Chapter 44 The Security Breach

Chapter 44 The Security Breach

Luna's POV
The baby blanket triggered immediate crisis protocols.
Within ten minutes of finding it, Damien's security team was sweeping the entire building floor by floor, searching for breaches or surveillance equipment or anything that explained how Vivienne had gotten a package delivered directly to the penthouse.
Catherine coordinated the operation with military precision, her face grim as she reviewed security footage and questioned staff.
I sat in the living room with the blanket still in its box, not wanting to touch it again but unable to throw it away either.
Damien paced by the windows, his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke in clipped tones to various members of his team. I could feel his fury radiating through the mate bond even though his voice stayed controlled.
"Found it," Catherine announced, entering with her tablet. "One of the building's regular delivery people was compromised."
"Compromised how?" Damien asked.
"Paid five thousand dollars to include an extra package with yesterday's shipment. The delivery person had no idea what they were carrying or who it was really for." She pulled up bank records. "The payment came from a shell corporation, same kind Vivienne uses for everything."
"Fire the entire delivery service," Damien said immediately. "And have legal pursue the individual for breach of contract."
"Already done. But sir, the person didn't technically break any laws. They were paid to deliver a package and they delivered it. Vivienne made sure everything was perfectly legal."
Of course she did. Vivienne's methods were always just clean enough that prosecution was impossible.
"Increase security protocols," Damien ordered. "All packages get x-rayed and tested before they enter the building. All delivery personnel get background checks monthly. I want facial recognition on every entrance."
Catherine nodded and left to implement the new measures.
I looked at Damien. "This doesn't fix the real problem."
"I know." His hands clenched. "She proved she can reach us whenever she wants."
"And she did it without breaking any rules or giving us legal recourse." I stood up. "We can add all the security we want but if she's willing to pay enough people, she'll find another way in."
The helplessness of it made my chest tight.
Theo appeared in the doorway, drawn by the commotion. "What's going on?"
I debated lying, protecting him from the truth for a little longer, but his prophetic dreams meant he probably already knew more than I wanted him to.
"Someone sent us a package they shouldn't have been able to send," I said carefully. "We're making sure it doesn't happen again."
"The red-haired lady from my dream?" he asked.
I nodded. "Yes. Her."
Theo looked at the box with the blanket. "Is that for me?"
"It has your initials on it but it's not a real gift. It's a message."
"A message that says she knows where I am," Theo said matter-of-factly.
His ten-year-old pragmatism surprised me. "Yes."
"So we're in danger?"
My instinct was to protect him, to say everything would be fine and he didn't need to worry. But looking at his serious face, I realized he deserved honesty.
"Yes, we're in danger. There are people who want to hurt us." I sat down so we were eye level. "But Damien and I have resources and power to fight back. We're not helpless."
Theo thought about this for a moment. "Okay."
"That's it? Just okay?"
"What else am I supposed to say?" He shrugged. "You told me the truth. Now I know what's happening. That's better than being lied to."
The maturity in his voice made my heart ache for the normal childhood he'd never have.
He was ten years old and already dealing with prophetic nightmares, hybrid pregnancies, and ancient Lycans sending threatening gifts.
"I'm sorry you have to deal with all this," I said.
"It's not your fault." He hugged me briefly. "Can I go back to watching TV now?"
"Yeah, baby. Go ahead."
He left and I sat there feeling like the worst mother in the world for dragging him into this mess.
That evening, Elena Corvin arrived for the meeting Damien had arranged.
She was old in that way some supernatural beings are, where you can't tell if they're sixty or six hundred. Her hair was silver and her eyes were pale blue and she moved with the kind of confidence that came from centuries of experience.
"You're Luna Reeves," she said, shaking my hand with a grip that felt like steel. "And the boy is upstairs?"
"Yes. Theo."
"Let me meet him."
I led her to Theo's room where he was playing a video game. He looked up when we entered and his eyes went wide.
"You're really old," he said.
Elena laughed, a sharp sound like cracking ice. "I am. And you're very perceptive for a pup." She sat in the chair across from him. "Your mother says you're having dreams."
"Prophetic dreams. I see things that are true even when I'm not there."
"Show me."
Theo set down his controller and closed his eyes. After a moment, he spoke in a voice that sounded slightly different, almost echoing.
"You have a scar on your left shoulder from a silver blade. You got it fighting vampires in Prague in 1847. You won the fight but it left a mark that won't heal completely."
Elena's expression didn't change but I saw something flicker in her eyes. She pulled down her collar slightly, revealing a jagged scar exactly where Theo described.
"Interesting," she said. "That's not common knowledge."
Theo opened his eyes and looked normal again. "Did I get it right?"
"You did." Elena studied him with renewed interest. "Your abilities are strong for your age. Stronger than I expected."
"Can you teach me how to control them?" Theo asked.
"I can try. But the training will be hard work and sometimes frightening. You'll have to see things you don't want to see and learn to separate dreams from reality." She looked at me. "And your mother will need to accept that I can't protect you from everything."
"I understand," Theo said before I could answer.
Elena stood. "Good. We'll start next week. Two sessions a week, one hour each." She handed me a card with her contact information. "In the meantime, keep a dream journal. Write down everything you see, no matter how small."
She left Theo's room and I walked her to the elevator.
Before getting in, she pulled me aside. "Your son's power is attracting attention beyond just Vivienne."
"What do you mean?"
"Other supernatural factions are starting to notice there's a Blessed Wolf heir developing abilities this young." Her pale eyes held mine. "You need to decide soon whether to hide him or embrace his nature publicly."
"What's the difference?"
"Hiding him means keeping his abilities secret, which protects him but also limits his growth and makes him vulnerable when the truth eventually comes out." She stepped into the elevator. "Embracing his nature means announcing what he is, which brings its own dangers but also gives him allies and legitimacy."
"So either way he's at risk."
"Either choice has consequences." The elevator doors started closing. "Choose wisely."
I stood there staring at the closed doors, another impossible decision added to the pile.