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Chapter 6 - Astraia
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2025-02-14 13:00:19Professor Kane's Environmental Science classroom was already half-full when we arrived. Odette, who had somehow managed to escape both her brother and the Council meeting, guided us to seats near the middle – "Not too eager in the front, not too hidden in the back," she explained with a wink.
The classroom design was clearly made with both wolves and humans in mind. The windows were positioned to allow natural light without creating harsh glares that might irritate sensitive wolf eyes, and the ventilation system kept the air fresh despite the mix of pack scents.
"Best spot for both acoustics and quick exits," she whispered as we settled in. "Plus, perfect view of—" She stopped abruptly, violet eyes widening as she looked toward the door.The wave of Alpha power hit me before I turned to look. Carson Thorne stood in the doorway, his dark hair slightly dishevelled, golden eyes scanning the room with detached authority. The intensity of his presence
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By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 7 - Astraia
The walk to the administration building gave me a better view of campus than my earlier confused wandering. Odette, despite her seemingly casual chatter, was actually giving me useful information about pack-friendly routes and neutral zones."The path behind the science building is quieter," she explained, steering me along a tree-lined walkway. "Lots of wolves use it during high-stress times – the trees help muffle all the campus scents."My wolf appreciated the consideration, especially as we approached the administration building where pack scents were stronger. Various wolves coming and going, marking territory edges even in this neutral zone."Nicolas usually handles all the pack registration stuff," Odette continued, then checked her phone with a suspiciously innocent expression.Royal Pain (Brother): Where are you taking her?Odette: Administrative duties. Being responsible Royal Pain (Brother): On a Tuesday at 2pm? When Carson always checks university paperwork? ODETTE NOOdet
Last Updated : 2025-02-15By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 8 - Astraia
The wolfsbane garden was exactly where Odette had promised, tucked behind the science building. The diluted strain created a gentle haze that helped calm my still-unsettled wolf after the intensity of the administration office."Okay, spill everything," Odette demanded, settling onto one of the stone benches. "And don't you dare say 'it was nothing' because I literally watched you and Carson scent each other.""We did not—Aren't we suppose to do our study session— " I started to protest, but she cut me off with a knowing look."Pshh, forget about that, honey, I have eyes. And a nose. And twenty-one years of experience reading Carson's broody Alpha signals. He never handles university paperwork personally."I sank onto the bench beside her, letting the wolfsbane's calming effect soothe my racing thoughts. "It was just territory registration.""Right," Odette drawled. "Because all territory registrations involve that much eye contact. Or
Last Updated : 2025-02-16By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 9 - Astraia
The wolfsbane cider, as it turned out, was significantly stronger than any of us had anticipated. Three bottles later, our pizza was long gone, and the emergency pack meeting texts had somehow become less threatening and more amusing. Even my wolf, usually on edge at any mention of Grant, was contentedly buzzed, purring at the lingering traces of Carson's scent that still clung to the territory paperwork. Freya had wrapped fairy lights around our necks like glowing scarves, declaring us "the most fashionable pack girls on campus."The night was warm, the moon was bright, and everything felt wonderfully possible."We need snacks!" Odette announced, somehow making it sound like a royal decree. "To the minimart!""Od, it's almost midnight," I tried to reason, though the wolfsbane cider made everything feel wonderfully fuzzy."Exactly! Prime snacking hour!" Freya agreed, the fairy lights in her hair twinkling as she twirled. "Plus, we're all wearing green. We
Last Updated : 2025-02-17By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 10 - Astraia
The wolfsbane cider's pleasant haze evaporated instantly at that voice. Even Odette stopped humming, her violet eyes suddenly sharp despite her intoxication. Through the glow of our ridiculous fairy lights, I watched Carson's expression darken, his Alpha power surging protectively around our group.Grant stepped out of the shadows, his cold blue eyes taking in the scene with calculated amusement. He looked exactly as I remembered – classically handsome, perfectly polished, and completely cold."Isn't it a bit early for tomorrow's meeting?" he asked, his voice carrying that familiar edge of mockery. "Though I suppose some of us are more... prepared than others." His gaze swept over our green outfits and fairy lights with obvious disdain.Carson moved slightly, positioning himself between our group and Grant. The air crackled with tension as two Alpha energies collided."I wasn't aware Rivermoon Pack had any business in this territory," Carson's voice
Last Updated : 2025-02-18By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 11 - Astraia
My wolf healing had taken care of most of the wolfsbane cider's effects, but memories of last night remained crystal clear – fairy lights, two angry Alphas, and the lingering scent of pine and storm. Not exactly how I'd planned to start my first week at Stellar University."You look surprisingly alive," Freya commented as I came out from my room, already dressed for morning classes. She was curled up on our couch, sketching what looked suspiciously like last night's Alpha confrontation. "Though you might want to hide those fairy light marks around your neck."I groaned, adjusting my collar. "Please tell me you didn't actually draw that.""Of course not," she grinned. "I'm saving the dramatic recreation for my final art project. 'Two Alphas, One Minimart', it's going to be a masterpiece," she giggled."You're terrible," I muttered, but couldn't help smiling. The normalcy of morning banter with Freya helped ease some of the tension from last night.Morning classes passed in a blur of lec
