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Chapter Thirty-Six
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2022-08-14 23:11:31Related chapters
After the Downfall Chapter Thirty-Seven
The next few days passed in a blur as we fell into a routine like it was second nature to us. I spent the mornings with Silas, and we got to know each other better, discussing anything from trivial matters, such as our favorite colors, to life-changing decisions, such as whether we wanted children or not. It was a foregone conclusion that I liked red the best, but I wouldn’t have pegged Silas for a guy who favored blue. As luck would have it, we were on the same page about children being an extraordinary blessing, though I wasn’t ready for any little ones anytime soon. I’d never done this with Gage, never planned that far ahead into the future, and, admittedly, it felt nice to begin putting down roots de novo. More and more of our spare moments were spent with our hands roving and little talking being done as the days flew by, but I didn’t hate the way things were going. My emotions were a mess, but Saint was there to help me sort through the tangled web of my thoughts, allowing
Last Updated : 2022-08-15After the Downfall Chapter Thirty-Eight
Shit. I hadn’t wanted him to find out about the nerve damage in my leg, especially not like this. Katya had mercifully agreed to not let the cat out of the bag, so to speak, so long as I told Silas in my own time. Well, I guess now was that time, unfortunately. His reaction was what I expected it to be, and he immediately tried to put a stop to what we were only just starting, as a result. From previous conversations about the tremors of pain I continued to feel, I knew he was feeling responsible for not getting to me before Vance had had the chance to harm me, but that definitely wasn’t his fault. I hated the idea of an old injury getting in the way of us coming closer together now that my mind was certain, and I resisted his attempts to put distance between us. Unable to let the moment go, I moved to straddle his waist, but he gently urged me back, saying, “I don’t want to rush anything with you, baby. I can wait until you’re ready.” The frustration was building to near unbearab
Last Updated : 2022-08-16After the Downfall Chapter Thirty-Nine
For as close as I’d felt with Silas as we cuddled together that night, I felt similar degrees of loneliness over the several days that ensued after. Silas and I hadn’t gotten the opportunity to take time away for ourselves as our departure drew nearer. In fact, I’d hardly seen him yesterday at all, our mornings together being eaten up by our separate responsibilities, and it wasn’t uncommon for him to already be gone in the morning when I awoke. He’d been engrossed in ensuring the overall safety of our pack, and I’d been aiding a few of the females with preparing dwellings for the girls that Silas, Saint, and I would be leaving to rescue soon. I didn’t care for the separation between us, but I was aware there would be some sacrifices to go along with the proffered heaven their Moon Goddess had deemed me worthy of. Howbeit, at the present, the two healers were accompanying me back from the training grounds. The twinges from my right thigh were worse today, and I was having a diffic
Last Updated : 2022-08-17After the Downfall Chapter Forty
The night sped by in the blink of an eye, but I relished every second I was ensconced in Silas’s arms. It hadn’t taken long for me to table my concerns about what seemed like ancient history with the magnetic male close by, and we spent the rest of the evening making up for lost time. At any rate, it was the following morning now, and my other half was already dressed and practically halfway out the door when I’d opened my eyes. He’d paused momentarily to give me a passionate kiss as I groggily sat up, and my body came alive for him once more. Groaning as I let my hands snake around his tapered waist, he lamentably ripped his head back after another drawn-out minute, swearing to do his best to finish early today so that we could replicate our actions from last night. I tried not to pout with the loss of his body heat as he eased himself out of my embrace, but that wasn’t easy to do as his next statement stole my breath with the reminder of how soon our departure truly was. “We’ll h
Last Updated : 2022-08-18After the Downfall Chapter Forty-One
I was barely awake the subsequent morning as I went through the motions of getting dressed and shoveling some sustenance into my mouth, but I was thanking the Moon Goddess or whomever for the fact that I’d already packed the day before. It was still dark outside when Silas, Saint, and I met the male who was dropping us off closer to the exit, the first signs of a new day beginning to show as the twittering of birds piped up in the near silence. Jittery from the prospect of what we were embarking on alone, I couldn’t help how much I was moving, my knee bouncing as I whipped my head around to look out the window as the car sailed forward smoothly. Saint had taken the front seat next to Nix, so Silas was able to pull me into the circle of his arms, cradling me against his body as he tangled a hand in my hair. He used it as an anchor to lift my head, directing my mouth to his and proceeding to absolutely plunder my lips before he put a scant few inches between us, saying, “Everything i
Last Updated : 2022-08-19After the Downfall Chapter Forty-Two
