Page 75 of My Shy Alpha

After talking to Noah, things are looking a little less dark. But the longer I wait, the more time I have to think.

And I don’t know, maybe this isn’t a good idea. He’ll want an explanation. Everything I could say would still make me fall short.

What if... I’m ruining his life by making him deal with me?

Anxiety burns through my chest like hot acid.

What if I feel like this forever?

This makes my tears return, followed by the worst sickening feeling in my stomach yet - enough to make me panic-search for the nearest trash can, just in case.

I’ve got you, Noah mindlinks. Even though I’m not there physically yet, I’m still with you.

I hug my own shoulders, trying to get a grip on myself. I can’t let him see me like this. No matter how much I want to trust him, I don’t want anyone to think I’m weak again. Reveal the gap in my heart for him to strike.

But the second Noah parks a slick black SUV in the preschool’s drop-off zone, my mind hones in on one thought only: mate.

I’m still crying, but as we meet eyes, the way Noah’s shy glance warms at the sight of me makes me smile through the tears.

Joining me on the bench, Noah doesn’t ask for an explanation. He doesn’t even say a word. He simply kisses my forehead, hugging me tight.

It’s just a hug, but my heart swirls. With his warm chest catching my tears, his firm touch on my back, and his soft breath against my neck, I close my eyes, allowing myself to sink into him.

By the time we gather my things from my classroom, I’m so grounded in the present moment that I can take slow, even breaths.

Noah drives me home to my parents’ old cottage, curling against me on the flowery couch. Every second is so comfortable with him that I haven’t even realized something until I glance at the clock; we’ve been holding each other in silence for two full hours.

Noah senses me gazing at his beautiful profile and meets my eyes. I comb my fingers through his hair, sorting the strays from his teal eyes.

With a pounding heart, I allow myself to feel every bit of his eyes on me. He eases towards me in the absolute slightest, just enough to spur me into drawing a bit closer too. Breathing his air, my focus glides over every dark eyelash, heavy brow, and golden iris fleck between the soft blues and greens, absorbing all I can of him. Each blink we share is slow and heavy, just as intimate as the soft brush of his fingers in my hair.

I’m overcome by tingles, indulging in every minimal touch. Just Noah’s presence feels monumental. When we close the gap between us, his lips press against me so slowly that endorphins flood my heart.

It feels like I’m breathing in his affections, soaking in every millisecond as I inhale, exhale. Nothing else matters but here and now.

This is the most intimate I’ve been with him yet, and it’s just a gentle kiss.

But it’s not just a kiss. I feel his acceptance washing over every ounce of my body.

My eyebrows arch with emotion, and Noah punctuates the end of his kiss with heavier pressure. As he pulls away, I drop my chin, regretting ruining the moment with my sudden tears.

But Noah takes my hands, dropping to his knees in front of me. “Let’s forget about everything else for a while.”

I gape at my mate, unsure what he means by forgetting about “everything.”

“What?” I whisper.

“Forget all the pressure to train your wolf. Forget joining the pack on a deadline. Forget becoming Luna immediately. We can get to those things, one by one... But right now? This is all I really want. Just you.”

I bite my lips, unable to prevent myself from crying anymore. Noah brushes tears from my cheeks, his eyebrows furrowing.

“I went about this all wrong,” he says. “You were thrown into all this with your wolf, and there’s all this pressure with the pack–”

“But I want this pressure. I want all of it, especially if it means I’ll have you as my mate.”

“I know, and I believe you. I feel that in our bond.”

My breath heightens, searching for my worst fears in his stoic expression. “But what? You think I can’t handle it?”

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