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Irecognize his bitter quips instantly.
Mason Hart.
Would’ve thought you’d bring your Alpha along for protection from big, scary stalkers,he continues. But I guess you Omegas really don’t give a fuck about Alphas, do you? You just care about yourselves.
I stumble backwards until my back meets an icy mirror. Tremors wrack my body from head to toe.
Kira is at my side in a heartbeat, her eyes golden as her protective Alpha musk drowns all other scents. “What is it, Omega? What’s wrong?”
Yasmine rushes over. “I’m sorry if I freaked you out. I didn’t mean to—”
I fight my panic, struggling to breathe deep enough to speak. I have to grip Kira”s arms as Mason continues.
You went and whined about me to your Alpha, didn’t you? Got me put on 24/7 surveillance. Tell him I’m here, waiting for him.
This sends me into full-blown tears.
Dammit, I want to be strong and angry. I don”t want to be used like this again.
But no matter what I want, my wolf takes charge. And she demands I protect myself from harm at all costs. As she releases a potent, fearful scent, my wolf family dives in, immersing me in their worried, protective scents.
But someone else is worried about me.
Noah’s wolf runs rampant in our bond. Aliya, what’s happening?!
I know everyone else has the same question as Noah, but anxiety has stolen my voice. I’ll have to compromise, mindlinking everyone at once.
Mason is angry with me.
Noah’s wolf bristles, his teeth baring. What?! What do you mean? Where is he?
He mindlinked me. Out of nowhere. He knows Noah isn’t here with us, so he might be outside.
As Noah’s wolf fades from our bond, I know he has already shifted. Oh, fuck no. What”s he going to do? Did he say?
He’s mad about the surveillance. Wants to see Noah.
Noah doesn’t respond, but his emotions burst into flames.
He’s probably on his way, but it’s not reassuring. Even with Noah’s speed cutting straight through the forest rather than using the winding road, it’ll take at least 20 minutes for him to sprint here.
Anxieties come spitting out of me, rapid-fire. “What if Mason breaks in? What if he hurts everyone?! I don’t want him to hurt you!” I shudder into Kira, my knees shaking. “It’ll be all my fault—”
Kira growls. “He’s not breaking in unless he wants to fucking die.”
Amy gasps. “Oh, babe, let’s not talk about anything too violent. Stalking and potentially breaking in is a huge trigger for her.”
“Yeah, and that fucking bastard probably took advantage of that too. I’m going outside to defend us before my wolf destroys this shop.”
“Agreed,” Yasmine says. “Noah is on his way and giving me orders. Amy and Rainn, we’ll let you know if we need you outside as backup. Luna, please protect our future Luna.”
“And Lexi, please,” Kira growls.
As Kira and Yasmine take off, Rainn and Lilian sit at my sides, nuzzling me.
But I can”t smell them anymore.
All I see are Amy’s wide eyes in front of me as she shifts poor Lexi’s scared body to her hip. “Oh, God. I remember this look, Luna. She’s maybe ten seconds from dissociating beyond our reach.”
I can’t really understand what Amy is talking about. In fact, I’m not fully aware of what I’m thinking about.
But my teeth chatter at the wolf eyes lighting up all around me, even Celestia reared up in defense. My mate feels the worst of all. He’s not just stuffed to the brim with rage; he’s terrified.
“I’m sorry!” I sputter. “It’s my fault Mason”s mad. I spoke up, and—”
“Shh, sweetheart. Come here.” Lilian pulls my head against her chest, rubbing my back fast and hard. “Breathe all the way down to your toes and focus on the feeling of my hands on you.”
It’s only then that I realize it sounds like Lilian is speaking through a long tunnel, and I’m numb to her touch.
I close my eyes, fighting to take the reins on my own breath. As I deepen each breath, I focus on Lilian”s hands, allowing them to root me back into awareness. Her cold fingers wrap around my temple and forehead, pressing me to her chest, and a strong hand on my back jostles my limp body.
But the more her touch brings me back to earth, the sicker I feel. I groan, hunching over.
“Shit, you”re really pale. Are you going to throw up?” Amy asks.
My stomach recoils, threatening to spill with her words. But I shake my head, refusing to get sick. After a heavy swallow, I croak out a whisper. “I hate this. I want to protect you all too.”
“You are protecting us!” Amy says. “You told us the truth, right away, even while you were worried you caused harm by speaking up. Please, don”t let Mason bully you into victim-blaming yourself again.”
Ugh, she”s right. I groan, lifting off of Lilian to grip my churning stomach. “I want to protect Noah, but my wolf is freaking out. All I feel like doing right now is cowering in the corner.”
“You just got hit with a pretty bad trigger, A. You sometimes throw up from all the adrenaline, and it’s normal to go into ‘flight’ mode of fight or flight—or freeze or fawn, of course.”
