Chapter 264
Or perhaps, once the pregnancy ran 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 watched the Alpha and Luna of Nightcrest with rapt interest. Some were smiling; others whispered behind their hands. I swallowed hard.
“Everyone’s watching us,” I murmured, my eyes meeting a particularly interested nearby wolf. Noah’s lips quirked into a small smile, his dimple appearing briefly before vanishing. “Let them watch. It’s been a while since we’ve given them anything to talk about.”
I thought of the leaked picture 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 glad 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 relationship had been tense from the beginning. We had never been the media darlings that some Alpha and Luna pairs were. Noah had always claimed to dislike public displays of affection, but…
A memory surfaced, unbidden. Noah and Zoe, years ago, laughing 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 PDA 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 succubus. “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 gala is lovely, by the way.”