Page 14 of Freeing My Alpha

“It’s okay. I get it; I don’t want to watch you hurting either.” I plant a soft kiss on his cheek. “But right now, I want to prepare myself to be a trustworthy, safe Luna by your side someday. So far, I don’t know as much as you do about how this all works. That’s not very Luna-like.”

A smile finally breaks through Noah’s worried frown. He takes a few breaths, stifling his prancing wolf at the thought of me becoming Luna. I giggle, and Noah drops his head with a grin.

“T-then maybe we can show you around the Community Center. It was a huge relief for Rainn and I when you offered to give us your thoughts on the Forest School, so maybe you could also check out how things are for the Rogues?” He runs his hands down my arms before slipping his fingers into mine. “I have a feeling they’ll trust you to hear how everything really is for them. Most Rogue Omegas are skittish around Alphas, so all they’ll tell me is that things are perfect, which is absolutely not true. I wish it was, but I know it’s not.”

My heart throbs, imagining myself being there for other Omegas—Omegas who have been hurt before, like I have. I could make a difference for them, being the person I needed back then. That feels more Luna-like than anything I’ve ever imagined myself doing.

“Yes,” I breathe. “Yes, I’d love to.” I grip Noah’s hands. “But are you sure they’ll feel okay around me?”

Noah’s forehead softens with his shy laugh. “Oh, absolutely. Talking to you can make anyone feel safe.”

I breathe through Noah’s words as endorphins chime throughout my heart. “That’s how I felt from the moment I met you.”

Rainn’s voice echoes throughout the trees nearby, chatting with the pups now that the danger has passed, but I don’t turn to spot them; I’m too busy gazing deep into Noah’s eyes. He melts as he stares back, every fear in our bond washing away.

Noah’s big fingers weave into the back of my hair, drawing me close. As our lips meet, my heart lifts above the trees, imagining what we could create together. It might not feel completely safe here now, but with Noah’s guidance, I trust it can happen. It will, and I want to play a role in getting us there.

4

“Ineed to talk to you about something shitty,” Noah mutters as he tucks his towel around his bare waist.

I halt in place, my hairbrush combed halfway through my hair. “Okay, what is it?”

We meet eyes in the bathroom mirror, but Noah looks more uncomfortable by the second. I set down my brush, spinning around to face him directly.

Droplets spill from Noah’s hair like a timer counting the seconds. The only sound in the room is the buzzing fan over our heads, still pumping out damp air from our hot bath.

It’s been over a week since we were ambushed by Alpha-domination cultists, but Noah has been quieter ever since. Tenser. I haven’t had much of a chance to ask him about it; we’ve hardly had alone time together with how busy he’s been. Thankfully, it’s finally Saturday. But with me looking at him face-to-face, Noah’s shoulders raise.

I rub his arm. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“I just— I don’t ever know how to bring this up. I feel bad bringing it up.”

I sigh, dropping my hand. “This is about Steven, isn’t it?”

Noah meets my eyes again, hurt racing across his features.

I pull him over to the toilet seat, plopping myself on the closed lid. Then I pat my lap. “Come sit.”

Noah lifts one eyebrow, unable to suppress a smile. “Sweet Omega, I don’t think—”

“Don’t you dare call me tiny, you big, sweet Alpha.”

Noah’s soft laugh lightens my spirits by miles.

With a tug on his hand, I convince Noah to hover-sit in my lap. I burst out laughing. “You have to actually put some weight on me!”

“No,” he laughs, shaking out a few droplets from his hair and spraying my face.

I scream-giggle, burrowing my face between his shoulder blades.

With my arms wrapped around his waist, we sit in silence. But after 30 seconds, Noah scoops me up, switching our positions.

“Fine, I give up,” I laugh. “But don’t think you’re upsetting me just by saying his name. Part of what I’ve worked on with Jenny in therapy is speaking words out loud, treating words and thoughts like words and thoughts, not like real-life dangers to avoid. It’s helped.”

Noah nods, kissing my shoulder. “O-okay, that’s good to hear.”

“So what about Steven did you want to ask?”

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