Chapter 0375

Part of me felt a twisted sense of satisfaction at this news, the ember of hurt still glowing faintly in my chest. But I shed those feelings aside, focusing instead on the needs of my own pack—and my baby's upcoming birth. He never attended any meetings with me, anyway. I never saw or heard from him over those months. Not even once. Not even when I took a sizable chunk of Nightcrest members as my own.

In my third month as Alpha, I held an acceptance ceremony for new members of Silvermoon. The great hall was packed once again. To my surprise and delight, many familiar faces from Nightcrest were among those seeking to join our pack. I stood before the crowd, one hand resting on my swollen belly. Viona stood beside me, phoenix pin clasped to the lapel of her pantsuit. “Welcome,” I said, my voice carrying across the crowded room. “To those of you joining us from other packs, know that Silvermoon is now your home. We are family.” The line went out the door and into the street that day. And although my back ached from an eight-month pregnancy and my feet were swollen, I greeted and welcomed each and every attendee with a smile until none were left.

A few days later, I found myself sitting across from Emily, the reporter who had been documenting my journey from the beginning. Her camera was set up as we lounged in plush armchairs, cups of steaming tea between us. “So, Hannah,” Emily began, her pen poised over her notepad. “A lot has happened since we last spoke. How do you feel about Noah’s engagement to Zoe?”

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. The mention of him still made my heart pound, but I couldn’t crack. Especially not on camera. “Noah is a man who knows what he wants, and I am a woman who knows what I want. We simply wanted different things.”

Emily’s eyebrows rose slightly. “That’s very gracious of you. Many people in your position might not be so kind.”

I shrugged. “What good would it do to speak poorly of him? We’ve both moved on. Now, I am focused on my pack and my baby…”

The episode aired a week later, and I was overwhelmed by the support I received. Messages flooded in, each one praising my grace and maturity. Yet I could sense an undercurrent of disbelief, a shared assumption that I was just being kind, trying not to drag Noah through the mud.

As my due date approached, I found myself increasingly distracted during meetings. My belly was enormous now, stretching the fabric of my clothes. The baby seemed to delight in kicking me at the most inopportune moments, as if reminding me of its presence. And the men who had smirked over the sight of my bump now saw me as nothing but a walking womb. But I persisted.

One afternoon, as I was reviewing some budget proposals in my office, the scratching of my pen against paper the only sound in the room, a sharp knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, rubbing my lower back as I straightened up. I needed a vacation. A good, long one. But I doubted I’d get one.

Viona entered, an envelope in her hand and an unreadable expression on her face. “This just came for you,” she said, holding it out.

I took the envelope, noting the heavy, expensive paper. Instantly, I think I knew what was inside. As I unfolded the contents, my breath caught in my throat. It was indeed exactly what I suspected: an invitation, adorned with delicate gold lettering. But it was no mere invitation to a charity gala or a birthday party. It was a wedding invitation. Signed by Noah and Zoe.