Chapter 0117

Hannah

As soon as my feet touched solid ground, the world snapped back into focus. A deafening roar of cheers and applause washed over me, mingled with my own ragged, startled breaths. Noah released me, though his hands lingered momentarily around my waist, as if to steady me. I blinked up at him, studying his expression. For a fleeting moment, the hardness in his face softened into something resembling a genuine smile—one that sent a flutter through my stomach and eased my nausea. But then, as if a switch flipped, the moment vanished. His smile faded, and he quickly let go, stepping away as soon as our ropes were untied. I gritted my teeth, looking away. Of course, he’d only smiled because we had won. Not because we’d worked together. Not because we’d had fun. A lump formed in my throat as I swallowed back the sting of disappointment. I knew I was being ridiculous, but a tiny part of me had hoped today might rekindle some spark between us.

Before I could dwell on it, the Luna Queen approached, flanked by her two attendants. I plastered on my practiced smile, shoving aside my feelings. The cameras would undoubtedly be focused on us, so I needed to pull myself together and play the part of the happy Luna. With practiced ease, I accepted the flower crown from an attendant and allowed them to fasten it around my head while a golden sash was placed over Noah’s shoulder.

“Well done,” the Luna Queen said, her eyes flickering with an unreadable expression. “It looks like Nightcrest will be hosting the Lunar Festival this year.”

“It’s an honor, Luna Alanna,” Noah replied, dipping his head politely.

The Luna Queen merely nodded. “We will make the official announcement tonight, at the reception,” she said, then turned and strode away. Just like that, the event was over. I couldn’t decide whether I was relieved or just slightly disappointed.

“Hannah!”

The voice cut through the din, causing me to turn. Drake approached, sweaty but smiling. “Drake,” I said, managing a more genuine smile this time. “You seem to have had some fun.”

“It was fun,” Drake said, glancing at Noah. “You two looked good out there.”

I winced inwardly. Noah merely grunted in acknowledgement and extended his hand for Drake to shake. “Thanks. You and Zoe didn’t make it easy.”

Drake nodded and shook Noah’s hand. “Yes, well…” his voice trailed off before he visibly composed himself. “Look, Hannah, can I… speak to you for a moment? Privately?”

My brows shot up, my gaze instinctively flicking toward Noah. To my surprise, he gave a nonchalant half-shrug and turned away, dismissing me.

“Make it quick,” he threw over his shoulder as he stalked off. “We have to get ready for the reception.”

I frowned after him, chewing my lip. Why did he always have to act like such a raging ass? We had won. Couldn’t he just be happy for five minutes?

“Hannah?”

Pulled from my reverie, I turned back to Drake with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, you were saying?”

“It’s about Zoe,” he admitted quietly, stepping closer. “Before the competition started today, I noticed you two talking—”

“Let me stop you right there,” I interjected firmly, holding up a hand. “That was a private discussion. If you expect me to tell you everything she said, I won’t.”

Drake’s shoulders slumped slightly, but he didn’t argue. “Of course,” he said. “I’m just wondering… if you think it’s still worth it to try to get back with her. If you noticed anything today, anything at all.”

My gaze strayed over Drake’s shoulder, landing on Zoe. She was crouching in front of little Adam, who was beaming. He was offering her a bouquet of flowers, even though she hadn’t won—it was sweet enough to make me smile. But then, I recalled her earlier words: how she didn’t want this, and how she only did it to make her son happy.

For a moment, I considered telling Drake it was a lost cause; that he should let her go, respect her wishes. It would have been the right thing to do. And then I thought about Noah. And I thought about how, despite everything, a small part of me didn’t want to give up on this plan yet—because, no matter how much I tried to deny it, I liked the idea of keeping him from Zoe.

I swallowed hard and refocused on Drake. “Don’t give up just yet. I think, with time and a little persistence, Zoe might start coming around.”

A wave of relief washed over the Alpha’s features, his shoulders straightening almost imperceptibly as he nodded. “Thank you, Hannah. That means a lot.”

I plastered on my most convincing smile as Drake pulled me in for a brief hug. Over his shoulder, Zoe’s curious gaze met mine, her brows furrowed slightly.

By the time I arrived at the towering hotel hosting the reception, I felt as though I might keel over from exhaustion. However, my excitement thankfully trumped that feeling. I smoothed my hands over my outfit—a simple silk dress that reached my thighs and hugged all the right curves. Noah was wearing a black suit with a dark red tie, Nightcrest’s colors, which matched my shawl perfectly.

A few paparazzi loitered outside the main entrance, held at bay by burly security personnel. My pulse quickened as I saw them, knowing the tabloids would certainly publish at least one lousy article in the morning: “Luna Hannah and Alpha Noah Win Luna Queen’s Competition, but Can Barely Stand Each Other?”

Part of me expected Noah to exit the car and stride in without me, as he had so many times before. But he didn’t. No sooner had I stepped out than he had me, brusquely grabbing my hand and looping it through his elbow.

“Here,” he said. “Hold onto me.”

I furrowed my brow, my fingers tightening around my small black clutch as I looked up at him. “Why—”

“You have to stay by my side,” he murmured as we ascended the carpeted steps. “Just in—”

His voice trailed off, but he didn’t need to finish. I knew what he was going to say: that we needed to stick together tonight in case the Luna Queen was scrutinizing us. We may have won the competition, but one slip-up could still cost us the Lunar Festival.

“Right,” I managed, unable to entirely ignore that faint glimmer of disappointment. I supposed that, once again, a part of me had almost—almost—hoped he wanted me close because… well, because I was his wife and he wanted me by his side.

As we slipped through the doors and into the bustling party, however, I couldn’t help but notice the way Noah’s hand moved to mine, gently pressing my fingers harder into his firm bicep.