Page 149 of King Luna

Swallowing hard, I try not to focus on the heavy pressure in my chest, knowing what I say next could cost the lives of the living, breathing wolves behind me.

I mindlink my opinion anyway.Go ahead. I trust your judgment.

Straightening, Noah breaks the silence. “You really want to do this, Hart? This is a much different game if you're challenging the world's top pack leaders.”

Mason’s wolf stands rigid—still refusing to shift. And now that he's no longer in our pack, he can't mindlink with us to respond.

When multiple Alphas slip through from behind us, joining Mason’s side, Noah's confidence plummets. I’ve never seen him lose faith in his leadership like this.

Fuck, Luna... Nope, this really isn't just Mason's offshoot pack—

Logan is the last to limp to Mason's side, everyone's eyes on him as he drags the leg Noah broke. “You sureyouwant to do this, Greenfield? It’s not too late to change your mind. Admit you’re all weak as fuck against Alphas. Since you clearly aren’t one.”

More negative attention is drawn to my fresh mark on Noah’s neck than ever before, Mason's pack showing their teeth.

Even if Noah was 100% Omega, he just triumphed over every Alpha here. It makes no sense to keep denying his strength.

But this isn’t about strength. This is a show of power.

Mason meets my eyes just before I look behind us—seeing who’s still faithful to Noah as King Alpha. My stomach drops, realizing we only have 50 pairs of wolves left, whereas Mason’s Alpha-domination pack must have at least 400 angry Alpha men and a small grouping of subservient top Lunas.

When I turn back to the Alpha-domination Super Pack, Mason is still staring at me. His glare slithers up my spine.

Could that really be Steven? And if so, does he realize what I made him disclose mere hours ago?

It’s true that these Alphas have extra muscle mass, but I feel gross admitting their physical capabilities when that’s what they want. At the same time, I can’t deny we’re in major trouble with a pack of only Alphas; like Noah said, Omegas rarely receive the same training, and Betas aren’t as socially encouraged to train, unless it interests them. Viktor’s pack is large, but if we’remainly counting on his young, able-bodied Alphas to protect us, we may only have a slight advantage. We’re also facing off against a handful of the top Alphas in the world that just joined Mason’s side—and Alphas who don’t give a fuck about fighting by the rules.

Wolves might be designed to defend their loved ones from other wolves in short scuffles rather than wasting energy taking another wolf’s life, but I’m certain these Alphas have different intentions. As Mason continues to glower at us, it’s clear he came to kill.

Viktor whispers to Noah, and Mason bristles.

“Don’t talk!” Logan yells. “This isn’t a conference between packs. It’s a takeover by the rightful leaders.”

“No, it’s not. I recognize every single one of you: you're on our Alpha-domination cult blacklist. But where’s Jack Hart? Is he your true top Alpha, or are you all just shitty Jack copycats?” Noah says.

Mason releases a fierce growl, inching closer.

I grip Noah’s arm, numb to my raging heartbeat beyond its pressure in my chest.

Breathe, Luna. I'm stalling while Vik calls his pack for backup,Noah says.

Try not to instigate them. They’re on the verge of snapping, and I’m too confused to know what to do.

Confused?Noah asks.

Yes. They should’ve attacked us while we were mating. And we know they’re not honestly trying to talk this through—compromise isn’t an option for them. Why are they also stalling?

Fuck... I don’t know. I didn’t realize that until you said it. That’s...Noah’s hope drops in our bond. With it, my skin erupts in fearful goosebumps.

I have to figure this out—to save this pup I’m carrying, my loving mate, and the future of every Lycan. Ineedto.

Their behavior just doesn’t make sense.

But that’s exactly what they want me to feel. They aren’t playing by Lycan rules; they’re playing by abusive ones.

This is a game I know how to survive.

Hope rebuilds in my chest. With it, Noah’s shoulders settle beside me.

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