Page 67 of My Shy Alpha

I know you wouldn’t, sweet Omega. But I’ll blame myself for not being there, forever.

As he wraps himself tighter around me, Noah tucks me against his ultra-soft belly. His heavy heartbeat thumps against my head. Immersed in his fur, it’s pitch black. Safe.

I let myself cry with him. He gets it. How horrific their deaths will feel for the rest of our lives.

Maybe Lilian was right. Noah is hurting worse than it seems, and it’s taking a toll on his health. But I can’t say I’m as cheery or healthy as I want to be either. Like Noah, I want to be his mate, regardless. Even before our bond, something within me felt connected to him, down to my soul. I want to get to know him, however long it takes for us to open up.

I run my hands through Noah’s fur, scratching his chest until his breathing slows. As my hands reach where I marked his neck, Noah’s muscles loosen and our bond flourishes with warmth. He cuddles me closer, sending waves of pleasure through me with his pleased scent. Despite my tears, I smile at the love filling my core.

That’s right. We have each other now.

“Thank you, Noah.”

How could you thank me for this?

“I didn’t even know how my dad really died until I realized I was a wolf. All that time, I could only theorize it wasn’t an accident... Which made a lot of people think I’d lost it. But now that I know it happened during a perimeter run, it comforts me to think he was already choosing to risk his life for this beautiful pack. Whether his death was an accident or not, he died doing what he wanted.” I bite back fresh tears, smiling through it. “And if that means his death spared your life, then he protected my future home with you in this pack too.”

Noah gingerly licks the tears from my cheeks, tugging at my heartstrings until I release a satisfied sigh.

But he doesn’t say much else. We sit in silence for a while until he gives me a soft neck lick. I gasp at its cool, pleasing shock.

Over time, I’ll tell you everything I know about your dad. He was special to all of us too, Noah mindlinks.

My heart twists with relief, knowing my dad had a community behind him. But with how much I was excluded from this pack when I needed it most, I’m ashamed to feel a sinking bitterness.

I’m sure Noah can sense it seeping through our bond, but his golden wolf eyes remain stoic. He nudges my stomach with his big nose, and his huffing breath startles me into squealing laughter no matter my mood.

His tail wags, brightening my laughter even more. Come on, it’s your turn. I want to reassure you now too.

“But you’re hurting.”

I’m fine now, thanks to you. Wolves move on quickly, and I’m ready to stop thinking about this if you’re not upset with me.

“Of course I’m not. None of this is your fault... Or mine, if I’m honest.”

Well, good. If you want to share, I want to listen. His curious, tilted head relaxes me, especially with how deeply Lilian shattered his heart.

But I bite my lips, not knowing where to start after the past few days. “I guess I’m a bit stressed about joining the pack.”

Don’t be. We induct new pack members every full moon in an official welcoming ceremony. So before the next full moon in two weeks, we just have to get your wolf ready. Which will apparently be easier than I thought, feisty Omega.

“Wait, what? How do you know?”

You already almost shifted on your own earlier. I could feel it.

My heart flips. “That’s what that was?!”

Noah nuzzles into me, and our bond buzzes with his giddy excitement. But I’m still stressed after how out-of-control shifting felt, especially if it can’t be avoided.

I’ll help you learn to release your wolf on your terms. Then you can take your first pack run with us. Excitement fills me with every word Noah speaks. He wags his tail again, flopping over on his side. I also just want to play with your wolf so badly.

I laugh, laying on my side so we’re face-to-face. As I pretend to paw at him with my human hands, Noah pants with a happy smile. That sweet face mends my sore heart.

“What else do I need to do if I want to become Luna someday?”

His panting increases - giant paws carefully bumping me despite his desperation to play. I burst out laughing.

Nothing. You’re perfect as is.

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