Chapter 398: Chapter 417

Chapter 0416 Chapter 0416 “So, I... had one more thing planned,” he finally said, gesturing toward the river that wound its way through the city. “A walk.”

I nodded, smoothing down my dress and hoping that he couldn’t see the crimson flush on my cheeks beneath the dim light of the streetlamps as we began making our way down the sidewalk again.

But as we neared the waterfront, something caught my eye–a brightly lit shop with people inside, all holding paint brushes and canvases. Laughter and music drifted through the open door, glasses of wine and cider sitting on paint–stained tables.

“Ooh, look! A paint and sip!” I exclaimed, already heading toward the front door in my drunken excitement.

“Hannah, wait- Noah called, half–laughing, but I was already pushing the door open.

The artist leading the class looked up as I stumbled inside with Noah on my heels, her eyes widening in recognition, “Alpha Hannah? Alpha Noah? What a surprise! Would you like to join us for our paint and sip class?”

“Yes!”

Before Noah could protest, the instructor was already beaming and handing us two paint–stained aprons while the rest of the class looked on.

Noah’s face was beet red as he whispered, “Hannah, I’ve never painted before... I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

I grinned, wrapping my arms around his waist to fasten the apron behind his back. “Better late than never,” I said, my fingers lingering perhaps a moment too long. I could feel the heat radiating off his skin even through his jacket, his arms floating up slightly in shock as I tied the ribbons. “Besides, I’ll help you.”

Noah didn’t protest further. Although, I think he may have simply lost his ability to speak as I slowly untangled myself from him and smoothed down the front of his apron.

With that, we took our seats, elbows bumping as we reached for paints and brushes. Noah’s tongue poked out in concentration as he tried to follow the instructor’s directions, both of us growing drunker and more vivacious as the night went on. I could feel the other attendees‘ eyes on us, could hear their murmurs.

“They really are the true star–crossed lovers...”

“To think that that Zoe actually tried to keep them apart...”

“How sweet!”

My face heated. I knew that my entrance at the wedding had made headlines, but I hadn’t dared to look at the news. The true star–crossed lovers... It felt surreal. Unreal.

Suddenly, my reverie was broken by the sensation of a thumb gently wiping my cheek. I jerked my head up to find Noah leaning close to me, a smudge of blue paint now on the tip of his finger.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, the rest of the room faded away. “Noah-”

“You had a little...”

+25 BONUS Chapter 0416 The spell was instantly broken by the instructor announcing it was time to reveal our masterpieces. We both quickly jerked back, faces matching shades of maroon.

Noah’s painting was... Well, it was certainly colorful, although it bore little resemblance to the landscape we were supposed to be creating. Mine wasn’t much better, though, and when I revealed it to Noah....

He threw his head back and laughed. Wholly, deeply, and loudly enough for the entire class to fall silent. As we left the shop a little while later, our paintings dry and wrapped carefully, Noah handed me his. “For Melody’s nursery.”

My heart swelled. Without thinking, I handed him my own painting in return. Noah’s face flushed as he took it, studying it intently as if it were a priceless work of art. “Maybe... maybe I could hang it in a nursery at my place,” he suddenly murmured. “For when you and Melody come back”

I felt my cheeks heat up at the implication. “Noah, I don’t...”

He quickly backpedaled, his free hand rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “It was just a thought. I know it’s too soon. I didn’t mean to presume...”

“It’s okay.” I shook my head, managing a small smile. “How about that walk?”

We made our way down to the river, the cool night air sobering us slightly. The water lapped gently at the shore, the moon’s reflection dancing on its surface. We sat on a bench, just watching the water in silence.

“I had a nice time tonight,” Noah finally said. “Really, Hannah.”

I looked up at him, my mouth working uselessly for a moment before I managed, “Me too.”

Viona’s words flitted through my mind in that moment. “He deserves to know... You deserve to be free of this secret...”

I had to tell him. I couldn’t wait any longer.

“Noah, there’s something I need to tell you,” I blurted out before I could stop myself. “It’s about something that happened a year ago. Something big.”

“Is everything alright?”

I closed my eyes for a moment, gathering my courage. When I opened them again, I met his gaze directly. willing him to understand, to accept what I was about to say.

“Noah, I... I died and came back to life one year ago.”

Noah’s eyes widened, his mouth falling open in shock.

“What?” he breathed.