Chapter 118

Selene
"So, how was the meeting with Luther?" I ask, my voice casual, though I'm barely touching the food on my plate. It's not that I'm not hungry, but the thought of Phoenix somehow discovering that I'm pregnant before I gain the courage to tell him gnaws at my stomach, turning every bite sour. I push the food around with my fork, trying to ignore the rising panic in my chest. 
Just tell him, a voice inside me says. 
My wolf doesn't speak, so it must just be my guilty conscious demanding that I stop hiding shit from my mate. 
Phoenix's jaw tightens, his gaze hard and determined. "He pretty much said not to contact him again until we have a plan. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, the Devils' are afraid of the Council. They've made direct threats to their members, enough that they won't risk open conflict unless  they know for certain they can win. Luther's willing to follow our lead, but only if we're ready to make the first move."
The table falls silent. Makayla glances around, her eyes flickering from face to face before she sighs. "So, do we actually have a plan?" she asks. When no one answers, she jabs at her steak, cutting it with perhaps a little more force than necessary. "Well, that's not good."
She's right, it isn't good. It seems like we're all just waiting around, for the next step...the next direction, yet no one has any fucking idea of what to do. We really took a step forward to get pushed two steps back. 
"We're still waiting on Derrick to contact us back," I remind her, forcing a calmness into my tone that I don't feel. "I'm sure he's digging around as fast as he can. We just need to give him a few more days before we check in."
She makes a noise of agreement and goes back to eating her food. 
Luke, who's been silent up until now, speaks up. "Look, we have to be smart about this." His voice is steady but edged with warning. "We need to find a way to gain more allies without attracting attention to ourselves. We know if the wrong people get a hold of this information, word will get back to the Council faster than we can act." 
"Exactly," Phoenix agrees, his eyes narrowing. "We need to be careful about who we talk to. But we still need to make sure that when we make our move, we're backed by enough strength that the Council can't tear through it. And right now, we definitely don't have that kind of leverage."
"And how do you suggest we do that?" Loki asks gruffly. 
Luke hums thoughtfully. "Your father was strategic with his allies. He didn't just pick the most powerful packs—he went for loyalty. It's not like anyone actually likes the Council, so we just need to quietly search for the ones willing to join us and overthrow them."
The conversation turns to names of packs and allies and the best way to approach them without causing suspicion. I listen, nodding when needed, but my mind is only halfway in it. All I can think about is the life growing inside me, the secret Phoenix doesn't know about, and what it could mean for our future. The stakes aren't just political anymore, they're personal. And the weight of knowing what we're up against is almost too much to bear.
My sour stomach feels like it's only getting worse by the minute, and I fight the urge to vomit at the table. 
Makayla's brows furrow as she notices my expression. "You okay?" she asks through mind-link.
"Not really, I feel like I'm going to throw up," I admit. 
"Damn. Pregnancy symptoms just hitting you all at once huh? You think it's your wolf trying to force you to tell Phoenix?"
Is that what's happening right now? 
"That's a possibility," I reply bitterly. "I would hope my wolf isn't betraying me like that, though."
"Remember, she doesn't really give a fuck about what you want right now. The pup is her only priority."
Well, that's nice to hear. I'm all alone in this then. 
"Little wolf, what's wrong?" Phoenix's concerned voice filters through my ears, and my whole body tenses. 
I slowly meet his eyes, finding them piercing through me, like he can see through my walls. I hold his gaze, my heart hammering as I struggle to keep the secret hidden, even as every instinct inside me screams to let it out. 
"Nothing." The lie comes out strained, and he narrows his eyes in suspicion. 
This is the second time he's questioned me tonight, it must be getting harder and harder to believe. 
"Selene, if something's bothering you, I need you to talk to me. It's pretty obvious you're not okay. You've been acting different all day, and you've hardly touched your fucking food. Should we have the pack doctor take a look at you?" 
I quickly shake my head. "No, I'm okay. It's really nothing...just trying to think of a game plan or something."
Phoenix's hand brushes against mine under the table, his thumb tracing gentle circles that send warmth through my skin, instantly soothing my nausea. Sniffling, I lean against his shoulder. 
Makayla gives me a subtle glance across the table that says, "tell him," but I look away.
Still not ready.
"I just don't want you shutting me out, okay?" Phoenix murmurs, brushing his lips against my ear. 
I nod, unable to speak. 
Tell him.
Tell him.
TELL HIM.
Pushing aside the instincts practically shouting at me, I rise from the table. "I'm still really tired. I'm going to go lie down again. Is that okay?" I ask Phoenix. 
He studies me for a moment before finally nodding. "Okay, little wolf. I'll be up there in a minute," he says softly. 
I just nod again, shooting Makayla a glare as I rush past everyone at the table. A sense of dread settles over me as I realize I'm getting worse at hiding this secret. I just...can't handle everything changing so fast, but the fact that I don't have a choice hits me like a brick. 
As soon as I make it back to the bed, the tears begin to fall.