Luna. Chapter 139

(Lyra's POV)

Dr. Selene Martinez, the specialist Dr. Reyes had called in, studied my chart with the focused attention of someone dealing with a medical mystery.

"Your hormone levels are remarkable," she said, looking up from the test results. "I've never seen progression this rapid in any pregnancy."

"Is that dangerous?"

"Not necessarily. But it means we're dealing with something completely outside normal parameters." She sat down beside my bed. "Lyra, based on these numbers and your supernatural heritage, I estimate your pregnancy will last approximately twenty-six weeks total."

"That's barely six months."

"Which means your baby will be born around the time of the next lunar eclipse. If my calculations are correct."

The lunar eclipse. I remembered reading about that in some of the celestial wolf research I'd done months ago.

"What's significant about the eclipse?"

"For celestial wolves, lunar eclipses represent maximum power potential. If this baby is born during an eclipse, his or her abilities could be..." She paused, clearly searching for the right words.

"Could be what?"

"Unprecedented. We're talking about a child who might be the most powerful supernatural being born in centuries."

I felt dizzy. "More powerful than Asher?"

"Potentially, yes. Asher was conceived and born under normal lunar conditions. This child will have been gestating during increasing lunar power and born at the peak of a celestial event."

"What does that mean practically?"

"It means that if the royal family is concerned about Asher's abilities, they'll be absolutely terrified of this child's potential."

The implication hit me like a physical blow. "They'll try to kill me before the baby is born."

"Or take you into custody to control the birth circumstances."

"Over my dead body."

"That may be exactly what they're planning."

I sank back against the pillows, feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of what Dr. Martinez was telling me. Not only was I pregnant during the most dangerous time in my family's history, but I was carrying a child who could become a target before he or she was even born.

"Is there any way to... modify the circumstances? Change the timing?"

"Not without risking both your life and the baby's. Celestial wolf pregnancies follow their own biological imperatives. Trying to interfere could be catastrophic."

"So we're stuck with a timeline that puts my child in maximum danger."

"Unless you can resolve the political situation before the birth."

"In six months."

"In five and a half months, given how far along you already are."

I felt panic rising in my chest. Five and a half months to end a supernatural war, rescue dozens of children, and somehow neutralize the threat from the royal family.

"Dr. Martinez, is there anything else I should know?"

"Your abilities will likely increase as the pregnancy progresses. Celestial wolves often experience power surges during gestation, especially when carrying particularly gifted children."

"Increase how much?"

"There's no way to predict. But given your child's potential genetic makeup and the timing of the birth, you could be looking at abilities that far exceed anything you've experienced so far."

"Is that good or bad?"

"That depends on whether you can control them."

A knock on the door interrupted our conversation. Kael entered, followed by Victor and Derek.

"How did the consultation go?" Kael asked.

I looked at Dr. Martinez, who nodded permission to share the information.

"The baby will be born during the lunar eclipse in five and a half months. Which means he or she will likely be the most powerful supernatural being born in centuries."

The silence that followed was deafening.

"More powerful than Asher?" Victor asked quietly.

"Potentially, yes."

"Then we're not just fighting for Asher anymore," Derek said grimly. "We're fighting for two children who could revolutionize the supernatural world."

"Or destroy it," Victor added.

"Dad," I said sharply.

"I'm not saying they will. I'm saying that's how their enemies will see it."

Kael moved to sit beside me. "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking we have five and a half months to win a war that's been building for decades."

"And if we can't?"

"Then our children will be born into slavery. Or worse."

Dr. Martinez stood to leave. "I'll be monitoring your pregnancy closely. Any changes in your condition, any new symptoms, anything unusual at all—you call me immediately."

"What should I be watching for?"

"Power surges, unusual physical sensations, prophetic dreams, involuntary telepathic contact." She paused at the door. "And be very careful who you trust. People will do anything to control a child with that kind of potential."

After she left, my family sat in heavy silence, processing the implications of what we'd learned.

"We need to accelerate our timeline," Victor said finally.

"For what?"

"For everything. The rescue mission. The evidence gathering. The political pressure." He looked at me intently. "For your wedding to Kael."

"Dad—"

"Lyra, if you're carrying a child this powerful, you need every legal protection available. Marriage to Kael gives you pack protection, Council backing, and legal standing that even the royal family will have difficulty challenging."

"He's right," Derek agreed. "And if Kael formally adopts Asher as his heir, both children receive additional protections under pack law."

"What do you think?" I asked Kael.

"I think your father and Derek are right about the legal aspects. But more than that, I think our children deserve to have married parents who are committed to protecting them."

"Is that a proposal?"

"That's a statement of fact. The proposal comes later, when you're not in a hospital bed recovering from an assassination attempt."

Despite everything, I found myself smiling. "I'll hold you to that."

"Good. Because I intend to do this right."

"When?"

"As soon as you're released from the hospital and cleared for travel."

"And the rescue mission?"

"Happens first. Tomorrow night, as planned. But you coordinate from here, just like we agreed."

I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. In five and a half months, I would give birth to a child who could change the supernatural world forever.

The question was whether we could make sure that world was safe enough for him or her to survive in.