공유

Chapter 52

작가: Jewels
last update 최신 업데이트: 2024-12-30 20:46:04
The café smells of freshly brewed espresso, warm pastries, the faint, earthy hint of wood, and the scent and emotions of the people in the café. The bell above the door jingles as I push it open, and a gust of cool air follows me in, ruffling the edges of my jacket. Wooden tables, their surfaces worn smooth by years of use, reflect the muted golden light of hanging lamps. Outside, the faint patter of rain against the windows adds a rhythmic softness to the hum of conversations and the occasional clang of cups. But none of it registers fully because she’s here.

I see her before she sees Me. Lynette sits at a small table by the window, her ocean-green eyes catching the afternoon sunlight, making them shimmer like glass over shallow waves. Her frosty blonde hair cascades over her shoulders in effortless waves, the pale strands glowing like spun silk. She looks up as I enter, and her cherry blossom pink lips curve into a smile so radiant it pierces straight through my chest.

She’s not wear
이 책을 계속 무료로 읽어보세요.
QR 코드를 스캔하여 앱을 다운로드하세요
잠긴 챕터

관련 챕터

  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 53

    The moment Kassian steps out of his car, I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop from laughing. He stares at the amusement park with the kind of horrified disbelief I’ve only seen on people watching horror movies. His amethyst eyes narrow, his lips twist into a grim line, and his broad shoulders stiffen beneath his dark shirt. It’s like he’s bracing himself for an ambush.Victory hums in my chest, and I allow myself a quick, satisfied smile. But it’s more than that—it’s relief. I can’t believe I actually pulled this off. He came. He’s here. The man who usually keeps everyone at arm’s length—especially me—agreed to follow me of his own free will. Granted, it probably wasn’t without a great deal of internal grumbling, but still.I clasp my hands behind my back as I stroll up to him, forcing myself to stay composed. Inside, I’m a whirlwind. For days, I told myself I’d give him one last chance. If he didn’t show up at the café this morning, I’d let him go, admit defeat, and move on.

    최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-31
  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 54

    The game begins, and I’m in my element, zipping around the rink, slamming into other cars with gleeful abandon. Kassian looks downright uncomfortable in the tiny car, his knees practically brushing the dashboard. He doesn’t complain, but the way he adjusts his grip on the wheel, his movements precise and measured, makes it clear he’s just tolerating this for my sake.I take full advantage, ramming into him at every opportunity. “Are you even trying?” I call out, laughing as his car jerks sideways.“This is ridiculous,” he mutters, though I swear I see the corner of his mouth twitch.After a few rounds of wrecking havoc, I finally call it quits, my sides aching from laughing so hard. Kassian climbs out of his car with his usual composure, but there’s something lighter about the way he moves now—like maybe, just maybe, he’s starting to relax.I catch his eye and grin. “You’re terrible at this, by the way.”“I think I did fine,” he replies, but there’s no edge in his voice.“Sure, let’s

    최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-31
  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 55

    By the time we reach the Ferris wheel, the sun is dipping low, casting the park in a golden glow. I grab Kassian’s hand without thinking and pull him toward the line.“Last ride,” I promise, glancing up at him.He gives me a long look, his eyes softening slightly. “Fine.”The Ferris wheel creaks as it starts its slow ascent, rocking gently as we leave the noise of the park behind. The air grows cooler the higher we climb, carrying the faint scents of popcorn, cotton candy, and the metallic tang of machinery. I sit back in the cramped little cart, sneaking a glance at Kassian.He’s silent, his sharp profile etched against the fiery hues of the setting sun. His amethyst eyes are locked on the horizon, but his shoulders have relaxed just a fraction, the usual tension in his jaw almost imperceptibly gone. It’s subtle, but it’s enough to make me wonder if he’s finally letting himself feel the moment. Though I can tell he’s still trying to figure out why he agreed to this ride—or maybe why h

    최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-31
  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 56

