MasukShare
Why a secret?
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2024-11-26 22:44:47
Bab terkait
Desired Mate You must not die.
CATHERINE Frustration clawed at me like a relentless beast as I stood outside Kane’s quarters. The guards’ impassive expressions only added fuel to the fire. My heart was a riot of emotions; fear for what might have happened to him, anger at being kept in the dark, and an overwhelming determination to see him.“I need to see him,” I repeated for what felt like the hundredth time now. “It’s urgent.”The taller guard shook his head, his tone annoyingly calm. “The king’s orders stand, my lady. No one is to disturb him.”I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my composure. “Do you even know who I am?” I snapped. “I’m his—” I faltered, the words catching in my throat. What exactly was I to him? A reluctant bride? A pawn in his grand schemes? Whatever it was, it should have been enough. “I have the right to see him!”The other guard, a stockier man with a heavy brow, stepped forward. “We understand, my lady. But the king has given strict instructions. It’s for everyone’s safety.” he so
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-27Desired Mate What happened last night?
CATHERINE I rushed back to my chambers with my heart racing as if I had just run a great distance. The tension from Kane’s chambers clung to me, and I could still feel the suffocating weight of the guards' glares. Pushing the door open, I found Mia pacing about looking worried.“My lady!” she exclaimed, spinning around to face me. “You’re finally back. Did it work? Did… what I gave you help?”I paused, catching my breath as I leaned against the door. “Yes, Mia. It did,” I replied in a low tone.Her shoulders sagged in relief, and she crossed the room toward me. “Thank the heavens,” she said, her hands clasped together. “I was so worried. I’ve been here thinking the worst, that something might’ve gone wrong.”I nodded, sinking onto the bed. “It did work. But… he’s worse than I thought, Mia. Much worse.”FLASHBACKI paced my chambers, thinking about nobody but Kane. The memory of the maids leaving his chambers with basins of bloody water replayed in my mind. What had happened to h
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-27Desired Mate Are you all in this together?
CATHERINE “...what happened last night to cause you to shout so loudly?”Mia’s question hung in the air, as she stared at me so expectantly. I hesitated and my fingers fiddled with the fabric of my dress. Did I want to say it out loud? To admit the terrifying things I had felt and seen? It felt almost absurd, like a figment of a cruel imagination. But then, there must be a reason she was asking me that.I took a deep breath, trying to organize the jumbled mess of memories swirling in my mind. “I don’t even know where to begin,” I uttered softly, lowering my gaze to the floor. “It’s all so… unreal.”Mia moved closer, sitting beside me on the edge of the bed. “Start wherever you can, Luna.” she urged. “I just want to understand.”I nodded, drawing another deep breath. “It started as a dream, or at least, I thought it was a dream,” I began. “I was in this cold, wide spacs, completely alone. It was so dark, yet somehow, I could see far ahead of me. And then… I saw someone. A woman.”
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-27Desired Mate Don't go.
CATHERINE I couldn’t stop pacing in my chambers after Mia’s revelation. Every nerve in my body was taut with frustration. They all knew something; Mia, the guards, even the maids who had whispered about the blood-soaked basins. And yet, I was the one left in the dark, again.I clenched my fists. Enough was enough.Without another thought, I stormed out of my chambers and headed straight for Durmas’ quarters. He might have been the priest of the castle, but I had no intention of letting him preach or dance around the truth this time.I pushed the heavy door open without knocking, the creak echoing through the sparsely lit room. Durmas was seated at his desk, poring over some ancient-looking texts. He looked up, his sharp eyes narrowing when he saw me.“Lady Catherine,” he greeted with a forced calm, standing to his feet. “What brings you here at this hour?”I slammed the door shut behind me, ignoring his question. “Don’t play coy with me, Durmas. I’m done with the secrecy.”He arched
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-27Desired Mate It's going to be fine.
CATHERINE Kane's hand wrapped gently but firmly around my wrist, halting my retreat. His touch sent a shiver down my spine as he pulled me back toward him.“Don’t go,” he said softly in a slightly hoarse tone.I turned to face him, my gaze locking onto his. His blue eyes held a depth of emotion that caught me off guard. So much unspoken, yet so much understood in that one look. We stayed like that, staring at each other in silence.“How are you feeling?” I finally managed to ask while I tried to keep my emotions in check.Kane gave me a faint smile, his usual confidence shining through even in his vulnerable state. “I’m alright now,” he said, reassuring me.But his words didn’t match the ache in my chest. Tears welled up in my eyes, and before I could stop myself, I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. He stiffened for a moment, clearly caught off guard, but then his arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer.“Don’t be a crybaby,” he murmured.I pulled back slig
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-27Desired Mate Curiosity.
