Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth

Chapter 0032 Noah

As Noah returned the plate to the kitchen sink, he found himself unable to fully suppress the small smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. Despite his lingering anger and frustration with Hannah, he couldn't help feeling a glimmer of pride at her attempt to eat something.

Her eating disorder had always pained him deeply.

Not just because it marred her once lovely appearance-the sharp angles of her protruding bones, the sallow thinness of her cheeks-but because it spoke to a deeper brokenness within her.

A brokenness he had never been able to fix, no matter how hard he tried.

Hannah had grown far too skinny, to the point of it becoming a serious health concern. Seeing her frail, emaciated form made his chest ache with worry, even if their relationship had become... strained over the years.

She was still his wife, after all. He still cared for her wellbeing, even if he might never admit it to her.

With a weary sigh, Noah dried his hands on a towel and made his way back up to his study. He had only come home to pick up a few things, and never intended to spend the night here.

But as he gathered his extra folders and his laptop from his office, he couldn't help but sigh. Perhaps he had been too harsh on Hannah at dinner. A kernel of guilt gnawed at him-her efforts with food lately had been commendable, as well as her attitude toward Zoe. He should have been more encouraging instead of mocking, he supposed. Maybe he would try to be just a little bit nicer... even though Hannah still royally pissed him off sometimes.

The next morning, just as the sun was peeking over the horizon, a messenger arrived at Noah's office with news that made his heart stutter: the Alpha Council would be arriving this evening, a full day ahead of

schedule.

Panic bloomed in his chest as he realized just how far behind the preparations still were. They had a gala to throw, a gala which would be judged for Nightcrest pack's ability to host the Lunar Festival.

Given the recent events in the press, Nightcrest pack hosting the Lunar Festival this year was of utmost importance. Normally, Noah didn't care all that much; but if he was going to be divorcing Hannah soon, he wanted to make sure that he had all of the good press he could get. That wasn't the only source of pressure, though.

Drake would be here in mere hours, not days. Zoe's ex-husband, the source of so much turmoil and heartache... Noah's jaw clenched at the thought. He cared deeply about Zoe, even though she had arrived unannounced, and he wanted her to be safe.

Pushing it aside for the moment, he leapt into action, barking orders at the servants to have the dining hall and guest quarters readied immediately.

Noah was in the middle of instructing some decorators on hanging banners when a gentle hand on his arm made him turn. It was Zoe, a crease of worry marring her delicate features. Chapter 0032

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BONUS

"Noah, may I have a word?" Her voice was soft, but there was an unmistakable tremor beneath it.

He nodded gruffly, snapping his fingers at a servant to Instruct them to move a table more to the right. "Of course. What is it?"

Zoe glanced around at the bustling servants, chewing the Inside of her cheek, before leaning in closer. It's about Drake coming. I'm.... I'm afraid. Of him."

Noah felt his heart clench at the naked fear in her eyes. Instinctively, he reached out to grasp her hands in his own, giving them a reassuring squeeze,

"What are you afraid of? You know I would never let him harm you or your son."

She shook her head, chewing her lower lip anxiously. "It's not that. I know he won't hurt me, but... I'm worried he may try to... to take me back with him. Keep me from going through with the divorce."

The words hung heavy in the air between them. Noah's grip on her hands tightened almost punishingly as a wave of protective anger washed over him. Over his dead body would Drake lay a hand on Zoe, and if she wanted to leave her husband, she reserved that right. Along with the pang in his chest, though, a sort of irony washed over Noah as well. He realized, then, that he was also trying to keep Hannah from divorcing him-although, they had an agreement and he would let her go once the month was up, just as promised. Did Hannah feel this way about him? Afraid?

"I won't let that happen," he finally stated, his voice low and vehement. "Nightcrest pack is your home. It always has been. You'll be safe here, I promise you that "

Zoe's eyes misted over with unshed tears as she lifted a hand to gently cup his cheek. "Thank you," she breathed, leaning in to press a soft, lingering kiss to the other cheek.

Noah froze at the feeling of her lips against his skin, his breath catching in his throat. Heat blossomed in his belly as a rush of longing, buried but not forgotten, surged through his veins.

For a wild, dizzying moment, he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and lose himself in her embrace. To rekindle the spark of passion that had drawn them together all those years ago and bound their lives forever. 2

But the moment passed as quickly as it came. No. He didn't feel that way about Zoe anymore; they had severed their ties, and he was married to Hannah now

For now, at least.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Zoe pulled back with a shy smile, giving his arm one final squeeze before turning to go. Noah watched her retreating form, his heart pounding in his ears as conflicting waves of affection and anger roiled inside of him.

He was so lost in the swirl of emotions that he didn't notice Hannah approaching until she was nearly upon him. Noah braced himself for her scorn, her fury at the intimate moment she had likely just witnessed between him and Zoe.

In the past, she would have raged and wept at such a display, perhaps even thrown herself at him in a jealous fit. Hell, she couldn't even bear to hear Zoe's name without locking herself in her room or starving

herself.

But today... Today, she simply met his gaze with a placid smile, not a hint of ire in her eyes.

"Good morning," she greeted pleasantly, as if everything were normal. As if Noah's heart wasn't still thundering madly in his chest from Zoe's tender caress

"Morning," he said, quickly turning away to instruct another servant on a centerpiece. "It needs more lilies," he stated.

The servant dipped his head and scurried away for more flowers. Noah turned, expecting Hannah to be gone, but she wasn't; she was still standing there, her thin arms folded across her chest, her dress hanging loosely on her frame-although perhaps the tiniest bit less loosely these days.

"Need something?" he asked, perhaps a bit abrasively.

Hannah simply shrugged. "Just overseeing the preparations," she said. "Tonight's gala is important to me,

too."

Without another word, she strode off, swinging her hips. Her hair was up with the nape of her neck exposed, and Noah couldn't help but stare.

Noah blinked at her as she glided away, utterly confused by her calm demeanor. Who was this new, confident woman? This Hannah who seemed utterly unruffled, even in the face of intimacy between her husband and romantic rival?? And what in all the hells had she done with his wife?