Chapter 11
W olves are affectionate, sure. But as Annika nuzzles me towards the car in a near-courting gesture, I have no idea what to do in response except glance back at Noah for his reaction.
Viktor and Noah are buddied up just the same, chatting about the Summit with Viktor nuzzling in closer than any man I’ve seen dare snuggle up to my mate. But Noah is staring straight at me.
I trust you, sweet Omega. Don’t worry about me.
I break into a smile at the warmth buzzing through my chest, turning my attention back to Annika. I trust you too, Alpha. Is she flirting with me?
Not exactly. She just really likes your scent, enough to want it on her. It’s a compliment. Noah pauses in his mindlink, his soft giggles filling the air as Viktor breaks into rambunctious laughter.
I’m grateful you have a buddy here too, I mindlink.
Viktor is a wild card. But Annika is a good ally for us and has an even kinder heart. I figured you'd get along well. I hope you can enjoy having her as not just an ally, but a friend. I’ve been so excited for you to be around so many other Lunas.
Thank you, sweet Alpha. My heart flips as I peek back over my shoulder, met by his loving, gentle smile.
Viktor is still chattering away, his voice low and hands gesturing wildly. Now that I can see the two Alphas from afar, I’m shocked by their similar height and build. Noah still holds a little more bulk in his dense muscles than Viktor’s lean athleticism, but not many Alphas can come this close to matching my massive mate’s stature. It’s no wonder they’re so competitive. I can hardly resist rolling my eyes as I turn back around, leaning a little closer to Annika’s supportive hold on my waist.
After a short walk, I’m cuddled into Noah in the nicest limo I’ve ever seen. Outside, hillsides roll in and out of view, Kiruna’s country roads stretching over the land in a gentle dance as we pass sweeping lakes. Thankfully, I’m used to winding, uneven roads in Greenfield Forest, otherwise I’d feel even more nauseated by yet another car ride.
I have other things to worry about; something weird is going on between Viktor and Noah. I feel it in our bond, but they’re hiding it with playful smiles and laughter. What is it, frustration? Annoyance? It’s so muddied with our overwhelming surroundings that I can’t pick it apart for long before powerful eyes snap me back to the present in a continuous cycle.
All I know is Viktor is the current King Alpha after winning last year's Alpha Summit competition, yet he won't stop calling Noah "King." Noah seems to hate it.
And I'm feeling really out of the loop.
Annika senses my wariness—probably in my obnoxiously loud scent. She slinks from her Alpha’s arms, scooting to my side on the wide, black leather bench.
“How are you feeling?” Annika’s breezy tone softens my shoulders.
“A little spoiled. I haven’t been in a limo since prom,” I say.
Annika laughs, huddling in closer. “Prom? I know it’s a human thing, but I thought the excitement around it was mainly just in American movies!”
I laugh with her. “Nope, it’s sort of like a milestone everyone talks about, growing up. But it turned out to be kind of disappointing, to be honest. My boyfriend and I broke up a few weeks beforehand, so I had to tag along after my best friend and try to have a good time while her girlfriend kept stealing her away to make out with her.”
Annika laughs, grasping my arm. “Oh, no! How old were you?”
“Seventeen. Did you and Viktor know each other by then?”
Biting her lip, Annika gives Viktor her best puppy-dog eyes. “Oh, we knew each other. That was the age he marked me.”
Viktor’s eyes glaze over in pleasure, his left knee bouncing as he taps his heel faster. I blink through the sudden haze of hormones in the car, my body flushing. Noah shakes his head, silently laughing to himself.
I’m tempted to ask more, but I wouldn’t dare give them the opportunity: I can only imagine how horny these two can get, and my cheeks are hot as it is.
Thankfully, Annika fills in the silence. “How are you feeling in terms of health, though? You said it’s still early in your pregnancy?”
“Well, for me. I’m about fifteen weeks pregnant, which I know is farther along for Lycans, but I’m part human. We have no idea how long my pregnancy will be, so all I know is that I’m still having to adjust to these hormones, more than the average wolf.”
Annika’s smile brightens. “So you feel terrible, huh?”
I laugh. “Kind of.”
“We were planning to show you around our Community Center before the Alpha Summit begins, but let me know if you need to rest, okay? We can always give you a tour tomorrow.”
I sink into myself, knowing I’m running on fumes. I don’t want to miss out on everything, though. Maybe I can get through it.
Noah looks at me from the corner of his eye, sensing my distress.
