Page 110 of My Shy Alpha

I hadn’t realized how much bigger I was; this “narrow” nook is Noah’s massive den.

My heart rate spikes as I enter, unsure what Noah has planned here. When I find Noah sitting on his haunches, waiting for me with puppy-dog eyes, my nerves melt away.

My shy Alpha.

He lightly wags his tail, peeking at me with his head bowed - just as shy as when I first visited his den. I drag my nose along his cheeks and neck, relishing in his humming purr.

His warmth soothes me, but there’s a hint of sadness in him. Mourning. When we meet eyes, Noah whines.

He guides me into the deepest corner of the cave, flopping against the stone with a grunt.

My paws stutter in place. Noah, what are we...?

Cuddle with me. Just cuddle.

Noah’s alert ears soften as my tail wags on its own. I circle in front of him, unsure how to fit us together.

Noah’s tail lazily thumps against the stone floor. Just flop on me. Wolves have no personal space.

So that’s why I like molding myself to your body every night?

Noah’s breath escapes his lungs in a huff as I plop into the natural opening between his four legs. But Noah’s burly body pays it no mind. He curls around me, tucking his chin over my front legs. His overpowering scent is so soothing that every muscle softens. My head naturally drapes over his neck.

Even our wolf bodies fit together, I say. The same ache in his heart surges, and I whine. What are you thinking about? Is there something wrong?

Noah whimpers, tucking me in even closer. His pain burrows into my heart.

I know, Noah. I can feel it. Talk to me.

Today was just– He tucks his nose into my fluffy belly, hiding his eyes. I’ve never felt anything like this. You’re so special to me - more than special. And I’m just so sad. I can’t believe I spent so many years of my life without you. Losing all that time to know you. What if we only have a decade or two left, like our parents?

I whine with him, squishing my snout against his. That kills me to think about. But I meant it when I said every second with you would be worth it. Even if all we have is tomorrow, this is right where I want to be.

His slicked-back ears soften, flattening with love. All I want is to be here with you too. Thank you for finding me, Omega.

Thank you for waiting for me.

Noah and I huddle in his den. Our collective warmth makes it impossible to keep my eyes open. With soft rain dripping at the entrance, I’m lulled to sleep against Noah’s chest.

But when I wake up next, it’s with a jolt. Noah is already awake, still in his wolf form. He lifts his head off my side to gaze into my eyes, and I shiver at the icy breeze on my bare skin. Then I gasp; I’m fully naked.

“I shifted back?”

Yes. In your sleep. He tucks me closer, blanketing my bare skin with his warm fur.

I stroke his head, unable to contain my grin; he must’ve stayed in his wolf form just to keep me from shivering. Noah’s ears relax beneath my touch, but it’s not enough to erase the tension in his eyes.

You were whimpering just before you woke up. Did you have a bad dream?

I sigh, curling deeper into his fur. “It was about that wolf. The one who attacked you.”

Oh, sweet Omega... His ears droop, but then one flicks to the side, stirring his tail into action. Well, feisty Omega is more like it. You’re a powerful wolf, and you haven’t even trained before. You made an angry Alpha twice your size escape with his tail between his legs.

I bite my lip as I smile, indulging in Noah’s doting stare.

But a part of me can’t let go of my discomfort. “Did you know that wolf? You called him an Alpha.”

Not really. It’s just easy to smell Omegas, Betas, and Alphas apart after a while.