Chapter 239

Hannah

“Alpha Hannah, you are under arrest for the physical assault of Alpha David. You are ordered to come to Darkmoon pack with us immediately.”

I stared dumbfoundedly at the men on my doorstep, too shocked to even speak.

The assault of David… He assaulted me! What I had done was self defense!

But I didn’t say that—I couldn’t. If this was that serious, then I needed a lawyer. Quickly.

Behind me, I heard Lily’s footsteps coming down the stairs. “Hannah? Who’s at the door?” She sounded like she had just woken up, judging from the gravelly tone to her voice

I turned to my sister, my movements slow and deliberate as I held Melody, who instantly began to fuss, out to her. “Lily, could you please take Melody? I have to go.”

Lily’s eyes widened as she came to her senses and took in the scene before her, her gaze darting between me and the officials at the door. “What? Go where? Hannah, what’s going on?”

I forced a calm smile, even as my insides twisted with fear. “It’s okay, Lily. I’ll be home soon. Just please take good care of Melody for me.” I tried to keep my voice steady, but I could hear the slight tremor in my words.

As if sensing the tension in the air, Melody fully began to cry now, her tiny face scrunching up as she wailed. Lily ran down the stairs and took her from me. She cradled her close, bouncing her gently, but her eyes never left mine. “Hannah, you’re scaring me. Tell me what’s happening. Why are these men here?”

I kissed Melody's forehead, inhaling her sweet baby scent, then pressed a quick kiss to Lily’s cheek. “Everything will be fine. I promise. Just stay here with Melody. I’ll explain everything later.”

“But Hannah—”

“Please, Lily. Don’t make a scene. Not in front of the baby.”

My sister fell silent at that.

Turning back to the officials, I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin, trying to project an air of confidence that I didn’t feel in that moment. “May I dress, or am I expected to go with you in my dressing gown?” I asked sharply.

The Beta’s eyes flicked over my bare body, which was on display beneath the light fabric of my robe as the morning sun shone through it. I felt exposed, vulnerable, and anger flared in my chest at his obvious leering.

A smirk played at the corners of his mouth as he glanced at his watch. “No time,” he replied thickly.

Disgust welled up inside of me. I scoffed and strode past him, out onto the porch. The morning air was cold against my skin.

“Pig,” I hissed as I passed, loud enough for him to hear.

The Beta just leered some more.

The cool morning air raised goosebumps on my skin as I followed the officials to their waiting vehicles. I could hear Melody’s cries growing fainter as we moved away from the house, and it took every ounce of willpower not to turn back. Each step felt like I was leaving a piece of myself behind.

But it was better than to cause an even bigger scene in front of my baby.

As we drove toward Darkmoon territory, I kept my gaze fixed out the window, refusing to engage with any of the men. The landscape blurred past, familiar streets giving way to the less traveled roads leading to Darkmoon.

All the while, my mind raced, trying to piece together a plan. David had attacked me. What I did was self-defense. Surely, I could explain that and be released.

But a nagging voice in the back of my head reminded me of the complex politics between our packs. This wasn’t just about last night; it was about power.

I had humiliated David. Badly. And he wasn’t about to let a woman beat the hell out of him without getting revenge on her.

After what felt like an eternity, the wrought iron gates of Darkmoon’s compound came into view. Despite the early hour, as we pulled up to the building serving as their prison, I noticed several pack members already milling about, their curious gazes following our procession.

Great. Just what I needed—an audience. I could almost hear the whispers starting already, the rumors that would no doubt spread like wildfire.

The great female Alpha Hannah, arrested by Darkmoon… In her dressing gown, no less.

But I held my chin high, even when I heard the whispers about my breasts and ass.

I was led through the building toward my cell. Thankfully they didn’t put me in cuffs or chains, but I still felt just as vulnerable. Other prisoners whistled at me through their cell bars, grubby hands reaching out to touch me.

I ignored them, kept my back straight and my face impassive.

Even if I was screaming on the inside.

Finally, we stopped at a heavy metal door, and I realized with a sinking feeling that this was their holding cell. The Beta opened the door and gestured for me to enter.

“Someone will be with you shortly for questioning.”

I stepped into the small, sterile room, flinching as the door clanged shut behind me. The sound echoed in the tiny space, emphasizing my isolation—but at least I was alone. The cell was bare save for a small cot and a toilet in the corner. I perched on the edge of the cot, wrapping my arms around myself.

Time seemed to crawl by, each minute feeling like an hour. The only sound was my own breathing and the occasional distant footstep in the hallway outside. I had no way of knowing how long I had been sitting there when the door finally opened again.

A stern-faced woman entered, a folder tucked under her arm, her heels clicking sharply on the floor.

“Alpha Hannah. I’m here to ask you some questions about the incident with Alpha David last night.”

I straightened my spine, meeting her gaze steadily. “I am exercising my right to a lawyer.”

The woman’s lips thinned, but she nodded curtly. “Very well. We’ll arrange for that.” She turned on her heel and left, the door closing firmly behind her.

I was once again alone with my thoughts. I tried to focus on my breathing, to stay calm, but worry for my daughter gnawed at me. Was she okay? Was Lily managing to feed her? And what about my pack? What did Viona think of all of this? I hadn’t left her with any warning, any plans to handle matters in my absence…

Finally, after what felt like hours, the door opened again. A guard, different from the one who had brought me in, stood in the doorway.

“Your lawyer is here to see you,” he announced gruffly.

I stood, smoothing down my robe as best I could, and followed the guard out of the cell. We walked down a long corridor, our footsteps echoing off the bare walls. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly.

Finally, we reached a small conference room.

“Here you go,” the guard instructed, before closing the door behind me.

I turned, expecting to see some stuffy lawyer in a suit. Instead, my breath caught in my throat as I found myself face to face with the last person I expected to see.

He stood by the window, his broad shoulders tense beneath his crisp white shirt. Sunlight streamed in behind him, casting a golden halo around his dark hair. As I entered, he turned, his forest green eyes widening as they took in my disheveled appearance.

For a moment, we just stared at each other. It had been months since I had seen him up close like this, if you didn’t count the five minutes he spent checking to see if Melody was his blood.

Despite everything, my traitorous heart skipped a beat. The familiar scent of his cologne reached me, bringing with it a flood of memories I’d tried so hard to suppress these past months.

.

Noah’s brow furrowed with concern as he looked me up and down, taking in my bare feet and the thin robe that left little to the imagination. He picked up his jacket off the back of a chair and held it out to me.

“Oh, Hannah, what have you gotten yourself into?”