Chapter 26 The Crystal Ice Pack
Lulu
We left before sunrise.
The Sapphire Water Pack convoy moved through the sleeping city in silence—three black vehicles carrying Alpha Caspian, several Elders, and me. I watched the faint lights blur past the window, one hand resting instinctively over my stomach.
For once, I wasn’t running away from anything.
The airport came into view—Azure Crest International Aerodrome, a private terminal reserved for diplomatic packs. Glass walls reflected the pale dawn, guards lowering their heads as we passed without delay.
Everything felt controlled and safe.
The aircraft waiting for us was large and elegant, silver wings gleaming under artificial light. As we boarded, Caspian stayed close. Not possessive. Just… aware. Like he was quietly counting my breaths without letting me know.
I didn’t expect my body to betray me so quickly.
The moment the plane lifted, nausea slammed into me. My stomach churned violently, cold sweat blooming across my skin.
“I feel sick,” I whispered, embarrassed by how small my voice sounded.
Caspian was already on his feet.
“Flight attendant,” he said sharply. “She’s experiencing air sickness. I want medical support.”
He knelt beside my seat when the attendant returned with medicine and cool towels. “This will help,” he said calmly. “It’ll make you sleep.”
I nodded, trusting him more than my own instincts. He looked more troubled than myself.
The world faded soon after.
“Lulu.”
I surfaced slowly, heavy and warm, only to be met with an unfamiliar brightness outside the window.
“We’ve arrived,” Caspian said gently.
Outside was white. Endless white and pale blue—ice stretching toward the horizon. We had landed at Frostveil Northern Terminal, carved directly into the mountain.
The moment I stepped out, the cold bit through me.
Before I could react, Caspian wrapped a thick scarf around my neck and settled a knitted hat over my head.
“You’ll freeze,” he said flatly. “Don’t argue.”
I didn’t.
The Crystal Ice Pack’s vehicles took us higher into the mountains. Snow crunched beneath the tires. The air felt thinner, sharper.
Then I saw it. The Crystal Ice Pack House.
It looked unreal. Walls of enchanted ice rose gracefully, translucent and glowing from within. Light refracted through frozen columns and arched bridges, turning everything into shimmering shades of blue and silver. Even the doors looked sculpted by an artist rather than built by hands.
I forgot to breathe.
Alpha Fridmund waited at the entrance—tall, composed, his silver hair neatly tied back. Beside him stood his parents, former Alpha and Luna, eyes sharp but welcoming.
“Welcome to Crystal Ice,” Fridmund said.
His gaze shifted to me, then softened. “You must be Luna Lulu.”
My heart skipped.
“No,” I said immediately, perhaps too fast. “I’m not his Luna. We’re not a couple.”
The words came out firm and clear, because they had to. In reality indeed I was just a she-wolf picked up by Alpha Caspian out of pity, not out of bond.
Fridmund blinked, surprised. “Ah… I see. My apologies.”
His mother smiled politely. “Unfortunately, the guest rooms have already been arranged.”
Something in her tone made my stomach sink.
“You’ll be sharing a chamber,” she added calmly.
I froze. Sharing… a room? Bloody hell.
Confusion washed over me first. Then awkwardness. Then a sudden, sharp awareness of Caspian standing beside me, silent.
I opened my mouth to object, then closed it.
“I understand,” I said instead. “I don’t want to be a troublesome guest.”
Caspian glanced at me, his expression unreadable, but he didn’t contradict me.
As we reach our room, this was stunning and intimidating.
Ice walls glowed softly, embedded crystals casting warm light that fooled the senses. A large bed sat at the center, layered with thick furs. A fireplace stood unlit near the wall.
I stared at the bed far longer than necessary.
“We can compromise,” I said finally. “Separate sides.”
Caspian nodded. “That’s fine.”
No argument or pushback from me. That unsettled me more than disagreement ever did.
Later, while settling in, a thought I’d been avoiding slipped out.
“I still wondering…” I said quietly. “About Alpha Scoot. Has he… asked about me?”
Caspian’s answer came immediately. “I didn’t tell him you were with Sapphire Water.”
Relief hit me so hard my shoulders sagged. I hadn’t realized how tightly I’d been holding that fear until it loosened.
Then he added, “He might attend Fridmund’s ascension ceremony.”
My heart skipped violently.
The relief twisted into something else: unease, dread. Scott here. In this place. So close.
I nodded slowly. “I’ll be careful.”
An hour later, the Identity Flux faded completely. I returned to my appeareance.
I stayed inside, wrapping my coat tighter around myself. Caspian sat with Beta Rohan on the sofa, discussing pack matters in low voices. The cold crept in despite the thick walls.
I shivered.
Caspian noticed immediately. “Rohan. Pause.”
He stood and lit the fireplace himself.
Warmth bloomed slowly. I sat on the floor near the fire, exhaustion pulling me down. The crackling sound was soothing.
Just a moment, I thought.
When I woke, I was in the bed. Tucked in. Warm. For a second, I was confused, then memory returned. The fireplace, my body laid on the floor.
Did he… move me?
The thought made my chest feel strangely tight.
My stomach growled loudly.
I sat up and saw Caspian standing on the balcony, snow drifting beyond him. He turned.
“You’re awake. Eat.”
A tray of food waited on the table. I didn’t stop until every bite was gone.
Only afterward did guilt sink in.
“I… ate everything,” I said softly. “You haven’t eaten.”
Caspian smiled faintly. “I don’t mind. I can eat later.”
There was sauce on my lip. He wiped it away gently with his thumb.
“Pregnancy makes you greedy,” he teased lightly.
Heat rushed to my face.
“Change your clothes,” he added, stepping back. “The tour starts soon.”
I nodded. For once, following his lead felt… easy.