Page 29 of King Luna

All I can do is laugh alongside Noah’s chuckling as he strides down the hall, knowing what he’s doing to me; while I’mannoyed, butterflies also erupt in my belly, spurred on by his cocky wolf.

I don’t know what’s gotten into him today. It’s almost like his Alpha side’s confidence has skyrocketed since I topped his Omega side last night.

And I can’t deny that I’m flushing down to my chest, heat pooling in my groin at Noah’s demands that Imatter.

I’m left to wait in silence as Noah fills a cup with water and fetches a snack to help stabilize my heart. It finally sinks in; pregnancy is no joke, I know, but I’m no exception. I don’t think it hit me how hard I’ve been struggling, not until Noah pointed it out.

If it were Amy or Rainn going through this, would I blame them for making us late after almostpassing out?

Fuck no.

Now my cheeks burn from embarrassment, rather than the flustered state Noah left me in. As his footsteps return down the hall, I swipe tears from my eyes, not wanting to worry him more.

But why shouldn’t I let myself worry him? How wonderful was it when Noah braved his raw emotions with me last night, allowing me to worry so I could better support him? Wouldn’t Noah want the same from me?

Halting in the doorway with water in one hand and a plate of nausea-safe snacks in the other, Noah slumps. “Oh, mylove. Was I too harsh?”

I shake my head, unable to look at his aching stare as my heartache floods our bond. Hitching through a soft cry, I swipe off more tears. “I didn’t realize how cruel I was being to myself, at all. I don’t want to accidentally teach our baby to treat themself like this. But I can’t help it; I still think badly of myself, sometimes.”

Letting out a pained sigh, Noah settles back down beside me, handing me my water. He strokes his mark on my neck,spreading soothing warmth through my belly as he extends a sweet, comforting scent. “That’s why we’re both learning. I don’t want you to think I’m not proud of you. I just want you to give that wild, proud wolf I saw last night more credit. I love you. So, so much.”

Leaning against Noah, I cram saltines in my mouth. “Even though I still feel bad for making everyone wait outside?”

Noah chuckles, nuzzling my cheek until I smile with him. “Is that a genuine question? If so, I probably shouldn’t answer your OCD, huh? But you’re braving this like a fucking rockstar. I can feel how goddamn uncomfortable you are.”

Sputtering out a laugh, I shrug. “You basically just gave me new Exposure and Response Prevention homework to complete, so yeah. But you’re right: I want to take care of myself better. Especially if that means I’ll be taking better care of our baby.”

Noah’s focus drops to my hand around my stomach. His wavering smile spikes emotion through my heart. As he bends, my lungs swell; cupping my tiny baby belly in his massive hand, Noah kisses our pup as delicately as he can. “I can’t thank you enough for doing this.”

Goddess, his voice is shaking. Burying my hands into his hair, I stroke Noah’s head as he hugs my waist, a conflicting mix of his awe, gratitude, and guilt stirring in our bond. I didn’t realize how guilty he felt for putting me through this, but the second I recognize that angle of his words, my heart softens.

“I want to do this, gorgeous. And I’m so, so happy we’re getting to do it together. Thank you for taking such good care of me. Of us, rather.”

Smiling against my belly, Noah gives our baby another kiss, fluttering my heart.

After a few silent moments, my heart rate settles enough to allow me to rise to my feet—with Noah’s help, just in case. Pulling me in for a tight hug, Noah gives me a slow but tenderkiss, massaging my lips with heavy, comforting pressure. Gazing into each other’s eyes, we smile.

“I hope you know I’ll have your back at this crazy Alpha Summit too, even when I inevitably feel sick,” I whisper.

Stroking my hair, Noah smiles. “Oh, trust me, I do, my feisty Luna. They better watch their fucking backs, judging by how you attacked me outside our den.”

With a laugh, Noah and I pull ourselves together, collecting our bags and doing a once-over of the cabin for anything we may have forgotten to pack. Once we’re ready to leave Greenfield, we open our cabin door to a crowd of smiling faces, pack members flooding the driveway with their adoring excitement.

Amy, Kira, and Lexi push through the crowd, giving us hugs goodbye. We said goodbye to Yasmine, Dave, Rainn, and Lilian yesterday; they’re spread around Greenfield Forest, too busy taking their positions to hold down the pack in our stead for the next two and a half weeks. I’m surprised how deeply my chest aches to step into the car, taking one last look at everyone’s smiling faces to wave goodbye.

As we take the first turn out of Greenfield Forest, winding down the country roads, I stiffen at the sharp ache in our bond. Noah bites his lip, his concern heavy enough to bring tears to his eyes.

“Oh, my love.” Rubbing his knee, I breathe through the pain in my chest as Noah takes a few slow, steady breaths. “They’re going to be okay. We’ll be back soon.”

“I know.” His stuffy nose distorts his voice. “This is important. I need us all to be safe, and I don’t know how else to do it except at this stupid fucking Summit.”

My stomach recoils. He’s right: with how severe the Alpha-domination outbreak seems to have taken over, the Alpha Summit is our best shot at preventing global chaos amongst allLycan packs. I don’t want to say it aloud, but I know we’re all thinking the same thing.

We don’t simply need to go to the Alpha Summit. Noah needs towin.

Chapter 8

To my relief, Noah and I relax into his SUV for the rest of our drive to Portland International Airport, settling into a cozy hum of laid-back conversation for the next hour and a half. I’ve kept my hand on his knee, rubbing it as we chat, and I’m delighted by how much it softens his shoulders.

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