Page 23

T he following afternoon, Waimārie sits alone in the sidelines, her long black hair fluttering in the wind. Overcast skies aren’t strong enough to dim her vivid smile when she spots me. My shoulders settle as she opens her arms wide, hugging me twice as close; our mates are the ones facing off first today.

“You did it,” Waimārie whispers beside my ear. “You got through the worst part: daring to face the world again after sharing your truth.”

My stomach flips. She’s right. Noah’s jaw looks tighter this afternoon as well—although, I’m sure a large portion of his frustration stems from the Alphas smacking and growling at one another across the vast field.

Sighing, I plop into my seat beside Waimārie. “Thank you for voicing that for me. I’m mainly worried about Noah.”

Waimārie nods, taking my hand. I give her palm a soft squeeze, smiling when she meets my eyes.

But Waimārie tames her smile as she leans in, her scent emanating concern. “Were you worried about what I might think of you now as well?”

I drop my focus to our clasped hands. “Well... I can’t say I wasn’t.”

“That’s understandable. Are you worried about what Annika thinks?”

Checking over my shoulder, I lower my voice. “Is it that obvious?”

Waimārie chuckles. “No, darling. But I can only imagine. We may act like Alpha-domination cultists are extremists, but Tāne and I have had many discussions about how we can continue to dismantle the everyday Alpha-domination beliefs that have grown up alongside us. It’s not as contained as it may seem, and it’s quite rare to spot top Alphas mated to any Alpha-like Lunas. I imagine you are in quite a tough place, you and your dear Noah.”

I release a massive sigh. “You have no idea what it’s like to hear someone else say that. I know we don’t need anyone’s acceptance, per se, but it certainly makes us safer. Thank you.”

As I dare to turn back to Waimārie with flaming cheeks, my heart softens; Waimārie beams brightly enough to crinkle her gorgeous eyes, snuggling up close to my side with an affectionate cheek nuzzle.

My eyes well at the adoration in her scent. As Noah glances at me from across the field, I know he can feel how deeply Waimārie touched my heart; his gaze lingers, our bond unwinding in relief.

I love you, Noah mindlinks.

I love you too.

Tāne makes his way over, his smile widening. “Lunas!”

“Alpha!” Waimārie throws her arms in the air, ready to accept Tāne’s incoming kiss.

These two hurt my cheeks from grinning too hard alongside them. I laugh, blinking hard when Tāne’s hand not only comes down over Waimārie’s head to ruffle her hair, but swoops my way to give my arm a hefty tap.

“You know Florida only harassed you yesterday because he’s terrified of you, eh? You’re a force to be reckoned with, I reckon.” Tāne grins.

My heart flips. All I can do is stare at the massive man before me, struggling to grasp how he could be claiming I’m powerful too.

As Noah strides up behind Tāne, he chuckles. “Told you.”

Tāne whips his head around. “Who, me? Or your Luna?”

Blinking a few times, Noah grins through a soft hum. “Well, actually, both of you, I guess. I meant you, though. You better be ready for her to beat the fucking shit out of you at a future Summit.”

Sputtering into laughter, I clutch his hand. “Noah!”

Tāne’s booming laugh replaces the anxious throbbing in my heart with another cheek ache, Waimārie joining in with him until Noah’s smile reaches his eyes just the same.

Tāne sighs. “Bro, I’m about to beat the shit out of you first. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“Alright, alright, sure. We’ll see.”

“We’ll see.” Tāne mimics Noah’s deep voice before releasing another boisterous laugh, soothing the rest of my worries about their fight today; with how close they’re standing despite preparing to fight in mere minutes, our goofy mates must adore each other.

As Tāne adjusts his ceremonial gear, Waimārie and I settle into each other—just in time for Annika to wave at us from the sidelines. Noah remains close, giving me a quick glance.

Dammit. He must feel my anxiety returning, my limbs buzzing through every breath.

“There’s our Luna!” Waimārie waves. “Come join me in cuddling our dear friend!”

