HannahI 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 plans today.Noah, Lily, and my parents were already at the tab
“Penpal program?” Noah asked, taking the seat opposite me. “That sounds interesting. Tell me more.”I explained 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 glad you have a new project to focus o
HannahThe ballroom was alive with music, laughter, and the clinking of champagne glasses. 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 since last year.I sho
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 sho
HannahI 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, applauding and cheering and shouting t
My eyes widened, and I turned, my mouth working uselessly.“Especially now,” he continued, “with the pregnancy glow and having overcome 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 b
HannahI slipped back to my bedroom that night before the party was even over, the sounds of music and laughter 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 stirred lav
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 prepar
“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