Page 44 of King Luna

I laugh with her. “Nope, it’s sort of like a milestone everyone talks about, growing up. But it turned out to be kind ofdisappointing, to be honest. My boyfriend and I broke up a few weeks beforehand, so I had to tag along after my best friend and try to have a good time while her girlfriend kept stealing her away to make out with her.”

Annika laughs, grasping my arm. “Oh, no! How old were you?”

“Seventeen. Did you and Viktor know each other by then?”

Biting her lip, Annika gives Viktor her best puppy-dog eyes. “Oh, we knew each other. That was the age he marked me.”

Viktor’s eyes glaze over in pleasure, his left knee bouncing as he taps his heel faster. I blink through the sudden haze of hormones in the car, my body flushing. Noah shakes his head, silently laughing to himself.

I’m tempted to ask more, but I wouldn’t dare give them the opportunity: I can only imagine how horny these two can get, and my cheeks are hot as it is.

Thankfully, Annika fills in the silence. “How are you feeling in terms of health, though? You said it’s still early in your pregnancy?”

“Well, for me. I’m about fifteen weeks pregnant, which I know is farther along for Lycans, but I’m part human. We have no idea how long my pregnancy will be, so all I know is that I’m still having to adjust to these hormones, more than the average wolf.”

Annika’s smile brightens. “So you feel terrible, huh?”

I laugh. “Kind of.”

“We were planning to show you around our Community Center before the Alpha Summit begins, but let me know if you need to rest, okay? We can always give you a tour tomorrow.”

I sink into myself, knowing I’m running on fumes. I don’t want to miss out on everything, though. Maybe I can get through it.

Noah looks at me from the corner of his eye, sensing my distress.

But Annika leans in, cupping one hand over my ear. The other laces into mine, spiking nerves through my chest.

“Hey, I’m serious. Don’t let these Alphas push you around. I’m on your side, and I’m sure I’ll need you on my side too. Not every top Alpha and Luna are friendly.”

A fire ignites in my lungs, my stare clinging to Viktor and Noah’s tense, hushed conversation. My wolf is all riled up. She must instinctually sense the truth beneath everyone’s words clearer than I can. There’s danger ahead, but just how bad will it get?

I squeeze Annika’s hand, trading positions so I can cup my hand over her ear. “I agree. When it comes to protecting people I care about, I’m a different wolf. If you ever feel unsafe, come to me.”

Without warning, my Alpha musk trickles from me. I stiffen, hoping my scarf blocks most of it.

But Annika bites her lip with a blushing giggle. “You have a...rebelliousside to you, Luna. I like it.”

When Annika flashes her neck, revealing Viktor's scarred and re-scarred mark, I suck in a shocked breath. She’s fawning for me?

Is this normal? Other than Noah, I’ve never had a single other wolf flash their vulnerable scent gland to me like this before, let alone witnessed anyone doing this to other wolves. Isn’t this a gesture reserved for mates?

The sight makes me fear for Annika’s safety, a protectiveness welling up in my chest. Before I can help it, even more Alpha musk leaks out, softening Annika’s lips.

Viktor growls in warning.

It’s gentle, but he’s also one of the most powerful wolves I’ve ever met. Before I can control myself, I jolt back, ripping myhand from Annika’s and plastering my back to the limo seats in submission.

In a flash, Noah jumps on Viktor, pinning him to the leather cushions.

Viktor raises two empty palms. “What the fuck?!”

Annika grasps fistfuls of my jacket, shrinking behind my back. “I-I'm sorry, Alpha Noah, it was my fault! I took it too far!”

Noah doesn't seem to hear her as he snarls over Viktor, his eyes flashing yellow. I’m shocked to see how much Viktor has to strain against him despite being physically equal.

“Shit, bro! Calm the fuck down!” Viktor says.

But Annika snaps back. “Vik, she’s pregnant! You can’t growl at her and expect him to be fine! Apologize already, and he'll lay off.”

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