Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Chapter 0015 Chapter 0015 Zoe closed the gap between us and smiled.

“Can we talk?” she asked, motioning outside.

I nodded, unsure of what to say.

We walked out into the slightly breezy night. I pulled Noah’s jacket more tightly around me, suddenly glad that he gave it to me-

but I wouldn’t tell him that. We stood right next to the exit, within sight of any guards on duty.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” I asked.

Zoe’s eyes darted around to our surroundings, as though she was not certain where to start.

“I wanted to thank you for your kindness on the day of my return,” she finally said, looking me in the didn’t expect to receive such a warm reception. To be honest, I thought that I might be...exiled.”

eye.

She breathed out the last word, too scared to say the taboo concept too loudly. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and blushed.

“You have made this transition so much easier than I expected it to be, and I just.. I can’t thank you enough.”

To say that I was surprised by Zoe’s words would have been an understatement. All that I could manage to do in response was stare at Zoe and nod occasionally as I tried to catch up with my racing thoughts.

“|

I had to remind myself that this was the woman that was ruining my marriage. This was the woman that my husband had humiliated me with in a previous life. I could not let her get under my skin, especially not in a way that made me feel sympathetic towards her.

“I’m sure that it’s hard to return to a pack after you’ve married into another,” I said. “The scandal, the ostracization, I don’t want to make it any harder on you than it already is.”

In a way, I meant what I said, I didn’t want to make Zoe’s transition back into the Nightcrest Pack any harder than it needed to be. I just wanted to be the Alpha of my own pack-and maybe cause a little trouble between Noah and Zoe along the way.

“I really appreciate that. You wouldn’t even believe how hard it’s been trying to get a separation from Drake.”

Zoe bit her lower lip in contemplation.

“I want you to know that I’m not trying to affect your marriage to Noah at all,” she continued. “I know that my return has probably caused some misunderstandings, but it wasn’t my intention.”

I pursed my lips and nodded.

What could I say? That I didn’t believe her? That I doubted that Zoe happened to come back to the pack that her former bonded mate was the Alpha of without the intention of getting back together with him?

“Zoe’s brow furrowed. She knew that I didn’t believe her “I returned to Nightcrest Pack so that I can go through the separation process with Drake,” she insisted.

+25 BONUS Chapter 0015 He take our child, so I need the protection. It’s not about competing with you for Noah.”

t come a My heart stung at the mention of Drake trying to take away Zoe’s child. My hand subconsciously drifted to my stomach, but I quickly forced it to fall to my side so that Zoe would not notice anything suspicious. Perhaps we had more in common than I had thought.

“What about everything that the media is saying?” I asked, trying to get myself back into my defensive frame of mind. “Or the fact that you and Noah are dressed to match tonight?”

Zoe rolled her eyes.

“Please don’t listen to anything that the media says,” she replied. “They’re just trying to stir up things up for headlines. I’m sure that you’re used to that by now.

Of course, I was used to that. I had all kinds of experiences with that in my previous life. I couldn’t tell anyone-let alone Zoe-that, though.

Zoe glanced down at her dress.

“As for my dress, my son thought it was pretty,” she continued. “He begged me to wear it. He said that it makes me look like a mermaid princess.”

She smiled slightly, and I couldn’t help smiling back.

Maybe Zoe was telling the truth. After all, I was trying to separate from my husband and would be facing similar obstacles if I didn’t handle my cards correctly, “Thank you, Zoe,” I said. “I appreciate you saying that.”

I sighed.

“It’s not you that’s the problem, though. It’s Noah.”

Zoe ran her hand up and down her arm. She bit her lower lip, unsure of whether to continue with her next sentence.

“Do you....want to talk about it?” she asked.

I shook my head.

“No, I don’t think that would be a wise idea.”

Zoe exhaled, as though in relief. I supposed I didn’t blame her for not wanting to talk to me about my marital problems with her former bonded mate.

“Well, if you ever-”

Hannah!”

Zoe and I turned our heads as Noah ran out of the exit and towards us. He grabbed my wrist as he approached and pulled me close to him.

“What are you two talking about?” he asked.

I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes at Noah. This scene was very similar to when I had tried to talk to Zoe in my previous life.

+25 BONUS Chapter 0015 In that life, Noah had always been very nervous whenever Zoe and I interacted. He was probably afraid that I would say something hurtful to a fragile Zoe. I almost rolled my eyes at the thought..

I glanced over at Zoe, who fidgeted with her fingers and did not look at either Noah or me. A smirk crossed my face as an idea popped into my head. I turned back to Noah, “Oh, nothing.” I said. Then I returned my attention to Zoe and stage-whispered, “You won’t reveal my secrets, will you?”

Zoe, catching on to my ploy, smiled and nodded.

“Of course not, Luna,” she replied.

The tips of Noah’s ears turned red. The muscles in his arms clenched, and his grip on my wrist tightened.

“Hannah, can I speak to you in private?” he asked.

I tried to pull my arm out of his grasp, but he would not release me.

“Yes, Noah,” I said reluctantly. I turned to Zoe. “If you’ll excuse us...

“Certainly,” Zoe replied. “Thank you, Luna, Alpha, for entertaining me tonight.”

Without another word exchanged, Noah took me back inside and led me to the private room just off of the dining room. Once inside, Noah released me long enough to shut the door and lock it behind us. He turned to face me, a glint in his eyes, and I swallowed Hard against the knot forming in my throat.

Noah charged up to me. He grabbed my forearm, twisting to create a slight burning sensation. I gasped silently at the pain.

“You will explain to me what just happened back there, he demanded.

I glared at Noah. If that was how he wanted to play, then I was more than willing to play.

I let my wolf take momentary control of me. My fangs descended. I bit hard into his forearm, causing him to call out in pain and release me.

I grinned and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. Blood stained my skin and lips. Noah’s blood.