Page 12 of King Luna

“Bluebears,” Lexi says, sucking back snot. Noah smiles, wiping it off for her with his sleeve.

I straighten Lexi’s rumpled shirt. “Yes, blueberries! Your mommies also said it’s okay if we have some chocolate too while we watch our movie. What do you think of that?”

Lexi’s head lifts, her curls poking out in every direction. She beams up at me with puffy eyes, finally giving me a smile.

Noah’s deep chuckle widens Lexi’s grin. She turns to him, gripping his chin with her little hand and letting out a bright squeal of excitement.

“Chocolate and blueberries, coming right up!” Handing Noah the remote, I giggle as Lexi peeks over Noah’s wide shoulder, keeping her eyes on me while I fetch her favorite snacks.

Noah flips to the kids’ selection of movies for us to watch. “Good thing you’re a Lycan, Lex. Chocolate would be a sad favorite food to have as a wolf-wolf.”

“Choc-it! Woof woof!” Lexi’s volume raises, drawing a deeper laugh out of Noah.

“‘Woof woof’ works too.”

“Woof woof!”

Noah’s bright giggles fill the living room, followed by Lexi’s huffing, excited breath as she squishes his cheeks, marveling at his scruffy jaw.

With one hand gripping the sink handle, the other holding a colander of blueberries, I’m frozen, marveling at them. Lexi plops herself back against Noah’s chest, giving an excited shout at her favorite movie’s opening title appearing on the TV.

As I fetch Lexi’s baby-proof bowls for us to use, my heart won’t stop flipping in delight. I keep checking over my shoulder, afraid I’m dreaming a good dream for once—that I’ll be sad to wake up instead of relieved. But no, this is real.

I have to pause. Staring at the picture of the two of them, my eager hands press over Noah’s growing child in my womb. An excitement bursts through our bond that I haven’t let myself feel in a while, gratitude filling me for a chance at a future like this.

Sweeping my hand down my belly, I resort to filling our bowls with one hand, unable to convince myself to let go of our baby. The deepest love I’ve ever felt lifts my soul higher and higher, and they’re not even here yet.

Noah turns over his shoulder, meeting my eyes.I love you.

I love you so much. I can’t wait to give you this pup.

Noah’s mouth is covered by the couch cushions, but as his eyes squint in the most delighted smile, I beam at him, unable to stay away from his side a second longer.

Carrying an armful of snacks to two of my favorite Lycans, I snuggle into Noah’s side. Like clockwork, Lexi scrambles off Noah’s lap, wedging herself between us.

Noah laughs, freeing me from one of Lexi’s straying legs as it flings over my lap. “Be careful with Auntie Aliya’s belly.”

“Belly. Annie ‘Liya.” Lexi snags a fistful of blueberries from my bowl, ready to cram them into her mouth.

I catch Lexi’s hand just in time, sputtering into laughter as I pry most of them from her shockingly powerful grip. “One blueberry at a time, please.”

Mumbling into her palm as she munches on her surviving berry, Lexi stares at the TV, no longer caring about anything I could say if it’s not about blueberries or chocolate.

Noah chuckles, draping his arm around my shoulders. I lean into his warmth, drooping into the couch in a sudden exhaustion. Just as my neck softens beneath his touch on my shoulder, a mindlink interrupts my thoughts.

I’m so sorry, I know I said I wouldn’t mindlink you, but I can’t help it,Amy says.

I shake my head as I smile.I love you, A. I knew you’d do this.

Just you wait until I’m watching Baby Greenfield for you. You’ll nag me all night too.

I bite my lips, holding my breath to stave off a laugh. Noah glances at me, and I grin, mindlinking him.Amy’s already asking about sweet Lexi.

I don’t blame her. I was about ready to die inside, watching her so upset,Noah says.

My heart flips at his sincerity. He braved so much stress and fear for us tonight. But I blink a few times, refocusing on Amy’s worries as she floods my mind.

How did she handle it when we left? Is she okay now? Is she still crying, or not as much, at least?

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