Chapter 0394

Hannah

Noah held his jacket out to me, the warmth of the soft fabric inviting against the chill of the room. “Here,” he said softly. “To cover yourself.”

I blinked owlishly, my mind and heart warring. Seeing a familiar face, especially Noah’s, was relieving. But I hated him. I hated his very being.

Whatever shock and excitement I’d felt upon seeing him quickly turned to rage. Without thinking, I smacked the jacket from his hands. It landed on the floor with a soft thud.

“I don’t want your filthy jacket,” I spat, wrapping my arms around myself. My thin robe offered little warmth, but I would be damned if I accepted anything from him.

Noah sighed, stooping to pick up the jacket. He straightened, dusting it off and stepping toward me. “Hannah, please. You’re practically naked, and it’s freezing in here. I’m just trying to help—”

But I was already turning away, my bare feet slapping against the cold tile as I stormed to the door. “Guard!” I called out, banging on the hard steel. “Take me back to my cell! I want a real lawyer!”

The guard didn’t come. Noah’s hand caught my arm. His touch sent an unwelcome jolt—a mix of familiar comfort and burning betrayal. I yanked away, my skin tingling where his fingers had been.

“Gua—”

“Hannah, wait,” he cut me off, his voice low and urgent. “Your father called me. I’m here to help you.”

I whirled around, fury bubbling inside me. “My father called you? Why the hell would he do that? He should have called an actual lawyer, not… not you!”

I gritted my teeth, remembering the night my daughter was born—how my father had asked if we should call Noah. The hopelessly romantic bastard… Didn’t he know I despised my ex-husband? I would have words with him later.

Noah ran a hand through his hair, a gesture so familiar it made my chest ache with memories I’d tried so hard to bury. Dammit. I had to look away to hide the flush creeping up my neck.

“He thought I might be able to help more than a regular lawyer,” Noah explained. “As an Alpha—”

“Ha! As an Alpha,” I cut him off ruefully, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Right. Because that title means so much when it comes to me, a woman, doesn’t it? When I’m being dragged from my home in my robe? Away from my baby? Being leered at like I’m a piece of steak?”

His eyes—those damn forest green eyes Melody had inherited—widened with concern. It made it hard to maintain my anger, but I clung to it. I knew he was full of it. He was likely just here to mock me, to—

“Hannah, please,” he pleaded. “Just tell me what happened so I can help you.”

The whirling thoughts in my head suddenly stopped. Was he…?

I wanted to refuse, to tell him to go to hell, to tell him I saw through his ruse. But something in his gaze made me hesitate. The last time I saw him, he’d looked harsh, aloof, calculating. But now…

Against my better judgment, I spoke.

“Fine. If you want the story, here it is: Alpha David tried to force himself on me last night,” I said. The memory of David’s filthy hands, his alcohol-laced breath hot on my neck, made me shudder. But I controlled myself and continued, “So I beat the shit out of him. That’s why I’m here.”

Noah’s expression darkened, a flash of anger crossing his features before a small, proud smirk tugged at his lips. “You beat him up? On your own?”

Despite myself, I felt a flicker of satisfaction at his reaction. “Yes, I did. And now I’m here, arrested for defending myself. Because apparently, that’s what happens when you’re a female Alpha.”

Noah nodded, his face growing serious. “This is clearly self-defense, Hannah. I can help you. As an Alpha, I have enough power to get you out of trouble. One word from me and you would be freed.”

The injustice felt like a knife in my gut. Noah could swoop in and save the day, while my word as an Alpha had been disregarded.

“It’s not fair,” I muttered.

“I know it’s not,” Noah said softly, taking a step closer. “But Hannah, Melody needs you. This is the fastest way to get you home to her. Just let me help you.”

At the mention of my daughter, my resolve weakened. I could almost hear her cries, feel her tiny body in my arms. But then I remembered everything Noah had done, how he’d accused me of cheating, how he’d doubted Melody was even his.

Anger flared anew. To hell with his so-called ‘help.’ I didn’t want it.

“Keep her name out of your mouth,” I said firmly, turning away. “I’d rather rot in a cell than accept help from you. You’ll just use it against me to get Melody anyway. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? To get leverage to bring her back to Nightcrest now that you know she’s your true heir?”

“Hannah, I won’t—”

“Save it,” I cut him off. “I don’t believe you. Thank you for coming, but I’ll handle this myself.” I strode to the door, raising my fist to bang on it. Where was this damn guard, anyway?!

But before I could reach the door, Noah was there. In one swift motion, he spun me around and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was desperate, urgent, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. His lips were warm and familiar, and…

He pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against mine. I could feel his breath, warm and quick, fanning across my face.

“Hannah,” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the buzzing lights and my racing heart. “I remember. I remember…”

Before I could process his words, he was kissing me again. My eyes widened in shock, my mind reeling as his lips moved against mine. What did he mean, he remembered? Remembered what?