Chapter 0099 +25 BONUS Chapter 0099 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 hadnât 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 restaurantâs entrance with a slight dip of his chin.
âShall we?â
With a small huff, I allowed him to tuck my hand into the crook of his elbow, leading me up p the short flight of steps to the ornate double doors. A sharply-dressed host waited on the other side, his expression polite as ever.
âAlpha Noah,â the host said with a deep bow before turning to me. âLuna Hannah. Right this way.â
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 couldnât quite place.
Noahâs behavior had been so bizarre tonight, so oddly gentlemanly-so much unlike his usual abrasive self. I still couldnât shake the nagging feeling that he had some sort of ulterior motive, that he was playing at something I couldnât yet see.
Either that, or I had been replaced with Zoeâs appearance and I hadnât 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.
âYour party is on the top floor,â the host said as we stepped onto the elevator. âI hope you enjoy your experience.â
âThank you,â 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. âWhatâs all this about?â I found myself asking, turning to look up at the underside of Noahâs chiseled jaw. âNoah, if this is another-â
âPatience, Hannah.â 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. Youâll see soon enough.â
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 restaurantâs most luxurious private event space at the top of the building Soft music and the dull roar of conversation +25 BCNUS Chapter 0099 spilled out into the hallway, and I caught a glimpse of twinkling glass chandeliers and white tablecloths through the open double doors.
âAfter you,â 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.
âAlpha Noah!â The booming voice belonged to an Alpha who I didnât recognize at first, although as he approached, I could place him as the Alpha of one of our neighboring packs. I couldnât quite remember his name, as I hadnât seen him or his wife in a very long time.
âEvening, Alpha Matthias,â Noah inclined his head respectfully as the other man approached. âItâs been too long, my friend.â