way, I almost hoped he would just kill me now and be done with it. I had died once before; I could do it again. Maybe this was the real reason why the Moon Goddess had brought me back: to give me the chance to save my friend. If I would die again for that, then so be it.


    But he didn''t kill me. Instead, he crouched in front of me, his handing up to touch my chin. I recoiled, but didn''t have anywhere to go, so I let him turn my head to look at him.


    "What do you want from me?" I whispered.


    Jake''s lips curved into a cruel smile. "If I can''t get Amber''s money," he whispered, "then I''ll just have to take yours."


    My mind scrambled to understand the implications. Then, it hit me: "A ransom," I muttered.


    "Smart girl." Jake rose and dusted himself off.


    "You won''t get it," I said, swallowing. "No one would..."


    "Oh, don''t be so miserable," Jake cut me off. "As if your precious husband wouldn''t give everything he owns to get you back."


    I raised a disbelieving eyebrow at him, and he chuckled. "Amber told me everything about you two, you know. She told me everything about, well... Everything. That idiot still loves you. Of course he''ll pay whatever necessary." (1


    I didn''t know what to say. I wanted to believe him, but at the same time, I just... couldn''t bring myself to believe that Noah would pay a ransom for me. Maybe if I were Zoe instead...


    But at the same time, a bigger part of me knew that I had to try. If not for myself, then for my baby.


    "Very well," I said, leaning back on my heels again. "You can try to get Noah''s money. Just let me go home whenever you get what you want."


    Jake''sughter echoed off the rocks around us. "Oh, Hannah. You''re not going home. Did you really think it would be that easy?"


    The finality in his voice made my blood run cold, but before I could ask what he meant, he continued. "I can''t risk youing after me. So, you''ll take a little swim over this waterfall the moment Noah wires that money to me."


    1/2


    +79 BOWContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "By the time your body washes up somewhere far downstream." Jake took another step forward and lowered himself to me again, and this time, his voice was even more menacing than ever." I''ll be long gone."


    It was at that moment that the finality of the situation finally hit me. My blood ran cold, my chest fightening until I was certain my heart would explode.


    But before I could even begin to process it, Jake was taking a burner phone from one of his cohorts and dialing a number. "You''re going to follow our script," he said as another one of his goons pulled out an index card and held it up in front of me. He crouched in front of me and held the phone out, pressing it to my ear. I could hear it ringing already.


    "And if you stray from our script," he whispered, "then your friends back at the cabin will get hurt-not just you."

 Chapter 236

    apter 0236


    Noah


    Noah''s knuckles were white as a sheet on the steering wheel as the car sped along the winding mountain roads. His keen eyes scanned the darkness frantically, looking for any sign of the trailhead that Zoe had mentioned, but saw nothing other than dense trees and outcrops of jagged rocks lining either side of the


    road.


    "Are you sure it''s this way?" Noah asked for what felt like the millionth time that night, ncing at Zoe in the rearview mirror.


    Zoe nodded, although she looked a little less certain than before. "I think so," she said, her sparkling red dress catching the light as she shifted in her seat. "It''s been a while since I''ve been here, but I remember it being off this road."


    Drake, who had been silent for the past several minutes, suddenly spoke up. "Look, we''ve been driving for almost an hour and have found nothing. Maybe we should turn back, try another route?" he asked.


    "Or maybe we should head back to the cabin," Zoe suggested. "Maybe the police found a lead."


    Like hell I''m giving up, Noah thought to himself with a grimace, ncing at his phone. If the police had found any leads on where Hannah had gone, one of the girls would have called him. Until that happened, he wasn''t going to stop driving, even if it was thest thing he ever did.


    Before Noah could respond, his phone rang, startling everyone in the car. Noah fumbled for it, his heart racing when he saw that there was an unknown number on the screen.


    "You should pick it up," Drake hissed through clenched teeth.


    Zoe nched. "Don''t pick up! It could be a trap!"


    Noah shot Zoe a withering nce in the rearview mirror, effectively silencing her without having to say a word himself. Swiping to answer, he slowed the car slightly and pressed the phone to his ear. ""Hello?"


    "Noah!" Hannah''s voice came through, sounding strained but very much alive. "It''s me."


    Noah let out an immense sigh of relief. "Hannah!" Noah eximed, although there was a heavy dose of fear still churning in his stomach. "Where are you? Are you okay? I''lle get you."


    There was a pause before Hannah spoke again. Noah strained to hear, and could just barely make out the sound of rushing water in the background. The waterfall... She had to be there after all.


    When she finally answered, her words were slow and measured, and the strained tone in her voice gave Noah pause. "I''m fine. But... I need your help. The people who have me, they''re asking for money. Five million dors, to be exact."


    Noah''s blood ran cold. He exchanged wary nces with Drake, who was leaning close to listen. "Five million? Hannah, what''s going on?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Please, Noah," Hannah said, her voice trembling slightly. "They want you to wire the money immediately. If you do, they''ll let me go."


    1/2


    Chapter 05:


    Noah''s mind began to race. Something felt off about this whole situation-and his wolf sensed it, too. Hannah''s voice, the way she was speaking... it didn''t sound like her usual self. She sounded almost like she was reading from a script. Exchanging another nce, even Drake slowly shook his head. He was right; this seemed suspicious. He couldn''t just send five million dors like that, although he had the money-he didn''t know if they would actually release her once he did. But if she really was in danger, he also couldn''t risk refusing outright.


    "Hannah, listen to me," Noah said carefully. "I need more information. Where are you? Who has you?"


    There was another pause, longer this time. When Hannah spoke again, her words seemed even more measured. "I can''t tell you that. Just... please, send the money. It''s the only way. If you don''t, they''re going to... kill me."


    Noah caught Drake''s eye. Drake nodded, a silent understanding passing between them. They needed to keep Hannah on the line for as long as they could while they continued searching for the trailhead. As long as she was on the phone, then they could ensure that she was still alive.


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 237

    Chapter 0237


    "Okay, Hannah," Noah said, trying to keep his voice calm so as not to raise any suspicions as he pushed the car faster again. "I hear you. But five million dors is a lot of money. I need some time to arrange the transfer. In the meantime, can you tell me more about what happened? Are you hurt?" As Hannah began to speak again, her words halting and unnatural, Drake suddenly pointed out the window. "There!" he mouthed.


    Noah squinted through the darkness. Sure enough, he could make out a wooden sign marking the start of a trail. Fresh tire tracks in the mud led up the path. She had to be there.


    "Noah?" Hannah''s voice came through the phone. "Are you still there?"


    "Yes, I''m here," Noah said quickly. "I can send the money. But I need to move some ounts around if I''m going to be able to get that much this quickly. It''s going to take a little time."


    There was the sound of muffled speaking in the background before Hannah spoke again. "Okay. They say you have one hour. If you don''t send the money, they''re going to..."


    Her voice trailed off, and Noah could hear a tiny, choked sob escape her throat. He felt his chest clench painfully, and he knew he needed to act quickly.


    Noah took a deep breath, his mind working furiously as he pulled the car up to the side of the road. "Okay. One hour. But I need to know you''re safe. I want another call from you in 30 minutes. If I don''t hear your voice, I won''t send the money. Do you understand?" Another pause, more background murmuring. "Okay. They agree," Hannah said finally. "Thirty minutes." Before Noah could answer, the line went dead.


    Noah lowered the phone, his hands shaking. "They have to have her hostage up that trail," he said, nodding toward the marker. "I could hear running water. We need to move fast."


    Drake was already opening his door. "We can''t take the car any further. They might hear using."


    Zoe leaned forward from the backseat. "What''s the n, then?"


    Noah turned to her, his expression grim. "We need to go up on foot. It would be best if we shift."


    Zoe''s face paled a bit, and she leaned back. "Oh, um... I''ll stay here, then," she said. "With the car. You know, in case you need a quick getaway."


    Noah stared at her for a moment, then nodded, not caring to delve into why she was acting so strange. Drake was already outside, crouching next to the fresh tire tracks in the mud, and they needed to move quickly. "Alright," Noah said, opening his door. "We''ll be back within the hour. Stay down, and keep the car off."


    "Okay," Zoe replied quietly, already slipping down between the seats. 1


    As Noah stepped out of the car, he could already feel his wolf stirring inside of him. The urge to shift, to run through the forest on four legs instead of two, was almost overwhelming. His mate was nearby, and *Kap 0237N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    1/2


    she was in danger. He needed to go to her.


    And then, he would make the people who took her pay for what they did.


    Noah and Drake moved a few paces away from the car, giving themselves space. Noah closed his eyes, focusing on the change. He felt his bones begin to shift, his muscles stretching and reforming. Fur sprouted across his skin, and his senses sharpened dramatically. When he opened his eyes, he was looking at the world from a much lower, but far more perceptive, pair of eyes. Beside him, Drake had alsopleted his transformation, his dark fur a contrast to Noah''s silver


    coat.


    Noah''s keen wolf senses picked up a myriad of scents on the night air. He could smell the damp earth, the crisp scent of pine, and... something else. A faint trace of Hannah''s scent, mixed with fear and.... blood? Yes. She was this way.


    A low growl rumbled in Noah''s chest. Drake''s ears perked up, and he bounded off into the woods alongside Noah.

 Chapter 238

    Chapter 0238 Hannah


    The stars twinkled over our heads as Noah and Iy on the roof of mine and my sister''s rental house. The air was warm with a slight breeze, just cool enough to befortable inside of Noah''s oversized hoodie.


    At fifteen, I felt both young and old, caught between childhood and adulthood. Noah, at seventeen, seemed so much more mature, so much more certain of his ce in the world. We had only just met a week prior, and already I looked up to him. And maybe more than that. I found him to be quite handsome, although I was too shy to say it just yet.


    Either way, we had practically spent every minute with each other since that day at theke. He had showed me and my sister around Nightcrest pack, taking us to all of his favorite spots. While my sister eventually grew tired of thepany and went off to do her own thing, Noah and I were inseparable. "Look!" I whispered, pointing up at a streak of light shing across the sky. "A shooting star!"


    Noah smiled, although I couldn''t help but notice that the smile didn''t quite reach his eyes. "Make a wish," he said softly.


    I turned to look at him, immediately able to sense that something was off. The moonlight cast shadows across his face, highlighting the worry lines that seemed out of ce on someone so young. "What''s wrong, Noah? You''ve been quiet all night."


    Noah shot me a perturbed look. "Nothing. Why?"


    I shrugged and rolled to face him fully. Even though we had only just met, we had clicked so easily that I felt as if I had known him for a long time already. "You just seem sad, that''s all," I said.


    He stared at me for a long moment, clearly trying to decide whether to tell me the truth or not. Finally, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You got me," he admitted with a tiny smile. "It''s... it''s my mom."


    "Is she okay?" I asked, propping myself up on an elbow. The rough shingles of the roof dug into my skin, even through his hoodie, but I barely noticed.


    Noah shook his head, his green eyes fixed on the stars above us. "She''s... sick. Really sick. And my dad... he put her in a facility a couple weeks ago."


    My heart sank. "Oh, Noah, I''m so sorry," I said, sitting up fully now. "What kind of facility? Can you visit her?"


    "No," he said, his voice cracking ever so slightly. "My dad won''t let me. Says it''s for the best, but... she might die soon, Hannah. And I won''t even get to say goodbye."


    I reached out and gave his hand a squeeze. His skin was cool in the night air. He stiffened slightly, casting me a sidelong nce, but didn''t pull away. "You should visit her anyway," I said.


    "I can''t. I just said that."


    "There has to be a way. Can''t you sneak in or something?"


    Noah let out a humorlessugh. "It''s not that simple. The ce is locked down tight. Security everywhere."


    1/2


    "But surely they would understand if you exined-"Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "Look, I appreciate the thought, but you don''t understand," Noah cut me off, sitting up abruptly. "My dad... he''s not just my dad. He''s important. Powerful. When he says no, it means no. End of story." I sighed, wrapping my arms around my knees. "That''s not fair. She''s your mom. You have a right to see her."


    Noah''s shoulders slumped. "Try telling him that."


    We sat in silence for a moment, watching as more meteors streaked across the sky. Finally, I spoke up again. "What if... what if I helped you see her?"


    Noah turned to look at me with confusion written across his face. "What do you mean?"


    "I mean, what if we snuck in together? Two heads are better than one, right?"


    "Hannah, no. It''s too dangerous. If we got caught-"


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 239

    hapter 0239


    "So we''ll be extra careful not to get caught," I said, a n already forming in my mind. I stood, holding my hand out to him. "Come on, Noah. Don''t you want to see her onest time?"Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    As the memory faded, I found myself back in the present, staring at Jake as he hung up the phone. The rushing waterfall practically drowned out my thoughts, the constant droning serving as a reminder that soon, whether Noah sent the money or not, I would wind up falling down that very waterfall and being impaled on the rocks below. "Well done," Jake sneered as he pocketed the burner phone. "Your husband seems willing to pay. Now we just have to wait."


    I swallowed hard, my throat dry from fear and thirst. "So, what now? Will you kill me now?" I muttered.


    Jakeughed, the sound echoing off the rocks around us. "Not yet, sweetheart. We need you alive for the next call. But after that..." He drew a finger across his throat, his eyes glinting with malice.


    I felt sick, my stomach churning. Thirty minutes. That was all the time I had left in this second chance at life. The Moon Goddess wouldn''t give me and my baby a third chance.


    "I need to use the bathroom," I said suddenly, feeling like I might throw up from the fear.


    Jake eyed me suspiciously for a few moments, then nodded to one of his men. "Take her. And watch her closely. No funny business."


    The guard roughly pulled me to my feet, his grip painfully tight on my arm. As he led me toward a cluster of trees, I scanned the forest, looking for any sign of what? Hope? Escape?


    The woods were dark and dense, shadows dancing between the trees in the moonlight. Even in the distance, I could still hear the roar of the waterfall, although now it was mixed with the sound of owls hooting and leaves rustling.


    "Hurry up," the guard growled, shoving me forward so roughly that I almost fell. "And don''t try anything stupid."


    I stumbled, pretending to squat behind a nearby bush. In reality, I was focusing on my senses, trying to awaken my wolf. To my surprise, I felt a stirring inside of me, a faint echo of my power returning


    I could shift and run, I thought to myself, my eyes sharpening as I scanned the forest.


    But even if I could shift, I knew I wouldn''t get far. My head was still fuzzy from the chloroform, and my body ached from the beating I''d taken. Besides, it had been years since I had fully transformed into my wolf form. I wasn''t sure I could do it quickly enough to escape. As I pretended to finish, a breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the scents of the forest-pine, damp earth....


    And something else. Something familiar.


    My heart skipped a beat, my head jerking up as I realized what it was. Noah


    He was close


    "Time''s up," the guard barked, circling back around the bush and yanking me back to my feet.


    "Hey!" I sputtered, struggling against his grip. "I still could have been peeing, creep."


    "But you weren''t. Now move," he growled, shoving me forward.


    As we walked back to the group, I had to fight to keep a small smile off my face. Maybe, just maybe, Noah wasing for me after all.


    Jake looked up as we approached, his eyes narrowing. "Everything good?"


    The guard nodded. "No problems."


    I settled back onto the hard ground, my mind racing. Noah was close, I was sure of it. But how close? And would he be able to find us in time?


    "Twenty minutes until the next call," Jake announced, checking his watch. "And then..." He whistled, pointing over the edge of the waterfall in an exaggerated manner before making a soft explosion noise.


    I bit my lip, trying to keep my expression neutral. Yeah, right, I thought to myself.


    We''d see who would really be going over that cliff tonight.

 Chapter 240

    Noah & Hannah Noah''s POV


    Noah and Drake raced through the forest, their wolf forms allowing them to cover the ground quickly and silently. Noah''s silver coat gleamed in the moonlight, while Drake''s darker fur blended with the shadows. The scent of pine and damp earth filled their sensitive noses, mixed with a faint trace of Hannah''s familiar scent. Just a little further, Noah thought to himself as he leaped over fallen trees and rocks. I''ming, Hannah


    As they ran, Noah watched Drake''s lithe wolf form and found himself struggling with conflicting emotions. Part of him wanted to hate Drake for his closeness to Hannah, for the way she seemed to care about him so muchtely.


    But at the same time, he couldn''t deny that without Drake, they might not be so close to finding Hannah now before it was toote.


    Soon, the trees began to thin as they reached the top of the mountain. They slowed their pace. exchanging silent nces of understanding. Hannah''s scent grew thicker, and Noah knew that she was incredibly close now-which also meant that her captors were close. They needed to be careful.


    Noah pressed his nose to the ground, following Hannah''s scent. He stopped in front of a rock that had a bit of blood sttered on it; there was a boot print in the mud right next to it, indicating that there was a struggle here. Hannah had to have been carried, since onlyrge men''s shoe prints could be seen. Suddenly, Noah froze, his ears perked. Drake froze beside him, listening intently.


    Ahead, they heard the faint sound of voices and caught a whiff of unfamiliar scents. They were close.


    Moving cautiously now and keeping low beneath the underbrush, they crept forward until they spotted an armed guard stationed in the woods. The man was alert, his gun at the ready, scanning the area with sharp, slightly glowing eyes.


    Noah and Drake exchanged a nce, a silent n forming between them. Then, in perfect synchronization, they burst out from the underbrush, taking the guard by surprise. Before he could shout or fire his weapon, they had him pinned to the ground, two gushing puncture holes in his neck from Drake''s fangs. The man jerked, gurgled, then went still,


    With the immediate threat neutralized, they pressed on. As they neared a clearing, Noah''s heart nearly stopped


    There, kneeling on the ground in nothing but a bikini, was Hannah. Her hands were bound behind her back, and she was surrounded by armed men.


    But what made Noah''s blood run cold was the figure standing at the forefront of the group.


    Jake Amber''s ex-fiance, who she had supposedly broken up with not even two weeks ago. What the hell


    was he doing here?


    Noah felt a growl building in his chest, but Drake nudged him, a reminder to stay quiet. They needed the element of surprise.


    Noah nodded. They needed to remain calm and quiet if they were going to ambush the men without Hannah getting hurt, although every fiber of his being screamed to rush in and save Hannah, guns-or rather, fangs-zing.


    They were about to make their move when suddenly, another wolf burst from the shadows, lunging at them with bared teeth and shing ws. The unexpected attack caught them off guard, and they tumbled into the underbrush in a flurry.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    The sound of their struggle echoed through the clearing, drawing the attention of Jake and his men.


    Hannah''s POV


    My head snapped up at the suddenmotion in the woods. Jake cursed, and without hesitating for so much as a moment, his hand roughly grabbed my arm. He yanked me to my feet, the sudden movement making my head spin and reminding me of the chloroform I had inhaled earlier, "What the hell was that?" one of the guards asked, his gun trained on the treeline.


    Jake''s grip on my arm tightened painfully until I let out a small whimper. "Go check it out," he barked at his men. "And be ready for anything."


    As the guards moved toward the source of the noise, my heart raced. Could it be...? I hardly dared to hope, but I couldn''t help myself. Sniffing the air, I could make out an intoxicating scent.

 Chapter 241

    Hannah''s POV


    had inhaled earlier,


    My head snapped up at the suddenmotion in the woods. Jake cursed, and without hesitating for so much as a moment, his hand roughly grabbed my arm. He yanked me to my feet, the sudden movement making my head spin and reminding me of the chloroform I "What the hell was that?" one of the guards asked, his gun trained on the treeline. Jake''s grip on my arm tightened painfully until I let out a small whimper. "Go check it out," he barked at his men. "And be ready for anything."


    As the guards moved toward the source of the noise, my heart raced. Could it be...? I hardly dared to hope, but I couldn''t help myself. Sniffing the air, I could make out an intoxicating scent.


    GET IT NOW


    2/2


    unborn baby...


    I was losing it all again. And there would be no third chance.


    "Hannah!" he cried out, reaching for me.


    But it was toote. Jake, still holding me tightly, leaned back and let gravity take over. As we tipped over the edge of the waterfall, I caught onest glimpse of Noah''s anguished face before the world turned upside down.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    The roar of the water filled my ears as we fell, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. I thought of Noah, of the baby growing inside of me, of all the things that were left unsaid, and I wished that I had spent thesest two months loving him rather than fighting him. Then, we were plummeting toward the churning water below, the mist enveloping us as we fell. Chap 0242

 Chapter 242

    Chapter 0242


    Hannah


    "Noah!"


    As Jake and I plummeted toward the churning water below, time seemed to slow to a standstill. The roar of the waterfall faded into the background, and all I could hear was the pounding of my own heart in my chest.


    My hand instinctively went to my stomach, where my unborn child had only just taken root a couple of months ago, and for a moment, I was back on the floor of my steamy bathroom all over again.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    This couldn''t be happening, I kept telling myself. My child and I were given a second chance at life, only for it to be snuffed out so soon by a man whose only motivation was money.


    As we fell, I thought of all the things I would never get to experience-holding my baby for the first time, watching them grow, seeing their first steps... being a mother, finally, after all these years of trying. Tears stung my eyes as I reached desperately toward the cliff''s edge, knowing it was futile. Nothing would catch us except for the jagged rocks below. I hoped it would be quick, at least.


    But then, suddenly, a sh of silver caught my eye. A brilliant silver wolf-Noah-leaped into the moonlight, his powerful form silhouetted against the night sky. For a moment, all I saw was his silver fur catching the moonlight, his graceful legs stretched and his piercing yellow eyes fixed on me.


    I thought that if I had to die, then I wouldn''t mind that scene being thest thing I ever saw.


    Then, mid-air, he shifted back to his human form and dove toward us with outstretched arms.


    Everything happened so fast. Noah dove down, reaching for my outstretched hands. He collided with me mid-air, his arm wrapping around my waist and pulling me free from Jake''s grip. Jake fell down into the misty waterfall spray, his wild eyes disappearing into the gray abyss. For a moment, Noah just held me tight against his body, and it was all I could do to grip him so tightly that my fingers dug into his skin. Then, his other hand shot out, grasping at the rock face alongside the waterfall.


    We mmed into the cliff, and I heard Noah grunt in pain. But his grip on me never faltered. "Noah-"


    "Hold on! I''ve got you," he said through gritted teeth, his fingernails digging gouges into the mossy rock. "I won''t let you go."


    I buried my face in his chest, shaking with relief and residual fear. "Noah," I repeated, unable to say anything else.


    We hung there for what felt like an eternity, the spray from the waterfall soaking us as Noah clung to the rock. I could feel his muscles straining with the effort of holding both of us, but his grip never loosened- not on me, and not on the handhold he had found. "Drake!" Noah shouted over the roar of the water. "We need a rope!"


    Just momentster, I felt something brush against my arm. Drake had managed to lower a rope to us,


    although I didn''t know or care where he had found it. Grabbing the robe, Noah found a foothold to rest on while he secured it around my waist first.


    "Hold on tight," he instructed. "They''re going to pull you up."


    I shook my head, clinging to him. "Not without you.""


    Noah''s eyes softened uncharacteristically. "I''ll be right behind you. I promise."


    Reluctantly, I let go, and felt myself being lifted. As soon as I reached the top, hands grabbed me, pulling me to safety. There were shing lights in the forest and voices shouting, but I hardly noticed anything. Once I was secure, I turned immediately, watching anxiously as Noah was pulled up next.


    Only once we were both on solid ground, soaked and sputtering, did I finally let out a whimper of relief. I crawled over to Noah, my mud-covered hands moving over his body, checking for injuries.


    "Are you okay?" I asked, my voice hoarse from the guttural scream that had ripped from my throat during the fall. "You hit the rocks pretty hard."


    Noah sat up, wincing slightly. "I''m fine," he muttered, reaching for me. His fingers trailed along my bare skin, and I couldn''t help but press my forehead against his. "You?"


    "We''re okay," I assured him. I hardly had time to notice that when I said ''we'', I didn''t just mean the two of us; I meant the baby, too. Noah didn''t notice, either.


    Finally, I came to my senses and saw that the EMTS were rushing to us with medical bags in hand, along with multiple police officers and a wailing siren. Blinking against the harsh lights, I felt a hand on me and looked up to see Drake, covered in blood, crouching beside


    me.

 Chapter 243

    Chapter 0243 "Drake-"


    "Hannah!" I heard familiar voices call out, cutting me off. I turned to see Viona, Amber, and Emma running toward us, their faces streaked with tears and their eyes wild. They engulfed me in a group hug, all talking at once. "We were so worried-"


    "Are you okay?"


    "What happened?"


    I hugged them back, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden rush of activity. "I-I''m okay," I said, my voice m****ed against someone''s shoulder. "Thanks to them." As they pulled back, I nodded toward Drake and Noah. Noah was already being led away by a paramedic; meanwhile, Drake was looking at the dead bodies scattered around the cliffside, a stony expression on his face.


    Before I could say anything else, one of the paramedics rushed up to me and ced a foil nket around me, checking my eyes and body for injuries. Thankfully, aside from a cut and a bit of blood on my leg from when Noah and I crashed against the side of the cliff, I was unharmed. Physically, at least.


    The next twenty minutes were a blur of tests and questions. Noah was lost in the crowd of police officers and paramedics, although I could hear him speaking, so I knew he was alright. "You''ll have to spend the night in hospital," the EMT said as she checked my eyes for the millionth time. Just to be safe."


    I nodded and watched as she left. My eyes wandered over to Drake again, who was still standing off on his own. Rising on shaky feet despite my friends'' protests, I limped over to him. "Thank you," I said, throwing my arms around him and hugging him tightly. "For everything."


    He hugged me back with an iron grip for a moment, huffing deeply into my shoulder, before he pulled back slightly. "I''m d we found you," he murmured in a hoarse voice. "How did you guys do it?" I asked as we pulled apart.


    Drake''s eyes flicked to Noah, who was still being checked over by the paramedics. "It was Noah," he admitted. "As soon as he got your text, he knew something was wrong. He was the one who figured out where you might be and insisted wee looking for you immediately."


    I looked over at Noah, surprised. Despite everything that had happened between us, he hade for me without hesitation. As I watched him wince while a paramedic cleaned a cut on his arm, I felt myself soften.


    But then, my eyesnded on Zoe-who was standing by herself, in a sparkling red dress, by one of the police cars.


    There was an undeniable flicker of something... off when our eyes met. What was she doing here, dressed like that? And why...


    1/2


    "Luna?" The sound of a voice ripped me out of my reverie, and I turned to see a police officer approaching. "We need to ask you some questions about what happened."Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    I nodded, taking onest nce toward Zoe to find that she had walked away. "Of course."


    As I recounted the events of the night to the officer, my mind kept wandering back to Noah. The way he had leaped after me without hesitation, risking his own life to save mine. The fear in his eyes. The gentle way he had held me as we dangled from the cliff. When I finished giving my statement, I looked around for Noah again. He was being led to the ambnce, his arm wrapped in fresh white gauze and bound in a sling. "Hannah?" Viona touched my arm. "Are you sure you''re okay? You look a little dazed."


    I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. "I''m fine. Just... exhausted."


    Amber hugged me again. "We were so scared when we got that text. I can''t believe Jake was behind all of this."


    "I still can''t believe it myself," I admitted. "It all happened so fast."


    Viona, standing off to the side, nced down at my belly with a questioning look in her eyes. I nodded almost imperceptibly over Amber''s shoulder, a silent promise that it wasn''t just me who was okay-the baby was okay, too. "Noah really came through, didn''t he?" Emma asked.


    "Yeah," I replied, my eyes drifting back to the ambnce where Noah was now sitting. "He did."

 Chapter 244

    Chapter 0244 Noah & Hannah Noah''s POV


    Noah sat on the edge of the hospital bed, his body aching from the whole ordeal but his mind racing even faster. The doctors had tended to his wounds, patching up the cuts and bruises he had sustained during the rescue, and his arm was in a sling for now-he had dislocated his shoulder grabbing the side of the cliff. But the physical pain was nothingpared to the emotional turmoil he was experiencing.


    No matter how hard he tried to rx, his mind couldn''t seem to stop reying the moment Hannah fell over the edge of the waterfall, the terror that had gripped him as he leaped after her without a second thought. He hade so close to losing her, to losing everything. "I don''t want things to go back to normal after this," he thought to his wolf.


    His wolf bristled in response. "Which ''normal'' are you referring to? The normal you had before everything fell apart, or the new normal after she announced her decision to divorce you?".


    Noah cringed visibly, his face twisting not from pain, but from mental anguish. "Both."


    It was true; their marriage had been falling apart for some time. Years, even. He didn''t want things to go back to the way they were before, when Hannah was hardly more than a trophy wife. But he also didn''t want to divorce her. Not now, when he had juste so close to losing her for good.


    A nurse entered the room, interrupting his thoughts. "Alpha Noah?" she asked. "How are you feeling?"


    Noah cut straight to the chase, not even bothering to answer the nurse''s question. "How''s my wife?"


    "Luna Hannah is being examined now," the nurse replied as she checked her clipboard. "We''ll update you as soon as we know more. But you both will need to spend the night here so we can monitor you."


    Cringing again, Noah replied, "Fine."


    The nurse shot him an apologetic look. "If it''s any constion, you two can share a room if you''d like."


    Before Noah could even think about his reaction, he abruptly said, "I would like that."


    As the nurse left, Noah''s mind wandered back to Hannah. The thought of divorcing her now seemed impossible. How could he let her go after everything they had been through?


    But he knew, even though he had saved her life tonight, that Hannah''s mind was made up. She wanted out of their marriage, and nothing he did seemed to change that.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Not that he could me her, of course. No matter how angry it made him, he couldn''t help but wonder if it was still for the best.


    At least she would be safe with Drake if we got divorced, Noah thought bitterly. He had seen how Drake had fought tooth and nail tonight to save Hannah; clearly, he cared immensely for her. If Hannah had to choose someone else, maybe Drake wouldn''t be the worst option.


    Although Noah would rather Hannah be with him instead. But if he had no choice...


    Chaple: 0244


    Suddenly, the sound of a knock on the door pulled Noah from his thoughts. Drake stood in the doorway, looking about as battered as Noah felt.


    "May 17" Drake asked, gesturing to the empty space in front of Noah''s hospital bed.


    Noah grit his teeth for a moment, then nodded. He couldn''t bring himself to hate Drake anymore, not after tonight.


    "How are you holding up?" Drake asked as he stepped into the room.


    Noah sighed. "I''ve been better," he admitted, then paused, chewing the inside of his cheek. "Listen, Drake... I wanted to thank you. Hannah wouldn''t have survived if we hadn''t worked so well together."


    Drake nodded, and Noah swore he could see a look of relief crossing his face. "I''m just d you''re both alive. And for what it''s worth, I think we make a pretty good team when it counts."


    "Yeah. I suppose we do," Noah agreed, holding out his hand. Drake took it, shaking firmly.


    As they broke apart, Noah caught sight of Zoe standing in the hallway behind Drake. "Drake, would you mind giving us a minute?" Noah asked.


    GET IT NOW


    X

 Chapter 245

    Chapter 0245Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Drake looked confused but nodded, stepping out of the room. Zoe entered, her sparkling red dress looking out of ce in the sterile hospital environment!


    Noah couldn''t help but think back to how sheepish she had looked at the prospect of shifting and joining them in the fight. Not that he expected her to fight alongside them, but there was just something... off about the way that she had acted tonight. "Noah, I''m so d you''re okay," Zoe said, moving to hug him.


    Noah held up a hand, stopping her. "Zoe, I need to ask you something. Was it really the case that you simply forgot where the trailhead was?"


    Zoe froze and her eyes widened slightly. "What are you implying, Noah?"


    Noah watched her carefully, reading her bodynguage. The slight tension in her shoulders, the way her eyes darted to the side... Something wasn''t right here. But he wasn''t going to press further; not tonight, at least.


    "Nothing," Noah finally said. "I just wanted to thank you for your help tonight."


    Zoe nodded, looking relieved. "Of course. I''m just d that you''re safe, Noah."


    With that, Zoe turned on her heel and headed for the door. Just as she was about to slip away, Noah cleared his throat and called out, "And Hannah, too? You''re d that she''s safe?"


    Zoe stiffened, her hand on the doorknob. Without turning fully, she muttered, "Yes. I''m d she''s safe,


    too."


    And then, Zoe was gone.


    Hannah''s POV


    I winced as the doctor cleaned thest of my scrapes. Aside from some bruises and minor cuts, I had managed to escape rtively unscathed. Physically, at least. Emotionally, I was still reeling from the events of the night. "Alright, Luna Hannah," the doctor said, removing her gloves. "You''re looking good, but we need to run a few more tests to be sure."


    I nodded, ready to be done with all of this. But then the doctor continued, "Including a pregnancy test. It''s standard procedure in cases like this."


    My heart skipped a beat. "Is that really necessary?"


    The doctor looked at me sympathetically. "I''m afraid so. It''s for legal purposes, in case there are anyplications down the line. We have to cover all of our bases."


    I swallowed hard, knowing I couldn''t avoid this. "Alright," I said quietly.


    As I waited for the results, my mind raced. This would be the first official confirmation of my pregnancy. Until now, it hadn''t been set in stone. I knew I was pregnant, of course, but seeing it on paper would make


    1/2


    it real in a way it hadn''t been before.


    The doctor returned with a smile on her face. "Congrattions, Luna Hannah. The test came back positive. Would you like me to bring your husband in to share the news?"


    "No!" I said quickly, perhaps too quickly judging by the doctor''s raised eyebrow. "I mean, no thank you. I''d like to tell him in private."


    The doctor nodded, although she looked a bit confused. "Of course. Well, everything looks good, but I want you toe back in a month for a checkup. We''ll monitor the baby''s progress then."


    As the doctor left, I sat on the edge of the bed, chewing my lip. My hand drifted to my stomach, where our child was growing. Noah''s child. The child he had saved tonight without even knowing it.


    I thought about how close I hade to losing everything. How Noah had leaped after me without hesitation, risking his own life to save mine. And now, knowing for certain that I was carrying his child, the weight of his actions hit me even harder.


    How could I keep this from him any longer? He deserved to know, especially after what he did for me tonight. But the thought of telling him also made me feel like I might be sick.


    I closed my eyes for a moment, thinking deeply. The Moon Goddess had given me a second chance at


    ife, bringing me back from death.


    But tonight, Noah had given me a third.

 Chapter 246

    Chapter 0246


    Hannah


    I sat on the edge of my hospital bed, watching Noah fidget ufortably in his. We had been ced in the same room for overnight observation. The tension between us was palpable, but I couldn''t deny the way that being close to him gave me a bit of relief. The room was small, with two beds separated by a thin curtain that was currently pulled back. The walls were a pale green, and the only window offered a view of the dimly lit parking lot. The steady beep of monitors and the asional squeak of shoes in the darkened hallway were the only sounds breaking the silence.


    "I hate hospitals," Noah muttered, annoyedly adjusting his arm sling white his eyes darted around the sterile room.


    I was about to chide him for being fidgety when I suddenly remembered-his mother had died in a hospital much like this one, just days after we had snuck in to see her as teenagers. "I know," I said with a soft sigh. "But it''s just for one night."


    Noah grunted in response, shifting restlessly in his bed. "We should just leave. I''m fine, you''re fine. We don''t need to be here."


    "The doctors want to make sure we''re okay," I reminded him. "It''s standard procedure after what we''ve been through."


    Huffing, Noah sank a bit further down into his bed and grabbed the nearby television remote. I watched for a few minutes as he flipped through various channels, all of which were filled with nothing but the usualte-night trashy TV, before he shut it off again and tossed the remote aside.


    A brief silence filled the room after that. I nuzzled down beneath my thin nket, wishing I was back home-back with my plush pillows and velvet drapes. Goddess, I had gotten spoiled over the years.


    Suddenly, Noah grunted softly and prodded at his shoulder-which had gotten dislocated when he had grabbed the side of the cliff. They had popped it back into ce, but he would need to wear a sling for a few days to reduce movement.


    I nced over at him and furrowed my brow. "How did you keep holding on like that?" I found myself asking.


    Noah quirked an eyebrow at me. "What?"


    I gestured to his shoulder. "You dislocated your shoulder, but you held onto both of us earlier. How did you do that?"


    "I just did," he said with a shrug. "Nothing could have made me let go."


    I studied him for a moment, my face flushing ever so slightly as I thought back to tonight''s events. The image of him leaping after me had seared itself into my mind, even more so than the sound of Jake''s screams as he plummeted into the waterfall. "You saved me," I whispered without really meaning to.


    Noah snapped his gaze over to mine, his green eyes flickering with something that I couldn''t quite read."


    Charte: 123


    And I''d do it again in a heartbeat," he said simply.


    I opened my mouth to respond, although I struggled toe up with the right words. Then, as if on cue, Noah''s stomach let out a loud growl and broke the moment. He looked embarrassed, a rare sight that almost made meugh. "When was thest time you ate?" I asked.


    Noah shrugged. "I don''t know. This morning, maybe?"


    I shook my head, suddenly feeling protective over him in a way that I hadn''t felt in a very long time. "That won''t do. I''ll be right back."


    Before he could protest, I climbed out of bed, carefully holding my hospital gown so it wouldn''t fall open, and grabbed my wallet. I slipped out of the room and made my way to the vending machines I had spotted earlier.


    Truthfully, I just needed a moment to stretch my legs and clear my head. Noah''s admission had left me blushing deeply, which I could see clearly in a mirror on the wall as I padded down the hall. Thankfully, the hallway was blissfully quiet, most of the patients already asleep.


    Finding the vending machines, I stuck my card into the slot and punched several different numbers: chips, cookies, a couple of sodas, candy. All decadent junk food that I never would have partaken in before, but something about almost dying for a second time made me realize how ridiculous it was to restrict myself -especially now.


    I returned to our room a few minutester with my armsden with an assortment of snacks. Noah''s eyes widened as I dumped the haul onto his bed. "What''s all this?" he asked, sitting up.


    GET IT NOWText ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Chapta: 0347

 Chapter 247

    Chapter 0247


    "Dinner," I said with a small smile. "Or the closest thing we can get right now."


    Noah prodded one of the bags of chips with his finger and eyed me warily. "You''ll really eat this stuff?"


    I shrugged and nodded at the same time. "It''s not like I have much of a choice right now. And besides, I''ve missed all this glorious junk food over the years." He smirked slightly. "Finallying back to the dark side, huh?"


    Nodding, I climbed onto his bed, sitting cross-legged across from him. After a moment''s hesitation, Noah reached out and grabbed one of the bags.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "This feels like we''re kids at a sleepover," hemented as he unwrapped a baggie of cookies.


    Iughed, the sound surprising both of us. "Well, it''s better than thinking about why we''re really here."


    We ate inpanionable silence for a while, the rustle of wrappers the only sound in the quiet room. As I watched Noah rx slightly, I felt a warmth in my chest. This felt... nice. Normal, even.


    "Remember when we used to do this?" I asked suddenly.


    Noah furrowed his brow. "When we got married, you mean?"


    "No." I shook my head. "Before that. Like when we first met when my sister and I were on vacation, and we raided the snack pantry at your parents'' house."


    For a moment, Noah just blinked at me in confusion, and I felt my stomach drop slightly. He didn''t remember, did he?


    He shook his head. "I''m sorry, I don''t..."


    "Forget it," I said, waving my hand and forcing a small smile. "It was a long time ago."


    Neither of us said anything else after that. I couldn''t deny the feeling of disappointment in my chest at the thought that he had truly forgotten our first meeting after all, and it just reminded me of how he got the dates mixed up at that party all those weeks ago. It wasn''t that long ago, really. In fact, I still remembered it like it was yesterday.


    But it seemed that Noah''s memories of that week together were somewhat less... profound. (1)


    We ate for a little while longer, eventually clicking the TV back on to watch some cheesy soap opera that was ying. Soon, the snacks dwindled away, and we were left with full bellies. As I watched the TV, my hand fluttered to my stomach, feeling the slight swell there. I should tell him, I thought to myself, pursing my lips. Perhaps it was time. I''d begin to show soon anyway, and then I really wouldn''t be able to hide it from him. Finally, deciding to just do it and not even think about it, I sat up and took a deep breath. "Noah, I''m pregnant."


    But there was no answer. Turning, I realized that Noah''s eyes had drifted shut. His breathing had evened out, and he was leaning slightly to one side. He had fallen asleep.


    I looked down at him, feeling a mixture of disappointment and... relief. Part of me was d that I wouldn''t have to deal with his reaction right now, but another part wished he had heard me.


    Sighing, I finally decided that it was time to go to sleep myself, and I stood to head back to my own bed. But as I moved, Noah''s hand suddenly shot out, grabbing my wrist. I gasped, nearly losing my bnce as he pulled me back toward him. "Noah?" I whispered, wondering if he had heard me after all, but there was still no answer; he was still asleep.


    His grip was strong, and before I knew it, I''d fallen onto the bed beside him. Noah''s arm wrapped around me, holding me close. I froze, unsure of what to do. It seemed his wolf had reacted instinctively in his sleep, wanting to keep me near. Thest time we had slept together like this was... I couldn''t even remember.


    I should get up, I thought. I should go back to my own bed. But as Iy there, listening to Noah''s steady heartbeat, I found myself unable to move away from him.


    Before I knew it, I was drifting off to sleep, nestled safely in Noah''s arms.

 Chapter 248

    Chapter 0248Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Hannah


    "Oh, how sweet..."


    "Look at how he''s holding her..."


    "They must really love each other..."


    I woke up with a start to the sound of hushed whispers and giggles over my head. Blinking slowly, I became acutely aware of two nurses standing at the foot of the bed, their eyes wide as saucers and their hands sped as they looked down at me..


    "Oh!" one of them gasped, taking a surprised step back when she saw that I was waking up. "We''re so sorry, we didn''t mean to disturb you." With that, they both scurried out of the room, and I watched them go with a furrowed brow.


    realized then that I was still curled up against Noah''s side with his arm wrapped protectively around me. face instantly flushed as I realized why the nurses had been fawning over me, and I quickly moved to up and go back to my own bed.


    ut as I sat up, no matter how I tried to be gentle, Noah began to stir. His eyes fluttered open, focusing on me for a moment before drifting down to my chest. I followed his gaze and felt my cheeks heat up even more as I realized that my hospital gown had fallen open in the front in my sleep, exposing my bare breasts.


    "Oh," I muttered, quickly pulling the gown closed with a nervous look on my face.


    The tips of Noah''s ears turned red and he cleared his throat, looking away respectfully. "Sorry, I didn''t mean to..."


    "It''s fine," I said, my face still burning. I quickly stood and stretched, walking back over to my hospital bed. Noah sat up, his neck cracking as he also stretched.


    "How did you sleep?" he asked. When I nced over at him, I could see that he had a sheepish expression on his face-likely because he didn''t remember pulling me into bed with him.


    Not wanting to embarrass him further, I said, "I slept fine. Sorry I fell asleep with you. I think I nodded off while we were watching TV."


    Noah simply nodded, rubbing his eyes.


    It was then that a thought struck me. I figured he was asleep when I confessed to being pregnantst night, but I couldn''t help but worry.


    "Noah, what''s thest thing you remember fromst night?" I asked, abruptly turning to face him.


    He furrowed his brow as he thought deeply for a moment. "Uh... I think we were watching some terrible show on TV, and I must have dozed off. Why?"


    I felt a small sigh of relief escape my lips. Telling him about the pregnancyst night had been a snap decision in the wake of everything that had happened, but now that the sun was up and I had gotten a good night''s sleep to clear my head, I was d that he hadn''t heard it.


    Perhaps soon I would tell him, but not now. "No reason I said quickly. "Just curious." Noah looked skeptical but didn''t push it


    An awkward silence fell between us, broken only by the sound of a nurse entering with our discharge


    papers.


    A few hourster, we were released from the hospital. As we walked out into the bright sunlight, I squinted, feeling oddly vulnerable in the clothes Viona had brought for me-a simple t-shirt and jeans that felt too tight after the loose hospital gown. Noah''s phone rang as we reached his car. He pulled it out of his pocket with one hand and answered it, his face growing serious as he listened.


    "That was the police," he said after hanging up. "They want us to go down to the station and give our statements about what happened yesterday."


    My stomach dropped. The thought of reliving yesterday''s events made me feel sick. "Do we have to?" I asked, hating how small my voice sounded just then.


    To my surprise, Noah''s expression softened ever so slightly. "I know it''s hard, but it''s important to ensure that all of Jake''s aplices face justice. And I''ll be right there with you, okay?"


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 Chapter 249

    Chapter 0249


    His gentle words surprised me, and I felt my heart skip ever so slightly. "That would be nice," I murmured.


    The drive to the police station was tense and quiet. I drove, since Noah still had to wear his sling for one more day, my eyes fixed on the road. Noah stared out the window, not saying a word. I wondered whatst night had been like for him before he found me, but I supposed that I would find out soon.


    At the police station, we were led to a small interview room to give our statements. The walls were a dull beige, and the fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, adding to a headache that had started right before we left the hospital.


    After a little while of waiting, the detective came in and introduced himself as Detective Johnson, a middle-aged man with kind eyes but also a no-nonsense demeanor.


    "Luna Hannah," he began, "can you tell me what happened yesterday?"


    I took a deep breath, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my shirt beneath the table. "I was at the vacation rental with my friends. We were having a girls'' trip to help Amber get over her breakup with Jake."


    "Jake, as in the man who abducted you?" the detective asked for rification. I nodded.


    "After dinner, everyone went to bed but I couldn''t sleep. So I went outside to use the hot tub by myself, and that was when I saw the man from the restaurant pull up." I shuddered a bit at the thought, my hands fidgeting a little faster. "I immediately got up to go inside, but there was a man with a gun in the doorway. The man from the restaurant told me toe with him, but I fought them."


    "Them?" the detective asked. "How many were there?"


    "I''m not sure," I said, struggling to remember the whole ordeal. "There had to have been at least three or four men in the house, although the man from the restaurant was the only one I recognized at that point."


    As I continued recounting the events, I felt my leg begin to shake under the table. Without a word, Noah ced his hand on my knee, steadying me. His touch, although shocking at first, wasforting.


    After that, I told the detective about the waterfall, about Jake''s n to get a ransom and kill me, about Noah and Drake''s rescue. Noah also recounted his experience: seeing my text, driving to the rental, trying to find the trailhead that led to the waterfall... As well as having to kill multiple men just to get to me.


    The thought of it made me shudder, and I found myself looking over at Noah as he spoke. His voice was so steady, his eyes so sharp, that it was clear that the fighting was nothing more than a necessity to him; a cold reality when it came to saving his wife''s life. And for that, I was thankful.


    "Thank you, Luna Hannah and Alpha Noah," the detective said once Noah was finished. "I think that''s all the information we need for now. We''ll be in touch if we have any more questions."


    As we left the police station, I felt so exhausted that it was like my limbs were made of rope. The sun was already setting by now, casting long shadows across the parking lot, and I just wanted to get home.


    But as we reached the car, Noah turned to me, his expression serious. "After what happened," he said firmly, "I don''t want you to leave my side for a while. Understood?"


    I stared at him, surprised by the intensity in his voice. "Noah, I-"


    Chamer 0249


    "That''s an order," he said. "Not a request."


    Themand in his voice caught me off guard. I felt my face heat up, turning beet red beneath his stern


    gazeContent rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    "Okay," I whispered, nodding. "I won''t leave your side."


    Noah almost seemed to let out the tiniest sigh of relief before he

 Chapter 250

    Chapter 0250 Hannah


    A few days had passed since the incident at the waterfall, and life was slowly starting to return to some semnce of normalcy. Well, as normal as it could be with Noah insisting that I had to stay by his side at all times.


    It was bothforting and suffocating, but I understood his concern. And I would have been lying if I had said that a part of me, no matter how small, was ttered that he cared enough to keep me close to him over theing days.


    Eventually, the sling was removed from Noah''s arm and his shoulder was healed. My scrapes and bruises healed too, although the terror of what had happened still gued me; I kept waking up at night in a cold sweat, having dreamed about Jake and his men throwing me over the waterfall.


    But of course, I didn''t tell Noah that. In fact, I didn''t tell him much of anything. Nor did I tell him about the pregnancy, although I knew I should.


    It wasn''t that I didn''t want to. It was just that, every time I tried, I just... couldn''t do it. Maybe I was too


    scared.


    As we sat at the breakfast table one morning, the room was silent save for the asional clinking of cutlery.


    I took a sip of my coffee, ncing out the window at the flowers in the garden. Spring was finally here, and I was d for it a fresh start, longer days, warm afternoons sitting beneath my favorite tree outside.


    But with spring here, that also meant that the end of my eating disorder campaign was getting close. My mind had been stuck on it for days now, thinking of how best to end the campaign with a ''bang''.


    Because three weeks after the campaign ended, our divorce woulde. And despite everything, our love had long since died out; I couldn''t stay married to him, even though I saw him as my hero. So I needed to end this campaign on a high note for my own sake. 1 ""Hannah?"


    The sound of Noah''s voice pulled me out of my deep thoughts, and I blinked as I turned to him. "Sorry?" I


    muttered.


    He pushed the creamer a little closer to me. "I was asking if you wanted some creamer."


    "Oh... Yes," I said, shaking my head as I grabbed the little pitcher and poured it into my coffee. "Sorry."


    "You seem to be thinking deeply," he remarked.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    I blinked again, a bit taken aback by his perceptiveness. Just because we had spent the bulk of the past few days together didn''t mean that we talked a lot.


    "I... am," I admitted, shrugging as I sipped my coffee. "I''m thinking about the end of my eating disorder campaign. It''sing up in a week and a half."


    "That soon?" He averted his gaze so he could butter his toast. "Do you have anything special in mind?"


    "Actually, yes. I was thinking of organizing a charity g. With the facility almost ready to start building, I


    1/2


    Charter 0250


    think it would be nice to raise onest burst of funds before it begins."


    Noah chewed his toast slowly, considering my words. I couldn''t deny the tiny flutter in my chest. "That sounds like a good idea. We''ll present it to the board tomorrow." My eyes widened. "The... board?"


    He nodded. "I''m going to be by your side for a while, so I might as well help you with the nning," he said. "The board might have some ideas as well."


    "Oh." I swallowed hard and set my coffee down, suddenly feeling sheepish beneath the sudden offer. "I''ll put together a presentation, then."


    The boardroom was intimidating as always, with its long mahogany table and stern-faced executives seated around it. Therge windows offered a view of the mansion grounds, which were currently dotted with groundskeepers and gardeners preparing the gardens for spring and summer.


    Clearing my throat nervously, I took my seat beside Noah. His board, consisting of five people-not including us-stared expectantly at me. It was rare for me to attend these meetings; in fact, I wasn''t even sure if I had ever attended one of Noah''s board meetings. "Luna Hannah has a proposal she would like to present," Noah announced without preamble, gesturing to


    1. me.


    All eyes turned to me, and I felt my heart rate spike. But I had prepared for this. I stood, straightening my shoulders and clicking on the first slide of my presentation.


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    2/2

 Chapter 251

    Chapter 0251N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "As you may know," I began, hanging out pamphlets to everyone at the table, "my eating disorder awareness campaign ising to a close. To mark this milestone and raise final funds for our new facility, I propose we host a charity g."


    I clicked through my presentation, showcasing elegant venues and detailing the donation goal for the


    event.


    "My goal would be to raise $50,000 to put toward building the facility," I said.


    Just as I was about to say more, I heard a scoff from across the table. I turned to Leonard, Noah''s chief financial officer, who was leaning forward in his chair.


    "Something to say, Leonard?" Noah asked.


    "If I may, Leonard said, to which I nodded. "How exactly do you intend to raise $50,000? That''s quite a steep goal."


    "Well, I was going to suggest we hire the local opera troupe to perform," I replied coolly. "Their involvement would drum up excitement and attract high-profile donors. We could hold the g at the opera house."


    Leonard pressed his lips into a thin line, but said nothing. Around the table, I saw a few people taking notes and nodding their heads. Noah, however, remained silent-for now, at least. Although when I looked at him, he looked more thoughtful than anything.


    I clicked to the next slide, showing a mock-up of the eventyout. "The opera performance will be the centerpiece of the evening," I continued, "but after the performance, the g will move to the ballroom in the opera house, where food and drink will be served, and-" "And what of the costs associated with such an event?" Leonard suddenly interrupted. "Hiring an opera troupe isn''t cheap, you know."


    I froze for a moment, taken aback by Leonard''s demeanor. He had never liked me much, that much I was certain, but to interrupt me twice in the middle of my presentation. Well, it was a bit rude.


    Still, I pulled my shoulders back again and answered him easily.


    "I understand your concern as CFO, Leonard, But I''ve done a cost analysis, which you''ll find on-page five of the handouts. While there are significant upfront costs, our projected return on investment is substantial. Plus, the opera troupe has agreed to perform at a discounted rate due to the charitable nature of the event."


    "And what about security?" Leonard asked, not even checking the pamphlet. "After recent... events, we need to ensure the safety of all attendees, especially you and Alpha Noah."


    When he finished, his gaze was loaded as it rested on me. I felt my face flush slightly at the reminder of what had happened at the waterfall-no doubt he was implying that it was my fault that it had happened at all.


    1 nced at Noah, who gave me a small, encouraging nod.


    "I''ve also factored in enhanced security measures," I exined. "The venue has its own security team,


    which we''ll supplement with our pack guards. I assure you, Leonard, every precaution will be taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable evening for all. Now, may I finish my presentation or will you continue interrupting me?" There was a smattering of chuckles around the table at my remark. Even Noah, remaining silent, seemed to hide a tiny smirk behind his hand. Leonard''s face reddened, but he nodded, leaning back in my chair.


    As I finished my presentation a little whileter, I clicked off the PowerPoint and turned back to the table. "We''ll open the room to questions now that the presentation is over," I said, shooting Leonard a meaningful nce.. The room was silent for a moment, and I felt my confidence waver ever so slightly. I nced at Noah, hoping for some sign of support, but his expression remained neutral.


    Before he could say anything, Leonard, of course, cleared his throat. "Luna Hannah," he began, tenting his fingers in hisp, "while your presentation was... thorough, I still have some concerns."


    I steeled myself, forcing a polite smile. "Of course, Leonard. What other concerns do you have?"


    Leonard paused, almost for dramatic effect. "If I may speak inly?" he asked.


    "Speak as inly as you wish," I said, even though I really wanted to throw my presentation clicker in his face.


    "To put it bluntly," he said, "this entire g is... Well, preposterous."

 Chapter 252

    Chapter 0252


    Hannah


    "Pre... Preposterous?"


    The word felt like venom on my tongue. The boardroom had gone so silent you could hear a pin drop; even Noah began to shift ufortably beside me, although when I looked over at him for support, he just gave me a tiny nod-a silent encouragement.


    I supposed that was exactly what I needed right now, even though I really just wanted him to do all the talking for me.


    "Exin what you mean, Leonard," I said, my earlier polite tone suddenly giving way to a colder, more authoritative one.


    Leonard leaned forward, his eyes narrowing to slits. The sunlight streaming through therge windows cast harsh shadows across his aged face, making him look even more intimidating.


    "dly. Firstly, $50,000 is an absurdly lofty amount to fundraise in a single night. Secondly, the ofte


    troupe you mentioned is notoriously selective about their performances. Andstly, renting out the opera house would be exorbitantly costly, not to mention the additional expenses for food, decorations, drinks, security, and so on. There is more I couldin about, but these are the main issues."


    I felt a twinge at his dismissive tone, but I quickly pushed it aside. I wouldn''t back down because of the statements of one man, even though I could tell he was just trying to set me on edge and get under my


    skin.


    "I appreciate your concerns, Leonard," I said, my voice cool and collected. "But I think you''ve misunderstood something fundamental about this meeting."


    "Oh?" Leonard raised an eyebrow, his tone practically dripping with condescension. "And what would that be?"


    I straightened my shoulders, pressing my fingers into the hard mahogany of the table. "You seem to have forgotten that I am your Luna. You will speak to me with respect."


    it was even possible, even more of a hush fell over the room. I even felt Noah stiffen beside me, the rest of the board members watching with rapt attention; but my focus was on Leonard, whose smug face had gone a ghostly shade of white.


    "Furthermore, I never intended to use pack funds for this event," I stated firmly before he could respond. I''ve been saving my own personal funds for years, and n to use those to cover all expenses."


    A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. Noah''s eyebrows shot up, but he remained silent, his green eyes fixed on me with a profound intensity.


    "And finally," I continued, choosing to ride the wave of confidence that had begun to surge through me before it simmered away, "I''ve already taken steps to ensure the opera troupe''s participation. I intend to invite the Luna Queen herself to the g." The room fell silent. I could practically hear jaws hitting the floor. The tension in the air shifted from skepticism to shock.


    "The Luna Queen?" Noah was the first to speak after being quiet this whole time. "Are you serious?"


    I nodded, allowing myself a small smile as I turned to him. "Absolutely. She''s Drake''s aunt, after all, and she adores the opera. Her presence will not onlypel the opera troupe to ept but also attract more high-profile attendees." And help me get on her council, I thought to myself, although I didn''t say that out loud.


    Leonard sputtered, his face shifting from white as a sheet to a rather interesting shade of red. He looked like he was about to burst a blood vessel. "But... but that''s..."


    "Ambitious?" I asked, unable to keep that tiny hint of smugness from my voice. "Or will you say that it is preposterous, too?"


    Leonard was silent.


    "Perhaps you still think that," I said. "But I''d like to reiterate onest time that I am Nightcrest''s Luna, and I have every right to n such events. And since I''m using my own funds, not pack funds, I don''t believe you have grounds to argue, Leonard. Despite being Noah''s CFO."


    I turned to Noah, my heart pounding. This was the moment of truth. Would he back me up or side with Leonard? The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the Alpha''s official verdict.


    Noah was quiet for a moment, his green eyes unreadable. I could almost see the gears turning in his head as he considered the situation. Then, to my surprise and relief, he nodded. "If my Lunamands it, then it will happen," he said calmly.


    I felt my face flush at his words. My Luna. It had been so long since he had referred to me that way, outside of pure necessity. Something in his tone told me that he meant it.


    Leonard was as still as a statue aside from his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. The other board members looked between Noah and me, clearly unsure of how to react to this unexpected turn of events.


    "Well," I said, breaking the silence that had fallen over the room, "if there are no further questions, I believe we can conclude this meeting. I''ll keep everyone updated on the progress of the g nning." With that, the sound of papers rustling and chairs scraping against the floor filled the room. Leonard was the first to burst out of the room, his shoulders tense and his lips pursed. As the rest of the board members filed out, still murmuring amongst themselves, I began gathering my things.


    I was surprised to feel Noah''s presence remaining beside me, the scent of his cologne blowing into my face as a soft breeze slipped through the open window


    "That was... impressive, Hannah," he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear.


    I looked up at him to find that he was standing directly next to me, and I was startled by both his proximity and his praise. "Really?" I sputtered.


    Noah nodded, a small smile ying at the corners of his mouth. It was a rare sight these days, and there was no denying the way it made my heart skip a beat.


    "It''s refreshing to have some female perspective on the board," he said, "especially for nning public events. You handled Leonard masterfully."


    I watched, my eyes as wide as saucers, as he stretched and walked over to the window with his hands. sped behind his back. He was silent, just watching as the gardeners turned over the garden beds for the new annual flowers. "Thank you," I said, suddenly feeling bashful. "I feel like I have a bit of a knack for event nning."


    "I can tell," Noah said. He paused, his fingers twitching thoughtfully behind his back. Thete morning sunlight caught in his hair, and it was all I could do to look away to hide my flush. Not that he could see me, since his back was turned. "It''s a shame you won''t be around much longer to help n the Summer Hunt this year."


    My heart skipped a beat at the reminder of not only the uing annual hunt that Nightcrest hosted, but also our impending divorce; exactly one month to go now. The warmth I had felt moments ago dissipated, reced by a cold, hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Oh,"Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "I said, swallowing hard as I stuffed thest of my papers into my portfolio. "Well, we don''t have to beplete strangers after... you know. Perhaps Nightcrest and Silvermoon packs could create a Summer Hunt together."


    Noah turned to look at me then, and I saw that his face had darkened slightly. He regarded me for a long moment before he uttered one word. "Perhaps."

 Chapter 253

    Chapter 0253 HannahContent rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    The sound of cutlery against china mixed with quiet music drifting from the cafe''s speaker. I took a sip from my coffee to wash down the decadent taste of chocte from my croissant and looked over at Viona and Drake, who hade out for lunch with me. "So, I finally did it," I said as I set down my cup. "I wrote up a formal invitation to the Luna Queen and mailed it this morning."


    Drake froze, his fork halfway to his mouth. "Why didn''t you tell me?" he asked with confusion. "I could have invited her myself. She is my aunt, after all."


    I shook my head and patted my mouth with a napkin. Thanks, Drake, but I want to achieve this on my own merits. No special favors, even if she is your rtive."


    "I can respect that," Drake said around a mouthful of cobb sd. "I think it shows real character." Viona snorted from across the table. "Or stubbornness


    I shot her a yful re. "Hey, I prefer to call it determination."


    Now that the invitations to the charity g had been sent out, we just had to focus on other things-like decor and a menu. I wanted it to be perfect, not only to end my eating disorder campaign on a high note, but also to impress the Luna Queen. After all, I hadn''t forgotten about her invitation to her council. And I intended to find my seat there.


    As we continued eating, I couldn''t help but notice the way that Drake''s eyes kept flicking to me every so often from across the table. He had been looking at me in a strange way a lottely, not at all like his normal self. Maybe the events of the night at the waterfall were still guing him. I could safely say that they were still guing me, for one.


    Suddenly, Viona gasped, her eyes glued to her phone. "Oh my god, Hannah. You need to see this."


    She thrust her phone across the table before I could even answer, nearly knocking over her water ss in her haste. I leaned in, curious, only to feel my face flush as I recognized the image on the screen. "Is that...?"


    "Yep," Viona hissed, thrusting the picture a little closer


    On the screen was a photograph of Noah and me, asleep together in the hospital bed. The caption read: " True love ovees all obstacles. How cute are Nightcrest''s Alpha and Luna?"


    "What the hell...?" I hissed, suddenly acutely aware of Drake''s eyes boring holes into the side of my head. I wracked my brain, trying to think, but then it hit me: the morning after Noah and I had fallen asleep together, I had awoken to see two nurses fawning over both of


    us.


    Viona shrugged, taking her phone back. "It''s all over social media. It''s basically viral."


    1 felt a surge of anger take over me. "Those damn nurses..." I grumbled. "That''s a vition of privacy. They shouldn''t have been taking pictures of us; we were scared and vulnerable that night."


    "They could get in so much trouble for this," Viona muttered as she scrolled through thements. "But people are eating this up. Look at this one: "Rtionship goals! I wish my mate looked at me the way Alpha Noah holds his Luna. Drake c


    cleared his throat, looking ufortable. "Hannah''s right. It''s a breach of privacy."


    "You could probably get those nurses fired for this, you know," Viona suggested, finally putting her phone down. "Something like this goes directly against patient privacy. They posted it on a burner ount, but if you remember their faces..." Despite my anger, I shook my head vehemently. "No, I won''t take it that far," I said.


    Viona and Drake both raised an eyebrow in unison. "Why not?" Drake asked.


    I shrugged and took another sip of my coffee. "It was apse in judgment. I''m not happy, but I''m also not going to ruin someone''s career over it."

 Chapter 254

    Chapter 0254


    "Suit yourself," Viona said, leaning back and folding her arms across her chest. "Although, with the divorceing up, this could be used against you..." "Yeah," Drake added softly. "The Alpha Council could use the picture to im that you''re still in love with Noah."


    I didn''t know what to say to that. The implication in Drake''s words was clear: he wasn''t just talking about the Alpha Council. He was talking about himself.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    The rest of lunch passed by as usual, although I couldn''t take my mind off of those pictures-and Drake, for his part, couldn''t seem to take his eyes off of me. I kept avoiding his gaze, pretending to be fascinated by theyers in my croissant and the foam in my coffee. After our meal, we paid the bill and headed our separate ways. Of course, Drake caught my elbow just as I was following Viona-who was still staying with me-to the car.


    "Hannah, can we talk for a moment?" he asked, ncing at Viona. "In private?"


    Viona huffed, cing her hands on her hips. But before she coulde up with a retort, I nodded to her. I''ll be right back, Vi." She huffed again and stepped into the car, and Drake pulled me a few feet away.


    "What''s up?" I asked once we were out of earshot.


    Drake took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. He looked nervous, a quality that was uncharacteristic for him. "I just wanted to let you know. I never found any evidence of Noah and Zoe cheating. I really don''t think he is, Hannah." There was no helping the strangebination of disappointment and relief that washed over me. "Oh," was all I could manage.


    "And since I failed, you don''t need to go on that date with me after the divorce," Drake continued. Then, more hesitantly, "If there even is a divorce."


    "What do you mean?"


    He shot me a strange look. "Hannah, it''s clear that you still have feelings for Noah."


    "Drake," I said incredulously, "there will be a divorce. Nothing has changed."


    He looked skeptical, cing one hand on his hip. "That picture-"


    "Was taken during a vulnerable moment when we both neededfort after a harrowing experience," I finished for him, feeling my proverbial hackles raise. "And I thought you agreed that it was a breach of privacy."


    "I did. And I still think it was," Drake replied calmly. "But you can''t deny the chemistry between you two: the way he was holding you... I don''t think that was just out of necessity."


    My mouth opened and closed a few times as my mind whirled toe up with a response. Finally, I thought back to that night and how still, after everything. Noah didn''t remember our past. He was my hero, and I cared for him, but at the same time. "There is no love between Noah and me, Drake," I whispered. "Not anymore."


    He sighed, but didn''t seem to want to press the matter. "If you say so. I just... I care about you, Hannah. I want you to be happy. That''s all."


    "I appreciate that," I said, softening slightly. "But my happiness isn''t your responsibility."


    Drake nodded, and there was a sad smile on his face. know. But you can''t me a guy for caring."


    I watched as Drake walked away, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside of my chest: relief, frustration,


    sadness, yearning. The busy street seemed to fade away as I lost myself in thoughts of what it felt like to have Noah''s arms wrapped protectively around me.


    I didn''t love Noah anymore... right?

 Chapter 255

    Chapter 0255 Chapter


    Hannah


    0255


    The days leading up to the charity g flew by faster than I ever could have anticipated. I found myself by Noah''s side more often than not throughout my preparations, our newfound closeness a strange, unexpectedfort after everything that had happened. Surprisingly, we fell into an easy sort of rhythm, working on pack business and g preparations in tandem,


    "What do you think of these centerpieces?" I asked one afternoon, holding up two different floral arrangements that the g coordinator had sent me for review.


    I half expected Noah to give me some grunt or another in response, but he didn''t. Rather, much to my surprise, he studied them for a moment with his brow furrowed in concentration.


    Finally, he replied, "I prefer the one on the left. It''s more elegant than the other."


    I was a bit taken aback that he actually cared, but still nodded, pleased with his choice. "My thoughts exactly. I think it''llplement the table settings perfectly."


    As the days passed, however, Noah became increasingly pulled away for private meetings and personal matters.


    Our time together dwindled, and I found myself missing his presence more than I cared to admit. Eventually, our interactions turned into nothing more than quickly-consumed breakfasts at the kitchen table and maybe, if we were lucky, a cup of tea before bed. One morning, as I sat at my desk reviewing RSVPS in my office, a letter arrived that made my heart skip a beat. I recognized the envelope immediately as none other than the Luna Queen''s personal stationary, embossed with her very own seal.


    So she had replied to my invitation.


    With trembling hands, I opened the envelope:


    "Dear Luna Hannah,


    I would be delighted to attend your charity g. The cause is admirable, and I look forward to enjoying the opera performance. I especially look forward to seeing your expertise, which I have heard much about as ofte, in the flesh. Warmest regards,


    Luna nna"


    I couldn''t contain my squeal of excitement, startling Viona, who was working on some event programs nearby.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "What is it?" she asked, rising from her chair anding to peer over my shoulder. "Did Noah finally remember your anniversary or something?"


    I rolled my eyes at her jab. "No, even better. The Luna Queen ising to the gl She actually said yes!"


    Viona''s eyes widened. "Holy shit, Hannah. You really did it. No offense, but I didn''t think she''d actually


    "Thanks for the vote of confidence," I said dryly, but I was too excited to be truly annoyed. "This is huge, Vi. If I can impress her at the g, it could open so many doors."


    At that moment, thoughts of being on the Luna Council returned. With the divorce impending now, the boost at this time would be much-needed. And, yes, there would still be a divorce; there was no love between me and Noah, even if we had worked together like a well- oiled machine over the past couple of weeks. None. 1


    Viona


    nodded, her expression turning serious. "Just be careful, okay? Don''t let it get to your head."


    I shot her a smirk. "I wouldn''t dream of it."


    The day of the g arrived before I knew it, and I found myself at the opera house that very morning, overseeing thest-minute preparations. The reception hall was a flurry of activity, staff bustling about hanging decorations and arranging tables. It was alling together exactly as I had nned, and I couldn''t have been more excited.


    "Excuse me, Luna Hannah," a young woman approached me timidly and gestured to arge sculpture of a swan sitting on a cart beside her. "Where would you like the ice sculpture?"


    I smiled reassuringly. "ce it on the center of the main table, please. And make sure it''s angled so the guests can see it from all sides when theye in."


    The young woman nodded and scurried off. I returned my attention to my checklist. "Ice sculpture, check," I murmured, ticking off the box. "Now, I just need to check on the hors d''oeuvres...


    "Luna Hannah! The sound of another voice called out to me and I turned to see one of my staff standing by the door with a man in a florist''s uniform standing beside her. "The florist is here with the bouquets."

 Chapter 256

    Chapter 0256


    I made my way over to inspect the flowers. The roses were a deep, rich red, perfectlyplementing the cream-colored lilies. Exactly what I ordered, and even more beautiful in person. "These are perfect," I said, offering the delivery driver a sizable tip before returning my attention to my staff. "Please distribute them ording to the diagram I provided."


    "Yes, Luna Hannah."


    As I turned to check on the bar setup next, I heard the sound of familiar voices echoing through the hall. Looking up, I saw Noah and Leonard entering, deep in a surprisingly animated conversation. Leonard was murmuring something under his breath and gesturing wildly while Noah listened with a bowed head. Leonard stopped, clearing his throat, as soon as he saw me.


    No matter how much I despised Leonard, I approached them with a smile on my face. "Noah, Leonard. What brings you here? I thought you had a suit fitting."


    "Got done early," Noah said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Everything going well here?"


    Before I could answer, Leonard''s gaze fell on a nearby centerpiece. "Interesting choice of flowers," he said, his tone dripping with disdain as he plucked a lily put of the vase and turned the stem in his hand. "A bit... bridal, don''t you think?"


    I felt a flicker of annoyance but kept myposure. I wouldn''t let him get under my skin today, which I knew he was trying to do.


    "You don''t like the lilies, Leonard?" I asked calmly, then turned to a nearby staff member. "Excuse me, could you please adjust the floral arrangements? Remove some of the lilies and make sure the roses are more prominent."


    The staff member''s eyes widened. "A-Are you sure, Luna? I thought you liked the lilies."


    I shook my head. "ns have changed. If you don''t mind..." The staff member nodded and hurried off to make the change.


    Leonard looked taken aback, clearly not expecting such a swift and professional response to hisint. Smiling sweetly, I plucked the lily from his hand and chucked it casually into a nearby trash can. Leonard''s eyes widened into saucers.


    Noah chuckled at that, a surprising sound that had both me and Leonard whipping our heads around to look at him in shock. "Well, it looks like everything''s under control here. The hall looks fantastic, Hannah."


    I beamed at thepliment. "Thank you. We''ve all been working hard to make it perfect."


    1 can see that," Noah said, his eyes sweeping the room "The Luna Queen will be impressed, I''m sure." Leonard cleared his throat. "Speaking of impressions, are you sure about the seating arrangements, Luna Hannah? Some of the pack alliances are... delicate." I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "I''ve taken all current pack politics into ount, Leonard. Trust me know what I''m doing."


    Noah ced a hand on my shoulder, a gesture that didn''t go unnoticed by Leonard-and one that secretly made my chest flutter a bit. "I''m sure Hannah has everything under control."


    I blinked in surprise. It was shocking to have him in my corner for once, but I had to admit that it was sort of nice.


    "Well," Noah said, checking his watch, "we should probably head home to get ready. We''ll want to arrive together tonight."


    My stomach twisted at his words. Arrive together. Like a real Alpha and Luna. It was almost like old. times, back before he showed up to events without me by his side.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "Of course," I said, taking his offered arm. As we turned to leave, I couldn''t help but notice Leonard''s sour expression, and it took all my energy to not stick my tongue out at him. We were almost at the door when Leonard''s voice called out, "Alpha Noah! Wait!"


    We turned back, and I saw Leonard''s eyes flick between us with a strange glint in them. His lips almost seemed to curve up into the tiniest of smiles as he said, "Don''t forget to pick up Zoe t

 Chapter 257

    Chapter 0257 Chapter 0257


    HannahContent (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    The car ride home was tense, the silence broken only by the soft hum of the engine as Noah drove down the sunlit streets. I couldn''t shake the irritation that had been building since Leonard''s parting words. "Don''t forget to pick up Zoe tonight!"


    Bastard. So he had gotten my skin after all; and to make matters worse, he wasn''t bluffing when he said


    that.


    "Hannah," Noah said, sounding exasperated, e on. You''ve been staring out the window with your eyes practically bugging out for ten minutes straight."


    I shrugged and threw Noah a withering re that was sharp enough to cut diamonds. "I just still don''t understand why you have to pick up Zoe tonight," I said, my voice tense. "Can''t she find her own way to the g?"


    Noah sighed, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. "I already exined it to you, Hannah. Her car broke down, and her usual driver is out sick.


    "So?" I pressed. "She can''t call a cab?"


    He shook his head as he guided the car up the winding road leading to our mansion. "Like I said earlier, it would be unbing for someone of her status to order a cab to an event like this," Noah replied in a clipped tone of voice. "Plus, she''s scared after what happened with your kidnapping. She won''t call cabs or Ubers." 1


    I felt my blood boil at his words. "Scared? She''s scared? You''ve got to be kidding me."


    "She''s allowed to be scared."


    "No, she''s not," I growled. "I''m the one who was kidnapped, Noah. I''m the one who almost died. And I''ve! been dealing with it without causing a scene or inconveniencing anyone."


    Even as I spoke, I felt a chill run down my spine. Justst night, I had awoken in a cold sweat because I thought that I had seen Jake''s rotting corpse, dripping with water, standing in the corner of my bedroom. It was just a nightmare, of course. But I hadn''t breathed a word of it to anyone.


    Noah''s jaw clenched, a muscle ticking visibly beneath his skin. "It''s not apetition, Hannah. Zoe''s feelings are valid too. Everyone is freaked out by what happened to you."


    "Yeah, well, you don''t see Amber or Viona or Emma whining about it," I muttered, turning away again. "And Amber is the one whose ex just died."


    Noah didn''t respond, not that I expected him to. When chanced a nce over at him, his face was stony and his gaze was fixed on the road. And honestly, somehow that infuriated me even more.


    "You know, this whole thing reeks of Leonard," I blurted out before I could stop myself. "I bet he set this whole thing up just to upset me. You know he likes to get under my skin."


    "Okay, now y


    you''re just being paranoid," Noah said, sounding wholly exasperated now. "You do realize that Leonard has better things to do than meddle in our personal lives, right?"


    I scoffed. "Leonard is the one who set up your little rendezvous with Zoe tonight, isn''t he, though?" I asked.


    Once again, Noah didn''t respond. As we pulled up to the house, the gravel crunching under the tires, I made a decision. "I''m taking a separate car to the g tonight." Noah turned to me and smacked his hands on the steering wheel. "Come on, Hannah, don''t be ridiculous. We''re supposed to arrive together. It''s expected of us.


    "Not if Zoe is our third wheel," I retorted. "And besides, since when do you care about us showing up to events together, anyway?"


    Before Noah could respond, not that I figured he would, I got out of the car and mmed the door behind. me. The sound echoed in the quiet driveway as I stormed into the house, ignoring the sensation of Noah''s gaze on me.

 Chapter 258

    Chapter 0258 Chapter 0258


    I spent the next few hours getting ready, my anger fueling my determination to look perfect. Every curl had to be in ce, every eysh perfectly coated with mascara. I was going to show Noah, Zoe, and everyone else that I was more than capable of handling myself. Hourster, I stood in the foyer, dressed in a shimmery ck gown that hugged my waist before flowing out at the hips. My hair was swept up in an elegant updo, and I had taken extra care with my makeup. The chandelier overhead made the diamonds at my throat sparkle, and I held a matching silver clutch in my


    hands.


    "Thomas?" I called for my driver as I primped an unruly curl in the hallway mirror. "Are you ready to go?"


    "He won''t being," a familiar voice said from the doorway.


    I looked up to see Noah standing by the open door, looking devastatingly handsome in his tuxedo with his dark hair slightly swept from the breeze. The sight of him nearly took my breath away, but I steeled myself against the flutter in my chest, even when he extended his arm to me.


    "What are you doing here?" I asked, pursing my lips.


    "We''re going together," Noah replied coolly, "I had one of our other drivers pick Zoe up privately, since I know it means a lot to you."


    I felt a wave of emotion wash over me. Noah had put me first. Even if he never did it again, I could at least have this one moment to rememberN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "Noah, I... Thank you."


    He smiled slightly so that the dimple on one side of his face puckered slightly, a sight that made my throat close up on itself.


    "Shall we?"


    As we arrived at the g a little whileter, the cameras shed blindingly, capturing Noah and I as we made our way up the red carpet. Noah''s hand on the small of my back felt warm and oddly reassuring as we stepped inside.


    The opera house was stunning now that the sun had gone down, the decorations even more beautiful than I had imagined. Enormous crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the crowd, and the air was filled with the soft murmur of conversation and the quiet strains of a string quartet as everyone took their


    seats.


    I felt a surge of pride at what I had aplished. "It''s perfect," I breathed, stopping for a moment to take


    in the scene..


    As we made our way to our seats, however, I noticed something odd. Zoe was seated on the other side of Noah''s seat, in a ce I definitely hadn''t assigned her. I tried to keep myposure, smiling politely as we approached, but the closer I got the more I felt my blood simmer.


    "Zoe," I greeted, my voice tight. "I hope you''re enjoying the evening so far!


    She beamed at me-or rather, at Noah. I just happened to be standing in the way of her view of him. "Oh, it''s... It''s wonderful, Hannah. You''ve... outdone yourself


    I nodded, feeling a little bit like thatpliment was awfully difficult for her to bite out.


    "I''m curious," I asked, "how did you end up seated here? I don''t recall this being your assigned seat."


    Zoe''s smile faltered slightly. "Oh, well, I couldn''t see very well from my original seat. It was further back,


    H


    you see." She gestured up to the nosebleeds, which was exactly where I had intended for her to stay tonight-just one night without her breathing down my neck. "One of Noah''s staff was kind enough to help me move."


    My eyes narrowed slightly, although I maintained my polite smile. "Oh. Which staff member?"


    Zoe looked around, her eyes scanning the crowd. Then, with a smile that seemed just a touch too innocent, she pointed across the room.


    "Him, I believe. Leonard, isn''t it?"

 Chapter 259

    hapter 0259 Hannah


    I followed Zoe''s finger, and there he was: Leonard, standing by the entrance with the most smug look on his face that I had ever seen. Bastard. He set this up-trying to get under my skin again, wasn''t he? Well, I wasn''t about to let him. Not again. "Is there a problem?" Noah, whose presence I had momentarily forgotten, sidestepped around me.


    I shook my head and offered him a serene smile, gesturing to the empty seat next to Zoe. "Looks like we''ll be having some additionalpany tonight."


    Noah nced back and forth between me and Zoe for a moment, clearly trying to discern whether I was being facetious or not. Finally, when my smile didn''t falter, he nodded and took his seat. I did as well, making a pointed effort to smile the whole way, just in case Leonard was watching me.


    Despite my earlier upset, the opera was simply breathtaking. The music filled the vaulted ceilings of the theater, the singers'' voices ringing out like angels descending from above.


    Soon, my annoyance had subsided, too enthralled by the beauty of it all to care about anything else. I leaned forward in my seat,pletely enraptured by the rich voices, and even felt a teare to my eye during the first kiss scene even though I couldn''t understand thenguage that they were singing in. During a particrly emotional scene at the climax of the show, the male and female leads of the opera were being pulled away from one another by actors dressed in ck robes and masks. Their voices grew strained, desperate, and my breath caught as I pressed my fingers against my lips.


    Without thinking, I ced my other hand on the armrest beside me, identally brushing against Noah''s fingers as I did.


    A jolt of electricity shot through me at the contact, my wolf stirring inside of me. It had been so long since we had touched like this, even identally-far too long.


    The warmth of his skin against mine brought back a flood of memories-stolen kisses, tender caresses, moments of intimacy that seemed like they had happened a lifetime ago. And for a moment, the opera faded into the background, and there was nothing left except for the tips of my fingers and the warmth of his hand.


    I hesitated, not wanting to pull away. For a moment, I allowed myself to remember what it was like when things were good between us, when a simple touch could convey so much. My wolf whined softly, urging me to maintain the connection. Curious about Noah''s reaction, I nced over at him.


    But my heart sank as I realized he hadn''t even noticed our hands touching. He was leaning toward Zoe, whispering something in her ear that made her giggle softly, her delicate gloved hand fluttering to shield h¨¦r lips. The sight of them, so close andfortable, made my stomach churn.


    Anger and hurt red viciously Inside of me. I yanked my hand away, clenching it into a fist in myp. Noah didn''t notice the sudden absence of my warmth, Hot, stinging tears pricked at the backs of my Chapter 0259


    eyes, but I refused to let them fall.


    Not here, not now. I forced my attention back to the stage, but the beauty of the performance was lost on


    me now.


    Eventually, the opera came to a tragic end; the female lead perished at her lover''s hand. Her lover, believing that she had slept with another, had be ovee with jealous rage and stabbed her in the back.


    She died in his arms, thest strains of her voice gentle and mncholic. The actress held a red scarf in her hand to signify blood as her fingers came up to cup his face, and only then did the male lead realize his mistake. But it was toote, and he fell on his knife, joining her in death.


    As the final notes of the orchestra faded away, the audience was silent for a moment before suddenly erupting into apuse. I pped mechanically and rose to my feet to join the standing ovation, although my mind was admittedly elsewhere.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    How fitting, I thought to myself as the curtain closed on the male and female lead, their bodies wound together in a deadly embrace. Would that, too, be my future with Noah? Perhaps not dead in a literal sense, but in an even more tragic way? To live, loveless and betrayed?


    The reception afterward was a blur of faces and polite small talk. I made my way to the bar, deftly swapping my champagne for a flute of sparkling juice before anyone could notice.

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    60


    As I sipped the bubbly liquid, I scanned the room, taking in the fruits of mybor.


    The decorations sparkled under the chandeliers. The guests mingled happily, theirughter and chatter filling the air. The scent of expensive perfumes and aftershaves mingled with the aroma of gourmet hors d''oeuvres and alcohol. By all ounts, the g was a resounding sess.


    But then, my eyesnded on Leonard, standing across the room. He was watching me intently, a smug expression on his face.


    Anger bubbled up inside of me again. How dare he mess with my seating arrangements? How dare he put Zoe next to Noah? How dare he meddle with my night?


    Making a decision that I would hold my tongue no longer, I set my ss down, prepared to march over and give him a piece of my mind. But before I could take a step, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks. "Luna Hannah. It has been far too long."


    I turned to find myself face to face with the Luna Queen herself. She was just as regal as I remembered, her presence immediatelymanding the respect of not only myself, but also my wolf. Her silver hair was styled in an elegant updo, and her dark gown was practically sparkling under the lights.


    "Luna nna," I said, curtsying to her. "It''s a pleasure to see you. I''m so d you came."


    She nodded slightly, the tiniest smile tugging at her lips. "I wouldn''t have missed it." She paused, looking around, as she swirled her wine around in her ss. "I must say, your charity g appears to have been a tremendous sess already." Then, leaning in and dropping her voice: "I left a sizable donation in the booth earlier."


    I blinked in surprise at her words. "Wow... Thank you, Your Majesty. That means so much to me. The funds raised tonight will make a huge difference in ourmunity."


    "I have no doubt they will," she replied with a curt nod. for rather, I have no doubt that you will make a huge difference, Luna Hannah."


    My cheeks flushed, but before I could respond, she suddenly said, "In fact, I''m so impressed by your work. that would like to extend an invitation; I want you to visit my council for a day, to be evaluated by the other women before you join."Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    Her words left me so taken aback that I nearly stumbled right where I stood, my fingers tightening around the stem of my ss. Was she really...?


    Keep it together, I told myself. I didn''t want to give Luna nna another impression that I was timid, so I kept my voice even as I said, "That would be an honor, Luna nna. I''m looking forward to attending."


    The Luna Queen nodded, clearly pleased by my cool demeanor. Her eyes scanned the room like daggers seeking a target. "Now, where is your husband? I''d like to congratte him on the event as well."


    My stomach dropped. I looked around, realizing that Noah hadn''t stayed consistently by my side all night, not since Zoe had taken her seat next to him at the opera. The realization stung, a sharp reminder of the distance between us. Across the room, I spotted him chatting with a group of people. Zoe was among them, of course,


    ACH BONL


    Chapter 0260)


    standing closer to Noah than was strictly necessary. Her hand rested lightly on his arm as sheughed at something he said.


    The sight made my wolf growl with jealousy.


    I swallowed hard, forcing a smile back onto my face as I turned to the Luna Queen. "Oh, Noah is mingling tonight," I said, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat. "Greeting our guests and making connections. You know how men can be."


    The Luna Queen raised an eyebrow, her gaze following mine across the room. "I see," she said, her tone neutral. "Well, perhaps we can catch up with himter. Tell me more about your ns for the charity, Lunal Hannah. I''m quite interested in hearing about the impact you hope to make."


    Grateful for the change of subject, Iunched into an exnation of our goals and initiatives. I pushed Noah and Zoe from my mind, reaching deep into myself to dredge out that perfect, practiced smile that I had gotten so good at as ofte.


    I wouldn''t let them get to me. Not anymore. Not tonight.

 Chapter 261

    Chapter 0261 Chapter 0261


    Noah


    Noah stood at the edge of the crowded reception hall, his eyes scanning the sea of elegantly dressed guests. The soft strains of the string quartet blended perfectly with the hum of conversation. The chandeliers cast a warm glow over the room, their light catching on jewels and polished sses.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    But Noah was only looking for one person.


    His gaze kept returning to Hannah, who was flitting from group to group, her ck gown shimmering as she moved and the most perfect smile on her face.


    some.


    She had really outdone herself tonight-far more than Noah expected. Her charity g was a smashing sess, and he had even seen the Luna Queen eyeing her at one point. There was no doubt in Noah''s mind that Hannah would reach her donation goal and then He had been trying to make his way back to her side all evening, but it seemed like the universe had other ns. During the opera, Zoe had constantly tapped his shoulder, whispering questions andments in his ear.


    "Noah," she had said, leaning close, "what do you think that aria means?"


    Or she would say, "Noah, what do you think of their costumes?"


    Or, "Noah, doesn''t that dance remind you of our senior prom dance?" Noah, Noah, Noah.


    He had struggled to focus on the performance, too distracted by Zoe''s constant interruptions to be able to truly absorb himself in the show. At one point, he could have sworn that he felt Hannah touch his hand, and neither of them had pulled away. An unexpected warmth had spread through Noah at that moment. But then, she had yanked her hand away and had been cold toward him ever since. 1


    Now, at the reception, Leonard kept steering him toward various high-profile individuals. He hardly had a chance to breathe, let alone find his way back to Hannah''s side.


    "Alpha Noah," Leonard said, appearing at his elbow for what felt like the hundredth time that night. There''s someone else you simply must meet."


    Noah suppressed a sigh, his fingers tightening around the stem of his ss. "Leonard, I appreciate your efforts, but I really need to-"


    "I promise it will only take a moment," Leonard insisted, already guiding Noah toward a cluster of well-dressed men and women with a broad hand firmly nted on Noah''s shoulder. Zoe was among them, although he wasn''t sure why. "This is an Alpha from one of the southern packs. He''s been eager to


    discuss a potential trade agreement solidify the ties between the north and the south."


    As they approached the group, Noah''s wolf stirred restlessly. He could sense Hannah''s scent growing fainter, and it made him uneasy. He had promised to stay by her side tonight, and so far, he had done a piss poor job of it.


    "Alpha Noah," the southern Alpha greeted, extending one thick, meaty hand. "It''s an honor to finally meet you in person. Zoe here has told me much about you."


    Noah shook his hand, forcing a polite smile. Zoe giggled, touching Noah''s arm. "Noah may look gruff, but I promise, he''s always open to negotiations," she said.


    7 understand you''re interested in discussing trade?" Noah asked.


    "Yes, indeed. I believe I may have some goods that would be valuable to you...


    The conversation dragged on for far too long, filled with political niceties and careful negotiations. Zoel remained by his side-she was friendly with the Alpha''s wife and apparently prided herself on helping Noah make a connection. Although he was grateful, Noah''s attention kept drifting, his eyes searching the room for Hannah, but every time he caught a glimpse of her blonde updo meandering through the crowd, he would get pulled back to the conversation.


    After what felt like an eternity of small talk, Noah finally managed to extricate himself. "We''ll keep in touch, Alpha. If you''ll excuse me," he said, already sidestepping away, "I need to check on my Luna." He turned, his eyes immediately seeking out Hannah. He spotted her across the room... deep in conversation with the Luna Queen herself. The sight made him pause.


    Hannah''s face was lit up like a beacon, her slender hands moving animatedly as she spoke. The Luna Queen listened intently, a small smile ying on her lips as she sipped her champagne.


    Despite his reservations, Noah felt a surge of pride for his mate. Hannah had worked incredibly hard for this night, and mostly on her own. She deserved this moment in the spotlight, and he wasn''t about to interrupt. 1


    Deciding to give her some space, Noah made his way to the bar. The bartender nodded in acknowledgment as he approached.

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    Chapter 0262


    "What can I get for you, Alpha?" the bartender asked.


    "Whiskey, neat," Noah replied.


    He had just received his drink when he felt a tap on his arm. He turned to find Zoe standing there, a ss of champagne in her gloved hand.


    "Noah," she said, raising her ss, "now that we have a moment alone, I just want to say that your g is beautiful. The decorations, the music-it''s all so elegant."


    He raised his ss with a nod, but pursed his lips. Thank you, but I had very little to do with it. This all Hannah''s hard work. It''s her g, not mine."


    1. was


    Zoe''s face fell slightly, her smile faltering. But only for a moment. "Oh, of course. Still, it must be nice to see it alle together."


    Before Noah could respond, Leonard appeared once again.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Alpha Noah, a word in private?" Leonard''s tone was urgent, his eyes darting around the room.


    Noah suppressed a growl of frustration, "Can it wait, Leonard? I was just about to-".


    "I''m afraid it''s quite important," Leonard insisted, already steering Noah away from the crowd.


    Once they were in a quieter corner, partially hidden behind arge floral arrangement, Leonard leaned in close and dropped his voice. "I''ve just overheard something concerning. The Luna Queen intends to ce Hannah on the Luna Council." Noah blinked, surprised-and proud. "And why is that concerning?"


    Leonard scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "Isn''t it obvious? Your Luna is outshining you tonight. The people love her more and more each day, and now with this huge event, she''ll gain at least two weeks of intense positive media attention."


    Again, Noah found himself puzzled by Leonard''s concern. "I still don''t see the problem. Hannah has worked hard forthis. She deserves the recognition."


    I hope she''ll still be considered for the council if she bes a female Alpha following our divorce, he thought, although he didn''t say it out loud. He hoped that the divorce wouldn''t ruin her chances.


    Leonard''s expression hardened, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "You''re the Alpha, Noah. Not Hannah. You. You shouldn''t allow your Luna to outshine you, especially not a woman like Hannah." Noah''s wolf bristled at the biting tone. "What exactly do you mean by that, Leonard?" he hissed, making no effort to hide his annoyance.


    Leonard lowered his voice further, ncing around to ensure they weren''t overheard.


    "A woman should always take second ce to her husband, never the other way around," he said. "Plus, I find it hard to believe that Hannah could do all of this an her own. She must have another man-perhaps Drake-secretly controlling everything to give her a boost. Perhaps Drake even pushed his aunt to give Hannah a chance on the Luna council."


    Noah felt a surge of anger at Leonard''s words. His wolf growled, bristling at the insult to both Hannah and Drake-Drake, who had proven himself to be a trustworthy ally. "That''s enough, Leonard," Noah said, his voice sharp. "But Alpha-"


    "No," Noah cut him off, his eyes shing with anger. "I trust Drake now, and I know he wouldn''t do something like that. And Hannah has clearly been working hard. I''ve even found her sleeping in her office during her nning of this event." Leonard opened his mouth to argue further, but Noah held up a hand. "Keep your sexism to yourself, Leonard. I won''t hear another word of it."


    Without waiting for a response, Noah turned and walked away, his wolf still simmering with anger. He scanned the room, finally spotting Hannah near the dance floor. She was alone for the first time all night, and Noah seized the opportunity. He strode across the room, setting his now-empty ss aside on a passing waiter''s tray. Hannah''s eyes widened in surprise as he approached. Without a word, he took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.


    "Noah?" Hannah''s voice was uncertain as he pulled her close enough so that their bodies were flush against one another-far closer than necessary, but he couldn''t help himself right now. "What are you doing?"


    The scent of her perfume enveloped him, calming his agitated wolf. He looked down at her, taking in the confusion in her eyes, the slight flush on her cheeks. At that moment, he made a decision. Something that would benefit both of them. "Hannah," he said, "I have a proposition for you."

 Chapter 263

    Chapter 0263 Hannah


    I looked up at Noah with a cocked eyebrow, my curiosity piquing despite my best efforts to remain aloof.


    "A proposition?" I asked, turning my head to look at another couple dancing as though looking at him was below me. "What kind of proposition?"


    Noah''s hand tightened slightly on my waist as we swayed to the music, instantlymanding my attention once more despite my best efforts.


    His green eyes were intense, focused solely on me. The warmth of his palm seeped through the thin fabric of my gown, making my skin tingle, and the feeling of our bodies pressed up against one another was more than I had anticipated tonight.. I hated to admit it, even to myself, but feeling him like this was... nice. Needed. Missed.


    "I''d like to extend the terms of our divorce," he said, his voice low enough so that only I could hear. My eyes widened. "What are you saying?"


    "Let''s hold off on the divorce, at least until after the uing summer hunt," he said, his eyes darting around in search of anyone who might be eavesdropping. "Two more months is all I''m asking."


    Surprise coursed through me, my wolf stirring at his words. He spun me as the music crescendoed, and when I came back to him with one palm cupped against his chest, I couldn''t decide whether I was more breathless from the twirl or the question. "Two more months? Why?" I hissed.


    He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling against mine. "I heard you might get a spot on the Luna Council soon. If you''re no longer a Luna, you could possibly lose that opportunity."


    My heart skipped a beat. How did he know about that? The Luna Queen had only just extended the invitation to visit the Council for a day.


    Noah continued, his voice taking on a softer tone, "Plus, I could really use your expertise with the uing summer hunt. You''ve done an amazing job with this g, and..."


    He paused, looking almost embarrassed before he murmured, "I would like your help with at least one more major event before we... before we end things."


    Thepliment warmed me, even as the reminder of our impending divorce stung. I nced around the room, taking in the elegant decorations, the glittering guests, all evidence of my hard work. 1


    He was right, of course; if we got divorced and I returned to my pack as the female Alpha, then I might not make it onto the Luna Council since I would no longer be a Luna. And frankly, I intended to make history-the first female Alpha who was also an esteemed member of the Luna Queen''s personal cab.


    Maybe it would be best to secure my position before the divorce.


    "...I don''t know, Noah," I muttered, still unsure. "That''s a lot to consider, especially with the divorce so close."


    Noah said nothing, although there was something that flickered through his green eyes that I picked up on immediately-desperation. He hid it quickly, but I could see it. He needed this. Maybe he even wanted it, too.


    1 could... consider it," I finally murmured. "But I need some time to think."


    "Take your time," he said, his thumb absentmindedly rubbing small circles on my back as we moved. together. The gesture was so familiar, soforting, that I had to fight the urge to lean into him. "But not too much time."


    I nodded stiffly. "I''ll let you know within a few days."


    The slump of relief in his shoulders was infinitesimal, but I could see it. "Thank you," he said, then paused, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. "And Hannah... If you do this for me, if you can just give me two more months, then I promise I won''t fight you on the divorce. We can end things amicably."


    I fell silent, my mind whirling. Two more months married to Noah... The thought of having a little more time with him made me feel oddly at ease, and I hated myself for it. My wolf whined softly, conflicted.


    But two more months also meant the inevitable: my pregnancy would begin to show.


    And if he found out about the pregnancy before the divorce, well... There was no telling exactly what might happen. For all I knew, there might be no divorce at all.


    Or perhaps, once the pregnancy had run its course, my baby would be taken from me in the name of Noah finally having his Nightcrest heir.


    As we danced in silence, I became acutely aware of the eyes on us. Wolves from various packs, watching the Alpha and Luna of Nightcrest with rapt interest. Some were smiling, others whispering behind their hands. I swallowed hard. "Everyone''s watching us," I murmured, my eyes meeting a particrly interestedContent ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    a nearby


    Noah''s lips quirked into a small smile, his dimple appearing for a brief moment before flickering away. Let them watch. It''s been a while since we''ve given them anything to talk about."


    I thought of the picture that had been leaked, of us cuddling in the hospital. The memory of that moment, of feeling safe in Noah''s arms, made my chest tighten. "What about that photo from the hospital?" I blurted out. "That caused quite a stir."


    "Ah, yes," Noah said, his voice softening. His eyes took on a faraway look, as if he too was remembering that night. "I''m d that moment was captured, actually. We don''t have many tender memories."


    His words hit me like a punch to the gut. He was right; most of our rtionship had been tense from the beginning. We had never been the media darlings that some Alpha and Luna pairs were. Noah had always imed to dislike public disys of affection, but...


    A memory surfaced, unbidden. Noah and Zoe, years ago,ughing and kissing openly at a pack gathering before their breakup. The image was crystal clear in my mind-Noah''s arms around her waist, both of them smiling widely as they shared a passionate kiss in front of everyone.


    He had never been shy about PDA with her. The realization stung-maybe it wasn''t PDA he disliked, just particrly when it was with me.


    I swallowed hard, fighting back the sudden wave of emotion. I needed a moment to breathe and think.


    "I need to use the restroom," I said abruptly, pulling away from Noah. The loss of his warmth was Immediate and jarring. "Excuse me."


    I hurried across the room without another word, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The bathroom was mercifully empty when I entered, the soft lighting a stark contrast to the bright ballroom.


    I leaned against the marble sink, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves. My reflection in the mirror showed flushed cheeks and bright eyes.


    Suddenly, the door opened behind me, and I looked up to see Zoe entering. My shoulders slumped. Of all the people to run into right now...


    "Oh. Hannah," Zoe said, her voice syrupy sweet. Her red dress seemed to glow under the bathroom lights, making her look like some sort of subus. "Are you alright? You look a bit flushed."


    I forced a smile, straightening my posture. "I''m fine, thank you. Just needed a moment away from the


    crowd."


    Zoe nodded, moving to the mirror beside me. "Tell me about it." As she touched up her lipstick, leaving a perfect red rosebud on her lips, she said, "The g is lovely, by the way."

 Chapter 264

    Chapter 0264N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Or perhaps, once the pregnancy had run its course, my baby would be taken from me in the name of Noah finally having his Nightcrest heir.


    As we danced in silence, I became acutely aware of the eyes on us. Wolves from various packs, watching the Alpha and Luna of Nightcrest with rapt interest. Some were smiling, others whispering behind their hands. I swallowed hard. "Everyone''s watching us," I murmured, my eyes meeting a particrly interested


    a nearby


    Noah''s lips quirked into a small smile, his dimple appearing for a brief moment before flickering away. Let them watch. It''s been a while since we''ve given them anything to talk about."


    I thought of the picture that had been leaked, of us cuddling in the hospital. The memory of that moment, of feeling safe in Noah''s arms, made my chest tighten. "What about that photo from the hospital?" I blurted out. "That caused quite a stir."


    "Ah, yes," Noah said, his voice softening. His eyes took on a faraway look, as if he too was remembering that night. "I''m d that moment was captured, actually. We don''t have many tender memories."


    His words hit me like a punch to the gut. He was right; most of our rtionship had been tense from the beginning. We had never been the media darlings that some Alpha and Luna pairs were. Noah had always imed to dislike public disys of affection, but...


    A memory surfaced, unbidden. Noah and Zoe, years ago,ughing and kissing openly at a pack gathering before their breakup. The image was crystal clear in my mind-Noah''s arms around her waist, both of them smiling widely as they shared a passionate kiss in front of everyone.


    He had never been shy about PDA with her. The realization stung-maybe it wasn''t PDA he disliked, just particrly when it was with me.


    I swallowed hard, fighting back the sudden wave of emotion. I needed a moment to breathe and think.


    "I need to use the restroom," I said abruptly, pulling away from Noah. The loss of his warmth was Immediate and jarring. "Excuse me."


    I hurried across the room without another word, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The bathroom was mercifully empty when I entered, the soft lighting a stark contrast to the bright ballroom.


    I leaned against the marble sink, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves. My reflection in the mirror showed flushed cheeks and bright eyes.


    Suddenly, the door opened behind me, and I looked up to see Zoe entering. My shoulders slumped. Of all the people to run into right now...


    "Oh. Hannah," Zoe said, her voice syrupy sweet. Her red dress seemed to glow under the bathroom lights, making her look like some sort of subus. "Are you alright? You look a bit flushed."


    I forced a smile, straightening my posture. "I''m fine, thank you. Just needed a moment away from the


    crowd."


    Zoe nodded, moving to the mirror beside me. "Tell me about it." As she touched up her lipstick, leaving a perfect red rosebud on her lips, she said, "The g is lovely, by the way."

 Chapter 265

    Chapter 0265 Chapter 0265 HannahN?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    After a long night of dancing, mingling, and constantly swapping champagne out for sparkling juice, the g was finally drawing to a close-and so was my month-long eating disorder campaign. In just a few short minutes, the grandeur woulde to an end, the decorations would be taken down, and it would be time to move onto the next thing. But not yet. First, I needed to give a closing speech and announce the donation amount.


    My heart raced as I stepped onto the stage. The spotlight felt warm on my skin, and I could feel hundreds of eyes on me. My wolf stirred restlessly, sensing my frayed nerves, but I quelled the sensation and cleared my throat with a pleasant smile on my face. "Good evening, everyone," I began, my voice echoing through the microphone. "I want to thank you all foring tonight and supporting our cause."


    As I spoke about the importance of eating disorder awareness and treatment, I could feel Noah standing beside me, his green eyes fixed on me. The intensity of his gaze made my skin tingle. His proposition still. lingered at the edges of my mind, constantly prodding me. Two more months with him....


    It was advantageous, and reasonable. But it was also risky, not to mention... confusing.


    "This campaign has been about more than just raising money," I continued, pulling my attention back to the speech before my voice could falter. "It has been about changing lives, about giving hope to those who struggle every day with their rtionship with food and their bodies." I paused, looking out over the sea of faces. I recognized many as high profile men and women from the various packs, but they weren''t all who were in attendance; the kids from the mental facility were there, too, dressed in rented gowns and tuxedos.


    And the boy, Tom, the one in the wheelchair, stood at the front. Not sat. Stood. No wheelchair in sight, aside from a thin cane to lean his weak muscles on if needed. He had put on weight since I hadst seen him, and the sight made me smile.


    Inviting them had been at the top of my list, against Leonard''s wishes, of course. "They''ll sully the event, he had said. "They''re low ss. They won''t know how to act."


    I didn''t care how they acted-because tonight was for them.


    "And now, the moment we''ve all been waiting for," I said, taking the envelope from the attendant. "The total donations for tonight''s g...


    I opened the envelope, my fingers shaking. As I read the number, my eyes widened. "We''ve raised... $ 75,000! That''s $25,000 over our goal!"


    The room erupted into raucous apuse without a moment''s hesitation. Without thinking, I turned and threw myself at Noah, whose eyes were just as wide as mine. Our lips met.


    A hush fell over the room as we kissed deeply. I felt Noah stiffen beneath my lips, and for a moment, I


    H


    thought I had made a terrible mistake. My heart pounded, my palms grew itchy with embarrassment.


    But then, to my surprise, he returned the kiss with fervor. His arms wrapped around me, dipping me low. The crowd erupted in cheers and wolf whistles.


    When Noah set me back on my feet, I was breathless. Even if the kiss had just been for show and nothing else, there was no ignoring the way that my wolf was practically purring with contentment and the way that my knees felt weak in the most delicious way. As I scanned the crowd, my eyes met Zoe''s. Her face was stony, her lips pressed into a thin line. But it was Leonard''s expression that truly caught my attention-his face was twisted with anger, his eyes narrowed at Noah and me. Something about his re sent a chill down my spine.


    "You''lle down with me," Jake hissed in my ear, the scent of his rotting flesh cloying against my ear, my skin, my nostrils. Putrid water dripped onto my flesh as he grabbed my wrist, dragging me down, down "Down, under the water... With me..."


    The water, first a fine mist, turned thick and heavy in my lungs. Not water, but ck sludge. And the silver wolf spread across the light of the moon had missed his mark, crashing onto the jagged rocks below.


    I jolted upright, clutching at my throat as a scream died in my throat. The nightmare had felt so real- Jake''s rotting corpse, the scent of damp earth. Silver f¨¹r dotted with red blood across the violent tips of jagged rocks.


    My heart pounded in my chest, and I was drenched in a cold sweat. The moonlight filtering through the curtains cast an eerie glow across the room, and that was when I saw him: Jake. Real. Dripping water on my carpet.

 Chapter 266

    Chapter 0266


    And in my current state, only one thought came to mind:


    I need to get out.


    Without thinking or realizing that I was just imagining things, I bolted from my bed and ran to Noah''s room next door. I pounded on the wood, not caring how the sound reverberated through the empty house. "Noah! Noah, please!"


    The door flew open a momentter, and Noah stood there, his eyes glowing amber and his glistening white fangs dropped. With a low grow, he pulled me into one arm, his other raised to fight an invisible attacker. "What is it? What''s wrong?"


    I sobbed into his chest, my words muffled against his skin. "Jake... he came back... in my dream... He was trying to take me again..."


    It was only then that I realized that the figure I had seen was just a lingering hallucination from my nightmare, but it didn''t make the terror any less real.


    Noah''s body rxed, but he didn''t let go. Instead, his arm tightened around me, one hand stroking my hair.


    "It was just a nightmare. You''re safe, Hannah. I''ve got you."


    As my tears subsided, embarrassment crept in. I pulled back slightly, wiping my eyes. "I''m sorry, I shouldn''t have-"


    "Don''t," Noah said, his thumbing up to wipe away a stray tear. "Don''t apologize. You have nothing to be sorry about,"


    I swallowed, nodding and stepping back. Wordlessly, he led me downstairs to the kitchen, his hand warm on the small of my back the entire way. The house was quiet, our footsteps echoing softly in the hallway. "Let''s get you some warm milk. It''ll help you sleep."


    As Noah busied himself at the stove, I sat at the kitchen ind, watching him. So tender, so... loving. So unlike him. Maybe, while I had been having nightmares, he had been dreaming about happy moments. That was the only exnation I could find for his sudden kindness. 1


    "Noah," I said quietly, breaking the silence, "about your proposition earlier..."


    He turned, one eyebrow raised. "It''ste, Hannah. You don''t have to talk about it now."


    shrugged, clenching my jaw. The g had ended hours ago, the notes of the opera and the string quartet Tong since having faded in my mind, but his question-and his promise-had lingered. Even in the wake of Jake''s dripping corpse.


    "I ept," I said, cautiously meeting his gaze in the dimly lit kitchen. "I''ll ept."


    Noah blinked at me for a moment, clearly surprised. "Are you sure?"


    I nodded. "What''s another two months?" I asked. My hand moved to touch my belly, where his child was taking root, but I managed to push away the urge to reveal it now. "And after tonight.


    The memory of our kiss at the g returned. His lips, so warm and soft against mine. The way he had dipped me low, and now, his tousled hair as he warmed milk for me on the stove.


    Something had changed tonight. I wasn''t sure what, or how, or when, but something had changed. Maybe I was just scared again, like that night at the hospital. wing at any sense of familiarity, nostalgia, yearning.


    Without a word, he brought the mug of warm milk over, and as he handed it to me, our fingers brushed. Neither of us let go of the mug, our eyes locked. The air between us seemed to crackle with electricity.


    "If you''re certain," he said quietly, tentatively. "I promise to uphold my end of the bargain-about ending things amicably."


    Ending things. The thought made me shudder, and my fingers instinctively tightened around his.


    Before I could talk myself out of it, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Noah responded immediately, his free handing up to cup my cheek. The kiss was soft, tender, filled with unspoken emotions-but it was also harsh, necessary, intense. Clearly, he yearned just as much as I did. Was he scared, just like I was? No; impossible. But he yearned. 1


    When we pulled apart, both slightly breathless, I whispered in a trembling voice, "I don''t want to sleep alone tonight."


    For a moment, Noah hesitated, his eyes searching mine. Then, without a word, he scooped me up into his arms, carrying me toward the stairs.


    We left the milk untouched on the counter.

 Chapter 267

    Chapter 0267 Hannah


    Noah set me down on the carpeted floor of his bedroom and moved to turn on the bedsidemp. I stood awkwardly in the middle of the room for a moment, feeling very much like a college student on her first one night stand, and looked around. The guest room that Noah had been upying as ofte had all the markers of him; the scent of his cologne, his rumpled clothes over the back of a chair, his leather loafers-perfectly polished and lined up beside one another-sitting by the door. Speaking of which... For a moment, as I looked around at the small room, my eyes flicked over to the exit. I should walk through it, I thought to myself, scratching my head. I shouldn''t be here. I shouldn''t...


    ""Hannah?"


    The sound of his voice, still gravelly and thick from sleep, pulled me out of my daze. I snapped my head around to see him standing beside the bed, the sheets rumpled.


    "Are youing?" he asked, gesturing to the bed.


    I hesitated for a moment, but only a moment-because the moon, nearly full, showed her face from behind a cloud and shone into the room like she was peering in at us. I felt my wolf writhe in the depths of my stomach, begging me to go to him. And I did.


    Noahid down, holding the nkets up for me. I took a deep breath before straddling him, my cream silk nightgown pushing up and pooling around my thighs.


    Neither of us spoke, although I think even if we did, it would have been incoherent. My mind was numb and stupid, only one thought bursting to the surface: need him. Want him. Now.


    I didn''t waste time pondering whether it was a bad idea.


    Leaning down, captured his lips against mine again, savoring the taste of his lips and tongue. So familiar, yet so foreign at the same time.


    We had done this a thousand times before on our monthly intimacy nights, but still my heart pounded a million miles a minute, and my legs trembled as I gently, slowly, lifted myself just enough to give my hand space to move down and reach into the waistband of his pajama pants.


    A soft exhale escaped him as I slipped my hand inside, stroking the warm member that was waiting for me. My other hand moved to stroke down the corded muscles of his chest, my fingertips bobbing over the dips and mounds of each ab.


    Still, he didn''t speak, not even as I began stroking up and down his already-hard member. I didn''t speak, either, just focused on keeping my mind quiet and empty and stupid.


    His left hand came up to cup my breast, his palm warm through the thince of my nightgown. In the chilly air of the room, my nipples were already hard, gently poking through thece. He paused to pinch one, eliciting a shiver from me, before his forefinger slipped beneath the strap of my gown and slipped it aside.


    My breast fell out, almost like it had a mind of his own. His lips found it first, then his tongue, swirling around the puckered skin. I bit my lower lip and gently pushed the waistband of his pants down, cupping his exposed member in one hand while my other hand moved aside my panties.


    But before I could slip him inside, his thick arms were wrapping so tightly around my waist that I almost couldn''t breathe. Suddenly, the room tilted, and a momentter I found myself on my back with him above me.


    My eyes widened as he propped one hand up on the headboard-just like he had so many times before during our monthly intimacy nights, but it felt different now, not just an attempt to put some distance between our bodies but rather to get a good view. Slowly, achingly, his rough fingers trailed down the front of my body, the tip of his cock hovering just out of reach of the wetness between my legs. First my throat, then my corbone, then my exposed breast, then the soft silk covering my belly, and then my thighs He lingered there, right at the apex of my thighs, and his thumb gently pulled my panties away. The stic stretched.


    "Say it," he whispered.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    quirked an eyebrow. "Say what?"


    Noah released the stic of my panties, and they snapped hard against my inner thigh. I flinched, biting my lower lip.


    "You know," he whispered, pulling the stic out again.


    I shook my head, squirming slightly beneath him. "I don''t. 1-"


    Snap. The stic bit into the soft flesh of my thigh, causing a soft whimper to slip out from somewhere deep in my throat. I looked up at him with doe eyes, genuinely confused. He clicked his tongue and shook his head.

 Chapter 268

    Chapter 0268


    Gently, he moved his thumb over to the center and began to move it in a slow, tantalizing circle across my swollen clit. My pussy lips, already soaked, practically throbbed at his touch and it was all I could do not to squirm and ache and beg for him to just give me what I


    wanted already.


    But he stayed like that for a while, his thumb circling slowly, slowly, until I thought I might burst. And I remained silent, waiting, patient.


    Then: "Say the name of the man you think about," he murmured. His green eyes bored into me, dark and heady, as he casually spit into his palm and stroked it along the length of his shaft. I felt the tip press against me, and I bit my lip so hard I thought I tasted blood. "The... The name?" I whispered. The head of his cock pressed harder against me, and a low growl rumbled in his throat. He leaned down, his face so close now that I could feel his hot breath spraying across my throat, although his hand still gripped the headboard-his muscles taut, gleaming in the moonlight.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    "I hear you at night," he whispered, flicking his tongue across my earlobe. "Whimpering in your bed. Touching yourself. I know you say a name, and it''s not Drake. I know you were lying before."


    I swallowed hard, resisting the urge to cry out as his cock pushed into me.


    "The name..." I murmured, knowing exactly what he was talking about. My face flushed red, although whether from embarrassment or ecstasy as he filled me, I couldn''t be sure.


    "Say it," he growled, thrusting fully into me now. I arched my back, feeling positively stuffed, and whimpered as he began to move. Slow, controlled, in and out, his hips moving expertly. "Noah," I finally whispered, my voice strained and throaty. "It''s Noah."


    Leaning back so that his chest now glistened in the light, he shed his white teeth down at me. "That''s what I thought."


    Neither of us said a word after that, although there was no need. Words were useless here; all that mattered was the sound of our shared groans and grunts, my whimpers and his low growls in my ear.


