Chapter 94: Hannah +25 Bonus

I hummed along to the music from the small speaker on the bathroom counter as I stepped into the steaming shower, eager for the scalding water to soothe my tired muscles. The picnic had been a resounding success, both entertaining and fulfilling my personal goals. I felt lighter than I had in ages. Tipping my head back, I let the hot spray soak my hair, the water trailing over my face in warm streams. Even though the picnic started poorly, it ended triumphantly. We were closer than ever to being chosen as Lunar Festival hosts. In fact, as the picnic concluded, the Alpha Council—Drake included—congratulated Noah and me.

Soon, all this would be behind us. Hosting the Lunar Festival would boost my approval ratings even higher—and I still had more plans before then. Then, in two months, Noah and I would divorce. I'd return to my home pack, assume my rightful place as female Alpha, and continue my healthy pregnancy.

But as I closed my eyes to wash my face, a faint chill against my damp skin made me shiver, my arms and neck prickling. Frowning, I glanced at the glass shower door, certain I’d secured it. A gap of a few inches had appeared, letting cooler air disrupt the steamy warmth. The glass seemed to rattle slightly, as if disturbed by an unseen force. Odd.

Shaking my head, I attributed it to a draft from the open window and closed the door. The last thing I needed was a soaked floor.

By the time I stepped out and toweled off, I felt relaxed and boneless, my muscles pleasantly loose. Wrapping a plush white towel around myself, I padded into the bedroom and to the vanity for my skincare routine.

As I smoothed moisturizer onto my face, a flicker of movement in the mirror’s reflection caught my eye. Freezing, I peered intently, trying to see the subtle shift again. There—a dark, indistinct shape blurred across the far side of the room in the shadows before vanishing.

My breath hitched. I whipped around, my head swiveling to find whoever had just crossed my room. “Hello?” I called, cautiously rising. My eyes scanned the dark room, cursing its size; my vanity lamp couldn't illuminate the entire space.

There was no one, of course—just paranoia. But…

The soft creak of a footstep on the hardwood sent a jolt of ice through my veins, every hair on my body rising as my fight-or-flight instinct kicked in. Someone else was here.

I whirled around with a startled shriek, my towel slipping precariously as I scanned the room for an intruder. “Noah?” I called, my voice trembling despite my efforts to keep it steady. No, wait. Noah was probably at his office, spending the night there as usual—

My thoughts were cut short by the unmistakable creak of footsteps behind me, much closer this time. Gasping, I whipped around, my hands groping for something until they closed on a hefty leather-bound book.

“Who’s there?” I demanded, my chest heaving as I held the book aloft, ready to strike. “Show yourself!”

Silence. Then, from the doorway…