Dropping his head, Noah doesn’t hide his smile from me. Goddess, Waimārie is an expert mediator, I swear. I should’ve had you two meet sooner.

He’s right; thanks to Waimārie’s warm greeting, Annika’s features soften, even though her pink cheeks grow rosier as she stares into my eyes.

After giving all four of us a hug, Annika drops into the seat beside me.

The resulting silence grates my nerves.

I try my best to sit in the discomfort of it all, quieting my breath as it speeds into overwhelm, but nothing can hide my anxious scent.

Whipping her head toward me, Annika’s smile dissolves into a weary frown.

My heart hurts. I squeeze Annika’s hand, blurting out my thoughts. “Sorry, I— Yesterday—”

“Sorry? No, no, Luna— A-about yesterday, um...” Annika fiddles with her skirt fabric. “I don’t want to be like those other Lunas and accidentally say something rude. It’s just... You did smell like an angry Alpha—” Noah’s focus zips to us, and Annika waves her hands. “W-which is okay! I think you’re wonderful, Alpha or Omega, but...” She swallows hard, gazing into my eyes. “But I didn’t expect it to be so strong since I thought you were still mainly an Omega, and I got a little intimidated by how powerful you looked. That’s all. I’m so sorry if that’s rude.”

Thankfully, another Luna scoots past our row of chairs to reach her friends, pausing our conversation. I use it to give me time to think.

How am I going to respond to this? Noah’s furrowed eyebrows likely reflect my same concerns. Without spending ages detailing the nuances involved, I don’t know how to explain I’m not “either” an Alpha or an Omega, I’m both .

And like Noah and I talked about, no one will probably understand. Not like we do.

But I don’t need them to understand. Most importantly, I want to show Noah that I’m not embarrassed of us anymore. That actually, I love who we are.

Maybe the simple truth is best.

Straightening my back, I look straight into Annika’s eyes. “I’m both. I’m an Omega-Alpha.”

Noah’s sharp inhale is minor compared to his elation erupting in our bond.

“O-oh! I—” Annika blinks a few times, her eyes darting between Noah and me. “I’ve never heard of that before.”

My heart sinks. I drop my focus to my lap, both hands still occupied by our ally Lunas. I’m tempted to let go.

Then Annika grabs my arm. “B-but I believe you!”

My breath catches. When I gaze into Annika’s eyes, I don't find the hesitation, disgust, or malintent I’m dreading. Her bright smile stretches across her face.

“I’ve never heard of it, but I can smell it's true. Thank you for telling me.” Annika loosens the rest of my concerns with her honest, relaxed stare.

But her head whips away from me; Viktor’s vibrant voice draws Annika’s attention a second before it grabs the rest of the Summit's focus. “Welcome to the semi-finals! Remaining competitors, line up.”

As everyone falls silent, our Alphas give us one last hug and kiss before lining up on the field.

Tāne and Noah not only won yesterday’s preliminary rounds, but absolutely obliterated their opponent’s chances—many within mere seconds. Alphas scowl as our mates pass them, forced to take their seats alongside us Lunas.

Viktor’s voice carries across the field in the wind. “Beside me are the top nine Alphas of this year’s Alpha Summit.”

He pauses as wolves howl. The spiking excitement in everyone’s pheromones only adds to my dread.

“After today’s first round of semi-finals, there will only be five of us left at the top. Without an even number for pair fighting, it’s King’s choice who gets to sit out for round two.”

Viktor glances at Noah, and my stomach drops.

Noah gave me his prediction this morning: he thinks Viktor will let him have a break, leaving him with no excuses. He’ll be in top condition to fight Viktor as hard as he can, and he’ll have to go all out to earn back Viktor’s trust.

“That leaves us with the battle we’re all here for.” As Viktor lowers the volume of his voice, the crowd seems to hold their breath; the only sound left is the wind whispering through the trees. “The top two, fighting to be this year's King—the top Alpha of the entire world.”

