Alex carefully left the room, closing the door behind him without a sound. Rosalie was fast asleep, her exhaustion from the past few hours evident in her peaceful, deep slumber. He paused for a moment, gazing at her. He pulled on a robe before turning to head to his office. There were matters that needed his attention, and he didn't want to disturb her rest.
As he entered his office, he found his beta, James, already waiting for him. The air was thick with anticipation, and Alex could sense that James had news.
"James," Alex greeted, taking a seat behind his desk. "I trust you have updates for me."
James nodded, his expression serious. "Chris has left his place and will be arriving here in the early morning."
Alex leant forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Was there anything suspicious about his departure? How are our security arrangements?"
James shook his head. "Chris is with his Luna, a few of his usual Betas, and a few warriors. There's nothing particularly suspicious about his convoy, but I've been tracking his movements closely, regardless."
Alex nodded, appreciating James's thoroughness. "And our security?"
James's confidence was evident. "Tight as ever. We've doubled the patrols around the perimeter and have eyes on all potential entry points. Any unusual activity will be reported immediately."
Satisfied with the response, Alex leant back in his chair. "Good work, James. Keep me updated if anything changes."
James nodded, recognising the dismissal. "Of course, Alpha. I'll be on it."
As James left the office, Alex felt a sense of reassurance. His pack was well-prepared, and his beta was competent and reliable. He lingered for a moment, collecting his thoughts, before heading back to his room.
Entering quietly, he found Rosalie still asleep. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on her face. Alex felt a wave of tenderness as he watched her. He undressed silently and slipped into bed, careful not to wake her. As he wrapped an arm around her, drawing her close, he felt a sense of peace. No matter what awaited them in the morning, they had each other. Her stomach was slightly bloated, and he nestled in his palm, hoping to keep their babies safe inside.
************************************************
Chris's grip on the champagne glass tightened, his knuckles turning white as he glanced sideways at Grace. "Behave yourself at the feast," he warned, his voice low and threatening.
Grace didn't respond immediately. She shrugged and continued looking out of the window, her face a mask of indifference. Inside, however, a storm brewed. She had given up on caring about Chris, his grand plans, or anything related to him.
Chris's voice broke through her thoughts, sharp and cold. "And don't even think about tattling your dad. I have my eyes on you."
Grace finally turned towards him, her eyes blazing with defiance. "Or what, Chris? What will you do? Hit me? Rape me ?" She challenged, her tone mocking.
Chris's face darkened, and for a moment, Grace thought he might actually strike her. But then he exhaled slowly, reigning in his temper. "Don't test me, Grace," he said through gritted teeth.
Grace huffed in disdain and turned back to the window. She wondered how she would feel when she encountered Rosalie at the feast. Jealousy? Hate? Probably nothing. The time had numbed her emotions, leaving her with a hollow shell where her heart used to be.
"Fuck you, Chris!" She said angrily.
He snarled and grabbed her neck by her hair. She cried, holding his hand, trying to pry his hand off. He tugged her hair more.
"Don't talk back to me. I will find that bastard and skin him alive."
Her eyes widened with fear. "No... please."
His anger grew when she pleaded for that bastard.
"You slut! But first, I would skin you. Just keep your mouth shut. Do you understand?"
She nodded fearfully.
As they pulled up to the grand hall where the feast was being held, Grace squared her shoulders and prepared herself for the evening. She would play her part, pretend to be the dutiful Luna, and do whatever it took to protect those she loved.
Chris leant down and whispered in her ear, his breath hot against her skin. "Remember what I said. Behave."
****************************************
Rosalie stirred in her sleep as the door burst open, the sudden noise jolting her from a dream she couldn’t quite remember. She faintly heard James’s voice, his tone urgent and authoritative as he announced, “Alpha Alex, Chris's pack has arrived.”
Her eyes flew open, her heart pounding. She sat up quickly, the blankets pooling around her waist. In the dim light of the early morning, she could see Alex already getting out of bed, his movements quick and efficient. He was pulling on his clothes, his expression a mix of determination and readiness.
“Go back to sleep, Rosalie,” Alex said softly, his voice gentle but firm. “It’s still very early. I’ll go receive the guests.”
Rosalie nodded, trying to calm the fluttering in her chest. She lay back down, pulling the covers up to her chin. The room was still and quiet once more, but sleep eluded her. She couldn’t shake the sense of unease that had settled over her since they had learned Chris and his pack were coming.
Outside, she could hear the distant sounds of the pack stirring and the early risers beginning their day. Alex’s footsteps faded as he left the room, and she felt a pang of longing for his reassuring presence.
Rosalie closed her eyes, trying to will herself back to sleep, but the effort was futile. She sighed and turned onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. The soft glow of the pre-dawn light seeped through the curtains, casting a gentle light across the room.
She thought about the preparations they had made, the security measures in place, and the allies they could count on. Alex had assured them that everything was in order, but the presence of Chris and his pack still felt like a looming storm.
The minutes ticked by, and Rosalie knew she wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep. She threw back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She needed to be up to do something. Staying in bed, wrapped in worry, wouldn’t help anyone. She dressed quickly, choosing something simple and comfortable. Just then, Alex returned.