Page 45
Story: King Luna (My Shy Alpha #3)
Four years later...
A s our newborn drinks from my chest with satisfied purrs, I smile at Ari cradling a small, stuffed pup toy, cooing and nuzzling over it just like I am with his little sibling—our sweet baby, Brook.
Ari peeks up at me with ginormous, midnight-brown eyes, his little feet tucked under his butt. “Mommy?”
I break into the biggest smile I can manage at Ari’s shy voice, wishing I had three hands to also stroke his dark hair; it’s just as wild and luscious as Noah’s, thick strands waving in every direction.
“Yes, my love?”
“Can I hold a pup in my tummy too?”
My eyes widen, and Noah drops his fork mid-stab, the sudden clatter of metal against ceramic making all four of us jump in the living room, no matter how sleep-deprived we all are, thanks to poor Brook’s colic.
What the hell do we say? Noah mindlinks.
I don’t know... The truth?
But doesn’t that require a lot of sex ed? I don’t know if I’m mentally prepared for that, Luna...
But I regain my soft smile. “Ari, not all wolves can carry pups in their tummies. But you can.”
Ari gazes at the stuffed toy wolf cradled in his arms. Something about his sudden curiosity strikes me as deep and powerful.
He needs to hear this, Noah. I don’t know why, but I just know we have to support him. It reminds me of when Amy told me I’d be a great mom for a whole town, inspiring me for the rest of my life. She spoke right to my core desires, and look where I ended up.
Noah nods, setting his plate down.
His hand eases over Ari’s little head, his wide thumb on Ari’s forehead making our pup blink his heart-killer, puppy-dog eyes up at his favorite person. I bite back my smile as Noah’s heart aches in pain in our bond, which I’ve now come to recognize as Noah suffering through an Ari-cuteness overload.
Softening his voice, Noah smiles down at our precious boy. “Did you hear what Mommy said? You’ll be able to carry a pup if you want to someday, buddy.”
Ari shifts his gaze to me, and now my heart actually hurts for him; his relieved expression just furrowed into concern.
“Why not now?” Ari mutters.
Oh, Goddess. Noah takes a deep breath, avoiding my eyes as I bite back a laugh. “You’re not old enough for that yet, sweetheart. Please, just be our pup first.”
I try not to bust out laughing at Noah’s distressed grumble, but Ari frowns, his brows knitting.
“But Daddy, what if I can’t do it?”
My heart drops with Ari’s. The bond we share grows stronger with each passing day, tearing a hole through me whenever he’s this upset. But even though I can usually piece together how Ari feels, I hesitate, uncertain about the genuine fear in his side of our bond.
Noah’s brows furrow. His bright eyes meet mine, his wolf on high alert as Ari’s distressed pheromones erupt with his trembling bottom lip. I just told him he has the body for it, so why does he seem so heartbroken?
Ari verges on tears, cuddling his toy closer to his chin, but he’s trying to stay composed with a tight scowl—as stubborn as ever to remain stoic, just like his father.
I scoot closer on my knees, unable to keep myself from holding him close. Cradling Brook closer to my chest, I stoop over Ari. “Oh, baby... It’s okay if you need to cry. Can you tell me what you’re feeling?”
Ari shakes his head, his lungs hitching as he frantically stifles tears.
Noah settles onto the floor beside him, his heart aching just as badly as mine. The second Noah touches the ground, Ari dashes for my mate. Throwing himself face first, Ari nuzzles into his dad’s chest, wrapping little arms around Noah’s neck. I burst with affection from the sight, Noah’s big, comforting hands on such a little back soothing me alongside Ari.
Stroking Ari’s hair back, Noah kisses the top of Ari’s head. “I’ve got you, sweetheart. Mommy and I will be here to help you through everything you want to do in life, okay?”
Ari dissolves into whimpers. I watch Noah for signs of distress, knowing they share a special bond: Ari’s stark Omega nature latched onto Noah’s protective Alpha side from day one. They’re inseparable in the sweetest way.
“But I’m a boy,” Ari whispers. Agony ripples through every syllable.
Noah glances up at me in fearful upset, and my heart aches even worse.
