Page 60 of My Shy Alpha

My rising headache softens. I touch Rainn’s arm with a smile, leaning in to whisper. “You’re an angel.”

Rainn’s grin brightens until it scrunches her nose at the top.

When Lilian turns back to me, I straighten. “Luna, I’d love to hear about something you admire most about the Greenfield Pack. I’ve been so curious how it’s been for you as an Omega here over the years.”

Lilian lowers her fork, settling in with her stare. At least I think that’s a stare, not a glare. “Greenfield is highly admirable. I remember wondering the same thing as an outsider Omega and being pleasantly surprised.”

I don’t appreciate being called an outsider, but I smile anyway. “I can see why. The pack you and Noah are holding together makes me feel at home. Thank you, Luna.”

Lilian nods. “My mate left our pack in incredible shape for Noah to inherit. I personally believe we didn’t have to change much, but Noah is never satisfied with tradition.”

My heart sinks. Did she have to phrase it like that? On top of slamming Noah’s belief system, she gave him basically no credit.

But Rainn folds her hands under her chin, grinning at Noah. “And Noah’s advocacy work really took it the extra mile. We’re really living up to the Greenfield name, wouldn’t you say, Mom?” She nudges Lilian softly, and I bite back a laugh - the two of them suddenly looking like a Maltese puppy poking a mountain lion with her nose.

Noah scoots closer, but his voice still comes out so soft that I have to lean in as he speaks. “I-I forgot to mention my grandma was the first Greenfield Alpha.”

“Your grandma?” I gasp. “Wait, that must’ve been decades ago. Wasn’t a woman leading a pack pretty untraditional?”

Noah grins wide enough to show off his sharp incisors. “Absolutely.”

I follow his eyesight to Rainn’s proud smile. But when Lilian looks up from her water glass, Noah drops his head to shake out his tousled hair - or to avoid his mom’s glare. She rolls her eyes.

But Rainn pays her no mind. “Grandma would be so proud. Her son and his son already left a vital mark on the world.”

“Your dad certainly did,” Lilian mutters.

I can’t take this anymore.

“It seems like they’ve all been incredible Alphas,” I blurt out.

The resulting silence raises my shoulders.

When Noah peeks over with a stifled grin, I lighten my tone. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to see Alpha Ritchie’s leadership. But in meeting your son, I have no doubt his dad was an outstanding top Alpha.”

Lilian quirks one eyebrow. “Well, you don’t really know Noah yet. You’ve only marked him.”

Rainn gasps.

But Noah’s gentle voice sharpens. “Mom.”

Oh, no. With how defensive Noah already feels, my wolf is boiling.

I grip Noah’s hand beneath the table. “I did mark him. And after waiting my whole life to find my mate, I’m excited to get to know him more every day.”

Lilian drops her stare, shaking her head as she sips her water.

Rainn puts her arm around my shoulders in a gentle squeeze. “I’m excited for you both too.”

I try to give her a reassuring smile, but it’s a wimpy excuse of one - only lifting one cheek.

The waiter arrives with our order, including a full plate of meat for Noah. I shrink into myself; I probably shouldn’t have fed a wolf mostly vegetables this morning. He’s so sweet to have eaten it anyway.

But Lilian is right. I have so much more to learn about Noah.

Noah slips his hand from mine to rub my back. My tense shoulders soften.

His gentle voice is even quieter than usual, lowering our conversation into a hum. “Mom, I was hoping you could tell us more about what it’s like to be Luna.”

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