Chapter 10
F ourteen hours later, after two layovers and scattered sleep, we touch down in Kiruna, Sweden. While waiting for our luggage to be loaded off the plane, a luxurious vanilla scent entices my nose. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. Before I can stop myself, I groan in bliss.
Noah chuckles. “What do you smell, Luna?”
“Something delicious.”
“Yeah? Follow your nose, and go treat yourself. I'll wait here for our luggage.”
My heart clenches in delight. “Thank you, my love.”
I don't wait for his reply, chasing the vanilla scent to the airport's nearest cafe, and Noah laughs in the distance.
But when I spot the delicious scent’s source, my heart sinks; it all looks so good. Cinnamon rolls do, in fact, line the bakery, but so do decadent Swedish pastries I’ve never tried before—glaze, sugar crystals, and vibrant berries glittering beneath the cafe lights. How do I choose just one?
Fuck, I’m about to cry. I clear my throat, half-weeping, half-laughing at myself. But as my stomach rolls, threatening to sour my appetite, it’s no longer funny anymore. Suddenly, I’d kill to eat one of these cinnamon rolls. And if I embarrass myself by crying in this cafe over food, I'm going to be pissed.
I try my best to remain centered and rational, but my wolf begs me to scramble over the counter to snag a pastry.
Okay, enough. I'm paying for one and leaving before my pregnant wolf loses the last of her self-control.
As the cashier hands me my prize, thanking me in Swedish, I have to swallow a few times so I don't drool. I cup a chunky cinnamon roll in both palms, the protective paper barely containing its dripping, hot glaze. I shove a bite into my mouth, my tongue smothered in sugar and cinnamon.
“Ugh, yes —” I breathe.
But as the cashier’s eyes widen, my heart spikes into my throat.
Oops. I moaned out loud, and I’m still at the register. I flush, wiping a drop of glaze off the corner of my mouth. Checking behind myself, I’m relieved to see no one in line behind me. “Sorry, I— I think I’d actually like to order one of each, please.”
On my way back to baggage claim, I devour the cinnamon roll first in three more bites—even after eating my two meals and half of Noah’s on the plane. I check my reflection in my phone screen, making sure I don’t still have sugar on my lips.
But when Noah finds me with my massive haul and one of my pastries already missing, the wrapper crumpled in my fist, he grows serious. “Oh, fuck, wait—maybe we still aren’t feeding you enough of something else, now that they’re growing so quickly. That could make you extra nauseous, right?”
My tight shoulders soften. For a split second, I thought he was about to scold me—another reminder of Steven’s old scars on my brain.
I sigh. “Yeah, but too much food at once could make me nauseous too.” My stomach sinks. “Maybe I'm doing something wrong by eating too big of portions in a short time.”
“No, my love, please don’t think that way. You need to eat as much as your body asks. Pregnant wolves need even more food than pregnant humans to grow such a complex baby. That, I know for sure.” He clears his throat, no longer meeting my eyes. “E-especially because they’re usually big. Which I’m still sorry about. Maybe we should’ve decided to call them Big Wolf.”
I break into giggles—until Noah rubs my belly in tender circles, and my heart nearly explodes. But my wolf leans in for more, gripping his hand.
“That’s so soothing, Alpha. Please keep going,” I whisper.
“Okay, sweet Omega. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
I indulge in every second of his hands on me—until a stranger glares at us for loving on each other in public.
Oh, my God, Noah, I forgot what it's like to be in human spaces. This is weird of us.
We separate quickly, sorting out our clothes to busy ourselves.
But when I look back at Noah, his rosy, flustered cheeks make me smile. “Cute Alpha.”
“You mean King Alpha,” a voice speaks behind our backs.
I stiffen at the sound, sending Noah back into stoic Alpha mode.
But Noah’s shoulders loosen when he meets the stranger’s eyes. He breaks into a genuine grin, his incisors on display. “Shit, Vik, you didn’t have to meet us all the way out here.”
Flipping around, I’m eye-level with a massive man’s chest, his full height towering at least a foot and a half above mine. This isn’t just any man: standing beside me is Viktor Abrammson, Scandinavia’s top Alpha, and the current King Alpha of the entire world .
