Page 48 of King Luna

But Noah's concern seeps into my chest.I’m so sorry, Aliya. I know you're looking forward to this, but you look like you need to rest.

My shoulders droop, knowing he's right.

With my defeated nod, Noah turns to our King and Queen. “Vik and Anni, we’re both looking forward to seeing the Community Center and how hard you’ve worked. But we’ve been traveling for almost a full day, and we need to sleep off some jet lag. Can we do this again tomorrow morning?”

Annika rushes to my side, stroking my arm. “Oh, poor mama. Let’s show you to your room and send you some food and water. Like I said, we can absolutely wait until tomorrow, okay?” Shewhips her head to frown at her Alpha. “Vik, come help. You put her under a lot of stress.”

Viktor’s eyes bulge. “I’m sorry—”

“It’s fine!” I step back, anxious from how much they're crowding me.

But Annika's dejected expression makes me wince.

“Sorry, Annika. I just don’t want to pressure you to take care of me. I'm not usually like this, but everyone's fighting over me, and I'm just a nauseous mess, and—”

Annika puts on a half-hearted smile. “No, it’s okay, I understand. I just feel bad it turned out this way. I was so looking forward to meeting you. I hope we didn't give off too bad of a first impression.”

Oh, God. It's true I'm not enjoying how everyone's clashing, but I don’t want anyone to feel bad if I admit it. At the same time, that sounds a lot like OCD talking.

I straighten my shoulders the best I can. “Hey, there’s still tomorrow to try again.”

Annika’s frame softens as she breaks into the biggest smile, and my heart warms.

“But still, I really appreciate how you both listened to us and believed us today. I’d love to get to know you better... Maybe without any sparring in the background?” Viktor and Noah slump in unison, and my stomach drops even lower. “Ugh, I’m sorry. I need to stop talking before I say anything else I don’t mean.”

Annika gives my shoulder a playful squeeze. “Hey, I’m with you. Someone needs to speak up against these Alphas when they go too far, or they'll never stop. Let’s start over again tomorrow after we’ve all rested and had time to cool off.”

My shoulders loosen. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”

After giving Annika the biggest hug I can manage, I follow her to our room with a heavy heart. I wish I felt ready to sleepafter that exhausting meeting, but I’m upset Noah didn't tell me about the tension between him and Viktor. I have to confront him, which sends my anxiety through the roof.

Noah can sense it, glancing at me every few seconds as he helps me hobble my way to our room. Today isn’t turning out how I expected at all.

Chapter 12

Annika and Viktor drop us off in what I’m certain is the most beautiful guest suite they own; tall, wood-lined ceilings frame broad windows, giving us a panoramic view of the lakeside below the lodge. Geometric black-and-white furniture brings out the natural beauty of the warm wood surrounding us, a ginormous bed sitting in the middle of the suite with enough space for me to spread my sore limbs—and still leave room for my massive mate. My muscles ache at the thought, dying to be immersed in soft white sheets.

Once I’m seated on the bed’s edge, slipping off my shoes, I gasp at the clock. “It’s 8 p.m.?”

“Y-yeah. It s-stays lighter out in the evenings here until October.” Noah crosses the room to shut the blackout curtains, but his back remains to me.

When he still hasn't moved after I change into one of his big, gray t-shirts, my heart hammers into my throat.

Oh, God. I hate fighting with him. I love him so much.

But I’m hurt by what he hasn't told me about him and Viktor. Of course he can have his own personal secrets, but this is different; with unstable Alphas on the loose across the world, any important information we don’t share with each other could cost our lives. Are there other vital secrets he's keeping? And why?

Noah turns around, wringing his hands. His puppy-dog stare is in full swing.

No matter how upset I am, I have to smile. “You’re too cute, my love. I’m struggling to remember why I’m upset.”

Noah gives me a soft smile. “W-well... I wish I could ask you to not be mad at me.” He drops my stare, deflating. “But I don’t blame you. I’m really fucking embarrassed by how I acted.”

My heart tears at the seams, pushing a sigh from my chest. “It wasn't that. I know you were trying to protect me and our baby, and I love you for it.”

Noah slumps, his expression warping as he meets my sad eyes. “Oh, my sweet Luna...”

He speed-walks across the room, sitting beside me on the bed to stroke my back. But with the gap he leaves between us, my stomach rolls.

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