Chapter 0379

Hannah

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Viona leaned against my study door, hands in her pockets, staring at the letter in my hands.

I nodded, carefully folding Noah’s letter requesting a visit—or rather, demanding one. “I don’t have much choice,” I said, tossing it aside. “Refusing an Alpha’s formal request has political ramifications.” I cringed at the official letterhead.

Viona sighed, crossing the room to sink into the armchair. The leather creaked under her weight. “I still don’t feel good about this. After everything he’s done… Are you sure you’re ready to face him? Especially now that Melody is here?”

I shrugged, glancing at my daughter, swaddled and sleeping soundly in the bassinet beside my desk. She was two weeks old, growing more perfect and beautiful each day. Motherhood was a dream—tough, especially balancing Alpha duties, but I loved it.

“Ready or not, it has to be done,” I replied, my voice tight. I touched my now-flat belly, still adjusting to its emptiness. “It’s better to face this head-on than let him cause trouble later.”

Word of Melody’s birth had spread like wildfire; Noah learned within a day. Since then, he’d persistently tried to contact me. I’d ignored his calls and deleted his messages unread. But this formal request couldn’t be so easily dismissed.

I had no doubt his curiosity stemmed from wanting to see if Melody resembled him. He wasn’t bringing regards or gifts; he was coming to see if he needed to claim her as his heir and take her back to Nightcrest. But I’d die before letting that happen.

“At least Drake will be here when Noah comes,” I assured Viona, noticing her blush at the mention of his name. She said nothing, but I saw the small smile she tried to hide.

“What?” I asked, a smirk playing on my lips.

Viona shook her head, her cheeks darkening. “Nothing. I’m just glad Drake will be here to support you, that’s all.”

I raised an eyebrow but decided not to push their budding romance. Instead, I rose and turned to the window, watching the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the lawn.

“He should be here soon,” I murmured, more to myself than to Viona.

A knock announced Drake’s arrival. He entered with a broad smile, his eyes immediately finding Melody in her bassinet.

“There’s my favorite girl,” he cooed, gently scooping her up. “Uncle Drake is here to spoil you rotten.”

I smiled, watching him cradle Melody. His large frame made her seem even tinier, her delicate features accentuated by his strong arms. She yawned, freeing a tiny hand from her swaddle, and reached for his nose as he nuzzled her.

“You’re good with babies,” I mused, elbowing Viona playfully.

Drake grinned, oblivious to Viona’s sudden rush from the room, too busy gazing at Melody. “This little one makes it easy. I can’t wait to spoil her! Maybe a pony for her first birthday?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Let’s start with something smaller. Maybe a stuffed pony?”

Our peaceful moment was interrupted by another knock. My heart rate spiked; I felt my body tense. Drake, still holding Melody, took a protective step in front of me, baring his fangs. He relaxed when I placed my hand on his arm.

“It’s alright, Drake.”

A moment later, my all-female security team—a detail I knew Noah would notice—entered. And there he was, amongst them.