Page 80 of King Luna

Slowly, Noah and I meet eyes. I find his stare just as wide, and his cheeks set ablaze.

“Shit, Noah! We make wolves super horny!” I rasp through a whisper. “We have to control ourselves better than this.”

“Fuck, I know. I’m sorry.” Noah grips his forehead, turning from me.I’ve never seen Annika lose her cool like that before. How did we even release enough pheromones to rile her up that badly?

As Noah gulps down lungfuls of cold air over the porch railing, I chase after him, whispering. “W-well, I have to admit, Ireallyliked it when you pressed me against the railing, so—”

With a whip of Noah's head in my direction, his desirous purr shocks me back into our surroundings.

I cup my hand over my mouth, my eyes widening by the second.Oh, God, sorry! I didn’t mean to say that outside of mindlink—

But it’s too late. Noah backs me against the railing once more, his hands sweeping up my sides until his purr rumbles through me. “You liked it that much, huh? That’s what you want me to do, later tonight? Mate you against the bathroom door?”

I choke out a harsh, desperate breath, gripping his arms as I nod. “W-well, honestly, I’dlove—” When Noah glomps onto me just as heavily as his wolf tackles mine in our bond, I burst into laughter. “Oh, no, not again! I shouldn’t have said anything!”

I pry myself from Noah’s grip, leaving him with his arms extended. He chases after me on the porch like a sad puppy, pushing a hearty laugh out of me as I back towards the open doorway.We’re just going to make things worse at tonight’s dinner.

Yeah, I know...Noah drops his arms.

But the agonizing distance between our bodies provides just enough tension to ignite an idea.

I slip my arm into the nook of Noah’s elbow, allowing us a single step past the door’s threshold before mindlinking him again.Maybe we should challenge ourselves tonight. See how long we can hold it in for?

Noah halts. His wolf bristles with excitement in our bond as he eyes me, an eager smile spreading on his face. “Goddess, help me.”

Chapter 19

Our allies lost their opportunity for a massage, the six of us hurrying back to our rooms to dress for tonight’s formal dinner. Every global pack leader will be all dressed up to celebrate this special night: the night before the King Alpha competition begins.

After challenging Noah to a game of staving off our lust for as long as possible, we’ve re-entered the lodge’s event hall biting back playful smiles, giggling every time we meet eyes at the elongated, cluttered dining table.

But before I realize it, my challenge morphs into a different game entirely. Noah’s wolf hasn’t retreated from behind his shifted eyes, his sly gaze washing over me between every bite of dinner. Just as I think I have him fooled that I’m “not watching” him either, sneaking glances when his head is turned, his mindlink straightens my spine.

Watch it, my feisty Luna. You’re going to get yourself in big trouble if you keep looking at me like that.

My mate tilts his jaw to gaze down at me, spiking my heart rate. He meets my stare beneath half-hooded eyelids, presenting a clear challenge for dominance; he knows my Alpha side is still more active than usual tonight.

I squeeze my thighs together, my heartbeat pulsing through my groin. After Noah teased me earlier, I have to squirm the ache away—applying just enough pressure to stave off my craving for Noah’s touch.

But shuffling in my seat only escalates my mate’s teasing stare. His grin heightens my every nerve, flooding my skin with goosebumps.You don’t want to lose your own challenge, do you?

I clear my throat, cupping my scent glands with both hands as I tear my gaze from him.No. I’m not going to lose. Just watch me, Alpha.

Luckily, the pregnancy-nose-safe food Annika special-ordered for me consumes my focus in a single bite. But as I shovel mouthful after mouthful of buttery mashed potatoes, Noah leans in close, as if he’s whispering in my ear.

Instead, he breathes me in, followed by a hearty purr.I can smell how wet you are for me, Luna. Are you sure that’s just from earlier?

I have to fight to swallow my potatoes, aroused shivers creeping up my spine.

When my hand slides up Noah’s knee, giving his upper thigh a hard squeeze, his back stiffens. From the corner of my eye, I spot his cock twitching in his pants.

Don’t play with fire, Alpha. My wolf is feisty today.

He purrs again—hardly able to help himself.She is, isn’t she? That’s why you’re enjoying me challenging you.

Are you sure I’m not the one challenging you? Preparing myself to top you again?I take another bite, giggling as Noah readjusts his pants in my peripherals.

But when I turn back to my food, Noah’s hand on my back slides up to my neck. A sigh escapes my lips.

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