Chapter 111: Chapter 117

Chapter 0117 Hannah As soon as my feet touched back down on solid ground, the world came crashing back into focus. A deafening roar of cheers and applause reached my ears, along with the sound of my own breaths coming out ragged and startled.

Noah released me, although his hands momentarily remained around my waist as if to steady me. I blinked dazedly up at him, searching his expression. For the briefest of moments, the hardness of his face had softened into something resembling a genuine smile-one that made my stomach flutter and my nausea fade.

But then, like a switch had been flipped, the moment was gone. Noah’s smile faded and he quickly let go of me, stepping away as soon as our ropes were untied. I grit my teeth, looking away.

Of course, he had only been smiling because we had won. Not because we had worked together. Not because we had fun. 1 A lump formed in my throat as I swallowed back the sting of disappointment. I knew I was being ridiculous, but I supposed a tiny part of me had hoped that today might rekindle some tiny spark between US But before I could think about it too much, the Luna Queen was approaching with her two attendants by her sides.

I automatically plastered on my practiced smile, shoving aside my feelings once again. The cameras would undoubtedly be focused entirely on us now, so theeded to pull myself together and play the part of the happy Luna With practiced ease, I accepted the flower crown passed to me by the attendant and allowed them to fasten around my head while a golden sash was placed over Noah’s shoulder.

“Well done,” the Luna Queen said, her eyes flickering with an unreadable expression. “It looks like Nightcrest is going to be hosting the Lunar Festival this year.”

“It’s an honor, Luna Alanna,” Noah said, dipping his head politely.

The Luna Queen merely nodded. “We will make the official announcement tonight, at the reception,” she said.

With that, Luna Alanna turned on her heel and strode away. Just like that, the event was over. I couldn’t decide whether I was glad it was finally done or if I was just the tiniest bit disappointed.

“Hannah!”

The voice cut through the din, causing me to turn. Drake approached, sweaty but smiling “Drake,” I said, managing a more genuine smile this time. “You seem to have had some fun.” “It was fun.” Drake glanced over at Noah “You two looked good out there.”

I winced inwardly. Noah merely grunted in acknowledgement and extended his hand for Drake to shake. “Thanks. You and Zoe didn’t make it easy.”

Chapter 0117 +25 BONUS Drake nodded and shook Noah’s hand. “Yes, well...” his voice trailed off before he visibly steeled himself, ” Look, Hannah, can I... speak to you for a moment? Privately?”

My brows jolted upwards, my gaze flicking instinctively toward Noah. To my surprise, he gave a nonchalant half-shrug and turned away, clearly dismissing me.

“Make it quick,” he threw over his shoulder as he stalked off. “We have to get ready for the reception.”

I frowned after him, chewing my lower lip. Why did he always have to act like such a raging ass? We had won. Couldn’t he just be happy for five minutes?

“Hannah?”

Pulled from my reverie, I turned back toward Drake with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, you were saying?”

“It’s about Zoe,” he admitted quietly, stepping closer so as not to be overheard. “Before the competition. started today, I noticed you two talking-”

“Let me stop you right there,” I interjected firmly, holding up a hand. “That was a private discussion. If you expect me to tell you everything that she said, I won’t.

Drake’s shoulders slumped infinitesimally, but he didn’t argue. “Of course,” he said. “I’m just wondering. If you think it’s still worth it to try to get back with her. If you noticed anything about today, anything at all.”

My gaze strayed over Drake’s shoulder, landing on Zoe, She was crouching in front of little Adam, who was absolutely beaming.

He was holding out a bouquet of flowers for his mother even though she didn’t win-it was sweet enough to make me smile.

But then, I recalled what she had said earlier: how she didn’t want this, and how she only did it to make her son happy.

For a moment, I thought about telling Drake that it was a lost cause; that he should just let her go, respect her wishes. It would have been the right thing to do.

And then I thought about Noah. And I thought about how, despite everything, a small part of me didn’t want to give up on this plan yet-because, no matter how much I tried to deny it, I liked the idea of keeping him from Zoe.

I swallowed hard and refocused on Drake.

“Don’t give up just yet. I think, with time and a little persistence, Zoe might start coming around.”

A wave of relief washed over the Alpha’s features, his shoulders pulling back almost imperceptibly as he nodded. “Thank you, Hannah. That means a lot.”

I pasted on my most convincing smile as Drake pulled me in for a brief hug. Over his shoulder, Zoe’s curious gaze met mine, her brows furrowed ever so slightly.

By the time I arrived at the towering hotel where the reception was being hosted, I practically felt as though I might keel over from exhaustion. However, my excitement thankfully trumped that feeling.

I smoothed my hands over my outfit-a simple silk dress that reached my thighs and hugged all the right curves. Noah was wearing a black suit with a dark red te, Nightcrest’s colors, which matched my shawl +25 BONUS Chapter 0112 perfectly.

A few paparazzi loitered outside the main entrance, held at bay by a couple of burly security personnel. I felt my pulse kick up a notch as I saw them, knowing that the tabloids would certainly have at least one lousy article to publish in the morning: “Luna Hannah and Alpha Noah Win Luna Queen’s Competition, but Can Barely Stand Each Other?”

Part of me expected Noah to get out of the car and stride in without me, just as he had so many times before.

But he didn’t.

A over No sooner had I stepped out of the car than he had me, brusquely grabbing my hand and looping it through his elbow.

“Here,” he said. “Hold onto me.”

I furrowed my brow, my fingers tightening around my small black clutch as I looked up at him. “Why-” “You have to stay by my side,” he murmured as we ascended the carpeted steps toward the case.

tel. “Just in His voice trailed off, but he didn’t need to finish because I knew what he was going to say: that we needed to stick together tonight in case the Luna Queen was scrutinizing us. We may have won the competition, but one slip-up could still cost us the Lunar Festival.

“Right,” I managed, unable to entirely ignore that faint glimmer of disappointment. I supposed that, once again, a part of me had almost-almost-hoped that he wanted me to stay close to him because...

Well, because I was his wife and he wanted me by his side.

As we slipped through the doors and were met with the bustling party, however, I couldn’t help but notice the way that Noah’s hand moved to mine, gently pressing my fingers harder into his firm bicep.