Chapter 74: Chapter 74
Connor arrived with his laptop in hand, looking surprisingly energized for someone who’d just dealt with a kidnapping attempt at a major business meeting.
"The clients are impressed," Connor said, pulling up contract amendments on his screen. "They appreciate your professionalism under pressure. They want to move forward with a larger scope than initially discussed."
I felt Christian stiffen beside me, but I nodded. "Send over the revised terms. I’ll review them once I’m mobile."
Connor gave me a careful once-over, probably assessing whether I was actually going to be mobile anytime soon. "Fair enough. Also, the pack is losing its collective mind. In a good way. Ruth Chen and Xander attempted to flee to the northern territories, but Marcus’s security teams intercepted them. And the traditionalists have apparently decided that attacking a Luna is basically a declaration of war against the entire pack. Even if they’re solidifying their support."
Christian absorbed this information with grim satisfaction. "Get them to Marcus. I want to interrogate those three."
"Should we wait until Sophie’s recovered?" Connor asked carefully.
"No." Christian’s eyes met mine, and I understood immediately. "Sophie’s Luna senses during interrogation could reveal what they’re not saying. But not yet. Not today."
Connor left, and I felt the weight of what Christian wasn’t saying out loud—that my abilities were becoming integral to pack security strategy. That I wasn’t just Christian’s mate anymore. I was a weapon the pack needed.
Maria came back later with herbal supplements and a list of potential triggers for trauma responses. Nightmares. Anxiety spikes. Hypervigilance. All of it is completely normal. She recommended talking through the experience rather than burying it, and Christian listened to every word like Maria was delivering military secrets.
By evening, Christian and I were back in our quarters, and that’s when Marcus arrived with the security restructuring proposal.
"All movements outside the pack house require advance approval," Marcus said, walking through the security measures. "Additional protective detail assigned at all times. Enhanced communication protocols. Tracking devices. Panic button bracelet."
I felt the restrictions settling on my shoulders like a cage. I understood why they were necessary, but understanding didn’t make the loss of freedom any less real.
Connor presented the technology upgrades—earpieces with direct lines to Christian and Marcus, upgraded cameras throughout the territory, everything designed to keep me locked down and monitored. Christian watched this presentation with an expression somewhere between protective and resigned, like he hated what was necessary.
"I want to address the pack tonight," Christian said after Connor finished. "Full assembly. They need to hear directly from me what happened, why the security measures are being implemented, and where the pack stands going forward."
I nodded, understanding the strategy. Transparency would prevent rumors from spreading. A show of unity would demonstrate that Christian’s leadership was solid. And publicly reinforcing my position as Luna would send a message to anyone considering further moves against the pack.
Before the assembly, I found myself alone with Christian in our bedroom as he helped me into the reinforced leather jacket that Knight Industries security had designed. It looked fashionable—sleek black leather with minimal tactical indicators—but it was also functionally protective. Bulletproof panels in critical areas. Flexible mesh that wouldn’t restrict movement.
"I’m positioning you as a target," Christian said quietly, running his hand down my arm. "By having you stand beside me tonight, publicly reinforcing your Luna status."
"I know," I said. "Do it anyway."
He looked at me like I’d just said something profound, and maybe I had. Maybe the point was that hiding wouldn’t stop them from coming after me. Control, preparation, and a show of strength—that was the only language people like Tom and Harold understood.
We walked to the gathering area together, and I felt the entire pack’s attention snap toward me the moment Christian and I entered. Hundreds of eyes tracking our movements. I could sense their emotions through the pack bonds—concern, protectiveness, and anger on my behalf.
Christian addressed them with brutal honesty. He explained the attack, framed it as an external threat from disloyal family members, and announced the security measures being implemented. He didn’t shy away from the reality of the situation—there were enemies trying to destabilize the pack, and Shadow Ridge would respond with strength and unity.
Then he reached for my hand and pulled me closer. "This is your Luna. She belongs to Shadow Ridge. Anyone who threatens her threatens all of us."
The pack’s response was immediate and visceral—a wave of fierce protective solidarity that nearly knocked me sideways through the bond. Even the traditionalists were nodding. Christian had managed to turn a potential weakness into a rallying point.
After the assembly, Marcus pulled Christian aside briefly. I watched them talk and saw Marcus’s expression shift from grim to alarmed. Christian’s jaw clenched.
Then Marcus looked at me, and I felt my stomach drop.
"We have an unauthorized presence at the western border," Marcus said, his voice carefully controlled. "Multiple vehicles. They’re not attacking, but they’re not leaving either."
"Harold," Christian said flatly.
"Harold," Marcus confirmed. "He’s brought supporters. He’s demanding an audience with you before the assembly concludes. He says, If you don’t meet with him, he’ll make his presence known to the pack directly."
The pack’s newfound unity suddenly felt very fragile.
Christian turned to look at me, and I could see the calculations running through his head. The assembly was supposed to be about solidarity and reassurance. Now Harold was standing at their doorstep, forcing the issue, refusing to let Christian consolidate power.
"Get me surveillance on the western border," Christian said to Marcus. "Full tactical assessment. And Marcus? Get Sophie back to the quarters under guard. I don’t care if you have to assign three warriors to her. Nobody moves her outside my sight line until we know what Harold wants."
I wanted to argue. I wanted to insist on being present for whatever negotiation was about to happen. But I could feel the dangerous edge to Christian’s energy—his wolf was restless, sensing a direct challenge, and I wasn’t going to push him when he was this close to the line.
Marcus led me back through the pack house, and I felt Christian’s anxiety crackling through our bond as he headed in the opposite direction. The security measures we’d just implemented seemed entirely inadequate now.
Adequate or not, I was about to find out if they were going to work.
Because Harold wasn’t just making a move. He was making a statement.
