Page 13 of King Luna

Hang on, I’m sending you a text,I say.

Snapping a secret picture of Lexi and Noah snuggled up on the couch beside me, I smile wide, sending it to Amy and Kira.

We had a small rough patch, but we’re all good now!I mindlink Amy.

Thank the Goddess. I’m so glad she loves you both so much. Also, Kira and I are dying; Lex looks like a tiny doll against ourAlpha’s massive pecs. Anyway, don’t work too hard, A. I’ll see you soon!

No, you won’t! Take a break, and have fun with Kira! Get frisky if you want to—we can stay as late as you need us to after we put her to bed. Noah and I like to curl up on the couch to chat until late at night anyway. We’re all good here, A.

But as soon as I say that, Noah and I are mindlinked by someone else.

Where are you both?Lilian asks.

I freeze, whipping my head to Noah. He remains perfectly still, his eyebrows knitted. Only Noah’s eyes drift to meet mine, not wanting to disturb Lexi despite the shared concern rising in our bond.

Noah is likely thinking the same thing I am: his mom never reaches out like this. Especially not to Noah.

We’re babysitting Lexi at Amy and Kira’s place. Would you like to come over?I ask Lilian.

Lilian doesn’t answer at first. I straighten, alarm tightening my chest until she replies.Oh, it’s okay. I stopped by your cabin, but I’ll figure it out.

Okay, this really isn’t right. Lilian might be implying something is wrong, but her brushing it off makes me think her situation must be even worse than if she openly admitted she needs our help. And whatever it is, she came all the way to our cabin to confide in us—even though her relationship with Noah still holds an uneven pace.

Noah’s uneasy feeling heightens in our bond, raising my shoulders as he mindlinks me privately.I don’t know what's best. Should I leave you here with Lexi and go meet her, or have her come here? Would it even be okay to invite her over?

When he looks at me, I nod.I’m ready to help her however we need to. She’s been invited over here a bunch of times whilewe were planning for the daycare, so as long as Lexi is safe, I think Amy and Kira will understand.

As if he’s unable to wait a second longer, Noah’s focus zips off mine as he mindlinks Lilian.Mom, please come over—no questions asked. Are you with someone who can drive you, or can I come pick you up?

No response.

Noah tenses, closing his eyes. When he reopens them, they’re half shifted, a stark green staring back in alarm.Wait, Mom, are you shifted?

Yes,she says. My stomach lurches into my throat. Did she need to defend herself from someone, and that’s what’s wrong?I’ll be there soon.

Noah doesn’t need to speak to tell me he’s alarmed; his shell-shocked stare, alone, drops my heart to my feet.

“Would you like to sit on my lap for a bit, Lex?” I open my arms up for Lexi. Thankfully, she crawls into my lap right away, settling her back against my chest as she continues to watch her movie.

Noah shuffles off the couch, keeping his movements slow and steady despite the rippling concern in our bond.Thank you. Sorry that I’m so worried. I don’t mean to scare you.

No, I’m worried too. Are you going to meet her outside?

Yes.Readjusting our blanket over Lexi and me, Noah’s voice softens for Lexi. “I’ll be right back in a minute, okay? I’m just grabbing Grandma Lilian.”

My heart flips hearing him call Lilian “Grandma,” giving me another glimpse into the future. I wish I felt settled enough to enjoy it.

You don’t think her being shifted means she’s being followed and needs backup, do you?I ask.

Oh, no. If she shifted, they probably already learned the hard way that they fucked with the wrong wolf. They’re lucky if they’re getting away alive. Something else must be wrong.

I blink a few times, startled. I knew Noah came from an intensely powerful father in Alpha Ritchie, but I haven’t witnessed any situation in which Lilian had to fight. With how fierce she can be, I shouldn’t be so surprised Noah thinks this highly of her strength.

Noah strides to the plushy chair in the living room’s opposite corner, grasping a fresh blanket. He’s already ten steps ahead of my train of thought—from what it sounds like, his mom likely had to shift in an emergency, leaving her with no clothes to change into once she arrives.

But by the time Noah opens Amy’s door, Lilian is already here.

I jump off the couch, my jaw tightening as I clutch Lexi closer, holding her on my hip. Lilian is, indeed, fully naked on Amy’s doorstep, hurrying into the blanket Noah provides.

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