Chapter 19

19

SIT AND WAIT

Octavia

The morning sun filters through the curtains of Wyatt's office, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden desk. I stand outside the door, my heart pounding in my chest. There’s an undeniable pull between us since last night — the way he held me, the way he kissed me softly, those moments that felt like they were stitched into the very fabric of my being. Yet, as I stand here, I can’t shake the chill that dances across my skin, a whisper of foreboding that something isn’t right.

Inside, I hear Wyatt’s voice, deep and commanding, mingling with the lighter tones of his friends, Harrison and Dalton. They sound serious, and curiosity gnaws at my insides.

“Rachel’s up to something,” I catch Wyatt saying, his voice laced with a fury that makes my stomach twist. “This can’t be a coincidence. She’s been playing her little games for too long.”

I lean closer, straining to hear more. Harrison responds, his tone urgent. “A warrior messaged me. He was meeting with her. She tricked him into thinking you were her true mate and threw her away for Octavia, and they were discussing plans. He is absolutely beside himself with self loathing for doubting his Alpha. She’s claiming to be pregnant, Wyatt. It’s all a ruse.”

The air grows thick with tension, and I can feel a mix of relief and anger coursing through me. Rachel, the woman who’s been a thorn in our side, has taken this far too far. Being fake pregnant with the Alpha’s heir? It’s beyond cruel.

I knock, and Wyatt’s voice calls out to me. “Come in.”

I open the door and step inside, trying to project confidence despite the turmoil brewing within me. As I walk closer, I catch the looks of surprise and respect from Harrison and Dalton. They greet me, their voices warm and welcoming, but my eyes are locked on Wyatt. He’s sitting behind his desk, and the moment I approach, he tugs me onto his lap, a playful smile lighting up his face. I blush, feeling the heat of his body against mine.

“Good morning, Luna,” Dalton says, his tone teasing but friendly. I can’t help but smile back at him.

“Morning,” I reply, my gaze never leaving Wyatt’s. He looks so handsome, even now, with the chaos swirling around him.

Wyatt’s expression shifts as he looks at me, concern flickering in his eyes. “We’ve just been discussing Rachel. It seems she’s been lying about her pregnancy. Harrison got word from a warrior, and now we’re trying to track her down.”

My heart sinks at the thought of Rachel, the woman who has made it her mission to disrupt our lives. “What do you mean, faking her pregnancy?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Wyatt’s jaw tightens, and he runs a hand through his hair in frustration. “She’s been telling people she’s pregnant with my heir. It’s a manipulation tactic, trying to rally support against us, and get me to reject you then choose her, which would never happen, baby, I promise. When I found out, I… I lost precious time with you, Octavia. Time I can never get back.”

A wave of understanding washes over me; it’s not just about the lie — it’s about the implications, the way it pulls us into a web of deceit woven by someone who should know better. “I can’t believe she would do something so cruel,” I say, shaking my head in disbelief. “Will she be caught?”

Wyatt glances at Dalton, a silent conversation passing between them. “Harrison will go searching to find her. We’ll have warriors searching everywhere. She needs to be punished for this.”

I feel a knot tighten in my stomach at the thought of what could happen if Rachel isn’t found soon. “I just want this to be over,” I say, leaning into Wyatt, seeking comfort in his presence. “I want to focus on the Luna Ceremony tomorrow, on us .”

He rubs his hand over my thigh soothingly, and I can feel the tension in his body begin to melt away. “I want that too,” he replies, his voice low and steady. “But I can’t let this go. She needs to learn that her actions have consequences.”

Harrison and Dalton exchange glances, sensing the weight of what’s unfolding. “We’ll handle it, Wyatt,” Harrison assures him. “We’ll find Rachel and make sure she pays for this.”

“Good,” Wyatt says, his voice firm. “We can’t let her disrupt what we’ve fought so hard to build.”

As they excuse themselves to help Jeanette with the last-minute preparations for the ceremony before heading out to find Rachel, I feel the air shift between Wyatt and me. The room feels smaller, filled with unspoken words and promises. I lean closer, resting my head against his shoulder, allowing the warmth of his body to envelop me.

“I love you, Wyatt,” I whisper, feeling the truth of my words resonate deep within me. “I can’t wait to be your wife, mate.”

His eyes soften, and a smile breaks across his face, lighting up the room like the morning sun. “In less than twenty-four hours, you will be mine, bound to me in every way.” His words send a thrill through me, igniting a fire within that drowns out the worry for a moment.

I take a deep breath, grounding myself in this moment. The world outside may be chaotic with Rachel’s schemes, but here, with Wyatt, everything feels right. “Let’s focus on what’s ahead,” I say, determination settling in my chest. “No more distractions.”

Wyatt nods, his eyes filled with resolve. “You’re right. Tomorrow is about us. Let’s make it everything we’ve dreamed of.”

As we sit together, the sun rising higher in the sky, I can’t help but feel the weight of the world slipping away, if only for a moment. The impending ceremony looms, a promise of our future together, and I won’t let anything — especially not Rachel — take that away from us.

