Chapter 0277

Hannah

I turned to see what Zoe was pointing at and instantly did a double take. My first instinct told me what I was seeing was absolutely not my husband. But it was.

Noah was in the middle of the dance floor, a child perched on his shoulders and two more clinging to his legs. His face was flushed and red, a broad grin stretching from ear to ear—an expression I hadn’t seen on him in years, or maybe ever.

My heart skipped a beat as I watched him twirl, the children squealing with excitement. It was a side of Noah I wasn’t even sure existed—carefree, playful, full of joy.

“What the hell,” I muttered, turning fully to face him. Who was that, and what had they done with the real Noah?

At that moment, the sight of him with the kids sent a pang through my chest, reminding me of the secret I was carrying: our child. Without realizing it, I had taken a step toward him, drawn by an inexplicable urge to be close. Even my wolf stirred within me. Mate, she seemed to growl. Yes, this was my mate—the father of my child.

The longer I watched Noah playing so carefree with the children, the more my resolve weakened. Seeing him this way chipped away at the walls I’d built around my heart. Finally, I couldn’t resist the pull any longer. I handed my plate to Zoe with a mumbled “excuse me” and made my way toward the dance floor.

As I got closer, I could smell the alcohol on him. His movements were slightly exaggerated, his laughter a touch too loud. He really was drunk, and so early in the feast, too.

Noah spotted me approaching and his grin widened. “Hannah!” he called out, setting the child down from his shoulders. “Come dance with me!”

Before I could protest, he grabbed my hands and pulled me into a twirl. I stumbled slightly, caught off guard, but Noah steadied me with a strong arm around my waist and pulled me close against his body.

“Noah, what are you doing?” I asked, trying to keep my voice low. My cheeks were undoubtedly flushed a deep shade of red, though it would have been impossible to hide it.

He laughed and spun me again. “Dancing! What does it look like?”

I opened my mouth to reply, but no words came. Noah spun me again and again until I was dizzy, breathless, and laughing. Goddess, I thought, if Noah has been replaced by a doppelganger, I hope they don’t give back the original. Because I had never, ever, in all my wildest dreams, imagined Noah acting like this. Not in public, at least. And certainly not with me.

“What’s going on with you?” I asked, giggling, as our pace slowed to a gentle sway. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this. At least not in public.” Or ever, I thought, but I didn’t say it aloud for fear of ruining the moment.

Noah shrugged, his hands warm against my waist. “I don’t know, I’m just in a good mood. The hunt really got my spirits up.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Well, maybe we should hunt together more often. Clearly, we could both use the outlet.”

His eyes darkened as they roamed over my body. “That’s not the only outlet I need,” he murmured, his voice low and husky.

I felt my face flush at his words, my heart racing. “Noah,” I warned, but my voice came out breathy and weak.

Not that Noah could have heard me, anyway, because he was already spinning me again.

The walk up the front steps was a struggle, with Noah leaning heavily on me. By the time we reached the front door, I was practically dragging him.

“Come on, big guy,” I grunted, maneuvering him onto the couch. I helped lower him onto the cushions, my back cracking as I straightened. “Noah, you had too much to drink tonight.”

He waved his hand dismissively. “It’s the summer hunt. Getting drunk is half the fun.”

I couldn’t help but laugh a little. He was right, of course; but I had never seen him get drunk at the summer hunt. Never.

“Well, fun or not, you’re going to have one hell of a hangover tomorrow,” I said, heading toward the kitchen. “Let me get you some water and toast to help absorb the alcohol.”

When I returned with the water and toast a few minutes later, Noah was sitting up on the couch, looking a bit more sober. I handed him the items and sat down next to him, watching as he sipped and ate.