Page 109 of My Shy Alpha
I’ve always been a clumsy mess in my human form. But tonight, I don’t care if I trip and fall. Letting go of perfection frees me, allowing me to move further with each racing paw. I bound across the forest, glancing at the wolves around me to analyze their movements.
The more I move, the less I feel like I need to rely on anything but my own paws. Something in my mind clicks into place, like I was made for this. I lean into a sprint, stretching low to the ground until I double in speed. Within seconds, I overtake Noah’s pace, gaining on him with every huffing breath through my snout.
Noah’s silent paws cut through the forest, thrusting him forward like a low-flying black jet. My shifted eyes allow me to track him, softening the heavy blanket of darkness. But I don’t need my vision; my sense of smell creates a constant pull toward what I seek. With every tree I blast past, the wind combs my fur, sending shockwaves of pleasure through me.
Without warning, Noah doubles back faster than I can prepare to dodge. He hardly misses me by half an inch. The thrill it ignites in me propels me faster, especially as Noah rejoins my side.
Before I know it, he guides our pack to the mountain’s lookout point, forcing everyone to come to a skidding halt. Below us, the three rivers meet the ocean, cutting through mountainous forests to meet the glittering, moonlit horizon. It’s the most breathtaking view I’ve ever seen, yet my eyes stray from it.
Noah’s nose puffs heavy clouds into the frigid air. Silky, onyx fur glistens beneath the Moon Goddess’ gaze, softly dancing in the wind. But it’s his gorgeous, golden eyes on me that stunt my breath.
Omega, I really am serious. I’ve never seen a wolf move like you. Run like you. It feels like... He smashes his forehead against mine, giving me an affectionate grunt. You were made for this. I feel like I’m finally seeing you, and I–
He steps back. With the sharp silence that falls over the pack, I stop myself from panting. The energy in the pack shifts with us, and I can’t place why.
When Noah throws his head back to howl, I don’t just shiver; a roaring emotion hits me with his song, the melody transcending words as he pours out his heart.
I think this song is for me.
Wolves all around me join Noah, jolting every hair across my body. Their emotions wash over me, crashing higher and higher within me until I spill over, throwing my head back to howl with them.
Noah’s ears rotate with my newfound sound, his soul pulsating with mine. With a deep breath, he resumes his song with twice the vigor, harmonizing with me. Within seconds, the whole pack follows his lead. Except with Noah morphing his song to my note, they’re technically following me.
I’ve never heard something like this come out of me. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever allowed myself to be this loud. This emotional. This real. The more I merge my heart and emotions with the pack’s, the more I can feel every one of them within me.
In my heart, I’m crying. Crying for all the days I lost without this family. Crying for my parents who aren’t here to feel it with me. Crying for how much I cherish every second of it, now that I’m here. My wolf expresses that and more, weaving in and out of the voices surrounding me.
By the time Noah falls silent, allowing everyone else to finish the last note of their song, his eyes lock on mine.
I know he feels everything in my heart, but something in them tells me he understands. How desperate my need is to belong.
I draw closer, and he meets me there. His warm snout caresses mine, pushing a whimper from me.
But instead of cuddling me like I crave, Noah pads past me through the forest, peeking back for me to follow. The rest of the pack trails home, guided by Lilian to finish the ceremonial blessings. I wanted to see how our Luna guided mating rituals, asking the Moon Goddess to bless participants with a deeper bond, or even pregnancy, but that can wait for next month.
Wherever we’re going, it feels important. Enough to walk there, rather than run.
Noah’s shoulders capture my full attention, rolling and contemplative with every step. When he freezes, I perk up, my senses heightening in alert.
Noah’s ears pull back when we meet eyes, his tail wagging. Cute. So cute.
Giving me a tender rub with his side as he passes me, Noah points me to the stream, its mouth meeting one of the three rivers.
Look at yourself, Omega. You have to see how beautiful you are.
My heart quivers and skips as I approach the soothing, slow river, itching to use it as a mirror. But when I peek over the riverside, I’m awestruck by more than my own reflection.
Noah’s warm presence beside me glistens in the water, my polar opposite in size, color, and posture. I’m stark white, my smooth fur revealing every speck of dirt and leaves cluttering my slender wolf. I’m larger than a wild gray wolf, but I’m still small for a shifted Lycan: not a gargantuan bear like my regal mate. It’s so unfamiliar. But at the same time, we look more like ourselves - the souls I feel deep inside our bond. I feel like I can finally see myself. It’s enough to make my wolf legs quiver, unable to grasp reality. But here I stand, cold mud sinking between each bare paw pad.
Goddess, I feel that. He huffs, shaking his fur out from head to tail. You’re so clearly... you.
Whether I want it to or not, my tail wags. It excites us both, inspiring Noah into a playful sneeze.
Tracking Noah’s gorgeous, slinking form in the reflection, I whimper in delight as he nuzzles against my cheek. We’re the most beautiful beings I’ve ever seen, Noah.
He whines, surging our bond with his love. But then he dips beneath the boulder beside me, disappearing from sight.
My head tilts in shock. When he doesn’t return, I slink into cautious steps toward the small opening until I recognize where I am – a narrow cave entrance leading into a cozy nook.