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Chapter 67 - Astraia
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2025-04-14 11:00:20We 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
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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
Last Updated : 2025-04-15By 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
Last Updated : 2025-04-16By 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
Last Updated : 2025-04-16By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 1 - Astraia
The Beta’s birthday celebration was the social event of the season in our pack, a grand affair that filled the packhouse with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. The packhouse itself was a masterpiece of rustic elegance, its wooden beams adorned with twinkling fairy lights, and the scent of fresh pine mingled with the rich aroma of roasted meat and spiced cider. Tonight was supposed to be special. I had spent hours perfecting every detail—my hair styled into soft curls, my favorite emerald dress hugging my curves, and just the right amount of makeup to highlight my features. I’d hoped to feel beautiful, confident, and, for once, seen.But deep down, a hollow ache gnawed at me—a hope that tonight might bring a change in my life, even if I couldn’t name what that change should be. Instead, fate would deliver a cruel twist that would forever alter my path.“Astraia,” Tiffany’s voice broke through my thoughts, dripping with false sweetness. I turned to see her standing near th
Last Updated : 2024-12-17By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 2 - Astraia
The ride home was a blur. The rhythmic hum of the car’s engine did little to soothe the chaos in my mind. The car felt suffocating as I sat in the back, my parents chatting casually about the party. Their voices, light and unconcerned, seemed miles away, like they were coming from another world, a place where I wasn’t broken, where I wasn’t questioning everything I thought I knew. My father’s steady grip on the wheel, the sound of my mother humming softly in the front seat—it all felt so distant. The only sound in my ears was the agonizing thrum of my heart, the deafening emptiness that Grant’s rejection had left in its wake.“How was the party, sweetie?” My mother’s voice cut through my fog of pain.I opened my mouth to respond but couldn’t find the words. The truth was, I didn’t know how to explain what had happened. How could I tell them about the cruel words Grant had spoken? How could I admit that I’d been rejected in front of an entire pack? How could I explain that my heart was
Last Updated : 2024-12-17By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 3 - Astraia
The past few weeks had been an endless blur of sadness and confusion. Every thought, every memory, seemed to be wrapped in Grant's rejection. His cold dismissal, choosing Tiffany, breaking our bond – it all echoed through my mind like a haunting melody I couldn't escape. The ache in my chest wasn't just emotional; it felt like a physical weight crushing my heart."I, Grant Dixon, soon to be Alpha of the Rivermoon Pack, reject you, Astraia, as my mate."The words still rang in my ears, even weeks later. But somewhere deep inside, something began to shift. A quiet determination took root. I wasn't going to let Grant's rejection define me. I wasn't going to let it dictate my future.After countless hours of research and weighing options, I found my answer: Stellar University. A neutral zone where both humans and werewolves coexisted, far enough from Rivermoon Pack for breathing room but close enough to maintain connections. The perfect place to pursue my passion for environmental science
Last Updated : 2024-12-22By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 4 - Astraia
The evening sun cast long shadows across the wolfsbane garden as I finally gathered my thoughts and headed back to the apartment. The day's explorations had given me a better sense of my new territory, but it had also stirred up emotions I wasn't quite ready to face.Back in the apartment, I found Freya had left a note on the kitchen counter: "Made extra coffee this morning – it's in the blue thermos. Told you it was life-changing! Class until 6, but Chinese takeout after?"The thoughtfulness of the gesture brought a small smile to my face. I put the thermos in the fridge for tomorrow and turned to my room, ready to truly make it my space.Unpacking the last of my boxes, I carefully arranged my belongings. My environmental science textbooks lined the desk, along with the leather-bound territory mapping journal my father had given me – a traditional gift for Beta training. I hesitated before placing it on the shelf. It represented everything I'd lost, but also everything I'd learned. Kn
Last Updated : 2024-12-22By Shadowlight Lake Chapter 5 - Astraia
AstraiaThe morning sun cast long shadows across Stellar University's Main Quad as I clutched my orientation packet, trying to decipher the campus map. My stormy grey eyes scanned the imposing buildings, each one looking frustratingly similar to the last. Despite my Beta training in territory mapping, the university layout seemed determined to confuse me.The ashy rose-brown strands of my hair caught the early light, the distinctive Briarthorn silver shift more pronounced in my nervousness. I'd spent extra time this morning trying to look perfectly put together – a habit from my Beta-in-waiting days that was hard to break.First day. You can do this,I reminded myself, adjusting my bag. The weight of my new textbooks felt reassuring – something concrete to focus on besides the lingering echo of bond pain.My phone buzzed with several messages:Lila: You've got this, little cousin! Text
Last Updated : 2025-02-13
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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
