Page 157 of Freeing My Alpha

After a deep breath, Noah’s calm voice extends across the forest. “It is the honor of my lifetime to present to you your next Luna.”

Okay, here it is: I’m about to show them how I feel about becoming the Luna of their pack, and with wolves, every body gesture matters.

As I step forward, I soften my shoulders and keep my smile loose, showing the pack I’m not a threat.

The crowd falls still, entranced with my every movement. I scan the forest before me, searching for the reason they’re gawking. With such a massive crowd, it shouldn’t be possible to hear the slow wind whispering through the leaves. Am I doing something weird?

But Noah stares just the same, his eyes locked on to my face in awe. Even his wolf falls still.

When no one voices a complaint, I realize they’re not disturbed, concerned, or angry with me. They’re giving me space to speak.

But all I can see are desperate eyes staring back.

Shit, I hate being the center of attention, and so much is riding on me. If I’m a disappointment to them, I don’t think I can stomach it.

I cover my belly on instinct, feeling vulnerable for the first time tonight.

But when Noah steps closer, his scent cocoons me in his familiar sweetness. I straighten my shoulders.

No. I can do this.

Clearing my throat, I try my best to speak up, even if my voice quivers through every syllable. “H-hi, um—” I place my palm over my heart, steadying my breath.

As I look at my muddy shoes, I have the sudden urge to remove them, sinking my feet into the mud. The second I do, my feet press into the soggy earth, and my eyes are lured up to the Moon Goddess, herself.

She’s gleaming tonight. I’ve never felt her so clearly, her massive nightlight steadying my heart until all I can feel is the deep pull of fresh air in my lungs and the aching, sugary love in my chest.

My wolf steps forward, speaking with me. “In human culture, we say our vows to our spouses as we marry them, committing ourselves to them for life. But I’ve always seen it as more than that. It’s a commitment to a combined lifestyle, including welcoming everyone they love. Today isn’t just about your top Alpha and I, it’s about all of us as a pack, coming together as a family, which is something I’ve felt every day since I arrived here.”

I take a deep breath, struggling to keep finding my voice. There’s a deeper reason I want to be Luna, and sharing it exposes more than I’ve been comfortable with for a long time. But as one sweet woman wipes her smiling tears in the front row, my heart swells with protective love. I know what I have to say.

“I-I know how it feels to feel unsafe at home,” I choke out. “Which is why I want nothing more than to be a home for you to return to. As my vow to you, I vow to represent unconditional, maternal love in every action I take as Luna. I promise to cherish each of you as my own, through life and in death, so that although we might not know each other personally, you’ll never truly be alone. It’s an honor to love you, Greenfield.”

When I glance back at Noah, he’s not the only one crying. Lilian is rubbing his back—the most intimate I’ve seen the two since we’ve met. Tears streak her cheeks, yet she hands Noah a tissue from her dress pocket.

But before Lilian steps forward to continue onto the next ceremonial step, I blurt out, “Wait.”

My heart hammers into my throat as everyone falls into silence. Noah’s eyebrows lift with my rising nerves and Lilian frowns, but I extend my hands to Noah.

Melting into a smile, Noah grabs hold. We stand facing each other, the entire pack awaiting my next words. But as I gaze deep into my mate’s eyes, his pure, doting trust stirs a magnifying excitement in my heart. I’ve never felt more ready to confess my deepest love for someone in front of others.

With a shaking voice, I pull Noah closer. “Noah Greenfield, my sweet, gorgeous mate.”

He bites his lips. The emotion in his eyes stings mine hot. I hug his hands to my chest, struggling to stifle the rising, aching longing in my lungs.

“I’d first like to thank you for allowing me to walk alongside you. Our marks connected us down the soul, but I feel like our souls were already connected—maybe for lifetimes. Every second we’ve spent together, I’ve gathered a deeper understanding of what it really means to feel loved, to love, and how I can love myself. I can’t think of a greater gift, and I only hope that I can share even a fraction of this gift back with you.”

I take a deep, shuddering breath through Noah’s rising emotions. His tears spill over as he drops his head, leaning in closer. Releasing one of his hands, I catch his tears with my fingertips.

“I vow to be your lifelong witness. No matter how horrible or wonderful life might be for us, I’m here to share your pain, your love, and your peace. I vow to nurture the mind and body of that beautiful black wolf who nurtures all of Greenfield—” Noah drops his head, and I place my palm over the left side of his chest. “And I vow to protect this big, generous heart that holds everyone in its loving safety. I’ll be there to hold you in return, and defend you to my last breath. I love all of you, Noah.”

Cupping my cheeks, Noah drops our heads together. His hot, tearful breath brushes my lips. “Aliya—”

All at once, I spill over. I whimper through hot tears, and Noah’s creased forehead settles with his soft, joyous laugh.

“I love all of you too, and more— I—” Noah clears his throat, snuggling me closer. His deep voice softens into a gentle whisper against my lips. “I love everything you are, everything you wish to be, and everything you’re not. It’s a gift to simply know you. But to also get to share my soul with you is so— So healing and fulfilling, that I—” Noah shakes his head, chuckling as we dry each other’s gushing tears. “I can’t imagine myself enjoying my life anywhere else but by your side. Goddess, I don’t even want to stop holding you now, but I will. I’m dying for you to finally become our Luna.”

My heart flips as Noah leans in to softly kiss me. Humming against my lips, he strokes my cheeks with his thumbs as I brush down his mark. He pulls away with a weepy smile, and I let out a bright, giddy laugh through my tears.

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