Chapter 0246

I prepare two plates of food for them, adding bottled water before sending them off. "Genevieve, if you need anything—anything at all—just ask for Nathaniel, me, or Sebastian."

As they walk away, I catch Genevieve questioning Nathaniel about why he calls me Seraphina. His explanation about pack hierarchy drifts back to me.

Sebastian enters just as they disappear from view. "Guess it's just us for dinner?" he remarks.

"Looks that way."

"Good. I'd like to eat with the pack tonight, if that's alright with you. We need to formally introduce you as our Luna and warn everyone about the vampire threat. Training with Blackthorn Pack starts at dawn tomorrow. With Nathaniel frequently unavailable, I'll have to reorganize the patrol schedules to ensure everyone gets at least one combined training session per day."

We load our plates high with food and join the others in the dining hall. After quick introductions and greetings, I turn back to Sebastian.

"What else needs to be done? How can I help? This is too much for one person to handle alone."

He pulls me close, his warmth seeping into me as he murmurs, "Thank you. Having you in my life is a blessing."

Leaning back, he takes a thoughtful bite before answering. "Actually, there is something you could do that would be a huge help. We need to stock the bunkers and safe rooms—food, medical supplies, linens, baby essentials. Everything our pack might need while waiting out the battle."

"I can assist with that, Luna," offers a young mother at our table. "Since I'll be staying in one of those rooms, I probably have a better idea of what we'll need. I'd like to help."

"Perfect. Consider it handled," I tell Sebastian, watching some of the tension ease from his face. It feels good to lighten even a fraction of the weight he carries.

After dinner, Sebastian stands and commands the room's attention. Though not all 800+ pack members are present, the majority gather here for meals.

"Listen up, everyone. Normally I'd do this more formally, but there are urgent announcements. First," he draws me to his side, "this incredible woman is my mate. You may have heard rumors, but yes, we've found each other and completed the mating marks." Cheers erupt, and he waits for them to subside.

"Seraphina's Luna ceremony will be held tomorrow night. I know it's sudden, but there's a reason." He pauses, lifting my hand to his lips. "For seven years, vampires held her captive. They've developed a taste for Guardian blood—and placed a seven-million-dollar bounty on her head. We've already faced two attacks: one in Black Canyon, another at our city offices today."

Uneasy murmurs ripple through the pack. Sebastian continues, "They're coming for your Luna, but we won't let them take her." The hall erupts in applause. He raises a hand for silence. "Blackthorn Pack fights alongside us. Our alliance strengthens with mixed patrols—their warriors learning our territory, ours learning theirs. Starting tomorrow, we train together twice daily. Revised schedules will be posted tonight. Questions?"

For thirty minutes, Sebastian fields inquiries before bidding everyone goodnight.

He sends me to bed while he finalizes preparations and waits for Nathaniel. After showering, I crawl between the sheets, sleep elusive until his familiar warmth envelops me. Exhaustion weighs heavy on us both as we drift off, tangled together.