18
Ishrink into myself whether I’d like to or not, worried I did something wrong. What? Why are you all looking at me like that?
Noah’s upright ears soften. He approaches me first, ducking his head to let me know he’s safe to be around.
Our noses touch, cold and wet as they drag across each other’s snouts. With Noah against me, I finally take a deep breath.
He sheepishly wags his tail, keeping himself low. Mate. I can”t stand how much I love my beautiful, powerful mate.
I whine, my tail thumping against the forest floor at Noah’s puppyhood coming back to him.
You did so well. I adore you, I— Noah growls as his wolf playfully tackles me to the ground, lick-attacking me before I can defend myself.
Alpha?I whine, gripping his head with my paws as he grooms my face.
I don’t want anything to happen to you. Ever. You’re too precious.
Then don’t maul me!
Noah groans, nuzzling my chest until my tail slaps the ground even faster.
But then Noah starts sniffing me all over. Hard.
My fur stands on end as he buries his nose deep into my neck, inhaling as much of my scent gland as he can. The surrounding wolves lean in, awaiting Noah’s assessment. My ears fall flat in embarrassment.
Noah whines. He stops sniffing to give my neck soft, careful licks.
But he doesn’t say anything.
Noah, are you sure I didn’t do anything wrong? Why are you sniffing me like that? What’s everyone thinking?
He purrs, licking me harder. Fuck, I love you. I love you more than ever.
Answer me.
I’m... working on it.
What’s that supposed to mean?
I just don’t understand yet. You’re still my mate, and you’re still my sweet Omega—His wolf silences his breath, golden eyes tracing mine. But you also smell like an Alpha.
My heart flips. Glancing at Amy, my confusion shifts into panic when the best friend I’ve known my entire life shies away from my stare on instinct—in submission.
W-what?!
Noah’s head tilts. Okay, now you smell like pure Omega.
I whine, burying my head into Noah’s chest fluff in an attempt to disappear.
Don’t be scared, my love. It’s okay. Noah’s paws tighten around me as I shrink beneath him, shielding myself with my fluffy mate.
Is there something wrong with me, Noah?
No. Don’t ever let anyone make you think that.
Noah turns away from me to snap at everyone in company with a deep growl. They scatter into the woods in flashes of fur amidst dark thickets.
The second I’m alone with him, his ears perk back up. He gazes down with pure excitement over my existence. My heart melts. Even with everything that just happened, he’s so happy to be with me. I’m itching to feel the same, nuzzling into his comfort.
Are you saying I”m an Alpha... My Alpha?
Noah”s ears slick back as he beams at me. Not exactly... I don”t really have a word for it, but you”ve got an interesting mixture of scents.
I can”t stop whining. Do I smell weird? Do you still like me the same? Are you attracted to me the same?
Don’t even ask that. I want to eat you, I love you so much.
Before I can whine in response, Noah captures my entire head into his mouth.
I yipe. Noah?! You big goofball!
His high-pitched, excited growl echoes through the trees.
When I squirm, Noah releases my face to flop on his side. As he bats at me, my tail thumps at his silly panting face; his entire tongue is flopped out the side of his mouth.
Noah gives me a soft “roo.” You’re the most beautiful wolf I’ll ever meet in my life. No one could ever come close. I love that I got to see this side of you so clearly for the first time. Please don”t think I”ll do anything else except love you more and more for the rest of my life.
Ugh, I love him. I want to eat him up too.
Releasing a playful growl, I clamber over Noah, licking him until he shivers from head to tail.
Opening my mouth as wide as I can, I glomp my jaws over Noah’s snout. His ears perk all the way up. But it’s not enough. Nipping at Noah’s neck, I rapid-fire bite until he pants hard.
Noah’s shrill yipe excites me to my core. He grips me, his claws applying tingly pressure into my back.
He bites me back, and we lapse into a mini biting war, each nip dousing me with more and more excitement.
But as we wrestle, I end up pinning Noah to the ground.
An urge wells up inside me.
I bite his neck, and he freezes.
But then he doesn’t just freeze; he fawns.
Whimpering for me, Noah’s scent dissolves into something I don’t recognize.
And my scent screams Alpha.
O-oh God! I”m so sorry!I release him, scrambling off his body and diving behind the nearest tree.
Omega, wait!
I scramble into a bush, desperate to bury myself in embarrassment, but Noah’s stark growl stops me in place.