Noah hasn’t looked at me, and I’m grateful for it. My heart pounds hard enough to pulse at my temples, leaving me fidgeting in my seat.

“The rules are as follows.” Viktor’s expression darkens, his smoky Alpha musk stinging my eyes from here. “No one goes for the throat, no bashing heads, and no biting spines—or tails. Fucking hate that.” The crowd laughs, but Viktor bends, glancing to the end of the Alpha lineup. “Which reminds me—”

Viktor points at Noah, his smirk rising.

Annika buries her face into my shoulder with a groan. “Oh, Goddess, I can feel what he’s thinking, that big jerk. Sorry, Luna...”

“Thanks to you, Pacific Northwest Alpha, and you, Aotearoa Alpha, there’s a new rule that we’re shifting into our wolves at the start of every fight so this doesn’t turn into a fucking boxing ring.”

With Tāne’s booming chuckle, Noah breaks into shy giggles that seem out of place in a line of stoic Alphas, but I absolutely love it.

My sweet Alpha-Omega, I mindlink.

As Noah meets my eyes, his wide smile allows me to smile with him.

Annika sighs. “Okay, that was better than I thought.”

“Did you think Viktor would be openly upset with Noah in front of everyone?”

“I don't know. But Vik's still angry about last year no matter what I say—as you know.”

“I tried to tell Noah why Viktor was offended too. I'm sure holding back comes across as infantilizing.”

“Well, it’s not exactly Noah’s fault. Vik has a big ego, and it gets him in trouble no matter how much I love it. If Noah didn't submit last year, Vik would've hurt himself beyond his limits, and—” She shakes her head, and my throat tightens.

So is the real story that Noah showed too much mercy? Or did Viktor basically lose, and he refused to submit?

What the hell is Viktor planning to do today, then?

“So you think he’s going to say something else to Noah?” I whisper.

“I think they both have plenty to say to each other.” Annika’s expression darkens. “And they probably won't use their words.”

I swallow hard. Annika’s soothing scent wafts over me with her apologetic smile.

“Other than that, the main rule is—” Viktor spreads his arms, separating from the Alpha lineup with a hop in each step. “We fight to submission. Let’s get to it!”

I groan into my hands, speechless from my mate’s excitable wolf.

Except it’s not his wolf brawling with his competitor—it’s his human form.

“Every damn year—” Waimārie yelps, gripping my arm tighter as our mates lunge for each other.

Grasping a handful of my own hair, I track a furious, scowling Johannes on the sidelines, Annika chasing after him to prevent his shouting from distracting Viktor from battle.

Noah, why in the world did you and Tāne shift back?! Doesn’t this break the rules?

The rule was to shift into wolves at the start, and we did. We just happened to shift back into humans afterward—to carry out our yearly boxing tradition.

The two Alphas beam at each other, grappling face to face with claws extended.

I can’t believe he’s enjoying this. After complaining about this Summit all week, Noah is having the time of his fucking life.

As Tāne’s cackle echoes across the field, spurring Noah into weakened laughter, Waimārie and I have to laugh with them.

Waimārie sighs. “I’m glad I have you here to endure this nonsense with me now.”

Laughing, I rub her arm. “Are you kidding? I couldn’t be more relieved.”

At least it’s nice to see that fluffy goofball happy. I just don’t understand why this competition has to be so bloody.

I dare to look up again, just in time for Tāne's fist to sock my mate in the jaw.

“Fuck!” Noah shouts.

I grip my mouth, nausea creeping up my throat.

But Noah shakes off Tāne’s punch, his smile spreading even wider. “That was a good one, man.”

Tāne beams. “Thanks, bro. Told you I practiced.”

Noah charges back in for Tāne, who can’t stop grinning either.

“How long— Oof! ” Tāne grunts as Noah flips him into the ground.

The two beasts wrestle in a ball of naked muscle, flinging mud into the sky. When they break apart, fresh blood coats their torsos.

