Chapter 6
A nticipatory jitters charge my exhausted limbs the night before our flight. I shuffle through our luggage, hiding a sexy surprise for Noah during our trip to Sweden. I think he’ll need it; whether it’s the Alpha Summit or the additional Alpha-domination Lycans he had to chase away from our borders thirty minutes ago, Noah’s stress has increased to a level that seeps through his scent glands, soaking the air in a persistent sense of unease.
As I approach him, Noah’s tight shoulders droop. “Sorry, I know I reek, it’s just—”
“I know. I’m not upset, just concerned for you.”
Noah shakes his head. He says nothing more.
Wrapping my hand around Noah’s limp arm at his side, I guide him to our cushy mattress. But when he plops down on it beside me, he bounces me in the air, pushing a yelp from me.
Despite his upset, Noah cracks a smile, grabbing me by the hips to stabilize me. “Oops. Sorry, Luna.”
I laugh, sorting his hair out of his eyes. “I know what I signed up for when I mated you.”
Giving me a soft smile, Noah kisses my forehead. But then he drops his head into his palm, scrubbing his face with a growl. “I had to add twenty fucking people to the blacklist today. Just that I know of.”
Dread creeps up my throat. But I know the only reason I haven't panicked over our rising outbreak of domineering, violence-focused Alphas is because Noah is there to protect not just me, but everyone. He’s shouldering that fear for us. I’m afraid it’s wearing him down by the day, digging into the corners of his eyes.
“You’re under so much pressure, my love,” I say.
Noah slumps.
And I can’t take it anymore. “Forget the bed chat: you’ve probably had enough of talking about this all day, every day. For tonight, let me wash your body.”
That came out before I could stop it. I freeze, realizing I didn’t phrase my offer as an option, but a demand. That, plus my Alpha musk is showing. What if I didn’t leave enough room for Noah to consent to what he wants?
But Noah seems to loosen in relief, his arms slackening as he gazes up at me. “Are you sure? You’re pregnant.”
I laugh. “So? I can still thank my mate’s gorgeous body for being here. I’d love to do you a favor.”
Dropping my stare, Noah smiles, giving me a soft, “Thank you.”
My wolf spins in circles in our bond as I take Noah by the hand, guiding him to rest on the toilet seat while I prepare our shower.
Dragging my fingers beneath the water to gauge its temperature, I check on Noah over my shoulder. I’m relieved to see his eyes closed, my mate doing his best to regulate his wavering stress in our bond.
Which also gives me an opening. As quietly as I can, I tug my hoodie over my head, slipping my fingertips beneath my sports bra to relieve my achy breasts. Noah draws a heavy breath, letting out a growling sigh. But he doesn’t open his eyes. I bite back a smile. Despite Noah’s wolf hearing, I manage to be quiet enough to yank off my leggings too, setting them on the cool tile below my feet with one hand as I tug my socks off with the other. All I’m left with is my underwear.
I speak as softly as I can. “Hey, gorgeous.”
Noah’s eyes flutter open. He sucks in a harsh breath through his nose, his focus zipping straight to my swollen breasts. “Oh, fuck.”
I smile, turning around but holding eye contact with him. Pulling my long hair over my shoulder, I ensure Noah has a clear view of my entire back.
Tugging at my waistband, I ease my panties over the curve of my ass. My wolf puffs her chest out in our bond as Noah soaks me in, his focus dragging up the length of my body. When we meet eyes, his irises flash green—and a burst of Alpha musk wafts from my scent glands.
My breath shakes. I’ve let my wolf’s Alpha side out to play with Noah before, but this feels new. Intentional, and, therefore, far more potent.
As Noah’s eyelids flutter, his lungs flex his rib cage, dragging in an extended whiff of my scent. When he opens his eyes again, his heavy-lidded stare rattles me; he’s pleased by my Alpha scent. My heart squeezes tight in my chest, pushing a flood of oxytocin through my torso.
Before I can finish turning back around, Noah catches me by the hips. Purring over my skin, he plants soft kisses up my spine. Goosebumps crawl up my body, hardening my nipples as I suck in a sharp breath.
Pulling me closer, Noah sweeps his palms down my thighs before dragging them back up my hips, circling them around my waist to rub my bloated abdomen. My lips part, relaxation washing over me as tingles cascade my torso; I love when Noah caresses our baby, and he knows it.
Before Noah can convince me he’s treating me instead, I spin around in his arms, my shins bumping the toilet seat beneath him. “Your turn.”
A thrill pierces my chest; I’m met with ravenous, golden eyes, staring deep into my gaze.
His wolf isn’t challenging mine for dominance, but he seems tempted to, his Alpha side still hesitating at the forefront.
But a slow smile creeps up Noah’s cheeks, breaking the intensity of our staredown. Glomping onto me, Noah sighs against my chest, soft kisses on my sternum sparking waves of pleasure down my belly.
When I stoop over, gripping the hem of his T-shirt, Noah slackens, allowing me to ease the grass- and dirt-stained fabric over his head. He reattaches his palms to my waist the second they’re free, spurring giggles from me.
Gathering his wide, sturdy hands, I help Noah to his feet. His jeans sink to the tile with a plop of heavy denim, but I make sure to ease his boxers’ waistband with care over his forming erection, his shaft bobbing at my brief touch.
Drawing my eyes up Noah’s bare body, I suck in a tight breath; he’s still staring straight at me, spiking excitement through my chest. Heat pools low in my belly, swirling between my legs.
By the time I guide Noah by the hand into the shower behind me, my lips remain parted with the thought of his rising pleasure—I’m dying to lather him up, making him feel good all over. Pumping body wash into my palm, I scrub my hands together, desperate to massage my soapy fingers over his dense chest.
But just as I place my hands over Noah’s pecs, he cups my cheeks, holding me in place. I freeze, blinking up at the gorgeous man above me. Water spills down his neck, cascading over his clavicles in a tantalizing waterfall. Full lips part above me as Noah’s pointed stare roams to my mouth, but he doesn’t pounce yet, his thumbs stroking my cheeks. Steam mixes with a blast of my scent, carrying a quick burst of Omega-like submission to anything and everything his hands wish to do to me. But my wolf shakes herself off, determined to keep flaunting her Alpha side.
As I meet Noah’s eyes once more, his sharp gaze greets me with a delighted, sugary, Omega-like scent to match my own. I can hardly keep my knees from dipping with desire, inhaling his enthralling scent as a burst of Alpha musk erupts from me once more.
Deep down, I’m terrified by how new this scent swap feels. Is this too much? I analyze Noah for his reaction to our scents, afraid to make another move. But now that I’ve let myself go just a little bit, my wolf fights back, refusing to stifle her Alpha side and pushing more and more of her truth out instead—especially as her mate welcomes her Alpha side with open arms, our bodies communicating with each other through desirous pheromones. Within seconds, I douse poor Noah with more Alpha musk than I've ever allowed myself to express.
The second Noah lets out a soft, helpless sound, I’m done for. Responding with my own moan, I slide my soapy hands down Noah’s thick arms, working out their tension. He doesn’t allow me to lather him for long; Noah locks one hand around my waist as the other sinks into my soaked hair. Pressing me against the icy shower door, Noah coats my front half in his blazing warmth, sinking his lips into mine with a growl. My breath hitches through my nose as I tilt my head, gripping Noah’s shoulders to deepen our kiss. My tongue slips over his, tasting our sweet, aching scent for each other in the steam. I moan through the pulsing ache in my pussy, my inner muscles clenching in preparation for him.