Share
Chapter 16: Pack Politics
Related chapters
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 17: Midnight Rendezvous
Lyra's POVThe full moon hangs low in the sky, a silver eye watching the sleeping world. But sleep eludes me, my mind a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The events of the pack meeting replay on an endless loop—the unexpected praise, Elara's threats, and Xander's words that felt too much like hope.With a frustrated growl, I throw off my covers. I can't stay in this room for another second. Nova, my wolf, paces restlessly within me, yearning for freedom.'Run,' she urges. 'Let's run until we can't think anymore.'For once, we're in perfect agreement. I slip out of the house silently, padding across the dew-dampened grass. As soon as I reach the tree line, I let the shift take me. Bones crack and reform, fur sprouts across my skin, and in moments, I'm no longer Lyra the girl but Lyra the wolf.I take off into the forest, reveling in the feeling of the earth beneath my paws and the wind in my fur. The physical exertion helps quiet the tumult in my mind, if only temporarily. I r
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 18: The Stalker's Game
Lyra's POVThe morning sun filters through my curtains, but its warmth does nothing to dispel the chill that's settled deep in my bones. I've barely slept, the mysterious man's threats echoing in my mind like a sinister lullaby. As I drag myself out of bed, my phone chimes with a new message. My heart leaps into my throat as I read:"Enough games, little wolf. It's time we met face to face. Tonight. The old willow by Moonstone Creek. Come alone, or there will be consequences."My hands shake so badly I nearly drop the phone. This can't be happening. How did it come to this?"Lyra? You up?" My best friend Mia's voice calls from the hallway. "We're gonna be late for training!"I quickly hide my phone as Mia bursts into the room, her usual exuberance faltering as she takes in my haggard appearance. "Whoa, you look like you've seen a ghost. What's wrong?"The concern in her eyes breaks something inside me. Before I can stop myself, I'm spilling everything – the mysterious gifts, the threat
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 19: Family Secrets
Lyra's POVThe tension in Alpha Blackthorn's office is thick enough to cut with a knife. I stand before his imposing desk, flanked by Xander and Elara, feeling like a prisoner awaiting sentencing. The Alpha's steely gaze sweeps over us, his expression unreadable."Explain," he says, his voice low and dangerous.Elara immediately launches into a tirade, her words a poisonous mix of accusations and crocodile tears. "She's trying to steal Xander from me, Alpha! That photo proves it. She's been seducing him behind my back, trying to worm her way into the Luna position-""Enough," Alpha Blackthorn cuts her off, his eyes fixed on his son. "Xander. What do you have to say about this?"Xander hesitates, conflict clear in his eyes. "Father, I... It's not what it looks like. Lyra and I ran into each other in the forest. We were talking. Nothing happened.""Nothing happened?" Elara screeches. "You were about to kiss her!""We didn't-" I start to protest, but Alpha Blackthorn silences me with a ra
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 20: The Alpha's Test
Lyra's POVThe great hall buzzes with anticipation as pack members file in, whispers and speculative glances flying like arrows. I slump in my seat, trying to make myself as small as possible. After the events of the past few days – the mysterious photograph, the overheard conversation about my parentage, the cryptic messages – I want nothing more than to disappear.But there's no escaping the weight of expectation hanging heavily in the air. Alpha Blackthorn stands at the front of the room, his imposing presence commanding silence as he raises his hands."Thank you all for gathering on such short notice," he begins, his deep voice resonating through the hall. "As you know, our pack is entering a time of transition. My son, Xander, will soon take on the mantle of Alpha. And with that comes the need for a strong, capable Luna by his side."My stomach churns as I catch Elara preening in the front row, already sure of her victory. Standing beside his father, Xander keeps his expression ca
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 21: Elara's Revenge
Lyra's POVThe packed house is eerily quiet as I go down the deserted hallway. It's late – most wolves are on patrol or tucked away in their beds. But sleep eludes me, my mind a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts and emotions after the events of the Luna challenge.As I round a corner, hushed voices catch my attention. I pause, recognizing Elara's nasty tone."...can't let her get away with this," she hisses. "That little bitch thinks she can just waltz in and steal everything from me? My mate, my future, my pack? I don't think so.""But what can we do?" another voice – Sarah, one of Elara's cronies – asks. "Alpha Blackthorn seemed impressed by her ideas.""We discredit her," Elara says with a cruel smile. "Make the pack see her for the fraud she is."My blood runs cold as Elara outlines her plan: doctored financial records, planted evidence, and a carefully crafted trail leading back to me. It's devious, thorough, and terrifyingly plausible."By the time we're done," Elara concludes, "the
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 22: The Ultimatum
Lyra's POVThe old willow by Moonstone Creek looms before me, its gnarled branches reaching out like grasping fingers in the pale moonlight. My heart pounds a frantic rhythm as I approach, every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs setting my nerves on edge."Hello?" I call out, hating how small and afraid my voice sounds. "I'm here. Show yourself."For a long moment, there was nothing but eerie silence. Then, a figure emerged from the shadows. Tall, broad-shouldered, his face obscured by a hood, it was the mysterious man who'd been haunting my life for months."Ah, little wolf," he purrs, chilling my spine. "I knew you'd come. You always were too curious for your good."I stand my ground, fists clenched at my sides. "Enough games. You said you could help me. Prove it."He chuckles, the sound low and menacing. "So impatient. But very well. I can indeed clear your name, Lyra. I have evidence that proves Elara's deception. One word from me, and your innocence will be unquestionable."Hope
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 23: Into the Unknown
Lyra's POVThe forest swallows me whole, its dense canopy blocking the rising sun. I run until my lungs burn and my legs tremble, putting as much distance as possible between myself and everything I've ever known. Xander's anguished howl still echoes in my ears, a haunting reminder of what I've left behind.As the adrenaline fades, the total weight of my decision crashes over me. I collapse against a moss-covered tree, sobs wracking my body. What have I done? How can I possibly survive out here on my own?Nova, my wolf, whines softly within me. 'We had no choice,' she reminds me gently. 'It was the only way to protect them.'But the reassurance does little to ease the ache in my chest. Images of Xander's face – the love in his eyes, the devastation as I walked away – repeat in my mind. Will I ever see him again? Will he ever understand why I had to leave?A twig snaps nearby, jolting me from my misery. I freeze my senses on high alert. The forest has gone unnaturally quiet, the usual c
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 24: The Second Alpha
Lyra's POVThe world on the other side of the portal is a kaleidoscope of impossible colors and ethereal beauty. Flowers that glow like starlight, trees with bark that shimmers like polished silver, and creatures that defy description flit through the air. For a moment, I'm lost in wonder, drinking in sights I never imagined could exist outside fairy tales.Asher's warm hand on my lower back brings me back to reality. "Breathtaking, isn't it?" he says softly. "But we can't linger here. The borderlands are dangerous for those unprepared."As if to emphasize his point, a vine suddenly lashes out, its thorns gleaming wickedly. Asher pulls me out of the way just in time, the plant missing us by inches."Right," I mutter, heart racing. "Lead the way."We navigate the otherworldly landscape, and Asher guides me with the ease of someone intimately familiar with its dangers. As we walk, he begins to explain."The pack I lead, the Moonfire Pack, has guarded this border between worlds for genera
Latest chapter
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 61: Echoes of the Past
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 60: At the Precipice
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 59: Veiled Truths
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 58: Tides of Change
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 57: Sins of the Father
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 56: Fractured Reflections
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 55: Masks and Mirrors
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 54: Torn Loyalties
Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate Chapter 53: Whispers in the Dark