Waimārie lets out a small whimper. “Oh, Goddess. Why— ”

Growling through a grunt, Tāne’s voice strains beneath Noah’s weight. “How long do you reckon it’ll be before they tell us off this year?”

Noah breaks into his giddiest laugh. But then he has to hop to his feet, both Noah and Tāne sprinting across the field at the sight of Viktor’s angry Beta storming after them while swinging a broom.

Before Johannes can even finish threatening to disqualify them, the pair shifts into two massive black wolves—impossible to tell apart.

“Oh, my God, are you kidding me?! As if this wasn’t stressful enough.” I groan, not caring if everyone’s staring at me, giving me a wide radius as I pace.

“I’m with you. Walk it off, and come back to it.” Waimārie’s voice rasps as she clutches fistfuls of her jacket.

I zip back to her side, rubbing her arm. “Oh, poor Luna. I’m staying right here. Keep breathing.”

When one of the wolves hops around his opponent in playful, slippery teases, I sigh.

“Oh. Never mind, that one's clearly my mate.” I shake my head. Noah, you’re out of control.

His wolf can’t stop wagging his tail, spitting out a mouthful of Tāne’s fur. I know, I know. I had my fill of fun now, I promise. It’s about to get hellish, so Tāne and I had to lighten the mood a bit. Sorry, Luna.

I’m glad you had fun, you big puppy. Just don’t hurt yourself.

The closer I watch the massive black Alphas—crashing down on each other in thick, audible slaps of muscle—the more I can see that the unparalleled strength of black-coated Alphas isn’t just a Lycan folktale. Yasmine shared a theory that they’re bred stronger for survival reasons, living with such obvious, un-camouflaged fur. But it’s clear these two also trained their way up the ranks, boosting their physical power tenfold with pure willpower. They can have fun together because they’re evenly matched.

Which means it’ll probably get even bloodier before someone submits.

Just in time for my stomach to reel, Viktor finishes off the Australian Alpha, shifting back to his human form. After sharing a deep kiss with Annika, Viktor carries a crowd of cheering with him as he strides to greet Waimārie and me.

Instead of making myself sick, I could do my best to keep Greenfield on Viktor’s good side—at least until Noah and Tāne wear each other out. It could be a while, knowing my mate.

I rise on wobbly legs to greet them, hoping Annika and Viktor don’t notice how badly I’m shaking as they join my side.

That was just enough time for Tāne to knock Noah’s wolf across the field.

I recoil, latching onto Annika’s arm as the wolves tumble. Holding my breath, I wait for Noah to stand. When he finally does, he shakes himself off in a cloud of grass and mud.

Waimārie and I catch each other’s strained stares, and we have to laugh.

At the sound of my distressed sigh, Viktor turns to me. “How’s it going, Luna?”

I swallow hard, recentering myself despite my pounding heart.

I have to remind Viktor why we’re all friends. “That Alpha didn’t stand a chance against you, Vik. Even with how hard Noah trained, I know he’ll be up for a challenge.”

“Is that so? You think he’ll still make it all the way to the final? Both of us?”

I’m relieved Viktor’s grin softens; maybe he’s not as upset with us as I thought.

But then his words sink in. “Noah’s not disqualified for breaking the rules, is he?”

“Nah. It’s nothing new, Luna.” Viktor chuckles, stooping to kiss Annika. They take their sweet time before Viktor turns back to me. “But he better be ready. I’m not letting him back out this year.”

“He backed out last year? From the final battle?”

Viktor and Annika exchange surprised glances.

Laughing, Viktor shakes his head. “He really doesn’t tell you much, just like the rest of us, huh?”

Annika gasps, softly smacking his arm. “Viktor!”

Viktor raises his palms, wincing. “Sorry! That came out wrong.”

It still sours my mood. “Noah isn’t required to tell me anything. I’m just curious what your thoughts were on it. And I’m not asking him about it this week so he can focus on fighting you, like he promised.”

“So you think he’ll take me as seriously as he did the first year he became top Alpha?”

