Chapter 18
A nnika shrieks, heightening my senses until every other sound, smell, and sight disappears, my wolf locking in on the Alpha closing in on Annika.
My primal mind gathers information in rapid, fleeting flashes: Annika’s terrified Omega scent calls for her Alpha mate, Waimārie and Talia cry out alongside her, and the tension in my muscles warn me of danger, each sensation heightening my urge to fight back.
But as time slows, one thing in particular stands out to my wolf: the opportunistic look in the Alpha's eyes.
I know that look. That’s a look no man will get away with in my presence again, so long as I have the power to stop it.
Within a millisecond, colors dull and my chest heaves, my wolf taking complete control.
I can’t shift without creating further chaos. I know I can’t.
But I still have fangs.
My extended incisors snap at the Alpha’s sleeve in a blink, ripping the shoulder off his suit. He jerks back, his eyes widening.
But that's not enough to satisfy me.
My jaws ache to clamp down on the hands he laid on Annika. Digging in with all ten claws, I yank the Alpha’s arm toward me, just like he yanked Annika’s. Then I sink my fangs deep into his flesh.
The Alpha yipes in fear and pain, releasing the Queen Luna. As wolves dart from the cowering Alpha and me to give us a wide radius, I spit his filthy blood from my mouth, growling deep as I stare him down. He scrambles back on the hardwood porch, gaping at me from the floor with wide, frantic eyes.
Smashing Annika into my chest, I envelop her as much as I can as my Alpha musk explodes. My words come out as a snarling bark. “Don’t you dare fucking touch her! ”
This Alpha’s ego must be bruised. He’s clearly petrified, his lips quivering as they curl, but he still dares to snarl back.
I only catch a glimpse of Noah’s eyes flashing a vivid yellow above me before he picks the Alpha attacker up by the back of his suit collar, dumping him over the porch railing.
My jaw drops. Thankfully, the porch is a mere four to five feet off the ground, the Alpha crashing into thick bushes below us. All I see are legs popping out of the top, the Alpha squirming to stand.
Turning back around, I’m met with a sea of bulging, frightened eyes across the porch, darting between Noah and me. Viktor must’ve arrived just in time to see Noah’s takedown, standing strong despite the undulating crowd around him. But he seems to be frozen. Staring.
When I finally get a good look at him, a chill runs down my spine. Viktor’s eyes aren’t on Noah. They’re glaring at me .
With Annika still cocooned in my arms, the King Alpha snarls, and I receive his message loud and clear: he’s preparing to fight me for his mate.
Flexing his arms, Viktor’s black eyes shine a vivid green, his wolf extending his scent as he stares deep into my soul. Growling through a low, velvety voice, Viktor speaks a single word.
“ Mine. ”
Fear envelops my heart, freezing every inch of me. Are we going to die here?
Noah grips Viktor by his jacket collar. “She’s protecting Anni, not claiming her!”
But Viktor doesn’t seem to see anyone else but Annika and me, his fangs glistening with saliva as he flashes them at me. “Get the fuck off my mate, Luna.”
My eyesight grays as Alphas erupt back into action around us, in a frenzy at the clashing, violent scents. Noah’s teeth bare, his arms rippling with their full force—shoving Viktor back again and again as the King tries to reach me.
But this only sends Annika into full-body sobs, her knees buckling beside me. “N-no! Please!”
“I've got you! It's okay!” I cradle her head like I would for my preschoolers, but nothing can soothe her now; my fury builds too as Alphas escalate into near-blows.
All at once, my frustration spills over.
“Just fucking stop! ”
Echoing past all the raging wolves, my shout puts the entire Summit into a standstill—including the King Alpha.
Between all the petrified eyes on me, my form deflates.
I need a moment to myself to be stunned. Awestruck by how they all just listened to me, and confused by my influence. Was that just a fluke?
But my agitated wolf’s focus is yanked elsewhere—Annika struggles to breathe beyond raspy, quick gulps of air.