Lilian sniffs my neck, and just like Amy mentioned, I freeze in submission.
Our Luna softens her voice into a comforting purr. “You’re okay, sweetheart. I’m just smelling you to see if I can sense what”s wrong.”
I relax, allowing Lilian to analyze my scent freely.
But Lilian’s eyebrows furrow, taking another sniff. Then another. Soon, all three wolves are sniffing me.
Rainn’s eyebrows shoot up. “She smells... Extra sweet?”
Lilian hums. “Rainn’s correct. Your wolf isn’t jumping to protect Noah because she’s busy protecting someone else already. And if she’s telling you to cower, that ‘someone’ is inside you.”
My stomach drops. “Wait, what? What did you just say?”
Amy and Rainn meet Lilian”s eyes.
“Mom, you think she’s pregnant?” Rainn breathes.
My heart leaps into my throat, followed by a million thoughts at once. I knew I could be pregnant, but I didn’t think anyone else would notice for weeks. The fact that both Amy and Lilian brought it up feels like truer confirmation than Noah and I have had yet.
But Lilian still hasn’t answered. She furrows her brows, puzzling over a few more sniffs before shaking her head. “I genuinely can’t tell. Maybe it’s because it”s super early, or maybe because she”s a hybrid...”
“But I haven’t missed my period yet. Noah would’ve noticed it on my scent, too.”
“Let’s follow your wolf’s instincts, regardless. She knows what’s best for you, whether we understand it or not,” Lilian says.
My shock subsides into elation, my heart pounding as my fingertips trace my lower abdomen. The second my hand lands there, I warp into a weepy smile. I love them already, even if they don”t exist yet.
Which means I cry even harder out of fear, wrapping my arms around my stomach. “Oh, God. No, no, no— I can”t let anything happen to our baby if I”m finally pregnant.”
Lilian gives my shoulders a steady squeeze. “Nothing will hurt you or your future pup. There”s 20,000 wolves ready to make sure of that.”
My stomach churns until my full body quivers. Rainn cuddles in closer, and I find comfort in her familiar scent.
“Are you upset you might be pregnant? Or just scared of Mason?” Rainn asks.
I swallow hard. “I... I need my mate by my side.”
Lilian releases my shoulders, stroking them instead. “I know, sweetheart. But he”s on his way, and we”re here with you in the meantime.”
I groan. “But I also don’t want an abusive asshole to take another moment away from us. After all that hope and excitement, I feel vulnerable in this dress now.”
Amy attempts her best smile. “You know what? That”s just right now. I know you can feel confident in it again. Mason has nothing to do with the dress.”
I nod, blowing out a slow breath.
Amy glances around the room. “And hey, even after ten minutes or so, it doesn”t seem like Mason”s busting in, does it?”
My shoulders soften, soaking in the complete stillness around us. There’s only the wolves protecting me here. I can”t bring myself to stop shielding my stomach, but I can breathe a bit deeper.
“I guess he”s not,” I say.
Amy offers her hand. “Come on. Let’s get you out of this dress so Noah can still be surprised.”
My shaking limbs refuse to function. I have to hang on Amy and Rainn as I remove the dress and slip on a robe. I double over in Amy’s arms, dizzy from my over-anxious heart—until I feel Noah’s pounding approach in our bond.
My fear evaporates into the background as a punch of adrenaline hits me in the gut. With it comes clarity.
I jolt upright. “Mason is taunting my mate.”
As I make for the door, Lilian gasps. Petrified, wide eyes overtake her usual neutrality. “No, wait!”
I freeze. I almost forgot I don’t have to worry about just myself anymore. But what if Noah dies, taking not only me, this possible-baby with him?
I can’t think about that horrifying possibility right now; I don’t have long to warn Noah, if I can convince him at all. Pressing against the shop’s largest front window, I scan the forest for Noah’s massive black wolf. Noah, Mason is baiting you again. There’s no way this isn’t another trap. Mason always catches you when you’re distracted by my safety.
I don’t give a fuck. I’ll destroy him, and anyone he’s with.
No, Noah, I need you! I need you right here with me before anything else happens. Let’s solve this together, as Alpha and future Luna.
Noah’s anger softens, revealing something much deeper than rage: primal fear.
Shit. I want him here primarily because I really think I am pregnant; my hand won’t stop automatically landing on my stomach at the sound of Lexi crying in the back room. But if I tell Noah, he”ll feel even more protective. I don”t want him to be too impulsive.
I shudder through Noah”s panic as I spot his wolf a few miles out in the distance, bristled fur making him larger than ever as he clambers up mountain rocks.
I-I can’t lose you, Omega. I can’t.
A sudden calm washes over me at the sight of my mate needing my comfort. Stay focused, and you won”t.