But Annika leans in, cupping one hand over my ear. The other laces into mine, spiking nerves through my chest.
“Hey, I’m serious. Don’t let these Alphas push you around. I’m on your side, and I’m sure I’ll need you on my side too. Not every top Alpha and Luna are friendly.”
A fire ignites in my lungs, my stare clinging to Viktor and Noah’s tense, hushed conversation. My wolf is all riled up. She must instinctually sense the truth beneath everyone’s words clearer than I can. There’s danger ahead, but just how bad will it get?
I squeeze Annika’s hand, trading positions so I can cup my hand over her ear. “I agree. When it comes to protecting people I care about, I’m a different wolf. If you ever feel unsafe, come to me.”
Without warning, my Alpha musk trickles from me. I stiffen, hoping my scarf blocks most of it.
But Annika bites her lip with a blushing giggle. “You have a... rebellious side to you, Luna. I like it.”
When Annika flashes her neck, revealing Viktor's scarred and re-scarred mark, I suck in a shocked breath. She’s fawning for me?
Is this normal? Other than Noah, I’ve never had a single other wolf flash their vulnerable scent gland to me like this before, let alone witnessed anyone doing this to other wolves. Isn’t this a gesture reserved for mates?
The sight makes me fear for Annika’s safety, a protectiveness welling up in my chest. Before I can help it, even more Alpha musk leaks out, softening Annika’s lips.
Viktor growls in warning.
It’s gentle, but he’s also one of the most powerful wolves I’ve ever met. Before I can control myself, I jolt back, ripping my hand from Annika’s and plastering my back to the limo seats in submission.
In a flash, Noah jumps on Viktor, pinning him to the leather cushions.
Viktor raises two empty palms. “What the fuck?!”
Annika grasps fistfuls of my jacket, shrinking behind my back. “I-I'm sorry, Alpha Noah, it was my fault! I took it too far!”
Noah doesn't seem to hear her as he snarls over Viktor, his eyes flashing yellow. I’m shocked to see how much Viktor has to strain against him despite being physically equal.
“Shit, bro! Calm the fuck down!” Viktor says.
But Annika snaps back. “Vik, she’s pregnant! You can’t growl at her and expect him to be fine! Apologize already, and he'll lay off.”
She continues to argue with him in Swedish, but Viktor fights against Noah's grip, his deep brown eyes flashing to green. Noah’s fangs have extended, and I cower into Annika, all traces of my Alpha vacant.
“N-Noah? P-please,” I sputter.
He releases Viktor the second he hears my shaking voice, dropping back into his seat with his head in his palms.
“Fuck. Sorry, Omega... Goddess, I’m so sorry. That was fucking immature.”
A heavy silence hangs in the air as Annika rubs my back. Everyone’s eyes are on Noah. Waiting for him to shift the collective energy...
Like a king.
But like Noah keeps insisting, he's not the King Alpha. There’s definitely more going on here. I have a feeling this Summit will be rocky, even between our allies.
Viktor scrubs Noah’s head until his hair pokes out in every direction. “No, man, that was my bad. I know how it is, especially with your first pup.”
Nudging Noah’s shoulder, Viktor laughs nervously. But Noah keeps his head buried in his hands.
“Seriously, it was my bad. Anni and I flirt with everyone—you know how it is. It’s ridiculous of me, actually. For a second, I forgot your sweet little Luna wasn’t another Alpha I had to be worried about. Maybe her mother wolf energy is extra strong, or something. They are rightfully fearsome, after all.”
My stomach drops to my heels, spiking through our bond so heavily that Noah sucks in a sharp breath.
Noah, I did accidentally release my Alpha scent while talking about who we’re up against at the Summit. I'm sorry.
It's okay, Luna. I've got you covered.
His wolf gathers himself into a brooding calm I recognize from our Pack Safety meetings, sitting on his haunches with collected, solid stoicism in our bond. Human Noah shakes his hair out. When he relaxes back into his limo seat, Viktor’s shoulders soften almost imperceptibly.
Noah’s low chuckle sends a shiver down my spine, his arm draping over my shoulders. “No, I lost my cool too. I should know my Luna knows her way around angry Alphas. You should’ve seen her: only a week before this one guy left, the dude took one look at her snarl and bolted with his tail tucked. He probably couldn’t bear to stay after that, so he made a show of threatening her, orchestrating the biggest Alpha split from my pack.”
