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Chapter 35 - Astraia
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2025-03-16 11:00:41I 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.
Bab terkait
By 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 38 - Astraia
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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-18By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 39 - Astraia
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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-19By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 40 - Astraia
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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-19By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 41 - Astraia
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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-20By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 42 - Astraia
After breakfast, Carson led me through a series of elegant corridors until we reached a secluded balcony overlooking the royal gardens. Away from prying eyes and enhanced wolf hearing, it offered the privacy we desperately needed for this conversation.He moved to the stone railing, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the late morning light, and for a moment, I simply watched him, the powerful Alpha who had held me with such gentleness hours earlier. The contradiction of strength and tenderness that defined him."You don't have to stand so far away," he said without turning, a smile in his voice. "I don't bite. Unless asked nicely."Heat rushed to my cheeks at the implication, but I moved to join him at the railing, close enough that our arms nearly touched. The air between us felt charged with unspoken words and lingering touches."The gardens are beautiful," I offered lamely, grasping for a neutral starting point."Astraia." The way he said m
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-21By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 43 - Astraia
I watched from the palace balcony as Carson and Hunter departed with the High Crest security team, their figures growing smaller until they disappeared into the treeline. Even after they were gone, I remained there, the ghost of Carson's touch still lingering on my skin, his promises echoing in my mind."So," Odette's voice came from behind me, making me jump. "Are you going to tell us what happened, or do we need to torture it out of you?"I turned to find not just Odette, but Lila and Freya as well, all three wearing identical expressions of eager curiosity."I have no idea what you're talking about," I said primly, though the heat in my cheeks betrayed me."Please," Lila scoffed, linking her arm through mine. "Carson practically ordered everyone out of the breakfast room so he could whisk you away for a private conversation. Then he returns looking like he's won the moonlight run, and you're standing here staring after him like a lovesick pup."
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-22
Bab terbaru
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 55 - Astraia
When the door finally closed, leaving Carson and me alone, I felt a curious mixture of relief and nervousness. He immediately moved to sit beside me, his larger frame making the bed dip slightly."Have you rested at all?" I asked, noting the shadows beneath his eyes.He shook his head. "Not yet."I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. "I want to tell you something," I said quietly. "About... about why I had the nightmare."Carson's expression grew serious. "You don't have to if you're not ready.""I do," I insisted. "I want to."He took my hand, his thumb resuming its soothing pattern on my skin. "I'm listening."I closed my eyes briefly, summoning the strength to revisit memories I'd tried so hard to bury. "When I was eighteen," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, "I was doing border runs with some of the younger Rivermoon wolves. Training them. We were ambushed by rogues."Carson's hand tightened on mine, but he re
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 54 - Astraia
The burning sting of the healer's needle pierced through the fog of exhaustion as she restitched my wound. I bit my lip to keep from wincing, but Carson's grip on my hand tightened anyway. He hadn't left my side since I'd woken from the nightmare, his golden eyes darkened with concern."Just a few more," the healer murmured, her steady fingers working with practiced precision. "You did quite a number on these stitches, Miss Briarthorn.""Sorry..." I mumbled, though I wasn't entirely sure what I was apologizing for. Having nightmares? Thrashing around? The inconvenience of it all?The room was crowded with people I loved, all wearing identical expressions of worry.My mother stood at the foot of the bed, her hands twisting a handkerchief into knots. My father leaned against the wall, his own injuries making it impossible for him to stand comfortably for long. Odette hovered near the window, periodically pacing back and forth, while Alexei maintained a calm
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 53 - Carson
The Rivermoon Pack's meeting hall was impressive. Wooden beams arched overhead, carved with the history of the pack, while a massive circular table dominated the center of the space. Five wolves were already seated when I arrived with Alexei.Alpha Dixon nodded in greeting from the head of the table, his silver-streaked black hair and commanding presence reminiscent of my own father. To his right sat Daniel Briarthorn, looking pale but determined, clearly having dragged himself from his sickbed to attend.I returned Alpha Dixon's nod before my eyes locked with Grant's. He sat to the Alpha's left, the traditional position for the future pack leader. His lip curled slightly when he saw me, a reaction I pointedly ignored. Dick."Alpha Thorne, Crown Prince Alexei," Alpha Dixon greeted us formally. "Please join us."We took our seats across from Grant, and I was grateful for Alexei's calming presence beside me. My wolf was still too close to the surface after
