Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0036

Chapter 0036

Hannah

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After politely excusing myself from the cluster of council members‘ wives, I made a beeline for the bar. My throat felt parched, an anxious dryness brought on by Noah’s lingering presence even after he had departed. The flute of champagne was already growing warm in my grip, and I certainly couldn’t drink it. Sidling up to the sleek marble counter, I caught the bartender’s eye. “Could I get a sparkling water, please?” I asked, sliding the champagne flute toward him.

The bartender eyed the untouched champagne glass. Is the champagne not to your liking?”

“Oh, I’d just prefer not to drink tonight.” I met his gaze with a coquettish smile that made the young bartender’s ears turn pink. “I actually prefer water.”

His brows furrowed ever so slightly, but he didn’t question me further. With a slight bow, he turned to prepare my drink. I let my shoulders

drink. I let my shoulders slump a bit once his back was turned, and I leaned on the counter.

I was going to have to get used to this whole no–drinking thing. But it did feel good to have my head clear.

“Hannah? Is that you?”

The gentle lilt of Zoe’s voice made me turn. She stood just behind me, looking beautiful in a maroon silk

gown

that brought out the color of her eyes. A warm smile curved her lips as she regarded me. It took all of my energy to smile back.

this evening,” she said, gesturing to my simple black gown before her eyes fell on the diamonds around my throat. “And

at the glittering reminder of Noah’s actions tonight. Too bad he hadn’t actually given me the gift out of the goodness of his heart, but

drifted up to trace the diamonds as I offered Zoe a small

a gift from Noah, actually.

a moment, something unreadable flickered through their depths. But only for a moment. “A gift?” she asked. “How lovely of him. Is there a

with my drink at that moment. With a

of the corner of my eye, I saw the shift in Zoe’s expression again–the subtle tightening around her gaze as she watched me drink water instead

panic, I responded with a casual shrug. “Just taking

belly churn even more violently than usual these days. But Zoe’s gaze had sharpened shrewdly, her lips pursing ever so

Chapter 0036

+25 BONUS

believe me. Not

further than that. Instead, she simply lifted her wine in a silent toast,

I certainly don’t blame you for keeping a clear head,” she said breezily. “It would be wise for all of us to be on our best behavior with the Alpha

double doors. They had just swept open, framing

rang out over the ballroom as one of the stewards announced the Alphas by name. I recognized Drake

sidled a little closer, and placed

a smile. She seemed to relax a bit–perhaps bolstered by my support. I then turned back to look

predatory grace befitting his title as an Alpha. But it was Noah, who was now at his side, his face practically carved from marble, who drew

the sea of faces as their names were called out. When Drake’s turn came, he cast a sweeping glance across the ballroom–his eyes glittering like shards of

over to see that Zoe had slipped off into

ears flushed hot as he made his way through the crowd, headed straight for me. Although, I couldn’t decide whether I felt more heat from his own figure approaching, or if it was Noah, trailing alongside him with a fire burning

at the waist once he had stopped a few paces away. “It’s been a while since we’ve met. You look stunning