Chapter 270

Hannah

My heart leaped into my throat, pounding so fiercely I was sure it echoed in the quiet night air.

Was Noah actually proposing? Here, now, in a hot tub under the stars, with nothing but the sound of bubbling water and the distant rustle of trees to bear witness?

I searched his face, my pulse quickening as I tried to decipher the emotions hiding in the dim light. His expression was calm, composed even, but there was something there—something deeper in the way his lips twitched at the corners, as if he was holding back some kind of secret.

But then I caught the mischievous glint in his eyes, that ever-present hint of playfulness, and my excitement crumbled. I felt the thrill in my chest deflate, like air leaking from a balloon.

“You’re teasing me,” I accused, narrowing my eyes at him as I splashed a handful of water his way, sending tiny droplets shimmering in the moonlit air.

Noah laughed and ducked to avoid the splash, his smile growing wider. “Maybe,” he admitted with a shrug, his tone unbothered. “But I’d be curious to know if you’d say yes.”

Then, he added with a cock of his head, “Hypothetically speaking, of course.”

I froze again, his words sending another ripple through me—one that wasn’t so easily dismissed this time. The question hung there once more, hovering between us like an invisible thread, full of implications I wasn’t sure I was ready to untangle.

I bit my lip, glancing away as I trailed my fingers through the warm water, watching the gentle ripples chase each other across the bubbling surface.

“Noah, I...” The words felt heavy on my tongue. “It’s complicated. You know that.”

“Tell me again,” he said softly. “We haven’t talked about it in so long.”

I sighed, gathering my thoughts. My voice was softer now, more contemplative as I said, “Being a female Alpha is... hard. It’s exhausting, it really is, but I love it. The challenge, the responsibility, the way it pushes me to be better, to be stronger. I love you, too, but...”

My words trailed off, and I found it impossible to finish. How could I explain to him that it wasn’t so simple to choose between him and my calling?

Noah tilted his head, his brow furrowing ever so slightly as he studied me. Then, in that same quiet, understanding way he always had, he spoke the words that neither of us had spoken in months now.

“But you still don’t want to give up your title. Even after all this time. Especially after all this time.”

It wasn’t a question. He’d hit the nail right on the head.

I nodded. “Exactly,” I said softly. “I feel like I only just started to hold my own as an Alpha—only just started receiving respect for all my work.”

I shook my head and added, If there was a way... a way I could marry you without either of us losing our packs or our titles, I hope you know I would do it. In a heartbeat, I would do it a thousand times over. But as things stand right now, I just don’t see how we could make it work. A marriage, I mean.”

For a long moment, Noah didn’t say anything, his eyes distant, as if he were contemplating something far beyond the stars above us. I grew worried that I’d hurt him—that maybe after these months had passed he thought that I had changed my mind, that I wanted to be his Luna again.

But then, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke again—and his voice was not hurt or judgmental, but thoughtful.

“What if... what if there was a way to combine our packs?” He turned and locked his gaze with mine, the intensity of his eyes catching me off guard. “What if we became the first duo of equal leaders? Would you consider that?”

I blinked, my mind scrambling to catch up. “Equal leaders? Like, true equals? Not just a title, but in every way? We’d both be Alphas?”

He nodded, and I chewed the inside of my cheek, considering for a moment. “If that were possible… If that were real, you know I would do it in a second,” I finally said.

The words were out before I could stop them, and I realized just how much I wanted this, wanted him—but not at the cost of everything I had worked so hard for.

“But only if we’d truly be equals, Noah,” I added firmly. “I won’t be relegated to ‘Luna’ duties, hosting charity events and serving as some kind of trophy wife.”

I frowned, the thought turning my stomach. “Not that there’s anything wrong with being a Luna,” I amended quickly. “It’s a respected position, and I admire those who choose that path, but it’s just... it’s not me.”

Noah’s expression softened, his serious gaze never leaving mine. “I know, Hannah,” he said quietly. “And I wouldn’t expect you to change for me. You’re meant to be an Alpha—you possess the gene. I wouldn’t want you to be anything less.”

A soft laugh escaped my lips, the tension in my chest easing just a little. But before I could say anything else, Noah grinned, that familiar mischievous spark returning to his eyes. “Besides,” he said, leaning in closer, “you were always pretty terrible at being a Luna.”

I gasped, feigning outrage as I smacked his arm. “I was not!”

Noah’s laughter filled the air, rich and warm, and for a moment, everything felt light again.

But then, he swam up between his legs and his hands found their way to my face, cupping my cheeks as he gently brushed a strand of wet hair from my eyes. His fingers lingered there, tracing the curve of my jaw, and when his gaze met mine, it was so intense, so full of emotion, that I could hardly breathe when I looked at him.

“I want you to be happy, Hannah,” he said, his voice low, serious. “Would you really be interested in pursuing this? Combining Silvermoon and Nightcrest, becoming the first Alpha/Alpha couple?”

“Hypothetically?” I whispered.

Noah didn’t respond to that. Just kept looking at me with those forest eyes.

My heart stuttered in my chest. I wrapped my arms around his neck, letting myself sink into his embrace as I mulled over the enormity of what he was asking.

“I… I would,” I whispered after a few moments. “But it’s not something we could just... decide on our own. The Alpha Council would need to approve it. And that could take months. Maybe even years.”

I pulled back slightly, searching his face. “Are you really willing to go through all of that? To fight the Council, possibly letting it drag on until Melody is old enough to remember the strain of it all?”

Noah’s smile widened, that all-too-familiar glint returning to his gaze. “What if I told you it would only take six months?” His voice was teasing again, that same playful edge creeping back in. “And what if I told you... those six months were already up?”

I stared at him, incredulous. “You’re joking. Again,” I laughed, shoving him away from me. I sank down so the bubbles came up to my chin and said, “If that were true, I’d say yes in a heartbeat. But come on, Noah. Stop messing with me.”

But Noah didn’t laugh. His expression suddenly turned more serious than I’d seen it all day, the playful glimmer in his eyes replaced with something far more… intense.

“You… You are joking, right?” I whispered, sitting up a little straighter. “Right, Noah?”

Noah didn’t answer. Instead, he climbed out of the hot tub, water cascading off his nude body as he strode across the deck with purpose. I turned and watched, my confusion growing, until he returned with a small bundle of papers in his hand.

“What’s that?” I asked, my voice trembling.

Without a word, Noah handed me the bundle. “See for yourself. Then tell me if I’m messing with you or not.”

The moment my eyes landed on the familiar seal of the Alpha Council, my breath caught in my throat. My hands shook as I flipped to the first page, the words blurring in front of my eyes.

“Alpha Noah and Alpha Hannah’s Appeal for Equal Leadership,” the document’s title read.

I felt my stomach turn to air as I saw the green stamp below it. Slowly, I lifted my tear-filled gaze to meet Noah’s, and he nodded, his jaw set hard.

“It’s already been approved, Hannah,” he whispered. “All we have to do is sign it.”