Page 9 of My Shy Alpha

My stomach drops. Was it rude to pet him without his permission?

“Sorry, did I–?”

I’m stunned as Noah nuzzles my palm back open until I hold it out for him. Noah’s eyes glint with a reflective glow in the moonlight as he tilts his head, pressing the bridge of his snout into my palm. As he shuts his eyes, trusting me to touch him, my heart swells with emotion I didn’t expect. I think this is as vulnerable for him as it is for me.

But this isn’t close enough for Noah. My skin erupts in tingles as his warm, silky fur smushes against my forehead - his bowed head meeting mine. For a moment, all I can hear is his deep, gentle breath, coursing through his snout against the bridge of my nose.

I’ve been lonely for so long, but within minutes of meeting Noah, I feel valued. Just like Jenny said.

Whether I like it or not, tears stream. Noah’s bright eyes pop open, breaking our intimate bubble. He nuzzles my cheeks until his wet nose douses me much worse than my eyes.

I break into shy laughter. “Sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I’m okay.”

But Noah doesn’t buy it. After staring deep into my eyes, he whines. Wrapping his chin over my shoulder, Noah tucks me against his furry chest with a powerful scoot, and I give a small, surprised yelp. But once I’m enveloped in his scent, my shoulders drop.

He’s so warm and fluffy. I’m wrapped in the biggest hug I’ve ever felt - comfort seeping through my ribcage until it spreads to every bone. I can’t admit how badly I needed this.

Hiding my face in his dense fur, I shed silent tears. This is the first time I’ve let myself cry around a stranger in years. I thought I’d be more scared to be vulnerable, but he’s so gentle that I relax in his warmth.

As my muscles soften against him, Noah lets out a soft, purring growl, tucking me closer. I close my eyes, soaking in his comfort as a wave of fresh emotion floods my soul. He’s so sweet that I want to thank him, but I’m not sure how.

“You’re so soft. And so warm. And you smell so good. It’s nice.” My cheeks burn the second I blurt out every compliment I can think of, forgetting to thank him in the first place. “And thank you! For protecting me. I feel much calmer, thanks to you.”

Deep, thumping vibrations erupt from the ground, pulsing through my feet. A sharp spike of worry pierces through me, and I whip my head around - until I spot the source behind Noah.

“Oh, my God, are you wagging your enormous tail?” I giggle, and his tail thumps harder, kicking leaves in every direction.

When Noah snuffles my side with huffing, ticklish breaths, I let out a surprised squeal of laughter. But he nudges me toward his back, dipping a rippling, dense shoulder to my eye level.

“Do you... want me to get on your back?”

Noah looks me in the eyes with shy, tucked-back ears, and my heart flutters with adoration. Then he glances all around, the concern for our safety in his flickering focus.

He’s right; safety is temporary out here. But I don’t know how safe Noah is for me, either. I barely know him. Stranded in the forest like this, who knows where he could take me?

But my gut wants to trust him. Is that irrational?

The thought of rejecting those sweet eyes makes my chest ache, and I still want to know what Noah meant earlier. Why he looked upset to discover me, yet never left my side.

Oh, and why he’s a wolf.

Yes, I’ve lost it. With how comforting Noah feels, I’d rather believe that shapeshifting humans exist than say this day is a new version of my recurring dream.

I scramble onto his broad back with an embarrassing grunt, not wanting to pull his silky black fur. Noah nudges me the rest of the way with his wet nose bumping my butt.

But once I’m 10 feet off the ground, I grip fistfuls of his coat. “Oh, my God! This is higher than I thought!”

Noah spins, attempting to look at me on his back, and I burst into laughter. He seems to like this, breaking into a smiling pant.

Oh, my heart. I want to squeeze him.

So I do, stretching my tiny arms across only half his back. I can feel his butt wiggling behind me from his happy tail, and I laugh. “For a big, tough wolf, you’re actually super adora–”

I fall silent as Noah’s fur stands on edge. His paws rigidify against the forest floor. Listening in, I can hear it too–distant, soft crunching in the leaves. Footsteps.

Noah’s ribcage expands beneath my legs with a heightened breath. His tension ripples through me, leaving me quivering.

Without waiting another moment, Noah takes off. I cling on for dear life.

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