My heart scrambles until I’m dizzy. But I haven’t felt this elated in years. Whatever expression I’m making, Noah smiles the sweetest smile.

“D-do you have any questions, sweet Omega?”

“Yes. But my name’s Aliya, not Omega.”

Noah’s head drops to his lap, burying his face in his hands before I can see his full smile. “Sorry… A-Aliya.”

My whispered name makes me suck in a deep breath. Noah pauses, having to catch his own.

When I don’t say anything, he speaks even softer. “I-I just registered you as my Omega the second we met, but I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have called you that without even asking your name - what a fail.” He groans, and I can’t help but giggle. Soon enough, we’re giggling together. “I-it’s just, you smell really sweet. Like the sweetest Omega alive, but you’re also sweet, as in kindhearted, so I just thought…”

That’s how he perceives me? I don’t know what an Omega means to him since I only know they’re at the bottom of wolf packs, but the way he says it makes me feel like it means something beautiful. If wolf hearing is a thing, Noah can hear my hammering heart.

But when he doesn’t come back out from his makeshift hiding place, I lift the edge of his palm with my pointer finger. “You really are a shy wolf. My… what did you call yourself? My Alpha?”

Noah slams his palm shut again, curling lower with a small groan. “Fuck, you’re so cute. I don’t know what to do.”

I burst out laughing. The sound breaks Noah’s red face free from his palms, but an eagerness in his stare steals my breath. I’m bombarded with a hug, his head rubbing into my shoulder until I laugh even harder.

“Is this because I called you my Alpha?”

“Y-yes. I never thought someone would call me that.”

“Never? But I thought that meant you were my pack leader, so to speak. Aren’t Alphas the dominant wolf?”

Noah was already shaking his head “no” before I finished talking. “Not always. Traditional wolves act like it’s a hard-wired wolf sex based on reproductive organs - that wolves with balls are dominant Alphas and wolves with uteruses are submissive Omegas. But I’ve met plenty of wolves, and trust me, it’s way more complex. It’s more like our inner wolf’s personality trait - except our personalities boost the smell we give off. I mainly give off Alpha pheromones, meaning I’m more impulsive and protective about everything I care about. There are also Betas, a blend of all pheromones who tend to be resilient mediators. But you smell more like an Omega, most likely making you more calculated and aware of the whole picture. Thoughtful, warm, and comforting, by instinct.” 

I’m surprised by how much this prompted Noah to speak. Not only speak, but speak from his heart. I can hear it in his steadied voice. 

But Noah’s brows furrow, his stare dropping to his knees. “Some people want to call Omegas docile, but I think that’s unfair. I think they’re taught to be scared of Alphas to survive. So no, I’m not your leader. That’s not what this is.”

I understand what he means about Alphas forcing Omegas into survival mode. Human men like Steven used the same concepts against me, a human woman.

None of this was prompted. Noah could’ve easily said yes, he’s the dominant one, and I’m required to submit to him in the wolf world. But he told me the truth. Many Alphas assume dominance over Omegas, and he’s aware of our implied power imbalance. He’s been actively combatting that imbalance since we met, even when I knew nothing about it.

Trust unlocks a new chamber in my heart. One I never thought I’d let a man see.

But he’s not just a man. “So you’re my Alpha, as in my Alpha mate? You never thought you’d find your mate?”

“N-no. Not after everyone else I grew up with found their mates, and I’m already 31. Especially not a mate anywhere close to...” He dares to peek at me for a mere second. “To someone gorgeous, like you.”

The second he says it, I know he means more than my body. I’ve never felt such a rush of adoring, yet soothing emotions, every atom of me whispering, you’re safe. He’s safe.

I grip his hand, whispering raw truths before I hide them away again. “Noah, how much I want you scares me. After the life experiences I’ve had, it’s hard for me to open up. But something about you makes me want to be vulnerable… With my shy Alpha.”

Noah’s sweet, flustered stare flips my heart.

“B-but I’m not used to these feelings,” I blurt out. “To the point where it’s safer to believe you’ll hurt me. Because then, I won’t be disappointed if you use your power to take advantage of me too. If you walk out that door when you’re done with me, knowing it’ll leave me behind with nothing.”

Noah lets out a pained breath, stroking my cheek.

And I can’t believe I just said all that. Even weirder, that was surprisingly easy to confess. He’s fully listening, furrowed eyebrows focused on every word.

“You don’t have to trust me yet,” he says. “I’m here now, either way. You’re safe.”

Tears slip down Noah’s thumb on my cheek. But my smile bursts across my face just the same.

I feel it. I don’t understand how it’s possible, but I feel it nonetheless. I feel safe.

Noah kisses my forehead before drawing me lower on the couch to lie beside him. “L-Let’s just hold each other for tonight.”

“I’d like that.” 

Snuggling into his chest, I squeeze him tighter just to feel him squeezing back. With every pulse of his heartbeat against my forehead, every slow expansion of his ribs beneath my arms, I relax.

His scent washes over me as he plants a soft kiss on my neck, sending electricity through me. This time, his kiss there doesn’t feel sexual. I feel loved. 

Curling up with my arms hugged to my chest, I allow Noah to cocoon me. His warm, sweet scent lulls me to sleep.

The next morning, I wake up to find Noah nowhere in sight.

***********

To continue the story, the final draft edition of My Shy Alpha: Book 1 of the Steamy Shifter Romance Series is now available as an ebook on Kindle Unlimited, Paperback, and Hardcover!

The final edition has 10 exclusive illustrations, 3 additional chapters (including a new steamy scene), and secrets added throughout. 

I'm so grateful for your support! Thank you so much for taking the time to read, comment, and vote for MSA while its rough draft edition was published. If you'd like to leave a review on your favorite bookseller or Goodreads, that would greatly support this series!

The My Shy Alpha Series continues in Freeing My Alpha: Book 2! Read it now on Tapas, or read 1-4 chapters ahead on Patreon.