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.

her eyes fell on the diamonds around my throat. “And that necklace is exquisite…

hadn’t actually given me the gift out of the goodness of

my fingers drifted up to trace the diamonds as I offered Zoe

from Noah, actually. A

a moment, something unreadable flickered through their depths. But only for a moment. “A gift?”

reappeared with my drink at that moment. With a murmur of thanks,

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

a beat of silence. “Is everything alright?” Tamping down a flare of panic, I responded

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 ever so

Chapter 0036

+25 BONUS

believe me. Not

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

would be wise for all of us to be on our best behavior with the Alpha Council

swept open, framing the entire Alpha council as they made their way into the room with their black and white tuxedos and perfectly groomed

rang out 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 of raven hair, those chiseled features so

soften a 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

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

face practically carved from marble, who drew my gaze like a magnet. I braced myself for the storm brewing behind those inscrutable emerald

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

over to see that Zoe had slipped off into the crowd. She

mine. The tips of my 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

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