Page 193 of King Luna

“I want you to be the first to hold Ari. I want you to catch them.”

Noah’s breath hitches. His eyes race between mine, torn between fear and absolute gratitude. “Oh,Aliya— A-are you sure—”

I break into a strangled groan. “Right now, Noah—”

“Oh my—” Noah cradles my sweaty head to his chest, his breath just as rapid as mine. “Someone hold her for me, please.”

I reach for my best friend, only to find Amy teary-eyed with the brightest smile. As Noah trades places with her, Natalia leaving room for him between my knees, Amy dashes for me, hugging me to her chest.

Her voice buzzes against my ear, steady despite her pounding heart. “I’ve got you, A.”

Instinct draws me to all fours. Amy joins me, allowing me to stand on my knees and hang my arms over her shoulders.

Noah’s hot, wide palms sweep down my rippling back, following my rocking motions as I moan through searing pain. “Good, good girl— Oh, Goddess, Aliya, I see them too—”

The loving whimper in his voice radiates through me as my body bears down once more, everyone’s hands on me just as encouraging as they are soothing; we’re so loved. And by proxy, so is Ari.

Amy kisses the top of my head. “They’re almost here, babe! You’ve got this—”

I press against her, unable to keep myself from screaming. The sound echoes throughout the den as Noah gasps behind me, his happiness in our bond bolstering my power. Natalia gives quick, rushed instructions in his ear as I check behind myself, fury striking my chest as a sudden pinch blasts up my spine.

“Sorry, gorgeous, sorry— I know it hurts, sweet Omega, we just have to turn Ari—” Noah doesn’t meet my eyes until I groan, relieved they’ve finally stopped easing Ari into position to birth their shoulders. “I see their sweet face, Aliya. They have your beautiful lips.”

The amazement in Noah’s tearful smile stirs a renewed determination within me. I want to witness the love on his face when he holds them. Ineedto.

“You can do this,” Amy whispers into my ear.

For the first time today, I nod in agreement—just before I bear down once more. I’ve never felt tearing pain like this, my body screaming alongside me like it’s ripping in half. But Noah’s thumbs massage me tenderly through my cries—until a small pop of Ari’s shoulder slips from me.

I release a heaving sigh, a wave of relief washing down me as Ari slips from my body, caught by big, adoring hands.

Noah’s emotions hit me before I can turn around to look at him, a chorus of our loved ones crying alongside his singing heart. When I flip over my shoulder, watching my weeping mate clear our baby’s airway with his pinky finger, I witness the purest joy ease his frightened features, leaving the tenderest of love in its place. As Ari’s first cry echoes throughout the den, spurring on a cheer, I burst into smiling, euphoric tears, gripping my heart as I breathe through the deepest love I’ve ever felt. Every inch of Ari is beautiful. Their flailing, tiny limbs are met by massive, loving hands, cocooning their startled body safely in Noah’s arms. He stoops over, kissing their wet head with trembling lips.

Noah’s aching voice comes out delicate. “Oh, Ilovethem, Aliya.”

Reaching for Ari, I’m overcome by hitching, giddy sobs as Noah eases our crying baby against my chest. When we learned about Lycan births, I was so afraid this portion would feel unnatural to me, ruining our joy. But as instinct urges me to lick Ari clean, serenity fills me; Noah and I bathe Ari’s body together, preparing their skin for our loving touch throughout the rest of our lives. To my purest delight, Ari’s tensed limbs soften beneath our tongues. I nuzzle them all over, wanting nothing but for them to feel at peace.

Noah shakes just as heavily as I do as he returns me to his lap, adrenaline thumping his heart against my back. As I clutch his sweet pup to my chest, I don’t know where to look; everywhere I turn, there’s someone I adore. Pulling Noah in for a deep kiss, I smile against his lips, snuggling Ari in our warmth as our friends drape us in cozy blankets. Noah’s bare chest is hot against my back as Rainn and Amy help us undress, allowing us to cuddle Ari skin-to-skin.

“They’re a whole eleven pounds, two ounces, King Luna,” Natalia whispers.

Noah’s jaw drops, and everyone’s smiling, crying faces break into hushed laughter alongside us.

But as I look down, my heart skyrockets into my throat.

I didn’t think our huge wolf baby would open their eyes so soon, but as Ari’s cries ease into disgruntled coos, their grumpy little frown softens, revealing furious, dark brown eyes. Ari’s vivid expression of disappointment in the cold, bright world spurs the freshest laughter from my chest.

“Oh,Goddess—” Noah whisper-laughs with me. We coo in adoration as Ari smacks their lips, their eyes lazing shut once more.

Noah’s fingertips sweep over Ari’s dark, thick hair as he sighs. “Well, shit. You don’t ever need to worry about protecting this gorgeous pup alone. I’d die for either of you without a second thought.”

I scowl, glaring at him over my shoulder. “Please, do not, Noah Greenfield.”

Breaking into soft giggles, Noah kisses my temple. “Trust me, I wouldn’t want to let you go, Luna. Especially now that I’ve seen just as angry of a little frown on your pup’s face. I have a new sweet Omega to love now—well, as long as they still feel like they’re an Omega, that is. They certainly smell like one, and it’s—”

I hadn’t processed it yet, but he’s right; Ari’s scent has Noah’s most beautiful flowery hum to it, but with a spicy hint of jasmine. As Noah breaks into overjoyed, touched tears, I draw him in for a kiss, my eyes watering alongside his.

They’re gorgeous, Noah. They remind me so much of the beauty I see in you.

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