Page 5 of King Luna

Before I can ruminate further, Rainn leans in, her smile returning. “That’s not even mentioning that this pup hasyoufor a mom. I know we can’t predict the future, but I’m willing to bet no one will dare mess with our Greenfield Luna.”

I laugh. “Oh, stop.”

“I’m serious! Yasmine told me she felt like absolute crap after sparring with your wolf yesterday, and she’s not even the pregnant one.”

My breath halts. “Wait, what? Who said that?Yasmine?”

She couldn’t have said Yasmine. While Noah and I will be in Sweden, Yasmine is taking over as Greenfield Pack’s leader—our top Beta that Noah keeps by his side as his right-hand protector, rather than the ever-traditional Alpha other packs employ. Yasmine’s role is just like the protector my father was for Alpha Ritchie, Noah’s dad.

I blink a few times, still unable to grasp Rainn’s words. Since we confirmed I was pregnant, I’ve doubled my efforts to collect stories about Mom and Dad, attempting to fill in the gaps of this hidden side of their lives.

Which means I had to have misheard Rainn; I’m good at running away, but Dad was a menacing beast of a wolf, according to our pack Elders. I doubt my lean, sneaky wolf compares in the slightest. Plus, I thought Yasmine went easy on me yesterday. I am her pack’s pregnant Luna, after all.

But Rainn tilts her head like a curious puppy, seemingly perplexed by how startled I am by this news. “Luna, do you not think—”

“Lexi’s going home with Kira! Ready for nest cleaning time?” Amy calls out in the distance, tilting our focus to her.

“Yes!” I turn back to Rainn with a sigh. “I guess our den is in Amy’s direction, isn’t it? Anyway, Rainn, thank you so much for this blocker. I just have to massage it into my scent gland, right?”

Rainn perks up. “Exactly. I’ve used it both during and outside of pregnancy to make sure Alphas from other packs leave me alone, and it absolutely works; even my overprotective big brother still allowed me on my perimeter run duties if I wore it while pregnant, and he has the most annoying nose, I swear.” Rainn rolls her eyes, and I sputter out a laugh. “Hey, there’s an idea: have my brother apply it for you, if you want. Spice things up.”

“Oh— Oh, wow. I’ll, um—” I flush at the thought of Noah’s stimulating touch on my scent gland, unable to hold back an erupting giggle. “I’ll let you know how the blocker works. Love you, Rainn.”

“I love you too, Luna! We’ll see each other before you go, okay? Maybe for lunch?”

Giving Rainn’s hand a soft squeeze, I slip from her grasp with a smile. “I’d love to. See you then!”

“Wait.” Softly tugging me back by the hand, Rainn turns me toward her. Her smile is gone, but her eyes remain lit with excitement, staring deep into mine. “You’re still early enough in your pregnancy, so even though there’s a huge wolf baby in there, you don’t owe anyone news. Between the blocker and discreet clothing, no one has to know.”

I slump, my voice softening. “Thank you, Rainn.”

“And that pup will behealthierif you shift often, not hurt.”

Dropping my head, I laugh. “I know, I know. I believe you.”

She smiles. “You’re a fellow teacher, so I’m sure you know what I do right now.”

Rainn’s right: I can seek out a lying student with my eyes closed. Her soothing, sweet scent fills the gentle wind between us, the forest rain returning as a delicate drizzle. I soften my tense torso, allowing myself to smile.

I run my free hand over my belly. “I know what it looks like, but I really do plan to shift more. I just can’t bear doing a single thing wrong to hurt your brother’s precious baby.”

Rainn beams, squeezing my hand. “They’re your baby too. Which means they’re tough as hell—not to mention they’re tucked away deep in there, safely. Don’t discredit either of you as fragile.”

I blink a few times. I’m tempted to feel offended; is she implying I’m the one simplyconsideringmyself fragile? That Alphas targeting us is my fault?

But as I gaze at Rainn’s sweet smile, it’s clear what she actually means. And she’s right: Iamunderestimating myself. I can’t help it. It’s the only way I survived Steven. Otherwise, the truth of how deeply he hurt me—no matter how strong I was—would’ve been too gruesome to bear.

Pulling Rainn in for another hug, I shut my eyes, emitting the adoration I feel for her through my scent. “Thank you.”

She inhales, her lungs expanding beneath my palms before she releases a happy sigh. “Anytime, Luna. I’ll be just a mindlink away, even in Sweden, okay?”

As I return to Amy’s side, waving goodbye to my sweetheart of a sister-in-law, I’m stuck in a conflicting mix of comfort and terror. While I’m so deeply loved by the Greenfield Pack, how can I not also be afraid of the outside world, constantly being stalked by predators that want me dead? Good thing Jenny and I worked on stalking triggers for my PTSD in therapy. Otherwise, I don’t know how I’d survive this. I’m still unsure how I’ll manage if our situation worsens, like everyone seems to be warning me of.

But I’m ready to face it anyway. I’d do it over and over again if I had to, for the sake of Noah, Rainn, and my best friend—who already protected me with her life for years. Linking elbows withAmy, I take Rainn’s advice and allow myself to smile, trusting that I’ll figure this out, somehow. After all, I’m not alone.

Chapter 2

As soon as we’re far enough from Rainn’s earshot, Amy leans into my side with a smile. “You’re not hiding it well.”

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