Chapter 19

I woke up, still wrapped in his arms. He stirred, and I turned to face him, realizing I was still in yesterday’s clothes.

“I didn’t even change,” I murmured, glancing down before meeting Christopher’s gaze.

He propped himself up on one elbow, looking at me. “You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn’t want to disturb you,” he said, a playful glint in his eyes. “But I wouldn’t mind if you took them off now.”

I leaned in, pressing my lips to his. The kiss was gentle, but heavy with worry. It felt like he was afraid I might shatter.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, pulling back just enough to look at him, his breath warm against my skin.

He avoided my gaze. “Nothing you need to worry about, Scarlett,” he said, but I could hear the lie in his voice.

“You can’t hide things from me,” I insisted. “Especially if I’m going to be your luna. I need to know what we’re up against, Christopher.”

His eyes widened, and he looked taken aback. “What?” he stammered. “You’re ready to be my luna?”

“I’m considering it,” I admitted. “But if I am, don’t I have a right to know what’s happening?”

A slow smile spread across his face, the first I’d seen in days. He exhaled, preparing to speak.

“Okay, you’re right. I should tell you. But brace yourself, it’s a long story.”

He adjusted his position, pulling me closer to his chest. I looked up at him, but he took my hand, playing with my fingers as he began to speak.

“As you know, we used to be one pack, us and the south, under my grandfather’s rule. He had twin sons, my father and uncle. They didn’t think it was fair for only one to become alpha, so my grandfather split the pack. Each son would have their own. My father and uncle trained their whole lives to lead their packs, but then they found their mates. My uncle… wasn’t faithful.”

I gasped, but Christopher continued. “My uncle cheated on his mate, had children with other women, and tried to hide it. When my grandfather found out, he was furious. He said a traitorous son didn’t deserve a pack. My grandmother intervened, worried about her son’s future. They decided to give my father the larger, more fertile part of the pack, and my uncle the smaller, less fertile part. My uncle accepted. He knew a small pack was better than none. After that, he had my cousin Joshua, who defended his father’s actions. I don’t judge what’s right or wrong, but that’s what my grandfather did. He taught us to despise those who dishonor their mates, which is why I despised your moon mate even more.”

Hearing this, my heart ached for Christopher. He was so loyal and couldn’t understand anyone who didn’t share his values.

“My uncle understood why he had a smaller pack, but Joshua never agreed with the division. Since he took over, he’s been trying to gain more territory. He started with political tactics to divide the packs, but I wouldn’t allow it. That would mean dividing my people,” Christopher said, sighing.

I could tell this was hard for him. Anything involving the pack was worse than just involving his family. “I spoke with regional representatives, and no one wants to change the pack. My trip to the council was to negotiate a possible land donation. To keep the peace, I would relocate our people and only provide territory for the south, but Joshua disagreed. I tried to keep things peaceful, but he refused negotiations and declared war.”

Christopher shifted beneath me, causing me to sit up. He was staring into the distance, lost in thought. “I’ll rip his head off if he threatens you again.”

His gaze returned to mine, and he continued, holding my hands in his.

“Marquardt found Bertha after midnight. She was hiding in a cabin near the southern border. Her family used to own the land that’s now Joshua’s, and she confessed to selling information about your pregnancy.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. Bertha, the nurse I’d known for years, whom I’d trusted, was a traitor. I felt a surge of anger, but also tears welling up in my eyes. Christopher kept talking, and what he said next made my heart drop.

“She mentioned something about a prophecy.”

His eyes searched mine for answers, but I was just as confused.

“A prophecy?” I asked. I’d grown up hearing about old prophecies from the council, omens to guide the alphas. But they hadn’t been used in years. Most packs considered them outdated.

“They think the prophecy is about…you.” His words made my heart race, and my hands trembled.

“About me? But how? I don’t understand,” I said.

“She didn’t know either, but Carl suggested we go to the council to find out what this prophecy is and what it means.”

I wanted to stay strong for him, for our baby, but I was scared—scared of something much bigger than us, something we couldn’t control.

“Scarlett,” Christopher said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

He cupped my chin, forcing me to look at him. His gaze was intense, his words full of conviction.

“I don’t care what the prophecy says. All I care about is you and our baby. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe. You understand that, right?” I nodded.

I knew I could take on the world with him by my side. I responded to his intensity with a matching fire in my eyes. Our lips met in a passionate collision, his mouth eagerly claiming mine as his tongue explored the depths of my mouth. His hands drew me closer, pulling me into his embrace.

His fingers traced the hem of my blouse, slipping underneath to trail down my back. The sensation sent shivers down my spine. I pressed myself against him, my hands finding their way to the nape of his neck, lightly scratching his skin. All the while, Christopher teased my bottom lip with his teeth.

He spun me around, laying back on the bed and pulling me on top of him. The power and control he willingly handed over to me were intoxicating. It was the sexiest thing I’d ever experienced. I lifted my blouse over my head, catching his sharp intake of breath as he took in the sight of my bare breasts.

His hands were quick to cup them, his fingers teasing my nipples. I threw my head back, a soft moan escaping my lips. Christopher shifted, pulling me onto his lap. His mouth found my nipple, and I let out a scream as waves of pleasure coursed through me. The sensation left me breathless, my panties growing damp as my body responded to his every touch.

I tugged at his T-shirt, and he helped me pull it off. Our connection was immediate, each spark igniting into a flame in an instant. His hands roamed my back, his touch light yet firm. It sent shivers down my spine, his grip on me unyielding, as if he never wanted to let me go.

He flipped me over, reclaiming control. His hands found the waistband of my pants, and I arched my back to assist him. I slipped off my panties, the damp fabric peeling away from my already throbbing sex. I was ready for him.

Christopher kissed my stomach, making me gasp as his lips found my clit. A scream tore from my throat as his hands claimed my ass, squeezing and pressing. His hands traveled up my body, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. His tongue explored me, each stroke eliciting a moan from me. Just as I was on the brink of climax, he pulled away.

His face moved up, and before I could protest the loss of his touch, his fingers replaced his mouth. His lips brushed against my ear, his voice a husky whisper. “Cum for me, baby.”

His fingers danced over my sensitive flesh, their circular motions pushing me over the edge. I couldn’t hold back the scream that ripped from my throat, the pleasure overwhelming me. My body convulsed, my legs and abdomen contracting in sync.

It took me a moment to catch my breath. I opened my eyes to find Christopher watching me, a smug smile playing on his lips. The sight of him stirred something within me. I wanted him to feel the same pleasure I had just experienced.