Page 78 of King Luna

And I want to dissolve into the atmosphere.

Noah, can we please leave this ‘bonding’ day from hell?

We’re not escaping. They’re leaving.Gathering me against him, Noah growls at everyone else. “I hope this is a reminder not to fuck with a mother wolf. Everyone off the porch before I fucking lose it.”

As requested, the wolves dash back inside—except Viktor, exiting down the porch stairs to soothe Annika in the lodge’s front garden.

Noah’s wolf is still in full force, puffing his chest into me until I’m smushed against the railing.

I bare my neck for him, my wolf whimpering through me. “A-Alpha, you’re—”

When his gaze finally lands on me, Noah gasps. “Oh, my poor Luna.” Noah cups my cheek, turning me every which way to make sure I’m unscathed. “I’m so sorry for making you fawn. My wolf is going nuts.”

Pressing a hand to my racing heart, I groan. “You almost shifted, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, but I managed to keep him down so things wouldn't get even worse. I just have to shelter you like this for a while until he chills out. I'm sorry.”

“No, it actually feels good to have Little Wolf protected between us. Thank you.”

Noah’s hands stop on my belly, a soft whine escaping him. “You scared me.”

“I-I’m sorry, I—”

Noah’s frightened eyes strike panic in my core.

Oh, God. He's relying on me to protect our pup, and I put us in danger—challenging a violent Alpha without a second thought.

I grip Noah’s hands, urging him to cover more of my belly. “I-I didn’t mean to snap. I know I’m pregnant, but Annika was terrified, and everyone was crowding us, and—”

“Shh, my love.”

Stooping over me, Noah licks my mark, sending a sudden explosion of tingles up my spine. It’s meant to soothe me, but the strength behind his tongue activates nerves so deep that I can’t even moan, pleasure escaping my lips as a broken-up huff.

Noah purrs, flattening the full length of his tongue in an even deeper caress of my scent gland. I sigh in relief; his protective scent dissolves my fear, teasing out my pheromones with every sweep of his searching fingers down my sides and back.

“You’re right, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blame you. You did such a good job protecting our pup and our allies.” Noah cuddles me into a deep kiss, pleading whines escaping my lips as Noah’s Alpha musk gushes. My knees widen, and Noah readily slips his thigh between both of mine.

“O-oh, myGod—” I huff, my legs quivering. Whether our fear heightened our emotions or it’s Noah’s wolf remaining atthe forefront of his mind, his musk’s urgency overwhelms me, fluttering my eyelids.

But I’m just as desperate to reconnect with Noah. I don’t even know how to speak the words I want to say to urge him ahead; the way he’s kissing me hits just right, spiking my heart rate. My hips rock, bumping his thigh until he drags his lips down my neck to suckle my sore, freshly-scarred mark—reminding me we’re bound by the soul, and therefore, never alone in our fear. I muffle deep, pleased moans into Noah’s bulky chest, clinging to him.

But Noah suddenly pulls away, leaving me panting.

“Fuck, I want you. But not here. I don’t trust anyone else right now.” Noah kisses my mark much more gently, fighting to restrain his hungry wolf in our bond.

I shut my eyes, breathing as deeply as I can to reground myself in my rational mind. “Okay. Yes, you're right. Let's not get too frisky out here.”

Noah groans. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to get so riled up. Tomorrow’s hanging over me, and I think the pressure’s getting to my fucking head. I’m all wolf today.”

“It's okay, Alpha. Just breathe with me.” I nuzzle my forehead into his chest, soothing his wolf with slow rubs down his arms.

After breathing each other in, my heartbeat slows, and the desperation within our bond softens.

The second Noah takes a step back, I sigh. “Is it always like this at the Alpha Summit?”

Noah hums, gazing into the distance. After a few silent seconds, his golden, shifted eyes meet mine. “Actually, yes. This isn’t too bad so far.”

“Oh, Goddess,” I hiss.

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