Chapter 0100
“Indeed, indeed.” The Alpha waved a hand dismissively, his shrewd eyes appraising me. “And this enchanting creature must be the lovely Luna Hannah. It’s been a while since we’ve met, Luna.”
I managed a terse smile and offered my hand. “It’s a pleasure, Alpha Matthias.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” The Alpha lifted my knuckles to his lips, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he kissed them. “And might I say, your beauty is simply unmatched this evening. Truly, Noah is a lucky man.”
I felt Noah stiffen almost imperceptibly beside me, but simply smiled and murmured my thanks. Seemingly satisfied, the Alpha clapped his hands together and turned an expectant gaze on Noah. “Now, Alpha, you know the rules—we mustn’t let our women go thirsty!” He waved over a waiter carrying a tray of bubbling champagne flutes. He took two, handing one to Noah, then offered one to me, taking a third himself.
My stomach dropped. “Oh, no alcohol for me tonight,” I said, waving my hand and refusing the drink. “Thank you, though.”
The Alpha shot me an almost offended look. “It’s customary for the host to drink a toast, isn’t it?” he asked, raising his glass. “Come now.”
A tense silence followed, and I considered pretending to sip to avoid scrutiny. But before I could move, Noah spoke.
“I’m afraid Hannah is abstaining from alcohol this evening per her doctor’s orders. A stomach bug, you see.” He shot me a meaningful look. “However, I would be honored to drink for both of us tonight.”
A slight frown creased the Alpha’s brow for a moment before he let out a deep, rumbling chuckle and clapped Noah firmly on the shoulder.
“We’ll just have to double up your servings then, eh?” He chortled, shaking his head in amusement as he handed the glass meant for me to Noah. Noah easily took it, now holding a drink in each hand.
“To a good evening,” Noah said simply, tipping one glass back and draining it in one long pull.
I watched in disbelief as he set the empty flute aside and lifted the second to his lips without hesitation, seemingly unaffected by the bubbling champagne. Only after he drained that glass did the Alpha seem pleased.
“A true Alpha drinks like a man!” he said, slapping Noah’s shoulder hard enough to rock him. “Well done, well done. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m afraid I’ve been neglecting my own wife this evening…” With that, he lumbered away, disappearing back into the crowd with surprising agility for a man of his age and size. Noah watched him go, his expression carefully neutral.
Then, without warning, he took my arm, steering me firmly toward the hallway leading back to the elevators.
“Noah, what—?”
“Shh.” His voice was low, dangerous; the scent of champagne sharp on his breath as he hauled me into the empty corridor and pinned me against the wall.
I opened my mouth to protest, but the words caught in my throat as he leaned in close, his piercing green eyes feverish. I felt feverish, too, with his body pressed firmly against mine.
“You’re pregnant,” he growled, a hand resting on my abdomen, his fingers splaying out possessively. “Aren’t you?”
My heart stuttered, my eyes widening in shock and inexplicable panic.
“Noah, I—”
“Don’t lie to me,” he cut me off, his voice low and gravelly, sending a shiver through me. His breath was hot against my cheek as he leaned closer, his fingers flexing against my stomach. “You are pregnant with my child, aren’t you?”