The deluge only worsened as Silas weaved through the thick trunks and overgrown underbrush, but his pace didn’t falter. I didn’t know where Saint was, not daring to lift my head long enough to find him through the storm unfolding around us. The denim of my jeans was soaked through by now, and I felt the water as it seared against my flesh, but I knew it had to be so much worse for Silas. Sure, his wolf had thick, inky black fur, but the acid rain drenched him almost entirely with no barrier of any kind to stop it, the bitter wind only exacerbating the situation as it worked in tandem with the heavy shower coming down on us by the bucketful’s. Keeping my eyes scrunched closed as I held onto my mate for dear life, I didn’t understand that he’d finally found the cover he’d been striving for at first, not until Saint was gently coaxing me off the huge wolf. Unclenching my muscles, I stiffly clambered down, grateful for Saint’s proximity when I stumbled on my wooden legs, and I took a m
Last Updated : 2022-08-20After the Downfall Chapter Forty-Three
Eventually, the corrosive precipitation ended, and we were able to venture out into the woods once more to continue forward with our mission. My concern for the imprisoned females mounted as more time ticked by, and I knew it’d already been too long since they’d seen the light of day, not that there was much of that up here to go around. Silas set a speedy pace, taking the point position as Saint remained behind me, but I didn’t whine or drag my feet, keeping up to the best of my ability. I knew he was trying to get us through the next expanse of forest as fast as possible, him having revealed that there weren’t many places to take cover in case the rain started up again, but he still ensured we paused long enough to rest and replenish our bodies. There were downsides to taking the least traveled routes, but Silas and Saint had vetoed cutting through the abandoned cities straightaway when I’d suggested it. I still didn’t know the reason behind the shifters’ avoidance of the crumbli
Last Updated : 2022-08-21After the Downfall Chapter Forty-Four
I would have expected for Saint to be fending off the new additions to the fray ensuing among the weather-beaten trees, but I hadn’t planned for the shaggy brown wolf to confront Vance either. The Omega gave me a hasty once over as the battle raged on around us once it became obvious the newcomers had turned the tables by joining our side, the huge charcoal-gray wolf aiding my mate in chasing off the other Alpha. I was certain Silas would’ve trailed the cowering beast if I hadn’t been injured, but as it was, he rushed to check on me the second our unanticipated allies had provided the opening, both creatures almost as big as Silas’s own animal, I noted. One glance to my left confirmed the death knell was ringing for Vance, the long-furred shifter who’d assisted me clamping his lethal teeth around the blonde wolf’s windpipe in a vicious hold, and I watched as the life drained out of the male, feeling nothing but relief at the ending of his life. Silas remained in his wolf form as Sa
Last Updated : 2022-08-22
Latest chapter
After the Downfall Thank you!!
First off, I want to thank all of you who've stuck with me since the beginning of this book. I appreciate all the patience you've shown as I navigate through this bumpy part in my life. I've had a pretty crappy couple of months, from the many goodbyes in my life to a freaking hurricane interfering with everything, I've struggled to put anything into words, but I'm slowly coming back to myself. There are a ridiculous amount of edits waiting to be approved (particularly at the end), but editors are on break, so it may unfortunately take a while for them to show. The word count should be over 120k once they are approved, but you may also have to log out and then back into the app for them to show. Any feedback would be much appreciated!! Reviews and/or comments are an author's brainfood! I do want to also touch base on the ending. I realize I've left some things unanswered. This was done intentionally because Gage will be getting his own book. However, I do not have a timeframe for w
After the Downfall Chapter Sixty-Nine
Silas didn’t need to ask why my mood had plummeted when he returned to walk back to the pack house with me, and he didn’t pressure me into anything when we were alone in the spacious room. Instead, he ran me a bubble bath, encouraging me to relax in the soapy water as he massaged the tension from my shoulders, comforting, “I’m sure they’ll both be here any day now, Bell. Atlas and Gage can take care of themselves, but I’m more than willing to knock some sense into them when they do finally make it here after all the worry that they’ve put you through.” I chuckled weakly at his attempt to bring a smile to my face, but it was transient at best, even if I had no misgivings about whether Silas would follow through on his threat if I really wanted him to. We didn’t end up continuing what we’d begun earlier in the evening, but Silas didn’t seem to mind in the slightest, holding me securely against his chest in the king-sized bed throughout the night without even a whisper of what he’d bee
After the Downfall Chapter Sixty-Eight
Needless to say, Silas, nor Slade for that matter, were pleased with the way things were turning out, but they couldn’t necessarily ignore the bond that had been formed between Rylan and Rhona. Truthfully, it would probably be just for Rylan to lose his chance at finding happiness given all the hurt he’d perpetrated over a period of years from what the males had revealed, but that wouldn’t be fair to Rhona. Moreover, I couldn’t help but think my epiphany would change things. I didn’t know everything about how the mate bond worked, but if I was correct and Alissa had been Rylan’s first mate, there was no doubt in my mind that her erratic behavior could have contributed to his crazed state of mind with her absence. I remembered how Silas had eventually confided in me how my distance was affecting our mental health when I’d overheard parts of his conversation with Saint above ground prior, and I felt confident the level Alissa had gone to would likely drive any man insane. It was conv
After the Downfall Chapter Sixty-Seven
