Chapter 120 Chapter 120

Chapter 120 Chapter 120
I struggled to sit up, and he helped me, his strong hands supporting my back. The ritual chamber had been transformed into a recovery area, with several cots now occupied by wounded warriors receiving treatment. Lucious still slept on the cot across from mine, his chest slept on the cot across from mine, his chest rising and falling in the deep rhythm of exhausted sleep. Through our bond, I could sense Apollo's depleted presence, much like Diamond's within me.

"The others?" I asked, scanning the room for my other mates.

"Fin's helping coordinate the integration of the freed captives. Brent and Liam are with Alpha Maxwell, debriefing the allied pack leaders," Kane explained, his voice kept low to avoid disturbing the other recovering wolves. "Everyone made it back alive, though we have some injuries."

I squeezed his hand, relief washing through me. "And the facilities?"

"All three successfully neutralised," he confirmed. "We found over a hundred captives between them, mostly wolves who'd been reported dead or missing years ago. The Dakota facility had a nursery similar to the one in Montana, seventeen children under the age of ten."

My eyes widened, and my heart clenched at the thought of even more children raised in captivity, but at least they were free now. "And the Moonstone ritual?"

"Completely disrupted, just as you and Lucious managed from here." Pride colored his voice. "Whatever they were trying to summon, or contact, has been pushed back, at least for now."

I nodded, though unease still lingered in my chest. "The entity... It's still out there, waiting. The eclipse is still coming."

Kane's expression grew serious. "The Priestess mentioned something similar. She's already working with Alpha Maxwell to prepare defences for the actual eclipse."

I shifted, wincing as my body protested even that small movement. The spiritual battle had taken a physical toll I hadn't anticipated.

"How do you feel?" Kane asked, his dark eyes scanning me with careful assessment just as he always did.

"Like I've been hit by a truck," I admitted with a weak smile. "Diamond's completely exhausted."

His hand moved to rest gently on my abdomen. "And...?"

I closed my eyes, focusing inward where Diamond's protective presence still curled around our precious cargo despite her fatigue. "Safe," I assured him. "Tired, but safe."

Relief softened his features. "The pack healer wants to examine you as soon as you're strong enough to move to the medical wing."

I nodded, then glanced toward my still-sleeping brother. "Lucious pushed himself hard. Apollo's energy was already depleted from his first shift, and then to channel so much power during the counter-ritual..."

"He's strong," Kane assured me. "Stronger than even he realises. The Priestess says he'll recover fully with rest."

A commotion at the chamber door drew our attention. Brent burst in, his amber eyes immediately seeking me out. When he found me sitting up, a broad grin split his face.

"Look who's rejoined the land of the living," he said, striding over to enfold me in a careful hug that belied his boisterous entrance. "You had us worried.”
“Is that so, my Alphas? I sure hope so," I teased with a weak smile, leaning into Brent's warmth. "Someone needs to keep you all in line."

He chuckled against my hair, his arms tightening fractionally. "You were incredible. The entire facility lit up with silver and gold light as we breached the ritual chamber. Even the Northern Alliance goons looked terrified."

"We saw you," I said softly. "Through our spiritual projection. All four of you are fighting your way in."

Kane's eyebrow rose slightly. "You could see us?"

"And feel you," I nodded, remembering the surge of strength I'd experienced when my mates had arrived. "Your wolves sent us energy through our bond. I don't think we could have closed the doorway without it."

That’s when Fin and Liam entered the chamber, both looking as battle-worn as Kane and Brent. Their faces brightened when they saw me awake, quickly crossing to join us.

"The healer wants to see you," Fin said without preamble, his analytical gaze assessing me with careful precision. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been trampled by a herd of elk," I admitted, accepting Liam's gentle kiss on my forehead. "But Diamond's already recovering. She's just... quiet right now."

Liam nodded in understanding. "Spiritual projection is incredibly taxing, especially for pregnant werewolves. You should be proud. What you and Lucious accomplished is unprecedented."

I glanced again at my sleeping brother. "Has he woken at all?"

"Briefly," Liam confirmed. "Long enough to confirm Apollo was still with him, then he fell back asleep. The Priestess says it's normal—his wolf is newer than Diamond, so the drain was more significant."

With my mates' help, I managed to stand, though my legs felt like they were made of water. Kane kept a supportive arm around my waist as we made our slow way toward the medical wing. I leaned heavily against him, grateful for his strength when mine had temporarily abandoned me.

The medical wing was bustling with activity, wounded warriors being treated, freed captives receiving medical attention. The pack healer, a stern-faced woman named Clara, directed us to a private examination room.

"Sit," she ordered, already pulling out her equipment. "The Priestess told me what you did. Spiritually projecting while pregnant, of all the reckless, foolhardy things."

I winced at her tone but didn't argue. She wasn't wrong, though we'd had little choice given the circumstances.

"Is the baby okay?" Brent asked, his usual confidence replaced by genuine concern.

Clara's expression softened slightly as she placed her hands on my abdomen, her eyes closing in concentration. I felt a gentle warmth spreading from her palms, Diamond stirring weakly in response.

"Strong," she pronounced after a long moment, opening her eyes. "But there is something that you all should know, it's not just one pup.”
I felt all four of my mates freeze at the healer's words.

"What?" I whispered, my hand instinctively moving to my stomach. "Not just one..."