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Chapter 33 - Astraia
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2025-03-14 11:00:37Our eyes met, and the air between us seemed to thicken, charged with something I couldn't name but my wolf recognized instantly. For a moment, neither of us spoke, and I found myself studying the subtle changes in him since I'd last seen him up close. A new tension in his jaw, perhaps? A slightly sharper focus in his golden eyes?
He looked tired, I realized. Not in an obvious way - no Alpha would ever allow themselves to appear weakened - but in the slight shadows under his eyes, the tightness at the corners of his mouth.
"The Northern territory negotiations were successful?" I asked, breaking the silence with the first neutral topic that came to mind.
Something flickered in his expression. "Yes. The alliance is... progressing."
I tried to
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By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 34 - Astraia
I tried to hold still as Freya circled me, making final adjustments to the dress she'd spent weeks creating. My mind kept drifting back to last night's disastrous meeting with Carson, his phone call, the female voice in the background... I shook my head, forcing the thoughts away."Stop moving," Freya scolded, pins between her lips as she adjusted the hemline. "This is delicate work.""Sorry," I muttered, trying to focus on the present moment.Odette lounged on my bed, scrolling through her phone with a suspiciously innocent expression. "So," she drawled, "I heard the Northern Pack contingent arrived early for tonight's gala."I shot her a warning look, not wanting to talk about them, but s
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I took a long sip of the wine, letting its subtle magic calm my wolf. Over the rim of my glass, I couldn't help but watch as Elise led Carson toward a group of important-looking wolves, her hand still on his arm, her body angled toward his in obvious interest."She's practically climbing him like a tree," I muttered before I could stop myself."Political alliance," Odette reminded me. "Though I agree, her approach lacks subtlety.""Not that you care," Lila added innocently. "Since you and Carson are just professional associates discussing territory management."I was saved from responding by Oliver's arrival. He looked handsome in his formal attire, his easy smile a welcome distraction.
Last Updated : 2025-03-16By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 36 - Astraia
Without thinking, I slipped away from the main hall, past the gardens where couples strolled in the moonlight, beyond the formal pathways until I found myself on a familiar winding route.The garden maze welcomed me like an old friend, its twisting paths somehow easier to navigate than my own feelings. My feet carried me automatically, turning at remembered junctions until I emerged at Shadowlight Lake.In the equinox moonlight, the lake was even more magical than before, its surface reflecting the stars with such perfect clarity it was hard to tell where water ended and sky began. The small gazebo at the end of the dock glowed softly with twinkling lights someone had strung along its railings.I moved to the gazebo, sitting on the cushioned bench and gazing out at the water. The quiet helped calm the storm inside me. Why was I so affected by Carson? We'd barely spent any time together, had barely talked beyond territory matters and pack business. Yet those two
Last Updated : 2025-03-17By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 37 - Astraia
I stared at my reflection in the ornate bathroom mirror, barely recognizing the flushed girl with bright eyes and kiss-swollen lips looking back at me. My fingers trembled as I tried to repair my lipstick, but the evidence of what had just happened was written all over my face.Carson had kissed me. And not just any kiss, a claiming, desperate kiss that had unleashed something primal between us. A connection neither of us could deny any longer.Mate.The word still echoed through me, making my wolf restless and eager. I closed my eyes, trying to collect myself. He'd been called away for an emergency before we could talk about what happened, before we could make sense of that shared recognition.The bathroom door swung open suddenly, making me jump. Odette burst in, her violet eyes wide with urgency."There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you," she exclaimed, then stopped abruptly, her gaze sweeping over my appearance. Her eyes na
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Three days passed with no word from Carson, Alexei, or Hunter. The university remained closed due to the ongoing threat, and all wolves were advised to stay within their pack territories. Those of us at the Royal Pack palace were essentially on lockdown, though the palace was large enough that it hardly felt confining.Odette did her best to keep my mind occupied, giving me tours of parts of the palace I'd never seen, introducing me to various Royal Pack members, and generally being the perfect hostess. But by the third day, I was restless, constantly checking my phone for messages that never came.I'd finally worked up the courage to text him the night before—a simple "Are you okay?"—but there had been no response. The silence was becoming unbearable, my mind cycling through increasingly worse scenarios. Was he hurt? Ignoring me? Regretting what happened between us?"Maybe they don't have reception wherever they are," Odette suggested as we sat in the palace ga
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A soft sound from the balcony made me freeze.Someone was trying to open the balcony doors.My heart hammered against my ribs as I instinctively backed toward the bed. The palace was supposed to be the most secure place in Royal Pack territory, who could possibly be trying to enter through my balcony? My mind raced with possibilities, each worse than the last. A rogue? An assassin?The lock clicked, and the balcony door eased open silently. A tall figure slipped inside, silhouetted against the moonlight. My breath caught in my throat, my wolf suddenly alert but not alarmed—something familiar about the scent...Pine and storm."Carson," I whispered, relief flooding through me as recognition dawned.He turned at the sound of my voice, golden eyes finding mine in the darkness. "Astraia, I—"I didn't let him finish. Before I could think better of it, I was rushing across the room and throwing my arms around him. The solid warmth of him, t