And holy shit, he’s even more striking in person. Viktor’s bright smile threatens to break hearts, the deep brownish black of his irises complemented by his slender suit jacket and the tight, midnight black curls atop his short fade. Just the sight of him looks expensive, and his chuckle comes out like premium velvet. “Oh, but I did. I had to be the first to meet the Greenfield Luna in person, of course.”
Noah rolls his eyes, but I know it’s lighthearted; his sweet smile makes me laugh.
Which draws Alpha Viktor's attention straight to me.
The second Viktor’s eyes land on me, I can hardly breathe. He radiates power, and I haven’t even caught a whiff of his scent yet. My wolf tucks her tail, petrified of this unfamiliar Alpha.
But Noah's hand on my back sets my racing heart at ease. I’m grateful for it—as Viktor opens his arms for a hug, my heart only pounds faster. “Luna Aliya, it’s a pleasure to meet you in person.”
“Oh, it’s a pleasure for me to be invited, and to finally meet you both!” I’m enveloped in Viktor’s potent musk as he gives me a tight squeeze. I blink rapidly, fighting through its sting. “Where’s Luna Annika?”
Viktor chuckles. He releases me, only to lean an elbow on Noah’s shoulder. “Anni’s coming. Probably waiting for Alpha Noah and me to be a nuisance before having to deal with us. Your mate drives me insane.”
Noah sputters out a laugh, giving Viktor’s shoulder a playful shove. “ I drive you insane? Fuck off.”
Viktor’s rich laugh attracts eyes across the baggage claim. “Excuse me?! You fuck off.” Vik leans into Noah, a sly grin overtaking his smile. “...King.”
“Don’t start with that.” Noah isn’t smiling anymore. “I'm not the King.”
“This year.” Viktor grins wider. “At least not officially. Asshole.”
I blink a few times, struggling to follow. What is Viktor talking about? I thought he was this year’s King Alpha?
Noah breaks into a dark grin, coating my skin in goosebumps. “You still haven't gotten over it... King?”
Viktor shoves Noah, who grins even wider.
Before shoving back.
“Um— We’re in a human airport!” I whisper-hiss.
Maybe I don’t have much Alpha in me, after all. Their playful shoving is so aggressive yet full of laughter that I gape in pure culture shock, shrinking by the second.
Until I spot the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever witnessed in my life—and she’s headed straight for us.
Annika Abrammson, the Queen Luna. With bountiful curls tinted a light strawberry, Annika floats to us like an angel, her white dress flowing around her petite frame with the speed of her wide strides. I have no idea how she’s not freezing; her pale, bare ankles shine beneath the airport lights, her puffy, champagne-pink coat left open to flap at her sides in Sweden’s biting wind. Meanwhile, I’m having to plaster my arms to my sides just to stay warm, and I have at least two extra layers on.
But Annika shakes her head with a frown, calling out from the other end of the baggage claim. “Boys!? What did I tell you about sparring in public?”
Viktor and Noah freeze—Viktor with his hand gripping Noah's jacket, and Noah’s fist wrapped in Viktor’s buttons. As Annika approaches faster, they slump in embarrassment like scolded pups with drooping ears.
“Sorry, my love.” Viktor releases Noah, straightening his jacket. Annika just sighs.
My heart flips. Am I imagining the startlingly sweet smell in the air, or did their pheromones just combine to create a saccharine explosion of a perfume?
During our London layover, Noah warned me about this: the way Viktor and Annika tag-team, using their scents to lull other Lycans into security, including their enemies.
Noah might’ve prepared me mentally, but witnessing this phenomenon in person is a whole different beast. I’m unable to control the butterflies in my belly from a single whiff of their scent, my mouth watering for more.
Annika perks up when she meets my eyes, breaking into a smile. “Luna!”
My heart flutters when she calls my name. Every feature of her body emanates gorgeous regality, so it feels like a miracle she knows me at all.
“Luna, hello!” My voice is squeaky, but Annika's smile is warmer by the second.
Oh, God. Speaking of girl crushes. Noah raises a knowing eyebrow, and my cheeks burn. Guilt spikes through our bond, but before I can say anything, Noah chuckles, kissing my head. This is exactly what I was talking about.
