Chapter 103: Chapter 103
"So are you, and I don’t see Diana banning me from the kitchen."
I made my way to our small kitchenette before he could argue, pulling out eggs and bread. Christian followed, moving slowly, and started setting the table. We worked in comfortable silence, just existing in the same space, and it felt more intimate than anything we’d done before.
Scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee. Nothing fancy. But sitting across from Christian, holding his hand while we ate, felt like the most important meal of my life.
"I love this," Christian said suddenly.
"The eggs? I mean, they’re not that good—"
"No. This. Us. Just... being together. No threats, no attacks, just breakfast." He squeezed my hand. "These simple moments mean more than any victory."
I felt tears prick my eyes. Damn pregnancy hormones. Wait, was I pregnant? I pushed that thought away for later.
"Me too," I whispered.
After breakfast, we migrated to the couch, wrapped in blankets despite the warm weather. Christian pulled me against his side, careful of my arm, and we just sat there.
"What do you want?" he asked after a while.
"I want another cup of coffee."
"No, I mean... for our future. Now that Harold’s gone, Vanessa’s gone, Tom’s gone... what do you want to do with your life?"
I thought about it, really thought about it. "I want to expand the sanctuary. Help more refugees, more people running from bad situations. And maybe..." I hesitated. "Maybe create programs for young Lunas. Teach them about their abilities, help them control their power. So they don’t have to figure it out alone like I did."
Christian’s arms tightened around me. "That’s perfect. That’s so perfectly you."
"What about you? What do you want?"
"I want to reform Shadow Ridge. All those outdated traditions, the old ways that hurt more than they helped... I want to change them. Make this pack somewhere people want to be, not somewhere they’re trapped."
"We could do it together," I said. "Reform the pack, help refugees, train new Lunas..."
"Build something better than what we inherited."
"Exactly."
Another knock interrupted us. I was starting to think we needed a "do not disturb" sign.
Connor entered with his typical lawyer efficiency, carrying a briefcase full of documents. "Sorry to intrude, but I need Christian’s signature on some papers."
Christian sat up straighter. "What papers?"
"Harold’s estate needs to be officially transferred to you. And I’ve finalized death certificates for Harold, Tom—who’s legally dead to the werewolf world—and Vanessa." Connor spread the documents across our coffee table. "Sign here, here, and here."
Christian picked up the pen, and I watched his hand hover over the first signature line. This was it. The official end of everything we’d been fighting against.
He signed. One paper. Two. Three.
Connor gathered them up, stamped them with official-looking seals, and tucked them back into his briefcase. "Congratulations. You’ve officially closed the Chapter on all three threats. Shadow Ridge is entirely yours now, free and clear."
After Connor left, the weight of it all hit me. We’d actually done it. We’d survived.
"I need a nap," I announced.
Christian laughed. "Your pain medication is kicking in, isn’t it?"
"Maybe."
He scooped me up again—because of course he did—and carried me to bed. I was too tired to argue this time. He laid me down gently, then climbed in beside me, pulling me against his chest.
I fell asleep listening to his heartbeat, steady and strong and alive.
When I woke up, the sun was setting, painting our room in orange and gold light. Christian was still beside me, but this time he was actually asleep, his face peaceful in a way I rarely saw when he was awake.
I carefully channeled my Luna healing energy, directing it toward his injuries from fighting Vanessa. Golden light glowed from my hands as I traced the wounds across his chest, feeling them close and knit together under my touch.
"You should save that energy for yourself," Christian mumbled, his eyes still closed.
"You should save that energy for yourself," Christian mumbled, his eyes still closed.
"I thought you were asleep."
"I was. Then you started glowing like a nightlight." He cracked one eye open. "Stop healing me. Heal yourself."
"Healing you helps me heal," I said. "Emotionally, anyway."
He captured my glowing hand, bringing it to his lips. "You’re too good for me."
"Probably. But you’re stuck with me anyway."
A soft knock on the door made us both tense. But this time it was Diana, carrying what smelled like heaven in a covered dish.
"The pack wanted me to bring this," she said, setting it on our dresser. "Chicken soup and fresh bread. They wanted to show support for their Alpha and Luna."
I felt tears sting my eyes again. Stupid emotions. "That’s... really sweet."
"You’ve earned their loyalty," Diana said simply. "Both of you." She gave us a rare smile. "I’ll be back tomorrow to check your wounds. Try not to do anything stupid before then."
After she left, Christian and I ate the soup at our small kitchen table. It was delicious, homemade, and made with love and care.
"The pack really has changed," I said.
"Because of you."
"Because of us."
After dinner, Christian ran me a bath, adding oils Diana had left for healing. He helped me in, careful of my bandaged arm, then sat on the bathroom floor, keeping me company.
"You know," I said, "you could join me."
His eyes darkened. "Sophie..."
"I’m injured, not dead. Get in here."
He stripped faster than I’d ever seen him move and slid in behind me, pulling me carefully against his chest. The hot water soothed my aching muscles, but his arms around me soothed something deeper.
"I thought I was going to die," I admitted quietly. "When Vanessa had me pinned, I really thought that was it."
His arms tightened. "I have nightmares about it. Arriving too late, finding you—" His voice cracked. "I can’t lose you, Sophie. I can’t."
I turned in his arms to face him, water sloshing over the sides of the tub. "But you didn’t. We both survived. We won."
He kissed my forehead, my cheeks, and my lips. "I love you so much it scares me sometimes."
"Good. Because I love you just as much."
We stayed in the bath until the water turned cold, just holding each other, grateful to be alive.
Later, wrapped in towels and pajamas, we stood on our private balcony watching Shadow Ridge below. The pack houses glowed with warm light, peaceful and safe.
"Thank you," Christian said suddenly.
"For what?"
"For choosing me. For staying. For making me better than I ever thought I could be."
I leaned into his side. "You make me better too."
His phone buzzed. He pulled it out, and I watched his expression shift from peaceful to shocked to something I couldn’t quite identify.
"What? What is it?"
He turned the phone toward me, and I read the message from Marcus.
*Emergency. Someone just arrived at the border claiming to be Harold’s daughter. The daughter he supposedly never had. She’s demanding to see you. Now.*
"Shit," I breathed.
Christian’s hand found mine. "I guess we’re not getting that peaceful future just yet."
