Chapter 67

Hannah

The town car pulled up to the curb outside an upscale restaurant downtown, its sleek lines and modern architecture gleaming under the soft glow of the streetlamps. The Eclipse. I found myself eyeing the place with a mixture of apprehension and begrudging curiosity; Noah hadn’t taken me here before.

Just what kind of event was this, exactly?

Noah stepped out first, straightening his tuxedo jacket as the driver came around to open my door. He held out his hand to help me out, and I took it warily, still half-expecting his usual gruff demeanor to snap back into place at any moment.

But he simply gave my fingers a gentle squeeze before gesturing toward the restaurant’s entrance with a slight dip of his chin. “Shall we?”

With a small huff, I allowed him to tuck my hand into the crook of his elbow, leading me up the short flight of steps to the ornate double doors. A sharply-dressed host waited on the other side, his expression polite as ever.

“Alpha Noah,” the host said with a deep bow before turning to me. “Luna Hannah. Right this way.”

The host ushered us through the extravagant lobby toward a pair of elevators, pressing the call button with a white-gloved hand. The soft ding of an arriving elevator sent a strange flutter of nerves through my stomach that I couldn’t quite place.

Noah’s behavior had been so bizarre tonight, so oddly gentlemanly—so much unlike his usual abrasive self. I still couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that he had some sort of ulterior motive, that he was playing at something I couldn’t yet see.

Either that, or I had been replaced with Zoe’s appearance and I hadn’t even realized it yet. Maybe I should check the mirror, I mused to myself with a faint ghost of a smirk tugging at my lips.

“Your party is on the top floor,” the host said as we stepped onto the elevator. “I hope you enjoy your experience.”

“Thank you,” Noah said as the doors slid shut.

Only once we were alone and the elevator was slowly dinging its way up each floor did I finally find it impossible to hold my tongue. “What’s all this about?” I found myself asking, turning to look up at the underside of Noah’s chiseled jaw. “Noah, if this is another—”

“Patience, Hannah.” His voice was low, and when he tilted his chin down to regard me down the length of his nose, there was a surprisingly soft glint to his eyes. “You’ll see soon enough.”

The rest of the elevator ride up the tall high-rise building was silent, filled only with the sound of my heart pounding in my ears as I struggled not to let my mind run away from me. Now, my curiosity was more piqued than ever.

But I supposed I would find out soon.

Finally, the doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing what could only be the restaurant’s most luxurious private event space at the top of the building. Soft music and the dull roar of conversation spilled out into the hallway, and I caught a glimpse of twinkling glass chandeliers and white tablecloths through the open double doors.

“After you,” Noah murmured, his breath fanning across the fine hairs at the nape of my neck as he gestured for me to lead the way.

Squaring my shoulders, I stepped out into the dimly lit space, immediately spotting a few familiar faces mingling amongst the well-dressed crowd. I knew instantly that it must have been some kind of high society event, just judging from the high profile Alphas and Lunas.

Networking. That was what this was. Nothing more, nothing less.

Almost as soon as I had the thought, a towering figure detached itself from the nearest group, striding toward us with purpose.

“Alpha Noah!” The booming voice belonged to an Alpha who I didn’t recognize at first, although as he approached, I could place him as the Alpha of one of our neighboring packs. I couldn’t quite remember his name, as I hadn’t seen him or his wife in a very long time.

“Evening, Alpha Matthias,” Noah inclined his head respectfully as the other man approached. “It’s been too long, my friend.”

“Indeed, indeed.” The Alpha waved a hand dismissively, his clever eyes raking over me in an appraising sort of way. “And this enchanting creature must be the lovely Luna Hannah. It’s been a while since we’ve met, Luna.”

I managed a terse smile and held out my hand. “It’s a pleasure, Alpha Matthias.”

“The pleasure is all mine.” The Alpha lifted my knuckles to his lips, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he kissed my knuckle. “And might I say, your beauty is simply unmatched this evening. Truly, Noah is a lucky man.”

I felt Noah stiffen almost imperceptibly beside me, but simply smiled again and murmured my thanks.

Seemingly satisfied, the Alpha clapped his hands together and turned an expectant look on Noah. “Now, Alpha, you know the rules—we mustn’t let our women go thirsty!” With that, he reached out and waved over a waiter who was carrying a tray of bubbling champagne flutes. He took two and handed one to Noah, then held one out to me while he took a third for himself.

I felt my stomach drop. “Oh, no alcohol for me tonight,” I said with a wave of my hand, refusing to take the drink. “Thank you, though.”

The Alpha shot me an almost offended look. “It’s customary for the host to drink to a toast, isn’t it?” he asked, raising his own glass. “Come now.”

There was a tense silence for a moment, and I began considering whether it would be easier to just take the glass and pretend to sip in order to avoid scrutiny. But before I could even move, Noah spoke up.

“I’m afraid Hannah is abstaining from alcohol this evening per her doctor’s orders. A stomach bug, you see.” He shot me a meaningful look out of the corner of his eye. “However, I would be honored to drink for the both of us tonight.”

A slight frown creased the Alpha’s brow for the shortest of moments before he let out a deep, rumbling chuckle and clapped Noah firmly on the shoulder.

“We’ll just have to double up your servings then, eh?” He chortled again, shaking his head in amusement as he handed the out glass that was meant for me toward Noah instead. Noah took it easily, now holding one drink in each hand.

“To a good evening,” Noah then said simply, tipping one glass back and draining it in one long pull.

I watched in disbelieving silence as he set the empty flute aside and lifted the second to his lips without preamble, seemingly unaffected by the bubbling champagne. Only once he had drained that glass as well did the other Alpha seem pleased.

“A true Alpha drinks like a man!” he said, slapping Noah’s shoulder again with enough force to rock him on his feet. “Well done, well done. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m afraid I’ve been neglecting my own wife this evening…”

With that, he turned and lumbered away, disappearing back into the crowd with a surprising litheness for a man of his age and stature. Noah watched him go, his expression carefully neutral.

Then, without warning, he reached out and took my arm, steering me firmly toward the hallway that led back to the elevators.

“Noah, what—?”

“Shh.” His voice was low, dangerous, the smell of champagne sharp on his breath as he hauled me into the empty corridor and pinned me against the wall.

I opened my mouth to protest, but the words caught in my throat as he leaned in close, those piercing green eyes suddenly feverish. I felt feverish now, too, with his body pressed firmly against mine.

“You’re pregnant,” he growled, one large hand coming to rest on my abdomen, his fingers splaying out possessively. “Aren’t you?”

My heart stuttered in my chest, my eyes widening in shock and sudden, inexplicable panic.

“Noah, I—”

“Don’t lie to me,” he cut me off, his voice going low and gravelly in a way that sent a shiver rippling through me. His breath was hot against my cheek as he leaned in closer still, his fingers flexing against my stomach.

“You are pregnant with my child, aren’t you?”