CATHERINE Kane’s arms tightened around me as I rested against him so intimately. But then the door flew open with a loud thud, breaking the spell.“Apologies for barging in,” Damon’s gruff voice cut through the silence like a blade. “But I need to speak with you, Kane.”I practically leapt out of Kane’s arms, heat rising to my cheeks as I turned away, mortified that we had been caught in such a vulnerable moment. Kane, however, seemed unbothered. He casually leaned back against the pillows, getting irritated a bit though.“Damon,” Kane uttered with a warning. “Do you have any idea how to knock?”Damon folded his arms across his chest, unfazed. “I’d rather be rude than delay matters that are important.”“And those ‘important matters’ couldn’t wait a few more minutes?” Kane replied sarcastically.I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the embarrassment. “I should go—”“No,” Kane interrupted firmly, his hand reaching out to lightly touch my wrist. “You don’t have to leave just becau
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-27Desired Mate Apologies.
CATHERINE Kane’s arms tightened around me as I rested against him so intimately. But then the door flew open with a loud thud, breaking the spell.“Apologies for barging in,” Damon’s gruff voice cut through the silence like a blade. “But I need to speak with you, Kane.”I practically leapt out of Kane’s arms, heat rising to my cheeks as I turned away, mortified that we had been caught in such a vulnerable moment. Kane, however, seemed unbothered. He casually leaned back against the pillows, getting irritated a bit though.“Damon,” Kane uttered with a warning. “Do you have any idea how to knock?”Damon folded his arms across his chest, unfazed. “I’d rather be rude than delay matters that are important.”“And those ‘important matters’ couldn’t wait a few more minutes?” Kane replied sarcastically.I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the embarrassment. “I should go—”“No,” Kane interrupted firmly, his hand reaching out to lightly touch my wrist. “You don’t have to leave just becau
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-28Desired Mate What if he knew?
CATHERINE I couldn’t believe what I had done.The moment our lips touched, it was like I had been swept away by some unseen force. Damon’s warmth, his steady presence—it all felt so consuming. But just as quickly as I was drawn in, I felt a bit of shame.I pushed him away, harder than I intended, and stumbled back a step.The vendor, oblivious to my inner turmoil, clapped her hands together, grinning ear to ear. “Ah, such passion! What a beautiful couple you make.”My face burned, and I raised my hand, shaking my head vehemently. “No, no! We’re not a couple.”Damon stood silent beside me, his expression unreadable as he rubbed the back of his neck.The vendor tilted her head, unconvinced. “Not a couple? Well, my dear, perhaps it’s fate then. There’s clearly an attraction between you two, stronger than you realize.”I could feel the heat rising in my chest. “It’s not like that!”But the woman wasn’t listening. She prattled on with a dreamy look on her face. “Ah, young love. You ca
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-28
Bab terbaru
Desired Mate There's a message.
CATHERINE The night had been restless. Sleep was a distant memory, chased away by the lingering ache of Kane’s absence. Every rustle of the wind, every crackling of the fire outside the tent, made me wonder where he was and if he was safe.I sat on the edge of the cot, staring at my hands when Camille suddenly rushed in, looking all antsy like something terrible had just happened. In her hand was the small, battered phone Kane had left behind, the phone which was used to communicate with us. It chimed again and I noticed a faint glow of the screen illuminating her fingers.“Catherine,” she called out to me, looking so serious. “There’s a message.”My heart leaped into my throat. “From Kane?”She nodded and handed me the phone. My fingers trembled as I swiped at the screen, revealing a simple yet piercing message:“Meet me at the quiet garden just outside the town’s border. I miss you so much. Kane.”My stomach twisted. K
Desired Mate Moments like that.
CATHERINE When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the silence. The camp, usually humming with activity, felt oddly subdued. Stretching out on the bed, I instinctively reached for Kane, but the space beside me was cold. My heart sank.I sat up, scanning the room. His cloak was gone, as were his boots. Panic surged through me.“Camille!” I called out in a bit of a yell.The door creaked open, and Camille appeared, looking all cautious. “You’re awake.”“Where is Kane?” I demanded, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “Don’t tell me he left.”Camille hesitated, her hands fidgeting. That was all the confirmation I needed.“He did, didn’t he?” My voice cracked. Anger bubbled in my chest, together with a sense of betrayal. “And he didn’t even have the decency to tell me? To say goodbye?”“Catherine—”I cut her off, pacing the small room. “How could he do this? After everything, he just leaves? What if something happens to him?”Camille stepped forward, raising g her hand
Desired Mate You have a deal.
KANEThe silence in the dungeon stretched, broken only by the occasional drip of water echoing from somewhere in the darkness. I leaned back against the cold, damp wall, thinking about methods and strategies as well as the possibilities that came with them. Zelda might think she’d won, but she underestimated me.The burglary creaked slightly, catching my attention. I sat up, my senses sharpening. Footsteps echoed down the corridor. The guards wouldn’t be walking down here for no good reason, and Zelda never treaded anywhere without making an announcement of her presence.I focused my ear to listen to whose footstep it was but before I could, the shadow that appeared before my cell brought a faint smirk to my lips.“Durmas,” I said quietly. “Took you long enough.”Durmas glanced over his shoulder before stepping closer, his face serious. “Kane,” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the burning torches. “I thought they might have beaten the fight out of you, but you look... surp
Desired Mate Rest well.
