All Chapters of Moon Madness: Chapter 71 - Chapter 77

The door closes behind us with a solid click.It's a small sound, but it feels heavier than it should. Like the beginning of something complicated.Alpha Marcus's office is quiet compared to the rest of the packhouse. Dark wood shelves line the walls, filled with ledgers, old pack records, and framed photographs that probably go back generations.A wide desk sits near the center of the room, polished from years of use.Alpha Marcus moves behind it calmly.Aiden stays beside me, close enough that I can feel the steady hum of his presence through the bond.Across the room, the three visiting Alphas sit watching us.None of them look relaxed anymore.They look like wolves trying to decide whether another wolf is dangerous.The youngest one watches me the closest. He has dark hair, a heavy beard, and sharp eyes that never stop assessing.Not curiosity.Evaluation.Alpha Marcus folds his hands on the desk."You wanted to speak with Catherine Evans Hale," he says evenly."You may proceed."

The door closes behind the Council Alphas.For several seconds, nobody in Alpha Marcus's office moves.The tension from the interrogation hasn't disappeared.It's just shifted into something quieter and heavier.Alpha Marcus walks slowly around his desk and pours himself a glass of water.Aiden stays beside my chair with one hand resting against the back of it. Not touching me, but close enough that I can feel the steady presence of him at my side.Protective and grounding.Alpha Marcus takes a sip before speaking."Well," he says calmly."That was... informative."I exhale slowly."They think I'm unstable.""They think you're powerful," Alpha Marcus corrects."Those are not the same thing."Aiden leans one shoulder lightly against the desk."They're also worried about the pups."I groan immediately."Don't remind me."Alpha Marcus nods slowly."They're afraid of what your bloodline could produce.""And that's exactly why we need answers."I look up."Answers from who?"Alpha Marcus s

By the time school ends, Hunter looks like a man who's aged ten years in a single day.Ryan notices it first.We meet up near the training field, and Hunter is leaning against the fence like gravity personally betrayed him sometime around lunch.Ryan squints at him."You look terrible."Hunter nods slowly."I feel terrible."I study him more closely."You look like you didn't sleep."Hunter lets out a weak laugh."I didn't."A moment later Tara appears carrying two shopping bags and a notebook.She looks energetic.Suspiciously energetic.Hunter groans under his breath.Ryan raises an eyebrow."...What happened to you?"Hunter rubs both hands over his face."I think she's on pregnancy heat."I nearly choke.Lizzie blinks."Pregnancy... what?"Hunter gestures helplessly toward Tara."We've basically been going at it all night."Ryan bursts out laughing."Poor guy.""I'm serious," Hunter says. "I haven't slept."I tilt my head."Then why are you here?"Hunter glares at me."Because appa

Morning arrives gray and cold, the kind of morning that feels heavy before the day has even begun.I stand by the bedroom window with my arms folded across my chest, staring out at the forest. Mist drifts between the trees, turning the territory into a blur of gray and green. Everything looks peaceful.Too peaceful.Behind me, Aiden adjusts the sleeves of his black shirt. His movements are calm and deliberate, but I know him too well not to notice the tension underneath.He's nervous.He's just better at hiding it than I am.I turn from the window."You're pretending you're not nervous."Aiden glances up."I'm not pretending.""You are."The corner of his mouth lifts slightly."I'm choosing not to panic."I let out a breath."Honestly, that's probably the better strategy."He walks over and rests a hand lightly at the back of my neck.The contact helps more than I want to admit."You ready?""No.""Good."I blink."That's good?""It means you understand what's at stake."I suppose tha