Chapter 302

【Elsa POV】

The small room feels even more cramped with six people crowded inside. I shift on the bed, hyperaware of everyone's eyes on me as they wait for my response about revealing Freyja publicly.

The pack needs to see strength, Freyja's voice flows through our mental link. She stretches beside me, her silver fur catching the light from the window. Many know you were thought to be wolfless from Svartskogens. Show them what you really are.

Saga nods slowly, her weathered hands clasped behind her back. "The wolf has a point. Those who want your power won't care about your wolf form anyway. Once you're announced as Norrvarg's Luna, Alpha Ragnvald will lose interest in you. The risk is manageable."

"No." Leif's voice cuts through the room like a blade. His grip on my hands tightens until I can feel his pulse against my palms. "Absolutely not."

I watch his jaw clench, the muscle jumping beneath his skin. Even without his memories, his protective instincts are firing on all cylinders.

Vetle pushes himself off the wall where he's been leaning and jerks his chin toward the far corner. "Before we argue about wolves, can someone explain why there's a dwarf in formal robes standing over there?"

All heads turn toward Grand Sage, who's been quietly observing our discussion. Leif's amber eyes narrow as he studies the unfamiliar figure, his shoulders tensing.

I lean closer to Leif, my voice dropping to a whisper. "Grand Sage. He saved Linnea—she's my best human friend and Karl's mate."

"My Beta has a human mate?" Leif's eyebrows shoot up.

"It's complicated," I admit with a small shrug.

Saga steps forward, her movements purposeful. "This is Grand Sage, leader of the dwarven communities. In the supernatural world, he's quite influential—a pioneer in magical technology."

Grand Sage inclines his head toward Leif. "Alpha Stalhammar. I've heard about your pack's situation. Whatever resources I have are yours."

Before Leif can respond, a wave of emotion crashes over me that isn't mine. Confusion, frustration, anxiety—all of it bleeding through our mate bond. Leif's bewilderment at meeting strangers who claim to know him, his anger at his missing memories, his fear of threats he can't remember.

I gasp, my hand flying to my chest as the emotions tangle with my own. The room spins slightly.

Push back, Freyja urges. Create a barrier between you two. You're absorbing too much.

I close my eyes and imagine a wall—not cutting off our connection, but filtering it. The relief is immediate.

Leif's hand touches my shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"Just adjusting to the bond," I say quickly, not wanting to explain that his emotions nearly knocked me over. "I'm fine."

Vetle runs a hand through his hair, his expression grim. "We need to talk about the pack. Morale is in the toilet. The Alpha's been absent from pack duties, silent in the pack bond. People are asking questions."

My stomach drops. "What kind of questions?"

"The kind that end in challenges." Vetle's blunt words hit like a slap. "We need to give them hope, something to believe in. I think we should use Elsa's position strategically."

Leif's entire body goes rigid beside me. "You want Elsa to be my shield."

"I want to buy us time." Vetle takes a step closer, his hands gesturing emphatically. "This isn't about hiding, Alpha. It's about smart leadership. Are you ready for what's coming?"

The silence stretches taut as a wire. Through our filtered bond, I feel Leif's internal war—his pride battling with cold reality.

"I won't hide behind my mate," he says finally, each word carefully controlled.

Vetle's face hardens. "Then don't think of it as hiding. Think of it as protecting what's left. We've lost dozens, Alpha. Mates, families, children." His voice cracks slightly on the last word. "The survivors need to see their leader is still strong enough to protect them."

The weight of those losses hits me like a physical blow. Dozens of people I'll never meet, families destroyed. I press my lips together to keep from crying.

Leif stares at the floor for a long moment, his hands fisted on his thighs. When he looks up, his expression is resigned. "I see your point."

"So we proceed?" Vetle asks.

Leif nods once, sharp and decisive. "Do what you think is best."

Saga claps her hands together once, the sound making everyone jump. "Actually, I have news that might help with morale."

"Please tell me it's actually good news," I say, though her tone makes me nervous.

"Within a hundred kilometers, there's no supernatural activity. The nearest supernatural center has been destroyed and abandoned."

Linnea frowns from her corner. "How is that good news?"

The same dread I see on Leif's face settles in my chest. Empty doesn't always mean safe.

"It means there are groups out there who aren't working with our enemies," Saga explains, gesturing broadly. "The enemy of my enemy, and all that."

Grand Sage nods approvingly. "Where there's destruction of supernatural centers, there's resistance."

Leif leans forward, his tactical mind clearly working despite his amnesia. "You think other survivors are hiding out, waiting to fight back."

"Exactly." Saga's eyes light up. "We're in what you could call a dead zone. Attacks have focused on established supernatural centers and pack territories. We're relatively safe here."

Vetle straightens, hope creeping into his expression for the first time since he entered. "We need strong leadership and allies." He points directly at me. "You're going to be the catalyst for our rebirth."

"Me?" My voice comes out as a squeak. "How am I supposed to—"

"Child," Saga interrupts, moving to perch on the edge of the desk. "You've brought Norrvarg its first allies. They want you to handle diplomatic relations."

I blink at her, feeling like I've missed several steps in this conversation. "Diplomatic relations?"

"Such an honor would establish your Luna position beyond question," Saga continues, her tone matter-of-fact. "And it would shift attention away from your Alpha while he recovers."

The magnitude of what they're suggesting slowly sinks in. Not just a ceremonial mate, but actual responsibility. Leadership. The thought both terrifies and thrills me.

Through our bond, I feel Leif's complex mix of pride and worry. His wolf might be silenced, but his Alpha instincts are sharp as ever.

"Tonight's ceremony will be more than formality," Saga adds. "It'll be a declaration of Norrvarg's new direction."