Chapter 0401 Hannah I hadnât even bothered to change or make myself look presentable. The thin fabric of my robe still revealed my bare body, my hair was wild and unkempt, and I likely smelled like a vagrant after my stint in Darkmoonâs prison.
But none of that mattered now. All that mattered was getting to Noah before it was too late.
Iâd clutched the seashell in my palm, so hard I almost broke it.
âDrive faster, Drake!â I had urged, my fingers digging into the car seat. âWe have to get there before they say âI doâl Drake had pushed the accelerator pedal to the floor, his knuckles white on the steering wheel as we sped down the winding roads. âHannah, are you sure about this? This is crazy!â
I had nodded emphatically. âIâve never been more sure of anything in my life. Zoeâs been messing with Noahâs mind. Sheâs not his mateâI am. And I think sheâs done something to him again. We have to stop this wedding before she marries him and names Adam the heir.â
As we sped toward Nightcrest, I explained everything to Drake and Vionaâthe seashell, Noahâs revelation, my suspicions about Zoeâs manipulations. By the time we had screeched to a halt outside the chapel, my friends both looked as determined as I felt.
âI knew something wasnât right,â Viona had said. âHe was so in love with you at the baby shower, Hannah. We burst through the doors just as the priest was asking Noah if he took Zoe as his wife. My heart pounding, I shouted at the top of my lungs, âStop this wedding!â
The entire congregation gasped, heads whipping around to stare at me. I saw shock, confusion, and disgust on their faces as they took in my disheveled appearance. But I didnât care. My eyes were locked on Noah as I chucked the seashell down the aisle, watching as it came to a stop near Noahâs feet. A deafening silence fell. Noah stared down at the seashell, eyes narrowing and then widening. Zoe recovered first, her face twisting with fury. âGuards! Remove this woman at once!â
Several burly men rushed toward me, but I was ready. Fueled by adrenaline and desperation, I fought against their grip. Drake jumped in to help, and together we managed to break free while Viona sprinted up the right side of the chapel, headed straight for the altar.
I stormed up the aisle, my bare feet slapping against the cold marble floor.
âZoe has been messing with Noahâs mind!â I shouted, pointing an accusing finger at the bride. âShe cut our mate bond by force, wiped his memories, and is now holding him hostage! She is using him to make Adam the heir to Nightcrest!â
A gasp rippled through the crowd. Noah stared at me, his eyes wide with confusion.
âHannah? What are you talking about?â
Zoe let out a high, brittle laugh. âOh, please. Look at her!â She gestured to my robe, my hair, my eyes. âShe has clearly lost her mind. Isnât she supposed to be in a Darkmoon prison right now for beating an innocent +25 BONUS Chapter 0401 man half to death? Guards, get this madwoman out of here!â
But I wasnât about to be silenced. Not by her, not by the guards, not by anyone.
With Drake holding off the guards, I marched right up to Noah, snatching up the seashell necklace I had thrown and pressing it into his hands. âNoah, please,â I begged, my voice breaking. âRemember.
Remember us. I know Zoe did something to you, filled your mind with false memories, but this...â I tapped the seashell. âThis is real. We are real.â
For a moment, I saw something flicker in Noahâs eyes a flash of recognition, of doubt.
âHannah...â he murmured, his brow furrowing as he stared down at the shell.
But then Zoe was there, inserting herself between us. âNoah, donât even look at her,â she hissed. âSheâs just a desperate, pathetic woman who canât stand to see us happy. She would do anything to ruin our special day.â