Submission is Not My Style novel Chapter 163

Four months later

The room smells faintly of parchment, candle wax, and tension. The long mahogany table is buried beneath scrolls and maps–territories, borders, pack names each marked in bold red ink. Jack sits at the head of the table, jaw tight, eyes sharp as he scans a report like he’s preparing for war.

I rest my hands on the table to steady myself. They’re trembling slightly–not from weakness, but from anger.

“This-“I jab my finger at the report in front of me. “This can’t keep happening. Look at this, Jack. The Shadowfang Pack has banned women from training again. And the Blue Ridge Alpha? He used the reconstruction funds we sent to build himself a damn hunting lodge instead of rebuilding the packhouse.”

One of the elders clears his throat cautiously. “Your Majesty, the problem runs deeper than-”

“I know exactly how deep it runs,” I cut him off, my tone slicing through the heavy air. “That’s why we’re going there ourselves. We can’t keep sending messengers–they come back with excuses, not results.”

Jack’s gaze flicks to me, his expression unreadable. “My queen.” His voice is calm, almost too calm. “We’ve been over this.”

“Yes,” I snap, “and I’m saying it again. We need to leave now. These packs are crumbling, Jack. Women–our people are being treated like they’re less than dirt while their Alphas sit in gold–plated mansions.”

Jack exhales heavily and leans back in his chair, rubbing his temples. “You’re five months pregnant.”

“Almost six,” I correct, folding my arms.

“Exactly,” he says, exasperation creeping into his tone. “You can’t travel in your condition, Kali. The doctor said you could deliver any day now.”

“Then I’ll deliver,” I fire back stubbornly, “and we’ll go after.

He lets out a short, humorless laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I’m serious, Jack!” My palm slams against the table, the sound cracking through the chamber. “Women are being beaten, starved, and forced into submission. And what are we doing? Sitting here like some pampered royals in a fairy tale castle, pretending that a few shipments of gold will fix centuries of cruelty? We promised change.”

Jack’s eyes soften slightly, but his voice stays firm. “We are making change, Kali. We are doing our best as king and queen that’s why we’ve sent supplies, funds-”

“Our best isn’t enough!” I cut him off sharply, jabbing a finger toward the reports “Those supplies are stolen before they even reach the borders, and the funds are pocketed by the same men who think women belong on their knees! You think I can sit here knowing that, knowing what they’re doing to them?”

The elders shift uncomfortably. One of them–Elder Rowan–finally speaks. “My Queen, His Majesty is right. Your safety, and the heir’s, must come first. You cannot endanger yourself-”

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“Do not tell me what I can or cannot do,” I snarl at him. “You speak of my safety while countless women are dying under Alpha rule. You think I’ll just sit here and wait? No. If I can’t go, then Jack will.”

Jack stands abruptly, his chair scraping harshly against the stone floor. “Enough!” His voice echoes through the hall, filled with frustration and fear. “For the love of the Goddess, Kali, I will not risk your life–or our child’s for a political mission. I’d rather die than miss the moment you give birth.”

I blink, his words catching me off guard–but the fury burning in my chest refuses to fade. “So you’d rather sit here and do nothing?” I demand, my voice trembling. Deep down, I know this fight isn’t just about the packs. It’s about every woman who’s ever been told to stay quiet, to submit, to obey.

“I’d rather be here making sure you’re safe!” he shouts back, his voice cracking at the edges. “You think I’m selfish? Fine. Call me selfish. But I won’t lose you, and I won’t let you walk into danger just to prove a point.”

The elders murmur their agreement, nodding like obedient doves. My glare snaps toward them, but before I can speak again a sharp pain grips my stomach.

I freeze.

Jack’s eyes widen instantly. “Kali?”

“Oh no…” I whisper, feeling the warm rush of fluid down my legs.

“Kali,” he says again, already circling the table toward me, his face pale. “Please tell me that’s not-”

“My water just broke, you stubborn idiot!” I groan, clutching the edge of the table.

“Oh, Goddess,” Jack curses, darting to my side. “I told you! I told you this would happen soon-”

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