I want to respond, but I’m too overwhelmed; Noah’s arm around me doesn't stop Annika from throwing herself at me in a near-tackle. “Oh my goodness, look at you! Hello, beautiful!” She squeezes me tight, but her arms are so soft that I feel like I’m being embraced by a cloud.
“Are you kidding? Look at you!” My laugh comes out awkward and wary.
Why the hell am I so flustered? Never in my life did I think I’d look at anyone other than Noah, let alone have any desire to. I glance at Noah, terrified I’ll find a blazing hurt in our bond, any second now.
But Noah chuckles, stroking my back as the four of us separate into our prospective pairings. Don’t worry. These two look innocent, but this is why I warned you; they win every sexual attraction contest we hold. On purpose.
My heart still hammers. N-Noah, I swear I only have eyes for you.
He beams down at me. I know. It’s not you—there's something about their scent that allures other wolves. They use it to their advantage. Thankfully, they use it for good. At least, in my opinion. This is light, compared to what I’ve seen them do. They’ve mastered their scent, alluring dangerous wolves into submission. It might be a manipulative tactic, but it’s a far more peaceful one than other packs who choose to kill their enemies. It’s the main reason Vik and I get along.
I want to agree with Noah, but my stomach churns. Doesn’t that mean they’re manipulating me on purpose right now?
Noah hugs me closer. No. I almost don’t smell it, so it must just seem extra strong to my poor pregnant Luna.
As if Annika could hear Noah’s mindlink, she closes her eyes, breathing me in. Gasping, she turns to her mate. “Oh, my love, did you smell her? She’s delightful .”
The second Viktor’s eyes land on me, Noah settles his arm back around my shoulders.
So it wasn’t just me overanalyzing their behavior: Noah is guarding me from Viktor. It’s borderline possessive, which is so unlike my mate. Is this another effect of their scent tactics? I lift an eyebrow at Noah, but he pretends not to notice.
At least one person can control himself: Viktor sniffs the air from afar to catch my scent, not daring to come anywhere near my neck.
He pulls back, his eyes wide as he meets Annika’s eager stare. “So sweet!”
“Beautifully so, yes?” Annika beams. “And it reminds me of a particular hormonal phase, Luna.”
“Dammit. So much for that,” Noah mutters.
Viktor grins. “Ah, I see. Scent blockers not working?”
“That’s okay. When you’re this far along, you have to apply it every few hours.” Annika gives me a knowing smile, and even though Noah frowns even deeper, all I can do is giggle.
“I— Um—” I tuck my hair behind my ear, glancing at Noah. “It’s still a bit early, and things are a bit rocky in our area, so Noah and I haven't decided if we’d like to advertise the news of our pup to other Alphas and Lunas yet.”
Annika gasps. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to put you on the spot! I won’t speak of it without your permission again.”
“Oh, no, I’m excited to be pregnant. But maybe it can stay between us, Tāne, and Waimārie? At least for a day or two?”
“Oh, goodness, yes! It will stay between us until you give the word.” Annika squeezes my hand before nuzzling into her mate. “Although, Vik, I do have baby fever again now.”
Viktor’s smooth chuckle softens my shoulders. “Oh, Goddess. I don’t have enough limbs for another pup, my love.” He plucks a stray hair off Annika’s cheek, sweetening his voice. “But maybe we can discuss this over dinner?”
Noah's jaw drops, but Annika and Viktor are too busy making out to notice. Fuck, we’re gawking at their pheromones, but maybe our scent really does do something to other Lycans. Is everyone at the Alpha Summit going to get pregnant because of us? My mom's really going to kill me.
I can barely bite back a laugh, and when Annika meets my smiling eyes, she grins.
“Please know you’re safe with us, and so is your pup. Come to me whenever you need support from another mom, okay?” Annika hugs me again, enveloping me in a far more relaxed, nurturing scent.
I sigh. “Thank you, Annika. You’re so sweet.”
“I just know what it's like to be pregnant around all these reckless Alphas.”
Viktor laughs. “Hey! I’m not reckless!”
Annika ignores her mate, looping her arm into my elbow with a giggle. “Let's go get you warm in the car, mama. I just adore you already.”