    For the first time in a long time, I gave myself to him, let my legs fall open on the bed and clutched the sheets beside me. My eyes roamed his sinewy body as he moved over me, my hand asionallying up to stroke along his waist and chest.


    asionally, he, too, moved his fingers along my bare breasts or pushed my nightgown out of the way to grab my hips and tug me closer against him, an aching attempt at getting himself deeper, closer.


    Every so often, he would curse or mutter my name, the sound almost violent in his throat. Once, I took his hand and wrapped his fingers around my throat, reveling in the light pressure that he gave me and the way that it made me tighten around his cock. But we never said more than that.


    Just as we were about to reach our climax together, I pushed myself up onto my elbows, my neck exposed to him as I threw my head back.


    "Fuck, Hannah," he grunted at the sight, hunching down over me. I could only manage a pathetic moan in response, the swell of his cock just before he burst almost too much to bear.


    He bent his head, and I swore I felt his fangs drop slightly, two sharp pricks along the column of my


    throat, but I didn''t pull away. At that moment, as he finished himself inside of me, I didn''t care if he ripped my throat out with his bare teeth. Nothing mattered. Not the ecstasy, not the pain, not the consequences. When we finally copsed into a wordless, sweaty, panting heap, it was all I could do to shudder to my feet and stumble to the bathroom.


    The aftereffects of our romp trailed down my leg, and I couldn''t help but grin as I staggered past the full-length mirror and caught a glimpse of my disheveled state. I would regret this in the morning, I was certain. Consequences. I could face those tomorrow. But for now...


    As I stumbled back to the bathroom, Noah was already half asleep. I curled up under the nkets beside him, turned away, my face to the moon-who had watched our whole tryst from her ce in the sky. We fell asleep on opposite sides of the bed, but I thought I felt his

 Chapter 269

    Chapter 0269 Hannah


    I awoke with a start, the warm sun against my cheek doing little to quell my sudden jolt. The white sheets against my skin felt soft and warm but unfamiliar, and for a moment, panic gripped me.


    This wasn''t my bed. These pillows, though plush and stuffed with down, weren''t mine. The curtains hanging from the windows were sheet, not thick and heavy with velvet and tassels. And then it hit me.


    Slowly, memories of the previous night trickled back. The g, the nightmare, and then... Noah.


    My cheeks flushed as I remembered the way he had carried me up the stairs, the feel of his lips on mine, the heat of his body against my flesh. His taut muscles as he moved above me. His long fingers gripping the headboard. His tousled hair falling into his eyes. My name on his lips.


    The scent of him still lingered on the pillows, indicating that he had only just recently left the room, although I was mercifully alone now.


    Alone in the wake of a night of passion that I had never meant for.


    A profound feeling of guilt immediately washed over me, my wolf whining softly in confusion. What had I done? This was only going to make things moreplicated between us. We were supposed to be getting divorced, not... whatever this was.


    My hand unconsciously drifted to my stomach, where our child was growing-still unbeknownst to Noah, even though we had made love just hours ago. The secret felt heavier than ever. Liar, a little voice in the back of my head seemed to say. Maniptor.


    I sat up, making sure that Noah really was already gone. His side of the bed was cold, the sheets neatly tucked. Always the early riser. It used to drive me insane back when we still slept together every night, but it felt like a mercy this morning. I slipped out of bed and quickly skittered down the hall to my room, which was not far. Once inside, I showered in too-hot water, almost as if it would wash away what we had done the night before, make it unreal, clean.


    Finally, I got dressed, and my fingers fumbled clumsily with the buttons of my blouse. The mirror reflected a woman I barely recognized anymore, a woman who I hadn''t seen in a very logn time-flushed cheeks, tousled hair, eyes bright with lingering pleasure. Down below, in the pit of my stomach, there was still a pleasant emptiness lingering-like a weight had been lifted off of me. My inner thighs still seemed to burn''with the sensation of his touch, my knees blissfully weak and soft.


    It had, of course, been like heaven. It was the first time we had made love outside of our monthly intimacy nights in... Well, I couldn''t even remember. A long damn time. But it would be thest time. It had to be.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    As I made my way to my office, I tried to focus on the tasks ahead. Luna duties, paperwork, anything to


    take my mind off the night I had spent with Noah. But my thoughts kept drifting back to him, to the way he had touched me, the way his green eyes grew husky and his eyelids drooped as he looked at me. Did he think about Zoe the entire time? I didn''t think so; it was my name he had said, after all.


    But then, he had gotten up and left before I even woke. Maybe it was all routine to him; a quick release, something to quell the urges of his wolf. Yes, that was what it was for me, too. Relief. 2


    My office was a sanctuary of order amidst my chaotic thoughts. I settled behind my desk, determined to lose myself in work. The expense reports Scott hadpletedy in a neat stack, demanding my attention.


    As I pored over the numbers, however, I frowned. Something wasn''t adding up. I double-checked the figures, my irritation growing as I lifted the page to the light to ensure that I hadn''t missed anything. Scott had messed up. Again.


    "Dammit, Scott," I muttered, reaching for a pen to make the corrections. This wasn''t the first time he had made mistakes like this in recent history, and the incidents were growing more frequent. Noah needed to know about this; Scott''s errors could cost us dearly if left unchecked.


    With the corrected report in hand, I made my way to Noah''s office. My heart raced as I approached his door, memories of our night together shing through my mind for the millionth time.


    I didn''t want to look him in the eye right now, but this was important; so, I took a deep breath, steeling myself before knocking. Part of me hoped that he wasn''t there and that I could just drop the papers on his desk.

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    Chapter 0270


    Chapter


    0270


    "Come in," Noah called, his voice muffled through the heavy wood.


    I stepped inside, and immediately felt his eyes stick to me like my skin was made of glue. His gaze seemed to caress my body, and I felt a blush creeping up my neck. Our eyes met, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. The tension in the room was palpable, thick and heavy. I couldn''t decide whether I wanted him to throw me down on his desk and take me again or if I wanted to chuck the papers in his face and run like a coward.


    "Hannah," Noah finally said in a surprisingly even voice, seeming topose himself. "How did you sleep?"


    I swallowed. "Your bed is veryfortable," I replied, then winced at how that sounded. "I mean... I slept well. Thank you."


    Noah''s lips quirked into the smallest half-smile, a glint appearing in his eye. "I''m d. What can I do for you?"


    I held out the expense report, trying to ignore the way my hand trembled slightly as I walked up to him. Scott made some errors in his calctions. I''ve corrected them, but I thought you should know. It''s not the first time this has happened."


    Noah frowned as he took the papers, his fingers brushing mine. The brief contact sent a shiver down my spine, my wolf yearning for more. I quickly stuffed my hand into my pocket as if that would somehow help.


    "I''ll speak with him," he said, ncing up at me over the report. "Thank you for catching this. You have excellent attention to detail."


    I nodded, turning to leave. But as I reached the door, I paused. My wolf urged me to stay, to go back to Noah, but I pushed the feeling down.


    "Noah," I said, not turning around. "Aboutst night..."


    "Yes?" His voice was carefully neutral, but I could hear the tension underlying it.


    I took a deep breath, my hand resting on the doorknob for a moment before I turned. "It was... nice. But don''t you think that it could make things..." "Complicated?" Noah finished for me.


    I paused, blinking in surprise, then nodded. Noah sighed and leaned back in his chair.


    "What wasst night to you?" he asked.


    "What was it to you?" I responded, not wanting to answer just yet.


    Noah looked at me for a moment, and it felt as if those green eyes of his could see right through me. Despite my attempts to appear confident and collected, I felt like my chest was on fire and his gaze was the fuel.


    "I think... we both needed that," he said simply.


    "A release," I replied carefully with a nod.


    +25 BON


    Noah blinked at me again. He didn''t seem to have an answer for that; I couldn''t tell if he agreed or not. Finally, I muttered, "Maybe, if we''re going to get a divorce, we shouldn''t be so quick to jump into bed whenever we need to let off some steam." There was a long pause. Then: "Is that what you still want, Hannah? A divorce?"


    My heart clenched. I dropped my gaze to my feet, unsure of what to say. Part of me wanted to run into his arms, to forget about the divorce and try to make things work-for us, for our baby.


    But the logical part of my brain reminded me of all the reasons we had decided to end our marriage in the first ce. The lies, the distance, the years of feeling unloved and unappreciated. The fact that he had never truly, wholly, moved on from his ex. We were ipatible in all ways other than sexually. Or at least, that was what I told myself in that moment. Anything to keep myself from going back on my decision.


    "Yes," I finally said, carefully lifting my gaze to meet his. "I do."


    Noah''s eyes seemed to sh with something-pain, or maybe anger, or both, or something else entirely- before his face settled into a mask of indifference. "I see," was all he said about the subject. "Did want to talk about anything else?" 1 you


    I shook my head, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. Without another word, I left his office, closing the door behind me. The sound echoed in the empty hallway, final and ominous.


    As I walked down the hallway, my mind reeling, I nearly collided with Leonard. His eyes narrowed as he took in my disheveled appearance, his nostrils ring slightly as if trying to catch Noah''s scent on me. "Morning... Luna," he said, his tone dripping with disdain.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Before I could respond, he brushed past me, his shoulder bumping mine hard enough to make me stumble.

 Chapter 271

    Chapter 0271


    Hannah


    The weeks leading up to the Summer Hunt passed by faster than I expected-even faster than the days leading up to the charity g, even though the length was actually longer.


    Noah and I worked side by side, true to our agreement to extend the divorce for another two months. But the tension between us was palpable, like a taut rubber band ready to snap at any moment.


    Every time our hands brushed as we passed documents back and forth, every stolen nce across the room, sent shivers down my spine. My wolf whined restlessly, yearning for his touch even more than before.


    The memory of our night together haunted me, making the urge stronger than it had been. It was as if that little taste of ecstasy had made me addicted, and I needed more.


    Each night, I was too restless to sleep. Each night, I kept thinking of him, of the sensation of him moving inside of me, and I would purse my lips and squeeze my eyes shut and try to push Noah out of my mind. But each night, it was an impossible feat.


    And each night, with my face red with shame, my hand would move under the nkets and I would whisper his name under my breath.


    Then, each morning, I would wake up and pretend that hadn''t done it.


    "Hannah?"


    I jerked my head up from my buttered toast, my eyes bleary, to see Noah looking at me from where he was standing by the coffee pot. He hadn''t approached me for sex since that night, and I didn''t approach him. But even as I looked at him, I was already imagining taking his clothes off, and-


    "Sorry," I said, shaking my head slightly to dispel the thoughts. "What is it?"


    "What do you think about thisyout for the banquet?"


    He handed me a slip of paper that had a crude map hand drawn on it; a seating chart for the banquet that would be held after the hunt, where we would-hopefully-roast and eat the deer we hunted down.


    "It''s good," I said, my mouth full of toast as I studied the map. "But maybe we could move the dessert tables closer to the dance floor? Encourage more mingling."


    Noah nodded and took the paper back. I watched as he scribbled something on it with a pencil, then stuffed both the pencil and paper into his pocket. "Always thinking about the social dynamics. This is why I need you here."


    His words sent a pang through my chest. Need, not want., That was for the best, no matter now painful. And that was what that night together had been: needing. Nothing more, nothing less.


    "We should also consider having more vegetarian options," I said. "Some of the younger pack members have been asking for it."


    Noah scoffed, but nodded. "It''s bing moremon these days, isn''t it?"


    I hesitated, then said, "That actually reminds me; maybe we should set up an activity for the children and


    T


    anyone who doesn''t want to-or who can''t-participate in the killing."N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Noah considered this for a moment before sweeping over to the door. His cologne hit my nose as he walked past and I felt like I might pass out. "I''ll consider it," he said, then left me alone with my toast and a squirming sensation in my thighs. Eventually, the day of the hunt dawned on the very first day of summer, as per tradition.


    The location was perfect, and much of it was thanks to my expertise as Luna. Due to a long week of rain, the original piece ofnd had be too wet to use, so I had secured us a new piece ofnd for the hunt thanks to calling upon a few favors I had rued during my eating disorder campaign.


    As I approached the grounds, the clearing was already bustling with activity. Lanterns hung from tree branches, casting a warm glow over the misty forest. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of roasting meat and fresh bread, and children were hopping around in the underbrush in search of toads.


    X


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 272

    Chapter 0272


    "You''ve outdone yourself once again," Viona said, appearing at my elbow with a clipboard in hand. She had remained as my assistanttely even though she had found a new temporary living situation, and I was d to have her by my side. "This ce looks amazing." I smiled, ncing around at the decorations andyout. "Thanks. I just hope everything goes smoothly."


    "With you in charge? How could it not?" Viona nudged me yfully. "Seriously, Hannah. You should be proud."


    My eyes swept he clearing beforending on Noah, who was standing across the way. My stomach tightened just at the sight of him, the way that the wind tousled his hair making me weak in the knees. Today, my wolf was particrly riled up, anticipating a good run through the forest, and it was making it all the more difficult to ignore my attraction to him.


    As the opening ceremony began a little whileter, Noah and I stepped up onto the stage together. The crowd fell silent, all eyes on us. For a moment, I was acutely aware of how close we were standing, the heat from his body radiating toward me like a smaller version of the sun.


    Noah cleared his throat and began his annual speech. "Wee, everyone, to our annual Summer Hunt. This tradition has been a part of our pack for generations, bringing us together in celebration of our true nature..."


    As he spoke, my eyes scanned the crowd. So many familiar faces, all looking up at us with expectation and excitement. My gazended on Zoe, standing near the front. Her expression was unreadable, but I could see her eyes flicking between Noah and me.


    No doubt she was wondering why we were still together, trying to discern when she could swoop in. "...and now, let the hunt begin!" Noah concluded, his voice pulling me back to the present.


    A cheer went up from the crowd. Noah turned to me, his eyes surprisingly intense-it seemed his wolf was also riled up today. "Ready?" he asked quietly.


    I nodded, everras uncertainty gnawed at me. I hadn''t shifted in so long. What if I couldn''t do it? Talk about embarrassing.


    Noah began to shift beside me, his body contorting and changing. In moments, a magnificent silver wolf stood where he had been. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of him. He was beautiful, powerful, everything an Alpha should be.


    My wolf stirred inside of me, excited by the proximity of her mate. The urge to shift, to run alongside him, was overwhelming. Before I knew it, I was shifting too, the changeing easier than I had expected. As I settled into my wolf form, I heard gasps from the crowd. Confused, I looked down at myself. My fur, usually a in chestnut brown, was gleaming in the sunlight. It looked healthier, almost sparkling.


    I nced at Noah, only to find him staring at me. His wolf eyes were wide with what looked like admiration. He nodded toward the forest, silently telling me to take the first step.


    With my heart pounding, I took a tentative step forward. The wind rustled through my fur, bringing with it a symphony of scents-earth, leaves... prey. My wolf reveled in the sensations.


    For a moment, I just stood there, feeling the wind in my fur and the sounds of the forest rushing through my keen ears. Then, up ahead, I saw movement: the sacrificial doe, perking her head up a hundred yards into the forest. Her eyes locked with mine, her pupils dting, and time seemed to stand still.


    Then, she ran. I ran, too, faster than I ever had.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

 Chapter 273

    Chapter 0273 Chapter 0273


    Hannah


    My paws thundered against the forest floor, my lungs filled with the scent and weight of damp, thick forest air. I wove around trees, leaped over fallen logs, burst through thickets and eventually came to rest for a moment at the top of arge, smooth boulder.


    Noah bounded up alongside me, his footsteps making little sound as he approached. I didn''t look at him, but rather kept my gaze fixed on the forest below, searching for any sign of movement with my keen eyes.


    The wind rustled my fur. Beside me, I felt Noah lean slightly, hisrger form towering over mine. Only then did I chance a nce up at him, and it was then that I saw his wolf eyes, glowing greener than the leaves, staring down at me.


    But I didn''t take so much as a moment to gaze back, because there, over his shoulder, I saw a puffy white tail disappear into the forest.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    With a soft growl, I moved past Noah and leaped down from the rock,ying chase again. He followed, matching my pace as we raced through the trees. The sacrificial deer''s sweet, potent scent filled my nostrils, driving my wolf into a frenzy of excitement. Goddess, this felt good. I hadn''t felt this connected to my wolf in years. With the thrill of the hunt pulsing through my veins, I felt like a new woman.


    The forest blurred around us as we raced faster, rapidly turning into a blur of greens and browns. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, dappling the ground with patches of golden light. I could hear Noah''s heavy breathing beside me, feel the heat radiating from his silver coat.


    Up ahead, the doe took a sudden, sharp turn around arge tree. Pushing faster, Noah yfully nipped at my shoulder before he put on a sudden burst of speed and soared ahead of me.


    I growled again and raced after him now not just the doe.


    To my surprise, I found myself gaining on Noah. My legs pumped harder, muscles I had almost forgotten I had burning with blissful exertion. Noah nced at me as I returned to his side, his wolf eyes widening in surprise as, with onest push, I pulled ahead. I shot him an open-mouthed gape over my shoulder, a yful, but silent tease.


    He let out a growl, his hackles raising as he pushed himself faster behind me. We wove between trees, leaping over a small babbling creek, always keeping the doe in our line of sight but allowing ourselves a chance to y, to egg each other on. The forest was alive around us, birds scattering at our approach, small animals darting for cover.


    The deer was just ahead now, its white tail shing as it darted through the underbrush. I put on an extra burst of speed, my jaws opening in anticipation. Goddess, how I wanted to taste meat-real, raw meat, a fresh kill, something that I had deemed myself too poised to indulge in since I had be a Luna.


    "Lunas don''t hunt," I had begun telling myself years ago. "They don''t eat raw meat. They don''t eat anything, really."


    Well, not anymore. My wolf craved to give in to her natural instincts, and I couldn''t bear to deny her that


    satisfaction anymore.


    Just as I was about to lunge, Noah appeared in my peripheral vision. For a moment, I thought he was going to overtake me.


    But then, almost imperceptibly, he slowed. Just enough for me to surge ahead and make the final leap.


    My teeth sank into the soft, furry flesh of the deer''s neck, the taste of blood flooding my mouth. The deer shrieked and whimpered, her gangly legs kicking wildly. Still, with a swift jerk of my neck, I brought the animal down to the forest floor and savored the sensation and taste of her fear and adrenaline. Finally, the deer jerked, then whimpered, then let out onest groan. I never let go, not once, just sank my teeth in further and further. Finally, she went limp, and only then did I remove my thick canines from her throat.


    "Have to save it," I thought to my wolf, licking my chops as I sat back on my haunches. "We can''t eat it yet."


    Behind me, I heard the soft padding of paws on leaves and turned, still licking my chops, to see Noah approaching. His green eyes flicked to my mouth, his own tongue instinctively darting out, as he took in the sight of my blood-stained fur. Twas the first to shift back. My bones contorted easily, fur turning back into flesh and clothes, and I found


    myself kneeling in front of the deer''s carcass. Blood still coated my mouth, although I made no move to wipe it away, rather savoring the tangy, metallic vor.


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 274

    Chapter 0274


    Shifting back himself, Noah stared at me, his eyes wide with what looked like awe. Slowly, he approached, dropping to a crouch in front of me and pulling a handkerchief from his pocket. "There, killer," he whispered, gently wiping the blood from my mouth. His touch was tender, a stark contrast to the primal energy still thrumming through both of us. "I didn''t think you had it in you."


    I grinned, still feeling the thrill of the hunt coursing through my veins-mixed with the lingering sensation of primal, animalistic yearning that hadn''t left me since our night together. It was almost unbearable now, that ache between my thighs, especially with him so close. Without thinking, I darted my tongue out, licking a drop of blood from his finger. Noah froze, his breath catching in his throat.


    "I''ve always had it in me," I murmured, my voice husky. "I just never set it free."


    Noah growled softly, the sound sending shivers down my spine. I didn''t move away as his eyes roamed over my body, dark with desire. And in that moment, I think our wolves were still in control of our desires, of our actions. Gently, he gripped my wrists and pushed me down onto the bed of leaves beside my kill, looming over me.


    The air between us crackled with tension. I could feel the heat of his body, see the rapid rise and fall of his chest. My wolf whined, urging me to close the distance between us. The forest seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us in our own little world.


    We could do it, I thought to myself. Maybe there wasn''t time, but my wolf was telling me that it didn''t matter much if our pack identally found us rutting right there on the forest floor. The taste of the doe''s blood must haye clouded my logic, returned me to a more base level of instinct.


    But then, just as Noah began to lean in, the sound of approaching footsteps made that logic return-for both of us. Realizing that we were about to make another mistake, and right in front of our pack this time, I sprang away from him. I scrambled to my feet, leaves clinging to my clothes, as the rest of the hunting party burst into the clearing. 1


    As I brushed myself off, I caught a glimpse of movement behind a particrlyrge tree that made me pause. Zoe was sliding off of the back of Drake''s wolf form, her feet touching the ground just as they came into full view. She made a show of smoothing down her clothes and sighing contentedly, as if she had just shifted back herself.


    But I knew better.


    Interesting, I thought to myself. My eyes narrowed as I watched her meander into the clearing, filing away this information forter. 1


    "Nice. Clean kill," Drake said, leaning close to observe the deer-two perfect puncture wounds right at the base of her skull.


    I followed his gaze. She had likely only felt a singr sh of pain before it was lights out, and the rest that happened after had just been her muscles taking over. Now that the primal fog was clearing from my mind, I did feel a little bad for harming another creature, and wiped my bloody mouth with the back of my hand.


    "You killed her?" Drake asked, noticing my movement.


    Noah''s chest puffed out before I could answer. "She outran my wolf. I''ve never seen anything like it." My eyes widened slightly at the fact that he conveniently left out how he let me win. But before I could say anything, a cheer went up from the gathered pack members who had overheard, and suddenly I was being lifted onto strong shoulders.


    "Luna! Luna! Luna!" The chant echoed through the forest, making my cheeks flush a shade of red more crimson than the blood still coating the inside of my lips.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    As I was paraded around, my eyesnded on Zoe. Her face was red, her lips pressed into a thin line. She couldn''t shift, could she? The idea gave me a petty sense of satisfaction. I couldn''t help but wonder what she was thinking, seeing me celebrated like this. When I was finally set back on my feet, Noah''s arm snaked around my shoulders.


    "Time for the feast!"

 Chapter 275

    Chapter 0275 Hannah


    The feast was in full swing, the aroma of roasted deer filling the thick forest air and mingling with the lively sounds of the live music.


    I meandered my way through the crowd, casually sipping a ss of iced tea. My muscles still felt loose and rxed after that run through the forest, the coppery tang of blood lingering at the back of my tongue.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    A group of children darted past me, nearly knocking me over, their squeals ofughter echoing through the clearing. I stepped aside quickly, narrowly avoiding a collision with little Adam, who seemed to be leading the pack. "Sorry, Luna Hannah!" he called over his shoulder, not slowing down for a second.


    I couldn''t help but smile as I watched them disappear into the crowd. My hand unconsciously drifted to my stomach, and I found myself wondering what it would be like to have my own child running and ying amongst them.


    At that moment, my eyes sought out Noah almost of their own ord. I spotted him standing across the clearing, deep in conversation with some of the older pack members. My hand quickly fell back to my side.


    As if sensing my gaze, he looked up, our eyes locking for a brief moment.


    My wolf stirred inside of me in response to that look, a low whine escaping my throat. The desire I had been trying to ignore came rushing back full force. I wanted him. Badly.


    It was getting harder and harder to quell these feelingstely, especially since that night we had spent together. It was as if tasting what we could have had only made the hunger worse.


    And now that I had tasted the doe''s blood on my fangs, awakening that primal part of me, it felt as though only one thought existed in my mind: him. Noah. Mate


    "Hannah!" The sound of Drake''s voice blissfully pulled me from my thoughts, mercifully stopping me from thinking, saying, or even doing something that I would regretter. I turned to see him approaching me with a broad smile on his face. "Drake," I said, turning.


    Drake stopped a foot away from me. "That was some impressive hunting earlier. I''ve never seen a Luna take down a deer like that. So quick and clean." He gestured to the fire, where today''s kill was being carved up to serve. It felt both beautiful and barbaric at the same time, to feast on something that I had hunted myself. But it felt so, so right-so in tune with the primal beast that lived inside of all of us.


    I felt my cheeks warm at the praise. The cooks had evenmented on how tender the meat was, indicating that the deer had not suffered-sometimes, the overwhelming suffering of an animal could tinge the meat with a strange taste. But not today. "Thanks, Drake. Although I think Noah might have let me win," I admitted.


    Drake chuckled. "Well, even if he did, it doesn''t change the fact that you made a clean kill. It''s obvious you''ve still got it in you."


    I nodded, sipping my iced tea. Then, remembering what I had seen earlier, I decided to probe a little. "By the way, I couldn''t help but notice earlier... was Zoe riding on your back when you arrived at the kill site?" Drake''s eyes widened slightly, and he nced around before leaning in closer. "You saw that? I didn''t think anyone had noticed."


    "I did," I confirmed. "Is everything okay?"


    He hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I shouldn''t tell you this, but... Zoe has been having some trouble shiftingtely. I think it might be stress-rted. She asked me to help her keep up appearances during the hunt." Despite everything that had happened between us, I felt a pang of sympathy for Zoe. It was only today that I had ovee some of my own shifting troubles.


    "Oh. That must be difficult for her," I murmured.


    Drake nodded solemnly. "It is. But don''t let on that you know, okay? She''d be mortified if she found out anyone knew about her struggles. Especially you."


    GET IT NOW


    X

 Chapter 276

    Chapter 0276


    I raised an eyebrow. "Me?"


    "Well, it''s no secret that you''ve been on the up and uptely," Drake said with a sheepish grin, rubbing his hand along the back of his neck. "Don''t think Zoe hasn''t noticed."


    Despite my urge to smirk in a self-satisfied manner, I simply nodded. "I see. Well, I won''t say anything."


    As Drake moved away to join another group, I decided to head to the refreshment table for a refill. I was halfway there when Leonard stepped into my path with a smug look on his face. "Well, well, if it isn''t our mighty huntress," he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm.


    I raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem, Leonard?"


    He scoffed. "Oh, nothing. I just find it hard to believe you actually made that kill. It was too clean for a female."


    ""Excuse me?"


    "You heard me, Hannah," Leonard continued, seemingly oblivious to my growing irritation. "Females have smaller teeth than males, and their spatial abilities are less pronounced. There''s no way you could have made such a precise kill."


    That was it. Without warning, I let my fangs drop, leaning in close to Leonard''s face. "Why don''t you take a closer look, then?" I growled, baring my teeth. "See how small my fangs really are. If you want, I can even test my spatial abilities on your throat." Leonard''s eyes widened at the sight of my fangs, and he took a step back, his face paling slightly. "I... uh..."


    Satisfied with his reaction, I retracted my fangs and brushed past him, taking care to m my shoulder into him. "Next time, think twice before you question my abilities, Leonard," I called over my shoulder.


    As I refilled my drink at the refreshment table, I caught sight of Zoe standing alone by a nearby tree, looking a bit lost. Making a split-second decision, I grabbed two tes of deer meat and approached her. I knew I shouldn''t bother, but... I couldn''t help it. (2


    I kept trying to tell myself that I just wanted to pry and be nosy, but I knew that wasn''t really the case. Seeing her standing alone like that... Well, it sort of reminded me of how ostracized I used to be before my rebirth. As much as I detested Zoe, I didn''t want the same for her.


    "Hey," I said, offering her one of the tes. "Thought you might be hungry."


    Zoe looked at me warily for a moment before epting the te. "Oh. Thanks," she said quietly.


    We stood in awkward silence for a few moments, both picking at our food. The meat was fragrant and juicy, and it was an effort to not bury my face in my te and eat like an animal.


    Finally, I decided to break the ice. "So, how have you been? I saw Adam earlier. He seems happy to be back with you."


    "Zoe''s face softened at the mention of her son. "Yeah, things have been better. I got a steady job as a lounge singer, and my parents finally agreed to let me have Adam back." Chapter 0276


    "That''s great," I said, shocking even myself with my sincerity. "I''m happy for you."


    She nodded, taking a bite of the deer meat. I noticed she didn''t mention anything about her shifting troubles, and I didn''t push. If Drake was right about the stress, thest thing she needed was to feel like she had to exin herself to me. Goddess knows that I knew how that felt.


    "How about you?" Zoe asked, taking me by surprise. "How have things been?"


    I shrugged. "Busy, as always. But good. The hunt today it felt really nice to reconnect with that side of myself.


    Zoe nodded, a flicker of something-envy? longing?-passing over her face.


    But then, suddenly, Zoe''s eyes widened as she focused on something behind me. She pointed, her fork still in her hand.


    "Is Noah drunk already?"N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

 Chapter 277

    Chapter 0277 Hannah


    I turned to see what Zoe was pointing at and instantly did a double take, my first instinct telling me that what I was seeing was absolutely not my husband. But it was.


    Noah was in the middle of the dance floor, a child perched on his shoulders and two more clinging to his legs. His face was flushed and red, a broad grin spreading from ear to ear-an expression I hadn''t seen on him in years, or maybe not even ever. My heart skipped a beat as I watched him twirl around, the children squealing with excitement. It was a side of Noah I wasn''t even sure ever existed-carefree, yful, full of joy.


    "What the hell," I muttered, turning fully now to face him. Who was that, and what had they done with the real Noah?


    At that moment, the sight of him with the kids sent a pang through my chest, reminding me of the secret I was carrying. Our child.


    Without realizing it, I had taken a step toward him, drawn by an inexplicable urge to be close to him. Even my wolf stirred inside of me. Mate, she seemed to growl. Yes, this was my mate-the father of my child.


    The longer I watched Noah ying so carefree with the children, the more I felt my resolve weakening. It was as if seeing him this way was chipping away at the walls I had built around my heart.


    Finally, I couldn''t resist the pull any longer. I handed my te to Zoe with a mumbled ''excuse me" and made my way


    my way toward the dance floor.


    As I got closer, I could smell the alcohol on him. His movements were slightly exaggerated, hisughter a touch too loud. He really was drunk, and so early in the feast, too.


    Noah spotted me approaching and his grin widened even further. "Hannah!" he called out, setting the child down from his shoulders. "Come dance with me!


    Before I could protest, he grabbed my hands and pulled me into a twirl. I stumbled slightly, caught off guard, but Noah steadied me with a strong arm around my waist and pulled me flush against his body.


    "Noah, what are you doing?" I asked, trying to keep my voice low. My cheeks were undoubtedly flushed a deep shade of red, although it would have been impossible to hide it.


    Heughed and spun me again, "Dancing! What does it look like?"


    I opened my mouth to reply, but no words woulde. Noah spun me again, and again, until I was dizzy, breathless, andughing.


    Goddess, I thought to myself, if Noah has been reced by a doppelganger, I hope they don''t give back the original. Because I had never, ever, in all my wildest dreams, imagined Noah acting like this. Not in public, at least. And certainly not with me. "What''s going on with you?" I asked, giggling, as our pace slowed to a gentle sway. "I don''t think I''ve ever seen you like this. At least not in public." Or ever, I thought, but I didn''t say that out loud for fear of ruining the moment.


    Noah shrugged, his hands warm against my waist. "I don''t know, I''m just in a good mood. The hunt really


    got my spirits up."


    I raised an eyebrow at that. "Well, maybe we should hunt together more often. Clearly, we could both use. the outlet."


    His eyes darkened as they roamed over my body. "That''s not the only outlet I need," he murmured, his voice low and husky.


    I felt my face flush red at his words, my heart racing. "Noah," I warned, but my voice came out breathy and weak. 1


    Not that Noah could have heard me, anyway, because he was already spinning me again.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    The walk up the front steps was a struggle, with Noah leaning heavily on me. By the time we reached the front door, I was practically dragging him.


    "Come on, big guy," I grunted, maneuvering him onto the couch. I helped lower him onto the cushions, my back cracking as I straightened. "Noah, you had too much to drink tonight."


    He waved his hand dismissively. "It''s the summer hunt. Getting drunk is half the fun."


    I couldn''t help butugh a little at that. He was right, of course; but I had never seen him get drunk at the summer hunt. Never.


    "Well, fun or not, you''re going to have one hell of a hangover tomorrow," I said, heading toward the kitchen. "Let me get you some water and toast to help absorb the alcohol,"


    When I returned with the water and toast a few minutester, Noah was sitting up on the couch, looking a bit more sober. I handed him the items and sat down next to him, watching as he sipped and ate.

 Chapter 278

    Chapter 0278 Chapter


    0278


    It was so strange to see him like this. Comforting, too.


    And maybe a little frightening-because the way I had softened toward him during the feast, and the way that his words earlier about an ''outlet'' had warmed my groin, was dangerous. He had acted like a perfect gentleman for the entire feast. For once, it had felt like I had


    a....


    A husband.


    "What did you mean earlier about needing an outlet?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.


    Noah blinked for a moment as though trying to remember, and I felt my heart sink; maybe he had just said it in the moment and had forgotten.


    But then, realization dawned on him. "You want the truth?" he slurred.


    I nodded, and Noah sighed. "I haven''t been able to stop thinking about you since we slept together," he admitted, his eyes meeting mine. "It''s driving me crazy."


    I felt my heart rate pick up, but I forced myself to remain calm. "Noah, that was a one-time thing. We talked about this. We can''tplicate things, especially with the divorceing up."


    "Why not?" he challenged, leaning a little closer so that I could smell the wine on his breath.


    I swallowed, my voice faltering for a moment with him so close. Finally, I muttered, "Because our rtionship... Our rtionship isn''t deep enough anymore to warrant a lifelong marriage. We''ve grown apart, Noah. We''re different people now."


    Noah stared at me, confused. To prove my point, I decided to test him. "Do you remember that time we snuck out to theke at midnight when we met for the second time? It was a full moon, and we...Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    I trailed off, watching his face for any sign of recognition, waiting for him to finish the story. But Noah just looked confused, shaking his head slightly.


    "See?" I said, trying to hide how much hisck of memory hurt. "You don''t even remember our past, and this isn''t the first time this has happened. We''re just... not in love anymore, Noah."


    The words stung as they came out, but I knew that they were true. And it seemed, to my surprise, that Noah knew it as well.


    "You''re right," he growled, looking away. "We''re not in love. But what''s the harm in some physical intimacy?"


    I stared at him, shocked. "What? Noah, you''re drunk. You don''t know what you''re saying."


    With that, I stood up, intending to leave. But Noah was faster. He blocked the doorway, his body close to mine. Before I could react, he had my wrists pinned above my head against the wall. My breath caught in my throat, a mix of fear and excitement coursing through me. I hated to admit it, but


    a part of me, the same part of me that had tasted the doe''s blood, was turned on by this forceful side of Noah, I fidgeted a bit beneath his touch as one hand slid down the front of my body. "Noah-"


    Whatever words I was about to say died in my throat as he grabbed the hem of my dress, hiked it up roughly, and thrust his fingers between my legs. Instead of words, only a tiny whimper escaped my lips as he swirled his fingers there for a moment, feeling the wetness, then pulled away to show me his fingertips


    shiny and damp, proving his point.


    "I know you need physical release too, Hannah," he murmured, his face inches from mine. "Maybe even more than I do. We coulde to an agreement-sleep together without the emotional ties for the remainder of our marriage. A release, For both of us." I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the heat building in my core. "Noah, let me go," I whispered, but my voicecked conviction.


    "Tell me you don''t want this," he challenged, his grip on my wrists tightening slightly. "Tell me you haven''t been thinking about me too. And then I''ll let you go and I won''t bring it up again."


    I closed my eyes, hating that I couldn''t deny it. I did need physical contact, and the thought of getting it from anyone else before our divorce was finalized made me feel sick.


    My silence was all the answer he needed. With a soft growl, Noah released me, and my arms fell back to my sides like two leaden weights.


    "I''ll. I''ll consider it," I said, my voice trembling. "But right now, you need to sleep this off."


    Without waiting for a response, I turned and left the room. I could feel his eyes burning into me the entire


    way.

 Chapter 279

    Chapter 0279 Hannah


    My mind that night was consumed by thoughts of Noah. I tossed and turned all night, unable to find sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face, felt his hands on my body. Every time I flipped to one side or another, I imagined what it would be like to see him sleeping next to me, to feel his hands tug me closer against his body.


    And no matter how hard I tried to push it away, no matter how much I tried to pretend that it hadn''t happened, that memory of our night together yed on repeat in my head, mingling with the events of the summer hunt.


    A release, he had said, pinning my wrists against the wall. For both of us.


    When he had pulled his fingers out from between my thighs, they had been slick and shiny. I saw those fingers in my mind on repeat, shing between slick, clear, and damp to deep red with blood-my lips, covered in the metallic taste of the deer''s flesh. Something had awakened in me that night we had slept together, and it had grown in power since we had hunted down that deer together.


    An outlet. Yes, that was what we needed.


    My eyes kept darting to the locked bedroom door, and I couldn''t help but wonder... What if I unlocked it? Would Noah be waiting in the hallway, lurking in the shadows?


    The thought sent a shiver down my spine, a heady mixture of fear and excitement. I imagined his eyes glowing in the darkness, predatory and hungry. I imagined him slipping through the unlocked door, sliding into bed with me, nipping at my neck...


    The image brought an animalistic smile upon my face.


    But I left the door locked.


    By the time morning came, I was a wreck.


    I dragged myself first to the kitchen for breakfast and coffee, then to my study, my eyes heavy and my mind foggy despite the caffeine now in my system. As sat at my desk, I rubbed at my weary eyes.


    Two hours. That was how long I had sleptst night; and to make matters worse, I had had a bout of morning sickness this morning, further weakening me. Any sane person would have stayed in bed, but I couldn''t. I had to keep myself busy with work, anything to keep my mind off of...


    I couldn''t help but consider Noah''s proposition for what felt like the millionth time sincest night. Release. Sweet release.


    We were getting divorced in a month, but until then... Maybe I should take him up on his offer, I thought wryly.


    After all, I was still a young woman. I had needs, desires. And the thought of going without physical


    Intimacy for who knows how long after the divorce was... unappealing, to say the least.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    But could we really do it without drama? It seemed like a recipe for disaster. And yet, it was all too tantalizing. I was bing desperate, pathetic even.


    I rubbed my eyes, trying to focus on the paperwork on the desk in front of me. But the words swam on the page, my mind too preupied with thoughts of Noah''s hands, his lips, his.....


    Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I called out, grateful for the distraction.


    To my surprise, Leonard walked in. I immediately tensed up from head to toe, remembering our confrontation at the feast.


    "What do you want?" I asked, not bothering to hide my irritation at his sudden presence.


    Leonard closed the door behind him, then turned the lock. The sound made me sit up straighter, suddenly on edge. I eyed him suspiciously as he approached my desk, my wsing out slightly just in case I needed to be prepared for another confrontation. "I need to speak with you about something... sensitive, he said, his voice low.


    I raised an eyebrow and my ws retracted slightly, although notpletely. "And that requires a locked door?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.


    He nodded, looking oddly serious. "I believe you and Drake might be secretly sleeping together."


    For a moment, I just stared at him. Then, I threw my head back and burst outughing. "What?" I managed between fits of giggles. "What the hell makes you think that?"


    Leonard''s face reddened slightly, but he pressed on. "You two have been awfully closetely. And I saw you talking at the hunt yesterday, looking very... Intimate."


    I rolled my eyes. "We''re friends, Leonard. Friends talk to each other. It''s not a crime."


    "I believe that there is more to it than that," he insisted, taking a step closer to my desk. I instinctively leaned back in my chair, the leather creaking under my weight. "The Luna Council, the charity g... there is no way you could have aplished all that on your own." "Is it so preposterous?" I asked, stifling anotherugh.


    Leonard simply shrugged. "For years, you have been a, a... a trophy wife," he burst out, his eyes narrowing." Nothing more than a pretty face to hang off of our Alpha''s arm at events. I find it hard to believe that all of these changestely..."


    He paused, gesturing around at my office-at my desk covered in paperwork, the mail in my inbox, the openptop, all indications of hard work. "To put it simply, I believe you must have had help. Male help."


    My earller amusement had died in my throat at some point during his monologue, reced by a cold anger. "I hope you''re kidding, Leonard," I said, slowly rising from my chair. "Otherwise-"


    "Come on, Hannah," Leonard interrupted, his tone patronizing. "We all know a woman, especially one like you, couldn''t have done all that you''ve done without a man behind her. It''s just not possible."


    I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rage building inside me. My wolf stirred, bristling at the insult. I could feel her wing at the surface, itching to put Leonard in his ce, but I dug my nails into the desk in an attempt to quell that urge.


    20


    "I did all of those things myself, Leonard," I said calmly, quietly. "I don''t need a man to aplish great things."


    Leonard scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Please. A woman couldn''t possibly-"


    "Couldn''t possibly what?" I interrupted, pulling my upper lip back to reveal a snarl. "Couldn''t possibly have ideas? Couldn''t possibly organize events? Couldn''t possibly lead a pack?"


    Leonard just shrugged, staring at me with a self-satisfied smirk on his face.


    Sighing, I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headacheing on. I sank back down into my chair and shook my head. "Drake is my friend, Leonard. That''s all. We work together sometimes, yes, but he''s not secretly running things behind my back." "Prove it," Leonard challenged, his eyes narrowing to slits.


    I threw my hands up in exasperation. "How? How can I prove that I''m telling the truth?"


    A slow, unsettling grin spread across Leonard''s face. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial filled with clear liquid.


    "Take this truth serum," he said, holding it up to the light, "and then we''ll know for sure."

 Chapter 280

    Chapter 0280 Noah


    As Noah walked down the hallway of the pack house there was an uncharacteristic spring in his step...


    And a bouquet of flowers in his hand.


    Noah couldn''t help but feel the tiniest smile tug at the corners of his lips as he meandered through the sunlit hallways, gently picking the asional leaf or imperfect petal from the bouquet. "You''re in a good mood," his wolf muttered.


    Of course Noah was in a good mood. His n was working perfectly, and soon, he would get exactly what he wanted. Not just what he wanted, but what he needed.


    Hannah wouldn''t divorce him. He was sure of it.


    Ever since he had saved Hannah from Jake, Noah had realized just how much he didn''t want to let her go. Sleeping with her all those weeks ago, even though it had just been one night together, had only reinforced that feeling.


    No matter how much time had passed, the memory of that night still sent shivers down his spine-the way her warm body had felt in his arms, the taste of her lips, the sound of her breathless moans as he moved above her.


    It had been so much different than their monthly intimacy nights. So much more passionate, so much more.... loving.


    Love. Noah wasn''t sure how he felt about that word.


    Did he and Hannah love each other? She had put it pretty wellst night, when she had tried to jog his memory about their past. Once again, she had brought up a memory that Noah couldn''t recall in the slightest. If he was being honest, whenever she did this, he wondered if she was bluffing.


    Because those memories... He had absolutely no recollection of them. Perhaps she had fabricated them. But if she hadn''t, then maybe she was right; maybe their rtionship wasn''t ''deep'' enough for a married couple. That could be changed, though. If only Noah had a little more time.


    Maybe Noah''s reasons for wanting to keep Hannah around were a little selfish, he had to admit. She had taken on the role of Luna with the utmost gracetely, not at all like the way she had been during their marriage leading up to this point.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Before, she had hardly acted as anything more than a trophy wife. Noah had watched the cute girl he had married turn into a skeleton, a shell of her former self, with no interests, hobbies, or strength of her own.


    Buttely... Lately, she had been different.


    With a Luna like her by his side, Noah was certain that Nightcrest would prosper even more than it already was. That was why he couldn''t let her go.


    But, along with Hannah''s transformation also came a stubbornness that she hadn''t exhibited before, even


    though they had shared a magical night together, she still wanted a divorce. She had said that that night. was a ''mistake'', that it would onlyplicate things.


    That was when Noah had decided to try a different approach.


    First, he would show her kindness, remind her of the good times they had once had. Then, he would bring up the concept of ''casual'' sex. A release for both of them. He did want her, that was no lie; and he knew that she wanted him, too.


    Furthermore, he knew Hannah well enough to know that she would ept. And once she did, it would only be a matter of time before she caught feelings for him again. All he needed was patience.


    up a


    Today, he was taking another step in his n. He was going to take Hannah on a date, butter her little. The flowers in his hand-red roses and baby''s breath-were just the beginning. He had made reservations at her favorite restaurant, and nned a romantic walk in the park afterward.


    "You''re turning into a schemer, just like her," his wolf growled.


    Noah pursed his lips. "I''m not scheming. I genuinely don''t want to let Hannah go."


    "Because you love her, or because she can serve a purpose?" 1

 Chapter 281

    Chapter 0281


    A soft growl rumbled in Noah''s chest at that, but he didn''t respond. Maybe his wolf was right; maybe he was a schemer who only wanted to keep his forlorn wife around for his own needs and wants


    But there was still a tiny part of Noah-the same part that had leaped over that waterfall, thinking only of holding her in his arms again-that did care for her. That wanted to rekindle their love, have children, grow old together...Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    As he approached Hannah''s office, Noah cleared his head and went over what he would say to her onest time:


    "Hannah, I was thinking... Why don''t we go out tonight? Just the two of us. No pressure, no talk about the future. Just a nice dinner and maybe a walk?"


    He could almost see her hesitation, the way she would bite her lower lip as she considered his offer. But he was confident she would say yes. She always had a hard time resisting his charm.


    But then, just as he was about to knock on Hannah''s office door, he heard voices inside. He slowed his steps, not wanting to interrupt if she was in a meeting. But as he got closer, he realized it wasn''t a friendly conversation he was overhearing. "Just take the serum, Hannah," a male voice demanded from the other side of the door. Noah


    immediately recognized it as Leonard''s voice. "Prove you''re not lying, and then I won''t bother you about it again. But I need to protect our Alpha."


    Noah''s wolf stirred inside of him, bristling at the threatening tone in Leonard''s voice. Leonard had been a


    problemtely, using Hannah of taking favors from Drake. Was he harassing Hannah?


    Before trying the handle, Noah pressed closer to the door, straining to hear Hannah''s response.


    "I''ve already told you, Leonard," Hannah''s voice came, sounding exasperated, "I''m not taking any strange substances you give me. For all I know, it could be poison!"


    Noah''s brow furrowed. What was going on in there? His grip tightened on the bouquet, crushing some of the delicate petals. He reached for the doorknob, but his hand faltered in the air as he heard Leonard''s next words.


    "I can assure you, it''s not poison," Leonard insisted. "It''s a simple truth serum. One sip, and you will have to tell the truth about you and Drake."


    Noah furrowed his brow at the mention of Drake. Once, he had only felt jealousy at the thought of him; but ever since that night at the waterfall, Noah had developed a begrudging sort of respect for Drake.


    And Noah knew, now, that Drake really was nothing more than a friend to Hannah. She had even said so herself that night they had slept together, admitting openly that it was Noah''s name after all that she had moaned all those times she had touched herself under the sheets.


    And even if she had been lying, why was Leonard harassing her? It wasn''t his ce. She was still his Luna. Noah grabbed the door handle, trying it, but it was locked. Leonard and Hannah, too engaged in their argument, didn''t seem to notice.


    "There''s nothing to tell, Leonard!" Hannah eximed. How many times do I have to say it? Drake and !


    are just friends!"


    "Then prove it," Leonard said, his voice low and threatening. "Take the serum."


    There was a sound of a scuffle inside, and Noah dropped the bouquet, reeling his leg back to kick the door down. He could hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears, His wolf was urging him to burst into the room, to protect Hannah from whatever threat Leonard posed. But he held back, just for a moment...


    Then, Hannah spoke again, and the words she said next nearly made Noah''s knees buckle from beneath him.


    "I''m pregnant, Leonard! I can''t take that serum!"

 Chapter 282

    Chapter 0282


    Hannah


    "Then prove it," Leonard hissed, taking a step closer to me. "Take the serum."


    I was un


    up against the wall now, my ws and fangs extended, but fear stopped me from moving. Before I could even react, Leonard was suddenly lunging forward, grabbing a fistful of my hair.


    I stifled a cry of pain as he yanked my head back, bringing the vial to my lips. The cool ss pressed against my mouth, and I clenched my teeth, refusing to open.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "Stop fighting." Leonard whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "Just drink it!"


    I couldn''t take it anymore. The fear for my baby overwhelmed me in those moments, and I knew I had no choice but to tell the truth.


    "I''m pregnant, Leonard" I blurted out. "I can''t take that serum!"


    Leonard froze, his eyes widening in shock. His grit on my hair loosened slightly, but the vial remained pressed against my lips.


    Suddenly, the door flung open with a thunderous bang, falling from its hinges and hitting the floor with a splintering crash. Noah stood in the doorway, his eyes zing with fury, his chest heaving. A crushed bouquet of roses sat forgotten behind him. "You''re pregnant?!" he roared.


    Caught in the act, Leonard dropped the vial, the ss shattering on the floor. He mumbled something unintelligible and quickly slipped past Noah, practically running down the hallway. Neither Noah nor I paid him any attention, too focused on each other to notice his escape.


    My heart raced as I stared at Noah, terrified of his reaction. For several long moments that felt like an eternity, we just looked at each other in silence, both stunned.


    "Is it true?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.


    I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "Noah, I-"


    "Don''t lie to me, Hannah," he cut me off, taking a step forward. "Are you really..." His eyes flicked to my belly. "...Pregnant?"


    For a moment, I almost considered saying that I wasn''t-that it had just been a lie to keep Leonard from forcing that serum down my throat. But I knew that it would have been a futile effort, because Noah would be able to see through my mask. There was no more hiding it. So, I nodded slowly, hot tears welling up in my eyes. "Yes," was all I could manage to whisper.


    Noah''s face flickered through a range of emotions, each one more obvious than thest-surprise, anger, betrayal, and something that looked almost like hope, but he finally seemed to settle on betrayal in the


    end.


    "How long have you known?" His voice was hardly more than a whisper, which was somehow even more terrifying than if he had yelled.


    I took a deep breath, steeling myself for his reaction. "About three months," I admitted, my throat raw." Although I had it confirmed at the hospital after Jake. I shook my head, unable to say the words. I''m supposed to go for my first check-up tomorrow morning." Noah''s eyes shed dangerously. "Three months?" he growled. "You''ve known for three months, and you have a fucking appointment tomorrow, and you didn''t tell me?"


    I flinched at the venom in his voice. "I was... scared," I said softly.


    "Scared?" Noah scoffed. "Of what? Me?"


    I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. "I was afraid you would try to take the baby in the divorce."


    "Fuck, Hannah," Noah growled, clutching his hair-two words that he had muttered so sensuously when we had slept together, but now... That''s why... So that''s why you specified that you wanted to take any Nightcrest members with you when you left." All I could do was nod, too frozen to speak. Still pressed up against the wall, I felt my fingernails dig into my palms.


    Noah''s face darkened with rage. "You were going to steal my child from me?" he snarled, closing the remaining distance between us. "After everything we''ve been through, after all the years we''ve tried for a baby, you were just going to run away with my heir?" I felt a surge of anger at his words, which momentarily blotted out my fear. "Your heir?" I spat. "Is that all this baby is to you? An heir?"

 Chapter 283

    Chapter 0283N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    "You know how important this is to me, to the pack!" Noah shouted. "We''ve been trying for years, Hannah. Years! And you were going to keep this from me?"


    Noah was inches away from me now, so close I could feel his hot breath on my skin. But I stood my ground, my own voice rising to match his. "I was protecting my child!" "From what?" Noah demanded. "From having a father? From growing up in their rightful pack?"


    "From being treated like nothing more than a pawn in your political games!" I shot back.


    Noah''s eyes shed dangerously. Wordlessly, he whirled, mming his fist on the desk, and I flinched. For a moment, I just watched as his shoulders trembled, soft growls rumbling in the back of his throat. I had never seen him this furious, not even when I had initially announced my intent to divorce him.


    Then, whirling back to face me, he grabbed my wrist-gently, but firmly enough so that I couldn''t pull away. "We''re done talking," he growled.


    With that, he practically dragged me out of the office and down the hallway, his grip tight around my wrist. Too stunned to fight back, I stumbled along behind him, trying to keep up with his long strides.


    "Where are you taking me?" I snarled, yanking viciously at his arm.


    But he ignored me, continuing to pull me along until we reached my bedroom. Flinging the door open, he gestured for me to enter.


    "Go," he said, his voice low.


    "Why?"


    H


    His face was a mask of cold fury as he crowded me through the doorway, blocking the exit with his broad, shoulders. "I''ll be backter. And you''re not leaving this room until I figure out what to do," he said tly. I can''t trust you not to run off with my child." My eyes widened in disbelief. "You can''t keep me locked up! I''m your wife!"


    "Watch me," he growled. "Stealing the heir of a pack is a felony, Hannah. Life in prison. Did you know that?" z


    I felt the blood drain from my face. "It''s my child."


    "Yeah, well, it''s my child too." His jaw clenched tightly. You can''t just spend years trying to get an heir out of me and then run back to Silvermoon like it''s your prize."


    "You know that''s not what this is about," I hissed.


    Noah shook his head, his throat bobbing as he swallowed and turned away. "I don''t know anything anymore, Hannah."


    "Noah, wait!" I cried as he started to close the door, "Please don''t leave me alone. We need to talk about


    this


    But Noah''s face remained impassive. "I''ll be backter We''ll talk then," he said too quietly, too hoarsely. Without another word, he shut the door firmly. I heard the click of the lock, and then his quick footsteps Chapter 0283


    retreating down the hallway.


    I stood there in shock for a moment, unable to believe what had just happened. Then, as the reality of my situation sank in, I rushed to the door and began pounding on it with my fists, "Noah!" I screamed. "Let me out! You can''t do this!"


    There was no response. I continued to beat on the door, my fists aching from the impact, but no one came -not Noah, not even a servant. Tears streamed down my face as I shouted myself hoarse. my arms


    Finally, exhausted and overwhelmed, I sank to the floor, my back against the door. I wrapped my around my stomach, feeling utterly alone and terrified.


    I thought about the baby growing inside of me, the little life that had already caused so much turmoil. I had wanted to protect them, to give them a life free from the pressures and politics of living with parents who despised each other. But now, it seemed like I had only made things worse.


    trapped and alone than ever be


    My body shook with sobs as I curled up on the floor, feeling more trapped and alone than ever before.

 Chapter 284

    Chapter 0284 Noah


    The morning sun was bright and the birds were chirping cheerfully, but a dark cloud loomed over Noah''s head as he stormed out of the house. The front door banged shut behind him, echoing in the peaceful air.


    "You shouldn''t have locked her up like that," his wolf growled. "It''s not right. Especially not when she''s


    carrying our pup."


    "Shut up." Noah snapped back out loud. He knew it wasn''t right, but his fury had overwhelmed any sense of reason. How could Hannah try to steal his heir? Keep it from him, after years of trying?


    As Noah climbed into his car and sped down the driveway, his fingers were white around the steering


    wheel.


    "If she had only talked to me from the beginning, I might have been willing to work out a custody agreement," he growled. "But she kept it from me! No wonder she''s been so bloody adamant about the divorce. Clearly, she only ever wanted me to get a baby with good genes for her own heir."


    Noah growled softly as the notion hit him: Hannah had used him as nothing more than a stud.


    "Was this her n from the start?" he hissed, the car picking up speed as he swerved down the winding roads. "To use me, get an heir, then run back to Silvermoon and use our child as leverage to be a female Alpha?"


    His wolf didn''t deign to respond.


    Noah shook his head, feeling betrayed and used. As soon as she had found out she was pregnant, her goal was aplished, and she wanted out. No wonder the divorce had been sprung on him so suddenly. No wonder she had been acting like a perfect angeltely. And to think that Noah had wanted to work on their rtionship.....


    Noah found himself at Viona''s new townhouse before he even realized where he was going. He sighed, putting the car in park at the curb.


    If anyone else knew about the pregnancy, it would be Viona. She was Hannah''s closest friend in the entire world, after all.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    He took a deep breath, schooling his features before knocking on the front door. A momentter, Viona opened it, and her eyes widened in surprise.


    "Alpha Noah?" she said, ncing over his shoulder as though expecting Hannah to be there-only to find that Noah hade alone. "What are you doing here?"


    Noah forced a smile. "Viona, I need to talk to you about something important. May Ie in?"


    Viona hesitated for a moment before stepping aside and opening the door a little wider. "Uh, sure, I guess. Come in."


    Once inside, Noah cut straight to the chase. "Hannah''s pregnant," he said bluntly, whirling on Viona. "She just told me herself."


    Viona''s face remained carefully neutral, but Noah could smell the slight hint of anxiety in her scent. She


    knew. Of course she knew.


    1


    1... I see," Viona said slowly. "That''s... unexpected."


    Noah''s eyes narrowed. "How long have you known, Viona?"


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about," Viona said, but her voice wavered slightly.


    Noah felt his patience snap. He let a bit of his Alpha power seep into his voice-a little magical nudge to force a member of his pack to tell the truth. He didn''t often like using this type of intimidation, but right now, he felt like he had no other choice. Viona had always hated him, so it wasn''t as if she would tell him willingly.


    "Don''t lie to me, Viona. How long have you known?"


    Viona''s shoulders slumped in defeat. "A couple of months," she admitted quietly. "Hannah told me about a month after she found out."


    Noah clenched his fists, trying to control his anger. "And you didn''t think to tell me?"


    Viona looked up at him, her eyes pleading. "I urged Hannah to tell you the truth, Alpha. I swear she was terrified. She kept saying that you would steal her baby."


    Noah felt a pang of hurt at those words. "Steal her baby? It''s my child too."


    aid. But

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    Chapter 0285


    "I know," Viona said softly. "And I told her that. But she was so scared, so convinced that you would take the baby away from her. I knew it was wrong to keep you in the dark, but I couldn''t betray my friend. I''m sorry, Alpha."


    Noah sighed, feeling some of his anger dete. As much as he and Viona disliked each other, he could understand her position, caught between loyalty to her friend and her duty to her Alpha.


    I don''t me you, Viona," he said after a moment. "You were in a difficult position."


    Viona looked surprised for a moment, but then nodded gratefully. "Thank you for understanding."


    As Noah turned to leave, a thought struck him. He paused, looking back at Viona. "Hannah has been... Differenttely. Why?"


    Viona''s face softened. "You mean the eating disorder campaign, the training, and... Everything else?" Even Viona was no stranger to Hannah''s sudden change in demeanor, apparently. Noah nodded.


    "I think so," Viona replied after a moment. "The pregnancy was a big part of why Hannah started trying to get healthy. She wanted to do what was best for the baby. And that''s why she''s suddenly started showing an interest in training: just in case she ever needed to protect her child. As for everything else, I think... I think she''s just trying to be better for her child."


    Noah felt something in his chest tighten as he recalled the day that Hannah had shown an interest in training. His wolf bristled slightly, a silent, "I told you so," ying in Noah''s mind. Maybe his


    assumptions about Hannah had been wrong. Perhaps she wasn''t necessarily trying to "steal" his heir for her own gain, but was rather panicking and feeling stuck in a loveless marriage, wanting to do what was best for her child. And maybe all the changes she had been making were genuine attempts at bing better as a person.


    It didn''t make what she did sting any less, but it did make him see the situation in a different light. And perhaps it also highlighted the fact that he hadn''t exactly been changing, for his part. Not that he had been given the chance, considering that Hannah hadn''t told him about the pregnancy.


    "There''s something else you should know," Viona added hesitantly, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. "Hannah has been suffering from horrible morning sickness. She hides it well, but she gets violently ill every morning. She always puts on a good facade and pretends she''s fine, not just to you, but to everyone. Even I''m a bit worried for her."


    Noah felt a wave of concern wash over him. He had no idea Hannah had been going through that. "How did she hide it?" he murmured, more to himself than to Viona. Hannah had never been the type to hide her difort. She had always been a bit of a... whiner. Viona shrugged helplessly.


    Noah nodded, his mind racing. If she was suffering from bad morning sickness, then he needed to go to Hannah''s appointment with her, to ensure that his heir would be healthy.


    "You''re worried about her too," his wolf whispered in his mind. Chapter 0285


    +25 BONU


    Noah ignored the voice, but he couldn''t deny the truth in it.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    As he reached for the doorknob, Viona''s voice stopped him again. "Noah?"


    He turned back to look at her, and her eyes were filled with concern. "What... What are you going to do?" she whispered. "About Hannah, I mean. You''re not going to give her life in prison, are you?" Noah''s jaw tightened. "That''s the penalty for attempting to steal a pack heir."


    "Please," Viona begged. "Show her mercy. Hannah doesn''t deserve such a harsh punishment. She didn''t mean any harm, she just wanted to protect her baby. Your baby," she quickly added. Noah didn''t respond. He simply turned and walked out of the apartment, leaving Viona''s pleas echoing in his mind.

 Chapter 286

    Chapter 0286 Hannah


    I sat alone in my room, my face buried in my knees as I sobbed endlessly. The silence of the house was deafening, broken only by my asional hups and sniffles. Noah had been gone for hours, and with each passing minute, my anxiety grew. He was probably calling the police. I would likely give birth in a cell, my baby ripped from my arms moments after entering the world. The thought made me sick to my stomach, a fresh wave of nausea washing over me.


    My eyes darted to the window, where sunlight was still streaming through the curtains-it hadn''t been that long, although it had felt like hours that I had sat there crying.


    Huffing, I pushed myself to my feet and walked over to the window, chewing my lip as I considered my options...


    Maybe I could tie the sheets together, make a rope... But no, the drop was too far, I would likely break something if I fell, and in my condition, that wasn''t exactly a risk I could take. I couldn''t endanger my baby, not after everything I had done to protect it. The walls seemed to close in on me as I stared out the window. The mansion''s grounds were peaceful, the groundskeepers meandering through the gardens. They likely hadn''t heard my cries for help. Or maybe they were just ignoring me, because they knew it was best not to cross their Alpha.


    Goddess, how had everything gone so wrong? I had only wanted to protect my child, to give it the best life, I could. Now, I might never even get to hold it.


    Just as I was considering more desperate measures to escape imprisonment, I heard the front door open. My heart raced as footsteps approached, and I was picturing the police officers nking Noah. As 1. heard the lock slide open, I was already imagining the inside of my cell: cold, gray, lifeless,


    But, to my relief, when the door opened, Noah was alorie. He carried a bag of takeout food, the smell making my stomach growl despite my anxiety.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    "Eat," he said without preamble, setting the bag on the bed beside me. His voice was gruff, but when I looked into his eyes, there was an expression of concern there that took me by surprise.


    I shook my head, turning away and folding my arms across my chest. "I''m not hungry." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I couldn''t bring myself to ept anything from him right now.


    Noah''s jaw clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek. "When did youst throw up?"


    I hesitated, debating whether to answer truthfully. Finally, I admitted reluctantly, "This morning. It was... pretty bad."


    "Then you need to eat to replenish yourself," he insisted, his voice softening slightly. "If you don''t, I''ll have to force-feed you. I don''t think either of us wants that.


    I red at him, but the look in his eyes told me he was serious. With a huff, I grabbed the bag and pulled out a container. The smell of chicken and vegetables wafted up, making my mouth water despite myself.


    Flipping the lid open, I made a point of staring directly into Noah''s eyes as I took an enormous bite,


    chewing aggressively.


    Noah, for what it was worth, seemed pleased that I was eating, his posture rxing slightly as he sat down in a nearby chair.


    "Look," he muttered, "I''m... sorry for locking you in here earlier. That was wrong. I shouldn''t have done it, and I don''t have an excuse for it."


    He did sound genuinely apologetic, but I scoffed, speaking around a mouthful of food. "Oh, so now you feel remorse for treating your wife like a prisoner? Is it because I''m actually going to be a real prisoner soon, once I have myst meal here? Perhaps you pity me now." Noah sighed and ran a hand through his hair. The gesture was genuine enough to give me pause.


    "I''m not going to punish you, Hannah. And I won''t let you go to prison."


    H


    I paused mid-chew, surprised by his words. Hope bloomed in my chest, but I quickly squashed it down. There had to be a catch to this. There was always a catch with him.


    "But," he continued, confirming my suspicions, "I''m also not going to divorce you."


    I nearly choked on my food. "What?" I spluttered, coughing.


    "I want a real marriage for our child, not a split household," Noah exined, his eyes intense as they bore into mine. "And I know deep down, you want that too. I''ve seen how you''ve been trying to work on yourself for the benefit of our child. I want the chance to do the same."


    5

 Chapter 287

    Chapter 0287


    I set the food down, whatever appetite I''d previously had gone. "You can''t just decide that-"


    "I am the Alpha, and I will decide."


    His tone was gruff, brooking no argument. I wanted to bite out a retort, but the words died before they even reached my tongue.


    "So you just think you''re going to get ''better''," I whispered, lowering myself onto the bed. "Like that will save our sham of a marriage."


    Noah huffed, although whether from annoyance or agreement, I couldn''t tell. "Look, Hannah. We can''t work on ourselves separately without working on our rtionship as well. We''ll have to work on our marriage for the child''s sake."


    He paused, rising, and crossed to the window. I held my breath as he brushed past me, not wanting to inhale his scent-because if I did, then I might soften. And right now, I was too furious for that.


    "If that doesn''t work," he continued, looking out the window with his back to me, "then we''lle to some sort of co-parenting arrangement. But as things stand right now, divorce is officially out of the question."


    Fury bubbled up inside of me, so hot it was burning. I wanted to scream, to throw something, to make him understand that I didn''t love him anymore, that I couldn''t stay in a marriage with a man who couldn''t even remember our shared past, regardless of whether I carried his child or still felt turned on by his touch. T


    But I remained silent, the food now tasting like ash in my mouth. Still, I forced myself to pick up the container and keep eating, knowing that I needed the nutrients for the baby. Or if I needed to run at thest minute.


    Noah turned, watching me for a moment before speaking again. "In the meantime, I will spend two hours a day with you for the duration of the pregnancy. And I want you to follow a strict meal, vitamin, and doctor''s appointment regimen to ensure the health of our heir." "You mean your heir," I sneered, unable to keep the bitterness out of my voice.


    Noah''s eyes shed. "No, Hannah. Our heir. We''re staying together, and that child is every bit yours as it is


    mine."Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    I turned away, unable to bring myself to look at him. The weight of his words pressed down on me, suffocating.


    "We''ll see about that," I muttered. Then, a thought urred to me, sending a chill down my spine. "Are you going to keep me locked in this room forever? Your little wife and broodmare, never to see the light of day again?"


    "No." Noah said firmly, returning his gaze to the window. "But if you try to run back to Silvermoon, I''lle personally and bring you back myself."


    "So I''m still a prisoner."


    "Only if you want to look at it that way.


    I did look at it that way; in fact. I felt trapped, cornered The walls seemed to close in again, and I jumped


    to my feet just as Noah turned fully to face me. "You''re a monster," I spat, the words tasting like poison. on my tongue.


    Noah''s line


    lips quirked up into a humorless smile. "You didn''t think I was a monster when I was inside of not long ago." He strode toward me, so close now that could feel his warm breath on my face as his voice lowered to a husky timbre. "Orst night, when I felt how wet you were." His eyes flicked to my thighs, which were exposed beneath my skirt.


    His words hit me like a punch to the gut. Rage surged through me, and I couldn''t control it any longer. Without thinking, I spat directly onto his shoe, a small act of defiance.


    Noah''s jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might yell. I braced myself for his anger, for the punishment I was sure woulde.


    But he didn''t.


    Instead, he calmly pulled out his pocket square, bent down, and cleaned his shoe off.


    "I''ll take you to your appointment in the morning," he said, his voice eerily calm. Theck of reaction unnerved me more than any shouting would have. "I apologize again for locking you in here earlier. It won''t happen again." you


    Without another word, he turned and left the room. I waited, my heart pounding in my chest, expecting to hear the lock click.


    But it didn''t. He had kept true to his word-for now, at least.

 Chapter 288

    Chapter 0288 Hannah


    I woke up early the next morning, fully intending to slip away to my appointment without Noah. I showered and dressed quickly, my hands shaking slightly as I grabbed my car keys. As I crept down the hallway, I listened for any sign of Noah, but the house was blissfully silent.


    Good, I thought as I quietly made my way outside. He was still asleep, which meant that I''d be able to leave without him. That would teach him to try to control my life. This appointment was for me and my baby, not for him.


    And then, when it was all said and done, I would find a way to escape with my baby. To hell with staying married to him, stuck in this loveless marriage. I didn''t care if it caused a war between Nightcrest and Silvermoon, I was going home, where I belonged. My heart pounded as I quickly bolted down the path, where my car was waiting. Opening the car door as quietly as I could, I started the engine and began to pull out of the driveway. Every crunch of the gravel under the tires left me tense, wondering if he could hear me from inside the house. Freedom was so close I could taste it.


    But just as I was about to turn onto the main road, arge silver wolf leaped in front of my car, its lone growl echoing through the quiet morning air.


    Gasping, I mmed on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt mere inches from the tip of Noah''s snout. "Fuck!" I cursed, mming my palms so hard against the steering wheel that it sent a wave of pain up my


    arms.


    Noah shifted back to his human form, not bothering to hide the annoyance on his face as he strode to the driver''s side door. He yanked it open, his eyes zing with anger.


    "Get out," he growled. "Now."


    I red at him butplied, knowing that there was no point in arguing. "Pig." I spat as I forcefully unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed out of the car.


    Noah merely stared at me, not saying a word as I stomped around to the passenger side. Only once I was buckled into my seat did he finally climb in and put the car in drive, as though I would try to make a break for it across thewn. And honestly, for a moment, I almost did. But his legs were far longer than mine, and I knew he could easily outrun me.


    The entire drive to the appointment was tense and silent. I folded my arms across my chest and stared out the window, refusing to look at him.


    "You shouldn''t have tried to run like that," Noah said, breaking the silence.


    I scoffed. "What did you expect? That I''d just sit around and wait for you like a good little prisoner?"


    Noah''s jaw clenched, his knuckles tightening around the steering wheel. "You''re not a prisoner, Hannah. You''re my wife, and you''re carrying our child."


    "I


    "And yet I''m trapped with you," I muttered viciously. Noah opened his mouth, likely to bite out a retort, but


    then seemed to think better of it and snapped it shut again.


    Wepsed back into a tense silence until we reached the doctor''s office, not even saying a word to one another as we checked in and were shown to our examination room.


    But as soon as the ultrasound technician moved the wand over my belly, I felt my anger fade, quickly reced by the rapid pounding of my heart for other reasons.


    "There''s your baby," the technician said softly. "Looks to be about three months along, just as you thought."


    The moment the technician turned the screen toward us, I felt a surge of emotion that I wasn''t prepared for. It was all I could do to mp my hand over my mouth before a strangled cry of shock, awe, and glee ripped out of me.


    -


    That tiny blob on the screen was my child-our child. Three months ago, before my rebirth, I had seen that fetus on the bathroom floor. Unmoving, a little red puddle of blood and tissue. Chapter 0289-Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

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    Chapter 0289


    And now... Now here it was, healthy and alive, with the tiniest beating heart that I could have ever imagined.


    screen.


    I was vaguely aware of Noah gripping my arm tightly, but I couldn''t tear my eyes away from the


    For a moment, I almost reached for Noah''s hand, seeking some sort of connection in this overwhelming moment. But I stopped myself at thest second, remembering all the reasons I was angry with him.


    The ultrasound came to an end and the technician left us alone. It was only then that I realized that Noah was still gripping my arm. "Hannah, I-


    Before he could finish, I bared my fangs at him and roughly pulled my arm away from his grip. His face hardened instantly, the brief moment of connection shattered. Our baby was inside of me, but I still hated him


    The doctor, oblivious to the tension, smiled brightly as he strode into the room and reviewed the results. "It looks like the pregnancy is progressing beautifully," he said, "However, given your history of anorexia, Luna Hannah, I would like to put you on a strict weight gain and vitamin n. You have made some impressive progress, but we need to ensure you''re gaining enough for a healthy pregnancy."


    I nodded stiffly. He scribbled out a prescription, which Noah immediately snatched up. "I''ll make sure she takes everything as directed," he said firmly.


    The doctor beamed and handed the prescription to Noah without a second thought. "Such a doting Alpha," he remarked, shooting me a wink.


    I had to bite my tongue to keep from snapping at both of them. Doting? More like controlling. Bastard.


    As we checked out, Noah immediately scheduled another appointment for three weekster-an appointment which, of course, he would be attending alongside me whether I liked it or not. Once we were back in the car, I couldn''t hold back anymore. "So I guess I''m a prisoner for another three weeks," I said bitterly.


    Noah sighed. "Like I keep saying, you''re not a prisoner, And we''re in this for life, not just for three weeks."


    "I''m not allowed to leave, so I''m a prisoner," I shot back with a snort. "And you just turned my sentence into life."


    Noah fell silent, his jaw clenching as he focused on the road. I found my hand moving to my belly, a protective gesture that I could, at least, finally act on; that was one benefit to all of this, at least. Not having to hide it anymore.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    But then, without warning. Noah reached out and ced his hand over mine. As if he had a right to. As if, just because I carried his DNA inside my belly, he thought he could touch me.


    The sharp p that followed was instinctive. I curled my upper lip back, noting with satisfaction the red mark I had left on the back of his hand. Noah clenched his jaw again, but remained silent.


    After a few more minutes of tense silence, Noah tossed his phone to me. "Put in two-hour slots in my calendar," he instructed. "Every day. We''ll spend that time together-doing whatever you want. We can go out, watch movies, y games, anything."  Chapter 0299


    I took the phone, a sly idea forming in my mind as I scanned his calendar app. Carefully, I selected times I knew he would be at work before handing the phone back. Perfect. He wouldn''t skip work for a couple hours with me. Maybe then he''d learn not to try and force me to socialize with him."


    "There," I said, my voice unnaturally sweet. "All done."


    Noah nodded, still too focused on driving to notice. He slipped his phone back into his pocket. "Good. We''ll start tomorrow."


    I folded my arms and turned to re out the window, a small, satisfied smile ying on my lips. I might have been Noah''s prisoner, whether he admitted it or not, but one thing was for certain:


    I wouldn''t deign to spend quality time with my warden,

 Chapter 290

    Chapter 0290


    Hannah


    "Hannah, are you sure about this?" Noah whispered. "What if we get caught?"


    I turned to him, cing one finger over my lips. ncing over both shoulders to make sure no one was looking. I carefully pulled the side door open, taking care to not make a sound as we slipped inside the hospital. Noah hesitated at the threshold, looking uncertain. But I didn''t give him a chance to turn back, to run away and im that this was a bad idea. With my eyes shing, I grabbed his hand and yanked him in after me.


    I remembered how mmy his hand was, how cold and sweaty his palm felt against mine. But I never released my grip on him.


    through a maze of dor


    We slipped past the security guards, our hearts pounding in unison. I led Noah corridors, relying on the signs lining the walls to find the intensive care unit.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Finally, we reached his mother''s room. Noah took a deep breath, pausing outside the door.


    "Here it is," I whispered, finally releasing his hand.


    He hesitated again, but I could see his green eyes flicker with something in the dim light-something gentle and... grateful as he looked at me.


    Then, without a word, Noah stepped into the room.


    I waited outside, fidgeting nervously, straining my ears for any sign of approaching staff. Thankfully, none came. Soon, the minutes turned into ten, then fifteen, then twenty. Eventually, I lost track of how long he stayed in that room, although I never left my lookout spot. here was a peace in


    When Noah emerged after what felt like hours, his face was filled with sadness, but there his eyes that hadn''t been there before.


    Neither of us spoke as we slipped back out of the hospital. It wasn''t until we were safely outside, in the parking lot lit by amber streetmps, that I turned to him.


    "How is she?"


    Noah swallowed hard. "Not good. But... I''m d I got to see her. To say... to say goodbye."


    Suddenly, it was two weekster and we were saying goodbye at the end of that summer. I was returning to Silvermoon for school, and I knew I wouldn''t see Noah for a long time. We stood at the bus stop, thete summer sun casting long shadows around us. "I''ll write to you," Noah promised, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Every week."


    I threw my arms around him. He stiffened, tensing beneath my touch, before hugging me back..


    "Every week," I replied.


    As I waved to him through the bus window, I took it upon myself to memorize every detail of his face. It was only once the bus pulled out of Nightcrest territory that I finally realized with a start that I had fallen


    in love with this boy I had only known for a summer.


    I woke up with a bitter taste in my mouth and an ache in my chest. The morning sun was splintering through my curtains, the birds chirping outside. Groaning, I tugged the nkets up to my chin. I wanted to go back to that dream. Back to a memory of a time when life was gentler.


    As Iid there, fuming, those memories-once so sweet-now felt like a cruel joke, Noah and I had been secret penpals for two years after that summer, writing countless letters to one another. It had been a while since I had looked at them. Swallowing. I climbed out of bed and went to the closet


    There, on the topmost shelf, tucked into aer, was a dusty shoebox. I hadn''t looked at it in years, but I had never been able to bring myself to throw it away. Not even when I had decided that our marriage was


    over.


    I blew the dust off the top and returned to bed, settling cross-legged on top of the rumpled nkets as I removed the lid. Inside were the letters we had exchanged, each

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    Chapter 0291


    The boy that fifteen-year-old me had fallen in love with.


    With trembling hands, I unfolded one of the letters, the paper soft and worn from years of reading and rereading.


    "Dear Hannah," it began. "My mom passed this morning I can''t thank you enough for what you did for me this summer. Taking me to see her in the hospital... I''ll never forget that. You gave me a chance to say goodbye, and I''ll always be grateful. I don''t know how would have gotten through it without you."N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    I bit back tears as I read on. Noah wrote about his mother''s passing, his grief palpable even through the faded ink. He poured out his heart to me in a way he never did anymore.


    "Sometimes I feel so alone," he Itad written. "But then I remember you, and I don''t feel quite so lost. Thank you for being my friend, Hannah, I don''t know what I would do without you."


    It took all of my power to not crumple that letter in my hands.


    What happened to that boy? When did he turn into this cold, controlling Alpha who seemed to view me as


    nothing more than a broodmare and prisoner? The Noah who wrote these letters would never have locked me in a room, never have treated me like a possession.


    But now...


    Now, he likely didn''t even remember these letters. Just like he had forgotten everything else about our shared past.


    Taking care to control my fury, I folded the letter neatly and returned it to the box. Part of me wanted to show these to Noah, to remind him of who we used to be. A smaller part of me wanted to toss them into the fire. But thergest part of me wanted to save them for myself, if only to show my future child that their father wasn''t always a brute.


    As I put the box away, a small smile yed on my lips. At least I had managed to outsmart him with those two-hour appointments. He would be too busy at work to bothering home, and I would have some peace. It was a small victory, but right now, I would take whatever I could get.


    Later that day, I settled into the living room with a new book, my feet propped up on the coffee table. Finally, some alone time without Noah hovering over me. The house was quiet, peaceful in a way it hadn''t been in a long time.


    -I had just gotten through the first chapter when the front door burst open. Noah strode in, looking slightly


    out of breath, his tie loosened and his jacket slung over his arm.


    "Sorry I''mte," he said, hanging his jacket on the coat rack.


    I stared at him, so dumbfounded that my book slipped from my fingers. "I thought you were at work." Noah''s eves


    eyes met mine, a knowing look passing between us. Clearly he knew that I had intentionally scheduled our time during his work hours, but here he was anyway.


    Loft carly," he said simply. "What do you want to do for our two hours?"


    1 blinked, unable to process what was happening. "You left work early? For this?"


    Noah nodded, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Is that so hard to believe?"


    "Yes," I said bluntly, "You''ve never canceled work for me before."


    "Well, I am now," Noah replied. He hung his jacket on the hook and kicked his shoes off, striding over to


    1. me. I was still too stunned to move or even pick up my discarded book.


    ¡°Well?" he asked, cing his hands on his hips. "What do you want to do today?"

 Chapter 292

    Chapter 0292 Hannah


    I stared at Noah, unsure of what to say. I had assumed that he wouldn''t show up today, since I had taken care to schedule our meetings during his work hours, but it seemed I was mistaken. And now he wanted me toe up with something to do.


    "We could go out to eat," he suggested, counting off on his fingers. "Or watch movies. I''ll even take you shopping if it would make you happy. Anything to make you less stressed."


    I blinked, still trying to process the situation. The Noah I knew wouldn''t skip work for me, let alone offer to take me shopping. Something felt fishy about this whole situation. It was too... performative.


    7... I''d rather just stay home," I said, secretly hoping he would be content to go to his study and leave me well enough alone.


    To my relief, Noah nodded. "Alright, if that''s what you want." He turned and left the room without another


    word.


    Satisfied, I picked up my book and began to read again. Finally, some peace and quiet. I sank deeper into the couch, relishing the solitude.


    But


    my contentment was short-lived, because a few minutester, Noah returned with a tray in his hands. "Healthy snacks and protein shakes," he said, setting the tray down on the coffee table and turning to me. "Get up." "Why?"


    "Please, Hannah."


    With a loud huff to show my disdain, I stood and watched as he spread a few nkets across the couch, plumped the pillows, then turned on the TV and navigated to a streaming tform.


    "What are you doing?" I asked, peering at the tray of food: milkshakes, popcorn, fruit, carrots and hummus.


    "Sit," was all he said as he handed me a milkshake. "I put protein powder and prenatal supplements in it."


    I obeyed, sitting beneath one of the nkets and nervously sipping the milkshake. It was delicious, of course, but made it feel a bit like I was his broodmare again-being fattened up solely for the sake of producing a healthy heir.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    His heir. Not mine. I was just the prisoner who would be forced to carry it to term. The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth that overpowered the choctey sweetness of the drink.


    "How is it?" he asked, plopping down next to me and flipping through the avable movies.


    I couldn''t help myself. "For a jail warden, you treat your prisoners pretty nicely."


    Noah''s expression tightened, but he didn''t stop searching for a movie. "Again, you''re not a prisoner. How many times do I have to say it?" He paused, flicking on some romanticedy that I hadn''t seen in years, then kicked back and began snacking on some popcorn he had brought out.


    I remained silent, sipping my milkshake, but my frustration grew despite his kindness. Once again, this felt too performative, too fake. He wasn''t doing this for me. He was just doing it so that I would have gained


    some weight for our next appointment and nothing more. So he could look like the ''doting Alpha'' again.


    After a few minutes, I couldn''t take it anymore. Seeing the couple on screen instantly fall in love in the midst of their coffee shop meet-cute was enough to drive me mad.


    "This movie is boring." I said. It was a lie, of course-I loved this movie-but I couldn''t bear to look at it. Without waiting for a response, I reached for the remote and shut off the TV, then made a show to shove my half-finished milkshake away. "And this milkshake tastes like chalk."


    I hoped my bad attitude would push him away, but Noah seemed unperturbed. Without so much as batting an eye, he reached into a drawer and pulled out a deck of cards. "Okay. How about we y Go Fish?"


    "I hate that game," I said tly, crossing my arms.


    "Okay, how about Poker?" he suggested calmly, shuffling the cards.


    "No."


    "ckjack?"


    "No."


    Suddenly, a mischievous glint appeared in his eye, one I hadn''t seen since the summer hunt. That felt so long ago now, even though it had only been two days. "Strip Poker?" Chapter 0293

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    I gasped, grabbing a pillow and chucking it straight at him. "Noah!" The pillow hit him square in the face, and for a moment, I saw a sh of the boy I used to know-an uncharacteristic smirk, a huff ofughter, and reddened cheeks


    Dammit, I had to bite back the urge tough, too. I was supposed to be mad at him, but seeing that yful side of him, even for a moment, stirred something in me that I thought was long dead. I had to bite the inside of my cheek just to keep myself from smiling. Finally, giving up on trying to push him away, I sighed. "Fine. Let''s y Crazy 8s."


    As we yed, the tension in the room slowly eased-even if only slightly, because I was too distracted to notice my anger,


    Suddenly, Noah said, "So, I''ve been thinking about which room we could use for the nursery."


    I froze, the card in my hand hovering midair. I hadn''t really thought about it yet, as I had intended to be divorced and living in my ancestral home in Silvermoon by the time the baby was born. The idea of a nursery in this house, of raising a child with Noah... I still didn''t intend on it. But Noah continued, either oblivious to my thoughts or choosing to ignore them.


    "I think the east-facing side of the house would be good," he said as he ced a card on the pile. "It''ll help the baby develop a natural circadian rhythm with the rising sun. And imagine how lovely it would look in the morning, the sun streaming through some nice sheer curtains. Maybe bright yellow walls? Something cheerful."


    I stared at him, stunned. When had he put so much thought into this? It was hard to reconcile this Noah, who was thinking about curtains and wall colors, with the cold, distant man I had been living with for years.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    The man who had locked me up yesterday.


    "What do you think?" he asked, looking at me expectantly.


    I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my cold demeanor despite the urge to smile. "I hate yellow," I said tly and ced a card down. Another lie.


    To my surprise, Noah just nodded and drew a card from the deck, seemingly unfazed by my negativity." Well, we can try countless other colors until we find the shade you like the most," he suggested with a shrug. "Maybe green, or blue. Whatever you want."


    His eagerness to amodate my preferences caught me off guard, I found myself actually considering the options, imagining a room bathed in soft morning light, a crib by the window...


    No, I told myself. My baby won''t live here. 1


    We would get divorced before the birth. I''d make sure of it. I would find a way.


    We continued ying in silence for a while, the only sound the soft shuffle of cards and the asional clinking of ice in our sses. Finally, Noah checked his watch and stood up. The two hours hade to an end, and...


    I hated to admit it, even to myself, but it wasn''t total torture.


    "You''re wee to pick out the decorations for the nursery," he said as he began to gather our dirty dishes. "I''ll pay whatever the cost is. Just let me know what you decide. Or we can go to the store ourselves."


    As he turned to leave, he paused, looking back at me. "I know this isn''t easy for you, Hannah. But I want you to know that I''m trying. For you, for the baby..." His voice trailed off and his eyes flicked first to my belly, then to my trembling hands, and thennded on my own gaze. "...For us," he finished.


    With that, he left, the door closing softly behind him.


    I sat there, stunned, my mind reeling.

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    Chapter 0294 Hannah


    The next day, I woke up feeling groggy and irritable. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, but it did little to improve my mood.


    I didn''t expect Noah to show up again. Yesterday was probably just a one-time thing, a way to cate me or ease his guilt. And so, after showering and having breakfast, I settled into the living room with a book, determined to enjoy my solitude.


    But to my surprise, Noah burst through the door at precisely the same time as yesterday. A little early, in fact.


    "Get ready," was all he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We''re going out."


    I lowered my book and stared at him, dumbfounded. "What? Where? Why?" I asked. I didn''t want to go out, especially not with him; I wanted to be left the hell alone.


    "We''re going to the nursery store," he replied almost exasperatedly, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Come on, hurry up and get dressed. I made an appointment."Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Begrudgingly, I got up and went to change into something suitable for going out. I had no intention of building a nursery with him, but I figured it was easier to go along with it for now. Anything to keep him cated while I brainstormed over how the hell to get out of this marriage.


    The drive to the store was silent, save for the sound of a pop song ying on the radio. I stared out the window, watching the familiar streets of Nightcrest pass by, and repeatedly avoided any and all of Noah''s attempts to strike up a conversation-not that there were many, thankfully.


    When we finally arrived at the nursery store a little whileter, Noah held the door open for me, an oddly gentlemanly gesture that caught me off guard.


    "Thanks," I muttered, avoiding contact with his body as I walked past him.


    Inside, the store was a pastel wondend of cribs, changing tables, and tiny clothes. The scent of baby powder and new fabric filled the air, and I had to admit I was a bit astonished. For the first time since realizing I was pregnant, I was finally shopping for my baby. It made it feel all the more real, all the more permanent.


    Noah immediately started browsing, picking up items and showing them to me as we wandered through the store. Since we had made an appointment, an attendant followed us around the store with arge cart, answering any questions that we may have. "What do you think of this?" Noah asked, holding up a soft yellow onesie for a newborn.


    I shrugged, trying to maintain my indifference even though the butter-yellow color and the little embroidered ducks on the front were the cutest things had ever seen. "It''s fine, I guess."


    To my surprise, he immediately added it to our cart. I shook my head and continued wandering through


    -the aisles.


    My gazended on a little knit set then-a little sweater, pants, and a hat. It was a deep maroon color, with little lilies of the valley embroidered up the sleeves of the sweater and a ring of the same flowers


    around the brim of the hat.


    I couldn''t help but smile. Pausing, I ran my fingers over the soft fabric, allowing myself to momentarily imagine my child-boy or girl, it didn''t matter-wearing the little set.


    And no sooner had I touched the fabric than Noah had suddenly grabbed the set, tossing it into our cart.


    "What the "I blurted out, but Noah had already moved on his way, distracted by an expensive stroller.


    As we continued shopping, I noticed a pattern. Anything I so much as nced at, Noah would add to our cart. It was infuriating and confusing all at once.


    He had never been like this-shopping so mindlessly. Especially not when it came to things that I wanted. He had never stopped me from doing my own shopping, sure, but he had never been so... supportive. T


    "Noah," I finally said, exasperated when he threw an expensive wooden toy set into our cart the second Iid eyes on it, "you don''t have to buy everything I look at."

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    He raised an eyebrow. "Why not? I want our child to have the best of everything."


    "But-"


    "No buts, Hannah. This is for our baby."


    Feeling vindictive, I decided to test him. I pointed to a ridiculously expensive, crystal-encrusted mobile." Okay. I want that, then," I said, certain he would refuse.


    "Okay." Without hesitation, Noah picked it up and added it to our overflowing cart. My jaw dropped.


    "Noah, that thing costs more than most people''s monthly rent!"Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    He shrugged, seemingly unfazed. "If it''s what you want for our baby, we''ll get it."


    I stared at him, ck-jawed, trying to understand his motivation. Was this guilt? Maniption? Or did he genuinely want to provide for our child?


    As we approached the checkout, the guilt gnawed at me until I couldn''t handle it anymore. "Wait," I said, grabbing his arm. "I don''t actually want that mobile. I was just... testing you." Noah''s expression hardened, his green eyes shing slightly-not with anger, but... disappointment.


    "You shouldn''t y games like that, Hannah. This is for our child."


    "I know. I''m sorry," I muttered, feeling suddenly ashamed. "We can put it back."


    But Noah shook his head, his jaw set stubbornly. "No, we''re getting it. Our child deserves the best, and if you liked it enough to point it out, then I think it''s worth the money."


    I fell silent, unsure of what to say. But before I could formte a response anyway, Noah was walking up to the cash register and pulling his wallet out of his pocket.


    As the cashier rang up our purchases and the tally climbed to an unfathomable amount, I realized that all of this-the expensive mobile, the mounds of clothes and toys-wasn''t for me. It was for our baby.


    The thought both warmed and terrified me.


    Still, I had to stop myself from softening too much, reminding myself that I couldn''t get toofortable. I was still nning on divorcing Noah, after all.


    The drive home was just as silent as the drive to the store. I watched Noab out of the corner of my eye as he drove, noticing the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands gripped the steering wheel. When we arrived home, Noah carried all the bags inside, refusing my help.


    I can carry something." I protested.


    ""You''re pregnant. I''ve got it," he said firm/


    I sighed, but didn''t argue. I wasn''t a damsel in distress, but again-there was no point in fighting with him, especially not when he had just spent several grand on nursery supplies. So, I decided to head to my room to put my feet up and rest. "You''re not even going to say thank you?"


    There it was; the catch. Stopping at the foot of the stairs, I turned, ready to bite out a retort. But then I saw the hurt and frustration in his eyes, and it gave me pause.


    For a moment, I almost felt bad. He had just dropped an absurd amount of money on our baby, and I had been a raging bitch the entire time we were in the store. Maybe he deserved an apology.


    But then I remembered everything-the coldness, the control, the way he had locked me in my room. If there was a thank-you on my tongue, then I swallowed it before it could escape.


    I grimaced at him. "The only thing I''ll say to you is to prepare for the divorce, and good luck building a nursery on your own. I''m not staying married to you. So don''t go thinking that today will change that." Noah''s face fell, his arms ckening as he held a bundle of bags in them.


    Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and stormed up the stairs.

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    Chapter 0296


    Hannah & Noah Hannah''s POV


    The next few days passed in a blur of awkward silences and forced interactions. Noah showed up every day, like clockwork, for our two-hour ''bonding'' sessions, seemingly unfazed about missing work.


    I couldn''t decide if I liked it or hated it. On one hand, it was nice to have somepany and to see him making an effort. On the other, it felt like a constant reminder of my trapped situation. Despite myst outburst, he still seemed convinced that he could force me to stay married to him, or maybe change my mind.


    Well, it wasn''t happening. I just needed some time to think and n, and then I would get the hell out of here. I had been telling the truth that night after the nursery store; I had no intentions of staying with him.


    Still, during these sessions, Noah tried various activities to engage me as if that would somehow help.


    One day, as I was hiding in my room in the hopes that he would leave me be, he burst into the room with a box in his hand and tossed it on the floor next to the bed.


    "I thought we could work on this together," he said, sitting cross-legged on the floor.


    Slipping down from my bed, I eyed the box warily and picked it up, turning it over in my hands. "A... puzzle? Really?"


    He shrugged. "Why not? It might be... fun."


    I snorted but sat down anyway, knowing that he wouldn''t leave until the puzzle was finished-so it was easier and faster if we both worked on it.


    Still, as we sorted through the pieces, I couldn''t help but notice how careful he was not to touch my hand, how he seemed to be walking on eggshells around me. Good, I thought, suppressing a sneer. Keep your distance


    I tried to pretend that the moments our hands almost touched but didn''t weren''t actually incredibly painful to me.


    Another day, he suggested we cook dinner together. The kitchen felt too small with both of us in it, and was hyper-aware of his presence as we chopped vegetables side by side.


    "How are you feeling?" he asked, not looking up from his work. "Any improvements with the morning sickness?


    I shrugged "I''m fine."


    "That''s good," he said, and I swore I could hear the relief in his voice.


    These moments of apparent concern only confused me more. Was this the real Noah, or just another act? I was leaning toward thetter, he only "cared about the morning sickness because it impacted the health of the baby Nothing more


    ? Chapter 0296.


    To him, I was just a prisoner, a broodmare carrying his heir. Not his wife. Not his mate.a


    One evening, I finally managed to escape for dinner with Viona. We met at our usual haunt, where we ordered too much food and settled into a corner booth. For the first time all week, I finally got out of my two-hour session with Noah-only because I lied and told him that Viona had a personal emergency.


    "I just can''t stand it," I said, stabbing a little too forcefully at my sd. "He''s there every single day, trying to act like everything''s normal. Like he didn''t lock me in a room and threaten to keep me prisoner." Viona sighed, putting down her fork. "Hannah, don''t you think you should give Noah a chance? He seems to be really trying."N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    My mouth dropped as I stared at her. "Give him a chance? After everything he''s done? You''re joking, right?"


    "Look," Viona said, sighing deeply. "There''s... something I need to tell you. Noah came to see me when all things right."


    of the happened. He seemed... so heartbroken. I feel like he does genuinely want to mak


    I felt like I had been pped. My fork fell back to my te with a tter. "He came to see you?" I breathed. She nodded. "When you were locked in your room. He came to me and asked about the pregnancy

 Chapter 297

    Chapter 0297


    "What? When were you going to tell me this?"


    Viona had the decency to look ashamed. "Look, I''m sorry. I should have told you sooner. But Hannah, you should have seen him. He was so worried about you, about the baby."


    For a moment, it felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. I had an inkling that Noah had gotten information from someone close to me, but Viona...


    "What did you tell him?" I whispered.


    She swallowed hard. "Everything. Excluding the rebirth.


    "And you didn''t think to tell me?"J breathed. "You were supposed to be the one person I could trust not to spill everything."


    nowers on the


    "He used-his Alpha Viona admitted quietly. "I couldn''t resist. I had to tell him."


    Despite a part of myself wondering if I was being too harsh, I had to get out-to breathe, if nothing else." You promised you wouldn''t say anything. Viona." I stood, grabbing my bag. "You promised you''d side with me if it came to that. And now-" "Hannah, wait-" Viona reached out, grabbing my wrist. "Please, just listen. He''s trying to change. He wants to be better for you and the baby."


    I yanked my arm away. "You don''t know anything about him. Telling him about the pregnancy is one thing, but... I can''t believe you''re taking his side."


    "Hannah-


    Shaking my head, I threw a wad of cash on the table to pay for my meal. "We''ll talkter. I have to go."


    As I stormed out of the restaurant, I could hear Viona calling after me, but I didn''t look back. I needed to get away, to breathe, to think. The cool night air hit my face as I burst out onto the street, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. When I finally made it home, the house felt emptier than ever. I climbed the stairs to my room, each step feeling heavier than thest. As I changed into my pajamas, I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were red-rimmed, my face pale. I looked as tired as I felt.


    And I felt so, so alone.


    Noah''s POV


    The house was dark as Noah walked down the hallway heading to his bedroom after a long day of meetings and business deals.


    But despite all of this, his mind was preupied solely with thoughts of Hannah-and their child. He had been trying so hard to make things right, but it felt like every step forward was followed by two steps back. Hannah hated him, and she wasn''t any closer to forgiving him after everything.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    How could he show her that he really wanted to change? That he not only wanted to work on thei


    mamage for their child''s sake, but also on himself?


    ah was beginning to think that there was no convincing her. His mind kept wandering back to the day they had gone to the nursery store, when she had tantly told him that she had no intentions of staying married to him. A prisoner, she kept calling herself,


    If he forced her to stay in this marriage, was that how she would always feel? Would she always feel like the was her jail warden, even if he bent over backwards to make things right?


    As he passed by Hannah''s room, a sound made him pause.


    Soft, muffled sobs wereing from behind the closed door. His heart clenched, recognizing the sound immediately. He hated hearing Hannah cry, hated knowing that he was at least partly responsible for her BIT


    He raised his hand, about to knock, but then a floorboard creaked under his foot. The crying suddenly stopped


    Noah heard a rush of movement, followed by the distinct click of a lock. Hannah had locked her door- looked him out in more ways than one. Sighing. Noah lowered his hand.

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    Chapter 0298 Hannah


    I found myself standing outside Noah''s office door. The sun had begun its nightly descent, the shadows. in the hall lengthening. I hadn''t seen Noah all day; he had abruptly canceled our daily bonding time that morning, and I wondered if my locking the bedroom doorst night when I heard him standing outside had anything to do with it.


    Good. Maybe he was finally getting the hint.


    My heart raced as I raised my hand to knock, hesitating for a moment before finally rapping my knuckles against the wood. The sound echoed in the empty hallway, making me flinch slightly for no reason in particr. "Come in," Noah''s voice called from inside, muffled by the thick door.


    I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead, before turning the handle and entering.


    Noah looked up from his desk, surprise flickering across his face when he saw me standing there. The sunlight streaming through the window behind him cast a golden glow around his silhouette, outlining his sharp jaw. Clearing my throat, I quickly looked away. No; now was not the time to be thinking about how damn handsome he looked.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "Hannah," he said, setting down his pen. "Is everything alright?"


    I nodded stiffly, hating the way that my fingers nervously yed with the hem of my shirt like a frightened child. Quickly, I sped them behind my back and squared my shoulders.


    "I just wanted to let you know that I intend to visit the Luna Council tomorrow for my trial. I wanted to know if I''m allowed to go..." I paused, and couldn''t help the way my upper lip curled back ever so slightly. *... Despite being your prisoner."


    you want.


    Noah''s expression shifted from surprise to exasperation. He sighed, rubbing his temples as he leaned back in his chair, "Of course you can go, Hannah. You''re not my prisoner. You can go anywhere "Anywhere except home," I replied bitterly, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. Noah''s brow furrowed, his green eyes shing first with annoyance and then with exhaustion. "This is your home."


    I shook my head, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Not anymore."


    For a moment, I thought I saw a look of sadness flicker across Noah''s stony face, but it was gone just as quickly as it came and I forcefully shoved the notion away. Even if he was sad, which I doubted, I didn''t care about his feelings.


    To me, he was nothing more than my captor now.


    "Thanks," I said curtly, turning on my heel.


    But as I turned to leave, Noah called out, "Hannah, wait


    I paused, my hand on the doorknob. I debated leaving anyway, but then forced myself to wait and hear him out-without turning to look at him.


    "Will you ever see me as anything but your jail warden?" he asked, his voice surprisingly soft and pained.


    My fingers tightened on the doorknob, and he continued, "Even if I spend the rest of my life trying to be better, will you ever forgive me for denying the divorce? I''m sorry I locked you in your room. I was angry and scared that you would take my child from me."


    I turned slowly, my wide eyes meeting his. He was standing now, his fingers pressed into the wood of his desk. For a brief moment, I saw a sh of the boy Noah used to be: innocent, kind, and... scared.


    My heart ached as I remembered the person that I had fallen in love with all those years ago-the boy who just needed a friend. I opened my mouth, ready to tell him that I might forgive him in time, that I was


    d he finally wanted to work on our marriage


    But then, a thought struck me. I needed to know something first.


    "Noah," I said, taking a step forward, "do you remember the letters?"


    He blinked, confused. "What?"


    "The letters," I pressed, taking another step closer to his desk. "Tell me you remember. Tell me you saved all the letters we sent during those two years we were apart."

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    Chapter 0299


    I waited, staring at him with wide eyes, silently begging him to remember-to have saved at least one of our letters, just like I did.


    But Noah just blinked again, looking utterly devoid of emotion. "I don''t know what you''re talking about," he said simply.


    I stared at him, astounded. He didn''t..


    It felt like a knife twisting in my gut. I couldn''t take it anymore.


    "No. I will never forgive you," I said, jutting my chin out defiantly. "Unless you let me divorce you and return to my pack, I will only ever see you as my warden."


    Noah''s face flickered through another range of emotions-hurt, anger, frustration, and finally, resignation. I understand," he said softly, his shoulders slumping in defeat.


    With that, I left his office. I didn''t shed any tears, because I had none left to cry.


    The next morning, I woke up early to prepare for the Luna Council meeting. The sun was just peeking over the horizon as I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away some of my anxiety.


    I took extra care with my appearance, choosing a smart pantsuit that made me look professional and put-together. I applied minimal makeup and pulled my hair back into a neat bun, wanting to create the image of a Luna who had it all figured out. Even though that couldn''t have been further from the truth.


    My driver arrived promptly at nine, and as we drove to Luna nna''s home, I felt my nerves begin to fray. The Luna Council was a prestigious group, and their opinion of me could make or break my future. If I impressed them, then I would make it onto the council-and if I made it onto the council, then my chances at getting a divorce to go through were higher


    Needless to say, today was very, very important.


    As we pulled up to Luna nna''s grand estate, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. The mansion was imposing, all white columns and perfectly manicuredwns. My hands trembled as I approached the door, and I had to clench them into fists to stop the shaking.


    To think that I was here, at the Luna Queen''s personal residence... It felt like a dreame true, but it could also turn into a nightmare if I wasn''t careful.


    Before I could even lift my hand to knock, the door swung open. An attendant stood there, her face impassive as she nodded politely. "Luna Hannah," she said, stepping aside to allow me entry. "Please,e in. The Council is waiting."


    I followed the attendant through the opulent house, my heels clicking on the marble floors. The walls were lined with portraits of past Luna Queens-nna''s mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and beyond. Their eyes seemed to follow me as I walked, like they, too, were judging me. Assessing me.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Finally, we stopped outside a set of ornate double doors, where intricate carvings of wolves and moons decorated the wood.


    The attendant turned to me, giving me a questioning look as if to silently ask if I was ready.


    I nodded curtly and smoothed down my shirt. My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure she could hear it, bu


    I maintained a pleasant smile-the smile that I had gotten so awfully good at as ofte that even I was almost beginning to believe it.


    The attendant pushed open the doors, and I stepped into the council chambers. The room was grand, with high ceilings and walls lined with towering bookshelves. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. In the center was arge, round table, its surface so clean it gleamed in the light. And seated around it were some of the most powerful women in the world.


    I recognized a few faces from pack gatherings and charity events. Luna nna sat at the head of the table, her silver hair gleaming in the sunlight.


    As one, they all turned to look at me, their eyes assessing and scrutinizing.


    "Luna Hannah," nna said, rising from her chair, "Sit.

 Chapter 300

    Chapter 0300 HannahContent ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    The room was silent as I cautiously approached the table, although my heart was pounding so hard in my chest I wondered if they could all hear it.


    The eyes of every Luna in the room were fixed on me, their gazes stern and appraising. I had never felt so small. Not since my rebirth, at least.


    "Ladies, this is Luna Hannah of Nightcrest," Luna nna announced as I took my seat.


    "It''s an honor to be here," I said, bowing my head politely.


    The other Lunas'' faces betrayed nothing. "Wee," they all said, almost in unison.


    I settled into the empty chair that was waiting for me, acutely aware of the scrutiny I was under. But no sooner had I taken my seat than nna was already jumping into the day''s agenda, clearly not wanting to waste any time on pleasantries. "Now, let''s begin with our ongoing humanitarian efforts," she said, ncing over a notepad in front of her- a notepad which, upon taking a closer look, was absolutely covered in notes and scribbles.


    I resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow in surprise. To think that the perfect Luna Queen had sloppy handwriting, and often crossed things out and made little notes, even going so far as to doodle some shapes and animals in oneer....


    It was a bitforting, if I was being honest.


    "As you


    all know," she continued, "we have been funding the construction of homes for impoverishedmunities in the packless territories for the past two years. And now, thanks to our hard work, we are nning to visit the sites within the next six months to oversee progress and raise additional funds."


    My heart sank a little despite the smattering of murmurs and apuse around the table. In six months, I would be nearing the end of my pregnancy. There was no way I could travel overseas in that condition.


    I hoped that this wouldn''t hurt my chances of being epted into the council, but I kept my concerns to myself for now.


    Luna Melissa, a petite woman with fiery red hair, spoke up first. "I have been in contact with our teamron the ground. They''re making excellent progress, but there''s still so much to be done. Thest report Indicated that we''vepleted thirty percent of the nned homes, but resources are stretched thin."


    "What about local support?" I found myself asking before I could stop myself. All eyes snapped to me, and I swallowed hard before continuing. "Have you considered partnering with local organizations to help sustain the project long-term? It could provide job opportunities for themunity and ensure the project''s sess even after you''ve left."


    There was a moment of silence, and I feared I had overstepped by speaking so quickly. But then Luna nna nodded thoughtfully, tenting her fingers in herp.


    "That''s an excellent point, Luna Hannah. I''m surprised we haven''t considered that yet. Luna Evelyn, could you research potential organizations that we could work with in the territories?"


    Luna Evelyn, an elegant woman with salt-and-pepper hair, nodded and began writing on her own notepad.


    "Of course. I''ll have aprehensive report ready for our next meeting, including potential risks and benefits of each partnership."


    The discussion continued, touching on various aspects of the project. I listened intently, offering input when I felt I had something valuable to contribute. To my surprise, the other Lunas seemed to be warming up to me, their initial suspicion gradually fading. I wasn''t immediately drowned out or brushed off like I expected.


    Next, we moved on to discussing fundraising efforts. The council already had ns for a summer campaign: a camp for underprivileged children. The camp would include various programs ranging from arts and crafts to survival training, all practical skills that could still be fun for kids.


    "But I think we need to discuss the issue of illiteracy in the packs," nna mused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Many children don''t continue practicing their reading and writing skills outside of school, unfortunately."


    "We need a program that will make it fun without making it seem like school or homework," one of the other Lunas muttered.


    "Yes," another Luna sighed. "Last year, our book club was a flop-too many kids didn''t want to do their assigned reading, feeling like it was too much like work."


    nna turned to me then. "Thoughts, Luna Hannah?"


    Suddenly, my eyes widened slightly, and once again, I was transported back to those two years that Noah had conveniently forgotten-the two years that I had written until my hand cramped, my fingers stained with ink. "What about... a penpal program?" I breathed before I could stop myself.


    The other Lunas murmured and nodded in agreement, jotting the idea down in their notebooks. The were oblivious to my emotional strife-all except for nna, who seemed to eye me for a moment before suddenly closing her notebook with a soft thud. "Well, I think that concludes our business for today. Thank you all for your time and input. We''ve made excellent progress."


    As the other Lunas began to gather their things, I sat there, unsure of what to do. Had I said something wrong? Was I invited back or not?


    But Luna nna simply nodded at me and left the room with one of the other Lunas, their hushed voices fading as they walked away.


    I must have looked disappointed because Luna Melissa approached me with a kind smile.


    "Hey, don''t worry," she said in a low voice, cing a hand on my shoulder. "This is actually a good sign."


    I blinked in surprise, my brow furrowing. "It is?"


    She nodded. "nna only speaks privately with new members if she hasints. The fact that she didn''t pull you aside means you did well. You shoulde to the next meeting in a month. And a word of advice..."


    She leaned in closer, ncing over her shoulder. "Come prepared with that penpal program n. Luna nna will be expecting it."


    "Oh. Th-Thank you," I managed, blinking owlishly at her. "I''ll make sure to do that."


    Melissa smiled and patted my arm, straightening. "You did great, especially for your first meeting," she called over her shoulder as she strode away.


    With that, she left, leaving me alone in the grand council chamber. I took a moment to collect myself, still hardly able to believe that I had made it through my first Luna Council meeting. Did this mean that I was on the council? And most importantly, was this the next step to getting out of my marriage with Noah?


    The driver was waiting for me as promised, and I felt like I could hardly breathe from excitement as I slid into the back seat. Meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror, he said, "Home, Luna Hannah?"


    I opened my mouth to say yes, bat then paused. There was that word again:


    Home.


    Was it home? It certainly didn''t feel like it. My house with Noah was a prison, not a home.


    But after today, I felt like I was one step closer to returning to my true home-to Silvermoon. To my rightful ce as female Alpha. And so, in a way, returning to the mansion felt like the next step in that journey. "Yes," I finally said, buckling my seatbelt. "Home."

 Chapter 301

    Chapter 0101 Chapter 0301


    Hannah


    I returned home that night feeling lighter than air, unable to hide the small smile ying on my lips.


    The Luna Council meeting had gone better-so much better-than I could have hoped. For the first time in weeks, I felt like I had a new purpose, a new step in the right direction. The shackles binding me to this marriage and this house suddenly felt lighter, like I could slip out of them at any moment. But my smile faded as soon as I walked into the dining room.


    Noah was sitting at the head of the table with a fork in hand and an expectant look on his face. The sight of him brought me crashing back to reality, reminding me of the cage I was still trapped in-for now, at least


    "Wee home," he said, gesturing to the seat across from him. "I made dinner. Join me?"


    I hesitated, torn between my desire to retreat to my room and the tantalizing smell wafting from the tes on the table. The aroma of herbs and roasted vegetables filled the air, making my stomach growl despite my reservations.


    Begrudgingly, I sat down, the chair scraping softly against the hardwood floor. "What''s all this about?" I asked, poking suspiciously at the potatoes.


    Noah had prepared a meal that looked not only delicious but also perfectly bnced. I recognized the exact proportions of vitamins and protein that the doctor had rmended for my pregnancy.


    It was surprising-Noah had never cooked for me before, at least not on his own without me asking or cooking alongside him.


    "I thought we could have a nice dinner together to celebrate your first meeting." Noah said as he popped. a piece of meat into his mouth. "How was the Luna Council meeting?"


    I shrugged, not wanting to tell him too much. So I coolly replied, "It was fine."


    "Just fine? Have you been invited to the council?"


    "Something like that," I said, stabbing various things onto my fork. I took a tentative bite and couldn''t help but let out a small sound of appreciation. It was genuinely good-the chicken was tender and perfectly seasoned, the vegetables crisp and vorful.


    "This is... surprisingly delicious," I admitted, then caught myself. I shouldn''t beplimenting him, because I knew that there was more to this than he was letting on. "Why did you cook for me? You never cook for me."N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Noah shrugged. "What, I''m not allowed to simply want to make a good meal for my wife?"


    My face paled at that word-wife-and I found myself picking at my food, my appetite suddenly diminished.


    Wife. The word used to bring me such joy, but it only felt hollow now, a reminder of the chains that bound me here.


    And to think that once, years ago, when our parents had announced the arranged marriage that they had


    "I don''t care what you think you know about my family," I growled, mming my ss back down on the table. "I will not be manipted or threatened into staying in this sham of a marriage."


    Noah opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off, my voice rising with each word. "Save it. I don''t want to hear another word from you. You im you want to work on our marriage, on yourself, but you''re still the same controlling, maniptive man you''ve always been." With that, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the dining room.

 Chapter 302

    of them at any moment.


    e Luna Council meeting had gone better-so much better-than I could have hoped. For the first time in weeks, I felt like I had a new purpose, a new step in the right direction. The shackles binding me to this marriage and this house suddenly felt lighter, like I could slip out But my smile faded as soon as I walked into the dining room.


    Noah was sitting at the head of the table with a fork in hand and an expectant look on his face. The sight of him brought me crashing back to reality, reminding me of the cage I was still trapped in-for now, at least


    "Wee home," he said, gesturing to the seat across from him. "I made dinner. Join me?"


    I hesitated, torn between my desire to retreat to my room and the tantalizing smell wafting from the tes on the table. The aroma of herbs and roasted vegetables filled the air, making my stomach growl despite my reservations.


    Begrudgingly, I sat down, the chair scraping softly against the hardwood floor. "What''s all this about?" I asked, poking suspiciously at the potatoes.


    Noah had prepared a meal that looked not only delicious but also perfectly bnced. I recognized the exact proportions of vitamins and protein that the doctor had rmended for my pregnancy.


    It was surprising-Noah had never cooked for me before, at least not on his own without me asking or cooking alongside him.


    "I thought we could have a nice dinner together to celebrate your first meeting." Noah said as he popped. a piece of meat into his mouth. "How was the Luna Council meeting?"


    I shrugged, not wanting to tell him too much. So I coolly replied, "It was fine."N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    "Just fine? Have you been invited to the council?"


    "Something like that," I said, stabbing various things onto my fork. I took a tentative bite and couldn''t help but let out a small sound of appreciation. It was genuinely good-the chicken was tender and perfectly seasoned, the vegetables crisp and vorful.


    "This is... surprisingly delicious," I admitted, then caught myself. I shouldn''t beplimenting him, because I knew that there was more to this than he was letting on. "Why did you cook for me? You never cook for me."


    Noah shrugged. "What, I''m not allowed to simply want to make a good meal for my wife?"


    My face paled at that word-wife-and I found myself picking at my food, my appetite suddenly diminished.


    Wife. The word used to bring me such joy, but it only felt hollow now, a reminder of the chains that bound me here.


    And to think that once, years ago, when our parents had announced the arranged marriage that they had


    "I don''t care what you think you know about my family," I growled, mming my ss back down on the table. "I will not be manipted or threatened into staying in this sham of a marriage."


    Noah opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off, my voice rising with each word. "Save it. I don''t want to hear another word from you. You im you want to work on our marriage, on yourself, but you''re still the same controlling, maniptive man you''ve always been." With that, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the dining room.

