Free Web NovelChapter 118: Chapter 118
"I mostly make it up as I go," I confessed.
She laughed. "That’s oddly reassuring."
Karl presented Christian with a ceremonial knife—gorgeous craftsmanship, Shadow Ridge’s wolf emblem inlaid in silver on the handle.
"This is incredible," Christian said, examining it with clear appreciation.
The conversation flowed naturally after that. Pack growth challenges, balancing tradition with change, and supporting younger leaders. Real talk, not political posturing.
I liked them.
Karl and Christian disappeared into Karl’s office for alpha business. Catherine took me to the Luna Suite—floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking gardens arranged in careful, meaningful patterns.
"I’m drowning," Catherine said without preamble. "We’ve grown from 180 to 340 members in five years. I can barely keep up." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Oh, I knew that feeling.
"I thought I was dying my first month as Luna," I admitted. "Everything hurts. I couldn’t sleep. Christian probably thought I’d regret the mating bond."
Catherine’s surprised laugh made me smile.
"Traditional training focused on ceremonies and social management," she continued. "Nobody prepared me for the *energy* demands. I’m constantly exhausted."
I showed her the grounding technique Diana taught me—visualizing roots extending into the earth, drawing stable energy up while releasing overwhelming sensations down.
Catherine tried it. Her eyes widened. "Oh my god. That’s... I can breathe."
"It gets easier with practice. I promise."
"How do you manage absorbing everyone’s emotions without going crazy?"
"Badly, mostly. But Diana taught me sorting techniques. Want to see?"
We spent an hour working through exercises. Catherine was a quick study, and watching her visible relief made my heart warm.
"You need to meet Isabelle and Maya," Catherine said. "They’re struggling so much. Isabelle gets nosebleeds from energy surges. Maya can’t function in crowds."
"I can help with that," I said with more confidence than I felt.
But honestly? I’d figured out my own weird abilities. I could help them figure out theirs.
The territory tour was gorgeous. Training grounds where warriors practiced traditional weapon forms with serious precision. Christian watched with obvious respect, mentally cataloging techniques.
"We could learn from each other," he told Karl. "Your traditional forms, our tactical approaches. Both are valuable."
Karl looked pleased. "I’d like that."
Catherine showed me the pack nursery—confident, happy pups playing under watchful supervision. "Communal child-rearing," she explained. "Everyone helps raise the next generation."
"That’s beautiful."
We visited the crafts workshop where master craftsman Henrik demonstrated traditional woodworking. Watching him work was mesmerizing—each movement precise and intentional.
The tour ended at the memorial garden. Peaceful. Honoring the dead while celebrating life.
Karl’s voice was soft. "We remember sacrifice. But we don’t let grief consume us."
Christian’s hand found mine. We both understood that balance.
Meeting Isabelle broke my heart a little.
She sat in a garden gazebo looking exhausted. Dark circles, trembling hands, obvious physical distress.
"During emergencies, my energy just... explodes," she explained. "Painful pressure. Sometimes nosebleeds. Last month I passed out."
I recognized it immediately. Untamed, reactive energy with no proper channeling.
"You’re strong but ungrounded," I told her. "Your energy has nowhere to go, so it builds up dangerously."
"Can you fix it?"
"I can teach you to manage it."
We worked through basic awareness exercises. The "release valve" technique—consciously opening specific energy channels to prevent dangerous buildup while maintaining pack connection.
Fifteen minutes in, Isabelle’s visible relief made her cry. "This is the first time I’ve felt normal in months."
Catherine watched with obvious amazement.
Maya was different—young, anxious, and overwhelmed by everything. "I feel everyone," she whispered. "All their emotions. All the time. I can’t turn it off."
Classic unshielded empathic abilities.
"What do you feel right now?" I asked.
She closed her eyes. "Catherine’s concern. Your focused compassion. The guards are bored. Someone in the main hall is... happy? Excited about something."
"Okay. Now imagine each emotion as a separate stream of water. Can you visualize that?"
Maya nodded slowly.
"Now consciously choose which streams to pay attention to. You can’t turn them off completely, but you can decide where to focus."
Her face transformed as the technique worked. "Oh. Oh. It’s still there, but it’s... organized?"
"Exactly. Empathic abilities are a gift when controlled. You can identify pack members who need support before they ask."
Catherine was taking furious notes. I grinned at her. "This is all trial and error. Whatever works."
"It’s brilliant," she said firmly.
The formal dinner terrified me, obviously.
Diana texted last-minute reminders. Christian arrived at our guest suite looking energized rather than drained from his Karl discussions.
"The alliance talks went amazing," he said, pulling me close. "Karl’s actually interested in our council system."
"Maya and Isabelle made progress," I reported. "Catherine’s taking notes like crazy."
"Told you. You’re a natural teacher."
"I’m winging it."
"Still counts."
We dressed in formal attire. Christian looked unfairly good in ceremonial clothing. I felt like I was playing dress-up, but Diana’s pep talk helped.
"You’re Luna. Own it."
Right. Luna. I could do this.
The great hall was transformed—long tables, flowers, and candles everywhere. Karl announced our arrival warmly, and
Northern Ridge pack members applauded.
I performed the Luna blessing over the meal, golden energy flowing naturally. Several pack members gasped.
"Show-off," Christian murmured.
"Shut up."
Dinner was surprisingly fun. I spoke with Elder Anna about pack history. Christian discussed warrior training with head warrior Sven. Beta Thomas asked detailed questions about our council system.
A young warrior named Elise approached me shyly. "I hope to be Luna someday. Any advice?"
"Focus on genuine connections," I told her. "Luna’s abilities develop alongside authentic relationships. Trust your instincts."
She beamed. "Thank you, Luna."
Karl shared stories about Christian’s father—the good parts, the joint projects, and the respected leader before everything went wrong. Christian listened with complicated emotions but thanked Karl for remembering the better qualities.
The atmosphere grew warm and relaxed. Real conversations, genuine laughter.
Then Karl invited us outside for Northern Ridge’s unity ceremony.
Pack members formed concentric circles around a central fire pit. Karl explained they did this monthly to strengthen bonds, especially important with rapid growth.
Catherine led a traditional chant in Lupine. Harmonies layered, creating something hauntingly beautiful.
I felt Northern Ridge’s pack bonds—strong overall but frayed at edges where new members hadn’t fully integrated.
Karl invited Christian to add Shadow Ridge’s energy to the ceremony. Huge honor, apparently.
Christian’s alpha power combined with Karl’s, creating warm golden light that made everyone sigh contentedly.
Without thinking, I offered a Luna blessing of friendship between the packs.
My energy wove between Shadow Ridge’s and Northern Ridge’s bonds, creating shimmering connections that—
Both packs gasped.
The connections held. Visible. Glowing. Linking our packs in ways I’d never seen before.
"Sophie," Christian breathed. "What did you just do?"
I stared at the golden threads connecting our packs, my heart pounding.
"I... I have no idea."
