Page 47 of King Luna

But Noah gazes at me with such pain, yet such intense admiration that my heart flutters.

My Alpha has my back. I’m going to tell them the full truth.

“We dated for a while, but he was verbally and emotionally abusive, and he couldn’t handle my rejection.” I fist my scarf, its fabric still doused with Noah’s comforting scent, hoping it calms my heart; the poor organ hammers every beat into my ears. “When my dad died, I finally saw Steven for how he was using me—manipulating me into ‘serving’ him, no matter how horribleI felt while grieving—and I broke up with him. But he stalked me, waiting for the right time to approach. So, shortly after my mom also died of heartbreak—” I struggle to catch my breath, but Noah stares with such pride and awe that I continue without thinking. “Steven broke in and raped me.”

My heart isn’t the only one smacked with a barbed pain at my words: Annika’s eyes widen in horror, gazing deep into my soul. Just her stare alone tells me she understands. It hurts me just as much to think she’s been hurt like this too, my throat tightening as I gaze into her aching expression.

Viktor hums, a darkness surfacing in his eyes. But he’s not looking at me: he’s locked onto Noah’s furious frame. “Alright, King. If I see him, I’ll deal with him.”

“And we’ll make sure our allies will too. They don’t need to know the details, but they’ll listen to us.” Annika reaches across the seats, grabbing my hand. “We believe you.”

Without warning, my lip wobbles.

Annika’s eyebrows warp. “Oh, Luna, I...”

Noah’s walls break down, my mate slumping even though anger flares in his heart. He nuzzles into my hair. “I’m sorry, sweet Omega. I-I shouldn’t have brought it up without warning, and—”

“No, it’s not that.” I force the best watery smile I can manage. “It’s just really nice to—” I take a moment to stifle my tears with a held breath, touched by the display of comfort I’m receiving; the three wolves hold my hands, stroke my arms, and rub my back. “It’s just nice to be believed.”

Annika’s eyes water, nodding along with me. “I know, mama. Trust me, I know.”

My heart plummets. “I thought I could see it in your eyes.”

“I could recognize it the second you started speaking about your ex too. Which is why we’ll do anything to protect you,Luna.” Annika’s tense stare flits to Noah. “Especially after what your Alpha has done to trap my own monster with Vik.”

Noah can’t bear to look at any of us, rubbing his forehead to keep from crying, but my heart can’t stop pounding.

Is Annika saying Noah helped defend her from an abuser too, tracking them down?

I always knew my mate was a protector, but I hadn’t thought about how vastly influential he might be beyond Greenfield. Which means that not finding any trace of Steven, no matter who Noah orders to investigate after coming up empty-handed himself, must make Noah feel powerless.

As I huddle into my mate, my hand stretching across the limo seats to hold Annika’s, a peaceful quiet falls over the car. No one speaks for at least two minutes.

When Noah breaks the silence, his voice is softer than I expect. “My Luna could kick most wolves' asses. But after a certain point, a victim's physical, mental, or emotional power can't protect them. Not when their abuser doesn’t allow anything or anyone to keep them safe.” He takes a sharp, furious breath. “That’s how dangerous he is.”

Annika nods. “Yes, I understand that too. And the manipulative ones often sneak under everyone’s radar.”

“Which is why we’re taking this seriously. Sweden will be a safe space for you, we swear it,” Viktor says.

The four of us huddle up in the limo with softened voices and a new perspective on one another, bonding over adversity. I can see the purpose of our allies more than ever now. Noah isn’t just a strong Alpha for our pack, he’s also smart in his strategizing.

Even if he’s behaving so weirdly today.

As our limo approaches the Alpha Summit Community Center, the mountainside parts, revealing a rich brown lodge. Stretching along a vast lake, the Community Center holds a modern elegance to its warm wood, rather than the rusticedge I envisioned. Bushy trees coat the rolling land, cradling the Community Center in a central clearing. The sheer size of the lodge screams of how expensive it must’ve been to craft, alongside its wide porches carrying a view down the lakeside.

The sunlight glimmers in hot white across the lake’s crystal blue water, rippling through the forest’s reflection. When it finally sinks in that this is where we’re staying, I gasp loudly enough to perk up all three wolves beside me.

I turn to find their wide, alert eyes, like a crowd of curious pups, and let out a giddy laugh. “Sorry! It’s just so beautiful!”

Annika smiles. “Isn’t it, mama? We’re so lucky to be here.”

“It’s wonderful. I’m so excited to look around with the three of you,” I say.

But it’s clear looking around isn’t an option, my knees buckling when I step out of the car.

Noah scoops me against his side, carrying a majority of my weight with a panicked gasp. “Oh, Goddess, Luna. Are you okay?”

With Annika’s and Viktor’s wide, worried eyes, I do my best to laugh it off. “I'm fine. Just a little tired.”

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