Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth

I pulled my shoulders back and lifted my chin defiantly

"T wasn't aware that I needed your permission to do interviews," I said.

"You know

how I feel about the media," Noah replied through gritted teeth. "Why don't you enlighten me once again?"

"For

Noah breathed in deeply through his nostrils in an effort to remain calm.

r the Alpha family, maintaining distance from the media, especially tabloids, is the best approach. They're nothing but boring gossip mills anyway."

t I stood up and held myself at my full height, trying to appear bigger and braver than I actually was. "Those 'boring gossip mills' are what the people really care about," I countered. "That's where they get their impressions of us, and that's where they're going to look to in order to see what kinds of Alphas we are. Why else would they be covering every event that we attend?"

Noah opened his mouth as though to protest but quickly snapped it shut. He had no good retort for that. "Besides, it's not my fault that I was attacked by supporters of you and Zoe," I claimed. Noah's brow furrowed.

"Well, it wasn't my fault, either."

"I didn't anticipate how much trouble Zoe's return was going to cause for me, and you didn't put enough security personnel on me," I argued. "You brought the trouble. I resolved it."

"How did you resolve it?" Noah asked, sounding aghast. "All you did was make our problems known to the public-"

"Not our problems, Noah. My problems. And by doing so, I got people to see things through my eyes and sympathize with me."

I placed my hands on my hips, feeling emboldened by this move.

"I don't know about you, but I would call that resolving the problem-part of it, at least."

Noah looked as though he were about to burst a seam. His face turned red, he raised a finger at me, and his mouth opened wide. Then, thinking better of whatever he had been about to say, he closed his mouth and lowered his hand, the color slowly draining from his face. "What do you want?" he asked. "What will make this right?"

I paused for a moment. If Noah was willing to make concessions, perhaps I could take him up on it and get something that would help make this next month with him a little easier to bear.

"I want to live in our most heavily guarded house and have a few more bodyguards," I said firmly, "to protect me from the Noah/Zoe zealots." Noah pursed his lips and his eyes moved rapidly as he did some mental calculations.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

+25

"Deal."

My instinct was to shake hands with him to seal the deal, but I kept both of them planted firmly on my hips to maintain my control over the situation.

"Thank

"Yes, kaly, So, trepie my voice lacked any emotion. "Anything else?p

actually," Noah replied. "The Lunar Festival is approaching. I was hoping that you could spend it with Zoe and her son, hosting a family banquet."

Every muscle in my body tightened. The very thought of having to do anything with food in front of Zoe sent ice rushing through my veins. The last time that I was near Zoe and food, it did not go well. It was my previous life; Noah had invited Zoe and her son over to our estate and had asked me to cook for her. However, because of my eating disorder, I did not cook and avoided most ingredients, and I relayed to them I did not know how to cook. That was my first mistake. My second mistake was letting Zoe step in and cook instead. She was such a natural and brought a warmth into our house that I never could have. Noah applauded her cooking, and Zoe said it was a basic skill for a mother.

My third mistake was letting that comment get to me, making me think that Noah had never seen me as a nurturer or someone capable of being a mother. I didn't know that I was pregnant then, and his unspoken criticism-conveyed in just a glance-cut me to the bone. Then I tried to eat some of Zoe's food-my final mistake. Between the stress of the situation and my eating disorder, I couldn't handle even that singular bite, and I threw up everywhere. Zoe cried in distress, and Noah reprimanded me for humiliating her before leaving with her and her son.

In that life, that was the last time that Noah arranged for returned home. 1

e and me to meet...and the last time that he

I mentally pulled myself away from that memory. I could not let it interfere with my life now. I had to focus on my ultimate goal, and if that involved playing nice with Zoe, then that was what I had to do. "Of course," I said with a forced smile. "Anything for the Lunar Festival." Noah eyed me, probably unsure of how to take my sudden cooperation, but nodded, nonetheless. "Good. Thank you."

He bent over and picked up his messenger bag, slinging it over his shoulder.

"I have to go now, but I'll be in touch with the details. Remember to contact me before taking any more interviews."

We'll see about that, I thought.

Noah stared at me, waiting for confirmation. When he didn't get any, he sighed and headed for the door.

As soon as the e door closed behind Noah, I ran my hand through my hair and began to pace. I had no clue what I was going to do about this family banquet. My vomiting had only gotten worse since that night Zoe cooked, and my appetite hadn't gotten any better, either. I thought about the night at the bar when I had split a plate of nachos with Viona. I had to force myself to

+25

eat even that much, and it was only for my baby's sake that I had done even that.

!

stopped pacing mid-step. My baby. I didn't just need enough nutrients for myself now; I needed enough to provide for my growing baby as well.

My hand fell to my stomach. I rubbed it lightly in small circles, trying to convey all the love and nurturing that I felt for my baby into that touch.

I had to try harder. For my baby. That was who this was all for, after all.

I

If I was going to hold this family banquet and get past my stomach problems, I was going to need some help.

I sighed and picked up my phone.

"Hello?" Viona answered.

"Hey, it's me," I said.

"Hannah!

Пап You don't sound so good. Is everything okay?"

"Yes and no."

Viona's voice grew concerned.

"Is there anything that I can do to help you?"

"You know how you took those online cooking classes last year?"

"Yeah?"

was

hoping that you could refer me to them and..."

"And what else?"

I could feel the heat flushing my cheeks. I wasn't sure why this was so embarrassing for me, but it was. I

I

supposed that I didn't want even my closest friends to know my secret...my worst-kept secret.

"And can you help me learn to cook food that I will actually want to eat?" (1)

There was a long pause before Viona responded.

"Of course, Hannah. You know that I always have your back."