Chapter 174

Hannah

The weeks leading up to the Summer Hunt passed by faster than I expected—even faster than the days leading up to the charity gala, even though the length was actually longer.

Noah and I worked side by side, true to our agreement to extend the divorce for another two months. But the tension between us was palpable, like a taut rubber band ready to snap at any moment.

Every time our hands brushed as we passed documents back and forth, every stolen glance across the room, sent shivers down my spine. My wolf whined restlessly, yearning for his touch even more than before.

The memory of our night together haunted me, making the urge stronger than it had been. It was as if that little taste of ecstasy had made me addicted, and I needed more.

Each night, I was too restless to sleep. Each night, I kept thinking of him, of the sensation of him moving inside of me, and I would purse my lips and squeeze my eyes shut and try to push Noah out of my mind. But each night, it was an impossible feat.

And each night, with my face red with shame, my hand would move under the blankets and I would whisper his name under my breath.

Then, each morning, I would wake up and pretend that I hadn’t done it.

“Hannah?”

I jerked my head up from my buttered toast, my eyes bleary, to see Noah looking at me from where he was standing by the coffee pot. He hadn’t approached me for sex since that night, and I didn’t approach him. But even as I looked at him, I was already imagining taking his clothes off, and—

“Sorry,” I said, shaking my head slightly to dispel the thoughts. “What is it?”

“What do you think about this layout for the banquet?”

He handed me a slip of paper that had a crude map hand drawn on it; a seating chart for the banquet that would be held after the hunt, where we would—hopefully—roast and eat the deer we hunted down.

“It’s good,” I said, my mouth full of toast as I studied the map. “But maybe we could move the dessert tables closer to the dance floor? Encourage more mingling.”

Noah nodded and took the paper back. I watched as he scribbled something on it with a pencil, then stuffed both the pencil and paper into his pocket. “Always thinking about the social dynamics. This is why I need you here.”

His words sent a pang through my chest. Need, not want. That was for the best, no matter now painful. And that was what that night together had been: needing. Nothing more, nothing less.

“We should also consider having more vegetarian options,” I said. “Some of the younger pack members have been asking for it.”

Noah scoffed, but nodded. “It’s becoming more common these days, isn’t it?”

I hesitated, then said, “That actually reminds me; maybe we should set up an activity for the children and anyone who doesn’t want to—or who can’t—participate in the killing.”

Noah considered this for a moment before sweeping over to the door. His cologne hit my nose as he walked past and I felt like I might pass out. “I’ll consider it,” he said, then left me alone with my toast and a squirming sensation in my thighs.

…

Eventually, the day of the hunt dawned on the very first day of summer, as per tradition.

The location was perfect, and much of it was thanks to my expertise as Luna. Due to a long week of rain, the original piece of land had become too wet to use, so I had secured us a new piece of land for the hunt thanks to calling upon a few favors I had accrued during my eating disorder campaign.

As I approached the grounds, the clearing was already bustling with activity. Lanterns hung from tree branches, casting a warm glow over the misty forest. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of roasting meat and fresh bread, and children were hopping around in the underbrush in search of toads.

“You’ve outdone yourself once again,” Viona said, appearing at my elbow with a clipboard in hand. She had remained as my assistant lately even though she had found a new temporary living situation, and I was glad to have her by my side. “This place looks amazing.”

I smiled, glancing around at the decorations and layout. “Thanks. I just hope everything goes smoothly.”

“With you in charge? How could it not?” Viona nudged me playfully. “Seriously, Hannah. You should be proud.”

My eyes swept he clearing before landing on Noah, who was standing across the way. My stomach tightened just at the sight of him, the way that the wind tousled his hair making me weak in the knees.

Today, my wolf was particularly riled up, anticipating a good run through the forest, and it was making it all the more difficult to ignore my attraction to him.

As the opening ceremony began a little while later, Noah and I stepped up onto the stage together. The crowd fell silent, all eyes on us. For a moment, I was acutely aware of how close we were standing, the heat from his body radiating toward me like a smaller version of the sun.

Noah cleared his throat and began his annual speech. “Welcome, everyone, to our annual Summer Hunt. This tradition has been a part of our pack for generations, bringing us together in celebration of our true nature…”

As he spoke, my eyes scanned the crowd. So many familiar faces, all looking up at us with expectation and excitement. My gaze landed on Zoe, standing near the front. Her expression was unreadable, but I could see her eyes flicking between Noah and me.

No doubt she was wondering why we were still together, trying to discern when she could swoop in.

“...and now, let the hunt begin!” Noah concluded, his voice pulling me back to the present.

A cheer went up from the crowd. Noah turned to me, his eyes surprisingly intense—it seemed his wolf was also riled up today. “Ready?” he asked quietly.

I nodded, even as uncertainty gnawed at me. I hadn’t shifted in so long. What if I couldn’t do it? Talk about embarrassing.

Noah began to shift beside me, his body contorting and changing. In moments, a magnificent silver wolf stood where he had been. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of him. He was beautiful, powerful, everything an Alpha should be.

My wolf stirred inside of me, excited by the proximity of her mate. The urge to shift, to run alongside him, was overwhelming. Before I knew it, I was shifting too, the change coming easier than I had expected.

As I settled into my wolf form, I heard gasps from the crowd. Confused, I looked down at myself. My fur, usually a plain chestnut brown, was gleaming in the sunlight. It looked healthier, almost sparkling.

I glanced at Noah, only to find him staring at me. His wolf eyes were wide with what looked like admiration. He nodded toward the forest, silently telling me to take the first step.

With my heart pounding, I took a tentative step forward. The wind rustled through my fur, bringing with it a symphony of scents—earth, leaves… prey. My wolf reveled in the sensations.

For a moment, I just stood there, feeling the wind in my fur and the sounds of the forest rushing through my keen ears. Then, up ahead, I saw movement: the sacrificial doe, perking her head up a hundred yards into the forest. Her eyes locked with mine, her pupils dilating, and time seemed to stand still.

Then, she ran. I ran, too, faster than I ever had.