Chapter 125: Chapter 125
I woke up to a brightness that felt wrong for—I checked my phone—six in the morning.
Something was different.
I untangled myself from Christian’s octopus grip (the man slept like he was trying to prevent me from escaping) and stumbled to the window.
"Holy shit."
Snow. Everywhere. Shadow Ridge had transformed overnight into a freaking winter wonderland postcard. Every tree wore a white coat, icicles hung from the packhouse roof like crystal daggers, and the morning sun made everything sparkle like someone had dumped glitter across the entire territory.
I pressed my hands against the cold glass, my breath fogging it up.
"Language," Christian mumbled from the bed.
"There’s snow!"
"Mmm. Earliest first snow in fifteen years."
"And you’re just lying there?"
"It’s six AM, Sophie. The snow will still be there at seven."
I turned to stare at him. "How are you not excited about this?"
Christian cracked one eye open. "I’ve seen snow before."
"Well, I want to play in it."
"After breakfast."
"Now."
"Sophie—"
But I was already throwing on jeans and a sweater, grabbing Christian’s oversized jacket because mine was buried somewhere in our closet.
"We should check on pack members," Christian tried, sitting up and running a hand through his bedhead. "Make sure everyone weathers the snowfall safely."
I gave him my best pleading look. The one that made him do stupid things like stay up until 3 AM watching reality TV with me.
His resistance crumbled. "Fine. Thirty minutes."
"Yes!" I kissed him quickly. "You’re the best Alpha ever."
"I’m a weak Alpha who can’t say no to his Luna."
"Same thing."
Christian pulled on boots and a coat while lecturing me about proper winter safety. I was already out the door.
The cold air hit my face like a slap, but a good slap. The kind that wakes you up and makes you feel alive. Our breath came out in white puffs like tiny clouds.
I scooped up a handful of snow, marveling at how perfect it was for packing.
"Sophie," Christian warned, watching me form a snowball. "Don’t start something you can’t finish."
"Is that a challenge, Alpha?"
"It’s a warning."
I threw the snowball. It hit Christian square in the chest with a satisfying thump.
Christian looked down at the snow splattered across his jacket. Then up at me. Then slowly bent to gather his ammunition.
"Run," he said calmly.
I shrieked and took off.
Christian chased me around the pack house grounds, both of us laughing like idiots. Snowballs flew back and forth—his aim was annoyingly superior, but I made up for it with enthusiasm and dirty tactics like hiding behind trees.
"That’s cheating!" Christian called as I ducked behind an oak.
"All’s fair in love and snow war!"
I peeked around the tree and immediately got nailed in the face.
Christian looked horrified. "Sophie, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—"
I wiped snow from my face, sputtering. Then I started laughing so hard I nearly fell over.
His horror shifted to relief, then amusement. "You scared me."
"Your face, though." I mimicked his expression of panic.
"I thought I’d hurt you."
"With snow? I’m not that fragile."
"You’re precious cargo."
"Ugh, stop being sweet when I’m trying to destroy you in battle."
Warriors heading to morning training stopped to watch us. Their Alpha and Luna, having a snowball fight at seven AM like children.
I caught Elise trying to hide a smile.
"Something funny, warrior?" I called.
Elise’s eyes sparkled with mischief. She bent down, formed a snowball, and launched it at Marcus.
Marcus’s expression of pure shock was priceless.
"Did you just—"
"Yeah, I did." Elise grinned. "What are you going to do about it?"
Marcus’s competitive instincts kicked in. Within seconds, they were pelting each other while other warriors chose sides.
Connor walked out, took one look at the chaos, and received a snowball courtesy of Diana to the back of his head.
"Really?" Connor turned, adjusting his snow-covered glasses.
Diana held up another snowball. "Really."
Soon fifty pack members were engaged in full snowball warfare. Kids built forts. Parents pretended to take it seriously. Elders watched from the pack house porch, cheering and offering tactical advice.
"Flank them from the left!" Elder Thomas shouted.
"No, pincer movement!" Elder Margaret countered.
"Are they seriously strategizing our snowball fight?" I asked Christian, dodging a volley from Marcus’s team.
"Shadow Ridge takes everything seriously." Christian pulled me behind him, blocking incoming fire. "Including snow warfare."
We formed a temporary alliance with Diana and Connor against Marcus’s group. The battle raged for an hour until everyone was soaked, freezing, and grinning.
"Truce!" Marcus finally called. "I need coffee before I freeze to death."
Everyone dispersed toward warmth and breakfast, but Christian grabbed my hand.
"Where are we going?"
