Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth

And then, there he was. Standing in the middle of the foyer in an impeccably tailored tuxedo, hands clasped behind his back, Noah looked... Well, he looked amazing. His broad shoulders seemed to strain ever so slightly against the fabric of his jacket, his waist narrowly nipped in on either side. Our eyes met across the space between us, and I watched as his gaze roamed over me in a slow once- over that made my stomach flip. For the briefest of moments, his expression shifted, softening ever so slightly as his lips parted. It was so fleeting I couldn't be sure I hadn't just imagined it. But then he seemed to catch himself, his features settling back into their usual inscrutable mask as he strode toward me. Stopping just in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne, Noah held out his hand, his palm facing up. "Shall we?" he asked.

I stared at his hand for a heartbeat, feeling utterly perplexed by the gentleman who stood in front of me. Part of me wanted to come up with some sort of witty remark, some biting comment that would bring out his usual harsh self.

But I didn't. I couldn't bring myself to. Instead, I nodded slightly then placed my hand in his, trying not to dwell on how perfectly it seemed to fit against his larger one.

He gave my fingers the smallest of squeezes before turning and leading me toward the front doors where a sleek town car was idling outside. One of the servants hurried forward to open the door for us, and Noah paused, gesturing for me to go ahead of him. "Go on," he said, his voice taking on a gentler tone that I had perhaps not heard in months, maybe even years. "Ladies first."

"Thank you." I couldn't quite keep the bewildered frown from creasing my brow as I ducked into the car, sliding across the soft leather seats to make room for him beside me. He slid in after me, and the servant shut the door,

As the door closed behind us with a quiet snick, cutting off the cool evening air, I found myself abruptly very aware of just how close Noah was sitting to me. So close, in fact, that his thigh touched mine through my skirt. "Where are we going?" I asked, partially out of curiosity and partially to fill the awkward silence.

"You'll see." Noah nodded to the driver, who pulled away from the curb and began to head down the driveway.

As the sound of the pebbled driveway beneath the tires filled the car, Noah's arm brushed against mine once more. The crisp scent of his cologne surrounded me, and I felt heat prickling along the back of my neck as his piercing green gaze settled on me-really settled on me, not just glancing in my direction.

"Are you excited?" he asked.

1 licked my lips nervously, struggling to think of what to say in response. Of course I wanted to be excited, but I was also wary of whatever he was playing at.

All I knew was that he had scheduled an impromptu event tonight, and that a lot of people would be there. Even Viona, Amber, and Emma would be heading there after me. But that was all I knew. I didn't know the reasons behind this event.

And I especially didn't know the reasons behind this lovely gown and Noah's oddly gentlemanly behavior.

But before I could even begin to find the words in response, Noah spoke, his voice a low rumble barely audible over the purr of the engine.Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.

"You look beautiful tonight, Hannah." His green eyes met mine, and he reached out to brush a stray strand of hair out of my eyes. "Truly."

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My breath caught in my throat at the sudden compliment, a flush creeping up into my cheeks. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, and it was all I could do to not swoon into his lap right then and there. He was just trying to butter me up. He had to be. That was the only explanation for...

For all of this.