Chapter 135: Chapter 135
"Agreed." Marcus nodded. "One major announcement at a time."
We kept working through scenarios and strategies until my vision started blurring from exhaustion. Christian noticed immediately.
"That’s enough for tonight." He squeezed my shoulders. "Sophie needs rest."
"I’m fine—" I started, but a yawn interrupted me.
"You’re exhausted." Diana started packing up her notes. "Go sleep. We can finalize details in the morning."
I wanted to argue, but honestly, I could barely keep my eyes open. "Okay. Morning briefing?"
"Seven AM," Marcus confirmed. "We’ll leave by nine to get there early."
Christian helped me stand, his hand immediately going to my lower back. We said goodnight to Marcus and Diana, and Christian guided me toward our room.
"You did good today," he said quietly as we walked. "Handling all of this."
"I feel like I’m barely holding it together."
"That’s what everyone feels when their life changes completely in one day." He opened our bedroom door. "But you’re handling it anyway. That’s what matters."
I sat on the edge of the bed and started taking off my shoes. My body felt heavy, like gravity had increased while I wasn’t paying attention. Christian knelt to help with my laces, and I ran my fingers through his hair without thinking.
"What are you thinking about?" I asked softly.
"How much I love you." He looked up at me, his eyes soft. "How scared I am. How exciting. How completely unprepared I feel for tomorrow and for everything."
"Same."
He finished with my shoes and stood, pulling me to my feet. "Come on. Sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be intense."
I changed into pajamas while Christian checked his phone, probably reading updates from pack members about the Council situation. When I climbed into bed, he immediately wrapped around me from behind, one hand settling protectively over my stomach.
"Christian?"
"Mmm?"
"Thank you for letting me go tomorrow. I know you hate it."
"I don’t let you do anything," he murmured against my neck. "You make your own choices. I just try to keep up and keep you safe."
I smiled and laced my fingers with his over my stomach. "We’re going to be okay. All three of us."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
I felt him relax slightly behind me, his breathing evening out. I should have fallen asleep immediately—I was exhausted enough. But my mind kept spinning through everything that could happen tomorrow.
What if the Council tried to strip my Luna status? What if they challenged our bond? What if Alexander had some political trap we hadn’t anticipated?
Christian’s hand moved slightly on my stomach, reminding me what was at stake now. Not just my position or pride, but our future. Our baby’s future.
I must have eventually fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, sunlight was streaming through the windows and Christian was already up, dressed, and pacing while talking on the phone.
"—understand, but we need that commitment publicly," he was saying, his voice tense. "Before the meeting starts, not after."
I sat up slowly, my stomach immediately protesting the movement. Morning sickness, right on schedule.
Christian noticed immediately, ending his call and moving to my side. "Are you okay?"
"Bathroom. Now."
He helped me up, and I barely made it before losing what little was in my stomach. Christian held my hair back, rubbing my back while I was miserable.
"Still think you can handle the council meeting?" he asked quietly.
I rinsed my mouth and glared at him in the mirror. "Nice try. I’m still going."
He raised both hands in surrender. "Had to ask."
Diana arrived with medication and breakfast—plain toast and ginger tea. I forced it down while Christian went over the morning’s calls and messages. Apparently, several allied packs had reached out overnight, pledging support.
"That’s good, right?" I asked between careful bites of toast.
"Very good." Marcus entered without knocking, already dressed and ready. "We’ve got Northern, Southern, and half the Western territories confirmed. If we can get the Eastern packs to stay neutral, we should be fine."
"And if they don’t?"
"Then it gets interesting." Marcus’s expression was grim. "Sterling’s been making calls too. He’s building his own alliance."
My stomach sank, and not from morning sickness this time. "How big?"
"Big enough to worry about." Christian’s jaw was tight. "But we’ve got support too. It’s not hopeless."
Diana checked her medical bag one more time. "Everything’s ready. We should leave in thirty minutes."
Thirty minutes. That was all the time we had before walking into whatever political nightmare Alexander Sterling had planned.
I stood up, forcing my shoulders back. Luna posture. Confidence I didn’t totally feel. "Then let’s get ready."
Christian caught my hand as I passed, pulling me back to face him. "Remember your promise. One sign of trouble—"
"And we leave." I touched his face. "I remember."
He kissed me, quick but intense, then released me. "Let’s do this."
The drive to the council chambers took two hours. I spent most of it reviewing notes while trying not to throw up from the car motion. Diana sat beside me with her medical bag, looking calm and professional. Christian drove with Marcus in the passenger seat, both of them strategizing in low voices.
When the Council building finally came into view—a massive stone structure that looked more like a fortress than a meeting hall—my heart started racing.
We were really doing this.
Christian parked and came around to open my door, offering his hand. I took it, letting him help me out, and stood looking up at the imposing building.
"Ready?" he asked quietly.
Before I could answer, a familiar voice called out across the parking area.
"Well, well. The Shadow Ridge delegation arrives."
We all turned to see Alexander Sterling standing near the entrance, surrounded by several other Alphas I didn’t recognize. His smile was sharp and cold, his eyes calculating as they moved from Christian to me.
"Luna Sophie." He inclined his head mockingly. "So glad you could make it. I was beginning to think you might not show."
Christian moved slightly in front of me, his alpha presence radiating warning. "We’re here. Let’s get this over with."
"Oh, there’s no rush." Alexander’s smile widened. "We have all day to discuss your... situation."
Something about the way he said ’situation’ made my skin crawl. Like he knew something we didn’t.
Marcus tensed beside us. Diana’s hand moved to her medical bag.
And Alexander Sterling’s cold smile grew even wider as he gestured toward the council chambers.
