Page 17 of King Luna

I hold Noah tighter, searching his eyes just the same. Waiting to see if there’s more.

“I-it heals a part of me I’m afraid to show,” Noah whispers.

Letting out an aching sigh, I slide my hands up his wide back. “Oh, mylove.”

I understand his hidden meaning: just like my scent is Alpha-like, Noah’s scent has a hidden, Omega-like edge. One he’s felt tremendous shame about, even in the short glimpses of it he’s allowed me to witness.

If “allowing” me to witness it is even the right word. His Omega-like scent has seemed to slip out without his permission, surprising us both.

Just like it did today.

Noah clings to me, hanging on my every word as his breath quivers with nerves.

Cupping his cheeks, I stare him in the eyes. “Goddess, Noah, thank you for even telling me this. I know how hard this is, so I want you to know two things: one, Ilovethat side of you. And two, you don’t have to show every side of yourself unless you feel ready. Not even with me.”

“I want to be ready—with you,” Noah mutters.

A thrill shoots through my core. I’m unable to keep my proud wolf from smiling through me. “Okay, then let me hold him, whenever you can. I’d be honored.”

Noah blinks hard and fast, likely processing my words. I figure our conversation is over, but his eyes shift from their oceanic teal to a vivid green, his wolf pushing forward. “No, I want to, as soon as possible. My wolf won’t stop thinking about it, and I feel a little—” Clearing his throat, Noah lowers to a shaky whisper. “I feel a little bad for him.”

I’m stunned. Since we’ve met, I’ve only heard Noah disparage his wolf. I’m usually the one looking out for the goofy Lycan, aching for him whenever I think about how hard he works for all of us, no matter if he receives gratitude or hatred in return.

But it’s written in Noah’s pained, half-shifted eyes; his wolf needs freeing, and he would love my help loosening the reins.

“I feel bad for him too,” I whisper.

Noah’s eyebrows flinch, and my heart drops. What if he’s hurting deeper than he ever lets on?

I skate my hands down his chest, softening my voice. “You said my Alpha musk helps you feel safe? Do you mean that it helps in bed, while we’re already feeling more open and intimate with each other?”

Noah’s heart jumps beneath my palm, kicking into a pounding pace. Goosebumps rise over his bare skin as I circle my nails through his chest hair.

But Noah nods. “Can you practice letting that side of yourself roam free with me?”

Excitement strikes my core. I prop myself up, snaking my arm around his waist. “Oh, so you enjoyed me being on top again at the Luna ceremony, huh?”

Noah breaks into giggles, his warm palm sweeping down my lower back until he presses us belly to belly, hugging our baby between us. Dragging his gaze down my bare skin, Noah coats me in tingling pleasure. “It’s a bit deeper than that.”

It’s my heart’s turn to race. I know what he means; I don’t allow my Alpha-like side out to play very often either. Not even with Noah—at least, not as often as my wolf begs me to.

The second I think of her thinly veiled disappointment every time I reject her, a gnawing sadness reveals itself in my chest. Judging by the pain in our bond, I’m willing to bet Noah’s stifling of his Omega-like scent hurts him too. My heart aches for us both.

As I push Noah’s hair back with slow, gentle sweeps over his scalp, his eyes flutter shut, and the twisting in my stomach subsides. He trusts me. And thankfully, he just gave me an opening to help him sort through his pain.Ourpain.

“Okay,” I whisper. Noah’s eyes jut open, but he doesn’t move a muscle—his hand frozen on my hip as he holds me in tensesilence. “It’ll be a little scary since I’m still confused about myself, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be tremendously fun.”

As I break into a giddy smile, Noah’s sweet scent erupts. Despite his side of our bond wavering in anxiety, my wolf stirs, urged to the surface.

“Let me treat you.” I cup the base of his head, not wanting him to slip deeper into fear. “Let me soak you with as much Alpha musk as I can allow myself to release, and however you show up beneath me, I’ll hold this sacred space for you. I’ll love you through it, no matter how scary it might be for both of us.”

Noah huffs out a fragile, broken breath—before crashing against my lips. I moan into his kiss, my heart thrumming through the rising gratitude in our bond.

“Thank you.” Noah’s aching voice strikes me to my core.

I sink my lips back into his, throwing my leg over his hip. Noah kisses me deeper, dragging his tongue over mine until I squirm against him, heat pooling between my legs.

As I pull back, I’m relieved to find Noah in a flustered yet giddy silence, his human cheeks flaming red as his wolf nips at mine in our bond.

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