Chapter 30

Noah growled almost imperceptibly. “Your ex-wife,” he countered.

Drake’s hands curled into fists. The muscles in his arms tightened, and his jaw clenched. I could tell it was taking everything in him not to spring at Noah and tear him apart, just for the reminder.

When I looked over at Noah, I saw that his body language mirrored Drake’s. Their eyes never left each other. If I hadn’t been standing between them, I truly believed the two alphas would have launched at each other to prove their dominance. After a minute of this silent showdown, Drake lifted his chin defiantly, keeping his eyes on Noah’s.

“You know, you’re a very greedy man, Noah,” he said matter-of-factly.

Noah arched a brow. “And how would you figure that?” he asked.

“Here you have such a beautiful Luna—,” Drake gestured toward me, “—and yet you’re still trying to get involved with other men’s wives.”

“Ex-wife,” Noah reiterated, “and I wouldn’t be giving anyone lectures on how to conduct their personal lives if I were you. Given the life that you lead—”

“The life that I lead is none of your business,” Drake snapped. “What you do with Zoe, the mother of my son, is my business.”

“Zoe and I are not doing anything,” Noah countered. “I respect Zoe’s wishes, and I don’t want to see her again.”

I had to suppress rolling my eyes. I might have believed Zoe when she said she didn’t want to ruin my marriage, but I had a hard time believing Noah didn’t want to see her.

Drake must have sensed my doubt because he turned his attention to me.

“Do you believe that, Luna Hannah?” he asked. “Do you believe that our spouses want nothing to do with each other? Because I’m having a hard time swallowing that with everything that’s been in the press lately.”

I was torn. I knew I had to still act like Noah’s dutiful wife in front of people like Drake for the sake of the upcoming Lunar Festival, but I did not want to lie about my feelings on this matter, not when it came to someone else who could be affected as much as I could be.

“The media can be deceiving,” I finally settled on saying.

Drake shook his head, as though I had just disappointed him by failing his test.

“Do you all think that I’m really so delusional as to believe—”

“Enough!” Zoe snapped, glaring at Drake. “Enough. I’m leaving, and I’m taking Adam with me.”

I had the feeling that wasn’t the first time Zoe had said those exact words to Drake.

Zoe stormed to the doorway.

“Wait!” Noah called after her. “I’ll show you out.”

Drake stared at Zoe for a moment as she waited in the doorway for Noah. Then he closed his eyes, sighed, and reopened them. He turned to me and forced an awkward smile.

“I’m sorry about all of this, Luna Hannah,” he said, and he sounded sincere. “I did not mean to drag you into this mess.”

“It’s all right,” I replied. I shifted on my feet, longing to follow Noah and Zoe to the doorway.

“Please, let me have the chance to show you my better side,” Drake ran his hand over his close-shaved hair. “Take me on a tour of the territory, show me some of your favorite places.”

The request made my eyes widen. Drake wanted to spend some alone time with me? It was only a tour of the territory, but it was still quite a surprise.

I glanced over at Noah where he stood in the arch of the door. He sent me a pleading look, begging me to decline. My stomach knotted.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and smiled warmly at Drake.

“Alpha Drake,” I said formally, “I would love to show you around the Nightcrest Territory.”