Page 160 of King Luna

“What’s all this?! That is so sweet!”

Annika drapes the robe over my shoulders. “We really do want to pamper you. Get back in bed, Queen Luna.”

“Ah, I see. So this is the queen treatment?” I laugh as I shuffle back to my blanket nest. “I’ll get back in bed, but I don’t want to be treated like I’m above anyone else for being Queen Luna. Winning the Summit competition was Noah’s victory.”

Waimarie pulls the covers back over me, smoothing them over my lap before laying the beautiful breakfast tray over my thighs. “What if wewantto treat you? You saved our lives yesterday, along with countless people we love.”

My heart jolts. They look so earnest.

But I can’t bear to hold their kind stares. Glancing at the delightful plate of food in my lap, I sigh, picking at my thumbnail; no matter how hungry I am, I can’t stomach the thought of eating while gory intrusive thoughts flood my mind from last night—which also means it’s extra difficult to see their point. I don’t feel like there’s anything to thank me for, considering the damage that was done by the Super Pack anyway. As far as anyone told Noah and me before I finally fell asleep, there were over three hundred injured wolves, at least forty-three of them critically injured, and counting.

Even if no one were injured, just the fact the Super Pack got this far sears a wound in my heart; this many Alphas decided it was okay to destroy our safety, no matter the cost. Unlike a physical wound, an ideology can’t be erased. How can something like this be repaired?

But I try my best to smile for the kind women in front of me. “Okay, fine, especially because this food is absolutely beautiful and so thoughtful, so thank you. But don’t call me Queen, or anything. Aliya or Luna is fine.”

Annika and Waimarie share a sneaky smile, raising my eyebrows.

“Was that insensitive? I’m sorry,” I say.

Annika grins. “Not at all. We’ll accept your request on what to call you. We still want to mom you, though, especially before the King Alpha ceremony tonight.”

I drop my stare, my heart twisting. She remembered how much their maternal kindness meant to me, earlier in the Summit—knowing I don’t have a mom to confide in.

The thought of Mom’s reassuring hugs stings. Cupping my belly, I ache for her more than ever. How scared must she have been, pregnant with me and immersed into this Lycan world, but with no way to shift and defend herself like I can? How did she get through it without having her mom nearby?

Drawing my hand into her lap, Waimarie massages every bone in my hand. “Not hungry?”

“Just a little woozy after last night,” I mutter.

Annika copies Waimarie on my other arm, squeezing up and down my sore arms until I droop into the pillows, letting out a huge sigh.

Annika giggles. “There you go. Relax, Luna. The worst is over now. You’ve provided the whole Summit with a sense of true, quiet peace.”

My heart flips. I lift my head, surprised to find both women staring back so lovingly. Annika isn’t exaggerating; even as the Lycan world weighs us all down, Waimarie and Annika wear carefree smiles, their gentle voices carrying far more genuine, relaxed tones.

Annika’s smile falters. “I do want to deeply apologize to you, though, Luna. We thought we had vetted everyone protecting our borders, but one quiet, older Alpha within our pack snuck them in one or two at a time, allowing them to assemble up in the mountains.”

Waimarie groans. “One single Alpha traitor, enabling all that damage. Can you believe it? How can you even vet against something like that?”

“All it takes is one,” I mutter. “And Waimarie’s right; it’s not your fault what they decided to do to us, Anni.”

Dropping her head, Annika bites her lip, her touched, watery eyes leaving an ache in my chest.

“Did anyone—” I swallow hard, my heart hammering. “Did anyone die?”

I can hardly bear to whisper those terrifying words.

The last thing I expect is for Waimarie to break into the warmest smile, her dark eyes shining in the soft lamplight. “No, Luna.No onedied. We stopped them in time; not even anyone in the Super Pack had to die.”

My lip wobbles before her words fully hit. Gripping my exhausted heart, I close my eyes, releasing a heavy, relieved sob.

“Oh,sweetheart...” Annika gives my arm a deeper rub, swirling soothing pressure over me until I lie limp, only my chest shuddering through tears. “You have the kindest soul.”

As the Lunas massage my arms, shoulders, and legs in silence, humming a soft song together, they allow me to cry, only stopping to hand me tissues for my runny nose.

When my tears run dry, I find myself smiling, my heart lighter than ever.

“How did you manage to heal everyone? I really thought we could lose so many by the morning,” I say.

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