Page 189 of King Luna

“Good girl,” Noah whispers.

I flush, blowing out a slow breath; he normally says those words to me in bed, but they feel just as intimate now, when not even a drop of sexual desire courses between us. Thisis a different kind of intimacy, Noah remaining ever-present as I trust him to witness the worst physical pain I’ve ever experienced. And he’s happy to, our bond trading silent thank-yous to each other as my heart lightens in his care.

I knew he’d be sweet to me when the time came to give birth, but he’s even gentler than I pictured, fluttering my heart with the way he’s caring for my laboring body.

It’s about to be far more care than he’s had to provide on a single day of my pregnancy thus far, and yet, for the first time, I’m not tempted to apologize for all the work he’s doing. Instead, I lean into his big hands on my hips as he sways them from side to side, working the ache from me. Massaging my tightened neck muscles, Noah stoops over to meet me, face to face. The second I see him, I lean into his plushy lips, closing my eyes as I sweep my fingernails down his back in gratitude.

Noah’s solid hands on me clear my mind, replanting me back in the present. I rest my weight against him, purring and groaning through another contraction before he coaxes me from the shower. Nuzzling into Noah’s warmth, I smooth slow, loving touches over his pup in my cramping belly.

“I feel better. Less primal,” I whisper, my eyes still closed as Noah towels me off.

Noah places his hands over mine, holding Ari with me. “That’s my good girl. The timing between your last three contractions extended a little, so we’re all good. Amy will be here with the car soon, and we’ll get you right to our den.”

Easing my eyes open, I’m delighted by Noah’s mushy, adoring scent flooding my senses. Purring, I rub my head in his hands until he buries his fingers into my hair with a low chuckle.

I smile. “I think things sped up when I started panicking. I just can’t believe we’re doing this, Noah.”

“I can’t believe it either. My poor Luna; you must’ve been under so much stress that your body switched into survivalmode, preparing to push Ari out as fast as possible. So, now that we’re safe and together, let’s reframe this change of events, yeah?” Drawing my hands back to my belly between us, Noah softens his voice. “You’re about to be holding them in your arms. We’refinallyabout to meet them.”

Tears flood my vision, but as Noah kisses my wobbly lips, I break our kiss with a giddy, hitching laugh; he felt just as delighted as I did when he said that.

I sigh. “I can’t wait to see you holding—”

Gripping Noah’s shoulder, I choke out a harsh breath, another contraction hitting just as hard. But now that the vision of Ari has been planted in my mind—our Little Wolf soon to be bundled in their new baby blanket from Lilian and Rainn, the fabric hand-embroidered with chubby wolf pups in a pastel forest—I breathe through the cramping with far greater ease, rubbing my head against Noah’s chest.

Okay, maybe this is still happening soon.Soonsoon. My heart spikes into a sprint.

But Noah’s touch remains slow and soothing. “Thereyou go. You’re doing so well, Luna.”

Peppering kisses over my head, Noah flips my heart. He’s right; I love his praise. Not just because he uplifts me rather than shuts me down, but because he means every word he utters, his heart spilling over with affection as he holds me.

There’s no mistaking how rapidly the pain has intensified, but as I lift my chin, gazing up at my mate in pure exhaustion, all I can do is smile. “You look like a scared dad already.”

Breaking into a grin, Noah chuckles against my lips.You really aren’t alone in this, Aliya. You put it the best way once; I’m scared because I care.

I feel it; the love we’re birthing Ari into is so immense, I can’t quantify the depths our hearts have expanded for them.

A knock at the door widens Noah’s eyes.

“Can I come in?” Amy’s familiar voice inspires a fresh wave of emotion.

When Noah opens the door, the first flash of red hair softens my shoulders; I almost forgot Noah’s reminder in Mrs. Jensen’s yard. The two of us aren’t doing this alone, either.

“A,” I huff, reaching for my best friend.

“Oh,babe.” Opening her arms, Amy dashes for me.

But as soon as I take one step from Noah’s embrace, a bucket’s worth of fluid splashes from between my legs, all over Mrs. Jensen’s bathroom tile—and just as Mrs. Jensen pokes her head in.

Noah’s and Amy’s jaws drop in unison.

I yelp. “Oh, myGod—”

Amy meets my bulging stare, her voice wobbling with laughter. “Girl, here I was, about to ask if you wanted your underwear—”

I sputter out a shocked laugh. “S-sorry! I— I didn’t pee, I—”

Mrs. Jensen beams. “Oh, don’t you worry! I’m so blessed to have our darling Luna’s water break in my home!”

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