    Oliver’s POVThe western forest is alive with the faint rustle of leaves, the sharp tang of pine filling the air as I inhale deeply. It’s quiet now, save for the occasional hoot of an owl somewhere in the darkness. The moon hangs low, casting silver light over the perimeter, which only hours ago had been breached.I tighten my grip on the hilt of my blade, my other hand resting on my hip as I face the leader of the first guard quad. His name is Cade, a burly, dark-haired wolf with sharp blue eyes that never seem to miss a thing. He stands rigid, his posture a picture of discipline, though his scent carries a faint trace of unease.“Have you checked the southern perimeter?” I ask, my voice steady but sharp enough to cut through the crisp night air.“Yes, it’s secured,” Cade replies, his deep voice calm but certain. “There was no interference from that angle. The rogues only got in through the east.”“And you’re sure no one from the pack saw anything?” My gaze locks onto his, searching f

    최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-31
  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 57

    Oliver’s POVRavenna leans back in her chair, her dark hair falling in loose waves over her shoulders as her green eyes glint with mischief. “You really married up, Dad,” she says sarcastically, a sly grin spreading across her face.I chuckle, plopping down on the nearest couch. “How did you meet Mom again? She doesn’t seem like your… brand,” she adds, her voice dripping with playful disdain.I raise my head and glare at her in mock offense. “Hey, I heard that!” Dorothy’s voice rings out from the kitchen, the faint clatter of pots punctuating her indignation.“Wasn’t saying it for you not to hear, Mom,” Ravenna sing-songs, her grin widening. She turns back to me, undeterred. “Seriously, Dad, what did you see in that woman? The only thing she knows how to do is burn down our kitchen.”The air fills with the faint scent of charred something—bread, maybe? Whatever it is, she’s not wrong.I grin, leaning forward. “Unfortunately, I can’t ask the Moon Goddess for a refund. I’m stuck with her

    최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-31
  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 58

    Oliver’s POVThe silence that follows Kassian’s confession is heavy, suffocating almost, wrapping around us like an unspoken weight. I press my lips into a thin line, my gaze fixed on him as disbelief and shock swirl in my chest. His words replay in my head like a broken record, each repetition hammering in the magnitude of what he just said. Kassian, of all people, has found his mate.And the poor, unfortunate woman? I can’t even begin to pity her.Kassian sits slouched in the chair across from me, his broad shoulders tense and his hands twitching against his knees. The faint scent of cinnamon, sage, and rosewood clings to the air around him, a smell that’s always been distinctly his but now seems sharper, almost frantic. His heartbeat echoes in the room, loud enough to join the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock, the two sounds merging into an almost oppressive cadence.“She’s…” he starts hesitantly, dragging a hand through his hair. The movement is nervous, jerky, so unlike the usua

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-01-05
  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 59

    Lynette. Of course, it’s her.The realization lands heavily, though I can’t say it surprises me. It’s shocking, yes, but not unexpected. Anyone who had been paying attention could have guessed this was coming.Rowan’s obsession with her had always been suspicious, the way he watched her, talked about her. Once, he even mentioned he thought she might be his mate, but his stepmother had silenced him before he could say more. At the time, none of us could confirm it, not with Kassian missing and no tangible evidence to back up Rowan’s feelings.But now, with Kassian here and the mate bond undeniable, it all makes sense.“Damn,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair as I lean back in my chair. Thank the Moon Goddess the truth never came to light back then. If Kassian’s father had even suspected Lynette could be his son’s mate, he would have done everything in his power to destroy her—or worse, force Rowan to mark her.That’s how much that pathetic excuse for a father despises Kassian.K

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-01-06
  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 60

    “Bloody Rowan,” Kassian snarls under his breath, the sharp edge in his voice cutting through the damp, cool air. The faint metallic scent of blood lingers in the room, mingling with the sharp smell of lemon and the faint tang of leather from the chair Kassian had kicked over earlier. My heart pounds in my chest, but that’s the least of my worries. His wolf’s eyes—blue? Since when? Last time I saw Fenrir, they were royal purple, like molten amethyst under the moonlight.Kassian’s wolf, Fenrir, is a stark contrast to Rowan’s Rune. Fenrir is larger, faster, stronger—an overwhelming force of raw power and ferocity that Rune, with his quieter, more agile presence, could never match. Yet, it isn’t just size or strength that sets them apart. It’s their eyes—those unmistakable marks of their deviance. Fenrir’s were a regal, commanding royal purple, while Rune’s shimmered a softer, almost ethereal lilac. Together, the Draven brothers were known for this rare and legendary trait. No shifter aliv

