Page 89 of King Luna

Noah’s focus flits between my eyes.

Then his jaw hardens. “You’re a fucking Goddess-sent angel, Luna, I swear. And you’re the only one here who can tame me.”

My heart flips as he whispers those last words into my ear, their meaning holding a lot more weight as wolves surrounding us scurry from his single footstep. By Noah’s fifth step back from me, his chest expands, fur sprouting from every pore as he bursts into his black bear of a wolf.

Except his fur stands at full attention, turning him from a giant to a Titan.

Holy shit. I knew he was huge, but so are most Alphas here—especially compared to the average wolf. They're the most powerful Alphas in the world, but Noah’s beefy wolf makes every shifted Alpha look like a lanky teen.

Multiple Alphas roll over in defeat, even before Noah has a chance to be paired up with them.

I press my fingertips to my lips, preventing myself from breaking into inappropriate laughter; Noah’s wolf looks just asannoyed as his human side, giving an irritated grumble at the bellies facing the sky in a heap around him.

Hey, look! Now you don’t have to fight as many wolves today.

But just as I mindlink this thought, Logan steps forward to face off against Noah, baring his fangs in his human form.

At least not wolves with a conscience,Noah mindlinks.

“I heard from Mason Hart,” Logan says.

I squish my palm tighter against my mouth, afraid I’ll get sick.

Noah bristles, but his wolf doesn’t budge a single other muscle.

Logan crosses his arms, his nude body in full view. “Everyone’s heard the rumors by now. You smelled like an Omega as a pup, didn’t you?”

Noah’s huff from his snout is sharp, dirt clouding around his paws. But the shame in his side of our bond makes my knees shake.

What's this Alpha talking about? I've never felt Noah's confidence take such a deep hit.

“It’s time you learned your place—from a real Alpha.” Logan shifts, his spotted brown paws landing in a threatening sprawl. He flicks his tail at Noah, his ears jutting toward the sky with his angry snarls.

But Noah doesn’t hesitate. With one swing of his paddle-like paw, he bats Logan to the ground.

I wince as Logan yipes. But he bursts from the ground twice as furious, lunging for Noah’s throat with his claws extended.

Oh, my God, no—that's not allowed!

It happens faster than I know how to react. All I can do is scream, afraid I’m about to watch my mate die.

But this time, Noah’s batting paw hits Logan so hard, I hear a loudcrack. I gag, turning my back before I have to see what I justheard. I know exactly what that sound was from an unfortunate playground incident at my old preschool: the sound of bones snapping. The imagery alone has me struggling to keep my lunch down, shaking as I grip the edge of the planter boxes behind our spectator seating area. But as Logan’s wolf bleats in pain, wolves stream over in hordes, and I know I have to help Noah with damage control among our packs.

Attempting to still the panicked wolf, multiple hands stabilize Logan’s body before he breaks his leg further; it's dangling like a snapped branch in the wind.

Once again, Viktor is forced to mediate, stopping at Noah’s side with an angry shove. “Dude, what the fuck?!”

Noah shrinks despite his massive size, his ears pasting to the sides of his head.

This single, minor flash of guilt causes Alphas to perk up across the field, seeking their chance to dominate Noah.

I dart into the midst of the Alphas without thinking, gripping Noah's fur as he whines over Logan on the floor.

But when he realizes I watched it all, his wolf's huge puppy-dog eyes aren’t the only things that make an appearance.

I-I’m sorry, Luna, I didn’t mean to hurt someone like this— I—His wolf whines, crouching lower and lower at my feet. Submitting himself to me in regret.

I gasp.Noah, don't! Get up!

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