Chapter 88: Chapter 88
Sophie’s POV
I woke up screaming.
Christian was beside me instantly, hands on my shoulders, his voice cutting through the panic. "Sophie. Sophie, I’m here. What happened?"
The images were still burning behind my eyes. Fire. Blood. Pack members running. Christian falling—oh God, Christian falling with blood spreading across the ground.
"We’re going to be attacked," I gasped out, clutching Christian’s arms. "Soon. I saw it."
Christian didn’t tell me it was just a dream. Didn’t dismiss me. He just pulled me closer and asked, "Tell me everything."
So I did. Every detail I could remember. The fires burning across Shadow Ridge territory. The sounds of fighting. The smell of blood and smoke. Pack members I recognized lying injured or worse.
"I couldn’t see who was attacking us," I said, my voice shaking. "Just shadows. Violence. But Christian, it felt real. It felt imminent."
Christian’s jaw was set in that way that meant he was already planning. "How soon?"
"Days. Maybe a week at most."
Christian grabbed his phone and called Marcus. It was three in the morning, but Marcus answered on the second ring.
"We have a situation," Christian said. "Get to my office in ten minutes. Bring Connor."
I got dressed while Christian made more calls. My hands were still trembling. The vision felt different from a regular nightmare. Heavier. More real.
Like a warning.
Ten minutes later, we were in Christian’s office with Marcus and Connor looking alert despite the early hour.
"Sophie had a vision," Christian said without preamble. "An attack. Multiple forces. Within the week."
Marcus didn’t even blink. "Luna’s abilities?"
"I think so," I said. "Diana mentioned that Lunas can sometimes sense danger before it happens."
"Did you recognize anything specific?" Connor asked, pulling out his tablet. "Faces? Weapons? Entry points?"
I closed my eyes, trying to pull back the details. "Fire. Explosions, maybe? The eastern border was breached. But also the western side. It was coordinated. Professional."
Marcus’s expression darkened. "That matches the unusual activity I’ve been seeing. Rogue movements near our borders. Too organized to be random."
"You didn’t mention that," Christian said.
"I was gathering more intel before reporting. But Sophie’s vision confirms my suspicions."
Connor typed rapidly. "If we’re looking at a coordinated assault within a week, we need to prepare the entire pack immediately."
"Without causing panic," Christian added.
"How do we do that?" I asked.
Christian thought for a moment. "Mandatory combat training. Frame it as a routine security enhancement. We don’t mention Sophie’s vision."
"The pack will question the timing," Marcus said.
"Let them question. Better they’re trained and confused than untrained and dead."
I felt the weight of what Christian was deciding. Training the entire pack meant he believed my vision. Believe me.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
Christian looked at me. "For what?"
"For not thinking I’m crazy."
"Sophie, I’d trust your instincts over anyone else’s analysis." Christian turned back to Marcus. "Call a mandatory assembly for eight AM. Every pack member capable of fighting needs to attend."
Marcus nodded and left to make arrangements.
The pack assembly that morning was tense.
Everyone gathered in the main training facility, confused about the sudden mandatory meeting. I stood beside Christian on the platform, trying to project calm confidence while my insides churned.
"Shadow Ridge pack," Christian’s voice carried through the space. "Effective immediately, we’re implementing intensive combat training protocols. All able-bodied pack members will participate in daily drills."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Patterson stepped forward. Of course he did. "With all due respect, Alpha, this seems excessive. What prompted this sudden change?"
"Shadow Ridge must maintain peak readiness," Christian said firmly. "That’s not negotiable."
"But—"
"*Not. Negotiable.*" Christian let his Alpha power roll through the words.
Patterson’s mouth snapped shut.
Several other traditionalists looked like they wanted to argue, but Christian’s expression made it clear the discussion was over.
Marcus moved forward. "Training schedules will be posted by noon. Attendance is mandatory. No exceptions."
I felt the pack’s anxiety through my Luna bond. Fear. Confusion. But also... determination. They trusted Christian, even when they didn’t understand why.
As the crowd dispersed, Christian’s hand found mine.
"You okay?" he murmured.
"Are you?"
His smile was tired. "Ask me again after this is over."
Christian dragged me to the private training facility right after the assembly.
"We’re starting your combat training now," he said, already stripping off his shirt.
I tried not to stare at his chest. Failed. "I have basic self-defense."
"Basic won’t cut it." He tossed me training clothes. "Change. We’re doing this properly."
Ten minutes later, I was facing him on the mat, feeling completely out of my depth.
"Show me what you know," Christian said.
I threw a punch. He blocked it effortlessly.
I tried a kick. He sidestepped.
I attempted a takedown. He had me pinned to the mat in three seconds flat.
