Chapter 0329
Hannah
Noah held my wrist tightly, his finger stroking my inner wrist.
I felt my resolve crumbling, and there was no hiding the way my hand trembled under his touch. His eyes flicked between my hand and my face, reading my conflicting emotions like an open book.
“I know you want me, Hannah,” he said softly, his voice low and husky. He rose to his full height, still holding my wrist. “You don’t need to lie anymore.”
I swallowed hard, craning my neck back just to look up at him. His eyes caught the light of the bedside table, tiny wildfires burning in the forest–green depths. I wanted to kiss him, to shove him down on the bed, to ride him like my life depended on it.
But I restrained myself. I pulled away, turning to grip the dresser. The cool wood under my palms grounded me, but my mind was still racing, torn between desire and reason. The large hotel room suddenly felt too small for the both of us.
Finally, I took a deep breath and spoke.
“Noah, I think we need to be honest about our feelings,” I said, my voice hardly more than a whisper. “Yes, I enjoyed what happened earlier. The way you touched me… it felt incredible. But if we’re still getting divorced, this could complicate things. It would tangle up our emotions and make everything more
difficult.”
I felt Noah stiffen behind me. “So you still want the divorce?” he asked, his tone carefully neutral.
I nodded slowly, feeling a pang in my chest as I did so. “Our marriage has been in shambles for years. We’ve been living like strangers, Noah. And… there’s something else.” I paused, steeling myself for his reaction to what I was about to say.
“I want to take over Silvermoon when my father abdicates,” I said. “And I can’t do that if I’m married to another Alpha.”
Noah was silent. Slowly, hesitantly, I turned to find that he was now facing the window, his shoulders rigid. I wanted to go to him, but I didn’t. I couldn’t.
“So you just want to get divorced for power,” he finally said, his voice low and controlled. The words stung, even though I knew they weren’t entirely true.
“It’s not… like that,” I protested.
He turned to face me again, and his face was set hard. “What is it like, then?” he all but growled.
“My cousin Alvin is the only other heir. If he takes over, he’ll run Silvermoon into the ground. You know what he’s like, Noah.”
Noah grimaced at the mention of Alvin. He had met him plenty of times before–he knew exactly what I was referring to.
“My father plans on abdicating within the year,” I explained, surprised by my own candor in this matter. Which means that Silvermoon could be at risk within a year. I can’t just sit idly by while my home pack is destroyed.”
Chapter 0329
+25 BONUS
Noah sighed. “You’re right about that,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair. “Alvin would make a horrible Alpha. He’s a playboy with no real sense of responsibility.”
I let out a sigh of relief. So he understood, at least; that was something.
He moved closer, his eyes softening as they met mine. “You, on the other hand… A few months ago, I might have thought you would make a horrible female Alpha too.”
“Do you still think that?” I found myself asking.
He shrugged. “Lately, you’ve shown such strength and responsibility. It’s like you’ve become a different person, Hannah. As much as it pains me to allow you to divorce me, I won’t lie; you could make a great Alpha.”
His words warmed me, but they also made me feel guilty. There was so much he didn’t know, so much I hadn’t yet told him. Maybe now was the time.
“Noah, there’s something I need to tell you,” I started, my heart racing.
“What is it?”
I wanted to tell him everything–about my rebirth, how I had died and been given a second chance. How that was the reason why I had suddenly changed.
But the words caught in my throat. I couldn’t do it, because I knew he would think I was crazy, and it would negate everything he had just said.
Instead, I said, “Finding out I was pregnant made me realize the flaws in my ways. That’s why I’ve been working so hard to be better.”
Noah nodded slowly. “I can understand that. I don’t want to divorce you, Hannah. But I won’t stand in your way. I don’t want you to feel like a prisoner. And if you’re really concerned about Silvermoon, I can’t fault you for putting your pack above your heart. It’s… admirable, actually.”
His words made my chest ache. Why did he have to be so understanding? It would be easier if he was angry, if he fought against this. Fighting was something we were so good at, but this…
“In the meantime,” Noah continued, his eyes flicking over my body, “I still want to do whatever I can to make your pregnancy easier. And I meant what I said about daily orgasms being recommended for pregnant women. It’s not just about pleasure, Hannah. It’s about your health and the baby’s health.”
I felt my face flush, heat spreading down my neck. “I have toys,” I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.
Noah shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. “You can use toys if you want, but it’s not the same. It doesn’t produce the same mental chemicals as real intimacy. Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin–they’re all -important for a healthy pregnancy. For bonding, for reducing stress, for overall well–being.”
I bit my lip, unsure of what to say. I couldn’t deny that I had enjoyed his touch, that my body craved more.
But the idea of continuing this… arrangement felt dangerous. Like playing with fire.
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