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Chapter 20: SECRET IN THE DARK
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 21: THE HYBRID HAS GOTTEN UNDER YOUR SKIN
The midday sun filtered through the castle’s tall windows, casting pale shadows across the stone floors. Irwin’s heart pounded as she fastened her cloak, her hands trembling with a mixture of defiance and desperation. Her breath was quick, her chest tight, as if every breath she took was borrowed air in this suffocating place."Irwin," Ashina’s voice broke through the thick tension, her tone pleading. "You can’t go to the human city. You know how dangerous it is out there. We still don’t know what that strange pack of wolves wanted when they attacked us. You’ll be vulnerable, Irwin."Irwin spun around, her eyes blazing with frustration. "I know what you think, Ashina. You’ve always thought I was fragile, that I needed protection. But I’m not a prisoner here Ashina, Because I'm weak like you people said doesn't mean I will need to stay indoors for the rest of my life. I deserve to live my life like a normal person, not some fragile thing hidden away."Ashina took a step forward, her vo
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 22: THE STRANGER IN THE MARKET
The trade fair was alive, bursting with energy. Laughter echoed off the stalls, merchants haggled with customers, and the air smelled of roasted meats and fresh fruit. Irwin moved through the crowd, her senses heightened but her mood surprisingly light. It was rare to feel so free, so detached from the weight of the world outside this bustling market.“I know you’re hiding, Ashina. Come out already. It's very obvious, come on” Irwin called out, her voice tinged with amusement.From behind a fruit cart, Ashina appeared with a smirk, brushing back her auburn hair. “You’re too sharp. I can never sneak up on you peacefully?”Irwin chuckled. “Maybe you should stop trying. You’re terrible at it, Ashina.”Ashina laughed, shaking her head as she stepped closer. “ But That’s the whole point, isn’t it? Keep you on your toes.”The two of them wandered through the market, weaving through crowds of people as they observed the scene around them. Children played in the streets, vendors loudly adver
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 23: TANGLED TEMPER
Dorian’s fists clenched tighter with each step as he paced back and forth in the great hall of his castle, his body trembling with barely controlled fury. His mind raced, thoughts tangled in a storm of frustration and guilt, the weight of every decision bearing down on him.The midday light flooded the room, warm and golden, yet it felt suffocating against the heaviness in his chest. He could hear the faint shuffle of guards retreating, their fear was palpable as they moved out of range. They knew better than to stay close when Dorian was like this.Across from him, Leo sat with his legs crossed, observing with an unnerving calmness. He made no attempt to move or speak, simply watching his best friend unravel before his eyes. After a long pause, Leo finally broke the silence, his voice calm but cutting.“Tell me, Dorian, what's the point of all this anger?” Leo asked, leaning forward slightly. “You were the one who let her go, Dorian.”Dorian stopped dead in his tracks, turning to fac
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 24: WHISPERS OF DOUBT
“It wasn’t always like this, you know,” Ulva murmured, her eyes distant as she gazed out of the grand window. The warmth midday sun bathed the room in soft, and golden light, but the weight of their discussion cast an invisible shadow over the space. Her fingers traced the delicate edge of the porcelain teacup she held, even though she hadn’t taken a sip since she held the cup.Adolphus sat across from her, his broad shoulders still carrying the pride of a former Alpha, even though time had softened the sharpness of his once imposing presence.“No, it wasn’t, my dear ulva,” he agreed, his voice deep and laced with nostalgia. His hands rested on the arms of the leather chair, but there was tension in his posture, something unresolved.Ulva glanced at him, a flicker of sadness crossing her eyes. “Do you think we might have pushed him too hard? You know Dorian never wanted to follow the path we laid out for him. He was always so… different. Strong, yes, but independent in ways we couldn’
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 25: STRANGER IN THE LIGHT
"Nice to meet you, Valen," Irwin said, her fingers brushing against his as they shook hands. The bustling trade fair around them seemed to blur, the distant hum of voices fading into the background as her gaze locked onto his. His hand was unexpectedly soft, as his touch lingering just a little longer than necessary, sending an unsettling ripple through her. Valen’s voice was calm, smooth like a river. “The pleasure is mine, Lovethe,” he replied, using the name she had given him in their earlier exchange. His eyes, deep and unreadable, held hers as if searching for something beyond the surface. For a brief moment, Irwin forgot everything. Ashina, the fair, even Dorian. It was as if Valen’s presence pulled her into a different space entirely, one where nothing else mattered.Irwin’s breath hitched slightly as his thumb traced a gentle line across her palm. A strange connection seemed to form between them, though she couldn’t quite place what it was. His presence was both comforting an
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 26: HEAVY WEIGHT OF DOUBT
Ashina glanced at Irwin, her eyes filled with curiosity as they stood near the bustling market stalls. “Irwin, what was it about Valen that made you so comfortable? You’ve never trusted anyone so quickly, just few days that I have been with you Irwin.”Irwin let out a small sigh, her shoulders relaxing as she thought about Valen. “I don’t know, Ashina. It was just… so easy. Like I didn’t have to pretend or hide who I am around him. I don't really know what just happened, you know.”Ashina raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. “And you don’t find that strange, Irwin? Because it feels so strange to me. You’ve known him for less than an hour, remember.”Irwin shrugged. “Maybe. But for once, I wasn’t being judged, like Leo your brother and the rest of the pack. He didn’t look at me like I was weak. Like I was that little hybrid, that hides during war.”Ashina crossed her arms, her voice growing firm. “Do You think Dorian looks at you like you’re some sort of weak thing?”Irwin f
