Chapter 122 Contingencies

Chapter 122 Contingencies
Logan POV.

"I have a concern." An Elder Delta named Mara speaks up. She's been quiet until now. Watching. "What if we can't delay him? What if despite everything, he reaches the fortress with time to spare?"

Rune and I exchange glances.

"Then we implement final contingency." I say carefully.

"Which is?" Mara presses.

Rune takes a breath. "The ritual requires corrupting our mate bond during intimacy. If it looks like Viktor will have time for the ritual, Logan and I separate. Different positions. He can't corrupt what he can't access."

"That weakens you." Theron points out. "Mates separated suffer."

"We'll survive it. We've done it before."

"And if that's not enough?" Mara asks quietly.

Rune's hand finds mine under the table. "Then we hope the Moon Goddess favors the righteous."

We discuss details for hours. Guard rotations. Supply distribution. Communication protocols. Emergency procedures. The candles burn lower. Shadows lengthen across maps.

Finally, as evening approaches, we've covered everything we can.

"We reconvene in three days. Report progress. Adjust strategy as needed. Between now and then, everyone knows their tasks."

I stand. The council rises with me.

"Dismissed. And thank you. All of you. For standing with us."

The council files out slowly. Conversations continue in hushed tones. Cassandra and Garrick linger near the door. Heads close together over a schedule. Kane's image fades from the scrying mirror with a nod.

Marcus approaches before leaving. "Luna. Alpha. Thank you for trusting my intelligence."

"You survived Viktor's captivity." Rune says. "That took remarkable strength. Your information is saving lives."

Marcus nods. Eyes bright. "My mother leaves for exile tomorrow. She asked me to tell you—she'll harry Viktor's northern positions. Help where she can."

"Tell her we're grateful. And that we hope she survives."

"I will." Marcus promises. Then leaves.

Soon it's just Rune and me. Alone in the war room.

She's staring at the maps. Silver eyes distant.

"They're terrified." She says quietly.

"Yes. But they're also determined. Ready to fight."

"Thirty-seven days." Rune touches a marker on the map. Viktor's suspected approach.

"Thirty-seven days."

"He's planned this for two hundred years. We have thirty-seven days to stop him."

I pull her away from the table. Turn her to face me. "We have something he doesn't."

"What's that?"

"Choice. His forces are enslaved. Compelled by dark magic. Ours choose to fight. Choose to stand with us. That's powerful."

Rune nods slowly. "Choice as weapon."

"Exactly. Every warrior fighting because they believe in what we're protecting. Because they want to defend their home. Their families. Their freedom."

"And we're protecting all of that."

"And more." I touch the mate bond between us. "We're protecting the right to love freely. To forge bonds by choice. To build futures we choose instead of having them dictated by ancient grudges and dark magic."

Rune's expression shifts. Fierce. Determined. Resolute.

"Then we'd better win."

"We will. Because losing means everyone we love becomes Viktor's slaves. That's not acceptable."

Through the bond: absolute agreement.

She steps closer. Hands on my chest. "I'm scared, Logan."

"So am I. But we face it together."

"Together."

"Take me to bed. I need you. Need to feel alive before the countdown really begins."

I don't need to be told twice.

I lift her easily. Carry her from the war room toward our chambers. She buries her face in my neck. Breathes me in.

"Thirty-seven days." She whispers.

"Thirty-seven days. Then we fight for everything that matters."

"And we win." Rune adds.

"And we win."

Because there's no other option.