Chapter 44

Hannah

“Take a seat.”

Noah barely even bothered to look up from his computer for more than a moment before giving me demands.

I crossed my arms defiantly, jutting my chin out at him. “I’ll stand.”

“Alright.”

“Why did you send Scott to fetch me instead of just inviting me yourself?” I asked.

Noah arched an eyebrow at me, his expression unreadable. “I heard you were volunteering at the soup kitchen today,” he replied, conveniently skirting my question. “I have to admit, I’m a bit surprised you’re actually putting in some real effort for once.”

My jaw clenched at the slightly condescending note in his tone. Of course he would find a way to be dismissive, even when I was actively working to better myself and our pack—not that he knew that I had plans to leave yet.

Typical. But I wasn’t going to let him get to me.

“I’ve decided that I have plenty of extra time to be giving back to the community,” I said, sticking my chin up, “and acting like more than just a trophy on your arm.”

Noah was silent for a few moments, regarding me from over the top of his computer monitor. When he finally spoke, his tone was measured and clipped. “Does giving random strangers checks for five thousand dollars count as giving back to the community?”

I felt my face redden. “How did you—”

“Word spreads quickly, especially when you’re the Alpha,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I’m not blaming you, Hannah. That was very kind of you, even if a little irresponsible.”

“I think I got a pretty good gauge on that woman’s demeanor,” I retorted. “I wouldn’t have helped her out if I thought the money would go to something like booze or drugs. She had a little girl, and she was hardly even eighteen herself. And besides, I took that money from my own account—”

“I just said, I don’t blame you.”

Noah’s retort caught me off guard. I blinked owlishly at him for a moment, thoroughly feeling as though I had just been read like a book.

“So,” I finally said, clearing my throat, “why did you send for me?”

He leaned back in his chair with a casual wave of his hand toward his computer screen. “I was just informed that the director of the Nightcrest Orphanage invited me to tour their facilities tomorrow morning.” A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. “And apparently, they specifically requested your presence as well.”

I blinked, somewhat taken aback by that little revelation. “They... They asked for me?” I asked.

“Mhm.” Noah laced his fingers together, regarding me with an infuriatingly smug look. “Like I said, word spread fast. Not to mention the rumors about you attending some kind of women’s support group?”

He let that hang in the air for a few pointed seconds before continuing. “I would imagine you’re going to be fielding more and more invitations like this in the near future… if you keep this up, that is.”

Indignation flared hot and bright in my chest at his patronizing tone. As if this were some kind of novelty, some fleeting interest of mine rather than a genuine shift in priorities. Squaring my shoulders, I lifted my chin defiantly.

“Well, maybe if you spent a bit less time holed up in this stuffy office, you would know that I’m fully committed to this,” I shot back. “I’m done just being some pretty little ornament on your arm, Noah. I want to actually contribute, to help people.”

Noah’s eyes narrowed a fraction at my biting words, but he didn’t immediately respond. We stared each other down for a few tense moments before he finally huffed out a soft snort, shaking his head slowly.

“Commendable. But I hope you don’t plan on continuing these volunteering escapades all on your own,” he murmured, his voice low. “We need to present a united front, you and I. As Alpha and Luna. For…” He paused, clenching his jaw. “...For now.”

My nostrils flared with a burst of fresh anger. “Are you implying you want to volunteer with me?” I asked incredulously. “I would have asked if you wanted to join me, but you’re hardly ever home. And Goddess knows you don’t answer your phone when I’m the one calling.”

Before he could answer, I allowed a mocking little laugh to escape my lips. I raked my eyes over his pristine suit and silk tie and gestured to him. “But let’s be real, Noah. You would never deign to sully your shoes and get your hands dirty volunteering down at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. We both know that you’re only interested in doing it now because you don’t want to be upstaged by me.”

In the blink of an eye, Noah was on his feet, his broad frame towering over me as he closed the distance between us with a few long strides. My heart stuttered in my chest as the familiar earthy, masculine scent of him enveloped me, his shadow practically blotting out the setting sun.

“What makes you think that?” he asked. His voice was a low growl, barely more than a whisper, but deep enough to rumble through my chest and make me waver ever so slightly. “Just because you’ve only just started getting involved because you want to look good for the divorce doesn’t mean you have some moral high ground over me, Hannah.”

I swallowed hard, fighting to keep my voice from wavering as I met his icy green-eyed gaze.

“You’ve never done anything like that, though. Not since we were married, at least. And everyone knows you like keeping up that perfect Alpha image—can’t have the Alpha of Nightcrest getting dirty or disheveled, right?”

As I spoke, I tugged absentmindedly at the silky lapels of his suit jacket—a gesture that, I was just learning, made him shudder. He tried to hide it, but I could see the goosebumps beginning to raise along his neck.

“No,” I said, tugging him a little closer. “You’re too concerned with your perfect image. You always have been.” Finally, I released my grip on him and took a step back, and felt the hot air between us go cool. “Behind closed doors, though…”

I let my words trail off, but was satisfied to see them strike home. A muscle in Noah’s jaw ticked with barely restrained frustration, revealing how close they really had struck.

“So because I’ve simply lived up to a certain standard,” he growled, “that must mean that I think I’m too good to help the less fortunate?”

“I didn’t say that, exactly,” I replied, hating the way my pulse raced beneath his searingly intense scrutiny. “But I also can’t seem to recall the last time anyone even asked you to volunteer for that sort of thing. Or the last time you offered.”

His nostrils flared as he sucked in a sharp breath. “Maybe not,” he hissed through gritted teeth. “But that doesn’t give you the right to make me feel like some kind of selfish, lazy asshole, either.”

I shrugged one shoulder, striving for nonchalance even as that same smug look from earlier ghosted across Noah’s rugged features and made my heart flip. “Whatever you say. What time should I be ready tomorrow?”

Noah held my gaze for a few more moments before finally giving me a reluctant nod. He turned on his heel, turning his back to me, and began shuffling papers on his desk.

“Be ready by nine a.m. sharp,” he said without so much as looking at me. “Or I’m leaving without you.”