Chapter 0386

Drake smirked. “Maybe you’re just a badass by nature.”

I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips. “Oh, stop it, you flatterer. I’m going to go change.”

As I showered in the locker room, letting the hot water soothe my aching muscles, I found myself imagining the upcoming wedding. In my mind’s eye, I saw myself walking into the venue, turning heads in that green dress. I pictured myself strong and confident. I wanted to show everyone, especially Noah, that I was thriving without him.

Maybe once, I would have wanted to look skinny above all else. But not anymore. The image of Noah’s shocked face when he saw my tanned muscles brought a smug smile to my face. I was going to knock his socks off, and then walk right past him without a second glance.

Feeling reinvigorated, I dried off and changed into fresh clothes. As I exited the locker room, I rounded the corner and stopped short. There, by the sparring ring, were Drake and Viona, pressed close together on either side of the ropes. Viona’s fingers were tangled in his hair, and Drake was grunting into her mouth as she pulled him closer. I think I saw a tongue somewhere in the mix.

“Ew!” I yelled, causing them to spring apart, looking like deer caught in headlights.

“Hannah!” Viona squeaked, her face turning bright red. “We were just… uh…” She looked to Drake for support, but he just grinned and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

I couldn’t hold back my laughter. “Relax, I’m just messing with you. Though maybe next time, get a room or something?”

Drake chuckled, wrapping an arm around Viona’s waist—much to her chagrin. “Noted, Alpha.”

As we walked to the parking lot, I felt a pang of loneliness watching Drake and Viona together. They looked so happy, so in love. It made me realize how much I missed that connection. It was a lonely existence, being an Alpha and a single mother.

Viona must have sensed my mood shift because, on the way home, she glanced at me from the driver’s seat. It was just the two of us now. “You know, Hannah,” she said carefully, “have you thought about getting back out there? In the dating scene, I mean.”

I sighed, staring out the window. “I don’t know, Vi. I’m not sure if I’m ready for that just yet.”

“It doesn’t have to be anything serious,” she pressed. “Just go on some dates, have fun. Sometimes it just feels good to get out there and feel wanted, you know? You don’t even have to have sex.”

I chewed my lip, considering. “I don’t know. Maybe. I’ll think about it.”

Viona didn’t press further, but her words lingered in my mind. The idea of dating was intriguing, but it just felt… wrong. My heart didn’t feel ready for it after what Noah had done to me.

But maybe that was exactly why I needed to get back out there; if only to help myself move on, realize that there were other fish in the sea. And maybe it wouldn’t hurt to bring a date to the wedding, either.

That night, as I sat in bed with Melody sleeping peacefully in her crib nearby, I found myself staring at my phone. The wedding invitation sitting on my dresser seemed to taunt me.

I sighed, rolling over. Maybe Viona was right. Maybe…

Before I could talk myself out of it, I opened the app store and downloaded a popular dating app. My fingers trembled slightly as I set up my profile, choosing a recent photo where I was smiling and holding Melody.

“Here goes nothing,” I muttered, starting to swipe through potential matches.

Suddenly, a familiar face popped up on my screen. My eyes widened in shock as I read the name: David. Alpha of Darkmoon Pack. Looking handsome as hell. Without thinking, I swiped right. It was an instant match.

Chapter 0387