Chapter 188

But, deep down, something stirred within me. I couldn't help acting impulsively, if only slightly. "How about we share it?" I suggested, picking up the cookie. I put half in my mouth, leaving the other half protruding, and leaned close, supporting myself on my palms. "Bite the other half off," I mumbled through the cookie.

Noah's eyes widened slightly, and he leaned back. "No, that's alright—" he began, but his voice trailed off as he met my intense gaze. He hesitated, his ears reddening. 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. He lingered, savoring the treat. A few crumbs fell between us, but I barely noticed. I slowly lowered my eyelids until his form was lost behind my lashes, hoping—though I knew I shouldn't—that…

But it was over as quickly as it began. I couldn't ignore how carefully he avoided touching our lips. The realization stung more than I anticipated, especially when he pulled away quickly, ate his cookie silently, and immediately averted his gaze to his papers.

An awkward silence fell between us as we chewed. I swallowed hard, fighting back the lump in my throat; the sugar tasted like ash. It's almost over, I reminded myself. I shouldn't be upset; I should be relieved that there are no hard feelings, that our relationship won't be missed.

"So," Noah said after a moment, his voice strained. "What are your plans after… you know?"

I tensed, wary of the unexpected question. "After the divorce, you mean?"

Noah nodded, avoiding my eyes.

I sighed, picking at a loose thread on my sleeve. "I was thinking of returning to my pack. Perhaps resuming my position as female Alpha."

A tense silence followed before he cleared his throat. "I see. Is that the only reason?" he asked, his tone unreadable. "For the power of being an Alpha?"

His assumption caused a sharp pang of pain. I winced. "No, of course not. If we didn't have… issues, I wouldn't be leaving at all. I relinquished my status as female Alpha to be with you, remember?"

Noah's face flushed slightly. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. He remained stiff and silent for several long moments.

"I… thank you," he finally said, clearing his throat and running a hand through his hair. "For your help today, I mean. But it's getting late, I should probably go to bed."

I nodded stiffly, watching through heavy-lidded eyes as he stood and gathered some papers. "Goodnight, Noah," I whispered.

He paused in the doorway, glancing back with tense shoulders. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a flicker of regret, longing, or something else in his eyes. But it was gone, and he turned away.

"Night," he murmured curtly before disappearing down the hall.

I sat there long after he left, surrounded by the remnants of our day's work… and I couldn't help but feel… more.