Chapter 0428 âWhatâs that?â Viona asked, her expression turning serious again.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. âIf we got back together, I could lose my title. Nightcrest would absorb Silvermoon, which I suppose would be okay since Silvermoon residents wouldnât be without an Alpha, but...â
My voice trailed off, and I thought back to my discussion with my father. Heâd said that I would have even more power if that happened, that it would be... better.
But it didnât feel better.
It just felt like I would be losing something that Iâd worked damn hard for..
âI just donât understand why I would need to be the one to give up my title,â I mused. âAfter everything Iâve been through, everything Iâve fought for... it just feels wrong to give it all up now. So soon after taking my rightful place as female Alpha.â
Viona was quiet for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought. Then she suggested, âYou know, Noah could always give up his title.â
I snorted, the idea seeming downright absurd. âYeah, right. Can you imagine Noah stepping down as Alpha of Nightcrest? Heâs changed, Viona, but not that much.â
âYou never know,â Viona shrugged, her eyes serious. âPeople can surprise you. Especially when love is involved.â
I blinked for a few moments, processing. Love. For an Alpha like Noah to give up his title so I could retain mine... It felt like a fairytale.
âMaybe,â I said quietly. âBut even if he was willing, it would cause a whole other slew of problemsâpaint him as subservient and me as controlling. Create unrest in the pack, lose respect from outside the pack... I donât know. It feels like we might be at an impasse here.â
I sighed, my gaze drifting to the framed photo of Melody on my desk. She was starting to show her own personality now, a feisty little firecrackerâthe perfect combination of me and Noah.
âI really do want Melody to grow up in a home with her parents together,â I continued. âItâs such a tough decision. I want it allâmy title, my mate, a happy family. Is that too much to ask?â
Viona shook her head. âIf anyone deserves to have it all, itâs you, Hannah. You-â
Just then, a sharp buzz cut through our conversation. I glanced at the security monitor on my deskâa new addition after my last unpleasant surprise visit from Darkmoon.
I wished I had installed better security sooner, but so much had happened since Iâd become Alpha that it had slipped my mind.
And my father, well... He never had to worry about intruders coming onto his pack lands. People respected him. So heâd never installed gates or proper security around our shared estate.
But better late than never, I supposed.
Leaning forward, I saw who was waiting for me. The screen showed a black car idling at the shiny new gates.
1/2 Chapter 042#
+25 BONUS âSpeaking of unwanted visitors,â I muttered, recognizing the face that appeared as the driver rolled down the window to speak to my security officer.
Darkmoonâs Beta. Again.
âOh, Goddess. What is it now?â Viona groaned.
âWhat do you want?â I asked, not bothering to hide the annoyance in my voice as I held down the intercom button.
âIâve come with a request from Alpha David. He would like to meet tonight... on neutral territory,â the Beta replied.
Viona snorted. I couldnât help but laugh myself. âWhat makes him think I would speak with him after what he did to me?â
A pause, then: âHe has a... proposition for you, Alpha Hannah,â the Beta replied. âOne that you wonât want to refuse.â
Todayâs Bonus Offer