Page 187 of King Luna

Greenfield Pack floods the space around us, surrounding Noah and me with a symphony of victorious howling. As I stare into Noah’s eyes, I whine for a new reason.

Despite how much suffering Jack caused Noah, my mate doesn’t join in the howling. It’s as if Jack is no longer a part of his mind. Not as he stares down at me, his golden eyes squinting and his wagging tail expressing the purest love.

We’re not alone in this anymore, Luna. I’ve got you, you’ve got me—and they’ve got us.

He’s right; forming a protective circle around us, our pack provides just enough space to keep me comfortable.

Then their howling comes to an abrupt stop. Not a second later, my abdomen tenses, warning of another incoming contraction. I’m stunned; it’s like our shifted pack members sensed it was coming, hundreds of restless wolves falling silent as my breathing rate rises.

They’re holding space for me.

As Noah’s wolf presses his wide forehead into my cramping back, I close my eyes, leaning into his pressure until my wolf lets out a pleased grunt. Smushing himself over my sides, Noah surrounds me with his saccharine, adoring scent—carrying me the rest of the way through the pain.

When my wolf slumps in relief, Noah rumbles deep purrs over me until my hackles lower.There you go. You can do this, Luna.

Oh, God. Can I?

Shifting back to my human form, I caress Ari in my massive belly, terrified. But when I catch a glimpse of my hands, my head reels.

“There’s b-blood on me!” As intrusive thoughts surface about Ari getting infected with Jack’s blood, I cry out, scrubbing at my skin. “No, I-I want to be in our den— In the n-nest we worked so hard to make, but we’re—”

A massive, slobbery tongue stuns me silent, swiping my nude skin free of blood in two seconds.Then we’re going to our den.

I want to collapse against Noah’s fluffy black fur in relief. But poor Ari attempts to make more space for themself, pulling a groan from my lips as they stretch my belly with little feet.

Noah’s ears point so sharply towards the sky as he watches our baby wiggle inside me that I have to laugh. He flattens his ears, lifting his big puppy eyes to beam at me. I reach for him, desperate to hug his snout.

But Noah shifts faster than I’ve ever seen him, his human form catching me in warm, thick arms. Kissing my head over and over, Noah sighs into my hair. “You’re the most amazing person alive. I love you.”

“I love you too. Thank the Goddess I have you with me right now,” I whisper.

Yasmine shifts into her human form, and Noah reaches for her first—desperate to include her in our hug. As his best friend glomps onto him, keeping her touch delicate on my back, Noah’s shoulders soften.

When Yasmine pulls back to face us, I clutch her hand tight. “Yas, thank you.”

“Holy shit,” she giggle-whispers.

Noah lets out a rattling exhale, shaking his head. “I-I know.”

“Fuck, I’m trying to stay calm for you, Luna, but I’m sorry—I’m way too excited to meet Little Wolf. Is there anything I can do to help you out?” Yasmine’s fanged smile spikes my heart rate; her excitement makes this real. Are we finally about to meet our precious Ari soon?

“Oh, my God. I-I don’t know, um—” I stare at Noah in disbelief.

He breaks into a beaming smile, kissing my forehead. “We’ve got you, Luna. Maybe you can help us to the car, Yas?”

But a familiar voice cries out behind us. “I have blankets, Alpha!”

Mrs. Jensen dashes across her front yard, her white hair blowing in the wind and a stack of blankets up to her chin. I’m not used to seeing fear strike the gentle wrinkles around her eyes, but it’s written all over her as she sees me in my disastrous state.

“Oh,Aliya. Would you like a nice warm shower before you go, or do you need to hurry to your den?”

My stomach churns. I can’t even attempt to smile as a terrifying thought enters my mind; what if we really did skip a stage, and we can’t make it to the den in time for me to give birth? That can’t be likely, right?

Shit, but didn’t I just have another contraction, soon after the last?

“You’re okay.” Noah rubs my back, softening his voice. “Would you like a nice shower, love? I can hold you.”

For some reason, his sweet tone sends me over the edge; I burst into hitching, heavy sobs, my hot breath clouding in the chilly air.

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