Page 94 of King Luna

I understand. Which is why I’m so proud. Just acknowledging all sides of yourself is life-changing. And as you take your time to process this change and work on self-acceptance, I’ll be there through it all with you.

Noah whines, his aching heart shattering mine twice over.

You won’t have to go through it alone. Just like I’m never alone when I’m with you.Extending my claws, I cling to his plushy fur.You can do this, Noah. You already took the biggest step by telling me your truth. I believe in you.

Noah doesn’t respond, but his heart aches in deep, overwhelming understanding; he not only heard every word we’ve just spoken, he’s also absorbing them to his core.

As we curl up together in the sand, our wolves fit like they always do, my chin perfectly slotting over his back.

But rather than tucking himself in too, Noah gazes at me with slow blinks, his nose pressed to the side of my snout.You’re the most powerful, loving wolf the world will ever know. I mean it.

I whine, snuggling into him as his scent flows freely. He smells heavenly—his sweet Omega scent mixed with a doting, protective Alpha, creating the most delicious cinnamon spice. I can’t get enough of it. Our hour-long break is coming to an end, but I don’t want to let him go, our wolves nuzzling each other’s noses back and forth every few minutes with soft licks on each other’s cheeks and nibbles beneath our ears.

But as his Omega scent strengthens, it sinks in: I’m mated to an Omega too.

And he’s the most powerful wolf in the world.

My fur stands on end, goosebumps coating my skin as reality dawns on me. Noah lifts his chin off my hip, his ears perking up.

What’s wrong?

I huff, unable to withstand how gorgeous he is, his jet-black fur shimmering against the light sand.Can I tell you something, Omega to Omega?

Noah hesitates before his puppy-dog stare hits full force, a secret excitement in our bond hiding beneath the surface—as if he’s desperate to be included as an Omega, but petrified to be.

Yet, he’s listening—waiting—in silent acknowledgment of who he is.

My heart flips as glee races through me.I had a revelation.

Noah tilts his head before giving my cheek a soft boop with his nose.Oh? Let’s hear it.

Don’t you think there’s a silent agreement between all wolves that Omegas are actually the ones to be afraid of?

Noah’s eyes widen, his ears perking up.What? No, I don’t.

I know, I know, not on the surface. But let’s put all the expectations aside and look at everyone’s actions.

Okay, I’m listening.

I didn’t start hearing this until I was pregnant, but now everyone’s calling me a ‘mother wolf.’ Except it’s like they’re afraid I’m a bomb about to go off, disrupting their pack order.

Noah’s snout sucks in a sharp breath against my cheek.

Is he seeing it too?You said Omegas don’t receive the same training Alphas do, right?

Right,he says.They're not even considered for it, whereas Alphas are all encouraged or even forced, if their family is very traditional.

I swallow hard, my ears pointing to the sky as it all sinks in.Okay, that’s what I thought. Noah, this is blowing my mind. Traditionally, Lycans think of Omegas as future or current mother wolves, right?

Noah’s wolf grumbles.Right. I always feel bad for Omega men and non-binary Omegas who have carried pups because of that, not to mention that plenty of Alphas and Betas have been pregnant too. It not only leaves them out, but stereotypes Omegas as baby-making machines.

It is awful.I whine.For argument’s sake, we’re thinking like your average cocky Alpha. And beneath the surface, even Alpha-domination men have been acknowledging that Omega mother wolves are something to be afraid of. But mother wolves aren’t trained to fight, if they’re Omegas. Yet you all agree Omegas are born with a frightening defensive power to protect our pups—whether we become ‘mother wolves’ or not. Doesn’t that mean everyone agrees Omegas are strong, even without the training Alphas get?

Noah’s ears slowly rise, his breath coming out in short, quick huffs. But a desperation creeps through our bond that I’ve never experienced before—almost like Noah’s emotions are clinging to me, begging me to save his life.

So I keep going, my wolf trembling with excitement.In our top leader meeting with just the six of us, you all said I was an even stronger asset now—as a mother wolf. And that’s before we admitted I’m also an Alpha, right? Omegas are powerful. Doesn’t our very existence as Omegas break the logic behind Alphas’ ‘Goddess-given power?’ What if they’re not just scared of losing control over us, but they’re even more scared of the day we realize we have power too?

I pause, gazing into Noah’s wide, shocked stare. A shiver races beneath my fur, Noah’s golden eyes emitting power and focus.

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