I suck in a pained breath. “Oh, Goddess, Anni—”
She clings to me, her teeth chattering as tears cloud her eyes. “H-he almost— Almost got me—”
My sugary, nurturing Omega scent clouds the porch, instincts urging me to whine over her. “Slow your breathing, sweetheart. We’ve got you, sweet Luna. He’s not messing with you again. Slow your breath.”
“Oh, Goddess—” Reaching through the railing, Waimārie smooths Annika’s mussed hair off her clammy forehead, her features just as contorted as Annika’s.
“Help,” Annika rasps.
“We’ve got you,” I whisper. “Slow your breath as best as you can, bit by bit.”
The Queen Luna whimpers as I massage her sternum, trying to help reset her nervous system with a grounding touch. She fists my jacket sleeves like I’ve shocked her back into reality, laboring through harsh breaths in an attempt to slow her air intake.
“There you go. Look at Vik for me, okay? Your mate is right here, ready to protect you with us now. Breathe slowly and deeply. You’re just having an anxiety attack.”
Viktor seems to blink from a haze, jumping into action. “Fuck. I’m right here!”
The second Noah releases Viktor, Annika bursts from my arms, diving into her mate’s chest. Viktor coos over her with soft-spoken comforts, rubbing her all over until she melts into his embrace, finally able to catch her breath.
And I want to dissolve into the atmosphere.
Noah, can we please leave this ‘bonding’ day from hell?
We’re not escaping. They’re leaving. Gathering me against him, Noah growls at everyone else. “I hope this is a reminder not to fuck with a mother wolf. Everyone off the porch before I fucking lose it.”
As requested, the wolves dash back inside—except Viktor, exiting down the porch stairs to soothe Annika in the lodge’s front garden.
Noah’s wolf is still in full force, puffing his chest into me until I’m smushed against the railing.
I bare my neck for him, my wolf whimpering through me. “A-Alpha, you’re—”
When his gaze finally lands on me, Noah gasps. “Oh, my poor Luna.” Noah cups my cheek, turning me every which way to make sure I’m unscathed. “I’m so sorry for making you fawn. My wolf is going nuts.”
Pressing a hand to my racing heart, I groan. “You almost shifted, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, but I managed to keep him down so things wouldn't get even worse. I just have to shelter you like this for a while until he chills out. I'm sorry.”
“No, it actually feels good to have Little Wolf protected between us. Thank you.”
Noah’s hands stop on my belly, a soft whine escaping him. “You scared me.”
“I-I’m sorry, I—”
Noah’s frightened eyes strike panic in my core.
Oh, God. He's relying on me to protect our pup, and I put us in danger—challenging a violent Alpha without a second thought.
I grip Noah’s hands, urging him to cover more of my belly. “I-I didn’t mean to snap. I know I’m pregnant, but Annika was terrified, and everyone was crowding us, and—”
“Shh, my love.”
Stooping over me, Noah licks my mark, sending a sudden explosion of tingles up my spine. It’s meant to soothe me, but the strength behind his tongue activates nerves so deep that I can’t even moan, pleasure escaping my lips as a broken-up huff.
Noah purrs, flattening the full length of his tongue in an even deeper caress of my scent gland. I sigh in relief; his protective scent dissolves my fear, teasing out my pheromones with every sweep of his searching fingers down my sides and back.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blame you. You did such a good job protecting our pup and our allies.” Noah cuddles me into a deep kiss, pleading whines escaping my lips as Noah’s Alpha musk gushes. My knees widen, and Noah readily slips his thigh between both of mine.
“O-oh, my God— ” I huff, my legs quivering. Whether our fear heightened our emotions or it’s Noah’s wolf remaining at the forefront of his mind, his musk’s urgency overwhelms me, fluttering my eyelids.
But I’m just as desperate to reconnect with Noah. I don’t even know how to speak the words I want to say to urge him ahead; the way he’s kissing me hits just right, spiking my heart rate. My hips rock, bumping his thigh until he drags his lips down my neck to suckle my sore, freshly-scarred mark—reminding me we’re bound by the soul, and therefore, never alone in our fear. I muffle deep, pleased moans into Noah’s bulky chest, clinging to him.
