Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0031

Hannah

25 BONUS

That night, after the awkward tension at dinner, I found myself unable to finish my plate. The rest of the family banquet went by without incident, Noah keeping his distance after I had seen him watching me from the hallway. I pretended to eat, falling back into my old habits: pushing my food around on the plate, cutting it up into small pieces, always keeping myself and those around me talking so no one would notice. 1

But around midnight, the hunger pangs started kicking in.

That, and the nausea.

I was

Still extremely early in the pregnancy, maybe even too early for morning sickness. But, with so little food in my belly, it felt like a storm was roiling in my gut.

I knew I needed to eat, if even only a few bites.

Once Noah was out of the house and I was certain everyone was asleep, I quietly made my way down to the kitchen in my nightgown, my bare feet making no sounds on the marble floors. Cautiously, like scared animal searching for scraps, I gathered a small plate of food.

A few minutes later, I was back in my bedroom with a plate of cheese, bread, and fruit. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

And I wanted to start getting better. I wanted to nourish myself and the life growing inside me. So I thought that maybe trying to eat alone, in the privacy of my chambers, could be good practice.

I settled onto the edge of my bed, the plate balanced carefully on my lap. One slice of fresh bread, a few pieces of sharp cheese, and two strawberries–simple foods, but my stomach still clenched anxiously at the sight of them.

Steeling myself, I picked up a piece of the bread.

the most difficult things for me, thanks to the carbs. I stared at it for a long moment, turning it over in my hands as I tried to psyche myself up to take a bite. Finally, I closed my eyes and brought it to my lips, tearing

slight tang from whatever

had sent my body

like the little life inside of me–the clump of cells that had

my baby–was singing with relief at

something so divine. Not even the sweet, juicy peach

take my last bite when a quiet creak made my eyes shoot open. There, standing frozen in the doorway, was Noah. Our gazes locked,

Chapter 0031

clattered to the floor.

+25 BONUS

long moment, unmoving. He wasn’t supposed to be here; he had left earlier, and

food in like an uncouth pig, crumbs no doubt scattered across my face and nightgown. I

are you

didn’t answer

down to retrieve the fallen plate. He picked up the few scraps that had touched the floor and brushed a few stray crumbs from the sheets

still hungry, why didn’t you eat more at dinner?” he asked. Much to

like a lump in my throat. Rather than answering, I deflected once again. “Why are you here so late? Don’t you usually leave the house in the evenings so you can sleep in your

but once again, he didn’t respond. We regarded each

thought he might turn and leave without another word, he spoke again. “I had

something. I felt my chest clench at those words. I supposed, for the briefest of moments, seeing him standing

of course he hadn’t. We hated each

without another word. I sat watching him, the

be ashamed, you know,”