Chapter 85 The Meeting of Bonds

Chapter 85 The Meeting of Bonds
Phoebe
Finally, I was home.
After all those months pretending to be Phoenix and studying at the academy, I was back where everything started. Our house sat quietly on the edge of the pine forest that framed the eastern border of Mystic Guardian’s territory. It used to feel small, but now… it felt like the safest place in the world after everything I’d been through.
Principal Hartman had given me permission to postpone my studies for three months. He said it was to help me recover.
But I knew the truth — he wanted me to have time to face what couldn’t be ignored anymore.
I was pregnant. With Hayden’s child.
Mom greeted me at the front porch, wearing that same gentle smile I’d missed so much.
“Tomorrow you’ll see the pack’s gynecologist, sweetheart,” she said, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I already talked to Dr. Meryl. She handles Mystic Guardian pregnancies, so you’ll be comfortable there.”
I just nodded. Hayden stood quietly beside me, his fingers laced with mine, his warmth grounding me in silence.

Dr. Meryl’s clinic wasn’t far from the main area of the pack. The scent of lavender filled the air as soon as we stepped inside. The doctor — a kind middle-aged woman with warm brown eyes — greeted us with a calm smile.
“Phoebe Matthews, right? And you must be Hayden.”
I flushed a little. “Yes, ma’am.”
“We already spoke over the phone yesterday,” Hayden added, his tone firm but respectful.
The examination went by smoothly, yet the moment that tiny heartbeat echoed through the room, everything inside me stilled. My chest felt tight — in a good way. Hayden froze beside me, eyes glassy as he listened to the rhythmic sound of our pup’s life.
“The baby’s healthy,” Dr. Meryl said softly. “And so are you, Phoebe. But your body’s still weak from emotional stress. You need more rest.”
I bit my lip, trying to keep the tears from falling.
“Here’s some vitamins and supplements,” she continued, then turned to Hayden. “And you — make sure she stays calm. A mother’s emotions affect her baby more than you think.”
Hayden’s voice dropped low. “I promise, Doctor.”
By the time we got home, the pale sun was sinking between the pine trees, snowflakes drifting lazily through the cold air.
Dad was waiting on the porch, sleeves rolled up, looking more like the man I remembered before everything fell apart.
“Tomorrow night we’ll have a family meeting,” he said once we sat down. “All four of your mates must attend. This is about your responsibility — and your future, Phoebe.”
My stomach twisted. Four mates. Four different bonds I never thought I’d have to balance.
“Get some rest tonight,” he added quietly. “You’ve been through enough.”
It was strange — seeing Dad this gentle. Ever since he found out I was pregnant, he’d been softer, his eyes occasionally drifting to my stomach like he couldn’t quite believe there was life growing inside me.
The next evening, the living room was full.
The air was tense, heavy, but polite — the kind of silence that came right before something important.
Mom had set out herbal tea and honey bread, trying to make everyone feel at home, but I could feel the weight of what was coming.
Alpha Gregory and Luna Clarisse — Zion’s parents — were the first to arrive. They looked dignified as always. Then came Alpha Arthur Walsh, Adonis’s father, along with Beta Finn Knight, Finley’s father. They brought large baskets filled with moonstone craft and silk — gifts traditional for the Dark Crimson pack.
Dad stood at the center of the room, his voice firm but calm. “Thank you for coming. Tonight, we gather to discuss the future of my daughter, Phoebe Matthews, and her mates.”
Every pair of eyes turned to me.
I lowered my head, fingers tightening around Hayden’s hand. He spoke first.
“Phoebe’s pregnant with my child,” he said, voice steady. “I’ll take full responsibility.”
The room fell silent. Alpha Gregory’s brows furrowed. “Hayden’s child?”
Luna Clarisse gasped softly.
Meanwhile, Alpha Arthur and Beta Finn simply exchanged glances — not surprised at all.
Dad’s gaze swept across the room. “I’d like to hear each pack’s stance.”
Alpha Gregory stood first. His presence commanded the room.
“Light Walker pack acknowledges Phoebe Walsh as my son Zion’s mate,” he began.
“However…” His tone tightened. “She will not serve as our Luna. Once she provides an heir for Zion, she’s free to live wherever she chooses.”
The words struck deep — cold and heavy. Not Luna. They echoed in my mind like a bruise I couldn’t touch.
Before I could even breathe, Alpha Arthur rose from his seat.
“Dark Crimson pack sees things differently,” he said warmly. “We accept Phoebe as Adonis and Finley’s mate. If she ever chooses to live in Dark Crimson, she’ll be welcomed as Adonis’s future Luna.”
The atmosphere eased slightly.
Beta Finn smiled faintly. “We don’t judge the past, only the future one’s willing to build.”
And then, Hayden stood.
“I’m not here on behalf of any pack,” he said. “I’ve decided to build my own.”
The room went still.
“I don’t want Phoebe to keep choosing between us,” he continued, his gaze fixed on me. “She deserves a place where she can truly be herself. If Light Walker won’t make her a Luna — then I will. I’ll create a new pack, and she’ll stand beside me as Luna. My Luna. Zion’s Luna. Adonis’s Luna Finley’s mate.”
No one spoke. Only the ticking clock broke the silence.
Dad finally turned to me. “And you, Phoebe? What do you want?”
I took a deep breath, meeting every pair of eyes around the room.
“I want to follow Hayden,” I said softly. “But on one condition — I’ll return to the academy after giving birth. I want my child to grow up knowing their mother was strong enough to finish what she started.”
Mom’s lips curved into a proud, watery smile.
Dad gave a slow nod. “Then it’s decided. I’ll inform Alpha Lennox tomorrow.”
When the meeting ended, people started to leave. But before heading out, Adonis approached me.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” His voice was soft, careful.
I nodded.
Alpha Arthur joined us, holding a small blue velvet box.
“This is from Luna Abigail,” he said. “She couldn’t come — she’s unwell. But she wanted you to have this.”
I opened the box carefully. Inside lay a gold necklace with a ruby teardrop pendant — the symbol of the Luna bloodline from Dark Crimson. My throat tightened.
“She said you deserve it,” Alpha Arthur told me with a gentle smile. “Because you had the courage to choose your own path, to be Adonis’s mate.”
That was it — the moment the tears came.
For the first time, I felt truly seen. Not as a mistake or a burden… but as someone worth standing beside.
That night, I showed the necklace to Mom.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, running her fingers over the ruby. Then her tone changed. “But, Phoebe… Mom needs to talk to you. Tomorrow morning.”
I frowned. “About what?”
She smiled faintly. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Later, when I lay in my old bed, Hayden’s arm draped protectively around me, my thoughts drifted back to her words.
Something inside me stirred — a quiet unease mixed with calm.
As if tomorrow was holding something big.
Something that could change everything… again.