Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth

And perhaps that would be the thing that would keep me from relapsing.

"You're absolutely right," I said with a firm nod. "If my attendance and advocacy for seeking proper treatment can help remove the stigma, even just a little... then I would consider that immensely rewarding."

A chorus of sincere agreement arose as everyone began to dig back into their meals, leaving me finally feeling as though I could breathe easily again. Perhaps would actually attempt to eat something now, I mused, carefully spearing a few pieces of chicken onto my fork. Just as I lifted the first bite toward my mouth, however a smooth, lilting voice cut through the gentle din of conversation like a hot knife. That's very commendable, Hannah."

My fork froze just inches from my lips as my gaze snapped toward the source of those words-Zoe, regarding me from down the table with an inscrutable look on her beautiful features. Something about her tone, the underlying implication there, caused the back of my neck to prickle with unease. Her words were kind enough, but... Something didn't feel right.

I wasn't imagining the brief flash of resentment that flickered across Zoe's expression before she smoothed it over, was I?

"Thank you, Zoe," I managed.

As I popped my chicken into my mouth, I caught Noah watching me carefully from the corner of my eye. Something told me the brief moment of unity between us was already over and done.

The rest of the evening passed by in a blur, my lack of participation in the conversation growing more and more pronounced as the knot of anxiety in my stomach twisted tighter and tighter. By the time Noah and I bid our goodbyes and headed for the car, I felt emotionally and physically drained in a way I hadn't experienced in quite some time.

We rode in tense silence for several long minutes, the only sound that of the tires against the road and the driver occasionally sniffling. Eventually, Noah's deep voice cut through the quiet, nearly making me jump

"Are you going to follow through on what you said in there?" he asked, not looking at me as he kept his eyes fixed out the window. "About continuing to attend those support group meetings?"

I frowned faintly, picking absently at a loose thread on the skirt of my dress. "Of course I am. I need to... I need that extra layer of accountability right now."

Noah's jaw ticked almost imperceptibly as he nodded once. "I see." He was quiet for another moment before speaking again, and his next words made my blood run cold.

"Then I assume you haven't been inducing vomiting again?"

My mouth went dry as cotton as I slowly turned to face Noah fully, searching his stony profile for any hint of emotion. How could he possibly-7

"Don't act so shocked," he interjected flatly before I could gather my wits. "I'm not blind, Hannah You

clearly lost weight again recently, and you hardly ate anything tonight despite your claims about trying to get better." Noah shook his head slowly. "I'd have to be an idiot not to put two and two together."

"I'm surprised you've even noticed," I bit out, unable to deny my recent vomiting spells but also unable to tell him that it was morning sickness and not bulimia. "You've never seemed to pay any attention to my appearance or my eating habits before."

A terse silence fell over the car once more, thick and suffocating. I looked away from Noah, focusing my gaze out the window and blinking rapidly against the hot prickling of tears in my eyes.

Just as I was certain Noah wasn't going to give me a response, his gruff voice sounded once more- softer this time, almost gentle.

"You don't need to be so defensive around me, Hannah."

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