 Chapter 303

    Chapter 0303


    Hannah


    I picked up my phone, my heart racing as I dialed a number I hadn''t called in months. As it rang, I paced back and forth in my bedroom, my free hand nervously fidgeting with the hem of my shirt.


    My sister, Lily, still lived at home with our parents. We hadn''t spoken in some time, after I got married to Noah, I rarely saw her outside of our asional visits/But it didn''t mean that we loved each other any less; it was just that... life got in the way.


    But not anymore. With my father''s birthdaying up soon, Noah and I would be making our annual trip to Silvermoon. Once we got there, I would tell my sister everything; and I was certain that she would help


    me escape.


    And I wouldn''t be returning to Nightcrest.


    "Hello?" My sister''s voice came through after a few rings, sounding a bit surprised.


    "Hey, Lily. It''s been a while."Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "Hannah! Oh my goddess, is everything okay? It''s sote!"


    I sighed and sank down onto the edge of my bed. A quick nce at the clock revealed that it was well after midnight, which I hadn''t realized. Buttely, after that dinner with Noah-even though it had been nearly a week now-I was finding it harder and harder to sleep at night.


    "Yeah, everything''s... fine," I lied, unsure of how much to tell her just yet. "I just wanted to catch up. Is Dad throwing a birthday party this year?"


    "Yes," Lily replied, sounding a little incredulous; our father always threw an enormous birthday party every year, so it was a bit of a ridiculous question. But she continued, "I''m so excited to see you. I''ve missed you so much." "I''ve missed you too," I said softly. More than you know.


    She paused, and I could hear her infectious smile through the phone. "And from what I understand, you have a lot to update me on."


    My face paled somewhat, but then I realized she wasn''t talking about the pregnancy, she was talking about my eating disorder campaign, my g, and all of my recent public strides.


    "Oh. We''ll catch up when I get there," I said. I bit my lip, hesitating before asking the question that had been gnawing at me these past few days: "Hey, Lily... how are things at home? I mean, with Dad''s businesses and all?"


    Another pause, longer this time. "What do you mean?" Her voice sounded strained.


    "I just... I heard some rumors that things weren''t going so well. Is that true?"


    Lily''s sigh crackled through the phone. "Hannah... I don''t know how you heard about that, but... yes. Dad''s been having some troubletely."


    My stomach dropped. "What kind of trouble?"


    Chapter 030J


    "He made some bad investments," Lily exined, her voice low. "He had to liquidate a few businesses. It''s... it''s not great, Hannah. A lot of people lost their jobs."


    I cursed under my breath. So Noah wasn''t bluffing after all. I had hoped that he had just been making it up to manipte me into not trying anything, but he wasn''t. I couldn''t decide which was worse: the idea of him lying to control me or the fact that it was all true and that he might actually have some leverage over


    1. me.


    "How bad is it?"


    "Bad enough that you shouldn''t bring it up when you visit," Lily warned. "The pack''s upset, and Dad''s stressed enough as it is. Just pretend you don''t know, okay?"


    I nodded, even though she couldn''t see me. "I won''t say anything, I promise. I just... I needed to know."


    "Why the sudden interest?" Lily asked. "No offense, but it''s not like you to care about Dad''s businesses."


    I cringed a bit at that, because it was true; even before the marriage, I had always been a bit... disconnected from our father''s pack life, even though I possessed the female Alpha gene that allowed me to be his heir.

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    Chapter 0304


    I just... never cared before. All I cared about was marrying a handsome man and bing his Luna. I was weak before. But not now; now, I intended to take up my birthright and put that weak, simpering girl behind me. "Oh, you know, just... worried about the family," I replied, perhaps a little too quickly. "It''s been so long since I''ve been home."


    "Right," Lily said slowly, not sounding entirely convinced. "Well, don''t worry too much. We''re managing."


    I was about to respond when a sound in the background caught my attention. It was faint, but unmistakable-the cry of a baby.


    My eyes widened. "Lily... is that a baby?"


    There was a sudden rustling on the other end of the line, and the crying became muffled as though she had slipped out of whatever room she was in. "What? No, no, that''s just... that''s the cat."


    "The cat?" I repeated, incredulous. "Lily, that sounded like a baby."Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "Well, it''s not," Lily insisted, her voice strained. "Look, Hannah, I''ve got to go. We''ll see you in a couple of days, okay?"


    Before I could protest, the line went dead. I stared at my phone, my mind racing. A baby? In Silvermoon? And why would Lily lie about it?


    The next morning, I started packing for our trip to Silvermoon. I pulled out every suitcase I owned, filling them with clothes, books, and personal items-everything that was too precious to leave behind. If Noah thought I wasing back to Nightcrest after this visit, he was sorely mistaken.


    As I lugged another heavy suitcase down the stairs, Noah appeared in the foyer, his eyebrows raised. "nning on staying a while?" he asked, eyeing the growing pile of luggage.


    I shrugged, not meeting his gaze. "Just want to be prepared."


    Noah crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. "Prepared for what, exactly? It''s just a birthday party. "You never know," I said vaguely, heading back upstairs for another load.. When I returned with two more bags, Noah was still there, his expression abination of amusement and concern. "Hannah, seriously. What''s going on?"


    I dropped the bags with a thud, straightening up to face him. "Nothing''s going on. I just like to have options."


    "Options," Noah repeated, his voice t. "For a weekend trip."


    "Yes, options," I snapped. "Is that a problem?"


    Noah held up his hands in surrender. "No problem. Just curious."


    I turned away, busying myself with reorganizing the luggage. "Well, don''t be. It''s none of your business."


    Noah stared at me incredulously as I continued going through the luggage, and I ignored him. Finally, seeming to grow tired of watching me, he turned on his heel and strode off.


    "For what it''s worth," he called over his shoulder, "as your husband and the father of your child, I''d say it is my business."


    "Not for long." I muttered under my breath.


    Noah suddenly stopped and red at me over his shoulder. "You''re nning on staying in Silvermoon, aren''t you?"


    I lifted my chin defiantly. "And what if I am?" I asked. I didn''t care if he had a suspicion that I wasn''ting back to Nightcrest with him, or that he might even try to drag me back kicking and screaming. I wasn''ting back. I''d die again before I let that happen.


    "Hannah," Noah sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Hannah, Hannah, Hannah..."


    With that, I pursed my lips at him and scurried past with my arms full of bags. Noah sighed but didn''t argue. In fact, he even picked up a couple of bags and headed out to the car with me.


    Once thest bag had been packed, I flung the car door open. Without looking at Noah, I slid into the passenger seat, mming the door behind me.

 Chapter 305

    Chapter 0305 Hannah


    me.


    The car ride stretched on endlessly as we made our way to Silvermoon. Noah had insisted on driving. citing environmental concerns and my pregnancy as reasons to avoid flying. I stared out the window, watching thendscape blur by, trying to ignore his presence beside "We should reach the hotel in about an hour," Noah sald, breaking the silence that had persisted for most


    of the journeyN?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    I merely nodded, not bothering to look at him.


    He sighed. "Hannah, we''re going to be spending a lot of time together over the next few days. Can we at least try to be civil?"


    "1 am being civil" I replied coldly. "I haven''t thrown you out of the moving car, have 1?"


    Noah chuckled, but it sounded forced. "I suppose that''s true. Small mercies, right?"


    I didn''t respond, and wepsed back into silence.


    As promised, we arrived at the hotel an hourter-an upscale ce situated along the river that crossed between Nightcrest and Silvermoon. We always stayed here whenever we visited Silvermoon, and I liked the ce. But mostly, I was just looking forward to having some space to myself,


    "Wee to the Silver Pines Hotel, Alpha and Luna," the receptionist beamed as we approached the desk. "Let me just check your reservation... Ah, yes. I have you down for our deluxe king suite. Is that correct?"


    I felt my heart sink as Noah nodded. "That''s right, thank you."


    As we were led to our shared room, I pursed my lips but said nothing. I supposed I should have expected this-having to share a room. We still had to present a united front, especially so close to pack borders like this.


    Still, it didn''t mean I was happy about it.


    On the top floor, the bellhop opened the door to our suite. It was spacious and well-appointed, with a sitting area, a small kitchte, and arge bed dominating the center of the room. One bed. Of course.c


    After settling in, Noah suggested we head down to the hotel restaurant for dinner. I agreed, if only to dy the inevitable awkwardness of sharing a room.


    The restaurant was just as elegant as I remembered, with soft lighting and white tablecloths. It was... romantic Too bad I wasn''t in the mood for romance.


    "So," Noah said as we looked over the menu, "are you looking forward to seeing your family?"


    "Yes," I replied curtly


    "It''s been a while since we''ve visited Silvermoon. I wonder how much has changed"


    I shrugged. "You tell me. You seem to know plenty about my father''s personal matters." Chapter WIDs.


    Noah sighed, frustrated by my cold responses. "Hannah, could you at least try to engage in conversation?"


    "I thought I was," I retorted. I decided that I was craving a burger and tossed my menu down on the table.


    He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Look, I know you''re not happy with me, but you could at least. pretend not to despise me in public. It''s creating a negative image for our pack."


    I felt a surge of vindictiveness at that moment. "Oh, you want me to pretend? Fine. I can do that."


    Just then, our waitress approached the table. "Good evening! Are you ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes?"


    I turned to her with a sickeningly sweet smile. "Oh, we''re ready, aren''t we, my darling?" I cooed, reaching across the table to grab Noah''s face.


    Noah''s eyes widened in surprise as I leaned precariously over the table and peppered his face with kisses, pinching his cheeks and generally making a spectacle of ourselves. If he wanted me to act in love, then I wouldy it on thick-make him regret ever asking. "Isn''t he just the most handsome Alpha you''ve ever seen?" I gushed to the waitress, who looked both amused and a little embarrassed.


    1, uh... I''ll give you two some space," she said, backing away with a nervousugh.


    As soon as she was gone, I released my grip on Noah and plopped back down in my seat. "There," I said tly. Is that what you want? To be fawned over?"


    To my surprise, Noah''s cheeks were flushed red. He said nothing, just looked down at his menu with an expression that was almost... bashful. For a moment, he reminded me of the cute, shy boy he used to be, before everything changed.

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    Chapter 0306


    But that boy was gone.


    Our food arrived a little whileter, and we ate in silence. Noah made no further attempts at conversation, seemingly lost in thought. As we finished our meal, I couldn''t help but feel a twinge of guilt for my behavior. Still, I quickly reminded myself of all the reasons I had to be angry with him and ate my meal.


    Once we were back in our room, I quickly announced, "I''m taking a bath," and locked myself in the bathroom before Noah could respond.


    Over the next thirty minutes, I took my sweet time; I ran a scalding hot bath, soaked my tired muscles in bath salts and lotions, and scrubbed every inch of myself as if that could somehow remove the feeling of his skin against my lips. Maybe I had made more of a fool of myself than of him by that little disy, I


    thought.


    And maybe...


    I felt my wolf roiling around inside of me. As much as I hated to acknowledge it, she had been aroused by that disy at dinner. I could feel her excitement pooling in my belly, a warmth flowing out through my abdomen and down my legs.


    Years ago, Noah and I would have made love in this hotel. Maybe I would have put on some lingerie, yed some romantic music. We wouldn''t have slept very much at all, despite the plush bed.


    But now... Now, those days felt so far away. Almost like they never even happened. And maybe to Noah, they hadn''t, just like the rest of our shared past..


    When I finally emerged from the bathroom, my fingers pruned up and my body wrapped in a fluffy hotel robe, I was surprised to see Noah arranging nkets and pillows on the couch.


    "What are you doing?" I asked, sinking down onto the bed and toweling my hair.


    Noah simply shrugged without looking up. "I thought I''d sleep on the couch. Give you some space."


    "Oh," I said, a bit taken aback by his consideration. "Well... Good."


    I climbed into bed, relishing the soft sheets andfortable mattress. Noah turned off the main lights, leaving only the soft glow of a bedsidemp. I heard him settling on the couch, the furniture creaking under his weight.


    But as I tried to drift off to sleep, I kept hearing Noah groaning and shifting on the couch. After what felt like hours of listening to him toss and turn, I couldn''t take it anymore.


    "What is your problem?" I snapped, sitting up in bed.


    Noah sat up too, running a hand through his hair. "Sorry," he said, his voice strained. "The couch... it''s not exactlyfortable."


    I turned on my bedsidemp and really looked at him for the first time. The couch was clearly too short for his tall frame, forcing him to curl up in an awkward position. Despite my anger toward him, I couldn''t help but pity him, at least a little. And we both needed sleep, which we wouldn''t get if he was rolling around all night.


    "This is ridiculous," I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Just... get in the bed."


    Noah hesitated. "Are you sure? I don''t want to make you ufortable."


    "I''m sure I''ll survive," I said dryly. "Besides, we can''t have the mighty Alpha of Nightcrest showing up to my father''s party with a backache, can we?"


    I could have sworn I saw a small smile tugging at Noah''s lips as he stood up, stretching his long limbs." Thank you, Hannah."


    As he approached the bed, I scooched as far over to one side as I could manage and held up a warning finger. "But if you so much as think about touching me, I''ll bite you. And not in a fun way."N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Noah raised his hands in surrender and pointed to his forearm where I had bitten him before. The marks had long since healed over, but I could still picture the blood from that day. As much as I hated him, I did feel a little bad, even now. "Understood," he said. "Don''t want a repeat ofst time"


    He climbed into bed, careful to stay on his side. I turned off themp andy back down, hyper-aware of his presence next to me.


    "Goodnight, Hannah," he said, his voice breaking the silence.


    I rolled over and shut my eyes without a response.

 Chapter 307

    Chapter 0307 Hannah


    I woke first to the glow of the sun hitting my face, and then to the warm sensation of an arm around me... and a hand cupping my breast.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    "Mm..."


    Smiling, I snuggled back into the familiar body that was pressed up against me. In my sleepy state, it felt natural,forting. Happy even. A warmth spread through me, pooling low in my belly.


    Instinctively, I ground back against him, hearing a soft, sleepy groan in response. The hand on my breast tightened, callused fingers brushing over my nipple and then pinching together ever so slightly. I let out a quiet gasp, arching my back into the solid body. "Noah..."


    But as consciousness slowly seeped in, the reality of what was happening hit me like a bucket of cold. water had been dumped over my head.


    Noah.


    This wasn''t some pleasant dream-it was the man I was supposed to hate. We were cuddling, and I had been grinding against his very obvious morning wood.


    Anger and surprise red up inside of me, hot and sudden. Acting on instinct, I growled and sank my teeth into the arm that was wrapped around me.


    "Ow!" Noah yelped, jerking away and nearly falling off the bed. "What the hell, Hannah?"


    I sat up, ring at him as I clutched the sheets to my chest. My nightgown had slipped off my shoulder, revealing one bare breast. "I told you not to touch me!" I snarled as I covered myself.


    Noah rubbed his arm, looking too bewildered to even notice my nudity. "I was asleep!" he bit out. "I didn''t mean to touch you."


    "Oh, so you just bappened to grab my breast and pinch my nipple in your sleep?" I snapped, my cheeks flushed from abination of begrudging arousal and embarrassment.


    "I wouldn''t do that on purpose," Noah insisted. "You told me not to touch you, so I wouldn''t


    I felt my shoulders slump slightly at his words. "You wouldn''t," I repeated, my voice softer now.


    Noah''s eyebrows knit together as he pushed his mop of dark hair out of his stormy face. "No, I wouldn''t."


    I couldn''t decide if his words meant that he simply didn''t want to touch me, or if he was just being respectful of my wishes. Either way, it left an oddly hollow feeling in my chest. I felt like my heart was betraying me, I didn''t want him to touch me, and yet. And yet, I couldn''t help but feel ever


    Goddess, I was a mess.


    slightly disappointed that it hadn''t gone further..


    "Whatever," I muttered, throwing the covers back and climbing out of bed. "I''m going to get ready."


    We showered and dressed in awkward silence, carefully avoiding eye contact. As I brushed my hair, I caught Noah''s reflection in the mirror. He was buttoning up his shirt, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I allowed my eyes to flick over the sliver of bare chest peeking out from beneath his shirt.


    I hated him, and yet it had felt so good, so right to wake up in his arms, the warmth of his body against mine, that considerable member pressed up to my behind. If it had gone further, perhaps we would still be in the throes of it now, my back arched and my name on his lips.... No. I shook my head, banishing the traitorous thoughts. Perhaps I was physically attracted to him, but that was it. Emotionally, he was my warden, and I hated him, and I couldn''t let myself soften towards him. Not now. Not when I had ns to run from him once we reached Silvermoon.


    "Ready for breakfast?" Noah asked, breaking the silence.


    I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. We made our way downstairs to the hotel bistro, the tension between us almost palpable even as we found a table on the bright patio and warmed ourselves beneath the morning sun.

 Chapter 308

    Chapter 0308


    The same waitress fromst night greeted us with a bright smile on her face. "Good morning! How was your night? You two were so sweet together at dinner."


    I felt my face heat up, remembering my over-the-top disy of affection. It had been fabricated just to make Noah feel bad, and yet....


    Before I could respond, Noah jumped in. "Our night was wonderful, thank you," he said smoothly.


    The waitress beamed at us, clearly delighted by what she perceived as a happy couple. I opened my mouth, ready to say something carefully crafted to hurt him, but the words died on my tongue. I could still feel the phantom sensation of Noah''s arms around me, his hand brushing my skin, his fingers pinching. that sensitive spot.


    "It was... nice," I said softly, surprising myself.


    We ordered our breakfast and coffee, falling into an ufortable silence once the waitress left. I focused on my omelet, trying to ignore the way Noah''s eyes kept flicking over to me.


    Once we were finished, the waitress came to take our empty tes. "How about dessert?" she asked, piling the dishes on her arm.


    I nced at the dessert menu, my eyesnding on a chocte-filled croissant. It did look tempting...


    "No, thanks. I''ve already eaten plenty," I said, pushing the menu away.


    Noah, noticing my apprehension, nudged my foot under the table. "Come on, live a little. I know how much you like the pastries here."


    My eyes widened slightly. He... remembered. It wasn''t much, but it was something. Goddess, he remembered.


    I hesitated, then nodded to the waitress. "Okay. I''ll have the chocte croissant, please."


    As I ate the pastry, I could feel Noah watching me over the rim of his coffee cup. I kept my eyes down, focusing on the kyyers and rich chocte filling. It was delicious, I had to admit, but my mind lingered on that small revtion: he remembered, he remembered, he remembered.


    "You''ve got a bit of chocte," Noah suddenly said, his voice low.


    Before I could react, he reached out, his thumb brushing the corner of my mouth. The touch sent a jolt through me, and I froze. Noah''s eyes met mine as he brought his thumb to his mouth, licking off the chocte.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    My face felt like it was on fire. I was supposed to hate him, to be cold and distant. But at that moment, all I could think about was how it felt to wake up in his arms this morning, the familiar warmth of his body against mine. "Thanks," I mumbled, quickly looking away with a red face.


    We finished our breakfast in silence. As we left the bistro, I caught sight of our reflection in a mirror. We looked like any other couple-standing close, matching our pace to each other''s. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to imagine that we were just that: a normal, happy couple on a trip to visit family.


    But we weren''t. And I couldn''t let myself forget that in just a few days, I would be refusing to return to Nightcrest with him, whether he remembered that I liked the pastries or not.


    The drive to my parents'' estate was quiet. I stared out the window, watching the familiarndscape of Silvermoon pass by. Noah kept his eyes on the road, seemingly lost in thought. Finally, as we pulled up to the grand gates of my childhood home, I felt a sense of relief wash over me.


    I Home, atst, real home. Not a prison. The end was close, and yet...


    Why did I feel so... disappointed? So empty?


    The car had barely stopped when I heard my name being called. I looked up from gathering my bags to see my sister running toward us with a bright smile on her face. But as she got closer, my eyes widened in shock. There, cradled in Lily''s arms, was a baby.

 Chapter 309

    Chapter 0309 Hannah


    I stood there, frozen in shock as I stared at the tiny bundle in Lily''s arms. A baby. My sister had a baby. When? How? Why was this the first I was hearing of it? Why, when I asked if I heard a baby crying the other night, had she kept it from me? "Surprise!" Lily eximed, her face beaming as she hurried up to me. "Hannah, meet your niece, Olivia."


    "I... what?" I stammered, unable to form a coherent thought as I stared down at the tiny face looking up at me. "When... When did this happen?"


    Lily''s smile faltered slightly. "I sent you letters," she exined. "I''m assuming you never got them."


    I shook my head, still trying to process the information. "No, I... I never received any letters."


    1 figured-as much," Lily said. I guess they must have gotten lost in the mail."


    "But I heard the baby crying on the phone the other night," I said. "Why did you lie?"Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    My sister looked a bit sheepish. "I figured you didn''t know, so I decided to surprise you. Please don''t be mad."


    I couldn''t help butugh. "Of course I''m not mad. But how... when?" I reached for the little bundle and pulled the fabric aside, revealing the scrunched up face of a newborn. My niece couldn''t have been more than a few weeks old. She was beautiful-she had her mother''s


    nose.


    Lilyughed softly. "It''s a bit of a crazy story, actually. I didn''t even know I was pregnant until my water broke. The doctors called it a ''ghost pregnancy-my stomach stayed t, and I even got my period throughout. But here she is, my happy little surprise. Born just three weeks ago, happy and healthy."


    I reached out tentatively, and Lily gently ced my niece in my arms. The weight of her, so small and warm, brought tears to my eyes. To think that I would soon be holding my own little one....


    "She''s beautiful, Lily," I whispered.


    My sister beamed. I nced up at her, eyeing her ring finger. Noticing my gaze, she quickly said, "The father isn''t in the picture."


    "Oh." I looked back down at my niece, and for a moment, I considered what it would be like to raise my own little one without a father; I supposed if my sister could do it, so could I. If anything, it just made me want to tell her about my situation even more, but not yet. Later. As I cradled my new niece, I felt a presence beside me and looked up to see Noah, his eyes fixed on the baby. He looked just as surprised as I was.


    "Noah," I said, bouncing the baby a little, "did you get any letters from my sister?"


    He looked at me with genuine confusion in his eyes. "No, I didn''t. This is the first I''m hearing about it too.


    I searched his face for any sign of deception but found none. For once, I believed him. I didn''t think that he had intercepted any letters, perhaps they had just gotten lost in the mail.


    "Well," Lily said brightly, "the important thing is you''re both here now. How about we head inside? Mom


    Chapter 0309.


    and Dad are dying to see you."


    +25 B


    BONUS


    As we walked toward the house, I couldn''t take my eyes off of my new niece. Her tiny fingers wrapped around one of mine, and I felt a surge of love so strong it almost overwhelmed me. In that moment, I imagined how it would feel to hold my own child soon, and the thought almost brought tears to my eyes.


    "Can I hold her?" Noah''s voice broke through my reverie.


    I stiffened, instinctively tightening my grip on my niece. The thought of Noah holding her, of his hands on this innocent child, made my skin crawl.


    But before I could object, Lily chirped, "Of course! Uncle Noah should get a turn too."


    Reluctantly, I passed Olivia to Noah, every muscle in my body tense as I watched him take her. But to my surprise, he cradled her with such gentleness, such care, that I found my shoulders rxing despite myself.

 Chapter 311

    Chapter 0311 Hannah


    My fingers traced the delicatece patterns on the pillowcase while my eyes wandered the floral wallpaper, picking out patterns that I had almost forgotten over the years. The sun streamed in through the open window, the sheer curtains billowing slightly in the wind. Everything in this room was exactly as I had left it years ago. The soft pink duvet, the white furniture, the stuffed animals still arranged neatly on the window seat-it was all a testament to the girl I used to be.


    Innocent, kindhearted, sweet.....


    All things that I didn''t feel anymore.


    My eyes drifted to the desk beneath therge window, where I used to sit for hours, writing those letters to Noah during our two years apart. I could almost see my younger self sitting there, head bent over a piece of paper, pouring her heart out.


    I closed my eyes, remembering the ritual that apanied each letter. The careful selection of


    stationery, the meticulous handwriting, and finally, the light spritz of perfume before sealing thelope.


    How naive I had been back then, head over heels for the boy I had spent my summer with.


    If only I could go back in time, back to those innocent days... and refuse the arranged marriage with Noah.


    Maybe then, I could have spent the rest of my life looking back on that summer fondly. Maybe then, the memories wouldn''t have been spoiled..


    But that day that my father announced the arranged marriage, I had been too ted to even think it over.


    "Hannah, Noah, pleasee here," my father''s voice boomed from his study. "We have something important to discuss with you both."


    I exchanged a curious nce with Noah as we entered the room. My father, Stephen, sat behind his mahogany desk. Noah''s father, Marcus, sat in one of the plush chairs beside it.


    "We have something to tell you," my father began, an excited glint in his brown eyes. "Please, sit."


    Noah and I obediently took our seats, still wearing our formal attire from the Alpha event we had been. attending earlier that evening-some g or another, I could hardly remember. Although Ldid remember what dress I wore: baby blue, with taffeta sleeves and a sparkling skirt that fell to my ankles.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    And Noah... He was wearing a ck tuxedo that night. There was nothing spectacr about it, but I remembered how astonished I had been when I finally saw him for the first time in two years.


    He was neen by then, and I was seventeen. He was no longer the awkward and gangly boy I had met two summers ago, but had turned into a handsome young man. Lean, muscr, a chiseled jaw and stormy green eyes. A dark mop of nearly-ck hair and prominent eyebrows.


    There was an aloof look to him when we saw each other, but I knew the years hadn''t been particrly kind; his fated mate, Zoe, had severed their mate bond not long before that night. The rumors of the incident had spread like wildfire.


    That was why I didn''t press when I had run into him earlier at the event and the look he had given me had


    25 BONUS


    been cold and distant; I told myself he was just grieving, and maybe a little awkward after our separation. 1


    My father looked at Marcus. "I''ll allow you to share the news, Alpha Marcus," he said with a wave of his hand. "You two are to be married."


    Marcus''s words were so curt, so sinct, that I almost wondered if I had misheard him. But when I saw the look in his and my father''s eyes, I knew it was true.


    I felt my world explode with happiness. It was everything I had dreamed of, everything I had hoped for during those two years apart.


    I turned to Noah, expecting to see my own excitement mirrored in his eyes.


    Instead, I was met with that same nk stare. His face was an expressionless mask, his green eyes cold and distant.


    My smile faltered for a moment, but I quickly rationalized his reaction. He must be in shock, I told myself. Or maybe it was lingering heartbreak over Zoe. He just needed... time to warm up to the idea of us. Just a little time.


    The memory faded, leaving me with a hollow ache in my chest. Time passed, but he never dide


    around.


    Despite the emotional depth of his letters, the Noah I married was cold and distant. He never mentioned our correspondence, and instead acted as if those two years of sharing our deepest thoughts and feelings had never happened.

 Chapter 312

    Chapter 0312 Chapter


    0312


    And now, he didn''t even seem to remember them at all.


    Sure, we went through the motions of a honeymoon phase for a few months; we had lots of sex, shared pillow secrets, went on dates. But now, looking back, I knew that it was all an act. A tactic to keep me happy, keep me obedient until I produced an heir. Or maybe it was his own attempt at forcing himself to love me when he had never gotten over Zoe.


    Suddenly, a soft knock at the door pulled me from my brooding. "Come in," I called, sitting up on the bed and smoothing down my hair.


    Lily poked her head in with Olivia cradled in her arms. Her long brown hair was tied back in a messy bun, and she looked tired but happy. "Up for somepany?"


    I smiled, grateful for the distraction. "Always. Come here, you two."


    Lily settled on the bed beside me, cing Olivia between us. The baby gurgled happily, waving her tiny fists in the air. I tickled her tummy, marveling at how something so small could bring such joy.


    "She''s perfect, Lily," I murmured, gently stroking Olivia''s soft cheek.


    "She is, isn''t she?"


    I nodded, but then bit my lower lip. "The father..."


    Lily sighed and waved her hand. "I met him at a g about ten months ago. I was stupid, and slept with him even though we didn''t know each other, Obviously, I never heard from him again; and when I told him I was pregnant, he just asked where to send the child support checks." I felt my shoulders slump slightly. "I''m sorry."


    My sister shook her head. "It''s alright. We''re happy the way things are, aren''t we?" she cooed, leaning down to nuzzle Olivia''s nose with her own. But then she turned her gaze to me, her expression growing serious. "So, want to tell me what''s going on with you and Noah? Things seemed... tense earlier."


    I sighed, my hand stilling on Olivia''s belly. I had never been able to keep secrets from my sister, and the weight of everything I had been carrying suddenly felt too heavy to bear alone.


    "Oh, Lily," I started, my voice cracking slightly, "everything''s such a mess.


    Over the next half hour, I poured out the whole story. The coldness of our marriage, the way Noah had locked me in my room, my ns for divorce... the pregnancy.


    When I finished, Lily''s face was pale, her eyes fixed on my belly. "You''re... pregnant?"


    I nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips despite everything. "Yeah. I am."


    My sister gasped, throwing her arms around me and squealing into my shoulder. "Oh, Hannah! I''m so happy for you!" she practically screeched, but then lowered her voice when I quickly shushed her. When we pulled apart, there were tears in her eyes. "Olivia is going to have a little cousin," she finally whispered.


    There were tears in my own eyes, too. "Lily, I want to be happy but I just... feel so trapped," I murmured, my voice thick. "I think Noah is going to use Dad''s financial problems to force me to stay in this marriage.


    Then, to mu


    utter shock, he speared a piece on his fork and held it up to my


    lips.


    "Here," he said softly.


    I was taken aback, but I couldn''t refuse. I opened my mouth, and he fed me the bite. The vors exploded. on my tongue, but I barely registered them, I was so caught up in the unexpected tenderness of the gesture.


    I chewed slowly, my eyes fixed on Noah''s-those green orbs watching me, waiting... softening.


    Suddenly, Olivia''s cries pierced through the room. Lily, who had been quietly enjoying her meal, started to rise with a sigh, cing her napkin on the table.


    However, Noah was quicker. He was on his feet before she could stand, his hands on his hips.


    "I''ve got it," he said confidently, striding over to the bass where little Olivia was squirming. "You rest, Lily. You deserve a break."


    Lily hesitated, halfway out of her chair, her brow furrowed. "Are you sure? She probably needs her diaper changed, and..."


    Noah shrugged her off. "I can handle it. Really, sit and enjoy your meal."


    Lily and I exchanged twin nces of shock and confusion. Noah, changing a diaper on his own? Was I dreaming?N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    As Noah left the room with Olivia, I couldn''t help but follow. I hovered in the doorway of the nursery, watching as Noah expertlyid Olivia on the changing table. His movements were practiced and gentle, as though he had done this hundreds of times before.

 Chapter 313

    dded, but then bit my lower lip. "The father..."


    support checks."


    Lily sighed and waved her hand. "I met him at a g about ten months ago. I was stupid, and slept with him even though we didn''t know each other, Obviously, I never heard from him again; and when I told him I was pregnant, he just asked where to send the child I felt my shoulders slump slightly. "I''m sorry."


    My sister shook her head. "It''s alright. We''re happy the way things are, aren''t we?" she cooed, leaning down to nuzzle Olivia''s nose with her own. But then she turned her gaze to me, her expression growing serious. "So, want to tell me what''s going on with you and Noah? Things seemed... tense earlier."


    I sighed, my hand stilling on Olivia''s belly. I had never been able to keep secrets from my sister, and the weight of everything I had been carrying suddenly felt too heavy to bear alone.


    "Oh, Lily," I started, my voice cracking slightly, "everything''s such a mess.


    Over the next half hour, I poured out the whole story. The coldness of our marriage, the way Noah had locked me in my room, my ns for divorce... the pregnancy.


    When I finished, Lily''s face was pale, her eyes fixed on my belly. "You''re... pregnant?"


    I nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips despite everything. "Yeah. I am."


    My sister gasped, throwing her arms around me and squealing into my shoulder. "Oh, Hannah! I''m so happy for you!" she practically screeched, but then lowered her voice when I quickly shushed her. When we pulled apart, there were tears in her eyes. "Olivia is going to have a little cousin," she finally whispered.


    There were tears in my own eyes, too. "Lily, I want to be happy but I just... feel so trapped," I murmured, my voice thick. "I think Noah is going to use Dad''s financial problems to force me to stay in this marriage.


    Then, to mu


    utter shock, he speared a piece on his fork and held it up to my


    lips.


    "Here," he said softly.


    I was taken aback, but I couldn''t refuse. I opened my mouth, and he fed me the bite. The vors exploded. on my tongue, but I barely registered them, I was so caught up in the unexpected tenderness of the gesture.


    I chewed slowly, my eyes fixed on Noah''s-those green orbs watching me, waiting... softening.


    Suddenly, Olivia''s cries pierced through the room. Lily, who had been quietly enjoying her meal, started to rise with a sigh, cing her napkin on the table.


    However, Noah was quicker. He was on his feet before she could stand, his hands on his hips.


    "I''ve got it," he said confidently, striding over to the bass where little Olivia was squirming. "You rest, Lily. You deserve a break."Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Lily hesitated, halfway out of her chair, her brow furrowed. "Are you sure? She probably needs her diaper changed, and..."


    Noah shrugged her off. "I can handle it. Really, sit and enjoy your meal."


    Lily and I exchanged twin nces of shock and confusion. Noah, changing a diaper on his own? Was I dreaming?


    As Noah left the room with Olivia, I couldn''t help but follow. I hovered in the doorway of the nursery, watching as Noah expertlyid Olivia on the changing table. His movements were practiced and gentle, as though he had done this hundreds of times before.

 Chapter 314

    Chapter 0314


    "There we go, little one." he said in a soft voice. "We''ll have you all clean andfy in no time."


    I must have made a sound because Noah looked up, his eyes meeting mine in the doorway. "Did you need something, Hannah?"


    I shook my head, still trying to process what I was witnessing. I wanted to pinch myself to see if it was real. "How... how do you know how to do this?" I blurted out.


    Noah shrugged, his focus returning to Olivia as he fastened the fresh diaper. "As soon as I found out you were pregnant, I started reading everything I could find. Books, articles, YouTube videos-you name it, I''ve probably watched or read it." "But it''s only been a few weeks."


    "That''s plenty of time to get my research done."


    He lifted Olivia into his arms, cradling her against his chest. She cooed happily, blowing little spit bubbles on his shirt, which-once again, to my utter surprise-didn''t faze Noah in the slightest.


    "I know I have a long way to go," he said, "but I wanted to get a head start. I thought it was important be as prepared as possible."


    I just stared at him, open-mouthed,pletely unable to hide my shock.


    "What?" he asked.


    I shook my head. "I... I never thought you''d actually care enough to learn all this." I admitted. "I figured you''d just expect me or a nanny to handle it."


    Noah''s face fell slightly, a hint of hurt shing in his eyes. "Hannah, of course I care. It will be my child too. I believe a father should take on at least half of the childcare, if not more."


    He gently rocked Olivia as he continued, "A woman goes through so much with a pregnancy-the physical pain, the hormonal changes, and then there''s the matter ofbor, which is some of the worst pain imaginable."


    He shook his head. "The least a man can do is step up and make a mother''s life asfortable and easy as possible. It''s the bare minimum for all that work she does bringing a child into the world."


    His words hit me harder than I expected, embarrassment and shock washing over me. I didn''t know what to say-not that it mattered, anyway, because he was already brushing past me with Olivia in his arms.


    We made our way back to the dining room in silence, my steps stumbling behind him as I tried to head around the version of Noah I thought I knew and whatever this was.


    wrap


    my


    As we resumed our ces at the table, Lily looked at us with a hopeful expression. "How did it go?"


    I felt my cheeks flush, the heat rising to my face as I mumbled, "He''s really good with kids."


    The rest of dinner passed in a blur. I barely tasted the food, my thoughts preupied with the new side of Noah I was encountering. Was this kindness always there, hidden beneath his seemingly cold exterior? Or was this a recent development?


    Or... was this just another ploy? An act to make himself seem like the good guy in front of my parents? A tactic to keep mecent so I wouldn''t leave him?


    When dessert was served-a soft lemon custard dish that I normally loved-a wave of nausea washed over me. The sight and scent of the dish were enough to turn my stomach, and I knew I had only seconds before the battle with my gag reflex would be lost. "Excuse me," I managed to choke out before bolting from the table.


    I heard my mother''s voice calling after me, but I couldn''t stop to exin. I barely made it to the bathroom


    in my old bedroom before the contents of my stomach made a hasty reappearance.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    As I heaved over the toilet, the sound of the bathroom door opening reached my ears. Warm hands gathered my hair, holding it back from my face.


    "I''m here," Noah said gently.

 Chapter 315

    Chapter 0315 Hannah


    Noah''s warm hand rubbed gentle circles on my back as he held my hair, his voice soft and soothing.


    "I''m here for you, Hannah. Just let it out."


    His tone was more tender than I had ever heard it, a contrast to the cold, calcted demeanor he usually wore. The touch of his hand, the reassurance in his voice-it wasn''t at all like the Noah I hade to know over the years. But it was exactly what I needed.


    When the wave of nausea finally passed, I slumped against the cool bathroom wall, feeling utterly drained. The chill of the tiles against my back was a wee distraction from the lingering queasiness roiling around in my belly. Noah quickly wet a washcloth with cold water and gently wiped my face, crouching in front of me.


    "Here," he said, offering me a ss of water and some saltine crackers to munch on. "Small sips, okay?"


    I nodded weakly, taking the water with hands that still trembled slightly. As I sipped, I couldn''t help but notice the worry etched into Noah''s green eyes.


    The tenderness of his gesture was almost too much to bear. Each touch, each word seemed to chip away at the icy barrier I had built around my heart as ofte. I felt myself softening toward him, even as a nagging voice in the back of my mind whispered countless doubts and concerns.


    But was this genuine concern that he was showing me, or was it just another tactic? The check he had given to my father, the sudden disy of domesticity between my new niece and now-could it all be part of an borate n to keep me in this marriage? "Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice hoarse from the earlier retching.


    Noah''s brow furrowed with genuine confusion. "Doing what?" he asked, stroking the cool washcloth along my forehead.


    "This," I said, gesturing vaguely to the room, to the ss in my hand, the sleeve of saltines sitting on the sink, the washcloth against my forehead. "Being such a... perfect husband. Is it just to look good in front of my parents?" "Look good in front of your parents?" He cocked his head.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    I shrugged. "Maybe you want them to convince me to stay with you. It wouldn''t be hard, if you keep acting like this around them."


    Noah sighed, sitting back on his heels and leveling me with a stern gaze. "Hannah, we''re alone right now. How can I be putting on a show for your parents when they''re not even here?"


    I blinked, taking in his words. He had a point. "But... They saw you take Olivia... And then you came after


    me..."


    "I helped Lily because she''s a new mom and the father of her child is a deadbeat and I wanted you to enjoy your family dinner. And for what it''s worth, I told your parents you just remembered an important


    phone call and ran off," Noah exined. "They have no idea you''re sick, or that I''m doing this right now."


    I fell silent, unsure of how to respond to that. He continued, "And about the check... it was simply an extension of goodwill toward your father. If we''re going to divorce, I dont want you going back to a home where finances are an issue."


    My head snapped up, the realization hitting me like a p to the face. "What are you saying?"


    Noah took a deep breath, his eyes wandering the designs on the tile floor. "I''ve decided that if you don''t want to return to Nightcrest with me, I won''t stop you. Just say the word, and I''ll go home without you. We can finalize the divorce." I stared at him, stunned. The shock of his offer was almost overwhelming. "You would really do that?" I breathed.

 Chapter 316

    Chapter 0316


    As the words left my mouth, I was surprised to feel a pang of... disappointment.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Why did I feel this way when all I had wantedtely was to escape? My heart seemed to betray me, caught between the freedom I had sought and a longing for something I thought was lost.


    Noah nodded solemnly, rising to his feet. "I don''t want you to spend your life feeling like a prisoner, Hannah. I won''t force you to stay and work on our marriage. So if you really want to stay here, then stay."


    He paused, as though weighing his next words carefully. "But I do have one request. Would you consider staying with me for the duration of the pregnancy? Just so I can take care of you and ensure your health and safety. For you and for the child." I remained silent, although not by choice; my mouth worked uselessly, opening and closing like a fish out


    of water.


    of custody or


    Noah continued, "We also need to discuss custody. I''m willing to let you have the majority our child, but I''d still like to have some part in their life. And I''d like to leave Nightcrest to them someday."


    My mind felt like it was on fire, each conflicting thought adding fuel to the mes. This was everything I had wanted, wasn''t it? Freedom, fair custody, a chance to start over without making a big deal about it.


    So why did it feel so... hollow? Like a dream that was slipping through my fingers?


    Noah dusted off his pants, gathering the damp washcloth and half-eaten crackers. "You don''t have to decide now," he said. "Just.. consider it, okay?"


    I watched him go, a strange pang aching somewhere deep in my chest for reasons I couldn''t fully understand.


    Later that night, after a long, hot bath, I emerged from the bathroom feeling refreshed but emotionally. drained.


    To my surprise, I found Noah already asleep on the sofa in my room. A booky open on his chest, his brow furrowed even in sleep.


    I approached quietly, picking up a nket from the foot of my bed. As I draped it over him, I paused for a moment to study his face. In sleep, he looked younger, more like the boy I had fallen in love with all those years ago. The lines of worry seemed softer, the harsh edges of his usual demeanor smoothed by the calm of sleep.


    Sighing, I stared down at him, clutching the nket in my hands as his chest rose and fell steadily. More than anything. I wished I knew what had happened between us, why things had gotten so...plicated.


    Where had that boy gone-the one who watched the stars with me, the one whose palm was mmy against mine as we snuck into his mother''s hospital room, the one who wrote me all those letters? Why, when I had been so ted to discover that we were getting married, had he... treated me like a stranger?


    As I draped the nket over him and made my way back to bed, I thought back to his words earlier. He was willing to let me go, to give me the freedom I had been craving.


    00


    But now that it was within my grasp, I found myself hesitating The Noah I hade to know over the past few years-cold, distant, controlling-didn''t align with the man I had seen today.


    This Noah was caring, considerate, and seemingly genuine in his desire to do right by me and our child.


    I didn''t want to believe all the nice things he had said earlier. It would be easier to assume the worst, that that gentle boy had died all those years ago and that this was just a ploy to get what he wanted But I couldn''t help but wonder if I was mistaken.

 Chapter 317

    Chapter 0317 Hannah


    I made my way down to the dining room the next morning, my eyes still bleary from a fitful night of sleep. Today was the day of my father''s birthday party, and I was sure that the day would be a blur of activity. But I had my own ns today. Noah, Lily, and my parents were already at the table, enjoying a veritable feast for breakfast. The sweet scent of pancakes and the savory tang of bacon filled the air, and there was already a spot for me with a steaming cup of coffee waiting "Ah! There she is," my mother said as I took my seat. "Are you feeling alright? You left dinner rather abruptlyst night."Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    I nodded, grabbing my coffee and taking a sip. I had woken up queasy again, but there wasn''t much left in my stomach to throw up. The coffee helped.


    "I''m fine, Mom. Just... I paused, ncing at Noah, who didn''t look up at me from buttering his toast. Had to make a phone call."


    My father frowned at me over his newspaper. "Hannah, if you''re sick, we can just call the family physician


    "No, no," I said quickly, waving my hand. "It''s nothing like that."


    My parents exchanged disbelieving looks; clearly, they knew I was full of it. I nced at Noah once again, who was now quietly sipping his coffee. His eyes met mine briefly, and I could tell that he was leaving the decision to tell them up to me. Taking a deep breath, I decided it was time. They would likely pry until they figured it out anyway. Actually, Mom, Dad..." I set my coffee down with a sigh. "I have some news."


    They both looked at me expectantly, and I could feel Lily''s gaze on me as well.


    "I''m... pregnant."


    For a moment, silence filled the room. Time seemed to stand still; even the grandfather clock against the far wall seemed to halt its rhythmic ticking, and the servant who had been refilling our mugs almost spilled coffee all over the table. Then, my mother''s squeal of delight broke through the air.


    "Oh, Hannah!" she cried, jumping up to run around the table and embrace me. "This is wonderful news!"


    My father''s face split into a wide grin. "Congrattions, sweetheart! And you too, Noah," he added, pping Noah on the back.


    Noah smiled politely. "Thank you, sir."


    Despite everything. I couldn''t help but smile as my mother hugged me tightly. Announcing it for the first time, out loud like this... It was surreal. I wished that things at home were a bit different, though, because it certainly put a damper on things. How could I bring myself to tell them that Noah and I were getting a divorce despite the pregnancy? They''d be confused and devastated.


    As my parents fussed over me, peppering me with questions about due dates and nursery ns, I caught Lily''s eye. She gave me an apologetic look, knowing the full story behind this seemingly joyous news.


    After breakfast, I excused myself and headed to the household library. I needed some time alone to think, and I also wanted to do some research for my Luna Council project.


    The library was just as I remembered it-floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, plush armchairs, and theforting smell of old books. I ran my fingers along the spines, searching for titles on childhood education and public speaking. I wanted to impress the Luna Queen and the rest of the council again, so I had to make sure I covered all my bases before giving my presentation.


    I was so engrossed in my search that I didn''t hear Noah enter until he spoke.


    "There you are," he said, causing me to start slightly. "What are you up to?"


    I turned to face him, a book on early childhood development in my hands. "Oh, just doing some research," I replied, my tone softer than it had been in recent days


    Noah raised an eyebrow. "Research?"


    I nodded, moving to sit in one of the nearby armchairs, I had an idea for a penpal program for kids at thest Luna Council meeting. I''ll be expected to present a formal n at the next one." Chapter 0318

 Chapter 318

    Chapter 0318


    "Penpal program? Noah asked, taking the seat opposite me. "That sounds interesting. Tell me more."


    I exined the concept to him, surprised by his genuine interest. When I finished, he was nodding. thinking deeply.


    "That''s a great idea, Hannah," he said. "I''m d you have a new project to focus on. Let me know if you need any help with it."


    Hispliment and offer of help, both so freely given, caught me off guard. But mentioning the program had stirred up memories of our own letter-writing days, and a wave of sadness washed over me.


    "Noah," I began hesitantly, "do you really not remember the letters we used to write to each other?"


    His brow furrowed. "Letters?"


    I nodded. "When we were teenagers. We wrote to each other for two years.


    Noah''s expression clouded, and I felt my heart sink. "Hannah, I... I went through some very tough times as a teen. A lot of that period is just a blur to me now. I''m sorry."


    1 wanted to yell, to cry, to call him a liar. But as I looked at him, I saw a deep sadness in his eyes, one that I couldn''t ignore.


    It was a reminder of the boy I used to know, the one who had poured his heart out to me in those letters that he had forgotten. I remembered how he had written about his difficult home life, the pressure he felt to be the perfect Alpha heir. It was true; those years were... not good for him.


    Suddenly, it was harder to be angry with him. The Noah sitting across from me now seemed more like that vulnerable boy than the cold, distant man I had married. Maybe I had been too harsh over his difficulty with remembering our past.


    "Maybe," I said softly, "when we get home, I''ll show you the letters I saved."


    Noah''s eyes widened in surprise. "You... you''reing home with me?"


    I blinked, realizing what I had just said. "I... I guess I didn''t even think about it when I said that just now. But maybe that''s a sign that I should go with you."


    "Really?"


    I nodded slowly. "Just for the duration of the pregnancy," I rified. "And then, perhaps we can amicably divorce and do joint custody with our child. Just like you said."


    Relief washed over Noah''s face. "That''s all I want for our child, Hannah. An amicable situation. I understand that our marriage is over, but I want the best for our kid."


    He stood up and, before I could react, pulled me into a hug. My eyes widened in surprise, and I found myself too stiff to return the embrace. But as I stood there, enveloped in his arms, the familiar scent of his cologne washed over me. It was a scent I had known for years-he always wore the same cologne, and I should have gotten so used to it by now that I couldn''t even smell it anymore. But despite everything, I did, and it still made my knees weak.


    After a moment, Noah pulled back, and there was the faintest ghost of a smile on his face. "Thank you,


    Hannah. This means a lot to me."


    I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Noah turned to leave, pausing at the door. "I''ll let you get back to your research. But remember, if you need any help, just ask."


    As he left, I sank back into the armchair, my mind reeling. I picked up the book I had been reading, but found myself unable to focus on the words.


    Instead, my thoughts kept drifting back to Noah. To the warmth of his embrace, the sincerity in his eyes when he spoke about our child, and most of all.... To that achingly familiar scent that still lingered in the air around me.

 Chapter 319

    Chapter 0319 Hannah


    The ballroom was alive with music,ughter, and the clinking of champagne sses. The chandeliers glittered overhead, catching the sequins on my emerald green dress I floated from group to group. trading gossip and pleasantries with people I hadn''t seen or heard from sincest year.


    1 should have felt excited, surrounded by family and Silvermoon pack members. This was my father''s birthday party, after all, a yearly event that I looked forward to months in advance.


    But instead, I felt strangely out of ce this year, caught between two worlds. My smiles felt fake, the gossip thin and meaningless


    Silvermoon had once been where I felt most at home, but now I was an outsider here, just as I was in Nightcrest


    "Hannah, "darling." my mother''s voice cut through my thoughts. She appeared at my side, looking beautif as usual in a sapphire blue gown thatplemented her silver hair. "Walk with me, won''t you?"


    I nodded, grateful for the distraction, and fell into step beside her. We made our way to a quieterer of the room, passing by groups of chattering guests and a string quartet ying softly


    "How are you feeling?" she asked, her eyes searching my face.


    For the millionth time, I''m fine, Mom," I replied with a chuckle "Really "Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    She had asked me that question countless times today, ever since I had told her I was pregnant, like I had a bomb strapped to my chest. But I wasn''t lying: I felt fine. I was still me, still Hannah, just asionally nauseous. And maybe a little morose, but that had nothing to do with the pregnancy.


    She nodded, then lowered her voice. "And... How are things with Noah?" She raised an eyebrow and wiggled it knowingly


    I froze, my eyes widening. The champagne flute in my hand, filled with sparkling juice, suddenly felt slippery "Did Lily tell you?" I asked through grit teeth, my eyes scanning the crowd for my sister, who I intended to throttle


    My mother shook her head and caught my arm before I could storm off. "No, dear. A mother can tell these things. There''s tension between you two. I''ve seen the way you avoid each other''s gaze, the stiffness in your posture when you''re together."


    I sighed, my shoulders slumping Leave it to my mother to always see the truth, no matter how much! thed to hide it from her. "It''s true," I admitted. "We''re having issues"


    "Do you want to talk about it? Her voice was soft, nonjudgmental


    Thesitated, then nodded. The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "We''re staying together for the pregnancy, but we n on divorcing after It''s just not working, Mom. We''re like strangers living in the same house. It''s been that way for years." My mother''s face fell ''Oh, Hannah I had no idea it was that bad."


    "Will Dad be angry? Lasked, suddenly feeling like a child again, afraid of disappointing my parents About the divorce, I mean"


    She shook her head, squeezing my arm reassuringly. "No, sweetheart. We''ll support you, no matter what. Your happiness is what matters most to us. But... there''s something you should know."


    I raised an eyebrow.


    Your father ns to abdicate his role as Alpha within the year," she said softly, her eyes darting around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. "If you intend to take over the pack as female Alpha, your chance would be soon. Before your cousin, Alvin, gets the role instead." I felt a sh of annoyance, hot and sudden. My eyes scanned the crowd until I spotted Alvin lounging in an armchair across the room, surrounded by beautiful women hanging on his every word. Hisughter carried across the room, loud and boisterous. I grimaced at the sight of his head of golden hair.


    "Alvin?" I hissed, turning back to my mother. "He''d be a terrible Alpha, mom. He''s a yboy, not a leader. Justst month he was iming he had found his fated mate, and now look at him."


    My mother nodded, a look of resignation on her face. We both knew what Alvin was like; his head was constantly in the clouds, and always had been. He was more interested in women and money and expensive cars than running a pack.


    He''d run Silvermoon into the ground if he took over at this point in time. He needed to mature first, grow up a little bit.


    "Why is Dad abdicating now?" I asked, turning back to my mother. "Why so soon? He''s not that old."


    She sighed, her gaze drifting to where my father stood, chatting with some of the pack elders. "His arthritis has been getting worsetely. It''s making it harder for him to handle day-to-day Alpha responsibilities. Some days, he can barely sit without being in pain. Plus, with Lily''s new baby, he wants to be at home more to be a good grandfather."

 Chapter 320

    Chapter 0320


    I chewed my lip, thinking. The idea of letting my cousin take over Silvermoon sounded like a nightmare. And Lily couldn''t take over; she didn''t possess the special gene that allowed one to be an Alpha. Only Alpha and I qualified for the role, since he was my father''s only


    nephew.


    SO


    you think I should go after Silvermoon now?" I asked, I''d need to divorce Noah first, and I promised I''d stay for the duration of the pregnancy. If I left now, it might not be as amicable as we''d hoped.


    My mother shrugged. "I''d be lying if I said you wouldn''t make a far better Alpha than Alvin," she admitted." But..." She paused, shaking her head. "Are you sure you two can''t work it out? You and Noah, I mean."


    I blinked at her for a moment before shaking my head. "I don''t... I don''t think so."


    She sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Once, you truly loved Noah. And I believe he loved you too."


    "What are you getting at?" I asked.


    My mother pursed her lips, her eyes taking on a distant look for a moment as though looking back in time. Finally, she murmured, "Your father and I... you know we almost divorced when you and Lily were k kids." "You... What?" I asked, my eyebrows shooting up. This was the first I''d heard of it.


    She nodded. "We had been having marital issues for a while; we just weren''t... clicking. Like two ships passing in the night." For a moment, I thought I saw her eyes mist over, and mine did as well. My parents had always adored each other as far as I could remember. I couldn''t imagine them being apart.


    "But we went to therapy," she said quickly, "We worked it out. We knew we loved each other, deep down. It wasn''t easy, but it was worth fighting for. And we''re still together today. Don''t you want that for you and Noah?"


    ""But what about Silvermoon?"


    "I''m not asking about Silvermoon. I''m asking about you two. And..." She paused, ncing at my belly. Your little one."


    I shook my head and quickly looked away, feeling a lump form in my throat. "But that''s different. You and Dad are fated m?tes, so of course you were able to work it out. Noah and I aren''t. He already had one, Zoe, and I don''t think he ever fully got over her. How can Ipete with that?"


    My mother''s eyes twinkled, a knowing smile ying on her lips. "I wouldn''t be so sure about that. Love isn''t always about fate, Hannah. Sometimes it''s a choice we make every day."


    Before I could ask what she meant, her gaze shifted to something over my shoulder. I turned, following her line of sight, and saw Noah standing alone by the punch bowl.


    He looked handsome in his tailored suit, the dark fabric entuating his broad shoulders. But there was a sadness in his eyes as he watched the couples dancing, a loneliness that tugged at my heart despite everything.


    My mother gave me a gentle push. "You could at least dance with him, you know.


    With that, my mother left me. I bit my lip, considering for a moment, before trudging across the room. Noah looked lonely, just as out of ce as I felt tonight. A dance would be nice for both of us, I supposed.


    1.2


    "Hannah," he said, straightening slightly as I approached. "Need something?"


    I held out my hand. "Dance with me?"Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    He hesitated for a moment, his green eyes flickering down to my hand. Then, finally, he set his drink down and followed me. We moved to the dance floor, his arm wrapping around my waist as we began to sway to the music. His fingers were warm through the thin silk of my dress, and I quickly upied my eyes with the streamers hanging from the ceiling in the hopes he couldn''t see the sudden redness in my cheeks.


    We danced in silence, the familiar scent of his cologne making my knees weak for the second time that day. Neither of us spoke, although I couldn''t decide if it was because we had nothing to say or if we were fine with the silence. Suddenly, the sound of clinking ss cut through the music. The room fell silent as my father tapped his knife against his champagne flute, calling for attention. Noah and I separated, turning to face the center of the room. My father cleared his throat, a broad smile on his face. "Friends, family, pack members... I have an announcement to make."


    My father''s eyes found mine in the crowd, his smile growing even wider, and my heart began to race. What was he doing? Surely he wouldn''t...


    "My daughter..., is pregnant!" T

 Chapter 321

    Chapter 8321


    Chapter 0321 Hannah


    I felt the blood drain from my face as my father''s words echoed through the ballroom. He shouldn''t have announced that here, not without my permission. This was my news to share, on my terms, when I was ready.


    But now everyone was looking at Noah and me, apuding and cheering and shouting their congrattions, and I had to ster that damn smile on my face. The room spun slightly from it all, and I felt Noah''s arm tighten around my waist. "It''s okay," he murmured in my ear. "He''s just excited, and wasn''t thinking."


    I nodded stiffly, knowing that he was right; my father was just happy to be having a second grandchild, and he didn''t mean any harm. Would he be making this announcement if he knew that Noah and I nned to divorce, though?


    I thought it was over, but it wasn''t. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" the crowd began to chant.


    Oh, Goddess. Here we go....


    Noah''s grip on me tightened further. "We should probably give them what they want," he said softly, turning to me. "Just a quick peck, to make them happy. Is that okay?"


    I nodded, not trusting myself to speak at that moment. Noah leaned in, his lips brushing mine gently. The sensation was overwhelming, so familiar yet so foreign at the same time. I hadn''t tasted him since that night together, that night which felt so long ago now... My knees buckled just from the intensity of that small contact, and Noah practically had to hold me upright as the crowd erupted in apuse.


    "To Hannah and Noah''s baby!" my father''s voice boomed over the noise. "May the little one be blessed with health and happiness!"


    sses clinked all around us as the toast was made. Noah and I pulled apart again, although his arm remained, steadying me. The room suddenly felt too hot, too crowded. I needed air.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    "I need a minute," I whispered to Noah, slipping out of his grasp and making my way to the balcony.


    The cool night air was a relief as I stepped outside. I gripped the railing, sucking in a few deep breaths to steady myself. The sounds of the party seemed distant now, muffled by the ss doors behind me. I started to feel better, if only a little.


    I should have been happy. ted, even. I should have been up there with my father, excitedly announcing my long-awaited pregnancy to the world. An heir to Nightcrest, finally, after all these years... The news would quickly spread. Dammit, I should have been the one screaming it from the rooftops.


    But instead, all I could think about was how this would affect the divorce. How it would affect us.


    "Here," Noah''s voice suddenly came from beside me. I turned to see him holding out a ss of ginger ale.


    thought you might be feeling nauseous."


    I took the ss gratefully, sipping the bubbly liquid. "Thank you," I murmured. I hadn''t realized that I had begun to feel a bit nauseous during the ordeal, but I felt better now.


    Noah leaned against the railing next to me, his eyes searching my face. "Are you okay? You seemed a bit... weak after the kiss. Is my cologne too strong? I can stop using it if it''s making you nauseous."


    I shook my head. "No, the cologne is fine. It''s just..." I trailed off, unsure how to exin myself.


    "Just what?" Noah prompted.


    I sighed. "I don''t know how to act when we kiss anymore. It''s been so long since we''ve... you know. Especially in public."


    Noah was quiet for a moment. Then, "Do you... like kissing me?"


    I couldn''t answer that. How could I tell him that his kisses still made my heart race, even after everything? How could I admit that my knees went weak whenever he touched me, even if I couldn''t say I loved him anymore?


    Instead, I said, "It''s always felt strange kissing you in public, even when it''s just for show, like tonight." I paused, then added in a shaky whisper, "I always wonder if you picture Zoe when we kiss. She''s so much prettier than me, and she knows how to act better in public."


    I thought that Noah might get upset; in fact, part of me almost hoped that he would get upset. Because fighting... that was easier. That was normal. Comfortable, even.


    But to my surprise, Noah simply reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Hannah," he said softly, "you are beautiful. I''ve always found you beautiful."

 Chapter 322

    Chapter 0322


    My eyes widened, and I turned, my mouth working uselessly.


    "Especially now," he continued, "with the pregnancy glow and having ovee your eating disorder." His fingers lingered on my cheek, then trailed down to pinch a strand of hair between his fingers. "And your hair... I like that you''re not bleaching it anymore. I always


    preferred your natural color. Strawberry blonde."


    I just stood there dumbly, stunned by his words and the tenderness in his touch. Was he...?


    For a moment, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, there was still something between us.


    Maybe this wasn''t beyond repair. Maybe he really was trying to be better, and maybe I... Maybe I neededN?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    to be better, too.


    But then a camera shed, startling me. The party photographer had found us, capturing our intimate moment for tomorrow morning''s society article. Noah''s hand dropped away, and the spell was broken.


    Oh, I thought bitterly. Right; we had to be a happy couple for the cameras. Noah had likely seen the photographer approaching, and had given them what they wanted-just like the kiss. That was all this was. "Thank you for the ginger ale," I said, stepping back. "You can go back to the party if you want. I''ll be fine


    out here."


    Noah hesitated, then nodded. As he turned to leave, I blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.


    Eventually, I made my way back into the ballroom, pasting on my signature smile as I mingled with the guests. Everyone wanted to congratte me, to ask about the baby, to give unsolicited advice. It was exhausting. "Well, well, if it isn''t the mother-to-be," a familiar voice drawled behind me.


    I turned to see my cousin, Alvin, looking dashing as always in a perfectly tailored suit. His golden hair was artfully tousled, and his blue eyes sparkled with mischief as he sauntered up to me. Even from here, I could smelldies'' perfume on him-and if I squinted, I could make out a smudge of red lipstick peeking out from under his cor.


    "Alvin," I greeted him, forcing a smile.


    He grinned, raising his half-empty champagne ss in a toast. "Congrattions, cousin. Your child will one day be the heir of Nightcrest, if it''s a boy... you must be proud."


    I shook my head. "Actually, Alvin, since both Noah and I possess the Alpha gene, our child will have it regardless of gender."


    Alvin''s eyebrows shot up. "Right... I almost forgot you had the Alpha gene too. You could have been the Alpha of Silvermoon, if you wanted to. But you gave it up when you married Noah, didn''t you?"


    I felt a twinge of regret at his words. "I suppose I did," I admitted. "But you''ll be taking over if my father abdicates."


    Alvin''s grin widened. "That''s right. And rumor has it that might be sooner rather thanter."


    We both paused, turning to observe my father, who was in the midst of a dance with my mother on the dancefloor. Even now, my father''s movements were a bit stiff, and I could see him wince ever so slightly


    every time he stepped on his right foot. The party was beginning to take its toll on his arthritis.


    ""He''s sixty tonight, correct?" Alvin asked.


    I nodded, then turned, studying my cousin carefully. He was handsome and charming, I would give him that. But... "Do you feel prepared to run a pack responsibly, Alvin?" I blurted out. "It''s a big job."


    He merely shrugged, snagging another champagne flute from a passing waitress. His eyes lingered on her chest as she walked away. "I''m sure I''ll figure it out," he said dismissively.


    "Figure it out?" I hissed. "You should be prepared. You should-"


    "Hannah. Hannah, Hannah." Alvin turned to me, his lips curling up into a catlike smirk. "Don''t worry so much. It''s not good for the baby."


    With that, he turned on his heel and left.


    I bit my tongue, fighting back the urge to say something cutting. But as I watched him walk away, I couldn''t help but worry about the future of Silvermoon.


    If there was any doubt in my mind about divorcing Noah-any sliver of me that was debating staying and working on our marriage-that was gone now.


    I needed to divorce Noah so I could take over my home pack. If I didn''t...


    Well, I wasn''t sure what would be of Silvermoon with an Alpha like Alvin. But I knew it wouldn''t be good.

 Chapter 323

    Chapter 0323 Chapter 0323 Hannah


    I slipped back to my bedroom that night before the party was even over, the sounds of music andughter fading as I made my way down the halls. I needed to wash away the day, to clear my head.


    In the bathroom, I ran the hot water, watching as steam rose invitingly from the tub. I stirredvender bath salts into the water, inhaling the rxing aroma. Once the bath was prepared, I slipped off my emerald green cocktail dress andid my jewelry out on the sink before stepping in.


    The hot water instantly soothed my tired muscles, and I let out a soft sigh of relief as I sank down into the steam. I closed my eyes, leaning my head back against the porcin tub. The events of the night swirled around in my mind, but I pushed them away for now, just wanting to rx.


    I wasn''t in there for long, however, before I heard the sound of my bedroom door opening.


    "Hannah? You in here?" I heard Noah call out.


    "I''m taking a bath."


    I heard him moving around the bedroom, likely undressing after the long party. Shutting my eyes again, I sank a little lower into the bath until the water came up to my chin.


    But the water was a touch too hot, and within a matter of minutes, I had begun to feel lightheaded-more lightheaded than I could handle, it seemed, as I went to sit up and then quickly sank back down again upon feeling the room begin to spin around me. "Noah?" I called out tentatively, my hands tightening around the edges of the bathtub.


    "Yeah?"


    "Can youe here, please?"


    He appeared in the doorway almost instantly, his hair tousled and the first two buttons of his shirt undone. "Are you alright?" he asked.


    I nodded, sinking further into the water. "I got dizzy. Could you...?" I trailed off, not sure what I was asking for.


    Noah''s ears reddened slightly, and I followed his gaze down-down to my breasts, which were peeking out of the water, my pink nipples ringed with soap bubbles. I felt my own cheeks heat up, too, although it had nothing to do with the hot water. He swallowed hard, then grabbed a sponge and knelt beside the tub.


    "Here," he said, grabbing my arm and beginning to wash my skin.


    My eyebrows shot up, wondering why he was doing this, but I didn''t fight him as he washed me. If I was being honest, it felt... good.


    Too good.


    As he moved to my legs, his hands dipping below the water with his sleeves pushed up to his elbows to reveal his sinewy forearms, I felt an undeniable spark of arousal. The pregnancy hormones were in full


    force, making every sensation more intense, more euphoric. Each stroke of the sponge was like a jolt of electricity working through me.


    I bit my lip, trying to focus on the steam, on the condensation on the tiles, on literally anything but his touch, but it was a futile effort.


    There were no cameras here, no one to see his tenderness. I wanted to ask why he was doing this, but then my mind wandered back to his kindnessst night, and the words died in my throat.


    He gently gripped my ankle, lifting my leg out of the water. My skin was pink and shiny, droplets of water running in small rivers up my calf, down the slope of my thigh as he worked the sponge up, up...


    Noah paused as he reached the top of my thighs, noticing the way I had begun to squirm slightly.


    "Are you alright? Are you cramping?" He lowered my leg. "Should we call the doctor?"


    He reached for his phone, and I panicked. "No! I''m... I''m fine."


    "Are you sure? You look... pained."


    I swallowed hard and looked away. "I''m turned on," I admitted, my face burning with embarrassment.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    Noah was silent. I couldn''t see his face because I was looking away, not that I wanted to-because something told me that those green eyes of his were scanning not just my expression, but also my body, my breasts, which I hadn''t hidden beneath the water yet...

 Chapter 324

    Chapter 0324


    Without a word, he slipped out of the room. Only then, once I heard the door click shut, did I dare to turn.


    I finished my bath, my skin tingling from both the hot water and the lingering sensation of Noah''s touch. Wrapping myself in a fluffy robe, I stepped back into the bedroom to find Noah preparing a bed on the couch again. 1 "I can take the couch tonight," I offered, feeling guilty. "You slept therest night."


    Noah shook his head firmly. "I''m not letting my pregnant wife sleep on a couch. It''s not good for your back."


    "Well, it''s not good for your back, either," I countered. After a moment''s hesitation, I added quietly, "You can sleep with me. The bed''s big enough for both of us."


    Noah raised an eyebrow. "Will you bite me again?"


    I rolled my eyes, turning on my heel. "No, I won''t bite you. Promise."


    Exhaustion was finally hitting me, so I quickly dried off, brushed my teeth, and did my nighttime skincare routine before pulling the covers back and climbing into bed. Noah was already there, staring nkly at the ceiling.


    I shivered slightly as I nuzzled down beneath the covers. The house was chilly tonight, and it was even more pronounced after that hot bath I''d had. I craved warmth. Or at least, that was what I told myself- that it was just the temperature and not my own loneliness that made me ask my next question.


    "Could you... hold me?"


    Noah lifted his head, eyeing me suspiciously. "If you''re going to bite me-"


    "Nevermind," I huffed, flipping over onto my other side. 1


    Sighing, Noah hesitated for a moment before his arm wrapped around me.


    I stiffened for a moment, not having expected him to actually do it. But as I began to rx, I instinctively nestled against him, his familiar scent tickling something deep inside my brain. That damned arousal stirred again, and I silently cursed these pregnancy hormones for messing with my head.


    But as Noah shifted slightly, I realized it wasn''t just my body who was a traitor tonight. I could feel him hardening against my back.


    I couldn''t help myself. My back arched slightly of its own ord, my hips driving backwards against him.


    I swore I could hear a low growl rumble somewhere in his chest. This was bad, I knew, but...


    It was the pregnancy hormones. It was easier if I just kept ming it on that.


    Slowly, his hand trailed down over my bellyN?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    and I had to fight the urge to lean into his touch. His breath brushed my neck as he whispered, "Do you need another release? I read it''s good for pregnant women."


    The spell was broken. I gasped, pping his hand away and flipping over to pin him to the bed by his shoulders.


    "You..." I started angrily, but then I saw the mischievous smirk on his face in the moonlit room. He was


    messing with me. "Prick," I muttered, flopping back onto my side.


    "What?" he asked, chuckling lowly. "I was only half joking. It is good for pregnant women to orgasm regrly." He paused then, trailing a burning path along my waist with his fingers. "You know how good I am with my hands."


    I felt my face burn even hotter, heat spreading down my neck. "Noah!" I hissed, half-scandalized, half- tempted-even though I wouldn''t admit thattter part.


    "I''m just messing with you."


    "Good. You''d better be."


    But as Iy there, my back pressed against Noah''s chest, there was a part of me that was strangely... disappointed that he was only teasing.


    It would be too easy to give in. To let him touch me, to lose myself in the pleasure. I knew it would onlyplicate things further, but... Damn. I was lonely.

 Chapter 325

    Chapter 0325


    Hannah


    I twisted my hips against him, aching for that familiar pleasure-for him to hit just the right spot, deeper, deeper...


    "Noah..."


    "Hannah," he muttered, his tousled hair falling into his eyes.


    The sound of his voice set me aze. I reached for him just as I felt myself go over the edge. That ache turned into a throb, and then, "Oh... Noah!"


    But there was no answer, although the throbbing remained. My eyes shot open as that pleasure trembled through me, my legs squirming beneath the sheets, my damp panties suddenly feeling all too tight in the aftermath.


    And then it hit me. I bolted up to a sitting position, my bleary eyes wide, and I was met with a low chuckle from the other side of the room.


    "Having a pleasant dream?" Noah asked, casually sipping his coffee.


    "No." I felt a trail of red burn across my nose and cheeks, and there was no hiding it.


    Noah scoffed slightly. "You were crying my name out in your sleep. Sounded pretty... intense."


    Swallowing hard, I threw the covers off of myself and swung my legs over the bed to stand. But as I did, my legs felt like they were made of rope, and nearly gave out beneath me. It was all I could do to grab the edge of the side table before I copsed entirely. Goddess, it had been far too long since I had... finished. Thest time had been that night that Noah and I had slept together. Too much had been going on since then for me to have the time, the patience, or the energy to do it.


    "There, there," Noah cooed, setting down his mug and crossing the room to me. He looped his arms under mine and helped steady me, although I didn''t need it now. "I''ve got you."


    Growling softly, I shoved him away hard enough so that he stumbled backwards. "I''m fine." I brushed past him and stormed into the bathroom, starting the shower.


    Noah followed me.


    "You don''t have to be ashamed, Hannah. It happens to the best of us."


    "I''m not ashamed. You''re bothering me."


    Noah quirked an eyebrow. "You didn''t seem bothered by me while you were squirming under the sheets."


    I opened my mouth to bite out a retort, but lost the right words. Finally, I settled on trying to shove him out of the bathroom so I could take my shower in peace. But Noah braced his hands on the doorway, immovable. When I looked up at him, those green eyes were twinkling with mischief.


    "What is it?" I growled, cing my hands on my hips. "Yes, I had a wet dream, okay? Are you going toPlease check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    tease me about it all day?"


    "No, I''m not." Noah lowered one hand, reaching out, and I nearly flinched. But then his fingers pinched the strap of my nightgown-my nightgown which, in my haste, I hadn''t realized had fallen and exposed my entire right breast, hard nipple and all. There was a sudden lump in my throat that hadn''t been there before as he slowly, too slowly, tugged the strap back up, his warm fingers grazing my skin. There was a trail of goosebumps left in the exact spot he had touched.


    "Thanks," I muttered through grit teeth once he had finished. But his fingers didn''t move from my


    shoulder, and when I looked up at his face again, that mischief had been reced with something that my sleep-blurred eyes couldn''t quite read.


    "I meant what I saidst night, you know," he said quietly, almost huskily. "About making youe. Being good with my fingers. It might be better and more satisfying than a wet dream."


    My face flushed the deepest shade of red it had ever been, but I didn''t pull away-not yet, because those words made my knees weaken slightly and I wasn''t sure if I''d be able to stay upright if I turned away.


    Finally, I mumbled, "I can''t help my body''s natural processes. You don''t need to read into it."


    "I''m not." He shrugged, his hand falling back to his side. His other hand remained braced on the doorway. over our heads, lifting his shirt ever so slightly at the hem to reveal that taut v-line of his low abdomen that disappeared into his pants. "But I could help you." "I don''t need help." Finally finding the strength to turn, I stormed over to the shower and stuck my hand in, feeling the water only halfway warmed up.


    "Don''t you need a release?"


    I scoffed. "It feels more like you''re the one who needs a release, if you keep bringing it up."


    "Maybe I do." Another shrug, and he dropped his other arm, striding into the bathroom to lean against the sink.

 Chapter 326

    Chapter 0326 Chapter


    0326


    "So go to Zoe, then," I hissed, whirling to face him with fire in my eyes. "She''ll happily give you whatever release you need."


    As soon as I said those words, I regretted them. Noah''s face fell, his eyes shing with something that I didn''t have the heart to read. I felt a pang in my chest, wishing that I hadn''t been so vindictive.


    Suddenly, he blurted out, "I never slept with Zoe, Hannah. Or anyone, for that matter."


    My eyebrows shot up. Was he saying...? "Anyone?" I asked, a disbelieving scoff slipping out. "Right..."


    "I mean it," he said, taking another step toward me. The shower had heated up now, clouds of steam beginning to waft through the bathroom. But as he strode closer to me, the shower went forgotten in my mind. "I was a virgin when I married you, Hannah." I felt as if the world had suddenly fractured and the pieces of it had zipped away from around me, leaving me floating in space.


    A virgin...


    "Liar," I said, half-scoff, half-chuckle. "You''ve always been the more experienced one. You really expect me to believe that?"


    Noah simply gave me a half-shrug. "It''s true. You were my first."


    ""But-"


    "But I''m good in bed," he said, a smirk touching his lips. "I don''t know. Maybe I just have a natural affinity. He took another step closer, and was towering over me now. I could feel the heat radiating off of his body, mingling with mine.


    Noah, a virgin when he married me... "But you''re two years older than me," I whispered, more to myself than to him. 1


    "What does that have to do with anything?"


    I swallowed hard, my mouth opening and then closing again. I supposed age didn''t matter much.


    I furrowed my brow then, thinking deeply. I didn''t want to believe him-all these years, he had never slept with Zoe or anyone else for that matter, meaning we were both each other''s firsts-but when looked up into his eyes, I couldn''t find a single scrap of a lie there Noah, noticing my hesitation, said huskily, "I offered to make youest night because I''ve done my research. I know all the right ces to touch a woman to make her feel pleasure-especially you. You''ve been my one and only research subject all these years, Hannah."


    The next words slipped out of me, hot and thick, before I could stop them.


    ""Prove it."


    I didn''t need to tell Noah twice. A low growl ripped out of him, and suddenly his hands were on me, and the room was whirling as he spun me around. I felt my cheek press hard against the cool tiles, condensation from the steam coating my shoulder.


    Noah hiked my nightgown up, his fingers burning hot embers wherever he touched. I felt him tug my panties down-still wet from my dream and, admittedly, from our heated conversation-and drop them around my ankles. Chapter 0326


    One callused hand gripped my left thigh, his fingers pushing into the soft flesh as he slid it aside. The other moved down, two warm fingers swirling in fast circles over my clit.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    I couldn''t help the soft moan that worked out of my mouth as those fingers slipped inside with ease.


    Noah pressed himself against me, his teeth grazing my shoulder as he worked his fingers into me, deeper and deeper and faster and faster. His wrist rotated with each thrust, hard knuckles brushing up against all the right spots. His free hand came around to my front, stroking my clit as if trying to make a cat purr.


    I was helpless in his arms, my feet hardly even touching the ground anymore as he worked me. I felt like a ragdoll, a puppet, and my mind was too splintered from the pleasure for me to even fathom that this was wrong, dangerous, that we would get too tangled up, and... "Go ahead," he murmured when he felt my muscles tighten around him. "Come."


    I did. As if a dam had burst, I came loud and hard on his fingers, my legs trembling, fresh wetness gushing from inside of me as my mind clouded with pleasure. He held me upright as I crumpled against the wall, heat sshing across my cheeks.


    !


    When I was finished, I could hear my own blood rushing through my ears. Noah, satisfied, pulled away


    with a soft huff and I watched, panting, as he dried his glistening fingers on a nearby towel.


    "Did that prove it?" he asked, a little out of breath himself.


    0000


    Before I could muster up a response through my haze, there was a knock on the door.


    A


    A


    A

 Chapter 327

    hapter 0327


    Hannah


    3


    My legs were still trembling when the door opened and Lily poked her head in, already dressed for the day. Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the scene: me, flushed and disheveled against the wall, and Noah, casually drying his hands on a towel. "Lily!" I breathed, shooting her a withering re. "Don''t just walk in like-"


    "Sorry, sorry!" Lily eximed, holding her hands up innocently, although there was no hiding the way her gaze darted knowingly between us. "Breakfast is on the table. Mom sent me to fetch you two."


    "Thanks, Lily," Noah replied, smooth as ever. "We''ll be down in a few minutes. Hannah was just about to shower."


    As soon as the door closed, I let out a breath I didn''t realize I had been holding. "I''ll... I''ll shower, then," I muttered, pushing away from the wall.


    He nodded, stepping aside to let me pass. "I''ll wait for you downstairs."


    The hot water did little to wash away what we had just done. As I scrubbed my skin until it was pink and practically raw, I couldn''t help but rey what had just happened over and over again in my head. The way Noah''s fingers had felt, the intense pleasure he had given me... and the revtion that I had been his first. His only.


    That thought alone made me shiver. He had never told me before, but then again, I supposed I had never asked. I had just assumed that he and Zoe had sex all the time during their rtionship.


    I found it hard to believe him-but it was even harder to find a reason not to. Still being a virgin by the time one was twenty didn''t seem like something that most guys, especially Noah, would openly admit unless it was true.


    After showering, I quickly threw on a light sundress and a cardigan, roughlybing my hair before heading downstairs.


    By the time I joined everyone at the breakfast table, my hair was still damp and my cheeks were flushed from more than just the hot shower. Noah was already seated, chatting amicably with my father about pack business.


    "Good morning, sweetheart," my mother greeted me,pletely oblivious to my tension. "Sleep well?"


    I nodded, not trusting myself to speak as I took the only open seat-which was right next to Noah. His leg brushed against mine under the table, and I had to suppress a shiver..


    Across the table, I caught a glimpse of my sister eyeing me over her coffee cup. I met her gaze, and a tiny smirk touched her lips, making my face redden even further. I narrowed my eyes, hardening my features- a silent order for her to keep her mouth well enough shut. She did. But my mother noticed.


    "What are you two on about?" my motherughed, passing me the fruit tter. "Are you turning into teenagers again?"


    Lily quickly shook her head and grinned impishly. "Of course not," she cooed. "It''s nothing."


    Throughout breakfast, I found it increasingly difficult to act casual. Every time Noah''s leg touched mine under the table, I squirmed, memories of his touch flooding back. It was maddening, trying to maintain a normal conversation while my body was on high alert like this." Part of me was angry at myself for letting Noah touch me earlier. But another part... another part couldn''t stop thinking about how good it had felt, how I had wanted more. I still wanted more, even though I knew it was bad.


    After breakfast, we said our emotional goodbyes and packed our bags into the car. My mother''s hand found mine, and she pulled me aside, hugging me tightly.


    "Are you two going to be okay?" she whispered, low enough so only I could hear.


    I stiffened in her arms. "Mom, I-"


    "Just... think about what I said," she murmured, gripping both of my shoulders tightly as she pulled back." Really think about it, Hannah. For you both, and..." She paused, cing her hand over my belly.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    I nodded stiffly. "I''ll think about it, Mom," I responded.


    Once we had said our goodbyes, Noah and I headed out to the car. I found myself hesitating before getting in. Was I really going back to Nightcrest? After everything?


    It felt like the right thing to do, all things considered. Noah had promised to care for me throughout the pregnancy, and carrying the heir to a pack could be dangerous once the wrong people found out. I would be safe,fortable, healthy...


    Or maybe I was just rationalizing it because I was sentimental. Because what had happened this morning had been all too... missed. His touch had be so foreign to me that I hadn''t even realized how much I craved it until his hands were all over me.

 Chapter 328

    Chapter 0328 Chapter


    0328


    And a traitorous part of me wanted to experience as much of that sensation as I could before we parted


    ways.


    As we pulled away from my childhood home, I watched it disappear in the side mirror. Part of me wondered if I had made the right choice, but I pushed the thought aside. This was for the baby, I reminded myself. Nothing more.


    The drive was mostly silent, with Noah asionally asking if I needed anything or wanted to stop. By the time we reached the hotel where we had stayed on the way to Silvermoon, I was exhausted.


    We made our way up to the room, and I immediately flopped onto the bed, kicking off my shoes.


    "Tired?" Noah asked.


    "Exhausted," I mumbled into the pillow.


    T


    Noah didn''t stop me as I slumped into the bed, even though it wasn''t even dinnertime yet. Soon, I had drifted off into a much-needed nap.


    Although, my dreams were filled with a confusing mixture of memories and fantasies. Noah''s face floated through my mind, interrupting each dream as it came and went. It wasn''t very restful at all.


    I woke up disoriented some timeter, and found that the room waspletely dark except for the soft glow of Noah''s reading light.


    "What time is it?" I asked, my voice groggy.


    "Just past midnight."


    I groaned and sat up, running a hand through my hair. "I missed dinner."


    Noah gestured to a covered tray sitting in the center of the room. "I ordered you room service. If it''s not to your liking, you can order something else."


    It was hard to hide the small smile that tugged at my lips as I rose, walking over to the rolling cart in the middle of the room. I lifted the silver cover and found a thick burger and glistening fries waiting for me, still warm from the cover and the heating pad beneath. The room was silent as I ate, savoring the rich taste of the meat and the greasy potatoes. A few months ago, I wouldn''t have dreamed of eating so much as a bite of this; but now, I ate the whole thing. Everyst crumb.


    When I was finished, I wiped my mouth with my napkin and looked up to find Noah smirking at me on the bed


    "What?" I asked.


    He shrugged. "Nothing. It''s just... good to see you eating."


    I blushed slightly, ncing over at the mirror. My belly had, as ofte, had finally begun to swell-both from gaining weight and from the pregnancy. I ran my hand across it, already dreaming of the day when I would really look pregnant.


    "I guess it''s a good thing my dad announced itst night," I said quietly. "Before I start showing too much."Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    Noah nodded, setting his book aside. "It''s better than the tabloids finding pictures of you in public and publishing those damn baby bump'' articles."


    I scoffed slightly and rose from my chair. Noah''s eyes were fixed on my belly, his face softer than I had ever seen it.


    Sighing, I walked over to him and gestured to my tiny bump. "Do you want to...?"


    Noah''s eyes widened slightly as he looked up at me. He jerked upright, his movements somehow both slow and quick at the same time. Tentatively, he reached out and ced both hands over my belly.


    The touch sent a jolt through me, but I stayed still. Even when he leaned forward and pressed his forehead against my belly.


    Tears pricked the backs of my eyes at the sensation. To think that we would be divorced once this was all over, that our little one would never experience their parents being together...


    When he pulled away, he said quietly, "Hannah, about this morning-"


    "Can we not talk about it?" I interrupted, quickly blinking away my tears. "Please?"


    He nodded, but there was a glint in his eye that made me nervous. "Sure. We don''t have to talk."


    Before I could react, Noah''s hand had lowered,ing to rest on my thigh. "But maybe you need another release? To help you sleep better?"


    Gasping, I went to p his hand away, but Noah was quicker. He caught my wrist mid-air, his eyes zing in the dim light.

 Chapter 329

    Chapter 0329


    Hannah


    Noah held my wrist tightly, his finger stroking my inner wrist.


    I felt my resolve crumbling, and there was no hiding the way my hand trembled under his touch. His eyes flicked between my hand and my face, reading my conflicting emotions like an open book.


    "I know you want me, Hannah," he said softly, his voice low and husky. He rose to his full height, still holding my wrist. "You don''t need to lie anymore."


    I swallowed hard, craning my neck back just to look up at him. His eyes caught the light of the bedside table, tiny wildfires burning in the forest-green depths. I wanted to kiss him, to shove him down on the bed, to ride him like my life depended on it.


    But I restrained myself. I pulled away, turning to grip the dresser. The cool wood under my palms grounded me, but my mind was still racing, torn between desire and reason. Therge hotel room suddenly felt too small for the both of us. Finally, I took a deep breath and spoke.


    "Noah, I think we need to be honest about our feelings," I said, my voice hardly more than a whisper. "Yes, I enjoyed what happened earlier. The way you touched me... it felt incredible. But if we''re still getting divorced, this couldplicate things. It would tangle up our emotions and make everything more


    difficult."


    I felt Noah stiffen behind me. "So you still want the divorce?" he asked, his tone carefully neutral.


    I nodded slowly, feeling a pang in my chest as I did so. "Our marriage has been in shambles for years. We''ve been living like strangers, Noah. And... there''s something else." I paused, steeling myself for his reaction to what I was about to say.


    "I want to take over Silvermoon when my father abdicates," I said. "And I can''t do that if I''m married to another Alpha."


    Noah was silent. Slowly, hesitantly, I turned to find that he was now facing the window, his shoulders rigid. I wanted to go to him, but I didn''t. I couldn''t.


    "So you just want to get divorced for power," he finally said, his voice low and controlled. The words stung, even though I knew they weren''t entirely true. "It''s not... like that," I protested.


    He turned to face me again, and his face was set hard. "What is it like, then?" he all but growled.


    "My cousin Alvin is the only other heir. If he takes over, he''ll run Silvermoon into the ground. You know what he''s like, Noah."


    Noah grimaced at the mention of Alvin. He had met him plenty of times before-he knew exactly what I was referring to.


    "My father ns on abdicating within the year," I exined, surprised by my own candor in this matter. Which means that Silvermoon could be at risk within a year. I can''t just sit idly by while my home pack is destroyed." Chapter 0329


    Noah sighed. "You''re right about that," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "Alvin would make a horrible Alpha. He''s a yboy with no real sense of responsibility."


    I let out a sigh of relief. So he understood, at least; that was something.


    He moved closer, his eyes softening as they met mine. "You, on the other hand... A few months ago, I might have thought you would make a horrible female Alpha too."


    "Do you still think that?" I found myself asking.


    He shrugged. "Lately, you''ve shown such strength and responsibility. It''s like you''ve be a different person, Hannah. As much as it pains me to allow you to divorce me, I won''t lie; you could make a great Alpha."


    His words warmed me, but they also made me feel guilty. There was so much he didn''t know, so much I hadn''t yet told him. Maybe now was the time.


    "Noah, there''s something I need to tell you," I started, my heart racing.


    ""What is it?"


    I wanted to tell him everything-about my rebirth, how I had died and been given a second chance. How that was the reason why I had suddenly changed.


    But the words caught in my throat. I couldn''t do it, because I knew he would think I was crazy, and it would negate everything he had just said.


    Instead, I said, "Finding out I was pregnant made me realize the ws in my ways. That''s why I''ve been working so hard to be better."


    Noah nodded slowly. "I can understand that. I don''t want to divorce you, Hannah. But I won''t stand in your way. I don''t want you to feel like a prisoner. And if you''re really concerned about Silvermoon, I can''t fault you for putting your pack above your heart. It''s... admirable, actually."


    His words made my chest ache. Why did he have to be so understanding? It would be easier if he was angry, if he fought against this. Fighting was something we were so good at, but this...


    "In the meantime," Noah continued, his eyes flicking over my body, "I still want to do whatever I can to make your pregnancy easier. And I meant what I said about daily orgasms being rmended for pregnant women. It''s not just about pleasure, Hannah. It''s about your health and the baby''s health."


    I felt my face flush, heat spreading down my neck. "I have toys," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.


    Noah shrugged, a small smile ying on his lips. "You can use toys if you want, but it''s not the same. It doesn''t produce the same mental chemicals as real intimacy. Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin-they''re all -important for a healthy pregnancy. For bonding, for reducing stress, for overall well-being."


    I bit my lip, unsure of what to say. I couldn''t deny that I had enjoyed his touch, that my body craved more.


    But the idea of continuing this... arrangement felt dangerous. Like ying with fire.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "What if..." Noah started, then paused, running a hand through his hair. "What if we agree to a ''release'', like I suggested before? If you don''t want sex, I can still pleasure you in other ways. Just for the pregnancy. No strings attached."


    I hesitated, my mind whirling. The rational part of me knew this was a bad idea, that it would only make our eventual separation more painful. But another part, a part I had been trying to ignore, longed for his touch. Craved it like I craved air. "I... I don''t know, Noah," I said, my voice trembling. "It''s tempting, but..."


    "Let me show you some other options," Noah said softly, stepping even closer. Our bodies were almost touching now, and I could feel the heat radiating off of him. "Not just with my fingers. There are so many ways I can make you feel good, Hannah. Ways that will benefit both you and the baby."


    His hands moved to my hips, his touch gentle but firm. I felt my breath catch in my throat, my body responding to his proximity despite my reservations.


    Before I could respond, Noah gently pushed me down onto the bed.


    I didn''t fight him as he pushed my dress up around my hips, as he tugged my panties aside. I moved my legs apart for him, watching with wide eyes as he dropped to his knees beside the bed.


    And I didn''t fight as he buried his face between my thighs.


    4589004

 Chapter 330

    Chapter 0330 Chapter 0330


    Hannah


    I woke up to the sensation of warm sunlight on my face and a pleasant sensation in my lower belly. A soft smile touched my lips, and I stretchednguidly, letting out a small moan of pleasure.


    But as my consciousness slowly returned, memories of the previous night flooded my mind, and I felt my cheeks grow hot.


    Noah had been... incredible.


    The way he had used his tongue, bringing me to the edge and then over it with just his mouth, never asking for anything in return... It was like nothing I had ever felt before.


    I could still feel the ghost of his touch on my skin, the way his hands had gripped my thighs, the gentle pressure of his tongue. My body tingled now just at the memory, a headybination of satisfaction and renewed desire coursing through me.


    Sitting up, the sheets pooling around my waist, I saw Noah getting dressed. His back was to me, his tight muscles rippling as he moved around the room. My blush deepened at the sight, remembering how those muscles had felt under my handsst night as I had gripped his shoulders.


    Noah must have sensed my gaze because he turned, his eyes flicking methodically over me. "Good morning. Sleep well?"


    "Y-yes," I stammered, suddenly feeling shy under his intense gaze. "I did."


    To my surprise, he simply nodded and continued to button his shirt. "Good. We need to get going soon. I have meetings back in Nightcrest this afternoon."


    All business, I supposed. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, intending to stand, but found them


    trembling slightly. Noah noticed my hesitation, his fingers stilling on his shirt buttons.


    "Are you okay? Morning sickness?" he asked, taking a step toward me.


    I shook my head, feeling heat rise to my cheeks again. "No, I''m fine. Just... a bit weak afterst night," I admitted, avoiding his gaze.


    "Ah. Well, order a big breakfast at the hotel restaurant. You need to regain your strength."


    The casual attitude he gave me made my chest clench but I chose to ignore it. As I got dressed, however, I couldn''t help but steal nces at him. The memories ofst night kept reying in my mind- his heated gaze as he had looked up at me from between my thighs, the way he had known exactly where to touch, to lick, to suck...


    At breakfast, I found it hard to concentrate on my food Every movement reminded me of our encounter.


    The way the fork felt in my hand made me think of how I had gripped Noah''s hair when I finally went over the edge. The taste of the sweet syrup on my pancakes was all too simr to the sweet taste of release.


    "Your color''sing back," Noahmented, breaking through my reverie. His eyes were fixed on my face, but his gaze was far from the heated look he had given mest night. "Wasst night too much for you?"


    "No!" I said quickly, perhaps a bit too quickly. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "It was... nice. But..." I hesitated, then pressed on. "Why didn''t you want anything in return? You never asked me to... reciprocate."


    Noah simply shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee. His calm demeanor was infuriating, given how flustered I felt. "I thought I made it clear. I wanted to make you feel good because it''s good for the pregnancy."


    His words sent a pang through my chest. Was that all it was to him? A clinical approach to ensuring a healthy pregnancy? "If I wasn''t pregnant, would you still have done it?" I asked, my voice small.


    Noah shrugged again and stabbed a piece of omelet with his fork. "If you weren''t pregnant, would we even be in this situation right now?"


    I fell silent, unable to argue with his logic. If I wasn''t pregnant, there was no knowing what would have happened in our rtionship. Maybe I would have divorced him much sooner. Or maybe I wouldn''t have been reborn and I would be dead right now.


    On the drive home, I couldn''t stop thinking about what Noah had said. If I told myself this was just for the pregnancy, just a health benefit, could I avoid falling in love again? It seemed like a dangerous game to y.


    My wolf, however, didn''t seem to think that falling in love again would be so bad. She reveled in Noah''s


    touch, in the closeness we had shared with our mate.


    But I knew better.


    With my father nning to abdicate his role as Alpha soon, leaving my cousin Alvin as the sessor, I felt an obligation to step up. Alvin was not a suitable Alpha. He would run Silvermoon into the ground.


    I almost felt obligated now to take over Silvermoon. Even if I did fall in love with Noah again, we couldn''t stay married. An Alpha couldn''t be married to another Alpha from a different pack. The politics of it all made my head spin. 1


    When we finally arrived home, Noah went straight to his office for his meetings. I retreated to my own office, pacing back and forth as I tried to sort out my feelings.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    But no matter how hard I tried to focus on other things, my mind kept circling back to Noah. His fingers, his tongue, the way I had cried out his namest night


    Groaning in frustration, I sat down in my chair, only to jump back up immediately. The pressure of the seat against my bottom sent a jolt of arousal through me. What had Noah done to me?


    He had turned me into an addict, that''s what.


    I tried to focus on my Luna work, pulling up documents on myputer and rifling through papers. But it was useless. Every few minutes, my mind would wander back to Noah, to his touch, to the way he had made me feel. The memory of his mouth on me, his fingers digging into my thighs, was so vivid it was almost like he was still there.


    I knew, then, that if I couldn''t have a release again soon, I might go mad. The tension building in my body was bing unbearable. I found myself shifting in my seat, crossing and uncrossing my legs, anything to alleviate the growing ache between them, but it was useless.


    Finally, I had an idea. It was crazy, maybe even a little desperate, but it might just work.


    I shoved aside my work papers and pulled up a nk document on myputer.


    I found Noah in his studyter, poring over a pile of paperwork. Without a word, I strode up to his desk and mmed the papers I had written down in front of him, not caring if I interrupted his work. Noah jerked his head up, clearly so absorbed in his work he hadn''t even noticed me entering. "What''s this?"


    "Read it," I said, my voice shockingly steadier than I felt at that moment. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it.


    He picked up the papers, his eyebrows raising as he began to read. I watched his expression change from confusion to amusement to something I couldn''t quite decipher.


    Was it interest? Desire? Humor?


    After what felt like an eternity, Noah looked up at me, his brow furrowed deeply.


    "Is this... a sex contract?"


    *

 Chapter 331

    Chapter 0331


    Hannah


    "Is this... a sex contract?" Noah lifted his gaze, looking up at me with a hint of amusement behind his eyes.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    I swallowed hard and looked away. "Yes." "Why...?"


    "I''ve been thinking about what you said, about the need for regr... release during pregnancy," I exined. "And I believe you might be right about its benefits for my health."


    I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as Noah continued to stare amusedly at me, but I forced myself


    to maintain a neutral expression. I sped my hands behind my back to hide the fact that they were trembling slightly, although I knew he could tell. He could always tell.


    "I''m willing to give such an arrangement a shot for our baby''s health," I continued with surprising calmness. "But I want toy down some ground rules first."


    Noah leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking softly. He slowly, almost painstakingly, set the contract down on the desk. "Alright. I''m all ears," he said, his tone carefully neutral.


    I cleared my throat, pointing to a paragraph on the first page of the contract. "For example, I want to ensure that you will not use this... arrangement against me when the divorcees. So you must sign to promise that you will not, under any circumstances, bring up our arrangement during divorce court."


    Noah nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. For a few moments, he said nothing, the only sound between us that of his fingers drumming on the arm of his chair.


    "Hm. That seems fair," he finally said after what felt like an eternity. "I have no intention of using this against you, Hannah, but if it makes you feel better, I''ll sign off on that."


    "Good. Furthermore," I continued, my voice gaining a little bit of strength, "I don''t want this to impede on our daily two hours together. Those two hours are meant to be used for things like shopping for baby supplies, going to appointments, and having meals together to ensure that I''m getting all the nutrients I need. Not sex."


    "Understood," Noah said, his lips quirking up into the smallest of smiles. "Anything else?"


    I gestured to the contract, feeling a sudden surge of confidence. "There are other things in there, which you are wee to read yourself. But those are just some examples."


    Noah picked up the contract again, his eyes scanning the pages more carefully this time. The rustle of paper seemed unnaturally loud in the quiet room. After a few minutes, he looked up at me, his expression unreadable.


    "Okay. I''ll sign it," he said, "but under one condition."


    I felt my stomach clench, my newfound confidence wavering. "What condition?" I asked, trying not to sound too begrudging.


    He tossed the contract back onto the desk so that it slid in my direction. "I want you to add an amendment stating that we will share a bedroom from now on."


    I blinked, taken aback. The request was so unexpected that for a moment, I was sure I had misheard him. "What? Why?" I managed to stammer out.


    Noah leaned forward, his elbows on his desk. The movement brought his face closer to mine, and I could see the flecks of gold in his green eyes, tiny wildfires in the forest.


    "I have my own needs, Hannah," he said gruffly. "I''m tired of sleeping in the guest bedroom, which doesn''t have as nice furnishings or as nice of an en suite bathroom. I want to sleep in the master bedroom, which has a bigger and softer bed that will be better for my back." I frowned. "We can just swap bedrooms if that''s the issue."


    "It''s not just that," Noah said, his voice softening ever so slightly. "I also want to do this because I want to be in the same room in case you need me at any point during the night. I would feel safer having you close by. If you we

 Chapter 332

    Chapter 0332


    I felt my cheeks flush again, and I looked away, considering his words. The idea of sharing a bed with Noah again was tempting, not just for the reasons he exined, but for... other reasons.


    My mind shed back to the nights we had slept together on our journey to Silvermoon, howforting it had been to feel his heat beside me. I hadn''t realized just how much I had missed sharing a bed with


    someone.


    After a moment, I nodded and grabbed the contract. "Alright, I''ll add the amendment. I suppose it will be more convenient for us if we sleep together, because we can... hook up before bed without impeding on our two-hour dates." Noah nodded. "Exactly. It''s a practical solution."


    As I turned to leave, I had to bite my lip to stop myself from smiling. Despite my best efforts to keep this arrangement clinical and detached, I couldn''t deny the flutter of excitement in my stomach at the thought of sharing a bed with Noah again. Later that night, Iy in bed, my heart racing as I waited. And waited. And waited.


    Noah wasteing to bed. He had signed the amended contract earlier that day, but maybe he had changed his mind.


    The soft glow of the bedsidemp cast long shadows across the room, and I found myself constantly peeking at the door over the top of my book, wondering if he woulde.


    Finally, the soft click of the door opening made me tense, and I watched as Noah entered the room, shirtless.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    I swallowed. Hard. The sight of his bare chest, illuminated by the soft light, made my thighs instinctively tighten beneath the nket. His muscles rippled as he moved toward me with a predator''s grace, and I was suddenly very aware of my own body''s heat. Without a word, he pulled the nkets back and climbed into bed beside me, the mattress dipping under his weight. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, smell the familiar scent of his cologne. It was intoxicating.


    "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice low and husky.


    I gulped again, hoping that the dim light would hide the blush that I could feel burning across my cheeks as I carefully dog-eared the page of my book and set it aside.


    "Yes," I whispered, sliding down so that my head was on the pillow.


    Before I could say anything else, Noah was on top of me, his body pressing me into the mattress, caging me in. He pressed his lips to mine without preamble, his hands sliding my nightgown up around my waist, his palms hot and firm against my flesh. When we finally pulled back for air, my knees would have buckled beneath me had i not already beenying down.


    "How do you want it tonight?" he asked, his voice hoarse.


    I hesitated for a moment. My heart was pounding like a war drum in my chest, my breasts heaving beneath the thince of my nightgown. What did I want... How did I want it...?


    Before I could think twice, I simply muttered, "All of you."


    Noah nodded and closed the distance between us again. I felt his hand travel down my belly, lingering on the soft swell, before his callused fingers slipped my panties aside. I was already sopping, and his fingers slipped in easily, one at first and then two.


    As his tongue slipped into my mouth next, flicking over my teeth and swirling around my own, I couldn''t help but wonder if I had made a terrible mistake or the best decision of my life.


    But as he eventually climbed on top of me and slipped his throbbing member between my thighs, I quickly lost track of those warring thoughts.

 Chapter 333

    Chapter 0333


    Hannah


    My fingers nervously gripped the polished wood, my thighs clenching against one another beneath the table.


    shes ofst night''s activities with Noah flickered through my mind, unbidden and entirely too vivid.


    The way his hands had roamed my body, the heat of his breath on my neck, the feeling of him inside me... Each memory sent a shiver down my spine and a flush to my cheeks.


    He had finished himself into mest night, sweaty and panting as he gripped the headboard. I could still feel his throbs, each one aching more than thest.


    When I had gotten up to clean myself and use the bathroom, he had waited for me in bed. "We''re not done," he had said as I climbed back beneath the covers. "You still have to finish."


    "I did finish."


    "Then do it again."


    He had slipped beneath the covers, disappearing like the tide hade in over his head. I''d gripped the sheets beside me, whimpering and begging and writhing, as he licked me until I went over the edge.


    I really had finished already, when he was pumping himself into me. But he had made me finish again, had made me tremble and tighten my thighs around the sides of his head.


    Only then had he stumbled to the bathroom to wash himself. I had been fast asleep, my limbs tired and aching, by the time he hade back. And by the time I had awoken this morning, he had already been at the breakfast table.


    And now, across from me, Noah calmly poured his coffee as he flipped through the newspaper, his hand steady and sure.


    That same hand that had made me finishst night. Again. And again. Thick, warm fingers plunging into me, all the way up to the hilt. Curving and scraping against my most sensitive spots, knowing where all of the right buttons to push were hidden.


    I watched the muscles in his forearm flex as he lifted the cup to his lips, remembering how those arms had held me, pinned me, pleasured me.


    Dammit. I could feel my face reddening even more.


    "Here you are, Luna Hannah," Ana, my maid, said as she set my breakfast down in front of me. The aroma of freshly cooked eggs and bacon wafted up, but my stomach was too tied in knots to feel hungry.


    Ana paused, concern crossing her face as she saw the look on my own. "Are you feeling alright, Luna? Your face is quite red."


    I felt Noah''s eyes flick up to look at me, and I squirmed even more under his gaze. There was a hint of roguish amusement in his expression that made me want to both p him and kiss him senseless.


    "I''m fine, Ana. Thank you," I managed to say, perhaps a bit too quickly.


    I picked up my fork and began to dig into my breakfast, desperate for a distraction. But the food tasted like ash in my mouth, my mind too preupied with thoughts of Noah to enjoy it.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    As the days, and then weeks, passed, Noah and I fell into a routine. Our nights were spent fulfilling our contract, tangled limbs and sweaty sheets bing the norm.


    I had never felt so sexually satisfied in my life. Each night, I would ache and moan on him until I was practically begging for it to be over. And each morning, I woke up feeling like a kitten basking in a shaft of sunlight, happy and content, my muscles loose andzy. But as time went on, I began to feel conflicting emotions.


    Being intimate with Noah was nice-more than nice, if I was being honest with myself. The way he touched me, the way he seemed to know exactly what I needed, it was intoxicating.


    But doing it so routinely reminded me of how our intimacy nights used to be-always scheduled and so... clinical.


    And with Noah always being out of bed by the time I woke up, always at some meeting or another while I was stretchingnguidly and my hands were instinctively searching for him, I always felt a bit... strange.


    Empty, almost.


    Was... guilt the right word?


    One morning, about three weeks into our new arrangement, I found myself staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, trying to sort out my jumbled thoughts. The woman looking back at me seemed different somehow, and it wasn''t just the not-so-subtle swell of her belly-her skin glowed

 Chapter 334

    Chapter 0334Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    There was confusion in my expression.


    I didn''t know what I was doing anymore. What was more, I didn''t know why I was doing this to myself. Why I was allowing my heart to wander toward-


    I couldn''t finish the thought. I didn''t want to admit, even to myself, that I might be developing feelings for Noah again. It was tooplicated, too dangerous. We were supposed to be getting divorced, not falling back in love.


    More than anything, I wished I had someone to talk to about all of this. Drake wasn''t really the type I wanted to discuss such intimate matters with, and Amber... Well, she wasn''t aware of everything going on


    between Noah and me. We weren''t as close as...


    My thoughts drifted to Viona. I missed her. Dearly.


    Now that significant time had passed, I felt guilty for fighting with her. She hadn''t reached out to me in the past weeks, probably still angry at me herself, but I couldn''t take it anymore. I needed to talk to her, to set things right. Before I could talk myself out of it, I grabbed my keys and headed out. The drive to Viona''s apartment felt both too long and too short. My heart was pounding as I knocked on her door, my palms sweaty.


    When Viona opened it, her eyes widened in surprise. She had cut her hair recently, a chin-length bob now that swayed as she stumbled backwards. "Hannah? What are you doing here?"


    I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Can we talk?"


    She hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching my face. Then she nodded and stepped aside to let me in. We sat on her couch, an ufortable silence stretching between us. I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, unsure of how or where to begin.


    Finally, I spoke. "I''m sorry," I said, my voice hardly more than a whisper. "I... I shouldn''t have gotten so angry with you. You were just trying to help. Fuck. I miss you."


    Viona''s expression softened, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Oh, Hannah... I''m sorry too. I promised not to tell Noah everything, and I broke that promise. I should have found another way. I miss you, too."


    We looked at each other for a moment, and then suddenly we were hugging tightly. I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, relief washing over me. It felt good to have my friend back, to have someone I could confide in again. And that argument... it felt so damn silly in hindsight.


    "I was just scared, and looking for someone to be angry at," I admitted into her shoulder. "I took things out on you, and-"


    "No, no, it''s my fault," she sobbed-


    "Viona, you''re my best friend-"


    We blubbered like that for some time, just holding each other, sobbing into each other''s shirts. Only once our tears had dried did we finally pull back, and I gripped a strand of her hair, sniffling miserably.


    ""Your hair..."


    "I chopped it off when we had our argument," Viona sobbed, fresh tears springing to the surface. "I hate it. It looks so bad."


    "It doesn''t look bad. It looks... unique."


    Viona sobbed harder.


    But then those sobs turned intoughter. And soon, we were both crying again, but they were tears ofughter this timeughter from realizing just how bloody ridiculous this all was. When we finally pulled apart again, our faces aching and streaked with sticky tears, Viona huffed and leaned her head back on the couch.


    "I thought you came to talk about that online post," she said, wiping at her wet cheeks.


    I frowned, my brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"


    "The post, Hannah." Viona blinked at me. "You know, the ''10,000 likes and I''ll reveal everything'' post?"


    I blinked for a moment, and then it hit me. I hadpletely forgotten about it-I had gotten so caught up in everything else that it had faded from my mind. But the post... "What about it?" I asked softly, my heart suddenly racing.


    Viona was silent as she swiped at her phone screen. I could hear my own blood rushing through my ears, pancing through me.


    No, no, no-


    She turned the screen toward me, and I felt like I might be sick.

 Chapter 335

    Chapter 0335 Chapter 0335


    Hannah


    My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat. It couldn''t be....


    The post that had seemed so innocuous, so easily dismissible, hade back to haunt me in the worst possible way. My hands shook as I scrolled through thements, each one more vicious than thest. "I... I don''t understand," I muttered. "What is this...?"


    "The original post never even reached the likes it specified," Viona began. "It only got about 8,000 likes. The forum moderators even took the post down and banned the poster, citing that it was just troll bait." "Then how...?"


    Viona reached out, cing aforting hand on my arm as my mind whirled with the implications.


    I couldn''t believe I had forgotten, that I had let this... this mess slip through my fingers. With everything going on, I had wound uppletely ignoring the post.


    "I forgot about it," I said, more to myself than to Viona. "I figured it was just a... a troll."


    "That''s what we all thought," Viona said. "But then, verytest night, the poster came back with a new ount. And they posted... this."


    As she spoke, she gestured to her phone, which was shaking in my trembling hands.


    I read the title again, feeling sick to my stomach: "I''m back. My original didn''t get 10,000 likes, but... F****k it. Luna Hannah is a cheating whore, and that baby probably belongs to another man... And here''s the proof." The words seemed to dance in front of my eyes, each one a knife twisting in my gut. I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead. Ever since my father had announced my pregnancy at his birthday, rumors had spread like wildfire. Noah and I hadn''t made our own official announcement just yet, but people knew.


    Goddess, I was a fool for not thinking that this would be used against me.


    There was an audio file attached to the post. I had already listened to it once, then a second time, when Viona had shown me the post. But I had to hear it again.


    "Hannah, don''t-"


    "I... I have to listen again," I murmured, my thumb hovering over the y button. "I have to see if it''s real." Viona didn''t stop me as I pressed y for a third time.


    First, there was the sound of rustling bedsheets, soft moaning. A whispered word that couldn''t be made out. Then, there was his voice-Noah''s voice, low and intense: "Tell me who you''re thinking about. Tell me."


    A pause that seemed to stretch on for an eternity. Something vibrated in the background, a low hum.


    And then there was my voice: "I''m thinking about..."


    "Say it."


    "Drake."


    There was another rustle, then the sound of a door mming, so loud it made me flinch, and then the audio cut out.


    I felt the blood drain from my face, leaving me lightheaded, even though I had heard the audio twice in this sitting already. "Oh, Goddess," I whispered, my hands starting to shake so badly I almost dropped the phone onto the carpeted floor. "Oh, Goddess, no." 1 "Hannah," Viona said, reaching out to touch my arm again. Her touch felt like fire against my cold, mmy skin. "What are you going to do?"


    I jumped up from the sofa, suddenly filled with a frantic energy. The room felt too small, too confining. I needed to move, to do something.


    "I need... I need to find Noah. I need to... I need his help," I said.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Without another word, I bolted from Viona''s apartment, ignoring her calls behind me. The stairs seemed endless as I rushed down them, my feet barely touching each step.


    I almost fell at one point, or at least I think I did, but everything was such a blur that I hardly noticed the way my stomach lurched and my hand gripped the railing as I missed a bottom step.


    Without even hesitating for a split second, I burst out onto the street, the cool air hitting my face like a p.


    I drove to Noah''s office building like a woman possessed. I must have broken multiple traffic vitions, speeding through yellow lights and screeching around corners.


    Finally, I arrived at the imposing ss building that housed Noah''s office. I burst through the revolving doors and opted for the stairs again, not daring to wait for the elevator. Soon, I was sprinting through the waiting room outside Noah''s office where a young receptionist with a curly blonde updo looked up from behind the ss-topped desk. Chapter 0336

 Chapter 336

    Chapter 0336


    Luna Hannah! Alpha Noah is in a meeting," the receptionist called out, but I didn''t care. To hell with meetings. This was important.


    I mmed through the ss doors leading to the conference room, where Noah was indeed in the middle of a meeting with several of his business associates. Their heads all turned to me, eyes widening in surprise as I came to a screeching halt in front of the long conference table, panting and heaving like a madwoman. Noah looked up, surprise and annoyance shing across his face. "Hannah, I''m busy-"


    "We need to talk. Now." I grabbed him by the tie, forcefully yanking him out of his chair with a strength I didn''t know I had. I could hear the other men chuckling and muttering as I dragged Noah out of the room, but I didn''t care.


    Their voices faded as I pulled Noah into the hallway.


    Once we were alone, Noah pulled away from me, straightening his tie. His face was flushed with anger, his green eyes shing. Maybe yesterday, I would have crumpled at the sight of him, writhing and half- begging him to have me right there, he looked so Goddess- damned handsome in his gray suit and deep blue tie. But not today.


    "What the hell is your problem?" he hissed, ncing back at the conference room door.


    In response, I thrust my phone at him, the damning post disyed on the screen. "This," I said, my voice shaking. "This is my problem."


    Noah''s face paled as he read the post, and his eyes widened into saucers as he listened to the audio. When it finished, he looked up at me with an expression that looked like he had just seen a ghost.


    "Hannah," he said, his voice low and controlled, "what the hell is this?"


    I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself even though the hallway felt like it was spinning around me. I exined everything.


    When I was finished, Noah''s jaw clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek. "And you didn''t think to tell me about this sooner?" he hissed.


    I shook my head, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "I''m sorry. I should have, but it just... it got lost in everything else. I had other, bigger things to deal with." The excuse sounded weak even to my own.


    ears.


    Noah ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. But then his expression changed, bing more focused. "How did they get this audio?" he asked, his voice sharp. "That was a private moment in your bedroom." The realization hit me like a truck, making my stomach lurch. "Oh, Goddess," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "There must be... there must be cameras or microphones or something in my room."


    Noah''s face hardened, his eyes glinting dangerously. He pulled out his phone, quickly dialing a number. Scott," he said when his Beta answered. "I need you to go to Hannah''s room and scan for hidden cameras or microphones. Tear the fucking ce apart if you have to. Now."


    Those words weren''t directed at me, but even I flinched at the sound of dark, grim authority in his voice.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    He hung up, then turned back to me. I tensed, wondering if I was about to get a scolding of a lifetime for not telling him sooner. I certainly deserved it. I should have told him before it got this bad.


    But to my surprise, his expression softened slightly as he took in my terrified face. "It''s going to be okay, Hannah," he said, his voice gentler now. "We''ll handle this. I promise."


    I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. My throat felt tight, like I was being choked by invisible hands.


    Noah, seeing this, stepped forward and pulled me into a tight hug. I stiffened, my arms ck at my sides, stunned by the sudden affection.