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-01-06

최신 챕터

  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 119

    Across the room, Kassian remains unmoving. His mind is a haze of static, his thoughts tangled in a thick web of denial. He watches them press their hands against Lynette’s lifeless form, listens to their frantic attempts to revive her, but none of it registers. She’s not dead.She’s just… sleeping.She’ll wake up soon. She has to.Something deep inside him pulses, hollow and aching. The mate bond—the once-constant hum of connection—has been severed, leaving behind nothing but a vast, unbearable emptiness. He feels it, deep in his soul, but he refuses to acknowledge it. Because if he does—if he admits, even for a second, that she’s really gone—he won’t survive it.His hands twitch at his sides, clenching and unclenching as his thoughts spiral.How do I live without her?How does he wake up every morning without hearing her voice? Who will roll their eyes at his brooding and call him dramatic? Who will compliment his cooking but vehemently love it more than anything? Who will read him li

  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 118

    A quiet hum drifts through the dimly lit office as Oliver methodically sorts through scattered documents, the faint scent of paper mixing with the lingering traces of Kassian’s scent. Outside, the day is still, save for the distant chirping of birds, a stark contrast to the turmoil that has haunted this place for days.He steals a glance at Kassian, sprawled across the worn leather couch, his chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. There’s something almost childlike about the way he sleeps—completely at ease, his face unburdened by the grief and rage that have shadowed him since Ryker’s death. Oliver can count on one hand the number of times he’s seen his cousin sleep, and never once has it been so peaceful. Before, it was always fitful, his brows drawn tight, his body tense, as if even in slumber, he fought unseen battles. But now… now he’s at rest.A warmth spreads through Oliver’s chest, satisfaction curling around his heart like a protective shield. Justice has been ser

  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 117

    It’s a good day to die.The thought crashes into my mind, and I immediately regret it. Worst possible time for jokes, Lynette.My breath is shallow, my pulse hammering against my ribs like a desperate prisoner trying to escape a cage. The scent of damp earth and pine needles fills my nose, and it almost feels as if I can perceive my own fear.I step back cautiously, my slippers sinking slightly into the forest floor, soft moss cushioning the impact. My eyes dart over my shoulder, scanning for any possible escape routes. Nothing. Thick trees enclose the area like silent spectators, their gnarled branches twisting above, casting jagged shadows in the fading sunlight. Even if I did run, what were the odds I’d make it?Slim. No—nonexistent.Panic grips me with icy fingers, tightening around my throat. My mind screams for a way out, some way to call for help. If only I had a mental link like Kassian did with his pack—something, anything to let him know I’m in danger. But I don’t. The best

  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 116

    The quiet hum of the AC fills the office, cold air whispering through the space, blending with the faint rush of wind from the open window. Somewhere in the background, the coffee machine lets out a low gurgle. The silence is heavy. Oppressive. It settles around us like a second skin, thick enough to suffocate.I want to say something. I want to fix this. But the words lodge themselves in my throat, tangled between the fear of hurting him and the desperation to pull him back before it’s too late.Then, warmth.A gentle pressure over my fidgeting hands, stopping their restless movements.I jolt slightly at the unexpected contact, my heart skipping a beat. Kassian’s hands are warm—so warm—completely engulfing mine as if he’s trying to ground himself through me.I look up at him, breath catching at the raw emotion on his face. The sadness, the exhaustion, the fear—it’s all there, painted across his features in shades of grief and torment. His amethyst eyes, dulled with sorrow, meet mine,

  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 115

    The hallway outside Kassian’s office is eerily quiet, the usual buzz of the pack absent. The air smells of old parchment, ink, and something heavier—like exhaustion and fading traces of stress-induced sweat. I take a deep breath, steadying myself before rapping my knuckles against the door.“Knock knock, it’s me!” I call out, my voice deliberately cheerful, a singsong lilt added for effect. A wide smile stretches across my lips, but inside, I’m anything but lighthearted.It has been over a week since Kassian defeated his father, and everything has changed. The pack. The leadership. Him.At the pack’s request, he revealed the truth—the real Rowan Draven had died long ago, and Kassian had been living in his place. Doubts lingered, of course. Murmurs of suspicion slithered through the media, but the CCTV footage he once hid sealed the truth. Footage proving he hadn’t been anywhere near Rowan’s death. That was the easy part. After all, back then, Kassian had dyed his hair black.I didn’t