To my right, Kira and Yasmine bare their fangs at nearby trees, their discarded clothes in heaps at my feet. That must be where Mason is hiding.
My wolf bares her teeth, despite my human form cowering into Lilian as she comes rushing up behind me.
But Lilian grabs me, dragging me behind a clothing rack in the center of the room. “Why did you do that?!”
For the first time since I’ve met her, I’ve never seen Lilian”s fear so clearly represented in her anger. All I can do is open and close my mouth, shaking at the sight of her fear.
“You’re a prime target! Not even the windows are safe. Don’t you remember how your father died?”
I’m so horrified by her words that I sputter out an instinctual response. “I-I”m sorry, Luna, I— I wasn’t thinking—”
We freeze. Lilian is no longer looking at me, her bulging eyes locking onto Mason as he emerges from the tree line.
I huddle into Lilian, terrified of what she could be so afraid of. What if she knows something about Mason’s capabilities that I don’t? The tighter she holds me, the worse my anxiety spikes.
But Noah”s emotions twist in anticipation, warning me of his approach. When I spot his wolf overtaking a hill—only about a mile away now—his wild eyes are busy assessing everyone”s position. When he spots Mason, he bares his teeth. Aliya? I need to know where you are.
I’m still hiding in the shop. Your mom and I are behind the first clothing rack.
Golden, electric eyes zip to the shop, bristling my wolf’s fur in our bond.
Noah’s ears flatten in relief. You’re okay. Thank you, Moon Goddess.
Yes, I’m okay. But don”t get distracted. If you”re reckless and die, I’ll die of heartbreak. Please stay as calm as you can so we can think through this.
Noah’s wolf sneezes in irritation. But as he glances at the shop again, his ears slink back. Okay, I’ll regain my cool. Just do me a favor and stay inside with my mom, okay? My wolf is edgy as hell today and won”t shut up about your safety.
I shudder, wrapping my robe tighter over my abdomen in a protective hug. Does his wolf feel extra certain that we”re pregnant too? I should wait to tell him, shouldn”t I? But God, I want to.
Omega, I”m serious. Don”t put yourself in harm”s way over this bastard.
That”s not what I”m thinking, Noah. I just want to say— My heart races so heavily I can feel it in my throat. There”s still a lot you want to accomplish as Alpha. Please stay focused. Not just on me, but on yourself.
Noah’s emotions ripple with anxiety. Why are you saying this now? What’s wrong?
God, he knows me too well. Sorry, I— I just meant— It”s not just me you”re protecting by staying alive. Taking care of yourself protects the entire pack. And even more than that... I need you to be okay. I can’t do this alone.
Aliya, tell me what”s wrong. Something”s wrong.
Nothing”s wrong. I”ll tell you what I”m thinking after we deal with Mason, but just listen to me that I need you to stay safe, okay? I can”t do this without you.
Noah”s anxiety heightens as he closes in on Mason, and I have to do my best not to feel guilty for being as honest as I can.
But Noah is filled with an intense resolve, steeling my heart with him.
Everything”s going to be okay, my love. I”ll hold you soon, okay? He mindlinks.
Okay. But don”t sacrifice yourself. You”re irreplaceable, Noah.
His ears flick in discomfort at my words.
That doesn’t stop him from crashing into his classic skidding halt, soaking Mason with mud.
Ugh, are you fucking kidding me?Mason bares his teeth as he mindlinks us all.
Noah snarls louder than I’ve ever heard him, enough for the vicious sound to seep through the windows as he takes a swipe at Mason.
Mason scurries back into the cover of trees. Shit! I just want to talk, asshole!
Noah somehow gets even bigger, making Yasmine and Kira look like pups at his flanks. You’ve lost your talking privileges.
Mason shakes the mud from his coat. Clearly. Which is why I’m declaring a pack split. I’m leaving Greenfield, and taking your strongest Alphas with me.
Noah’s ears perk up in surprise.
But before I can reel at Mason”s declaration, Noah’s sarcastic tail wag gives me goosebumps. Noah’s nonchalance has the power to devastate anyone, but especially someone like Mason whose ego is his everything. I’m nervous it could throw Mason over the edge.
Yet Noah flicks his ear to the side, acting like he can’t process what he just heard. Uh-huh. My strongest Alphas. Sure.
As other Alphas show themselves behind Mason, my instincts kick back in with a whimper.
Lilian squeezes me as tightly as she can, wave after wave of her calming scent burning my eyes. “Shh, sweetheart. I’ve got you.”
There”s such a sharp fear at the base of her scent, no matter how much she”s suppressing it for me. It”s scaring me more.
But Noah looks completely unfazed. Not only looks, but feels unfazed. Actually, he’s calmer than he was when he arrived, as promised.
But we’re horrifically outnumbered. Why isn’t anyone else disturbed by this?