    Even more so when I felt his lips press against my forehead in a soft kiss, his breath warm against my


    skin.


    But then, before I could utter a word or react in any way, he pulled away. The loss of his warmth left me feeling suddenly cold and vulnerable, and I had to press my hand into the cold gray wall nearby to steady myself. "I need to make some calls," he said, already backpedaling away from me. "Go home. I''ll handle this."


    With that, Noah rushed off down the hallway, leaving me standing alone and reeling from his touch.


    X


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 337

    Chapter 0337Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Hannah


    I circled the living room, my bare feet silent on the plush carpet-and I was d for it, too, because otherwise my relentless pacing would have driven the entire house mad by now.


    The sound of furniture being moved and drawers being emptied continued to echo from upstairs, causing me to flinch. Guards stood at every entrance to the mansion, their eyes following my every move as if I might be attacked at any moment. Noah had sent the guards. I hadn''t argued when the first one had arrived on the doorstep, dressed in a bulletproof vest.


    The Luna of Nightcrest was in danger. So was its heir. There was no telling what people would do once that audio clip made it beyond that obscure forum. No telling how... angry people would be if they thought their Alpha had been cheated on. My phone sat on the coffee table, face down. I didn''t dare look at it, afraid of what new horrors might be waiting in my notifications. So I continued to pace.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Scott''s heavy footsteps came down the stairs. I turned to see his ruffled head of red hair entering the living room, a familiar stuffed unicorn in his hands.


    My heart sank as I recognized it-the one Zoe had given me at the carnival.


    Without a word, Scott tossed it onto the coffee table. The unicorn had been ripped open, revealing a tangle of wires and a small camera nestled inside its fluffy innards.


    "Oh, Goddess," I whispered, my hand flying to my mouth. "Zoe... she nted a hidden camera?"


    Scott, breathless, merely shrugged and sank into the nearest armchair.


    But how had she done it, I wondered? Drake had been with her that night at the carnival. Surely he would have noticed something suspicious.


    With shaking hands, I grabbed my phone-no notifications, blissfully-and dialed Drake''s number. He answered on the second ring.


    "Hannah? What''s wrong?" I hadn''t heard his voice in some time. He had been back in his own packtely, handling his own matters. But I hardly had time to think about that. "Drake," I said, my voice trembling, "what do you know about the unicorn Zoe bought me at the carnival?"


    There was a pause. "The unicorn? What about it?"


    I exined what we had found, my words tumbling out in a rush. Drake listened in silence, then let out a long breath.


    "Hannah, I swear I had no idea," he said. "Zoe bought that unicorn from a regr vendor. I even used my credit card to pay for it. Here, I''ll send you a picture of the receipt."


    A few minutester, my phone pinged with a new message. The receipt looked legitimate, from a real


    carnival vendor.


    "I... I believe you," I said, my mind reeling.


    Before Drake could answer, the front door burst open. Noah strode in, his hair a mess and his suit disheveled. Despite the situation, I couldn''t help but notice how roguishly handsome he looked, his tie loosened and his top button undone. His green eyesnded on the torn unicorn, and a single word escaped his lips: "Fuck."


    That night, we called Zoe to the house. She arrived looking confused and a little frightened, her eyes darting between Noah and me as we showed her the unicorn. I wanted to throttle that slender throat of hers, but instead I busied myself with clutching the windowsill as I stared stonily out at the frontwn.


    "Zoe," Noah said, his voice carefully controlled, "we need you to exin this."


    Zoe''s eyes widened as she took in the exposed wires and camera. "What... what is that?"


    "This was found in Ha-our-bedroom," Noah quickly recovered. "You gave this to Hannah. Are you... watching us?"


    "Wh... What?" Zoe whimpered.


    Over the next few minutes, Noah exined the forum post to her, the audio file containing a private moment between us. When he was finished, a moment passed, then two. I finally dared to look over at them and found that Zoe''s face was pale, her eyes wide as saucers as she stared down at the unicorn. Her hands wrung in herp, trembling.


    Finally, she shook her head vehemently, tears forming in her eyes. "I didn''t do that! I swear, Hannah, I had no idea." She rose, crossing the room to face me. "I bought that unicorn from a regr vendor, just like I told you. How could I have nted a camera without anyone finding out?"


    Suddenly, she reached out, grasping my hands in hers. I flinched at the contact, but didn''t pull away.


    "Please, Hannah," she begged, "you have to believe me. I would never... I''m so happy for you and Noah. So happy. I would never try to im that the baby isn''t his, or anything like that." Chapter 0338

 Chapter 338

    Chapter 0338


    I stared at Zoe, swallowing hard. Her eyes were wide and pleading, tears shimmering in their depths.


    I looked up at Noah, who remained silent, seemingly waiting for me to make the call.


    My gaze flicked back to Zoe. Normally, I would have called her a liar. Perhaps I would have... reveled in the thought a few months ago. But now, looking at her whimper, and knowing that she and Noah never...


    After a long moment, I took a deep breath. "I believe you," I said softly.


    Zoe let out a shuddering breath and sagged to the floor, thanking me over and over as she clutched at my skirt. I threw a warning nce at Noah, indicating that I had had enough of the blubbering. He stepped forward to help her back into her chair.


    As Zoe collected herself, I turned to Noah. "If Zoe didn''t do this, then who? Did someone break into the house?"


    Noah frowned, shaking his head. "Our security officers have checked the CCTV footage a thousand times over. There is no indication that someone got in at any point."


    Without a word, I picked up my skirt and stormed out of the living room. I found our bedroom in shambles, every linen and piece of furniture torn apart in search of the hidden cameras. Frowning, I walked over to where the unicorn had been sitting on my shelf and ran my fingers over it.


    The dust pattern around it was undisturbed, as if it hadn''t been moved since I first ced it there.


    Suddenly, a memory shed in my mind. My eyes widened as I whispered, "White Rabbit."


    "What?"


    I jumped, not having realized that both Noah and Zoe had followed me and were now standing in the doorway.


    I shook my head, forcing a smile. "It''s nothing. Just... thinking out loud."


    "Tell me what you meant earlier."


    Noah''s hand stilled between my thighs, his green eyes burning fresh holes into the side of my head. Our bedroom had been returned to its original state, the heavy drapes blocking out all light-all flicker of the outside word. I had insisted on keeping them shut tonight, as if the hills themselves had eyes.


    ""What?"


    Noah pushed his thumb against my clit, causing me to squirm. "Tell me about White Rabbit," he said, his voice low andmanding. "Or I won''t make you finish."


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    A soft growl ripped from his throat, and one finger plunged into me. I whimpered, writhing my hips against his palm, silently begging for him to pleasure me. But as quickly as he had pushed it in, he yanked his finger out and dug his nails into my inner thigh. ""Tell me."


    "White Rabbit was an online vendor," I choked out, fresh heat blooming across my cheeks. "They... they sold me the diet pills I used to take."


    "And what does this ''White Rabbit'' have to do with the unicorn?"


    I hesitated, and his palm pressed against the hot mound between my thighs. I whimpered and said, "The diet pills wereced with contraceptives without my knowledge. I was looking into it when the vendor suddenly disappeared without a trace." Noah pulled away abruptly, sitting up on his knees. He was fully nude, his hair falling into his eyes as he stared down at me. "What?" he hissed.


    I swallowed hard, unable to find the strength to tear my gaze away from his.


    "A couple of months ago, I asked Scott to look into it, but he never found anything. And I thought... I don''t know. I just made the connection. They might not be the same person who rigged the unicorn."


    For a moment, Noah was silent, seething, his fingers curling around the sheets. Then, surprisingly low and controlled: "Why didn''t you tell me about this? You could have died from taking the diet pills alone, and to add contraceptives on top of it..." I paled, the words "I did die" on the tip of my tongue. But I couldn''t bring myself to say it. Instead, I just clutched the nket tighter.


    Noah abruptly rose and hopped off the bed, grabbing his clothes. "I have to handle this," he said. "Don''t wait up for me."


    I was too stunned, too frozen, to speak. I watched as he dressed, his muscles shifting in the dim light. Finally, he strode over to the door, but then stopped, his hand resting on the doorknob.


    "Hannah, I..." He looked over his shoulder, those green eyes glimmering with something I couldn''t read.


    He seemed about to say more, but then shook his head and simply walked out without another word. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

 Chapter 339

    Chapter 0339


    Noah


    "Tell me everything you know about White Rabbit."


    Noah leaned back in his chair, regarding his Beta carefully. The morning sun shone through the office windows, but Noah had not yet slept. He couldn''t sleepst night; there was too much to do. Too many moving parts to manage, too much damage to control. A mysterious forum post and now... this.


    Scott shifted ufortably in his seat. "There''s not much to tell, Alpha. Luna Hannah asked me to look into the username, so I did."


    Noah resisted the urge to let loose a warning growl. Scott, seeming to sense that his Alpha''s patience was particrly thin today, almost shrank a bit in his chair.


    "The vendor... disappeared a few months ago," Scott borated quickly. "After selling Hannah those diet pills. Luna Hannah never told me more than that, and I never found anything other than an IP address


    traced to a random address overseas."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Noah''s eyes narrowed. "Where was it traced to?"


    Scott pulled out a notepad, flipping through it. "It was... ah, here it is. A small town overseas. I''ve got the exact coordinates written down. But when I looked into it, there were no residents at the address. The local government said the house has been condemned for years."


    As Scott rattled off the location, Noah''s mind raced. The ce sounded familiar... ufortably so.


    It was close to where his doctor had gone on that strange, unprecedented vacation. And the date... "When did you say the vendor disappeared?" Noah asked.


    Scott checked his notes again. "It was about five months ago, sir. Right around the time..." "Right around the time Dr. Patel left for his vacation," Noah finished, his suspicion growing.


    And also around the time that Hannah got pregnant.


    Scott''s eyebrows shot up. "You think there''s a connection?"


    Noah waved his hand dismissively, not answering Scott''s question. "That''ll be all for now."


    With a nod, Scott rose and strode over to the door. But Noah stopped him before he left with one gruffmand.


    "You are supposed to be my Beta, Scott. I expect you to tell me when my wife asks you to look into shady online dealers."


    Scott stiffened, his hand curling around the doorknob. Noah said nothing more, effectively dismissing him.


    As Scott left the office, Noah''s thoughts turned to Hannah. She must have made the same connection yesterday, linking the elusive online nature of White Rabbit to the forum poster. He couldn''t me her for making that connection. And perhaps she was onto something Noah found himself somewhat... impressed by her instincts. She had proven herself to be correct about Chapter 0339


    these things before.


    He should have been angry with her for not telling him about White Rabbit sooner, but... he wasn''t. If anything, he respected her more for making that connection, for taking initiative. And for everything else she had been doingtely-her work with the Luna Council, her efforts to better herself.


    A low growl rumbled in his chest as his wolf stirred. "You''re falling for her," he used.


    Noah didn''t realize it, but a small smile had been touching his lips. He quickly schooled his expression and gritted his teeth.


    The truth was, he had been falling for Hannah for months now. Ever since she was kidnapped, and he had nearly lost her.


    The fear he had felt then, the desperation to get her back... it had awakened something in him. It tormented him at night. That was why he wanted to share a bed with her: fear. He wanted to protect her, and...


    Sleeping beside her had alleviated some of his nightmares. He knew it had done the same for her, too. She had been dreaming about that night on the cliff, just as he had.


    When they had begun sharing a bed again, both of them had been better-rested. They wouldn''t admit it to each other, but it was apparent on both of their faces. It wasn''t just the sex making them glow, although that helped, too.

 Chapter 340

    Chapter 0340


    "She still ns on divorcing you," his wolf reminded him. "You''ll just let her leave? So she can take over Silvermoon?"


    Noah closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. For a moment, an image flickered through his mind: Hannah, shifting out of her wolf form, the deer''s blood coating her lips and chin and neck. His Luna-his mighty Luna.


    That image gued him. It had seared itself into his mind, a constant reminder of what he was about to lose. What he had never fully appreciated when he had it.


    But he finally let out that breath. "Part of falling for her has been realizing that I can''t keep her here like a prisoner. So if she still wants to go, then I will let her."


    Otherwise, perhaps his own blood would coat her chin. Noah couldn''t help but smirk at the thought. A fitting end, he supposed.


    Shaking off these thoughts, Noah stood up. He had a doctor to visit.


    The clinic was bustling when Noah arrived. Dr. Patel''s office door was open, and Noah could hear the doctor''s cheerful voice from inside. So he had returned from his extended vacation after all.


    Noah knocked on the doorframe, and Dr. Patel looked up, his face breaking into a wide smile. "Alpha Noah! What a pleasant surprise. Come in,e in."


    As Noah entered, he noted that despite his alleged tropical vacation, the aging doctor didn''t look particrly tan. Interesting.


    "Dr. Patel," Noah said, settling into a chair. "I hope I''m not interrupting."


    "Not at all," the doctor assured him. "What can I do for you today?"


    "I was hoping you might be able to shed some light on a situation. It involves an online vendor called WhiteRabbit."


    Dr. Patel''s brow furrowed. "WhiteRabbit? I''m afraid I''m not familiar with that name. What''s this about?"


    Noah watched the doctor''s face carefully, looking for any sign of recognition or deception. But the aging man, peering at Noah over the upper rim of his wire-framed bifocal sses, seemed genuinely confused.


    "It''s an online vendor that sold diet pills to Hannah," Noah exined. "Pills that turned out to beced with contraceptives. The vendor disappeared around the same time you left for your vacation."


    Dr. Patel''s eyes widened. "Good heavens. I had no idea. But surely you don''t think I had anything to do with that?"


    Noah shrugged. "I''m just trying to connect the dots, Doctor. It''s a strange coincidence, don''t you think?"


    The doctor shook his head emphatically. "I assure you, Alpha, I know nothing about this White Rabbit or any contraceptiveced pills. My vacation was just that-a vacation. I needed some time away to recharge." Noah nodded slowly, not entirely convinced but unable to find any clear evidence of deceit. "I see. Well, thank you for your time, Doctor.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    As he stood to leave, another thought struck him. "Oh, one more thing, Dr. Patel. Why did you lie about Hannah''s fertility? She was perfectly capable of sex outside the ovtion window."


    The doctor''s brow furrowed again, genuine confusion crossing his features. "Lie? I... I don''t understand. I didn''t lie about anything, Alpha. Perhaps I was misinformed, but Hannah truly seemed too frail for regr intercourse. I suppose these... pills you mentioned could have had something to do with her frailness."


    Noah gritted his teeth, frustration bubbling up inside of him. Something wasn''t adding up here, but he couldn''t quite put his finger on what. ''Dr. Patel had been a permanent installment in Noah''s family since he could remember, but...


    "Perhaps," was all he said, his voice tight. "Thank you for your time, Doctor."


    As Noah left the clinic, his mind was whirling. The doctor seemed sincere, but there were too many coincidences, too many unanswered questions.


    He couldn''t seem to shake the feeling that something fishy was going on, something that was connecting White Rabbit, the doctor''s vacation, and that damn unicorn.


    Noah just needed to figure out what.


    GET IT NOW


    X

 Chapter 341

    Chapter 0341 Chapter 0341 Hannah


    I spent the entire day avoiding the inte, too afraid and cowardly to see the bacsh over the audio tapes being released. I could already imagine thements: calling me a whore, a liar, a traitor.


    I couldn''t bear to see if thosements truly existed.


    So my phone remained face down on the nightstand all day, untouched and silent. If any of my friends tried to reach out to me, I wouldn''t know. They would understand why I hadn''t replied.


    Instead, I buried myself in my preparations for my presentation at the Luna Council-assuming I was still invited to the next meeting. Luna nna hadn''t contacted me, nor had anyone else from the council. I supposed that was a good sign.


    Eventually, when my eyes grew too bleary to keep working, I resorted to pacing the house like a restless tigress.


    The house felt eerily quiet, almost oppressive in its silence. Every creak of the settling foundation made me jump, my nerves frayed and on edge. I kept ncing at the doors, where the guards were still stationed. They hardly seemed to move all day, although asionally I would notice a new face here and there as they changed shifts.


    Soon, in just a few short months, I would no longer have an Alpha to handle these sorts of things. I would be the Alpha handling them. I would be protecting myself. My child. The thought was both exhrating and terrifying.


    My hand rested on my belly. I was nearly five months along now, and there was no more hiding the small "bump beneath my clothes.


    The sun had long since set when I finally heard the front door open. Noah''s heavy footsteps echoed through the house, slower than usual.


    When he appeared in the doorway of the living room, he looked exhausted, his suit rumpled and his hair a


    disheveled mess.


    "It''s handled," he said, his voice gruff. As he circled the sofa, I could see that dark circles ringed his eyes, and his shoulders were slumped with weariness. "The clip was imed as a deepfake and taken down. We couldn''t confirm the IP address of the poster, but... for now, at least, everything''s fine."


    "And the public?" I whispered, afraid of the answer.


    "Like I said, it was imed to be a deepfake. You''ll-we''ll-be fine."


    I let out a breath I didn''t realize I had been holding as Noah flopped onto the sofa beside me. It felt as if a hundred-pound leaden weight had been lifted off my chest. I wanted to run to him, to throw my arms around him and kiss him all over. "Really? It''s over?" My voice sounded small and hopeful, even to my own ears


    Noah nodded, loosening his tie with a weary hand. "For now. But Hannah..." He hesitated, his green eyes meeting mine, a mix of concern and something else I couldn''t quite read in their depths. "Why didn''t you tell me about WhiteRabbit?"


    I swallowed hard, looking away, unable to meet his gaze. The room suddenly felt too warm, too small.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "I... I was afraid to tell you," I admitted softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "At the time, I didn''t trust you. I didn''t know how you would react."


    Pain shed across Noah''s face, a brief crack in his usuallyposed expression. But to my surprise, he nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes..


    "I can''t deny that I wasn''t the best ally for you in the past," he said all too quietly. "I can''t me you for not trusting me. But from now on, at least for the remainder of your pregnancy, I want us tomunicate better. No more secrets, okay?"


    "Okay," I agreed, noticing how the lines of exhaustion seemed permanently etched into his face after the whole ordeal. He had nevere back to bedst night. I hated to admit how that cold spot where he belonged kept me awake, too. "You should rest. You look exhausted."


    Noah nodded, his head lolling back on the cushion behind him as his eyes fluttered closed. Without thinking, I went to the kitchen. I warmed some milk in a pan and grabbed a cookie from the jar on the counter.

 Chapter 342

    Chapter 0342


    When I returned, Noah was half-asleep, his breathing slow and deep.


    "Here," I said softly, setting the milk and cookie on the coffee table. "This might help."


    Noah opened his eyes and blinked at me, surprise evident in his tired features. "Oh. Thank you."


    I hesitated for a moment as he bit into the cookie, then found myself moving behind the couch. Slowly, tentatively, I reached out and began to rub his shoulders, feeling the knots of tension beneath my fingers. His muscles were like steel cables, wound tight with stress and worry. Noah let out a soft groan, the sound sending an unexpected shiver down my spine. "I should be the one doing this for you," he said, his voice a low rumble. "Not the other way around." "Shh," I hushed him, my fingers working deeper into the knots. "Just rx."


    As I worked the tension out of his muscles, I realized how much I had softened toward Noahtely. The thought startled me, and I found myself wondering when this change had urred. If it weren''t for the situation with Silvermoon, I might even consider...


    No. I couldn''t let myself think that way.


    Later that night, as we got ready for bed, Noah turned to me. The softmplight cast a warm glow on his face, softening his tired features.


    "Do you want to fulfill our contract tonight?" he asked, his voice gruff with exhaustion.


    ''I hesitated, biting my lip for a moment. The thought of sleeping with him tonight in that way... It wasn''t appealing to me. Not forck of attraction, but...


    I shook my head. "Not tonight. I just want you to... hold me. If that''s okay." The words surprised me as much as they seemed to surprise him.


    Noah blinked at me, surprise flickering across his face. "You don''t want to have sex? Even though we didn''tst night?"


    "No," I said softly, feeling suddenly vulnerable. "I just want you to hold me."


    For a moment, Noah just stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded. "Okay," he said, his voice gentle, almost tender.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    We climbed into bed, the sheets cool against my skin. Noah switched off the lights, plunging the room into darkness.


    In the quiet night, I felt his warm arms wrap around me tugging me flush against his body. His chest was solid against my back, his breath warm on my neck. The scent of his cologne, faint after a long day, enveloped me like a familiar cocoon.


    As wey there in the quiet darkness, I felt something shift inside of me. This felt more intimate, more emotional than any of our recent sexual encounters. I could feel Noah''s heartbeat against my back, steady and strong, aforting rhythm in the stillness of the night. 1.2 Chapter 0342


    I woke the next morning expecting to find Noah gone as usual, but the bed was still indented beside me, those warm arms holding me close against his chest. At some point during the night, I had turned to face


    him.


    I flicked my eyes open, my breath catching in my throat as I saw him still asleep beside me, his expression softened in sleep. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room.


    In the gentle morning light, I studied his face. He looked younger in sleep, the lines of worry smoothed away, his features rxed and peaceful.


    Without thinking, I reached out and brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. My fingers grazed his skin, warm and smooth beneath my touch. As I watched him sleep, memories of the past months shed through my mind-the tender moments, the sharedughter, the quiet understanding that had grown between us. None of the pain or the fighting or the anguish.


    Suddenly, a realization hit me like a thunderbolt. My heart stuttered in my chest, and I felt a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the morning sun or the nkets wrapped around us. Dammit. I had fallen for him.

 Chapter 343

    Chapter 0343 Hannah


    A couple of weekster, I found myself sitting in the passenger seat of Noah''s car, my hands fidgeting nervously in myp as we approached the Luna Council meeting. Noah had the day off, so he had offered to drive me, mentioning that he had some business to handle nearby.


    As we pulled up to the Luna Queen''s personal estate, all white columns and perfectly-manicuredwns, I felt my heart rate quicken. Noah put the car in park and turned to me. The silence in the car stretched on as I made no move to get out.


    "You good?" Noah finally asked.


    I nodded stiffly, unsure of what to say. My throat felt dry, and I swallowed hard.


    Today would be my second time attending the Luna Council. And my first after... After the ''deepfake'' scandal that had urred a couple of weeks ago.


    The news headlines had been relentless after that day.


    "Luna Hannah used of cheating on Alpha Noah in deepfake audio!"


    "Luna Hannah... cheating on Alpha Noah? Deepfake tries to twist reality."


    "The new heir of Nightcrest does not belong to Alpha Noah, or so deepfake tries to im."


    Noah had been right when he said that we were fine. We were fine. Hardly anyone believed the audio clip, even though it wasn''t actually a deepfake. And as the weeks passed, the voices of those who doubted whether it was one slowly faded.


    Suddenly, the sensation of Noah''s hand on mine pulled me out of my roiling thoughts. I jumped at the sudden contact, my cheeks heating as I turned to him. Justst night, that hand had been in my mouth while other parts of him had been... elsewhere. Fulfilling our contract, of course.


    "Hey. You''ve been working your ass off for today," he said. "You''ll be fine."


    His words bolstered me immensely, sending a wave of confidence through me. I felt my shoulders rx slightly, and I managed a small smile.


    "Thank you," I whispered.


    Noah nodded, pulling his hand away. My skin suddenly felt cold where his touch had been. When I finally got out of the car, my heart was pounding for a different reason than the meeting.


    It had been two weeks since I had... realized. Realized what had happened. To me. To us.


    I hadn''t told Noah, or anyone for that matter, what I had realized that morning as Iid curled up in his arms. I didn''t dare to admit it out loud for fear of what might do once the truth was out there.


    I had fallen in love with Noah again. Hard, deep, and fast. I was utterly head over heels again, just as I had been when we were teenagers. I think Noah may have even begun to feel the same, and if not, then he


    was a good actor.


    He had stopped slipping out of the bedroom before I had awoken for the day. Sometimes, I would wake up and we would instantly be on top of each other, unable to control our urges.


    And then we would stumble down to the breakfast table, faces flushed, shoveling food down our throats to regain our strength.


    Once, I walked into his office midday to bring him some paperwork and he had thrown everything off of his desk so he could have me right there.


    But we never spoke about those moments. When they passed, we would go about our days as if nothing had happened.


    I couldn''t decide if I was d for that or not.


    I made my way inside the estate, my heels clicking on the marble floor as I approached the council chamber. The other Lunas were already seated around therge, ornate table when I entered.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Luna nna, the Luna Queen, sat at the head, her silver hair gleaming in the sunlight streaming through the tall windows.


    "Luna Hannah," nna said curtly. "You have returned."


    "We heard about the deepfake," one of the Lunas said abruptly, before I could so much as greet nna.


    I flinched. The pain must have shown on my face, because another Luna quickly added, "These things happen to Alphas and Lunas. It''s alright."


    "You should be d it was put to an end so quickly," another said. "We have all had our share of scandals. Isn''t that true, Evelyn?"


    Another Luna, Evelyn, a statuesque brte, nodded in agreement. "I once had to endure a three-month smear campaign because a fangirl of my husband leaked nudes," she said, rolling her eyes. "Now that was a nightmare. The press was relentless, and the onlinements... well, let''s just say it was a dark


    time."

 Chapter 344

    Chapter 0344 ChapterContent provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    0344


    Tell me about it, I wanted to say. I was instantly reminded of the three months I had spent before my rebirth. That, too, had been a nightmare-the constant fear, the istion, the feeling of hopelessness.


    A pang of loneliness hit me, then, as I realized I couldn''t share that experience with anyone. Only Viona knew, thank the Goddess.


    Lately, I had been wanting to tell Noah; it was the one thing I still kept from him after our promise to be truthful with each other.


    But the fear of his reaction held me back. Would he even believe me? Or would he think I''d lost my mind?


    Luna nna suddenly cleared her throat, bringing the room to order. The chatter died down immediately, all eyes turning to the Luna Queen.


    "Let''s get back on track. Luna Hannah, I believe you have a presentation for us?"


    Taking a deep breath, I stood and made my way to the front of the room. My folder, containing the documents I had so painstakingly prepared, suddenly seemed to weigh a hundred pounds.


    "Thank you, Luna Queen," I began, my voice steady despite my nerves. "Today, I would like to present my proposal for a penpal program for children across our packs."


    As I delved into the details of the program, exining how it would boost literacy, creativity, and provide an outlet for children, I could see the interest growing in the other Lunas'' eyes. I outlined the benefits of fostering connections across pack territories and how it could lead to stronger inter-pack rtions in the future.


    I didn''t, however, mention my own personal history with the subject. I couldn''t bear to talk about the countless letters I had sent to Noah as teens-the letters that he had... forgotten.


    No matter how hard I had fallen for him again, that still stung more than anything.


    The meeting was called to an end. My penpal program had been well-received, but we had quickly moved onto other matters as well. Finally, when the sun had risen high into the sky, nna dismissed the Lunas. All except for me.


    "Luna Hannah, might I have a word with you in private?" she asked, her tone neutral


    My heart sank. I remembered one of the Lunas mentioning once that being called to nna''s private study this early on could only mean something bad. But nna was already leaving the room, not waiting for me. Nearly jogging to keep up, I followed nna to her study, a beautifully appointed room lined with bookshelves and adorned with elegant furniture. She was already seated behind her desk when I pushed through the doors. ""Luna nna, I-"


    "Hannah," she cut me off, "I called you here because I want you to know that I''m here for you it."


    if you


    need


    I blinked, taken aback by her abrupt and rather confusing words. "I... thank you, Luna nna, but I''m not


    sure I understand...?".


    nna''s eyes met mine. All business, but not harsh. "I know that the audio was not a deepfake. And I know you''re preparing for a divorce."


    I felt the blood drain from my face. I didn''t confirm or deny her statement, but nna didn''t seem to


    expect me to.


    "I''m not asking for information," she continued. "I just want you to know that in the event of a divorce, I will vouch for you. Your work here has been exemry, and I believe you have a bright future ahead of you, whatever path you choose." I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes at that. "Oh. Thank you," I whispered, not trusting myself to say more without breaking downpletely.


    nna nodded, a small, uncharacteristic smile on her face. "You''re wee, Hannah. Now, go on. I believe your car is waiting for you."


    I nodded stiffly, rising from the chair on weak legs. That was... unexpected. Wee, but unexpected. nna''s voice had been so matter-of-fact, so chilly. But her words had been warm, reassuring.


    It was hard not to smile a bit as I made my way back to the car.


    GET IT NOW


    X

 Chapter 345

    Chapter Hannah


    0345


    "How did the meeting go?"


    Noah pulled out of the driveway leading to Luna nna''s vast estate, the car tires crunching on the pebbles. He turned onto the main road, which wound through rolling hills topped with thick forests of tall pine trees.


    Luna nna''s words rang in my head-"In the event of a divorce, I will vouch for you"-and for a moment, I considered telling him that the meeting was fine and nothing else. There was no real need to tell him about the conversation the Luna Queen and I had had in private. But then I remembered that I had made a promise. We both had-for the sake of our child. No more lies. No more secrets.


    I took a deep breath. "It went... surprisingly well," I began, recounting the details of the meeting.


    I told him about the other Lunas'' reactions to the forum scandal, how they had been unexpectedly supportive and understanding.


    I told him about my presentation, how my penpal program would be implemented in the children''s summer program in just a few weeks.


    When I got to the part about my private conversation with nna, I hesitated for a moment, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my blouse.


    "There''s something else," I said slowly. "Luna nna... She figured out that we''re going to get divorce. And she said she would vouch for me when it happens!"Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Not if, like she had actually said.


    When.


    Because even though I had fallen for him, I still nned on divorcing him. 1


    Noah was silent, his expression unreadable as he drove. The only sound was the soft hum of the engine and the asional click of the turn signal, the only indication that he had even heard me a slight tightening of his fingers around the steering wheel.


    I felt my stomach clench, worried that I had hurt his feelings, that I had upset him. The silence stretched on for far too long, bing almost unbearable. 12


    But to my surprise, he simply pulled off the main road and into a parking lot. A sign for a restaurant came into view, the scent of food already making my mouth water.


    "Noah?" I asked, confused not only by hisck of response but also by this unexpected detour.


    "Come on. Let''s eat," was all he said.


    Inside, we were seated at a booth near the back of the restaurant. The waitress took our drink orders and left us to decide what we wanted to eat, but the words on the menu swam before my eyes.


    Nothing. He had said... nothing. He hadn''t even gotten angry. Somehow, this was worse.


    Finally, unable to bear it any longer, I said, "What''s this for?" I gestured to the restaurant around us.


    Noah set his menu down, his eyes finally meeting mine for the first time since we had arrived. "It''s congrattory," he said, matter-of-factly. "Clearly, your Luna Council meeting went very well. I''m happy for you, Hannah."


    I felt an unexpected warmth spread through my chest at his words, a flutter in my stomach that had nothing to do with hunger. This man, so different from the cold, distant husband I had known for years, was bing harder and harder to reconcile with the idea of divorce as the days went on.


    I had indeed fallen for him, hard, and moments like these only made it more difficult to remember why we needed to end our marriage.


    "You''re not... upset?" I found myself asking.


    He c***d his head to the side. "Why would I be upset?"


    "Because Luna nna promised to vouch for me in the divorce."


    He simply shrugged and said nothing.


    Blissfully soon, our meals arrived. I ordered a pasta dish dripping with alfredo sauce and golden shrimp, the smell making my mouth water. I hadn''t realized how hungry I had gotten during my meeting. Chapter 0346

 Chapter 346

    Chapter 0346


    to me for now."


    "So," Noah suddenly said as we ate, his voice low and serious, "I still can''t find anything concrete about White Rabbit." His brow furrowed with concern, a shadow passing over his features. "I''m worried about your safety, Hannah. I think it would be best if you stayed close His words made me blush. "We''ve already been through the whole stay-by-my-side thing, Noah. I''ll be fine," I said. Then, without thinking, I added, "Besides, now that we''re sharing a bed again, I feel safer than ever." Noah''s eyes widened slightly, his fork pausing halfway to his mouth. "You feel safe with me?"


    My face heated as I realized what I had just admitted, but there was no denying it. The warmth of his body next to mine each night, the steady rhythm of his breathing-it had be afort I looked forward to. "Well, yes," I said softly, averting my gaze. "It''s no secret that sleeping next to one''s mate makes a woman feel safe."


    Mate/


    It wasn''t a word either of us used often. I never really saw myself as much of a mate to him, and I don''t think he did, either. Not since he and Zoe...


    But we were. Not fated like him and Zoe, perhaps, but mated on the day that we had married.


    To my surprise, a slow smile spread across Noah''s face, his eyes darkening slightly. "Is that so?" he murmured, his voice dropping.


    The atmosphere between us suddenly shifted, bing charged with a familiar tension. I was quickly reminded of how it felt to have him inside of mest night, his lips pressing aching kisses to my neck. Suddenly, the food in front of me wasn''t what was making my mouth water.


    The moon was rising by the time we walked in through the front door. My feet ached, but something else


    ached, too.


    Over our meal, the tension had reached a breaking point. Coy looks had turned into flirtatiousments, brushes of ankle against ankle under the table had shifted into long, lingering touches.


    My body thrummed with desire for him-for the man I was meant to divorce. For the man who the Luna Queen herself said she would help me get away from.


    We barely made it through the front door before Noah''s lips were on mine in the darkness, his mouth hungrily devouring mine despite our recent meal. I responded eagerly, my fingers tangling in the fine hairs at the nape of his neck as he pressed me against the hallway wall.


    "Hannah," he growled against my neck, his hands roaming my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping my lips.


    "What?"Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Our contract-the bedroom-"


    I huffed as I felt his cool hand shove my skirt up around one thigh, his fingers digging into my flesh-so soft nowpared to how bony I had been not long ago. Lifting my leg, I hooked it around his hips, dragging him closer to me. "Here," was all I could manage through the husky breaths that were heaving in and out of my lungs. "I want it here tonight."


    And just like that, we were lost in each other, right there in the hallway. Clothes were hastily discarded, hands exploring familiar curves and nes with renewed hunger. Noah lifted me, my legs wrapping around his waist as he entered me in one swift, ravenous motion. The feeling of him inside me, filling mepletely, was exquisite. We moved together in a frenzied rhythm, our gasps and moans echoing in the empty house.


    As we reached our peak together, I couldn''t help but think how right this felt, how perfectly we fit together despite... everything.


    And for a moment, I let myself forget about divorces and pack politics, losing myselfpletely in the taste of Noah''s skin.

 Chapter 347

    GET IT NOW


    Chapter 0347 Hannah


    The doctor put away his stethoscope with a sigh, his brow furrowed as he turned to face us. The sound of the metal instrument clinking against his desk seemed unnaturally loud in the quiet room, echoing off of the sterile white walls. "You may need to undergo amniocentesis," he said, his voice grave.


    I felt Noah stiffen beside me, his hand tightening around mine. We exchanged worried looks, the fear in his green eyes mirroring my own. The leather of the examination table crinkled beneath me as I shifted ufortably. "Why?" I asked, my voice hardly more than a whisper. "What''s wrong?"


    "Yourtest blood panel hase back with some concerning red gs," the doctor exined as he flipped through the clipboard containing my medical information. "There''s a possibility that your baby may haveplications." Complications.


    The word felt dirty, empty. Like a puddle of muck that went deeper than it appeared.


    My free hand instinctively went to my swollen belly.


    "What kind ofplications?" Noah asked tightly.


    The doctor took a deep breath before exining the process of amniocentesis in detail. He described how they would use a long needle to extract amniotic fluid to test for gic diseases.


    The thought made me queasy, my stomach churning ufortably. I couldn''t help but squirm a bit on the table just thinking about it.


    "It will be ufortable, I''m afraid," the doctor warned, his eyes softening as he saw my pained expression, "but it''s necessary to ensure your pregnancy goes smoothly. This is the heir of Nightcrest, after all."


    To my surprise, Noah''s eyes shed with irritation. "It''s not just the heir of Nightcrest," he said firmly, a muscle ticking in his jaw. "It''s the health of my wife and child."


    I felt a warmth spread through my chest at his words, my heart softening toward him once again. It seemed to be happening more and moretely, these... moments of tenderness.


    "Right," the doctor said, paling a bit beneath Noah''s re. "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean it like that."


    As we left the doctor''s office with an appointment set for two weeks from now, Noah''s arm was wrapped protectively around my waist. His jaw was set hard as he opened the car door for me, but his eyes were gentle, worried. So different. He was so different now.


    Our contract had evolved into something more passionate, more intimatetely. We were having sex more than once a day, sometimes stolen moments in his office or hurried encounters in the shower.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    It was almost like we were newlyweds again, unable to keep our hands off each other. The way Noah looked at me now, with hunger and adoration in his eyes, made my skin tingle with anticipation. I tried to tell myself it was just hormones, just the pregnancy making me crave his touch.


    But deep down, I knew it was more than that.


    Noah had... changedtely. Glimmers of his old self, the boy I had fallen in love with as a teenager, kept slipping through the icy facade he usually wore.


    He smiled more often, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that made my heart skip a beat. Heughed more readily, the sound rich and warm. He flirted with me shamelessly, his eyes twinkling with a roguish charm I thought he had lost long ago.


    I found myself wondering where this version of him had been throughout our entire marriage. I had


    missed this Noah, the one who looked at me like I was the only woman in the world.


    And as soon as I had gotten him back, we would be divorcing. 1


    "Hannah..."


    Noah''s lips left trails of zing embers across my back, his hands roaming my spine and hips delicately, reverently, and yet with a fire that spoke of a deep and primal hunger.


    As we reached our peak together, I arched my back for deeper ess, my cheek pressed into the pillow. The sound of our mingled cries filled the room, our bodies trembling against each other.

 Chapter 348

    Chapter 0348


    But even as my body shuddered with release and he slumped into a sweaty, panting heap on top of me, I could sense that Noah''s mind was elsewhere.


    Once we had both stopped throbbing, he rolled off me and walked into the bathroom, leaving the door cracked. Iy there for a moment on my belly, catching my breath, the warm summer breeze blowing across my sweat-covered flesh, before I rolled onto my back and


    sat up.


    "Are you alright?" I called out, my voice still husky.


    There was a pause before Noah''s voice drifted back to me. "I''m worried," he admitted softly. "About the baby. And you."


    I didn''t know how to respond to that.


    When he came out of the bathroom, fully nude, his face was drawn with concern. My heart stuttered at the sight of him, vulnerable and open in a way he rarely allowed himself to be. The moonlight streaming through the window cast shadows across his muscled form, highlighting the tension in his shoulders.


    Without thinking, I got up and went to him, cupping his face in my hands. His stubble rasped against my palms as I tugged his tall frame closer, causing him to hunch a bit to meet my gaze.


    "It''s going to be okay," I promised, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Our baby will be fine."


    Noah''s hands came up to hold my wrists, his eyes closing as he pressed his forehead against mine. The heat of his body enveloped me,forting and familiar. Suddenly, he sucked in a sharp breath.


    "Hannah, I..." He swallowed hard, seeming to struggle with something he wanted to say.


    I was reminded of that night when I had told him about White Rabbit-I still hadn''t forgotten it, nearly two monthster. He had stopped by the door and had said those same two words, but then his voice had trailed off and he had left. "What''s on your mind?" I asked softly, my thumbs stroking his cheekbones.


    His mouth opened and closed a couple of times. But then he shook his head and pulled back, brushing past me. The loss of his warmth left me feeling suddenly cold and bereft despite the mid-summer heat blowing in through the open window. "It''ste," he said, his voice suddenly gruff. "Let''s get to sleep."


    I watched him climb into bed, a sense of disappointment settling in my chest. For a moment, I thought he might open up to me, might let me inpletely. But the walls were back up, and I was left wondering what he had been about to say. Two weeks passed in a blur..


    The night before the procedure, I found myself sitting at my vanity, brushing out my hair before bed. The repetitive motion was soothing, helping to calm my frayed nerves.


    Noahy in bed behind me, the soft glow of his phone luminating his face. I could see his reflection in the mirror, his brow furrowed in concentration as he scrolled through something on the screen.


    We hadn''t had sex tonight, both of us too preupied with thoughts of tomorrow''s appointment. The tension in the room was palpable, neither of us even in much of a mood to speak.


    I was... terrified. Not just for the pain, but for my baby. I hoped that everything would be okay.


    Suddenly, Noah''s phone buzzed loudly, breaking the silence. I watched in the mirror as he read what appeared to be an email, his expression darkening with each passing second. "Fuck," he muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    I turned to face him, my brush forgotten in my hand. "What is it?"


    Noah looked up at me. The light from his phone cast harsh shadows across his face, making him look older and more tired than usual.


    "I can''te with you tomorrow, Hannah. I''m sorry."

 Chapter 349

    hapter 0349


    Hannah


    I jumped up from my vanity, the brush ttering to the floor with a loud thud that echoed in the suddenly


    tense room.


    "What do you mean you can''te?" I demanded, my wordsing out harsher than I intended. "You promised!"


    Noah sat up in bed, the sheets pooling around his bare waist. Normally, I would have been entranced by the sight of the peaks and valleys of muscles strung across his body, but I was too upset in the moment to notice.


    "I know, Hannah. I''m sorry. A sudden business meeting came up that I absolutely cannot miss."


    "A... business meeting?" I repeated incredulously, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. "A business meeting is what''s more important than our baby?"


    Noah flinched as if my words physically pained him. The soft expression that he had been wearing more oftentely was quickly clouded by his usual icy facade.


    "It''s with a big business mogul who''s looking to open a branch here in Nightcrest. This deal could shape the future of our-my-pack," he said, almost a growl. "If I cancel, he might find another pack to start negotiations with. We would lose out on a lot of money and jobs. I know you''re going back to Silvermoon, but you can''t tell me you don''t understand how important that is."


    I felt my heart sink, a cold feeling spreading through my chest. Logically, of course I understood the importance of such a meeting. But emotionally...


    "But you promised," I said again, my voice barely above a whisper, cracking slightly on thest word. I hated how small I sounded, how small I felt.


    At that moment, the doctor''s words from ourst appointment nged through my mind. A long needle... Painful... I shuddered just at the thought. "I can''t go alone," I croaked out.


    "I know." Noah looked away, a muscle ticking in his sharp jaw. "Look, I''m sorry, okay? I really am. If there was any way I could be in two ces at once, I would."D


    "Can''t you send Scott to the meeting?" I asked.


    Noah shot me an incredulous look that was all the answer I needed. Scott was... not the most reliable. If he wasn''t Noah''s half-brother, he wouldn''t be his Beta at all. He could hardly be trusted with basic tasks, let alone weighty business meetings. "I have to go," was all Noah said.


    I felt my ice wall, the one I had been slowly letting down over the past few weeks, m back into ce with an almost audible thud. Without a word, I walked to the bed and threw back the covers on my side, the soft fabric feeling oddly harsh against my skin as I climbed onto the mattress. "Whatever," I said, my voice cold and distant. I grabbed my phone off the nightstand and sent a quick text to Viona before flopping down on my pillow with a huff "I just asked Viona to go with me. At least I won''t be alone." Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Noah reached out to touch my arm, his fingers barely grazing my skin before I pulled away. ""Hannah-"


    "I said it''s fine," I snapped, sliding into bed and turning my back to him. "Goodnight, Noah."


    I heard him sigh heavily, felt the bed shift as hey back down. But he didn''t try to touch me again, didn''t try to pull me close like he had been doing every night for weeks now. The space between us felt like a chasm, growing even wider once he flicked off the light and cast the room into darkness.


    As Iy there, my hand resting on my swollen belly, I felt a confusing mix of emotions swirling inside me. Hurt, anger, and... loss. I had grown to love the feeling of dependence that came with going to these appointments with Noah as ofte.


    Maybe that was why I was so irrationally angry over this. The terror of not having him beside me, his hand wrapped around mine...


    Now, I would have to face this alone.


    No, not alone, I reminded myself firmly. Viona would be there. And besides, I would have to get used to doing things without Noah anyway. In just a few months, we would finally be divorced.


    The thought sent an unexpected pang through my chest, sharp and painful.


    If I was being truthful with myself, I... didn''t want to get divorced anymore. I hadn''t wanted it for some time now.


    But I felt obligated to take over Silvermoon before my father could appoint Alvin as the new Alpha. The fate of my home pack could be dire if I didn''t step up. Alvin was a mess, a yboy with no sense of responsibility or purpose. I couldn''t live with myself if I let Silvermoon go to him. And yet... Noah hadn''t said anything about wanting to stay married either. Maybe this contract, all the sex and tender moments, was just that to him-a contract. And if he wasn''t even willing to reschedule a business meeting for our baby, maybe I shouldn''t even bother. 1 At least, that was what I kept telling myself.


    When I finally drifted off after a restless night, it felt like only minutes had passed before my rm was ring, its harsh sound cutting through the quiet morning.


    I reached out instinctively, half-expecting to feel Noah''s warmth beside me. But the bed was empty and cold, the indent where his body should have been the only indication that he had even been there.


    He was already gone. He couldn''t even be bothered to say goodbye or wish me luck.


    "Dammit," I muttered, forcing myself to sit up. My hands shook slightly as''t got dressed, my body a bundle of nerves. I just wanted to get today over with.


    As I was pulling my light summer dress over my head, my phone rang. Viona''s name shed on the screen, and I felt a small surge of relief. She was likely already waiting for me outside.


    "Hey, Vi," I answered, mping the phone between my cheek and my shoulder as I tugged my socks on. I''m just about ready. Are you on your way?"


    There was a pause, then a groan that made my stomach clench on instinct.


    "Hannah, I''m so sorry," Viona said, her voice weak and strained like she had been shouting or... "I''ve been throwing up all night.".


    I felt my heart drop, thest vestiges of hope crumbling away. "Food poisoning?"


    Viona coughed. "I think so. Made the mistake of hitting up a food cart yesterday for lunch, and..."


    "It''s okay," I said before she could finish. "Don''t worry about it. Feel better, okay?"


    "Thanks, Han. Maybe call Amber? Or Emma?"


    I shook my head even though she couldn''t see me. "It''s toote," I said, ncing at the clock. Amber was


    ate riser and Emma was likely working right now. "It''s okay. I''ll go on my own."


    Viona sighed. "Okay, well... Text me when you get there, and keep me updated."


    "I will, Vi. Just focus on getting better."


    "Hey, at least my hair is short enough now so it doesn''t get in the wa-"


    The sound of retching cut Viona off. I grimaced and hung up, shaking my head.


    I guess I really was about to do this... alone.

 Chapter 350

    Chapter 0350


    Noah & Hannah


    Noah''s POV


    Noah''s eyes were fixed on the businessman sitting across from him at the conference table, but his mind was far away. So far away.


    So far, in fact, that the man''s droning voice sounded like it was underwater. He was saying something about stocks and expenditures, but it sounded garbled, meaningless, silly. Noah''s mind was on one thing. Or rather, one person.


    The hurt in her eyesst night, the fear in her voice-it haunted him. Hannah hadshed out at him, tossing and turning like an angry lioness all night. When he''d tried to touch her, she had flinched away. At some point, even in sleep, she had even snarled at him when he tried to pull her close.


    But he couldn''t me her. The procedure she was facing was terrifying, and he should have been there with her. With his... mate.


    His wolf stirred restlessly inside of him, pacing and growling as if Noah''s mind was a cage.


    "You have fallen in love with her after all," his wolf snarled. "You really have, you lovestruck bastard..."


    "Alpha Noah?"


    The sound of the businessman''s voice dragged Noah back to the present. He blinked, one long leg crossed widely over the other. "Hm?"


    "The spreadsheets," the businessman said, gesturing to the untouched folder sitting in front of Noah. "If you''ll flip to page seven..." "Right..."


    Noah flipped to the page, but the figures staring up at him were like hieroglyphs. Still, he nodded and hummed along with the businessman''s droning, pretending to be listening. Noah didn''t need to do much more than that, anyway; the bastard in the suit that was two sizes too big just liked to hear himself talk.


    "Fine," he thought to his wolf, "You''re right."


    His wolf growled with pleasure.


    He couldn''t deny it any longer. Over the past few weeks, something had changed. The ice around his heart had melted, reced by a warmth he hadn''t felt in years.


    Yes, he had fallen in love with Hannah. Head over heels,pletely and utterly in love.


    He loved the way she smiled at him in the mornings, still sleepy and soft andzy. He loved the sound of herughter when it was genuine and unguarded. He loved the feel of her skin against his. And she smelled so damn good.


    Every little detail about her had be precious to him. Once, he had only intended to woo her enough to make her want to stay so his heir could remain in Nightcrest, but...


    He had been the one who had fallen for her.


    And he was hurting her by not being there for her.


    Goddess, what the fuck was he doing here in this stuffy conference room? Why wasn''t he with the woman he loved right now?


    In that moment, Noah felt a tug on the inside of his chest, like a fishing wire tied to his heart, pulling him out of this room and toward Hannah. The sensation was so strong it was almost physical, making him shift ufortably in his seat. "She needs you, you bastard," his wolf growled.


    Yes, she did. Noah knew what he needed to do.


    Without a word, Noah stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. The sound echoed in the suddenly silent room, all eyes turning to him in surprise.


    "I apologize," Noah said, his voice firm. "But I have to leave. There''s somewhere I need to be."


    He turned and walked toward the door, ignoring the shocked gasps and murmurs from the other attendees.


    "Alpha Noah!" the businessman called after him. "Where are you going?! Alpha Noah!"


    But Noah didn''t stop, didn''t look back, didn''t falter. To hell with business meetings. Hannah needed him. Hannah''s POV


    The nurse exined the procedure, just as the doctor had two weeks ago. "We''ll use this long needle..."


    My eyesnded on the instrumentsid out on a nearby tray. The long, thin needle glinted under the harsh fluorescent lights, just as menacing as I had expected,


    Fuck, I couldn''t breathe-Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "And then we''ll send the fluid in for testing..."


    As the nurse spoke, another nurse gently pushed my shoulders back onto the exam table. My vision filled with the blinding glow of lights. There was a brown water stain on the ceiling, and it looked like-like blood A hand touched my thigh. "A little wider, Luna Hannah.."

 Chapter 351

    0351


    Chapter


    I couldn''t breathe. I couldn''t breathe I couldn''t breathe couldn''t breathe.


    "I can''t do this," I gasped, sitting up abruptly. "I-I can''t-need-"


    I felt my wolf roiling inside of me. "Mate," she growled. "Mate, mate... Need... Mate..."


    "Luna Hannah," the nurse said softly, holding her hands out catingly. "It will all be over soon, if you''ll just rx and-"


    But her words were drowned out by the roaring in my ears. I felt my ws and fangs extend, my wolf pushing to the surface in panic. The room seemed to spin around me, everything too bright, too loud, too much.


    "I need my mate!" I snarled, jumping off of the table like I was possessed. Without even realizing what I was doing, my arm swept across a nearby surface, sending instruments ttering to the floor with a deafening crash. "I can''t do this without him!" The nurses whimpered and backed into the corner, cowering. From me, I realized, as I raged through the room, shoving equipment and snarling like a feral beast. "Luna Hannah-"


    "Get away!" I roared, spittle flying from my mouth. "Where is he?!"Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    I knew I was scaring them, but I couldn''t stop. The terror was overwhelming, consuming me entirely. My wolf howled inside me, desperate for our mate. I was possessed with terror, possessed with the need for


    him.


    Somewhere, faintly, I heard someone shout for security, but I hardly heard it. I hardly cared as I heard footsteps pounding through the hallway, someone banging on the door. "Luna Hannah!" I hardly heard any


    of it.


    I couldn''t do this. Not without him. Not without-


    Suddenly, the door burst open with a bang. A familiar scent hit me a split second before strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. "Hannah, I''m here," Noah''s voice rumbled in my ear, deep andforting. "I''m here... It''s okay. I''ve got you." 1


    I froze, inhaling deeply-not to get air into my lungs, but to get his scent, that familiar smell of his skin. The scent of pine and fire, just like the wildfires burning in his fir-green eyes. I needed it more than air right now. Slowly, the fog of panic began to clear, and I blinked, logic returning. The exam room was a mess, instruments strewn across the tiled floor, my feet bare and my hair tangled. How long had I been raging? How long... "Noah," I whispered, hardly daring to believe it. My hands clutched at his shirt, afraid he might disappear if let go. "You came..."


    He pulled back slightly, his green eyes meeting mine. He cupped my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him, forcing me not to look at the scrambling nurses and the security guards lingering in the doorway. 1/2  Chapter 0351


    "I couldn''t let you go through this alone," he said softly


    "But the meeting-"


    "F***k the business meeting. This is the most important thing. You''re the most important thing, Hannah." I felt my ws and fangs recede, my wolf immediately settling down at the presence of our mate. In that moment, I knew with absolute certainty that I had fallen back in love with Noah. I didn''t want to be without him, not ever again. "Noah, I lo-"


    "I know," he cut me off, guiding me back to the exam table. "I do, too."


    With Noah by my side, I calmly climbed back onto the table. A doctor in a white coat swept in, a nurse checked my pulse. Someone was speaking to me, then to Noah. I think I muttered an apology, but it was all a haze.


    Noah held my hand throughout the procedure, never once letting go. I hardly even felt the pain, if there was any-l only felt him, smelled him, heard those words echoing in my mind. "I know. I do, too."


    He loved me. I loved him.


    The procedure was over before I even knew it. I had dressed, or someone had dressed me, without even realizing it. It was over.


    "Let''s get you home," Noah said gently, helping me up from the table. His arm wrapped around my waist, supporting me as we walked out of the examination room.


    I looked up at him, a warmth spreading through my chest at the word. Home. Not just a ce, but wherever Noah was.


    "Home..."

 Chapter 352

    Chapter 0352 Hannah


    Noah pulled me close, his arm draped protectively around my shoulders as we made our way out of the doctor''s office. The familiar scent of him enveloped me, calming the remnants of my panic attack. I leaned into him as we waited for my driver to pull around. ncing around the parking lot, I noticed that I didn''t see Noah''s car anywhere. "Where''s your car?" I asked, ncing up at him.


    He dragged a hand through his hair, looking a bit sheepish. "I didn''t bring it." When I shot him a confused look, he added, "I, uh... I ran here. In my wolf form."


    I pulled back slightly, looking up at him in surprise. "You what?"


    "I didn''t even think about taking a car, if I''m being honest. I just... ran. Straight to you."


    The mental image of Noah sprinting through the streets in his massive wolf form, desperate to reach me, filled my heart to the brim. "But how did you know I needed you?"


    Noah''s expression grew serious, his green eyes intense as they met mine. "I felt it. This... tug in my heart. The same one I felt when you were kidnapped. I just knew you needed me, and I couldn''t sit there in that stupid meeting and leave you on your own." With that, the car pulled up. Noah opened the door for me, ensuring that I was safe andfortable inside before he climbed in and sidled up next to me.


    As we drove home, the city blurring past us, I allowed myself to lean against him. Having him here with me, those strong arms wrapped securely around my shoulders, filled me with a sense of safety and peace that I hadn''t felt in a long time.


    Suddenly, Noah shifted, turning to face me more fully. "Hannah, I... I can''t bear the thought of letting you go." His voice was low, but I could hear the emotion in it, see it in his eyes. "I don''t want the divorce. I want you to stay."


    My breath caught in my throat. "But... Silvermoon..."


    "I know you feel obligated," he said quickly, his hands finding mine. "But if you stay, I promise I''ll help you find a way to protect Silvermoon from Alvin. We''ll figure it out together. We''re stronger as a team, Hannah."


    I was frozen, unable to speak, hardly even able to think. Noah''s thumbs traced circles on the backs of my hands, sending shivers up my arms. "Will you stay with me, Hannah? I want to work on our marriage, not just for our child, but for us. I''m sorry I''ve been so distant and cold throughout our marriage, but I genuinely want to be better, to be a better person."


    He paused, taking a deep breath before speaking his next words. "I... I love you, Hannah. I''m sorry I didn''t realize it sooner, but I realize it now. And I want to right all of the wrongs."


    My breath hitched at those three words. I love you. Had I ever heard them from him before? I couldn''t remember a time when he had said it throughout our marriage. Perhaps this was the first time.


    In that moment, I felt my wolf stirring inside of me, not with the panic and rage that I''d felt earlier, but with


    a deep, primal certainty.


    I loved Noah too.


    The realization washed over me like a crashing wave. I couldn''t leave him. I didn''t want to.


    "I... I don''t want a divorce either," I said softly. "I want to work on our marriage too, and on myself. I know! haven''t been a good partner in the past. I was obsessed with appearances, selfish, cruel even. But I want to be a better person, a better Luna." I looked into his eyes, my heart pounding. "And I love you, Noah. I really do."


    His cheeks reddened slightly, a boyish grin spreading across his face. "So... it''s settled, then? We won''t get divorced?"


    I couldn''t help but smile back. I leaned against him, burying my face in the warm, buttery skin of his neck.


    +25Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 353

    Chapter 0353


    ""No. We won''t."


    As soon as we arrived home, I made my way to the closet in our bedroom where I had been keeping the box with all of our papers. I pulled out the sex contract and the divorce papers, holding them for a moment before turning to Noah, who was standing in the doorway. "Let''s burn them," I said decisively.


    Noah''s eyebrows shot up, but he nodded, following me to the firece. We knelt together on the plush rug as I ced the papers in the grate. Noah struck a match, and we watched as the mes consumed the documents that had once symbolized the end of our marriage.


    As we watched the papers curl and cken, Noah''s hand found mine. He intertwined our fingers, gently tugging me closer to him. Neither of us spoke, although we didn''t need to; we just watched, leaning against one another, as the mes licked at those damning documents.


    Staying together. We were staying together.


    And it felt so, so right.


    When thest of the papers had finally turned to ash, Noah turned to me. He cupped my cheek gently, his thumb tracing my cheekbone.


    "I promise," he said softly, his eyes reflecting the flickering mes, "that I will do right by you and our baby. No more coldness, no more distance. I''m here, fully andpletely."


    His other hand came to rest on my swollen belly, and I covered it with my own. We pressed our foreheads together, breathing each other in. His scent enveloped me, and I felt almost dizzy with love.


    "I love you," I whispered, the words feeling both new and familiar on my tongue.


    Instead of responding with words, Noah''s lips met mine in a tender kiss. It was different from our recent passionate, desperate, hungry encounters-this was slow, sweet, full of promise. Full of love and full of history.


    When we finally broke apart, Noah scooped me up in his arms, carrying me toward the bed. Iughed, wrapping my arms around his neck, feeling suddenly giddy and lightheaded.


    "What are you doing?" I asked, although I had a pretty good idea.


    "I''m about to make love to my wife," he said, his voice husky. "Any objections?"


    I pretended to think for a moment, tapping my chin. "Hmm... nope, can''t think of any."


    Heid me gently on the bed, his hands and lips exploring my body with reverence. This wasn''t the frenzied passion of our recent encounters, driven by the terms of a contract and our own need for release. This was something deeper, more intimate.


    Noah''s touch was gentle, almost worshipful as he undressed me. His fingers trailed over my bare skin, Yeaving goosebumps in their wake.


    When he climbed between my legs and slipped into me, it felt likeing home after a long time at war.


    We moved together beneath the sheets, tongue and lips and teeth grazing each other''s skin.


    I clung to him as we ground our hips against one another, my legs wrapped firmly around him as if he might slip away. But he didn''t pull away, didn''t once pry his warm body away from mine.


    For the first time ever, I felt whole. Complete. This was what it meant to be truly mated, truly in love. The pleasure built slowly, a warm glow that spread through my entire body until I finally splintered on him.


    When I did go over that edge, he cupped my face in his hands and peppered gentle kisses across my cheeks and nose. He peaked not long after that, soft growls and groans brushing against my ear as he finally let out onest gentle shudder.


    I tangled my fingers in his hair, listening to his ragged breathing as he slumped on top of me. Even then, in the wake of our heat, he didn''t pull away. I wouldn''t have minded if he just stayed there forever.


    And the words he uttered next made me want to never let go.


    "I love you, Hannah..."Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 354

    Chapter 0354 Chapter 0354


    Hannah


    Golden sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the nkets. I stretchednguidly and rolled over, already smiling contentedly as consciousness returned and the memories ofst night floated back in-even sweeter than the sweet dreams I''d


    had all night.


    Noah''s arms were still wrapped around me, warm andforting. He tugged me closer as I turned to face him, and I opened my eyes to find those green eyes smiling down at me. He was still here. He hadn''t slipped out of bed, hadn''t left me. I almost pinched myself to see if it was real.


    "Morning," he murmured with azy smile. His voice was deep and gravelly from sleep, and the sound of it felt like velvet-covered fingers gently stroking at the inside of my mind.


    I leaned into him, reveling in the sensation of his warm breath tickling my hair. "Mm. Morning," I replied, my own voice still husky with sleep. "How long have you been awake?" Noah shrugged, his thumb brushing across my cheekbone. "A while."


    Weid there like that for a bit, each of uszily waking up in the light of the morning sun. It was a Tuesday, and I knew he likely had some meeting or another he had to run off to, but he didn''t seem eager to get up.


    Finally, after what felt like a blissful eternityying together, he slipped out from under the covers. I couldn''t help but feel a bit disappointed as I watched his nude form, golden skin gleaming in the sunlight, head into the bathroom.


    But a few momentster, I heard the shower turn on and he poked his tousled head out. "Shower with


    me?"


    Beaming, I practically leapt out of bed like a kid on Christmas morning. Of course I would shower with him -I thought he would never ask.


    The warm water soothed my tired muscles, which were still a little sore from the adrenaline that had coursed through me during my panic attack yesterday. But all of that felt miles away by now, especially as Noah began to gently scrub the loofah across my body,thering me with fragrant soap.


    I felt a blush creep up my neck, the heat spreading to my cheeks as he moved the loofah over my skin. His touch was gentle, just as reverent as it had been in bedst night.


    "Noah," I said, curiosity getting the better of me, "when did you know you loved me?"


    His hand stilled. "It wasn''t just one moment. It was a lot of little things."


    "Such as?" I bit my lip, arching my back into him. Noah let out a small growl of approval as I began sliding my body against his under the water, covering him in soap.


    "Like... the way you light up when you talk about your Luna Council projects," he said, his hands caressing my slick hips. "And how determined you''ve been to better yourself. The strength you showed during your eating disorder recovery."


    I listened, captivated, as Noah recounted moments from the past few months-moments I hadn''t even realized were significant to him, such as watching me eat a chocte croissant at the hotel and seeing


    my fighting get better as we trained together.


    "Then there was a couple weeks ago," he continued, a smile tugging at his lips, "when you were sitting in the living room working on your penpal program proposal. You were sitting cross-legged on the floor, and


    He shook his head, chuckling. I''d turned to face him by now, our bodies tangled together beneath the warm water. "What?" I asked.


    "It''s just..." Heughed again. "When you concentrate, you have a habit of sticking your tongue out a little. I''ll confess I once found it annoying, but it''s honestly really cute. I think I knew then, as I saw the determination on your face while you worked, that I had begun to love you."


    I felt too full of emotion to even speak, so I wrapped my arms around his neck and tugged him close, kissing him deeply. He responded in kind, and though I felt something warm and hard press against my leg as I slipped my tongue around his, he didn''t ask for sex. This moment was intimate enough.


    Finally, we shut off the water and stepped out into the steamy bathroom, wrapping towels around ourselves. I watched, drying my hair as Noah brushed his teeth. I watched the hard nes of his body, the way his skin glistened with droplets of water.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

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    Chapter 0355 Chapter


    0355


    It was in that moment, as I took in his features, that something hit me.


    Suddenly, I turned and strode out of the bathroom. The cool air of the bedroom chilled my damp skin as I padded to the closet. There, I retrieved the box I had kept hidden for so long.


    Noah was standing in the bathroom doorway, brow furrowed. I held the box up. "Take a seat.


    Curiosity evident on his face, he obeyed and perched on the edge of the bed. I set the box down beside him, opened it, and pulled out a stack of yellowed envelopes. "What''s this?" he asked, cocking his head.


    "These are the letters you wrote me all those years ago." I exined, handing them to him. "The ones you said you don''t remember."


    His brow furrowed as he began to read, his eyes scanning the pages. I watched his face intently, looking for any sign of recognition, but saw only confusion and a hint of frustration.


    "Hannah," he said finally, looking up at me. "Are you sure I wrote these?"


    I nodded, biting back the little sting that that question left in my throat. "Positive."


    He frowned as he flipped to the next page. "These are incredibly heartfelt. And it''s my handwriting. But... I don''t remember writing any of them."


    "You really don''t remember?"


    He shook his head. "Not in the slightest. It''s like there''s a nk space where these memories should be."


    My heart sank a little, but I tried not to show it. "Do you think something traumatic might have happened ''during that time? Maybe you have some kind of... I don''t know, selective amnesia?" He''d mentioned that those were dark times before. Maybe they were even darker than either of us knew.


    Noah ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. "I don''t know. It''s possible, I suppose."


    "Have you ever considered therapy? It might help unlock those memories, if there are any."


    He was quiet for a moment, his eyes distant as he considered my words. Then he nodded slowly. "I''ll think about it," he said. "For now, though, I want to focus on the present. On us."


    He rose, towel still draped loosely around his narrow hips, and pinched my chin gently between his thumb and forefinger. He tilted my face up to meet his gaze. "We should finally throw you an official baby shower. I want to treat you like the princess you are, Hannah. You deserve it after everything you''ve been through."


    I felt my cheeks heat up again, a warmth spreading through my chest at his words. "I... I think I''d like that."


    With that, he nodded and made his way into the closet, returning a few momentster with a shirt and a pair of pants-and a sundress for me. Heid everything on the bed, and I quirked an eyebrow at how casual his own attire looked for a work day. "What''s this?" I asked.


    He shrugged as he toweled himself off and began to dress. "We''ve got a day of party nning ahead of us. I hope you''re ready for it."


    +25 BONUS


    I cocked my head, "No meetings? On a Tuesday?"


    Noah smirked. "I canceled everything while you were still asleep earlier."


    I wanted to smack his arm and call him a lovestruck fool, but I contained myself. Instead, smiling, I dressed alongside him. He nced over at me as I did, taking in the plush appearance of my thighs, my rounded belly. "You look greattely, by the way. It''s nice to see you recovering."


    I blushed, and he added, "You know, when you were so thin... I was terrified. I thought I might lose you."


    I swallowed hard, those words striking deeper than he realized. For a moment, I considered telling him that I had died. That everything we''d been throughtely was a second chance.


    But as I opened my mouth to tell him, I couldn''t. The words felt stuck in my throat.


    "Hannah?" He noticed my hesitation. "What is it? You look like you want to say something."


    I shook my head, forcing a smile and pushing down the guilt of keeping this secret. "Nothing," I said, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "I was just thinking that I''d like a chocte cake for the party." Noah chuckled and shook his head at me.


    "Chocte cake it is, then."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

 Chapter 356

    Chapter 0356 Hannah


    The next few days passed in a blissful haze, each one better than thest. Noah kept true to his word, throwing himself into nning a wonderful baby shower with me.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    We spent our days nning, sending out invitations to all our friends, and our nights... Well, those were filled with sweet lovemaking and long, intimate conversations about everything and nothing at the same time.


    Those nights were my favorite, and I loathed having to fall asleep. I wanted our evenings tost forever.


    The letters, for their part, remained a mystery. Noah still didn''t remember writing them, but I was willing to work through this with him. I let him keep them, hoping that reading them at his leisure might jog his memory.


    Sometimes, I would catch him poring over them, his brow furrowed in concentration, but he never seemed to have a breakthrough.


    But there would be time for figuring out why he couldn''t remember them and what had blocked his mind. We had an entire lifetime to work through it, after all.


    For now, we focused on the present-the sweet, blissful present.


    To my surprise and delight, Noah took the entire week off of work. I protested, telling him that t was unnecessary, but he insisted. He repeated that he wanted to treat me like a princess, and that he couldn''t do that if he was going to meetings and signing paperwork. So, every day that week was a new adventure. It felt like our honeymoon all over again, only this time, rather than nonstop sex and mating, we were actually acting like a couple. Not just a broodmare and her


    stud.


    Every morning, he would take me out for breakfast at a different cafe. The scent of fresh coffee and pastries would greet us as we entered, hand in hand. We would sit for at least an hour, talking andughing, lost in our own little world.


    Then we might go shopping, picking out cute baby clothes and decorations for the nursery. I fell in love with a tiny pair of booties one morning, soft and yellow with little ducklings embroidered on them. Noah insisted on buying them, along with what seemed like half the store.


    In the afternoons, we might stroll through the park, enjoying the summer warmth and each other''spany. Or maybe we would go to a museum or a farmer''s market or the movies. Each day was different.


    That week felt like a dream, one I was afraid to wake up from. Each night, as we fell asleep in each other''s arms, I would silently pray to the Goddess that this happiness wouldst. That it wouldn''t catastrophically fall apart in some way or another. I hoped she listened.


    Saturday, the day of the party, dawned bright and clear. I woke up to the smell of coffee and pastries,


    +25 BONUS


    Noah''s side of the bed already empty. He''d been waiting for me to wake up every morningtely before he got up, so the sudden emptiness made my heart pound a bit. I slipped on my robe and padded downstairs in search of him, stopping in the kitchen for a cup of coffee on my way.


    As I approached the dining room, I could hear hushed voices and the rustle of paper. Unable to contain my curiosity, I peeked around the corner.


    I gasped at the sight. The room was transformed, pastel streamers and adorable baby decorations covering every wall, every window, every surface. A banner proiming "Wee, Little One!" hung across one wall. Balloons in soft pinks and blues bobbed gently in the air conditioning. Suddenly, Noah''s eyes widened as he spotted me. He rushed over, gently but firmly ushering me out. "Get out!" he hissed, trying to block my view with his body. "You''re not supposed to see this!"


    Iughed, allowing him to guide me back into the hallway. "I''m sorry! I didn''t know!"


    Growling softly, Noah pressed me gently against the wall, his body warm and solid against mine. That familiar scent enveloped me, and he nipped at my neck in warning.


    "You''re incorrigibly nosy, you know that?" he murmured, his breath hot against my skin.

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    Chapter 0357


    Before I could retort, his mouth had trailed up and captured my lips in a sweet kiss. I melted into him, my handsing up to tangle in his hair. When we parted, both slightly out of breath, he crouched down, parting my robe to expose my swollen belly. He pressed a


    tender kiss to my skin, his hand caressing the curve. I sipped my coffee as I watched him.


    "Good morning to you too, little one," he whispered, his lips brushing against my belly. "Are you excited for your party today?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. How had we gone from cold, distant strangers to this? It seemed almost miraculous. Too good to be true.


    "Come on," Noah said, standing up and taking my hand. "Since apparently you can''t keep your nose out of the party preparations."


    He led me outside, where the gardens were awash in warm morning sunlight. It was going to be a hot one today, judging by the way the morning dew was already curling off the grass in little tendrils of steam.


    "You know," I said as we meandered through the pebbled pathway, coffee in hand, "with everything that''s been going on, I haven''t really thought about baby names."


    Noah nced at me. "Surely you must have a few ideas."


    I shrugged. "I don''t know. It feels like this week is the first week I''ve really had a chance to think about being a mom, and not just trying to figure out how to get through a divorce or what to do about my cousin taking over my pack."


    Noah stiffened a bit at that, his hand tightening around mine. Those divorce papers burning in the firece was still a fresh image in both of our minds. But he didn''tment on it.


    I turned to him then. "I''m still worried about Silvermoon, for what it''s worth," I admitted. "It''s my home pack, and I''d hate to see it fall to ruin under Alvin''smand..."


    Noah''s expression turned serious. He was quiet for a moment, considering.


    "I''ve been thinking about that, too," he finally said, leading me to a nearby stone bench. We sat down, the white and green tendrils of a wisteria tree swaying over our heads. "I think there might be a way for Nightcrest to absorb Silvermoon." I blinked, surprised. "Absorb it? But... they''re both suchrge territories. How would that even work?"


    "It would be a massive undertaking, without a doubt," he agreed. "Definitely not something I would have considered before on my own."


    He turned to me then. "But with your recent strides as Luna, I think we could handle it together. Maybe you could talk to your family, see if they''d be open to the idea, and we cane up with a transition n together."


    I chewed the inside of my cheek, considering. The idea was intriguing. It would allow me to protect Silvermoon without having to leave Noah and Nightcrest. It sounded like a lot of work, but it was the type of work I''d grown to lovetely.


    "I''ll think about it," I said, resting a hand on my swollen belly.


    +25 BONUS


    Noah smiled, pulling me close and pressing a kiss to my temple. "For now, let''s focus on the party tonight All I want to think about is how beautiful you''re going to look in that pretty pink dress you bought the other day."


    I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. The dress in question was a soft, flowing number that hugged my baby bump perfectly. I''d fallen in love with it instantly when we''d spotted it in a boutique window earlier that week. The way Noah had looked at me when I tried it on... well, let''s just say we barely made it home before clothes starteding off.


    Smiling at the memory, I rose and broke away from him, casting him a cheeky grin over my shoulder.


    "I''ll start getting ready, then."

 Chapter 358

    Chapter 0358


    Hannah


    Viona''s nimble fingers worked expertly through my hair weaving intricate braids and curls as I sat in front of my vanity. The sweet scent of floral perfume filled the air, mingling with the subtle aroma of the styling products she was using.


    I''d forgone my usual stylist tonight in favor of Viona, wanting a few hours alone with my friend. Amber and Emma would be at the party, but they both had their own things going on and wouldn''t be able to arrive until the party started.


    From what I understood, Emma was finalizing the divorce with her husband today. And Amber... Well, she had apparently met someone new. And from the little tidbit of gossip that Viona had shared with me, I''d gathered that their third date went well enoughst night that he had spent the night at Amber''s ce and their date had bled into today.


    Speaking of blossoming rtionships...


    "I still can''t believe how much has changed with Noahtely," I mused, watching Viona''s reflection in the mirror. I toyed with my ne, a delicate gold chain with a little crescent moon pendant.


    She smiled, her eyes meeting mine. "I''m really so happy for you. I know you two have been through a lot, but I always kind of hoped you''d be able to work it out.


    "It''s like he''s a different person. Or maybe... maybe he''s finally bing the person he was always meantContent provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    to be."


    Viona''s hands stilled for a moment. "What do you think caused the change?"


    I considered her question, my hand absently stroking my belly. "I think... maybe the prospect of the baby snapped him out of his icy haze. And perhaps whatever trauma he endured that gave him selective amnesia added to his iciness in the first ce." "Selective amnesia?" Viona asked, resuming her work on my hair.


    I sighed, exining the letters and Noah''splete inability to remember writing them. Not just them, but all of the events that led up to us bing penpals-that summer we''d spent getting to know each other, even sneaking into his mother''s hospital room. He didn''t remember a shred of it.


    "If he couldn''t remember our past together, then no wonder he was always cold toward me," I mused. "To him, I was hardly more than an acquaintance. A random girl he was forced into an arranged marriage with."


    I paused, watching as Viona plucked a bobby pin from between her lips and slipped it into a curl.


    "I think that having his fated mate bond severed with Zoe was what may have caused it," I continued, dropping my voice a bit. "But I can''t bring it up to him. I think it would hurt him too much, and it''s probably best reserved for a therapist." "He never talks about it, does he?" Viona asked.


    "No," I said softly. "But I know it left its mark on him."


    I winced just at the thought of the pain he endured during that process. Severing your bond with a fated


    +25 BORRUS


    mate was not a pleasant experience in the slightest. Everyone who did it imed that it felt like being stabbed in the heart with a knife, over and over and over again for days.


    He''d never talked about it to me, not even once, but I knew.


    We fell into afortable silence as Viona finished my hair and moved on to my makeup. She worked skillfullytely, she''d been taking cosmetology sses at night, which she had begun when we weren''t talking during those weeks. She''d exined that, with her parents still not speaking to her, she had decided to get certified so she could open her own salon. I''d always known that she had a knack for it, but taking sses made her skills even more polished. "Vi," I said suddenly, catching her hand as she reached for a brush, "I just want to say that I''m so d we''re friends again. I missed you. And I''m sorry for fighting with you."

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    Chapter 0359


    Her eyes softened, and she squeezed my hand. "I missed you too, Han. Let''s promise never to fight like that again, okay?"


    I nodded, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Viona quickly dabbed them away,ughing. "Don''t you dare ruin my masterpiece!"


    As she put the finishing touches on my makeup, her expression grew serious again. "Hannah, there''s something I need to ask you." "What is it?"


    She hesitated for a moment. "Does Noah know about the rebirth yet?"Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    I felt a pang in my chest at her words. "No," I admitted. "You''re still the only one who knows."


    Viona''s brow furrowed. "Don''t you think you should tell him by now if you''re staying together?"


    I sighed, standing up to slip into my dress. The pink, gauzy material flowed over my curves and tied in a bow at my back that cinched in just beneath my bust, entuating my little baby bump. The skirt fell to my ankles, swishing as I moved.


    "I''m not sure if he''d believe me if I told him I died and came back to life," I said with a wry chuckle as Viona tied my sash. "And with our rtionship still in the recovery phase, I''m not sure if I''m ready to throw a wrench into things by dropping that on him."


    Viona huffed behind me. "I understand your hesitation, but I think you should tell him soon. Even if he doesn''t believe you at first, it would take a weight off your chest. Plus, the longer you wait, the harder it will be. If you wait too long, it might hurt Noah more because he''ll be angry that you kept it from him for so long."


    As much as I hated to admit it, I knew Viona was right. I''ll tell him before the babyes. He deserves to know."


    Viona nodded, satisfied. She stepped back, admiring her handiwork. "Oh, Hannah," she breathed, "you look absolutely stunning."


    I turned to look in the full-length mirror and gasped. The woman staring back at me was radiant, glowing from inside. My strawberry blonde hair cascaded down my back in soft curls, and my makeup was wless, enhancing my natural features.


    As a finishing touch, Viona ced a circlet of flowers around my head. It was a bit over the top, but I wanted to feel like a princess tonight.


    Vionaughed softly as she took a step back. "Now you look like an elven princess. It''s perfect."


    I turned and hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Vi. For everything."


    She hugged me back, careful not to wrinkle my dress. "That''s what friends are for. Now, let''s get you downstairs. Your adoring public awaits!"


    We made our way down the grand staircase, the sound of chatter and soft music drifting up from the party below. As we descended, I could see that the guests had already arrived. My eyes scanned the crowd,nding on familiar faces.


    +25 BONUS


    Drake was there, of course, looking handsome in a tailored suit. And next to him... my heart skipped a beat at the sight of her.


    Zoe.


    As if sensing my entrance, she turned. I watched as her face paled when she saw me, her eyes flickering to the way my pregnant belly was prominently on disy in my gown.


    For a moment, I felt my stomach bottom out. I hadn''t seen her in a while, not since the audio leak. Seeing her again brought up a whole host of emotions and memories I hated to think about.


    But before I could dwell on it further, movement caught my eye. Noah was striding purposefully toward me, his green eyes locked on mine. In a crisp tuxedo, his dark hair coiffed neatly and his face freshly shaven, he looked every part the prince to my princess. "Hannah, my love."


    No sooner had I reached the bottom of the stairs than his arms were suddenly encircling me, pulling me close. Without a word, he dipped his head and captured my lips in a deep, passionate kiss.


    Right there, in front of everyone.

 Chapter 360

    Chapter 0360 Hannah


    By the time Noah pulled away from that kiss, I was left breathless and blushing. My face felt hot, surely beet red from the unexpected disy of affection.


    This wasn''t just for show or for the cameras. This was real.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "You look beautiful," he breathed, his fingers first brushing across the gauzy pink fabric of my dress and thening up to touch the flowers circling my head. I like this."


    My face heated a little more. "It''s not too much?" I was the only one who was dressed so extravagantly; everyone else was more muted in various cocktail dresses and suits. Noah shook his head quickly. "Never too much. You look like a princess."


    With that, he slid his arm around my waist and guided me into the party. While guests, including Zoe and Drake, had been spilling out into the foyer, the main party was in the dining room.


    I pped my fingers over my lips as we stepped through the double doors. The dining room looked even more lovely than that morning, colorful streamers and balloons and banners covering every surface.


    The long dining table wasden with all kinds of delicious-looking food and drinks, and the air practically smelled like sugar. Music yed from the speakers, soft ssical strains.


    And at the center of the table was the cake I had requested-a deep, rich chocte interior with a chocte buttercream frosting, topped with a little statuette of a pregnant woman that looked an awful


    lot like me.


    "Well?" Noah asked, turning to me. "What do you think?"


    "You''ve outdone yourself," I breathed. "Truly. I love it."


    Noah smiled and reached for two flutes of champagne from a passing waiter. Some of the flutes were marked with little rings around the stems, indicating a non-alcoholic alternative-for me, of course. He handed it to me and clinked his ss against mine. The bubbles tickled my nose as I brought it to my lips. He raised his ss and cleared his throat, causing the guests to quiet their murmuring and turn to us.


    "A toast," he announced, "to my beautiful Luna and the heir of Nightcrest." (1


    The room echoed with the sound of clinking sses and murmured congrattions. I sipped my cider, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the attention-especially with Zoe standing against the far wall, her face still pale as she looked at me. But Noah''s hand against my lower back was a weefort, and I leaned into him.


    "Hannah!"


    I turned at the sound of the familiar voice, a smile breaking across my face as I saw Drake approaching. It had been a while since we hadst seen each other, and I moved to embrace him openly. "Drake, I''m so d you could make it," I said, hugging him tightly.


    +25 BONUS


    To my surprise, I felt Noah tense slightly beside me, his arm tightening around my waist. But when I pulled back, I saw him extend his other hand to Drake, sping his arm firmly. "Thank you foring, Drake," Noah said. His voice was a bit tense, but I could sense a genuine attempt at warmth. Tentative, perhaps, but it was there. They shook hands and parted.


    Drake grinned, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Wouldn''t miss it for the world. I''m happy to be here for my friends."


    There was the word I had been hoping for: friends.


    Even Noah seemed to rx a bit at the sound. Perhaps he and Drake had their hang-ups and shared history, but that was what we were all bing now. Friends.


    At the thought, I nced over at where Zoe stood, swirling her champagne around in her ss. She was turned to the side, pretending to be looking at something else, but I could see her eyes darting over to us every so often. Despite myself, I felt a wave of empathy wash over me.


    Zoe and I, just like Noah and Drake, had our own shared pasts, our own hang-ups. But I was trying to be Jess vindictivetely, genuinely wanting to stay true to the promise I had made to Noah to continue working on myself as well.


    So, despite the lump in my throat, I gestured to her.


    "Zoe," I called out, waving her over. "Come join us."


    She hesitated for a moment, surprise shing across her face before she approached, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "That sounds fun," she said, her voice overly sweet.


    I handed her two slips of paper and a pen from a nearby table. "Write down one boy name and one girl name you''d like to suggest," I exined, holding out a jar for her to drop them into. "We''ll draw them outter and see what everyone suggested." Zoe nodded, scribbling down her choices and folding the scraps of paper before dropping them in the jar. "I hope it''s a girl," she said with a sweet smile.


    I paused, taken aback by her words. Most people would say that to an Alpha and Luna when they wanted to imply that they hoped the baby wouldn''t be an heir-one of those small political slights that sounded sweet but were meant to cut deep. But I wasn''t about to let that slide.


    "Fun fact," I said, loud enough for others to hear, my voice firm but not unkind, "both Noah and I possess the Alpha gene. Our baby will have it regardless of gender."


    Zoe''s smile didn''t falter, though I saw a flicker of something-perhaps disappointment?-in her eyes. "Oh, I almost forgot," she replied smoothly without missing a beat. "That''s wonderful."


    I merely offered her a pleasant smile of my own.


    As the evening progressed, Noah never strayed far from my side. During dinner, his hand rested on my leg under the table. The warmth of his palm seeped through the fabric of my dress, sending little sparks of electricity through me.


    +25 BONUS


    I marveled at how easily he smiled andughed tonight, engaging in conversations with our guests. It was like watching him open up more and more with each passing moment, the Ice that had surrounded him for so long melting away.


    After dinner, a group of us moved to the living room for games. Someone suggested Hedbanz, and soon we were all wearing ridiculous headbands with words we couldn''t see written on them.


    When it was my turn, Noah leaned in close, his lips brushing my ear. The feeling sent shivers down my spine. "Want a hint?" he murmured.


    I shivered at his proximity in front of all these people, the warmth of his breath tickling my skin. "That''s cheating," I whispered back, but I couldn''t keep the smile from my face.


    Noah leaned in, pressing his lips gently to mine. Suddenly, I heard his voice echo in my mind, clear as day, "Your word is ''Moonflower."


    I gasped, both at the use of our Mindlink-something we had never used before, not even once-and at his tant cheating.


    Noah just grinned as he pulled back, looking satisfied with himself. Everyone looked at me expectantly.


    "It''s... It''s moonflower," I said, my face flushing.


    "You cheaters!" Amber threw down her headband and pointed an usatory finger at me.


    "You two are impossible," Drake chuckled, shaking his head.


    Viona threw her head back andughed. "I should have known."


    I flushed in the wake of our mischief, but Noah justughed along with the others, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and tugging me close. We prepared a new round, Noah promising not to cheat again. as our friends continued to chide him. My eyes slid over to Zoe then, who was sitting in the armchair by the window, legs crossed, a fresh ss of champagne in one delicate hand.


    She was smiling, too.


    Smiling a bit too sweetly forfort.


    +25 BORUS

 Chapter 361

    Chapter 0361 Chapter 0361 Hannah


    The sounds ofughter and music faded somewhat as made my way into the kitchen, an empty snack bowl in hand. The staff tonight had offered to refill it, but I''d insisted, saying that I needed a few moments to myself.


    Apparently, they had taken that as meaning that I needed the entire kitchen cleared, because there was not a soul there when I walked in. Not that I minded.


    But I wasn''t alone for long before footsteps sounded behind me, followed by a familiar scent reaching my ears. A momentter, warm hands covered my eyes.


    "I wonder who that could be," I purred, smirking. I felt Noah shift behind me and heard something being set down on the counter.


    "Open," Noah''s deep voice rumbled near my ear.


    I blinked as his hands fell away, my eyes adjusting to find a small box sitting in front of me on the counter. Grinning, I lifted the lid and gasped softly at the contents. Inside was delicate silver picture frame, empty and waiting to be filled with a photograph.


    "I thought it would be nice for our baby''s first picture," Noah exined as his arms wrapped around me from behind. "We can fill it with a photo of all three of us once the little one arrives."


    Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I pulled the frame out, feeling its weight beneath my fingers. It was heavy, pure silver. I brushed my thumb across the delicate engravings. "Noah, thank you," I murmured. "It''s perfect. I can''t wait."


    I set the frame down and turned in his arms. He smiled, thumbing away a tear that had escaped down my cheek. "Happy tears, I take it?"


    I nodded,ughing softly. "Very happy tears. I''m a bundle of emotiontely with these hormones."


    "I can tell. Come on," he said, taking my hand and nodding toward the back door. "Let''s get some fresh air. Just you and me."


    We slipped out into the gardens, the cool night air a wee respite from the warmth of the house. Crickets chirped in the darkness, and the sweet scent of night-blooming jasmine filled the air. As we walked hand in hand along the winding path, the muffled sounds of the party drifted out to us.


    Suddenly, the music inside grew louder as someone turned it up, the beat pulsing through the night air. Noah turned to me with a mischievous glint in his eye. "May I have this dance, my Luna?"


    Haughed, allowing him to pull me close. "You may, Alpha."


    We swayed together slowly for a little while. The stars twinkled overhead, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world. I rested my head on Noah''s chest, just listening to the steady thump of his heart.


    But as we turned, movement caught my eye. I stiffened slightly, my eyes narrowing as I lifted my head." We have an audience."


    Noah lifted his own head from the top of mine and followed my gaze to the window where Zoe stood


    "


    1/2.


    +25 BONUS


    watching us. She was tantly staring at us, arms crossed, lips pursed. Had she even talked to anyone at this damn party or had she been brooding all night?Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    As soon as she realized we''d spotted her, she quickly turned away, pretending to be engrossed in conversation with another guest.


    Noah shrugged, pulling me close again. If it bothered him, he didn''t mention it. But I''d had enough; the party-my party-had been filled with nothing but coy looks and sharine smiles. It was time to be honest.


    "Noah, there''s something I need to tell you."


    He pulled back slightly, concern etching his features. "Something wrong?"


    I took a deep breath. "If we''re going to work on our marriage, I need to be honest with you. I... I want to be kind toward Zoe, I really do. But I''m at the end of my rope."


    Noah''s brow furrowed. Before he could say anything, I continued.


    "I''ve tried to make her feel wee, to include her, to be kind. But she always seems to get in some little dig at me or act strange in some way. It''s exhausting, and..." I hesitated, my handing to rest on my stomach. "I don''t want that kind of negative energy around our child."


    Noah was silent, his steps slowing. My heart raced, worried that I had hurt him with my confession.


    "I''m sorry if I hurt you," I said quickly. "I just felt like I should be honest about how I truly feel."


    To my surprise, Noah''s face softened. "Hannah, you don''t need to apologize. Actually, I''ve been thinking about this for some time."


    ""You have?"


    He nodded, guiding me to a nearby bench-the same one we''d sat on earlier that morning.


    We sat down, and Noah took both of my hands in his. "When you were kidnapped, Zoe''s behavior... It was strange. She kept giving wrong directions to where you might be, and she didn''t seem all that concerned about your safety."

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    Chapter 0362


    I blinked, shocked. "I had no idea." +25 BONUS


    His throat bobbed as he swallowed. "It made me realize that she might not have our best interests at heart, even though she ims to be our friend. I''ve been distancing myself from her since then."


    He paused, then added, "I''m d that Drake was there that night. If it had just been Zoe who was ''helping'' me look for you, I fear... I fear I wouldn''t have found you at all. Drake was relentless in trying to find you, even putting his own life in danger. It made me see him in a whole new light. And it made her behavior all the more stark."


    I leaned against Noah''s shoulder, warmed by his confession-and his understanding. "So, what are you going to do about Zoe?" I found myself asking.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "I''ll talk to her tomorrow," he said firmly. "I''ll tell her that if she doesn''t clean up her behavior, she can''t be part of our inner circle anymore. No more parties, no more dinners, no more visits. She can be a part of Nightcrest, but not a part of... us."


    Relief washed over me, thick and heavy. I must have let out a loud breath, because Noah straightened, cocking his head. I shook my head and murmured gratefully, "You''ve changed. In a good way."


    Softening, he ced his hand on my belly, right over my own fingers. "I had to change," he murmured. "For both of you."


    Then, Noah stood, offering me his hand. "Come on, I want to show you something."


    He led me into the nearby woods, along a familiar trail. My mind shed back to the night I had told him I, didn''t want to have his baby, right here in this very spot. But now, as we walked hand in hand, those memories felt like they belonged to someone else. Worlds away. We emerged into a small clearing that I hadn''t visited in some time. It had arge oak tree right in the center, its branches thick and full with summer leaves. Fireflies danced through the air,zily resting on the grass between shafts of pale blue moonlight. The grass appeared freshly mown, dipping in some spots where deer had rested overnight.


    "I was out for a walk the other day and stumbled upon this ce," he said as we stepped into the clearing. "I haven''t been out here for so long, I''d almost forgotten about it."


    I turned slowly, taking it in. "I haven''t been here in a while, either," I said. Although I did remember walking here with him when we first moved in. He seemed to remember, too-apparently, only our shared past leading up to our marriage went forgotten in his mind. Noah smiled, shrugging off his jacket andying it on the ground. He sat down, patting the space beside him. I lowered myself carefully, nestling against his side as we both looked up at the night sky.


    "I was thinking we could build a little treehouse in that oak tree someday," he mused, his fingers tracingzy circles on my arm. "Once our kid is old enough."


    I grinned at the thought. "That sounds... perfect."


    Noah turned on his side, his eyes sparking with those tiny fires. He grabbed my chin and gently pulled me closer, our lips meeting in a tender kiss.


    +25 BONUS Chapter 0362


    Tender at first, at least. But soon it grew more fervent, more yearning. Before I knew it, I was sitting up and straddling him on the ground, hiking my gauzy dress up around my hips. His eyes widened. "Hannah, what are you-


    "I want you," I murmured, leaning down to brush warm kisses against his cheeks, his jaw, his neck. "I need you."


    Noah let out a soft growl. I felt warm fingers slip beneath my skirts, brushing against the fabric of mycy panties. He stroked me there in slow, gentle circles until my legs were trembling, thece soaked. Just before I reached my peak on top of him, he unfastened his pants and slipped into me, swift and lethal.


    I sat up, back arching, a shuddering howl slipping free from my throat as he filled me, Gasping, I mped my hand over my mouth, eyes widening as I realized what I had done in my moment of ecstasy. But Noah just continued to thrust himself deeper and deeper, inch by glorious inch, into me.


    "Howl all you want, baby," he huffed as he pushed himself all the way to the hilt, until I thought I might split in half from the size of him. "I want everyone to know what we do when they''re not watching."

 Chapter 363

    Chapter 0363 Hannah


    Noah''s body tensed beneath me as he finished with onest resounding growl, his fingers digging deeply into the soft flesh of my hips.


    I copsed onto his chest, panting and heaving, my heart racing. The cool night air kissed my sweat- dampened skin, and I became acutely aware of the fact that the forest had gone silent around us-the nighttime creatures going quiet at the sound of two predators howling in the clearing.


    As I caught my breath, I realized that my flower crown had slipped off during our passion. Noah''s chest rumbled with a soft chuckle as he sat up, cradling me in hisp. He reached over, plucking the crown from where it had fallen on the grass beside us. With gentle hands, he ced it back on my head, adjusting it carefully. "A crown for my queen," he murmured, his green eyes twinkling in the moonlight.


    I couldn''t help but giggle, feeling giddy and lightheaded. "I thought I was your princess," I teased, running my fingers through his tousled hair.


    "After that performance? I think you deserve a promotion."


    My cheeks flushed with warmth, both from thepliment and the memory of what we had just done- hips rolling against hips, fangs nipping into flesh, my soft pink dress a stark contrast to the feral energy that had ovee me.


    Reluctantly, I climbed off of hisp, my legs trembling slightly as I stood. I smoothed down my dress, hoping it wasn''t too wrinkled or stained.


    Noah rose beside me, fastening his pants and retrieving his jacket from the ground. He draped it over my shoulders. It smelled like damp earth from being used as a makeshift nket on the forest floor. "Shall we head back to the party, my queen?"


    I nodded, looping my arm through his as we made our way back along the moonlit path. The sounds of music andughter grew louder as we approached the house, and I felt my heart rate pick up again. Had anyone noticed our absence, I wondered? Would they know what we had been up to?


    As we stepped inside, the warmth and light of the party enveloped us. I nced around, noting how some of the guests'' faces flushed as they caught sight of us walking in. A few averted their eyes, and I realized with a jolt of embarrassment that they had indeed likely heard my passionate howls echoing through the night.


    Noah, however, seemed entirely unfazed. He confidently plucked a stray twig from my hair, flicking it into a nearby trash can with a smirk. Then, right there in front of everyone, he pulled me close and kissed me deeply and slipped his tongue into my mouth. When he pulled away, his eyes were dark with desire. "Let them stare," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "Let them all know that I just made youe with the force of a thousand suns."


    My legs trembled at his words, and I felt a renewed heat pooling low in my belly. How did he still have this effect on me, even after what we had just done in the clearing?


    +25 BONUSContent (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    As we turned to rejoin the party, I noticed something-or rather, someone-was missing. "Where''s Zoe?" I mused, ncing around.


    Drake approached us with a knowing smirk on his face, "Oh, she left about ten minutes ago," he exined, looking altogether amused. "Said she needed to go home and put Adam to bed. Funny how it happened right after we all heard a certain... howl... split through the party."


    I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment; but Noah just hauled me closer against his side. "Well, I hope the little guy sleeps well," he said without a hint of shame in his voice.

 Chapter 364

    Chapter 0364


    The next morning, I woke with another beaming smile on my face.


    My lower belly still radiated with warmth, a delicious reminder of the night''s activities. We had made love well into the night after the party had ended, over and over until we were both sore.


    Now, with sunlight streamed through the curtains, my eyes found my pink dress from the party hanging on the back of the closet door. It was miraculously intact despite Noah''s feral passionst night. We''d hardly made it back to the room before he was growling in my ear and ripping my dress off of me.


    I rolled over, reaching for him, but found his side of the bed empty and cool.


    Frowning, I sat up, wrapping the sheet around me as I looked around the room. "Noah?" I called out, but there was no response.


    Slipping on a robe, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. The smell of fresh coffee filled the air, and I found Ana bustling about, cleaning up some remaining tters and bowls from the party.


    "Good morning, Luna," she greeted me with a warm smile. "Would you like some breakfast?"


    "Morning, Ana," I replied, stifling a yawn. "Just coffee for now, thanks. Have you seen Noah?"


    Ana nodded as she poured me a steaming cup. "Alpha Noah left early this morning. He didn''t say where he was going, just that he had some important business to attend to."


    I took the coffee gratefully, my mind instantly going to one thing: Zoe. He''d said that he would talk to her today, and I had a feeling that was exactly what he was doing now.


    My heart fluttered at the thought. To think that he had actually listened to me and was taking action... It


    made me love him even more.


    The day passed slowly, and I didn''t see Noah all afternoon. I tried to keep myself busy preparing the speech I intended to give my parents when we''d inevitably discussbining Nightcrest and Silvermoon, but my thoughts kept drifting to him and wondering how his conversation with Zoe was going.


    By the time evening rolled around, I was a bundle of nerves.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    It waste when I finally heard the front door open. I jumped up from the couch where I''d been pretending to read, my heart pounding.


    "Noah!" I called out, hurrying to the foyer.


    There he was, looking tired but handsome as ever in his suit. I moved to kiss him, a smile spreading across my face. "I missed you today. How did everything-"


    But as soon as my hands reached him, Noah shoved me away roughly, as if I''d just burned him with my


    touch.


    I gasped, stumbling backward so hard that my back hit the wall.


    "What the hell?!" I snarled, wincing. "Why did you do that?"


    As I looked up at him, I felt a chill run down my spine. His eyes were cold and icy, nothing like the warm, loving gaze I had grown ustomed to over the past weeks. There was no trace of the man who had


    +25 BOTRIS


    made love to me in the moonlight just hours ago.


    Instead, his face was a mask of anger and... was that hatred?


    It was then that I noticed the bundle of papers in his hand. My stomach dropped, a sense of dread washing over me.


    With a growl, he tossed the papers onto the nearby table. They scattered across the surface, and I caught glimpses of official-looking letterheads and blocks of text.


    Notice of Divorce, the papers read.


    ""Noah?" I whispered, my voice trembling.


    His eyes met mine, cold and hard as steel.


    "Sign these," he growled, "and get the hell out of my house."

 Chapter 365

    Chapter 0365


    Hannah


    My mind reeled as I stared at those words. Notice of Divorce.


    The world seemed to tilt on its axis as I read them over and over and over again. If I''d had the strength to do so, I might have even pinched myself to find out if I was having some kind of nightmare. But I just stood there, frozen, my arms hanging limply at my sides. "...What?"


    That was the only word I managed to choke out after an eternity, the lump in my throat feeling like millions of shards of ss piercing my esophagus.


    Noah''s eyes were cold, devoid of any warmth or love. So much unlike the man who had held me all night. So far from the husband who had thrown me a baby shower and called me his queen and kissed me in front of everyone.


    "I want a divorce," he said matter-of-factly.


    My throat bobbed. "Why?" Those shards of ss shattered even more. I could hardly breathe.


    Noah merely shrugged, shoving the topmost paper-the one with two lines to sign, one for me and one for him, and one of them already held his signature-toward me.


    That movement alone made me feel as if I had been punched in the gut. This had to be some kind of cruel joke, right? Some kind of horrible prank? A poor attempt at macabre humor?


    But as I searched his face for any sign of the sweet, loving man I thought I hade to know over the past months, I found nothing but contempt. Before there had been little wildfires burning in those green eyes, but now that forest had turned as icy as the coldest winter. "You''re... you''re joking, right?" I asked, my voice trembling.


    Noah let out a harshugh. "Joking? God, you really are as stupid as you look. I''m honestly sorry that you''re dumb enough to believe I would ever love someone like you."


    Each word was like a dagger to my heart. I couldn''t breathe, couldn''t think. This couldn''t be happening. I would have crumpled to the floor had it not been for the wall beside me. I pushed my hand into that wall with what little strength I had, begging my legs to keep me upright.


    "But... but the baby," I stammered, my hand instinctively moving to my swollen belly.


    Noah''s lip curled in disgust. "You mean that thing? I''ve always known it''s not mine. You''ve probably been whoring around with Drake or who knows who else. Maybe you don''t even know who the father is."Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    With that, he shoved the paper a little closer. He yanked a pen out of the inner pocket of his jacket and threw it on the table with force.


    "Noah, what''s happening to you?" I begged, tears starting to form in my eyes. "What''s going on? Yesterday, you... we... Does Zoe have anything to do with this?"


    +25 BONUS


    "What? You thought I was actually talking to Zoe today?" He sneered. "I was out finalizing the divorce from my end."


    "Butst night-"


    "Right," he huffed, looking away with a clenched jaw. "The sex. I just needed to keep you happy to stop you from trying to take money or items from the house That''s why I''ve been so sweet, throwing parties for you, buying you things... fucking you. Goddess, you''re just as dumb as you''ve always been, Hannah."


    The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. All of it-the tender moments, the lovemaking, the baby shower -it had all been a lie. A calcted move to keep me docile while he prepared to throw me away.


    Hot, viscous fury bubbled up inside of me, mixing and mingling with the pain and hurt until I could barely see straight.


    With shaking hands, I grabbed the papers and the pen. "You lying bastard," I spat, scribbling my signature on the dotted lines.


    As I signed, my eyes fell on the silver picture frame Noah had given me just the night before. I had put it on the foyer table, hoping to someday fill it and disy it where every visitor would see.


    Well, not anymore.


    In a fit of rage, I grabbed it and smashed it on the floor. The ss shattered, scattering across the marble tiles. "Bastard," I repeated, my voice hoarse.


    Noah didn''t even flinch-not at the frame, and not at the words. As the ss skittered across the floor between us, his expression remained impassive as if he didn''t even recognize the gift he had just given me yesterday.


    "There," I said, shoving the signed papers at him. "You got what you wanted. I hope you''re happy."

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    Chapter 0366


    +26 BONUS


    I turned to head upstairs and pack my things, but then paused at the foot of the staircase. My fingers. curled around the banister, my arm trembling.


    "I died and came back for you," I said softly, my voice breaking. "Now I just see it was a waste."


    Noah simply shrugged, unmoved by my revtion. "There''s a car waiting outside to take you to Silvermoon," he said, as if discussing the weather. "I''ll give you thirty minutes to pack your shit and get the hell out." Choking back a sob, I rushed upstairs to our-no, his-bedroom. I threw open the closet, grabbing a duffel bag and shoving whatever clothes I could reach into it. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely zip it closed.


    For a moment, I paused, looking up at the pink dress that he had torn off of mest night. I grit my teeth, thinking back on those minutes in the clearing when the fabric had been hiked up around my waist and he had made me howl for all of the party to hear. Now I knew that it was just an act. A... A humiliation.


    Sharling, I extended my ws and shredded that st***id f** dress to bits.


    When I finally came back downstairs with one minute to spare, Noah was still waiting by the door, arms folded across his chest. Indifferent-he just looked bl***y indifferent at what he had done. At how he had treated me.


    "Go to hell," I hissed, shoving past him.


    Just as I reached for the doorknob, I felt Noah''s hand close around my wrist. "Hannah, wait-"


    I turned, startled, and went to bite into his hand, but I froze.


    His eyes were wide, almost... pleading, as if there was a part of him that didn''t want me to go.


    Before I could react, he pulled me close and kissed me deeply. Through our Mindlink, I heard his voice, clear as day: "I love you. Only you. I promise."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Stunned, I pulled back, searching his face. "Noah, what''s happening...?" I asked, hope fluttering in my


    chest.


    But as quickly as it had appeared, the moment of tenderness had vanished. Noah''s eyes clouded with hatred once more, and he curled his lip back in a hideous sneer. And he... Heughed at me. Jeering, like I was some kind of freakshow. "Goddess, you really are an idiot," he spat, releasing my wrist as if he''d been burned.


    The hope that had begun to blossom withered and died.


    In that moment, something inside of me snapped.


    "F***k you." I drew back my hand and pped him across the face with all the strength I could muster. The sound echoed through the foyer like a gunshot,


    Noah stumbled backward and fell against the table, sending a vase and those divorce papers flying. He


    NZ


    +25 BONUS


    gasped, clutching his rapidly-reddening face, his hair falling into his wide eyes.


    I didn''t wait to see if he would recover, I grabbed my bag and stormed out, mming the door behind me with enough force to rattle the windows.


    Outside, the night air was cool against my tear-stained cheeks. True to Noah''s word, a ck car was waiting at the end of the driveway. The driver stood beside it, his expression carefully neutral. "Luna," he said, inclining his head slightly as he opened the rear door for me.


    I almost corrected him. I wasn''t the Luna anymore.


    But I couldn''t find the strength. I feared that if I opened my mouth to speak, I might wind up falling to my knees in a pile right then and there.


    So I shoved my bag into his hands and climbed into the car, mming the door behind me.


    My entire body trembled as the driver loaded my bag into the trunk. I buckled my seatbelt with shaking hands, rage and confusion and fear and hurt and humiliation washing over me in waves.


    All of it-every moment, every look, every tender touch-had been an act.


    And Noah was right: I was a fool for ever believing it. A goddamn fool.


    As the driver climbed into the front seat and began to pull away from the mansion, I saw the front door open. A tall form stepped out, a pair of green eyes glowing bright in the night. I thought I saw Noah''s mouth open as if calling for me, but I looked away and told the driver to keep going. I wouldn''t fall for his tricks again, wouldn''t humiliate myself further.


    And so the facades of the ce that had once been my home faded into the night.


    The full moon slipped behind a cloud, and the forest went dark.

 Chapter 367

    Chapter 0367 Hannah


    +25 BONUS


    It was well past midnight by the time I stumbled into my family''s mansion, my vision blurred by tears and my throat raw from sobbing.


    The familiar scent of the home I had grown up in barely registered as I copsed to the floor just inside the doorway. My ws extended involuntarily, scraping against the polished hardwood as I curled in on myself.


    The sound of my wails echoed through the grand foyer, bouncing off of the high ceilings and marble columns. I couldn''t stop the animal sounds escaping my throat, couldn''t control the way my body shook with each ragged breath. Footsteps thundered down the stairs, and I heard a gasp. "Hannah? What are you doing here?" Through my tears, I could make out the blurry form of my sister, her nightgown billowing around her as she rushed to my side. The scent of milk clung to her-she must have been up feeding the baby.


    I tried to speak, to exin, but all that came out was another gut-wrenching sob. My ws dug deeper into the floor, leaving long, jagged gouges in the wood.


    "Oh, Hannah," Lily murmured, dropping to her knees beside me. She wrapped her arms around me, and I


    hurt?" copsed against her, my body wracked with tremors. What happened? Are you


    I just kept wailing. By then, I had awoken the entire house.


    More footsteps, more voices. Hands reached for me, voices ovepping in a cacophony.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Is she injured?"


    "Someone call Noah!"


    At the sound of his name, a fresh wave of anguish washed over me. I let out a keening wail, my ws tearing at the floor with renewed vigor.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Don''t!" I managed to choke out. "Don''t call him!"


    I heard murmuring, and then strong arms lifted me from the floor. Through my tears, recognized my parents'' head of security, an aging wolf who had watched me grow up. "I''ve got her," he said. "Where should I take her?" "Her old room," my mother''s voice came from somewhere nearby. "Quickly, now."


    I was carried up the stairs, my body limp in the security officer''s arms. The familiar scents of my childhood bedroom enveloped me as heid me gently on the bed, mingling with the lingering scent of Noah from thest time we had slept here.


    I wanted to tell them that I couldn''t bear to be here, that I needed another room, but I had officially run out of strength.


    Eventually, darkness imed me, and I fell into a fitful sleep.


    Chapter 0367 +25 BONUS


    Morning came too soon, harsh sunlight streaming through the windows. My eyes felt swollen and gritty, my throat raw. For a moment, I couldn''t remember where I was or why I felt so awful. Then it all came crashing back-Noah, the divorce papers, the cruel words. Bastard. I hated him. Hated him.


    A soft knock at the door roused me from my haze. "Hannah?" My mother''s voice was gentle. "Are you awake, sweetheart?"


    I managed a hoarse "Yes," and the door creaked open. My parents entered, followed closely by Lily, who was carrying a tray of gently-clinking teacups. They all wore matching expressions of concern. "How are you feeling, honey?" my father asked, perching on the edge of the bed.


    I sat up slowly, wincing at the ache in my muscles. "Like I''ve been hit by a truck," I croaked.


    here?"


    "Hannah," my mother said softly, "what happened? Why are you


    I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Noah... he divorced me. He said..." My voice broke, and I had to swallow hard before continuing. "He said he never loved me. That it was all an act."


    A collective gasp filled the room. My mother''s hand flew to her mouth, while my father''s face darkened with anger.


    "But that doesn''t make any sense," Lily protested. "I thought you two were staying together. That you were working on the marriage."


    I let out a bitterugh. "Yeah, well, Noah is a liar. He said he was just keeping me happy so I wouldn''t try to take money or items from the house when he divorced me. He said I was an idiot for ever believing him."

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    0368


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    My father''s fists clenched. "I''ll kill him," he growled, his eyes shing gold. My mother put a hand on his arm, but that fire didn''t go out. "No," I said firmly. "I don''t want anyone to do anything. Just want to put it all behind me."


    A heavy silence fell over the room. Finally, I looked up at my father. "I''ve decided I want to take over Silvermoon as Alpha when you abdicate."


    My parents exchanged nces, their expressions ranging from surprise to concern.


    "Hannah," my mother said gently, "perhaps you should take some time to rx and process everything before making such a big decision. And if you change your mind, Alvin could-


    "No." The word came out sharper than I intended, but I didn''t soften my tone. I abruptly stood from the bed on legs that were surprisingly strong despite how I felt.


    I strode over to the table in the center of the room and forcefully poured myself a cup of steaming tea." I''ve had enough of being the meek woman who cries and wallows. Alvin will destroy this pack. I''m here to im my rightful role as Alpha of Silvermoon, and if you will not give it to me, then I will challenge Alvin to a duel."Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Behind me, I heard a collective gasp. I turned to see that my parents and my sister had gone ashen.


    Just to drive the point home, I let my fangs drop, and I felt my eyes begin to glow. "And I will win."


    My parents stared at me, wide-eyed and silent. I could practically hear their hearts pounding as I sipped my tea. Challenging someone to a duel in our world was no joke-it was a fight to the death.


    Finally, my mother spoke. "You know you would have to kill him in a duel, right?"


    "Of course I know." I set my teacup down. It tasted like ash in my mouth anyway. "I''ve been training for months, and I could take Alvin down in a heartbeat. He''s nothing but azy yboy who just wants money and power. Another long silence followed. I could see the internal struggle ying out on my parents'' faces-their desire to protect me warring with the fire in my eyes.


    Suddenly, Lily piped up from where she''d been lingering in the doorway. "If you don''t let my sister take what''s rightfully hers," she whispered, "then I will leave I will take my child and leave."


    I whirled around, eyes wide. "Lily-"


    She held up a hand, silencing me. Her gaze was fixed on our parents, her chin lifted in defiance. "I mean it. Hannah is the rightful heir. She''s more than capable, and she''s been through hell and is still capable. If you can''t see that, then I don''t want to be part of this family anymore."


    My father sighed heavily, running a hand through his graying hair. "No. That won''t be necessary, Lily." He turned to me, his expression serious. "Hannah, I haven''t officially abdicated yet. If you want to take over Silvermoon, then it is your right, you are my heir, after all." I let out a breath I hadn''t realized I''d been holding. "Good."


    My father nodded. "So long as you''re ready, we can begin the process of my abdication and transferring


    leadership to you. We could have a coronation within you sure you''re ready for this, Hannah? Really ready? E


    I stood tall, my fangs still dropped, my eyes glowing w spirit. Noah could never take that from me.


    "I''m ready."

 Chapter 369

    Chapter 0369 Chapter 0369 Hannah


    I was in my room, trying to distract myself with a book, when I heard the crunch of tires on gravel.


    My heart leapt as I immediately recognized the red car pulling up the sunlit driveway. Viona.


    Without thinking, I tossed the book aside and raced down the stairs, nearly tripping over my own feet in my haste. I burst through the front door and sprinted down the drive, meeting Viona halfway as she climbed out of her car.


    We collided in a tight embrace, swaying together as tears pricked at my eyes. For a moment, just a moment, I felt like I could breathe again.


    I''d been home in Silvermoon for two days now, although it felt like an eternity. My friends had gotten wind of what had happened, but only a little bit. I''d told them that Noah and I finally divorced, but the rest of it... I couldn''t bear to tell them everything. Not over the phone, at least.


    I


    But Viona hade. She''d said she would, and she did.


    Viona pulled back, her hands on my shoulders as she looked me over with concern. "Hannah, are you okay? You look exhausted." She turned me around and around as if I''d have a broken bone jutting out somewhere. I managed a weak smile. "I''m fine. Just... tired. And humiliated."


    "Let''s go inside. We have a lot to talk about."


    1 nodded, leading her up the path to my parents-my-house. As we entered the foyer, I noticed Viona''s gaze drop to the floor. My mother had tried to cover the deep gouges I''d left that first night with a rug, but the edges were still visible, peeking out like usatory fingers. "What happened there? Viona asked before I could nudge the rug back into ce.


    I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "That was me. The night I came back... I was a mess. I couldn''t control myself. I wed at the floor like an animal."


    Viona huffed softly, a small smile ying at her lips despite everything. "There''s my psycho friend," she teased, bumping her shoulder against mine.


    Despite myself, I If, I chuckled at her jibe. It felt good, like a release valve had been opened. "Come on," I said, leading her to the living room. "I''ll tell you everything."


    We settled onto the plush sofa, and I poured out the whole story-the sweet words and promises, the nights spent in the throes of passion, and then the abrupt change into a cold demon who had thrown those divorce papers in my face like he hated my guts, Viona listened intently the entire time, not saying a word, although her face went more and more ashen as I told my story.


    When I was finished, she looked as if she''d just seen a ghost. She shook her head in disbelief. "Hannah, this doesn''t make any sense. Noah genuinely seemed to have changed. That night at your baby shower, he was all over you, head over heels like a madman in love. Everyone heard you howling from the woods."


    I felt my cheeks flush at the memory. That night had been amazing. Too bad it had been tainted by... everything


    #25 BONUSContent provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Yeah, well, apparently it was all an act," I spat bitterly. I guess he nned this whole thing from the start. Maybe with Zoe''s help, although who knows?"


    I couldn''t decide which was worse; the idea that he had nned this with Zoe, that little minx, or that he had done it all on his own.