Viktor’s expression hardens, leaning in with tense fingers gripping his spread knees. “Yeah? Which guy was this?”
Noah’s jaw ticks, losing a bit of his calm. My stomach groans in complaint.
“Mason Hart.” Noah’s soft murmur escapes more like a growl.
Viktor’s eyebrows lift, but they settle just as quickly. “You mentioned him over the summer, but I didn’t get to ask at the time...”
Noah grumbles. “Go ahead.”
“You meant Hart, like... Jack Hart? The same family?”
When Noah doesn’t answer, my instincts urge me to rub his chest. He barely softens.
Viktor nods. “Alright, I’ll keep an eye out. For both of them.”
I swallow hard, fighting off nausea. That's right. Jack Hart is still out there too, and every wolf I've met so far seems terrified of him.
Noah kisses my temple, breathing me in. You're safe, Luna. No one working with Vik would let the Harts anywhere near here.
When Noah’s musk becomes stronger still, I’m tempted to comfort Annika; she leaves my side, plastering herself into her mate with tense shoulders.
But Viktor’s scowl scares me too much to approach his mate again. His musk sharpens alongside Noah’s until I have to breathe through my mouth to lessen the smell.
Viktor scoffs. “Alright, are you still pissed at me, or what? Spit it out. You’re freaking out my Luna.”
Noah sighs. “S-sorry, Annika. I'm not pissed at either of you. A-and I really am sorry I overreacted. I already have someone else on my mind today to warn other Alphas about, and it has me on edge.”
“Shit, well, then let's talk about it. A little scuffle doesn't change things between us. Right, King?” Viktor’s smirk churns my insides.
Noah isn’t smiling. “It shouldn't. Right, Vik?”
Annika shoots Viktor a glare, and Noah huffs out his frustration, shaking his head.
So Viktor is pissed about last year's Alpha Summit competition. What really happened?
Viktor rolls his eyes. “Fine. Sorry. I'll drop it already. I really mean it, though. I want to know who's making you—” He waves his hand over Noah’s tense form, one eyebrow raised. “Like this. I've never seen you so on edge.”
Noah chews on his lip, glancing at me. Are you okay if I ask about—?
My heart drops, but I’m no longer confused. Yes, you can ask them about my ex. But do you really think Steven’s worth mentioning? These two are important wolves.
And so are you. Whether he turns out to be a wolf or a human, he needs to be blacklisted.
Just because he's my ex? Isn't that a misuse of our power?
No, it's because what he did should never happen again. It should never have happened in the first place.
My throat thickens with nausea. You're right. I don't want that to happen to anyone else, ever.
The dread in Noah's emotions mixes with my residual anger. He closes his eyes with a heavy sigh.
But Viktor’s tone softens a little. “Alpha, seriously. Who is it? Are you both okay?”
“Someone I knew,” I say.
Noah stiffens at my admission, but I nod, urging him to continue.
His voice deepens as he leans in. “Do either of you happen to know a—” Noah winces like he swallowed spoiled meat. “A Steven Barrett?”
My stomach churns at Steven's name in Noah’s mouth, his tightened voice reflecting his repulsion in our bond. But when Annika and Viktor look at each other in thought, anticipation burns my chest. I can't decide if I want to hear their answer. I need Steven far away from us and our allies, so I don’t want to hear he’s close by, but not knowing where he is scares me just as badly.
“A Lycan?” Viktor asks.
“Or a human. It's... complicated,” Noah says. “I’m wondering if he used scent blockers. He isolated Aliya from friends and family, in part to control her, but it’s also very possible he was distancing himself so no other Lycans could scent him out, even with a blocker.”
Annika and Viktor frown, glancing at each other.
Oh, God. I hope they still believe me. I had no idea Lycans existed back then, so I didn’t know how to differentiate Steven's scent. And if Noah’s theory about scent blockers is true, Steven could’ve easily been hiding it. He’s right: Steven never met a single member of my family, and stayed far, far away from Amy, forever calling her “your clingy friend.”
Noah pulls me closer, giving my hip a soft squeeze.
But Viktor shrugs. “We don’t know a Steven Barrett. Not here, and not that any of our allies have warned us about. But we can ask them directly, in private conversation. If he’s violent and also this calculated, they need to know about it. He’s North American? Pacific Northwest origin?”
“Yep. I’ll give you a full profile. He’s somewhere near our territory, as far as we know. Which pisses me the fuck off. I can't find him anywhere, and—” Noah's wolf bristles in our bond, too angry to continue speaking.
