Page 129 of King Luna

“Good. Go out there, and express yourself. Including your Omega side that needs protection too. He deserves it.”

Noah’s growl comes to a halt, but his piercing stare shifts into something so strong that I have to look away.

Holy shit, he’s catching my insides on fire. I’d never want to have to take him down. Not in a million years.

But that fact doesn’t terrify me.

He gives me hope again.

I struggle to catch my breath as Noah stalks away from me, ready for his next assignment with fury in every step.

Viktor’s latest opponent—already humiliated from submitting—dives away from Noah’s mere stare. As Noah strides to Viktor’s side for Johannes’s official congratulations of this year’s two top Alphas—and tomorrow’s competitors for the King title—wolves howl across the entire field in celebration.

But Viktor’s eyes are glued to Noah. Locking onto my mate, Viktor stiffens, jealousy overpowering his clenched jaw.

My stomach rolls, weakening my knees.

I don't know how I'm going to get through this.

But I have to. For Noah, and for the safety of all wolves.

Chapter 28

Thankfully, Reid’s wounds healed faster than expected with the best medics in the world available at the Alpha Summit. But that means Reid and Noah have been strategizing all morning, sparring in a secluded, nearby field, preparing Noah to face off against Viktor tonight. They’re startlingly aggressive with each other, pausing only if the other bleeds a bit too much—which, unfortunately for my reeling head, has already happened twice.

My wolf is having none of it, her tail twitching in a last attempt to keep from snapping at her mate. Logically, I’m aware Noah’s PTSD is still at its peak, heightening his upset around aggressive Alphas, but it doesn’t stop his agitation from riling me up too.

It’s time to step away from this nonsense, Little Wolf.With a hand on our baby, I walk away from my mate at the edge of the field, settling myself onto a nearby boulder—my back to their snarls.

Even from back here, my stomach won’t stop flipping. Vivid images of every horrible thing that could happen spill across my mind.

What if my stress makes Noah and Viktor actually hurt each other during the battle?

The second I create an opening, darkness floods my mind.

Good point! What if Viktor goes on a rampage? Or what if Noah does? He could turn around and lash out at you right now!

I flinch at the thought, picturing Noah scarring my arm—just like I scarred his.

Gritting my teeth, I struggle to keep my focus on the present. How could I even think something like that? Noah wouldn't hurt me.

Or, what ifyougo on a rampage, and you accidentally kill every wolf here before you realize what you’re doing?

What? That makes no sense. I'dneverdo that.

You’re right! I meant Noah. What ifNoahkills Viktor by mistake and your lives are over? Your pup will grow up fatherless!

I suddenly recognize my thought pattern, snapping me out of my head.

Dammit. My intrusive thoughts are out of control, and I’m feeding into them way too far. That must be why I feel this familiar vague, never-ending urgency that something horrible is about to happen.

I take a deep breath, focusing on what’s actually happening in front of me: maybe Noah will get hurt tonight, or maybe he’ll make sure he’s safe for our future pup, like he promised. I can’t control him. That's all I know.

My stomach settles just enough for me to sit without feeling worried about getting sick.

Then my phone chimes in my jacket pocket. It’s so unfamiliar these days that it startles me.

Everyone important to me is in our pack, so they’ll just mindlink me instead of texting or calling. What if it’s urgent?

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