    Viona''s frown deepened. "But Hannah, he can''t be that good of an actor. I mean, the way he looked at you at the baby shower, the things he said and did... it seemed so real."


    I stood up abruptly, pacing the room. "Well, it wasn''t. And you know what? It doesn''t matter anymore. I have other ns. Ones that don''t involve him." I paused, turning to face her. "It looks like I''m going to be Alpha of Silvermoon after all.


    Viona''s a''s widened. "So soon? Are you sure you''re ready for something like that?"


    I nodded firmly. "I''ve never been more sure of anything in my life. It''s about time I took my rightful ce. He may think he shattered me, but he didn''t. Not permanently." A slow smile spread across Viona''s face. "Well then, I guess I made the right choice." "What do hat do you mean?"


    My friend stood and crossed the room, taking my hands in hers. "I made you a promise, remember? If you and Noah got divorced, I woulde to Silvermoon with you. I''ve already applied to transfer to the cosmetology school here."


    J felt a lump form in my throat. "Vi, you don''t have to-your apartment-"


    "Oh, screw the apartment. I want toe," she interrupted. "You''re my best friend, Hannah. Where you go I go."


    Ovee with emotion, I pressed my forehead against hers. "Then my first act as Alpha will be to ept you into my pack," I whispered.


    We stood like that for a moment, sharing breath, until a familiar voice called out from the doorway. Hannah?"


    I looked up


    to see Drake standing there, backlit by the sun streaming in from outside. His eyes were glowing with anger, his chest heaving as if he''d run all the way here. Without thinking, I broke away from Viona and ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. Viona watched from where she stood by the window, wringing her hands. Drake held me tightly, one hand stroking my hair while the other pressed against my back. I could hear low growls of fury rumbling in his chest. "I heard what happened. I''ll kill the bastard," he murmured. "I''ll shred him. ying with your heart like that..." I pulled back, wiping at my eyes. "That won''t be necessary," I said. "It''s in the past now. I''m moving forward-I''m going to take over as Alpha of Silvermoon."


    T


    Drake sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes widening slightly. "Really?"


    thing that breaks Noah-knowing that despite what he did to me, I moved on Chapter 0359


    quickly and came out stronger. He''ll be the humiliated one in the end. Not me." 425 BONUS


    A slow smile spread across Drake''s face. "Well then, consider me your ally in this. Whatever you need, I''m here. And my aunt is on your side too. Although I guess you already knew that."


    I


    I let out a small breath. I did know, but hearing it out loud was a relief. "Thank you, Drake. Foring, for supporting me... for everything." "Always, Hannah. You know that."


    Suddenly, a gasp from behind us made us both turn. Viona had her phone clutched in her shaking hands. Her face had gone pale, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at the screen. "That prick..." she croaked.


    Drake and I exchanged nces. "What is it?" I asked, walking over to her.


    Wordlessly, she turned the screen toward us. I felt the blood drain from my face as I took in the image-a photo of...


    A photo of Noah and Zoe, both smiling... With Zoe''s hand pressed against Noah''s chest.


    A big diamond ring glittered on her finger.


    An engagement ring.


    My eyes dropped to the headline, and I thought I might be sick.


    "The star-crossed lovers announce their engagement!

 Chapter 370

    Chapter 0370


    Hannah


    That gaudy ring shing on Zoe''s finger felt like an insult.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    And it was. Noah had gotten engaged to her mere days after our own divorce had gone through. Three days-that was all it had been since I copsed in the foyer of my childhood home. Three days since I had keened and dug gouges into the floor with my ws. Three days, and he was already nning a wedding with that little...


    "How?" I don''t know how I managed to choke that word out around the icy lump in my throat. "How could he do this? So soon after...?"


    Drake''s hand on my shoulder tightened. Viona was still too stunned and furious to speak. "Because he''s a bastard, Hannah," Drake hissed. "A lying, cheating bastard.">


    Drake was right. Noah was a lying, cheating bastard.


    My shock suddenly gave way to fury. I scrolled past that damning photo of the two of them and went down to thements. My hand shook as I began to read-the top fewments were from verified. ounts, other Alphas and celebrities who were wishing them well. But thements quickly turned into a different nature. And I felt a breath release from my lungs.


    "Look at this," I said, holding up the phone with righteous satisfaction. "You couldn''t even wait for your marriage bed to cool before you filled it again?"


    Viona took the phone and scrolled to the nextment, reading out loud, "Luna Hannah is a good woman and an even better Luna. She saved my son''s life with the funds she raised in her eating disorder campaign. What has Zoe done except for move from one wealthy Alpha to another? You should be ashamed."


    I leaned forward, reading another. And another. People wereing out in droves toment on this post, many of whom were in support of me.


    "I hear he kicked her out in the middle of the night with no warning," onement read. "Maybe he couldn''t wait to get his mistress into the house."


    "Zoe doesn''t hold a candle to Luna Hannah. I''ll NEVER see Zoe as MY Luna!"


    "Typical man. Has something good and proceeds to fuck it up for no reason


    Thosements gave me a shred of strength, and I pulled my shoulders back. A small, bitter smile tugged at my lips. "I guess I made an impression as Luna, didn''t I?" I muttered wryly.


    Drake turned to me, still gripping my shoulder. "Hannah, I just want you to know that I''ll protect you if Noah and Zoe try to start anything. As an Alpha on the Alpha Council, I can make sure Noah never gets considered for things like the Lunar Festival or the winter solstice tournament. He''ll pay for this."


    I looked up at him, touched by his loyalty. "Drake, I-"


    "And we can help too," Viona chimed in. "Amber, Emma, and I can start spreading the truth back in Nightcrest. We''ll make sure everyone knows what kind of a man Noah really is."


    +25 BONUS


    For a moment, I was tempted. The idea of ruining Noah, of watching his reputation crumble, was Intoxicating. It would be so easy. So satisfying. He had already nted the seeds of distaste himself, and now we would simply nurture them to fruition.


    But as quickly as the thought came, it vanished. I couldn''t do it. It wasn''t the type of person I wanted to be anymore. I wouldn''t give him the satisfaction.


    "No," I said firmly. "There''s no need for any of that. Noah will meet his own downfall due to his own actions, not mine. And besides..." I couldn''t help the small smirk that formed on my lips.


    "I have a coronation to think about."


    The days leading up to my coronation as Alpha of Silvermoon passed in a blur. It seemed like every time I turned around, there was another detail to attend to, another decision to make. But through it all, I felt a sense of purpose I had never experienced before. It was finally happening. I was bing a female Alpha despite everything-like a phoenix rising from the ashes.


    And I made sure toce that motif throughout the coronation theme, too.

 Chapter 371

    Chapter 0371


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    "I want lots of red and gold," I told my father. "And I want a banner with a phoenix on it."


    My ceremonial gown was the real star of the show. Bright red and gold skirts that glittered when I moved, made of the finest silk that pooled around my legs liko liquid fire. The neckline was off the shoulder, with long sleeves that came down to a point on the back of my hand.


    A long golden cape was connected to the sleeves, which unfurled like wings when I spread my arms. I wore my hair up in an ornate updo wound with braids that wereced with ck feathers, and my gold and red eyeshadow fanned out around my eyes, making the blue of my irises pop more than ever.


    And I made sure that the seamstress kept the silhouette tight down my body. I wanted to show off my baby bump, not hide it.


    Because here I was, a female Alpha and a single mother who wouldn''t be cowed by her ex-husband''s despicable actions.


    As Viona and I made our way to the grand hall where the ceremony would take ce, I could hear the excited murmur of the crowd through the doors. It seemed like half the world had turned out for this


    event.


    Drake met us at the entrance, looking dashing in a tailored suit. He wore a small engraved phoenix pin on hispel. Viona wore one too; I''d had them custom made for both of them.


    Viona was my Beta now, after all-I had told her justst night that I wanted her to fill the role, which had resulted in a lot of tears and screams of excitement.


    And Drake was my closest ally. My unlikely friend through thick and thin.


    "Ready?" he asked, offering me his arm.


    I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. "As I''ll ever be."


    The doors swung open, and we stepped into the hall. The crowd fell silent, all eyes turning to me. I scanned the faces, recognizing friends and allies. There was Amber, grinning widely, and Emma, giving me a subtle thumbs up. The Luna Queen sat in a ce of honor by my family, her serene smile a balm to


    my nerves.


    But what surprised me most were the faces I didn''t recognize-people from Nightcrest who hade to support me despite everything. As we passed, I could hear their whispers.


    "I can''t believe what Alpha Noah did..."


    "She''ll be a much better leader..."


    "Do you think Silvermoon would ept transfers?"


    My heart swelled and I wanted to shed tears of joy, but I kept my chin held high and a wide smile stered on my face. These people were counting on me, and I wouldn''t let them down.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    As we reached the front of the hall, my father stood waiting, the ceremonial crown-a simple golden band that would perch around my head-glinting in his hands. I knelt before him, my head bowed. The room fell silent as my father raised his hand. Chapter 0371


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    "Hannah... You kneel before us as my daughter, but you will rise as our Alpha. Do you swear to protect and guide the pack of Silvermoon, to put their needs before your own, and to lead with wisdom andpassion?" "I swear."


    "Then rise, Alpha Hannah, and take your ce as the leader of Silvermoon."


    As I stood, my father ced the crown on my head. Its weight was substantial, but not as heavy as I''d feared. It felt right, like it belonged there.


    I turned to face the crowd, my heart pounding. The room was silent for a moment, all eyes on me. Now, for the final moment. I took a deep breath and spread my arms-revealing my wings. The golden


    my mes, and I was the phoenix. fabric of my gown pooling and rippling down the steps was


    I lifted my chin higher, and though my eyes pooled with tears, I smiled. Big and broad and real.


    The crowd erupted into cheers. I saw Viona wiping tears from her eyes, Amber and Emma hugging each other, and Drake beaming.


    "I present to you the Alpha of Silvermoon... All hail Alpha Hannah!"


    "All hail Alpha Hannah!"

 Chapter 373

    Chapter 0373


    Suddenly, I stood and dropped to one knee before her. The honor is mine. I pledge my loyalty to you."


    The Luna Queenughed. "Rise, Hannah. There''s no need to kneel. We''re friends."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Friends. I never thought I would hear the Luna Queen herself refer to me as such a thing, but it made my


    heart soar.


    As I stood, one of the council members spoke up. "In light of the... uing wedding," she said delicately, "we want you to know that our packs will not ally with Alpha Noah. He has proven himself to be a lying cheater." "You don''t have to tter me-"


    "We''re not ttering you, Alpha Hannah. We''re fully supportive of you and your leadership."


    As they left, my heart pounded like a war drum in my chest. I barely had time to collect my thoughts when Alvin approached, although his smile-unlike everyone else''s-didn''t reach his eyes.


    I felt a sudden lump form in my throat at the sight of him. I hadn''t yet heard how he''d reacted when he was told that he wouldn''t be taking my father''s position after all.


    "Congrattions, cousin," he said, extending his hand. "Care for a dance?"


    I nced at his hand for a moment, unsure. But finally I epted, allowing him to lead me onto the dance floor. As we moved to the music, I could feel the tension in his grip, his fingers tightening around my waist. His eyes flicked past me, roving the crowd. It seemed he couldn''t bear to look me in the eyes for longer than a moment.


    "Are you disappointed about not bing Alpha?" I asked softly.


    Alvin''s smile tightened. "What gave it away?"


    I shrugged. "Perhaps you should consider going on one of your usual trips overseas. Find a new woman


    or get a dig in. Maybe both.


    tofort yourself." I couldn''t decide if I was trying to make himugherseas. Find a new woman


    His eyes lit up at the suggestion. "You know what? I think I will."


    As the song ended, I ced a hand on his arm. "Alvin, you''re still my cousin. You have a ce in my court. When you return from your trip, I''d like you to join my personal council. I''m looking for a new public rtions officer, and you''re skilled in that field. I''d like to have you on my team."


    Alvin''s eyebrows rose slightly. "You''re certainly a gracious Alpha, cousin," he said with a dip of his head, his tone unreadable. As he walked away, I was left with an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.


    He''ll get over it, I told myself as my fingers came up to touch my crown. He never wanted this. Not really.


    The rest of the feast passed in a blur. The party wouldst all night and likely well into tomorrow, but around midnight, I finally excused myself. My feet were sore from my heels and my back hurt from having. to sit ramrod straight all night. Throughout the night, I couldn''t help but look for one face amongst the crowd; Noah. I''d never admit it, especially not to my friends and family, but I couldn''t help but feel a little disappointed that he never


    came


    +25 BONUS


    But that was just wishful thinking. Of course he wouldn''te; he was too busy warming what used to be our marriage bed with Zoe.


    As I prepared for bed, removing my crown and the intricate phoenix-inspired gown, I couldn''t help but reflect on the whirlwind of events that had led me here From being Noah''s Luna to bing Alpha of Silvermoon in a matter of days... It felt surreal. I was just about to climb into bed when my phone chimed with a message. Curious, I picked it up, my heart skipping a beat as I read the sender''s name.


    WhiteRabbit01: "Hey, Alpha. Long time no chat."

 Chapter 374

    Chapter 0374


    Hannah


    My stomach dropped as I read that message over and over.


    "Hey, Alpha. Long time no chat."


    White Rabbit had returned. Somehow, and for reasons I didn''t yet understand, that elusive inte vendor who had once sold me contraceptiveced diet pills had returned.


    "What do you want?" I typed back, my fingers trembling slightly. I felt like a fool for responding at all, for not immediately running to the guard stationed outside my door, but my curiosity got the better of me. The bubbles appeared, disappeared, then reappeared. The anticipation made my heart race.


    m


    Finally, a response came through: "You should know that I had nothing to do with putting the contraceptives in those pills. I was just given them to sell to you. But I can tell you who gave them to me... For a price." A price. In exchange for valuable information.


    1 could find out who had been plotting to keep me from getting pregnant, and maybe even why. Assuming the information would be real and not entirely made up.


    For a moment, I almost asked what that price would be. The temptation was almost too much, and my fingers hovered over the keyboard, itching to find out. To finally punish whoever had caused my death. But then I remembered who I was now.


    "I was Alpha Hannah, not the desperate, confused girl I had been all those months ago. I wasn''t desperate for information. I was safe now. My baby was safe.


    And I wasn''t about to fall victim to an online drug peddler,


    "Fuck off," I typed, gritting my teeth. "I''m not interested in this sort of thing anymore. I have bigger fish to fry than the likes of you."


    The response was almost immediate, the notification ping cutting through the silence: "Suit yourself. I''ll be here when you change your mind."


    Not if. When.


    With a shudder, I turned off my phone and tossed it onto the nightstand, the soft thud as itnded next to my crown serving as a final punctuation to the exchange. There would be no ''when''..


    First thing in the morning. I would show this conversation to my head of security and have them track White Rabbit down. I would not be paying any price for that information. I didn''t make deals with


    scammers.


    But the next morning, I didn''t tell anyone. I almost did, but... something stopped me. Curiosity, perhaps. Or fear. I couldn''t be sure.


    I didn''t tell anyone the next day, either. Or the next day. In fact, months passed. And thatst message sat waiting for me, mocking me. Chapter 0374


    "I''ll be here when you change your mind."


    +25 BONUS


    Over the next two and a half months, I threw myself into my work as the first female Alpha of Silvermoon. The days blurred together in a whirlwind of meetings, decisions, and constant battles against outdated perceptions.


    It wasn''t easy-many of the older men looked down on me. To them, I was just a trophy wife who happened to stumble into the role of Alpha. To them, I didn''t deserve respect or even the time of day.


    At more than one meeting, I was outright ignored and talked over. And at more than one meeting, I''d have to m my notebook down and rise from my chair and shout at them to pull their heads out of their asses and listen to me.


    And at more than one meeting, their eyes would simply flick to my growing belly, smirks stretching across their faces, and they would carry on with their cruelty.


    But not all was lost..


    As the weeks passed, whispers about Noah''s struggles in Nightcrest reached my ears. The pack grapevine was alive with gossip, each new tidbit more shocking than thest.


    He was facing


    Apparently, his engagement to Zoe wasn''t sitting well with many of his business partners bacsh for how he had treated me, losing opportunities left and right. They thought he had no loyalty, that partnering with him would result in being stabbed in the back.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 375

    Chapter 0375


    Part of me felt a twisted sense of satisfaction at this news, the ember of hurt still glowing faintly in my chest.


    But I shed those feelings aside, focusing instead on the needs of my own pack-and my baby''s uing birth. He never attended any meetings with me, anyway. I never saw or heard from him over those months.


    Not even once. Not even when I took a sizable chunk of Nightcrest members as my own.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    In my third month as Alpha, I held an eptance ceremony for new members of Silvermoon. The great hall was packed once again. To my surprise and delight, many familiar faces from Nightcrest were among those seeking to join our pack. I stood before the crowd, one hand resting on my swollen belly. Viona stood beside me, phoenix pin sped to thepel of her pantsuit.


    "Wee," I said, my voice carrying across the crowded room. "To those of you joining us from other packs, know that Silvermoon is now your home. We are family."


    The line went out the door and into the street that day. And although my back hurt from an eight-month- pregnancy and my feet were swollen, I greeted and weed each and every attendee with a smile on my face until none were left.


    A few dayster, I found myself sitting across from Emily, the reporter who had been documenting my journey from the beginning. Her camera was set up as we lounged in plush armchairs, cups of steaming tea between us.


    "So, Hannah," Emily began, her pen poised over her notepad. "A lot has happened since west spoke. How do you feel about Noah''s engagement to Zoe?"


    I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. The mention of him still made my heart pound, but I couldn''t crack. Especially not on camera,


    "Noah is a man who knows what he wants, and I am a woman who knows what I want. We simply wanted different things."


    Emily''s eyebrows rose slightly. "That''s very... gracious of you. Many people in your position might not be so kind."


    I shrugged. "What good would it do to speak poorly of him? We''ve both moved on. Now, I am focused on my pack and my baby..."


    The episode aired a weekter, and I was overwhelmed by the support I received. Messages flooded in, each one praising my grace and maturity. Yet I could sense an undercurrent of disbelief, a shared assumption that I was just being kind, trying not to drag Noah through the mud.


    As my due date approached, I found myself increasingly distracted during meetings. My belly was enormous now, stretching the fabric of my clothes. The baby seemed to delight in kicking me at the most inopportune moments, as if reminding me of its presence. And the men who had smirked over the sight of my bump now saw me as nothing but a walking womb.


    But I persisted.


    25 BONUS


    One afternoon, as I was reviewing some budget proposals In my office, the scratching of my pen against paper the only sound in the room, a sharp knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.


    "Come in," I called, rubbing my lower back as I straightened up. I needed a vacation. A good, long one. But I doubted I''d get one.


    Viona entered, an envelope in her hand and an unreadable expression on her face. "This just came for you," she said, holding it out.


    I took the envelope, noting the heavy, expensive paper. Instantly, I think I knew what was inside.


    As I unfolded the contents, my breath caught in my throat. It was indeed exactly what I suspected: an invitation, adorned with delicate gold lettering. But it was no mere invitation to a charity g or a birthday party.


    It was a wedding invitation.


    Signed by Noah and Zoe.

 Chapter 376

    +25 BONUS


    Hannah


    I read the words on that card over and over again as if they were gospel.


    "You are cordially invited to the wedding of Alpha Noah and Zoe of Nightcrest Pack..."


    "A joyous asion," I read in a wry tone, tossing the invitation aside. My hand shook, but I quickly hid it beneath the desk. As if Viona couldn''t already tell how furious I was.


    "The gall," she growled, reaching out to take the invitation. "We should tear it up and throw it in the firece where it belongs." Her lips then twisted into an evil little smirk. "Maybe we can send them back the ashes for good measure. Really drive the point home." Viona picked up the invitation, the golden lettering glinting in the sunlight spilling in through therge window, but I stopped her.


    "No," I said firmly, surprising even myself with the steadiness in my voice. "I''ll go to the wedding."


    Viona''s eyebrow shot up in shock, her mouth hanging open for a moment before she found her words. What? Hannah, you can''t be serious. Why would you put yourself through that torture? Haven''t you through enough?"


    I rose with some effort, clutching my lower back as I made my way over to the window. Outside,ter summer was reaching its end. Autumn would being soon, and the gardener was already beginning to pull up some of the summer flowers in preparation for the winter.


    "I''ll be fine," I said, rubbing my belly as I looked out the window. "When is the wedding?" I''d been so shocked by it all th


    I forgot to look.


    "It''s on the winter solstice," Viona replied. "But Hannah, are you sure-"


    "I have to create a good image," I said, cutting her off matter-of-factly. "With so many people transferring to Silvermoontely, I need to keep up good rtions with Nightcrest. Otherwise, Noah might try to do something... rash."


    Viona was silent for some time. I watched the gardener work, herrge straw hat blocking my view of her head and shoulders. Somewhere in the room, a clock ticked. But I could hardly hear it over the sound of my own blood rushing through my ears.


    Finally, Viona murmured, "Hannah, don''t you think that this is a recipe for disaster?" She came to stand beside me at the window, and I looked over to see her eyebrows furrowed with concern. "Seeing Noah and Zoe getting married could break your heart all over again. You don''t have to do this. We can find another way to maintain rtions."


    I bit my lip, thinking for a moment. Viona was right; there was more that could be done to maintain rtions,


    The due date wasing up soon and the baby would be born by the wedding, so I could easily im that I couldn''t make it due to motherhood duties and send a gift and a card. And even if Noah and Zoe still tried to start something, I wasn''t really too concerned about it because of the support of my friends and the Luna Council.


    +25 BONUS


    But part of me... wanted to go. Wanted to do what Noah hadn''t done for me.


    "He didn''te to my coronation," I whispered.


    "Exactly," Viona huffed. "Which is why you shouldn''t go to his wedding."


    "No. It''s precisely why I should go to his wedding." Viona shot me a confused look, and I added, "People will notice. They''ll see the lengths I''ve gone to in order to be kind and they''ll see what he hasn''t done and they''ll hate him even more for it."


    Viona sighed. "So that''s what this is about? Turning the public against him even more?" She touched my arm. "I don''t believe for a second that you actually think that''s necessary, Hannah. I think you want to go because you want to see him."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    I flinched at those words. My eyes shed as I nced at Viona, but when I opened my mouth to bite out a retort, I found that I couldn''t.


    Maybe she was right. Maybe I did want to see him. If only to show him how far I hade in spite of his cruelty.

 Chapter 377

    Chapter 0377


    "Perhaps I need that satisfaction," I admitted. "But it''s not to try and win him back, if that''s what you''re thinking."


    "I''d certainly hope not."


    I nodded. "By the time the weddinges around, it''ll be ancient history. I''m a different person now, stronger. So I''ll go. It''ll be fine."


    After a moment of tense silence, Viona sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Alright. If you believe it''s the right thing to do, then I trust you. But I won''t be happy about it."


    I tossed a smirk in her direction. "I wouldn''t expect any less from you."


    As night fell, I found myself lying in bed, the soft glow of my phone screen illuminating my face in the darkness. Thest message from White Rabbit stared back at me, taunting me with its cryptic promise.


    7''ll be here when you change your mind."


    My fingers itched to reply, to finally ask what that price was.


    This had been my nightly routine over the past months-reading that message over and over until my eyes grew bleary.


    I often found myself wondering if Noah himself had put the contraceptives in my diet pills. Had he made. up the nonsense about sex only during ovtion to avoid having an heir with me while he waited for Zoe toe back to him?


    I wanted to know for certain. If it was him, then I needed to know.


    But each night, including this one, I stopped myself from replying. I was Alpha now. I couldn''t engage in shady dealings with an online drug peddler, no matter how tempting the information might be. The risks were too great, not just for me, but for my pack and my unborn child.


    So I set my phone aside, the screen going dark, and ced both hands on my belly as I turned to my side.


    "We''re safe now," I murmured to my unborn child, my voice hardly more than a whisper in the quiet room." No one will hurt us. I promise."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    The baby kicked in response, a reassuring flutter beneath my palms. I smiled, feeling a wave of love and protectiveness wash over me. Whatever happened at the wedding, whatever Noah may have done or whatever secrets White Rabbit might know, none of it mattered as much as this little life growing inside


    1. me.


    As I drifted off to sleep, my mind wandered to the uing wedding. I imagined myself walking into the ceremony, head held high, showing Noah and everyone else that I was stronger than ever.


    In my dreams, I was unshakeable, the perfect picture of grace and dignity, I dreamt about the surprised looks on the guests'' faces, the flicker of regret in Noah''s eyes, the way I would lift my chin and meet his gaze steadily as though he couldn''t shake me in the slightest. But dreams, as they often do, gave way to a much different reality.


    I jolted awake in the middle of the night as I felt a sharp pain radiate through my abdomen.


    +25 BONUS


    For a moment, I was disoriented, unsure of what had woken me. The room was pitch ck, the silence broken only by my rapid breathing. Then another wave of pain hit, more intense than the first, and i gasped, sitting up in bed.


    As I moved, I became aware of a dampness beneath me. My heart began to race. Fumbling for the bedsidemp, I switched it on, blinking in the sudden light that flooded the room.


    With trembling hands, I pulled back the covers to reveal arge wet spot on the mattress. The realization hit me like a thunderbolt, sending a jolt of adrenaline through my body.


    My water had broken in my sleep.


    "Oh no," I whispered as another contraction gripped me, this one stronger than thest. The pain radiated from my lower back, wrapping around to my abdomen like a vice. As the contraction subsided, leaving me breathless, the truth settled in. "The baby ising!"

 Chapter 378

    GET IT NOW


    Hannah


    "Oh, Goddess. Are you sure?"


    +25 BONUS


    "I think I can tell, Lily," I said, clutching my back and wincing as another jolt of pain worked through me." Look at the mattress."


    Lily, dressed in her nightgown with her robe flowing loosely on top, rushed past me and pulled the nkets back. Indeed, the mattress was soaked from my water breaking in my sleep.


    The house turned into a blur then. As the contractions beganing more frequently and more painfully, my sister called the midwife-an older woman named Margaret who had assisted Lily during her birth- and prepared the bedroom. outsideContent provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Guards were posted not only my bedroom door, but also at all entrances to the house. It was


    something that I had expressed a need for since I had moved back home; I couldn''t risk Noah showing up and trying to steal my baby, the heir to Nightcrest.


    I doubted that he would, considering the fact that he seemed to think that my child belonged to another man. But it made me feel a whole hell of a lot safer during a vulnerable time.


    Soon, my bedroom had been transformed into a makeshift delivery room. Fresh sheets and towels covered my bed, soft music yed on a speaker, and aromatic candles had been lit to calm me.


    "This is unnecessary," I groaned as Lily lit the final candle. "I don''t care if-Oooh!" Another contraction rippled through my body.


    "Breathe," Margaret cooed, rubbing my back as we paced the room together. "Just breathe through it. In through your nose, out through your mouth."


    I did as instructed. "The scent of the candles will calm you," Lily exined, shaking the match and crossing the room to take my other arm. They helped a lot during my birth."


    I shot my sister a withering re, but there was no real heat in it. I couldn''t be mad at her.


    Over the past months, Lily had be a mentor to me. Having already gone through a birth of her own, she had all kinds of tips to share, all sorts of techniques to help manage pain before, during, and after the birth


    "I''m d you''re here, Lily," I said, resting my head on her shoulder. Lily smiled and went to say something. but another contraction hit me and I squeezed her hand so hard that she screamed along with me.


    "It''s time. Let''s get you on the bed," Margaret said, guiding me over. "Just keep breathing, just like we practiced. Your baby will be here soon."


    I gritted my teeth, focusing on the breathing techniques I had diligently learned. But they hardly helped, if I was being honest.


    "I can''t do this," I gasped as theyid me down on the bed so Margaret could check my cervix. "I can''t, Lily. I can''t."


    "Yes, you can." Lily gripped my hand, her eyes shing. "You''re the strongest person I know, Hannah. You''ve faced worse than this ande out on top. You''ll be fine."


    +25 BONUS Chapter 0378


    Hours passed, each contraction bringing me closer to meeting my child. My mother wiped my brow with a cool cloth, murmuring words of encouragement. My father paced nervously outside the room, asionally peeking in to check on our progress. Soon, the sun rose and even reached its zenith in the sky, and still my baby hadn''te.


    But finally, after what felt like an eternity, Margaret''s voice cut through the haze of pain. "I can see the head, Hannah. One more big push!"


    With a final, powerful effort (and a scream that could shake mountains), I felt a release. The room filled with the strong, healthy cry of a newborn.


    It was over. With a whimper, Iid my head back on the pillow, panting.


    "It''s a girl!" Margaret announced.


    Tears of joy and relief streamed down my face as Margaret ced my daughter on my chest. She was perfect-tiny, red-faced, and absolutely beautiful.


    "Oh, Hannah," my mother breathed, her eyes glistening. "She''s gorgeous."


    I couldn''t take my eyes off of her. "Hello, little one," I whispered, tracing her delicate features with my finger.


    Lily leaned in and pushed a strand of sweat-caked hair out of my eyes. "What are you going to name her?"


    I didn''t hesitate; I''d alreadye up with a name weeks ago.


    "Melody," I said, the name feeling right on my tongue now that I said it out loud. "Her name will be Melody."


    My mother sighed breathily, "Melody... What a lovely name."


    As I held my daughter for the first time, I was filled with such overwhelming love that nothing else mattered. Not the pain I had just endured, not the challenges thaty ahead, not even the fact that Noah wasn''t here.


    My father, as if reading my mind, suddenly cleared his throat and broke the spell of the moment. "Hannah,


    do


    you think we should notify Noah that the baby has been born?"


    "No!" Lily and I shouted in unison, startling Melody, who began to fuss.


    I held her closer, soothing her with gentle whispers. "No," I repeated, more calmly this time. "I don''t want Noah involved in Melody''s life at all."


    My father''s brow furrowed. "But Hannah, he''s her father-


    "No, he''s not," I cut him off. "Thest time we spoke, he said he doubted the baby was even his. He used me of sleeping around so much that I didn''t even know who the father was. So as far as I''m concerned, he''s not Melody''s father. He may have conceived her with me, but he''s not her father where it


    counts."


    With that, my mother ushered my father out of the room, no doubt to give him a good old-fashioned scolding for bringing up Noah so soon after what I''d just been through.


    As the hours passed, the midwife and my family helped me settle into afortable routine with Melody.


    +25 BONUS


    They brought me food, helped me with the first diaper changes, and made sure I was resting as much as possible.


    That night, Iy in bed with Melody sleeping peacefully in a bass beside me. My body ached from thebor, but I felt... peaceful. Happy, even, as I watched my baby sleep.


    She was perfect, despite everything we had been through. The Image of herying on my bathroom floor as a bloody little fetus felt miles and miles away.


    I must have dozed off at some point, though, because the next thing I knew, I was jolted awake by Melody''s hungry cries. Half-asleep, I reached out to what would normally be Noah''s side of the bed, intending to wake him to bring me the baby. But my hand met only empty space.


    Reality crashed back in. "Right," I muttered.


    Noah wasn''t here. He would never be here. It was just us now.


    I supposed, over the past months, that it had never really... set in. Not to this degree. But now, as my baby cried in the night, it hit me like a ton of bricks.


    Our marriage was over. We had gotten divorced in the messiest and most painful way my daughter would never know her biological father.


    possible. And now


    The weight of my new reality settled on-me as I carefully lifted Melody into my arms. As I positioned her


    to nurse, I finally allowed the tears I had been holding back all these months to fall.


    In the solitude of my bedroom, I cried silently as I breastfed my daughter.


    My daughter... who looked so much like him.

 Chapter 379

    Chapter 0379


    Hannah


    +25 BONUS


    this?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "Are you sure you want to do this?"


    Viona leaned against the door of my study, hands in her pockets as she stared at the letter in my hands.


    I nodded, carefully folding the letter that Noah had sent requesting to visit. Not so much a request as it was a demand.


    "I don''t have much of a choice," I said, tossing the letter aside. "If I refuse an Alpha''s formal request, it could have political ramifications." I cringed just looking at that formal letterhead.


    Viona sighed heavily, crossing the room to sink into the armchair across from me. The leather creaked under her weight. "I still don''t feel good about this. After everything he''s done... Are you sure you''re ready to face him? Especially now that Melody is here?"


    I shrugged, ncing down at my daughter, who was swaddled and sleepingfortably in the little bass next to my desk. She was two weeks old now, and growing more and more perfect and beautiful by the day. Motherhood was a dream. It was tough, especially when bncing Alpha duties along with it, but I loved it.


    "Ready or not, it has to be done," I replied, my voice tight. I went to touch my baby bump, but there was nothing there. I''d still had yet to get used to that. "It''s better to face this head-on than let him cause troubleter on down the road."


    Word had spread like wildfire, of course, when Melody had been born. It took less than a day for Noah to find out. Ever since then, he had been persistently trying to contact me. I''d ignored his calls, deleted his ''messages without reading them. But this formal request couldn''t be brushed aside so easily.


    There was no doubt in my mind that he was just curious to see if Melody looked like him at all. He wasn''ting to give me his regards or bring a gift. He wasing to see if he needed to im her as his heir and take her back to Nightcrest. But I''d die before I let that happen.


    "At least Drake will be here when Noahes," I assured Viona, noticing the slight blush that colored her cheeks at the mention of his name. She said nothing, but I caught the small smile she tried to hide. "What?" I asked, a smirk ying on my lips.


    Viona shook her head, her cheeks darkening. "Nothing. I''m just d Drake will be here to support you,


    that''s all."


    I raised an eyebrow but decided not to push their budding romance. Instead, I rose from my chair and turned my attention to the window, watching as the afternoon sun cast long shadows across thewn. "He should be here soon," I murmured, more to myself than to Viona.


    As if on cue, a knock at the door announced Drake''s arrival. He entered the room with a broad smile, his eyes immediatelynding on Melody in her bass near my desk.


    +25 BONUS


    "There''s my favorite girl," he cooed, scooping her up gently. "Uncle Drake is here to spoil you rotten."


    I couldn''t help but smile as I watched him cradle Melody. Hisrge frame somehow made her look even tinier, her delicate features entuated by his strong arms. She yawned, prising a tiny hand free from her swaddle, and reached for his nose as he went in to nuzzle her. "You''re good with babies," I mused, elbowing Viona in the ribs with a grin.


    Drake grinned, not noticing the way that Viona suddenly looked fit to burst and quickly ran from the room because he was too busy staring at Melody. "This little one makes it easy. I can''t wait to spoil her to bits. Maybe a pony for her first birthday?"


    Iughed, shaking my head. "Let''s start with something smaller. Maybe a stuffed pony?"


    Our peaceful moment was suddenly interrupted by another knock at the door. My heart rate spiked, and I felt my body tense. Drake turned, still holding Melody, and took a protective step in front of me, baring his fangs. But he rxed when I put my hand on his arm. "It''s alright, Drake."


    A momentter, my security team-I''d made a point of hiring all female officers, which I had no doubt Noah noticed-trailed in.


    And there he was amongst them.

 Chapter 380

    Chapter 0380


    The atmosphere in the room shifted immediately as Noah entered. He looked just as handsome as ever. clean-shaven and wearing a crisp ck suit. I felt my breath catch as I saw him for the first time after all these months. For a moment, he just stood there in the doorway. I felt my wolf react to his presence, that primal part of me wanting to run to him, to shake him, caught somewhere between wanting to kiss him and p him.


    But he barely looked at me. Rather, his eyes briefly darted around, taking in the scene beforending on Drake holding Melody. His lip curled in disgust, and I could practically feel the jealousy radiating off of him. "Hannah," Noah said stiffly, his gaze flickering between me and the baby.


    "That''s Alpha Hannah to you," Drake hissed. Noah ignored him.


    I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Noah. It''s good to see you."


    He nodded, his expression unreadable. "Same to you."Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Yeah, right, I wanted to say. Instead, I ground out, "I''m assuming you want to see Melody?"


    "That was the n."


    I gently took Melody from Drake, who was reluctant to let go. "I know this is why you really came," I said, my eyes shing as I crossed the room to meet him. "Even though you said you didn''t believe she was yours, you at least want to see if she bears a resemnce to you, don''t you?" Viona, who had appeared in the doorway behind Noah, grit her teeth-clearly biting back a well-timed Bastard".


    H


    Noah leaned forward to look at Melody, drinking in every detail of her tiny face. I watched as recognition dawned in his eyes, his stoic facade cracking slightly.


    "She has my eyes," he whispered, his voice barely audible.


    I nodded, looking down at Melody''s face. "Forest green. Just like yours." I hated the way my voice cracked at the end, and I had to quickly blink away misty tears pricking at my eyes.


    Noah was silent for a long moment, his eyes wide as he no doubt recognized his own blood in our daughter.


    "Can I hold her?"


    The request sent a jolt through me. My arms tightened around Melody instinctively. "No," I said firmly. You said once that she''s not your baby, and now she really never will be. You were allowed toe to see if she looks like you, but that''s all."


    A strange look passed over Noah''s eyes then, a mixture of regret and longing. He took a step forward, his hands reaching out toward Melody. "Hannah, please. I just want to-"


    In an instant, Drake was between us, a low growl rumbling in his chest. "I think it''s time for you to leave,"


    he said, his voice hard.


    +25 BONUS


    Noah''s jaw clenched, his eyes darting between Drake and Melody. For a moment, I thought he might argue, but then his shoulders slumped in defeat.


    "Fine," he said, his voice bitter. "I''ll go. But this isn''t over, Hannah. You''re holding the heir to Nightcrest in your arms."


    "She''s the heir to Silvermoon now. And you''d better watch yourself," I growled, baring my own fangs now.


    T


    As Drake escorted Noah out, I moved to the window, watching as he walked down the driveway. I let my eyes wander across the hard lines of his shoulders, the way that his dark hair fluttered in the afternoon breeze. Only then, with his back turned, did I allow myself to let out the breath I''d been holding.


    I hated to admit, even to myself, that I missed him. That seeing his face did indeed bring up a whole host of emotions and memories that I''d been shoving down these past months. That Viona was right, and now I wasn''t sure if I''d be able to handle a wedding after all But then Melody, as if sensing that her father had left her, began to cry loudly.


    I held her close, bouncing her gently as I watched Noah''s retreating figure. His car door mmed, the sound echoing across the quiet afternoon.


    "Shh, it''s okay," I murmured to Melody, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. I turned away from the window and held her close, hoping that she couldn''t sense the tears in my eyes. "It''s just us now. We''ll forget about him."

 Chapter 381

    Chapter Hannah


    0381


    I took a deep breath as I approached the imposing gates of Darkmoon Pack''s council building. The utilitarian iron bars of the fence that stretched across the entire border between our packs seemed to loom over us, casting a shadow on the ground despite the warm and sunny day. I frowned as I looked up at those bars. Ridiculous, I thought to myself. As if Darkmoon needed a fence spanning the entire border between our packs. This wasn''t the dark ages anymore. We weren''t going to invade.


    Melody cooed softly in my arms, her tiny fingers grasping at the fabric of my blouse.


    "Are you sure about this, Han?" Viona whispered from beside me, her eyes darting nervously around the perimeter.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    I nodded, squaring my shoulders as my head of security pressed the buzzer to let us in.


    "We have to go. Alpha David requested this meeting, and we can''t afford to strain our rtionship with Darkmoon any further."


    The gates creaked open, and we were greeted by a stern-faced Beta with gray hair who led us through the winding paths of the Darkmoonpound. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel the eyes of countless pack members on us as we passed. The rtionship between Silvermoon and Darkmoon, the pack that hugged our southern border, had always been tenuous. I remembered my father often arguing with the Alpha, Mikhail, about all kinds of things since I was a kid. Mainlynd disputes. Which I assumed was why the new Alpha, David-Mikhail''s only son-had called us here today. They likely wanted some piece ofnd of ours or another. Likely one that was too valuable to us to give up.


    The doors to the meeting hall swung open, revealing a long table surrounded by men-not a woman in sight. At the head sat Alpha David, square jaw set hard beneath a jet ck beard, his piercing blue eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin crawl. As I entered with Melody in my arms, nked by my all-female security team and with Viona at my side, I saw David''s lip curl in barely concealed disdain. The room fell silent, especially as Melody cooed in my


    arms.


    "Alpha Hannah," David said, his voice dripping with forced politeness. "How.... kind of you to join us. And with your... entourage."


    "Alpha David. Thank you for the invitation. I hope we can address whatever concerns you have promptly and efficiently."


    David''s eyes flicked to Melody, then back to me. "Indeed. Though I must say, I''m surprised you brought an infant to such an important meeting."


    I felt a re of irritation but kept my voice level. "My daughter goes where I go, Alpha David,"


    He grunted nomittally, gesturing for us to take our seats. As we settled in, I could feel the disapproving res from the other pack members. I was used to this by now; many still looked down on +25 BONUS


    me for being a female Alpha, let alone one who insisted on keeping her child close at all times.


    I''d even breastfed at a meeting once. It had p*****d off the men in the room, but I''d run out of f***ks to give afterboring for nearly 24 hours to bring my daughter into the world. I''d breastfeed at this meeting. too, if necessary. "Now," I said, adjusting Melody in myp, "what was so urgent that you called this meeting. Alpha David? I hope it''s not another dispute over the border."


    David''s eyes narrowed. "No, though that''s a matter we''ll need to revisit soon. This is about something... or rather, someone else."


    I quirked an eyebrow. He nodded to his Beta, who ced a folder on the table and slid it toward me. With one hand still supporting Melody, I flipped it open, trying to look as bored as possible.

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    Chapter 0382


    But there was no helping the way my eyes widened as took in the contents.


    Inside the folder was photo after photo of Alvin in variouspromising situations throughout Darkmoon territory. Public intoxication, urinating on buildings, even soliciting prostitutes. I felt like I was going to be sick.


    1 see," I said, keeping my voice neutral. "And what do you propose we do about this... situation?"


    David leaned back in his chair with a smug look on his face. "Well, as it happens, we have your wayward cousin in custody. I thought you might want to deal with him personally."


    He snapped his fingers, and the doors opened once more. Two burly guards entered, half-dragging a disheveled and handcuffed Alvin between them. I resisted the urge to let my jaw drop. "Hannah! Oh, thank the Goddess," Alvin slurred, his eyes bloodshot. "Tell these barbarians to unhand me! Don''t they know who I am?"


    I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headacheing on. "Oh, Alvin," I sighed. "What have you done now?"


    David rose from his seat. "I''ll release him into your custody, Alpha Hannah. But know this: if he sets foot in Darkmoon territory again and causes any more trouble, I won''t be so lenient. He''ll find himself in our prison, diplomatic immunity be d**ed." I nodded, standing as well. "Understood, Alpha David. You have my sincerest apologies-and m my word that this won''t happen again."


    And to think that we almost let this f***er be Alpha of Silvermoon, I thought to myself, although I didn''t dare say that out loud. Not in front of so many people.


    With that, David and his entourage left. As the guards released Alvin, I handed Melody to Viona and approached my cousin. Without warning, I whacked him upside the head with my open palm. "Ow!" he yelped. "What was that for?"


    "For being aplete and utter m***n," I hissed. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you''ve just caused? You''re lucky I don''t throw you in our own prison."


    Alvin rubbed his head, ring at me. "You''re the one who told me to go on a nice little vacation," he sneered.


    I raised my hand to hit him again and he flinched, shutting his mouth.


    "You''re sentenced to two months ofmunity service in the Silvermoori soup kitchen," I said, wiping my hand on my pants and turning away. "Maybe that''ll teach you some humility." Inodded to one of my guards. "Take him out of here. Make sure he doesn''t cause any more trouble on the way home."


    As the guard led Alvin past us, he sneered at Melody in Viona''s arms. The baby, sensing the hostility. began to cry.


    I bit back the urge to shout at Alvin and took Melody from Viona. She quieted as I began to bounce her,Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    +25 BONUS


    and I ignored the looks of mockery and disdain as we made our way back to the car.


    "Well, that could have gone worse," Viona said quietly as we passed back through those ridiculous gates.


    I snorted. "Surprisingly, David wasn''t as cruel as I expected-not quite like his father. Although his entourage looked at us like we were a circus act."


    "They''re just not used to seeing a woman in power," Vigna reasoned. "Let alone one who brings her baby to important meetings."


    I looked down at Melody, who had calmed down and was now contentedly sucking her thumb. "Well, they''d better get used to it. I''m not going anywhere, and neither is she."


    As we climbed into the car, I caught sight of Alvin being roughly shoved into another vehicle. He was still muttering andining, his words slurred and barely coherent. I shook my head, feeling utterly exhausted. Viona and I shared a look of annoyance.


    "Men..." we muttered in unison.

 Chapter 383

    hapter 0383


    Noah


    Noah stood by the window, his eyes fixed on the gardeners working diligently outside. The meticulously manicuredwn stretched out in front of him, a sea of green punctuated by vibrant flower beds. But his mind was elsewhere, reying the moment he had seen his


    daughter for the first time.


    Those eyes. Forest green, just like his own.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    The image of that baby''s tiny face was burned into his memory, her delicate features a perfect blend of him and Hannah. His wolf had recognized her instantly that primal part of him knowing without a doubt that this was his kin, his flesh and blood. Melody. What a lovely name. Her soft coos and gurgles were like a song.


    Noah couldn''t help but wonder, in that moment, why he had ever doubted that that baby was his.


    Hannah... She wouldn''t cheat on him.


    "No," his wolf growled, "she wouldn''t. Why did we think she would?"


    For the first time in weeks, Noah felt a strange rity settling over him in those moments. It was as if... As if a fog was lifting from his mind, allowing him to see things more clearly. He frowned, trying to make sense of the jumbled memories and emotions swirling inside of him.


    He remembered feeling so happy just days before the divorce. So at peace. But he couldn''t recall why.


    When Hannah had left, something had taken hold of him and he had run out the door and called after her. Scott had found him running down the road in his wolf form, dazed and confused, and had brought him home.


    "She cheated on you, man," Scott had told him as he brought him a cup of jasmine teater to soothe his nerves. "You''ve known this for months. Why try and get her back now?"


    Noah had felt so confused, but the tea had helped clear his head. Right... Hannah had cheated on him. He''d known this for months now.


    But he couldn''t help the pang of longing that shot through him now. It was so intense it almost took his breath away. He missed her. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks.


    Noah turned abruptly, his eyesnding on his car keys resting on a nearby table. He could go to her. Go to his baby. Hannah wouldn''t-


    Just as he was about to grab the keys and go, he heard a soft clinking behind him. A momentter, a pair of arms snaked around his waist from behind. The familiar scent of jasmine enveloped him as Zoe pressed herself against his back. "What''s wrong, baby?" she asked. "You look troubled."


    Noah hesitated, his hand still twitching toward the keys. "I... I can''t stop thinking about Melody," he admitted. "She looks just like me, Zoe. Those eyes... They''re exactly like mine."


    Zoe stiffened against him, her arms tightening almost imperceptibly. "Noah," she said, her tone carefully controlled, "we''ve talked about this. I told you already that-"


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    "I know," Noah interrupted, turning to face her. "You said Hannah was cheating on me with Drake for years. And I believe you. But Zoe, you should have seen her. The baby has my eyes."


    Zoe''s expression softened, a sympathetic smile ying on her lips. "Oh, Noah," she sighed, turning to pour a cup of that jasmine tea on the nearby table. "Babies all kind of look the same at that age. And don''t you know that Drake''s father had green eyes? It must be a recessive gene. Skipped Drake and went to the baby." Noah furrowed his brow, trying to remember. "I... I''m not sure. I never met Drake''s father."


    "Trust me," Zoe insisted, gently pressing the cup of tea into his hands. "That baby is not yours, Noah. You don''t need to worry about it. Drink. You''re just frazzled."


    Noah felt his resolve wavering under Zoe''s intense gaze. She always had a way of making him see reason, of calming the storm inside him. Nodding, he took a sip of tea, and the warmth spread through him like wildfire.

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    Chapter 0384


    +25 BONUSContent (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Besides," Zoe continued, "if you''re worried about having an heir, Adam will be your heir once we''re married. You know how much he adores you already."


    Noah couldn''t help but smile at the thought of Zoe''s son. The boy had quickly wormed his way into Noah''s heart over the past few months. He was a good boy. Not at all like his phnderer father. Zoe''s cheeks flushed slightly as she added, "And... I wouldn''t be opposed to having another child. With


    you."


    The idea sent a thrill through Noah. He nodded, feeling some of the tension leave his body as he took another sip of tea. "I''d be more than happy to make Adam the heir to Nightcrest," he said. "And having another baby with you... with the love of my life... That sounds wonderful."


    Zoe let out a relieved sigh, leaning up on her toes to press a soft kiss to Noah''s cheek. "I''m so happy we''re finally getting married," she murmured. "After all these years, I still love you just as much as I did before our mate bond was severed."


    Noah''s heart skipped a beat at the mention of their mate bond. It was something that had been weighing on his mindtely. "Do you think..." he started, hesitating for a moment. "Do you think our mate bond will rejoin once we go through the wedding ceremony?" Zoe''s eyes lit up, a radiant smile spreading across her face. "Of course it will," she promised. "And then we''ll finally be one big, happy family... without her getting in the way and ruining everything."


    Noah felt a twinge of difort at her words, but he pushed it aside and took another sip of tea. Zoe was right. They were going to be happy together. This was what he wanted.


    "Oh!" Zoe eximed suddenly, her eyes widening with excitement. "I almost forgot. I have some wedding samples I want to show you."


    She hurried over to a nearby drawer, pulling out a folder stuffed with fabric swatches and color palettes. Noah''s gaze followed her. He finished his tea and poured another cup. Zoe had introduced him to this jasmine tea a while back, and it really did soothe his nerves. It cleared his mind, made him realize the truth.1


    "What do you think about these for the napkins?" Zoe asked, holding up two nearly identical shades of cream. "I''m leaning toward the eggshell, but the ivory could work too."


    Noah squinted at the swatches, struggling to see any difference between them. "They both look nice," he offered diplomatically.


    Zoe rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Come on, Noah. This is important. We want everything to be perfect for our big day."


    She continued to prattle on about table settings and floral arrangements, holding up various samples for Noah''s approval. He nodded along, making nomittal sounds of agreement when prompted as he sipped his tea.


    He wanted to make his bride happy, to be excited about their future together.


    But as Zoe chattered away, Noah found his mind drifting. Despite his best efforts to focus on wedding ns and their life together, he couldn''t shake the image of Melody from his thoughts. Those forest green +25 BONUS


    eyes, so much like his own, seemed to stare back at him from his memory.


    And then there was Hannah. The way she had looked at him when he''d visited, a mixture of defiance and hurt in her eyes. The protective way she''d held their daughter-no, not their daughter, he corrected himself. Melody wasn''t his. Zoe had assured him of that. But still, Noah couldn''t stop the nagging doubt that crept into his mind. He couldn''t stop thinking about that baby... and Hannah.


    Noah poured another cup of tea.

 Chapter 385

    Chapter 0385 Chapter 0385 Hannah


    I stared at the wedding invitation on my dresser, my fingers tracing the ornate gold lettering. Noah and Zoe''s wedding wasing up soon. The thought still made my stomach churn, but now there was a new emotion mixed in with the hurt. Determination.


    "You know what?" I said to Viona, who was sprawled on my bed, flipping through a magazine. "I''ve decided I''m going to look amazing at this wedding."


    "You do look amazing." She licked her thumb and flipped the page.


    I turned to the mirror, prodding my belly. The baby bump was gone by now, and I didn''t at all mind the little bit of fat and loose skin that lingered there. I had carried an entire life inside of me for nearly nine months, after all. But still...Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "I know," I said. "But is it so wrong to want to show up looking like a million bucks?"


    "Not at all." Viona sat up, tossing her magazine aside. "And besides, it''s been far too long since we had one of our good old-fashioned shopping sprees."


    The next day found us at the upscale mall in the heart of Silvermoon. Racks of designer dresses surrounded us, a rainbow of fabrics and styles. "What about this one?" Viona held up a slinky ck number.


    I shook my head. "Too funeral-ish. I want to look hot, not like I''m still mourning my marriage."


    After trying on what felt like a hundred dresses, I finally emerged from the dressing room in a forest green silk gown that hugged every curve.


    Viona''s jaw dropped. "Hannah, that''s it. You look incredible."


    I turned to the mirror, barely recognizing myself. The dress was daring, with a plunging neckline and a high slit that showed off my leg. But what struck me most was how powerful I looked.


    Not to mention the color; forest green, just like Melody''s eyes. Just like his eyes.


    It would be a real p in the face for him. Teach him for doubting that my baby was his when he was the one who''d been lying and cheating for months.


    "I love it," I breathed. "But... I''d like to lose some of this baby weight to really pull it off." I paused, then added, "In a healthy way this time."


    Viona rolled her eyes. "You look amazing as is. But if you really want to tone up, why not ask Drake to start training you again?"


    The idea of getting back into shape appealed to me. Not just to look good in the dress, but to feel strong again. To be able to protect Melody with everything I had.


    "You''re right," I nodded. "I''ll give him a call."


    The next morning, I found myself in the pack''s training facility, facing off against Drake in the sparring ring


    +25 BONUS Chapter 0385


    just like old times. Viona sat on the sidelines, scrolling through her phone-although the way her eyes asionally flicked up to gawk at Drake''s shirtless torso, muscles glistening in the dim light, wasn''t lost on me. I don''t think it was lost on Drake, either, because he flexed unnecessarily.


    "Ready to get your ass kicked, Alpha?" Drake grinned, bouncing on the balls of his feet.


    I snorted and adjusted the wraps around my hands. "In your dreams, pretty boy."


    We circled each other, muscles tense, ready to strike. Drake made the first move, lunging forward with a swift jab. To my surprise, I dodged it easily, my body reacting on instinct.


    As we continued to spar, I found myself matching Drake blow for blow. My muscles remembered the training, even if I hadn''t worked out in months. In fact, I felt stronger than ever. After an hour of intense training, we both copsed onto the mat, breathing heavily.


    "Damn, Han," Drake panted. "You''re tougher than ever these days. I thought you''d be rusty after the baby, but you''re kicking my ass."


    I sat up, wiping sweat from my brow. "Really? I feel out of shape."


    Drake shook his head. "If anything, you seem stronger. Maybe bing an Alpha and a mother strengthened your wolf."


    That made sense. But then I thought back to the huntst year, where I''d taken down a deer single-handedly. "I guess I was pretty tough atst year''s hunt," I mused.

 Chapter 386

    +25 BONUS


    Drake smirked. "Maybe you''re just a badass by nature."


    I rolled my eyes, but couldn''t help the smile tugging at my lips. "Oh, stop it, you tterer. I''m going to go change."


    As I showered in the locker room, letting the hot water soothe my aching muscles, I found myself imagining the uing wedding. In my mind''s eye, I saw myself walking into the venue, turning heads in that green dress. I pictured myself not necessarily skinny, but strong and confident. I wanted to show everyone, especially Noah, that I was thriving without him.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Maybe once, I would have wanted to look skinny above all else. But not anymore.


    The image of Noah''s shocked face when he saw my tanned muscles brought a smug smile to my face. I was going to knock his socks off, and then walk right past him without a second nce.


    Feeling reinvigorated, I dried off and changed into fresh clothes. As I exited the locker room, I rounded the corner and stopped short.


    There, by the sparring ring, were Drake and Viona, pressed up against one another on either side of the ropes. Viona''s fingers were tangled in his hair, and Drake was grunting into her mouth as she tugged him closer. I think I saw a tongue somewhere in the mix. "Ew!" I yelled, causing them to spring apart, looking like deer caught in headlights.


    "Hannah!" Viona squeaked, her face turning bright red. "We were just... uh..." She looked to Drake for support, but he just grinned and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.


    I couldn''t hold back myughter. "Rx, I''m just messing with you. Though maybe next time, get a room or something?"


    Drake chuckled, wrapping an arm around Viona''s waist-much to her chagrin. "Noted, Alpha."


    As we walked to the parking lot, I felt a pang of loneliness watching Drake and Viona together. They looked so happy, so in love. It made me realize how much I missed that connection. It was a lonely existence, being an Alpha and a single mother. 1


    Viona must have sensed my mood shift, because on the way home, she nced at me from the driver''s seat. It was just the two of us now. "You know, Hannah," she said carefully, "have you thought about getting back out there? In the dating scene, I mean." I sighed, staring out the window. "I don''t know, Vi. I''m not sure if I''m ready for that just yet."


    "It doesn''t have to be anything serious," she pressed. "Just go on some dates, have fun. Sometimes it just feels good to get out there and feel wanted, you know? You don''t even have to have sex."


    I chewed my lip, considering. "I don''t know. Maybe. I''ll think about it."


    Viona didn''t press further, but her words lingered in my mind. The idea of dating was intriguing, but it just felt... wrong. My heart didn''t feel ready for it after what Noah had done to me.


    But maybe that was exactly why I needed to get back out there; if only to help myself move on, realize that there were other fish in the sea.


    +25 BONUS


    And maybe it wouldn''t hurt to bring a date to the wedding, either.


    That night, as I sat in bed with Melody sleeping peacefully in her crib nearby, I found myself staring at my phone. The wedding invitation sitting on my dresser seemed to taunt me.


    I sighed, rolling over. Maybe Viona was right. Maybe...


    Before I could talk myself out of it, I opened the app store and downloaded a popr dating app. My fingers trembled slightly as I set up my profile, choosing a recent photo where I was smiling and holding Melody. "Here goes nothing," I muttered, starting to swipe through potential matches.


    Suddenly, a familiar face popped up on my screen. My eyes widened in shock as I read the name.


    David. Alpha of Darkmoon Pack.


    Looking handsome as hell.


    Without thinking, I swiped right. It was an instant match.


    +25 BONUS

 Chapter 387

    Chapter 0387 Hannah


    I stared at my phone, my thumb hovering over the ''Message'' button on David''s profile. His main picture was an incredibly handsome one-he was wearing an expensive suit, dark hair neatly slicked back and his ck beard freshly trimmed. There was a roguish sort of handsomeness about him, eyes crinkling slightly at the corners, sharp, prominent nose.


    We''d matched instantly, which only meant one thing: he had already swiped right on me.


    The Alpha of Darkmoon Pack had matched with me. He was almost as arrogant as his father, but he was young, handsome, and apparently interested in me. But was I ready for this?


    "Come on, Hannah," I muttered to myself, raking a hand through my hair. "It''s just a date. Not a marriage proposal."


    Still, I couldn''t help but think about the implications. Darkmoon and Silvermoon had been at odds for years. If something were to develop between David and me-not that I was getting ahead of myself-it could potentially bring our packs closer together. A new era...


    I shook my head, trying to clear those thoughts. One step at a time.


    Taking a deep breath, I typed out a message: "Dinner tomorrow night? I know a great ce in neutral territory."


    His response came almost immediately: "Sounds perfect. Looking forward to it."Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    The next evening, I found myself standing outside the trendy restaurant I''d picked. It was in an area where people wouldn''t care to notice who we were, which meant no unwanted tabloid articles.


    I smoothed down my dress, a simple ck number that hugged my curves without being too revealing. My heart was pounding, although I couldn''t tell if it was from nerves or excitement. Maybe both.


    David arrived right on time, looking dashing in a tailored suit-just like the picture. His blue eyes caught the light as he approached.


    "Alpha David," I said, turning.


    "Hannah." David leaned in, nting a polite kiss on my cheek. His cologne smelled like cedar, although the sweet scent didn''t outweigh the fact that he had pointedly avoided referring to me by my title. But I chose not to mention it. Not yet, at least.


    As we entered the restaurant, David ced his hand on the small of my back, guiding me to our table. The gesture sent a small shiver down my spine. It had been so long since I''d been touched like that. Not since...


    No. Don''t think about the baby shower, I thought to myself. Just think about tonight. Nothing else.


    We settled into our seats, and I couldn''t help but notice David''s eyes scanning the area around us. "Everything okay?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.


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    He turned back to me, eyebrows raised. "Who is taking care of your child tonight?"


    I stiffened, my guard immediately going up. "Excuse me?"


    "Well, you brought her to the meeting," he said with a shrug. "Where I go, she goes,'' I believe you said."


    "I wouldn''t bring my daughter on a date. Perhaps you misunderstood."


    Those blue eyes flicked up and down my body. "Perhaps."


    A few momentster, the waiter arrived with a bottle of wine and the menus. I sipped my wine, savoring the taste. I had only just gotten back into drinking since Melody had been born, and the dark red liquid soothed my nerves. It''s just one date, I kept telling myself, Not a marriage proposal.


    As the evening progressed, I found myself both intrigued and irritated by David. He was charming, no doubt about that. But there was an underlying arrogance that grated on my nerves. Every story he told seemed designed to impress me, every joke a little too self- congrattory.


    Still, it felt nice to be wanted, to be looked at with desire again. Even if there wasn''t much of a spark, I decided to enjoy the evening for what it was-a nice dinner and a step back into the dating world.


    After we finished our meal, David insisted on walking me to my car. The night air was cool against my skin, and I found myself wrapping my arms around myself.


    "Cold?" David asked, already shrugging off his jacket.


    I waved him off. "I''m fine, thanks. My car''s just over there."


    "Suit yourself."


    We reached my car, and an awkward silence fell between us. David cleared his throat.


    "So are youing to my ce, or am I going to yours?"


    His words left me in shock. Was he seriously suggesting...? I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "The date was nice, David. But I''m not looking to extend the evening."


    His face darkened, a sneer recing the charming smile he''d worn all night. "I bought you lobster for dinner."


    "And it was delicious," I said, shing my teeth. "But I don''t need to put out over some seafood."


    He scoffed. "I figured a woman like you would just try to get a free meal," he hissed, turning away.


    Anger red inside of me at those words. Without thinking, I reached out and caught his wrist, yanking him back to face me. "Watch your tongue," I growled, my eyes shing. "I am an Alpha, not a floozy."


    For a moment, David looked shocked. Then, without warning, he surged forward, pressing his lips against mine in a deep, forceful kiss.


    I shoved him away, hard enough that he stumbled back a few steps. "You bastard!" I spat, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. Reaching into my purse, I took out a wad of cash and mmed it against his chest so hard he stumbled back slightly. "Here. For the lobster. Disgusting prick."


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    David merely smirked, his own eyes glowing in the dim light of the parking lot. His fangs shed as he stuffed the cash into his pocket. "See you around, Alpha Hannah," he cooed, before turning and sauntering away.


    Still growling and seething from that unwanted kiss, I climbed into my car and mmed the door shut behind me. My heart was racing, and I could feel my wolf bristling just beneath the surface of my skin.


    How dare he? The arrogant, entitled, disgusting bastard!


    Was this what it was like in the dating world? To be treated like a piece of meat? To feel obligated to sleep with someone just because they bought me a meal?


    I gripped the steering wheel tightly, trying to calm my breathing. This had been a mistake. I shouldn''t have agreed to go on a date. I wasn''t ready. I wasn''t sure if I''d ever be ready, if I was honest.


    To my horror, I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I leaned forward, resting my forehead against the cool leather of the steering wheel in an attempt to calm myself.


    A sob escaped my lips before I could stop it. Goddess, I missed Noah. I shouldn''t have been missing him, not after everything he had done to me, but I did. I missed the way he used to look at me, the way he made me feel safe and loved. I missed the father of my child, the man I thought I would spend the rest of my life with.


    I missed Noah.


    And yet he was marrying Zoe.

 Chapter 388

    Chapter 0388 Chapter 0388 Noah


    Noah stood in the foyer of his spacious home, listening to the sound of Zoe''sughter fading as she left for her bachelorette party, tiara askance on her head.


    "See youter, honey!" she called out, waving as she climbed into the waiting limousine, where all of her friends were already drinking andughing. "Have fun with Adam!" Noah smiled tightly and waved back.


    The wedding was just a couple of days away, and while Zoe had been eager to celebrate with her friends, Noah had opted for a quiet night at home with Adam. The house felt eerily quiet without Zoe''s constant chatter and the cking of her heels on the hardwood floors, but Noah didn''t mind. It was sort of nice to have the space.


    Shutting the door, Noah turned, cing his hands on his hips.


    "Alright, little man," Noah called out, his voice echoing through the house. "Ready or not, here Ie!" He heard a muffled giggleing from upstairs and grinned. Adam wasn''t the best at hiding yet, but Noah loved ying with him all the same.


    But as he climbed the stairs, the plush carpet muffling his footsteps, he couldn''t help but wonder what Melody would be like once she was older.


    Would she squeal like Adam did whenever Noah growled and chased him around the house? Would she be good at hiding? Would she y along and jump out of closets, baring her little fangs and crying out" Daddy, Daddy, it''s just me!" when Noah pretended to be terrified of the monster?


    Melody.


    His daughter.


    The thought of her little face, of those green eyes and that little scrunched up nose, sent a pang through Noah''s chest.


    But Noah shook his head, trying to focus on the present. He crept down the hallway, exaggerating his footsteps.


    "Hmm, I wonder where Adam could be?" he called out.


    Another giggle came, this time from behind a heavy velvet curtain. Noah pretended not to notice, instead opening the nearby linen closet with a dramatic flourish.


    "Not here!" he eximed, rustling the sheets and towels for effect.


    He heard Adam''s excited breathing quicken as he approached the curtain, the fabric rustling slightly with the boy''s movement. Noah paused, dramatically sniffing the air. "Hmm... I smell a little boy!" he cried out in a deep, monstrous voice. The curtains shuddered again as Adam stifled another giggle.


    In one swift motion, Noah pulled the curtain back. "Got you!"


    Adam squealed with delight, trying to run around Noah But Noah scooped him up, throwing him in the air


    +25 BONUS


    and tickling his sides. Adam''sughter filled the air, pure and uninhibited.


    "Again! Again!"


    "Okay, buddy," Noah said, setting Adam down. "But find a better hiding spot this time, okay?" Adam nodded eagerly. "I''ll be the best hider ever!" he dered, scampering off down the hallway. Noah closed his eyes and began to count, leaning against the wall. "One... two... three..."


    But his mind wandered as he counted, the numbers bing a distant murmur in his own ears.


    The past few days had been filled with an increasing sense of apprehension about the wedding. Zoe had been mentioning making Adam the heir to Nightcrest more and more frequently, her voice filled with excitement every time she brought it up.


    "Just think, Noah," she had said at breakfast that very morning, her eyes gleaming. "Adam will be the perfect heir. He''s already so smart and strong."


    "Of course, honey," Noah had said. "I''d love to make Adam the heir once we''re married."


    But Noah couldn''t shake the feeling that something wasn''t right. What about Melody?Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Ever since he had seen her for himself, his wolf howled her name at night, a mournful sound that echoed in his dreams, recognizing her as his blood. How could he jump into a marriage so quickly when his daughter, his true heir, was out there without him? 1 Chapter 0389

 Chapter 389

    Chapter 0389


    Guilt gnawed at him as he remembered using Hannah of cheating all those months ago. The memory of that night, of Hannah pping him so hard he had fallen, yed on repeat in his mind, fresh as ever despite how much time had passed.


    He could still feel the sting of her palm against his cheek if he thought hard enough, the unbridled rage in her eyes as he had stumbled back.


    But he couldn''t even be angry about it. Zoe said that Hannah was a cold bitch who deserved to be punished for hitting the Alpha of Nightcrest, but Noah often wondered if he had deserved that p. He had said some awful things that night, and now he knew that he had been wrong.


    And if he was being honest, he was kind of proud of her for hitting him so hard. She was tough, that was for certain.


    Zoe would never dare ruin her own manicure with such a thing...


    Noah''s eyes snapped open, realizing he had stopped counting and that his mind had begun to wander. He shook his head, quickly dispelling the negative thoughts about Zoe. No. Zoe was his fiancee, and he loved her, and she would be his wife in just a few days. She was perfect for him. His eternal moonlight. Wasn''t she?


    "Ready or not, here Ie!" he called out, pushing away the nagging thoughts.


    He searched the guest rooms first, making a show of looking under beds and in closets. This time, Adam seemed to have indeed found a better hiding ce after all. "Adam?" he called out, his voice echoing in the empty rooms. "Where are you, buddy?"


    As he approached the master bedroom, he heard a faint rustlinging from Zoe''s wardrobe. A smile tugged at his lips. Adam wasn''t very good at being quiet.


    Noah crept toward the wardrobe, his footsteps light on the plush carpet. He paused for a moment, building the suspense, before flinging the doors open. "Found you!"


    Adam looked up, startled, a box in hisp and papers scattered around him. His eyes were wide, like he had been caught doing something he shouldn''t.


    Noah furrowed his brow, confusion recing his triumphant grin. Pictures? He leaned over, curious." What do you have there, buddy?"


    Adam beamed and scooched aside to let Noah see. "I''m ying with Mommy''s favorite pictures! See how pretty this girl is? She''s like a doll!"


    "Yes, your mommy is very pr-"


    Before he could finish, Noah felt the air leave his lungs. These weren''t pictures of Zoe at all.


    They were of him and... Hannah.


    As teenagers.


    With shaking fingers, Noah picked up a strip of photo booth pictures. In the first frame, a younger Hannah was pointing at the camera, her face alight withughter. Her golden hair was longer then, falling in waves Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    around her shoulders. Noah was beside her, smiling with his eyes closed, looking more carefree than he could remember feeling in years.


    But Noah never took pictures like this with Hannah. How was this possible?


    The second picture showed Hannah putting bunny ears behind Noah''s head, and he was rolling his eyes, but the affection in his expression was unmistakable. He didn''t remember this... Did he?


    In the third picture, Hannah was sitting in Noah''sp, her arms wrapped around his neck. They looked so happy, so... So in love.


    Noah''s throat tightened as he stared at their younger selves. It was certainly him and Hannah, just younger. Much younger; Hannah looked maybe fifteen, and Noah maybe a couple years older. And in the final frame...


    Noah''s heart stopped as he stared at the image of his younger self kissing Hannah''s cheek. Her eyes were closed, a soft smile on her lips.


    In that moment, Noah remembered.

 Chapter 390

    Chapter 0390


    Hannah


    I wiped the sweat from my face and neck with a towel, gulping down water from my bottle. My muscles ached pleasantly from the intense workout, my limbs feeling delightfully loose and limber.


    "Great session today, Hannah," Drake said, pping me on the shoulder. He might have even been more breathless than I was. "You really gave me a run for my money."


    "I''m d to know I''ve finally put you in your ce, Drake."


    Drake grinned roguishly and guzzled down his own water.


    "Speaking of putting men in their ce," Viona cooed, leaning against the ropes surrounding the sparring ring, "how was your date the other night? Was Alpha David just as much of a bastard as he seems?"


    I groaned, remembering the disaster of a date with David. "It was awful," I grunted, grabbing my towel and slipping beneath the ropes. "Aplete waste of time, actually. I should have just stayed home." "That bad, huh?" Drake asked, raising an eyebrow.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    I sighed as I shoved my things into my bag. "David was arrogant the entire time, barely listened to anything I said. And then at the end of the night, he got mad that I wouldn''t sleep with him on the first date. He even kissed me without my permission. Said something along the lines of me owing him for buying me an expensive dinner."


    "Ew." Viona shook her head, short hair bobbing around her face. "I''m sorry, Hannah. Men are disgusting." She nced at Drake, who was hopping down from the sparring ring now too. "No offense."


    Drake smirked. "None taken. Men are indeed disgusting."


    I shrugged and waved my hand. "It''s whatever, really. I just don''t think I''m ready to get back into the dating scene, that''s all." "Hey, don''t let one bad experience put you off," Drake said gently. "In all seriousness, there are some good guys out there."


    "I know," I replied. "It''s just... it was kind of scary, you know? I forgot how vulnerable dating can make you feel."


    Viona nodded sympathetically. "I get it. Take your time, Hannah. There''s no rush."


    After a moment of silence, Viona spoke up again. "But... are you bringing a plus one to the wedding?"


    I shook my head. "No, I''m going alone. At first, I thought about bringing someone just to shove it in Noah''s face, but... I''ve decided I would rather go by myself than with someone I don''t even like." Drake and Viona exchanged nces. "Are you sure?" Drake asked. "I can go with you, if you wa-"


    "No," I said quickly, ncing at Viona, Her face was impassive, and I knew she wouldn''t care, but still. It felt... wrong now that they were a thing. "I can handle it on my own."


    The parking garage was dimly lit as I made my way out to my car a little whileter, the fluorescent lights flickering ominously. For all my big talk of being able to handle myself earlier, one thing was for certain:


    this parking garage always freaked me out. Especially thiste.


    As I made my way to my car, digging through my purse with my keys, I shivered. Maybe it was just the eerie atmosphere, but I felt like I was being watched. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I quickened my pace.


    Fumbling with my keys, I dropped them on the ground next to my car. "Shit," I muttered, bending to pick them up.


    Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. My heart rate spiked as I recognized David, his eyes zed over. "Well, well," he slurred, stumbling toward me. "If it isn''t the little tease herself."


    I backed up against my car, my hand instinctively reaching for my phone. "David, what are you doing here?"


    He closed the distance between us, and this close, I could smell whiskey on his breath. He''d been drinking. A lot. "I''ve been thinking about our date," he said, his words blurring together. "You''re quite the little ygirl, aren''t you?" "What are you talking about?"


    Before I could slip away, David leaned in, his body pressing me against the car. "Don''t y dumb, Hannah. I saw the way you were looking at me during dinner. Your bodynguage... I know you wanted me and you''re just getting off on the chase." +25 B

 Chapter 391

    Chapter 0391


    I pushed against his chest, but he didn''t budge. "That''s ridiculous. I don''t want you, David. You''re full of yourself and rude." I sniffed,; nose wrinkling at the scent of alcohol. "And you''re drunk as hell right now."


    He chuckled, the sound sending chills down my spine. "Such a little minx. I bet you''re just as feisty in bed


    as you are in those meetings." He traced a finger along my exposed corbone. "You know, that one time you breastfed in a meeting, I couldn''t stop staring at your enormous tits. I had to... finish myself after you left. Right there in my chair."


    I swallowed hard. "You''re disgusting." I shoved at him again, but he just moved forward, caging me against the car with one hand pressing into the car window beside my head. I fumbled for my phone, but he noticed and pped my hand, sending my phone skittering across the pavement.


    "Come on, Hannah," he whispered, his breath hot against my neck. "I want to find out what the almighty female Alpha is really like behind closed doors."


    Before I could react, his lips were on mine, his hand sliding up under my shirt. I froze, panic rising in my throat. I was like a deer in headlights-something terrible was about to happen, but I was too dumb and frightened to move.


    "Ooh," he murmured, his fingers grazing my sweaty skin. "Just working out, were you? Maybe we can go back to my ce and you can show me how fit you are. I bet you''re flexible."


    My mind raced, looking for a way out of this situation. Suddenly, an idea struck me. I was not a deer in headlights; I was a wolf in sheep''s clothing.


    "Or I can show you right here," I purred, forcing myself to sound seductive.


    ''David''s eyes shed with excitement, a growl rumbling in his chest. "Hmm... I haven''t done it in a car in a long time. Let''s go for it." He leaned in, his lips attacking my neck.


    In that moment, while he was distracted, I saw my opening and I took it.


    Using all the strength and skill I''d gained from my training, I brought my knee up hard between his legs. As he doubled over in pain, I followed up with a series of quick strikes to his face and torso.


    David stumbled backward, shock and anger overtaking his lust. He clutched his face, blood instantly gushing from his nose.


    "You bitch!" he snarled, lunging at me.


    But I was ready. Channeling all my rage and fear into one final blow in the center of his chest, I sent him flying across the parking garage. He hit a concrete pir with a sickening thud and slumped to the ground, motionless. For a moment, I stood there, my chest heaving, adrenaline coursing through my veins. Then, panic set in. What had I done?


    Without thinking, I jumped into my car and sped away, leaving him there.


    The next morning, I tried to push the events of the previous night out of my mind as I fed Melody. She cooed happily, oblivious to her mother''s inner turmoil. I hadn''t killed David... I knew that for certain. Likely


    he had woken up moments after I''d driven away and had stumbled home, drunk and humiliated over getting beaten up by a girl.


    Or at least, that was what I kept telling myself.


    Suddenly, a sharp knock at the door startled me. Cradling Melody against my chest, I carefully made my way to the door, peering through the peephole.


    On my doorstep stood David''s Beta, nked by several Darkmoon officials. I swallowed hard and swung the door open.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Can I help you?"


    "Alpha Hannah, you are under arrest for the physical assault of Alpha David. You are ordered toe to Darkmoon pack with us immediately." Chapter 0392

 Chapter 392

    Chapter 0392 Hannah


    "Alpha Hannah, you are under arrest for the physical assault of Alpha David. You are ordered toe to Darkmoon pack with us immediately."


    I stared dumbfoundedly at the men on my doorstep, too shocked to even speak.


    The assault of David... He assaulted me! What I had done was self defense!


    But I didn''t say that-I couldn''t. If this was that serious, then I needed awyer. Quickly.


    Behind me, I heard Lily''s footstepsing down the stairs. "Hannah? Who''s at the door?" She sounded like she had just woken up, judging from the gravelly tone to her voice


    I turned to my sister, my movements slow and deliberate as I held Melody, who instantly began to fuss, out to her. "Lily, could you please take Melody? I have to go."


    Lily''s eyes widened as she came to her senses and took in the scene before her, her gaze darting between me and the officials at the door. "What? Go where? Hannah, what''s going on?"


    I forced a calm smile, even as my insides twisted with fear. "It''s okay, Lily. I''ll be home soon. Just please take good care of Melody for me." I tried to keep my voice steady, but I could hear the slight tremor in my words.


    As if sensing the tension in the air, Melody fully began to cry now, her tiny face scrunching up as she wailed. Lily ran down the stairs and took her from me. She cradled her close, bouncing her gently, but her eyes never left mine. "Hannah, you''re scaring me. Tell me what''s happening. Why are these men here?"


    I kissed Melody''s forehead, inhaling her sweet baby scent, then pressed a quick kiss to Lily''s cheek." Everything will be fine. I promise. Just stay here with Melody. I''ll exin everythingter." 1


    "But Hannah-"


    "Please, Lily. Don''t make a scene. Not in front of the baby."


    My sister fell silent at that.


    Turning back to the officials, I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin, trying to project an air of confidence that I didn''t feel in that moment. "May I dress, or am I expected to go with you in my dressing gown?" I asked sharply.


    The Beta''s eyes flicked over my bare body, which was on disy beneath the light fabric of my robe as the morning sun shone through it. I felt exposed, vulnerable, and anger red in my chest at his obvious Teering.


    A smirk yed at the corners of his mouth as he nced at his watch. "No time," he replied thickly.


    Disgust welled up inside of me: I scoffed and strode past him, out onto the porch. The morning air was cold against my skin.


    "Pig," I hissed as I passed, loud enough for him to hear


    The Beta just leered some more.


    The cool morning air raised goosebumps on my skin as I followed the officials to their waiting vehicles. I could hear Melody''s cries growing fainter as we moved away from the house, and it took every ounce of willpower not to turn back. Each step felt like I was leaving a piece of myself behind.


    But it was better than to cause an even bigger scene in front of my baby.


    As we drove toward Darkmoon territory, I kept my gaze fixed out the window, refusing to engage with any of the men. Thendscape blurred past, familiar streets giving way to the less traveled roads leading to Darkmoon.


    All the while, my mind raced, trying to piece together a n. David had attacked me. What I did was self-defense. Surely, I could exin that and be released.


    But a nagging voice in the back of my head reminded me of theplex politics between our packs. This wasn''t just aboutst night; it was about power.


    I had humiliated David. Badly. And he wasn''t about to let a woman beat the hell out of him without getting revenge on her.


    After what felt like an eternity, the wrought iron gates of Darkmoon''spound came into view. Despite the early hour, as we pulled up to the building serving as their prison, I noticed several pack members already milling about, their curious gazes following our procession. 1Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 393

    Chapter 0393


    Great. Just what I needed-an audience. I could almost hear the whispers starting already, the rumors that would no doubt spread like wildfire.


    The great female Alpha Hannah, arrested by Darkmoon... In her dressing gown, no less.


    But I held my chin high, even when I heard the whispers about my breasts and ass.


    I was led through the building toward my cell. Thankfully they didn''t put me in cuffs or chains, but I still felt just as vulnerable. Other prisoners whistled at me through their cell bars, grubby hands reaching out to touch me.


    I ignored them, kept my back straight and my face impassive.


    Even if I was screaming on the inside.


    Finally, we stopped at a heavy metal door, and I realized with a sinking feeling that this was their holding cell. The Beta opened the door and gestured for me to enter.


    "Someone will be with you shortly for questioning."


    I stepped into the small, sterile room, flinching as the door nged shut behind me. The sound echoed in the tiny space, emphasizing my istion-but at least I was alone. The cell was bare save for a small cot and a toilet in the corner. I perched on the edge of the cot, wrapping my arms around myself.


    Time seemed to crawl by, each minute feeling like an hour. The only sound was my own breathing and the asional distant footstep in the hallway outside. I had no way of knowing how long I had been sitting there when the door finally opened again.


    A stern-faced woman entered, a folder tucked under her arm, her heels clicking sharply on the floor.


    "Alpha Hannah. I''m here to ask you some questions about the incident with Alpha Davidst night."


    I straightened my spine, meeting her gaze steadily. "I am exercising my right to awyer."


    The woman''s lips thinned, but she nodded curtly. "Very well. We''ll arrange for that." She turned on her heel and left, the door closing firmly behind her.


    I was once again alone with my thoughts. I tried to focus on my breathing, to stay calm, but worry for my daughter gnawed at me. Was she okay? Was Lily managing to feed her? And what about my pack? What did Viona think of all of this? I hadn''t left her with any warning, any ns to handle matters in my absence


    Finally, after what felt like hours, the door opened again. A guard, different from the one who had brought me in, stood in the doorway.


    "Yourwyer is here to see you," he announced gruffly.


    I stood, smoothing down my robe as best I could, and followed the guard out of the cell. We walked down a long corridor, our footsteps echoing off the bare walls. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly.


    Finally, we reached a small conference room.


    "Here you go," the guard instructed, before closing the door behind me.


    *25 BONUS


    I turned, expecting to see some stuffywyer in a suit. Instead, my breath caught in my throat as I found myself face to face with thest person I expected to see.


    He stood by the window, his broad shoulders tense beneath his crisp white shirt. Sunlight streamed in behind him, casting a golden halo around his dark hair. As I entered, he turned, his forest green eyes widening as they took in my disheveled appearance. For a moment, we just stared at each other. It had been months since I had seen him up close like this, if you didn''t count the five minutes he spent checking to see if Melody was his blood.


    Despite everything, my traitorous heart skipped a beat. The familiar scent of his cologne reached me, bringing with it a flood of memories I''d tried so hard to suppress these past months.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Noah''s brow furrowed with concern as he looked me up and down, taking in my bare feet and the thin robe that left little to the imagination. He picked up his jacket off the back of a chair and held it out to me. "Oh, Hannah, what have you gotten yourself into?"

 Chapter 394

    Chapter 0394


    Hannah


    Noah held his jacket out to me, the warmth of the soft fabric all too inviting against the coldness of the room. "Here," he said softly. "To cover yourself."


    I blinked owlishly at him for several long moments, my mind and my heart warring against each other. On one hand, it was so, so relieving to see a familiar face here, particrly Noah''s face. But on the other hand, I hated him. I hated his very being with every fiber of my


    own.


    In that moment, whatever shock and excitement I''d first felt upon seeing him was quickly reced with


    rage.


    Without thinking, I smacked the jacket out of his hands, the fabrding on the floor with a soft thud.


    "I don''t want your filthy jacket," I spat, wrapping my arms around myself. The thin material of my robe did little to ward off the chill of the space, but I would be damned if I deigned to ept anything from him.


    Noah sighed as he stooped to pick up the discarded garment. He straightened, dusting it off and stepping toward me. "Hannah, please. You''re practically naked, and it''s freezing in here. I''m just trying to help-"Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    But I was already turning away, my bare feet pping against the cold tile as I stormed over to the door. Guard!" I called out, banging on the hard steel. "Take me back to my cell! I want a realwyer!"


    The guard didn''te. Suddenly, Noah''s hand caught my arm. His touch sent an unwee jolt through me, a mix of familiarfort and burning betrayal. I yanked away as if burned, my skin tingling where his fingers had been. "Gua-"


    "Hannah, wait," he cut me off, his voice low and urgent. "Your father called me. I''m here to help you."


    I whirled around, fury bubbling up inside of me like moltenva at that. "My father called you? Why the hell would he do that? He should have called an actualwyer, not... not you!"


    I grit my teeth, thinking back on the night my daughter had been born-the way that my father had asked if we should call Noah. The hopelessly romantic bastard... Didn''t he know that I despised my ex-husband? I would have words with him once I got out of here, that was for sure.


    Noah ran a hand through his hair, a gesture so familiar it made my chest ache with memories I had tried so hard to bury. Dammit. I had to look away to hide the sudden flush creeping up my neck.


    "He thought I might be able to help more than a regrwyer," Noah exined. "As an Alpha-"


    "Ha! As an Alpha," I cut him off ruefully, my voice dripping with sarcasm. The irony of the situation wasn''t lost on me. "Right. Because that title means so much when ites to me, a woman, doesn''t it? When I''m the one being dragged out of my home in my robe? Away from my baby? Being leered at like I''m a piece of steak?"


    His eyes, those damn forest green eyes that Melody had inherited, widened. They were so full of concern. It made it hard to maintain my anger, but I clung to it like a lifeline. I knew he was full of shit. He was likely


    just here to mock me, to


    "Hannah, please," he pleaded. "Just tell me what happened so I can help you."


    The whirling thoughts in my head suddenly stopped.


    Was he...?


    I wanted to refuse, to tell him to go to hell, to tell him that I saw right through his ruse. But something in his gaze made me hesitate. Thest time I saw him, he had looked so... harsh. Aloof. Calcting. But now Against my better judgment, I found myself speaking.


    "Fine. If you want the story, then here it is: Alpha David tried to force himself on mest night," I said. The memory of David''s filthy hands on me, his alcoholced breath hot on my neck, made me shudder. But ! controlled myself and continued, "So I beat the shit out of him. That''s why I''m here."


    Noah''s expression darkened for a moment, a sh of anger crossing his features before a small, proud smirk tugged at his lips. "You beat him up? On your own?"


    Despite myself, I felt a flicker of satisfaction at his reaction. "Yes, I did. And now I''m here, arrested for defending myself. Because apparently, that''s what happens when you''re a female Alpha."


    Noah nodded, his face growing serious again. "This is clearly a case of self-defense, Hannah. I can help you. As an Alpha, I have enough power to get you out of trouble. One word from me and you would be freed."


    The injustice of it all felt like a knife in my gut. Noah could swoop in here and save the day, and meanwhile, my word as an Alpha had beenpletely disregarded.


    "It''s not fair," I muttered, more to myself than to him.


    "I know it''s not," Noah said softly, taking a step closer. "But Hannah, Melody needs you. This is the fastest way to get you home to her. Just let me help you."


    At the mention of my daughter, I felt my resolve weaken ever so slightly. I could almost hear her cries, feel her tiny body in my arms. But then I remembered everything Noah had done, how he had used me of cheating, how he had doubted Melody was even his Anger red anew, hot and sharp in my chest. To hell with his so-called ''help''. I didn''t want it.


    "Keep her name out of your mouth," I said firmly, turning away from him. "I''d rather rot in a cell than ept help from you. You''ll just use it against me to get Melody anyway. That''s why you''re here, isn''t it? To get leverage to bring her back to Nightcrest now that you know she''s your true heir?"


    "Hannah, I won''t-"


    "Save it," I cut him off, my voice sharp enough to cut ss. "I don''t believe you. Thank you foring, but I''ll handle this myself." I strode over to the door again, raising my fist to bang on it. Where was this damn guard, anyway?!


    But before I could reach the door, Noah was there. In one swift motion, he spun me around and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was desperate, urgent, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. His lips were warm and familiar, and...


    He pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against mine. I could feel his breath, warm and quick, fanning across my face.


    "Hannah," he whispered, his voice so low I could barely hear it over the buzzing fluorescent lights and my own racing heart. "I remember. I remember..."


    Before I could process his words, he was kissing me again. My eyes widened in shock, my mind reeling as his lips moved against mine.


    What did he mean, he remembered? Remembered what?

 Chapter 395

    Chapter 0395


    Noah


    The night before...


    Noah''s hands trembled as he stared at the photo strip, his eyes wide with disbelief. The images before him told a story he couldn''t remember living, and yet every fiber of his being recognized them as true. There he was, years younger, his arm draped casually around Hannah''s shoulders, both of them grinning widely at the camera.


    "Adam," Noah''s voice was hoarse as he turned to the boy. "You said these belong to your mommy?"


    Adam looked up at him with innocent eyes. "Mhm. She looks at them a lot when she thinks I''m not watching." He tilted his head, curious. "Why do you look so funny in the pictures? You look so different."


    Noah swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. "I... I don''t know, buddy." He crouched and rifled through the box, finding more photos, letters, and small mementos. Each item seemed to chip away at a wall in his mind, revealing glimpses of memories he didn''t even know he had.


    As he unfolded one of the letters, Noah''s breath caught in his throat. Hannah''s familiar handwriting filled the page:


    "My dearest Noah," it began, "I miss you more with each passing day. The summer we spent together feels like a beautiful dream, and I can''t wait until we can be together again..."


    Noah''s eyes burned as he read on, the letter detailing shared experiences and inside jokes he couldn''t recall, and yet they felt so... achingly familiar.


    "Look at this one," Adam said, holding up a little seashell that caught the light, faded pinks and blues like a sunrise. A thin leather strap had been threaded through a hole at the top of it, like a ne. "Isn''t it pretty?"


    The moment Noah saw that seashell, a flood of memories washed over Noah. She... She had picked that one out for him, one day, while they were walking on the beach. He took the shell in his hands, and even now, he could still feel her fingers pressing it into his palm...


    "Here... Doesn''t it look beautiful? Like the sunrise..."


    Suddenly, holding that shell, Noah could see it all so clearly-a blissful summer spent with Hannah, stolen moments and secret smiles. He remembered the thrill of receiving her letters, thete-night phone calls where they whispered their dreams and fears to each other. A particr memory stood out-visiting his mother in the hospital onest time. Hannah had convinced him to sneak in against his father''s wishes. She had kept watch while he had said goodbye...


    "Oh, Goddess," Noah whispered, his hand shaking as he picked up another photo. It was of him and Hannah at some formal event, both looking slightly older than in the previous pictures.


    He didn''t need to clear away the fog to remember that night. He remembered it all too clearly.


    It was the night their parents had announced their arranged marriage. Noah remembered the confusion


    he had felt when Hannah had approached him, her eyes shining with familiarity and love. He had thought it strange then, wondering how this girl he had never met could look at him with such warmth. She had


    kissed him, and he had been so damn awkward, so confused.


    But he had met her before. He had loved her before.


    And by the time they had met again at that event, he had forgotten her.


    Noah furrowed his brow, trying to put the puzzle pieces together. No one knew about their secret friendship that had blossomed into a romance. No one except...Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Zoe. Noah''s childhood friend who he had confided in one day.


    "I think she''s my mate, Zoe. I love her... I want to marry her..."


    Noah''s mind raced. All these years, he''d believed that his mate bond with Zoe had been cut. He remembered the searing pain of the silver knife, the agony of feeling that connection severed.


    But it wasn''t Zoe. It had never been Zoe.


    It was Hannah. Hannah was his mate. His eternal moonlight.


    And someone-Zoe-had taken that from him. Had taken his memories, his love, his true mate, and reced them with false memories and a fabricated bond.


    "Hold him down," Zoe had said, her face monstrous in the flickering firelight. She brandished a silver knife in her hand, and it reflected Noah''s terrified face back at him. "Don''t worry, Noah... It''ll hurt, but once I''m done, you won''t love her anymore. She won''t be your mate..."

 Chapter 396

    Chapter 0396


    "No! No, I want Hannah! Get off of me!"


    Too many hands had held him down. Too many... "Scott, let me go! You''re my brother! How could you let this happen?!"


    "I''m sorry, Noah. But it''s for the best..." "Nooo!"


    "Shh..." Zoe had crouched, silver knife glinting in the light. She had cut the seashell ne off first, smirking as she held it up to the light. "You will soon forget this all happened, Noah," she''d said. "You won''t even remember Hannah at all..."


    Noah''s hands clenched into fists, anger bubbling up inside of him. By the time he had seen Hannah again at that event, the night that their parents announced their arranged marriage, Zoe''s little ceremony had already beenpleted. She hadn''t expected their parents to put Noah and Hannah together anyway, though, and she had been arranged to marry Drake.


    That was why she''d returned to Nightcrest. To take back what had never been hers. "Adam," Noah''s voice was urgent now. "Does your mommy know you y with these?"


    Adam shook his head, his eyes widening. "No... am I in trouble?"


    Noah knelt down, cing his hands on Adam''s shoulders. "No, buddy. You''re not in trouble at all. In fact ..." He paused, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Thank you for showing me these. You''ve helped me remember something very important." "I remember."


    Hannah let herself rx into the kiss for just a moment before shoving him away, her eyes zing with confusion and anger.


    "What was that for?! What are you talking about?!" She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.


    Noah held onto her, refusing to let her pull awaypletely. "Hannah, I remember everything. Everything. about... us."


    Her eyes widened. "What are you talking about, Noah?" Her voice was dropping to a whisper.


    "Hey!" The guard began to rattle his keys on the other side of the door. "Hey, no touching!" They didn''t have much time.


    "I never had a mate bond with Zoe," Noah exined, the words tumbling out in a rush. "She''s not my fated mate. It was you, Hannah. You''re my mate."


    "Noah, what-"


    "My mate bond with Zoe was never cut. My bond with you was cut, and then my memories of you were reced with false ones."Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Hannah shook her head, trying to shove away, but Noah held on tight. The guard grunted, cursing about


    having the wrong key, the door rattling in its frame.


    "Noah, this is insane. You can''t expect me to believe-


    "It''s true, Hannah. Zoe, she..: She''s behind all of this. She''s the one who cut my bond with you and wiped my memories. Here. Like a sunrise... Remember?" Noah pressed the seashell into Hannah''s hand, and her eyes widened, mouth hanging open. But then she looked up at him and her eyes narrowed. "But a few months ago..."


    "When I suddenly kicked you out, that was all Zoe, too. I went to her to tell her to leave us alone, but she messed with my mind and changed my memories, making me believe that I hated you and that you were a cheater. I never truly wanted to divorce you." Hannah stared at him, seashell still sitting in her palm. The guard found the right key and turned it in the lock, bellowing at them to get off of each other.


    "All these years," Noah pleaded, "I thought Zoe was my eternal moonlight because she ced memories of herself into the empty spaces where my real memories of you had been. She had kept the pictures and letters as trophies, but I found them, and it jogged my memory."


    "Noah..."


    "You are my mate, Hannah. Not Zoe. You are my eternal moonlight, and I am a fool for not remembering you. But I remember now, and I love you. I always have. I will make things right."


    Before Hannah could respond, the guard grabbed her arm and yanked her away from Noah. "Time''s up!" "Hannah, I will get you out of here!" Noah called out as Hannah was dragged away. "I love you!" Chapter 0397

 Chapter 397

    Chapter 0397 Hannah


    I sat on the hard, cold bench in my cell, my mind spinning like a whirlwind. Hours had passed since Noah''s revtion, and yet his words still echoed in my ears on repeat.


    Could it really be true? Had Zoe truly orchestrated such an borate deception?


    My fingers closed around the small object in my palm, and I opened my hand to look at it. The little pink and blue seashell gleamed softly in the dim light of the cell, leather cord threaded through the hole at the top..


    As I gazed at it, memories washed over me, as vivid and warm as the summer day they were born from.


    I was back on that beach, thest day of my summer vacation with Lily.


    It had been a blissful summer, not just with my sister, but with him. Noah. The boy who I had fallen head over heels for in a matter of weeks.


    "Let''s go on a walk," I had suggested, my heart pounding. "Just you and me."


    The sun was setting now, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink that reflected off the calm water. The sand was cool beneath my bare feet, and the salty breeze tousled my hair. I lifted my skirt and closed my eyes, tilting my head back to let the wind hit my face. The oceanpped gently at my bare feet; the water was cold, but soothing.


    "Hannah, look at this!" Noah''s voice called out, pulling my attention to where he was crouched near the water''s edge, examining something in the sand.


    His thin white shirt billowed in the wind, the sunlight shining through to reveal warm, tanned skin. I blushed at the sight of his body. How badly I wanted to run my hands across those corded muscles...


    I jogged over, curious. "What is it?"


    As I approached, I noticed something poking out of the sand near Noah''s feet. Bending down, I carefully extracted it and rinsed it off in the ocean water. A pretty little seashell emerged, its pink and blue colors reminiscent of the sky above us.


    "Oh, wow," I breathed, holding it up to catch the fading sunlight. "Isn''t it beautiful? Like a sunrise..."


    Noah leaned in close, his dark hair rustling against the side of my face. I could taste the salting off of the strands.


    "The blue is the same shade as your eyes," he said softly.


    Tturned to him, my eyes wide, and our noses touched. Forest green eyes stared back at me, unwavering.


    For a moment, I wanted nothing more than to close that small distance and kiss him. But fear gripped me, and I chickened out. I''d never kissed anyone before.


    Instead, my cheeks burning, I pressed the seashell into his palm and curled his fingers over it.


    "Keep it," I said, my voice nothing more than a whisper "So you can always have my eyes with you."


    Noah''s face flushed a deep red. "Hannah, I..."


    The cell door nged open, jolting me back to the present. I blinked, disoriented for a moment as I transitioned from the warm, sun-drenched beach of my memories to the cold, stark reality of my prison cell in Darkmoon. A guard entered, followed closely by an all too familiar form.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    My heart rate picked up at the sight of him, but I lifted my chin defiantly. David sported multiple injuries from our altercation-a ck eye, a split lip, and he was walking with a noticeable limp.


    Despite my situation, I couldn''t help but feel a flicker of pride: It took all of my willpower not to smirk at his difort.


    "Here to get your revenge?" I quipped, meeting his gaze steadily. "Or perhaps you''ll try to force yourself on me again, you pig?"


    But to my surprise, David didn''t look angry or licentious. If anything, he just seemed... resigned.


    "You''re free to go," he grunted, not meeting my eyes.


    I stood slowly, suspicion coursing through me. Had Noahe through with his word, or was David ying some kind of sick trick on me?


    "Just like that?"


    David''s jaw clenched. "Just like that. Now get out before I change my mind."


    He didn''t need to tell me twice. As I walked past him, head held high, David hissed under his breath, You''re lucky to have a strong man behind you to clean up your messes. You''ll never make it as an Alpha."

 Chapter 398

    Chapter 0398


    +25 8


    I paused for a moment, considering whether to respond. In the end, I decided he wasn''t worth my breath and continued walking.


    The sunlight was blinding as I stepped outside, and I had to shield my eyes. My heart was pounding with anticipation. Would Noah be waiting for me? Despite everything, I couldn''t help but feel a flutter of excitement at the thought.


    But as my eyes adjusted, I realized it wasn''t Noah waiting by the car. It was Drake. Viona was with him.


    For a moment, just a moment, disappointment hit me. Noah had promised... I supposed, in all of my nostalgic lovesickness, that I had thought he really woulde for me. My fingers tightened around the seashell, the one that he had clearly fashioned into a ne for himself. If what he had said was true, then why wasn''t he here?


    "Hannah!" Viona called out, rushing forward and throwing her arms around me.


    I returned the embrace, burying my face in my friend''s shoulder. Now was not the time for disappointment. My friends hade for me, and that was all that mattered.


    "Are you okay?" Drake asked, joining us and cing a hand on my shoulder. "Did they hurt you?"


    I shook my head and pulled back to look at my friends. "I''m fine. Just... confused. How did you get me out?"


    Drake''s expression turned sheepish. "I may have threatened to invade Darkmoon if they didn''t release you. Being the Luna Queen''s favorite nephew has its perks sometimes."


    Viona snorted. "More like only nephew."


    I couldn''t help butugh. "You didn''t."


    "I did," Drake grinned. "David folded pretty quickly after that."


    As we walked to the car, I nced once more down at the seashell ne in my palm. Noah didn''te... But then it hit me. I inhaled sharply and stopped in my tracks. "What day is it?"


    "It''s Saturday," Viona replied, opening the car door for me.


    I froze, a chill running down my spine. "Is the wedding still on? Zoe and Noah''s wedding. Was it canceled?"


    Drake and Viona exchanged puzzled nces. "I haven''t heard anything about it being canceled," Viona said slowly. "In fact, it should be starting right about now."


    "I''m going," I said, closing my fingers around the seashell.


    Drake raised an eyebrow. "You probably shouldn''t bother going, Hannah. It''s not worth it. Besides, you''ll need time to change and all that..."


    I stood there for a moment, my mind racing. Noah''s words from earlier echoed in my head: "You are my mate, Hannah. Not Zoe. You are my eternal moonlight, and I am a fool for not remembering you. But I remember now, and I love you. I always have. I will make things right."


    If what he said was true... if Zoe had really manipted him all this time...


    "I don''t need to change. Just take me to Nightcrest," I said, sliding into the back seat. "Immediately."


    Drake and Viona''s eyes widened in unison. "What? Hannah, you can''t be serious," Viona said. "After everything that''s happened... And you''re still in your robe!"


    "I''ve never been more serious in my life." I buckled my seatbelt and shot my friends an imploring look. Please. I need to do this." I pulled my shoulders back and added, "That''s an order."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "


    Viona and Drake studied my face for a long moment, then exchanged another confused nce. Finally, Drake shrugged and slipped into the driver''s seat. "Alright. As you wish, Alpha."


    As we pulled out of the parking lot, I clutched the seashell tightly in my hand. My mind was made up. If there was even a chance that Noah was telling the truth, I had to know. I had to see for myself. And if Zoe had sunk her ws into his mind again, just as I suspected...


    Well, then we had a wedding to crash.

 Chapter 399

    Chapter 0399


    Chapter 0399 Noah


    Noah stood still as a statue while Zoe straightened his bowtie, her fingers working with practiced efficiency. The silk of the tie felt cool against his neck, a stark contrast to the warmth of Zoe''s minty breath as she leaned in close.


    "There," she finally said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. A sweet smile spread across her face, her eyes twinkling as she took in her groom''s appearance. "You look very handsome, Noah."


    Noah felt himself nod mechanically, as though his body was moving on autopilot. "Thank you," he replied, leaning in to ce a chaste kiss on her cheek. "I can''t wait to see you in your gown." Zoe''s smile widened, and she tilted her head as he kissed her cheek. Her hand lingered on his chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns on hispel.


    "To think, after all these years..." She sighed dreamily up at Noah. "Nothing could ruin our special day, you know that? Nothing. No one."


    "No one," Noah echoed, although it felt strange to say that. 1Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Noah, darling," she said then, her voice taking on an odd, almost cautious tone. "Could you tell me just one more time what happened the other night? When I was out at my bachelorette party?"


    Noah''s brow furrowed slightly. Why was she asking about this again? Hadn''t they already discussed it several times now? But he pushed the thought aside and answered, "Of course. I yed with Adam until you got home from your party, and then we went to bed. The next day, yesterday, was spent making final wedding preparations."


    As he spoke, Noah couldn''t shake the feeling that something was... off. The words felt rehearsed, as if he was reciting lines from a script rather than recounting his own experiences.


    But that was ridiculous, wasn''t it? All of the things Noah had said were exactly what had happened over thest two days. Nothing more, nothing less.


    And yet he couldn''t help but feel as if there were other memories there. Memories that felt... fogged over. Like steam on a mirror.


    Zoe''s face visibly rxed at his words, relief washing over her features. "Oh, good. That''s wonderful to hear," she said, her voice warm.


    Noah cocked his head. "Why do you keep asking?"


    Zoe''s fingers tightened dangerously on hispels for a moment, eyes shing with something that Noah couldn''t read. But then she rxed, quickly schooling her features back to pleasant neutrality. "It''s just so nice to hear about you and Adam ying together. That''s all."


    Noah smiled stiffly, ignoring the growing unease in the pit of his stomach. "He''s a good boy."


    "And he will be your heir in just a few short hours," Zoe grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement.


    Noah nodded, the words leaving his mouth before he could even think about them. "Of course. It would be an honor to name Adamn my heir."


    Zoe beamed at him, leaning in to ce a soft kiss on his cheek. "Well, I''d better go get dressed," she said, turning to leave. "I''ll see you at the altar, my love."


    As the door closed behind her, Noah let out a breath he hadn''t realized he''d been holding. He turned to the mirror, and instead of seeing the smiling face of a groom staring back at him, he saw a man who looked... Drawn. Tired.


    The wedding was about to begin, and he should have been thrilled. This was the day he had been waiting for, wasn''t it? The day he would finally marry his true love? It should have been the happiest day of any man''s life. And yet...


    As Noah made his way toward the altar, each step felt heavier than thest. A part of him was screaming, urging him to stop, to turn around, to run. His legs felt like they were fighting him every step of the way.


    But why? This was what he wanted, wasn''t it? He and Zoe had been waiting for this day for years, ever since they were ripped away from each other and forced into arranged marriages with other people. They had only ever wanted to get back to each other. And now it was finally happening. Chapter 0400

 Chapter 400

    Chapter 0400


    The star-crossed lovers were finally having their happy ending.


    So why did it feel so wrong?


    Noah arrived at the altar, his heart pounding in his chest. The chapel was beautifully decorated just as Zoe wanted, white flowers and gauzy fabrics adorning every surface. Guests filled the pews, their excited chatter a low hum in the background: Everything was perfect. Everything was as it should be


    Only one thing was missing: Noah''s heart.


    It''s just nerves, he thought to himself. That was all; nerves. Cold feet, maybe. He was just traumatized after that awful marriage to... to...


    Hannah.


    Wait. This wasn''t right. This...


    The music started, and all eyes turned to the back of the chapel.


    Zoe appeared in the doorway, a vision in white. Her dress was stunning, hugging her curves before flowing out into a dramatic train. A delicate veil covered her face, but Noah could see the radiant smile beneath it.


    As she began her walk down the aisle, Noah felt a sudden, sharp pain behind his eyes. A sh of... something. A memory?


    He wasing hometest night, although he couldn''t remember why. Zoe was there, her face twisted with fury. She was throwing something into the firece, the mes leaping higher with each item she tossed in. Scott was there, too. "Get him, Scott! Quickly, while I get the tea!"


    A scuffle. A broken vase. Scott holding Noah down as Zoe poured something down his throat. The... tea. It tasted bitter, wrong.


    "How dare you," Zoe had said, her voice dripping with venom. "You should never have gone there... You should never have talked to her!"


    Noah blinked hard, shaking his head to clear the disturbing image. What was that? A dream? A nightmare? It couldn''t have been real. His eternal moonlight, his Zoe, would never do something like that to him.


    Zoe reached the altar, her smile radiant as she took Noah''s hands in hers. Her nails dug into his skin, though, just a little too hard to befortable. And as Noah looked into her eyes, he saw something sh there. Something cold. Something... terrifying. For a moment, just a moment, Noah felt afraid of her. And Noah wasn''t afraid of anything.


    The priest began the ceremony, his voice echoing throughout the chapel. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Noah barely heard the words, too distracted by the look in Zoe''s eyes. Something was wrong. He didn''t want to be here, he didn''t-


    "Zoe," the priest said, "do you take Noah as your husband?"


    Zoe''s smile widened, her eyes never leaving Noah''s face. "I do," she said, her voice filled with warmth and love. But her nails dug even deeper into Noah''s hands, and he had to fight not to wince. "Noah," the priest continued, turning to him. "Do you take Zoe as your wife?"


    Noah opened his mouth, the words on the tip of his tongue. This was it. This was the moment he''d been waiting for for years. All he had to do was say two simple words.


    Suddenly, the doors at the back of the chapel burst open with a resounding bang. Gasps and shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd as all heads turned to see the cause of themotion.


    There, in the doorway, stood Hannah. She was wearing her dressing gown, her body illuminated through the thin fabric by the sunlight pouring in from behind her. Her hair was wild and unkempt, and she held something up in her hand. "Stop this wedding!" she cried out.


    Several guards were trying to drag her back by her arms, but she fought against them and chucked the item down the aisle, causing nearby guests to jump in fear. The item skittered across the marble floor, finallying to a stop just feet away from the altar. Noah leaned forward, squinting.


    A... A seashell. With a leather strap that had been cut by a knife.

 Chapter 401

    Chapter 0401 Hannah


    I hadn''t even bothered to change or make myself look presentable. The thin fabric of my robe still revealed my bare body, my hair was wild and unkempt, and I likely smelled like a vagrant after my stint in Darkmoon''s prison.


    But none of that mattered now. All that mattered was getting to Noah before it was toote.


    I''d clutched the seashell in my palm, so hard I almost broke it.


    "Drive faster, Drake!" I had urged, my fingers digging into the car seat. "We have to get there before they say ''I do''lContent provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Drake had pushed the elerator pedal to the floor, his knuckles white on the steering wheel as we sped down the winding roads. "Hannah, are you sure about this? This is crazy!"


    I had nodded emphatically. "I''ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Zoe''s been messing with Noah''s mind. She''s not his mate-I am. And I think she''s done something to him again. We have to stop this wedding before she marries him and names Adam the heir." As we sped toward Nightcrest, I exined everything to Drake and Viona-the seashell, Noah''s revtion, my suspicions about Zoe''s maniptions. By the time we had screeched to a halt outside the chapel, my friends both looked as determined as I felt.


    "I knew something wasn''t right," Viona had said. "He was so in love with you at the baby shower, Hannah. We burst through the doors just as the priest was asking Noah if he took Zoe as his wife. My heart pounding, I shouted at the top of my lungs, "Stop this wedding!" The entire congregation gasped, heads whipping around to stare at me. I saw shock, confusion, and disgust on their faces as they took in my disheveled appearance. But I didn''t care. My eyes were locked on Noah as I chucked the seashell down the aisle, watching as it came to a stop near Noah''s feet. A deafening silence fell. Noah stared down at the seashell, eyes narrowing and then widening. Zoe recovered first, her face twisting with fury. "Guards! Remove this woman at once!"


    Several burly men rushed toward me, but I was ready. Fueled by adrenaline and desperation, I fought against their grip. Drake jumped in to help, and together we managed to break free while Viona sprinted up the right side of the chapel, headed straight for the altar. I stormed up the aisle, my bare feet pping against the cold marble floor.


    "Zoe has been messing with Noah''s mind!" I shouted, pointing an using finger at the bride. "She cut our mate bond by force, wiped his memories, and is now holding him hostage! She is using him to make Adam the heir to Nightcrest!"


    A gasp rippled through the crowd. Noah stared at me, his eyes wide with confusion.


    "Hannah? What are you talking about?"


    Zoe let out a high, brittleugh. "Oh, please. Look at her!" She gestured to my robe, my hair, my eyes. "She has clearly lost her mind. Isn''t she supposed to be in a Darkmoon prison right now for beating an innocent


    man half to


    death? Guards, get this madwoman out of here!"


    But I wasn''t about to be silenced. Not by her, not by the guards, not by anyone.


    With Drake holding off the guards, I marched right up to Noah, snatching up the seashell ne I had thrown and pressing it into his hands. "Noah, please," I begged, my voice breaking. "Remember.


    Remember us. I know Zoe did something to you, filled your mind with false memories, but this..." I tapped the seashell. "This is real. We are real."


    For a moment, I saw something flicker in Noah''s eyes a sh of recognition, of doubt.


    "Hannah..." he murmured, his brow furrowing as he stared down at the shell.


    But then Zoe was there, inserting herself between us. "Noah, don''t even look at her," she hissed. "She''s just a desperate, pathetic woman who can''t stand to see us happy. She would do anything to ruin our special day."

 Chapter 402

    Chapter 0402


    "No." I tried to shove her away. "Noah, don''t listen to her. Remember. Just remember."


    Suddenly, hands were on me. Zoe''s face was twisted as she shoved me, and I fell to the marble floor, the tiles mming into my back.


    "You fat, ugly cow," she growled, stepping toward me as I moved backwards on the floor. "You are nothing but a stupid, good-for-nothing whore. Did you really think Noah would ever want you? You''re unlovable. A nobody. A cheaper version of me."


    The crowd gasped at Zoe''s vitriol, but she didn''t seem to notice or care. She advanced on me, picking up the skirt of her white dress. "You will never be good enough," she snarled, spittle flying from her mouth. You will never be me!"


    Suddenly, reeling back her leg, she kicked me in the ribs. Blinding pain shot through me; someone screamed somewhere, a child began to cry. As I gasped for air, I caught sight of Noah out of the corner of my eye. He was clutching his head, sinking to his knees as if in terrible pain.


    Zoe loomed over me, her white dress billowing around her like some twisted angel of vengeance. She kicked me again, and again, and again, each brutal impact sending a new wave of pain through my body.


    "I should have just killed you when I had the chance in that haunted house," she hissed between kicks. "It would have been so much easier. So much cleaner. No one would have missed you."


    Just as i thought I couldn''t take anymore, strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me to safety. Drake helped me to my feet, supporting me as I swayed unsteadily.


    I took a deep, shuddering breath, wincing at the pain in my ribs. But I refused to back down. Lifting my chin, I pressed one hand into my side and slowly raised the other, pointing a trembling finger at her.


    "You are the ugly one, Zoe," I choked out. "You are ugly on the inside. Look at yourself. Look at what you''ve be." I swallowed hard, drawing in a rasping breath. In the background, I saw Viona crouching beside Noah, whispering to him.


    Even though my legs were unsteady, I broke free from Drake, stepping toward Zoe.


    "You say I''ll never be you," I rasped. "But I don''t want to be you, Zoe. Maybe once, but not anymore. Not now that I know what you truly are. Not now that we all know."


    My words seemed to hit Zoe like a punch to the gut. She stared at me, her face contorted with spittle running down her chin, her veil torn. It was only then that the magnitude of what she had done


    rage, seemed to dawn on her.


    Slowly, as if in a daze, she turned to face the congregation. Her bouquet slipped from her fingers, falling to the floor with a soft thud. The entire chapel was deathly silent, hundreds of shocked faces staring back at her.


    In the front pew, I saw Adam crying, clinging to his grandmother. "Mommy''s a monster," he whimpered.


    And there, being helped to his feet by Viana, was Noal His eyes were clear now, filled with a mixture of horror and dawning realization.


    1... I remember," he said, his voice ringing out in the silent chapel.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    #25 BONUS


    He turned to Zoe, his expression hardening. "Get out," he growled.


    Zoe''s face crumpled. "Noah, please," she pleaded, reaching for him. "I-I didn''t do anything, I swear. She''s lying!"


    But it was toote. Everyone had seen the truth behind her beautiful mask. Even her own parents looked stunned and disgusted, keeping Adam far away from her..


