Page 111 of My Shy Alpha

“Wait a minute– ‘Not really’ doesn’t mean ‘no.’”

Noah’s right ear rotates back in thought, and I have to giggle. He delicately boops my nose with his, wagging his heavy tail with slow, sleepy thumps.

You’re right. I can’t personally memorize thousands of wolves, but that Alpha has challenged me before. Back before I became the top Alpha.

My heart flips. “And?”

And nothing came of it. This is why I didn’t mention it - it might seem like a big deal, but it’s actually common. Repeat challengers are especially common. Certain wolves tend to land in a middle zone of dominance, and sometimes I think it must force them to fight more often than me. But fighting against challengers is just part of an Alpha’s life. My title will be challenged for as long as I hold it.

I ache at the thought. Especially since Noah was looking straight at me when it happened, pulled away from safety by my panic. “Did I put you in danger?”

No, sweet Omega. This was my fault for turning my back to the crowd and seeming vulnerable. I won’t deny it, he was dead serious about that challenge. He probably waited for a chance for weeks.

“Weeks? What about before then?”

I put him in his place recently, that’s all.

My stomach flips. “But you still don’t think he challenged you for a reason?”

Noah grunts in dismissive annoyance, flopping onto his side. He probably has one. It doesn’t matter though. He got his ass kicked by my mate.

I groan, burying my face into his extra soft belly fur. With slow, deep thumps of his tail, Noah licks my bare back until I burst into laughter, squirming away from him.

But as we settle back into each other to sleep, I can’t shake one fear. That wolf seemed too serious for it to be a regular dominance battle. Then again, I’m no expert on wolves. That much is obvious.

That Alpha wanted to kill Noah. The thought digs into my stomach, forcing me to curl inwards. Noah is there to cuddle me tighter, but it doesn’t help the fact that he could be severely injured if I hadn’t shifted. Or dead. Intrusive thoughts trickle in, escalating until one stabs me in the chest in particular - a vivid nightmare of shifting too late, the attacker wolf snapping Noah’s neck in two.

Noah licks my cheek, startling a gasp from me.

I can feel your thoughts spinning. It’s okay, really. I’ll tell you if there’s ever any danger.

I nod, sinking into him. “Okay, yes. I trust you, Noah. I just don’t trust that wolf.”

Noah tilts his head, staring deep into my eyes. If you’re still worried, I’d rather trust your instincts. I’ll keep an eye on him.

“Thank you. That’d make me feel better.”

He snuggles into me, letting out a soft sigh.

41

Ismell someone else around. Just a head’s up, Noah mindlinks.

It’s painfully early, but I couldn’t be happier to join Noah on his morning perimeter run. We scope the forest’s outline, tracing a trail that must’ve been flattened by his paws a thousand times over. Noah extends his scent around the territory’s edge. It’s potent enough to burrow into my fur as I fly behind him.

But Noah has been avoiding my eyes. Just to tease him, I bound up to his side with our bundled-up picnic blanket hooked over my bottom fangs.

Noah gives a small “roo,” and my ears stick straight up. No, Goddess, no, why did you have to pick up the picnic bag in your little mouth like that? You look like a happy pup taking her lunch to school. Fuck, I’m about to die.

As I wiggle through my excitement, Noah blasts ahead of me, leaving me in his leafy aftermath.

I know Noah holds himself back for me. Speed isn’t the problem - I’ve surprised myself with my agility, and Noah’s size and power set him apart more than speed. But Noah’s true advantage is knowing this forest’s ins and outs like it’s a map of his own features. Every dip and hill is a steady, unhindered climb for his wise paws, whereas everything for my wolf is dazzling new.

I’m busy ogling his shiny black coat in the morning sunlight when an Alpha wolf bursts through the brush, running alongside us. Except it’s not a friendly sprint - he’s staring Noah down. I scamper to a halt, but Noah lunges at the Alpha, scaring him away with a swipe of his massive paw.

Fear slams me into the ground, and I tuck my tail as hard as it can press against my belly. Part of me hates myself for cowering instead of having Noah’s back, but the surprise attack must hit an old trauma bruise. My heart hammers so hard that my vision blurs, sending me in frantic zig zags as I race for cover. I dive into the bushes, and instinct curls my tail over my black nose. The second I know I’m safe, my focus locks on my mate.

Noah’s optical size has grown considerably, his black fur raised on end. It flutters in the wind, carrying his furious scent. He keeps his eyes glued on the stranger wolf in the distance as the Alpha bolts through the field, escaping Greenfield Forest faster than I believed possible.