Page 200 of King Luna

As our newborn drinks from my chest with satisfied purrs, I smile at Ari cradling a small, stuffed pup toy, cooing and nuzzling over it just like I am with his little sibling—our sweet baby, Brook.

Ari peeks up at me with ginormous, midnight-brown eyes, his little feet tucked under his butt. “Mommy?”

I break into the biggest smile I can manage at Ari’s shy voice, wishing I had three hands to also stroke his dark hair; it’s just as wild and luscious as Noah’s, thick strands waving in every direction.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I hold a pup in my tummy too?”

My eyes widen, and Noah drops his fork mid-stab, the sudden clatter of metal against ceramic making all four of us jump in the living room, no matter how sleep-deprived we all are, thanks to poor Brook’s colic.

What the hell do we say?Noah mindlinks.

I don’t know... The truth?

But doesn’t that require a lot of sex ed? I don’t know if I’m mentally prepared for that, Luna...

But I regain my soft smile. “Ari, not all wolves can carry pups in their tummies. But you can.”

Ari gazes at the stuffed toy wolf cradled in his arms. Something about his sudden curiosity strikes me as deep and powerful.

He needs to hear this, Noah. I don’t know why, but I just know we have to support him. It reminds me of when Amy told me I’d be a great mom for a whole town, inspiring me for the rest of my life. She spoke right to my core desires, and look where I ended up.

Noah nods, setting his plate down.

His hand eases over Ari’s little head, his wide thumb on Ari’s forehead making our pup blink his heart-killer, puppy-dog eyes up at his favorite person. I bite back my smile as Noah’s heart aches in pain in our bond, which I’ve now come to recognize as Noah suffering through an Ari-cuteness overload.

Softening his voice, Noah smiles down at our precious boy. “Did you hear what Mommy said? You’ll be able to carry a pup if you want to someday, buddy.”

Ari shifts his gaze to me, and now my heart actually hurts for him; his relieved expression just furrowed into concern.

“Why not now?” Ari mutters.

Oh, Goddess.Noah takes a deep breath, avoiding my eyes as I bite back a laugh. “You’re not old enough for that yet, sweetheart. Please, just be our pup first.”

I try not to bust out laughing at Noah’s distressed grumble, but Ari frowns, his brows knitting.

“But Daddy, what if I can’t do it?”

My heart drops with Ari’s. The bond we share grows stronger with each passing day, tearing a hole through me whenever he’s this upset. But even though I can usually piece together how Ari feels, I hesitate, uncertain about the genuine fear in his side of our bond.

Noah’s brows furrow. His bright eyes meet mine, his wolf on high alert as Ari’s distressed pheromones erupt with his trembling bottom lip.I just told him he has the body for it, so why does he seem so heartbroken?

Ari verges on tears, cuddling his toy closer to his chin, but he’s trying to stay composed with a tight scowl—as stubborn as ever to remain stoic, just like his father.

I scoot closer on my knees, unable to keep myself from holding him close. Cradling Brook closer to my chest, I stoop over Ari. “Oh, baby... It’s okay if you need to cry. Can you tell me what you’re feeling?”

Ari shakes his head, his lungs hitching as he frantically stifles tears.

Noah settles onto the floor beside him, his heart aching just as badly as mine. The second Noah touches the ground, Ari dashes for my mate. Throwing himself face first, Ari nuzzles into his dad’s chest, wrapping little arms around Noah’s neck. I burst with affection from the sight, Noah’s big, comforting hands on such a little back soothing me alongside Ari.

Stroking Ari’s hair back, Noah kisses the top of Ari’s head. “I’ve got you, sweetheart. Mommy and I will be here to help you through everything you want to do in life, okay?”

Ari dissolves into whimpers. I watch Noah for signs of distress, knowing they share a special bond: Ari’s stark Omega nature latched onto Noah’s protective Alpha side from day one. They’re inseparable in the sweetest way.

“But I’m a boy,” Ari whispers. Agony ripples through every syllable.

Noah glances up at me in fearful upset, and my heart aches even worse.

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