Page 141 of King Luna

Noah deflates, his stare dropping to his feet. He must have his puppy-dog eyes on. “My poor Luna has been through hell. We just got a tip from her ex that Jack might’ve killed our dads. And it turns out her ex was lying about who he was, and he’s been Mason Hart this whole fucking time.”

Reid blinks rapidly, his jaw tensing. “What?”

“We haven’t seen Mason’s face to confirm it. But either way, I think her ex is a wolf. And even if Steven is still a separate person, he could’ve killed our dads just the same.”

Reid grips Noah's shoulders. “Breathe. We'll find him, and stop him—them. I promise you.”

Noah groans. “Fuck, man. All that I know for sure is that this can’t fucking happen again. I won’t let it. These Alpha-domination fuckers need to be stopped before they start believing they’re too invincible.”

Reid nods as I approach them. Gazing at their profiles, I find Reid’s expression is just as solemn and furious as Noah’s. “Vik’s ego is his main focus tonight, which means it’s also his weakness. He doesn’t have a higher motivation like you for the greater good. Use it. Become our King. My King.” Reid meets my eyes. “Her King.”

Noah’s heart lifts out of every dark fog Steven draped over it today, inspiring me into a full grin. I grip my heart as Noah crashes into Reid’s arms, met by just as heavy of a hug. Relief floods our bond, Reid’s soothing presence reminding us we’re not by ourselves in this.

God, this is exactly what Noah needed: a loving Alpha’s father-like reassurance. I’m so grateful.

Reid sighs. “I know you think this is your fight, but you can always count on me. Don’t you dare wait to call me if you need me.”

Noah chuckles over Reid’s shoulder, and his shaky breath melts my heart.

I meet Reid’s shy glance and break into a smile. “Thank you, Alpha.”

All Reid does is break into a soft grin, but I can smell his pride from here. He loves Noah too, ready to fight for his lifelong friend.

As Noah speeds to the field for the fight, Reid and I follow at his sides.

“What’s going on? You're not focused,” Reid says.

“Yas and I are discussing Jack and Steven/Mason. If there's a chance they'll ambush Greenfield, we need to double our security. But not enough to leave anything vulnerable in case it’s a diversion tactic.”

My rib cage tightens. “Will all of this distract you from focusing on Viktor?”

Noah stops at the edge of the field, his chest puffing higher by the second. “No. It’s only reminding me why this is so fucking important.”

He cups my cheeks in his hands, planting a soft kiss on my lips. I grip his shoulders, begging for another. With a low chuckle, Noah scoops his hand behind my head, immersing his fingers into my hair to kiss me even deeper. His Alpha musk seeps into my bones, allowing me to relax despite the pressure we both feel from every angle.

“I love you. I’ll be right back, okay?” Pulling back with a sly grin, Noah’s wolf comes out to play—a flash of his incisors greeting me in his smile, just before he turns his gaze away from me.

My heartbeat catches. “Wait!”

Noah’s eyes widen as I grip his arms, not allowing him to pull away.

He's under so much pressure. I want to give him a fun incentive to win. Something that appeals to his playful, mischievous wolf.

The one who’s about to become King.

I draw Noah closer, kissing his cheek before whispering into his ear. “When you become King, and we confirm we’re safe from harm, I’ll lay myself down for you on the field to mate me in any way you’d like. If you’re too tired to move, I’ll mate you in front of everyone—” Gliding my hand up his chest, I stir my wolf into action as Noah’s lungs inflate in anticipation. “And show them how much I love you with a fresh mark on your neck.”

When I trace my scarred bite mark on his scent gland, Noah shudders. I capture his heavy breath with a kiss. Noah hums against my lips, his scent flourishing with a hint of lust as his hands wrap around my waist.

But to my surprise, it’s not Noah’s Alpha musk that presents itself. Drawing me closer, Noah breathes through our kiss, his heart racing beneath my palm as his cinnamon sweet scent brightens into the hyacinth I smell in our bond. Huffing through our kiss, I pull back, dazzled by his eyes flashing golden for me. In my heart, I see it; he’s going to do this. He will be King Alpha—and he’ll achieve it with his Omega side, alone.

Keeping my voice as low as possible, I give Noah a gentle nuzzle. “Your pup and I will be waiting for you, my sweet Omega.”

Sucking in a tight breath, Noah freezes, his eyes flitting between mine as I step back. As he breaks into a flustered smile, Noah’s wolf bristles in our bond, and his human form rushes to cover his bare groin. I giggle as Noah glances at his ex with flaming red cheeks.

Noah grins. “Protect my feisty Luna for me, will you?”

With Reid’s nod, Noah shifts into his hulking wolf.

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