Chapter 0442

Hannah

I awoke to warmth: a warm arm around my waist, a warm body against my back, golden sun rays warming my cheek, heat pooling in my belly. Consciousness returned quickly, bringing with it the memory of last night. My skin still felt flushed where Noah had touched me, my core pleasantly empty, as if a great weight had been lifted when I’d climaxed in his arms under the moonlight.

Rolling over, I found Noah fast asleep beside me, dark hair falling into his eyes. I tried to rouse him with a few warm kisses to his neck and shoulder, but he barely stirred, only letting out a low groan and nuzzling closer.

I rolled my eyes and smiled, shaking my head. I guess I should let him sleep, I thought, figuring he must have needed the rest. I, however, was wide awake, so I carefully extricated myself from his arms and slipped out of the room in my dressing gown.

Lily was already in the nursery when I arrived. “Oh! You’re awake,” she said, bouncing Melody in her arms. “I figured you might want to rest, so I took care of Melody’s breakfast.”

Letting out a small sigh of relief, I kissed my sister’s temple, then Melody’s button nose. “Thank you, Lily. Breakfast?”

She shrugged and followed me out of the nursery with Melody in her arms. “Noah’s still sleeping, I take it?”

I couldn’t help but blush. “I assume his staying over last night has been the talk of the town already.”

My sister chuckled. “Let’s just say that Mom and Dad couldn’t stop mentioning how glad they were that you’re back together,” she said as we entered the kitchen.

I was glad, too. But the mention of our parents reminded me of last night’s uncomfortable discussion.

Noticing my apprehension, Lily placed a hand on my arm and said gently, “You know Dad means well. He’d never stand in the way of your happiness. He’s just… from a different era, that’s all.”

I pursed my lips and grabbed the milk and eggs from the refrigerator. “Today isn’t so different from his day. Noah and I have a lot of work to do if we’re going to be together and both be Alphas.”

Lily nodded. “Trust me, I know. But you know I’m here for you, right? Whatever you need.”

“Thanks, Lil. That means a lot.”

My sister shot me a wan smile before nodding toward the ingredients I’d gathered. “Looks like someone is getting breakfast in bed.”

A little while later, Lily and I quietly pushed the tea cart into my bedroom, laden with cheesy mushroom omelets, crispy bacon, steaming cups of coffee, and a vibrant array of fruit. Noah was still passed out on the bed, his mouth comically hanging open, arms sprawled out to either side.

Exchanging amused smirks with my sister, I gently placed the wiggly Melody in the crook of one of his arms. As if by instinct, she grabbed her father’s index finger and began to gnaw on it.

Noah’s eyes snapped open almost immediately.

“What the… Oh!” He sat up, shirtless, and gathered Melody into his arms. “Good morning to you, too…”

At the sight of my mate’s bare torso, Lily flushed and hurried out of the room without a word.

“Sleeping well, were you?” I asked once we were alone.

Noah’s ears turned a little red as he glanced at the clock, seeing that it was past ten. “I’ll admit,” he said sheepishly, “last night was the first good night’s sleep I’ve gotten in a while.”