Viktor dares to lean even closer, staring Noah straight in the eyes. His deep voice quiets to a low hum. “What’d he do? You look like you want to kill him.”
“No, I—” Noah’s jaw clenches. “Aliya and I discussed this, at length. And I agree with her; if he’s a human, we’re pursuing legal action, and if he’s a wolf, we’re capturing him—not killing him. No matter how much I fucking hate his existence, we’re not playing God, like he did.”
“Hurting him won’t magically erase what he did to me, it’ll only make me feel even worse,” I say.
Viktor frowns. “Well, sure, we’d do the same here in Sweden, opting for rehabilitation by social workers instead of inhumane punishment like most human societies choose. But like Anni has always told me, there are limits to which men like this will ever change.”
Meeting Annika’s somber eyes, a fire ignites in me. “I’ve struggled with that exact fear; I have my doubts he could be rehabilitated at all, no matter the amount of love, support, and training we could provide him. It’s his decision in the end, not ours. I can’t see the Steven I knew choosing to pursue compassion over power, maybe not even in his lifetime... But I won’t prevent us from giving him the opportunity. We’re planning to sentence him to some form of service that benefits survivors like me—without compromising anyone’s safety, of course. The rest will be none of my business.” I straighten, fueling my confidence with the heat in my gut. “But don’t underestimate his capabilities. Steven is a dangerous man to any woman he meets, Lycan or not. He— Um—”
My voice cracks, and I have to swallow my fear as it surges up my throat.
So much for confidence. I’ve never spoken about Steven so directly to strangers. This is already beyond my limits.
But Noah gazes at me with such pain, yet such intense admiration that my heart flutters.
My Alpha has my back. I’m going to tell them the full truth.
“We dated for a while, but he was verbally and emotionally abusive, and he couldn’t handle my rejection.” I fist my scarf, its fabric still doused with Noah’s comforting scent, hoping it calms my heart; the poor organ hammers every beat into my ears. “When my dad died, I finally saw Steven for how he was using me—manipulating me into ‘serving’ him, no matter how horrible I felt while grieving—and I broke up with him. But he stalked me, waiting for the right time to approach. So, shortly after my mom also died of heartbreak—” I struggle to catch my breath, but Noah stares with such pride and awe that I continue without thinking. “Steven broke in and raped me.”
My heart isn’t the only one smacked with a barbed pain at my words: Annika’s eyes widen in horror, gazing deep into my soul. Just her stare alone tells me she understands. It hurts me just as much to think she’s been hurt like this too, my throat tightening as I gaze into her aching expression.
Viktor hums, a darkness surfacing in his eyes. But he’s not looking at me: he’s locked onto Noah’s furious frame. “Alright, King. If I see him, I’ll deal with him.”
“And we’ll make sure our allies will too. They don’t need to know the details, but they’ll listen to us.” Annika reaches across the seats, grabbing my hand. “We believe you.”
Without warning, my lip wobbles.
Annika’s eyebrows warp. “Oh, Luna, I...”
Noah’s walls break down, my mate slumping even though anger flares in his heart. He nuzzles into my hair. “I’m sorry, sweet Omega. I-I shouldn’t have brought it up without warning, and—”
“No, it’s not that.” I force the best watery smile I can manage. “It’s just really nice to—” I take a moment to stifle my tears with a held breath, touched by the display of comfort I’m receiving; the three wolves hold my hands, stroke my arms, and rub my back. “It’s just nice to be believed.”
Annika’s eyes water, nodding along with me. “I know, mama. Trust me, I know.”
My heart plummets. “I thought I could see it in your eyes.”
“I could recognize it the second you started speaking about your ex too. Which is why we’ll do anything to protect you, Luna.” Annika’s tense stare flits to Noah. “Especially after what your Alpha has done to trap my own monster with Vik.”
Noah can’t bear to look at any of us, rubbing his forehead to keep from crying, but my heart can’t stop pounding.
Is Annika saying Noah helped defend her from an abuser too, tracking them down?
I always knew my mate was a protector, but I hadn’t thought about how vastly influential he might be beyond Greenfield. Which means that not finding any trace of Steven, no matter who Noah orders to investigate after coming up empty-handed himself, must make Noah feel powerless.
As I huddle into my mate, my hand stretching across the limo seats to hold Annika’s, a peaceful quiet falls over the car. No one speaks for at least two minutes.
