Beth pov "Absolutely not," Alex's voice was firm as I tried to get out of bed for the third time that morning. "Sophia was clear - complete bed rest until our pup arrives." "I'm just going to the office," I protested. "Your shop needs—" "The pack needs you healthy," Melissa interrupted from he
Alexander pov After making sure Beth was comfortable with Melissa standing guard, I finally made his way to Matthews' Auto & Body. The shop had been running smoothly under my senior mechanics, but I needed to maintain the human side of our territory presence. The familiar scents of oil and metal
Beth pov I sat propped up in bed, with Alex beside me as they welcomed Sarah into our private quarters. The woman looked nervous but somewhat calmer after a hot meal and the promise of safety. She looked scared of every noise and jumped a lot. "Tell us about your gift," I encouraged gently. "Hel
Beth pov "...and that's how I ended up finding out about my gift," Sarah concluded, sitting comfortably in the chair beside my bed. "A complete accident with a falling flowerpot that somehow missed me by taking an impossible path." Melissa, ever vigilant by the door, tried to hide her smile at t
Melissa pov I knew something was different the moment I woke up. My wolf was unusually restless, and there was a new awareness humming through my senses. As I lay in Caleb's arms, I focused on the strange sensation - a tiny spark of life, so faint I had almost missed it. "Oh," I breathed, my han
Beth pov The first contraction hit just as Sophia's wards screamed a warning. I felt both sensations slice through me - the natural pain of labor and the supernatural alert of danger - at exactly the same moment. "Hunters," Sarah gasped from her position by the window, her gift flaring. "They fo
Beth pov The chaos had finally settled, leaving peaceful moonlight streaming through the windows of our house's master bedroom. I reclined against a mountain of pillows, my newborn daughter cradled in one arm while Liam snuggled against my other side. Alex stood watching his family, his heart so f
Melissa pov My labor started during the full moon, as if the goddess herself had chosen the timing. Beth sat beside my bed, little Luna sleeping peacefully in her arms, while Caleb paced nervously and Sophia prepared my birthing supplies. "I don't know how you did this twice," Melissa gritted th
When we returned to the observation room, Liam immediately came to my side, Sophia reaching for me with obvious delight. The technical team and truth-seers waited expectantly for news of what had transpired. "Phase three is complete," I announced. "The equilibrium has accepted the new approach. To
Grace pov Things finally started to feel calmer. Will she be part of this new system?" a younger truth-seer asked curiously. "Not until she's old enough to choose for herself," Liam answered firmly. "And only if she wants to be." I nodded in agreement. "Sophia will grow up understanding her
Grace pov The equilibrium was no longer the chaotic, swirling mass I had encountered before. Through the reinforced glass, it appeared more structured, its movements deliberate and rhythmic, almost like breathing. The traditional containment measures—the truth-seers who would normally be positione
I turned to the assembled truth-seers, my expression softening with empathy for what they had endured. "You've been sustaining an impossible task, forcing the Equilibrium into unnatural stasis. Your gifts have been exploited just as the Equilibrium has. The new approach will be different—voluntary s
Grace pov The Prisma Institute appeared unchanged from the outside Liam and I approached its entrance, Sophia secured in her carrier between us. But my enhanced truth-sight revealed subtle differences —heightened security protocols, nervous energy radiating from the staff, and most tellingly, the
Grace pov I paused, allowing this to sink in before delivering my final point. "The temporary stability I established won't hold indefinitely. When it falters, you'll face a choice: attempt to reimpose your failing containment methods and risk catastrophic breach, or work with me to establish a ne
I turned a page in our packets, directing their attention to a specific section. "These are my non-negotiable conditions for assisting in the transition to a balance approach. First, immediate cessation of all reality manipulation operations using the Equilibrium's power." "Impossible," Mercer obj
Grace pov Is it, Councilor Mercer?" I replied, pulling the name from Reid's files. "Or is it simply beyond the paradigm you've operated under for decades? The equilibrium isn't just a force of deception—it's a necessary counterbalance to truth in the cosmic order. Your Institute has been treating
Grace pov One week after I regained consciousness, a black convoy of vehicles pulled through the gates of the Fireside pack territory. The pack had been alerted to their arrival well in advance—a formal delegation from the Lunar Council itself, requesting an audience with Grace Matthew and the rul