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I woke to unfamiliar warmth and the steady rhythm of a heartbeat beneath my ear. For a moment, I was disoriented, my pillow wasn't supposed to rise and fall with breathing, and it definitely wasn't supposed to smell like pine and storm.Then the events of last night came rushing back.Carson. The balcony. Him staying.Somehow during the night, we'd shifted positions. I was now curled against his side, my head resting on his chest, his arm wrapped securely around me. The covers had twisted between us, a token barrier that had done nothing to prevent me from seeking his warmth. One of my legs had thrown itself over his, and my hand rested against the firm plane of his stomach. My wolf hummed with contentment, more settled than she'd been in days.I should have been embarrassed by how I'd practically wrapped myself around him in my sleep, but I couldn't bring myself to move away. For the first time in days, I'd slept deeply, without dreams, without waking in
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The Royal Pack's dining hall was a marvel of design, with soaring ceilings and walls of windows that looked out over carefully maintained gardens. Under different circumstances, I might have been intimidated by the opulence, but after a week of staying at the palace, I'd become somewhat accustomed to royal extravagance.Carson and I arrived together, his hand resting lightly at the small of my back as we entered. The gesture was subtle but unmistakable to any wolf, a sign of protection, of connection. From the knowing looks and poorly hidden smiles that greeted us, it was clear Odette had already made sure everyone knew about our morning arrangement."There they are!" Odette called out with unnecessary volume, drawing every eye in the room to us. "Sleep well, you two?"Lila nearly choked on her drink, coughing as Freya patted her back with obvious amusement. At the head of the table, Alexei merely raised an eyebrow, his violet eyes, immediately noting Carson's h
Last Updated : 2025-03-20
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By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 86 - Astraia
The day after Carson's seizure was the worst. I sat beside his bed, numb with fear and exhaustion, watching his chest rise and fall with mechanical precision, too regular, too shallow."His vitals are stable," the doctor told me during morning rounds, her voice carefully neutral. "But the seizure caused some setbacks. We're monitoring brain activity closely.""When will he wake up?" My voice sounded strange to my own ears, hollow and distant.She hesitated, sympathy crossing her face. "I can't say for certain. The silver levels in his bloodstream are still significant.""But he will wake up," I insisted, needing her to confirm it, to give me something to cling to."We're doing everything we can," she replied, which wasn't an answer at all.When she left, I laid my head on the edge of Carson's bed, pressing my forehead against his arm. "I need you, I miss you..." I whispered. "Please, Carson. I need you to come back to me."The mate bo
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 85 - Astraia
The moment the doctor finished speaking, I pushed past her, my heart hammering against my ribs as I rushed into Carson's room.The sight of him stopped me cold.Lying there, pale against the white sheets, he looked nothing like my powerful Alpha. Tubes and wires connected him to various machines, their steady beeping the only sound in the otherwise silent room."Carson," I whispered, moving to his side as if pulled by gravity.I reached for his hand, desperate for contact, for proof that he was still here with me. The warmth of his skin sent a wave of relief through me so intense I nearly collapsed. Alive. He was still alive."I'm here," I said, pressing his palm to my cheek, needing to feel him. "I'm right here, Carson. I'm so sorry"Behind me, Odette, Alexei, and Hunter hovered in the doorway, their faces grim as they took in Carson's condition. Alexei placed a gentle hand on my shoulder."The Royal medical team is the best in all t
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Somehow, they managed to get me to the surgical waiting area. I was vaguely aware of passing through corridors, of guards snapping to attention as we passed, of whispered conversations above my head. But my focus was entirely internal, clinging to the fading warmth of the mate bond like a lifeline."That blade was meant for me," I whispered as Odette helped me into a chair. My hands were covered in Carson's blood, the sight making me dizzy with fear. "It should have been me.""You know Carson would never let that happen," Odette said softly, kneeling in front of me. "If it happened a hundred more times, he'd take that blade for you every single time."I stared down at my bloodied hands, unable to respond. Hunter pressed a water bottle into my trembling fingers, his usual gruffness softened with concern."Try to drink something," he said. "You look like you're about to pass out."I stared at the bottle, feeling disconnected from my body. The mate bo
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 83 - Astraia
"CARSON!" I screamed as his body crumpled to the floor.My hands shook as I pressed against the wound, blood seeping between my fingers. "No no no no no!""Move aside!" Someone tried to push me away, but I snarled, my wolf surging forward."DON'T TOUCH ME!" I screamed, hunching protectively over Carson's body. His face was already pale, black lines of silver poisoning spreading from the wound with terrifying speed. "Carson, please, open your eyes. Look at me!"Medical staff swarmed around us, equipment rattling as they rushed in. The head doctor dropped to her knees beside us, trying to assess the wound."Ms. Briarthorn, we need to treat him immediately," she said firmly. "Silver poisoning moves fast. Please, step aside.""I can't leave him," I sobbed, my hands still pressed against his wound. His blood was everywhere, hot and slick and terrifying. I could feel our bond flickering like a candle in the wind. "Carson, please, stay with me."