  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 114

    The arena is silent, save for the rhythmic pounding of hearts, the quiet inhales and exhales of tense bodies, and the occasional nervous shuffling of feet against the stone seating. A warm breeze drifts through the vast space, whispering through the ears of the gathered pack members, carrying the distant cries of birds and rustling leaves from beyond the towering arena walls. The scent of smoky vanilla and cream—the distinct fragrance that unites them as one—lingers in the air, blending with the individual scents of sweat, fear, and anticipation. The heavy mix of emotions clogs the atmosphere, suffocating to anyone with heightened senses.Yet, among the hundreds of anxious onlookers, one figure remains entirely unaffected.At the highest point of the arena, where the view is unobstructed, Lynette lounges with effortless ease, legs crossed as she leisurely munches on the cookies in the large bowl at her feet. Sunlight spills through the glass roof above, catching the frosty strands of

  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 113

    The air in the pack arena is thick with tension, the faint strong scents of emotions mingling with the crisp bite of evening air. The weight of everything that has happened in the past hour presses against my chest like a boulder, suffocating, heavy.Vivian made Lynette’s demand clear, and then everything spiraled. My father—weak but still an alpha—exploded in fury, his roar shaking the very foundation of the hall. The guards tried to restrain him, but it was useless. His presence alone is enough to make seasoned warriors hesitate, their instincts screaming at them to submit. It was only when Vivian, despite her own exhaustion, used her magic to subdue him that he finally fell. But at a cost—her body shook violently, blood spilling from her lips as the spell took its toll.Then the truth unraveled, piece by piece, in the most horrifying way.I had always wondered why a powerful witch like Vivian tolerated a man like my father. Now, I know. And the knowledge is sickening.Noelle walked

  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 112

    My mother stared back with wide, horrified eyes. Her lips parted, trembling, unable to form words. Then the scream that tore through her throat, so raw it sent a shiver down my spine even now, years later.She lost her mind in that moment. And in that moment, she lost everything.The gleam of the blade was the last thing I saw before she pressed it to her throat and dragged it across her skin.I remember the gurgling sound, the way the air filled with the thick, metallic scent of blood. I remember her collapsing, her body convulsing. The life draining from her eyes.And I remember him. Ryker, my so-called father, standing there. Watching.He rolled his eyes.And then he turned his back and walked away.He never turned back when I ran after him, my screams tearing from my throat as I begged him to save her. He never cared.And neither did anyone else.The pack didn’t mourn the loss of their unkind and selfish Luna. No one spoke of the pain she endured. No one cared about the woman she

  • Darkbound Mate   Chapter 111

    Lynette’s fingers tighten around my forearm before she lets go, stepping forward. My muscles tense instinctively, my gut twisting. What is she doing?“Lynette,” I murmur, leaning toward her, my voice low, questioning. Her sudden change of topic throws me off, her choice of words even more so. She knows what she’s doing—she has to. But why?She doesn’t look at me, but I see the way her shoulders rise and fall in a deep breath. “Trust me.”My throat bobs, and I force myself to nod, even as unease prickles beneath my skin.Then, she shifts her attention back to my father, her head tilting. “You know,” she begins, almost casually, “I thought my father was the worst man alive. But I stand corrected. Turns out, he’s top-tier garbage, while you, Ryker, take the spot of F-rank waste.”A beat of silence. Then—a strangled noise from the crowd. I hear the sharp inhale of people struggling to keep their composure, the barely stifled coughs that are most certainly hiding laughter. Even the guards

좋은 소설을 무료로 찾아 읽어보세요
GoodNovel 앱에서 수많은 인기 소설을 무료로 즐기세요! 마음에 드는 책을 다운로드하고, 언제 어디서나 편하게 읽을 수 있습니다
앱에서 책을 무료로 읽어보세요
앱에서 읽으려면 QR 코드를 스캔하세요.
DMCA.com Protection Status