Page 77 of King Luna

This Alpha’s ego must be bruised. He’s clearly petrified, his lips quivering as they curl, but he still dares to snarl back.

I only catch a glimpse of Noah’s eyes flashing a vivid yellow above me before he picks the Alpha attacker up by the back of his suit collar, dumping him over the porch railing.

My jaw drops. Thankfully, the porch is a mere four to five feet off the ground, the Alpha crashing into thick bushes below us. All I see are legs popping out of the top, the Alpha squirming to stand.

Turning back around, I’m met with a sea of bulging, frightened eyes across the porch, darting between Noah and me. Viktor must’ve arrived just in time to see Noah’s takedown, standing strong despite the undulating crowd around him. But he seems to be frozen. Staring.

When I finally get a good look at him, a chill runs down my spine. Viktor’s eyes aren’t on Noah. They’re glaring atme.

With Annika still cocooned in my arms, the King Alpha snarls, and I receive his message loud and clear: he’s preparing to fight me for his mate.

Flexing his arms, Viktor’s black eyes shine a vivid green, his wolf extending his scent as he stares deep into my soul. Growling through a low, velvety voice, Viktor speaks a single word.

“Mine.”

Fear envelops my heart, freezing every inch of me. Are we going to die here?

Noah grips Viktor by his jacket collar. “She’s protecting Anni, not claiming her!”

But Viktor doesn’t seem to see anyone else but Annika and me, his fangs glistening with saliva as he flashes them at me. “Get the fuck off my mate, Luna.”

My eyesight grays as Alphas erupt back into action around us, in a frenzy at the clashing, violent scents. Noah’s teeth bare, his arms rippling with their full force—shoving Viktor back again and again as the King tries to reach me.

But this only sends Annika into full-body sobs, her knees buckling beside me. “N-no! Please!”

“I've got you! It's okay!” I cradle her head like I would for my preschoolers, but nothing can soothe her now; my fury builds too as Alphas escalate into near-blows.

All at once, my frustration spills over.

“Just fuckingstop!”

Echoing past all the raging wolves, my shout puts the entire Summit into a standstill—including the King Alpha.

Between all the petrified eyes on me, my form deflates.

I need a moment to myself to be stunned. Awestruck by how they all just listened to me, and confused by my influence. Was that just a fluke?

But my agitated wolf’s focus is yanked elsewhere—Annika struggles to breathe beyond raspy, quick gulps of air.

I suck in a pained breath. “Oh, Goddess, Anni—”

She clings to me, her teeth chattering as tears cloud her eyes. “H-he almost— Almost got me—”

My sugary, nurturing Omega scent clouds the porch, instincts urging me to whine over her. “Slow your breathing, sweetheart. We’ve got you, sweet Luna. He’s not messing with you again. Slow your breath.”

“Oh, Goddess—” Reaching through the railing, Waimarie smooths Annika’s mussed hair off her clammy forehead, her features just as contorted as Annika’s.

“Help,” Annika rasps.

“We’ve got you,” I whisper. “Slow your breath as best as you can, bit by bit.”

The Queen Luna whimpers as I massage her sternum, trying to help reset her nervous system with a grounding touch. She fists my jacket sleeves like I’ve shocked her back into reality, laboring through harsh breaths in an attempt to slow her air intake.

“There you go. Look at Vik for me, okay? Your mate is right here, ready to protect you with us now. Breathe slowly and deeply. You’re just having an anxiety attack.”

Viktor seems to blink from a haze, jumping into action. “Fuck. I’m right here!”

The second Noah releases Viktor, Annika bursts from my arms, diving into her mate’s chest. Viktor coos over her with soft-spoken comforts, rubbing her all over until she melts into his embrace, finally able to catch her breath.

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