Page 51 of Fat Forced Mate

I pause, scanning the room.

"Luna will be provided with whatever she needs to research the ward restoration. She will have a security detail at all times."

I ignore her flash of indignation at this last part. Her safety isn't negotiable.

"Is this wise, Alpha?" Elder Roberts questions. "Putting all our hopes on untested magic?"

"It's not untested," I counter. "The Morgans' wards have been protecting us for fifteen years. And as for wisdom—" I gesture toward the back of the hall, where the sheet-covered bodies of Ethan and David lie in state "—we're out of alternatives."

The meeting dissolves into tactical discussions—evacuation protocols, patrol schedules, communications withneighboring packs. Through it all, I find my attention repeatedly drawn to Luna, who remains in quiet conversation with Ruby and James. Her shoulders are squared, her chin lifted in that stubborn angle I remember so well.

She's not running from this. The realization fills me with contradictory emotions—pride in her courage, terror at the risk she'll be taking.

***

"She refuses the security detail," Thomas reports an hour later in my office. "Says she can't work with 'hulking shifters hovering over her.'"

I growl in frustration, staring at the territory map spread across my desk. Red X's mark the attack sites—Matthews Pack territory, our eastern boundary, the places where strange tracks were found. A pattern is emerging, circling inward toward Silvercreek.

"She doesn't have a choice," I mutter.

Thomas raises an eyebrow. "Have you met Luna? All respect, Alpha, but she absolutely believes she has a choice."

He's right, damn him. Luna has never responded well to commands. Trying to force protection on her will only push her to take greater risks.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, feeling the beginning of a headache. "Fine. Tell James to handle it. She trusts him, at least. He can convince her to accept the measures necessary.”

"And the evacuation plans?"

"Start with families with young children, the elderly. Use the western safe houses." I trace the route on the map. "Melissa will coordinate."

Thomas nods and turns to leave, then pauses. "Nic."

I look up at his rare use of my first name.

"Luna's strong," he says quietly. "Stronger than any of us realized. And she's not alone this time."

The simple statement settles something in me. She's not alone. Not like her parents were. Not like she was five years ago when I sent her away.

"No," I agree. "She's not."

After Thomas leaves, I stare at the territory map again, trying to think like an Alpha instead of a man terrified for the woman he—

I cut the thought off sharply.

Luna needs to survive. My pack needs to survive. Everything else is secondary.

And, Gods, despite all of this, the third and final trial is tomorrow.

Chapter 19 - Luna

Dawn breaks in shades of amber and gold as I braid my hair back from my face with trembling fingers. The Trial of Spirit—the final trial—begins in one hour. The last test before I'm officially bound to Nic as his mate.

I press a hand to my stomach, fighting another wave of morning sickness.

"Not now," I whisper. "Please, not now."

Somehow, he still doesn’t know. Somehow, I’ve kept my secret.

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