Page 125 of King Luna

I can’t smile; my heart aches as we separate, Noah's soft smile peeking over his shoulder as he crosses the field.

It's even worse on the sidelines, knowing I have to return the happy baby in my arms. I try not to show it, giving Annika a warm smile. “Thank you so much for your help, Luna. Markus is such a sweetheart that it’s hard to let go of him.”

“Oh, mama, you can keep holding him! Actually, I want you to.”

My heart flips. “What? Are you sure that’ll feel okay for your wolf while you’re under so much stress during Viktor’s fight too?”

“Yes, actually. I trust you to protect him as well as I can. Probably even better with your tough Alpha side. Which reminds me, Luna—” Annika presses to my side, speaking as low as she can. “I want you to know that I trust you, in general. That if you do become my Queen Luna, I’ll protect you just like you’ve protected and honored me. You’re a true ally, mama.”

Too touched for words, I nuzzle Annika’s head on instinct.

I’m surprised by how much she purrs in reaction, inspiring a fresh smile despite my anxiety. Wolves really do love affection.

Including me. I rarely used to touch anyone, but my body feels so content now despite puking my guts out a bit ago. Annika knew exactly what I needed, just like a mother wolf.

“I want to be just like you for our baby,” I whisper.

Annika squeezes my hand, her chin dropping to her chest. “Oh, Luna. That’s too sweet.”

As we join Waimarie and Tane relaxing on the sidelines, I attempt to share their warm greeting. But as Waimarie and Annika huddle on either side of me, whispering soft reassurances, I track every Alpha in the vicinity, watching for who supports Matthew the loudest.

They must be watching me too; I can’t seem to track who does what, most wolves keeping their voices hushed and remaining as far as they can from Noah and me—likely anticipating our wolf hearing to be above average too.

Johannes gives his official announcement for the second round of battles in the semi-finals, pairing Matthew with Noah, as expected. Viktor will face off against the Thailand Alpha afterward, leaving the Brazil Alpha to battle whoever wins Viktor’s round.

With that, the top five Alphas strip, preparing to shift into their wolves. As the rest of the Alpha Summit wolves erupt into howls, Noah finally glances at me, his chest bare.

His cool, collected demeanor is nothing like his emotions in our bond, boiling with excitement.I love you, okay? It’s going to be okay.

I stand, rocking the little Omega in my arms.Listen to me for a second, Noah.

He eyes me in acknowledgment, forcing Johannes to wait to start the battle as Noah slowly peels off the last of his ceremonial gear.

My heart hammers; I’m not sure what he’ll think of this, but I have to try.

Your Omega is powerful too,I mindlink.I don’t think your power is sectioned off into just your Alpha side. Your Omega has faced everything head-on, no matter who attacks him. He's brave, he's beautifully vulnerable, and I'm so proud of him. Let him show everyone he’s someone to be proud of too.

Noah doesn’t say anything, but when he launches himself into his wolf form in a swift jump, electricity charges every black paw.

Don’t worry, Luna. You’ve inspired me since the day we met. Whether it’s this year or next, I’m going to be the first King Alpha-Omega, just like you’re our first hybrid Luna.

My breath hitches, and Noah’s wolf bounds across the field, teasing the crowd as they dash away from him. I have to laugh.

And just like you transformed our pack for the better, we'll all be better wolves for it if we rule the global pack. They’ll be lucky to have you as their Queen Luna, and the first Omega-Alpha to do so,Noah says.

As my mate approaches Matthew’s nude, human form, my heart pounds into my throat so heavily that I can't swallow.

When Matthew shifts, I feel even sicker; Noah’s black wolf is only marginally larger than Matthew’s stormy-brown wolf. If this is the strongest Alpha-domination pack leader we know of, I have a terrible feeling about the damage he could accomplish if Mason follows through with my ambush theory.

The second Johannes announces the start of the fight, Matthew’s paddle-like paw swipes for Noah.

But my mate is already leaping, punting Matthew into the dirt with a vicious snarl. He clamps his jaws over Matthew's snout and body-slams him, preventing the Alpha from wriggling free.

They're not going to touch us this time, Luna. None of them.

My heart speeds into a sprint, my wolf pacing faster in our bond as Noah’s fury riles me up.

In him, I see the defender I needed when Steven broke down my door to get his hands on me.

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