Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth

"Indeed, indeed." The Alpha waved a hand dismissively, his clever eyes raking over me in an appraising sort of way. "And this enchanting creature must be the lovely Luna Hannah. It's been a while since we've met, Luna."

I managed a terse smile and held out my hand. "It's a pleasure, Alpha Matthias."

"The pleasure is all mine." The Alpha lifted my knuckles to his lips, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he kissed my knuckle. "And might I say, your beauty is simply unmatched this evening. Truly, Noah is a lucky man."

I felt Noah stiffen almost imperceptibly beside me, but simply smiled again and murmured my thanks. Seemingly satisfied, the Alpha clapped his hands together and turned an expectant look on Noah. "Now, Alpha, you know the rules-we mustn't let our women go thirsty!". With that, he reached out and waved over a waiter who was carrying a tray of bubbling champagne flutes. He took two and handed one to Noah, then held one out to me while he took a third for himself.

I felt my stomach drop. "Oh, no alcohol for me tonight, I said with a wave of my hand, refusing to the drink. "Thank you, though."

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The Alpha shot me an almost offended look. "It's customary for the host to drink to a toast, isn't it?" he asked, raising his own glass. "Come now."

There was a tense silence for a moment, and I began considering whether it would be easier to just take the glass and pretend to sip in order to avoid scrutiny. But before I could even move, Noah spoke up.

"I'm afraid Hannah is abstaining from alcohol this evening per her doctor's orders. A stomach bug, you see." He shot me a meaningful look out of the corner of his eye. "However, I would be honored to drink for the both of us tonight."

A slight frown creased the Alpha's brow for the shortest of moments before he let out a deep, rumbling chuckle and clapped Noah firmly on the shoulder.

"We'll just have to double up your servings then, eh?" He chortled again, shaking his head in amusement as he handed the out glass that was meant for me toward Noah instead. Noah took it easily, now holding one drink in each hand. "To a good evening." Noah then said simply, tipping one glass back and draining it in one long pull.

I watched in disbelieving silence as he set the empty flute aside and lifted the second to his lips without preamble, seemingly unaffected by the bubbling champagne. Only once he had drained that glass as well did the other Alpha seem pleased.

"A true Alpha drinks like a man!" he said, slapping Noah's shoulder again with enough force to rock him on his feet. "Well done, well done. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm afraid I've been neglecting my own wife this evening...

With that, he turned and lumbered away, disappearing back into the crowd with a surprising litheness for a man of his age and stature. Noah watched him go, his expression carefully neutral.

Then, without warning, he reached out and took my arm, steering me firmly toward the hallway that led back to the elevators.

"Noah, what-?"

"Shh." His voice was low, dangerous, the smell of champagne sharp on his breath as he hauled me into the empty corridor and pinned me against the wall.NôvelDrama.Org copyrighted © content.

I opened my mouth to protest, but the words caught in my throat as he leaned in close, those piercing green eyes suddenly feverish. I felt feverish now, too, with his body pressed firmly against mine. "You're pregnant," he growled, one large hand coming to rest on my abdomen, his fingers splaying out possessively. "Aren't you?"

My heart stuttered in my chest, my eyes widening in shock and sudden, Inexplicable panic.

"Noah, I-"

"Don't lie to me," he cut me off, his voice going low and gravelly in a way that sent a shiver rippling through me. His breath was hot against my cheek as he leaned in closer still, his fingers flexing against my stomach. "You are pregnant with my child, aren't you?"