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It doesn’t matter how surprised the attacker wolf is to see me charging back – I’m too pissed to consider hesitating. Furious at the world that someone would try to take my loved ones away from me again.
I sink my teeth into fur - all twenty fingers and toes digging into the stranger’s coat until my nails latch onto skin. The wolf yelps beneath me, but I keep biting. They thrash and spin, trying to tear me off them, but my growls have turned into vicious, angry snarls.
Stay away from my mate!
My mouth is wet and coated in a sticky, iron-tasting film, mixing with tufts of torn-out fur.
But I can’t stop. This is what I would’ve done to that hunter.
When a sharp pinch tightens the skin behind my neck, every inch of my body falls limp in submission. The bleeding wolf beneath me scurries away, leaving me to cower on my back to whoever is above me.
Omega, stop! Noah’s wolf eyes stare deep into mine, wide and horrified.
All at once, I realize what I’ve done.
Panic punches me in the gut. No! Did I– Did I hurt them? Are they okay? Are they dead–
Noah clasps my nose and mouth in his giant mouth, and I freeze. It wasn’t like that! Someone attacked me, and you protected me. They’re not dead.
Noah releases me, but my breath picks back up beneath him. I squirm, locking my sight on the tree line.
I scared you! I need to get away before I hurt you–
Noah growls. No, don’t run!
I halt at his urgency, slinking back into the dirt before holding as still as possible.
His ears droop. I wasn’t scared of you - I stopped you. Not because I thought you’d hurt them, but because of what you told me yesterday. I knew it’d hurt you like this to have to attack another wolf, and I didn’t want them to attack you back. I’m so fucking sorry I didn’t notice them coming. That I made your fears come true. Noah whimpers, flooding my heart with his guilt.
He took in everything I had to say yesterday. I try to cup his cheeks, telling him it’s okay, but what comes out of my mouth is a shrill whine, and my hands are replaced by puffy white paws, awkwardly prodding Noah’s snout.
His ears shoot straight up, his focus zipping over every inch of me.
Holy shit. You’re the cutest wolf I’ve ever seen in my life. His wolf wiggles, his excited tail wracking his whole body. I don’t know what to do with myself, I just have to–
His massive black wolf bellyflops on top of me, pinning me as he licks the blood off my cheeks and chest. I whimper in response to his stimulating touch, but that only makes him lick harder.
He gives an excited yip. I love you so much, I could die!
My head spins, still trying to grasp the situation.
I shifted?!
Noah’s tail smacks the ground behind him, a hyper growl escaping his throat. I want to do everything with you. I love you, I love you.
Oh, my God. He really is a huge puppy inside his wolf brain. For the first time, my tail wags. It excites me to my bones, sprinkling shivers over my skin.
Noah pants, his eager paws yanking me closer until I’m squashed with no chance to escape. I growl without thinking – an instinctual warning to give me space.
But before I can worry if it offended him, Noah simply pops up and off me, panting and cheery with his tail waving high in the air.
Run with us.
My fur stands on edge. That was a request to the pack, not to me. He means to run with us, the new leading pair of the pack.
Run with us.
As wolves shift around me, the skin beneath my fur buzzes - Noah’s excited energy clashing with mine. I know exactly what Noah means now; I don’t know what to do with all this electricity either.
So I nip at Noah’s cheeks, unable to express how much his presence excites me in any other way.
Noah jerks back with wild eyes, spinning in a frantic circle before pouncing beside me in play.
My human side laughs through our bond, but my wolf gives an excited yip.
Chase me!Noah mindlinks. Before I can respond, he bolts into the forest.
I try to stand and chase him, but I’ve never stood on four legs before. As my limbs splay through the dirt - my chest hitting the ground with a thud - I’m surprised by a wet nose pushing me back to my feet. When I turn around, a regal, snow-colored wolf gazes back with sharp yellow eyes.
Go on, future Luna. You’ve almost found your wolf legs.
My heart pounds as Lilian holds some of my weight, lifting me onto my paws. I’m so touched that I let out a soft whimper.
Luna, thank you...
Noah doubles back, slamming his paws through the dirt to come to a skidding halt. He looks just as surprised as I am.
Lilian’s gorgeous, pearly wolf nudges me again. Go on, I’ve got your back. Thank you for protecting the family I have left.
I whine as not only Lilian helps me stand, but also complete stranger wolves I’ve never met rush to join her. Wet noses surround me, nudging and supporting me until I take my first wobbling step.
I look up to find Noah’s tail softly wagging. He rotates his ears back in sentimental awe. You’re beautiful, Omega. Come to me.
The desire to run hits me harder than I’ve ever experienced, pushing me forward, forward, forward. The next steps I take are steadier, my back paws linking in time with the opposite front paws.
Wolves around me mindlink me, hundreds of unfamiliar voices rooting for me.
Luna... Luna... Luna...
They watch me move with happy, tucked ears, licking my cheeks as I gain confidence.
But I can’t stop staring at Noah. His emotions pulse with affection I’ve never felt. Like he’s not just in love with me, but starstruck.
Omega, I’m not just saying this: I’ve never seen such an elegant wolf in my life.
His words urge me to give a small “roo” of a howl, wishing he was closer.
As he approaches, all other wolves pull back, leaving Noah’s massive figure to meet me nose to nose. Our noses barely brush, and a sharp, buzzing sensation shoots to my tail. I whine and dip lower, skirting around his front legs to feel more of him against my fur.
He gazes down on me with soft wags, still towering over me despite how much I’ve grown in my wolf form. Dipping to my height, Noah brushes my side with his coarse black coat. Every slip of our fur sends another wave of endorphins through me, deepening our affection.
As I slowly dance with Noah, my wolf speaks through me.
Alpha, you’re so beautiful. I love you.
He circles me again, dragging himself harder against me this time. It inspires me to walk faster, matching his vibrant energy as we feed off each other’s joy. Noah gives my cheek a hard nuzzle, flipping my heart. When he stops in front of me, a flash of blue ignites his nocturnal eyes as the full moon hits them.
Without the need for words, his body posture alone tells me his intentions. He bursts into a sprint, and I chase him, breaking into my very first wolf run.