My eyes widen. “You both fought in the final battle that year too?”

“Goddess, no. I didn’t stand a fucking chance against him. None of us did.” Viktor’s eyes zip to Noah’s prowling, rippling form, his voice softening. “That’s how I know he’s been holding back—ever since the first year he was King.”

We stare in silence as Tāne struggles beneath my mate, barely able to paw to protect himself as Noah pins him down.

“No one else has ever won the King title in their first year as top Alpha, by the way,” Viktor mutters.

My stomach drops.

I thought I was hearing Viktor incorrectly, but the reality of this information stabs me in the chest; Noah was forced to be Greenfield’s top Alpha from the moment our dads were killed...

Then he became King Alpha of the world, on top of it all?

I shut my eyes, letting out a slow, pained breath. No wonder Noah doesn’t seem happy about Alpha Summits. That one year sounds like enough stress to last a lifetime.

But I can feel it in my mate this time—the same determination coursing through him since we agreed to take on Alpha-domination cultists through this Summit, stamping out their anti-Omega campaign, once and for all.

I step closer to Viktor, keeping my voice low. “I know this is all more complicated than that. What exactly happened last year?”

Viktor sighs, stretching his neck. “Depends on who you ask.”

Annika scoffs. “As in, my mate nearly got himself killed over a stupid fight and I still haven’t forgiven him.”

Viktor rolls his eyes. “Noah would never kill me. He’s way too scared of hurting me to genuinely fight me, which is exactly what happened.”

I stiffen. “Well, it won't happen again. He’s intending to come at you hard in the final battle this year, Alpha.”

Viktor’s eyebrows shoot way up. But then they settle back down. “You’re both buttering me up. I hate that too.”

“I’m not. But it sounds like you’re picturing things panning out differently than I am.”

“Well, from what he’s also been claiming, I’d like to believe he’ll actually fight me seriously this time. That is, if he’ll make it to the top two.”

“He will.”

Viktor’s grin returns. For the first time in minutes, he meets my eyes again. “Oh? You’re so certain he’ll last until then, huh?”

“ Viktor ,” Annika hisses.

I follow Viktor’s nod to my mate, sucking in a sharp gasp when I find Noah struggling to stand. Wetness gleams on both Alphas’ dark coats—a mix of saliva and blood.

With a hammering heart, I turn back to Viktor, my eyes hot. “You better believe me, or you’re heading in unprepared. He’s been planning to defeat not just you but everyone .”

Viktor freezes.

Shit. Even though it’s the truth, I thought that’s what he’d want to hear.

Then Viktor breaks into a smile. “Are you just saying that, Luna?”

“No, I’m not. He wants to show the Lycan world that Alpha domination will never be tolerated.”

Viktor’s smile disappears, a sober nod taking its place. “Good. If that’s his reasoning, I better see him actually stand behind it and fight me—to the end.”

I flinch.

Annika’s furious, wide eyes could pierce a hole through her mate’s cheek. “Viktor!? The end? ”

Viktor waves her off, striding away from us. “You know what I mean, Luna. To submission.”

I swallow hard, allowing Annika to take me by the arm to another row of seating on weak knees.

When Viktor storms off in the opposite direction, Annika blows out a slow, angry growl. “Ignore him. He gets all obnoxious right before the last few fights.”

“He doesn’t want to kill my mate, deep down, does he?”

Annika freezes, gripping my shoulder. “No, Luna! Goddess, no. He just... doesn’t want to lose his title. At the same time, he wants to actually earn it, not be handed it.”

“That makes complete sense. Thank you.”

“Of course, mama. No matter what happens, let’s stick together, okay?”

“Okay. I’d love that.”

I nuzzle in closer, desperate for comfort. Annika purrs, nuzzling me back.

In those few minutes I attempted to calm Viktor down, Noah and Tāne reverted to snarls. Waimārie can’t sit still, no longer including us in her awareness as worry overcomes her.