Notwithstanding the relatively uncomfortable lack of furnishings and creature comforts in the cave, I thoroughly enjoyed my respite from reality with Silas as we took the time to solidify our relationship, but I knew our escape was drawing to an end. I felt the same soreness from when my canines had made an appearance, only the feeling was emanating from my whole body. It’d been hours since I’d claimed my mate, but it seemed the rest of my body was determined to catch up now. Silas was slumbering peacefully at my side as the pain woke me up, and I’d moved away from his body in an effort to not rouse him. Yet, he was awake a minute later, his familiar voice soothing some of my frayed edges as he explained what was happening, saying, “It’s time to shift, Bell. The pain will stop once the first transformation is complete. I’m here, baby. Let your wolf guide you.” The anguish deepened, and I writhed on the ground as my body splintered apart, an inferno razing its way through me, leavin
After the Downfall Chapter Sixty-Six
After everything we’d been through to get to this point, I knew every minute of heartache and pain had been worth it, and I beamed as the strength of our connection blossomed in my mind, seeming to branch out its leafy tendrils as I basked in the exhilaration flowing through me. The feelings spreading through me were beyond incredible, and my wail was the only thing I could hear as I floated high up in the clouds overhead, figuratively speaking of course. Even so, I wasn’t so gone that I didn’t revel in the feeling of Silas’s dick spurting deep into my rippling core, his hard body pressing mine into the unforgiving ground as he released my legs to fall forward until our naked chests were smooshed together. He was breathing hard, still brushing a few soft kisses across my face as we both came down from our zenith and laving his tongue over where he’d claimed me at long last. Sweat slicked our skin, cooling my overheated body as he pulled out, rolling over and positioning me to where
After the Downfall Chapter Sixty-Five
All thought ground to a halt in my mind; then, my brain kicked into overdrive, and I was blurting out the first thing to pop into my head, “Blaze was down. I got him with my daggers. There’s no way he was going anywhere.” My denial was prompt. Gage couldn’t be missing. It just couldn’t be true. Saint exchanged glances with Kat as he moved to put his arms around Mira, whom had tears leaking down her face for some reason. Silas pulled me in closer to his body, wrapping his own burly arms around my shaking frame. “I don’t know what happened between when you saw Blaze and when I did, Zoe, but I’m positive it was him that Gage was tracking. Maybe he was able to resist the poison longer due to him being an Alpha, but Gage and Atlas can handle him, regardless. Your uncle went out looking for him, so he’ll guide Gage back to our pack.” Woodsy oak and damp moss invaded my nostrils as Silas pressed my face against his chest, the coarse hair tickling against my cheek providing another sensati
After the Downfall Chapter Sixty-Four
“Shit! When the fuck did they join the fight?” Silas shouted, speedily setting me on my feet as he shifted shapes, sprinting after the rogue wolf. I wanted to follow them, worry for Rhona already blossoming in the pit of my stomach, but I made myself split off to hobble through the waterfall, intent on checking on the others. Not to mention, I was plainly in no condition to be launching a manhunt. Hell, I was barely standing on two feet by this point. The icy liquid washed over me, and I was spluttering as I advanced through the short cave until I reached the others, using the rocky wall as a support. All the females were on guard, Rhona’s scream having put them on high alert, but Mira threw herself forward once I’d made it within the circle of light, her voice frantic as she inquired, “Zoe! What happened?! Are you okay? Where’s Rhona?” I didn’t have the strength to keep standing upright, the weight of Silas’s and my own wounds coalescing to leave me feeling as if a hurricane had
After the Downfall Chapter Sixty-Three
There was instantaneous chaos surrounding me, and I sprung up onto my feet as I scanned the area, unable to see further than a foot or two in front of me. It was still dark outside, but I knelt down once more, fumbling around for my bag as I registered the females’ cries and the wolves scampering towards the exit. It took me a minute, but I was bolstered by Silas’s determined aura radiating back to me through the connection we shared. I didn’t question anything for now, simply grateful when my hand came into contact with the familiar worn canvas of my backpack, and I dipped out of the way of a shifter who’d nearly bulldozed over me in his haste to cut off the assault before it’d truly begun. A fleeting jolt of fear rocketed through me as I grasped that we were on our own, and I silently said a prayer that we could manage to keep the enemies at bay without Katya and Slade. I knew Silas was strong, and the other guys I’d been travelling with had proved they could take care of themsel
After the Downfall Chapter Sixty-Two
Silas and the others returned before I had the chance to panic too much, and they brought some much-needed provisions with them to everyone’s relief, even if it wasn’t much after it had been divvied up between the members of our group. It was enough to keep the girls calm and the shifters from complaining until the cows came home anyway, but I wasn’t foolish enough to believe we were out of hot water. Still, I thought it wise not to bring the issue to everyone’s attention, knowing it would only throw the others into disarray if they hadn’t already figured out that something was up. While everyone was engrossed with filling their bellies, I joined my mate, asking in a low voice, “Is everything okay?” I didn’t miss the anxious look in his amber brown eyes, but he responded with a tight smile, saying, “It will be. I contacted Slade and Katya. They’re gathering a group to come meet us so we’re not traveling through the forest at such a disadvantage. The girls need rest before we move a
