Chapter 0349

Hannah

I jumped up from my vanity, the brush clattering to the floor with a loud thud that echoed in the suddenly tense room. “What do you mean you can’t come?” I demanded, my words harsher than intended. “You promised!”

Noah sat up in bed, the sheets pooling around his bare waist. Normally, I would have been entranced by the sight of the muscles across his body, but I was too upset to notice.

“I know, Hannah. I’m sorry. A sudden business meeting came up that I absolutely cannot miss.”

“A…business meeting?” I repeated incredulously, my hands clenching into fists. “A business meeting is more important than our baby?”

Noah flinched, as if my words physically pained him. The soft expression he’d been wearing lately was quickly clouded by his usual icy facade.

“It’s with a major business mogul looking to open a branch here in Nightcrest. This deal could shape the future of our—my—pack,” he said, almost a growl. “If I cancel, he might find another pack to negotiate with. We would lose out on a lot of money and jobs. I know you’re going back to Silvermoon, but you can’t tell me you don’t understand how important that is.”

I felt my heart sink, a cold feeling spreading through my chest. Logically, I understood the meeting’s importance. But emotionally… “But you promised,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, cracking slightly. I hated how small I sounded, how small I felt. At that moment, the doctor’s words from our last appointment clanged through my mind: A long needle… Painful… I shuddered at the thought. “I can’t go alone,” I croaked.

“I know.” Noah looked away, a muscle twitching in his jaw. “Look, I’m sorry. If I could be in two places at once, I would.”

“Can’t you send Scott to the meeting?” I asked.

Noah shot me an incredulous look—all the answer I needed. Scott was not the most reliable. If he weren’t Noah’s half-brother, he wouldn’t be his Beta. He could hardly be trusted with basic tasks, let alone weighty business meetings.

“I have to go,” was all Noah said.

I felt my ice wall, the one I’d been slowly letting down, slam back into place. Without a word, I walked to the bed and threw back the covers, the soft fabric feeling oddly harsh against my skin as I climbed onto the mattress.

“Whatever,” I said, my voice cold and distant. I grabbed my phone and texted Viona before flopping down on my pillow with a huff. “I just asked Viona to go with me. At least I won’t be alone.”

Chapter 0349

Noah reached out to touch my arm, his fingers barely grazing my skin before I pulled away.

“Hannah—”

“I said it’s fine,” I snapped, sliding into bed and turning my back to him. “Goodnight, Noah.”

I heard him sigh heavily, felt the bed shift as he lay down. But he didn’t try to touch me again, didn’t try to pull me close as he had been doing every night for weeks. The space between us felt like a chasm, growing wider once he flicked off the light.

As I lay there, my hand resting on my swollen belly, I felt a confusing mix of emotions: hurt, anger, and loss. I had grown to love the feeling of dependence that came with going to these appointments with Noah. Maybe that’s why I was so irrationally angry. The terror of not having him beside me, his hand wrapped around mine… Now, I would have to face this alone.

No, not alone, I reminded myself firmly. Viona would be there. And besides, I would have to get used to doing things without Noah anyway. In a few months, we would finally be divorced.

The thought sent an unexpected pang through my chest. If I was being truthful, I didn’t want to get divorced anymore. I hadn’t wanted it for some time now.

But I felt obligated to take over Silvermoon before my father appointed Alvin as the new Alpha. The fate of my home pack could be dire if I didn’t step up. Alvin was a mess, a playboy with no sense of responsibility. I couldn’t live with myself if I let Silvermoon go to him.

And yet… Noah hadn’t said anything about wanting to stay married either. Maybe this—the sex, the tender moments—was just a contract to him. And if he wasn’t even willing to reschedule a business meeting for our baby, maybe I shouldn’t even bother. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

When I finally drifted off after a restless night, it felt like only minutes had passed before my alarm blared, its harsh sound cutting through the quiet morning. I reached out instinctively, half-expecting to feel Noah’s warmth beside me. But the bed was empty and cold, the indent where his body should have been the only indication that he had even been there. He was already gone. He couldn’t even be bothered to say goodbye or wish me luck.

“Dammit,” I muttered, forcing myself to sit up. My hands shook slightly as I got dressed, my body a bundle of nerves. I just wanted to get today over with.

As I was pulling my light summer dress over my head, my phone rang. Viona’s name flashed on the screen, and I felt a small surge of relief. She was likely already waiting for me outside.

“Hey, Vi,” I answered, clamping the phone between my cheek and shoulder as I tugged my socks on. “I’m just about ready. Are you on your way?”

There was a pause, then a groan that made my stomach clench.

Chapter 0349

“Hannah, I’m so sorry,” Viona said, her voice weak and strained. “I’ve been throwing up all night.”

I felt my heart drop, the last vestiges of hope crumbling away. “Food poisoning?”

Viona coughed. “I think so. Made the mistake of hitting up a food cart yesterday for lunch, and…”

“It’s okay,” I said before she could finish. “Don’t worry about it. Feel better, okay?”

“Thanks, Han. Maybe call Amber? Or Emma?”

I shook my head. “It’s too late,” I said, glancing at the clock. Amber was a late riser and Emma was likely working. “It’s okay. I’ll go on my own.”

Viona sighed. “Okay, well… Text me when you get there, and keep me updated.”

“I will, Vi. Just focus on getting better.”

“Hey, at least my hair is short enough now so it doesn’t get in the wa—”

The sound of retching cut Viona off. I grimaced and hung up, shaking my head. I guess I really was about to do this… alone.