    For a moment, Zoe stood frozen, her eyes darting around wildly like a cornered animal. Then, with a strangled sob, she gathered up her skirts and fled, the sound of her heels echoing through the chapel as she ran. As the doors mmed behind her, I felt all the strength leave my body.


    My knees buckled, and I copsed to the floor in a heap.

 Chapter 403

    Chapter 0403


    Hannah


    The pain in my battered body was immense.


    Drake and Viona helped me onto a seat in the back room of the church, away from prying eyes, having to support my weight the entire time. The wedding had turned into chaos as guards went running after Zoe. Scott, too, had disappeared along with her, slipping out a back door.


    "Catch him!" Noah cried out. "I want that bastard in handcuffs!"


    My legs felt like jelly, weak and unsteady from the adrenaline crash and the pain radiating from my side." Each breath sent a sharp stab through my chest-I was certain I had at least one broken rib.


    "Easy does it," Drake murmured as they lowered me onto the plush chair. "Just take it slow, Hannah." I winced as I settled into the seat, trying to find a position that didn''t send waves of agony through my body. "Thank you," I managed to whisper, my voice hoarse, Before anyone could say anything else, the door burst open. Noah rushed in, his tuxedo disheveled and his hair wild. His eyes locked onto mine, and in an instant, he was on his knees in front of me, wrapping his arms around me in a tight embrace. "Hannah," he breathed into my air. "Oh, Hannah..."


    The sudden pressure on my injured ribs made me choke and sputter. "Ow..." Noah immediately pulled back, his eyes wide.


    "Shit. Fuck. I''m so sorry," he said quickly, his hands hovering over me uncertainly. "I didn''t mean to hurt you. Are you okay?"


    I nodded, trying to catch my breath. "I''m fine," I gasped. "Just... broken rib, I think." Viona scoffed. "Just a broken rib,'' she says. The ambnce should be here soon."


    Noah''s face twisted with anguish. "Oh, Hannah. I''m so sorry. For everything."


    He turned to Drake and Viona. "Thank you both. If you hadn''te when you did..." He shook his head, his face darkening. "I would have married Zoe. She would have used me to make Adam the heir to Nightcrest. And after that..." His voice dropped to a whisper. "I think she might have even killed me. With Scott''s help."


    A chill ran down my spine at his words. "Noah," I said softly, reaching out to take his hand. "What happened?"


    He took a deep breath, his thumb absently tracing circles on the back of my hand. "After I left you at Darkmoon, I went home to start working on getting you released. I hadn''t told Zoe that I remembered everything yet-I wanted to have her quietly removed from the house first, to avoid causing trouble or frightening Adam."


    Noah''s eyes clouded with anger. "But when I got home, I found her burning the pictures and letters I had discovered. She knew I had gone to see you because Scott had betrayed me. He had been watching where I went and told Zoe everything." Chapter 0103


    "He''s been working with Zoe all these years," Noah continued. "He was there when she initially cut our mate bond, Hannah. He was one of the people holding me down."


    I felt hot fury burn through me at that. No wonder Scott had seemed so ipetenttely... He wasn''t trying to help me or Noah, He was working with Zoe. Worming his way through our lives, tripping us up wherever he could.


    And to think that I had once confided in him. Asked him to help me with WhiteRabbit.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    I wondered if Zoe was the one who had paid WhiteRabbit to sell me those contraceptives, because she wanted to ensure that Noah and I didn''t produce an heir. I''d have to look into thatter.


    "When I found Zoe burning everything. I tried to stop her." Noah went on. "But she was furious. She had Scott hold me down again, and she poured this special jasmine tea down my throat. It... it fogs memories, makes them easier to alter."


    +

 Chapter 404

    Chapter 0404


    T


    I felt sick at the thought of what Zoe had done to him. That''s why you didn''te back for me."


    Noah nodded. "She made me believe I never saw you, never went to Darkmoon, never found the pictures or letters. But she didn''t know about the seashell I''d given you. That was the link to remembering everything."


    His eyes met mine, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Seeing you and that seashell again,bined with Zoe''s actions at the wedding.. it stirred those memories. I remembered, Hannah. And I swear, I will never let Zoe or anyone else mess with my memories ever again." Relief washed over me, so intense it made me dizzy. Or maybe that was just the pain from my ribs. Either way, I slumped back in the chair, the tension finally leaving my body. "I''m so d we stopped the wedding before something awful happened," I murmured. Drake cleared his throat. "We should probably give you two some space," he said, wrapping his arm around Viona and tugging her away. "We''ll be right outside if you need anything."


    As they left the room, closing the door softly behind them, Noah moved closer to me. His arms wrapped around me again, gentler this time, mindful of my injuries. I couldn''t help but lean into him, burying my face in his chest as sobs wracked my body. "I''ve missed you," I choked out between tears. "I''ve missed you so much, and I hate what happened. I hate what she did to us." My fists clenched, and I found myself weakly hitting his chest, all my frustration and pain pouring out.


    Noah didn''t try to stop me. He just held me tighter, one hand stroking my hair soothingly. "I know," he murmured. "I know, Hannah. I''m so sorry. I''m here now. I''m here, and I''m not going anywhere."


    As my sobs subsided, I felt Noah press something into my hand. I pulled back slightly to look-it was the seashell, still on its leather cord.


    "Could you...?" He turned, indicating for me to tie it around his neck.


    Still choked with tears, even more so now, I shakily tied the cord around his neck. My fingers brushed his skin, and when he turned back to face me, I traced the ridges of the shell.


    "I didn''t know you wore it as a ne," I whispered.


    "Of course I did," Noah said softly, his green eyes flicking up to meet mine. "The blue is just like your eyes. And for those two years when we wrote to each other, I never took this ne off, not even once, so that I could always have you with me. Zoe cut it off of me. But I''ll never take it off again."


    Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks, but this time they were tears of relief, of joy. Noah gently wiped them away with his thumb.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "I love you, Hannah," he whispered. "I''ve always loved you. Even when I couldn''t remember, even when Zoe tried to erase you from my mind... some part of me always loved you."


    Noah''s arms tightened around me, and I felt him press a soft kiss to the top of my head. The movement Jostled my ribs, sending a fresh wave of pain through me. I couldn''t quite stifle my gasp.


    He stood, keeping one arm around me for support, and guided me toward a nearby sofa. As we moved,


    the events of the past few days-no, months-seemed to catch up with me all at once. My legs gave out, and I stumbled.


    "I''ve got you," Noah murmured, scooping me up in his arms. "I''ve got you. Always."


    We fell to the sofa together, Noah cradling me against his chest.

 Chapter 405

    Chapter 0405 Hannah


    When my sobs finally subsided, Noah sat up with me still in his arms, his hands deftly brushing my tear-soaked hair back from my face. I sniffled, trying to regain myposure as I smoothed down his shirt, which was now wrinkled and damp from my outburst. "I''m sorry," I huped weakly. "For hitting you, I mean. I shouldn''t have lost control like that."Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Noah shook his head, a sad smile ying on his lips. "I think I deserved it after everything I put you through." He sighed heavily and looked away for a moment. "I wish I had realized what was happening sooner. You didn''t need to suffer for so long because of my blindness."


    I swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond. Part of me wanted to tell him it wasn''t his fault, that Zoe had manipted him. But another part, the part still raw and bleeding from months of pain and rejection, couldn''t quite seem to let go so easily.


    When I remained silent, Noah took a deep breath, his hands finding mine. His touch was tentative, as if he feared I might pull away at any moment.


    "Hannah, I... I want to make everything right. I love you, and I want us to be together again. Properly this time." His eyes searched mine, hope and desperation mingling in their green depths. "Will you marry me again? Or at least move back in with me? I''ll do whatever you want, just please... give us another chance.


    My heart raced at his words, a dizzyingbination of longing and fear coursing through my veins. I wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms and forget everything that had happened, to pretend that thest few months were nothing more than a terrible nightmare. But caution, as always, held me back.


    "Noah, I... I can''t just jump back in like nothing happened," I murmured. "Regardless of the apologies and exnations, we did get divorced for multiple reasons. You said and did some horrible things while we were married."


    I paused, gathering my thoughts, trying to find the right words to express the tangled mess of emotions inside of me. "Even though you were manipted, those words, those actions of yours when we were married... they still hurt."


    Guilt shed across Noah''s face, and he clenched his teeth. Instinct caused my body to tense, as if he might bite out some scathing retort or another, just as he used to do. It would take some time to get over that instinct, even knowing that his behavior hadn''t really been him. But instead, he simply nodded slowly. "You''re right. I know I have a lot to make up for. My behavior was inexcusable, manipted or not."


    "I know I''m not meless either," I added, thinking back on our... tumultuous rtionship. The arguments, the pettiness, the schemes. I made mistakes too. I think... I think we both need time to heal and rebuild trust. We shouldn''t just pick up where we left off and pretend that nothing happened." Noah''s shoulders slumped slightly, but he nodded again. "1 understand. You take all the time you need, Hannah. I''ll wait until you''re ready. I love you, and I''ll never want anyone else. So no matter how long it takes, I''ll be here."


    My cheeks burned at his words, and I looked away, suddenly feeling... shy.


    This version of Noah, so open and affectionate, was incredibly foreign to me. Aside from those blissful couple of weeks leading up to the baby shower and our letters all those years ago, I wasn''t sure if I had ever heard him say such sweet things to me. Suddenly, I didn''t feel quite so much like an Alpha anymore, but rather a lovestruck teen.


    "Could I at least take you on some dates?" Noah asked. "I want to be a good man for you, Hannah, and a good father to Melody. I want to spoil you both and... and rekindle what we had. To show you the man I should have been all along. So at least let me take you out." Chapter 0406

 Chapter 406

    Chapter 0406


    The thought of dating made my stomach flutter with both excitement and anxiety. After the disaster with David, the idea of putting myself out there again was terrifying.


    But with Noah... it would be different, wouldn''t it? This was the man I had loved for so long, the father of my child. Maybe, just maybe, we could find our way back to each other. Onest time. "I think I''d like that," I said softly, offering him a small smile.


    Noah''s face lit up, his eyes burning with little embers.


    Suddenly, there came a knock on the door.


    "Alpha Noah!" a gruff male voice boomed through the door. "We caught Scott and Zoe; they''re in custody. now. Are youing?"


    naway my


    Noah stiffened, ncing at me as if asking permission to leave me behind. I nodded, wiping lingering tears. "Go. You''ve got your work cut out for you with the two of them."


    He nodded, reluctantly rising and smoothing down his shirt. I watched as he strode over to the door.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    But before he could go, a thought urred to me then, and I suddenly shot to my feet-ignoring the sudden burst of pain in my ribs. "Noah, wait."


    He paused, ncing over at me.


    I took a deep breath. "Would you like to meet Melody? For real this time, I mean. That could be a good start."


    "His eyes widened. "Are you sure?"


    I nodded. "I think it''s time. She should know her father, and you... you should know her."


    A few dayster, I found myself in my living room, my heart pounding in my chest as I carried a sleeping Melody to her father. Noah sat ramrod straight on the couch, hisrge frame seeming almostically oversized as he held his arms out toward her.


    As I ced Melody in his arms, I watched his face carefully. The transformation was immediate, his eyes widened into saucers, his shoulders dipped, and his soft lips parted slightly as he stared down at her. He was more gentle than I had ever seen him, almost heartbreakingly so.


    "She''s... perfect," Noah whispered. "Absolutely perfect.


    Melody cooed softly as she began to stir at the sound of his voice. I expected her to fuss over being woken up from her nap, but to my surprise, her big green eyes-Noah''s eyes-Immediately became fixed on Noah''s face with an unwavering familiarity. As if they had met a thousand lifetimes before.


    "Hello," Noah murmured, reaching out to poke her little cheek with one finger.


    I had to turn away to keep myself from sobbing openly Drake and Viona, both perched on the window seat, met my gaze. Drake smirked slightly and Viona lifted her eyebrows at me, both still a bit skeptical of


    the whole situation.


    Finally, Drake cleared his throat and stood, crossing the room to tower over Noah-although Noah didn''t lift his gaze from the tiny bundle in his arms.


    "Ahem. Just so we''re clear," Drake said, "if you try to steal Melody away to Nightcrest, or pull any bullshit, I''ll fucking kill you."


    Viona sucked in a sharp breath. I mped my hand over my own mouth, my eyes widening in response to Drake''s candor.


    Slowly, so slowly, Noah looked up at Drake with those little wildfires in his eyes. His arms tightened slightly around Melody, and I tensed, waiting for the moment he would explode on Drake for speaking to. him like that. But he didn''t. He took us all by surprise when a wry smile stretched across his lips-and surprised us event more when he shifted Melody over into one arm and held his hand out to shake Drake''s.


    "You''re a good man, Drake," Noah said, rising to his feet and sping Drake''s forearm firmly. "And I hope that you would not just kill me, but anyone who tries to stand in the way of my daughter''s happiness." Drake''s eyes widened momentarily, but then his face split into a grin. He shook Noah''s hand back and pped him on the shoulder with the other.


    "It''s good to have you back, Noah."

 Chapter 407

    Chapter 0407


    Hannah


    The evening air was cool and refreshing against my heated skin as I walked Noah back out to his car. The setting sun was particrly vibrant tonight, the sky awash in almost blinding shades of pink and orange and red. It was a beautiful sight, but I found my eyes drawn to Noah instead, no matter how hard I tried


    not to.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    He looked different somehow-softer, younger, as if the revtions he''d had recently had added more than a few years to his life. The lines around his mouth had softened, his eyes were more vibrant, and his hair was gently tousled, leaving behind his usual slicked-back appearance.


    Rxed-that was what he was. At ease. Somewhat.


    A bit ironic, given how the real battle-the one involving putting Scott and Zoe behind bars and dealing with the aftermath of everything they had done over the years-had only just begun.


    As we reached his car, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small paper bag. "Here," said, holding it out to him without quite meeting his eyes. "For the drive."


    Noah''s eyebrows shot up as he took the bag from me and peered inside. The scent of freshly baked chocte chip cookies wafted out, making even my own mouth water. "Hannah, you didn''t have to make these just for me..."


    I felt fresh heat rise to my cheeks and quickly shook my head, pursing my lips. "I didn''t bake them just for you. I made them yesterday." It was a lie, and we both knew it. "But I can''t have the father of my child driving home on an empty stomach-it might make you drive dangerously. So just take them."


    A ghost of a smirk tugged at the corners of Noah''s lips, and I felt my blush deepen.


    Obviously, I was just saying that to justify the baking, and we both knew the truth-I had wanted to do something nice for him. The cookies were fresh, probably still warm from the oven. I''d secretly pulled them out while he was chatting with Drake and Viona in the living room, when I had said that I was taking Melody back to her crib.


    "Well... Thank you, Hannah," Noah said softly, his eyes meeting mine. "Really."


    We stood there in silence for a few moments, neither of us making the first move to speak or move away It felt awkward, yet neither of us seemed eager to say goodbye. A soft puff of white air, from the chill of the evening, escaped Noah''s lips and lingered between us for a moment before dissipating into the sky. Finally, Noah was the first to speak. "What''s going through your head right now?"


    I sighed, wrapping my arms around myself. "I just... I still can''t believe that after all this time, you were being manipted by Zoe. I keep thinking about everything that happened, wondering how things might have been different if we had known." I shook my head, feeling a fresh wave of anger bubble up inside of me. "I hate her for what she did. Her and Scott both. Scott especially, I can''t believe-"


    "Trust me," Noah growled. "I know." Zoe was one thing but Scott... How could he do something like that to his Alpha? To his brother?


    Noah''s expression darkened then, his jaw clenching. "Well, they''re both in custody now. I''ll be questioning them personally first thing in the morning." His voice was low, dangerous-a stark contrast from the levity


    Chapter 0-407


    he''d been exhibiting since his revtion. "Don''t worry, they''ll face justice. Neither of them will see the outside of a jail cell for a long, long time."


    I nodded, feeling a grim sense of satisfaction at his words. Any empathy or guilt I''d felt about either of those bastards was long gone by now, and I hoped I could be there for the moment that they both officially realized that they were truly, wholly screwed. But then Noah''s face softened, and he ran a hand through his hair.


    "But Hannah, I... I''m to me, too," he said quietly. "I was cruel to you over the years. Zoe manipting


    me is no excuse for how I treated you." He reached out, hesitating for a moment before gently taking my hand. I startled slightly at the warmth of his touch, but didn''t pull away.

 Chapter 408

    Chapter 0408


    "I intend to make up for it," he whispered, his grip tightening on my hand ever so slightly. "For all of it."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    My heart fluttered at his touch, and I looked up to see those green eyes staring down at me, filled with the same intensity as when he had been holding our daughter. "Noah..."


    "Let me take you on a date this weekend," he said suddenly. "Just the two of us. I''ll take you out to a nice. restaurant, somewhere fan


    We can talk, really talk, without any distractions."


    The idea both thrilled and terrified me. We hadn''t had that in so long-maybe never. That... chance to really talk. To date. To act like a real couple. And talking... I guess we needed that now more than ever. "I... I think that would be nice," I said finally, offering him a small smile.


    Noah''s face lit up brighter than the sunset, and for a moment, I was transported back to our early days together as teenagers. The urge to kiss him was overwhelming, but I held myself back, settling instead for leaning up on my tiptoes and giving him a quick peck on the cheek.


    Even that small contact of lips against buttery warm skin sent a jolt through me, and clearly did the same for him, if the pinkish tinge on his cheeks was at all rted and not just the sunset reflecting off his face. "Drive safely." I murmured, stepping back.


    Noah nodded, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer before he got into his car. I watched as he drove away, the tail lights disappearing into the growing darkness.


    Back inside, I went through the motions of my nightly routine-feeding Melody, putting her to bed, taking a shower.


    But my thoughts kept circling back to one thing.


    WhiteRabbit.


    The hunch that Zoe had been behind the contraceptive pills had been nagging at me for weeks. Now, with everything that hade to light about her maniptions, it seemed more usible than ever. But I needed to know for certain. I couldn''t sleep until had answers.


    Finally, unable to resist any longer, I pulled out my phone and sent a message to White Rabbit, hitting send before I could think better of it: 7 know it was Zoe."


    The response came almost immediately, three bubbles and then: "Zoe who? Thedy I saw on the news?" I frowned, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. This wasn''t the reaction I had expected. "Yes, the woman from the news," I typed out somewhat angrily. "Noah''s ex. She was behind the pills, wasn''t she? She was your supplier?"


    There was a long pause before White Rabbit replied: "I don''t know anything about a Zoe. Someone else was supplying the pills."


    My frown deepened. This didn''t make sense. If it wasn''t Zoe, then who? And why would they go to such engths to keep me from having Noah''s child?


    "Who, then?" I asked. "Who was supplying them?"


    "I can''t discuss that over text," came the reply. "If you want answers, we need to meet in person. We can discuss my price then, too..."


    My heart rate picked up. Meeting White Rabbit in person was risky, but if it meant getting to the bottom of this mystery, it might be worth it. Still, I hesitated.


    "What is your price? Tell me now,"


    "Just a small favor. I assure you, it''s nothing you can''t handle, Alpha."


    I chewed my lip, weighing my options. The rational part of my brain was screaming at me to drop it, to leave well enough alone. But the Alpha in me, the part that needed to protect my daughter, my pack, wouldn''t let go.


    For all I knew, there was still someone out there who wanted to bring harm to my child. And I needed to ensure that they, like Scott and Zoe, were behind bars as soon as possible.


    "Alright. I''ll meet you. When and where?"

 Chapter 409

    Chapter 0409 Chapter 0409 NoahText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Noah straightened his tie, taking onest deep breath to calm his nerves. This was it-the moment of truth. Finally, he grabbed the handle and turned it.


    The single hanging light in the otherwise dark interrogation room was almost blinding as it gleamed off the polished surface of the metal table. But the moment Noah''s eyes adjusted, they immediately locked onto Scott. Noah felt his blood begin to boil anew.


    His Beta, his half-brother, the man who had betrayed him in ways he couldn''t have imagined, sat there looking small and defeated. He wore a gray prison uniform and looked like he hadn''t slept in days, dark circles ringing his eyes-his eyes which, due to fear or guilt or both, refused to meet Noah''s.


    Good.


    Noah took his seat opposite Scott. The metal chair scraped against the floor as he pulled it back, unbuttoning one button on his suit jacket before sitting. Every movement was slow, deliberate, painstaking.


    Noah said nothing for several long moments, simply letting the silence speak for him. He could see Scott growing increasingly ufortable, fidgeting in his seat. His red hair hung in his eyes as he dipped his head even further, straining his neck. ""Why, Scott?"


    Noah hated how pained he sounded, how vulnerable despite his attempt at cold, unfeeling determination. Noah and Scott had never had the closest of rtionships, but still... Scott was his brother. How could he have betrayed him like this? Scott shifted ufortably in his seat, his eyes darting around the room, looking anywhere but at Noah. He remained silent. Infuriatingly silent.


    Noah felt his anger rising to the surface, bubbling just beneath his skin like a pot about to boil over. He couldn''t take it anymore. He''d been holding back his emotions this past week, focused solely on Hannah and Melody, but....


    In a sudden burst of fury, he mmed his hands down on the table, making Scott jump. Noah''s fangs shed as he leaped to his feet, his chair ttering to the floor behind him.


    "WHY?!" he roared, his voice reverberating off of the walls.


    Scott visibly paled, terror taking over his features. And then, like a dam breaking, the words began to spill


    out


    "It... it was all part of the n," Scott stammered, his voice shaking. "From the very beginning, Zoe and I... we were working to get you two together."


    Noah''s eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"


    Scott took a shuddering breath. "All those years ago, Zoe, she..." He swallowed hard. "She had to have you. Not you, but Nightcrest. She tried to seduce you, but you had just realized that Hannah was your +25 BON''S


    mate, and you were head over heels. That was when she recruited me."


    "Go on..."


    "We managed to wipe your memories of Hannah," Scott continued, "to make you think Zoe was your mate and not Hannah. Zoe said it was an ancient spell, a special... potion. It clouded your mind and then we cut your mate bond with Hannah." Noah frowned, "But why make me believe that it was my bond being cut with Zoe if she wanted me for herself?"


    Scott shrugged. "Zoe said that it would make you desperate for her if you thought that she didn''t want you. That you''d be eating out of her palm." He nced up at Noah, his eyes flicking down to Noah''s hands, which were trembling with rage. rage. "And you did."


    "But then..." Scott shook his head. "Then your parents decided to go through with that arranged marriage anyway, even though you were in love with Zoe. And Zoe got married off to Drake, and everything fell apart."


    Noah felt like he had been punched in the gut. "All these years...?"


    Scott nodded miserably. "We kept trying to break you and Hannah up. But no matter what we did, you two kept... kept sticking together somehow. I think we didn''t fully sever your mate bond or something. I don''t know. All I know is that every attempt we made to ruin your rtionship-the lies, the hidden cameras and rumors, me doing a poor job as Beta to frustrate you both-it all kept backfiring."


    Noah''s mind was reeling. Hidden cameras... That goddamn unicorn and the fucking forum post. He should have known.


    Noah let out a low growl of annoyance. "And the contraceptives in Hannah''s diet pills," he said, leaning forward. "I assume that was you two as well."


    Only then did Scott''s eyes finally meet Noah''s. "Contraceptives...?"


    Noah blinked, surprised. Scott didn''t know... No matter; there was no doubt in Noah''s mind that Zoe had been the one to supply the pills in an attempt to keep Hannah from having a Nightcrest heir.


    "But why?" Noah muttered. "Why would you do this to me, Scott? You''re my brother, for fuck''s sake!" "Half-brother," Scott corrected, eliciting another growl from Noah. He looked away and continued, "Zoe and I... We slept together when we were teenagers. She got pregnant." Noah''s eyes widened.


    "Yes," Scott said, noticing Noah''s realization. "Adam is my son, not Drake''s. Once we realized she was pregnant, we knew what we had to do. The n was for her to marry you, get Adam named as Nightcrest''s heir, and then..." Scott''s voice trailed off.

 Chapter 410

    Noah felt sick. "And then what, Scott?"


    Scott swallowed hard. "And then poison you. Kill you. Zoe would marry me, and we would take over Nightcrest together." Noah''s legs felt weak. He sank back into his chair, staring at Scott in disbelief. "But... but why? Why would you want that?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    A bitterugh escaped Scott''s lips. "Why? Because I''ve always been second best, Noah. Your half-brother, never even remotely considered for being Nightcrest''s Alpha. You got everything you ever wanted-the pack, the girls, the attention. This was my only chance to finally have some power."


    Noah shook his head, trying to process it all. "But you wouldn''t have been Alpha, Scott. Adam would have been named heir, not you. Even if your n had worked, Adam would have be the Alpha instead. Perhaps you would have been his regent, but as soon as he came of age you would lose the power that you killed your own brother to get."


    An evil little smirk grew across Scott''s face then, and Noah felt his blood run cold. "You wouldn''t..." he whispered, horrified.


    Scott merely shrugged.


    Noah was astonished. Killing him was one thing, but to think that Scott would actually consider murdering his own son, a child no less, in order to be Alpha of Nightcrest... It was disgusting. Noah shuddered, thinking of sweet little Adam, the boy he had yed hide and seek with. Thank the Goddess. he was safely with his grandparents now.


    "And Zoe?" Noah asked.


    "We slept together a few times and nothing more," Scott said matter-of-factly. "I suppose I could have put on a sad face when she died in the same car ident that would have killed Adam, but it would have been a mask. I hate her just as much as you do, believe it or not."


    Noah let out augh, but the sound was one of disbelief and horror, not humor. "So you nned on double-crossing her just as much as you''ve double-crossed me." He shook his head wryly. "Are you loyal to anyone, Scott?" "I''m loyal to myself."


    Scott''s words nearly made Noah flinch, but he managed to control himself. Taking a deep breath, Noah smoothed down his suit jacket and rose again. "Well then," he said, his voice t, "I suppose we''re done here."


    With that, Noah called for the guards. As they entered, Noah pulled a small tape recorder from his pocket. Scott''s eyes widened in shock.


    "He confessed to everything." Noah told the guards, holding up the recorder. "And I have it all on tape. Take him to our highest security cell." Scott hung his head as the guards led him away, all the fight having been drained out of him. Noah didn''t even deign to watch the bastard go.


    With Scott''s interrogationplete, Noah moved on to his next task-questioning Zoe.


    Down the hall, he stood outside the next interrogation room, peering through the one-way ss. Zoe sat primly at the table, her back ramrod straight, eyes cast down at her sped hands. She looked every bit the picture of innocence, but Noah knew better now. "She hasn''t said a word," the officer beside him reported. "We''ve been trying to get information for hours."


    Noah gritted his teeth, his blood boiling at the sight of her. "Let me talk to her," he growled.


    As he entered the room, Zoe didn''t even look up or move a muscle. Noah took his seat across from her, studying her carefully. Her perfectly manicured nails, her immacte hair-even in custody, she maintained her wless facade.


    "Scott confessed to everything. Zoe," Noah said, his voice cold as he pulled the tape recorder out of his pocket. "1 know all about your ns. You might as well confess now." He set the recorder down in the middle of the table and pressed y. "The n was for her to marry you," the recording went on, "get Adam named as Nightcrest''s heir, and then..."


    Zoe remained impassive as she listened to the recording, her eyes fixed on her hands. When the recording finally ended, the click echoing in the cold room, she licked her lips before she spoke.


    "I want awyer."


    Noah leaned back in his chair, a humorless smile ying at his lips. If Zoe wanted to turn this into a months-long legal battle, then so be it. But he wasn''t about to let her have thest word.


    Rising from his chair, Noah leaned over the interrogation table, his voice low and dangerous. "You can have yourwyer, Zoe. But know this-you will never get away with what you did. Never." Only then did Zoe lift her eyes to meet his. For a brief moment, Noah saw a flicker of fury in her gaze, crack in that perfect little mask of hers.


    And to think that he almost married her. What a fool he was.


    "Adam was right, you know," Noah said, his voice hardly more than a whisper. "His mommy really is a


    monster."

 Chapter 411

    Chapter 0411 Hannah


    "I don''t like the idea of you going in there by yourself, Alpha Hannah. Not after what that bastard from Darkmoon did to you."


    I frowned as I tugged my hood up, ncing out the car window at the seedy dive bar sitting on the corner. My guards had been especially on edgetely after my little incident with David in the parking garage, and for good reason; the night that had happened, I had told them that I''d be fine on my own, that they didn''t need to hang around while I went to pick up my car.


    And I had been fine. Sort of.


    "Just... wait here," I said as I opened the car door. "If I walk in with a gaggle of guards, White Rabbit won''t talk to me. You know the drill."


    My head guard, a tall and muscr woman named Emily, growled in response but didn''t argue as I stepped out of the car.


    Pulling the blue surgical mask over my nose and mouth to further conceal my identity, I took a deep breath and stepped into the bar. The stench of stale beer and cheap cigarettes assaulted my nose immediately even through the mask, making me wrinkle it in disgust. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim lighting, neon signs casting blue and purple hues across the room.


    The bar was a seedy ce, to say the least. The kind of establishment where you would never expect to see an Alpha, especially a female Alpha, hanging out with online drug dealers.


    So as not to raise any suspicions, I walked up to the bar and ordered a drink. The bartender, a gruff man with a half-shaved head and arms covered in tattoos, grunted in response to my request for a rum and coke and walked away to make it.


    I scanned the room while I waited, my gaze passing over groups of patrons sitting at various tables and booths-ying cards, smoking cigarettes, some slumped over with their heads down and half-full bottles of liquor dangling from their fingers. I tried not to stare for too long, not wanting to look out of ce.


    Finally, my eyes settled on a corner booth where a lone figure sat, their face obscured by a hoodie. As I watched, a phone screen briefly illuminated their features. A momentter, my own phone buzzed with a message from White Rabbit: "Yes, it''s me."


    Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my drink and made my way over to the booth, my fingers brushing against the knife in my pocket as I slid into the seat opposite them.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "WhiteRabbit," I said, keeping my voice low.


    The figure looked up, and I found myself staring at a shockingly young girl. She couldn''t have been more than 18, with incredibly pale skin that almost seemed to glow in the dim light of the bar. Dark circles rimmed herrge blue eyes, and pin-straight ck hair framed her gaunt face. She was dressed in streetwear, various reflective straps catching the light, white hoodie that looked about four sizes too Harge, and oversized headphones hanging around her too-thin neck.


    "You can just call me Jen," she said without looking at me, her fingers tapping furiously on her phone. I frowned, ncing down to see that she was ying some sort of mobile game. She cursed as a big red 25 BONUS


    Chapter 0411.


    GAME OVER appeared on the screen and slipped her phone back into her pocket.


    I raised an eyebrow, studying her face carefully. "Jen. Is that your real name?"


    A smirk yed at the corners of her lips, a hint of amusement in those enormous blue eyes. "Would it make a difference if it was?"


    I shook my head, conceding the point. "Jen it is, then." Fleaned back in the booth, trying to appear rxed despite the tension coiling in my gut.


    Without a word, Jen produced a folded note from her pocket and slid it across the table. The paper was slightly yellowed, as if it had been carried around for a while. I p

 Chapter 413

    Chapter 0413


    HannahContent (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Alvin''s apartment was a disaster, and not just from my guards forcing entry.


    Empty bottles and takeout containers littered every surface, clothes were strewn across the floor, and what looked suspiciously like drug paraphernalia sat right in the middle of the coffee table. Therge windows overlooking the city below were covered in handprints and lipstick smudges, and the hot tub on the patio outside was strewn with liquor bottles and womens'' bikinis. "Clear," one of my guards called from the kitchen.


    "Bedroom''s this way," another said, gesturing down a short hallway, I could hear the faint sound of giggling and rustling sheetsing from that direction, and knew instantly that my beloved cousin was behind that door.


    I followed the guards, my heart pounding in my chest. As we approached the bedroom door, the sounds became more distinct-muffledughter and the creak of bedsprings. My guard pushed the door open, revealing a scene that made my stomach turn.


    Alvin was sprawled across the bed, surrounded by three scantily-d women. His eyes were zed over, a dopey grin on his face. It was clear he was high as a kite, and probably had been for days judging by the state of the apartment.


    "Woah, woah-Ah, if it isn''t my dear cousin, the Alpha of Silvermoon!" Alvin slurred, not halting his... activities with one of the women.


    I cleared my throat, trying not to show the shock on my face. "Ladies, I''m going to have to ask you to leave," Imanded. "Now."


    The women nced at Alvin, who shrugged and shoved the one who had been straddling him off of hisp. I stood in the doorway as the girls scrambled to gather their things, shooting worried nces at my security team as they hurried out of the room. Once they were gone, I approached the bed. Alvin didn''t seem at all fazed by my presence, and simply reached for the oversized bong on his nightstand.


    I kicked it out of the way before he could reach it, the ss shattering against the marble floor,


    "Wha-Hey!" he grunted, sitting upright.


    With a nod from me, my guards surged forward and took Alvin by either arm, hauling him to his feet. Thezy smirk faded from my cousin''s face, quickly reced by confusion and then fear. "What the fuck?" he whined. "Let me go!" "Why did you do it?" I asked, taking another dangerous step toward him.


    Alvin blinked at me, confused. "Do what?


    What are you talking about?"


    I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. The audacity of him to y dumb infuriated me even more." Don''t y stupid, Alvin. I know you''re the one who wascing me with contraceptives." I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Were you trying to kill my baby, or were you trying to kill me


    as well?"


    +26 BONUS


    Chapter 0-413


    Realization dawned on my cousin''s face, quickly reced by panic. He struggled against my guards'' grip. but it was useless. Emily alone was practically twice the size of him.


    "Whoa, whoa, wait a minute," he slurred. "I don''t know what you''re talking about. This is crazy, Hannah. You can''t just barge in here and use me of-"


    "Of what, Alvin?" I cut him off, shoving the arrest warrant in his face. "Of trying to prevent me from having a child? Of potentially putting my life at risk and my baby''s life at risk? Because that''s exactly what I''m using you of."


    He shook his head vehemently. "No, no. You''ve got it all wrong. I-I want awyer. I''m not saying anything else without awyer present."


    I nodded to my guards, who moved in to handcuff him. That''s fine. You can have yourwyer," I said, watching as they hauled him toward the door. He stumbled, still clearly under the influence of whatever drugs he had taken. "But you''reing with us now."


    a


    mask of


    As we led Alvin out of the apartment building, I saw Viona waiting by the car. Her face was calm, but I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her eyes darted between Alvin and me. She watched silently as the officers helped Alvin into the backseat, his protests muffled by the closing door.


    "Are you going to tell Noah tonight?" Viona asked, turning to me once A

 Chapter 414

    Chapter 0414


    I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Right... My date with Noah. In all the chaos, I had almost forgotten about it.


    "I suppose I should," I said. "It involves his daughter, after all. He deserves to know."


    It still felt strange, thinking of Noah as Melody''s father after everything that had happened. It would certainly take some getting used to-especially when it came to viewing him as an ally and not someone that I needed to hide everything from. But I couldn''t deny the flutter of excitement in my stomach at the thought of seeing him tonight.


    Viona nodded, a knowing look in her eyes. "You know," she said carefully, "there''s one more thing you might want to consider telling him..."


    I cringed, immediately knowing what she was referring to. The rebirth-which, I now knew, had been almost entirely Alvin''s fault.


    It had been exactly one year since it happened. A year of carrying this secret, of wondering if I should tell Noah, of fearing what might happen if I did.


    Maybe it had gone on long enough, but did I have the courage to tell him?


    "1... I don''t know, Viona," I said softly, shaking my head. "One bombshell at a time, maybe? I''m not sure if I can handle dropping both of these on him in one night


    She squeezed my arm gently. "Just think about it, okay? He deserves to know the whole truth. And Hannah... you deserve to be free of this secret."


    Hourster, I found myself standing outside an expensive restaurant, butterflies dancing in my stomach. The street was busy with evening traffic, the sound of car horns and distantughter filling the air. The restaurant''s facade was elegant, with warm light spilling out onto the sidewalk. Noah had stayed true to his word and picked a really nice ce.


    Noah had offered to pick me up, but I''d insisted on letting my own driver take me. Now, as I waited, smoothing down my sleek ck dress for the hundredth time, I couldn''t help but wonder if he was actually going to show up.


    Just as I was starting to worry, checking my phone yet again, I saw him round the corner at the end of the


    street.


    My breath caught in my throat. He looked... incredible. Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit that entuated his broad shoulders, his dark hair slightly tousled by the evening breeze, long legs taking quick strides to meet me. And in his hands, he held a dozen red roses.


    "Hannah," he breathed as he approached, his eyes roaming appreciatively over my silk ck dress, Jeather jacket, and heeled boots. I''d opted for leaving my hair natural tonight, allowing it to fall down my shoulders in soft waves. "You look... beautiful,"


    1


    I felt my cheeks flush as I took the roses from him, their sweet scent filling my nose. "Thank you, theseContent (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    are lov-ouch..." I pulled my hand back, having pricked my finger on one of the thorns. A drop of blood welled up, bright red against my skin.


    Before I could react, Noah gently took my hand in his. His touch sent a jolt through me, familiar and yet thrilling all at once. "Let me see," he murmured, bringing my finger to his lips. My heart skipped a beat as he kissed away the drop of blood, his eyes never leaving mine. The gesture was intimate, almost primal, and I was instantly reminded of that day in the forest when I had killed the deer-only now, the roles were reversed.


    "All better," he murmured, lifting his gaze to meet mine.


    I nearly swooned at the look in those eyes. For the first time in years, Noah''s face was open and loving. no longer clouded by Zoe''s maniptions. He looked like the boy I had fallen in love with all those years ago, his green eyes sparkling with an emotion I dared not name. My gaze dropped to his neck, where the seashell ne still hung on prominent disy.


    And, just like the bashful teenager I had been all those years ago, I was too shy to speak.


    Noah finally released my hand and opened the restaurant door for me. "Shall we?"

 Chapter 415

    Chapter 0415. Chapter 0415


    Hannah


    Noah''s hand was warm on the small of my back as he steered us toward our table, which was intimately positioned in the corner of the restaurant. A small candle flickered in the center of the little round table, the scent of wine and steak wafting into my nose as we took our seats.


    "I hope this ce is to your liking," Noah said, pulling my chair out for me. "If it''s not, we


    "It''s fine, Noah," I shot him a nervous smile as I set the roses aside. "Really. It''s lovely."


    Noah looked honestly relieved at that.


    The waiter approached with a knowing smile, clearly recognizing us. "Good evening, Alpha Hannah, Alpha Noah. It''s an honor to serve you tonight." Noah nodded graciously. "Thank you. We''ll start with a bottle of your finest red, please," he said, not even ncing at the wine list.


    I raised an eyebrow, a smirk ying on my lips as the waiter hurried away. "Splurging tonight, are we?" I teased.


    He grinned, and the sight of it almost made me fall backwards in my chair. "Only the best for you, Hannah, Besides, we have a lot to celebrate, don''t we?"


    We did, I supposed-as strange as that felt. I subtly pinched my leg beneath the table, wondering if this was all just a dream.


    As we scanned the menu, Noah suddenly looked up at me with a glint in his eye. "Do you remember that Italian ce we went to back during our first summer together?"


    of


    I froze, my heart stopping in my chest. A memory from years ago flitted through my mind-the two us taking our allowances and spending it all on pasta and bread at a little bistro in town. We''d tried convincing the waiter we were of age to drink wine, but he had refused. "You... You remember that?" I whispered.


    "I remember everything now, Hannah," he said quietly. Like how you ordered the spaghetti but kept stealing bites of mysagna when you thought I wasn''t looking."


    Tears pricked at my eyes, and I blinked rapidly to hold them back, averting my gaze back to my menu. After so long of Noah not remembering our past, hearing him talk about it now felt surreal, like a dream was afraid to wake up from.


    Blissfully, the wine arrived before I had to say anything else. The waiter poured us each a ss and left the bottle. Noah clinked his ss with mine, and I was grateful for the soothing effect of the alcohol as i began to sip.


    But as we drank and ced our orders, I could feel Noah''s eyes on me. I set my ss down, swallowing


    hard.


    "Tell me more," I found myself saying-maybe because of the alcohol. "I want to hear more memories from your perspective."


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    The spell was instantly broken by the instructor announcing it was time to reveal our masterpieces. We both quickly jerked back, faces matching shades of maroon.


    Noah''s painting was... Well, it was certainly colorful, although it bore little resemnce to thendscape we were supposed to be creating. Mine wasn''t much better, though, and when I revealed it to Noah... He threw his head back andughed. Wholly, deeply, and loudly enough for the entire ss to fall silent. As we left the shop a little whileter, our paintings dry and wrapped carefully, Noah handed me his. "For Melody''s nursery."


    My heart swelled. Without thinking, I handed him my own painting in return. Noah''s face flushed as he took it, studying it intently as if it were a priceless work of art. "Maybe... maybe I could hang it in a nursery at my ce," he suddenly murmured. "For when you and Melodye back."


    I felt my cheeks heat up at the implication. "Noah, I don''t..."


    He quickly backpedaled, his free hand rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "It was just a thought. I know it''s too soon. I didn''t mean to presume..."


    "It''s okay." I shook my head, managing a small smile. "How about that walk?"


    We made our way down to the river, the cool night air sobering us slightly. The waterpped gently at the shore, the moon''s reflection dancing on its surface. We sat on a bench, just watching the water in silence. "1 had a nice time tonight," Noah finally said. "Really, Hannah."


    I looked up at him, my mouth working uselessly for a moment before I managed, "Me too."


    Viona''s words flitted through my mind in that moment. "He deserves to know... You deserve to be free of this secret..."


    I had to tell him. I couldn''t wait any longer.


    "Noah, there''s something I need to tell you," I blurted out before I could stop myself. "It''s about something that happened a year ago. Something big."


    "Is everything alright?"


    I closed my eyes for a moment, gathering my courage. When I opened them again, I met his gaze directly. willing him to understand, to ept what I was about to say. "Noah, I... I died and came back to life one year ago."


    H


    Noah''s eyes widened, his mouth falling open in shock. "What?" he breathed.

 Chapter 416

    Chapter 0416 Chapter


    0416


    "So, I... had one more thing nned," he finally said, gesturing toward the river that wound its way through the city. "A walk."


    I nodded, smoothing down my dress and hoping that he couldn''t see the crimson flush on my cheeks beneath the dim light of the streemps as we began making our way down the sidewalk again.


    But as we neared the waterfront, something caught my eye-a brightly lit shop with people inside, all holding paint brushes and canvases. Laughter and music drifted through the open door, sses of wine and cider sitting on paint-stained tables.


    "Ooh, look! A paint and sip!" I eximed, already heading toward the front door in my drunken excitement.


    "Hannah, wait- Noah called, halfughing, but I was already pushing the door open.


    The artist leading the ss looked up as I stumbled inside with Noah on my heels, her eyes widening in recognition, "Alpha Hannah? Alpha Noah? What a surprise! Would you like to join us for our paint and sip ss?"


    "Yes!"


    Before Noah could protest, the instructor was already beaming and handing us two paint-stained aprons while the rest of the ss looked on.


    Noah''s face was beet red as he whispered, "Hannah, I''ve never painted before... I wouldn''t even know where to start."


    I grinned, wrapping my arms around his waist to fasten the apron behind his back. "Betterte than never," I said, my fingers lingering perhaps a moment too long. I could feel the heat radiating off his skin even through his jacket, his arms floating up slightly in shock as I tied the ribbons. "Besides, I''ll help you."


    Noah didn''t protest further. Although, I think he may have simply lost his ability to speak as I slowly untangled myself from him and smoothed down the front of his apron.


    With that, we took our seats, elbows bumping as we reached for paints and brushes. Noah''s tongue poked out in concentration as he tried to follow the instructor''s directions, both of us growing drunker and more vivacious as the night went on. I could feel the other attendees'' eyes on us, could hear their


    murmurs.


    "They really are the true star-crossed lovers..."


    "To think that that Zoe actually tried to keep them apart..."


    "How sweet!"


    My face heated. I knew that my entrance at the wedding had made headlines, but I hadn''t dared to look at the news. The true star-crossed lovers... It felt surreal. Unreal.


    Suddenly, my reverie was broken by the sensation of a thumb gently wiping my cheek. I jerked my head up to find Noah leaning close to me, a smudge of blue paint now on the tip of his finger.


    Our eyes met, and for a moment, the rest of the room faded away. "Noah-"


    "You had a little..."


    The spell was instantly broken by the instructor announcing it was time to reveal our masterpieces. We both quickly jerked back, faces matching shades of maroon.


    Noah''s painting was... Well, it was certainly colorful, although it bore little resemnce to thendscape we were supposed to be creating. Mine wasn''t much better, though, and when I revealed it to Noah....


    He threw his head back andughed. Wholly, deeply, and loudly enough for the entire ss to fall silent. As we left the shop a little whileter, our paintings dry and wrapped carefully, Noah handed me his. "For Melody''s nursery."Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    My heart swelled. Without thinking, I handed him my own painting in return. Noah''s face flushed as he took it, studying it intently as if it were a priceless work of art. "Maybe... maybe I could hang it in a nursery at my ce," he suddenly murmured. "For when you and Melodye back"


    I felt my cheeks heat up at the implication. "Noah, I don''t..."


    He quickly backpedaled, his free hand rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "It was just a thought. I know it''s too soon. I didn''t mean to presume..."


    "It''s okay." I shook my head, managing a small smile. "How about that walk?"


    We made our way down to the river, the cool night air sobering us slightly. The waterpped gently at the shore, the moon''s reflection dancing on its surface. We sat on a bench, just watching the water in silence.


    "I had a nice time tonight," Noah finally said. "Really, Hannah."


    I looked up at him, my mouth working uselessly for a moment before I managed, "Me too."


    Viona''s words flitted through my mind in that moment. "He deserves to know... You deserve to be free of this secret..."


    I had to tell him. I couldn''t wait any longer.


    "Noah, there''s something I need to tell you," I blurted out before I could stop myself. "It''s about something that happened a year ago. Something big."


    "Is everything alright?"


    I closed my eyes for a moment, gathering my courage. When I opened them again, I met his gaze directly. willing him to understand, to ept what I was about to say.


    "Noah, I... I died and came back to life one year ago."


    Noah''s eyes widened, his mouth falling open in shock. "What?" he breathed.

 Chapter 417

    Chapter 0417


    HannahText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "It... It''s true," I said, my heart pounding


    so hard I was sure Noah could hear it. "Last year, I died, and... When I woke up, it was three months before the event of my death. I think it was a gift from the Moon Goddess or something. I don''t know." There was a long, agonizing silence as Noah stared at me, his green eyes wide and unblinking.


    The gentlepping of the river against the shore seemed deafening in the quiet between us. My palms began to sweat, and I resisted the urge to wipe them on my dress, holding Noah''s gaze instead.


    What was he thinking? Did he believe me? Or worse, did he think I had finally lost my mindpletely? I could almost see the gears turning in his head, probably wondering if he should call for a straightjacket and a nice, cozy trip to the mental institution right then and there


    But then, to my utter shock, Noah threw his head back and began to...ugh. It started as a chuckle, a low rumble in his chest, and then it grew into a full-bodied guffawthat echoed across the water.


    "Oh, Hannah," he gasped between fits ofughter, smacking his knee with his open palm, "that''s hrious! I didn''t know you were takingedy ssestely."


    I blinked at him, shocked into letting out a tiny chuckle of my own. Did he really think...?


    "Noah "


    He nudged me with his elbow, tears of mirth streaming down his face. "You really had me going there for a second. ''Died and came back to life,'' that''s rich!"


    My face burned red hot with embarrassment. Of course he wouldn''t believe me. Who would, aside from Viona? It sounded insane, even to my own ears, and the only reason why my best friend even believed me was because she was just as nuts as I was. I forced anotherugh, hoping it didn''t sound as hollow as it felt.


    "Yeah, just an attempt at some drunken humor," I said, trying to keep my voice light despite the agony churning in my gut. "I guess I need to work on my delivery, don''t I?"


    Noah wiped his eyes, still chuckling. "Maybe stick to your day job, Alpha."


    I smiled and nodded, but inside, I was kicking myself on repeat. Idiot, idiot, idiot! Why was I so afraid to tell him the truth? He needed to know eventually. I felt like a coward, hiding behind a veil of false humor instead of being honest with the man I loved. But I couldn''t tell him now. Not tonight. Not after... that


    In an attempt to salvage the moment, I cleared my throat. "Um... Actually, Noah, there is something cerous I need to tell you about. Not a joke this time."


    Hisughter subsided, his expression growing concerned as he looked over at me. "What is it?"


    1 took a deep breath andunched into the story about White Rabbit and Alvin. I told him everything-the conversation with White Rabbit, who was now known as Jen, the political asylum, the truth about the contraceptives ultimately boiling down to my very own cousin.


    With each word, I could see Noah''s expression darkening, his jaw clenching in anger.


    "That bastard," he growled when I was finally finished. I always knew Alvin was good for nothing, but I never expected him to do something like this." He shook his head, dark hair falling into his eyes. "Was he working with Zoe and Scott? He had to have been."


    I shrugged, feeling utterly drained by now. "It''s possible. We don''t know for sure yet, and he asked for awyer right away. He''s in custody now, though, and the truth wille out eventually,"


    Noah nodded, turning to face me fully, I was shocked when he suddenly gripped my hands in his, his expression intense.


    "We''ll handle it together. The whole legal battle-everything. I want us to be allies in this matter, despite. everything that happened in the past."


    Chapter

 Chapter 418

    Chapter 0418 Chapter


    0418


    His words warmed me, chasing away some of the chill that had settled into my bones. "Thank you, Noah. That means a lot."


    "Of course," he said, giving my hands one more squeeze. "I''m just d we can have openmunication about these sorts of things now."


    I nodded, guilt gnawing at my insides. The irony of those words certainly wasn''t lost on me. "Yeah... me


    too."


    As the waxing crescent moon rose higher into the sky and the air grew colder, Noah finally suggested we call it a night. He walked me back to where my driver was waiting, our hands brushing against each other with every other step. When we reached the car, I found myself reluctant to let the evening end.


    Noah smiled softly, his eyes reflecting the amber color of the streetlights. "I had a wonderful time tonight, Hannah."


    "So did I." I clutched the roses a little tighter to my chest withrone hand. "And thank you for these." "You''re wee. Goodnight, Hannah."


    He started to turn away, but before I could stop myself I reached out and grabbed his wrist. Noah looked back at me, surprise evident on his face. My heart raced as I pulled him closer, surging forward to press my lips against his.


    For a moment, Noah froze, and I feared I had made a terrible mistake. But then both of his hands came up to cup my face, and he was kissing me back with an equal passion, dipping his head for better ess. His lips were soft and sweet, tasting faintly of the wine we had shared earlier.


    Goddess, how I had missed this.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    We kissed deeply, passionately, reverently, and the need for air was ultimately the only thing that forced We


    apart. Even then, we stayed close, our foreheads pressed together as we caught our breath.


    us a


    "Hannah," Noah whispered, his voice husky, "I''ve missed you more than you can know."


    I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling of his cool hands on my flushed skin. I''ve missed you too. More than I let on."


    y ear


    We stood there in silence for a few moments, Noah''s fingers gently stroking across the shell of my and down the back of my neck. The attraction between us was palpable, electric: Part of me wanted to throw caution to the wind and invite him back to my ce, desperate to feel his body against mine, but I knew we weren''t ready for that yet.


    Soon, but not tonight.


    As if reading my thoughts, Noah smirked. "Even if people are calling us the ''true star-crossed lovers'' now, I guess we should still probably take things slow."


    I chuckled. "Probably a good idea."


    "But," he added, pulling back a bit to look at me, "I was hoping we could have another date next weekend. Maybe one with Melody this time?"


    My heart swelled at the thought. "I... I''d like that."


    We shared onest, lingering kiss before I reluctantly climbed into the back seat of the car. As we pulled away, I watched Noah standing on the sidewalk, hands in his pockets, until he disappeared from view.


    I bit my lip, clutching the roses to my chest, my heart skipping a beat.


    "So you still didn''t tell him?!"


    Viona was practically irate, her face red. The steaming cups of coffee between us felt like a potential weapon, like she might ssh me in the face with the hot liquid for my stupidity at any moment.


    I winced, knowing that I deserved every bit of her ire. tried, I really did!" I insisted. "But he thought I was. joking, and then..."


    "And then you chickened out," Viona finished for me, shaking her head.


    "I promise I will this weekend! Really!"


    Viona rolled her eyes, clearly unconvinced. "Yeah, right."

 Chapter 419

    Chapter 0419


    Hannah


    The farmer''s market bustled with activity, the air filled with the scent of fresh produce and baked goods. I pushed Melody''s stroller into the throng, my heart pounding for a reason other than simple lovesick excitement.


    Today was the day. I was finally going to tell Noah the truth about my rebirth, just as I had promised Viona.


    As I approached our meeting spot, my guards lingering in the crowd, I saw him waiting, looking Impossibly handsome in a cream sweater with his hands tucked into his trouser pockets. When he spotted us, his face lit up with a smile that made my knees weak. "Hannah," he said warmly, leaning in to kiss my cheek. The brief contact nearly made me copse with ecstasy, his lips soft and warm against my skin. Then he bent down, pressing a gentle kiss to Melody''s forehead, and I had to grip the stroller to stay upright. There are my girls..." My girls... I had to remind myself to breathe as Noah straightened up, pulling his shoulders back.


    "May 1?" he asked, gesturing toward the stroller.


    I nced down at where my hands were wrapped around the stroller handle, suddenly feeling nervous. You want to push her?"


    Noah nodded. "If you don''t mind."


    "Um... Yeah. Sure." Reluctantly, I stepped back and allowed Noah to take the stroller.


    As we started walking through the bustling farmer''s market, it was incredibly difficult to give up control. found myself hovering, constantly giving Noah instructions, flinching at every bump in the gravel pathway. jumping every time someone passed by unexpectedly or a vendor shouted particrly loudly.


    "Watch out for that bump," I warned, pointing at a small rise in the path. "And make sure the sun isn''t in her eyes. Oh, and don''t forget to check if she needs anything. She might get hungry soon..."


    Noah nced at me, quirking one eyebrow. "Hannah, it''s a stroller. It''ll be fine, really. I promise I won''t let anything happen to our daughter."


    I blinked, realizing how overbearing I was being. The word ''our'' echoed in my head, bringing a fresh-flush to my neck. "Right. Sorry. I''m just... not used to sharing this responsibility, I guess," I admitted, looking away.


    Noah let out a small sound of amusement. "Well, get used to it. I''m not going anywhere."


    Taking a deep breath, I nodded, forcing myself to step back a little. We continued through the market, browsing the various stalls. The colorful disys of fruits and vegetables caught my eye, and I found myself rxing as we surveyed crisp apples and bright orange carrots on sale.


    I was just starting to feel more at ease when something caught my eye. A vintage booth stood out among the produce stalls, its wooden shelves lined with antique toys and knick-knacks.


    "Oh!" I gasped, pointing at the booth. "Look at that vintage toy set! Melody would love it when she gets older." Noah followed my finger, his own eyes widening slightly upon seeing what I was pointing at. The set in question was beautiful, with hand-painted wooden animals and a little barn, all housed in a quaint


    carrying case.


    But just as I was about to walk over to ask the vendor about it, another couple swooped in, purchasing the set right in front of me. My face fell, disappointment washing over me as I watched the vendor wrap up the toy set.


    Noah, noticing my reaction, approached the couple before I could stop him.


    "Excuse me," he said, gesturing to the set, "would you be willing to with that toy set if we paid you a


    bit more than what you just paid? It would mean a lot to us."


    part


    The woman shook her head, clutching the package to her chest. "Sorry, but we''ve been looking for something like this for a while. We''d like to keep it. I''m sure you understand."Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    I tugged on Noah''s sleeve. "It''s okay, Noah. We don''t need to-"


    But Noah was already pulling out his wallet and rifling through it for cash. "How about double what your paid? I''m sure we could find a price that works for everyone."


    The couple exchanged nces, looking a little ufortable. "No, thank you," the man said firmly, his arm around his wife. This is for our son. We''re not interested in selling."

 Chapter 420

    I


    "Triple, then," Noah persisted. "Just name your price."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I could see the annoyance growing on the couple''s faces, their bodynguage bing defensive. The husband began tugging the wife away, both of them grumbling about entitled parents.


    "Noah, stop," I hissed, mortified. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. "It''s fine. We don''t need the toy set that badly. Let''s just go."


    "But-"


    Thankfully, the vendor, sensing the tension, finally intervened just as Noah was about to chase the other couple down with all the cash he had on him, including his expensive watch.


    "It''s sweet that your husband wants to spoil your baby, the vendor, a kind-faced older woman with square sses and short-cropped gray hair, said with a gentle smile. "I have some other lovely selections if you''re interested. Perhaps something even more special?"


    My cheeks burned even hotter at her words. He''s not my husband, I wanted to say. Not anymore. But the words stuck in my throat as I nced at Noah, whose face had turned an impressive shade of red.


    Our eyes met, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something-regret? Longing?-in his gaze before he looked away.


    Clearing his throat, Noah turned to the vendor. "What else do you have? I''d like to see your best pieces, please."


    The toy set Noah eventually picked out was just as beautiful as the first-a set of wooden blocks with letters and numbers, hand-painted in soft pastel colors


    "We''ll take this one." He pulled out several bills, far more than the set was worth. "Keep the change," he told the vendor as we walked away, leaving her beaming and counting the stack behind us.


    Once we were out of earshot, I turned to him. "You really didn''t need to go to all that trouble. I think the other couple got a bit annoyed... And that was way too much money for a toy set, Noah."


    Noah shrugged, his expression unapologetic. "I don''t care who gets annoyed at me so long as you and Melody get what you want. I''ve spent enough time not treating you like a princess, Hannah, I need to make up for it."


    His words hit me like a punch to the gut, reminding me all too well of the night of the baby shower when he had showered me with affection and called me his princess. Tears pricked at my eyes at the reminder of that night-and the gauzy pink dress torn to ribbons the very next day.


    I looked away, not wanting him to see how affected I was.


    "Hannah?" Noah nudged my elbow. "Are you okay? Did say something wrong?"


    I shook my head and offered a watery smile in response, gesturing to a nearby bench. "I think I need to sit down, that''s all," I lied. "My back hurts."


    "Oh. Alright," Noah stepped back from the stroller, relinquishing control to me once again. "I''m just going to run and find a restroom. Wait here."


    Chapter 0-420


    Nodding, I plopped down on the bench and watched him jog off into the crowd. Melody began to fuss, so I gently cooed to her and rolled her stroller back and forth, soothing her.


    Looking at her little face, her new toys nestled in the storagepartment below her, I almost felt myself


    crack.


    My girls... Our daughter...


    Princess...


    It was almost too much, seeing Noah like this with our child. Seeing him so... alive. So happy. So. different from the cold man who I''d been married to.


    Would that change once I told him the truth about my rebirth, I wondered? Would his view of me change once I shared that part of myself? I hated the thought of doing anything to wipe that smile off of his face. Suddenly, I felt something cold being pressed into my hand, ripping me out of my thoughts.


    1. s. Startling. looked up in shock to see Noah standing over me with a cone of ice cream in one hand. When I looked down, there was another cone-a pink one-in my own "Strawberry cheesecake is your favorite, right?" Noah asked, cocking his head.


    A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it.


    "Hannah_?"


    "You remembered..."

 Chapter 421

    Chapter 0421 Chapter 0421


    Hannah


    Years ago...


    The sun beat down mercilessly, the smell of hot pavement and summer flowers filling the air. I stood in front of the ice cream stand, counting the crumpled bills in my hand with growing dismay.


    "Oh, damn..." I muttered, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I''m a dor short..."


    Suddenly, I felt a familiar presence lean over me. I recognized the smell of his cologne immediately, mixed with the scent of sweet sweat and salt water on his skin.


    "N-Noah!" I eximed, surprised-and wholeheartedly trying not to blush at the fact that he was shirtless, wearing only his swimming trunks and a pair of sandals, his dark hair still damp from swimming in the ocean. "I didn''t know you were here." "Buying ice cream?" He plucked the cash from my palm and counted it, his brow furrowing. "You''re a dor short."


    "Lknow." I took my money back and pocketed it, turning to the ice cream vendor. "Sorry, mister. I didn''t mean to waste your time-"


    "Don''t go anywhere." Noah fished into his beach bag and pulled out a wad of cash. The bills were slightly wrinkled, evidence of a summer job well-spent. "I''ll buy it for both of us."


    I felt my cheeks burn as Noah stepped up to the counter, holding out the bills. "Two cones, please. Vani, bean for me, and..." He nced over at me, raising one dark eyebrow in silent question. "Um... Strawberry cheesecake."


    The vendor scooped our ice cream into two waffle cones. Noah handed mine to me, our fingers brushing as the treat passed between us. I thought I might pass out from the contact. "Thanks."


    "No problem. Walk with me?" Noah jerked his head down the street, sending a small spray of salt water onto his shoulder. I nodded and followed him, my flip-flops smacking on the pavement.


    As we strolled down the street, our arms bumping asionally, I couldn''t stop sneaking nces at Noah. The way the sunlight caught his hair, the little smile ying at the corners of his mouth as he enjoyed his ice cream-so different from the dark worry that had filled his gaze just a couple nights ago, when we had visited his mother in the hospital.


    But I didn''t dare to bring that up now. If he didn''t want to talk about it, then that was his decision.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "This is so good," I said, licking a drop that threatened to escape down the side of the cone. "Thank you for buying it for me. Strawberry cheesecake is my absolute favorite."


    Noah grinned, a bit of vani ice cream on his upper lip. "Anytime, Hannah."


    Suddenly, as we were about to cross the street, a car came speeding through the red light. I froze, the screeching of tires filling my ears.


    ""Hannah!"


    Merely a split second before the car collided with me, something warm and firm wrapped around my waist and yanked me back. The next thing I knew, the world was tilting into a dizzying array of salt water and ice cream and Noah''s warm, tanned skin. And the hard ground.


    A momentter, I found myself sprawled on top of Noah on the hot sidewalk, my hands on either side of his head. Our faces were inches apart, and I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheeks.


    Noah''s throat bobbed. "Hannah... Are you okay?"


    I swallowed hard myself. "I... I think so."


    "Good." His eyes, those mesmerizing green eyes, flickered down to my lips. The world seemed to slow down, the sounds of horns honking and worried pedestrians fading into the background. He''d saved me. Saved us.


    But something caught my eye then, breaking the spell. Our ice cream conesy demolished on the sidewalk, melting into one big colorful puddle.


    "Oh, no!" I eximed, sitting up. "Our ice cream!"


    The bustle of the farmer''s market came rushing back, and I found myself staring at Noah in amazement. He had recounted the story with such vivid detail, as if it had happened yesterday instead of years ago. "You... you remember all that?" I asked.


    Noah nodded. "Every moment. It was the day I realized how I felt about you, Hannah. How could I forget?" I was so stunned by his recollection that Ipletely forgot about the ice cream in my hand. A drop of melted strawberry cheesecake slid down the cone, threatening to drip onto my fingers.


    Quick as a sh, Noah reached out, grabbing my wrist gently. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, reminiscent of that summer day all those years ago. Before I could react, he leaned in and licked around the rim of the cone, catching the melting ice cream before it could make a mess. My breath caught in my throat. The sight of Noah''s tongue darting out, his lips so close to my skin, sent a wave of heat through me that had nothing to do with the afternoon sun. When he looked up, his eyes met mine, dark with intense desire.


    For a moment, we just stared at each other, the air between us charged with invisible electricity. The sounds of the farmer''s market faded away, leaving only the rapid beating of my heart.


    I opened my mouth, not even sure what I was going to say, when a fussy cry broke through the air.


    Melody had woken up, her little face scrunching up unhappily. Noah immediately turned his attention to her, cooing softly as he reached into the stroller. The spell was broken. Sort of.


    "What''s the matter, princess?" he murmured, his voice so gentle it made my heart ache. "Did you have a bad dream?"


    I watched as he tenderly soothed our daughter, marveling at how natural he seemed in the role of father. It was a side of Noah I had never seen before, and it both warmed my heart and twisted it with guilt.


    Yet again, Viona''s words echoed in my mind; and suddenly, the weight of my secret felt heavier than ever. Here was Noah, tending to our daughter and fawning over both of us like we were the only important things in his life, while I was still hiding such a massive truth from him.


    But at the same time, the fear of losing this newfound closeness with him, of shattering this fragile peace we had finally found after all this time, kept the words trapped in my throat.


    Noah looked up from Melody, who had settled back down, his brow furrowing slightly. "Hannah? What''s wrong? You look like you''re a million miles away."


    I opened my mouth, ready to finally tell him the truth. "Noah, I..."


    But I couldn''t do it. Not here, not now, with Melody between us and the bustling market around us.


    Coward.


    "I... Thank you," I said instead, gesturing with my ice cream cone. "For remembering. For the ice cream. For.. everything."


    A slow smile spread across Noah''s face. "You''re wee," he said. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he added, "You know, there''s a way you could repay me."


    I raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh?"


    Noah nodded, rising to his feet. "The Full Moon Festival is next week. I was wondering if... well, if you''d like to attend. With me."


    My heart started racing, the implications of his words sinking in. The Full Moon Festival... It was an annual event where couples were notoriously in attendance, especially Alphas and Lunas. We had never gone before. Not together, at least.


    ""You mean..."

 Chapter 422

    Noah nodded. "As my date."


    Chapter 0422 Chapter 0422


    Hannah


    I tossed my phone aside, the screen still illuminated with the article titled "Hannah and Noah, the true star -crossed lovers, officially back together?" The apanying photo showed us at the farmer''s market, pushing Melody''s stroller together, our hands brushing. My cheeks burned at the memory of that moment, the electricity that had sparked between us just minutes after our little ice cream memory. The soft afternoon light had caught Noah''s profile just right, highlighting the strong line of his jaw and the tenderness in his eyes as he looked down at our daughter.


    A knock at my study door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I called, quicklyposing myself and smoothing down my blouse.


    My father entered, his face beaming with excitement. Oh, no. Here we go... "Hannah, have you seen the news? This is wonderful! Why didn''t you tell me?"


    I sighed, already anticipating where this conversation was heading before he even held the newspaper out to show me the same article I''d just been looking at.


    "Dad, you really need to learn not to believe everything you read in the paper."


    "But you were together at the market, weren''t you?" He scratched his head as he stared at the article." The picture doesn''t lie, Hannah. Oh, I''m so happy for you both. I knew you and Noah would find your way back to each other someday." "Dad..."


    "We should start nning the wedding soon," my father continued, oblivious. "And of course, you''ll be moving back to Nightcrest with Noah, won''t you?"


    I felt a headacheing on, a dull throb beginning at my temples. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I said evenly, "Dad, slow down. We''re not nning a wedding anytime soon. Yes, we''re dating, but nothing is ''official'' just yet. And besides," I added, my voice growing firmer, steel entering my tone, "I''m not sure if I''m interested in going back to Nightcrest."


    My father''s smile faltered. "But Hannah, just think about it. A nuclear family is so important. Melody needs her father in the picture, and Noah clearly cares for her. Plus, you two are fated mates. You belong together. Especially after everything."N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    "I can''t just give up my position as Alpha of Silvermoon, Dad," I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "I''ve worked hard for this. It''s not something I can just toss aside on a whim."


    "But there is a way tobine the packs," he suggested. "You would have to be Noah''s Luna again, but you would have even more power if you joined Silvermoon and Nightcrest. Think of the strength that union would bring!"


    I leaned forward and rubbed my face with both hands, frustration building in my chest like a gathering storm. "I''m not just doing this for ''power'', Dad. My title and my independence are important to me. I can''t back down from being an Alpha so soon after bing one. Do you know what that would make me look like? What sort of example that would set for my daughter?"


    My father''s brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"


    "The Luna-turned-Alpha-turned-Luna-again," I spat out, already picturing the headlines. "All of the men who look down on me and see me as nothing more than a broodmare of a stupid woman yacting as an Alpha will have a field day if I give up my title to be Noah''s Luna again. I''d be aughingstock. And I would be letting down Melody, the Luna Council, and all of the other girls who might be inspired by my


    work."


    My father''s expression softened, understanding finally dawning in his eyes, but only slightly. "Hannah, my dear, I understand your concerns. I do. But please, at least consider it. You''re attending the Full Moon Festival with Noah as your date, aren''t you? Maybe you could think about it then. Use the time to really talk to Noah, see where you both stand. I know you love each other."


    The mention of the festival sent a flutter through my stomach-excitement or anxiety, I couldn''t tell. "Just because we''re going to the festival together this weekend doesn''t mean that I''m giving up my position," I whispered. Today''s Bonus Offer

 Chapter 423

    Chapter 0423 Chapter 0423


    "Suit yourself, Hannah," my father sighed, turning to leave. "But don''t let your pride get in the way of your happiness. Sometimes,promise isn''t weakness-it''s strength."


    As the door closed behind him, I rolled my eyes, copsing back into my chair.


    Compromise.


    I may have agreed to be Noah''s date at the festival, but it didn''t mean I was intending to give up my position as Alpha.


    Besides, why should I be the one to give up my title if we got back together? Why couldn''t he be the one to give his title up?


    Why was it always the woman who was expected topromise more than her share?


    Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit interrogation chamber. Alvin sat at the metal table, looking far toofortable for someone in his position. Hiswyer, a sharp-faced woman in an expensive suit, sat beside him, her expression neutral but her eyes calcting.


    "Hello, Alvin," I said, my voice cool as I took my seat across from them. "I hope you''ve had some time to think about making your confession."


    Alvin''s lips twitched into a smirk as he tugged at his stuffy white cor and tie. "Oh, I''ve had plenty of time to think. Confessions, though? Not so sure about that."


    I ignored his sarcasm, pulling out a file from my briefcase. I flipped it open and tossed it onto the table, revealing the report I''d gotten about the diet pills months ago from the pharmacist.


    "This here is proof of the diet pills I was taking beingced with contraceptives. Does any of this look familiar to you?"N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    Hiswyer leaned in, whispering something in his ear. I strained to hear, but couldn''t quite make out the words. Alvin''s smirk grew wider as he leaned back in his chair, saying nothing. The silence stretched between us, taut as a bowstring.


    "You do realize the severity of what you''ve done, don''t you?" I pressed, ignoring his silence. "Tampering with an Alpha''s medication, intentionally endangering her life and her heir''s? That''s a serious offense. Treason. Life in prison."


    Still, Alvin remained silent, that infuriating smirk never leaving his face. His eyes, so simr to my own, held no warmth, no familiarity. It was like looking at a stranger.


    I shook my head, gritting my teeth. "We grew up together, Alvin. Why would you do this? What could you possibly gain from trying to prevent me from having a child?"


    Before Alvin could respond-not that it seemed he had any ns to-hiswyer cleared her throat. "My client has been advised not to speak at this time. Any questions you have can be directed to me."


    Ignoring thewyer, I leaned forward, my hands t on the table. "Alvin, please. Just tell me why. Was it Zoe? Were you working with her and Scott? Did they put you up to this? If they threatened you in any way, I can help. But you have to work with me here."


    Nothing. Not even a flicker of emotion crossed his face. It was like talking to a statue, cold and unresponsive.


    "Fine," I said, standing up abruptly. My chair scraped against the floor, the sound harsh in the quiet room. We''ll uncover the truth eventually, Alvin. With or without your cooperation. And when we do, I hope you''re ready to face the consequences." Alvin merely crossed an ankle over his knee and waggled his fingers at me.


    "Ta ta, cousin," he cooed. "It was so nice catching up."


    Suppressing a growl, I gathered my files and stormed out of the interrogation room. Only once the door had mmed shut behind me with a satisfying bang did I finally loose the curse hiding behind my lips. ""Bastard."

 Chapter 424

    Chapter 0424 Hannah


    The festival was in full swing by the time Viona, Drake and I walked in. String lights zig-zagged between towering trees, food stands smelled fragrantly of fried dough and roasted walnuts, couples wandered around hand-in-hand. And up ahead, I saw Noah approaching.


    My spine straightened the moment I saw him. He wore an army green jacket and dark jeans cuffed around leather boots, his dark hair peeking out from beneath a ck beanie.


    He looked so... rxed. Casual. Nothing at all like the rigid Alpha I''d once been married to.


    Viona smirked and nudged me with her elbow as he approached. "Herees Prince Charming."


    I blushed, but didn''t have time toe up with a retort before Noah was stopping in front of me with that serene smile on his face, his hands stuffed into his pockets.


    "Hannah. You look nice."


    Blushing even harder, I looked down at my outfit-a simple pair of jeans and a sweater. It was chilly out this time of evening, and seeing how the festival was all outside, I wanted to dress for practicality rather than style. But thepliment was nice.


    "Thanks. You don''t look half-bad yourself."


    Noah''s smile widened slightly, and he turned to Drake and Viona. "Are you guys-"


    "Nope. You two can be all lovey-dovey on your own," Drake said, draping his arm around Viona and leading her away. The two of them immediately veered into the crowd and disappeared, clearly not wanting to linger in the stench of our awkwardness any longer than they needed to.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Well then." Noah turned back to me and extended his hand. "Shall we?"


    Nodding, I tentatively took his hand-trying not to let my mind fixate on how warm andforting his palm felt against mine-and followed him into the festival.


    As we walked, I couldn''t help but think about my little visit with Alvin the other day. It had been on my mind all week, keeping me up at night. "So," I said, ncing over at Noah, "I talked to Alvin. Well, tried to, at least."


    "Oh?" Noah raised an eyebrow. "How did it go?"


    I shrugged. "He remained silent, of course. This is all so... frustrating."


    "You can say that again." Noah''s face hardened, and I knew he was thinking about Zoe. Noticing me looking, he sighed and said, "They''ll all be behind bars soon. I know it''s not the most satisfying thing, the waiting part of it all, but it''s almost over."


    I pursed my lips, considering for a moment. "Sometimes I just wish that the bigeuppance at the wedding had been the final part of it. That it could be like the movies and they''d all be thrown in prison


    1/3.


    immediately with no trial and they''d confess to all of their crimes from the get-go."


    Noah snorted. "If only the real world were that simple."


    Noah was right; it wasn''t that simple. Maybe once, many years ago, Alphas could take whichever prisoners they liked, make their ownws, treat their packnd like its own independent country.


    But those days had also been rife with trouble-thanks to Alphas who could essentially do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted.


    That was why the Alpha Council had been created-a world government of sorts. A standardized set ofws and policies across all packs, with actual repercussions for the Alphas who stuck to the old ways. It was a way to keep peoples'' rights protected and avoid t-out civil war.


    But while the Alpha Council created a lot of good in the world, the bureaucracy of it all could sometimes get... tiring.


    "Our trials are in a month," I mused as we meandered through the densely-packed stalls, our hands still intertwined. "I have no doubt that the Council will deem Alvin guilty. But Zoe..."


    Noah stopped in his tracks at the mention of her name and turned to look at me. "Hannah, I think I''d just like to enjoy tonight without thinking of them, if that''s okay."


    I felt a heat creep up my cheeks. "You''re right. I''m sorry. It''s just hard to shut that part of my brain off sometimes."


    "I understandpletely." Noah gave my hand a squeeze, his expression reassuring. "But I, too, have no doubt that the Council will put Zoe behind bars."


    I nodded, managing a small smile. I was certain that Noah was working diligently to collect evidence in preparation of the trial. We both were.


    "A flower for the lovely couple?"


    The sound of an old woman''s voice caused us both to turn, facing a flower peddler with a basket of roses hooked over one arm. She held one rose out to Noah, a smile on her weathered face. "Such a beautiful Alpha and Luna." Oh, great, I thought, wondering if I should correct her on the title or if it wasn''t worth it.


    But Noah beat me to it.


    "We''re actually both Alphas."


    "Oh?" The woman raised her eyebrows and looked at me, shocked. I would have said something had I not been just as shocked as she was. I supposed I shouldn''t have been so surprised anymore at Noah''s change in demeanor, but... Still. Hearing him use my title like that made something flutter in my chest.


    "Yes. Women can be Alphas, too," Noah said kindly as he reached into his wallet and withdrew a few bills


    The woman cocked her head. "But you are Noah and Hannah, are you not? I thought you got back together after that whole ordeal with that awful girl... I saw it on the news!"


    "We''re dating." Noah continued to smile politely and held the bills out. "I know it seems like we''re back


    together, but..." He nced at me. "Well, don''t get me wrong, I would love to marry Hannah all over again, But I didn''t treat her as well as I should have during our marriage. So right now, we are rebuilding trust, one step at a time." I didn''t know what to say. My mouth worked uselessly, like a puppet on strings. And all the while, those green eyes just looked at me, a soft smile stretched across Noah''s slender lips.


    With a chuckle, the woman took Noah''s cash and handed him the rose. "How sweet," she said, already spotting more customers now that she was finished with us. "Best of luck to you!" Once she was gone, Noah turned to me and held out the rose between us. "For thedy."


    In those moments, the rest of the festival seemed to slip away. There were no string lights, no vendors, no other couples. Just us and a single red rose.


    I gingerly took the rose, our fingertips touching as I did.


    "Thank you," I murmured, carefully prodding the petals with my index finger. "Did you... Did you really mean all that?"


    Noah nodded. "I hope it wasn''t too much."


    quickly shook my head, my eyes meeting his. "No. It was perfect. Thank you for saying that."


    Noah''s shoulders almost seemed to slump with relief. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but. before he could, a voice suddenly came on over the loudspeakers. "Ladies and gentlemen... Ultimate Frisbee is about to begin! Join us on the athletic field if you''d like to y!


    My eyes lit up at the thought of a game, my wolf bristling with excitement inside of me. "Frisbee," I echoed, feeling like a little kid again. "I haven''t yed in so long..." Noah, noticing my fervor, chuckled and began pulling me toward the field.


    "Come on, then. Let''s y."

 Chapter 425

    Chapter 0425 Chapter 0425


    Hannah


    The air was abuzz with excitement as we gathered on the field. Wolves of all shapes and sizes were already milling about, their fur gleaming in the moonlight. I could feel my own wolf stirring beneath my skin, eager to finally be let loose after far too long in my human form.


    "Alright, everyone!" the referee called out, blowing his whistle. "Men on one team, women on the other. You know the rules-Ultimate Frisbee, but in wolf form. First team to score ten points wins!"


    I nced at Noah, and there was no hiding thepetitive glint in my eye. "I hope you''re ready to lose."


    He grinned, already beginning to shift. "In your dreams, Hannah."


    As my bones cracked and reshaped, I felt the familiar rush of power that came with the transformation. It had been too long, far too long, and shifting felt like itching a scratch that I hadn''t reached in months.


    In mere moments, I stood on four paws, my chestnut fur ruffling in the cool night breeze. My senses were sharper, my muscles taut, my ears perked.


    The referee tossed the frisbee high into the air, and the game began.


    I darted across the field, weaving betweenrger wolves with ease. My agility had always been my strong suit, and now, as an Alpha, it seemed even more pronounced. I could hear the crowd''s gasps and cheers as I made impossible leaps and lightning-fast turns. With one graceful leap, I spotted Viona near the end zone and sent the frisbee flying her way with a quick flick of my muzzle.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    But Noah intercepted, his silver fur an icy blur as he raced toward the opposite end of the field. I growled yfully and gave chase, my paws barely touching the ground as I pushed myself to catch up.


    The game continued well into overtime, both teams scoring point after point, neck-and-neck for the entire


    game.


    It was exhrating, feeling the wind in my fur, the earth beneath my paws, the camaraderie with my teammates. For a while, I forgot about being an Alpha, about all the responsibilities and worries. I was just a wolf, ying a game under the light of the moon.


    As the score reached 10-10, the tensions mounted. This was the tie-breaker round, which meant that the next point would decide the game. Noah had the frisbee, dodging and weaving through our defense.


    I saw my chance and took it, charging straight for him,


    At thest second, I leaped. Time seemed to slow as I soared over Noah, my jaws snapping shut around the frisbee. We collided and tumbled to the ground, a tangle of fur and limbs. And then, just before we hit the ground, I threw my head back and hurled the frisbee in an elegant arc into the goal.


    When we came to a stop, I found myself pinning Noah down, the frisbee floating down into the point zone behind us. But I hardly saw the frisbee, hardly cared that the buzzer had gone off.


    In that moment, something shifted between us. It was like...


    Like a string was attached to our hearts. One that had once been broken, but was now slowly reforming. I


    could feel Noah''s rapid heartbeat as if it were my own. Could smell everything he smelled, feel everything he felt. Like we were... one.


    It was unlike anything I''d ever felt before.


    Noah had told me that our mate bond had been cut before I had even known we had one. And because of that, I had never felt my fated mate''s soul intertwined with mine. I just thought I was one of the unlucky ones who had never gotten to experience that. Was this what it was like? To feel the bond reforming?


    "Goal!" the referee''s voice suddenly broke through the haze. "Women win!"


    Cheers erupted from the crowd, but I barely heard them. As I shifted back to my human form, I realized I was still on top of Noah, our faces inches apart. His green eyes were dark with an emotion I knew only as desire, his breath warm against my cheek.

 Chapter 426

    Chapter 0426


    For a moment, I thought we might kiss right there on the field. But then I caught sight of the jumbotr¨®n, our tangled forms disyed for all to see. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I quickly scrambled to my feet, offering Noah a hand up.


    He took it, a grin spreading across his face as he stood. "You really have changed, Hannah," he said, shaking my hand formally. "That was impressive."


    I tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, still feeling flushed. "Thanks. That was a lot of fun."


    As the crowd began to disperse, Noah gestured toward a quieter area of the festival. "Want to take a walk?"


    I nodded, falling into step beside him. We walked infortable silence for a while, the sounds of the festival fading into the background.


    Finally, once we were alone, Noah spoke. "How has it been? Being a female Alpha, I mean.''


    I took a deep breath, considering my words. "It''s... intense. I love it, I really do. The sense of purpose, the ability to make a real difference for my pack. But..."


    "But?" Noah prompted gently.


    "But there are a lot of struggles too," I admitted. "Sometimes, I wonder if I''m even cut out for this. It feels like so many people expect me to fail, and... I make so many mistakes. Like not having enough security around me and assuming I''ll be fine on my own, or doing stupid things that just make matters worse for myself. I want to be perfect, to prove to everyone that I''m not just some inexperienced baby ying at being an Alpha. But it feels impossible."


    "You know, I once thought I wasn''t cut out for being an Alpha too."


    I looked at him in surprise. "Really? But you''ve always seemed so... confident."


    He chuckled, shaking his head. "It was all an act, at least at first. I never told you, but when we first got married, I really doubted myself. Hell, I still doubt myself a lot now."


    "You do?" I couldn''t hide my shock. Noah had always seemed so sure of himself, so in control. The perfect Alpha.


    "Of course," he said. "Being an Alpha is being a leader, and leaders are not perfect. What matters is that we do our best for our people whenever we can. If we mess up sometimes, as long as we try our best to do what is right, our people will understand." His words settled over me, soothing some of the anxiety I had been carrying as ofte. "I guess I never thought of it that way," I murmured.


    We walked in silence for a few more steps before I gathered the courage to ask the question that had been on my mindtely. "Noah... do you think we could ever be together and both be Alphas at the same time? I don''t want to go back to being a Luna." Noah was quiet for a long moment, and I felt my heart rate pick up as I waited for his response. I hoped I hadn''t hurt him somehow. Finally, he turned to me, his expression serious.


    "I don''t know," he said honestly. "It''s not something that''s been done before, at least not that I know of.


    But Hannah..." He took my hands in his, his touch sending sparks through my body. "If I had no choice but to give up my station to be with you again, I would do it in a heartbeat."


    His words, so sincere and heartfelt, broke down thest of my reservations.


    Without thinking, I threw my arms around my neck and kissed him like he was thest man on earth. He smiled against my mouth and tangled his fingers in my hair and kissed me back just as fiercely. And I swore I felt that invisible string reform just a little bit more.


    Today''s Bonus OfferContent rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 427

    Chapter 0427 Chapter 0427


    Hannah


    Thete afternoon sun filtered through therge windows of my office, casting a warm glow across the mahogany and leather. The pile of papers on my desk was finally dwindling, and it was good timing, too- it was nearly five o''clock and I was itching to take my daughter on a walk through the gardens before the sun went down.


    But as my pen scratched across the paper, I could feel my Beta''s eyes on me.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I nced up to see Viona sitting across from me with that knowing smirk of hers stered onto her face. I knew that look all too well, and I sighed, setting down my pen.


    "Go ahead. I know you want to ask."


    Viona''s smirk turned into an impish grin. "So... You made out with Noahst night, huh?"


    Even though I knew this wasing, I felt heat rush to my cheeks at the mention ofst night. Noah''s lips on mine, the sensation of his cool hands slipping up beneath my sweater to caress my warm skin...


    We hadn''t taken it too much further, had stopped ourselves once we realized that we were inches away from hooking up right there against the tree, but the desire aching in my low belly still lingered today. I looked away. "I don''t know what you''re talking about," I said, feigning innocence.


    Viona rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Everyone saw you walk off together after you almost snogged right there on the jumbotron."


    I sighed, knowing I couldn''t avoid this conversation any longer. My fingers absently traced the edge of a file on my desk as I said quietly, "We just kissed."


    "I know. But how was it?" Viona pressed.


    "It was... amazing," I admitted, my voice softening. "When we kissed, it felt like... like some invisible thread was reforming between us. Like a piece of me that I didn''t even know was missing suddenly clicked back into ce."


    "A mate bond?"


    I nodded. "I think it was... reforming somehow." I paused, shaking my head wistfully. "You know, all my life, I thought I was just one of those people who would never meet their fated mate. It''s fairly rare these days with so many people in the world, you know? So I never thought too much of it."


    "But now?" Viona prompted.


    "Now..." I paused, trying to find the right words. "I wonder if this is how it feels to have your soul truly bound to another-beyond love, beyond the simple bond that''s formed through marriage. A real fated mate..."


    "It''s like everything suddenly makes sense," Viona murmured.


    I nodded. "All those times Noah and I couldn''t seem to stay apart, even when we were at our worst... it wasn''t just stubbornness or habit, like I once thought it was. It was something deeper,"


    I thought back on all the times Noah and I should have broken up for good, all the times we drove each other crazy, yet somehow always found our way back to each other.


    "At the time, it was infuriating how we couldn''t seem to get away from each other no matter how hard we tried," I chuckled, leaning back in my chair. "But now, looking back, I think we were always meant to be together. Not even Zoe''s little ritual could truly rip us apart." Viona''s smile turned to a sneer. Even the mention of Zoe''s name, especially what she had done to us, made both of us turn sour.


    But then she sighed and said, "I really am happy for you, Hannah. It''s nice to see you falling in love all over again. And it''s about time Noah started being the sweet, kind person you deserve instead of an asshole." Iughed at that. "It feels like a fog lifted and the real Noah finally came back to me after all these years. But..." I felt myself sober a bit. "There''s j

 Chapter 428

    Chapter 0428


    "What''s that?" Viona asked, her expression turning serious again.


    I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "If we got back together, I could lose my title. Nightcrest would absorb Silvermoon, which I suppose would be okay since Silvermoon residents wouldn''t be without an Alpha, but..."


    My voice trailed off, and I thought back to my discussion with my father. He''d said that I would have even more power if that happened, that it would be... better.


    But it didn''t feel better.


    It just felt like I would be losing something that I''d worked damn hard for..


    "I just don''t understand why I would need to be the one to give up my title," I mused. "After everything I''ve been through, everything I''ve fought for... it just feels wrong to give it all up now. So soon after taking my rightful ce as female Alpha." Viona was quiet for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought. Then she suggested, "You know, Noah could always give up his title."


    I snorted, the idea seeming downright absurd. "Yeah, right. Can you imagine Noah stepping down as Alpha of Nightcrest? He''s changed, Viona, but not that much."


    "You never know," Viona shrugged, her eyes serious. "People can surprise you. Especially when love is involved."


    I blinked for a few moments, processing. Love. For an Alpha like Noah to give up his title so I could retain mine... It felt like a fairytale.


    "Maybe," I said quietly. "But even if he was willing, it would cause a whole other slew of problems-paint him as subservient and me as controlling. Create unrest in the pack, lose respect from outside the pack... I don''t know. It feels like we might be at an impasse here."


    I sighed, my gaze drifting to the framed photo of Melody on my desk. She was starting to show her own personality now, a feisty little firecracker-the perfectbination of me and Noah.


    "I really do want Melody to grow up in a home with her parents together," I continued. "It''s such a tough decision. I want it all-my title, my mate, a happy family. Is that too much to ask?" Viona shook her head. "If anyone deserves to have it all, it''s you, Hannah. You-"


    Just then, a sharp buzz cut through our conversation. I nced at the security monitor on my desk-a new addition after myst unpleasant surprise visit from Darkmoon.


    I wished I had installed better security sooner, but so much had happened since I''d be Alpha that it had slipped my mind. And my father, well... He never had to worry about intrudersing onto his packnds. People respected him. So he''d never installed gates or proper security around our shared estate.


    But betterte than never, I supposed.


    Leaning forward, I saw who was waiting for me. The screen showed a ck car idling at the shiny new gates.


    Chapter 042#


    "Speaking of unwanted visitors," I muttered, recognizing the face that appeared as the driver rolled down the window to speak to my security officer.


    Darkmoon''s Beta. Again.


    "Oh, Goddess. What is it now?" Viona groaned.


    "What do you want?" I asked, not bothering to hide the annoyance in my voice as I held down the inte button.


    "I''vee with a request from Alpha David. He would like to meet tonight... on neutral territory," the Beta replied.


    Viona snorted. I couldn''t help butugh myself. "What makes him think I would speak with him after what he did to me?"


    A pause, then: "He has a... proposition for you, Alpha Hannah," the Beta replied. "One that you won''t want to refuse." Today''s Bonus OfferText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 429

    Chapter 0429


    Hannah


    The meeting location that Alpha David picked out was, indeed, in neutral territory.


    And it was far less unsavory than the ce where I had met Jen.


    My eyes immediately locked onto David, who was sitting at a corner table of the upscale lounge with his own security detail surrounding him. The sight of him made my blood boil, memories of our encounter in the parking garage and my subsequent humiliation in his prison flooding back.


    My hands clenched into fists at my sides, and I had to take a deep breath to steady myself. The taste of bile rose in my throat as I remembered the cold cell, the leering guards, the feeling of utter helplessness. "You okay?" Viona whispered, her hand brushing mine as we walked into the lounge.


    I nodded tightly, but inside I was berating myself all over again. Seeing him in the flesh like this just reawakened those memories, and I still felt like a fool for letting his Beta and guards take me into custody that day. How could I have been so careless? So naive?


    No wonder no one took me seriously as an Alpha.


    As if reading my thoughts, Viona squeezed my arm. "Hey. It wasn''t your fault, Hannah," she murmured, her voice low enough that only I could hear. "You were only trying to protect Melody. And besides, we should have stopped it." She gestured to herself and my security officers, who were currently nking me. "That''s on us."


    I swallowed hard, trying to push down the lump in my throat. "Well, I still shouldn''t have gone with them so easily," I muttered. "But I won''t make the same mistake twice. Whatever David wants, we''re handling it right here in this lounge or he can shove it."


    We approached the table, and David stood, a smirk ying at his lips. His eyes raked over me with no shame, and I felt my skin crawl. "Alpha Hannah, so good of you to join us. I was beginning to think you might not show."Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "What do you want, David?" I asked coldly, not bothering to sit down. I could feel the eyes of everyone in the lounge on us, but I kept my gaze fixed on him.


    David gestured to the chair across the polished table. "Please, have a seat. Can I offer you a drink? The whiskey here is excellent."


    "I don''t intend to pay you back with sexual favors," I sneered, "so I won''t allow you to buy one. Let''s just cut the pleasantries and get to the point, shall we?"


    David''s smirk faltered for a moment, reced by a sh of annoyance. But he quickly schooled his features back into a mask of indifference. "Always so dramatic. This is a business meeting, nothing more. But if you insist on standing, by all means." "Then let''s get to business," I said, my voice sharp. "What is this about? Why did you call me here?"


    David leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him. He seemed to be savoring the moment drawing out the tension. Finally, he held out his hand toward his Beta, who ced a tablet onto


    his palm.


    "We both have something the other wants," David said as he tapped on the tablet screen. "I have evidence that will help you put your darling cousin behind bars, and you havend that I want to absorb into Darkmoon." I raised an eyebrow at that. "Evidence? What kind of evidence?" My heart was pounding, but I kept my face impassive. I couldn''t let him see how desperate I was for anything that could help me put Alvin in prison. 1 Without a word, David tapped onest time on the tablet, and a recording began to y. I recognized Alvin''s voice immediately, and what I heard made me shudder.


    "The bitch will never sire a little brat of her own," Alvin''s voice came through, loud and clear. "She''s such a dumb whore who only cares about being skinny, she''ll probably even take enough pills to kill herself before too long...''


    Before the recording could y to the end, David stopped it and looked up at me with a self-satisfied smirk on his face.


    "Your cousin-dearest loved frequenting the brothels in my pack, as you well know," David rified as he handed the tablet back to his Beta. "But what he didn''t know was that this particr brothel is sanctioned by Darkmoon, and thus has security cameras in every room. Which means that his grandiose bragging was immediately reported."

 Chapter 430

    Chapter 0430


    +25 BOHUS


    I tried to keep my expression neutral, but inside, my mind was racing. This footage was invaluable. With it, there was no way the Council could ignore Alvin''s crimes.


    David leaned back, a smug look on his face. "Of course, I could give you this evidence, even testify in front of the Council for you. But we have a history, don''t we?" My eyes narrowed. "If you expect me to sleep with you in exchange for-"


    "Nothing like that, I assure you, Alpha Hannah," David stopped me with his hand held up. "All I ask is fornd; if you give me that sweet little chunk of your northernnd that sits on the border between Darkmoon and Silvermoon, then I will help you. And perhaps we can put everything else behind us as well."


    I knew thend that David was referring to; Darkmoon had been trying to get it for years. My father always


    wanted.


    But Alvin was also the onest threat to my daughter that I krfew of. And this evidence that David had in his possession could be the one thing to put him behind bars, where he couldn''t hurt anyone except himself.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    refused, saying that Darkmoon would just keep asking for more if we gave them what th


    I turned to Viona, speaking in a low voice. "What do you think?"


    She frowned, considering. Her eyes darted between me and David, weighing our options. "The evidence is highly valuable, and having him testify would be a huge boon," she whispered. "But givingnd to David might make him think he can ask for more in the future... It''s a dangerous precedent to set."


    I nodded, my mind whirling with possibilities and potential consequences. Thend David wanted wasn''t exactly crucial to Silvermoon-it was just arge swathe of forest-but the idea of giving any part of my territory to him after what he''d done to me made my skin crawl. And yet, the chance to finally bring Alvin to justice...


    Finally, I turned back to David. "Here is my offer. As a one-time thing, I''ll give you thend you want and even a little extra on top, on one condition: you never ask to expand your borders into Silvermoon territory again. This is it, David. One deal, and then we''re done. David''s eyes lit up at the mention of extrand, but he remained silent, waiting for me to continue.


    "And there''s one more thing," I added, my voice firm. "You leave Jen alone. Clear her criminal record in Darkmoon and don''t try toe for her. She is a member of Silvermoon now, and she is rehabilitating herself and no longer drug dealing. She gets a clean te. Understood?"


    David leaned in to confer with his Beta, their whispers too low for me to hear.


    After a moment that felt like an eternity, he straightened and nodded. "Very well. I''ll take the offer. It seems we both get what we want."


    Relief washed over me, but I kept my expression neutral. I couldn''t let him see how much this meant to me. "Good. We''ll have ourwyers draw up the paperwork. I want everything in writing, notarized and binding before the trial in a month." David stood, offering me a thin smile that didn''t reach his eyes. "Of course. I wouldn''t have it any other


    Chapter $430


    way." He extended his hand, and after a moment''s hesitation, I took it. It was all I could do to resist the urge to hit him again.


    When he finally released my hand, his smile widened. He snapped his fingers and his security team rose as one, brushing past me like a cold wind.


    "See you at the trial, Alpha Hannah," David called over his shoulder before slipping out of the lounge.


    Only once he was gone did I allow myself to sink down into the chair beside me. And despite my shock, my wariness...


    I couldn''t help but smile.


    Today''s Bonus Offer

 Chapter 431

    Chapter 0431


    Noah


    Noah sighed and leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking quietly under his weight as he shifted.


    His green eyes scanned the cluttered desk in front of him, which was currently piled higher than ever with documents and evidence for the uing trials-not to mention all of the other tasks that came along with being Alpha. Noah had no Luna. No Beta. And he had fired Leonard months ago when he tried to force Hannah to drink


    that truth serum.


    Noah was basically a lone Alpha.


    He hadn''t even hired a bloody assistant to answer phone calls for him yet.


    "Too bad my Beta turned out to be a snake," he muttered to himself as he passed a hand over his weary face, a bitter taste in his mouth at the thought of his half-brother''s betrayal.


    But at least Scott was in prison now-and he had made it nice and easy, too, with his full confession.


    And hopefully, Zoe would soon join him there. The thought of seeing her behind bars, that pretty manicure of hers ruined and mascara streaked down her face, brought a grim satisfaction to Noah''s heart.


    But the road to justice wasn''t as simple as it had once been. Hannah had put it pretty well at the Full Moon Festival: "If only it were like the movies."


    Yes... If only.


    Many years ago, an Alpha''s word was absolutew on their packnds. If Noah had lived during those times, he could have thrown Zoe and Scott into a dungeon and thrown away the key without so much as a trial if he wanted.


    But times had changed, and with them, thews that governed their world.


    Now, the Alpha Council would ultimately have to decide if Zoe was guilty enough to go to prison for life. Noah could jail her temporarily, but without a proper trial, he would have to release her eventually.


    It was a frustrating process, but he knew it was ultimately for the best. Power gone unchecked could lead to tyranny, after all. Darkmoon was one of thest vestiges of the old ways, and look what they were like: militaristic and antagonistic with a prick for an Alpha. But even Alpha David was subject to the Council''s punishments if he stepped too far out of line.


    As Noah scanned the room, his gaze fell on a particr document amidst the chaos on his desk-the DNA test results for Adam. He picked it up, reading over the contents once more even though he had memorized them by now.


    "Well, Scott," he said to the empty room, "looks like you were telling the truth about one thing, at least." The test confirmed without a doubt that Adam was indeed Scott''s son, not Drake''s. It was the final piece of evidence that Noah needed for the trial, thest nail in the coffin of Zoe''s lies.


    Combined with Scott''s confession, it should be enough to ensure that Zoe faced the consequences of


    +25 BORRUS


    her actions.


    And then... Noah and Hannah could finally move on.


    Rebuild what those bastards had broken down.


    The thought of Hannah brought a smile to his face, chasing away some of the stress that had been weighing on him. Tomorrow, she would be facing her own trial, confronting Alvin for his part in this mess. He had no doubt that she was well-prepared and that the trial would go smoothly.


    Noah''s eyes drifted to hisputer screen, where a news article about Hannah''s uing trial was disyed. Her photo apanied the piece, and Noah found himself tracing the outline of her face with his finger.


    It had been a month since the Full Moon Festival, a month since that kiss that still lingered on his lips.


    They hadn''t had a single moment alone together since then, both of them too consumed by the preparations for the trials. But that kiss...


    Noah could still feel the electricity of it, the way the world had seemed to fall away until there was nothing but Hannah.


    That night, the mate bond between them-the one that Zoe and Scott had destroyed out of their own selfishness-had begun to reform.


    Noah had felt it. Could still feel it now. And he knew Hannah could feel it, too.


    Because sometimes, in the middle of the night when he was lying awake in what was once their marriage bed, he could feel a tug on that bond.


    Like her soul was reaching for him.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Noah intended to officially ask Hannah to be his girlfriend once these damn trials were over. He really wanted her to marry him right away, but Hannah had set her boundaries, and Noah intended to honor them.


    So girlfriend it would have to be.


    The idea both thrilled and terrified him. What if she said no? What if the wounds of the past were still too fresh? But then he remembered the look in her eyes that night at the festival, the way she had melted into his arms, and hope bloomed in his chest. Still, their reunion-assuming they did get remarried someday-wouldn''t be so simple.


    Two Alphas, marrying one another...


    It had only been within the past thirty years that gay marriage had been legalized across all the packs, by decree of the Alpha Council. But even then, if two male Alphas married, one of them still had to take on the formal title and responsibilities of ''Luna'' while the other remained the ''Alpha''.


    Okay, so maybe the Alpha Council wasn''t perfect in its policies. But at least it was something, and pack leaders could actually marry who they loved without having to pass as straight.


    But for two Alphas to marry and to keep their titles...


    Well, it wasn''t going to be easy to convince the Council of that. Especially since Hannah was a won


    and female Alphas were still seen as jokes by many. In fact, Hannah was the only female Alpha currently- not the only one to have ever existed, but the only one in this current political climate.


    Still, Noah intended to stay true to his word. He had told Hannah that he would give up his station need be, and he meant it.


    Not that giving up Nightcrest was a decision he took lightly; in fact, he sort of loathed the idea. Silvermoon could absorb Nightcrest and Hannah could rule both packs on her own, but not everyone would be okay with that.


    Noah would be seen as a weakling of a man, and Hannah... She''d instantly bebeled as a dominatrix by


    many.


    It was bound to be a contentious situation, one that could cause unrest in their people and the other packs.


    But which was worse, Noah wondered?


    Struggling through the arduous process of legalizing Alpha-Alpha marriages?


    Giving up his station at the expense of both his and Hannah''s reputations?


    Or not getting to be with her at all?


    Noah supposed that the third option was the worst out of all of them.


    But for now, one step at a time; he was getting ahead of himself. Hannah hadn''t even agreed to be his girlfriend yet, and before that...


    Before that, he had to ensure that their enemies were finally put behind bars, where they belonged.

 Chapter 432

    Chapter 0432 Hannah


    The crowd fell into a low murmur as I walked into the Alpha Council chambers, my all-female security team nking me and Viona close behind.


    As we made our way down the aisle, I could hear the whispers and sneers from some of the males in the audience. Their eyes raked over me and my team in the most unabashed of ways, no matter that we were in a court ofw. "Look at that, a girl''s night out," one muttered, eliciting chuckles from his nearbypanions.


    Another voice carried across the room, "I wonder if she''s here to bake us all cookies."


    I gritted my teeth but held my head high, resisting the urge to say something nasty in return. Their words were just pathetic attempts at getting a rise out of me just to say they could, and I had more important matters to focus on today. After all, today was the day of my cousin''s trial before the Alpha Council.


    As we approached the front of the chamber, I saw Alvin already sitting beside hiswyer, looking just as


    smug as ever.


    But then his eyes met mine, and I saw a flicker of something-fear-pass his face for the briefest of moments before his arrogant mask quickly slipped back into ce. Good.


    Taking a deep breath, I passed by him and stopped in the center of the room, where the Alpha Council was seated around a semicircr panel facing the crowd.


    Every Alpha on the Council was here today. All except one; Drake, of course, given his personal history with me, was exempt from sitting on the Council today.


    As I stood in front of the Council, the room seemed to go deafeningly silent. One of the Alphas at the center of the table leaned forward, his cold gray eyes raking over me as if appraising me.


    "Luna Hannah," he said, gesturing to me. "Wee-"


    "It''s Alpha Hannah now," I corrected without missing a beat. I felt Viona stiffen beside me, a snicker rippling across the audience.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    The Alpha set his jaw, but nodded. "My apologies, Alpha Hannah. Let us continue."


    Taking a deep breath, I turned to face the rest of the Council. "Honorable members of the Alpha Council, I stand before you today to use my cousin, Alvin, of intentionally poisoning me in an attempt to kill the Silvermoon heir. With your permission, I would like to call my first witness to the stand. Jen, please step


    forward."


    Jen approached, looking nervous and so much smaller in her neat button-down and trousers-an outfit that I''d had to provide for her just hours before, seeing as how she pretty much only owned enormous hoodies.


    "Jen, can you please tell the Council the name of your online alias?"


    She swallowed hard, big eyes darting around the Council. "WhiteRabbit," she finally said.


    I think I saw Alvin''s shoulders tense.


    "Thank you, Jen," I said with a warm smile. "Now, could you please tell the Council of your history with Alvin? Starting from the beginning."


    She nodded, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Alvin reached out to me a few years back-said he had a job for me. He provided me with diet pills and instructed me to sell them to Alpha Hannah."


    Jen paused, sucking in a deep breath, then continued, "I really needed the money, so I took the job. It wasn''t until two yearster that I tested one of the pills and found contraceptives inside." She shook her head, her pale face somehow going even paler. "I didn''t know, at the time, why he wanted to give his cousin contraceptives. I knew it was wrong, though; and I told him as such. But he told me to keep selling, otherwise he would report me to the Alpha of Darkmoon."


    "And did you keep any record of your interactions with my cousin?" I prompted.


    "Yes," Jen replied, pulling out her phone. "I saved all of our text messages. I knew... I knew what we were doing was wrong, and I wanted to have proof in case things went south."


    "Keep selling or I''ll make sure you get locked up in the grimiest cell there is in Darkmoon," she read. And that''s assuming I don''t decide to take you as my own prisoner. I wonder which would be worse..." Jen paused, ncing up at me and then at Alvin before continuing meekly. "To be my ve, or for a pretty little thing like you to be thrown in a Darkmoon prison with lots of other males to fight over you.''


    I suppressed a shudder at that; even the crowd murmured nervously. Turning to the Council-and ignoring my cousin''s piercing stare-I said, "I believe the evidence my witness just presented speaks for itself, ''Alphas."


    Today''s Bonus Offer

 Chapter 433

    25 BONUS Chapter


    0433


    The Council looked around at each other, speaking in hushed tones. Some nodded, their gazes growing stony as they nced at my cousin.


    However, before any of them could speak, Alvin''swyer jumped up. "Objection. How can we trust the word of a criminal? Someone who has fled from Darkmoon and sought asylum in Silvermoon? Jen, also known as White Rabbit, is a known drug dealer in Darkmoon pack."


    The same Alpha from before nodded. "The objection is noted. Alpha Hannah, do you have any other evidence to corroborate this testimony?"


    I had anticipated this, of course. "Yes, your honor. I understand your concerns," I replied coolly. "Which is why I would like to call my next witness to the stand. Alpha David of Darkmoon, please step forward."


    A collective gasp went through the room as David entered. I could feel the tension rise, everyone all too aware of the animosity between us.


    "Alpha David," I began, "can you please tell the Council about Alvin''s recent behavior in Darkmoon?"


    David''s testimony was damning. He spoke of Alvin''s drinking, his visits to prostitutes, his public indecency, having to arrest him and give him back to me like an unruly brat. And then, he dropped the bombshell.


    "I have here," David said, holding up a tablet, "security camera footage of Alvin bragging about his crimes to a prostitute."


    "The bitch will never sire a little brat of her own,"" my cousin''s voice echoed through the chamber. "She''s such a dumb whore who only cares about being skinny, she''ll probably even take enough pills to kill ''herself before too long."" I winced at the recording, but kept, my shoulders pulled back.


    "Don''t you feel... I don''t know... Bad about doing that to her?"" the prostitute replied. "She''s your rtive,


    and-""


    "Sorry, am I here to listen to you spew shit out of your mouth or to fuck you? Roll over.""


    As the video ended, I could see the shock on the Council members'' faces turn to fury. Alvin''s smug expression had vanished, reced by a sickly pallor.


    After a palpable silence, one of the Council members turned to me, his brow furrowed. "Alpha Hannah, this is quite... unexpected. Your alliance with Alpha David, given your recent history..."


    I nodded and replied, "We have made amends for the sake of justice."


    I nced at David, whose jaw was set hard. I recalled our meeting from two weeks ago all too well, and the treaty we''d made still didn''t sit right. But for the sake of justice, and tentative peace... It would be worth it.


    As the Council retreated to deliberate, I felt a knot of anxiety in my stomach. I had yed all my cards. Now, all I could do was wait.


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    The minutes ticked by like hours.


    Finally, after what seemed like ages, the Council members filed back into the room. The same Alpha from before stood to give their decision, and I found myself clutching Viona''s hand like a vise. "After careful consideration of the evidence presented, the Alpha began, "we havee to a decision. Alvin, please rise."


    Alvin stood, his face a mask of feigned indifference, but I could see the fear in his eyes.


    He knew he was going to prison.


    And he wouldn''t be getting out.


    "Alvin, you have been found guilty of attempted murder and conspiracy against an Alpha. You are hereby sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole. Furthermore, you are stripped of all pack rights and privileges. Do you understand these terms?" Only then did Alvin''s facade crack, his face contorting with rage. "This... This is bullshit!" he shouted, whirling on his heel and striding toward me. "You can''t do this to me!"


    I stepped back, allowing my guards to form a tight circle around me. My head guard let a feral snarl rip from her throat, ws extending. But the bailiff was already yanking Alvin back and cuffing him.


    "You fucking bitch!" Alvin shrieked, spittle flying from his mouth. "You''re going to pay for this! You think I worked alone? You really are just as dumb as you look if that''s what you really think!"


    "Alpha Hannah, want me to...?" My head guard turned to me, cracking her neck and nodding toward Alvin.


    The thought of seeing Alvin being beaten to a pulp in front of everyone was tempting. But no; I wouldn''t give him, or anyone else for that matter, the satisfaction. So I shook my head, a tiny smile ying on my lips. "No. That won''t be necessary."


    "This isn''t over, Hannah!" Alvin shouted as the guards dragged him out in handcuffs. "And you know it!"

 Chapter 434

    25 BONUS Chapter


    0433


    The Council looked around at each other, speaking in hushed tones. Some nodded, their gazes growing stony as they nced at my cousin.


    However, before any of them could speak, Alvin''swyer jumped up. "Objection. How can we trust the word of a criminal? Someone who has fled from Darkmoon and sought asylum in Silvermoon? Jen, also known as White Rabbit, is a known drug dealer in Darkmoon pack."


    The same Alpha from before nodded. "The objection is noted. Alpha Hannah, do you have any other evidence to corroborate this testimony?"


    I had anticipated this, of course. "Yes, your honor. I understand your concerns," I replied coolly. "Which is why I would like to call my next witness to the stand. Alpha David of Darkmoon, please step forward."


    A collective gasp went through the room as David entered. I could feel the tension rise, everyone all too aware of the animosity between us.


    "Alpha David," I began, "can you please tell the Council about Alvin''s recent behavior in Darkmoon?"


    David''s testimony was damning. He spoke of Alvin''s drinking, his visits to prostitutes, his public indecency, having to arrest him and give him back to me like an unruly brat. And then, he dropped the bombshell.


    "I have here," David said, holding up a tablet, "security camera footage of Alvin bragging about his crimes to a prostitute."


    "The bitch will never sire a little brat of her own,"" my cousin''s voice echoed through the chamber. "She''s such a dumb whore who only cares about being skinny, she''ll probably even take enough pills to kill ''herself before too long."" I winced at the recording, but kept, my shoulders pulled back.


    "Don''t you feel... I don''t know... Bad about doing that to her?"" the prostitute replied. "She''s your rtive,


    and-""


    "Sorry, am I here to listen to you spew shit out of your mouth or to fuck you? Roll over.""Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    As the video ended, I could see the shock on the Council members'' faces turn to fury. Alvin''s smug expression had vanished, reced by a sickly pallor.


    After a palpable silence, one of the Council members turned to me, his brow furrowed. "Alpha Hannah, this is quite... unexpected. Your alliance with Alpha David, given your recent history..."


    I nodded and replied, "We have made amends for the sake of justice."


    I nced at David, whose jaw was set hard. I recalled our meeting from two weeks ago all too well, and the treaty we''d made still didn''t sit right. But for the sake of justice, and tentative peace... It would be worth it.


    As the Council retreated to deliberate, I felt a knot of anxiety in my stomach. I had yed all my cards. Now, all I could do was wait.


    The minutes ticked by like hours.


    Finally, after what seemed like ages, the Council members filed back into the room. The same Alpha from before stood to give their decision, and I found myself clutching Viona''s hand like a vise. "After careful consideration of the evidence presented, the Alpha began, "we havee to a decision. Alvin, please rise."


    Alvin stood, his face a mask of feigned indifference, but I could see the fear in his eyes.


    He knew he was going to prison.


    And he wouldn''t be getting out.


    "Alvin, you have been found guilty of attempted murder and conspiracy against an Alpha. You are hereby sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole. Furthermore, you are stripped of all pack rights and privileges. Do you understand these terms?" Only then did Alvin''s facade crack, his face contorting with rage. "This... This is bullshit!" he shouted, whirling on his heel and striding toward me. "You can''t do this to me!"


    I stepped back, allowing my guards to form a tight circle around me. My head guard let a feral snarl rip from her throat, ws extending. But the bailiff was already yanking Alvin back and cuffing him.


    "You fucking bitch!" Alvin shrieked, spittle flying from his mouth. "You''re going to pay for this! You think I worked alone? You really are just as dumb as you look if that''s what you really think!"


    "Alpha Hannah, want me to...?" My head guard turned to me, cracking her neck and nodding toward Alvin.


    The thought of seeing Alvin being beaten to a pulp in front of everyone was tempting. But no; I wouldn''t give him, or anyone else for that matter, the satisfaction. So I shook my head, a tiny smile ying on my lips. "No. That won''t be necessary."


    "This isn''t over, Hannah!" Alvin shouted as the guards dragged him out in handcuffs. "And you know it!"

 Chapter 435

    Chapter 0435 Chapter 0435


    "I would like to submit this DNA test along with this recording of my half-brother''s confession," he said. "It proves conclusively that Scott, not Drake, is Adam''s biological father."


    A collective gasp went through the room as Noah yed the audio tape of Scott confessing along with the DNA test to prove that Scott wasn''t lying.


    For the first time since the trial began, I saw herposure crack. A little sliver of that monster that hid beneath the surface started to slip out in the form of a curled lip.


    "Combined with my half-brother''s confession about their plot as well as the words that Zoe spoke at our wedding-talking about killing Hannah-Tbelleve that the truth bes clear," Noah said. "Zoe was nning to nt Adam as my heir and get rid of me, eventually using his birthright as Scott''s biological son to gain even more im to Nightcrest. This was a long-term n to overthrow me and take control of my pack."


    The room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop. I was practically on the edge of my seat, my knuckles white around the arms of my chair as I watched Zoe''s perfect mask crack just a little bit more.


    With that, the Council members retreated to deliberate, leaving the rest of us to wait in tense silence.


    They were in there for hours this time.


    The courtroom grew restless, people murmuring amongst themselves, pacing, some even leaving. I could hardly move from my seat, my body frozen as I stared back and forth between Noah and Zoe. Zoe remained stiff. Impassive.


    But I could practically smell her fear from here.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Council members filed back in. One of the Alphas stood, tapping a gavel on the panel to quiet the murmuring crowd.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    "After careful consideration of all evidence presented," the Alpha began, "we find Zoe guilty of treason against an Alpha. She is hereby sentenced to life in prison, with no possibility of parole."