Last Updated : 2025-02-21By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 12 - Astraia
The meeting venue was already buzzing with activity when we arrived, wolves from various packs filing into the large hall. Unlike regular pack gatherings, this one seemed focused on younger wolves – mostly university students and recent graduates."Did Alex tell you what this emergency meeting is actually about?" I asked Odette as we made our way inside."Not everything, but..." she lowered her voice, "apparently there's been a pattern. Rogues targeting our age group, maybe trying to infiltrate pack territories through university connections. That's why it's just university wolves here, not the whole neutral territory meeting."My wolf reacted at the mention of rogues, the scar on my neck suddenly feeling more noticeable. Odette must have sensed my tension because she squeezed my arm gently."Hey, you okay? You went pale for a second—""Miss Briarthorn." Carson's deep voice cut through the crowd behind us. "A word before the meeting sta
Last Updated : 2025-02-22By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 13 - Astraia
The private meeting room was down the hall, away from the dispersing crowd. My father stood as we entered, and despite the formal setting, I couldn't help but step into his embrace. His familiar scent – vanilla and old books – helped settle my wolf's lingering anxiety."Hey, little wolf," he murmured quietly before we both straightened, returning to proper Beta composure. His stormy grey eyes carried that particular tone that meant he was both concerned and calculating. Years of Beta training let me read the subtle signals: stand straight, project calm, let the politics play out.Grant was already there, his perfect composure slightly strained at the edges. Having both the Crown Prince and High Crest's Alpha present for what he'd probably planned as a pack matter clearly wasn't part of his agenda."Well," Alexei settled into one of the chairs with casual grace that somehow made everyone else look less regal, "shall we discuss the proper protocols for
Last Updated : 2025-02-23By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 14 - Astraia
Consciousness returned slowly, fragments of sensation filtering through the haze. The sterile scent of the pack medical wing, my father's vanilla and old books scent nearby, hushed but angry voices in the hallway."You could have fucking killed her!" That was Carson's voice, tight with barely controlled fury. "The force of the impact alone—""Not to mention the rejected bond trauma," a female voice spoke with professional concern. "Physical contact with a rejector, especially forced contact, can cause severe—""To think," Alexei's voice cut through the tension, his royal authority somehow more threatening in its quiet disappointment, "that the future Alpha of Rivermoon Pack would display such... primitive behavior. In neutral territory, no less.""Future Alpha or not," my father's voice carried that Beta authority that had commanded respect for generations, "this kind of behavior is unacceptable. Especially from someone who claims to understan
Last Updated : 2025-02-24
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By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 70 - Carson
Twenty minutes later, I was in the palace courtyard with Alexei, Hunter, and the rest of our teams. Three groups of four, small enough to move quickly and avoid detection, large enough to handle trouble if it found us."All set?" Alexei asked, checking his pack one last time.I nodded, my mind already shifting to mission mode. "The northern approach will take us longer, but it's less likely they'll expect anyone to come that way.""The terrain is rougher," Hunter added, looking at the map on his phone. "Lots of ravines and dense forest. Good for cover, bad for speed.""Speed isn't the priority," I reminded them. "Information is. We need to know what we're dealing with.""And who," Alexei said grimly. "These aren't ordinary rogues. Someone's coordinating them, maybe even training them."The thought had been keeping me up at night. Rogues were typically lone wolves, dangerous but disorganized. What we'd faced recently had shown strategy, plann
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 69 - Carson
I woke before dawn, my body alert despite having barely slept. Years of Alpha responsibilities had trained me to function on minimal rest. But today wasn't about duty. Today was about watching her sleep.Astraia lay curled against me, her ashy rose-brown hair spread across the pillow, lips slightly parted. In sleep, she looked younger, the constant vigilance that had become second nature to her temporarily gone. My chest tightened at the thought of leaving her. Three days, maybe four. It shouldn't feel this impossible.The mate bond pulsed between us, stronger than I'd expected it to be so soon after marking. Most new bonds took weeks to stabilize, but ours had snapped into place instantly, solid and unbreakable.She stirred slightly, unconsciously seeking my warmth. I traced the curve of her cheek, memorizing every detail of her face. The delicate arch of her eyebrows. The soft fullness of her lower lip. The way her lashes fluttered against her cheeks as she dr
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 68 - Astraia
After the strategy meeting, Carson pulled me into an empty sitting room, closing the door behind us."You're worried," he said without preamble.I sighed. "That obvious?""The bond, remember?" He tapped his chest. "I can feel it.""It's just... we literally just completed our bond, and now you're leaving." I wrapped my arms around myself. "I know it's necessary. I know they need you. But that doesn't make it any easier."Carson pulled me against him, wrapping me in his warmth. "If you ask me to stay, I will. You know that, right? You come first, Astraia. Always. The pack, the mission, everything else comes second."The sincerity in his voice made my throat tight. "I would never ask you to shirk your responsibilities. Those rogues need to be stopped.""And they will be," he said firmly. "But not at the cost of us. If you need me here, just say the word."I shook my head against his chest. "It's not you... and I want you for who
