Free Web NovelChapter 117: Chapter 117
I stared at the stack of papers Diana dumped on Christian’s desk like they were about to bite me.
"Is this all about one pack visit?" I asked.
"Northern Ridge takes protocol seriously." Diana flipped open the first folder. "Alpha Karl served with Christian’s dad. Very traditional. Very... proper."
Christian leaned back in his chair, looking way too amused at my panic. "You’ll be fine."
"Easy for you to say. You grew up with this stuff." I scanned the first page. "There’s a *language* component?"
"Just greetings," Diana assured me. "Basic Lupine Phrases."
Connor walked in with his tablet, naturally, because Connor was never without his tablet. "Trade reports. Northern Ridge has timber and metalwork. We’ve got agriculture and textiles. It should be straightforward."
"See?" Christian squeezed my hand. "Straightforward."
I shot him a look. "You’re enjoying this."
"Maybe a little."
Diana launched into explaining Alpha Karl’s history—decorated warrior, respected leader, maintains distance from other packs but not hostile. Luna Catherine specifically asked to meet me after hearing about our training programs.
"Wait, what?" I sat up straighter. "She wants to meet *me*?"
"You have a reputation now," Connor said without looking up from his tablet. "The Luna who created an actual training system instead of just winging it."
"I am totally winging it."
"That’s why it works," Diana grinned. "Traditional methods don’t account for Lunas with different abilities or learning styles. You figured out what worked for you and adapted it for others."
Christian pulled me closer. "Catherine mentioned two struggling Lunas. Isabelle has painful energy surges. Maya can’t control empathic abilities."
Oh. Okay. That I could actually help with.
"So the visit includes an arrival ceremony, a meeting with Karl and Catherine, a territory tour, a formal dinner, and a training demonstration." Diana ticked items off on her fingers. "Thursday through Friday."
"Formal dinner." I groaned. "Please tell me I won’t have to make speeches."
"Just a Luna blessing over the meal," Diana said cheerfully. "Simple."
Nothing about this felt simple.
Tuesday afternoon found me in Shadow Ridge’s dusty archives with Eleanor, our ancient pack historian who knew everything about everyone.
"Gift exchanges represent pack values," Eleanor explained, pulling out leather-bound journals. "Northern Ridge values craftsmanship and natural materials."
I sneezed from the dust. "So... not gift cards?"
Eleanor’s scandalized expression made me laugh.
We spent two hours researching traditions before I settled on hand-carved wooden boxes from James, our master carpenter. I’d fill them with honey from our apiary and herbal tea blends from the sanctuary gardens.
"Perfect," Eleanor approved. "Shows Shadow Ridge’s connection to our land and community skills."
Christian chose a bound copy of our updated defense protocols. "Shows trust," he explained when I questioned it. "We’re sharing strategic information."
Diana hauled me to my closet for the wardrobe crisis. She held up a deep green dress. "This one. Forest colors, diplomatic but not stuffy."
"It has a train."
"A small train. Very elegant."
I tried it on while Diana critiqued my posture. "Shoulders back. You’re Luna, not apologizing for existing."
"I’m not apologizing—"
"You slouch when you’re nervous. Stop it."
We spent the rest of the afternoon practicing Lupine greetings while Diana corrected my pronunciation approximately eight hundred times.
"Kor-vesh-ta heim. Not kor-vesh-tah."
"That’s what I said!"
"No, you added an ’h’ sound. Again."
By dinner, my tongue hurt, and I was ready to just smile and nod my way through the entire visit. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Thursday morning arrived with perfect weather, which felt like the universe mocking my anxiety.
"You’ve got this," Christian said for the millionth time as we loaded the car.
Marcus and Diana were coming too—security and advisor, respectively. Because apparently I needed supervision.
"I’m fine," I muttered, clutching my note cards.
"You’re reviewing greetings you already memorized," Diana pointed out from the back seat.
"Repetition builds confidence."
Christian just squeezed my knee and kept driving.
The landscape shifted gradually—our mixed forests giving way to massive old-growth pines. Northern Ridge territory was stunning. Ancient trees, mountain views, actual waterfalls.
"Wow," I breathed.
"Karl’s pack has occupied this territory for over two hundred years," Marcus said. "Excellent defensive position."
We reached the boundary where two warriors in honest-to-god ceremonial armor waited. Like, full metal armor with Northern Ridge’s mountain crest.
"Fancy," I whispered.
Christian shot me a warning look, but I caught his smile.
The escorts led us through winding roads to Northern Ridge’s compound. My jaw dropped. Massive timber buildings with peaked roofs, intricate carvings everywhere, and a central hall that looked like something from a fantasy movie.
Alpha Karl and Luna Catherine stood on the main steps in full regalia.
"Showtime," Christian murmured.
He performed the alpha greeting perfectly—hand over heart, slight bow, formal words in Lupine I actually understood. Thank you, Diana’s torture sessions.
I did the Luna greeting, hands extended, palms up. "Kor-vesh-ta heim, Luna Catherine."
Nailed it.
Catherine’s warm smile eased my nerves. "Welcome, Luna Sophie. I’m so grateful you came."
Karl clasped Christian’s forearm. "You’ve grown into your father’s legacy well."
Pack members lined the courtyard, watching with open curiosity. My Luna bonds hummed, not connecting but acknowledging. Interesting sensation.
Inside, the great hall was massive. Timber beams the size of cars, a fireplace I could literally walk into, and walls covered in carved historical panels.
"Your home is beautiful," I told Catherine honestly.
"Thank you. It’s been in Karl’s family for generations."
They led us to a private meeting room that smelled like cedar and history. Catherine poured tea from an ornate wooden teapot.
"Pine needle tea," she explained. "Traditional for bonding ceremonies." freewebnovёl.ƈom
It tasted better than expected—earthy and slightly sweet.
Karl thanked Christian for Shadow Ridge’s readiness to help during the rogue attacks. Christian smoothly transitioned into discussing inter-pack cooperation.
I presented our gifts, explaining the symbolism. Catherine got visibly emotional over the training materials I’d made for Isabelle and Maya.
"I don’t know how to help them," she admitted quietly. "Traditional training didn’t prepare me for these situations."