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 27: BETWEEN FIRE
The tension between them thickened as the market’s hum buzzed around them, but neither Ashina nor Irwin paid attention to the noise. Ashina’s words had shaken something deep inside Irwin, and she didn’t know how to respond.Ashina broke the silence. “Irwin, if you would get something meaningful of what I'm telling you, I’m not saying Valen’s a bad guy, but this connection you’re feeling… it’s dangerous... It might be dangerous. You’re Dorian’s mate remember. How long do you think you can keep this up before things blow up in your face?”Irwin’s jaw tightened. “I’m not doing anything wrong, Ashina. I haven’t crossed any lines yet.”Ashina’s voice was gentle, but her gaze was sharp. “Not yet, but you’re playing with fire. You’re letting your feelings for Valen grow while shutting Dorian out. What if Dorian realizes what’s happening?”Irwin’s chest ached at Ashina’s words. “He wouldn’t care. Remember i told you that, He hasn’t bonded with me, Ashina. Do you know what it feels like to be
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 28: RISING TENSION
The tension in the grand hall of Adolphus and Ulva’s home was thick enough to be cut with a knife. Adolphus stood by the wide window, looking out at the vast expanse of their territory. His mind churned with frustration. The words Ulva had just shared were haunting him, refusing to let go. If Dorian and Irwin weren’t connected soon, there would be no Luna. If both of them are connected, means there will be a Luna, which is absolutely wrong.And, No Luna meant no stability for Dorian.“No. I won’t allow it,” Adolphus finally said, his voice low but filled with determination.Ulva stood nearby, her hands clasped together, her eyes weary but soft. She had expected this reaction. She knew how fiercely protective Adolphus was of Dorian, their only son, but this was a delicate matter. "We’ve already meddled enough, Adolphus. Dorian warned us to let him be, remember."Adolphus spun around, his eyes blazing with anger. “Warned us? This isn’t a game, Ulva. This is his future, our future! We’re
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Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 78: YOU NEARLY GOT YOUR WISH
"I thought if I pushed you hard enough, you’d leave," Dorian admitted quietly, the truth slipping out as if he hadn’t intended to reveal it. His gaze was distant, fixed on a point somewhere past her, as though looking at her would make it harder to continue. "Maybe you’d reject the bond yourself."His words hung heavily in the room, their meaning sinking into the space between them. Irwin felt a familiar ache stir in her chest, the old hurt of his rejection rising to the surface again. She had known, deep down, that Dorian had been trying to push her away, but hearing him admit it out loud was something else entirely.Irwin raised an eyebrow, masking the swirl of emotions inside her with a calm expression. "Oh....Well, you nearly got your wish."Dorian’s eyes flicked to hers at that, something unreadable passing over his face. He opened his mouth as if to respond, but then seemed to think better of it, his lips pressing into a thin line. The silence stretched on, heavy and uncomfortab
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 77: SCARS OF THE PAST
Dorian’s room felt colder as his words hung in the air. His gaze was distant, locked in memories that Irwin had never been part of, a time before they were bound together by fate. The weight of his confession pressed on her chest like a stone, making it hard to breathe."I was scared when I became the leader of the Shadowclaw pack." Dorian’s voice was low, almost as if he were speaking to himself. "I grew up believing I had to be stronger than my father, tougher than any of my ancestors. Failure wasn’t an option."He paused, his eyes flickering toward her for the briefest moment before he looked away again. "None of the she-wolves who pursued me ever caught my interest. Not because they weren’t strong. They were. Many of them were fierce, capable, everything you’d expect from a mate of the Alpha. But I couldn’t choose any of them." Irwin’s hands tightened on the armrests of her chair, her heart thudding in her chest as she listened. She had heard stories about Dorian’s many suitors,
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 76: A QUIET MOMENT
The room was filled with a strange silence as Irwin stepped inside, her footsteps barely making a sound against the thick rug beneath her. The warmth of Dorian's room enveloped her, and she hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. It was a space so personal, so distinctly his, yet here she was, invited but still feeling like an outsider. Irwin quietly made her way to a chair set against the far side of the room. She sat down, her hands resting in her lap as she watched Dorian, waiting for some indication of what he wanted. There was an air of uncertainty between them, a tension that had yet to unravel, and Irwin couldn’t help but wonder what this night would bring.Dorian, however, didn’t look at her. He moved to the window, gazing out into the darkness beyond, the light from the moon casting soft shadows across his face. For a long moment, he stood there, his back to her, and the silence stretched on.Irwin shifted in her seat, her curiosity piqued. This wasn’t like him, to be
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 75: A GENTLE TUG
