HannahThe 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 chocolate from my croissant and looked over at Viona and Drake, who had come out for lunch with me.“So, I finally did it,” I said as I se
“Suit yourself,” Viona said, leaning back and folding her arms across her chest. “Although, with the divorce coming up, this could be used against you…”“Yeah,” Drake added softly. “The Alpha Council could use the picture to claim that you’re still in love with Noah.”I didn’t know what to say to th
HannahThe days leading up to the charity gala 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, unexpected comfort after everything that had happened. Surprisingly, we fell into an easy
I made my way over to inspect the flowers. The roses were a deep, rich red, perfectly complementing 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.
HannahThe 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; a
I spent the next few hours getting ready, my anger fueling my determination to look perfect. Every curl had to be in place, every eyelash perfectly coated with mascara. I was going to show Noah, Zoe, and everyone else that I was more than capable of handling myself.Hours later, I stood in the foyer
HannahI 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
As I sipped the bubbly liquid, I scanned the room, taking in the fruits of my labor.The decorations sparkled under the chandeliers. The guests mingled happily, their laughter and chatter filling the air. The scent of expensive perfumes and aftershaves mingled with the aroma of gourmet hors d’oeuvre
“Almost done…” she murmured, leaning in with a touch of gloss for my lips. I couldn’t help but laugh 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 m
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 le
Hannah Mornings had gotten louder since Melody learned to walk. And she wasn’t just walking—she was trying to run, arms flapping and her chubby legs barely holding her up as she went. This morning, she seemed to be hell bent on dashing down the hallway as Noah tried to brush his teeth and I hunted
I laughed, hoping it sounded more natural than I felt. “Hey, I can spoil you once in a while if I want. Just because it’s a Thursday doesn’t mean I 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
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, slapping her hands contentedly on the top of her high chair. I smiled as I ran my f
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 wit
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 become an obsession of mine lately. He’d pushed me in ways I hadn’t expected, helping me learn how to use my speed and endurance instead of relying on
Noah pushed himself harder, letting out a playful howl as he gained on her, the hunt pulsing through his veins like a drug. She glanced back, her ears twitching, and he saw her eyes flash with excitement before she put on an extra burst of speed. It became a game of cat and mouse, each of them pus
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 the landscape. Just seeing the expans