Page 85 of King Luna

I can only indulge in his giddiness for so long before Beta Johannes enters the Community Center, announcing there’sonly an hour before the first battle in the King Alpha competition.

My heart sinks as Noah’s smile vanishes, leaving a scowl in its place.

Viktor, Tane, and Reid seem to feel the same, meeting Noah in the center of the room with hushed whispers.

I look to Annika and Waimarie for answers, but Waimarie hasn’t returned yet, holing herself in the bathroom for at least half an hour, and Annika herds two of her pups from the Community Center, carrying the third close to her chest with a weary smile. “See you there, Luna.”

So I’m not the only one dreading today.

As Noah parts from the Alphas to rejoin my side, my stomach gurgles with anxiety.

“You okay?” he whispers.

“Yes, but—” I eye the wolves around us, painfully aware they’re eavesdropping on our every breath this week.Are you nervous?

Noah sighs, leaving a longer pause than usual before answering me.Not for the reason other wolves might be.

Well, that’s ominous. Just as my gut sinks, Noah’s hand settles on my lower back, drawing me close as wolves filter out of the Community Center to prepare for the competition.

You don’t have to worry about my safety, Luna. I really meant it when I told our Elder Alphas I’m always ready to defend our pack. I know the competition sounds scary, but I’m confident today’s preliminary rounds will be easy to pass.

Checking behind himself with a lungful of air, Noah must believe we’re alone enough now to speak beneath his breath. “Reid, Viktor, Tane, and I are upholding a pact to divide and conquer—until we face off on the New Moon.”

I exhale through a nod. “Okay, that’s good to hear... I think. But you seem upset.”

Noah growls beneath his breath, kissing the top of my head as we exit the Community Center. “That’s because today is my least favorite part of the Summit.”

My stomach flinches. “Because it’s dangerous?”

Footsteps appear at our side. Noah glances at Viktor as he approaches, but to my surprise, he continues our conversation. “No. It’s because it’s really hard to avoid permanently damaging these Alpha-domination assholes.”

“Since they make you so upset?” I whisper.

“Since they hold their top Alpha rank through fear tactics, not actual physical muscle.”

Viktor claps Noah's shoulder, leaning in with a grin. “It’s actually since a single one of your Alpha’s claws is stronger than twenty average wolves, combined. Imagine trying to tone that down.”

As Noah brushes off Viktor with a playful shove, I swallow hard, seeing Noah’s massive shoulders in a new light.

Viktor only knows the held-back version of Noah. How much of his physical strength has Noah been withholding?

I think I’m mated to the strongest wolf the Summit has ever seen.

But I get the feeling he doesn't want to be.

Chapter 20

The world’s top Alphas line a sweeping, grassy field behind the Community Center, their boasting pheromones forcing spectators to cover their noses. Front and center are Noah, Viktor, Tane, Reid, and six other huge wolves—last year’s top ten Alphas.

A golden crest plate hangs over Noah’s chest to signify Greenfield Forest’s heritage, its emblem flashing in the afternoon sun. Just like the massive trees encircling the field today, embossed evergreens frame a shining full moon and a howling wolf’s head on the crest’s front—a long-standing signifier for Greenfield Pack’s prominence in the Pacific Northwest.

Noah’s broad form holds an elevated regality to his every breath in his traditional garb, but Noah doesn’t seem to agree; he rolls his shoulders for the tenth time this minute. When my concern spikes from his eleventh shoulder roll, Noah deflates.Sorry. This stupid chunk of metal is uncomfortable.

No matter how hard my hands shake, I force myself to smile when we meet eyes across the field.It’s an heirloom, love. It means something to more wolves than just your mom.

Well, it makes me look ridiculous. And it didn’t even fit my dad.

I bite back a laugh as Noah stands even taller in defiance, his glowering making a few Alphas lean ever-so-slightly away from him.I don’t think anyone was built as big and strong as my Alpha in the old days. Not even your dad.

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