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 52 - Astraia
Consciousness returned to me in fragments. First came awareness of soft sheets beneath me and the dull throb of pain radiating from my shoulder. Then voices, muffled as if traveling through water, gradually becoming clearer."...fourth time you've checked those bandages in an hour. The healer said they're fine.""I need to be sure. I need to make sure she heals well..."The second voice, low, rough with fatigue and worry, sent a flutter through my chest even before my mind fully recognized it as Carson's.I tried to open my eyes, but my lids felt impossibly heavy. A soft groan escaped my lips instead, the small sound immediately silencing all conversation in the room."Astraia?" Carson's voice was closest, urgent. Warm fingers wrapped gently around my hand. "Hey sweet girl, can you hear me?""She's waking up!" That was Odette's voice, followed by hurried footsteps."I'll get the healer," came my mother's voice from somewhere further a
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 51 - Astraia
Around me, the training field erupted in a flurry of motion as wolves responded to the threat. Odette's elegant form emerged, her rare silver-white fur gleaming in the moonlight as she positioned herself protectively near the younger trainees. Kai, the Rivermoon warrior, shifted into his dark brown wolf, massive and imposing.I completed my transformation, my distinctive rosy silver fur catching the moonlight in a way that made me immediately recognizable.Even the older teenagers— Mason, Lily, and two others —completed their transformations with impressive speed, forming a protective circle around Sophie and the youngest wolves who were still mastering their shifts.The Royal guards maintained human form, drawing their weapons as they created a defensive perimeter. Silver bullets would be more effective from their trained hands than tooth and claw."Eastern outpost! Stay together!" I commanded through mind-link to my fellow Rivermoon wo
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 50 - Astraia
The training field behind the Rivermoon pack house glowed silver in the moonlight, the open grass bordered by ancient oak trees whose shadows stretched long across the ground. I circled a group of five young wolves, all between sixteen and eighteen years old, watching their stances with a critical eye."Remember that your opponent's weight can become their weakness," I instructed, motioning for a sandy-haired boy to step forward. "Mason, try to take me down."The young wolf—taller than me by several inches but still gangly with adolescence, hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of attacking the former Beta-in-waiting."I won't hurt you," I assured him with a smile. "Much."That earned a laugh from the other trainees and seemed to ease Mason's nerves. He lunged forward, attempting to use his height advantage to grapple me to the ground. In one fluid motion, I sidestepped, caught his extended arm, and used his forward momentum to flip him ont
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 49 - Astraia
I stood at the window of my guest room, watching darkness settle over Rivermoon territory. The familiar silhouettes of pine trees against the twilight sky brought back memories I'd tried to suppress, training sessions that ran late into the evening, strategy meetings with Dad, moonlit runs with the younger wolves under my supervision.A life I'd once believed would be mine forever.With a sigh, I turned away from the window. The guest suite was luxurious, spacious sitting area with plush furniture, a gleaming bathroom with a rainfall shower, and a bedroom with an oversized four-poster bed. Everything in rich earthtones that echoed Rivermoon's forest surroundings.After our confrontation with Grant, I'd spent the afternoon helping Mom organize Dad's medication schedule and meal plan. He was healing well but remained frustrated by his physical limitations. Twice, Mom had caught him trying to review security reports when he was supposed to be resting."Like
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 48 - Astraia
He appeared at the end of the hallway, his tall figure backlit by the window behind him. Beside him stood Tiffany, her blonde hair pulled back in a severe ponytail, her posture rigid and defensive.For a moment, no one moved. The air in the hallway seemed to thicken with unspoken tension.I felt Odette's arm tighten around mine in silent support.Grant stepped forward first, his expression carefully neutral. "Astraia. Princess Odette." He inclined his head in what could barely pass for respect. "We heard you'd arrived.""Grant," I acknowledged, keeping my voice steady. "Tiffany."Tiffany didn't respond, her eyes fixed on some point over my head."I'm sorry to hear about your father," Grant continued. "Though I'm surprised you felt the need to bring Royal guards into our territory for a family visit." His emphasis on "our" was subtle but unmistakable, a reminder that of where I belonged."The guards are for my protection," Odette inter
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 47 - Astraia
The familiar scent of sage and cedar filled my senses as I stepped into the Rivermoon pack house. Despite being gone for months, my wolf instantly recognized the place where pack meetings and official functions were held. It felt strange to be here rather than at my family's private home in the territory.Mom guided us through the main entrance, past the curious glances of pack members who paused to watch our unexpected procession. The Royal guards positioned themselves strategically, two by the main entrance, two following behind Odette and me, and two moving ahead to scout the interior. Their presence alone made a statement that we weren't ordinary visitors."Your father is upstairs in the guest quarters," Mom explained, leading us toward the grand staircase in the central hall. "Alpha Dixon insisted he stay here for security and medical supervision. He refused to remain in the hospital wing, of course, once he was stable.""Stubborn as always," I muttered, fe