But Noah suddenly pulls away, leaving me panting.
“Fuck, I want you. But not here. I don’t trust anyone else right now.” Noah kisses my mark much more gently, fighting to restrain his hungry wolf in our bond.
I shut my eyes, breathing as deeply as I can to reground myself in my rational mind. “Okay. Yes, you're right. Let's not get too frisky out here.”
Noah groans. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to get so riled up. Tomorrow’s hanging over me, and I think the pressure’s getting to my fucking head. I’m all wolf today.”
“It's okay, Alpha. Just breathe with me.” I nuzzle my forehead into his chest, soothing his wolf with slow rubs down his arms.
After breathing each other in, my heartbeat slows, and the desperation within our bond softens.
The second Noah takes a step back, I sigh. “Is it always like this at the Alpha Summit?”
Noah hums, gazing into the distance. After a few silent seconds, his golden, shifted eyes meet mine. “Actually, yes. This isn’t too bad so far.”
“Oh, Goddess,” I hiss.
As I take deep, calming breaths to soothe my anxiety, a shaky voice appears behind Noah’s body shield.
“Alpha? Can I slip into your wolf’s bubble a little to thank your Luna?”
Noah grumbles, leaning away just enough for one of my eyes to see Annika. Her mascara is still streaked down her cheeks, her big, beautiful eyes rimmed in red.
I reach for Annika past Noah’s back, grasping her hand. “Please, don’t thank me, Luna. It’s in my instincts to nurture and protect, but I got so angry that I caused even more chaos. I’m sorry.”
To my surprise, Viktor steps into view, easing his hands around Annika’s waist. “You didn’t. It was a misunderstanding on my end, and my Luna needed someone to step in to save her from further abuse. Goddess, I’d die if he took her while I couldn’t reach her. Thank you.”
Viktor’s words are kind, but something in his scent still screams of jealousy.
Noah tenses, his wolf edging on snapping.
Patting Noah’s chest, I put on my calming teacher voice. “Hey, it’s almost dinner time, right? Let’s head back inside and continue our night with some delicious food. And Vik and Anni, please don’t worry; there are no hard feelings. Noah and I are so grateful to have you in our circle as both allies and dear friends—we keep talking about it.”
Viktor’s eyes land on Noah, and for a second, I’m afraid things could turn sour despite everyone’s attempts to repair our allyship.
But after a long, tense silence, Noah releases me, relaxing at my side. “I really do admire your fire, King. Your wolf is a force to be reckoned with, so I’m lucky you’re on my side.”
Viktor chuckles, rubbing the back of his head. “Whatever, man. I’m sorry for charging at your mate.”
“Well, my feisty Luna is a force to be reckoned with too, so I can’t say I wouldn’t do the same in your position.” Noah stretches his neck, rolling it side to side. When his gaze lands directly on Viktor's, a subtle tension tightens all of our shoulders. “But my Luna’s also fucking brilliant, and she’s right. Let’s let this all go—including what I left unsettled last year.”
Noah’s soft-spoken words might lack in volume, but his irises blaze as he stares Viktor down—Noah’s wolf confirming his sincerity.
Viktor tenses. Annika’s eyes dart between both Alphas, her knuckles turning bright white as she grips Viktor’s arm.
Noah’s straightened back doesn’t budge. “I’m genuinely sorry, Vik. Let’s settle our score, once and for all, in the King Alpha competition this year. I’ll attack you so hard, you won’t even have to question if I’m holding back.”
My heartbeat races as I analyze every small flit of Viktor’s irises. But with Noah’s declaration, Viktor warms into the brightest smile I’ve seen on him yet.
“Fuck yeah, Alpha. That’s all I ever wanted, man.” Viktor scrubs Noah’s hair as he passes us, urging Annika back inside. “Then let’s get ourselves well fed tonight so it’s a fair competition, yeah?”
We follow Viktor to the open porch doors, but Annika stumbles, catching herself against the doorframe.