When Noah breaks the silence, his voice is softer than I expect. “My Luna could kick most wolves' asses. But after a certain point, a victim's physical, mental, or emotional power can't protect them. Not when their abuser doesn’t allow anything or anyone to keep them safe.” He takes a sharp, furious breath. “That’s how dangerous he is.”
Annika nods. “Yes, I understand that too. And the manipulative ones often sneak under everyone’s radar.”
“Which is why we’re taking this seriously. Sweden will be a safe space for you, we swear it,” Viktor says.
The four of us huddle up in the limo with softened voices and a new perspective on one another, bonding over adversity. I can see the purpose of our allies more than ever now. Noah isn’t just a strong Alpha for our pack, he’s also smart in his strategizing.
Even if he’s behaving so weirdly today.
As our limo approaches the Alpha Summit Community Center, the mountainside parts, revealing a rich brown lodge. Stretching along a vast lake, the Community Center holds a modern elegance to its warm wood, rather than the rustic edge I envisioned. Bushy trees coat the rolling land, cradling the Community Center in a central clearing. The sheer size of the lodge screams of how expensive it must’ve been to craft, alongside its wide porches carrying a view down the lakeside.
The sunlight glimmers in hot white across the lake’s crystal blue water, rippling through the forest’s reflection. When it finally sinks in that this is where we’re staying, I gasp loudly enough to perk up all three wolves beside me.
I turn to find their wide, alert eyes, like a crowd of curious pups, and let out a giddy laugh. “Sorry! It’s just so beautiful!”
Annika smiles. “Isn’t it, mama? We’re so lucky to be here.”
“It’s wonderful. I’m so excited to look around with the three of you,” I say.
But it’s clear looking around isn’t an option, my knees buckling when I step out of the car.
Noah scoops me against his side, carrying a majority of my weight with a panicked gasp. “Oh, Goddess, Luna. Are you okay?”
With Annika’s and Viktor’s wide, worried eyes, I do my best to laugh it off. “I'm fine. Just a little tired.”
But Noah's concern seeps into my chest. I’m so sorry, Aliya. I know you're looking forward to this, but you look like you need to rest.
My shoulders droop, knowing he's right.
With my defeated nod, Noah turns to our King and Queen. “Vik and Anni, we’re both looking forward to seeing the Community Center and how hard you’ve worked. But we’ve been traveling for almost a full day, and we need to sleep off some jet lag. Can we do this again tomorrow morning?”
Annika rushes to my side, stroking my arm. “Oh, poor mama. Let’s show you to your room and send you some food and water. Like I said, we can absolutely wait until tomorrow, okay?” She whips her head to frown at her Alpha. “Vik, come help. You put her under a lot of stress.”
Viktor’s eyes bulge. “I’m sorry—”
“It’s fine!” I step back, anxious from how much they're crowding me.
But Annika's dejected expression makes me wince.
“Sorry, Annika. I just don’t want to pressure you to take care of me. I'm not usually like this, but everyone's fighting over me, and I'm just a nauseous mess, and—”
Annika puts on a half-hearted smile. “No, it’s okay, I understand. I just feel bad it turned out this way. I was so looking forward to meeting you. I hope we didn't give off too bad of a first impression.”
Oh, God. It's true I'm not enjoying how everyone's clashing, but I don’t want anyone to feel bad if I admit it. At the same time, that sounds a lot like OCD talking.
I straighten my shoulders the best I can. “Hey, there’s still tomorrow to try again.”
Annika’s frame softens as she breaks into the biggest smile, and my heart warms.
“But still, I really appreciate how you both listened to us and believed us today. I’d love to get to know you better... Maybe without any sparring in the background?” Viktor and Noah slump in unison, and my stomach drops even lower. “Ugh, I’m sorry. I need to stop talking before I say anything else I don’t mean.”
Annika gives my shoulder a playful squeeze. “Hey, I’m with you. Someone needs to speak up against these Alphas when they go too far, or they'll never stop. Let’s start over again tomorrow after we’ve all rested and had time to cool off.”
My shoulders loosen. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”
After giving Annika the biggest hug I can manage, I follow her to our room with a heavy heart. I wish I felt ready to sleep after that exhausting meeting, but I’m upset Noah didn't tell me about the tension between him and Viktor. I have to confront him, which sends my anxiety through the roof.
Noah can sense it, glancing at me every few seconds as he helps me hobble my way to our room. Today isn’t turning out how I expected at all.