    The room erupted into chaos, but I barely heard it. All I could see was Zoe''s trembling, beet red face, her mask of perfection finally shattering as the reality of her situation set in.


    As Zoe was led away in handcuffs, silent and seething with barely-contained rage, I made my way to Noah. He opened his arms, and I fell into them, feeling thest of my tension melt away. "It''s over," I whispered, my voice muffled against his chest. "They''re really gone. All of them."


    Noah held me tightly, his chin resting on top of my head. "Yes, they are. We can finally move forward."


    As we stood there, wrapped in each other''s arms, I knew he was right. But I also knew that there would be many other obstacles in our path.


    And there was one big one that we needed to tackle sooner rather thanter.


    I nced at Viona, whose jaw was set hard. I could practically feel her annoyance radiating off of her as


    +25 BOMUS


    she turned to leave.


    T


    Once we were alone in the chamber, I pulled back, and it was only then that I realized that my hands had begun to shake.


    "You alright?" Noah asked, noticing my difort.


    I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to say. "Noah, there''s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you the truth about a long time ago."


    His face fell, and the expression broke my heart. "What is it?" he all but whispered.


    I closed my eyes for a moment, gathering my courage. When I opened them again, it wasn''t easy, but somehow I managed to meet his gaze directly. "Remember that night we went out for dinner, and I told you that I''d died ande back to life?" Noah nodded slowly, realization dawning in his eyes. "Yes..."


    I swallowed hard.


    "I wasn''t joking, Noah," I said softly. "What I said that night is true... A year and some change ago, I died and came back to life. And I can''t go another day without telling you my story."

 Chapter 436

    Chapter 0436


    Hannah


    I told him everything.


    Everything.


    Even the stuff that I didn''t want to think about ever again.


    Over the next twenty minutes, I told Noah my entire story from beginning to end-from the moment I watched my baby''s embryo in a puddle on the floor to this very moment here, now, in this courtroom.


    I told him, too, about the three months of torture that he and Zoe had put me through before my death. About Zoe''s smear campaign, about the nights spent crying myself to sleep, about the worsening body image issues.


    I told him about my pill addiction-how I was taking them to the point of killing myself.


    "And... Maybe I wanted to kill myself," I whispered, my hands trembling as I toyed with the hem of my shirt, "Maybe I just wanted it all to be over, subconsciously, which was why I took so many pills. I still don''t even know if it was the diet pills themselves or the contraceptives in them that did me in."


    I swallowed hard and continued. "But when I saw my baby-our baby-on the floor, a little red clump of blood and flesh, I knew I wanted to live. I wanted to live, Noah. But it was toote. I was already dying... Or so I thought."Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    And finally, I told him about waking up on the bathroom floor three months before all of that had happened. The confusion, the uncertainty, the relief and the terror.


    I told him how he stepped out of the shower, his dark hair falling into his eyes, and how I had thought that he was the most beautiful man I had ever seen and yet I hated him for what he had done before I''d died.


    And I told him how, in those moments, I knew I needed to get away from him and Zoe if my baby was going to survive.


    To my surprise, Noah listened. He didn''t interrupt once, didn''t mock me, didn''t challenge me the entire time I spoke. He just... listened while I recounted everything I could remember over the past year.


    When I was finally finished, I was breathless and exhausted. Noah was still standing in front of me, his eyes wide and his face pale.


    "And that''s my whole story," I finished quietly, my voice trembling. "A year ago, I died after enduring three months of misery. But I came back. But here I am now. Alive and... changed."


    Noah was silent.


    But I could see the disbelief creeping into his stunned expression, and panic began to rise in my throat. My hands began to shake, and I clutched at his arms, desperate for him to understand.


    "Please," I begged, "don''t think that I''m just messing with you or that I''m insane. I genuinely believe that the Moon Goddess gave me another chance for a reason, although..." I paused, biting my lip. "I don''t know what that reason might be yet. Maybe I''ll never know." Without a word, Noah slowly sat down on a nearby bench, his eyes wide and unfocused. He still didn''t


    speak for a long time, and with each passing second, my anxiety grew. The silence in the empty courtroom was deafening, broken only by the sound of my rapid heartbeat rushing through my own ears.


    When he still didn''t speak for a long while, tears began to well up in my eyes, blurring my vision.


    "I''m sorry," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I''ll leave now. I think I''ve embarrassed myself enough."


    I turned to go, my cheeks burning with shame, but suddenly Noah caught my wrist. His touch sent a jolt through me, and before I could react, he pulled me back and kissed me deeply. His lips were warm and insistent against mine, and I melted against him-or maybe that was just my knees buckling with relief.


    When we finally parted, I stared at him in shock, my breathing in short gasps. "You... you believe me?" I asked, hardly daring to hope.


    Noah hesitated for a moment but then nodded slowly, his handing up to cup my cheek. "I do. It''s... it''s hard to wrap my head around it, but I want to believe you, Hannah. Everything you told me... It makes sense, as crazy as it sounds." Chapter 0437

 Chapter 438

    Chapter 0438


    Hannah


    Noah and I walked out of the courtroom side by side.


    Viona and Drake, who were waiting in the hallway, turned. Their eyes widened the moment they saw our intertwined hands and the flushed color to my cheeks.


    "Before you start asking questions," I said, holding up my free hand to stop Viona, "it''s true. Noah and I have decided to make things official again."


    My friend''s face went pale with shock. Drake''s lips curled into a cheeky grin. "I guess that means I''ve officially missed my shot with you, Hannah," he teased, to which Viona gave him a well-deserved smack in the chest.


    I couldn''t help but grin myself as I looked up at Noah.


    My mate.


    My boyfriend.


    Tleaned against him, savoring the warmth of his arm as it snaked around my waist.


    Noah came over for dinner that night-to celebrate our dual victories in court, of course.


    But unbeknownst to my parents and my sister, we had something else to celebrate.


    We waited until the dinner tes were cleared and dessert was being served to tell them. Beneath the table, I felt Noah''s hand around mine, warm and reassuring. I caught Lily''s eyes across the way, and there was a knowing look in her gaze-but if she knew what I was about to announce, then she didn''t say it out


    loud.


    "I-we-have an announcement," I said, my fingers tightening around my ss of white wine. "Noah and I..." I nced over at Noah, and he gave my hand another squeeze. "We''re back together. Officially."


    My parents'' faces lit up, my father''s eyes immediately going as wide as saucers. Lily just leaned back in her chair with a tiny ''I knew it'' smirk and sipped her own wine.


    "That''s wonderful news!" my father practically shouted. "When did this happen? Today?"


    I nodded and nced over at Noah. "I asked her this afternoon," he replied for me. "After the trials. It took some convincing, but she agreed to be my girlfriend."


    I couldn''t help but blush a little, averting my gaze to myp, as I recalled those moments. My emotions had warred between tion and terror, with tion finally taking over. "Yes," I''d finally said, throwing my arms around his neck. "Yes. Let''s give this another go. A real one this time." In my heart, during those moments, I knew that I couldn''t be without him any longer. I kept thinking back to that night we yed frisbee, to the feeling of those invisible threads slowly reforming between our hearts.


    He was my mate, and he had almost been taken from me forever. I couldn''t refuse his request. Not


    anymore.


    "Well," my father said, lifting his ss, "this is joyous news. Perhaps we can set up a time and a date to discuss the merger."


    My eyebrows shot up at that. "The merger?"


    My father sipped his wine and nodded. "Yes. You will want Nightcrest to absorb Silvermoon, no?"


    Despite my best efforts not to show my disappointment, I felt my shoulders slump a little when my father said that. I knew I was foolish for not expecting this sort of reaction-he was old-fashioned, and even if he wasn''t, most people would have turned their nose up at the idea of two Alphas keeping their statuses.


    But hearing it now... Seeing the way that Noah hardly reacted to thement...


    It was hard not to want to cry.


    "We talked about this, Dad," I said simply, trying my best to sound rxed.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    My father merely shrugged one shoulder. "Yes, yes, I know you want to remain Alpha, dear... But it''s simply unheard of for two Alphas to marry without one taking on the role of Luna. It''s a logical oue Tradition, you know?"


    I swallowed hard and looked away, blood pounding through my ears.


    Logical. Traditional. Unheard of.


    Across the table, I heard my mother say something about dessert, clearly trying to keep the conversation light. My sister''s apologetic gaze, however, wasn''t lost on me.


    And all the while, Noah remained silent. Contemtive or...

 Chapter 439

    Chapter 0439


    Perhaps he was simply unsurprised. Because perhaps he had nned on suggesting the same thing.


    It was the most logical oue, after all.


    Melody''s soft coos filled the air as I gently bounced her in my arms, pacing back and forth across the carpeted nursery floor. Quiet lubies yed on her little moon-and-stars mobile, a gentle purple glow cast on the crib from the low LEDs lining the walls.


    Before Melody was born, I''d painstakingly designed this nursery to be a rxing space-not just for her, but for me as well. I''d picked out the mostfortable chairs I could find, filling the room with plush pillows and stuffed animals and soothing lighting. I knew that I would be in here a lot, often in the middle of the night, so I''d wanted to make it a space that I enjoyed being in as well.


    But tonight... I felt anything but rxed.


    Melody was sweet as ever tonight, drinking her milk and getting ready for bed like a champ. She wasn''t the source of my anxiety.


    Rather, it was my father''s words that kept roiling inside my head.


    The most logical oue...


    I was ted to be back together with Noah, don''t get me wrong. But I never wanted to give up my status as Alpha. Maybe I wasn''t the best at the job, maybe I made a lot of mistakes, but it was the one thing in this world-aside from being a mother to Melody-that I felt was meant for me.


    How could I give it up so soon?


    "You don''t have to do it, you know."


    The sound of Noah''s voice caused me to jerk my head up. He was leaning against the door frame, his hands in his pockets, hair slightly mussed from drinking downstairs with my father.


    I flushed and looked away, setting Melody in her crib.


    "Noah, if we wanted to get married again at some point..."


    "Then we''ll figure it out," Noah whispered, crossing the room to meet me. He ced both hands on my shoulders, his eyes serious. "We''ve figured everything else out so far. Why not this?" "This feels different."


    "Why?"


    I shrugged and went to turn away again, but Noah wouldn''t let me. Rather, he wrapped his arms around me and tugged me close. It was impossible not to inhale his sweet scent, and it made my wolf yip with excitement.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "My father was right," I murmured into the warmth of Noah''s chest. "It''s tradition. Challenging tradition is difficult. Especially when ites to anything that has to do with what a woman is expected to be."


    Noah fell silent for a moment, although his arms tightened around me.


    Finally, he said, "I would give up my title, you know. For you."


    My eyes widened, and I pulled back. "You... You would do that?" He nodded, and I quickly said, "I don''t want you to do that. I''d rather give up my own title."


    Noah chuckled. "Then it appears as if we''re at an impasse, because I don''t want you to give it up, either. So we''ll have to find another way."


    I bit my lip and stared at the floor. Maybe he was right... Maybe we could find another way.


    Just like how we found our way back to each other, even though the odds were all stacked against us.


    "I love you, Hannah," Noah murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "And Melody. As long as I have you two... I know I can handle anything."


    My heart skipped, then, as he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips. He tasted like sugar and whiskey, a headybination of the cake we''d had earlier and the drink he''d shared with my father.


    But I didn''t need alcohol to feel intoxicated tonight. Because being here with him, hearing him say words...


    It left my head feeling pleasantly dizzy.


    Which was why, without a word, I took his hand and led him from the nursery.


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 Chapter 440

    Chapter 0440 Noah


    Hannah arched her back and slipped her leg to the side, strawberry blonde hair spilling over her shoulder. Pale blue moonlight filtered in through the sheer curtains, illuminating her skin like liquid silver.


    Noah couldn''t stop himself from wondering if this was real. Even as his lips brushed her cool skin, his fingers working in slow circles between her legs, her quiet gasps rising into the air, he felt like he was in a dream. Hannah was his again. His mate. After everything, they had been given another chance together.


    Ever since Hannah had told him that her rebirth was real, that it wasn''t just a joke or a story she''d made up to cope with everything happening in their lives, he had been wondering why the Moon Goddess had given her a second chance at life.


    It seemed impossible,pletely unheard of. The Moon Goddess bringing someone back from death and giving them a chance to fix what had led to their demise...


    Noah couldn''t believe it right away.


    But when Hannah had told him so sincerely about everything, every little detail of her life and death and rebirth, he realized that he had to believe her. For both of their sakes, he needed to believe her, even if it felt impossible.


    So he had. But it wasn''t easy to make sense of why this had happened to her.


    At first, he had thought that Hannah had been brought back for their child''s sake-to give Melody a chance to be in this world. Maybe there was something special about their daughter, and the Moon Goddess thought it necessary to keep her on this earth. Then, he had thought that it was Hannah herself who was special; maybe she had a purpose to fulfill. Noah knew it to be true, of course. Hannah had a destiny of her own, and she was still young. If she''d already experienced so much, then surely there was far more to


    f


    And then Noah had wondered if Hannah''s second chance was given to her because of what had been


    done to their mate bond.


    Almost severed, but not quite. A few threads had remained, even after Zoe''s ritual.


    Therefore, when Hannah had died, she was still Noah''s fated mate, even if neither of them knew it.


    Maybe that meant that the Moon Goddess wanted to give them a second chance, too.


    Or maybe it was all of those things, Noah thought as he grazed gentle kisses across Hannah''s skin. Maybe it was Hannah and Melody and their mate bond that were special and needed saving. But in the end, it didn''t matter; what truly mattered was that she was here. Now.


    In bed with him.


    Slipping his shirt off over his head, Noah kneeled between Hannah''s legs. She trailed her cool fingers down his torso, sending a shiver through his body.


    "I''ve missed you," she murmured, her voice husky with desire. "I''ve missed... this."


    Noah couldn''t help but smirk a bit as he caged her against the bed, just as he had done so many times before. Hannah propped herself up on her elbows, tilting her head back to look at him for a moment, before she eased down onto the pillow.


    "You know, despite everything that happened," Noah whispered, the head of his cock gently pushing against her opening, "I never forgot about that night in the woods."


    Hannah''s cheeks instantly flushed pink at the memory as if she weren''t already fully nude in front of him, her breastspletely exposed in the moonlight. As if they hadn''t made love hundreds of times before.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    "You mean when I..."


    Noah''s smirk grew. He pressed just a little bit harder against her, and the tip slipped in just enough for her to let out a tiny whimper, her hips greedily moving forward in an attempt to take more of him.


    "Yes. When you howled loud enough for the entire party to hear," he finished for her. He pulled back a little so that she couldn''t get him too deep, resulting in a frustrated growl on her part. But not just yet; he wanted to tease her. Savor her. Taste every part all over again, painstakingly, even if it took all night.

 Chapter 441

    Chapter 0441


    Hannah swallowed hard and trailed her fingernails down his spine. "We''ll have to be quiet tonight, you know. For Melody''s sake."


    Noah nodded as he pushed a little deeper, savoring every inch of himself plunging into her warmth.


    It wasn''t just Melody-this house was full to the brim. Her sister and her baby, both of her parents, Viona (and Noah was pretty certain that Drake was staying with Viona tonight), her security team...


    Already, Noah was longing for the days when he could have Hannah all to himself, back in their old home.


    Hell, maybe someday he could convince her to move back in with him there.


    Where he could keep her safe, with no need for security at every door.


    His little Alpha.


    But that could wait. For now, he was only focused on one thing: the feeling of her tightening around him.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Don''t worry," he finally whispered in her ear. "At the party, I wanted to show the world that I had you, that you had me-but tonight, I only want to keep you to myself."


    When he finally pushed himself in until he could go no further, he began slowly, painstakingly grinding his hips back and forth. Hannah arched her low back away from the bed, giving him deeper ess, even more so as she gripped her thighs with her hands and gently pulled them back.


    They had done this so many times before-on their intimacy nights. Noah''s mind may have been altered, but he did remember those nights. Even when they hated each other, the sex had always been good.


    ''But there was something different about tonight. Something that they hadn''t even felt between each other when things had been good for a little while before the divorce.


    No... There was something else at y here.


    Those threads.


    As their movements became more frenzied, he looped one arm around her slender waist and pulled her up into hisp. She threw her arms around his neck and ground her hips in circles against him, her soft whimpers and moans like music to his ears.


    With her name on his own lips, he dug his fingers into her thighs, tugging her closer against him. She nearly cried out, but he quickly muffled the sound with his mouth, plunging his tongue in to taste every bit


    of her.


    Never again, Noah thought as she bit and sucked his lower lip. He''d never let go of her again. No one could get in the way of them anymore.


    And if they tried, he might just have to kill them.


    Unable to control the thought, Noah let out a low growl that raised goosebumps on Hannah''s arms and shoulders. He slipped one of those shoulders into his mouth, gently nipping her exposed skin until she was having to mp her hand over her lips to keep herself from crying out. Their movements grew to a record high. He yanked her closer, growls muffled against her shoulder as he


    felt himself nearing the edge. Hannah practically went limp with pleasure in his arms, a panting and whimpering little mess, and he held that mess close against his body as he fell backwards and thrust himself into her from below. "Mate," his wolf growled as they finally cracked on each other. "Mate..."


    When they finally stilled, chests rising and falling and breathing out in short gasps, Noah tangled his fingers in her hair and shut his eyes.


    He''d felt it that night when they''d yed frisbee-that reforming of their bond, thread by thread.


    And he felt it now, tonight, beneath the light of the moon.


    Noah knew, as he felt that bond rebuilding between their hearts, that it didn''t matter why the Moon Goddess had given Hannah a second chance at life.


    All that mattered was that she had.


    And for that, Noah would forever be grateful.


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 Chapter 442

    Chapter 0442 Hannah


    I awoke to warmth: a warm arm around my waist, a warm body against my back, golden rays of sun warming my cheek, heat pooling in my belly.


    It didn''t take long for consciousness to return, and with it came the memory ofst night. My skin still felt flushed wherever Noah had touched me, my core pleasantly empty as if a great weight had been removed from my body when I''d peaked in Noah''s arms in the moonlight.


    When I rolled over, I found Noah still fast asleep beside me, his dark hair falling into his eyes. I tried to rouse him with a few warm kisses to his neck and shoulder, but he hardly stirred beyond letting out a low groan and nuzzling closer against me.


    I rolled my eyes and smiled, shaking my head. I guess I should let him sleep, I thought, figuring that he must have needed the rest. I, however, was wide awake, so I carefully extricated myself from his arms and slipped out of the room in my dressing gown. Lily was already in the nursery when I made my way in. "Oh! You''re awake," she said, bouncing Melody in her arms. "I figured you might want to rest, so I took care of Melody''s breakfast."


    Letting out a small sigh of relief, I kissed my sister''s temple, followed by Melody''s button nose. "Thank you, Lily. Breakfast?"


    She shrugged and followed me out of the nursery with Melody in her arms. "Noah''s still sleeping, I take it?"


    I couldn''t help but blush a bit. "I assume his staying overst night has been the talk of the town already."


    My sister chuckled. "Let''s just say that Mom and Dad couldn''t stop mentioning how d they were that you''re back together," she said as we made our way into the kitchen.


    I was d, too. But the mention of our parents just reminded me ofst night''s... ufortable


    discussion.


    Noticing my apprehension, Lily ced a hand on my arm and said gently, "You know Dad means well. He''d never stand in the way of your happiness. He''s just... from a different era, that''s all."


    I pursed my lips and grabbed the milk and eggs out of the fridge. "Today isn''t so different from his day. Noah and I have a lot of work to do if we''re going to be able to be together and both be Alphas."


    Lily nodded. "Trust me, I know. But you know I''m here for you, right? Whatever you need."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Thanks, Lil. That means a lot."


    My sister shot me a wan smile before nodding her head toward the ingredients I''d gathered while we were talking. "Looks like someone is getting breakfast in bed."


    A little whileter, Lily and I were quietly pushing the tea cart into my bedroom,den with cheesy mushroom omelets, crispy bacon, steaming cups of coffee, and a vibrant array of fruit. Noah was still passed out on the bed, his mouthically hanging open with his arms sprawled out to either side.


    Exchanging amused smirks with my sister, I took a particrly wiggly Melody and gently ced her in the


    crook of one of his arms. As if by instinct, she grabbed her father''s index finger and began to gnaw on it. Noah''s eyes snapped open almost immediately.


    "What the... Oh!" He sat up, shirtless, and gathered Melody into his arms. "Good morning to you, too..."


    At the sight of my mate''s bare torso, Lily flushed and hurried out of the room without a word.


    "Sleeping well, were you?" I asked once we were alone.


    Noah''s ears turned a little red as he nced at the clock, seeing that it was past ten. "I''ll admit it," he said a bit sheepishly. "Last night was the first good night of sleep I''ve gotten in a while."

 Chapter 443

    Chapter 0443


    "Oh?"


    He nodded, letting Melody y with the seashell around his neck as he bounced her in his arms. "I can''t sleep without you, Hannah."


    He said it so simply, so matter-of-factly; and yet I felt my throat close in response, my heart momentarily stilling in my chest.


    Little did he know that I''d had a rough time sleeping since we''d separated, too.


    And now here he was, holding our daughter in bed. I never thought it woulde to this, but the sight of it made me tear up.


    Clearing my throat, I turned and began rearranging the tes on the cart. "Lily and I made breakfast," I said, pushing the cart up to the edge of the bed. "Thought it might be nice to have breakfast in bed. You, me, and Melody." Noah''s eyes widened as he took in the sight of all the food. "Hannah, you should have woken me-"


    "Ljust..." I cut him off, shaking my head. "I wanted to do something nice."


    Noah and I were both quiet for a few moments, although the air was filled with unspoken words-and Melody''s happy little gurgles as she yed with her father''s dark hair. Finally, Noah was the first to break the silence. He held out his free arm, beckoning to me. "Come here."


    Tears pricked at the backs of my eyes as I walked over to him and let him gather me against his side, tucking my legs up underneath me. Noah, noticing my emotional state, brushed a bit of hair out of my face and gently kissed my temple. "Thank you, Hannah."


    "It''s just breakfast-"


    "No. It''s not." He hiked Melody up in his arms, holding her between us. Her big green eyes, the exact same shade as his own, lit up as she saw my facee into view. I nearly burst out crying when her tiny hands reached out toward me. "It''s this," Noah said as he carefully shifted our daughter into my arms. He gestured to me, to himself, to Melody, to the room, to the steaming food sitting in front of us. "It''s everything. Thank you. For doing it all over again with me." The tenderness in Noah''s voice left me silent, my throat working uselessly. To think that we had lost this, nearly for good... It was almost too much to bear.


    But just as that first tear was about to slip out, Noah picked up a strawberry and held it to my lips.


    I hesitated for a moment before opening my mouth and biting down on the sweet berry. The juices exploded on my tongue-and also on our daughter, whose face scrunched up at the sensation of sticky sweetness hitting the tip of her nose. "Oh-"I gasped, nearly choking withughter, as her mouth opened in a perfect little ''o'' of surprise, clearly caught somewhere between giggling and crying.


    Noah had to press the back of his hand against his mouth to keep himself fromughing.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "That was my fault," he said, grabbing a napkin and wiping our daughter''s strawberry-stained face. "I should have known that would happen."


    I couldn''t help butugh. "Maybe breakfast in bed with a baby isn''t the best idea."


    "Not your finest, I''ll admit," he chuckled.


    With that, we gathered Melody and moved to the small table by the window. Noah held her in hisp, bouncing her on his knee as he fed her little berries and dollops of whipped cream from his coffee, practically forgetting to eat his own food in the process All the while, I just leaned back, sipping my coffee and watching with a smile on my face.


    No tears were spilled that morning-but if they had, then they would have been tears of joy andughter.


    X


    Today''s Bonus Offer

 Chapter 444

    Hannah


    Six months passed in a blur.


    It all happened so fast that I didn''t even realize how much time had passed before it was toote. In fact, if anyone were to ask me about everything that had happened during those six months, I wouldn''t even know where to begin.


    I supposed I could have started with my daughter.


    Six months makes a world of difference when ites to infants.


    Before I knew it, Melody had gone from spending the majority of her days sleeping or feeding to suddenly crawling around faster than I could keep up with her. Grabby little hands went from clumsily grasping at my nes to gripping the edges of tables, chairs, whatever she could reach.


    Pretty soon, she was trying to pull herself up on wobbly legs-and kept trying, even when she would fall


    back down on her rear end more often than not.


    Those months were exhausting, but filled with joy.


    My daughter was growing and learning, even beginning to show little snippets of her wolf side-such as nearly gobbling a hole straight through the sleeve of my sweater one night when the tips of her little fangs dropped ever so slightly-and I couldn''t wait to see her grow and change even more.


    After all, I''d watched her die once, and it was the worst moment of my life-even worse than my own


    death.


    So I''d be damned if I didn''t cherish every little moment with her. Even the bad ones.


    Melody, however, wasn''t the only source of change in my life. My rtionship with Noah was constantly evolving, constantly moving forward.


    We must have gone on countless dates during those months. Every weekend seemed to be upied with some activity or another.


    We did anything and everything: went on double dates with Drake and Viona to fancy restaurants, went dancing at dive bars where no one would recognize us, tried new foods in ces we''d never been before, went to the aquarium with Melody, family outings with my sister, her baby, and my parents.


    It was bliss, to say the least. With no one standing in the way of our rtionship, we could finally explore each other, experience each other.


    On more than one asion, we did discuss our future our ns for the packs, our hopes and dreams, our worries.


    But when it kepting up during nearly every date, we finally set it aside.


    "I just want to enjoy dating you for once," Noah said, taking my hand across the candlelit dinner table." Maybe we could just do that for now and worry about all the other stuff at another time,"


    I''d nodded, a bit relieved that he''d said it and not me.


    We were in no rush. We''d never gotten the chance to have a real rtionship, so the idea of taking things slow, of just enjoying the ride while itsted, was appealing to both of us.


    Of course, the public seemed to think otherwise.


    When news of us getting back together finally got out, the media was practically in a frenzy. Everyone wanted gossip on the ''true star-crossed lovers'', every Inte journalist wanted pictures of us holding


    hands.


    In an attempt to assuage some of the public curiosity, we arranged an interview with Emily to add to my ongoing television series. Noah and I appeared together on the show, holding hands and smiling and answering Emily''s questions about our journey. We even kissed at the end-a real kiss this time, not a fake one for appearances.


    Unfortunately, the interview only seemed to make people more excited. The moment it aired, we were getting stopped by curious people on the street.


    "When is the wedding?" people would ask.


    "Are you going to have more children?"


    "What will be of Nightcrest and Silvermoon?"


    "Has Zoe tried to contact either of you since she went to prison?"


    Thatst question came more often than I''d hoped. I couldn''t me them, of course; Zoe''s prison sentence made headlines the moment it had happened, and people were curious. But it was a wound that neither of us liked reopening.


    The truth was, Zoe hadn''t tried to contact us. She''d never asked for an audience, never sent a letter, never tried to make a phone call from the prison. Not even once.


    Not that we would have answered if she had.


    But... maybe a tiny shred of me almost hoped that she would call or write. That somehow, some way, she woulde to an understanding and would actually try to apologize, or make some kind of evil speech, or... anything, really.


    I think I had a hard time coping with the fact that it all went down so easily in the end-she was arrested, tried, and sentenced.


    The end.


    And yet it felt... empty. Unfinished. Like there was something else to the story that still had yet to unfold.


    "7


    Tkept that feeling to myself, even from Noah. I chalked that feeling of dissatisfaction up to watching too many movies and reading too many books. This was the real world, and sometimes there were no fireworks or evil-viin speeches orstughs. Sometimes there were just trials and iron bars and silence.


    Still, life went on. Noah and I were both busy, between each other, Melody, and our own Alpha duties. We didn''t have the time nor the energy to wonder if Zoe and Alvin were realizing the depth of their sins while in prison.


    Over the months, I grew more and more into my role as Alpha. I had some hups along the way, sure, but it felt right. I started making fewer and fewer mistakes, and began to feel more like I truly belonged in


    the role.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    The months were kind, too, in that regard; the longer I spent as Alpha, the less disrespect I received from other Alphas, thanks partially to the simple fact that time had passed and the matter was less ''fresh'', but it was also due to my own hard work.


    Of course, I had to work harder than my male counterparts in order to receive the same respect. But I did start to gain that respect, slowly but surely.


    At meetings, I was referred to as ''Alpha-no longer ''Luna'' or simply ''Hannah''.


    And that alone was a step in the right direction, right?


    But unfortunately, with hard work also came ack of free time. I started spending more and more of my days in my office, neck-deep in paperwork surrounding pack trade agreements and resource allocation and legal jargon.


    I wasn''t sure how Noah did it on his own-he still had no Beta after Scott and no Luna at his side. I had Viona and even my parents to help when I really needed it, but Noah was alone in that big, empty house of


    his.


    Sometimes, I wondered if I should offer to help, maybe even move back in. But he never seemed toin about it; whenever I would ask how he was holding up, he would just grin and say that ''things were in the works'' and would never borate on whatever that meant.


    I figured he was just working on finding a new Beta or something.


    ''That was, until one sunny Thursday afternoon, he suddenly burst into my office unannounced.


    "Noah!" I breathed, clutching my ne in surprise. "What are you doing here? I thought you were-"


    "Pack a bag for yourself and Melody," he said before I could finish, a mischievous twinkle to his green eyes. "We''re going on a trip."

 Chapter 445

    Chapter 0445


    HannahN?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    I couldn''t help but feel guilty as I stared out the car window.


    The tall trees passing by were a dense green blur, the scent of pine and fresh air filling my nostrils even from inside the car. The sky was the clearest blue, perfect for an outing in the countryside. Melody was cooing happily in the backseat without a care in the world. Noah was taking us on a weekend trip, just the three of us, and I should have been ted beyond


    measure. 1


    But instead I just felt... tired. Panicky. A little confused.


    "Quit picking at your lip," Noah suddenly said, the sound of his voice ripping me out of my reverie. "I swear, Hannah, if you''re thinking about work right now"


    "It''s just so unexpected, that''s all," I replied as I quickly sat on my hand to keep myself from nervously picking at the dry skin on my lower lip. "If I had a couple weeks'' notice, I could have prepared things ahead of time, worked somete nights to get more done-" "And that''s precisely why I didn''t tell you." Noah nced at me from the driver''s seat, a look of mild disappointment crossing his features. "You''ll work yourself to the bone, you know. I don''t even have a Beta and I''m not half as stressed as you."


    I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at him. "Keeping respect as a female Alpha is enough to make anyone stressed," I quipped. "One weekend vacation could be enough to paint me as a zy housewife'' in the other Alphas'' eyes."


    Speaking of eyes, Noah looked like he wanted to roll his-I''d brought up my issues with being a female Alpha on more than one asion-but instead sighed and said, "I know. But you''re still Hannah, beyond being an Alpha. And I just so happen to know Hannah well enough to know that she needs time to recharge just like anyone else."


    I almost retorted, but quickly shut my mouth again and slid down a little further in my seat. "You''re right," I admitted, shaking my head. "I guess I have been a workaholictely, haven''t I?"


    "Yes, you have. And I''d appreciate it if I could still see my girlfriend and daughter on asion."


    There was no arguing that-especially not when he reached over and ced his hand on my thigh, giving it a squeeze. That gesture alone was enough to set me on fire, and suddenly, the idea of a weekend getaway in the countryside, away from work and my rather nosy family, did seem rather tempting.


    Finally, around lunchtime, we made it to the rental Noah had picked out. The GPS took us up a narrow dirt road riddled with potholes, causing Melody to whine in protest in her car seat, but once we pulled up to the front of the house, even she seemed to realize that the bumpy ride was worth it.


    "Oh, Noah... Where did you find this ce?" I breathed as we climbed out of the car.


    Noah beamed and draped his arm across my shoulders. "It took a lot of rental-hunting, trust me."


    I didn''t even have the words to describe how beautiful it was; it was a sweet little cottage nestled into the edge of a forest clearing, a little stone path up to the front door wending between a garden full of


    wildflowers. Baby blue shutters lined the whitewashed walls, birds chirping on the windowsills.


    "Come over here," Noah said before we could head inside, carrying Melody in one arm with his other still wrapped around my shoulders. "You''ll want to see this.


    My eyes widened as we rounded the house and saw, in the back, the world''s tiniest farm.


    It was just a little pen with two goats and a few chickens, really. But being the spoiled rich girl I was, even this felt like home on the range.


    I turned to Noah, my mouth agape as I pointed at the goats. "You-How-What-


    "They''re just pygmy goats, Hannah," Noahughed, adjusting Melody in his arms. "You can pet them if you want. The rental owner says they''re very friendly." Today''s Bonus Offer

 Chapter 446

    Chapter 0446


    He didn''t have to tell me twice. The miniature goats-one pure white and the other white with brown spots -were the cutest little things, and I couldn''t help myself.


    "Come here, little guy-"


    The moment I stepped into the pen, cooing at the goats, I must have struck a nerve; because the white one, with a wild bray of dissatisfaction, charged me like he wasn''t a quarter of my size. And it hurt like hell, despite his small stature.


    Friendly, indeed.


    "Ow ow o!" I cried out hopping on one foot as I gripped my injured shin. "You little-"


    "Hannah, watch out!" Noah eximed, running in after me just as the other goat grabbed my scarf, pulled, and fucking took off with it.


    "Oh-Hey! My scarf!"


    I took off after the goat, who was currently trailing my favoritevender-colored scarf through the mud. The little thing was fast, too, faster even than the white one.


    And that was how I found myself running around the pen, chasing a goat like my life depended on it.


    It was only once, nearly five full minutes and fifteenpster, that I finally got my half-chewed scarf back and realized that the goats braying and the chickens squawking and my shouts of contempt weren''t the only sounds in that pen. ''Noah and Melody were bothughing at me.


    Hard.


    "Ha ha,ugh all you want," I said, cing my hands on my hips. "But I''ll be the one having thestugh while I''m having roast goat for dinner."


    Noah snorted and shook his head. "Come on, killer. Let''s check out the rest of the house."


    The inside of the house was just as beautiful as the outside; the entryway opened up into a cozy little living room,plete with a plush sectional and two enormous armchairs set up around a stone firece.


    The kitchen was filled with state-of-the-art appliances, surprising given how quaint the house was.


    Then, there was the master bedroom: arge four-poster bed piled high with pillows and nkets, as well as an en suite bathroom with a huge w-foot tub and a sliding ss door that opened up to a private back patio. There was a hot tub out there as well, which I could already picture myself soaking in tonight once Melody was asleep.


    I turned, still in shock, to see Noahying Melody down on the bed and fussing with her shoes. I watched his back for a moment, my brow furrowed.


    He''d never mentioned taking a trip like this-not even so much as a passingment


    But now here we were, six months in, and he was taking us to a little paradise in the forest when I knew


    for a fact that he had to have been swamped with even more work than I was.


    And yet, there was nothing but a serene smile on his face.


    Things are in the works, he had said on more than one asion in recent weeks. What sort of things, I wondered?


    "What?" Noah asked, ncing at me over his shoulder. "I can feel you staring.".Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    I shook my head and strode over to him, still clutching my ruined scarf in one hand. "I feel like you''re not telling me something," I said. "The Noah I know doesn''t just up and leave his pack-with no Beta at home -to go on an impromptu vacation." Noah blinked at me for a moment, mouth opening and closing as if caught in the act.


    But just like that, the look of surprise was quickly reced by that same serene smile as before.


    "It''s just for fun," he said, leaning forward to kiss my forehead.


    "But-"


    "Oh, would you look at the time." Noah checked his watch with an impish grin. "Looks like our chef should be here any minute now."


    My eyebrows shot up, my earlier apprehension giving way to surprise.


    "Chef?"

 Chapter 447

    Chapter 0447 Hannah


    I could hardly catch my breath. The chef-the private chef-that Noah had apparently hired was bustling around the kitchen, bags of fresh produce and gourmet ingredients piled in his arms.


    I nced at Noah, still reeling from the shock of it all. We weren''t just staying in somevish rental, we had our own chef to cook us a gourmet meal. The level of nning behind this trip was beyond anything I had expected for a simple weekend getaway. "A private chef?" I whispered, leaning close to Noah.


    Noah chuckled, slipping an arm casually around my waist. "That''s right," he said smoothly. "Chef Marco will be teaching us how to cook some gourmet meals. I thought it could be a fun... couples thing."


    My cheeks flushed, but before I could say anything else, the chef turned to us with a jovial smile. "Good evening!" he greeted. "I''m Chef Marco. If you two are ready, you can go ahead and put on your aprons."


    I blinked, still trying to process everything as I returned his smile with a small one of my own. "I hope we''re not in over our heads here," I admitted. "I''m not exactly the best cook in the world."


    Noah snorted. "I beg to differ. I''m really the one who needs the assistance."


    For the next hour, under the chef''s careful guidance, Noah and I found ourselves chopping, stirring, and sauteing like seasoned chefs. Well, Noah looked the part, anyway. I was still fumbling through the motions, my brows knit together in concentration as I stirred the risotto.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "The key to a perfect risotto is in the stirring," the chef exined. "It''s all about slowly releasing the starch from the rice, giving it that creamy texture we''re aiming for."


    I followed his instructions, stirring the rice steadily as it absorbed the savory broth, the heady aroma of sauteed mushrooms and white wine filling the air. It was almost hypnotic, the rhythmic motion of the spoon, the soft hiss of the ingredients melding together in the pan. I nced over at Noah, who was watching me with a strange glint in his eye.


    "What?" I asked.


    Noah shrugged and quickly looked away. "Nothing. Carry on as you were."


    Strange, I thought, but I rolled my eyes good-naturedly and returned to my work.


    By the time we moved on to the main course-herb-crusted rack ofmb-I was actually starting to enjoy myself. The chef handed us each a mortar and pestle, exining the importance of grinding fresh herbs to create the perfect crust for themb.


    Noah and I worked side by side, the soft crunch of herbs filling the space between us. It was an oddly intimate experience, cooking with him like this. It felt so... domestic. Something that I still wasn''t used to after feeling like I had been married to a ghost for years. I caught Noah sneaking nces at me as he ground the herbs, his focus not entirely on the task at hand." What is it?" I asked again, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks under his gaze.


    "Nothing," he replied with a smile, his voice soft. "Just... thinking about how beautiful you look when


    you''re concentrating."


    "You''re impossible, you know that?"


    "Only for you."


    As we moved on to dessert-chocte souffle-I was starting to feel more at ease in the kitchen. That was, until I identally flicked a bit of chocte batter onto my face. The stternded squarely on the tip of my nose, and Noah burst intoughter. "Hold still," he said, walking over to me.


    Before I could react, Noah leaned in, his lips brushing the tip of my nose as he kissed away the chocte. His tongue darted out briefly, making me gasp in surprise. "Noah!" I yelped, halfughing, half-scandalized. I nced at Chef Marco, who had tactfully turned away, busying himself with checking the oven temperature. "What?" Noah asked, feigning innocence. "Couldn''t let that chocte go to waste."


    By the time we finished, the table was set with our meal: creamy mushroom risotto, herb-crustedmb, and the decadent souffle. I stared at the spread, incredulous.


    "I can''t believe we made this," I marveled, taking a bite of themb. It was perfect-tender, juicy, and bursting with vor. "It''s amazing."


    Noah raised his ss of wine with that same serene smile as before. "To us."


    My cheeks reddened, wondering what on Earth was going on inside his head, but I managed to clink my ss against his and echo, "To us."


    After dinner, with Melody sound asleep in her crib, Noah disappeared into the bedroom, only to return with a bottle of wine and a mischievous grin on his face, and... Fully nude.


    "Care to join me in the hot tub?" he asked, holding up the wine bottle as if it were an invitation to something far more tempting.


    I felt a shiver of excitement ripple through me at the sight of him in all his glory. "I thought you''d never


    ask."


    The night air was crisp, the stars above twinkling like tiny diamonds scattered across the sky. Noah poured us each a ss of wine while I stripped off my clothes. Yelping at the cold evening air, I jumped into the hot tub before he had a chance to admire my nude body. "For you," Noah said, handing me my ss and climbing in beside me.


    "This is heaven," I sighed, taking a sip. "Thank you, Noah. But I still don''t get where all of this ising from."


    Noah settled beside me, his arm brushing against mine under the water. "I just thought you deserved this," he murmured. "A break from everything. And I''d be lying if I said I didn''t want some alone time with you."


    I leaned into him, feeling the tension melt away as his arm wrapped around my shoulders. "Well... Thank


    +26 BORUS


    you," I whispered, my voice barely audible above the sound of the bubbling water. "For all of this."


    With that, we drank for a little while inpanionable silence. Before I knew it, the wine had begun working its magic, loosening both my body and my thoughts. My head felt pleasantly fuzzy, my tongue heavy in my mouth. "You know," I began, turning to him, "If I didn''t know better, I''d say you were nning something this weekend."


    Noah''s brow lifted in mock surprise. "nning? Me? Whatever gave you that idea?"


    I gestured vaguely, my hand slipping a little in the water. "This. All of this-the surprise trip, the chef, the wine... It feels like there''s more to it."


    His gaze softened, although there was a flicker of something in his eyes that I couldn''t quite read. "Can''t a man spoil his girlfriend without her getting suspicious?"


    I smiled, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks-not from the water, but from the way his words lingered in the air between us. "Of course you can," I murmured. "But... I don''t know. It feels special."


    Noah was quiet for a moment, his eyes searching mine. Then, slowly, he leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear. "And what if this trip is special? What if there is more to it?"


    My heart raced, a sudden burst of butterflies flitting around inside my belly. "Noah," I whispered, my voice trembling, "are you... are you nning to propose?"


    There was a beat of silence, the world around us suddenly feeling still.


    Then, a slow, knowing smile crept across his face, his eyes twinkling as he whispered against my skin, "If y said yes, would you ept it?"


    Today''s Bonus Offer

 Chapter 448

    Chapter 0448


    Hannah


    My heart leaped into my throat, pounding so fiercely I was sure it echoed in the quiet night air.


    Was Noah actually proposing? Here, now, in a hot tub under the stars, with nothing but the sound of bubbling water and the distant rustle of trees to bear witness?


    I searched his face, my pulse quickening as I tried to decipher the emotions hiding in the dim light. His expression was calm,posed even, but there was something there-something deeper in the way his lips twitched at the corners, as if he was holding back some kind of secret.


    But then I caught the mischievous glint in his eyes, that ever-present hint of yfulness, and my excitement crumbled. I felt the thrill in my chest dete, like air leaking from a balloon.


    "You''re teasing me," I used, narrowing my eyes at him as I sshed a handful of water his way, sending tiny droplets shimmering in the moonlit air.


    Noahughed and ducked to avoid the ssh, his smile growing wider. "Maybe," he admitted with a shrug, his tone unbothered. "But I''d be curious to know if you''d say yes."


    Then, he added with a cock of his head, "Hypothetically speaking, of course."


    I froze again, his words sending another ripple through me-one that wasn''t so easily dismissed this time. The question hung there once more, hovering between us like an invisible thread, full of implications I wasn''t sure I was ready to untangle.


    I bit my lip, ncing away as I trailed my fingers through the warm water, watching the gentle ripples chase each other across the bubbling surface.


    "Noah, I..." The words felt heavy on my tongue. "It''splicated. You know that."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Tell me again," he said softly. "We haven''t talked about it in so long."


    I sighed, gathering my thoughts. My voice was softer now, more contemtive as I said, "Being a female Alpha is... hard. It''s exhausting, it really is, but I love it. The challenge, the responsibility, the way it pushes me to be better, to be stronger. I love you, too, but..." My words trailed off, and I found it impossible to finish. How could I exin to him that it wasn''t so simple to choose between him and my calling?


    Noah tilted his head, his brow furrowing ever so slightly as he studied me. Then, in that same quiet, understanding way he always had, he spoke the words that neither of us had spoken in months now.


    "But you still don''t want to give up your title. Even after all this time. Especially after all this time."


    It wasn''t a question. He''d hit the nail right on the head.


    I nodded. "Exactly," I said softly. "I feel like I only just started to hold my own as an Alpha-only just started receiving respect for all my work."


    shook my head and added, If there was a way... a way I could marry you without either of us losing our packs or our titles, I hope you know I would do it. In a heartbeat, I would do it a thousand times over. But as things stand right now, I just don''t see how we could make it work. A marriage, I mean."


    For a long moment, Noah didn''t say anything, his eyes distant, as if he were contemting something far beyond the stars above us. I grew worried that I''d hurt him-that maybe after these months had passed he thought that I had changed my mind, that I wanted to be his Luna again.


    But then, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke again and his voice was not hurt or judgmental, but thoughtful.


    "What if... what if there was a way tobine our packs?" He turned and locked his gaze with mine, the intensity of his eyes catching me off guard. "What if we became the first duo of equal leaders? Would you consider that?"


    I blinked, my mind scrambling to catch up. "Equal leaders? Like, true equals? Not just a title, but in every way? We''d both be Alphas?"


    He nodded, and I chewed the inside of my cheek, considering for a moment. "If that were possible... If that were real, you know I would do it in a second," I finally said.


    The words were out before I could stop them, and I realized just how much I wanted this, wanted him- but not at the cost of everything I had worked so hard for.

 Chapter 449

    Chapter 0449


    "But only if we''d truly be equals, Noah," I added firmly. I won''t be relegated to ''Luna'' duties, hosting charity events and serving as some kind of trophy wife!


    I frowned, the thought turning my stomach. "Not that there''s anything wrong with being a Luna," I amended quickly. "It''s a respected position, and I admire those who choose that path, but it''s just... it''s not me."


    Noah''s expression softened, his serious gaze never leaving mine. "I know, Hannah," he said quietly. "And I wouldn''t expect you to change for me. You''re meant to be an Alpha-you possess the gene. I wouldn''t want you to be anything less."


    A softugh escaped my lips, the tension in my chest easing just a little. But before I could say anything else, Noah grinned, that familiar mischievous spark returning to his eyes. "Besides," he said, leaning in closer, "you were always pretty terrible at being a Luna." I gasped, feigning outrage as I smacked his arm. "I was not!"


    Noah''sughter filled the air, rich and warm, and for a moment, everything felt light again.


    But then, he swam up between his legs and his hands found their way to my face, cupping my cheeks as he gently brushed a strand of wet hair from my eyes. His fingers lingered there, tracing the curve of my jaw, and when his gaze met mine, it was so intense, so full of emotion, that I could hardly breathe when i looked at him.


    "I want you to be happy, Hannah," he said, his voice low, serious. "Would you really be interested in pursuing this? Combining Silvermoon and Nightcrest, bing the first Alpha/Alpha couple?" "Hypothetically?" I whispered.


    Noah didn''t respond to that. Just kept looking at me with those forest eyes.


    My heart stuttered in my chest. I wrapped my arms around his neck, letting myself sink into his embrace as I mulled over the enormity of what he was asking.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    "I... I would," I whispered after a few moments. "But it''s not something we could just... decide on our own. The Alpha Council would need to approve it. And that could take months. Maybe even years."


    I pulled back slightly, searching his face. "Are you really willing to go through all of that? To fight the Council, possibly letting it drag on until Melody is old enough to remember the strain of it all?"


    Noah''s smile widened, that all-too-familiar glint returning to his gaze. "What if I told you it would only take six months?" His voice was teasing again, that same yful edge creeping back in. "And what if I told you... those six months were already up?"


    I stared at him, incredulous. "You''re joking. Again," Iughed, shoving him away from me. I sank down so the bubbles came up to my chin and said, "If that were true, I''d say yes in a heartbeat. Bute on, Noah. Stop messing with me."


    But Noah didn''tugh. His expression suddenly turned more serious than I''d seen it all day, the yful glimmer in his eyes reced with something far more... intense.


    "You... You are joking, right?" I whispered, sitting up a little straighter. "Right, Noah?"


    Noah didn''t answer. Instead, he climbed out of the hot tub, water cascading off his nude body as he strode across the deck with purpose. I turned and watched, my confusion growing, until he returned with a small bundle of papers in his hand. "What''s that?" I asked, my voice trembling.


    Without a word, Noah handed me the bundle. "See for yourself. Then tell me if I''m messing with you or


    not."


    The moment my eyesnded on the familiar seal of the Alpha Council, my breath caught in my throat. My hands shook as I flipped to the first page, the words blurring in front of my eyes.


    "Alpha Noah and Alpha Hannah''s Appeal for Equal Leadership," the document''s title read.


    I felt my stomach turn to air as I saw the green stamp below it. Slowly, I lifted my tear-filled gaze to meet Noah''s, and he nodded, his jaw set hard.


    "It''s already been approved, Hannah," he whispered. "All we have to do is sign it."


    Today''s Bonus Offer

 Chapter 450

    Hannah


    I stared at the document in my hands, the Alpha Council''s approval stamp ring back at me. "You... When did you do this?"


    Noah shrugged as he slipped his robe on. "Since the moment I asked you to be my girlfriend."


    My mind whirled as I thought back to that day six months ago-how Noah had said that he had to run back into the Council chambers for something before we left. He said he would meet me at my house, join my family for dinner. "You talked to the Alpha Council that day," I said quietly.


    He nodded. "That was the first day I told them of my intent. They weren''t keen on it, of course. But I wore them down over the past six months."


    I swallowed hard as the implications hit me. All of the secrecy, all of the sly smiles and promises that everything would be just fine... The nights spent holding me, telling me not to worry about our future because it would work itself out. It wasn''t working itself out. He was working it out.


    "You''ve been doing this all on your own?" I couldn''t decide whether to be upset that he''d kept it from me or impressed that he hade this far without me finding out.


    "Well, not entirely on my own." He shrugged, his gaze shifting briefly toward the flickering candles surrounding the room before returning to me. "Drake''s been helping for a few months now. Being on the Council has its perks, it seems." "Drake?" I repeated, still in shock. "That sly little bastard..."


    Noah smirked. "I approached him after that first day," he admitted, running a hand through his damp hair. "I knew how much being an Alpha meant to you, and I couldn''t ask you to give that up. So... I started looking for a way to make this work. For us." He paused for a moment, his expression softening. "Drake, of course, was all for the idea. And he does hold a lot of swaying power on the Alpha Council, being the Luna Queen''s beloved nephew and all."


    I blinked, returning my gaze to the bundle of papers in my hand. "So the Council just... approved it? Just like that?" Drake may have held a lot of power, but he was just one of many Alphas on the Council-many of whom were nearly twice his age and more than twice as stubborn.


    Noah chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Not quite ''just like that. It''s a tentative approval. They''ve given us six months to prove it can work. If we can sessfully merge the packs and pull off the uing Spring Equinox festival, then they''ll make it permanent." "Six months?" I echoed.


    Six months wasn''t enough time to merge two entire packs, let alone pull off a festival that the Council would deem ''sessful.'' My stomach knotted just at the thought.


    "That''s... not much time," I said after a moment.


    +275 BONUS


    Noah nodded, his expression growing more serious. "I know. But I believe we can do it. Together. Assuming you want this, I mean."


    "..." I paused for a moment, still staring down at the papers. It was unexpected, but it was... a solution to a problem that had been guing me for ages now.


    "So, if this works..." I hesitated, ncing back up at him. "We would both be Alphas? Of onebined pack?"


    "That''s right. We would share the responsibilities, the decision-making, everything. I swear on my life, Hannah, that you wouldn''t be relegated to Luna duties. We would share the duties of both an Alpha and a Luna and then some."N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    I chewed on my lower lip, trying to wrap my head around the enormity of what he was suggesting. "But what about your Beta?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. "You haven''t had one since..."


    My voice faltered, unwilling to say his name-Scott-out loud.


    Noah''s jaw tightened at the mention of his traitorous half-brother.


    "Since Scott," he quietly finished for me. "I know. And I''ve had a hard time trusting anyone with that position ever since. It''s why I haven''t... made any efforts to find a new one. Even though every Alpha should have one."

 Chapter 451

    Chapter 0451


    ""But you''re not every Alpha," I mused quietly. "Neither am I."


    Noah shook his head andughed wryly. "No, we''re not Which is exactly why I wanted to do this for you. For us." He paused, his eyes searching the night sky for a moment before he turned his gaze to me once more.


    "I trust you with my life, Hannah," he said, taking a step closer. "You are my mate, my love, the mother of my child... But you are also my Luna and my Beta and my Alpha wrapped into one. My partner. I''d rather have you by my side than anyone else." "Noah..." I started, but he cut me off.


    "I believe in us," he said, his tone firmer now. "I believe we could create something incredible together. Somethingsting. But only if you want it. I''m not going to push this on you, Hannah. It has to be your choice."


    For a moment, I was silent, my mind still racing to make sense of all of this. No wonder Noah had decided to take me on this impromptu trip; he did have something special nned after all. Something very special. And now it was on me to decide just how special it would be in the end.


    "Is this..." My voice caught in my throat. "Is this a proposal, then?"


    Noah''s lips curved into a slow, teasing smile. "Not yet. But that''sing." His smile widened as he nced down at the document in my hands. "This is just me showing you that there is a way. If being married is what you want, then we can make it happen in a way that works for us."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    He gestured toward the document with a slight tilt of his head. "So? What do you say? Are you ready to make Silvermoon and Nightcrest one? We could call it Silvercrest. Or something else. Whatever you want."


    "Silvercrest..." I repeated the name softly, letting the sound of it settle in my mind. It felt right. "I... I like it," I said, smiling at the simplicity of it. "Silvercrest."


    Noah''s face lit up. "Really? You like it?" He sounded almost relieved, as if my approval was the final piece of the puzzle.


    "It has a ring to it."


    With that, he produced a pen from the pocket of his robe, his grin widening as he held it out to me. "Then all we need to do is sign. If you''re ready, that is."


    My heart skipped a beat as I stared at the pen in his hand. This was it-the moment everything would change. Was I ready for this? Could I really step into this role, into this future we were building together?


    But then I looked into Noah''s eyes again, and the answer came to me as clear as day. Yes. I''d been ready for this my whole life.


    Without a word, I took the pen from his hand. My fingers trembled slightly as I brought it to the document, but with a deep breath, I signed my name.


    Noah followed, his signature flowing effortlessly beside mine, When he was finished, he set the pen down and took a step back as if he''d justpleted surgery.


    Neither of us said a word after that-the only sounds between us that of the hot tub bubbling, the crickets chirping, and our collectively held breath.


    But then the enormity of what we had just done hit me like a tidal wave, and instead of fear, all I felt was pure, unbridled joy.


    With a breathlessugh, I threw myself at Noah, my arms wrapping around his neck.


    ""Noah, I love-"


    Before I could finish, the force of my impact sent him stumbling backwards. We tumbled back into the hot tub, a mess of tangled limbs andughter.

 Chapter 452

    Chapter 0452 Chapter 0452


    Hannah


    Noah and I resurfaced from the bubbling hot tub, out of breath and soaked through our robes. I grabbed the edge of the tub and hauled myself forward,ughing.


    "That was entirely my fault," I breathed, pushing strands of wet hair out of my eyes. "Sorry about that."


    Noah snorted, still spitting up mouthfuls of hot tub water. As he rose to his feet, his robe was slick against his body, soaked all the way through. "Maybe warn me next time before you tackle me into a body of water," he teased, then began to vigorously shake himself off like a dog.


    Iughed, holding my arm above my head to shield myself from the spray. "No promises." I paused and


    you think?" watched as he climbed out of the tub and peeled off his sopping robe. "Should we shower, do


    Noah nodded and held his hand out to me with an impish grin. "I think I''d like to do a bit more than just shower with you."


    My cheeks flushed pink at the implication, but I took his hand and let him lead me out of the hot tub. discarded my soaked robe on the deck along with his as we made our way inside. Instantly, the cool breeze blowing in through the window had me shivering. Noah quickly moved to the shower and turned on the hot water. Soon enough, the bathroom had filled with steam. We both jumped in, our cold bodies appreciating the warmth.


    "I was worried you wouldn''t say yes, you know," he said, holding me close beneath the stream of hot water. "That you''d be upset that I''ve been doing this behind your back all these months."


    I looked up at him curiously. "I''m not upset. But I would like to know why you didn''t tell me when you first started."


    Noah considered my question for a moment, then shrugged. "I don''t know. I wanted to surprise you- didn''t want to see you stress over it when you have so much else going on." "Not more than you have going on," I replied.


    He shook his head. "You''re a mother. That''s a full-time job in and of itself." He paused, then added a bit more softly, "I wish I could help more. With Melody, I mean."


    His words gave me pause. It was true; since I hadn''t moved back in with him yet, and Nightcrest and Silvermoon were so far apart, I''d been taking on most of the parenting duties.


    Not that I minded, of course. But it wasn''t easy. I was d to have my family to help, but it just wasn''t the same as having my mate nearby.


    I bit my lip and murmured, "Do you want me to move back in with you?"


    Noah looked down at me with surprise. "You want to go back to that house? After everything?"


    1 shrugged. "It''s a nice house."


    "There are a lot of negative memories there. For both of us."


    "If you want to look for a new house, then that''s fine with me," I offered, reaching up to run my finger across the line of his shoulder, watching as tiny droplets of water trickled down his skin. "But we can always create newer, better memories there, too." Noah was silent for some time, thinking. I looked up at him, and I could see the hard set of his jaw from below, the way his throat bobbed when he swallowed.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Finally, he said softly, "If you think we could give that house another chance, then I''m for it."


    I offered him a tiny smile and rested my head against his chest. "I guess we''ve got plenty of time now to decide," I whispered, my fingers absentmindedly trailing down the peaks and valleys of his chiseled torso. "Maybe, in a few years, we''ll want a new ce. And that''s okay."


    Noah shuddered, but not in a bad way, as my fingers trailed lower. I felt his chest move beneath my ear as he sucked in a sharp breath, just when my pinky nudged his warm member.


    "We''ll want to fill our marriage bed with new memories, too, you know," I mused.

 Chapter 453

    Chapter 0453


    "Will we?" Noah leaned forward, pressing his hand into the tiles behind my head. His dark hair fell into his eyes, a husky look taking over his smoldering gaze.


    I bit my lower lip and nodded. "I think it''s only fitting." My hand closed around his member. "Our intimacy nights should be every night this time around."


    He let out a low growl at that, the vibration of it tickling my ear. He dipped his head to kiss my throat, but I twirled away and leaned against the cool tiles, just out of reach. "Hannah, I swear to-"


    "Of course," I continued, trailing my foot up his leg, "I''d say that we should buy a new bed at least, something new and fresh. But I don''t think the old one willst that long, anyway. We''ll break it within a week."


    My teasing seemed to set him on fire. Noah growled low again and stalked closer to me, his handing up to gently wrap around my neck. I sped my hands behind my back, tilting my head to meet his gaze, and couldn''t help but smirk a little at the desperate look in his eyes.


    "think you''re full of it," he murmured, his lips grazing the shell of my ear as he spoke. "All talk."


    I sped a hand over my chest, feigning hurt. "Noah! I''m wounded," I cooed. "How can I prove myself to you?"


    Noah''s eyes shed, then flicked downward-down to his manhood, which was now fully erect and throbbing between us despite the fact that I hadn''t touched him in a good while now.


    He didn''t need to say it out loud for me to know what he was asking.


    I grinned as I slid down to the shower floor and tasted him.


    It was well past our bedtime by the time we were finished that night.


    After the shower, Noah had carried me into the bedroom andid me down, where he''d repaid the favor of what I had done for him-three times over, actually, until I was practically begging him to let my body rest.


    Only then, once he made me reach the edge onest time, did we get ready for sleep. I slipped into a pair of panties and nothing else, just savoring the feel of his warm skin against mine beneath the sheets. Noahid on his back, his arm propped behind his head as I rested on his chest. His other arm was gently


    my


    shoulder. wrapped around me, his fingers trailing absentmindedly up and down


    "Thank you, Noah."


    He lifted his head slightly and smirked at me. "It was that good, huh?"


    I shook my head and swatted at his chest. "I meant the pack merger. Thank you... for taking the initiative on that." I swallowed hard andid back down. "I might not have ever had the guts to do it myself." Noah was quiet for a moment before he said, "You don''t have to thank me. You were the one who helped


    me ovee Zoe''s maniption. Doing this... It was the least I could do."


    §®§å§Ø


    My heart stuttered painfully at the mention of that whole ordeal; just the very thought of it was enough to make me sick. But before I could say anything, Noah was suddenly rolling us so that he was on top of me, brushing hair out of my face as he gazed into my eyes, "I love you, Hannah. And I''m ready to head into this next chapter with you. Just you and me. No barriers, no one to stand in our way."


    My breath caught at his words, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. Gently, I took his hand and intertwined my fingers with his, my eyes never leaving his gaze.


    "Just you and me," I whispered. "Until-Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Suddenly, a lusty cry broke out through the house-as if our daughter were reminding us of her presence at the most inopportune moment possible.


    Noah shook his head andughed, gently disentangling himself from me. "You, me, and Melody," he said, climbing out of bed to check on her.


    I watched him go, a smile on my face.


    Just the three of us.


    That sounded perfect to me.

 Chapter 454

    Chapter 0454 Chapter 0454 Noah


    After their vacation, Nightcrest seemed smaller somehow. The house suddenly felt too quiet, too still, after the weekend that Noah had spent with his mate.


    Noah had be ustomed to the house being this quiet. With Hannah living in her house in Silvermoon and no Beta around, it was usually only Noah here. He had even reduced the staff down to the bare minimum, finding it difficult to trust anyone in his home after what Scott and Zoe had done.


    So, aside from the odd housekeeper or gardener that Noah kept on staff, he was alone.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    And normally, he didn''t mind it. But after Hannah had agreed tobine their packs, to take their rtionship to the next step, he couldn''t help but feel empty in the meantime.


    He wanted her here. Now. But she had her own things to wrap up before she moved back in, and so for now, Noah remained alone.


    Suddenly, Noah''s phone began to buzz in his pocket. He pulled it out, expecting a call from Hannah, but his stomach dropped when he saw the unexpected name on the caller ID." His father.


    Noah''s rtionship with his father, Marcus, had always been a tightrope walk-strained, distant, and cold.


    Marcus wasn''t necessarily a bad father, but he wasn''t a particrly kind one. Not allowing Noah to see his own mother in the hospital before her death had been the final nail in the coffin for Noah, who gave up on trying to have a rtionship with Marcus after that. And ever since Marcus had abdicated and Noah had taken over as Alpha, he rarely heard from his father except for when his father wished to scold him for something or another.


    Noah knew where this was about before he even answered the phone: the wedding.


    No doubt Marcus had some qualms about the whole ordeal with Zoe, even though it had happened months ago.


    For a moment, Noah almost considered not picking up. But he knew it wouldn''t help any if he didn''t, so he took a deep breath and answered.


    "Dad."


    "Noah," his father said without preamble. "I take it you''re not busy."


    Noah''s jaw clenched on instinct at that initial jab-a thinly veiled attempt at making Noah seemzy and idle. But Noah simply replied, "I assume this isn''t just a casual check-in."


    "No, it''s not," his father replied with a wry, humorless chuckle. "I''ve been meaning to call you, but I''ve been out of the country on business for the past year-in the tropics. I have heard about the debacle with Zoe, though."


    The tropics? Noah thought, furrowing his brow. He wasn''t aware that his father had business in the tropics, let alone the type that could keep him there for a full-year. But he decided not to mention it, figuring he wouldn''t get an answer anyway.


    **


    "I assumed so," Noah said coldly. He stepped into his office and shut the door behind himself, even though there was no one around to hear his conversation. "And I guess you have some qualms with it."


    Marcus scoffed. "That would be putting it lightly." He paused for a beat too long forfort, and Noah felt like reaching through the phone to throttle his own father. "I just watched the news footage of that day. It was humiliating." "Humiliating for Zoe, yes-"


    "No. Humiliating for you. And for Hannah, who I hear you are back together with." Noah could practically feel his father rolling his eyes. "Aren''t you ashamed?"


    "Ashamed?"


    "Well, you are back with her-the woman who humiliated you right along with Zoe."


    Noah''s fingers tightened around the phone. "You''re just trying to get a rise out of me, and you know it."


    "Am I?" Marcus''s voice hardened, that familiar tone of cold disapproval. "Because the way I see it, Hannah took your balls along with the divorce and now you''re crawling back to her." Chapter 0455

 Chapter 455

    Chapter 0455


    Noah forced himself to breathe, keeping his temper in check. "She''s my mate, and she suffered at Zoe''s hand. We''re making things right. Both of us."


    A beat of silence, and Noah could almost feel his father recalcting. This conversation wasn''t going as expected, and that was the point.


    "I assume you think this is a good idea," Marcus said slowly. "After everything that happened, you''re just going to-"


    "Yes," Noah interrupted, his voice firm. "I do think this is a good idea. And I''m not interested in rehashing the past. What matters now is that Hannah and I are together. We''ve been through more than you realize, and she''s part of my life. That''s not going to change." His father was quiet again, but Noah knew Marcus was just weighing his options, trying to find a foothold.


    "I see," Marcus finally said. "And as for that child-"Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Her name is Melody," Noah cut him off.


    "A girl," Marcus finally said. "Hm. I wasn''t aware of that. I kept hearing whispers of an heir, so I assumed it was a boy."


    "She is our heir," Noah said. "The heir to Silvercrest. She possesses the Alpha gene."


    The silence that followed was longer this time, heavier. Noah knew that Marcus was practically vibrating with fury on the other end of the phone-not just at the idea of a female heir, but also at that name. Silvercrest.


    "We arebining the packs," Noah continued, sensing his father''s distaste. "It''s already been approved by the Alpha Council. Hannah and I are running thebined pack together as dual Alphas." Another scoff came through the phone.


    "Dual Alphas. Now, that is a new one."


    Noah sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He wasn''t about to try to exin himself to his father, try to justify his reasons for doing this.


    "Well..." His father snorted as if amused by the entire conversation. "I''ll be back in the country for a few weeks. Perhaps we can chat in person. Will you be free for dinner this weekend?" "Dinner?" Now, Noah was the one who scoffed. "Look, Dad, if you''re just looking to berate-"


    "Believe it or not, I would like to meet my grandchild," Marcus interrupted. "I''ll be there Friday night at six. With a bottle of wine, of course."


    And with that, his father hung up without so much as a goodbye''.


    Noah mmed the phone down on his desk, exhaling slowly to calm himself. Well, that had gone just about as well as he''d expected.


    Dinner with his father.


    Noah bit his cheek, considering. He could ignore his father, turn him away, pretend not to be home on Friday night.


    But he knew he wouldn''t do any of that.


    Maybe he wanted to look his father in the eye, show him how far he''de since being a teenager who had to sneak into his mother''s hospital room just to say goodbye. Or maybe...


    The tropics.


    Something wasn''t adding up here. Noah wasn''t sure how, or why-it was just a gut feeling.


    At that moment, Noah thought back on a memory that he''d long buried: the moments he had said goodbye to her onest time. The... warning she had given him. The warning about Marcus.


    Whatever it was, he wanted to see his father in person. He just hoped that Hannah would be willing to join him in that effort.


    "Hannah," he typed out, sending a quick text, "sorry for thete notice, but it looks like my father ising for dinner this weekend. I hope you''ll join me... and bring Melody." A pause, three bubbles, and then: "Oh, great..."

 Chapter 456

    Chapter 0456


    Hannah


    I cursed under my breath as I read Noah''s text again, wishing that it wasn''t real.


    His father wasing for dinner. This weekend. The words felt like stones sinking in my stomach.


    Marcus.


    It had been years since I had seen the man, and every memory of him was colored in ck and white. He was a cold bastard, and I''d never liked him.


    I squeezed my phone tighter, resisting the urge to toss it across the room.


    A flood of unwee images came rushing back in that moment-the way Marcus had tried to keep Noah from seeing his mother onest time. Noah''s mmy hands as we''d snuck into the hospital just so he could see her. His look of relief when he had finally stepped out of that room.


    What kind of a father doesn''t let his teenage son say goodbye to his own mother?


    As far as I was aware, Marcus had never found out that I had helped Noah see his mother before she died. In fact, I didn''t think that he knew Noah had talked to her at all.


    I hoped it stayed that way, too. Noah and his mother both deserved to have those moments to themselves. Even I had never asked what had been said in that room that night because I felt it was too personal. And Noah had never shared, either, not even to me. If Marcus found out, then he would likely sap what little beauty there was out of that memory.


    ''But this wasn''t about me. I understood why Noah was doing this. Family could be a bitter,plicated mess, and if Noah felt it was the right thing to do to ept his father''s request for dinner, then I wouldn''tin. It was just dinner, after all. Sighing, I texted back my agreement, even though the knot in my stomach didn''t ease.


    The rest of the week sped by in a blur, with my nerves steadily building, although I tried not to let it show. When Saturday finally arrived, I found myself staring into my closet, rifling through my clothes in frustration.


    "You''re going to give yourself a headache if you keep doing that," Viona teased from the edge of my bed. She held up a sleek ck dress. "Just wear this. You need something that feels like armor, anyway. Something that says ''I''m an Alpha, and I won''t be intimidated."" I turned, exhaling slowly as I eyed the dress Viona had been urging me to wear all evening. It was actually perfect-structured, elegant sleeves, a harsh point to the tailored shoulders, long enough to trail my ankles when I moved. "You''re right. This''ll do," I murmured.


    As I adjusted the dress over my body, a small thrill of confidence sparked inside of me. This wouldn''t be like when we were kids-Marcus didn''t have power over us anymore. Not over Noah. Not over me. Tonight, he''d see that we were no longer the teenagers he once controlled.


    Viona smiled approvingly as I stepped into a pair of high heels. "You''ll knock him t," she said, smirking.


    "Let''s hope so," I muttered, half to myself.


    The next task was Melody. I dug through her closet until I found a soft white dress with a little bow on the ruffled cor. I wanted her to look as sweet and angelic as ever for her first meeting with her grandfather, because there was no doubt in my mind that he''d try to find some way or another to demonize her.


    I couldn''t help but wonder, as I dressed her, how Marcus would react to meeting the female heir to


    Silvercrest.


    Would he dismiss her just like he dismissed everything else that didn''t fit neatly into his little world? Would he see her as a threat to the pack that he had once controlled, a symbol of a future in which Nightcrest no longer existed?


    Or would he simply not give a shit about her at all?


    I couldn''t decide which of those options was worse.


    Noah opened the door almost immediately when I arrived a little whileter, and for a moment, all of my tension slipped away..


    He looked devastatingly handsome, as always, in a crisp white shirt and dark cks. His hair was neatlybed to the side except for that one stray piece that always insisted on curling across his forehead.


    My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, even more so when Melody instinctively held her little hands


    out to him.


    "Hannah," he breathed, a touch of relief softening his features just at the sight of us. "You look beautiful." I stepped inside, Melody bnced on my hip, and offered him a teasing smile. "You don''t look so bad yourself," I said, leaning in for a soft kiss.


    As soon as we touched, I felt the tension leave his body, his arm wrapping around both me and Melody and pulling us all together. "I''m sorry about all this," he murmured into my hair. "I know it''s... not ideal. But I promise, if he steps out of line, I''ll send him away."


    I pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, my fingers brushing his jaw. "Noah, don''t forget that we''re both Alphas now. Marcus doesn''t control anything. He hasn''t for a very, very long time."


    His eyes flickered with something I couldn''t quite read, and he kissed me again, firmer this time. "You''re right," he said. "It''s just been so long. I''m getting nervous over nothing."


    As if on cue, the sound of tires crunching on gravel broke our moment. Noah stiffened, his gaze darting to the window. The guest of honor was here, right on time, as always.


    Noah took a breath as if steeling himself before opening the door to reveal Marcus standing on the porch. The sight of him was enough to send an icy chill down my spine. He looked almost exactly the same as I remembered-impably dressed, with that same harsh, judgmental glint in his eyes.


    Retirement hadn''t softened him, clearly.


    "Noah," Marcus greeted, his voice just as cold as I remembered. He held a bottle of wine out to Noah without so much as a ghost of a smile. "It has been a while."


    "Father," Noah replied, his tone carefully neutral. He took the bottle and stepped aside to let Marcus in.


    Come in."Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Marcus stepped over the threshold, his eyes immediatelynding on me and Melody. A flicker of something crossed his face-surprise, perhaps-but it was quickly masked by the familiar coldness.


    He handed his coat to a nearby servant without so much as looking at them.


    "Hello, Marcus," I said, forcing a smile. "It''s good to see you again."


    Marcus simply gave me an indifferent grunt in response.


    But then his eyes slid to Melody, and for the first time maybe ever, I saw something other than indifference.


    "


    It wasn''t warmth, that was for certain. It was something else. Something even colder, somehow, than his usual steely gaze. Something... calcting. Angry.


    He narrowed his eyes slightly, his lips thinning as he scrutinized my child. Even Melody seemed to notice the tension and nuzzled against my chest, hiding her eyes from her grandfather as if that might make him go away.


    "Is this truly my granddaughter?" he finally asked, straightening. "I''m not sure if I believe it."

 Chapter 457

    Chapter 0457 Hannah


    Iughed stiffly at that. "Funny," I said, bouncing Melody a little in my arms. "I know she has fairer looks than you, Marcus, but she is your granddaughter." Marcus said nothing. And as I met his cold, calcting gaze, the tightness in my chest deepened. The faint trace of amusement died on my lips as it hit me. Oh, Goddess. He was beingpletely serious, wasn''t he?Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Of course she''s your granddaughter," I said with a scoff, ncing at Noah-who was sharing in my shocked expression. "Who else would she be?"


    "Hm. I''m not sure." Marcus stepped forward, his sharp eyes narrowing on Melody.


    His gaze wasn''t filled with the warmth or tenderness of a grandparent meeting a new addition to the family for the first time-it was a hard, piercing look, as though he were inspecting something wrong, something out of ce. He reached out a hand to touch her.


    A primal instinct kicked in at that moment, and I clutched Melody tighter against my chest, pulling her away from him before he could make contact. As if I''d let him touch my daughter.


    "Father," Noah growled, stepping forward, "What is all this about? Why are you treating our daughter like a specimen?"


    Marcus barely acknowledged his son, his gaze still fixed on Melody with a calcting intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.''


    "Oh, forgive an old man for simply being cautious," he said, shing me a thin smile that did nothing to ease my anxiety. "In matters like these, one must be certain."


    A sharp stab of anger cut through my growing unease. "Well, she is your granddaughter, Marcus," I said, my voice colder now. "And one day, she will be the Alpha of Silvercrest-probably in your lifetime."


    I paused, eyeing him up and down with no attempt to hide my disdain. "If you''re lucky, that is," I added.


    That got his attention. His gaze snapped to mine, his eyes narrowing, a flicker of irritation breaking through his otherwise perfect facade.


    "Ah. Silvercrest," he repeated slowly, as though the name left a bitter taste in his mouth. He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms with a look of mild amusement on his face. "And a female Alpha, no less. How... progressive."


    Sarcasm dripped from his words, but I refused to be baited. A fire burned low in my belly, but I kept myposure, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing my anger.


    Noah moved closer, his hand resting gently on the small of my back. "Melody has the female Alpha gene. I''ve already exined this to you, Father. She''s as much an Alpha as any son might have been."


    Marcus''s jaw clenched at that, although he remained silent. His disapproval was palpable, thick enough to cut it with a knife; but for now, at least, he seemed to be smart enough to keep his thoughts to himself.


    After that, we moved to the dining room in tense silence. The table wasden with delicious-smelling food: rare elk steaks, cream croquettes, glistening green asparagus. Noah hadn''t mentioned anything about his dinner ns, although I assumed he had asked the chef to prepare something that he knew


    Marcus would like.


    Why he would care, I wasn''t sure. Maybe he was trying to impress his father. But the food did look good.


    I sat down beside Noah, my heart still racing from the earlier exchange. Melody gurgled softly in her high chair between us, oblivious to the tension as she yed with her bib.


    But as my gaze drifted toward Marcus, I noticed his eyes still on her, watching, calcting.


    The first course began. Marcus uncorked the wine, insisting on pouring it himself, and for a short while, the clinking of silverware and quiet coos from Melody were the only sounds that broke the suffocating silence. My appetite had disappeared entirely, but I forced myself to eat for the sake of appearances.


    But it wasn''t long before Marcus broke the fragile peace.


    "I must admit," he began, his voice deceptively light, "I''m still having trouble believing this child is truly my granddaughter."

 Chapter 458

    Chapter 0458


    The ss of wine I had just sipped nearly went down the wrong way. This again?


    I coughed, blinking in disbelief as I set the ss down, my fingers gripping the stem a little too tightly." Marcus, you must be joking," I said, forcing my tone to remain even. "She has your son''s eyes, for Goddess ''sake." Marcus set down his fork with exaggerated precision, his eyes sharp as they fixed on me once more.


    "Oh, I know. But it just seems rather... convenient, that''s all," he said, his voice maddeningly calm. "A child appearing at just the right moment, securing your position as Luna and ensuring the future of Nightcrest. Why, if I didn''t know better, I''d wonder how it all happened so... perfectly."


    "Alpha," Noah corrected, setting aside his steak knife. "And Silvercrest. And it wasn''t ''perfect''; we dealt with a whole mess of shit to get to this point."


    Marcus''s lips curled into a tiny smirk. "Right. My apologies."


    I went to tell him to stuff his ''apologies'', but Noah''s hand slid under the table to find mine, his fingers wrapping around mine with a silent warning. Stayposed, his touch seemed to say. He just wants to piss us off.


    He was right. So I bit my tongue and remained silent.


    Marcus sighed and picked up his ss of wine. "For what it''s worth, I don''t genuinely think that she is not my granddaughter," he said after taking a sip, "but you should expect that some people may believe otherwise. Desperate times often call for desperate measures, or so they say."


    "What do you mean?" I asked.


    He shrugged one shoulder, waving his hand dismissively. "Again, I don''t think this. But I have heard some rumors that the baby doesn''t belong to either of you."


    "She wasn''t born by surrogate, if that''s what you''re asking. Nor was she adopted," I said. "I''d show you my stretch marks to prove it, but I don''t think that would be appropriate for a family dinner."


    "No, no, I would never ask such a thing." Marcus tilted his head slightly, his eyes gleaming with something cold and unfeeling. He paused, his tongue darting out briefly to wet his lips.


    "It wouldn''t be the first time someone went to extreme lengths to secure their position, though," he said, as though the idea were perfectly reasonable. "After all, Hannah, you did have difficulty conceiving for many years."


    A wave of heat surged up my neck. "I was poisoned," I said, wondering for a moment if maybe he simply didn''t know what had happened. "For years, someone was slipping contraceptives into my food. That''s why I couldn''t conceive."Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Noah nodded. "It''s true. We have evidence. Her cousin, Alvin, was trying to keep her from having an heir. Although we''re not entirely sure why just yet. But thankfully, he''s behind bars now."


    For the briefest moment, I saw something shift in Marcus''s eyes. Surprise? Fear? It shed by so quickly, I couldn''t be sure.


    But then his expression returned to its familiar, unreadable mask.


    "Poisoned," he said slowly, his voice taking on a strange, distant tone. "I see. How... unfortunate."


    I felt my shoulders rx a little.


    But Noah wasn''t finished. "An apology would be apt, considering that thinly veiled usation of yours," he growled. "Unless you intend to cut tonight''s dinner short."


    Marcus went stiff, his knuckles turning white around his ss. Cold eyes flicked to me, a hint of amusement in their depths, but I pulled my shoulders back and lifted my chin. Finally, Marcus seemed to think better of whatever jab he had prepared and instead grabbed the wine bottle. He rose and circled the table slowly, painstakingly, and... Refilled my ss.


    C


    "My sincerest apologies, Alpha Hannah," he all but purred down at me as the red liquid swirled into the ss. "I assure you, it won''t happen again." Chapter 0459

 Chapter 459

    Chapter 0459 Noah


    It wasn''t long after dinner that Hannah was suddenly rising from her chair and gathering a half-asleep Melody into her arms. Noah looked up with surprise, instantly rising as well. "I''ll help you-"


    "No," Hannah said, offering Noah a tiny smile. "It''s alright. I think I''m just going to put the little one to bed and go to bed myself." She turned to Marcus and dipped her head politely, although there was tension in her movement. "It was nice seeing you, Marcus." "Going to bed so soon?" Marcus cocked his head. "It''s not even eight o''clock."


    Hannah stiffened, but managed another small smile. "Motherhood is exhausting," was all she said before turning and slipping away.


    As Hannah left, Noah called out to her through their Mindlink. "You sure you''re alright?" Her movements had seemed more sluggish than usual, dark circles ringing her eyes. She didn''t normally tire so easily.


    "I think I just didn''t sleep wellst night," Hannah replied, and her mental voice was just as weak as her physical voice. "Don''t worry about me. Besides... You can catch up with your father."


    Noah sent an eye-roll through the bond, causing a smallugh toe back his way. But he cleared his throat and turned to his father, nodding his head toward the living room. "Whiskey?"


    "You don''t have to ask me twice," Marcus replied, rising. His wine sat mostly untouched on the table.


    Admittedly, Noah felt oddly exhausted tonight himself. But, like Hannah, he hadn''t gotten much sleep either-not with tonight weighing on his mind like a ton of bricks. Seeing his father was a surefire way to set Noah on edge. He was just d it was almost over. "So," Noah said, uncorking the bottle of whiskey he kept on the highest shelf, "you should know that I intend to marry Hannah again. Soon."


    Marcus''s eyebrows shot up. "Is that so?"


    Noah nodded. He poured the whiskey into two sses, his fingers brushing against his father''s as he handed one to him. Before releasing the ss, however, he held it fast-along with his father''s gaze. "Melody is our child, you know. And how dare you insinuate otherwise."


    Marcus went stiff, but only for a moment. "I''m only looking out for you, Noah."


    Noah huffed and released his grip on the ss, turning on his heel and plopping down into the nearby armchair. "Well, there''s no need for that," he all but growled. "Hannah is my mate. I trust her with every fiber of my being."


    More than anyone else, Noah thought to himself bitterly. Trust... now that was something that he''d learned not to ce in other people over the years. Not Scott, not Zoe, not even his own family. Just Hannah. And himself.


    And maybe Drake, as strange as it still was for Noah to view him as a friend.


    Marcus hummed to himself as he swirled the amber liquid around in his ss. "I just don''t understand," he finally said, his voice softer than Noah anticipated.


    Noah quirked an eyebrow. "Don''t understand what?"


    "Why..." Marcus gestured vaguely over his shoulder, in Hannah''s general direction. "Her."


    "Why marry her?" Noah leaned forward, bracing one elbow on his knee. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? You''re the one who arranged our initial marriage. And if I recall correctly, you were all for it."


    Marcus shook his head and took a sip of his whiskey. "That was a long time ago, Noah." He paused, pursing his lips for a moment, before continuing. "Her father... He was persistent. Apparently, the girl was quite enamored with you." "Because she was my mate."


    Noah''s father didn''t respond to that. "Her father offered a business deal I simply couldn''t refuse," he continued. "And, well... I didn''t know what she was really like then."


    Noah felt his blood begin to simmer at that. "What sort of deal?" he ground out between clenched teeth. He''d always suspected that there was a business side to the arranged marriage, but had never found out for himself.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    Marcus shrugged, a gesture that was far too airy for Noah''s liking. "Oh, just a few shares in one of Silvermoon''s miningpanies-you know how lucrative their silver mines are. Or rather, were."


    Noah was silent. He couldn''t fault his father for that; back in those days, Silvermoon''s mines had been booming. Silvermoon had always been known for their silver production. But s, silver is a finite resource; and over the years, their mines had begun to run dry up. That was why Hannah''s father had been in desperate need of moneyst year. Her father, desperate after a few of their silver mines had runpletely dry, had made some bad investments to try and make up the difference.

 Chapter 460

    Chapter 0460 Chapter 0460


    So Noah had given him a check that ultimately allowed Silvermoon to finally purchase some newnd up north where untapped silver deposits had been found, and all was made right.


    Maybe Noah had helped in order to curry some additional favor from Hannah''s family in the hopes that Hannah might stay with him, but... it was mostly out of the goodness of his own heart. As for his father... Well, Marcus never did anything that wasn''t entirely selfish.


    "You know," Marcus went on, oblivious to his son''s inner monologue, "I really was intending to marry you off to Zoe before Hannah''s father presented the deal."


    Noah couldn''t help butugh at that. "In all your years of poor decisions, Father, I think that may have been the worst. Thank the Goddess it didn''te to fruition."


    Marcus pressed his lips into a thin line, eyes shing, but seemed to control himself. "Yes, well... I suppose her recent... treacherous actions do ce a damper on that," he admitted. "But you cannot deny that she would have made a good Luna." "She was nning on killing me," Noah added incredulously.


    "Perhaps. But you know what they say: better a devil you know than a devil you don''t. And Hannah... well, there''s no knowing what she has nned next."


    Noah sat up ramrod straight, eyes wide with shock and anger, but his father continued, "I saw her little '' phoenix'' performance at her coronation. Perhaps she did rise from her own ashes. But now... whose ashes will she rise from next?"


    With that, Marcus finished thest of his whiskey and stood, setting his ss on the coffee table. Noah hadn''t so much as touched his drink yet, and he had no intention of doing so now.


    "Let me get this straight," Noah said slowly, deliberately. "You invite yourself into my home. You imply that my daughter is not my own, then insinuate that she might not even be Hannah''s child. And now you im that Hannah, is, what? Plotting some borate destruction of Nightcrest for her own gain?"


    Marcus snorted and turned, epting his jacket from the servant waiting nearby. "Oh, she already has destroyed Nightcrest," he said as he shrugged his coat on. "Or should I say... Silvercrest?"


    Noah shook his head, absolutely floored by the insinuation. He stood, grateful that his father was leaving without having to be asked, and opened the door himself.


    "Goodnight, Father. It was a displeasure, as always."


    Marcus smirked as he adjusted the cor on his jacket. When he passed by Noah, his very aura somehow seemed colder than the air outside. "Goodnight, Noah. Do keep your wits about you. If you are manipted by another woman, I''m not sure if our family could recover from the embarrassment."


    And with that, he was gone.


    Noah didn''t wait for his father to get into his car before he was mming and locking the door.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Some waste that was," Noah growled, turning on his heel and heading upstairs. He was just d it didn''t go on for too long, and that he''d at least have time to spend with Hannah before she fell asleep.


    Or so he thought. But when he opened the bedroom door, Hannah was already knocked out on the bed- still fully clothed.


    Trying and failing to suppress a smirk, Noah walked up to her and peered over her shoulder. She''d only had a ss and a half of wine, hardly enough to make her so drunk she''d pass out immediately.


    But as Noah approached, his smirk fell. Hannah looked... pale. Hardly breathing. Something was off.


    "Hannah?" Noah gently shook her shoulder, but she didn''t stir. He shook her again, a little harder this time, and still she remainedpletely unresponsive.


    Noah was just beginning to panic, calling out her name in a rising voice, when her eyes slowly opened.


    "Wh-What?" she groaned, rubbing her tired eyes. "What''s wrong?"


    Noah leaned back, relieved. "You fell asleep in your clothes."


    "Did I?" Hannah sat up with some effort and looked down at her rumpled dress, her hair mussed. "Oh. I guess I did. I was just so tired, I nned to shut my eyes for a few minutes before showering but wound up knocking out." "I can see that," Noah said with a softugh, kissing her on the temple before rising and loosening his tie in front of the mirror.


    Hannah yawned and stood, reaching for the zipper of her dress. "How did it go with your father?"


    Noah stiffened. "Where do I even begin?"

 Chapter 461

    Chapter 0461


    Hannah


    "He really said that about me? ''A devil you don''t''?"


    Noah nodded solemnly as he stepped out of the shower and wrapped his towel around his waist. Dark hair fell into his eyes, dripping water onto his cheekbones before he swept it backwards with one hand.


    "He seems to be under the impression that you intend to destroy Nightcrest-or what used to be Nightcrest," he said with a derisive short.


    I couldn''t help but shudder at the thought, although more from anger than fear. I knew that Noah''s father had always thought rtively little of me, and he thought even less of me after our mess of a first marriage, but this was just bizarre.


    "I wish I was there to p him," I mused, turning to the mirror and rubbing my face cream into my skin." First he tries to insinuate that Melody isn''t our daughter, and now this..."


    "He''s just trying to get a rise out of both of us," Noah said gently. "We don''t have to give it to him."


    I sighed and met his gaze in the mirror. "No. We don''t." I paused, thinking for a moment, then added, "But maybe it wouldn''t hurt to do a paternity test. Just to shove it in his face." Noah''s dark eyebrows shot upwards at that. "Seriously?"


    "You don''t think it would be satisfying to show him results that clearly prove that Melody is your daughter?"


    My mate was silent for a few moments as he considered this. It was petty, I knew, but it would be satisfying. And it would shut Marcus up once and for all.


    Or at least until he came up with something else toin about.


    Finally, Noah''s mouth twitched into the barest hint of a smile.


    "You know what?" he said, draping a wet arm around my shoulders. "Let''s do it. What the hell, right?"


    The next morning, we found ourselves sitting in the doctor''s office, Melody perched on Noah''s knee.


    It was odd being back here, in the office belonging to the same doctor who had once imed that I was too ''frail'' to have regr intercourse, let alone get pregnant. And now here I was, with my healthy baby girl, waiting for the results of a paternity test. Doctor Patel, our old family doctor who I hadn''t seen since before my rebirth, walked into the room with a clipboard in his hands. The aging doctor was all professional smiles and warmth, making his previous false ims about my body just that much more astonishing. "Alpha Noah. Alpha Hannah," Doctor Patel said with a warm smile. "And this must be little Melody. I''m terribly sorry that I wasn''t able to meet her sooner." (1


    "I''m sure you''re surprised to meet her at all," I said wryly before I could think twice. "Since, you know, I was apparently too frail to conceive."


    The doctor''s face paled somewhat. "I do apologize for that... misinformation, Alpha," he managed, his voice strained. "Sometimes, even professionals such as myself make mistakes."


    I frowned, folding my arms across my chest. But a calming "Easy," through my Mindlink with Noah caused me to hold my tongue for now.


    "Now then," Doctor Patel said, studying his clipboard. "The results of your paternity test are in, and... You are the father, Alpha Noah."


    "Wow. What a shocker," Noah quipped sarcastically as he bounced Melody a little on his leg. She giggled and grabbed at his shirt with her chubby little hands, stuffing one of his buttons into her mouth.


    I rolled my eyes good-naturedly and rose. "Well, that settles that. We should get a copy to send to your father, Noah."


    Noah nodded, standing himself. But before we could go, Doctor Patel cleared his throat, causing us both to turn. "Alpha Hannah, it''s been so long since you''ve had your regr check-up," he said. "I''d like to modify my records. Since, you know... I was mistaken before." I paused, exchanging somewhat wary nces with Noah. Doctor Patel had made a very poor distinction before in iming that I was too frail to lead a normal life with my husband. But it didn''t seem as if he did so out of malice, and besides-I really hadn''t had a check-up in some time. "Sure," I said, nodding. "Just a quick one wouldn''t hurt."


    With a smile, Doctor Patel ushered Noah out of the room for privacy. I sat on the exam table as he listened to my heart, took my blood pressure, and drew a blood sample for testing.


    "Hm," he said as he studied my blood pressure results. "Your blood pressure is a little low..."


    I frowned. "Really? I feel fine."Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Low blood pressure can creep up on the best of us," he said, turning the meter so I could read it myself. It did look pretty high. "Right now, it''s not high enough to warrant medication; but perhaps you should consider getting more B12 and iron in your diet, reducing stress, that sort of thing." Those were all things I already did; I ate healthy, exercised almost daily, and did my best to keep my stress levels down.


    But I had been a bit more on edge than usualtely, what with preparing to move back into my old home with Noah, handling the logistics of the pack merger, and my usual Alpha duties-all while being a parent,


    too.


    "Alright. I''ll keep an eye on it," I said. The doctor looked pleased and turned away to jot down some notes.


    Assat there, my eyes flicked to the vial of my blood sitting on the counter. After a moment of consideration, finally blurted out what had been on my mind since I got here. "You always performed my blood tests yourself, right?"


    The doctor nodded without looking up at me. "Of course. I like to be as hands-on as possible with my patients."


    "And when I was struggling to conceive all those years you never caught traces of contraceptives in my blood?" Chapter 0461


    Doctor Patel''s hand stilled over his notepad, his fingers tightening infinitesimally around his pen. "No," he said slowly as he turned to look at me. "I didn''t."


    "But someone wascing my diet pills for years," I pressed. "My cousin, Alvin. I''m sure you saw it on the news."


    He nodded stiffly. "I did. How awful. But I''m afraid I never saw anything."


    It seemed unlikely to me that a doctor wouldn''t recognize such things on blood tests, especially when the patient was having fertility issues. Something wasn''t adding up here.


    But before I could say anything more about it, Doctor Patel ripped the paper off of his notepad and handed it to me with a smile. "Here are some tips to help with your blood pressure. I''d like you toe back in a month to get it checked again."


    I hesitated, my mind still whirring, but took the paper and hopped down off the exam table anyway. If there was anything off about the whole situation, it didn''t matter now; Alvin was in prison, Melody was safe, and I was healthy aside from some slightly low blood pressure. With that, I thanked the doctor and turned to leave.


    It was then that I saw it: a rumpled old ne ticket peeking out from amongst a pile of papers on Doctor Patel''s desk. A ticket to the tropics, it seemed.


    With Marcus''s name on it as the purchaser. 1

 Chapter 462

    Chapter 0462


    Hannah


    "Noah, look at this."


    I climbed into the passenger seat and pulled the ticket out of my pocket. Noah''s eyes widened as he took it, studying the details. "Where did you get this?" he asked.


    "I swiped it off of Doctor Patel''s desk," I said, admittedly a little proud of myself.


    Noah dropped the hand holding the ticket to his leg. "Hannah, you didn''t... Tell me you didn''t steal from our doctor?"


    "What?" I asked, sying my hands wide. "I couldn''t help myself. I mean, why did your father buy a ne ticket to the tropics for the family doctor? Who, might add, was in said tropics for, like, three months straightst year."


    Noah was silent for several long moments. His green eyes flicked to the ticket, then to me, then to the ticket once more. I couldn''t decide if he was annoyed or impressed that I had noticed that little detail. He couldn''t seem to decide, either. Finally, he said, "It looks like it was purchased around Christmas time. I guess my father was in the holiday spiritst year."


    I frowned and folded my arms across my chest. "Your father isn''t the gift-giving type."


    Noah scoffed. "No. I guess you''re right." Another pause as he studied the ticket, turning it over in his hands. "Doctor Patel has been our family doctor for decades, though. Maybe my dad-"


    "Has your dad ever gotten a gift for you?" I blurted out. "Or your mother?"


    At the mention of histe mother, Noah''s face went pale. He quickly looked away, and I instantly felt my heart sink. "I''m sorry, I didn''t mean-"


    "No," he said softly, shaking his head. "You''re right. My dad only ever gave my mother one gift that I can recall, and it was only because that was when he''d gotten caught cheating with Scott''s mother."


    We both stared at the ticket again after that. It really was strange; Marcus was not the type of man who gave gifts, let alone to employees-which was essentially what Doctor Patel was to him. "Then why give him a ne ticket to the tropics?" I mused. "Why fund a months-long vacation?"


    Noah''s eyes were fixed on the ticket in his hands, but I could sense his mind whirling through our bond. Strange, indeed...


    By the time thest box was unloaded and ced in the foyer, I felt like my arms might give out from the strain.


    "Ugh," Viona whined, lounging back on the stairs. "When you told me you wanted me to be your Beta, you never mentioned that the job might include being your movingdy as well."


    I smirked as I stared down at my friend. Despite the offers to hire a movingpany, I''d insisted on doing it myself-partially out of the fear that something might happen to my valuables during transit but mainly just because I wanted to. Having Drake, Noah, and Viona to help certainly made the work a lot easier.


    "Hey," I said, holding up the pizza parlor menu that I''d been hiding in my back pocket all day, "would pizza help smooth the wound over?"


    Viona and Drake perked up at the mention of pizza. Even Noah''s eyes lit up. I could practically hear all three of their stomachs growl all at once.


    "Pizza it is, then," I said with augh, pulling out my phone.


    After ordering the pizzas-with Viona insisting on a mushroom topping for one and a side of garlic knots- we all moved to the living room to rx. Noah put on some music, and Iid back on the couch with a satisfied smile. Home. I was finally home.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Being back in this house after being away for so long would take a lot of getting used to, that was for sure. But it felt... right. I wanted to give this home another chance, an opportunity to fill the walls with happy memories that would hopefully dull some of the bad ones. Today''s Bonus Offer

 Chapter 463

    Chapter 0463


    And if Noah''s loving gaze from across the room was any indication, then he was having the same thoughts.


    Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door. Noah jumped up from his chair and strode over to answer it, checking his watch. The pizza wasn''t supposed to be here yet.


    When he returned, he had a bottle of wineplete with a red bow around it-in his hand and a curious expression on his face. I sat up, eyeing the bottle cautiously. "What''s that?"


    "I guess my father stopped by the front gate and left this with the security officer," Noah said, handing me the bottle-an expensive red. "A gift."


    Eyebrows raised, I flipped open the little card that was attached to the bow and read its contents.


    "Dear Noah and Hannah; Congrattions on, well... everything! Consider this a little peace offering as well. I know my behavior was not appropriatest weekend and I hope that this will make up for that, at least a little." "P.S.," I read aloud. "I''d rmend pairing this with some of that delicious elk steak you servedst week.""


    There was a moment of silence as we all processed whatever the hell that was. Drake, who was leaning back in an armchair with Viona perched on one of his legs, was the first to speak.


    "Well, that certainly sounds nice. I can''t say I''m drinking that, though."


    Noah and I exchanged curious nces. It was a fresh bottle of expensive wine, corked and factory sealed. Marcus may have been a royal jackass, but he wasn''t the type to do something as crazy as sending tampered wine to people. And although surprising, the note was... nice. An apology. A little peace offering. My mind wandered back to that ne ticket, and I wondered if Marcus was changing in the smallest of ways.


    Noah seemed to have the same thought I did, because he grabbed the wine and reached for the corkscrew behind the bar. "I guess we all get sentimental in our old age, don''t we?" he mused as he uncorked the bottle. "Maybe my father is finally starting to see the benefit of treating people with a touch of kindness."


    Viona snorted. "Or plying them with gifts and alcohol to make thempliant."


    I couldn''t help but chuckle at that. "That seems likely. But wine is wine, right?"


    Noah poured two sses of the wine-Viona and Drake opted to raid our own liquor cab instead, settling on sloppily-made margaritas-and handed one to me. It was good wine, and with Melody staying with my parents until I settled in here, I could let loose a little. And let loose I did.


    Before I knew it, I''d gotten far drunker than I intended so much so that not even four slices of pizza and several garlic knots could sober me up. We were all thoroughly drunk by ten o''clock,ughing until we could hardly breathe over increasingly-ridiculous games of Charades.


    At one point, Drake swept Viona up and danced with her around the room, causing her face to turn as red


    as a strawberry. Noah and I leapt up as well, sping our hands and twirling together until the room turned into a blur.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    We weren''t spinning for long, though, before I tripped over Noah''s feet, and we both went sprawling across the carpet in a tangle of limbs andughter.


    I didn''t realize that something was wrong until Viona''s face came into view above me, her brow furrowed


    with concern.


    "Hannah? Hannah, are you okay?" Her voice sounded muffled, far away, like I was underwater.


    The room spun as I turned my head. Beside me, Noah was being lifted into a sitting position by Drake. He was conscious, but his head was lolling, and he was muttering something incoherent. "I... I think..."


    Everything went dark before I could say what was on my mind.


    Something was in that wine after all. 1

 Chapter 464

    Chapter 0464


    Hannah


    "Hannah... Hannah, wake up..."


    As if trudging my entire body through ayer of mud, I slowly returned to consciousness. And the first thing I became aware of as I returned to that consciousness was the overwhelming urge to vomit, quickly followed by the sensation of a headache that was pounding hard enough that it felt as if each throb might finally crack my skull from the inside.


    Then, I cracked one eye open and immediately groaned and shut it again as the light from a nearbymp blinded me with the force of a thousand suns.


    "Oh, thank goodness. She''s awake. Hannah, are you alright?" Viona fanned my face gently with a magazine. "You''re gonna be fine..."


    "Ugh... I''m gonna..." I felt hot bile rise in my throat, the urge to vomit no longer avoidable. Sensing this, my friend quickly turned me so I was on my side and rubbed my back while I retched into a small trash can.


    When I was finally finished emptying the contents of my stomach, Viona paled and handed the can to the housekeeper, who hurried away to dispose of it.


    Now that that was out of the way, I managed to open my eyes fully and sit up a little. I found myself in the living room,ying on therge sectional couch. Noah was sitting up on the other end of the sofa, hanging his head while Drake patted him on the back. He looked just as awful as I felt. And worried.


    "Hannah-" Noah began to rise to move to me, but Drake shoved him back down.


    "Oh no, lover boy," Drake chided. "She''s fine. Don''t try to get up. I''m not cleaning more of your puke up off the carpet."


    Noah looked fit to be tied, but I managed a small smile and sent a stroke of reassurance through the bond, causing him to rx just a little.


    Viona handed me a ss of water. I gulped it down greedily and wiped my mouth with the back of my


    hand.


    "What the hell happened?" I muttered, rubbing my other hand across my sweat-soaked forehead. Thest thing I remembered was having a bit too much to drink and dancing around the living room.


    Had we really had that much to drink, though? Enough to make us throw up and gopletely unconscious?


    "Scopmine poisoning."


    The sound of Doctor Patel''s voice made me whip my head up, causing the room to spin around me. My eyes widened upon seeing the doctor standing by the firece. As my eyes focused, I realized that he looked a bit haggard, still in his pajamas as if he''d just been sleeping and had rushed here.


    "We thought it would be best if we called your doctor right away," Viona said, although there was a hint of distaste in her voice. She knew about Doctor Patel''s ''frailty'' ims and didn''t like him one bit, but I couldn''t me her for thinking of calling him instead of an ambnce.


    After all, it might not have been the best thing for our public image if the two Alphas who were breaking the norm bybining packs and retaining their titles had been carted into the emergency room with alcohol poisoning. Or... whatever the doctor had said it was.


    "Scop..." I was too busy staring down at the IV in my arm, which I hadn''t even noticed before during my haze, to finish the word.


    "Scopmine poisoning," Doctor Patel repeated, walking over to me and dropping to a crouch. He pulled his stethoscope out of a nearby medical supply bag and listened to my heartbeat. "A drugmonly used for treating nausea."


    I cleared my sore throat, recalling my vomiting spell all too well. "Ironic, considering the fact that I just puked up my guts." I paused and nced over at Noah. "But neither of us take medication for that."


    Doctor Patel sighed and looped his stethoscope around his neck. "I don''t suspect that you do. Have you eaten or drank anything strangetely?"


    My friends and I exchanged wary nces. "The wine was the only thing that Noah and I had that the others didn''t tonight," I said, gesturing vaguely in the direction of the bottle. Viona strode over and picked it up, studying thebel closely. "You''re sure it''s scopmine that did all that?" Viona asked. "A simple antinausea drug?"


    The doctor nodded. "It''s also known as ''Devil''s Breath'' on the street," he exined. "In high doses, it can lead to low blood pressure, unconsciousness, confusion, amnesia, and even death."


    Drake dragged a hand through his hair. "I''ve heard of this stuff. There was a big scare in the eighties; ''some people believed that powdered Devil''s Breath could alter the state of someone''s mind in the right dose, allowing them to be more... pliant. Confused. That so much as a trace amount of it on a business card or in a drink could allow attackers or kidnappers to take advantage of people."


    "He''s right. But I suspect that the amount you likely have in your blood may be intended to do much more than that," Doctor Patel said quietly, lowering his gaze. "At minimum, whoever did this intended to alter your minds. At worst..."N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    His voice trailed off.


    Death.


    My eyes widened, and I turned to Noah, who was sitting up ramrod straight by now. "You''re absolutely certain?" I asked, looking at the doctor. "Without a doubt?"


    "Your results for your blood test came back just this morning, Alpha Hannah," Doctor Patel said softly." Remember when I said your blood pressure was low? This is why. There were trace amounts of scopmine in your system. And I believe there would be much higher levels in your blood tonight, were we to test it. But the signs are obvious enough that I don''t believe that''s necessary."


    I felt as if all of the air had been sucked out of the room.


    Noah and I looked at each other again, both stunned into silence. The wine... If Marcus reallyced the bottle he had given us with the drug, then why? What would his purpose be? Marcus despised me, that much I knew-but he clearly intended for both of us to drink it, not just me.


    Why poison his own son with a drug that could cause unconsciousness, amnesia, and even death?


    "But it was factory sealed," Noah said, shaking his head with disbelief. "And it was a gift from my father. He might be an asshole, but he''d never poison anyone. Maybe someoneced it at the factory or something."


    Doctor Patel''s face went as white as a sheet at the mention of Noah''s father. Rising from where he crouched in front of me, he took the empty bottle from Viona and studied it carefully-including the handwritten note.


    "I... I''ll be damned..." he muttered, almost as if he couldn''t believe it.


    "What is it?" I asked, sitting up a little.


    The doctor was the one who looked like he might be sick now. He shook his head and set the bottle aside with trembling hands. The room was silent, save for the sound of his soft murmurs as he clutched his hair and began to pace. "No, no, no... He never said he was going to try to kill you..."


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 Chapter 465

    Chapter 0465 Hannah


    The doctor looked like he was about to be sick when he turned to face us. His skin had gone pale, his eyes wide as saucers, his face drawn as if he''d just seen a ghost.


    "Kill us?" I sat up a little more with some effort, my arms trembling beneath my weight. Viona moved to support me, but I waved her away. "Who? Marcus?"


    Doctor Patel looked back and forth between all of us. His mouth kept opening and closing like a fish out of water. There was clearly something he had to tell us, and yet it seemed he was genuinely torn between spilling it or making a run for the hills. Most of all, there was fear in his eyes.


    "If I tell you," he said hesitantly, "you have to promise not to tell him."


    Noah and I looked at each other in astonishment. "What-"


    "Promise me," the aging doctor insisted, his cheeks trembling with the words. "Please."


    Noah, despite Drake''s resistance, stood on slightly shaking legs-the poison still weakened him, although not as much as me. "Whatever you have to tell us, Doctor Patel, your secret is safe here."


    But that wasn''t good enough. Doctor Patel''s eyes flicked to the doors and windows, terror etching hisContent ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    features.


    With a sigh, I nodded to Viona, who moved around the house quickly to secure the entrances. Once we were certain that everything was locked and the curtains were tightly shut, Doctor Patel seemed to dete with some modicum of relief. He sank down onto an armchair and hung his head in his hands, wringing his hair with his fingers.


    "Spit it out," Noah finally said, growing impatient. "Whatever you have to say, now''s your chance."


    The doctor flinched, but nodded. "V-Very well. You see... Goddess, I shouldn''t even be saying this... He


    swore to kill. me if I told a soul..."


    Noah, Drake, Viona and I all looked at each other with shock but remained silent, waiting for whatever it was he had to confess.


    Finally, Doctor Patel continued his story. "It started about eight years ago... shortly after you two got married." He nced up at me and Noah. "Your father, Marcus, came to me with a proposition; he asked me to ensure that you two didn''t conceive. Told me that there was a horrible defect in your bloodline, Hannah, that he didn''t want to pass on to his grandchild." (1)


    He swallowed hard. "So I told Alpha Noah that you were too frail for intercourse. When Alpha Noah insisted that Nightcrest needed an heir, I gave him a false date for your ovtion. I told him to try and conceive right after your menstruation, when you are the least fertile. Since you had been starving yourself at that point and lost your period, you two were none the wiser."


    "So you lied to us," Noah growled, folding his arms tightly across his chest.


    The doctor shot Noah a wide-eyed look. "I wanted to tell you, truly. And I almost did. It never felt... right to do that to you, to try and take away your choice to conceive. But when I told Marcus that we should tell


    you the truth, and that I didn''t believe that Hannah had any defects in her blood, he threatened to kill me. Not just me, but my family."


    Doctor Patel hung his head in his hands again. "After that, I''m not sure exactly what Marcus was doing to keep you from getting pregnant, Hannah. asionally, he would have me do strange things-like im that you had a UTI or some other infection to keep you from sleeping together."


    I frowned as I recalled those days. There had been a period of about a year when things had been rtively good between me and Noah, and we''d been more attracted to one another. But we couldn''t have sex because the doctor kept iming that I had infections and needed to rest.


    But I hadn''t, apparently, It was all some sort of scheme of Marcus''s to keep me from getting pregnant. And it had worked, for a while at least.

 Chapter 466

    "Was he really so keen on keeping me from getting pregnant because of a... defect in my bloodline?" I asked, ncing at Noah. "Why not just talk to me about it? Talk to my family?"


    Doctor Patel shrugged. "I wish I knew. He was very private about his motivations. All I knew was that it was important enough to him that my family''s lives would have been in danger if I hadn''t obeyed." Drake shook his head, struggling to process all of this. "And that''s all you did?" he asked. "Made up little lies to keep them from conceiving?"


    The doctor nodded.


    But Noah and I knew better. There was more to this than the doctor was letting on. Frowning, I told Viona to get my purse, and when she returned, I rifled through it and withdrew the ne ticket I''d swipedst week. I tossed it at Doctor Patel''s feet.


    "And as for this?" I asked through clenched teeth. "Surely you have some sort of exnation."N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    Doctor Patel''s face paled even more when he saw the ticket lying on the carpet. "You... How did you...


    "I knew something was offst week," I said, my voice hardly more than a whisper. "I saw this on your desk, and I took it. Sorry, but not sorry."


    Drake chuckled wryly. Viona sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her head at my thievery. Noah, however, just stared angrily at the doctor-at the man who he was supposed to trust all these years. "You were on holiday for monthsst year, and apparently my father-who supposedly threatened to kill you-funded the entire thing?" Noah hissed.


    "N-No, he didn''t-"


    "Keep lying, and you''ll lose more than just your license to practice medicine tonight," Noah threatened.


    With a trembling hand, the doctor slowly picked the ticket up off the floor and studied it for a few


    moments.


    The room was silent, the air taut with tension. Noah looked fit to burst, his chest heaving. If I''d had the strength to get up, I would have been right there with him.


    "I..." Doctor Patel''s throat bobbed. "Marcus came to mest year with this ticket. Initially, he told me that it was a gift to make up for all the trouble he put me through. But I soon learned that it was more than that."


    The doctor nced at me, then at Noah. "He told me to bring a suitcase to a random address in the tropics," he exined. "It was locked, the entire thing made of metal. Whatever was inside, I couldn''t get to it. And if I tried to open it, he would have killed me and my family-he made that part very clear. So I obeyed."


    My stomach bottomed out at the thought. An impromptu visit to the tropics, a strange suitcase, a random location...


    I knew someone else who loved the tropics. Who practically lived there, having one night stands with


    foreign women and getting involved in general debauchery.


    "Where... Where did you take the suitcase?" I whispered. I hated how small and shaky my voice sounded at that moment, but I couldn''t help it. The pieces were starting toe together in my mind, and the puzzle was turning out to be a nightmare-inducing image. "You think I worked alone? You really are just as dumb as you look if that''s what you really think!"


    The trial had been months ago, but I remembered those words like it was yesterday.


    Doctor Patel slowly lifted his gaze. When he did, the look in his eyes was enough to nearly make my heart stop in my chest. And when he uttered those next words, I was pretty certain that it did.


    "I took it to your cousin," Doctor Patel whispered. "Alvin."


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 Chapter 467

    Chapter 0467 Hannah


    "Tell me everything, Alvin."


    My cousin sat in the chair across from me, manacled hands sped together on hisp. Aside from a cold metal table and an orange jumpsuit, there was nothing between us. Nothing to keep me fromshing out at him in the way that I''d been dreaming of for months now. And yet Alvin was as cool as a cucumber.


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about," he said calmly, tilting his head to the side. "Why have you called me here, anyway? I''ll have you know I was perfectly happy ying cards with the other inmates when you showed up."


    I rolled my eyes and resisted the urge to leap across the table and throttle him.


    "You''re already in prison, Alvin. There''s no point in ying stupid." I leaned back and folded my arms across my chest. "I know you were working with Noah''s father to give me those contraceptives."


    Alvin''s eyes widened a little, but he quickly schooled his expression back into one of innocent confusion. Who? Noah''s father? Never met the guy."


    I''d had enough of his lies. Shoving my chair back hard enough for it to scrape loudly on the concrete floor, I mmed my hands into the table-and made no effort to hide the sharp edges of ws extending from the tips of my fingers. "Bullshit. Tell me what you were doing with him. Why were you working with him to begin with?"


    My cousin remained silent.


    Growing annoyed by now, I snapped my fingers toward the nearest guard, who walked over obediently. He was a particrly burly guard, standing around six foot three and probably at least two hundred pounds, sporting a buzz cut and a long beard. I''d seen him earlier when I walked into the prison and personally requested for him to be in the room for


    this very purpose.


    "You may have been protected by the Alpha Council before you were sentenced, Alvin," I growled. "But you''re in my prison now. And even if the Council came to hear your plea, do you think the guards would snitch on their own Alpha?" Alvin chuckled dryly. "Are you threatening me? What are you going to do, tickle me to death?"


    "Talready beat the shit out of Alpha David," I hissed. "You''d be an easier target." (1)


    At that, my cousin seemed to pale a little. His throat babbed as he nced back and forth between me and the burly guard before finally averting his gaze.


    "My daughter might be in danger if Marcus has his way whatever that may be," I continued, taking my seat once more with all the calm authority I could muster. "Maybe, if you tell me what you know, I''ll consider reducing your sentence." Alvin nced up at me, hope momentarily written across his face. He hesitated for a moment, licking his


    lips, before he muttered, "You won''t tell him that I told you anything?"


    I nodded as I recalled the simr look of fear on Doctor Patel''s face. Marcus had no doubt threatened Alvin in some way or another, just as he''d threatened the doctor into silence.


    "You''re safe, Alvin. Marcus won''t hurt you here."


    Alvin nodded and cleared his throat. "Very well. Yes, it''s true. I worked with Noah''s father to keep you from getting pregnant."


    "Why?" I asked.


    He shrugged one shoulder. "Marcus and I met at your wedding, and got to talking. One drink led to another, and soon I was revealing that I wanted to be the heir to Silvermoon, and that you stood in my way."


    I shook my head. "But I was married. You were the next heir in line after me, since Lily doesn''t possess the Alpha gene. I wasn''t standing in your way. Not then, at least."


    Alvin scoffed. "I know you, Hannah. I knew you''d find some way to wrest control of Silvermoon, I knew you would have an issue with me if I took over as Alpha and you''d cause... problems."


    Iclenched my teeth and held his gaze. He was right, as much as I loathed to admit it. Alvin never would


    have made a good Alpha.


    Even Noah, if he''d still hated me, would have agreed with me and would have done everything in his power to keep anything bad from happening. We couldn''t exactly let an allied pack go up in mes.


