Page 69 of Luna's New Reign
His hand pauses suddenly, his fingers stilling on my stomach as something shifts—soft, faint, but unmistakable. I freeze, my own hand flying to cover his as his eyes widen, his lips parting in shock.
“Did you—?”
“Yes,” I whisper, my voice breathless with wonder. “That was the baby.”
Remi lets out asqueal, an actual squeal of excitement, his face lighting up as he stares at me like I just hung the stars in the sky. “Again!Do it again!”
I burst into laughter, swatting lightly at his arm. “It doesn’t work like that, Remi.”
But he’s already leaning closer, his other hand joining the first as he presses his palms to my stomach, his expression hopeful. “Come on, little one. Kick for me again. Just once. Please?”
I roll my eyes, though I can’t stop smiling as I watch him. He’s practically vibrating with excitement, his eyes darting between my face and my belly like he doesn’t want to miss a second.
When nothing happens, he pouts slightly before leaning back, his hands still gentle as they rest on me. “You’ve thought about names, right?” he asks, his voice softer now. “Or… do you want to know the sex first?”
I shake my head, brushing my fingers through his soft hair. “The name will come to me when it’s time. And I don’t want to know yet.” I pause, watching his face as he looks up at me, still grinning like an idiot. “It’s too soon to rush it.”
“Fair enough,” he murmurs, his hands lingering on my belly like he can’t quite let go yet. “But I’m calling it now. They’re going to have your eyes. Mateo’s stubborn streak, but your eyes.”
I snort, shoving him lightly. “I’ll take the eyes, but I think they’ll end up withyoursmile, Mr. Sunshine.”
The sound of footsteps pulls my attention to the doorway, where the rest of my mates hover just out of reach. “They’re all desperate to feel the baby too,” I tease, smirking as I shoot them a look. “But they’re being polite because they know I’ll bite.”
Asani grins, his sharp edges softened as he meets my gaze. “You’re already the most spoiled Omega in existence. We don’t want to overwhelm you.”
“And yet,” I add playfully, leaning back against the pillows. “You alldofeel it. Every time we’re in the nest, I’m pressed up against someone’s back, and Iknowyou feel the kicks then.”
River shrugs, his lips twitching faintly. “Can’t argue with that.”
Mateo takes a seat on the edge of the nest, his hand brushing against my knee. “As much as I’d love to sit here and fight for my turn, we need to talk.”
I sigh, my light mood dimming slightly as the reality of our situation seeps back in. “Back to reality already?”
Mateo’s eyes meet mine, serious now. “We need to find the rest of the pack of the Forbidden. The wolves we’ve seen near the veil aren’t acting randomly. The First Alpha is pulling the strings and we can’t sit back and wait for them to come to us.”
Darius growls softly, shifting closer to stand behind Mateo, his arms crossed tightly. “Fucking First Alpha,my ass,” he mutters and I bite back a chuckle. “Do we know where to start?”
Remi frowns, his earlier joy fading as he glances between them. “It feels like history’s repeating itself,” he murmurs. “One of the wolves that came through the veil—she was from the Emerald pack before they were slaughtered. Stolen away and turned into something she wasn’t.”
“That can’t be a coincidence,” I say, trying to wade through what Remi told me about this morning.
“It’s not,” Mateo confirms. “The pack of the Forbidden didn’t form overnight. It was built from wolves like her—wolves who were taken, manipulated, or forced into submission. Wolves like Darius. It’s only now that we’re hearing about it because his grip on the darkness is loosening.”
I nod, my fingers curling protectively over my belly as unease settles in my chest. It makes sense because why would the First Alpha have waited so long? Had he thought I was rightfully his, he would have snatched me the moment he could. Why play all the games? I decide not to dwell on it, reaching for another bite of pancake when a wave of pure,unfiltered sorrowcrashes through the bond. It’s sharp and heavy, settling like a stone in my chest and I look around the room, trying to figure out where it’s coming from.
Mateo? No—he’s focused, calculating, his Alpha energy calm and steady as always. River’s expression is thoughtful, quiet as he listens to Remi’s muttered observations. Darius is his usual collected self, though his eyes dart to me as if he feels the shift in my mood. Asani has moved into the room to sit beside me, nothing in his expression any different than usual.
And then I look athim.
Maverick.
He’s standing near the edge of the room, half-shadowed by the morning light spilling in through the windows. His jaw is tight, the muscles ticking as his dark eyes stare at nothing. His hands, usually calm and steady, are fisted at his sides, the knuckles white from the strain. His expression is stoic—almost unreadable—but the sorrow pouring through the bond is his, and it’s breaking my heart.
I don’t even hesitate.
I push to my feet without a word and cross the room to Maverick, my bare feet silent against the floor. He doesn’t look up as I stop in front of him, his eyes locked somewhere far away, lost in a place I can’t see.
“Maverick,” I say softly, reaching up to touch his arm. He flinches slightly at the contact as if I’ve jolted him out of whatever dark memory has its claws in him, but he doesn’t pull away. “What’s wrong?”