But as I steal a glance out the window, the chill returns, a whisper of doubt creeping into my mind. What if Rachel isn’t found? What if her lies unravel everything we’ve built? I shake my head, forcing those thoughts away. Today is a day for hope, a day for love, and no matter what, I will stand by Wyatt’s side, ready to face whatever comes our way.

I turn to Wyatt, searching his eyes for reassurance. He smiles, and in that moment, I know that together, we are strong enough to handle whatever challenges await us.

“Tell me more about what you’ve planned for tomorrow,” Wyatt says, his voice pulling me from my thoughts. “I want to hear every detail.”

I lean back, a smile spreading across my face. “Well, I thought we could start with?—”

But before I can finish, the door bursts open, and Harrison rushes back in, his expression frantic. “Wyatt! We’ve got a lead on Rachel!”

The air shifts again, tension wrapping around us like a fog. I grip Wyatt’s arm, feeling the surge of adrenaline at the thought of confronting the woman who has caused us so much pain. My wolf snarls inside my head, wanting blood for the pain she’s caused us.

“Where?” Wyatt demands, already standing, his presence commanding and fierce.

“She was spotted near the eastern edge of the territory,” Harrison replies, breathless. “We need to move now before she slips away again.”

Wyatt’s gaze locks onto mine, and in that moment, I see the determination in his eyes — a fierce resolve to protect what is ours. “I’ll handle this,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I nod, my heart racing. “I’m coming with you.”

“No, baby girl,” he replies, his voice firm but gentle. “I can’t risk you getting hurt. Stay here, Octavia. I promise I’ll be back.”

I want to argue, to fight for my place at his side, but I can see the fire in his eyes, the way he’s ready to leap into action for the sake of our future. “Just be careful,” I say, my voice trembling slightly.

With one last lingering look, Wyatt turns and strides out, leaving me with Harrison. The moments tick by slowly as I sit in the office, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. The Luna Ceremony is supposed to be a celebration of our love, yet here we are, caught in a whirlwind of chaos.

Harrison takes a seat across from me, his expression sympathetic. “He’s going to find her, Octavia. Wyatt won’t let her ruin what you both have.”

“I know,” I reply, but doubt lingers in my chest. “What if she gets away again? What if she tries to hurt him?”

“She won’t,” he reassures me, his voice steady. “Wyatt is strong, and he’s not alone. The warriors are out there, and they’ll bring her back.”

I nod, trying to find solace in his words, but the gnawing fear doesn’t leave me. “I just want this to be over,” I whisper.

Harrison leans forward, his expression earnest. “When this is done, you’ll have your happily ever after. Just keep that in mind Tavia.”

I take a deep breath, trying to push away the unease. “You’re right. I need to focus on what’s coming. I can’t let Rachel take away my joy.”

As we sit in silence, the minutes stretch into what feels like hours. I pull out my phone, scrolling through the endless messages from Jeanette about the ceremony, trying to distract myself from the worry gnawing at my insides.

But just as I start to feel a hint of normalcy return, the door swings open again, and Wyatt rushes back in, his expression a mixture of triumph and urgency. “We found her!” he announces, his voice ringing with resolve.

My heart leaps, a mixture of relief and anxiety flooding my senses. “What happened?” I ask, rising to my feet.

Wyatt’s eyes are intense, filled with the fire of a man who has just fought for everything he loves. “We caught Rachel trying to escape the territory. She thought she could run, but she underestimated us.”

Harrison’s face breaks into a grin, the tension in the room easing slightly. “So what now?”

“We’re bringing her in for interrogation,” Wyatt replies, his voice steady. “She’ll face the consequences of her actions.”

I feel a sense of justice wash over me, but the weight of what’s to come settles heavily on my shoulders. “And then what?” I ask, concerned for what Rachel’s fate might be.

Wyatt steps closer, his presence grounding me. “That’s a decision for the council, but she can’t be allowed to manipulate us like this. She needs to be held accountable.”

I nod, my heart racing with a mix of fear and anticipation. The confrontation is coming, and while I know it’s necessary, a part of me wishes it could all just disappear.

“Let’s focus on the ceremony,” Harrison suggests, his tone lightening the mood. “After all, tomorrow is about you two.”

Wyatt’s gaze softens as he looks at me, and I can see the flicker of hope in his eyes. “Yes, tomorrow is about our love, and nothing will take that away from us.”

With a renewed sense of determination, I take Wyatt’s hand, squeezing it tightly. “Let’s make it unforgettable.”

Together, we step into the storm of emotions, ready to face whatever Rachel has in store for us, but knowing that our love is the strongest force of all. The Luna Ceremony awaits, and I refuse to let anything overshadow what feels like the dawn of a beautiful new chapter in our lives.

As we prepare to move forward, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation bubbling within me. Tomorrow, I will stand beside Wyatt as his wife, and his Luna, and no matter what happens today, that promise will guide us through the chaos. In the end, love will always prevail.