Page 165 of King Luna

Then denial kicks in. I blink, expecting to stop recognizing his face. When my eyes verify it, over and over again, reality bends until I can no longer feel my hands.

I thought I accepted this as a possible truth, but now that it’s here, I’m too shocked to speak, my gaping mouth desperate to shout, scream, or even cry. All I can do is gasp for air.

Until a raspy whisper escapes me. “Why did you even lie about your name?”

Noah’s head slowly turns, recognizing my fear in our bond.

When I glance at Noah’s eyes, they’re already yellow.

Then he’s no longer at my side.

In a flash, Noah enters the cage. He rips Mason from the wolves’ hands like he’s stealing a floppy piece of cloth, chucking Mason to the stone ground.

I cry out when Noah strikes, a sickening crack of bone on bone echoing throughout the den.

Mason—Steven—screams.

But Noah screams louder. “Shut the fuck up! I’m gonna fucking kill you!”

I know I should stop Noah—this isn’t what we agreed upon either, and Mason holds so many truths—but I can’t move or speak. It’s happening in slow motion, each of my breaths more labored than the last as Mason’s cries are muffled by his arms protecting his head.

Then I think back to our last phone call. I didn’t get to share what I really wanted to: to speak my truth to his face.

As Mason cowers beneath Noah’s fist, I realize I might never get the chance. Panic strikes my heart.

“Wait!” I say.

Everyone freezes. All eyes are on me, but my stare locks onto Mason. He’s still alive, wheezing on the ground in a whimpering heap. Despite bleeding down his lips and chin, he keeps bothelbows folded around his face, not allowing me to see him beneath the cover of his arms.

But I can even recognize his busted lips.

This is real.

As I come back to my senses, my emotions come crashing down all at once—as do Noah’s.

My eyes zip to his, and for a second, I don’t even recognize him. His strained gaze is almost rabid. “He tried to kill you last night—again. How could you stop me?”

Noah's upset looks like it's directed at me, but I know what he really means. If Jack was right here, and it was after a long night of attempting to kill Noah, I wouldn't understand either if Noah stopped me from hurting Jack. Especially when, like Noah said, no matter what I could physically do to Jack, he’s still scarred Noah for life.

There are so many things I could say. Instead, I just shake my head.

No one dares to speak another word until I do. But my voice quivers, echoing throughout the den. “I’ve always wanted a chance to explain to him how badly he hurt me.”

Noah’s expression warps, pain rippling across his features until he looks a decade older. “He... He won’t listen, Luna... I’msosorry to have to say that, but—”

Despite my quivering lip, I smile. “It’s okay. I need to do this, anyway.”

Noah glances back to Mason, still limp in his grasp. Now that I can take a closer look, I’m surprised Mason isn’t hurt worse. Some part of Noah knows we still need to question him. Force him to help us find Jack and any other leading Alpha-domination figures that escaped, or else this Super Pack could reunite with twice the fury.

Even still, Noah’s rapid breath tells me letting this go is one of the hardest things he’s done.

“Everyone, please leave us,” I say.

Wolves evacuate from the room without a second thought.

Noah’s stare shifts into wide-eyed panic, thinking that means him too. I give him a weary smile.

I know it’s a big favor to ask of you to watch me in pain, but I’ve needed to do this for a long time. Will you please stay here and stand by my side, my love?

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