Chapter 0406

+25 BONUS

The thought of dating made my stomach flutter with both excitement and anxiety. After the disaster with David, the idea of putting myself out there again was terrifying. But with Noah… it would be different, wouldn't it? This was the man I had loved for so long, the father of my child. Maybe, just maybe, we could find our way back to each other. One last time.

“I think I’d like that,” I said softly, offering him a small smile.

Noah’s face lit up, his eyes burning with bright embers. Suddenly, there came a knock on the door.

“Alpha Noah!” a gruff male voice boomed. “We caught Scott and Zoe; they’re in custody. Are you coming?”

Noah stiffened, glancing at me as if asking permission to leave. I nodded, wiping away lingering tears. “Go. You’ve got your work cut out for you with those two.”

He nodded, reluctantly rising and smoothing his shirt. I watched him stride to the door. But before he could leave, a thought occurred to me, and I suddenly shot to my feet—ignoring the sharp pain in my ribs. “Noah, wait.”

He paused, glancing back at me. I took a deep breath. “Would you like to meet Melody? For real this time. That could be a good start.”

His eyes widened. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. “I think it’s time. She should know her father, and you… you should know her.”

A few days later, I found myself in my living room, my heart pounding as I carried sleeping Melody to her father. Noah sat ramrod straight on the couch, his large frame seeming almost comically oversized as he held his arms out. As I placed Melody in his arms, I watched his face carefully. The transformation was immediate; his eyes widened, his shoulders relaxed, and his soft lips parted slightly as he stared down at her. He was gentler than I had ever seen him, almost heartbreakingly so.

“She’s… perfect,” Noah whispered. “Absolutely perfect.”

Melody cooed softly as she began to stir. I expected her to fuss over being woken, but to my surprise, her big green eyes—Noah’s eyes—immediately fixed on his face with unwavering familiarity. As if they had met a thousand lifetimes before.

“Hello,” Noah murmured, reaching out to poke her little cheek.

I had to turn away to avoid sobbing openly. Drake and Viona, perched on the window seat, met my gaze. Drake smirked slightly, and Viona raised her eyebrows, both still a bit skeptical.

Finally, Drake cleared his throat and stood, crossing the room to tower over Noah—though Noah didn’t lift his gaze from the tiny bundle in his arms.

“Ahem. Just so we’re clear,” Drake said, “if you try to steal Melody away to Nightcrest, or pull any bullshit, I’ll fucking kill you.”

Viona gasped. I clamped my hand over my mouth, my eyes widening at Drake’s candor.

Slowly, Noah looked up at Drake, those little wildfires burning in his eyes. His arms tightened slightly around Melody, and I tensed, waiting for him to explode. But he didn’t. He surprised us all with a wry smile. He shifted Melody to one arm and held out his hand to shake Drake’s.

“You’re a good man, Drake,” Noah said, rising and clasping Drake’s forearm firmly. “And I hope you would kill not just me, but anyone who tries to stand in the way of my daughter’s happiness.”

Drake’s eyes widened, then his face split into a grin. He shook Noah’s hand and clapped him on the shoulder.

“It’s good to have you back, Noah.”