Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0036

Chapter 0036

Hannah

+25 BONUS

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.

she said, gesturing to my simple black gown before her eyes fell on the diamonds around my throat. “And that necklace is exquisite… Is it

my cheeks at the compliment, and at the glittering reminder of Noah’s actions tonight. Too bad he hadn’t actually given me the gift out of

drifted up to trace the diamonds as I offered Zoe a

a gift from Noah, actually. A

unreadable flickered through their depths. But only

opened my mouth to respond, but the bartender reappeared with my drink at that moment. With a murmur of thanks,

shift in Zoe’s expression again–the subtle tightening around her gaze as she watched me drink water instead of alcohol.

after a beat of silence. “Is everything alright?” Tamping down a flare of panic, I responded with a casual shrug. “Just taking a bit of a break from alcohol on my doctor’s

complete lie. The thought of alcohol did make my queasy belly churn even more violently than usual

Chapter 0036

+25 BONUS

believe me. Not fully, at

push the matter further than that. Instead, she simply lifted her wine in a silent toast, a small, almost knowing smile playing

“It would be wise for all of

framing the entire Alpha council as they made

of the stewards announced the Alphas by name. I recognized Drake at

bit upon seeing her pained expression when she saw Drake. I sidled a little closer, and placed a gloved hand on her arm. She startled a bit at

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

side, his face practically carved from marble, who drew my gaze like

by one, each Alpha offered a shallow bow or nod of acknowledgement to 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 blue

looked over to see that Zoe had slipped off into the

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

few paces away. “It’s been a while since