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.

before her eyes fell on the diamonds around my throat. “And

hadn’t actually given me the gift out of the goodness of his heart, but rather

the diamonds as I

was a gift from

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

my drink at that moment. With a murmur of thanks, I accepted the sparkling water and took

around her gaze

I responded with a casual shrug. “Just taking a bit of a break from alcohol on my doctor’s recommendation. I’ve been having some…

wasn’t a complete lie. The thought of alcohol did make my queasy belly churn even more violently than usual these days. But Zoe’s gaze had sharpened shrewdly, her lips pursing

Chapter 0036

+25 BONUS

me. Not fully, at

to Zoe’s credit, she didn’t push the matter further than that. Instead, she simply lifted her wine in a silent toast, a small,

said breezily. “It would be wise for all of us to be

followed her pointed gaze toward the grand double doors. They had just swept open, framing the

over the ballroom as one of the stewards announced the Alphas by name. I recognized Drake at once as they drew nearer–that bold sweep

expression when she saw Drake. I sidled a little closer, and placed a gloved hand on her arm. She startled a bit at my fouch and looked over

smile. She seemed to relax a bit–perhaps bolstered by my support.

it was Noah, who was now at his side, his face practically carved from marble, who drew my gaze like a magnet. I braced myself for the storm brewing behind those

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 blue topaz as they raked

had slipped off into

made his way through the crowd, headed straight for me. Although, I couldn’t decide whether I felt

stopped a few paces away. “It’s been