Chapter 0046

Hannah

As soon as I stepped through the front door, Noah was there, waiting like a guard dog. His arms were crossed, a stern expression etched on his face. “There you are,” he said, his tone clipped. “I trust you had a good time gallivanting around town with your new… friend?”

I rolled my eyes, brushing past him toward the sitting room, shopping bags in hand. “Don’t be so dramatic, Noah. Drake and I were just having a friendly outing.”

“A friendly outing?” Noah echoed, following close behind. “Hannah, the two of you were parading around the most high-profile spots in town like you were on a honeymoon.”

Turning to face him, I arched a brow. “Well, how else was I supposed to show Drake a good time? He’s our guest, after all—and an important one, at that.”

Noah scoffed, raking a hand through his tousled hair. “Yes, because he’s the only Alpha on the council who has a say in Nightcrest hosting the Lunar Festival.”

“Oh, don’t be so stingy,” I countered sharply. “I seem to recall you harping on endlessly about how vital it is that we secure the right to host it this year. About how it could make or break our reputation, our standing, our place among the other packs. Well, here I am trying to secure it; and if any of the other Alphas had asked for a tour, I certainly would have given them one.”

A muscle ticked in Noah’s jaw as my words hit home. For a long moment, we stared each other down in tense silence.

Finally, Noah sighed, seeming to deflate. “You didn’t have to make such a public spectacle of it, though.”

“I wasn’t trying to make a public spectacle,” I said.

Noah tightened his folded arms and scoffed. “Don’t play dumb, Hannah. I know there’s more than meets the eye. What did he promise you, hm?” He nodded toward the gift bag in my hand, which he’d no doubt seen Drake give me. “Is he showering you with gifts to get more out of you?”

“What’s it to you if Drake bought me a little something?” I asked coolly. “I’m a grown woman, Noah—I can accept gifts from whoever I please. And besides, not everyone buys people gifts just to get something in exchange. Or have you forgotten that people do things out of kindness sometimes?”

Noah scoffed. “Drake’s a player. And he’s playing you like a fiddle.” He sighed, turning his head. “Don’t forget you still belong to me. It’s not becoming of a Luna to be accepting gifts from another man. What did he even give you?”

As he spoke, he reached for the bag, attempting to take it from me. White-hot anger surged through me. Yanking the bag away, I stalked toward Noah until we were nose-to-nose, glaring up at him defiantly.

“I don’t belong to you or anyone else, do you understand me?” I hissed, jabbing a finger into his chest. “I’m not some possession for you to boss around and dictate terms to, Noah. I’m a whole person, with or without you. And I make my own decisions and open my own gifts.”

Noah flinched almost imperceptibly at the venom in my tone, but he held my gaze, his own eyes blazing with an intensity to match mine. For a long, charged moment, something crackled between us—a spark of danger, unresolved tension, overwhelming want.

Then, just as quickly, the moment was gone. Noah blinked and averted his gaze, taking a small step back.

“Fine. Do what you want, Hannah,” he muttered gruffly. “Just don’t come crying to me when Drake’s true intentions become clear.”

With that, Noah turned and swept out of the room, leaving me seething. I watched him go, my hands curling into fists as I struggled to control my temper. The audacity of him! I fumed, grabbing my bags and storming up the stairs.

Once in my room, I carefully opened Drake’s gift. A tiny gasp escaped my lips as I pulled out the contents—a dainty silver charm bracelet, each link and pendant sparkling almost blindingly in the low light. It was lovely, much too thoughtful a gift for a shameless flirt like Drake.

But then, Noah’s words flashed through my mind: His true intentions. As if I needed Noah to tell me—I knew very well what Drake’s true angle was. He was buttering me up, biding his time until he needed another favor in his scheme to win Zoe back.

I knew better than to fall for such cheap tricks. Snapping the bracelet’s clasp closed around my wrist, I admired the shimmer and sparkle. It truly was exquisite, I had to admit… but not quite exquisite enough to make me lose my head.

With a soft hum, I unclasped it and tucked it neatly into my bedside drawer. Out of sight, out of mind—I would deal with whatever Drake wanted in return another day. For now, all I wanted was a hot bath and some peace.

The next morning, I awoke feeling uncharacteristically refreshed. It was a welcome reprieve, and I intended to savor it. I dressed leisurely, styling my hair into soft waves and applying a touch of makeup. I wore a matching skirt and top set with black flats.

Once satisfied with my appearance, I went downstairs to the kitchen. The house was quiet; the servants were busy, and Noah was still gone.

Or so I thought.

I was making coffee when something metallic glinted in my peripheral vision. Frowning, I turned, my stomach dropping at what I saw. There, amongst banana peel and discarded sugar packets, lay the delicate silver charm bracelet—haphazardly tossed into the trash can like a worthless trinket. It had been safely locked in my drawer the night before.

Gasping, I pulled out the bracelet, anger seethed through me.

“Noah,” I hissed, clenching my fist around the silver bracelet.