Chapter 379
Hannah
this?"
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Viona leaned against the door of my study, hands in her pockets as she stared at the letter in my hands.
I nodded, carefully folding the letter that Noah had sent requesting to visit. Not so much a request as it was a demand.
"I don't have much of a choice," I said, tossing the letter aside. "If I refuse an Alpha's formal request, it could have political ramifications." I cringed just looking at that formal letterhead.
Viona sighed heavily, crossing the room to sink into the armchair across from me. The leather creaked under her weight. "I still don't feel good about this. After everything he's done... Are you sure you're ready to face him? Especially now that Melody is here?"
I shrugged, glancing down at my daughter, who was swaddled and sleeping comfortably in the little bassinet next to my desk. She was two weeks old now, and growing more and more perfect and beautiful by the day. Motherhood was a dream. It was tough, especially when balancing Alpha duties along with it, but I loved it.
"Ready or not, it has to be done," I replied, my voice tight. I went to touch my baby bump, but there was nothing there. I'd still had yet to get used to that. "It's better to face this head-on than let him cause trouble later on down the road."
Word had spread like wildfire, of course, when Melody had been born. It took less than a day for Noah to find out. Ever since then, he had been persistently trying to contact me. I'd ignored his calls, deleted his 'messages without reading them. But this formal request couldn't be brushed aside so easily.
There was no doubt in my mind that he was just curious to see if Melody looked like him at all. He wasn't coming to give me his regards or bring a gift. He was coming to see if he needed to claim her as his heir and take her back to Nightcrest. But I'd die before I let that happen.
"At least Drake will be here when Noah comes," I assured Viona, noticing the slight blush that colored her cheeks at the mention of his name. She said nothing, but I caught the small smile she tried to hide. "What?" I asked, a smirk playing on my lips.
Viona shook her head, her cheeks darkening. "Nothing. I'm just glad Drake will be here to support you,
that's all."
I raised an eyebrow but decided not to push their budding romance. Instead, I rose from my chair and turned my attention to the window, watching as the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the lawn. "He should be here soon," I murmured, more to myself than to Viona.
As if on cue, a knock at the door announced Drake's arrival. He entered the room with a broad smile, his eyes immediately landing on Melody in her bassinet near my desk.
"There's my favorite girl," he cooed, scooping her up gently. "Uncle Drake is here to spoil you rotten."
I couldn't help but smile as I watched him cradle Melody. His large frame somehow made her look even tinier, her delicate features accentuated by his strong arms. She yawned, prising a tiny hand free from her swaddle, and reached for his nose as he went in to nuzzle her. "You're good with babies," I mused, elbowing Viona in the ribs with a grin.
Drake grinned, not noticing the way that Viona suddenly looked fit to burst and quickly ran from the room because he was too busy staring at Melody. "This little one makes it easy. I can't wait to spoil her to bits. Maybe a pony for her first birthday?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "Let's start with something smaller. Maybe a stuffed pony?"
Our peaceful moment was suddenly interrupted by another knock at the door. My heart rate spiked, and I felt my body tense. Drake turned, still holding Melody, and took a protective step in front of me, baring his fangs. But he relaxed when I put my hand on his arm. "It's alright, Drake."
A moment later, my security team-I'd made a point of hiring all female officers, which I had no doubt Noah noticed-trailed in.
And there he was amongst them.Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.