I analyze Tāne for a clue on how to beat him...

But I find none.

His bites are just as vicious, thinking just as crafty, and paws just as powerful as Noah’s. The only advantage Noah has is how light he is on his feet for his size.

Which must be why it seems like Noah is the one dancing around his opponent this time—just like the position he put countless scared Alphas in yesterday.

Oh, God, does that mean Tāne is forcing Noah to be on the defensive?

As deftly as Noah dances, Tāne’s attack is quicker. Lunging for Noah’s feet, Tāne tears Noah to the dirt.

The massive wolves end up in a tangled mess of limbs, pinching my heart with panic. Waimārie dashes back to our side, burying her eyes in Annika’s chest. But I can’t look away; when they come to a rolling stop, I’m almost certain Noah is the one left wriggling on the ground beneath Tāne. It's a submissive position to be trapped in.

But Noah refuses to submit. He smashes his paws against the gnashing Alpha's chest with no luck, sustaining bite after bite.

Stand up, Noah! Don’t let him hurt you!

Noah bursts to his feet, sprinting in a wide arc before skidding to a halt—his classic mud spray.

I release a strangled exhale.

Don’t worry, Luna. I had to wear him out a bit, but I accidentally let him take it a little too far.

With Noah’s mindlink, I gasp at a sudden flood of rage in our bond.

As if they can sense it too, wolves howl across the field, a firestorm of energy covering my arms in goosebumps. I can’t bear to look at Waimārie. Stepping forward, I keep her and Annika out of my peripherals; judging by the intensity of emotions in the air, one of our mates is about to take the other down.

I meant it, Luna. No one will fuck with us again.

And I can smell how much he means it, my throat burning from the pheromones he stimulates in the crowd.

From across the field, my own mate makes me quiver in submission. Nearby Lunas flock behind me on instinct; their mates are too wrapped up in the action as Noah bristles down to his tail.

Tāne faces Noah from only twenty feet apart—their wolves at a standstill. But when Noah takes one step forward, just Noah’s low, rumbling growl pushes Tāne back one step.

Noah’s snout crinkles over his furious snarl, blurring his features until I can’t recognize my own mate. What happened to playing around with his friend?

When Noah crouches lower, prowling towards his opponent, Tāne mirrors him—ready to fight.

Except I can see Tāne from a different angle from Noah.

His tail is tucking! I mindlink.

An urge to dominate blasts through our bond. Noah lunges for the black Alpha.

And Tāne bites back.

Their bodies blur into one, rapid bites snapping so loudly that I know they’re breaking skin. Waimārie screams, dousing my bones in ice.

But within seconds, Noah’s jaws clamp around Tāne’s snout, and Tāne rolls over—declaring Noah the winner.

Gawking, I don’t know how to move. Noah didn’t just defeat Tāne, he destroyed him too.

But as I meet Waimārie’s puffy, red eyes, pure relief shines through her smile. “We made it!” Instead of snuggling me in her embrace, Waimārie squeezes my shoulder. “Go to him, Luna!”

I want to, but wolves shout and yip as they rush the field. Noah towers over everyone, his bristling, black form still seething as wolves lick and nuzzle him.

He’s not even King, but they’re treating him like he's their top Alpha. What the hell is going on?

I whip my head around, searching the field until I find Viktor.

My heart drops.

Lips curling, fur sprouting from his limbs—Viktor looks ready to fight Noah to the death, for real.

Noah shifts back, a quick glare sending wolves darting in the other direction until he forms a clear path to me. My heart skips the second I see him—sweat and blood mix across his skin, leaving him stained red.

He gives me a weary smile, rubbing the back of his head. “H-hey, Luna.”

“Oh, my God...” My whines overpower my voice as I dash for him. The second we touch, I frantically clean his wounds, my breath shaky and urgent.

But Noah stops me. He’s still out of breath, but his puppy-dog stare has returned. “Please, don’t stress. I know it looks bad, but it’s for a good reason. I’m ending this as quickly as possible from here on out.”

