Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0263

Hannah

| looked up at Noah with a cocked eyebrow, my curiosity piquing despite my best efforts to remain aloof.

“A proposition?” | asked, turning my head to look at another couple dancing as though looking at him was below

me. “What kind of proposition?”

Noah's hand tightened slightly on my waist as we swayed to the music, instantly commanding my attention once

more despite my best efforts.

His green eyes were intense, focused solely on me. The warmth of his palm seeped through the thin fabric of my

gown, making my skin tingle, and the feeling of our bodies pressed up against one another was more than | had

anticipated tonight..

| hated to admit it, even to myself, but feeling him like this was... nice. Needed. Missed.

“I'd like to extend the terms of our divorce,” he said, his voice low enough so that only | could hear. My eyes

widened. “What are you saying?”

“Let’s hold off on the divorce, at least until after the upcoming summer hunt,” he said, his eyes darting around in

search of anyone who might be eavesdropping. “Two more months is all I'm asking.”

Surprise coursed through me, my wolf stirring at his words. He spunas the music crescendoed, and when |

cback to him with one palm cupped against his chest, | couldn't decide whether | was more breathless from

the twirl or the question.

“Two more months? Why?” | hissed.

He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling against mine. “I heard you might get a spot on the Luna

Council soon. If you're no longer a Luna, you could possibly lose that opportunity.”

My heart skipped a beat. How did he know about that? The Luna Queen had only just extended the invitation to

visit the Council for a day.

Noah continued, his voice taking on a softer tone, “Plus, | could really use your expertise with the upcoming

summer hunt. You've done an amazing job with this gala, and...”

He paused, looking almost embarrassed before he murmured, “I would like your help with at least one more

major event before we... before we end things.”

The compliment warmed me, even as the reminder of our impending divorce stung. | glanced around the room,

taking in the elegant decorations, the glittering guests, all evidence of my hard work. 1

He was right, of course; if we got divorced and | returned to my pack as the female Alpha, then | might not make

it onto the Luna Council since | would no longer be a Luna. And frankly, | intended to make history-the first

female Alpha who was also an esteemed member of the Luna Queen's personal cabinet.

Maybe it would be best to secure my position before the divorce.

“...I don’t know, Noah,” | muttered, still unsure. “That's a lot to consider, especially with the divorce so close.”

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0263

Noah said nothing, although there was something that flickered through his green eyes that | picked up on

immediately-desperation. He hid it quickly, but | could see it. He needed this. Maybe he even wanted it, too.

1 could... consider it,” | finally murmured. “But | need stto think.”

“Take your time,” he said, his thumb absentmindedly rubbing small circles on my back as we moved. together.

The gesture was so familiar, so comforting, that | had to fight the urge to lean into him. “But not too much time.”

| nodded stiffly. “I'll let you know within a few days.”

The slump of relief in his shoulders was infinitesimal, but | could see it. “Thank you,” he said, then paused, his

tongue darting out to wet his lips. “And Hannah... If you do this for me, if you can just givetwo more months,

then | promise | won't fight you on the divorce. We can end things amicably.”

| fell silent, my mind whirling. Two more months married to Noah... The thought of having a little more twith

him madefeel oddly at ease, and | hated myself for it. My wolf whined softly, conflicted.

But two more months also meant the inevitable: my pregnancy would begin to show.

And if he found out about the pregnancy before the divorce, well... There was no telling exactly what might

happen. For all | knew, there might be no divorce at all.

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0264

Chapter 0264

Or perhaps, once the pregnancy had run its course, my baby would be taken fromin the nof Noah finally

having his Nightcrest heir.

As we danced in silence, | becacutely aware of the eyes on us. Wolves from various packs, watching the

Alpha and Luna of Nightcrest with rapt interest. Swere smiling, others whispering behind their hands. |

swallowed hard.

“Everyone’s watching us,” | murmured, my eyes meeting a particularly interested

a nearby

Noah's lips quirked into a small smile, his dimple appearing for a brief moment before flickering away. Let them

watch. It’s been a while since we've given them anything to talk about.”

| thought of the picture that had been leaked, of us cuddling in the hospital. The memory of that moment, of

feeling safe in Noah's arms, made my chest tighten. “What about that photo from the hospital?” | blurted out.

“That caused quite a stir.”

“Ah, yes,” Noah said, his voice softening. His eyes took on a faraway look, as if he too was remembering that

night. “I'm glad that moment was captured, actually. We don’t have many tender memories.”

His words hitlike a punch to the gut. He was right; most of our relationship had been tense from the

beginning. We had never been the media darlings that sAlpha and Luna pairs were. Noah had always

claimed to dislike public displays of affection, but...

A memory surfaced, unbidden. Noah and Zoe, years ago, laughing and kissing openly at a pack gathering before

their breakup. The image was crystal clear in my mind-Noah’s arms around her waist, both of them smiling

widely as they shared a passionate kiss in front of everyone.

He had never been shy about PDA with her. The realization stung-maybe it wasn’t PDA he disliked, just

particularly when it was with me.

I swallowed hard, fighting back the sudden wave of emotion. | needed a moment to breathe and think.

“I need to use the restroom,” | said abruptly, pulling away from Noah. The loss of his warmth was Immediate and

jarring. “Excuse me.”

| hurried across the room without another word, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The bathroom was

mercifully empty when | entered, the soft lighting a stark contrast to the bright ballroom.

| leaned against the marble sink, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves. My reflection in the mirror showed

flushed cheeks and bright eyes.

Suddenly, the door opened behind me, and I looked up to see Zoe entering. My shoulders slumped. Of all the

people to run into right now...

“Oh. Hannah,” Zoe said, her voice syrupy sweet. Her red dress seemed to glow under the bathroom lights,

making her look like ssort of succubus. “Are you alright? You look a bit flushed.”

| forced a smile, straightening my posture. “I'm fine, thank you. Just needed a moment away from the

crowd.”

Zoe nodded, moving to the mirror beside me. “Tellabout it.” As she touched up her lipstick, leaving a perfect

red rosebud on her lips, she said, “The gala is lovely, by the way.”