Unforeseen Entanglements

Chapter 98: Chapter 98

Sophie’s POV

Christian had Marcus, Connor, and Diana in his office within twenty minutes of my vision.

I sat at the conference table, hands wrapped around a mug of tea I wasn’t drinking, and recounted everything I’d seen. Again.

"She was waiting in the shadows near the eastern compound entrance," I said. "She knew exactly where I’d be. Like she’d been watching. Planning."

Marcus typed notes on his tablet. "The eastern entrance has the least surveillance coverage. We can fix that."

"What did she say?" Diana asked gently.

"’You took everything from me. Now I take everything from him.’" I looked at Christian. "She wants to destroy you by killing me."

Christian’s jaw clenched so hard I heard his teeth grind.

"Over my dead body," he muttered.

"That’s literally her backup plan," I pointed out.

Connor cleared his throat. "We need to approach this systematically. Vanessa failed her first attack. She’s lost resources—rogues captured, Tom imprisoned, Harold dead. She’s running on hatred and desperation now."

"Which makes her more dangerous," Marcus said. "Desperate people take risks."

"Or make mistakes," I added. Everyone looked at me. "What? I’m just saying. Maybe her desperation is something we can use."

Christian leaned forward. "Explain."

"Vanessa wants revenge. She’s emotional. Obsessed. People like that aren’t thinking clearly. They follow patterns. We can predict her."

Diana nodded slowly. "Sophie’s right. Vanessa’s bloodline is powerful but not invincible. Every supernatural ability has a weakness."

"So we find her weakness and exploit it," Marcus said. "Meanwhile, we make sure Sophie is protected."

"I don’t need to be locked in a tower," I said immediately.

"No one’s locking you anywhere," Christian said. "But we are implementing security protocols. Non-negotiable."

I wanted to argue. But the memory of Vanessa’s hatred-filled eyes in my vision stopped me.

"Fine," I agreed. "Reasonable security. Not a cage."

"Reasonable," Christian repeated. "Starting with you never being alone. Ever."

"Christian—"

"Sophie, she wants to kill you specifically to hurt me. I can’t—" His voice cracked slightly. "I can’t lose you. So yes, you’re getting guards. Surveillance. Whatever it takes."

Our bond vibrated with his fear. Not for himself. For me.

"Okay," I said quietly. "We do this together. Equal partners in planning."

"Equal partners," Christian agreed.

The next three days were intense.

Diana worked with me every morning, teaching me to control my prophetic visions instead of just receiving them randomly.

"Luna’s abilities respond to intention," Diana explained. "You can seek information actively."

I closed my eyes, focusing on Vanessa. Where was she? What was she planning?

The vision came slower this time. Fragmented. I saw trees. A cave. Vanessa is pacing like a caged animal.

"She’s northwest of here," I gasped when the vision released me. "Maybe ten miles out. Living rough."

Diana smiled. "Excellent. You’re learning."

Christian started training me again, despite Diana’s protests about his healing ribs.

"I’m fine," Christian insisted, blocking my punch. "Again. Faster."

I attacked. He countered. We sparred for an hour until we were both sweating and breathing hard.

"You’re getting better," Christian said. "But Vanessa’s going to be faster. Stronger. More experienced."

"So I need to be smarter." I wiped sweat from my face. "Use her emotions against her."

"Exactly." Christian pulled me close. "But if it comes down to a direct fight—"

"I run. I know." I’ve heard this lecture five times already. "Get to safety. Let you and Marcus handle her."

"Good girl."

"Patronizing Alpha."

He grinned and kissed me.

Marcus transformed Shadow Ridge into a fortress.

Cameras everywhere. Motion sensors. Infrared detection. Drones patrol the borders twice daily.

"This is excessive," I said, watching workers install the fifteenth camera.

"This is necessary," Marcus corrected. "Vanessa got through our defenses once. Won’t happen again."

Connor worked the legal angle, which apparently involved a lot of boring paperwork.

"I’m filing to have Vanessa declared an enemy of the state," Connor explained. "If she’s caught, she faces immediate execution. No trial."

"Is that legal?" I asked.

"After she led an attack that killed three pack members and injured dozens more? Absolutely."

Christian wanted me to carry a panic button linked directly to him.

"Press this, and I’ll know you’re in danger instantly," he said, showing me the small device.

"It looks like a car key fob."

"Because it’s designed to be inconspicuous. Wear it at all times."

I clipped it to my jeans. "Happy?"

"I’ll be happy when Vanessa’s dead."

On day four, Christian decided we needed to talk to Tom.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked as we walked toward the prison.

"He worked with Vanessa. He knows how she thinks." Christian’s hand tightened on mine. "And I want him to see that we’re still together. Still strong. That his obsession failed."

Tom looked terrible. Bruises covered his face. His arm was in a sling. He sat in his cell and glared at us when we approached.

"Come to gloat?" Tom asked bitterly.

"Come for information," Christian said. "Tell us about Vanessa."

"Why would I help you?"

"Because if Vanessa kills Sophie, you’ll never have another chance at her." Christian’s voice was cold. "And if Vanessa kills me, you’ll rot in this cell forever. Help us, and maybe—maybe—we’ll show mercy."

Tom’s expression shifted. Calculating.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything. How she thinks. What motivates her? Her weaknesses."