Chapter 0442

The hunters are closing in.

Victor confessed that Sebastian is terrified they'll strike while Seraphina's pregnant. She carried their child during the vampire war, and he spent weeks wondering if she'd survive. Now, with their baby due any day, his fear for both his mate and daughter consumes him.

Then the miracle happens.

Sebastian's mind link comes through at dawn—mother and baby are perfect. Little Leana Estella enters the world screaming and healthy. I announce the birth to Sanctuary, only for Lillian to go into labor that same night. By morning, our Beta couple welcomes Dillon Ricardo, their son named for the hope he represents.

The sprites fascinate me.

Unlike human women, they adapt seamlessly to carrying wolf-shifter babies. Oberon was right—our species are compatible. The hybrid pregnancies progress without complications, despite the accelerated wolf gestation.

Three days later, news breaks that Titania and Alistair are expecting.

I'm heading to my quarters when nausea slams into me like a freight train. I barely reach the bathroom before losing my lunch. Gasping against the tiles, I wonder what poisoned me.

"Sweetheart?" Victor's concern floods our bond. "You okay?"

"Bad tacos, maybe. You feel fine?"

"Perfect. Want me to come home?"

"I'm good." Lie.

"Rest today. You've been pushing too hard." His tone turns playful. "We can practice baby-making hourly if you want."

My laugh sounds watery. "Titania's pregnant too."

"Damn, it's contagious."

"Sanctuary's drowning in baby fever." I try masking my grief. He catches it anyway.

"It'll happen, love." His voice softens. "I'll personally ensure it does. Repeatedly."

That earns a real smile.

"I adore you, Victor."

"You're my entire world, Isolde. Never forget that."

The sickness persists.

I hide it well as hunter activity escalates. We're fortifying bunkers, running evacuation drills. Every pregnant female, elder, and child must know their designated safe room.

Lillian and Seraphina will oversee two shelters, tracking arrivals and supply needs. We've placed late-term mothers with Seraphina—her medical skills are vital if deliveries begin during battle. Elara, Luna, and Stella volunteered as shelter leaders too. True to their nature, their rooms now bloom with enchanted flowers.

After one drill, I barely make it to the packhouse restroom before vomiting.

Seraphina catches me wiping my mouth.

"Hospital. Now."

"Stress," I croak.

"Don't bullshit your physician." She crosses her arms. "I've watched you puke for three days straight. Either walk with me, or I'm telling Victor."

My glare could melt steel. "He's overwhelmed."

"Exactly. So move."

At the clinic, she draws blood, takes urine samples, hooks me to monitors.

When she returns, her grin could power cities.

"Radiant health, Luna."

"So it's stress?"

Her eyes lock onto mine. "You're pregnant."

The world tilts.

My hands fly to my stomach. Joy detonates in my chest—for exactly two seconds. Then reality crashes down. The hunters are coming. Now.

"Don't tell Victor." I grasp her wrist. "I want to surprise him properly."

The unspoken truth hangs between us—if he knows, he'll bench me from the fight. And our pack needs their Luna.

I won't risk my mate.

I won't fail my people.

Three days later, the hunters attack.