“Luna!?” Viktor hoists her to his chest, carrying most of her weight with panicked, wide eyes. “Are you still lightheaded, my love? Your cheeks are bright red.”
“S-sorry, I’m just—” She fans her cheeks, stealing a quick glance at us. “T-there’s a lot of delightful pheromones on this porch, and I tried to ignore them, but... I couldn’t help myself. I was squeezing my knees together while you all talked, and— I-I’m about to—” With a soft mewl of pleasure, Annika’s grip tightens on her mate.
As she buries her face into Viktor’s chest, my jaw genuinely drops. O-oh, my God, Noah... Is she seriously saying she's about to have an orgasm in the doorway?
With confirmation from Noah’s flushed stare dropping to his feet, there’s no question as to what Annika means.
I gasp as Viktor lunges for Annika’s throat, licking her mark so hard that she warps into heaving moans.
“Ah! Alpha!”
Viktor growls, his hand skating past her breasts to smooth down her dress’s puffy skirt—slipping between her legs. His circling palm rolls her clit until her legs shake, her hips bucking outside of the rhythm of his arm.
My groin aches with hers as I’m unable to tear my gaze away from the unbelievable sight in front of me. As Viktor’s arm pumps outside of her dress, fabric bounces around his wrist. Squirming against him, Annika grows louder, her moans echoing across the empty porch—until she comes with a hearty cry, her thighs clamping around Viktor’s hand. Viktor drinks up every whine Annika buries into his suit jacket, grinning with pride as her claws poke holes in his sleeves.
Annika falls still with happy purrs, rubbing her head all over her mate to scent him with her pleased gratitude. Viktor’s hand slows, but my heartbeat still pulses between my legs, my grip tight on Noah’s forearm as we continue to gape.
Viktor’s low chuckle gives me goosebumps. “That better, baby?”
With flaming red cheeks, Annika lifts her head from his chest, tilting her face up to Viktor with slow, blissed-out blinks. She smiles like he’s her source of sunlight. “Y-yes... Yes. Thank you, Alpha.”
After sloppy kisses against the doorframe and a lot of purring, the two head back inside as if nothing happened at all—leaving Noah and me on the porch, stunned speechless.
Slowly, Noah and I meet eyes. I find his stare just as wide, and his cheeks set ablaze.
“Shit, Noah! We make wolves super horny!” I rasp through a whisper. “We have to control ourselves better than this.”
“Fuck, I know. I’m sorry.” Noah grips his forehead, turning from me. I’ve never seen Annika lose her cool like that before. How did we even release enough pheromones to rile her up that badly?
As Noah gulps down lungfuls of cold air over the porch railing, I chase after him, whispering. “W-well, I have to admit, I really liked it when you pressed me against the railing, so—”
With a whip of Noah's head in my direction, his desirous purr shocks me back into our surroundings.
I cup my hand over my mouth, my eyes widening by the second. Oh, God, sorry! I didn’t mean to say that outside of mindlink—
But it’s too late. Noah backs me against the railing once more, his hands sweeping up my sides until his purr rumbles through me. “You liked it that much, huh? That’s what you want me to do, later tonight? Mate you against the bathroom door?”
I choke out a harsh, desperate breath, gripping his arms as I nod. “W-well, honestly, I’d love —” When Noah glomps onto me just as heavily as his wolf tackles mine in our bond, I burst into laughter. “Oh, no, not again! I shouldn’t have said anything!”
I pry myself from Noah’s grip, leaving him with his arms extended. He chases after me on the porch like a sad puppy, pushing a hearty laugh out of me as I back towards the open doorway. We’re just going to make things worse at tonight’s dinner.
Yeah, I know... Noah drops his arms.
But the agonizing distance between our bodies provides just enough tension to ignite an idea.
I slip my arm into the nook of Noah’s elbow, allowing us a single step past the door’s threshold before mindlinking him again. Maybe we should challenge ourselves tonight. See how long we can hold it in for?
Noah halts. His wolf bristles with excitement in our bond as he eyes me, an eager smile spreading on his face. “Goddess, help me.”