Page 166 of King Luna

As all the pain and sadness I’ve held onto for years brings me to tears, Noah’s lip wobbles with mine.Okay. I love you so much.

I love you too.

Noah releases Mason.

We both hold our breaths; we’re the only wolves in the den that are ready to strike if Mason decides to defend himself.

But he remains motionless beyond his labored breath.

So I take a breath too. And another.

“Steven?”

Mason flinches.

Fuck. With no plausible denial left to keep me afloat, the truth rolls through me in nauseating waves, forcing me to white-knuckle the chair to keep from toppling over.

Noah grips his hair, his breath rapid and uneven. His rage boils in our bond, driving my heart rate higher.He not only lied to you about who he was, he fucking stalked you this entire time, making you believe he was far away!

I-I know, it's...I don't even know how to describe it to Noah. Despicable, sickening, and petrifying aren't dark enough.

But now that we’re here, the anger I’ve carried for Steven subsides to reveal its true form, bringing me to grieving, gutted tears.

I have so much I want to say.

But am I ready?

I look to Noah, my limbs shaking.This is finally my chance, but... I’m scared.

Noah’s head droops, our bond screaming in agony.I promised you, he’ll never have a chance to do anything to you again. And I stand by that. I don’t care how much we need him, if he hurts you more, I’m not afraid to break him.

I shake my head, my heart sinking.You were right to stop my wolf from hurting him beyond repair to begin with. I’ve never wanted to hurt anyone, and I still don’t. Not even Steven.

Noah deflates.

But my words inspire a revelation.Wait, Noah— That’s exactly why Steven hurt me so badly.

Noah's eyes widen, his breath just as shaky as mine as he stares at me for answers.

I know exactly what I’ve always wanted to say.

Hobbling on shaky legs, I grab a discarded towel on a nearby table beside empty Alpha rut suppressant syringes. Gathering as much saliva as I can, I spit on the towel.

Steven glances over his shoulder, terrified of me coming closer. But I simply pass the towel through the cage door.

Neither wolf inside takes it.

So I step inside.

Noah’s chest puffs, but I grip his arm. “Trust me, sweet Alpha.”

After a tense silence, Noah relaxes enough to step back, giving me room to enter while remaining within arm’s reach.

I drop the towel in front of Steven’s face.

At first, his scent warns of fear and overwhelm. Then he croaks out a dry, sarcastic laugh. “So you’re playing nice now? Being the good girl you always acted like you were?”

Noah’s growl hums throughout the cage, heightening all of our emotions.

---