    "So," Alvin continued, "Marcus offered me a solution: work for him and he''d ensure that you wouldn''t stand in my way of taking control of Silvermoon. All I had to do was make sure you got those stupid ''fucking pills."


    My stomach clenched at the reminder-how Alvin had expertly manipted White Rabbit, also known as Jen, into selling me the drugs. He thought he''d be keeping himself safe from getting caught if things went south, but look how that turned out. "Did Marcus ever say why he wanted you to do this?" I asked.


    Alvin paused for a moment, thinking, then shook his head. "No. He never said anything other than it was imperative that you didn''t get pregnant."


    "And you didn''t think to ask?"


    "Would you?" Alvin scoffed. "Marcus is a scary man, Hannah. I just knew he had his reasons, and that it was best if I didn''t find out what they were."


    He wanted to kill me, I wanted to say. He did kill me, only I was reborn. I wanted to tell Alvin the truth, to tell him that I believed there was far more to Marcus''s plot than simply keeping me from getting pregnant, but I couldn''t.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Anyway," Alvin continued with a wave of his hand, "I did what he wanted. I made sure you got the contraceptives. Unfortunately, the n clearly didn''t work. And now there you are, and here I am."


    I couldn''t suppress the curl of my lip at that. "Yes. Here I am, and there you are," I repeated in a low voice. "Is that all you have to tell me?"


    Alvin nodded. "That''s genuinely all I know, Hannah. The rest... well, you figured that all out in court, didn''t you?"


    I smirked and rose from my chair again, smoothing down my skirt. "Yes, I did." With that, I turned on my heel and made for the door, calling to the guard over my shoulder. "Move him to the high security wing," Imanded. "See to it that he doesn''t try to get out." "Yes, Alpha."


    As the burly guard advanced on my cousin, Alvin shot to his feet, his handcuffs rattling against the chain attached to the floor.


    "W-Wait!" Alvin cried out. "You promised you''d reduce my sentence if I told you everything! What about that?!"


    I paused, my hand on the doorknob, and looked at my cousin over my shoulder. I made no effort to hide the pure, unbridled hatred in my face; the sort of hatred that only a mother who watched their baby die on the floor could feel.


    "I said I would consider it, Alvin," I cooed, throwing him an evil little grin. "And I have considered it."


    Without another word, I flung the door open and strode out into the corridor.


    Thest thing I heard before the steel door mmed shut behind me was the sound of my cousin''s


    screams.

 Chapter 468

    Chapter 0468


    Hannah


    "I just can''t believe it... So they were working together all along, with your father at the helm, no less."Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    I paced the living room as I spoke, running my hands nervously through my hair. Each stroke seemed to pull out more tiny hairs, but if I went bald, then I didn''t care right now. All I cared about was protecting my daughter Melody was in her ypen, ying with a pile of blocks and gurgling softly, while Noah was sitting on the armchair nearby. Now, more than ever, I was d our daughter was too young to know what was going on right now. But how could I one day break the news to her that her own grandfather had attempted to kill her? That he''d not only attempted to kill her, but to keep her from ever being conceived to begin with?


    "You''re sure that Zoe''s story lines up?" I asked, turning to Noah. I''d already asked him this same question a million times tonight, as if he would suddenly admit that it was all just a practical joke and that I had nothing to worry about.


    But just as he had all those times before, Noah nodded and pursed his lips. "Yes," he said solemnly. "It''s true. Zoe told me everything."


    I cursed under my breath and began pacing again, my steps even quicker now.


    Earlier that day, while I had been interrogating Alvin at the prison, Noah had been performing his own interrogation. He''d made a visit to Zoe.


    Of course, Miss Zoe wasn''t quite as keen on sharing her plot with Marcus as Alvin had been. But after some convincing and some well-deserved threats, she finally spilled everything.


    She told him that Marcus had approached her before our wedding all those years ago. He knew about her obsession with Noah and he was the one who''d given her the idea to cut our mate bond and alter Noah''s mind. Scopmine.


    That was the poison she''d used to alter Noah''s memories. It had worked like a charm, carefully carving the memories of me out of Noah''s head. It hadn''t been some ''ancient potion'' like we''d thought, but rather a simple drug slipped into some fragrant tea.


    And why did she do it, you might ask? Because Marcus had promised her something. Something huge. Something that she wanted more than anything else in the world.


    If she kept us apart, then Noah would be hers. Not just Noah, but all of Nightcrest. Their child would be


    named heir and she would be named Luna Regent until their child was old enough-and manipted enough-to take over.


    Marcus didn''t care if Noah died in the end. So long as their kid became the Alpha of Nightcrest.


    Or Adam, if they didn''t manage to have a baby of their own. It was as if Adam was some sort of...


    Backup.


    I shuddered at the thought. "Why did he want your kid with Zoe to be the Alpha of Nightcrest so badly?" I whispered. "Why not just let us have an heir?"


    Noah shook his head. "I haven''t got a clue," he murmured, passing a hand over his face.


    He looked just as weary as I felt, which came as no surprise. Neither of us had gotten much sleepst night, between the scopmine poisoning and our frantic preparations to keep our daughter and ourselves safe.


    Speaking of safety, our house was currently surrounded by guards. No one-not even us-could get in or out without explicit permission. It felt suffocating, but also necessary.


    I grit my teeth and sank down onto the couch, thinking deeply for several long moments. Neither Alvin nor Zoe seemed to have the slightest clue as to Marcus''s motivations behind doing this. Not even Doctor Patel, who''d known Marcus for decades, knew why he wanted to do any of this.


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 Chapter 469

    Chapter 0469


    "Your father is smart," I mused, leaning my head back against the plush couch cushions. "He kept all of his aplices in the dark."


    "And promised them all the things they wanted most," Noah replied.


    I nodded, shutting my eyes for a moment.


    Doctor Patel had been greedy for money and gifts, and was bound to Marcus through years of trust.


    Alvin wanted to be Silvermoon''s Alpha, and wanted to ensure that there was no way I could take


    that from him.


    Zoe wanted power of her own. She seemed to be under the impression that she could weasel her way into ruling an entire pack from behind her son.


    And all three of them had gotten too caught up in the scheme to pull out by the time Marcus started threatening them with death or torment. He''d terrified them all so much that they didn''t even dare to tell the truth about him in court, because they knew that he''d find a way to harm them even in prison.


    Money. Things. Power. Fear.


    Marcus had yed them all like fiddles. He had yed us like fiddles, too, right under our noses for years And all this time, we hadn''t even once thought to look to him as the source of our pain, because he''d been smart enough to keep himself quiet and out of the way. No wonder he was always out of the country, going on business'' trips and avoiding every holiday and important moment in our lives. No wonder he never called, never wrote, never visited.


    He wanted us to forget about him, and we had done just that.


    And now here we were, locked up in our own home, unsure of our next move while there was a shark circling us in the water.


    "We can''t just arrest him," I said softly. "He''s too smart. He''ll find a way out of it-find some way to remove himself from me."


    Noah nodded and moved to the couch, plopping down beside me. He ced his hand on my thigh, aforting feeling despite everything. "He was an Alpha for many years; a lot of the Alphas on the Council will sympathize with him if it goes to trial," he said. "We''ll need more solid proof, then. Confessions from a few people who have already proven to be untrustworthy won''t be nearly enough. We need a confession from him." I turned toward Noah and bit my lip. "But I''ll be the first to admit that I have no fucking clue as to how we''re going to get that."


    My mate was silent for some time, his green eyes sweeping back and forth across the rug as if he could find some sort of answer in the pattern.


    "He''s supposed to leave the country again in a week," Noah said quietly after several long moments." Who knows where he''ll go or how long he''ll be gone."


    "Which means we need the confession before then." My eyes flicked to our daughter, who was happily cooing to herself while she hugged a stuffed unicorn to her chest.


    Suddenly, an idea struck me.


    Unicorn.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    I shot to my feet, surprising Noah. "What''s wrong?" he asked, sitting upright.


    I pointed at the stuffed animal, my hand trembling. I was so excited that I couldn''t even form words just yet-I could only turn to Noah, my mouth working uselessly.


    But I didn''t need to say it out loud, because he picked up my implication loud and clear. He slowly rose to his feet, his green eyes widening.


    "You''re sure that would work?" he asked, turning to look at me.


    "I... I haven''t the faintest fucking idea," I breathed. "But we don''t have much time to figure anything else out, do we?"

 Chapter 470

    Chapter 0470 Chapter 0470 Hannah


    The diamond on my finger caught the light, sending a dozen tiny fractals glimmering across my skin. I tilted my hand this way and that, admiring the ring that I hadn''t worn or even seen in ages.


    Wearing my old engagement ring like this felt... surreal. I couldn''t seem to decide whether it made me excited or a little sick to my stomach. Maybe both-because on one hand, it was a reminder of our past life, which was fraught with broken hearts and bad memories. But on the other hand, it felt like a promise, just like this house. An opportunity to fill those little fractals of light with newer, happier memories.


    Ultimately, though, it didn''t matter. Because the ring was just a prop, as was everything else tonight.


    Noah joined me in the dining room doorway, his green eyes scanning the space. Everything had to look perfect for tonight. A beautiful trap, bedecked with "Congrattions on your engagement!" banners and colorful streamers and plump balloons.


    "I can buy you a new engagement ring, you know," Noah murmured, nudging me with his elbow. "In fact, I n on it."


    My cheeks heated, but I shook my head and lowered my hand. "Let''s not worry about fancy rocks tonight. We have other things to worry about."


    Noah nodded, and together we looked over the borate lie that we''d concocted. Servants bustled around, arranging the table with decadent food and fancy ce settings that were really just recycled from the baby shower.


    "People are gonna be so pissed when they find out what tonight is really for," I mused with a wry chuckle. And I don''t think the fancy cake and party favors are going to make up for it."


    Noah sighed and rubbed his hand down the back of his neck as he nced at the side table against the wall. It was piled high with little gift baggies, each one containing a miniature bottle of champagne, some expensive choctes, and a little card that read "So sorry for lying to you!" on the inside.


    "They''ll understand," he finally said after a few moments. "They have to."


    I sucked in a sharp breath. I hoped he was right. And I hoped that tonight would be worth the fuss. Because if Marcus didn''t fall for our trap like we nned...


    Before I could express my concerns, the doorbell suddenly rang.


    "That''ll be our first guests," Noah said, turning to me, with a grin. "Remember, Hannah. We''re happily-engaged tonight."


    It didn''t take much effort to ster a grin of my own on my face. While Noah went to open the door, I turned toward the hallway mirror and adjusted my outfit onest time. I wore a warm, baby pink turtleneck tucked into a flowy ck skirt, strappy heels, and a delicate silver ne ringing my throat- to match the engagement ring, of course.


    I''d taken extra care with my hair and makeup as well, opting for a curled updo and soft pink eyeshadow. Everything about my appearance screamed ''woman who just got engaged to the love of her life for the


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    second time'', even down to my freshly-manicured nails.


    And I really was happy, even if we were just pretending tonight. It''s easy to pretend when the thing you''re pretending about is what your heart truly wants.


    "Hannaaaah!" a familiar voice called out. I turned away from the mirror, beaming, to see Amber rushing toward me with a gift bag slung over her arm and a wide smile on her face. Before I could even greet her, she was throwing her arms around me and hugging me tightly.


    "Amber," I choked out,ughing, "we said no gifts."


    Amber pulled back with a smirk. "Oh, I know, but I couldn''t help myself," she said, thrusting the bag toward me. "It''s just a little thing, anyway."


    "Mhm, sure it is," I chided, knowing fully well that whatever it was had to be expensive if Amber had been the one to pick it out.


    Noah and I had specifically told our guests not to bring gifts since we''d be breaking the news that the engagement was fake by the end of the night. I should have known that people wouldn''t listen. Hopefully they saved their receipts so they could return whatever they bought.


    Still, I managed a smile and set the bag down on the hallway table, leading my friend into the dining room. Amber gasped and eximed over the decorations, and was busily adjusting balloons by the time Emma swept in. Today''s Bonus Offer

 Chapter 471

    Chapter 0471 Chapter 0471


    "Hannah, you look even lovelier than thest time I saw you," Emma said, nting a kiss on each of my cheeks before shoving a wrapped gift box into my hand. "Yes, I know you said no gifts, but I don''t care."


    "I figured you wouldn''t," Iughed, making a mental note to return that one to her as well.


    As I caught up with my friends, who I really hadn''t seen in ages, Noah invited in more and more guests. Soon enough, the house was packed full of people-and the hallway table was piled high with presents, much to our chagrin.


    "Maybe I should have just proposed to you anyway," Noah teased in my ear, wrapping his arm around my waist and tugging me close. "Since it seems that everyone wanted to shower us with gifts."


    I blushed, but smacked his arm and shook my head. "You lost your chance, Alpha."


    Noah smirked as if there was something he knew that didn''t, but before I could dwell on it, the doorbell rang again.


    My stomach dropped as I exchanged wary nces with Noah. Everyone else was here, which only meant one thing. Marcus had arrived.


    Brushing a reassuring kiss across my temple, Noah extricated himself from me and walked over to the door. A few momentster, he returned with his father in tow and a bottle of wine in his hand.


    "Hello, Marcus," I said, resisting the urge to sneer at that bottle. I wondered if he was ballsy enough toce that one with drugs, too. I wouldn''t put it past him.


    "Hannah." Marcus''s eyes flicked to the ring on my finger before he looked around. "Where is the little one?"


    "She''s with a babysitter tonight," I said coolly. In reality Melody was being heavily guarded upstairs by nearly all of my personal guards. Noah and I had decided to take every precaution in keeping Marcus as far away from our daughter as possible. "I see," Marcus said with a tiny smile. "Adults only tonight, hm?"


    I nodded, trying my best not to throttle him right then and there. Of course there were no children here; we couldn''t have them seeing any of what was to happen tonight, after all.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Well, now that everyone is here," Noah said, passing the bottle of wine to Viona, who gave me a subtle wink before slipping away, "I''d like to make a toast."


    With that, Noah grabbed a ss of champagne from the passing waiter. Once everyone had taken a ss of their own, he lifted his and beamed at me, looping his arm around me once more.


    "Hannah, my eternal moonlight," Noah announced, his eyes shining, "thank you for giving me another chance and for making me the happiest man in the world." He paused, looking at me lovingly, and I felt my breath catch in my throat.


    "I really do love you and our daughter more than life itself," he whispered, his voice so low that I wasn''t even sure if anyone else could hear him. "Not even death can do us part."


    Tears pricked my eyes, and I found myself unable to speak. I managed a watery smile and clinked my ss with his, wishing for all the world that tonight had been real-that it hadn''t all been an borate lie to catch a man who wished us both dead. "To Hannah and Noah!" the guests cheered, clinking their sses and sipping their champagne.


    My eyes flicked to Marcus, who was silent, his drink untouched.


    Finally, Noah pped his hands together. I felt my heart leap into my throat, and I nced over at the doorway, where Drake and Viona were waiting with their hands on the knobs. They each cast me a subtle nod. It was time. "Now," Noah said, turning to his father, "it is time for our honored guests to arrive. Father, I think you in particr will want to say hello."


    Marcus''s eyebrows shot up, but then his face went pale as Marcus and Viona swung open the doors and four new guests walked in-some in chains and some of their own ord with vengeance written across their faces. Doctor Patel.


    Alvin.


    Scott.


    And Zoe.

 Chapter 472

    Chapter 0472 Chapter Hannah


    0472


    As the four traitors walked into the room, Marcus gripped his champagne ss so tight that the stem snapped in his hands. Nearby guests gasped as the foamy drink spilled onto the floor, but Marcus didn''t even seem to notice. He just stared at his four cohorts in shock. "As you can all tell by now," Noah said, turning to address the guests, "this is no regr engagement party. Rather, I suppose you could call it an... intervention."


    I turned and pointed at Marcus, raising my voice for all to hear. "Marcus tried to kill us and will try again. Doctor Patel, what was the name of the drug that Noah''s father slipped into our wine?" "Scopmine," Doctor Patel replied, to which Marcus''s face paled slightly.


    But Marcus quickly schooled his expression and let out a wryugh, turning toward the door. "This is preposterous, Noah-attempting to humiliate your own father in this way. I''m leaving."


    "Oh, no you''re not," Viona hissed, stepping in front of the door. Marcusughed, murmuring something about a female Beta as he tried to shove past her. Drake just wrapped his arm around his neck and wrestled Marcus into a nearby chair. "U-Unhand me!" Marcus growled, struggling uselessly against Drake''s iron grip. "I won''t stand for this!"


    Viona just snapped her fingers and the guards, who''d been stationed outside every entrance, flooded into the room and surrounded him.


    I grabbed the bottle of wine from my Beta''s hands and popped the cork as I strode over to him.


    "Hold open his mouth," Noahmanded. Drake grinned impishly and gripped Marcus''s cheeks, forcing his mouth open.


    With a smile of my own, I held the bottle over his mouth. By now, the confused murmurs had nearly grown to a din, but I raised my voice over the noise.


    "There is a lethal dose of scopmine in this bottle," I said, tilting it so that the first drop of red winended on Marcus''s tie, barely missing his tongue. "The bottle that he intended for Noah and I to drink since the first two didn''t kill us as quickly as he hoped "Hannah, darling, what is going on?!" my father shouted. "This cannot be-"


    I held up my hand to stop him. As I did, I lowered the bottle, causing Marcus''s writhing to temporarily slow. He looked like a wild animal as he red up at me.


    "But," I said, turning to Noah, "we will give Marcus a chance to confess. Won''t we, my love?"


    Noah nodded and stepped forward. Drake released his grip on Marcus''s face, although two guards kept him held to the chair with iron grips.


    "Confess, father," Noahmanded, leaning forward and gripping the arms of the chair. "Confess to your plot with the four people who just entered the room, and I''ll consider letting you live. A courtesy that you never afforded me, Hannah, or our daughter." Marcus was silent for several long moments, his eyes frantically roving back and forth across the room.


    He seemed so small now, so helpless, but no one seemed keen on helping him-not even his cohorts, who had once been terrified of him.


    Finally, he sighed and nodded. Noah straightened and folded his arms as he stared down at him. My grip tightened around the neck of the wine bottle.


    "Very well," Marcus said, sounding more exasperated than anything else. "If you insist."


    The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop as Marcus began telling his story.


    "It''s true," he said. "I intended to kill Hannah and her child, and eventually, my own son."


    Noah stiffened, but remained silent. Even if I wanted to speak, the shard of ice in my throat wouldn''t have allowed any words toe out.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "All these years, all I wanted was what was best for Nightcrest." He jerked his head toward Zoe. "I needed her blood. The blood of the ck Wolf."


    A soft gasp rippled through the room at that. I''d heard legends of the ck Wolf before-a creature of legend that was said to take over the world. The antithesis of the Moon Goddess. A werewolf with such dark magic in its veins that it could control our kind, even rogues, and fill the world with shadow and gue and war. But it was just a story. A tale to keep children from wandering in the darkness at night.


    "I wanted Nightcrest to be the greatest pack there ever was," Marcus continued. "So I carefully cultivated a rtionship between my son and Zoe in the hopes that their child, the heir to Nightcrest, would be the powerful ck Wolf of legend.


    "But... thanks to this one," he said, shing me an evil little sneer, "Noah kept avoiding Zoe. Even cutting ''the mate bond and plying him with scopmine to erase Hannah from his memory wasn''t enough to keep the lovebirds apart."

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    Chapter 0473 Chapter 0473


    Noah shook his head in disbelief. "But you arranged a marriage between me and Hannah," he said. "You and Hannah''s father agreed-"


    "I am nothing if not a man of opportunity," Marcus hissed. "When Hannah''s father presented a business deal of a lifetime, a sizable share in Silvermoon''s mines, well... I figured there would be no harm in allowing a brief marriage for mary benefit, so long as the little bitch didn''t get pregnant."


    My stomach twisted at that. My father gasped, crossing the room with fury in his eyes, but I stopped him with an outstretched arm and a reassuring look. He''d have his vengeance, but not just yet.


    "So that''s why you tried to keep us from having an heir I said. "You wanted to sap whatever money you could out of our marriage while not getting in the way of your plot to put a ck Wolf in position as Nightcrest''s heir."


    "My, my," Marcus cooed. "The slut is smarter than she looks-"


    Drake smacked him upside the head, shutting him up effectively. Marcus grunted and shook his head, sending a shock of graying hair into his eyes.


    "But Scott got Zoe pregnant," Noah continued for his father. "Did that fuck up your grand scheme?"


    Marcus sighed and nced at Scott, whose red-rimmed eyes were fixed on the carpet. "Quite the opposite, actually. While Scott''s blood is not nearly as high-quality as yours, Noah, he was still a viable heir to Nightcrest if I named him as such, and he sessfully produced a child with Zoe when you wouldn''t. That child made a good backup n if all else failed, even if his father was the product of infidelity."


    ''Scott''s face paled a little more, but he remained silent. Zoe, for her part, just clenched her jaw.


    "Eventually, when it seemed you two weren''t likely to split up despite our best efforts," Marcus continued, "darling Zoe came up with the genius n; when Hannah began to show signs of a budding eating disorder, Zoe decided to cultivate it. All it took was a few well-timedments, a little bit of gossip, and


    soon..."


    The diet pills. I felt like I might be sick.


    "But..." Marcus sighed and red at me again. "Somehow, she managed to survive and even recover."


    I did die, I wanted to say. That was how I recovered, you fucking bastard. I died and came back and knew I had to change.


    But I didn''t. I remained silent, d to suddenly feel Noah''s warmth as he slipped his hand into mine and gave it a squeeze.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Of course that wasn''t our only attempt to kill you," Marcus continued. "We tried with that man who was engaged to your friend-Jake, I believe his name was? Promised him a nice reward if he did you in. But yet again, you managed to pull through." Noah''s hand stiffened in mine. Amber let out a sob and practically crumpled into Emma''s arms.


    "Still, you two did divorce, even if Hannah survived multiple attempts on her life," Marcus sneered a little." Everything seemed to be going splendidly until somehow, even that had a wrench thrown into it. And now


    here we are, at a second engagement party."


    "So you tried to kill us," I whispered. "Because you ran out of other options and figured that if you could at least get rid of us and our daughter, you could take over the pack as Alpha once more and acquit Zoe." Marcus nodded. "Precisely. I''d even make her my own bride if I had to."


    He turned to the rest of the guests, who had been silent and still as statues for some time now. "I suppose you''re all nning on running out of here and telling everyone in the world what you heard. All I can say is: good luck with that."


    Noah and I exchanged nces. Marcus knew what he was doing; he had been a well-respected and even feared Alpha for many years. He had plenty of friends on the Alpha Council, and enough influence to make any verbal usation seem like nothing more than petty gossip.


    But he didn''t know that we had a trick of our own up our sleeves.


    Pink unicorns.


    "Emily," I called over my shoulder, "did you get all that?"


    The journalist stepped out of the crowd, adjusting her sses-the expensive ones we''d purchased for her just for tonight. The ones that had a tiny camera hidden in the lenses. "Yeah, Alpha Hannah. I got every bit of the bastard''s confession."

 Chapter 474

    Chapter 0474 Hannah


    The prison van was already waiting outside by the time Marcus realized that he had been wholly, truly, trapped.


    "Did you really think that no one here would record your evil viin speech, Dad?" Noah said, pping his hand on his father''s shoulder. "I thought you were smarter than that."


    Marcus didn''t respond. He just hung his head and grumbled something about wanting awyer, but it was no use. Emily, the illustrious journalist who had produced our documentary over the past year and a half, had just captured her final encore. Not even a man like Marcus could talk his way out of that one.


    "This is going to make an amazing final episode," Emily mused as she watched the footage on her phone. "Thanks for these sses. They really came in handy."


    I offered her a smile. "Keep them. You never know when you''ll need a hidden camera." At that, I nced over at Zoe, who was as pale as death.


    Taking a deep breath, I walked over to her. She didn''t look at me right away, although her gaze finally slid to me when I cleared my throat.


    "Noah promised to reduce my sentence if I came," was all she said.


    I shot a look at Noah, who was busy with his father across the room. "That''s a promise for him to decide whether to keep or not," I replied. "Personally, I wouldn''t."


    Zoe''s eyes narrowed. "I told you what you wanted and came to your little party. Isn''t it enough-"


    "For me? It''ll never be enough, Zoe. Not after what you did. Not just to me, but to the man I love." I swallowed the sharp lump in my throat. "Maybe Marcus coerced you into doing awful things, promised you the glory you always felt you deserved. But at the end of the day, you were an adult who made her own decisions."N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    She was silent, although I could practically feel the hatred radiating off of her. I nodded to her guard, who pulled her in the direction of the prison van, before I moved to Alvin.


    "As for you," I said, eyeing my cousin up and down, "I could say much the same. The things you did...''


    Alvin shook his head and looked away. "I didn''t know it was that bad."


    "But you knew the risks of what you were doing," I pressed. "You said yourself that you wouldn''t have been surprised if I''d died of that eating disorder and taking all those pills. Nothing can remedy that."


    "


    My cousin opened his mouth to say something else, but I was finished talking to him. His guard whisked him away, and I turned to Doctor Patel and Scott.


    "Doctor Patel," I said, "your license to practice medicine has been formally revoked by the Alphas of Silvercrest. You have the right to a fair trial, if¡ª"


    "No." The doctor shook his head. "I ept whatever punishment you will give me. No trial needed."


    I nodded. "Very well. You will be ced under house arrest for six months, after which you will be required to performmunity service for an additional eighteen months."


    I nodded to Viona, who handed the doctor a packet with his sentence. "There are volunteering positions open at the eating disorder center. You''ll be assigned to the cleaning crew there."


    With that, the doctor was taken away by his correctional officer, who would handle the rest.


    Finally, I turned to Scott.


    I had no words for him-for the man I once trusted. The man who Noah trusted for many years. The man who I had confided in, who I believed to be my only ally when I needed one the most, who lied to my face and I''d been stupid enough to fall for it. We just looked at each other. I stared into his red-rimmed eyes and pressed my lips into a thin line.


    He sniffled and lowered his gaze.


    By the time I returned to Noah''s side, Marcus had already been loaded into the prison van. If he had any other ns for Zoe and Scott, who were both his responsibility, then he didn''t tell me and I didn''t have the heart to ask tonight.


    We watched in silence as the van drove away, the tires crunching down the gravel driveway. Neither of us said a word until the van moved past the front gates and disappeared down the road.


    Finally, I turned to the guests, who had gathered on the frontwn.


    "Is this... Is this a real engagement party or not?" Amber blurted out first.


    I snorted; leave it to Amber to ask about the party first and foremost.

 Chapter 475

    Chapter 0475


    "You''re all wee to stay for cake and champagne if you''re not too put off by the whole experience," I said with a small smile. "But no, it''s not a real engagement party. We just needed a way to get Marcus toe to the house before he left the country again." I paused, feeling a bit guilty, then added, "You should all take your gifts back, by the way. Since we haven''t actually gotten engaged."


    "Would you like to?" Noah suddenly said from behind me. "Get engaged, I mean."


    My eyes widened, and I felt my heart stop in my chest. turned slowly-and there he was. On one knee in the middle of the driveway. With a little velvet box in his hand.


    I was too frozen to move, too frozen to speak, too astounded to even notice the excited murmurs from the nearby guests or the sh of Emily''s camera.


    The ring he held out to me was delicate, the tiniest pink diamond set in a thin silver band. in and practical, but feminine. Me. Or rather, the woman I had be.


    "Noah, I..." I didn''t know what to say. All I could do was stare at him, then the ring in his hands, then the one on my own finger.


    "You didn''t really think I''d let you go to bed tonight without a new ring, did you?" Noah whispered, his eyes glimmering in the light of the moon shining through the clouds. "We went to all this trouble to throw this party..."


    I swallowed hard, feeling for all the world as if my throat had closed up.


    He was proposing to me. For real this time. With a ring that was empty, free of old memories and waiting


    to be filled with new ones.


    Finally, all I managed to murmur was, "What should I do with the old ring?"


    A chuckle rippled through the crowd. Noahughed too, rising and closing the distance between us. "Can I assume that was a ''yes''?" he whispered.


    I nodded vehemently, suddenly feeling my face heat. "Y-Yes. It was a yes. I want to marry you." My heart pounded, and I added, "Again."


    With a grin as wide as the crescent moon itself, Noah slipped the old ring off of my finger and reced it with the new one. The guests swooned and cheered as he cupped his hand at the back of my neck and tugged me closer, pressing a warm, tender kiss to my lips. I nearly melted in his arms.


    When we pulled apart, my eyes fell back to the old engagement ring in his hands. I remembered when he had given it to me; had felt like nothing more than a courtesy, a necessary gift to make the arranged marriage feel more official.


    Nothing at all like this ring, which felt heavy with the weight of love and promise.


    "What should we do with it?" I whispered.


    Noah nced up at the crowd. "I''m assuming no one here would like a cursed old ring," heughed, to


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    which many of thedies clutched their nes and stepped away as if the thing might ruin their rtionships from afar.


    Even Viona moved against Drake a little, shaking her head. Drakeughed and draped his arms around her shoulders. "No way, man," he said. "You can toss that thing in a river for all I care."


    Noah and I looked at each other, clearly having the same thought at the same time.


    "We don''t have a river," I said, "but we have the next best thing."


    The next thing I knew, Noah and I wereughing, running hand-in-hand across the moonlitwn. We made our way toward the small man-made pond that sat near the woods, which had be overgrown with cattails and snapping turtles over the years. We stopped by the shore, a little breathless fromughter.


    I took the old ring and looked up at Noah. "You''re sure you want to do this?" I asked.


    He nodded, beaming, and pressed the ring into my palm. It felt heavy and cool against my skin. Together?" he asked, wrapping his hand around my fingers.


    I grinned and pulled our hands back. "Together."


    As one, weunched the ring into the pond. It sailed through the air in a high arc, the diamond catching the pale light of the moon onest time before it plopped into the water with a satisfying ssh.


    The moment it hit the surface, Noah dipped me low.


    And my face turned as pink as my new ring as he kissed me there, in front of everyone.

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    Chapter 0476 Chapter 0476 Hannah


    With the old ring submerged beneath the pond''s surface and the new ring glittering on my finger, Noah and I made our way back to the house, where the party had apparently returned in full swing-with even more fervor this time.


    As we stepped back into the house, we were met with the sound of loud music andughter. Noah and I exchanged curious nces before making our way to the dining room, only to find Viona, Emma, and Amber standing by the minibar with grins on their faces. "There they are!" Amber eximed, rushing over to me. She shoved a drink in my hand, nearly sloshing it all over my clothes before she pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. "I hope you don''t mind, but we decided to stay and party after all."


    I couldn''t help butugh as I wrapped my free arm around my friend. "I can see that. I''m surprised everyone wanted to stay after what just went down."


    Drake, standing by the window, shrugged one shoulder with a sheepish grin. "You put so much effort into throwing a nice party," he said. "Might as well put it all to use, right?"


    "Can''t argue with that." Noah stepped forward and began mixing himself a drink behind the bar-a strong one. "Drinks, anyone?"


    Before I knew it, a line had formed in front of the bar, with Noah bartending. Clearly, we all needed something to loosen ourselves after everything that had just happened. I sipped my own drink, grateful for the sensation of the liquor burning a hot path down my throat. "I still can''t believe he actually proposed," Amber said as she inspected my new ring, the tiny pink diamond glinting in the light of the chandelier hanging overhead. "After all this time, you two are finally getting back together."


    I blushed, admiring the ring along with my friends. "It feels surreal, if I''m being honest."


    "It feels surreal to all of us," Emma chimed in. "The odds were stacked against you two, and yet here you are, finally happy together."


    Before I could answer, Viona added, "And that ring is absolutely perfect, Hannah. Much more your style than that gaudy monstrosity you just tossed into the pond."


    "Hey now!" Noah''s hands stilled over the bar, although there was a glint of mischief in his eyes as he red at Viona. "I picked that ''gaudy monstrosity'' out myself, you know."


    Viona just grinned devilishly. "Yes, well, clearly your taste has improved over the years," she called back, sticking out her tongue.


    As the party intensified throughout the night, I found myself moving through the throng of guests, epting warm hugs, heartfelt congrattions, and clinking sses. Suddenly, my sister appeared out of nowhere, practically barreling toward me from amongst the crowd. "Hannah!" Lily threw her arms around my neck before I could even prepare for the impact, squeezing me so tight it felt like she might suffocate me. "I''m so happy for you. And so proud of you-for catching that bastard," she murmured in my ear.


    +25 BOHUS


    I held her tightly, inhaling the familiar scent of her perfume. "Thank you, Lily. I feel like I can finally breathe now that it''s all over."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    My sister pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, her expression suddenly turning serious, "I mean it, Hannah. I''m here for you. Both of you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it." Her gaze flicked briefly toward Noah, who was now in the middle of an animated discussion with Drake.


    I blinked back the tears that had been threatening to spill. "I know. I love you, Lily. You''re the best sister I could ask for."


    Her eyes softened, and for a moment, her fierce demeanor melted Into something tender. "I love you too, little sister," she whispered, leaning her forehead against mine.


    Behind me, a throat cleared, and I turned to find my father standing there, his posture awkward.


    "Hannah," he began, taking a tentative step forward, "I need to apologize."


    I shook my head immediately, not wanting to open old wounds. "Dad, you don''t-"


    "I do." He closed the distance between us and took my hands in hisrger ones, his palms callused with age/"I arranged that first marriage without ever truly understanding Marcus''s character. I was too caught up in the business opportunity, too blind to the man he really was."

 Chapter 477

    My eyes widened, and I opened my mouth to tell him that he had no reason to me himself; he was only trying to do what he thought was right at the time. But he held up one hand to stop me, his eyes glistening with unshed tears in the dim light. "I failed you, Hannah. As your father, I should have known better. I should have protected you."


    His words hung heavily in the air between us, and for a moment, the sounds of the party seemed to fade. I felt myself soften at the sight of my father like this, and I reached up to touch his stubbled cheek. "I don''t me you, Dad."


    He gave a small, brokenugh. "Still, you''re my daughter. I should have done more. I should have been there for you over the years." His arms enveloped me, pulling me into a tight hug, and for a moment, I felt- like a little girl again as I buried my face in his chest. When we finally pulled apart, I wiped my eyes quickly, hoping no one had noticed the stray tears that had escaped. As I scanned the room, my gaze found Noah. He was now standing by the buffet table with Viona and Drake,ughing about something as they all sipped from flutes of champagne.


    I made my way over just as Drake said, "So when''s the wedding? And more importantly, am I the best man?"


    Noah chuckled, pping Drake on the shoulder. "I never thought I''d say this, Drake... but who else would it be?"


    "And obviously, I''m the maid of honor," Viona dered shooting me a re as if silently daring me to contradict her. "After everything we''ve been through, it''s basically a requirement."


    I grinned and pulled her into a hug. "Obviously. Although you might have to wrestle Lily for it."


    Viona just chuckled. "She may be taller, but I''m scrappier."


    "Definitely scrappier," Drake emphasized.


    The rest of the night passed in a blur after that. As the hours slipped by, guests began to trickle out, offering onest round of congrattions, hugs, and well wishes. By the time the final car pulled away, my feet were aching from the heels, and my cheeks hurt from all the smiling.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    I sighed, leaning against Noah as we watched thest vehicle disappear into the distance. "What a night."


    He pressed a kiss to my temple, his arm wrapping securely around my waist. "Worth it though, right?"


    I held up my hand, letting the light catch the pink diamond on my finger. "Definitely worth it."


    After cleaning up, Noah headed upstairs to check on Melody. I remained downstairs for a little while, nervously checking doors and windows as if Marcus might return-but of course, there was no need.


    By the time I made my way up to the nursery, most of the guards had been dismissed now that Marcus was safely out of the house. All except for one guard, who was standing at attention near the nursery door.


    But as I approached, she ced a finger on her lips and shot me a silent smile.


    I furrowed my brow, quietly creeping forward and peering through the cracked door.

 Chapter 479

    Chapter 0479


    "Well... it was a sess in this life, wasn''t it?" Noah asked, squeezing my hand a little tighter.


    Nodding, I said, "It was. If you ignore the fact that Zoe and Scott swapped out our offerings to make us fight with each other."


    At that, Noah stiffened. He stopped short, turning to face me fully. "I''m never letting anyone get in the way of us like that again," he said, his voice serious. "Ever."


    My breath caught a little at the intensity in his voice. He must have said those words a million times by now, but they took me aback each and every time. Maybe it was because I spent so long wishing he would say them. Maybe it was because I spent so long wishing I would listen to them.


    Wordlessly, I closed the distance between us and looped my arms around his neck. I lifted up ever so slightly on my tiptoes and kissed him. He tasted likete-night coffee and cologne, and a touch of my own perfume from a kiss we''d shared earlier in the midst of work. When we parted for air, we leaned our foreheads against one another, just breathing each other in for a few moments.


    Then, suddenly, I blurted out, "I want to have another baby."


    Noah practically stumbled back, his eyes wide. "You-what?"


    I pressed my lips together, feeling my cheeks heat for a moment, before I nodded. "I''ve been thinking about ittely. I want another."


    "When?" Noah repeated, gripping my hands. "Hannah, we have so much-"


    "I don''t care when," I suddenly cut him off with a shake of my head. I gestured up to the house, the space that was still filling with new memories, slowly but surely. To the emptynd all around. "This ce is so... big. I want to fill it." "With children?"


    I couldn''t help butugh. "Maybe not quite that many. But with memories. Happiness. I don''t know... I can''t exin it. I just want another baby at some point. Maybe when we get the merger situated... Maybe five years from now. Hopefully sooner than that, but I do want another."


    For several long moments, Noah was silent-the only sounds between us that of the workers shouting and running their power tools. I supposed that this wasn''t exactly the ideal ce to bring something like this up, surrounded by all these people. But I couldn''t hold it in any longer.


    "If you don''t want to-" I began, fearing I was throwing it on him too suddenly.


    But he cut me off with another kiss before I could finish, his hands cupping either side of my face.


    "Okay," he breathed against my lips. "Okay. We''ll have another. And another and another and another, if that''s what you want."


    Iughed, trying to pull back, but it was no use-he was clutching me too hard against his mouth, kissing me with too much fervor for a man who was surrounded by workers.


    "Maybe-Maybe not that many," I stammered into his mouth, finally grabbing his wrists and tilting my


    head back a little for air.


    When I met his gaze, his green eyes were sparkling in the spotlights. "I spent so long missing you, just wishing that I could be surrounded by your love," Noah whispered, tracing his thumbs across my cheekbones. "So if you want to fill the world with more of yourself, more of us, then I''d be the happiest man on Earth for it."


    I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. "You would really like to have another?"


    Noah nodded vehemently, a grin touching his lips, which were now slightly red and swollen from kissing


    1. me.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Yes. Nothing would make me happier. In fact..."


    My mate grinned as he suddenly picked me up, right in front of all the workers, and threw me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I shrieked as he carried me back to the house. "Let''s make one right now."


    Today''s Bonus Offer

 Chapter 481

    25 BONUS Chapter 0481


    Noah leaned closer, nudging me with his shoulder. "What do you think?" he whispered. "It''s not like we have many options left, do we?"


    I bit my lip, weighing the options. The Council was growing more restless by the second, and the show was supposed to start soon. We didn''t exactly have time to be picky, and the thought of disappointing the Council made my stomach churn. Too much hinged on today to not at least try something.


    "Okay," I finally said with a nod. "What''s your name, sir?


    "Edward," the man replied with a slight bow. "And I promise you won''t regret this."


    I hoped we wouldn''t.


    As the moment for the performance approached, my nerves were strung too tight to even speak. I stood beside Noah at the forefront of the crowd, my heart pounding in my chest as we waited for the old man, Edward, to hobble out on stage.


    And, Goddess, he was slow. Not that it was his fault, but... still.


    The crowd had gathered, their voices a low murmur. I could see several people staring at Edward, with his ancient, weathered violin tucked under one arm as he shuffled toward the center of the stage.


    Even some of the Council members wore expressions of mild amusement as they watched him make his way to the microphone with excruciating slowness, as if they were expecting this to be nothing more than/ a joke or some kind of quaint opening act. Slowly, too slowly, Edward shuffled toward the microphone.


    The crowd began to chuckle. A slow ripple at first, but then it grew.


    "Hurry up, old man!" some teenager shouted from the back, causing moreughter to crop up. Nathan turned and shot daggers with his eyes at the kid, but he was nowhere to be seen amongst the enormous crowd.


    "Oh, Goddess," I muttered under my breath, rubbing my face with both hands. "What have we done?"


    Nathan was silent beside me, watching with bated breath,


    But then Edward lifted his violin to his shoulder, and everything changed.


    The first note rang through the air with a rity that took my breath away. The sound floated on the wind like a haunting melody, the strains slow and controlled.


    The crowd fell silent.


    I felt a lump rise in my throat as I watched Edward y, his gnarled fingers moving across the strings with ease. Before, his hands had looked twisted and arthritic, but now... It was as if the very act of ying had made him young again. Behind him, right on cue, the Nightcrest band began to join in. The drums, the electric guitar, and the bass all melded perfectly with Edward''s violin, transforming the simple concerto into something that was Chapter 0481


    indeed-


    "He said he''d make it upbeat," Noah chuckled beside me, his eyes fixed on the stage.


    Upbeat. That was the word.


    I nced around at the crowd, taking it all in. Those who had once beenughing were now swaying to the music, smiles stretching across their faces.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    As the music continued, the droves of Silvermoon and Nightcrest members began dancing together, their faces lit up with joy. Even the Council members were nodding along, small smiles tugging at the corners of their lips.


    When the final note rang out, the silence that followed was immediately broken by a roar of apuse. The crowd erupted like a volcano, cheering and pping and hollering. Edward sketched a humble bow alongside the Nightcrest band, his smile wide as the crowd screamed for an encore.


    "That was..." I trailed off, unable to find the words.


    "Perfect," Noah finished, wrapping an arm around me and tugging me close. "Absolutely perfect."


    But before we could truly celebrate, my gaze shifted to the Council members. They were rising from their seats, their expressions unreadable as they made their way toward us.


    "I guess now is the time for our verdict," Noah whispered.

 Chapter 482

    Chapter 0482 Chapter 0482 Hannah


    The Alpha Council''s expressions were as inscrutable as ever as they moved through the crowd. Drake was among them, although he kept his face impassive other than the barest wink in my direction. But it did little to ease my worries.


    The eldest among them, Alpha George, moved at the forefront of the group. He tilted his chin toward the house as he approached.


    "If we could speak privately?" It was framed as a question, but it was really amand.


    Noah''s hand found the small of my back, giving me a silent nod. With our spines straight, we led the way through the sea of people, guiding the Council toward the house.


    The walk to the study felt endless, and it was all I could do to keep my knees from giving out. This meeting was everything. If we failed to convince the Council, then all of our effort-the ns, the sacrifices, the months of work-would have been for nothing. Once inside, I asked one of the housekeepers to bring some tea. The Council settled in the study as the housekeeper quickly returned with a kettle and several cups, pouring fragrant chamomile and handing them out.


    Alpha George refused a cup, but waited until everyone had taken their tea before speaking.


    "Before we give our final decision," he began, "there are a few matters that still need addressing. A few of our Council have expressed that they have questions for you."


    "Ask away," Noah said calmly.


    One of the younger members of the Council, a middle-aged man with a receding hairline, asked his question first. "First and foremost, what of your pack members? Will they be forced into this merger? Expected to leave their homes and lives behind?" "No one will be forced to do anything," Noah replied. "This merger is about unity, not control. Our members have their own lives and choices, and those choices will be respected."


    I nodded in agreement. "With the Council''s permission, we would like both territories to remain intact as they are-justbined. No one is being uprooted. And if any pack member wishes to leave and join another pack, they are free to do so."Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    The Council members exchanged nces, and Alpha George made a small note in his leather-bound notebook. Drake, sitting at a chair by the window, silently sipped his tea and watched over the rim of his


    -cup.


    A few momentster, the next Alpha began to ask his question. "And as for the business side of things? Surely your two packs have current trade agreements that may conflict during the merger."


    I nced at Noah, who answered for both of us. "We have already begun scheduling meetings with each pack we currently trade with. We intend to address any concerns personally, ensuring that all existing agreements are honored and adjusted fairly where needed."


    "We understand that this merger Impacts more than just our two packs," I added. "We''remitted to


    maintaining positive rtionships with all our allies, and that includes ensuring that everyone feels secure with the changes that are toe."


    If our answers pleased the Council, they didn''t even show it. Not even Drake showed any emotion on his face, but it was unsurprising-he was expected to remain impartial. We were his friends, but he was also a member of this Council, and so we couldn''t me him for treating us as he would anyone else in this situation.


    The sound of more notes being scribbled filled the room. Finally, Alpha George nced up from his notes, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "And if your pack members don''t consent to the merger? What then?"


    I didn''t hesitate. "We''re nning to hold a vote," I said. "There will be a town hall meeting where every pack member can voice their concerns. After that, if the majority votes against the merger, then it won''t happen. Simple as that."


    Noah leaned forward, setting aside his cup. "It''s worth noting that we intend to be there at the town hall ourselves to ensure that every concern is addressed directly."


    "And not just once," I added quickly. "We n to hold these meetings monthly for the next year, so everyone has ample opportunity to speak their mind and feel heard. At the end of the year, we intend to hold another vote to ensure that our pack members are still on board with the merger."

 Chapter 483

    Chapter 0483


    The Council members seemed to nce at each other curiously at that. It seemed our mention of a vote was somewhat unexpected, but it was true. Noah and had discussed it before. Many times.


    But then Drake suddenly rose, clearing his throat. "I have a question for you two. A more personal one."


    Noah and I turned to face him, silently willing him to ask anything.


    Drake paused, ncing at the others on the Council before continuing. "What about Melody? When shees of age, will she be required to marry in order to lead the pack?"


    The question hit me harder than I thought it would. Drake had phrased it as part of the interview, but I knew it was more personal than that. He cared for Melody-he would have protected her with his life if the need arose.. He was asking about her future now. About her emotional wellbeing. Because he had seen both of her parents suffer with their own for far too long.


    "Melody... has many years ahead of her before we even need to think about that," I began carefully. "We hope to have plenty of open discussions with her over the years, and when the timees, the choice will be entirely hers."


    Drake seemed to dete a little at that, and Noah added, "If she wants to rule as sole Alpha of Silvercrest, she can do that. If she wants to marry-man or woman-and name them as her co-Alpha, then that will be her decision."


    "Being a female Alpha is... not easy." I nced at the other Alphas, throwing them all meaningful looks. "And if she decides she doesn''t want to rule at all, or if she wants to establish a council to help her lead, that will be her right as well. We won''t force her into a role she doesn''t want, just as we wouldn''t force anyone in our pack."


    "No more arranged marriages," Noah finished quietly.


    At that, Drake snapped his eyes to Noah''s and held his gaze, silent but steady. Something fierce and protective flickered in my friend''s eyes for the briefest of moments before he nodded and sat back down in his chair.


    "That was all I had to ask," Drake murmured.


    Finally, Alpha George set hit pen down. He looked at his fellow Council members, a silent conversation passing between them. After what felt like an eternity, he closed his notebook and folded his hands neatly in hisp.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "If you wouldn''t mind," he said, gesturing to the door, "we''d like the room to discuss our decision."


    Noah and I obliged and made our way to the door. As soon as we stepped into the hallway and the door was shut behind us once again, Noah turned to me and pulled me into his arms. He pressed a kiss to my temple as he tangled his fingers into my hair. "It''s going to be okay," he whispered. "No matter what happens, we''ll figure it out together."


    I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his familiar scent "Promise?"


    "Promise," he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair.


    We stood like that, wrapped in each other, as we waited for the final verdict. It felt like hours, although it could only have been a handful of minutes before the study door creaked open again. Drake stood in the doorway. His face was still impassive, but I could see a flicker of something new in his eyes this time.


    Excitement.


    "We''re ready for you now."


    With our collective breaths held, we walked back into the study. The Council had arranged themselves in a semicircle, their faces still carefully neutral, giving nothing away.


    Alpha George gestured to Drake with one hand. "Alpha Drake, since you are... close with Alpha Hannah and Alpha Noah, perhaps you should share the news."


    Drake nodded and took a step back, clearing his throat as if preparing to read a script. "After careful consideration of everything we have seen today, as well as your answers to our questions, we have reached a decision."


    He paused, and his face slowly, too slowly, split into a grin.


    "Silvermoon and Nightcrest are now one pack. Silvercrest... is official."


    The relief hit me like a tidal wave, and before I could stop myself, I let out a cry of joy and threw myself


    into Noah''s arms.

 Chapter 484

    Chapter 0484 Chapter 0484 Hannah


    The weeks following the Council''s approval of our merger were nothing short of chaotic. Meetings, paperwork, and nning sessions filled every avable hour, leaving little time to breathe, let alone reflect.


    But somehow, we made it work. Night after night, Noah and I pushed through the aching backs and exhaustion like a well-oiled machine. Slowly but surely, we began to piece together a foundation for Silvercrest. The town hall meeting was set to take ce in what was once Nightcrest''s grand meeting hall, which turned out to be just barely big enough to fit everyone who arrived. Members from both packs were crammed into every avable chair, and many more had to sit on the floors or stand against the walls once the chairs ran out.


    It was strange to stand there, with Noah at my side as allies and no longer enemies. Thest time we had been here, after all, had been at the eptance ceremonyst year-when everything had begun. Back when we hated each other''s guts.


    Soon enough, the meeting began. Our announcement was met with a mixture of reactions ranging from shock to interest, although some were not thrilled by the idea. And there were a lot of questions.


    "What about the hunting territories?" a voice called out from somewhere near the back "Are they going to be redistributed?"


    "No," Noah answered. "The current hunting grounds will stay exactly as they are, just shared amongst all pack members." Another voice cut in before Noah had even finished. "And our businesses? Our jobs?"


    "Nothing changes," I said, leaning into my microphone. "Your businesses, your jobs, your homes-all will remain exactly as they are. No one will be uprooted-at least, that is our n. And we intend to stick to it."


    The questions kepting, one after the next, stretching the meeting far into the evening. We fielded concerns, rified points of confusion, and watched as doubt slowly gave way to a cautious sort of eptance.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    When the votes were cast and finally countedte that night, the majority had spoken in favor of the merger. Relief rippled through me, and I nearly copsed as we finally made our way out of the grand hall.


    But that was only the beginning. Over the next few days, meetings with other pack Alphas were scheduled back-to-back, leaving barely enough time between them to regroup. One meeting had been particrly grueling-discussing the treaty between Silvermoon and Darkmoon.


    "I see no reason why I should hold true to the treaty if Silvermoon, for all intents and purposes, no longer exists," David sneered, leaning back in his chair. "You never specified that I''d have to follow the treaty''s principles in an event like this."


    I pinched the bridge of my nose, my patience wearing thin. "David, Silvercrest is officially thergest pack to walk the," I sighed. "Do you really want to start a potential fight over semantics? Can''t you just keep things civil?"


    David merely shrugged, a smirk touching his lips. "Perhaps I''ll consider honoring the treaty if some... amendments are made."


    Hours passed, arguments and insults flying back and forth across the table until atst, David conceded to a revised form of the original treaty-thanks to a few well-ced threats on our part. I was on the verge of punching him again by the time we left the room, but at least it was over.


    The next big event was a visit to the Luna Council a weekter. As I hurried through the familiar marble halls, memories from past meetings shed through my mind-conversations, debates, and decisions made in this very space, each one having more of an impact on me than I''d expected it to


    It broke my heart, knowing that today would be myst meeting


    Luna nna greeted me as I entered, gesturing to my empty seat. "Hannah. We were just about to get started without you."

 Chapter 485

    Chapter 0485


    I managed a small smile, taking my usual seat, and found myself looking around at the familiar faces- women who had be friends, allies, sisters in arms. It was hard not to cry, if I was being honest. "Actually," I said, "I have an announcement to make.


    The room grew quiet as I exined my reasons for stepping down from the Council, my gratitude for their support, and my hopes for Silvercrest''s future. Truthfully, I hadn''t been giving the Luna Council as much thought as it deservedtely, what with all of the responsibilities of an Alpha, the merger, an uing wedding, and motherhood.


    And besides, I wasn''t a Luna anymore. Not even in spirit. I was an Alpha now, through and through. And who was I to take that spot on the Council away from someone else? Perhaps there was another Hannah out there, a Luna with big dreams, who deserved a chance. When I finished, I was met with silence. My hands shook under the table as I began to wonder if I had offended the Luna Queen or the other Lunas.


    But then, with a sniffle, the Luna Queen rose from her chair and bowed her head to me. "We understandpletely, Hannah. You will be missed dearly."


    "Actually," I added, "I have a rmendation for my recement-if you''re open to hearing it.


    The Luna Queen tilted her head thoughtfully. "Of course."


    "Emma-a friend of mine, an ex-Luna. She is recently divorced, but she''s one of the most intelligent,passionate leaders I know. I believe she''d be an invaluable asset to the Council."


    Luna nna''s eyebrows shot up, and she nodded to the Luna at her left side, who made a note in her leather-bound notebook. "Emma... yes, I remember her fromst year''s charity g. Sharp mind, that one. Thank you, Hannah-I''ll be in touch with her for an interview." The goodbyes that followed were bittersweet. There were hugs, well wishes, and promises to keep in touch, and by the time I finally made it home, the sun had long since disappeared behind the horizon.


    I wasn''t sure what I expected as I walked through the front door, but the scene that greeted me was nothing short of chaotic. Music red through the speakers-a ridiculously catchy pop song that had taken over the radio recently.


    And there, in the center of the living room, was Drake, holding Melody in his arms, singing loudly and twirling her around. Drake belted out the words like he was born for it, sending Melody into a fit of giggles as he tickled her side. Meanwhile, Noah was sprawled across the couch, grinning at his friend''s antics, while Viona sat curled up in the armchair, watching her boyfriend with begrudging amusement.


    She caught my eye as I slipped in, her cheeks coloring slightly as I whispered, "You know you''re in trouble. n¨®w, right?"


    "Oh?" she raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. "Why''s that?"


    "That man is going to start wanting a baby of his own after this," I muttered, nudging her in the ribs with my elbow. "And if I''m not mistaken, you''re starting to want one of your own, too."


    Viona''s eyes widened, her face turning crimson. She looked away and covered her mouth with her hand, saying nothing, but we both knew I was right.


    I drifted toward Noah after that, who had extended a hand out to me, an invitation I dly epted as I sank onto hisp.


    He slid his arm around my waist and pulled me close. "Long day?"


    "The longest," I murmured, resting my head against his shoulder. My whole body felt heavy as the past few weeks finally caught up to me.


    But being here, surrounded by the chaos that was my life...


    How could I be tired now, when the party was only just beginning?Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 486

    Chapter 0486


    Chapter


    Hannah


    0486Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    The day of Melody''s first birthday dawned bright and clear, the sun casting golden light across the dining room furniture. The ce had been transformed, pink and silver streamers winding along the ceiling, and balloons gathering in clusters in every corner.


    Noah was fussing with the food table, arranging tes a little too meticulously for a baby''s birthday party. "Do you think she''ll remember any of this?" he asked.


    I chuckled as I arranged a cluster of pesky pink and white balloons. "Probably not, but she''ll remember the millions of pictures we''ll take today."


    My mate shook his head, grinning, as he returned to his work.


    From the hallway, a burst of noise suddenly signaled Drake''s arrival. The moment he swept into the room, he scooped Melody up from the ypen she was sitting in and held her high, causing her to giggle down at him.


    Viona came in after him, dressed in something other than work clothes for the first time since I could even remember, holding Adam''s hand.


    Adam had been living with Zoe''s parentstely, but Drake still treated him like a son and spent every avable moment he had with him, and Viona was quickly bing like a mother to him as well.


    "Hi, Aunt Hannah! Hi, Uncle Noah!" Adam eximed, breaking free from Viona and running up to me. He looked cute as a button in his little matching sweater set with a big purple bowtie. He had aicallyrge gift in his arms, which he struggled to heft up onto the gift table, but refused my help.


    "Hey, bud," Noah said, ruffling Adam''s hair. It was still hard to believe that Adam was Noah''s nephew, but Noah had taken on the role with ease. He bent down and whispered conspiratorially, "Should we share a cupcake before anyone notices?" ""Ooh! Yes!"


    I chuckled, watching as they scampered off together to get a sugar high before the party even started.


    "There''s the little birthday girl," Viona said as she gave Melody''s cheek a gentle pinch. "One year old, and she''s already got my boyfriend wrapped around her little finger."


    Drake puffed out his chest. "Wrapped? Me? Never," he scoffed, with the look of a man who would dly take up permanent residence under my daughter''s tiny thumb. "We''re just good friends, right, Mel?"


    Melody beamed, pping her hands and babbling happily as if she understood anything that either of them just said.


    Soon enough, the other guests began to arrive. Amber sidled up next to me first, nudging me with a conspiratorial grin. "She''s already spoiled, you know. Between Drake, Noah, and all of us falling over ourselves to make her smile, she''s got everyone right where she wants them."


    I shrugged, watching as Melodyughed at a silly face Adam was making. "Maybe. But I''m notining."


    Just then, Emma slipped into the room. She caught my eye and made her way over, pulling me into a


    quick hug


    "Hey, stranger," she said into my shoulder. "Busy with all these Alpha duties?"


    I hugged her back,ughing. "You could say that. But you know how it is."


    Emma''s gaze swept over the decorations, her expression softening as her eyesnded on Melody, who was now reaching for a silver bow that Viona had stuck onto Drake''s forehead. "She''s beautiful, Hannah," she murmured, an almost wistful look in her eyes. "You and Noah did an incredible job with all of this."


    I followed her gaze, my heart swelling up a little more as I watched Melody. To think that once, I had watched her die on the floor... It still felt like it wasn''t real, seeing her alive and happy now. "Thank you," I said softly. "She''s... she''s more than I ever dreamed of Emma''s smile turned shy. "Actually, I wanted to tell you something-and to thank you."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Thank me?"


    "The Luna Queen reached out to me. She said they''re considering me for the open spot on the Luna Council. Thanks to you."


    I feigned ignorance, pping my hand over my chest. "Why, I never! I had nothing to do with that," Nied, to which my friend smacked me on the arm and shook her head good-naturedly.


    "I didn''t think I''d ever be considered for something like that," she said, "especially after... well, you know. I wasn''t the nicest person back in the day. I was a bit of a raging bitch, actually."

 Chapter 487

    Chapter 0487


    Sighing, I said softly, "I could say the same for myself. But people change."


    Her gaze lifted to mine. "Yeah, I guess they do. Thank you, Hannah. Really. I wouldn''t have even thought about it if you hadn''t put in a good word for me."


    I shrugged, brushing it off with a smile. "I just suggested the best person for the job, that''s all."


    Emmaughed, ncing over at Melody with a soft gaze. "If I do get the spot, I want to make a difference -for girls everywhere. I hope I can bring a fresh perspective to the table, remind people that women should be uplifting one another, not attacking each other." I nodded, wrapping one arm around her shoulders and giving her a squeeze. "I think that sounds wonderful, Emma."


    A whileter, after Melody had opened her presents and dismantled every ribbon and bow in sight, I snuck away with her for a quiet moment. She was squirmy and eager after opening all those presents, trying to grab everything in reach as we approached the household shrine.


    I bnced her on my hip as I knelt down in front of the shrine. I''d made a small offering earlier-a bundle of white flowers from our garden. As I gently rearranged them on the altar, Melody''s tiny hands grabbing


    at the petals, I felt tears prick my eyes. But not the bad kind.


    I


    "Thank you, Moon Goddess," I murmured, bowing my head. "For giving us this second chance: For letting us be here. Together.**


    Melody squirmed in my arms, her fingers reaching for the flowers. And just as she brushed the petals, her eyes lit up, glowing an ethereal green that made me pause. I felt myself go still, watching the light dance in her eyes.


    In that instant, I saw her-it was just a sh, but it was vivid and real.


    She was older, taller, standing strong in her wolf form, her fur a stunning silver, with a single, bold streak of ck over one eye. She was.... beautiful. No, more than beautiful. She was going to be a force to be reckoned with-a devastating, powerful wolf who would carve her own path in the world.


    She was so much more than I or Noah could ever be, and for that, I was grateful.


    I blinked, the vision fading, leaving me staring into her eyes once more. Melody gurgled, oblivious, babbling happily in my arms.


    "You''re going to be something amazing, my little moon," I murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. She just giggled and shoved a strand of my hair into her mouth.


    We returned to the party just in time for the main event-the cake. Noah crossed the room and took her from my arms, kissing me on the cheek as he did. I felt a gentle thrum through our mate bond; he''d given me the space to visit the shrine with her alone, but he''d sensed the vision that I''d seen.


    "Are you ready, birthday girl?" Noah asked softly, looking down at her as she squirmed in his arms. Her eyes were alreadyser-focused on the cake, and she was licking her lips hungrily.


    Drakeughed, nudging me with a grin. "I think she''s got her mind set on frosting."N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    "I don''t me her," Iughed, still blinking the mist from my eyes after that vision. I had a big piece


    reserved for myself-something that I never would have allowed myself before, but was excited to indulge in now.


    Amber started the birthday song, and the rest of the room joined in. Melody looked shocked, and maybe a little disturbed, by the off-key chorus.


    When the song ended, Noah leaned forward, helping her blow out the candle. And before anyone could react, her little hand shot forward, grabbing a fistful of purple icing and smearing it directly across Noah''s cheek.


    For a moment, the room went silent as everyone waited for Noah''s reaction. I pped my hand over my mouth, stifling a snort.


    Noah burst intoughter, reaching up to swipe a dab of icing from his cheek and ce it on her tiny nose. Melody squealed, herughter echoing through the room like a thousand tiny bells.


    And then, right there in the midst of it all, Melody looked up at Noah and said her very first word.


    "Papa!"

 Chapter 488

    Chapter 0488 Chapter 0488


    Hannah


    It took some time to get Melody to bed that night, what with all the sugar and excitement of the overwhelming day. Noah and I had to take turns pacing back and forth across the nursery, bouncing her and cooing to her until she finally gave up and let her eyes flutter closed.


    By the time she was finally fast asleep in her crib, wrapped up in her nket, it was nearly midnight. But I wasn''t tired at all, and one nce at Noah told me that he wasn''t, either.


    We lingered in the nursery doorway for a long moment, just watching of


    daughter sleep soundly.


    One year. It was quite the aplishment, considering everything that we had been through. Both Noah and I couldn''t bear to let the day end-we wanted to stay up just a little while longer, just to enjoy it.


    Finally, we made our way back downstairs, where the party had long since been cleared away and the guests had gone home. The air still smelled faintly of cake and birthday candles, and a few rogue scraps


    of confetti and wrapping paper were scatterersthe hardwood floors.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Nightcap?" I asked with a tiny grin as we reached the living room, gesturing to the bar at the far end of the room.


    He nodded, his gaze following me as I mixed


    tonics with lime slices-and filled two ss Omething up behind the bar-just a couple of gin and


    I handed him one, and wo


    the nket over us as the fire crackled softly in the firece.


    settled onto the couch, pulling


    We picked out a movie to watch, settling on something funny and mindless. It yed on the TV in the background, but neither of us were really paying it any mind. Instead, we sat close to one another beneath the nket, quietly sipping our drinks and enjoying one another''spany.


    For a while, we just sat infortable silence. Noah traced his fingers back and forth across my shoulder, and my head rested against his chest as we watched the orange mes dancing in the firece.


    After a moment, he nced down at me. "I saw your vision earlier. At the shrine. Saw it through our Mindlink."


    I nodded, a sudden lump forming in my throat at the reminder. "She looked so beautiful," I murmured. "And so strong."


    Noah''s gaze softened. "I always thought she would be destined for something great, but seeing it that clearly... Now there''s no denying it."


    There was a pause as I considered his words, chewing on the inside of my cheek. Finally, I sat up and turned to him. "I don''t want her to feel pressured, just so we''re clear. I don''t want her to feel like she has to live up to that... vision we had."


    "I know." He exhaled, a thoughtful look crossing his face for a few moments. "We both know what it''s like to have parents who wanted something else from us. Who had their own ideas of who we should be in life."


    Another silence settled between us then as we both thought back on our pasts. My father''s well-meaning but ultimately poorly nned decisions, Noah''s father''s cold expectations.


    When we''d told Drake during our interview that we intended to make our daughter-and any other children we may have-the master of her own fate, we both meant it.


    "Your father," I whispered. "The way he treated you... it left marks, Noah. The schemes, the maniption... he was always trying to shape you into something, something that only he understood."


    Noah''s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping to his ss. "To him, I was just a piece in his n. A tool he could mold and use." He shook his head. "I''ll never understand why he did what he did. Or how he could justify it. And I''ll be damned if I ever, ever, did the same thing to Melody."


    I reached out, my fingers brushing against his cheek. I tilted his face back to meet mine. "You don''t need to worry about that. You''re not your father. Melody will never suffer the same way you did."

 Chapter 489

    Chapter 0489


    Noah took a deep breath, nodding. "You''re right."


    "And then there''s your father," he mused after a beat of silence. "He thought he was protecting you, setting you up for a safe future by arranging our marriage, but... he never really stopped to think about what you were getting into. He never took the time to get to know the man he was making business deals with, and it hurt you in the end."


    Noah''s jaw tightened at that. "Maybe you were hurt the most out of all of us," he finished. I shuddered a little, thinking back to my death.


    The pain of that experience still haunted me every night. Some nights, though I didn''t tell anyone, not even Noah, I woke up in a cold sweat... thinking that I''d died again.


    Noah, sensing my difort, touched my arm. "All I want," he said quietly, "is for Melody to feel free. To have choices. She shouldn''t have to be anything other than who she wants to be. No decisions made for her, not unless she wants it. No arranged marriages." A warmth spread through me as his words sank in. "I''m d we''re on the same page in that aspect."


    The fire continued to crackle softly in the silence that ensued. For a long moment, I just rested my head against his shoulder, inhaling his scent. I still savored it as often as I could; after all, I''d spent so long thinking that we''d never see each other again. But after a while, a thought began to nag at me-speaking of Noah''s father. "Have you thought about seeing him?" I asked carefully, ncing up at him.


    "My father?" Noah asked. When I nodded, he immediately took a big sip of his drink as if steeling himself just at the mention of the man. I remained silent. He hadn''t visited his father, Scott, or Zoe in prison. Not even once. And he talked about all of them as sparingly as possible.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    He was quiet for a long time, his eyes distant. Finally he said, "I don''t know, Hannah. Part of me thinks it would help, if I visited him in prison. To get some closure, maybe. But then... I''m not sure I can look him in the eye."


    I ced a hand on his cheek, turning his face toward me yet again. "You don''t owe him anything. You don''t have to go. But if you feel like you need to talk to him, if it would help you in some way... then you know I''ll be here to support you in that."


    His eyes softened, his hand reaching up to cover mine. "How do you always know what to say?"


    "Because I know you," I whispered, my thumb brushing gently over his cheek. "And I love you."


    A small, grateful smile touched his lips at that. He leaned in, his lips finding mine. His kiss was gentle, the barest brush of his lips against mine. "I love you too, Hannah. My eternal moonlight."


    half- As he spoke, his hands slipped down to my waist, pulling me closer beneath the nket. I set my finished drink aside and moved against him easily, wrapping my legs around him and settling into hisp, facing him.


    Gently and tentatively, I looped my arms around his neck and breathed him in, grateful for his warmth. He kissed me again, and again, and again, each one deeper and slower and more intense than thest.


    Chapter 0489


    Then, slowly, he lowered me down onto the couch and pressed me between the solld frame of his body and the cushions, Together, we tangled up around one another beneath the nket, a tangle of limbs and lips.


    The heat of the fire warmed our skin that night, but our hearts warmed each other from the inside.


    As you Thes


    *P


    A


    4

 Chapter 490

    Chapter 0490 HannahContent ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    When Amber called and said she wanted a girls'' night, nearly dropped my phone. Thest time we had all had a proper girls'' night, just us, had been... Well, I actually couldn''t remember thest time. Maybe not since Melody had been born.


    Of course I said I would go even though it was a Wednesday night. Amber told me to meet her at the usual ce and then hung up without a word, leaving me staring at the screen in confusion.


    By eight, I''d made it to our usual corner booth. Emma was already there, her hair twisted up in a loose bun, and Viona sat across from her, leaning back with a rxed smile, her drink already in hand. It felt good to see them outside of our usual routines. Amber, however, was still missing.


    "Are we sure she''sing?" Viona asked with a smallugh, ncing at the empty seat next to me. "Or did she just want to make us get dressed up ande out on a Wednesday for the hell of it?"


    Emma chuckled as she stirred her drink. "You know Amber. She''s probably picking out the perfect shoes." Just then, a familiar hand pped down on my shoulder, and I didn''t even have to turn to know who it was.


    "Guess who?" Amber called out, and sheughed as I swatted her hand away. She slid into the booth beside me, setting her Chanel purse down and flipping a lock of hair over her shoulder with an exaggerated sigh. "Amber," Viona teased, "only you would make us wait ten minutes just for some grand entrance or another."


    "Oh, please," Amber scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. "I''m just fashionablyte."


    Her gaze met mine for a second too long before she quickly turned away, signaling for a drink. I narrowed my eyes as I stared at the back of her head. Something was... off. Beneath the mask of lighthearted banter, Amber was hiding something. I was sure of it.


    Soon enough, however, the waitress had brought over a round of cocktails, and before I knew it we were allughing over appetizers and catching up. Viona told us about her recent date with Drake-which had apparently ended in some pretty wild sex, although we all stuffed our fingers into our ears so we didn''t have to listen-and Emma filled us in on her recent interview with the Luna Council.


    But every now and then, I would catch Amber looking away, lost in thought as her fingers tapped the side of her ss. It was hard to ignore.


    Finally, I''d had enough. "Amber, why are we really here? You called us all out on a random weeknight and you''re acting weird. What''s going on?"


    Amber''s gaze dropped to herp, and she let out a small breath before reaching into her purse. She pulled out a piece of paper and set it on the table so we could all see it: a one-way ne ticket/


    Emma''s eyes widened, and Viona snatched the ticket, her brow furrowing as she examined it.


    "One-way?" Viona croaked. "Amber, what the hell is this?"


    Amber''s fingers yed with the edge of her napkin. "I''m... I''m leaving. For good."


    Silence fell over the table. I felt my heart drop, a sudden ache settling in my chest as I searched her face for any hint of a joke, some glimmer of that usual Amber mischief. But it wasn''t there. She was dead fucking serious. "You''re... leaving?" Emma whispered. "Amber, what''s going on?"


    Amber''s hands tightened around her ss, and she let out a long breath, as if she''d been holding it in for months.


    "It''s Jake," she said quietly, her voice wavering. "Ever since Marcus brought him up at the engagement party, I haven''t been able to get him out of my head. His death... it''s been eating away at me. I tried to ignore it, pretend it didn''t matter, but... it does. It really does." "Amber, why didn''t you tell us? We didn''t know you were feeling like this," I remarked.


    She looked up, her eyes shining and her lips pressing into a sad smile. "I didn''t want to burden anyone with my mess. I thought if I could just keep moving forward, keep pretending everything was fine, I could make it go away. But it''s not going away. It''s like..."

 Chapter 491

    Chapter 0491


    Amber shook her head, blinking quickly to dispel her tears. "It''s like this weight I can''t shake. No amount of therapy is helping. And I realized... I think I just need to get away. I need to start over, somewhere far from here. Somewhere I can figure out who I really am without all the... the baggage."


    Viona looked like she was about to be sick. "Amber, we never wanted you to carry that alone. We would have been there for you. You should have told us."


    Amber gave a small, grateful smile. "I know, Vi. I know should have. But this is something I need to do on my own."


    She paused, her gaze dropping to the table.


    "All my life, I was so focused on being... well, what everyone thought I was. The spoiled rich girl. The one with the perfect life, the easy family connections, the shopping sprees and parties and handsome boyfriends. But I want to be more than that. I don''t want to just be known for those things when I''m dead and gone someday."


    "So... what are you going to do?" Emma whispered.


    "I applied to work as a nurse at a hospital in an impoverished pack overseas. They need people, and they''re willing to take me on, even if I have to learn a few things along the way." She gestured to the ticket. "I want to make a difference. I want to help people who have nothing, and learn what it''s like to live without all the things I''ve taken for granted."


    We all sat there, stunned. I was too shocked to even speak for the longest time. Viona knocked back all of her drink at once, gesturing to the waitress for another. Emma just sniffled and grabbed a nearby cocktail napkin to dab at her eyes.


    "Amber," I finally whispered, "this is so... unexpected. You never once let on that you were nning any of this."


    Sheughed, a soft, almost embarrassed sound. "I didn''t bring it up because I didn''t know if I''d actually go through with it. But I realized... I have to. I have to find out who I am. And all of you... You''ve shown me what it''s like to care about something, to want to be something more. You girls have all been an inspiration, whether you knew it or not."


    Emma reached over, squeezing her hand. "We''re going to miss you so much. But Amber, this is... this is incredible. Honestly, I''m happy for you."


    "Same," Viona said as she epted her new drink from the waitress. "You''re a real bitch for pulling this on us, but I really am happy for you."


    Amber sniffed, dabbing at her under-eyes with a manicured nail.. "Don''t get all mushy on me,dies. I''ll be back for the holidays. It''s not like I''m dropping off the face of the."


    I gave a shakyugh. "You''d better promise not to miss Melody''s birthdays."


    "Promise," Amber said with a choked sound. "Auntie Amber has to spoil another little girl, even if I''m not spoiling myself anymore."


    We all hugged her then, a mess ofughter and tears, each of us holding her a little tighter than usual, a little longer than usual, knowing that the time we had together was precious. She was going off to do


    X


    something brave, something we all respected, and that made it both harder and easier to let her go.


    As we finally pulled back, Amber wiped her eyes as a glimmer of her old grin crept back. "Hey, I''m throwing a party the night before I leave. Onest hurrah, with everyone there. No excuses." Emmaughed, a little choked up. "Wouldn''t miss one of your famous parties."


    Viona smirked. "Like we''d let you leave without a proper send-off."All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Amber turned to me then, and I managed the tiniest of smiles. "I couldn''t miss it for the world."


    Today''s Bonus Offer


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 Chapter 492

    Chapter 0492 Chapter 0492 Hannah


    Amber''s big move weighed on me for days. I was happy for her, genuinely. But I''d be lying if I said I wasn''t going to miss her like hell. And with her going away partying up, I wanted to do something special before she left.


    I thought about finding her a small going-away gift, just a little something to remind her of us. When I told Noah my idea, he grinned, grabbed his coat, and said he was in. It was Sunday, and neither of us was working. Besides-we needed a family day. Which, of course, meant that Melody had toe too dressed her in a cute little pink sweater set, and we set her up in her stroller once we arrived at the mall. She wiggled her arms, babbling to herself and us and everyone we passed as we made our rounds. "She''s gonna be a yapper like her mother when she grows up," Noah mused with a mock sigh, which earned him a well-deserved smack from me.


    "Actually, I think she gets her overactive nature from you," I teased, poking his side. "Don''t act like you weren''t a bit of a wild child when we first met. Always outside, running to the beach or the woods or climbing on some roof that you didn''t belong on." Heughed, shrugging. "Guilty as charged. Maybe she gets it from both of us, then."


    We wandered down the mall''s winding corridors, stopping to look at window disys and stepping into different shops here and there. It was a particrly busy day, and we got stopped more than once by pack members who wanted to chat.


    Melody, of course, wiggled her fingers at everyone who talked to us, her charm in full effect as she shed them her best toothless grins. We couldn''t help butugh every time someone waved back, their faces lighting up with smiles.


    About halfway through our excursion, we passed a little photo booth tucked between two stores, and Noah slowed. "Family photo?"Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Oh, that would be nice," I replied, lifting Melody from his arms. "I think it''s high time we got a family photo. I''ll give a copy to Amber as well so she doesn''t forget about us when she leaves."


    With that decided, we crammed into the tiny booth, and I bnced Melody on myp while Noah squeezed his tall frame in beside us.


    The timer counted down, and by the time the first picture snapped, Melody was looking at the camera with her mouth wide open in shock at her reflection on the screen. The second picture caught her reaching for the lens with her chubby little fingers, and by the third, her head was taking up the vast majority of the frame.


    Noah and I made our best attempt at being wholesome and cute in the background, making kissy-faces and holding up bunny ears behind each other''s heads, but we were too busy cackling withughter to care about anything else by the time thatst picture was taken. When the strip printed out, I grabbed it, nearly squealing at the sight of the adorable pictures. "Definitely a keeper," Noah said, taking a strip from me. He carefully slid it into his wallet, grinning down 1/2/2


    at me. The look he gave me almost made my knees buckle. "This one is mine."


    We continued through the mall, stopping at more shops while Melody finally dozed off in her stroller. In one store, I found a gold bracelet with a tinypass charm. It was delicate and understated, and the tinypass would symbolize guidance her on her newfound journey.


    "Perfect," I murmured, holding it up for Noah to see. "This way, she''ll never get lost."


    "If only it actually functioned," Noah teased. I rolled my eyes and stomped over to the counter.


    Once I paid, I found Noah standing outside the shop. He was looking through the window, his attention fixed on a small disy near the front. I followed his gaze to a beautiful pocket watch resting in a velvet-lined case, the polished silver catching the light.


    0

 Chapter 493

    Chapter 0493


    Noah didn''t say anything, just looked at it with a faint smile, his hand sliding over Melody''s stroller handle. I could tell that he liked it. A lot.


    "That''s beautiful," I said, ncing at the price tag. "If you want it, you should buy it." I gestured to my own bags sitting in the back of the stroller. I''d done plenty of shopping for myself and Melody today; one little thing for himself wouldn''t kill him, and we had the budget to afford a shopping day every now and then.


    He blinked, seeming to snap out of his thoughts. "Oh. Yeah, it''s nice," he admitted, turning away, "but it''s... it''s a little much. Silly thing, really. I don''t need it."


    I opened my mouth to argue, but he had already turned away. "Come on," he said. "Let''s head back."


    But as we made our way to the car, a little n began to form in my mind.


    When we reached the car, I slipped the bag with Amber''s bracelet into the trunk, then patted my pockets, frowning. "Oh! I think the cashier forgot to put the receipt in the bag. I''ll be right back."


    Noah raised an eyebrow. "Do you really need it? I doubt Amber''s going to return her gift."


    I shrugged, trying to y it off. "Just in case. I''ll only be a minute."


    He gave me a dubious look but leaned back against the car, folding his arms. "Alright. We''ll wait here."


    I turned and hurried back inside, weaving my way through the crowd until I reached the store where the pocket watch had been.


    The clerk was surprised to see me again, but she quickly retrieved the pocket watch from the disy and/ wrapped it in soft tissue paper. I paid using some extra cash I''d been holding ontotely, figuring that this was the perfect thing to spend it on-and Noah wouldn''t see the charge on our credit card statements if decided to wait to give him the gift.


    After I paid for it, I slipped it into the inner pocket of my coat before making my way back to the car. I held my empty hands up as I approached, causing Noah to lift his eyebrows in confusion.


    "Cashier threw the receipt away before I got there," I sighed. "Oh well. You''re right. Amber won''t return it anyway."


    Noah just blinked at me for a moment before climbing into the driver''s seat.


    When we got home, I excused myself to ''put Amber''s gift away'' and headed upstairs. I went straight to my closet, reaching up to the highest shelf where I knew Noah would never look. Just as I was tucking the box containing the pocket watch behind a stack of old sweaters, I heard a familiar voice behind me.


    "Whatcha doing?"


    I jumped, whirling around to see Noah leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips. He raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking to the closet shelf.


    "Oh, nothing!" I said quickly, trying to keep the smile off my face. "Just... a little reorganizing."


    He narrowed his eyes, taking a step closer. "Reorganizing, huh? You''ve been pretty sneaky today, you know that?"


    I grinned, clutching the closet door a little tighter. "I don''t know what you''re talking about"


    Heughed, reaching out to pull me close, his arms slipping around my waist as he leaned down to grow almost huskily in my ear.


    "Alright, I''ll let it slide this time," he murmured. "But if you''re hiding something from me.


    +25 BOWSContent provided by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 494

    Chapter 0494 Chapter 0494 Noah


    For the millionth time that morning, Noah''s gaze drifted from the stack of papers on his desk to the stretch of forest that was visible through the office window.


    The afternoon light filtered through the trees, casting that familiar, deep green hue over thendscape, Just seeing the expanse of forest, the rustling branches swaying in the breeze, made something primal stir inside of him. "Please... I need to run..."


    His wolf pressed against the surface of his skin, restless and wild. It had been too long, far too long, since he had let himself go, since he had really felt the earth beneath his paws. He''d been holed up in his office for weeks on end now, lost behind stacks of paperwork. Noah was on the verge of losing it.


    He needed a release before his wolf decided to take over for him one day. And right now, thest thing Noah needed was an inopportune shift in the middle of some important meeting or another, ncing across the room, he caught sight of Hannah at her own desk. She was leaning forward, her brow furrowed in concentration as she scribbled notes on a document,pletely absorbed. Seeing her like that-focused, beautiful, her jaw set-only made his wolf want to break free even more. He didn''t just want to shift. He wanted her there with him, running alongside him. Before he could stop himself, he pushed back from his desk and stood, crossing the room in a few quick strides. His hand found her wrist, and she looked up, startled, meeting his gaze with raised brows. "Let''s go for a run."


    She blinked, caught off guard, and nced at the papers scattered across her desk. "Now?" she asked, halfughing. "Noah, I have so much work to finish."


    "I know," he replied, not loosening his hold on her wrist. "But I need to get outside. So do you." There was a moment of hesitation, but he saw it in her eyes-a spark, the same wild need that simmered inside of him. He knew she felt it too; she hadn''t shifted in ages, maybe even longer than he had.


    She nced at the paperwork, then back at him. Her resolve finally seemed to crumble. With a sigh, she dropped her pen and her lips turned up in a smile.


    "You''re impossible, you know that?"


    Noah grinned as he tugged her to her feet. "You can thank meter."


    He didn''t wait for another word. He was already leading her toward the door, herughter trailing after him as they slipped outside and made their way toward the edge of the forest. They stopped at the tree line, and he turned to her with a mischievous glint in his eye. I''ll give you a head start," he said, crossing his arms over his chest.


    She raised an eyebrow, her mouth quirking up in a smirk. "Oh, really?"


    "Consider it a kindness. I wouldn''t want you toin when I catch you too quickly."


    Hannah rolled her eyes, but there was no hiding the spark of excitement that flickered through their mate bond. She was dying for a good chase. To be hunted.


    Consensually, of course.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    The transformation was always breathtaking, no matter how many times he''d seen it. In a heartbeat, she was gone, reced by a vibrant, chestnut wolf. She looked at him, her eyes sparkling with that familiar, challenging glint, then took off and disappeared into the trees in a sh.


    Noah felt his senses sharpen and his pulse quicken as he watched her go. The thrill of the chase hummed through him, an electric energy surging in his veins. His pupils dted, his breathing faster as he felt his wolfe alive, wing to be free.


    He gave her a few seconds'' head start, as promised, listening to the sounds fade. And then, with a deep breath, he let himself shift.


    Once he was in his wolf form, he felt his senses expand tenfold. The forest was alive with scents and sounds, but there was only one scent that he cared about: Hannah''s.


    With a low growl, he shot off after her, following that invisible trail that smelled oh-so-sweet. The forest passed in a blur as he sped through the trees, ducking under low-hanging branches and leaping over fallen logs, every muscle and tendon honing in on the chase. He could hear her up ahead, just out of reach, her paws kicking up leaves and scattering dirt as she ran.


    But she was fast, just as fast as he remembered. She kept just far enough ahead to stay out of reach, darting between trees and weaving through the underbrush, but not so far that Noah lost sight of her. Chapter 0495

 Chapter 495

    Chapter 0495 Chapter 0495


    +25 BONDS


    Noah pushed himself harder, letting out a yful howl as he gained on her, the hunt pulsing through his veins like a drug. She nced back, her ears twitching, and he saw her eyes sh with excitement before she put on an extra burst of speed. It became a game of cat and mouse, each of them pushing the other, neither willing to slow down or give up just yet. The forest grew darker the further they ran, the trees stretching higher, the ground turning soft and damp beneath their paws. Soon enough it was just the two of them and the wild, and the chase, the exhration of letting go, of surrendering to the pull of their wolves.


    Finally, Noah caught a glimpse of her just up ahead, her form weaving between the trees. She tried to veer left, but he matched her move and closed the distance between them.


    And then, with a final surge of strength, he pounced.


    They went tumbling across the forest floor, rolling over moss and leaves as their bodies tangled together. His wolf growled softly when they came to a stop. He held her pinned beneath him, his muzzle brushing against her neck. She nipped at him yfully, her eyes twinkling.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    They stayed like that for a moment, just breathing, their chests rising and falling in sync. Noah finally shifted back, his heart pounding a mile a minute.


    She shifted back as well, her eyes meeting his from below. The world around them faded, the forest growing silent, as if even the trees and the wind were holding their breath.


    Noah reached up, brushing a stray leaf from her hair, his fingers lingering as he traced the line of her jaw. She looked up at him, her lips curving in a faint, knowing smile. He could feel his heartbeat pounding, could hear the echo of her own pulse as theyid there, their limbs tangled together.


    There was an invitation in her eyes.


    Finally, a low, possessive growl rumbled from his chest. Noah felt better after his run, but he still needed a release. And so he closed the distance between them, capturing her mouth in a fierce, hungry kiss.


    She responded in kind, biting his lip hard enough to draw blood. Noah drew back, stunned, and touched the small wound.


    Hannah looked up at him with shock. A little trail of blood was trickling down the side of her mouth-so much like that hunt all those months ago. When she had caught the deer and ended it herself. When he had realized how powerful she had be.


    "I''m sorry-" Hannah began, reaching up to wipe the blood away from her cheek. But Noah grabbed her wrist and pinned her to the forest floor, and suddenly his tongue was swirling around hers with renewed vigor, tasting the copper off her skin. Mate.


    That was the only word on his feral, half-crazed mind as he tugged her pants down right there on the forest floor: mate. He thought of nothing else, his brain wholly focused on taking her, on having that release he so sorely needed. Chapter 0495


    Mate, was all he thought as he flipped her over and thrust himself into her, all the way, in one fell swoop. Hannah''s howls of ecstasy only fueled that word, that feeling. He''d hunted her, and now she was his, and he was hers.


    Neither of them spoke, at least not out loud, as they rutted there in the forest. They didn''t need to. The only sounds between them were the soft growls and whimpers of much-needed pleasure, fingers tangled together in the dirt and skin flecked with sweat. When Noah had nearly reached the edge, he hunched over her and nipped at the side of her throat, savoring the taste of her skin. He reached under her, swirling his fingers in the spot that he knew she liked the most, until she, too, was crying out at her peak. Only then did he finally lose control of himself inside of her. The world turned into a blur around him as he finished into her, feeling her muscles tighten around him.


    Then, sated, they both copsed onto the forest floor in a sweaty, panting, filthy heap.


    Mate, he thought as he tangled his fingers in the golden strands of her hair.


    And oh, how d he was to have her back.


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 Her Rebirth 496

    Chapter 0496 Chapter 0496


    Hannah


    For what felt like the hundredth time that morning, I sidestepped Drake''s punch with ease, narrowly dodging his hook. Training with him had be an obsession of mely. He''d pushed me in ways I hadn''t expected, helping me learn how to use my speed and endurance instead of relying on sheer strength


    And as much as I''d never tell him outright, I was grateful for every grueling minute. Every bruise, every sore muscle-it was all worth it.


    "Nice one, Hannah," he called, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes as he threw another jab my way. "You''re getting better. Actually starting to make me work for once."


    "Oh, don''t get all sentimental on me, Drake," I replied, catching his feint this time and deflecting his strike with a roll of my shoulder. I know you love taking it easy on me."


    "Easy?" He chuckled, lunging forward. "Sweetheart, you haven''t seen ''easy'' yet."


    His punch missed my head by inches as I ducked,ing up behind him just in time to shove him forward. He stumbled, catching himself against the ropes with a growl before spinning around with a fierce grin on his face.


    "Alright, alright, I see how it is." He advanced again, and I barely had time to register his next move before he was throwing a series of lightning-quick jabs that had me stepping back, dodging frantically to avoid each one.


    But something felt different today-faster reflexes, sharper senses, the adrenaline thrumming through me, making every movement feel like I was on fire. It was as if my wolf was stronger than ever, her very being pulsing beneath my skin.


    And as I twisted away, I caught sight of a figure standing just outside the ring, leaning casually against the ropes, watching us with a slight smirk. Noah.


    I straightened, ncing at him; but he just tilted his head at me.


    "Mind if I join?" he asked.


    Drake raised an eyebrow, ncing between us before smirking. "About time you showed up. Thought I was the only one willing to get roughed up by your mate."


    I chuckled, stepping toward the ropes, ready to let the two of them spar, but Noah held up a hand and stopped me in my tracks.


    "Not you, Drake." He gestured toward me. "I want to spar with Hannah today, if you don''t mind."N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    For a second, I was caught off guard, blinking up at him. We hadn''t trained together in


    some time, what with how busy we both were these days. We sparred asionally, sure, but usually only in private-one of those things that always ended with moreughter and other things than fighting.


    But now, here he was, challenging me in the ring. And the way he looked at me told me he was serious.


    Drakeughed, pping me on the back as he stepped out of the ring. "Well, good luck, Hannah. You''ll need it." He winked as he passed Noah. "Go easy on her. Or don''t. I don''t give a shit."


    I watched Drake retreat to the sidelines, my heart racing, and turned to Noah, who was already stepping into the ring and tugging his shirt off.


    "You''re serious?" I asked, my gaze narrowing as I took a fighting stance, arms raised." I''ve gotten a lot better since thest time we trained together."


    Noah just chuckled. "I can see that. But I''d like to experience you myself, just to see why Drake always leaves the ring these days looking like he''s been dragged to hell and back."


    "Hey!" Drake shouted from the sidelines, just causing us both tough.


    And with that, Noah lunged forward, faster than I''d expected. His movement forced me to sidestep just in time. He was quick-always had been-but I could see the flicker of surprise in his eyes as I blocked his next jab, countering with one of my own. We fell into a rhythm, both of us testing the other and moving in perfect sync as we circled, ducked, and struck. My wolf seemed to intensify as we ducked and whirled, jabbed and kicked. I swore I felt like I might shift at any moment, so much so that it was an effort to keep myself in this form.


    "You''re faster than before," Noah remarked, dodging my right hook and responding with a swift kick that I just barely managed to block.


    "Maybe I''m stronger than you think," I replied, swinging low and forcing him to step back. He let out a low chuckle, his eyes glinting in the dim lights. "That''s what I''m counting on."


    With that, he advanced again, his movements faster and more intense this time. I felt his hands brush past my arm as I dodged, and I spun to counter, swinging a jab that he deflected with his forearm. But I was quick to recover, shifting my stance andnding another blow to his shoulder, throwing him off-bnce for a split second.


    For a heartbeat, he stilled, surprise flickering across his face as he looked at me, and then that familiar grin spread across his lips. "Nice. But I''m not going down that easily."


    "I wasn''t counting on it," I replied, grinning back.


    And then we were back at it, our movements fluid, the sounds of our sharp breaths and quick footsteps filling the ring. My pulse was pounding in my ears, my focus razor-sharp.


    *


    My vision ebbed and flowed, bursts of color thrumming around me as my wolf lended me all of her strength.


    Something in me was heightened today, although I didn''t know what. I was relentless, refusing to slow down, even as the muscles in my arms and legs began to burn. And I could see it in Noah''s eyes he was impressed, maybe even a little proud, although he was careful to hide it.


    Finally, I saw my opening. He''d left his left side exposed, just slightly, and I didn''t hesitate. Lunging forward, I threw him off bnce, my momentum carrying us both to the ground. Before he could react, I was on top of him, pinning his arms down, breathing hard as I looked down at him.


    For a second, we just stared at each other, both of us catching our breath, our faces inches apart. His eyes were bright, but his expression was somewhere between shock and amusement.


    "Gotcha," I whispered, a triumphant grin spreading across my face.


    Noah just looked up at me, his chest still heaving from the exertion, and after a beat, heughed softly.


    "You got me indeed," he murmured, his gaze softening as he looked up at me. "Guess I underestimated you."


    "Guess you did," I replied, although I could tell he''d let me win, at least partly. There was no denying it in the way he''d slowed down, the way he''d left that opening, just for me.


    But as I looked down at him, his expression softened, and there was something else there, something that went beyond pride or amusement. And then, as I held him there, his hands still pinned beneath mine, he gave me that smile-that familiar, crooked smile that made my heart skip a beat, the one that said, "You''re everything."


    He didn''t have to say a word. The look in his eyes, the warmth in his smile-it was enough to make my heart flutter.


    "Sheesh," Drake grumbled, turning and storming away. "Get a room, you two.

 Her Rebirth 497

    Chapter 0497 Chapter 0497 Hannah


    By the time we stepped out of the ring, it felt as if my entire body was on fire. Every muscle seemed to be taut, every heartbeat one thump away from shifting. I couldn''t tell if I wanted to run circles around the building or maybe tear up the walls like a caged animal. What was wrong with me today, I wondered?


    I wiped the sweat from my forehead, letting the towel linger there for a second as I caught my breath. In, out. I just needed to cool off, and then I would feel normal.


    Across from me, Noah leaned against the ropes, his chest heaving with a lopsided grin spreading across his face. I couldn''t help but grin back after our impromptu spar, momentarily forgetting our difort.


    "Well, that was... unexpected," he said, his green eyes almost seeming to shimmer with the thrill of it all. "I haven''t felt you fight like that in a long time, Hannah. You were strong stronger than usual."


    His gaze softened, and he looked at me as if he were seeing something new, something different. "It was almost like... I could feel your wolf fighting for control with you through the bond. Did you feel it? Everything okay?"


    I paused, rolling his words around in my mind. Of course I felt it-it was like I was fighting my wolf for control. Okay, though? I didn''t know about that. I felt like I was on the verge of a heart attack. But I didn''t want to worry him. "Yeah," I admitted, lowering the towel and catching Noah''s eye. "I guess my wolf was in a good mood today." I didn''t mention that she still felt like she was raring to go, even now that I was no longer in the ring.


    Drake, who had been sitting on the bench nearby, raised an eyebrow. "I noticed it too, actually. Thought maybe you had taken something-a little extra strength tonic or something?" He smirked, teasing but curious all the same.


    I let out augh as I swatted him with the towel "No, nothing like that. Maybe my wolf is just in... high spirits today."


    As I spoke, I shot Noah a meaningful nce. The tips of his ears reddened ever so slightly at the subtle implication. Yesterday, our run through the woods-and the events immediately following the run-had been more than exhrating, to say the least. Maybe that was why my wolf was so excitable today. She was happy after being let loose like that. I couldn''t me her.


    But inside, I felt a stirring a quiet murmur from my wolf, something almost like a purr. No... It''s something more than that..."


    ((


    The words struck me, stopping me in my tracks as I was making my way toward the exit. A strange chill crept over me, sending goosebumps along my skin.


    It was just a whisper, just a feeling, but it left a mark, lingering My wolf wasn''t usually cryptic, and she rarely spoke up when I wasn''t expecting it. "What do you mean?" I asked. But she didn''t answer. Noah''s hand was suddenly on my arm, pulling me back to reality. "Hey, are you alright?"


    I nodded, forcing a quick smile even though my pulse was pounding beneath my skin. " Yeah, I''m fine. Just... thinking." I nced away, trying tough it off. "Maybe I went a little too hard today."


    Drake chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, whatever you''re doing, it''s working Just don''t go too hard, or else your heart will give out from the effort."


    Iughed, managing to keep the smile on my face, but inside, my thoughts were racing, Something more...


    What could she mean by that? Was it possible-?


    No, it couldn''t be. It was just a feeling. A leftover spark from the sparring or the run, maybe. Nothing more. Still, that strange warmth lingered in my chest.


    And it only seemed to grow stronger as I made my way home.


    The rest of the day passed in a haze. Every now and then, I would catch myself pressing a hand to my stomach, feeling that warmth simmering there, a quiet presence that bothforted and unnerved me.


    It was a familiar feeling, but at the same time, it felt new, different. And every time I thought about it, my wolf would stir, her quiet purr echoing in the back of my mind. Something more.


    That night, as I rocked Melody to sleep, the feeling was there again, only much stronger this time. I pressed my hand to my stomach once more, just below my ribs, and took a deep breath, letting the warmth flow through me.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    My wolf was quiet now, but I could feel her there, steady and strong, as if she were watching over me, waiting for something.


    Could it really be...?


    The thought sent my heart into overdrive. I tried to ignore it, tried to push it away, but the more I thought about it, the more the pieces seemed to fall into ce. The increased strength, the sharper senses, the feeling of my wolf being so close, so present.


    It was the same as before, back when I first found out about Melody, back when I felt her tiny heartbeat inside me for the first time. Not quite the same, because my wolf had been


    so weak at the time, but it was that feeling-that knowing-that was simr.


    That night, I barely slept, tossing and turning as possibilities flickered through my mind. By morning, I knew I couldn''t wait any longer. I had to know for certain.


    As soon as Noah left for a meeting, I kissed him goodbye, pretending that everything was normal. But as soon as the door closed, I grabbed my coat and rushed to the drugstore.


    I made my way to the right aisle, grabbing a box of tests and heading straight for the checkout. The cashier raised an eyebrow at me, likely wondering if there would soon be another heir to Silvercrest, but I didn''t meet her eyes, just focusing on the counter as she rang it up.


    "Have a nice day," she said, handing me the bag, but I barely heard her. I was out the door in seconds, clutching the bag to my chest like my life depended on it.


    Once I made it home a little whileter, I locked myself in the bathroom. My heart was racing a mile a minute as I set the box on the counter and tore it open. My hands were shaking as I followed the instructions, holding my breath as I waited.


    Those ny seconds seemed to stretch on forever. I felt like I was going to go insane, but I didn''t peek at the results until the timer on my phone went off. I paced back and forth, bouncing on my toes to keep myself upied.


    And then, finally, my rm went off. I raced over to the counter and turned it off, then took a deep breath as I looked at myself in the mirror.


    "Okay, Hannah. You can do this."


    Holding my breath, I looked down at the results, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst clean out of my chest.


    Positive.


    Those two lines stared back at me, clear and undeniable, and for a moment, I couldn''t let out the air I was holding. I felt a rush of emotion, a mix of fear, hope, and overwhelming joy all at once, swirling together until I couldn''t tell where one feeling ended and the next began.


    It was real. It was happening.


    We were having another baby.

 Her Rebirth 498

    Chapter 0498 Chapter 0498 Hannah


    My hands shook a little as I straightened the delicate flower crown over Melody''s soft hair, adjusting it so the petals framed her tiny face just right. She blinked up at me with those wide, innocent eyes, pping her hands contentedly on the top of her high chair. I smiled as I ran my fingers through her fine baby curls, watching the golden strands catch the light.


    "You''re gonna have a little brother or sister, you know that?" I whispered, pinching her chubby little cheek.


    Melody, for her part, just let out a happy gurgle and blew a spit bubble at me. Iughed as I wiped my thumb across her chin. "I hope your little sibling is as sweet as you," I said. "But even if they aren''t, I know you''ll teach them.


    She giggled in response and mmed her hand into the nearby bowl of Cheerios, sending them scattering across the carpet, as if to say, "Not so sure about that one, Mommy."


    Shaking my head amusedly, I bent down and picked up the scattered pieces, tossing them in the nearby trash can and brushing my hands together.


    As I turned back toward the dining room, I nced around to take in my hard work. The table was set, candles flickering softly. Roasted meat glistened on a serving tter at the center of the table, fragrant vegetables and sides piled high around it. I''d even baked a small cake for dessert. One with extra icing and a sweet vani interior. Decadent, but we had something to celebrate tonight.


    And then there was the gift, hidden in a drawer in the kitchen, simple and unassuming, waiting for him to open it.


    My heart thudded in my chest at the thought of what was inside. The pocket watch, but something else, too: a letter. I had agonized over every word, wanting to make sure that it was absolutely perfect. I couldn''t wait for the look on his face when he read it. The sound of Noah''s car rolling up the driveway made me jump. I took another breath, pressing a hand to my stomach. Melody squirmed as I picked her up, giggling at the excitement in the air, as if she could sense that something big was happening. The door opened, and there he was, shaking off his coat and ncing around. His eyes lit up the second he saw us. He took us both in, the sight of me in a dress and Melody in her tiny flower crown bringing a smile to his face. "Well, what''s all this about?" He stepped forward, reaching out to touch one of the delicate flowers on Melody''s crown. "You girls are looking especially fancy tonight. Did I miss an asion or something?"


    I shrugged, trying to y it off for now. "No asion. I just wanted to do something nice for you on my day off."


    He studied me for a second with a knowing look in his eyes, but if he sensed the way my hands were trembling, he didn''t press any further. Instead, he just smiled and leaned down, brushing a soft kiss to my forehead.


    "Well, I''m notining. This is incredible, Hannah." He gestured to the table. "You went all out, didn''t you? On your day off, no less?"


    "Maybe a little," I admitted, trying to keep the smile from turning into nervousughter." But Melody and I had lots of fun today. Come on, let''s eat before it gets cold."This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    I didn''t need to tell Noah twice. He helped Melody back into her high chair, brushing her nose with a finger and making her giggle, then settled into his seat across from me. The delicious scent of meat filled the air, but I found myself more focused on Noah''s reactions, watching him as he picked up his fork and took a bite..


    "Mm, you really outdid yourself, love." He shot me a smile, raising a brow as he took another bite. "You didn''t need to do all this. It''s only Thursday."


    ((


    00

 Her Rebirth 499

    Chapter


    0499


    Iughed, hoping it sounded more natural than I felt.


    if I want. Just because it''s a Thursday doesn''t mean I, I can spoil you once in a while


    can''t surprise you."


    We chatted about our day as we ate, filling each other in on all the usual things. But every so often, his eyes would flicker to my hands as they trembled, only slightly, whenever I lifted my fork or my ss.


    I could tell he noticed-of course, he noticed. Noah knew me better than anyone.


    "You okay?" he asked at one point. "Are you... nervous?"


    Iughed it off, brushing it away with a wave of my hand. "It''s nothing. Just had maybe one too many coffees today, that''s all."


    He didn''t seem fully convinced but nodded anyway, turning back to his te as if he knew I''d tell him when I was ready. But I could still see the curiosity in his eyes, ncing at me over his fork, waiting for whatever I was holding back. When dinner ended, I quickly cleared the dishes and brought out the cake with the gift hidden in my pocket. Noah''s eyebrows shot up, his gaze darting from the cake to me.


    "Cake?" He looked from the cake to me, a small smile forming. "Is this...are you sure we''re not celebrating something?"


    I swallowed, wiping my hands on a dish towel as I took a deep breath. I could feel my pounding as I reached into my pocket and withdrew the small box.


    "Here," I said softly.


    heart


    I reached over and slid the box in front of him, watching as he nced down at it, confused.


    He picked up the box, ncing at me for a second before carefully opening it.


    "Oh, Hannah..." His eyes turned to saucers as he pulled the pocket watch out. "You didn''t have to... Why did you do this?"


    "Open it," was all I said, nodding to the watch.


    With a confused frown, Noah pressed the button to pop open the watch. ? small, folded up piece of paper fell out, which he caught in one hand. He shot me another confused look, but I remained silent as he unfolded it and began to read.


    I could see the moment the words hit him, his eyes widening as he read, his mouth parting slightly. When he was finished, he looked back up at me in disbelief.


    "Hannah..."N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    I nodded, feeling my eyes grow damp as I bit my lip, waiting for him to process it all. "It''s


    true," I said softly. "We''re having another baby"


    For a moment, Noah just stared up at me like he was trying to make sure he hadn''t misunderstood me. I smiled down at him, hardly able to contain my grin.


    Then, in one quick motion, he was up and sweeping me into his arms, twirling me around asughter burst from his lips.


    it


    "Oh my Goddess-Hannah, I can''t believe it!" His voice was filled with a joy so pure made meugh, even as tears slipped down my cheeks. When he finished twirling me, he set me down gently and held me close, one arm wrapped tightly around my waist while his free hand reached up to cup my face, his brushing away a stray tear.


    "I love you," he whispered, pressing kisses to my forehead, my cheeks, my lips. "I love you so, so much."


    Behind us, Melody let out a delighted squeal at the sight of our disy, pping her hands together and giggling. Noah turned, his face lighting up as he swept her up into his arms, lifting her high above his head as she squealed withughter. "We''re having another baby!" he cried out, twirling her around. "You''re gonna have a little sibling, Melody!"


    GA


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 Her Rebirth 500

    the room where the ultrasound awaited. I felt my heart pound as we followed her, my hands trembling at my sides.


    Noah reached for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as the doctor came into the room.


    Our new doctor had a gentle way about him, a calming presence that I appreciated as I settled onto the exam table. And Melody loved him, too; in fact, her eyes went wide when he entered, and she immediately squirmed, reaching for him.


    "Why, hello there, little one," the doctor said with a warm smile, bending down to meet her gaze. Melody, always the little charmer, beamed up at him, giggling as she grabbed at his fingers. He chuckled, scooping her up and settling her in hisp as he sat down. "She''s growing fast," he remarked, bouncing her gently. Melody squealed, her little fists clutching his stethoscope like it was the most fascinating thing she''d ever seen. "How''s she been? Adjusting well to all this excitement?"


    "More than well," Noah said, shaking his head with a grin. "We can barely keep up with her, she''s taken over the house. She''s practically running things now."


    The doctorughed, nodding knowingly. "That''s the way it goes with the first one, doesn''t it?" He looked down at Melody, who was now babbling away, her chubby fingers having abandoned the stethoscope and now reaching toward the ultrasound machine. "Seems like she''s excited to be here, too."


    "She''s excited for everything," Iughed. "Especially things she can''t touch."


    He chuckled, setting Melody back in Noah''sp, then turned to me. "Alright, Hannah. You know the drill. Ready to see who''s in there?"


    I took a breath and nodded, feeling a flutter of nerves in my chest. Noah took my hand, an as the doctor applied the cool gel to my stomach, I nced over at him, finding reassurance in the familiar steadiness of his gaze.


    The room grew quiet as the doctor moved the probe over my belly, his eyes focused on the screen. Melody leaned forward in Noah''sp, wide-eyed as she watched the screen light up with ck-and-white images.


    The doctor chuckled, ncing over at her. "Looks like we have another fan of the ultrasound here. Don''t worry, sweetheart, you''ll see soon enough."


    I felt Noal squeeze my hand a little tighter, and I looked over at him, seeing the same excitement I felt reflected in his eyes. This was it.


    Finally, the doctor turned the screen toward us with a smile spreading across his face. He pointed to the tiny figure in my belly, curled up inside of me. "Well, I think it''s safe to say that Melody is getting a little brother."


    My breath caught, and for a second, I couldn''t say anything. I could hardly even believe it.


    A boy. We were having a boy.


    Noah let out a quietugh. We really didn''t care what gender the baby was and were just happy that it would be healthy and happy, but deep down, we''d both been hoping for a boy. I''d always wanted a boy and a girl; one of each


    Melody, of course, had no idea what was going on, but she seemed to pick up on the joy in the room. She pped her hands together, giggling in delight, as if she somehow understood that something wonderful had just happened.


    I reached out, my trembling fingers brushing across the screen as I took it all in. A boy. Another little miracle, just like Melody, and yet so entirely his own person already. My heart erged in my chest, and I thought I might burst out into tears of happiness. Damn those pregnancy hormones.


    Noah looked over at me, his gaze soft as he took my hand again and lifted it to his lips. "Are you okay?"


    I nodded, my throat tight. "More than okay. This... It''s perfect. I didn''t think..." My words trailed off, and I just smiled up at him, hoping he could see everything I couldn''t say.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    The doctor printed out a few ultrasound pictures, handing them to us with a knowing smile. "Congrattions, both of you. He''s looking strong and healthy."


    "Thank you," I whispered, clutching the pictures like they were the most precious thing in the world.


    Noah and I lingered in the room for a few minutes longer than we needed to, just allowing ourselves to soak in the moment of peace before we had to return to the bustling world of wedding preparations.


    Finally, Noah leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. And then, with that same quiet intensity, his lips trailed down to mine, warm and soft against my mouth. Neither of us said a word-just gathered our things and our daughter and walked out to the car, hand in hand, smiling like giddy school kids.


    There was nothing else to say. We were happy, and that was all that mattered.


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 Her Rebirth 501

    Chapter 0501 Hannah


    The next morning, I woke with a flutter in my stomach that had nothing to do with morning sickness. Sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I blinked up at the ceiling, letting that first realization sink in. It was the day of our wedding.


    In less than a few hours, I would be walking down the aisle, marrying Noah-again. I closed my eyes, taking in the quiet of the room, the anticipation humming under my skin. This time, everything was different.


    The stillness didn''tst long, however. Not even thirty minutes after I had gotten up, Viona, Amber, and Emma showed up, bursting into the room like a trio of tornadoes. Each of them was carrying something-a bag, a bouquet, a tray with coffee and pastries and before I could say a word, they had swept me into their morning chaos.


    "Alright," Amber said, not even bothering to address the fact that I hadn''t seen her in months and here she was, "let''s get you ready. Today is all about making you radiant bride anyone''s ever seen.


    the most


    Emma held up the garment bag with my dress, smiling at me. "Are you ready?"


    Iughed, still reeling from their sudden appearance. "Yes, I think so," I replied.


    They led me to a chair in front of the vanity, settling me up like some kind of queen. It was funny, watching them flit around me, each one focused on their own tasks with single-minded devotion.


    Emma carefullyid out my makeup on the table, Viona pulled out her curling irons, and Amber arranged the bouquet on the bed beside Melody''s tiny flower girl dress, taking the utmost care to make sure every petal was positioned perfectly while she chattered away about her experience overseas.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "So I told that doctor, ''If you''re not looking to put a ring on my finger, then you can keep


    your


    dick in your pants''...''


    "Amber!" Emma chided, covering Melody''s ears.


    Amber just grinned impishly. "What? She doesn''t understand what I''m saying..."


    Melody was propped up beside me, already dressed in her little flower crown and white satin dress, her chubby legs kicking happily as she watched all themotion. Every so often, she would p her hands,ughing like she was in on all of it. Sometimes, I wondered if she really did understand every single word.


    "Alright, let''s start with the hair," Viona said, picking up a section of my hair and running her fingers through it thoughtfully.


    I watched her in the mirror, seeing her reflection smile back at me as she began curling the ends of my hair, giving it a gentle wave. Each curl fell like a soft ribbon, framing my face, and Viona would pause every so often, stepping back to inspect her work and nodding in satisfaction. Emma handed me a cup of tea and a decadent pastry. "How are you feeling, Hannah? Nervous?"


    I took a deep breath and smiled, trying not to move for fear of pissing off Viona in the midst of her work. "I feel... happy," I said softly "It feels like a second chance. A second chance at happiness."


    "}


    Viona''s eyes softened as she looked at me in the mirror. Only she and Noah knew about the rebirth still, and I wasn''t sure if I ever intended to tell anyone else. It felt so long ago now. "You deserve every bit of happiness, Hannah," she said. "Noah''s one lucky man. "He''s more than lucky," Emma chimed in, setting out thest of my makeup with a grin. And don''t you forget it." They allughed, and I felt a warmth bloom in my chest, knowing I had friends like them women who had been there through thick and thin, who saw me for who I was, who loved


    1. me.


    Once Viona was finished with my hair, Emma moved in, dusting a lightyer of powder over my face, brushing on just a hint of color, blending it softly until my features felt highlighted but not overwhelmed. She kept pausing, leaning back to inspect her work, her face a picture of concentration.

 Her Rebirth 502

    "Almost done..." she murmured, leaning in with a touch of gloss for my lips. I couldn''t help butugh at how serious she looked, as if I were some delicate art piece she was trying to perfect. Finally, she stepped back with a smile. "There. Now, the dress."


    Amber was already at my side, helping me step into the gown, her fingers adjusting theyers of fabric with care. The moment I pulled it up over my shoulders, the fabric settling around my waist, a hush fell over the room.


    I looked down and ran my hands over the silk, feeling the baby bump poking out. The gown I''d chosen was simple, a cream-white silk dress that hugged my curves and fell to my ankles, with my grandmother''s wedding veil and a string of pearls that Lily gave me. The bridal boutique owner had suggested something that would hide my bump, but I wanted it to be on disy.


    Viona came up behind me, adjusting the straps and smoothing down any stray imperfections until everything was in ce. She looked at me in the mirror, her eyes misting slightly as she smiled.


    "You''re beautiful, Hannah. And I''m not just saying that because it''s your wedding day."


    Iughed, my own eyes prickling with tears. "Thank you. Really, for everything. I don''t know what I''d do without you girls."


    Emma wrapped her arms around my shoulders from behind and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "We''re always here for you. Always."


    Amber took my hand, her expression softening as she whispered, "This is your moment, Hannah. Enjoy every second of it. You deserve it."


    I looked at my reflection in the mirror, the reality of the moment settling around me. I was really doing this. Marrying Noah, again, but somehow, it felt as if this were our first time all over again. Only better. Happier.


    Just as I was adjusting my veil and the others were busy putting on their bridesmaid dressed, Viona leaned in. "How do you feel about marrying Noah for the second time? In regards to


    the rebirth....


    I paused, taking a deep breath. "The rebirth felt like a second chance at life, but this... thi feels like a second chance at happiness," I whispered. "And after everything... after being given this new life, this second chance..." I trailed off, looking down at my bouquet, feeling the tears building. "I know I''m going to make the most of it."


    Viona leaned down, brushing a soft kiss to each of my cheeks, "And you will be the happiest woman in the world, Hannah. Until the end of your days."


    Her words echoed in my heart, settling deep inside of me. I knew she was right.


    Just a few momentster, it was time. The girls gathered their things, Amber picked up Melody, and we made our way to the chapel doors. I could hear the sounds of the pipe organ ying inside, and my heart began to pound as the finality of it all began to set in. The doors loomed ahead, and my hands began to shake slightly as I adjusted my grip on the bouquet in my hands. This was it.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.


    In those moments, I felt a calm wash over me like the ocean flowing over the sand-like the way it had felt on my toes, cool andforting, as I had picked up that shell for Noah all those years ago. The shell that had brought him back to me, that had changed everything. And I knew, without a doubt, that I was ready.


    As the doors opened, my gaze lifted, searching, and there he was-standing at the end of the aisle, waiting for me. His green eyes met mine, and the world seemed to fall away, leaving just the two of us. The love in his eyes,


    the way he looked at me... it was everything to me.


    I took a deep breath and gripped the bouquet a little tighter.


    And then, letting that breath out, I took my first step.


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