LOGINChapter 83EpilogueFew months later, I was massive. Thirty-two weeks pregnant and waddling like a penguin. The nursery was finished—sage green walls, Christian's handmade furniture, shelves full of books, and tiny clothes organized by size.Everything was ready except one thing: we still hadn't picked a name.“We've narrowed it down,” I said one evening, lying in bed with Christian's hand on my very active belly. “Three boy names, three girl names. Why can't we just decide?”“Maybe we need to meet them first.” Christian rubbed my stomach as the baby kicked. “Sometimes you just know when you see them.”“That's very zen of you.”He kissed my temple. “I'm serious. We'll know.”At thirty-eight weeks, I woke up at 3 AM with a weird cramping in my lower back. I tried to ignore it and go back to sleep, but it kept coming in waves.After an hour of this, reality hit me.“Christian.” I shook his shoulder. “Christian, wake up.”“Mmm?” He was immediately alert, alpha instincts kicking in. “What
Chapter 82I stared at my phone screen, reading the message for the third time. My blood felt like ice water.Christian's entire body had gone rigid beside me, his Alpha energy practically crackling in the air. “I'm going to find whoever sent this and—”“Christian.” I placed my hand on his arm. “Look at the message again. It's vague. Generic. Someone's just trying to scare us after we won at the council.”“They threatened our baby.”“They made a creepy comment about hoping our baby is healthy. That's not really a threat, it's just… gross and intimidating.” I took a breath. “We will show this to Marcus and Diana tomorrow, implement some security stuff, and then we won't let it steal our joy. Okay?”Christian looked like he wanted to argue but finally nodded tightly. “Okay. But if anything else happens—”“Then we deal with it. Together.”The next morning, Marcus and Diana reviewed the message in Christian's office. Marcus suggested security upgrades. Diana reminded everyone that stress
Chapter 81I woke up at 5 AM with my stomach already staging a rebellion. I threw off the covers and ran for the bathroom, barely making it before everything came up.Strong hands immediately gathered my hair back. Christian's other hand rubbed soothing circles on my back while I was completely miserable over the toilet.“I've got you,” he murmured. “Just breathe. It'll pass.”This was our third morning in a row doing this exact routine. You'd think I'd get used to it, but nope. Still absolutely horrible every single time.When I finally finished, Christian helped me rinse my mouth and guided me back to bed. He'd already set up crackers and ginger tea on the nightstand—Diana's anti-nausea arsenal.“Here.” He placed a cool washcloth on my forehead and helped me sit up against the pillows. “Eat a few crackers slowly.”I nibbled one while he sat beside me, stroking my hair. “You don't have to stay. I know you have morning patrol.”“Marcus can handle it.”“Christian—”“I'm staying until y
Chapter 80“After you,” Alexander said, gesturing toward the massive doors like he owned the place.Christian's jaw clenched, but he nodded and led us forward. His hand never left mine as we walked past Alexander and his group of unfamiliar Alphas. I kept my chin up, Luna posture firmly in place even though my stomach was doing flips that had nothing to do with morning sickness.The council chambers were exactly as imposing inside as out. High ceilings, stone walls, and a massive circular table in the center with chairs for what looked like at least thirty people. Other Alphas and Lunas were already arriving, taking their seats and talking in low voices.“Shadow Ridge sits there.” A council official pointed to two seats near the middle of the circle. “Alpha Christian and Luna Sophie.”We made our way to our designated spots while Marcus and Diana took seats in the gallery behind us—the area reserved for Betas and advisors. I sat down carefully, grateful to be off my feet, and tried to
Chapter 79“We need to go.” I announced. “No.” Christian's voice was flat, final. “You're not going.”My head snapped up. “Excuse me?”“You heard me.” He pocketed his phone, his jaw set in that stubborn way that meant he thought the discussion was over. “You're staying here where it's safe.”“Christian—”“You're pregnant, Sophie.” His voice dropped lower, almost a growl. “You're carrying our child. I'm not letting you walk into a political situation with Alexander Sterling when we just found out.”I took a breath, trying to stay calm. “It says mandatory attendance for all Lunas. If I don't show up, it makes us look weak.”“I don't care how it looks.”“Well, I do.” My voice came out sharper than I intended. “I'm the Luna. I have responsibilities. And hiding at home because I'm pregnant is exactly what Alexander wants—to make me look incompetent.”Christian's eyes flashed. “Your health is more important than politics.”“I'm pregnant, not dying.” I crossed my arms. “Diana said I'm healt
Chapter 78“You're pregnant.” Diana said again, her smile growing wider. The words hung in the air like they were written in neon lights, but my brain couldn't seem to process them. Pregnant. Me. Pregnant.I stared at Diana, my mouth slightly open, waiting for the punchline. This had to be a joke, right? Except Diana didn't joke about medical stuff. And she was looking at me with this patient, knowing expression that said she'd delivered this exact news before and was used to the shocked silence.Christian had gone completely still beside me. Not breathing still. Not moving still. His hand had gone slack in mine, and when I glanced at him, his eyes were wide and unfocused, like someone had hit pause on him.My free hand moved to my stomach without me telling it to. Just pressed flat against the surface that didn't feel any different from it had this morning or yesterday or last week. But apparently, there was something different there now. Someone different.Christian's eyes tracked







