Page 101 of King Luna

Oh, babe. You didn’t think I rejected you back then, did you?

My stomach rumbles.At first. But knowing you, I trust you’ll always come around to understanding me.

Damn right. I wasn’t disapproving of you, A; I was rightfully scared. It was like you sent my wolf into full primal survival mode. I submitted in awe of your badass, terrifyingly powerful scent.

My eyes jut open. Was Noah right about me? That these wolves responding to me at the Summit aren’t a fluke, and I’m actually strong?

Ask her tomorrow before you jump to conclusions,Amy says.And if her answer is that she doesn’t accept you, fuck her. We all love you too much to have your time wasted on anyone who doesn’t get on the same page. Don't let anyone hold my Omega-Alpha best friend down, got it?

Even though my heart spikes into my throat at the thought of confronting Annika directly tomorrow, I smile. Amy holds my heart and mind in just as deep of love as Noah’s snuggling arms, the two of them wrapping me in warmth.

Amy’s right. I don’t want to solely be myself tomorrow, showing up as an Omega-Alpha; I want to show the sweet man huddled up to me that he can do the same. That at the very least, the ones who stay beside us when they see our true selves are the only ones who count.

Chapter 23

The following afternoon, Waimarie sits alone in the sidelines, her long black hair fluttering in the wind. Overcast skies aren’t strong enough to dim her vivid smile when she spots me. My shoulders settle as she opens her arms wide, hugging me twice as close; our mates are the ones facing off first today.

“You did it,” Waimarie whispers beside my ear. “You got through the worst part: daring to face the world again after sharing your truth.”

My stomach flips. She’s right. Noah’s jaw looks tighter this afternoon as well—although, I’m sure a large portion of his frustration stems from the Alphas smacking and growling at one another across the vast field.

Sighing, I plop into my seat beside Waimarie. “Thank you for voicing that for me. I’m mainly worried about Noah.”

Waimarie nods, taking my hand. I give her palm a soft squeeze, smiling when she meets my eyes.

But Waimarie tames her smile as she leans in, her scent emanating concern. “Were you worried about what I might think of you now as well?”

I drop my focus to our clasped hands. “Well... I can’t say I wasn’t.”

“That’s understandable. Are you worried about what Annika thinks?”

Checking over my shoulder, I lower my voice. “Is it that obvious?”

Waimarie chuckles. “No, darling. But I can only imagine. We may act like Alpha-domination cultists are extremists, but Tane and I have had many discussions about how we can continue to dismantle the everyday Alpha-domination beliefs that have grown up alongside us. It’s not as contained as it may seem, and it’s quite rare to spot top Alphas mated to any Alpha-like Lunas. I imagine you are in quite a tough place, you and your dear Noah.”

I release a massive sigh. “You have no idea what it’s like to hear someone else say that. I know we don’tneedanyone’s acceptance, per se, but it certainly makes us safer. Thank you.”

As I dare to turn back to Waimarie with flaming cheeks, my heart softens; Waimarie beams brightly enough to crinkle her gorgeous eyes, snuggling up close to my side with an affectionate cheek nuzzle.

My eyes well at the adoration in her scent. As Noah glances at me from across the field, I know he can feel how deeply Waimarie touched my heart; his gaze lingers, our bond unwinding in relief.

I love you,Noah mindlinks.

I love you too.

Tane makes his way over, his smile widening. “Lunas!”

“Alpha!” Waimarie throws her arms in the air, ready to accept Tane’s incoming kiss.

These two hurt my cheeks from grinning too hard alongside them. I laugh, blinking hard when Tane’s hand not only comes down over Waimarie’s head to ruffle her hair, but swoops my way to give my arm a hefty tap.

“You know Florida only harassed you yesterday because he’s terrified of you, eh? You’re a force to be reckoned with, I reckon.” Tane grins.

My heart flips. All I can do is stare at the massive man before me, struggling to grasp how he could be claiming I’m powerful too.

As Noah strides up behind Tane, he chuckles. “Told you.”

Tane whips his head around. “Who, me? Or your Luna?”

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