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 67 - Astraia
We did eventually make it to the dining room, though "breakfast" had long since transitioned to "lunch." I tried to look presentable, but there was only so much I could do with my hair that clearly showed what we'd been doing all morning.Odette's eyes widened when we walked in, Carson's hand possessively on my lower back. "Well well well, look who finally decided to join the land of the living," she drawled.I felt my cheeks heat but lifted my chin. No way was I going to be embarrassed about being with my mate."Nice of you to save us some food," Carson replied smoothly, pulling out my chair before taking his own.Hunter grumbled into his coffee, eyes darting briefly to Odette. "Some of us just wish we got lucky last night too.""Go find someone to sleep with at your own territory if you're that desperate," Odette snapped, a flush creeping up her neck as she glared at him.I caught Carson's eye across the table, and he gave me the tiniest h
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 66 - Astraia
Warm. Safe. Mine.Those were the first three thoughts that floated through my head before I even opened my eyes. The fourth thought was a bit more specific.I'm actually mated.I snuggled deeper into Carson's chest, feeling the pleasant tingle of our fresh marking wounds. His arms tightened around me instinctively, even though his breathing told me he was still sleeping. The mate bond hummed between us, a constant, comforting presence that hadn't been there before last night.Last night.My cheeks heated as the memories flooded back. The way he'd taken me to his childhood alcove at Shadowlight Lake, the way we'd finally, finally given in to what we both wanted. The claiming bites that had sealed our bond forever.I reached up to touch the mark on my neck, just below my collarbone. It was tender but in the best way possible, sending little sparks of pleasure through my body when my fingers brushed it. Carson had the matching mark on the same spot, our wolves choosing identical location
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 65 - Astraia
A low growl rumbled in his chest, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. Before I could blink, he closed the door behind us and had me pressed against it, his mouth claiming mine in a kiss that stole the breath from my lungs.His tongue swept against mine, demanding and possessive in a way that made heat pool low in my belly. This was nothing like the gentle exploration at the lookout, this was primal hunger, and I matched it eagerly, nipping at his lower lip in a way that made him groan.My hands found their way under his suit jacket, feeling the hard planes of his chest through his shirt. I could feel his heart hammering beneath my palms, a rhythm that matched my own racing pulse. His fingers tangled in my hair, tilting my head to deepen the kiss further, the slight edge of pain from his grip sending sparks of pleasure through my body.His hips pressed against mine, the hard evidence of his desire making me gasp against his mouth. The thin fabric of my dres
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 64 - Astraia
The path led us through a section of dense trees before suddenly opening to a hidden outcropping high on the ridge. The intimate spot was naturally concealed by tall rock formations on three sides, but opened to a breathtaking panoramic view of all of Shadowlight Lake below. Carson had added comfortable cushions and strung fairy lights among the surrounding trees, making the hidden lookout even more magical."Oh wow, this is your special place," I said softly, recognizing it from his description. "The one you said you'd show me someday.""I wanted to keep my promise," he replied, his voice low. "I've never brought anyone else here."We settled onto the comfortable cushions Carson had arranged on the natural stone ledge. A small folding table held a thermos of hot chocolate and two mugs. Carson poured the steaming liquid into both mugs, the rich chocolate scent mingling with the crisp night air."To new beginnings," he said, raising his mug."New be
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 63 - Astraia
The journey to Moonlight Cottage took just ten minutes in the ornate, open-air carts that the Royal Pack used for traveling their extensive grounds. We followed winding paths along Shadowlight Lake's shore, the moonlight creating a silver path across the water beside us.As we rounded the final bend, the cottage came into view, and I gasped."Cottage" was a laughably modest term for what was actually a miniature castle crafted from gleaming stone. The two-story structure boasted turret-like features at each corner, expansive windows that captured the stunning lake view, and a wraparound balcony on the second floor. The grounds were meticulously landscaped, with an infinity pool that seemed to merge with the lake beyond, a modern fire pit surrounded by comfortable seating, and stone pathways winding through gardens illuminated by hidden lights. Lanterns hung from decorative iron posts, casting the entire property in a warm, inviting glow."Oh wow...It's beautiful
By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 62 - Astraia
When I woke a few hours later, the light had changed to the golden glow of late afternoon. I stretched contentedly, enjoying the complete absence of pain or stiffness. A quick shower left me feeling refreshed and energized.Odette arrived as I was toweling my hair dry, bringing with her a whirlwind of activity. Two palace staff members followed her, one carrying a case of what appeared to be cosmetics, the other a tray with tea and small sandwiches."Eat first," she instructed, "then we'll start getting you ready.""It's just dinner, Odette," I said, though I obediently took a sandwich.She ignored my comment, busying herself with laying out various hair products and makeup on the vanity. By the time I'd finished eating, she had transformed my bedroom into what resembled a high-end salon."Sit," she commanded, pointing to the vanity stool.Knowing resistance was futile, I complied. For the next hour, I was at the mercy of Odette and the staf
