Chapter 2

Hannah

“Is that so?”

I froze, my heart skipping a beat as I heard Noah’s voice behind us. How much had he heard? Enough, apparently. Viona and I turned slowly, caught off guard.

“Noah,” I said, my voice hoarse. The lingering sensation of Drake’s lips on my hand intensified with Noah’s direct gaze. “I didn’t see you.”

His green eyes were hard as he approached. “Clearly,” he said flatly. “I couldn’t help but overhear your… enlightening conversation.”

Viona stepped forward, chin raised defiantly. “This was a private discussion between friends, Noah. Hannah was helping me with personal matters. It had nothing to do with you.”

Noah’s gaze flickered to Viona before returning to me. “Is that so? Because it sounded an awful lot like my wife was discussing our marriage.”

I opened my mouth, but no words came. He had heard the truth—painful as it was. Noah and I didn’t love each other anymore; frankly, I wasn’t sure he ever had. I certainly had, initially, but those feelings had long faded.

“Hannah,” Noah said, his voice softening slightly. “Can we talk? Alone?”

I glanced at Viona, who looked concerned. “It’s alright,” I assured her. “I’ll catch up with you later. Find Amber and Emma for me, would you?”

Viona pursed her lips, but nodded. As she left, I turned to Noah.

“What did you need?” I asked.

Noah regarded me. “Would you care to walk with me?” He gestured toward the bustling festival grounds.

“Sure.” I fell into step beside him. We walked in silence for a few moments, the festival sounds fading. The distant drums and flutes thrummed, but I barely heard them over my own pulse.

I was about to explain my conversation with Viona and the incident with Drake, but he spoke first.

“What was that little display with Drake earlier?” When I remained speechless, stunned, he continued. “I saw you two by the ice cream stand. It looked… intimate.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “It wasn’t what it looked like. Drake… he misheard rumors about me. He thought I was interested in him romantically.”

Noah’s eyebrows shot up. “And are you?”

“No!” I said quickly, stopping 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, processing this. My face burned under his gaze, though I wasn’t sure if he noticed. “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, meeting my gaze. “You two have gotten close recently. He seems to like you, and if he’s interested—”

“Noah,” I said, my voice surprisingly firm despite my racing heart, “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, lowering my voice. “My only plan after our divorce is to return to my pack. Trust me, I don’t have any… backup men in mind.”

Something shifted in Noah’s posture—relief, perhaps? His shoulders slumped, and he exhaled. “Right,” he muttered. “Of course.”

We continued walking, the atmosphere tense. I was acutely aware of every touch, every glance. Then, at a vendor booth selling handmade baby clothes, I stopped to stare.

“Hannah?” Noah’s voice broke through my reverie. “What are you looking at?”

I tore my gaze away, feeling my cheeks heat. “Oh, nothing. Just… those baby clothes.” I gestured. “They’re sort of cute, don’t you think?”

Noah’s brow furrowed. “I suppose,” he said slowly. “I didn’t think you were interested in that sort of thing.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, trying to sound 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.”

The memory of that night in the woods hit me like a punch. “I… that’s not…” I stammered. Involuntarily, my hand moved to my lower belly, where, unbeknownst to Noah, his child was growing.

Noah’s gaze dropped to my belly, then back to my face. A question lingered in his eyes.

“Hannah,” he said slowly, taking a step closer and narrowing his eyes, “Are you sure there isn’t something you’re not telling me?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came. My mind raced, searching for an explanation. Again, I was on the verge of being discovered—and again, a small part of me wanted to tell him.

“I’m pregnant,” I wanted to say. “I’m pregnant with your baby.”

Viona’s words from the night I told her everything echoed in my 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 imagined his reaction: perhaps thrilled, kissing me, vowing to make things right.

But I knew that wouldn’t be the case. He would be furious. He would hold me and my baby hostage in a loveless marriage… forever.

“Hannah…?” Noah urged, snapping me out of my reverie.

I opened my mouth to respond, but a loud crack of thunder split the air. Rain poured down, soaking us instantly.