Chapter 40 United Front

Chapter 40 United Front


The map covered the entire table.

I stood on one side, Garrick on the other, the lamplight casting long shadows across marked territories, pinned notes, circled locations. Ridge lands in the west. Harker's territory in the east. The neutral trading post between them, a thin line of safety in a widening war.

Garrick's finger traced the eastern border. "This is where they've been crossing. Three times in the last two weeks. Patrols intercept them half the time, but half isn't enough."

I studied the map. Memorized the terrain, the rivers, the mountain passes my grandmother had taught me years ago. "There's a cave system here." I pointed to a spot near the border. "Hidden entrance behind a waterfall. My grandmother used to take me there for herbs. It runs deep, connects to tunnels that could come out anywhere in Harker's territory."

Garrick looked up. Through the bond, I felt his surprise, his respect, the heat that was always there when I showed him something new.

"You never mentioned this."

"I didn't know it was relevant until now." I met his eyes. "If Harker's using the caves to move his forces, we could use them too. Get behind him. Cut off his supply lines."

He moved around the table, stopping close enough that I felt the warmth of him. His hand came up, tracing the line of my jaw.

"You're not just a healer anymore."

"I never was. You just needed to see it."

He kissed me. Soft at first, then deeper, his hand sliding into my hair. I leaned into him, let the bond carry my pleasure, my love, my absolute certainty in us.

When we broke apart, Calder was standing in the doorway.

He cleared his throat. "Should I come back?"

Garrick didn't move. "What do you need?"

Calder's lips twitched. Almost a smile. "Patrol reports. Updated border positions. And the council wants to know when you're briefing them on the Marrick situation."

"Tell them tomorrow. Dawn." Garrick's hand found mine, squeezed. "We'll be there together."

Calder nodded. His eyes moved to me, and for the first time, I saw something like acceptance there. "Luna."

He left.

I looked at Garrick. "He called me Luna."

"He's been calling you Luna for days. You just weren't listening." He pulled me closer. "You're pack now. Really pack. Not just my mate, not just a healer. Pack."

The word settled in my chest like something warm and solid.

"What happens now?"

"Now we plan." He led me back to the table, stood beside me, his hand on my lower back. "We have Harker's patterns from Marrick's intel. We have your knowledge of the caves. We have allies we can call on if needed." He looked at me. "What else do we have?"

I thought about it. Really thought, the way my grandmother had taught me.

"We have the bond. We have the pack's trust now. We have the element of surprise if we move before Harker expects it." I traced the map, found the waterfall. "And we have a way in that he doesn't know about."

"You're sure?"

"My grandmother showed me when I was twelve. Made me swear never to tell anyone. Said the caves were sacred, a place of healing, not war." I met his eyes. "She's dead now. And this is war."

He was quiet for a long moment. Through the bond, I felt his respect. His love. The fierce pride that flooded him whenever I surprised him.

"Show me."

We spent hours at that table.

Garrick knew warfare. He'd lived it for years, learned it through blood and loss. I knew terrain. Knew the land itself, its secrets, its hidden paths. Together, we built something neither of us could have built alone.

By midnight, we had a plan.

Scouts through the caves to map Harker's positions. Small strikes to test his defenses. A coordinated attack from both sides when we knew enough. It was risky. Dangerous. Possible.

"You should rest." Garrick's voice was soft. "We've been at this for hours."

"So have you."

He smiled. That unguarded smile I saw more and more now. "I'm Alpha. I don't need rest."

"You need rest. You just don't take it." I moved around the table, stopped before him. "Come to bed."

His eyes darkened. "Is that an order, Luna?"

"It's a request. From your mate." I rose on my toes, kissed him softly. "Come to bed, Garrick."

He lifted me without warning, carrying me toward the bedroom. I laughed, the sound surprising me.

"What?"

"Nothing. I just... I'm happy." I looked at him. "Despite everything. Despite the war and the danger and what's coming. I'm happy."

He laid me on the bed, followed me down, his body warm against mine.

"Me too." He kissed my forehead, my cheeks, my lips. "I didn't think I could be. Not after everything I've lost. But you make me happy."

I pulled him closer. "Then let's be happy. Tonight. Tomorrow we fight. Tonight we have this."

"We have this." He echoed my words. "We have everything."

Morning came too soon.

I woke in his arms, the bond humming warm and content. He was already awake, watching me.

"You're staring."

"I'm admiring." He kissed my shoulder. "There's a difference."

"Not according to you."

He smiled. "Council meeting in an hour. We should get ready."

I groaned. "An hour. That's barely enough time."

"Enough time for what?"

I pulled him closer. "This."

He laughed, but he didn't resist.

An hour later, we walked into the council chamber together.

Hand in hand. Equal steps. United.

The elders looked up as we entered. Dorna nodded. Others followed. The suspicion was gone, replaced by something like hope.

Garrick took his seat at the head of the table. I sat beside him, not behind him. Beside him.

"We have a plan." His voice carried. "To deal with Harker. Once and for all."

The room went silent.

Garrick laid out what we'd built together. The caves. The scouts. The strikes. The final attack. I added details when needed, corrected misconceptions, answered questions. The elders listened. Asked sharp questions. Accepted our answers.

When we finished, Dorna spoke.

"This is good." She looked at me. "This is very good. The caves in particular. If they're as you describe, they could change everything."

"They are. I've been in them. I know the way."

"Then you'll lead the scouts?"

The question hung in the air.

Garrick's hand tightened on mine. Through the bond, I felt his fear. His instinct to protect. His struggle to let me do what needed to be done.

I squeezed back. Pushed calm. Trust. Love.

"Yes." My voice was steady. "I'll lead them."

Dorna nodded. "Then we have a plan."

That night, we stood on the balcony again.

"You're really going into those caves." Garrick's voice was quiet. "Into danger. Without me."

"I'm going with scouts. Your best warriors. And I know those caves better than anyone alive." I turned to face him. "You have to trust me."

"I do trust you." He pulled me close. "I trust you completely. That's what scares me."

"Why?"

"Because if I lose you, I lose everything." His voice broke. "The bond, the pack, myself. All of it."

I cupped his face. "You're not going to lose me. I'm going to lead those scouts, map those tunnels, and come back to you. That's a promise."

He kissed me. Desperate and fierce and full of everything he couldn't say.

When we broke apart, we were both shaking.

"I love you." His voice was rough.

"I love you too. Now and always."

We stood there in the darkness, wrapped in each other, the bond humming between us. 

Tomorrow, the fight began.