Semua Bab Lunar Lake: Bab 161 - Bab 167

162 (Kathryn’s POV) The cheering didn’t fade, it transformed. Warriors slapped the tables, calling for food and drink. The kitchen staff rushed forward with trays piled high, pitchers of beer and juice, roasted meats, bread still steaming. The packhouse filled with sound, the deep rumble of wolves celebrating, voices rising in unison. Celia tugged me toward the head table, and before I could protest, Tyler was already pulling out a chair for me. His hand lingered at my shoulder, grounding me as the noise swelled around us. Plates were piled, mugs lifted. Micah started the first howl long, deep, proud and one by one, voices joined him until the walls shook. I felt the sound vibrate in my chest, a chorus that wasn’t just noise but a promise. Pups scrambled under the tables, laughing as they wove through legs, while older wolves slapped each other’s backs, recounting the battles that had brought them here. I caught bits of stories, names spoken with reverence, scars displayed like t

164 (Kathryn’s POV) I couldn’t sit still not after hearing it. The Winter Solstice ball. For weeks it felt like everything was war councils, security sweeps, and whispers about Jaxson’s shadow. Now, finally, there was something bright to look forward to. Something normal. Something of ours. I pushed back the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My body was slower than it used to be, my center of balance shifting with the baby, but my heart felt light for the first time in ages. Tyler’s eyes tracked me, heavy with the weight he never spoke aloud. He didn’t say a word as I stood, just tightened his jaw, the way he always did when he wanted to protect me but knew he couldn’t lock me away. “I’ll find Celia,” I told him, already reaching for the robe draped across the chair. “We’ll start planning—music, decorations, food, everything.” I caught the faintest huff of air from him half exasperation, half surrender. He didn’t stop me though. He never could, not when my mind

166 (Kathryn’s POV) Celia leaned over the parchment again, sketching loops of lanterns that would hang from poles by the lakeshore. “See? It frames the moonlight perfectly.” I couldn’t help smiling. “It’ll be breathtaking.” But as I reached for another scrap of paper, movement in the hall caught my eye. Tyler stood there, half in shadow, watching us. His expression wasn’t soft like it usually was when he caught me laughing it was tight, guarded. He thought he was hiding it, but I saw the flicker in his eyes. For a second, our gazes met. His jaw clenched, then he gave a small nod and turned away, back down the hall toward the war room. Celia didn’t notice. She kept sketching, her voice bright with excitement. But I lingered on that glimpse of Tyler carrying something heavy while I sat here planning lanterns and music. I forced myself to smile again, joining Celia in her joy, but part of me kept listening for his footsteps, wondering what storm he was bracing for that he hadn’t