KANEIt didn't take long after I stepped out of Durmas’s chambers when I saw her—Zelda. She was standing in the center of the corridor, flanked by her entourage of loyalists. Her posture was regal, but I could see the malice dancing in her eyes. She walked toward me with a disarming smile, her hands folded delicately in front of her.“Ah, my son,” she said in a honey coated voice. “You’ve finally returned home. I was starting to worry about you.”I stopped in my tracks, fixing her with a hard stare. “Cut the act, Zelda.”Her smile faltered, the saccharine sweetness fading just slightly. “Act? What do you mean?”I stepped closer, closing the gap between us. “Spare me the pretense. I’d rather deal with the real you—the scheming, conniving woman I know you to be. At least then, I know what I’m up against.”A bit of irritation crossed her face, but she quickly masked it with a soft laugh. Behind her were the people she had brought with her, guards, attendants, and advisors. They bowed th
Desired Mate Come out!
KANEThe journey to the castle was grueling. Night had fallen, and the cold wind howled through the space as I drove past. I kept my senses sharp and my ears tuned to every sound around me. It was dark, no doubt creatures lurked around, some more dangerous than others.After a while, I paused my journey when I was about to get to the border. I can't just get in blindly. Suddenly, a snap echoed to my right and I would down the car window. My hand instinctively reached for my dagger, holding it tightly in my palm."Come out," I growled into the darkness.For a moment, there was silence. Then, from the shadows, a man stumbled forward, his clothes torn and his face pale with fear. His hands were raised in surrender."Please," he croaked, collapsing to his knees. "Don’t kill me. I mean no harm."I alighted cautiously, keeping my weapon ready. "Who are you? What are you doing here? It's fucking cold and dry out here.""My name’s Garret," he said, trembling. "I’m from the city. I was traveli
Desired Mate No goodbye.
KANECatherine had finally fallen asleep, her chest heaving as she breathed in slumber. I could feel her worry radiating off her even as she slept with the way she clung so tightly to me. Gently, I shifted her in my arms and laid her down on the couch. I smoothed a strand of hair from her face, leaned down, and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.She might not know it, but I understood her well enough even if she tried her best not to show her worry deeply. She tried masking it not wanting to burden me. I knew her that well at least."Sleep well," I whispered. She stirred for a moment but didn’t wake.Straightening up, I made my way to the door, pausing only briefly to glance back at her peaceful, albeit tear-streaked face. The sight made my chest tighten, but I forced myself to step outside, closing the door quietly behind me. Camille was already waiting. I had nudged her earlier informing her to let us talk outside before laying Catherine off my chest."What’s the plan?" she asked
Desired Mate I'll come back for you.
CATHERINE Back in the house, Kane paced back and forth, his heavy footsteps echoing against the hardwood floors. His brows were furrowed, as he was thinking. Each time he turned, frustration radiated off him in waves. We had made sure nobody left the camp after the incident, not even Davina and her team."Damn it," Kane muttered under his breath, filled with anguish. "I can’t just stand here while those kids... while more people suffer because of me."I sat at the edge of the couch, thinking too. Camille perched beside me, her gaze bouncing between Kane and me. I knew she was struggling to piece together what she’d just learned since she had no idea how Kane's relationship with Zelda was or who Esme really was.Finally, Camille broke the silence cautiously. "Catherine, explain this to me again. From the beginning. I need to understand what’s really happening here."I drew in a deep breath before diving into details. "Esme isn’t who we thought she was. She’s one of Zelda’s pawns, sen
Desired Mate Do you know her?
CATHERINE “Esme,” I muttered. I didn't even know when the word left my lips. She was one of Zelda’s closest allies, a woman Kane and I both knew too well. Well, Kane knew her more than I did. I only got the chance to know her because of the mating ceremony which was of course, ruined.Seeing Davina’s face change into Esme’s was like being struck by lightning. My legs felt weak, and for a moment, I thought I’d collapse. The world spun as I struggled to reconcile the two faces. How could this have happened?Camille’s voice broke through my haze of disbelief. “Catherine, what’s going on? Do you know her?”I turned to my sister, my voice shaky. “She’s… she’s Esme. Zelda’s friend. I saw her when I was preparing for the mating ceremony with Kane. She was there. I… I can’t believe this.”Esme’s sly smile only added to the knot of unease in my chest. I pointed a trembling finger at her. “What are you doing here? What is the meaning of this?”Esme’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Delivering
Desired Mate A good feat.
KANEThe scent my beast picked up wasn't just a normal odouror something. It was a feeling. But I didn't have the chance to decipher what it was. Fear? Intimidation? I wasn't sure. But it was a very good feat for me nevertheless. It led me to someone because as soon as it disappeared, it returned. My wolf prowled close to the surface, growling with anticipation, urging me to act, to find the truth buried in the fear-stricken crowd. I could feel the lies hanging in the air, the deceit woven among these so-called helpers. And I so much would tear it out, root and stem, no matter the cost.“Bring them forward,” I barked thunderously, pointing to some of the people ahead. If they weren't going to talk willingly, I might as well try another method.The men I gave the orders to dragged the first suspect into the center of the clearing. It was a young medic, pale and trembling, his glasses askew on his nose. I paced in front of him like a predator.“Name,” I demanded.“D-David, sir,” the ma
