Page 103 of King Luna

As everyone falls silent, our Alphas give us one last hug and kiss before lining up on the field.

Tane and Noah not only won yesterday’s preliminary rounds, but absolutely obliterated their opponent’s chances—many within mere seconds. Alphas scowl as our mates pass them, forced to take their seats alongside us Lunas.

Viktor’s voice carries across the field in the wind. “Beside me are the top nine Alphas of this year’s Alpha Summit.”

He pauses as wolves howl. The spiking excitement in everyone’s pheromones only adds to my dread.

“After today’s first round of semi-finals, there will only be five of us left at the top. Without an even number for pair fighting, it’s King’s choice who gets to sit out for round two.”

Viktor glances at Noah, and my stomach drops.

Noah gave me his prediction this morning: he thinks Viktor will let him have a break, leaving him with no excuses. He’ll be in top condition to fight Viktor as hard as he can, and he’ll have to go all out to earn back Viktor’s trust.

“That leaves us with the battle we’re all here for.” As Viktor lowers the volume of his voice, the crowd seems to hold their breath; the only sound left is the wind whispering through the trees. “The top two, fighting to be this year's King—the top Alpha of the entire world.”

Noah hasn’t looked at me, and I’m grateful for it. My heart pounds hard enough to pulse at my temples, leaving me fidgeting in my seat.

“The rules are as follows.” Viktor’s expression darkens, his smoky Alpha musk stinging my eyes from here. “No one goes for the throat, no bashing heads, and no biting spines—or tails. Fucking hate that.” The crowd laughs, but Viktor bends, glancing to the end of the Alpha lineup. “Which reminds me—”

Viktor points at Noah, his smirk rising.

Annika buries her face into my shoulder with a groan. “Oh, Goddess, I can feel what he’s thinking, that big jerk. Sorry, Luna...”

“Thanks to you, Pacific Northwest Alpha, and you, Aotearoa Alpha, there’s a new rule that we’re shifting into our wolves at the start of every fight so this doesn’t turn into a fucking boxing ring.”

With Tane’s booming chuckle, Noah breaks into shy giggles that seem out of place in a line of stoic Alphas, but I absolutely love it.

My sweet Alpha-Omega,I mindlink.

As Noah meets my eyes, his wide smile allows me to smile with him.

Annika sighs. “Okay, that was better than I thought.”

“Did you think Viktor would be openly upset with Noah in front of everyone?”

“I don't know. But Vik's still angry about last year no matter what I say—as you know.”

“I tried to tell Noah why Viktor was offended too. I'm sure holding back comes across as infantilizing.”

“Well, it’s not exactly Noah’s fault. Vik has a big ego, and it gets him in trouble no matter how much I love it. If Noah didn't submit last year, Vik would've hurt himself beyond his limits, and—” She shakes her head, and my throat tightens.

So is the real story that Noah showed too much mercy? Or did Viktor basically lose, and he refused to submit?

What the hell is Viktor planning to do today, then?

“So you think he’s going to say something else to Noah?” I whisper.

“I think they both haveplentyto say to each other.” Annika’s expression darkens. “And they probably won't use their words.”

I swallow hard. Annika’s soothing scent wafts over me with her apologetic smile.

“Other than that, the main rule is—” Viktor spreads his arms, separating from the Alpha lineup with a hop in each step. “We fight to submission. Let’s get to it!”

I groan into my hands, speechless from my mate’s excitable wolf.

Except it’s not his wolf brawling with his competitor—it’s his human form.

“Every damn year—” Waimarie yelps, gripping my arm tighter as our mates lunge for each other.

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