Chapter 0327

Hannah 3

My legs were still trembling when the door opened and Lily poked her head in, already dressed for the day. Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the scene: me, flushed and disheveled against the wall, and Noah, casually drying his hands on a towel.

“Lily!” I breathed, shooting her a withering glare. “Don’t just walk in like—”

“Sorry, sorry!” Lily exclaimed, holding her hands up innocently, though her gaze darted knowingly between us. “Breakfast is on the table. Mom sent me to fetch you two.”

“Thanks, Lily,” Noah replied, smooth as ever. “We’ll be down in a few minutes. Hannah was just about to shower.”

As soon as the door closed, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “I’ll… I’ll shower, then,” I muttered, pushing away from the wall. He nodded, stepping aside to let me pass. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

The hot water did little to wash away what we had just done. As I scrubbed my skin until it was pink and practically raw, I couldn’t help but replay what had just happened over and over in my head. The way Noah’s fingers had felt, the intense pleasure he had given me… and the revelation that I had been his first. His only.

That thought alone made me shiver. He had never told me before, but then again, I supposed I had never asked. I had just assumed he and Zoe had sex frequently during their relationship. I found it hard to believe him—but it was even harder to find a reason not to. Still being a virgin at twenty didn’t seem like something most guys, especially Noah, would openly admit unless it were true.

After showering, I quickly threw on a light sundress and a cardigan, roughly combing my hair before heading downstairs. By the time I joined everyone at the breakfast table, my hair was still damp and my cheeks were flushed from more than just the hot shower. Noah was already seated, chatting amicably with my father about pack business.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” my mother greeted me, completely oblivious to my tension. “Sleep well?”

I nodded, unable to speak, and took the only open seat—next to Noah. His leg brushed against mine under the table, and I had to suppress a shiver.

Across the table, I caught a glimpse of my sister eyeing me over her coffee cup. I met her gaze, and a tiny smirk touched her lips, making my face redden further. I narrowed my eyes, hardening my features—a silent order for her to keep quiet.

She did. But my mother noticed.

“What are you two on about?” my mother laughed, passing me the fruit platter. “Are you turning into teenagers again?”

Lily quickly shook her head and grinned impishly. “Of course not,” she cooed. “It’s nothing.”

Throughout breakfast, I found it increasingly difficult to act casual. Every time Noah’s leg touched mine under the table, I squirmed, memories of his touch flooding back. It was maddening, trying to maintain a normal conversation while my body was on high alert.

Part of me was angry at myself for letting Noah touch me earlier. But another part… another part couldn’t stop thinking about how good it had felt, how I had wanted more. I still wanted more, even though I knew it was wrong.

After breakfast, we said our goodbyes and packed our bags into the car. My mother’s hand found mine, and she pulled me aside, hugging me tightly.

“Are you two going to be okay?” she whispered, low enough so only I could hear.

I stiffened in her arms. “Mom, I—”

“Just… think about what I said,” she murmured, gripping my shoulders tightly as she pulled back. “Really think about it, Hannah. For you both, and…” She paused, placing her hand over my belly.

I nodded stiffly. “I’ll think about it, Mom,” I responded.

Once we had said our goodbyes, Noah and I headed to the car. I hesitated before getting in. Was I really going back to Nightcrest? After everything?

It felt like the right thing to do, all things considered. Noah had promised to care for me throughout the pregnancy, and carrying the heir to a pack could be dangerous once the wrong people found out. I would be safe, comfortable, healthy… Or maybe I was just rationalizing it because I was sentimental. Because what had happened this morning had been all too… missed. His touch had become so foreign to me that I hadn’t even realized how much I craved it until his hands were all over me.