Who do you think told him this, Noah?
I don’t know. Maybe it was just out of observation, noticing women around us are pregnant more frequently than men? Your kid’s fucking smart. Too smart sometimes.
I bite back another laugh, shaking my head.
But not even Noah’s gentle kisses on Ari’s head can soothe him.
Ari was extremely clear with us: he’s a boy, and we believe him. He’s been the happiest kid ever since, so seeing him upset now is a bit of a shock. He hasn’t panicked like this since Lilian accidentally bought him a “Birthday Girl” sash this year before we told her the news on his fourth birthday.
Then something clicks into place.
I smile, swiping a tear off his cheek. “You know what, baby? I thought I couldn’t be Luna, either. I’m part human. But I am Luna. And no matter what other wolves might think, I’m so happy to be your Luna mommy!”
Ari perks up, his hitching tears softening a touch.
Noah’s slow, loving blinks turn from me to our son. “And I’m part Omega, but I’m still your Alpha. And I’m still you and your baby sibling’s dad.”
Ari’s tears slow to a shuddering stop, leaving Noah to swipe the snot dripping from his nose with a massive thumb on such a little face.
Then Noah has to bite his lips, his chest tensing around a suppressed laugh.
Oh, my God. Ari’s concentrating face always makes Noah laugh.
I try not to giggle at it too, his knitted thinking glower too cute for words.
After a long while, Ari’s face softens. “I can be a boy still?”
Noah and I meet eyes, our hearts aching in tandem.
Someone must’ve told him he couldn’t do both. But don’t most wolves see gender differently? There are so many Alpha women and Omega men, and trans and non-binary wolves with every type of pheromone dominance, I mindlink.
Noah’s heart spikes with pain again. He softens his voice. “When you’re older and feel ready to have a pup, we’ll be right by your side. We believe in you. You’ll always be our boy, even if you carry a baby in your tummy like Mommy did.”
Within seconds, Ari smiles wider than I’ve ever seen him, a giggle erupting from his chest.
Noah’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. He’s still stunned, even as Ari scampers off his lap, jumping onto the couch beside me.
I laugh as I’m greeted with a breathy smile in my face. “Oh, goodness! Hello, Little Wolf!”
“Hello, Mommy. Can I hold Brook?”
I laugh, nuzzling Ari’s head. “I was wondering when you’d ask.”
As soon as I burp Brook, Noah helps me position them in Ari’s small arms; two pillows propped beneath either elbow to aid him. Noah can’t stop biting his lips, our bond overflowing with love as he squishes in beside me on the couch. The two of us snuggle in close as our children huddle together, Brook blinking in amazement as they gaze into Ari’s eyes.
Ari uses a four-year-old’s loud whisper. “Mommy, Brook is looking at me.”
My heart flips. “They love you, baby.”
Ari beams, giving off a soft purr. “I love Brook.”
I sense eyes on me.
When I glance over at my mate, I get the feeling I’m suddenly all Noah sees.
Our foreheads meet. Noah purrs softly along with our toddler, soothing my eyes into drifting shut.
Noah doesn’t have to explain his thoughts for me to sense the whirring, precious emotions behind them; he’s utterly in love with us and the family we’ve created.
I’m awestruck too. None of this would’ve happened if we didn’t experience every little thing before reaching this point in our lives. So much of me has healed alongside him, allowing us to get here, and I know Noah feels the same—not just from what he’s told me, but also from the gradual, blooming journey he’s taken alongside me to become more of himself. He’s more gorgeous every day I know him.
As if he can hear me, Noah hums, cupping my cheeks in his palms. We lock eyes between slow, steady kisses. We glance at our children, but Ari is too absorbed in his big brother status to notice what we’re up to, allowing us to indulge in a few more luxurious kisses.
Noah softens into a smile. I know. I’m in love with us too.
I lace my arms behind Noah’s neck, leaning into our kiss with my full heart. No matter what happens, good or bad, I’m so happy I’ll get to experience it all with you.
Noah ducks his head, breaking into a blushing smile. But in his soothing embrace, I know he feels the exact same.
Our bond transcends this lifetime, stretching past what I can fathom. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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