Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0032

Noah

+25 BONUS

As Noah returned the plate to the kitchen sink, he found himself unable to fully suppress the small smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. Despite his lingering anger and frustration with Hannah, he couldn’t help feeling a glimmer of pride at her attempt to eat something.

Her eating disorder had always pained him deeply.

Not just because it marred her once lovely appearance–the sharp angles of her protruding bones, the sallow thinness of her cheeks–but because it spoke to a deeper brokenness within her.

A brokenness he had never been able to fix, no matter how hard he tried.

Hannah had grown far too skinny, to the point of it becoming a serious health concern. Seeing her frail, emaciated form made his chest ache with worry, even if their relationship had become… strained over the years.

She was still his wife, after all. He still cared for her wellbeing, even if he might never admit it to her.

With a weary sigh, Noah dried his hands on a towel and made his way back up to his study. He had only come home to pick up a few things, and never intended to spend the night here.

But as he gathered his extra folders and his laptop from his office, he couldn’t help but sigh. Perhaps he had been too harsh on Hannah at dinner. A kernel of guilt gnawed at him–her efforts with food lately had been commendable, as well as her attitude toward Zoe.

He should have been more encouraging instead of mocking, he supposed. Maybe he would try to be just a little bit nicer… even though Hannah still royally pissed him off sometimes.

The next morning, just as the sun was peeking over the horizon, a messenger arrived at Noah’s office with news that made his heart stutter: the Alpha Council would be arriving this evening, a full day ahead of

schedule.

Panic bloomed in his chest as he realized just how far behind the preparations still were. They had a gala to throw, a gala which would be judged for Nightcrest pack’s ability to host the Lunar Festival.

didn’t care all that much; but if

only

clenched at the thought. He cared deeply about Zoe, even

moment, he leapt into action, barking orders at the servants to have the dining hall and guest

instructing some decorators on hanging banners when a gentle hand on his arm made him turn. It was Zoe, a crease of worry marring her delicate

Chapter 0032

+25 A

BONUS

have a word?” Her voice was soft, but

snapping his fingers at a servant to Instruct them to move a table more

Inside of her cheek, before leaning in closer.

naked fear in her eyes. Instinctively, he reached out to grasp her hands in his own, giving them a

You know I would never let him harm you or your

lower lip anxiously. “It’s not that. I know he won’t hurt me, but… I’m worried he may try to… to take

punishingly as a wave of protective anger washed over him. Over his dead body

his chest, though, a sort of irony washed over Noah as well. He realized, then, that he was also trying to keep Hannah from divorcing him–although, they had

Hannah feel this way about

his voice low and vehement. “Nightcrest pack is your home. It always has

lifted a hand to gently cup his cheek. “Thank you,” she breathed, leaning in to press a soft, lingering

the feeling of her lips against his skin, his breath catching in his throat. Heat blossomed in his

he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and lose himself in her embrace. To rekindle the spark of passion

He didn’t feel that way about Zoe anymore; they had severed their

For now, at least.

to go. Noah watched her retreating form, his heart pounding in his ears as conflicting waves of affection and anger roiled