Page 36 of King Luna

I nudge him with my shoulder. “Your turn. I want to know the answer to the same question: your first crush.”

“My turn? Uh, shit—” Noah flushes bright red. “I didn’t think it’d be turned around at me.”

I laugh. “It doesn’t have to be. Actually, I should’ve deflected your second question with a question of my own, but bending the rules for this game is more fun. And I’m really curious. We haven’t talked about our exes much—well, beyond Steven.”

As Noah’s expression morphs into a disgusted glare at the thought of my ex, I can barely contain a laugh, even as the plane lifts its nose. Noah captures my full attention with a tightersqueeze of my hand, keeping our eyes locked as we lurch into the air.

“My first crush—” Noah clears his throat. “Was a-another boy too. But not as a friend.”

My heart hammers, but I break into a smile. I don’t know if Noah identifies as “bisexual,” or if he considers himself pansexual, omnisexual, or something else on the bisexual spectrum, but I’ve always been curious to know how fluid his sexuality has been for him. How long did it take for him to accept this piece of himself, living in a different social structure than mine? Lycans seem decades ahead in supporting queerness, but that doesn’t mean it’s been easy.

I can’t stop my curiosity from pouring out. “A Lycan boy? Did you tell him you liked him? Wait, sorry. That’s two more questions.”

Noah frowns. “Our version should allow more questions, I think. Like, 20 Subjects instead. Or 20 Questions Per Subject, knowing us.”

Grinning, I snuggle in closer. “I love that. Then, did you tell him?”

Noah softly smiles, but he fidgets with his seatbelt, his wolf just as antsy in our bond. “N-no, I didn’t tell him.”

“What was he like?”

“H-he was, um—” His eyes dart away from mine. “He was all Alpha.”

My heart flips. At first, I thought Noah was shy about telling me about liking aboyfor the first time. But now that I’m face to face with my sweet mate, I think he’s shier about liking anotherAlphathan anything else.

“How did you realize you liked him?” I ask.

“I-I— Well, it’s embarrassing.” He runs his fingers through his wild hair, messying the dark strands further. “I couldn’t stopwatching him chase this rabbit around. I thought it was the coolest thing.”

My mouth opens, but my breath catches. “Wait— Watching him? Like, from the bushes?”

“Yep... Like an absolute weirdo.” Noah rubs his forehead, wavering between laughing and sighing through the mortification in our bond. “But he could never catch the fucking rabbit.”

I bite my lips to keep from laughing, but it’s not doing much to help. I’m forced to hold my breath, trying to think of anything else. With one look at me squirming in my seat, Noah breaks into hearty giggles. I can’t help but laugh with him, gripping his wrist as I lean in.

“So then what?”

“I wanted to catch it for him one day, but some other Alpha beat me to it, and my crush was so angry.” Noah’s eyes widen. “B-but then they started kissing? But with too much tongue?” I burst out laughing with Noah, and his grin widens. “Which is when I realized I wasn’t ready for this courting thing yet and ran away.”

Noah and I dissolve into giggles, leaning into each other for support.

“Oh, my God. I wish I could’ve met little Noah! How old were you?”

“Only a-about eight.”

“Ugh, you cutie. I’m going to explode with affection when I see your little one.”

Noah’s smile gushes at the thought of our pup. He huddles closer to kiss my mark. “Me too, sweet Luna.”

Shivers race down my spine as Noah’s fingers trace my small bump, filling my belly with warmth beneath his gentle touch. I stroke our future pup with him, our bond igniting in the brightest, adoring hum.

I still have no idea if it works, but I’ve been mindlinking our pup anyway.I can’t wait to see your dad holding you.

“My turn,” Noah says.

I blink, almost forgetting what we’re doing. But Noah’s hyper grin alerts my wolf’s ears, perking them up to the sky in our bond.

Rubbing slow, wide circles over my stomach, Noah flutters my heart into my throat. “Speaking of this one, how does it feel to carry them this week? I know you’re beyond tired and have a lot of uncomfortable physical symptoms, but other than the round ligament pain, does it feel like a lot of pressure in here?”

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