Alpha's Regret After Her Rebirth (Hannah and Noah)

Chapter 0496 Chapter 0496

Hannah

For what felt like the hundredth time that morning, I sidestepped Drake's punch with ease, narrowly dodging his hook. Training with him had become an obsession of mine lately. He'd pushed me in ways I hadn't expected, helping me learn how to use my speed and endurance instead of relying on sheer strength

And as much as I'd never tell him outright, I was grateful for every grueling minute. Every bruise, every sore muscle-it was all worth it.

"Nice one, Hannah," he called, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes as he threw another jab my way. "You're getting better. Actually starting to make me work for once."

"Oh, don't get all sentimental on me, Drake," I replied, catching his feint this time and deflecting his strike with a roll of my shoulder. I know you love taking it easy on me."

"Easy?" He chuckled, lunging forward. "Sweetheart, you haven't seen 'easy' yet."

His punch missed my head by inches as I ducked, coming up behind him just in time to shove him forward. He stumbled, catching himself against the ropes with a growl before spinning around with a fierce grin on his face.

"Alright, alright, I see how it is." He advanced again, and I barely had time to register his next move before he was throwing a series of lightning-quick jabs that had me stepping back, dodging frantically to avoid each one.

But something felt different today-faster reflexes, sharper senses, the adrenaline thrumming through me, making every movement feel like I was on fire. It was as if my wolf was stronger than ever, her very being pulsing beneath my skin.

And as I twisted away, I caught sight of a figure standing just outside the ring, leaning casually against the ropes, watching us with a slight smirk. Noah.

I straightened, glancing at him; but he just tilted his head at me.

"Mind if I join?" he asked.

Drake raised an eyebrow, glancing between us before smirking. "About time you showed up. Thought I was the only one willing to get roughed up by your mate."

I chuckled, stepping toward the ropes, ready to let the two of them spar, but Noah held up a hand and stopped me in my tracks.

"Not you, Drake." He gestured toward me. "I want to spar with Hannah today, if you don't mind."

For a second, I was caught off guard, blinking up at him. We hadn't trained together in

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Chapter 0496

some time, what with how busy we both were these days. We sparred occasionally, sure, but usually only in private-one of those things that always ended with more laughter and other things than fighting.

But now, here he was, challenging me in the ring. And the way he looked at me told me he was serious.

Drake laughed, clapping me on the back as he stepped out of the ring. "Well, good luck, Hannah. You'll need it." He winked as he passed Noah. "Go easy on her. Or don't. I don't give a shit."

I watched Drake retreat to the sidelines, my heart racing, and turned to Noah, who was already stepping into the ring and tugging his shirt off.

"You're serious?" I asked, my gaze narrowing as I took a fighting stance, arms raised." I've gotten a lot better since the last time we trained together."

Noah just chuckled. "I can see that. But I'd like to experience you myself, just to see why Drake always leaves the ring these days looking like he's been dragged to hell and back."

"Hey!" Drake shouted from the sidelines, just causing us both to laugh.

And with that, Noah lunged forward, faster than I'd expected. His movement forced me to sidestep just in time. He was quick-always had been-but I could see the flicker of surprise in his eyes as I blocked his next jab, countering with one of my own. We fell into a rhythm, both of us testing the other and moving in perfect sync as we circled, ducked, and struck. My wolf seemed to intensify as we ducked and whirled, jabbed and kicked. I swore I felt like I might shift at any moment, so much so that it was an effort to keep myself in this form.

"You're faster than before," Noah remarked, dodging my right hook and responding with a swift kick that I just barely managed to block.

"Maybe I'm stronger than you think," I replied, swinging low and forcing him to step back. He let out a low chuckle, his eyes glinting in the dim lights. "That's what I'm counting on."

With that, he advanced again, his movements faster and more intense this time. I felt his hands brush past my arm as I dodged, and I spun to counter, swinging a jab that he deflected with his forearm. But I was quick to recover, shifting my stance and landing another blow to his shoulder, throwing him off-balance for a split second.

For a heartbeat, he stilled, surprise flickering across his face as he looked at me, and then that familiar grin spread across his lips. "Nice. But I'm not going down that easily."

"I wasn't counting on it," I replied, grinning back.

And then we were back at it, our movements fluid, the sounds of our sharp breaths and quick footsteps filling the ring. My pulse was pounding in my ears, my focus razor-sharp.

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My vision ebbed and flowed, bursts of color thrumming around me as my wolf lended me all of her strength.

Something in me was heightened today, although I didn't know what. I was relentless, refusing to slow down, even as the muscles in my arms and legs began to burn. And I could see it in Noah's eyes he was impressed, maybe even a little proud, although he was careful to hide it.

Finally, I saw my opening. He'd left his left side exposed, just slightly, and I didn't hesitate. Lunging forward, I threw him off balance, my momentum carrying us both to the ground. Before he could react, I was on top of him, pinning his arms down, breathing hard as I looked down at him.

For a second, we just stared at each other, both of us catching our breath, our faces inches apart. His eyes were bright, but his expression was somewhere between shock and amusement.

"Gotcha," I whispered, a triumphant grin spreading across my face.

Noah just looked up at me, his chest still heaving from the exertion, and after a beat, he laughed softly.

"You got me indeed," he murmured, his gaze softening as he looked up at me. "Guess I underestimated you."

"Guess you did," I replied, although I could tell he'd let me win, at least partly. There was no denying it in the way he'd slowed down, the way he'd left that opening, just for me.

But as I looked down at him, his expression softened, and there was something else there, something that went beyond pride or amusement. And then, as I held him there, his hands still pinned beneath mine, he gave me that smile-that familiar, crooked smile that made my heart skip a beat, the one that said, "You're everything."

He didn't have to say a word. The look in his eyes, the warmth in his smile-it was enough to make my heart flutter.

"Sheesh," Drake grumbled, turning and storming away. "Get a room, you two.