The night was very calm with no sound of the guards or the servants, but the tension in the air was palpable, a delicate balance between what was happening and what neither of them could admit. Irwin’s footsteps slowed as they neared her room. Her body, though physically tired, felt a strange kind of alertness. The mouth of Dorian was still fresh on her mouth, and the weight of Dorian’s touch and traces of kisses on her lips lingering longer than she anticipated.She instinctively veered toward her door, the familiar path pulling her closer to the solitude she was accustomed to. But just as she took a step toward the door, she felt a gentle, almost absent-minded tug on her wrist. It wasn’t forceful, but it was enough to stop her in her tracks.She turned, her eyes landing on Dorian, who hadn’t even realized what he had done. His fingers lingered on her wrist for a heartbeat longer before falling away, but the gesture didn’t go unnoticed. His face was unreadable, his eyes distant yet
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 74: WHY DO YOU ALWAYS HOLD BACK
The hallway was bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the narrow windows, as Irwin's face beamed in smile. The air between them felt thick, charged with something unspoken. Their footsteps, once in perfect rhythm, seemed to slow as the space between them diminished. Each step felt heavier, as if the distance that had once stretched far and wide between them was shrinking with every passing second.Dorian’s presence beside her was more noticeable than ever before. The tension in the air was not the kind that signaled a fight, but rather something more intimate, something that both of them had been avoiding for too long. His movements, usually so precise and controlled, felt almost hesitant, as if he wasn’t sure of what to do next. Without thinking, Dorian’s hand lightly brushed against Irwin’s shoulder, the contact so subtle that it could have been mistaken for an accident. But to Irwin, it wasn’t. The warmth of his touch spread through her like wildfire, stopping
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 73: A BLISSFUL WALK
The hallway stretched long before them, illuminated by the soft flicker of torchlight that danced along the stone walls. Their footsteps echoed in unison, the rhythmic sounds filling the otherwise quiet space as they moved side by side. Irwin glanced at Dorian from the corner of her eye, the tension between them for once muted. The silence that hung in the air was not strained, but peaceful—something that felt rare, almost fragile.As they walked, Irwin found herself lost in thought. She couldn’t remember the last time they had shared a moment like this, one without sharp words or cold glares. The memory of their recent fights seemed to linger at the edges of her mind, uninvited but ever-present. Each argument had left invisible scars, and each harsh exchange had added to the growing wall between them. It had become a pattern, one she had learned to expect from their strained bond. And yet tonight, there was something different.The softness in Dorian’s expression, the subtle way he w
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 72: SURRENDER
When Dorian pulled away from the kiss, his eyes lingered on Irwin's, as though he were searching for something—reassurance, understanding, perhaps even a reflection of his own tumultuous emotions. His fingers, rough from battles and hardened by years of holding back, softened as they traced the curve of her lips. It was as though he couldn’t fully believe what had just happened, and neither could Irwin. Her heart raced, pounding against her ribs with a wild intensity that she had never felt before. Dorian had always been so distant, locked away behind walls of ice, but now, something inside him had melted. Something had shifted between them, and it was undeniable. Irwin stared up at him, still trying to process the moment. The tenderness of the kiss lingered, but it wasn’t just the kiss that had shaken her—it was the way Dorian had allowed himself to be vulnerable. It was the way he had let down his guard, even for just a brief moment. Without a word, Dorian moved. He took her by t
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 71: BEAUTIFUL
Dorian’s hand slid gently from her hair, tracing the side of her face with a tenderness that Irwin had never experienced from him before. His fingers moved delicately, brushing her cheek as though he were afraid she might disappear at any moment. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, but she chuckled softly, trying to ease the tension that hung between them, thick and heavy.“You’re beautiful,” Dorian said suddenly, his voice low but filled with conviction.The words hit her like a wave, knocking the air from her lungs. She had never expected to hear that from him—not from Dorian, who had always kept her at arm’s length. Her heart began to race, her breath catching in her throat as she stared up at him, stunned into silence. The sincerity in his eyes was undeniable, but it was so out of character, so unlike the guarded man she had come to know.Irwin blinked, trying to process the weight of what he had just said. All this time, she had believed Dorian saw her as a burden, someone he
Bound By Bloodlines Chapter 70: WHAT'S WRONG
Irwin’s gaze never wavered from Dorian’s face, her mind racing with questions she dared not voice. The weight of his silence pressed down on her, making the air between them feel thick and heavy. His hand, still nestled in her hair, moved with a gentleness that seemed almost foreign to the man she knew. It wasn’t the touch of a warrior or an Alpha; it was the touch of someone vulnerable, someone struggling with emotions he had long tried to bury.“Dorian,” Irwin whispered, her voice barely above a breath, “what’s bothering you?”Her question lingered in the air, unanswered, as Dorian’s eyes met hers. For a split second, she thought she saw something—a flicker of pain, regret, something deep and raw. But just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, replaced by the guarded expression he always wore. His lips parted, as though he was going to respond, but instead, he simply murmured her name.“Irwin...”The way he said her name, the strain in his voice, made her heart tighten in her ches