Wait. Please.
Alpha, I’m so sorry...
His big nose nudges me out of the bush, but I can’t bear to lift my head to meet his gorgeous black wolf”s golden eyes.
Look at me. I don’t care if it turns into a dominance challenge against me. I just want to see you, face-to-face.
Peeking up at him, my core ignites with warmth as our eyes lock.
Noah’s ears twist as he stares, attempting to figure out my every breath.
I lower myself, tempted to roll over for him in apology. I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me—
Noah’s deep growl makes me flinch, but more in the fear I’ve stepped out of line.
His ears droop. Please... Just be yourself. You”re wonderful.
I drop his stare after all, smushing my forehead into his chest. I just want to go home now.
Sweet Omega, we will. But listen to me. He nuzzles into my neck, nipping at the mark he left until I melt onto my back.
As he licks me, pleasure heats my core to dangerous levels. Noah’s resulting purr makes it even worse.
I mean it, Aliya, I love you more than ever.
I love you more than ever too. That’s why I’m afraid I’m ruining this by suddenly... changing.
Nothing has changed between us in a bad way, and I”m not sure you”ve actually changed, at all. I think you”re more comfortable now, so we”re just seeing parts of you that you haven”t felt safe enough to let out yet.
Our bond does feel safe. So safe. I whimper, cuddling in deeper.
I think this is us getting to know you, at your core, Noah continues. And if it turns out you’re more Alpha than Omega, or vice versa, I’m honored to witness your wolf coming out of her shell. I love every beautiful second of it.
I whine at his heartfelt words, absolving into ferocious lust. I love you too much, Alpha. Shift back and mate with me—
Noah quickly de-mounts me, his breath rapid and heavy. I whine, rolling around on my back as heat pounds my core. Noah”s flustered wolf locks onto my every move.
Okay, fuck. We really should go home before my wolf loses all blood to his head.
Before I can disagree, Noah trots off into the forest, forcing my horny wolf to scramble after him.
Rubbing along his sides and chest, my wolf courts Noah the entire way home—I can’t help myself.
But about a quarter mile to his cabin, Noah’s mood plummets. My ears droop with his, hating to see my mate sad. I don”t know what he”s thinking.
I gaze up at Noah, letting him know I’m listening. Noah’s ears switch from flattened sadness to slinked-back adoration.
I smash my head into his cheek until we do a full circle, and Noah’s delighted tail springs into action, gazing at me with his classic puppy eyes.
I’m here, Noah. I want to listen, no matter what you’re feeling. I accompany my words with a soft cheek boop, and Noah shivers.
Ugh, cute. So cute. You’re so damn sweet to me.
Stopping at the trees in front of his cabin, Noah shifts back into his human form. I quickly follow. He tackles me with a hug as soon as I’m standing at my usual foot below his human height.
I close my eyes, breathing him in. His bare skin warms me despite the cool summer wind brushing my exposed back. I cuddle in deeper, forgetting we’re not in our wolf forms anymore and seeking out his face with my nose.
Noah chuckles, cupping my cheeks as he gazes down at me. My love, I’m sorry I haven’t been able to protect you from him either. From Mason.
My stomach flips. Noah, it’s—
“No, it’s not okay.” His deep voice rasps, strangled with emotion. My lungs pick up the pace as his serious but calm scent cuts through the air.
This is how a true Alpha feels. I”m nothing like this.
But Noah’s mind remains on Mason, his jaw tensing. “I’m doing something about it in the morning. Will you join our Pack Safety meeting?”
I blink a few times, struggling to grasp the full scope of his words. Only Elders and Noah”s direct advisors hold Pack Safety meetings.
“Oh. Of course. If you want me there.” My heart pounds as Noah continues to stare. His feet shuffle between us. “What is it?”
“Will you... join a-all of my meetings? Forever?”
I suck in a heavy breath, my eyes flicking between Noah’s for signs of uncertainty or pressure to please me. But it”s true. He”s keeping his promise to not require it of me before I tell him I’m ready, but he wants me to be his Luna. It”s not just a tradition to him.
I can’t stop the smile from reaching my eyes. “Yes, Noah. A thousand times, yes.”
Burying his fingers into my hair, Noah”s eyes close even before he kisses me, trusting I’ll meet his lips. As he holds me, naked in the middle of the dark woods, I’ve never felt more secure.