Chapter 52: Chapter 52
I laughed and stole a piece of bacon from his plate.
We kept talking, planning what came next. Christian explained the ceremony in detail, promising he’d be beside me the entire time. That I wouldn’t be alone.
I believed him.
Then a sharp knock interrupted us.
Christian’s entire body tensed. "What."
"Alpha." Connor’s voice came through the door. "Elder Sarah has requested a formal council meeting to address her involvement with Vanessa."
Christian let out a string of creative curses. "Tell them one hour."
"Understood."
When Connor’s footsteps faded, Christian turned to me. "I’m sorry. I wanted this morning to just be us."
"You’re the Alpha." I touched his face. "You have responsibilities. I get it."
"Still pisses me off." He caught my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm. "Later. Tonight. I’m taking you somewhere."
"Somewhere?"
"A secret place on our territory. Somewhere private where we won’t be interrupted." His eyes promised all kinds of things. "Just you and me."
Heat flooded through me. "That sounds... interesting."
"It will be." He kissed me once more, slow and deep. "I promise."
We got dressed, both of us moving slowly, stealing touches and kisses the entire time.
I caught Christian staring at my claiming mark with this intense satisfaction on his face.
"Like what you see?" I teased.
"Every unmated male who looks at you will know you’re taken." His voice dropped to a possessive growl. "Know you’re mine."
I felt the same about the mark on his shoulder. Primitive maybe, but I liked that everyone would know Christian is mine.
We headed toward the council chambers, and I tried to prepare myself mentally. Dealing with Elder Sarah wasn’t going to be fun.
The woman had literally helped Vanessa try to drug me.
But in the hallway, Christian suddenly grabbed me and pushed me against the wall.
His kiss was hard and desperate and demanding.
"I’m already counting the minutes until I can get you alone again," he murmured against my lips.
I could feel his desire through the bond, feeding into my own. "Christian, we have to—"
"I know." One more quick kiss. "Tonight. I’ll make it worth the wait."
I shivered. "Promise?"
"Absolutely."
We continued down the hallway, and I tried to get my racing heart under control. The bond was still humming with Christian’s desire, which was extremely distracting.
At the council chamber doors, Christian caught my hand and squeezed.
He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Tonight, I’m taking you to the pack’s hot springs. They’re beautiful under the stars. Private. And I plan to make you scream my name so loud—"
"Christian!" My face burned.
His grin was absolutely filthy. "Just giving you something to think about during this boring meeting."
I sent a wave of eager anticipation through the bond.
His eyes flashed amber, and for a second I thought he might say, Screw the meeting, and drag me back to his room.
But then Connor opened the doors.
The council chamber was full. All the elders are present. Marcus is standing near the front. Jessica and Maria are in the back.
And Elder Sarah in the center, looking defiant despite being caught red-handed helping Vanessa cheat.
"Alpha Christian. Luna Sophie." Elder Thompson nodded to us. "Thank you for coming."
Christian guided me to two chairs at the head of the room. His hand stayed on my lower back—possessive and protective.
"Let’s get this over with," Christian said. "Elder Sarah, you helped Vanessa acquire illegal enhancement serums with the intent to help her cheat during a formal Luna challenge. Do you deny this?"
"I was trying to level the playing field," Elder Sarah said coldly. "Sophie has Alpha blood. Enhanced healing. Empathic abilities. Vanessa is a normal wolf. She needed—"
"She needed to earn her place honestly," I interrupted. "Like everyone else."
Elder Sarah’s lip curled. "You don’t deserve—"
"Careful." Christian’s Alpha voice made everyone flinch. "You’re addressing my mate. My Luna. Show respect."
Elder Sarah’s jaw clenched, but she lowered her eyes. "My apologies... Luna."
The word sounded like poison in her mouth.
"Why did you help Vanessa?" Elder Marcus asked. "What did you hope to gain?"
"I wanted what was best for Shadow Ridge." Elder Sarah lifted her chin. "And I don’t believe an outsider is what’s best for this pack."
Christian started to stand, but I caught his hand.
"I understand your concerns," I said calmly, even though I wanted to punch her. "But I passed every trial fairly. I answered Vanessa’s challenge fairly. And I’m not going anywhere."
"We’ll see about that," Elder Sarah muttered.
Christian’s growl filled the room. "That sounded like a threat."
"It was an observation."
"Elder Sarah." Elder Thompson’s voice was hard. "You will be stripped of your council position pending a full investigation. If we find evidence of other plots against Luna Sophie, you will be exiled."
Elder Sarah’s face went white. "You can’t—"
"We can, and we are." Elder Patricia leaned forward. "You endangered our pack’s Luna candidate. That’s unforgivable."
The other Elders murmured agreement.
Elder Sarah looked around the room, clearly searching for support. She found none.
"This isn’t over," she said quietly. "You’ll see. She’ll bring ruin to Shadow Ridge."
Christian was on his feet in a second. "Get. Out."
Elder Sarah swept from the room, her dignity somehow intact despite the humiliation.
When the door closed behind her, everyone seemed to exhale at once.
"Well," Elder Thompson said. "That was unpleasant."
"Is she really gone?" Maria asked. "Just like that?"
"For now." Elder Marcus nodded. "We’ll investigate further. See if anyone else was involved."
Christian pulled me closer. "Thank you. All of you. For standing with Sophie."
"She earned it," Elder Thompson said simply. "Those trials were brutal, and she passed every one with grace. She’s proven herself worthy."
My throat got tight.
Jessica caught my eye from across the room and grinned, giving me a thumbs up.
The meeting continued for another hour, discussing logistics for my Luna ceremony. Traditional protocols. Guest lists from allied packs. The formal vows I’d need to take.
My head was spinning by the end of it.
Finally, Elder Thompson dismissed us. "We’ll reconvene tomorrow to finalize the ceremony details. Luna Sophie, get some rest. You’ve had an exhausting few days."
That was the understatement of the century.
Christian and I headed back toward his suite, both of us quiet. I could feel his satisfaction through the bond—pride that the Elders had stood up for me.
"That went better than expected," I said.
"Elder Sarah is going to be a problem." Christian’s jaw tightened. "She’s too connected. Too influential. Stripping her of her council position won’t stop her."
"We’ll handle it." I leaned into him. "Together."
"Together," he agreed.
We reached his suite, and Christian pulled me inside. His hands framed my face as he kissed me thoroughly.
"Now," he murmured against my lips. "Where were we before that interruption?"
"I believe you were promising to make me scream again."
His eyes flashed amber. "You have an excellent memory."
"One of my many talents."
Christian backed me toward the bedroom, his intent clear. "Let me remind you of some of mine."
I laughed and let him pull me close, already reaching for his shirt buttons.
