Chapter 66

Hannah

I stood in the bathroom, staring at my reflection in the mirror as Viona fussed with my hair. My fingers fidgeted nervously with the satin fabric of the simple silver gown that Noah had sent over earlier.

The straps were encrusted with delicate pearls, and it had a sweetheart neckline that accentuated my breasts in a way that I doubt he expected—if he was even the one who had picked out the gown and not his assistant.

“I can’t believe he’s doing this again,” I muttered, shaking my head. Viona met my gaze in the mirror, her brow furrowing slightly.

“Trying to butter you up, you mean?” she asked as she curled a lock of my hair into an elegant updo. I nodded, pursing my lips.

A soft knock came at the door then, and Amber poked her head in. “Everything okay in here?” Her gaze fell on the gown that I was wearing. “Oh, wow. That’s gorgeous.”

Emma trailed in behind her, her eyes widening a bit when she saw me. “Is that for tonight? Alpha Noah has good taste.”

I shifted uncomfortably at the reminder. Noah was up to something, that much was clear. But what?

“Here, let me,” Amber said, stepping up beside Viona. The two of them worked in tandem, gently tilting my head this way and that as they put the finishing touches on my hair and makeup.

Emma hovered by the door, watching quietly. I caught her eye in the mirror and gave her a warm smile, which she returned shyly. It was clear that she still wasn’t used to the whole idea of being a part of our friend group, but she was slowly warming up to us—and us to her.

“You’re going to look so beautiful,” she said softly. “Alpha Noah won’t know what hit him.”

I wanted to laugh at that, but there was something so earnest about Emma’s tone that I couldn’t bring myself to make light of it. Instead, I simply nodded.

“Alright, I think you’re ready,” Viona announced, stepping back to admire her handiwork. I turned this way and that in the mirror, admiring the transformation—I really did look beautiful. And I felt it, too; not just a mask.

If only this sudden, impromptu event that Noah had invited me to was in earnest. But I knew better than that now. He had something up his sleeve, I just didn’t know what.

Suddenly, Emma snatched up a bright red lipstick from the counter. “I think you need this,” she said, holding it out to me. “It’ll go with the dress really well. And give you a little extra confidence.”

I laughed, but took the offered lipstick, carefully swiping it over my lips and pursing them at my reflection. The bold color made me feel powerful, desirable—sexy.

“Perfect,” Viona said with a nod of approval.

There was a sudden commotion from downstairs, the sound of the front doors opening and shoes scuffing against the marble floor. My heart leapt into my throat as I recognized Noah’s voice.

I wasn't expecting him to still be here. I had assumed he would go on ahead, leaving me to make my own way to... whatever this event was.

The others seemed to realize it too, exchanging worried glances.

“I’ll go have a look,” Viona whispered, slipping out of the room.

For a moment, there was silence, then the sound of Viona’s stunned voice drifting back up the stairs.

“Oh, Alpha Noah… you look very handsome this evening.”

There was a murmured response from Noah that I couldn’t quite make out, and then the sound of Viona’s rapidly approaching footsteps. A moment later, she reappeared in the doorway, shooting me a meaningful look.

“He’s waiting for you in the foyer,” she said simply.

I couldn’t help but scoff. “Well, I’ll be,” I mused, gathering up my clutch and primping my hair one last time in the mirror. “Noah must have died and been replaced with someone else if he’s actually waiting for me.”

Viona and Amber both let out snorts. Emma eyed the three of us for a moment before shooting me an empathetic glance; no doubt her own husband had pulled similar antics on her while he was cheating.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, I gave a sharp nod and started toward the door. I made my way downstairs, and I could feel my pulse thundering in my ears with every step.

And then, there he was. Standing in the middle of the foyer in an impeccably tailored tuxedo, hands clasped behind his back, Noah looked... Well, he looked amazing. His broad shoulders seemed to strain ever so slightly against the fabric of his jacket, his waist narrowly nipped in on either side.

Our eyes met across the space between us, and I watched as his gaze roamed over me in a slow once-over that made my stomach flip. For the briefest of moments, his expression shifted, softening ever so slightly as his lips parted. It was so fleeting I couldn’t be sure I hadn’t just imagined it.

But then he seemed to catch himself, his features settling back into their usual inscrutable mask as he strode toward me.

Stopping just in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne, Noah held out his hand, his palm facing up.

“Shall we?” he asked.

I stared at his hand for a heartbeat, feeling utterly perplexed by the gentleman who stood in front of me. Part of me wanted to come up with some sort of witty remark, some biting comment that would bring out his usual harsh self.

But I didn’t. I couldn’t bring myself to. Instead, I nodded slightly then placed my hand in his, trying not to dwell on how perfectly it seemed to fit against his larger one.

He gave my fingers the smallest of squeezes before turning and leading me toward the front doors where a sleek town car was idling outside. One of the servants hurried forward to open the door for us, and Noah paused, gesturing for me to go ahead of him.

“Go on,” he said, his voice taking on a gentler tone that I had perhaps not heard in months, maybe even years. “Ladies first.”

“Thank you.” I couldn’t quite keep the bewildered frown from creasing my brow as I ducked into the car, sliding across the soft leather seats to make room for him beside me. He slid in after me, and the servant shut the door.

As the door closed behind us with a quiet snick, cutting off the cool evening air, I found myself abruptly very aware of just how close Noah was sitting to me. So close, in fact, that his thigh touched mine through my skirt.

“Where are we going?” I asked, partially out of curiosity and partially to fill the awkward silence.

“You’ll see.” Noah nodded to the driver, who pulled away from the curb and began to head down the driveway.

As the sound of the pebbled driveway beneath the tires filled the car, Noah’s arm brushed against mine once more. The crisp scent of his cologne surrounded me, and I felt heat prickling along the back of my neck as his piercing green gaze settled on me—really settled on me, not just glancing in my direction.

“Are you excited?” he asked.

I licked my lips nervously, struggling to think of what to say in response. Of course I wanted to be excited, but I was also wary of whatever he was playing at.

All I knew was that he had scheduled an impromptu event tonight, and that a lot of people would be there. Even Viona, Amber, and Emma would be heading there after me. But that was all I knew. I didn’t know the reasons behind this event.

And I especially didn’t know the reasons behind this lovely gown and Noah’s oddly gentlemanly behavior.

But before I could even begin to find the words in response, Noah spoke, his voice a low rumble barely audible over the purr of the engine.

“You look beautiful tonight, Hannah.” His green eyes met mine, and he reached out to brush a stray strand of hair out of my eyes. “Truly.”

My breath caught in my throat at the sudden compliment, a flush creeping up into my cheeks. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, and it was all I could do to not swoon into his lap right then and there.

He was just trying to butter me up. He had to be. That was the only explanation for…

For all of this.