Chapter 55: Chapter 57

Chapter 0057 Chapter 0057 Hannah I squared my shoulders, steeling myself as I approached Noah’s idling SUV. With a sharp rap on the tinted window, I made my presence known, watching as he startled slightly before rolling it down.

“Can I help you?” he asked, his tone clipped.

I arched a brow. “You’re the one lurking outside the pub like some kind of creep. I should be asking you that question.”

Noah’s jaw tightened fractionally. “I wasn’t lurking,” he countered. “I just happened to come here for a drink.”

I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest. “Right. And I’m the Alpha of Nightcrest.”

His eyes narrowed at my s “Believe what you want, Hannah. I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

Smirking, I leaned down until I was eye-level with him through the window. A piece of my hair caught the breeze and ruffled toward his face.

“You’re right, you don’t,” I agreed, my voice low. “But if you were so desperate to see me, you could have. just asked me out on a date yourself instead of following me around like some kind of stalker.”

Noah’s brows hiked upward at that. “A date?” he echoed, something that almost looked like amusement flickering in his steely gaze. “Is that what you think this is about?”

I shrugged one shoulder, feigning nonchalance even as my heart hammered in my chest. “Well, since you’re clearly too in love with Zoe to care about me anymore, I decided to go on a date with a real man instead.”

The words ha had barely left my lips before Noah threw his head back, letting out a loud burst of abrasive laughter that made my face instantly flush with humiliation. I straightened up, clasping my hands tightly in front of me as I waited for his amusement to subside.

T Finally, he shook his head, regarding me with mock pity. “You really are something else, you know that?” he mused. “But I saw you come out of there with Emma, so I know you weren’t on a date. If you want to play games and make up stories to get my attention, be my guest. But don’t insult us both by lying about it.”

I sighed, suddenly feeling very weary. “Alright, fine. You got me,” I admitted with a shake of my head. “1 was bluffing about the date. But then why are you really here, Noah? Don’t tell me you just randomly decided to stop at this dingy little pub for a drink.”

He studied me for a long moment before responding. “You’re right, I didn’t just randomly end up here,” he confessed. “I was going to stop for a drink at the bar down the street, but I saw you through the window here and decided to wait I frowned, folding my arms across my chest. “Wait? For what?”

To make sure you got home safely,” he said matter-of-factly. “How were you planning on getting back, by the way? Were you going to call the chauffeur?”

I nodded, still feeling utterly perplexed by his sudden concern for my well being-but I knew it was utter +25 BONUS Chapter 0057 bullshit. “Yeah, I was going to have him come pick me up,” I said, not bothering to mention the fact that I wasn’t drinking anyway.”

Noah grunted. “I can drive you home instead, if you want me to. But I’d like to have my drink first.”

I hesitated for only a moment before nodding again. “Sure. I guess that would be alright.”

With a nod of his own, Noah pulled the key out of the ignition and pushed open the door, gesturing for me to lead the way back into the bar. I did so, trying to ignore the way my pulse seemed to quicken at the thought of spending more time in Noah’s company-although, I couldn’t decide if it was juvenile excitement or bitter loathing that made me feel that way.

We settled onto a pair of stools at the bar, Noah ordering a whiskey neat while I simply asked for a soda. As the bartender set our drinks down in front of us, Noah cast a sidelong glance in my direction.

“No alcohol for you tonight?” he asked, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. “You haven’t had anything to drink in a while.”

I shook my head, running my finger idly through the condensation on my glass. “No, I just... don’t really like the taste anymore,” I lied smoothly. “And I like feeling clear-headed.”