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 82 - Astraia
"Carson!" I moved to help him, but he was already turning to face the next threat."Ah fuck, it's fine, I'm fine," he growled, though I could see blood darkening his shirt. "Stay behind me."The remaining infiltrators found themselves outmatched by Carson's fury and the coordinated assault of the royal guards. Within minutes, it was over.Infiltrators lay subdued or unconscious throughout the corridor, being secured by royal guards.Alexei appeared around the corner, looking battle-worn but satisfied. "Command center secure," he reported. "Davis has control of all systems.""Good," Carson said, his voice tight as he checked me over for injuries. "Astraia, are you hurt?""I'm fine," I assured him, my eyes drawn to the dark stain spreading on his shirt. "But you're bleeding."He dismissed it with a wave. "Just a scratch."Hunter was leaning heavily on Odette, still fighting off the effects of the sedative."Nice ti
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The elevator stopped, doors opening onto a dimly lit corridor I'd never seen before. This had to be the approach to the central command center."Keep moving," Elise ordered, shoving me forward.I needed a plan. I needed to create a distraction. Carson and Alexei were likely already aware of the infiltration. If these infiltrators reached the command center, they could compromise the entire territory security system.I reached for our mate bond, focusing hard on Carson's presence.Carson, infiltrators. Service elevator. Coming to command center. Elise.His response was immediate, a surge of protective fury blazing through our connection.On my way.No! I pushed back. Stay in command. Protect the systems. I've got a plan.Like hell, came his stubborn reply. Not letting you get hurt again. Coming to you.I mentally groaned. Stubborn, overprotective Alpha. But his determi
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 80 - Astraia
"What the hell was that?" I gasped, instinctively bracing myself against the wall.Hunter was already on high alert, phone to his ear. "Breach," he barked. "East wing, lower level. How many?" His expression darkened. "Understood.""What is it?" Odette demanded, her royal authority surfacing despite her fear."They've breached the palace," Hunter said grimly, pulling out his sidearm. "At least ten hostiles, maybe more. They're heading for the central command center.""Just like Tiffany said they would," I realized.Hunter ushered us forward more quickly. "We need to get you both to the panic room. Now.""Wait," I stopped. "The darts. If they're mind-controlled, we can use the blocker."He hesitated, then nodded, handing me two of the darts. "Emergency use only. These are prototypes, remember?"I tucked them carefully into my pocket. "Let's hope we don't need them."We hurried through the corridors toward the secure wing,
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 79 - Astraia
Three hours isn't much time to create a neurological blocking agent, but when the alternative is mass mind control, you make it work.Dr. Winters arrived within twenty minutes of Odette's call, a tall, stern-faced woman with silver-streaked black hair and the most impressive collection of degrees I'd ever seen. She took one look at me and raised an eyebrow."You're supposed to be resting," she said bluntly."And we're supposed to be having a peaceful weekend, but circumstances change," I replied, sliding the chemical analysis across the counter to her. "These are the compounds we need to block."She studied the readout, her expression growing more serious. "This is... unusually sophisticated.""I know. That's why I need your help."She glanced up sharply. "You realize what we're attempting is dangerous. Untested neurological blockers could cause seizures, permanent brain damage, even death.""And the alternative is letting mind-contro
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 78 - Astraia
The Royal Palace lab was a state-of-the-art facility tucked away in the east wing. I'd been spending most of my time there since Carson sent back the samples from the northern compound, analyzing the strange compounds they'd found."Do we have any updates on the attacks?" I asked as we walked, trying not to show how much the simple act of moving hurt.Odette shook her head. "Nothing concrete. Alexei's put all allied packs on high alert. Security's been doubled at all border checkpoints, and they've evacuated the civilian areas closest to the borders.""And the central command center? The one Tiffany mentioned?""Full lockdown. Only pack leaders and their seconds have access now."We reached the lab, and I sighed in relief at the sight of my workstation, everything exactly as I'd left it the day before. My microscope, centrifuge, and analysis equipment were still set up, along with the samples Carson had sent."So what exactly are you looking
