Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth

The smallest hint of a lopsided smile tugged at the corner of Noah's mouth as he gave a slow nod. "It's been a while, but yes. I remember. I think the last time was on our honeymoon."

The words knocked the breath from my lungs in a surprised little huff. My mouth curved upwards despite myself as I felt a distant memory tug at the edges of my consciousness. "You really remember that?" "Of course I do." Noah's voice was low, so low I almost couldn't hear it. "I pinky promised to... to always love you."Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

The breath caught in my throat as my eyes snapped up to meet his, that fluttery, hopeful feeling suddenly surging through me like I was falling in love all over again. "Noah..."

But the moment was broken as a strange shadow flickered across his expression, his eyes going shuttered and distant as he seemed to remember something. His hand fell away from mine as he straightened abruptly and smoothed down his jacket. "But you broke that promise," I found myself saying, the words slipping out from between my lips before I could stop them.

Noah's jaw clenched hard, the muscle beneath his skin ticking furiously as he stared down at me for a long few moments. I could practically see the anger, the frustration rolling just beneath the surface, threatening to boil over. There it is, I thought to myself. The man beneath the mask.

I guess I felt a little bad for goading him out. 1 liked this gentlemanly version of him; maybe I had been too harsh just then.

Then, just as abruptly, the storm seemed to pass. His expression went carefully blank as he simply turned on his heel and started walking back toward the main event space, leaving me to trail uncertainly after him.

The dull roar of mingled conversation and soft music washed over us as Noah led us back out onto the edge of the dance floor. I opened my mouth to speak-but the words caught in my throat as he turned suddenly, sweeping me into his arms in one smooth motion "Noah, what-?"

"Just dance with me," he said curtly, his palm settling against the small of my back as he guided us into a slow waltz to the time of the music.

I had no choice but to go along with him, falling into step beside him almost automatically. We moved together in silence for several endless moments before I found my voice again.

"What's your angle tonight?" The question slipped out before I could think better of it, my eyes searching his closed expression for any hint of what was going through that unfathomable mind of his.

"What do you mean?"

shrugged. "You're being... a perfect gentleman." Despite you egging him on, I thought to myself before. continuing. "So unlike you."

A muscle twitched just above Noah's eye, but his gaze remained steadfastly fixed over my shoulder,

refusing to meet my gaze.

"I don't have an angle," he finally said in a perfectly measured tone.

I scoffed before I could stop myself, the sound sharp and disbelieving even to my own ears. "You're going to try and tell me you don't want something from me? That this whole..." I waved a hand vaguely, indicating his pristine tuxedo, the lavish event surrounding us, thing isn't just to get something that you want? Just like the diamond necklace?" Those piercing green eyes flickered briefly in my direction, holding my gaze for the smallest fraction of a second before sliding away again. But in that fleeting instant, I thought I caught a glimpse of... something. Something raw, unguarded. Almost like regret.

Then, just when I was certain he was going to brush me off or pull away entirely, Noah moved so quickly and with such unexpected purpose that I let out a gasp.

One moment I was staring up at him, swaying slowly to the music. The next, his hands were cupping my face, tilting my chin up. His lips locked together with mine for the first time in... Forever.

GE