Page 158 of Freeing My Alpha

Even though my interruption wasn’t part of our ceremony plans, let alone traditional, Lilian gives me a genuine, proud smile. She steps forward to meet me as Noah steps back, and I know it’s time to offer her my hands.

I can’t stop shaking. Lilian meets my eyes, her sadness pouring into me even before her scent hits.

“Luna,” I breathe, my lip wobbling with hers. “Oh, Goddess, your poor heart—”

She breaks into a smile, shaking her head. “I’m happy. I promise you, I’m happy.”

She’s not. She’s grieving so badly that I’m nauseated.

But before I can soothe her, Lilian addresses the crowd, her powerful voice startling me with a jolt of my shoulders.

“Nurturing each pack member from pup to elder is no easy task, and the next Luna before you knows this.” She readjusts her hands in mine, bouncing them to emphasize every statement she makes as if it’ll send their weight further into the crowd. “I have never been more confident in another Omega’s ability to lovingly take on the world.”

My heart flips.

Lilian takes my cheeks in her palms, kissing my forehead before placing hers against it.

“It is an honor to pass on my title to you, Luna, by the Moon Goddess’s grace, and your Alpha’s permission.”

My heart rate sprints, hardly allowing me to breathe.

This is it. I’m about to become my Alpha’s Luna.

Lilian steadies me as I wobble, remaining by my side as Noah drops to his knees in front of me.

I gasp, teetering in shock.

He wasn’t supposed to do that; he’s putting himself into a submissive position, surrendering himself below me in front of the whole pack.

Anxious wolves rustle through the forest, but Noah holds me by the waist, redirecting my focus.

“Breathe with me, Omega.”

I stare deep into his eyes. They’re so light in color that I know his wolf is fully present.

In his eyes, there’s no fear.

I’ve never seen anyone so brave, so secure in who he is, submitting himself with so much riding on his shoulders.

His protective pheromones surround me, but this time, they’re laced with a hunger that strikes me in the gut. I can’t find my breath, but my belly finds its fire, boiling throughout every molecule of me. With it comes a confidence that leaps higher than I’ve ever felt, widening my chest until I embrace my full self.

I don’t want to hide anymore.

Yes, this is right. This is where I’m supposed to be.

“By the Moon Goddess’s grace...” Noah licks my palm in preparation.

His protruding fangs catch the moonlight. I shudder, his desirous stare piercing my heart.

“I pronounce you Luna of Greenfield.”

He sinks fangs into the meat of my palm. My nerves send a shockwave throughout my system, wobbling my knees.

But Noah makes it as quick and painless as possible, more like a heavy pinprick. As he licks the blood clean from my palm, I weep in joy; wolves howl across the forest for me. My eyes flutter shut.

Each and every pack member becomes vibrantly clear in our pack bond, flickering like little candles blinking to life in my heart.

I’m both so in love and so terrified that I sob, the weight of each being within me feeling too important to hold alone.

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