Noah”s confidence relaxes everyone. He sits on his haunches, unthreatened but irritated. Mason takes it to heart, bristling until my teeth chatter.
Is this a fucking joke to you?! Some Alpha you are!Mason mindlinks.
No, it”s just hilarious that you think my strongest Alpha is behind you. You”ve met my strongest Alpha, but you”ll never admit it, Noah says.
I glance around, searching for this vital Alpha to be on our side. But who is he talking about? I don”t think I”ve met Noah”s strongest Alpha either.
Mason has no answers for me. His eyes flick from Noah, to my chosen family, to Celestial Couture’s elaborate front door, and back again.
Noah’s wolf shakes out his coat from head to tail. Okay, Hart. List your reasons for splitting, and be on your fucking way.
Mason’s twitching tail pushes a growl from Noah, but Mason doesn’t back down. His ferocious snarl stings in my chest. You really need a fucking list? How about stalking me, for starters? If I didn’t have a surveillance Alpha on my side, I wouldn’t even know why you put me on it.
And now I know exactly who let you slip past their watch today. First day as top Alpha of your Rogue pack, and you’re outing your own pack members for treason. Great start, Hart.
A few of the treasonous Alphas’ ears twitch, and Noah’s sarcastic tail wags again.
What else?
Noah would be darkly laughing in his human form, but I’m gritting my teeth. Stop provoking him! You’re freaking me out.
My mate shrinks with guilt, but Mason puffs his chest, thinking his scare tactics are finally working.
What else? We, the real Alphas, are taking charge over our inborn dominance again. We need somewhere Alphas can reign like the Goddess created us for. A habitat you failed to create. Mason stands as tall as he can. Here before you stand the Hart Alphas, exiting your pack for being absolutely unlivable for our Goddess-given rights.
Noah is surprisingly calm about this, rolling onto one hip and itching his ear with his back paw.
That’s gross.
We all wait for him to finish itching, Mason tensing by the second. Finally, Noah stands.
Go on, then. Leave. Why are you still here?
Mason hunches into a defensive prowl, and I stiffen in Lilian’s arms.
You’re going to allow this to happen?I ask Noah privately.
Yes. I don’t want him in our pack, or any other wolves that agree with him. This is great actually: I’m thinking he’s the root of our region’s Alpha domination cultist problem, but there’s no way they’ll survive as a pack on their own. All we’re doing right now is giving them the space to band together stronger. Noah’s fluffy chest expands by the second. This is the best alternative, as long as them leaving doesn’t mean they’ll now terrorize neighboring packs. He”ll just have to remember who his Greenfield neighbor is.
With this thought, Noah towers over Mason, his fur bristling until he appears to hardly fit between the trees.
My hands grip Lilian so tightly that my fingers tingle. What are you going to do?
Tension ripples through the air, a complex mix of scents from beneath the front door giving off an overwhelming sense of doom.
Well, now that he’s no longer part of our pack...Noah”s lips curl into a four-fanged, drooling snarl. He reverts to mindlinking us all. Another Alpha is invading my territory. Isn’t that right, Hart?
Mason’s ears slink. The rest of his Alpha pack awaits his call, trickling closer in defense.
You better fucking run.Noah’s chilling mindlink makes me cower, gripping the dresses beside me. Lilian shields me, hovering over me despite shaking herself.
But I can’t tear my eyes away from Noah.
Charging at Mason in a single breath, Noah guns it after the pack in a mass of bristled black fur.
They’re out of human eyesight and scent within a millisecond.
I flinch to chase them on instinct, but my muscles clamp tight in fear.
Lilian hugs me back to her. “It”s okay, sweetheart. Stay right here. Amy and I will protect you.”
Now that I can’t see Noah anymore to know if he’s okay, panic burns my chest. “I’m terrified, Luna. I need him to be safe.”
But Lilian’s cool fingers guide my chin to the mountainside, her voice softening into a relaxing hum. “He”ll be okay. Just watch.”
Within seconds, Greenfield wolves stream from every angle, charging at Mason and his pack of treasonous wolves.
Mason’s entire pack is forced to run for their lives.
The sheer mass of wolves who have Noah’s back yanks me from my frozen state. I stand, gaping at the fierce stampede mere feet from the shop windows.
But a snapping sensation in the pack bond sucks the breath from me.
“Oh, my God! Please be okay, Noah!” I cry out.
But the shattering pieces of our pack bond aren’t coming from Noah. Wolves howl in mourning across Noah’s territory, echoing through miles and miles of trees. I feel each wolf in Mason’s pack disconnect from the pack bond, spiking pain through my core, one by one.
I don”t even need to see them to know Mason”s Alphas are gone. That they betrayed us. I can feel everyone aching.
They escape from Noah”s territory before I can even process their exit from the pack.