Page 151 of Freeing My Alpha

Despite his odd tension, Noah perks up. “Oh. Well, good. I'm looking forward to introducing my soon-to-be Luna.”

My heart leaps, forcing me to bite back a smile. Noah chuckles, rubbing my back.

But Elder Beta Terrence still looks concerned. “Are you... physically prepared? Even with the Summit moving sooner?”

Noah shrugs. “I’m always prepared. Otherwise I wouldn’t be a responsible leader of this pack.”

The Elders glance at one other. My stomach churns. Something unspoken is said between wary, irritated scowls, but Noah didn’t mention anything weird about the Alpha Summit in relation to the Elders.

Elder Aaron clears his throat. “Future Luna, this will be a great opportunity to strengthen your connection to fellow packs alongside our Alpha. We need our allies in case conflicts like Mason Hart’s pack turn out to be a larger threat.”

Noah and I sober ourselves, straightening for the Elders.

I smile. “Absolutely. I’m looking forward to meeting our allies and strengthening those connections.”

“Good. And our pack is eagerly looking forward to your ceremony this week.”

As the Elders excuse themselves, I lean against Noah’s shoulder, basking in his warm scent. I get to be his Luna soon—in front of the whole world.

33

Amy combs my wet hair behind me as I settle my nerves, cradling my stomach.

“How are you feeling now, babe? Any better after your shower?” Amy asks.

“Yes, besides some bloating.”

“Really? Do you feel any pressure or fullness like your ligaments are changing yet?”

My teeth chatter with nerves about tonight, and Amy stops brushing my hair to softly rub my shoulders.

“Is talking about pregnancy too much right now? Sorry.”

“No, it's not. I've always wanted to tell you how it felt to be pregnant. I'm just... nervous. About tonight, and the possible-baby.”

Amy sighs, gazing at the ceiling. “Girl, I seriously can't believe this still. You've wanted to carry a baby for as long as I can remember. I can’t let my mascara run already.” We laugh, and Amy returns to my hair. “But how did everything go with the Pack Doctor? You said everything was fine, but you didn't update me with details.”

“I know, and I'm sorry I keep freaking out. But the Pack Doctor thinks I had implantation bleeding too... Which is a good sign.”

“Oh, my God! So the doctor still thinks you’re really pregnant?!”

My smile fades. “My hormone test results from the other day were still too low to be confirmed. She just told me an hour ago, and I couldn’t stop crying.”

Amy nods, stifling her excitement for me with shaky breaths. “Don’t give up hope yet, babe. But I’ll stop asking in the meantime. You’ll let me know when I’m going to be an aunt, though?”

My heart tugs with her words, threatening to make me bawl again. Amy shoots me an apologetic glance.

But I huff out a watery laugh. “Yes, A. I promise. And we don’t have to stop talking about it. Jenny and I agreed that whether I’m pregnant or not, avoiding the truth will only give power to my OCD. I really want to enjoy it, even if I’m tempted to stay cautious.”

Amy hugs me from behind, squishing her cheek against mine and smiling at me in the mirror above Noah's dresser. “Alright, then, I have plenty more questions. How’s Noah with all this?”

Memories flood in of his hands on me this morning. I bite my lip, watching my cheeks flush in the reflection. “He’s... excited.”

Amy’s eyebrows raise. “Girl, I can smell your horniness from here. Pregnancy hormones must be something else. How many times did you have sex last night? You hardly replied to my texts.”

I giggle. “Well, I won’t lie... We literally can’t stop. I’ve never been this affectionate or lusty with anyone in my life.”

Amy and I laugh, but a sinking suspicion tells me we’re being watched. Glancing across the room, Amy yelps in surprise, and I jump in my seat at her reaction.

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