Chapter 14

All the color drained from Mikey’s face. “I… Alpha Noah, I didn’t realize. Please forgive me…”

I raised my hand to stop Mikey’s stammering. “It’s all right, Mikey,” I said, my voice calm and even. My eyes remained fixed on Noah. “I can explain to Noah what happened.”

I could hear Mikey swallowing. He surely thought I was going to tell Noah about his flirting. That would chill any lesser male to the bone.

I smirked. I wasn’t going to be that predictable.

I snatched the business card from Mikey’s hand, turning it over in my fingers so Noah could see it. “I was merely asking this lawyer some questions about our problems.”

With an arched brow, I challenged Noah to interpret my insinuation. He didn't disappoint.

“Hannah, can we talk in private, please?” he said, breathing deeply to control his temper.

Before I could answer, Noah circled my waist and pulled me from the dining hall, holding me close. I struggled to keep up with his brisk pace, my heart pounding as our bodies pressed together. But I kept my chin high and my expression stony, determined to hide my reaction from him—and everyone else.

As we walked, Noah slipped Mikey’s business card from my hand and pocketed it. “What’s going on, Noah?” I asked. “Where are we going?”

We stopped in the lobby, near the exit and restrooms. Noah didn't release my waist; his grip tightened. I felt his fingers gently dig into my hips, and it took all my willpower to conceal the flush rising in my cheeks. He avoided my eyes, staring at my dress as he spoke.

“I think we need to have a little talk about appropriate public behavior,” Noah said through gritted teeth.

My hand clenched into a fist. He wanted to lecture me on “appropriate public behavior”? After everything he had done with Zoe in public?

I took a deep breath to compose myself. “Can I go to the bathroom first?” I asked, my throat tight with emotion.

Noah considered this for a moment, glanced at the restrooms, then nodded. Reluctantly, he released my arm.

“Thank you,” I said sarcastically.

I stormed into the restroom. As I entered, I heard voices from around the corner.

Chapter 14 + 25 Bonus

“How can I get more money from the Alpha?” one voice asked.

I froze, pressing against the wall to eavesdrop unseen.

“You’re going to have to blackmail him,” the other voice replied. “You have plenty of material to use against him.”

“But I don’t want to hurt him,” the other voice retorted. “I still love him, in a way.”

I gasped quietly. Was someone trying to blackmail Noah? No, it couldn’t be about Noah. He had nothing worth blackmailing outside his relationship with Zoe, and this definitely wasn't Zoe speaking. I would recognize her voice anywhere.

Then again, who could they be talking about? One of the other Alphas? Which one?

I risked a peek around the corner. The women were positioned so their backs were to me; they didn’t seem to notice me.

One was a hazel-eyed brunette in a flowing blue gown and large hoop earrings. The other had flaming red hair and sapphire blue eyes, wearing a seafoam green dress that ended just above her knees and clung to her figure. I felt certain I knew the redhead, but I couldn’t place her.

“Do you love him more than you want your fair share of the Luna’s property?” the brunette asked. “More than you want a comfortable life for yourself?”

“No, but do you really think anything I have on him will be worth anything?” the redhead asked. “What could I possibly have that would make him give me more money?”

“Try the sordid details of your affair,” the brunette said, leaning closer. “Trust me, he’ll do anything to keep you from leaking those details to the public. And even if he doesn’t, people will pay through the nose for them.”

Suddenly, the bathroom door opened behind me.

I hurried out as a group of women entered. I straightened my dress and patted my hair, pretending to have used the facilities to avoid suspicion. Then I lifted my chin and strode toward Noah.

“How does my dress look?” I asked provocatively, hands on my hips.

Noah eyed me. “A bit short, don’t you think?” he said, crossing his arms. “Especially for an event like this.”

I smirked; he was clearly flustered. He hadn't seen me in anything less than ankle-length—outside of our intimate nights in… I couldn’t even remember how long ago that had been. “What, is my figure not good enough for it?” I teased.

Noah opened his mouth to reply, but his eyes froze on my torso. He cleared his throat and adjusted his cufflinks. “Who are you dressed like that for, anyway?”

My smirk widened. I’d thrown him off. Good.

“What’s wrong with wanting to look good?” I asked. “Or are you just worried I’m stealing Zoe’s thunder?”

Noah raised an eyebrow. “How could you steal Zoe’s thunder? You’re already my Luna. The attention tonight is already on you.” His voice softened, his eyes flickering down my body, momentarily husky.

“Oh, really?” I stroked his arm with a finger. “You see, I could have sworn that the woman next to the Alpha is his Luna.” I tilted my head and smiled sweetly. “You’re even wearing matching outfits.”

Noah huffed and rolled his eyes. “If you’re talking about Zoe, it’s just a coincidence we’re wearing the same color.”

This time, I rolled my eyes. “Coincidence, right.” I shook my head. “You two are too in sync, and I’m not the only one who thinks so.”

Noah’s brow furrowed. “Who else is saying that?”

“Try all the staff working this event.”

“And you’re willing to believe them?”

“And why shouldn’t I?” I asked. “Because they’re ‘the help’?”

Noah cringed, realizing he’d backed himself into a corner.

“They’re the eyes and ears of the pack,” I continued. “What they say is what the pack believes about us. Right now, the pack thinks you and Zoe are much more in sync than you and I are.”

Noah scowled. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear—”

“Then I’ll believe what I see. What I saw earlier certainly backs up what they’ve been saying.”

Noah sighed, slipping his jacket off his shoulders and placing it around me without a word, his fingertips brushing against my collarbone. I shuddered at his touch. His jacket smelled of his cologne.

“I need some air,” I muttered, wanting distance. I couldn’t fall into the trap of physical attraction to Noah again.

Clutching his jacket, I hurried to the exit. There, in the doorway, stood Zoe.

I stopped a few feet from her, paling as a realization hit me: Zoe had heard the entire argument.