Page 42 of King Luna

Maybe I don’t have much Alpha in me, after all. Their playful shoving is so aggressive yet full of laughter that I gape in pure culture shock, shrinking by the second.

Until I spot the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever witnessed in my life—and she’s headed straight for us.

Annika Abrammson, the Queen Luna. With bountiful curls tinted a light strawberry, Annika floats to us like an angel, her white dress flowing around her petite frame with the speed of her wide strides. I have no idea how she’s not freezing; her pale, bare ankles shine beneath the airport lights, her puffy, champagne-pink coat left open to flap at her sides in Sweden’s biting wind. Meanwhile, I’m having to plaster my arms to my sides just to stay warm, and I have at least two extra layers on.

But Annika shakes her head with a frown, calling out from the other end of the baggage claim. “Boys!? What did I tell you about sparring in public?”

Viktor and Noah freeze—Viktor with his hand gripping Noah's jacket, and Noah’s fist wrapped in Viktor’s buttons. As Annika approaches faster, they slump in embarrassment like scolded pups with drooping ears.

“Sorry, my love.” Viktor releases Noah, straightening his jacket. Annika just sighs.

My heart flips. Am I imagining the startlingly sweet smell in the air, or did their pheromones just combine to create a saccharine explosion of a perfume?

During our London layover, Noah warned me about this: the way Viktor and Annika tag-team, using their scents to lull other Lycans into security, including their enemies.

Noah might’ve prepared me mentally, but witnessing this phenomenon in person is a whole different beast. I’m unable to control the butterflies in my belly from a single whiff of their scent, my mouth watering for more.

Annika perks up when she meets my eyes, breaking into a smile. “Luna!”

My heart flutters when she calls my name. Every feature of her body emanates gorgeous regality, so it feels like a miracle she knows me at all.

“Luna, hello!” My voice is squeaky, but Annika's smile is warmer by the second.

Oh, God. Speaking of girl crushes. Noah raises a knowing eyebrow, and my cheeks burn. Guilt spikes through our bond, but before I can say anything, Noah chuckles, kissing my head.This is exactly what I was talking about.

I want to respond, but I’m too overwhelmed; Noah’s arm around me doesn't stop Annika from throwing herself at me in a near-tackle. “Oh my goodness, look at you! Hello, beautiful!” She squeezes me tight, but her arms are so soft that I feel like I’m being embraced by a cloud.

“Are you kidding? Look at you!” My laugh comes out awkward and wary.

Why the hell am I so flustered? Never in my life did I think I’d look at anyone other than Noah, let alone have any desire to. I glance at Noah, terrified I’ll find a blazing hurt in our bond, any second now.

But Noah chuckles, stroking my back as the four of us separate into our prospective pairings.Don’t worry. These two look innocent, but this is why I warned you; they win every sexual attraction contest we hold. On purpose.

My heart still hammers.N-Noah, I swear I only have eyes for you.

He beams down at me.I know. It’s not you—there's something about their scent that allures other wolves. They use it to their advantage. Thankfully, they use it for good. At least, in my opinion. This is light, compared to what I’ve seen them do. They’ve mastered their scent, alluring dangerous wolvesinto submission. It might be a manipulative tactic, but it’s a far more peaceful one than other packs who choose to kill their enemies. It’s the main reason Vik and I get along.

I want to agree with Noah, but my stomach churns.Doesn’t that mean they’re manipulating me on purpose right now?

Noah hugs me closer.No. I almost don’t smell it, so it must just seem extra strong to my poor pregnant Luna.

As if Annika could hear Noah’s mindlink, she closes her eyes, breathing me in. Gasping, she turns to her mate. “Oh, my love, did you smell her? She’sdelightful.”

The second Viktor’s eyes land on me, Noah settles his arm back around my shoulders.

So it wasn’t just me overanalyzing their behavior: Noah is guarding me from Viktor. It’s borderline possessive, which is so unlike my mate. Is this another effect of their scent tactics? I lift an eyebrow at Noah, but he pretends not to notice.

At least one person can control himself: Viktor sniffs the air from afar to catch my scent, not daring to come anywhere near my neck.

He pulls back, his eyes wide as he meets Annika’s eager stare. “So sweet!”

“Beautifully so, yes?” Annika beams. “And it reminds me of a particular hormonal phase, Luna.”

“Dammit. So much for that,” Noah mutters.

Viktor grins. “Ah, I see. Scent blockers not working?”

“That’s okay. When you’re this far along, you have to apply it every few hours.” Annika gives me a knowing smile, and even though Noah frowns even deeper, all I can do is giggle.

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