Before I can respond, Viktor storms over.

Oh, no. His ego is probably bruised with all the attention on Noah.

Noah hugs me to his side, his chest puffing. It forces Viktor to a faster halt than he likely intended, all to keep from bumping into me.

But it doesn't halt Viktor's rage. “You’re sitting out the next battle. Reid is mine to defeat.”

In a flash of anger, Noah grips Viktor’s arm hard enough for his nails to turn white.

The two wolves lock eyes, burning holes into each other’s skulls.

The entire Summit quiets to a vibrating simmer, ready to lunge into action if the Alphas break into an early fight.

But Noah keeps me tucked close. When he speaks, it's through his fangs. “You better not fucking hurt him. Not truly.”

Viktor scoffs, ripping his arm from Noah’s grip. “So, what do you want, then? You wanted to fight your favorite Alpha so you can submit to him instead of me this year?”

Noah takes a deep breath, closing his eyes. When he opens them, he’s back to the cool Alpha I see in our Pack Safety meetings. “Vik, you’re still my King. I’ll fight you seriously.”

Viktor’s lips draw into a tight line, his musk burning with deeper anger by the second.

That definitely isn’t how Viktor wants Noah to view their fight.

I know it seems like his ego needs protecting, but he actually needs you to make him lose. He knows you’re stronger than everyone here, Noah. You're not fooling him.

Noah sucks in a subtle breath at my mindlink, drawing Viktor’s attention.

But the second Noah reaches for Viktor’s shoulder, no one dares to even breathe.

Noah’s heavy hand lands on Viktor’s stocky frame. Viktor doesn’t budge—although he glares harder.

And Noah grins.

“I have something to prove this time.” Noah steps closer, lowering his soft voice so that even Lycans have to strain to hear. “You’re misunderstanding my intentions last year as pitying you, when really... I was so fucking tired. I wasn't fit to be King, and I trusted you to be the one to take care of us.”

Viktor gapes. His jugular pulses at his throat, his eyes dancing over Noah’s face. It’s as if Viktor never anticipated this reasoning, at all.

Noah nods. “But this year is different. I have a kickass Luna that changed my world, a growing pup I'd already die for, and there are forces beyond our reach that I want to stop before they grow even larger. It might be the first year I'm choosing to be King.”

Excitement ripples through Viktor’s angry musk, stirring my heartbeat.

Noah chuckles, but no one laughs with him. Then his smile drops. “You won’t even know what hit you.”

With a small shove, Noah knocks Viktor back way farther than any of us expect, forcing the surrounding wolves to catch him.

Viktor’s eyes bulge. He scrambles back to his feet, and I grip Noah, afraid of what he’s done.

But the King Alpha smiles, his incisors on full display. “In that case, I hope you enjoy the pre-show tomorrow.”

I slip my arm back into Noah’s as Viktor turns, ready to storm off.

But when our focus shifts to the last semi-final battle standing, my stomach plummets to my feet; Reid doesn’t win against Matthew. Crumbling beneath the Florida Alpha, Reid yipes as Matthew slashes his chest—bringing Reid to a submissive position on his back as medics rush the field.

As Noah’s body tightens into rage beside me, my blood pressure drops, spinning my head. Viktor and Noah grasp me at the same time, righting me on my feet as Tāne and Waimārie rush over.

“What do we do?” Tāne rasps, still out of breath from his fight.

Waimārie’s eyes bulge in fear beside him, a reflection of how I must look too; with the lineup our mates carefully crafted, we counted on Reid winning against Matthew, preventing any Alpha-domination leaders in the yellow zone from ranking in the top five. Not only did Matthew win, he bursts with agitation, eyeing us with Reid’s blood splattered across his cheeks.

“Fuck, never mind,” Viktor mutters. “You’re fucking up Matthew tomorrow for us, right, Greenfield?”

With a deep growl, Noah nods. “Hire a few more medics.”

I have a bad feeling about this.