Halloween arrived with gray light and machines that beeped their useless warnings. Theo lay still while numbers flashed on screens. Heart rate erratic. Temperature climbing. Blood pressure spiking and falling in patterns the doctors could not explain.
Dr. Crowell came in at seven. "We want to transfer him to Seattle Children's. They have better equipment."
"No," I said.
"Ms. Voss, his condition is deteriorating."
"He stays here."
She looked at Elias. He shook his head. She left frustrated. How could I explain that moving Theo away from the ward would kill him faster?
Wind howled outside. The storm pressed against the coast like something alive. Rain hammered the windows.
My phone buzzed at eight. News alert. Coastal Pack Emergency Succession Hearing Tonight, 8pm. Pack members calling my absence cowardice. Reporters speculating whether I would appear or forfeit leadership to Alaric.
Olga called. "I saw the news."
"Eight o'clock. Same time we need to prepare for midnight."
"I will represent you. Stand as proxy."
"Pack law does not allow proxies for traditional challenge."
"I know. But I can make them listen. Buy you time."
"If I do not appear physically, Alaric's claim is guaranteed."
"Yes."
Simple. Devastating. If I went to the council, Theo died. If I stayed, Alaric became Alpha and claimed Theo under pack law anyway.
"Screw the pack," Elias said. "We save Theo."
I looked at him. Human enough to think choosing was simple. But the pack was blood. Territory. Generations of obligation.
"If Alaric becomes Alpha, he claims Theo anyway," I said. "Pack law supersedes human court. We lose either way."
"Then we fight him after."
"With what leverage?" I set my phone down. "We need another option."
Tamsin arrived at nine with a strategy. Olga would represent me at pack council. Tamsin would run legal interference. Jonah would prep the lighthouse. Bryony would guide the ritual. Elias and I would stay with Theo until the last moment, then race to the lighthouse for midnight.
"Too many variables," I said.
"All we have," Tamsin replied.
We spent the morning coordinating. Phone calls. Plans within plans. My head ached. My chest felt tight.
Afternoon light came weak through storm clouds. Olga arrived to say goodbye. She wore traditional clothing. Formal. Respectful of old laws even as she prepared to challenge them.
"You are the sister I chose," I said. "Take care of them if I do not make it."
"You will make it. You will bind that ward. Save Theo. Then come back and we will rebuild this pack."
"I love you."
"I know." She kissed my forehead and left.
Elias stepped into the hall to make a call. I heard his voice through the door. Sharp. Final. "Burn it down if you have to. My family comes first." His business partner. His company. Everything he had built. He was walking away. For us.
Six o'clock came with darkness. Theo's eyes opened. Unfocused. Feverish.
"Mom," he whispered.
I moved to his side. "I am here, baby."
"The lighthouse is calling me. I can hear it."
Ice slid through my veins. "What does it say?"
His eyes went distant. "It says the moon is coming. Be ready."
He faded out. His heartbeat went irregular. Machines screamed. Nurses rushed in. They stabilized him. Barely. His pulse threaded weak.
Bryony appeared. "The Veil is thinning. He can feel the crossing."
Elias and I stood on either side of Theo's bed. Our hands found each other. We held on. Terrified.
At seven, security called. "Ms. Voss, there is a man in the lobby. Alaric Thorn. He insists it is urgent."
My blood went cold. "Do not let him up."
"He is not trying. He wants you to come down. There are cameras."
Of course. Alaric never moved without audience.
"I am going," I said to Elias.
"Stay with Theo. I will handle this."
The lobby held reporters and Alaric standing in the center like he owned the space. Charcoal coat. Perfect posture.
"Just checking on my former fiancée's son," he said. Voice carrying to every microphone.
I walked toward him. "Get out."
"Public hospital. I have every right."
"You have a restraining order."
"Which I am obeying. Six hundred feet from his room. I checked." He smiled. "I wanted to wish you luck tonight. You will need it."
"Say what you came to say."
"You are going to fail. The ritual requires truth. But you have been lying for seven years. The ward will reject you."
"The ward already accepted us."
"That was practice. Tonight is the real test. Can you say you have told him everything? Can he say the same?"
Heat moved through me. My wolf rose. I forced it down because cameras were recording.
"Get out."
He looked past me. Police approaching. Sirens outside. He checked his watch.
"Already leaving. I know my timing." He walked toward the exit. Paused at the door. "Good luck, Mara. You are going to need divine intervention now."
He disappeared into the storm.
Tamsin called minutes later. "Warrant issued for restraining order violation. But he is gone. Pack loyalists are hiding him."
"He will be at the lighthouse," I said.
"You are walking into a trap."
"I know. We have no choice."
I returned to Theo's room. Elias looked up with questions. I shook my head. Not now.
Eight o'clock arrived. My phone lit with messages. The pack council had convened. Alaric was not there. Strategic. Let his supporters make the case while he prepared.
Bryony packed ritual components. Salt. Iron. Silver. Sage. The ceremonial blade. "We leave at eleven. One hour to prepare before midnight."
One hour to save my son. One hour to bind a ward that might reject us.
Thunder rolled. Lightning lit the room. The storm was directly overhead. Wind tore at the building.
Theo stirred. His eyes opened with terrible clarity.
"Mom, I am scared."
I sat on the bed and pulled him close. "I know, baby. So am I."
"Will it hurt?"
"I do not know. But Elias and I will be right there."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
He looked at Elias. "You too?"
"Me too," Elias said. His voice broke. "We are not going anywhere."
Theo closed his eyes. "Okay. I am ready."
He fell back into restless sleep. I looked at Elias. He looked at me. No words needed. We both knew what came next.
My phone buzzed. Olga. Voice message.
"The council voted to delay final decision until you appear in person. I bought you time. They meet again tomorrow at noon. If you do not show, Alaric wins by default. But tonight, focus on Theo. Save our boy."
Relief flooded through me. Temporary. Fragile. Real.
Tamsin's message came next. "Jonah reports unusual activity at the lighthouse. Vehicles. Movement. Someone is already there. Be careful."
Ten o'clock. Two hours until midnight. One hour until we left. Sixty minutes to prepare.
I stood at the window and watched the storm devour the city. Somewhere out there, Alaric waited. The pack waited. The ward waited.
Elias came up behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist.
"We can do this," he said.
"How do you know?"
"Because the alternative is unacceptable."
I leaned back into his warmth. "I love you."
"I love you too."
We stood like that while the clock ticked down. Outside, lightning split the sky. Thunder answered. The storm was coming for all of us.