All Chapters of Rejected by My Mate, Claimed by the Brooding Alpha CEO: Chapter 71 - Chapter 77

I go into labor three weeks early, which shouldn’t surprise anyone given my track record. It’s 2 AM when the first contraction wakes me. For a moment, I think it’s just Braxton Hicks-I’ve been having those for weeks. But then the second one hits, stronger, unmistakable. “Kael,” I shake his shoulder. “It’s time.” He’s awake instantly, going from dead asleep to fully alert Alpha mode in seconds, “Are you sure?” “Very sure. And my water just broke, so yeah, we need to go.” What follows is controlled chaos. Kael calls Dr. Vange while simultaneously getting dressed and grabbing our hospital bag. I call Catherine to come stay with Adrian, who’s still asleep and has no idea he’s about to become a big brother tonight instead of three weeks from now. “How far apart are the contractions?” Kael asks, helping me into comfortable clothes. “About five minutes. We have time, but not a lot.” Catherine arrives within fifteen minutes-she must have broken several speed limits. “Go,” she says, kis

Luna is six weeks old when I attempt my first post- baby mediation. “Are you sure you’re ready?” Kael asks, watching me try on three different professional outfits because nothing fits quite right yet. I’m sure. Dr. Vance cleared me. Luna’s eating well. Catherine’s coming to help with both kids. And it’s just one mediation-low stakes, territory boundary clarification between two friendly Alphas.” “That’s a lot of justification for a simple yes.” “I’m justifying it to myself as much as to you.” I finally settle on a dress that accommodates my still-changing body. “I need to do this, Kael. Need to prove I can still be Luna Sage, not just Luna Grace’s mother.” “You’re both. You’ve always been both.” “I know. But I need to feel it.” I adjust the dress one more time. “Besides, the pilot program evaluation is in two weeks. I should stay sharp.” He doesn’t argue further, just kisses me and wishes me luck. The mediation goes smoothly-so smoothly it’s almost boring. Two Alphas w

The emergency pack council meeting is called for the following evening.Word of Adrian’s incident spread fast-too fast to be natural gossip. Someone leaked it deliberately, probably to stir up exactly the kind of fear and concern that now fills the council chamber.“This is a witch hunt,” Marcus says, standing beside us as we wait for the session to begin. “They’re using a ten-year-old’s defensive action to justify their fear of the prophecy.”“Let them try,” Kael growls. “I’ve got three lawyers on standby and Luna Victoria already called to express her support.”I’m less confident. The chamber is packed with Alphas I don’t recognize, all wearing expressions ranging from concern to outright hostility. Richard sits in the front row, looking smug.Of course he’s here.Adrian is at home with Luna, both kids under heavy security with Catherine and Eleanor. I hated leaving them, but this fight requires me here.Alpha Morrison calls the session to order. “We’re here to discuss the incident