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Chapter 131: Xander's Mind-Game
Last Updated:
2024-08-17 23:32:18
Lady GwenI've been on vacation out of state this week so updates have been slow. Hopefully longer, faster updates next week.
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Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 132: Negotiation
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Last Updated : 2024-08-19Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 133: Meeting with Luna Lily
(Leo Bloodstone POV)Ten minutes later, Xander and I walked into my office. My father was already in there along with Luna Lily. She was holding an infant pup, and her husband/ mate Alpha James was with her. Unlike Xander and I —who were both barefoot and dressed in basketball shorts and t-shirts— Luna Lily was wearing heels and a navy-blue business dress, while Alpha James was wearing a black suit, blue button-up shirt, and no tie. My father was also dressed professionally in a full suit and tie.“Thanks for the heads up,” I mind-linked my father. “Could have given me some time to at least shower.”“Figured you were busy,” my father shrugged. “Didn’t want to bother you until I had to.”I sighed.“Luna Lily, Alpha James,” I said after I closed the door. I slightly bowed, acknowledging their positions. “I apologize for the wardrobe. I had not been expecting you.”“I understand. It sounds like it has been a busy morning for all of you,” Luna Lily responded, without the slighte
Last Updated : 2024-08-19Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 134: Hot Seat
(Xander POV)I was only barely listening when Luna Lily insisted that Leo sit back down. I was too busy worrying about why the f&&k Ellis had failed to notify the werewolf council about the attack.To be fair, Alpha James was right when he said that it was the alpha’s responsibility to give the notice… and I had been planning to do it. But phone calls with the werewolf council are always tedious and time-consuming, and Ellis insisted that he could help me out with that part so that I could concentrate on more important last-minute preparations. At the time, I felt grateful for having such a dedicated and determined beta wolf on my side.But how could Ellis just… not do it? That is not the type of thing that you simply forget to do.Unless…Unless… Unless he did not forget.Leo’s earlier words repeated in my mind. What if this had all been a set-up by Ellis? It would certainly explain who called and reported the attack to the werewolf council. Who else would have known to call?
Last Updated : 2024-08-21Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 135: Article 14.7.1
(Leo Bloodstone POV)“Did you attack Bloodstone Pack this morning because of Piper?” Luna Lily asked Xander.“Well, I … um…”“That’s not an answer, Xander. It is a yes or no question.”Xander rubbed his neck. “I… I just… I mean ---”“You are making a fool out of yourself,” I growled at Xander. “Act like an alpha for once in your d&&n life.”Luna Lily and Alpha James scowled at me.“Excuse me?” Luna Lily said, clearly not impressed with my interruption.“Just making an observation,” I replied.“I don’t think she asked for any help,” Alpha James said angrily. He was clearly even less impressed with me than Luna Lily was.“With all due respect, Alpha James, I was not trying to help Luna Lily.”“Then keep your mouth shut,” he snarled.“Sorry, I can’t do that.”“What the f&&k, Son?” my father mind-linked me. “Do you want to make an enemy out of Luna Lily and Alpha James?”“No,” I replied. “But if Xander doesn’t get himself under control, that is exactly what is going to happen.”And i
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(Leo Bloodstone POV)Yes, it is true. I reached a peace agreement with Xander Ross and Blue Ridge Pack.The agreement was necessary to get the werewolf council off of our backs, and it was a temporary agreement that would explicitly expire upon my marriage to Piper. Nevertheless,entering into the agreement was a huge f&&king deal, and it felt wrong on so many levels. And not just because the terms were ridiculous.Indeed, I knew when I entered into it that my father would have some colorful things to say about it. As he should. As my entire family should. It was to my father’s immense credit that he did not interfere with my decision to do it. It was also to his immense credit that he chose to leave the room during the negotiations. Hell, it was to my father’s immense credit that he had waited this many years to burn Blue Ridge Pack down and destroy every living being inside of it.Perhaps I should explain.Eighteen years ago, my little brother was murdered. It happened while
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I have NOT abandoned this story. 2024 just hates me.I am determined to finish this story, and do so as soon as possible.2024 willing, updates start again tomorrow.
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 197: Piper v. Viper, part 3
(Piper POV)“Boss thinks it is time for you to go back to Bloodstone Pack.”I practically jumped off of the bench, almost throwing up right then and there. “What?!?!? You have to be joking.”Viper sighed. “No. I’m serious.”“No, you are insane,” I replied angrily. “How could you possibly suggest that I go back to him?!?!? After all that he has done?!?!?!”Even if a part of my heart still craves him, I added silently.“That is why I wanted us to talk. I need you to tell me what happened between you.”“You have been watching me for years. So you must already know.”“We are bikers not psychics.”I sighed and pointed to the darkening sky.“You really want to do this right now?”“Yes.”“Why?”“Again, boss’s orders.”“Which boss? Rooster?”“No. The one who hired us.”“And that was?”“Someone that loves you a lot. Someone who even you would have to agree has always had your best interests in mind.”I laughed bitterly. “And now I know for sure that you are lying. No one alive fit
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 196: Piper v. Viper, part 2
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Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 195: Piper v. Viper, part 1
(Piper POV)As Viper and I continued to sit in silence on the bench overlooking the lake, the sky darkened, signaling a thunderstorm was on its way. At first, I tried to ignore the impending change in weather. However, after several raindrops hit my face and the first roar of thunder landed in the distance, I stood up and faced him. Regardless of whether I was ready to talk about my past, I knew that we needed to quickly do so and then get back on the road.“You said that you wanted to talk, so let’s talk,” I said softly.“We have been keeping secrets from each other,” Viper said in a serious tone of voice. “That needs to end today.”I gulped.“What do you mean?”“Don’t play stupid with me. We both know each other better than that.”“Well, I thought we did…”“Poison,” he said sternly.I sighed. “Okay, fine. Where do you want to start?”“First, I want you to tell me something. Do you trust me?” Viper responded.“That’s a weird place to start.”“Maybe. But answer the question
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 194: Becoming Viper's Old Lady
(Piper POV)I was silent for a long time after Viper told me that we needed to talk. I knew that he was right, but I was not sure who should start the conversation… him or me. Ten minutes earlier, I would have been sure that I was the one who needed to talk and confess some things. However, it was also ten minutes earlier that I had no idea that Viper knew anything about my past, much less about Leo Bloodstone’s connection to it. It was now clear to me that Viper had been keeping secrets of his own. Because, of course he was. All of the males around me kept secrets. URRRRGGGGGGHHHHH.I suppose I should back up before I confuse you any further. I forgot that I skipped ahead and left a few things out.As you already know, I had a car accident six months before this. Just before the accident, I stole a delivery van and ran away from Moon Shadow Pack. I thought that I had gotten away successfully, and I was planning to make my way to Dr. Hyder’s pack for treatment and help elimi
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 193: Property of Viper
(Six Months Later)(Piper POV)I found myself lost in thought as I stared out over a large lake. It was still pretty early in the morning, so there were not a lot of people around. The only movement that I saw came from the water, the wind, and the birds.So much had happened in the past six months. In many ways, I was happier than I had been in a very long time. However, a big part of me still longed for my old home, my old friends, my (now deceased) family, and …as stupid as it sounds… for Leo. After all the time that had passed, and after all of Leo’s lies, tricks, and secrets, I was not sure why my heart still held on to Leo. After all, we had only been together for a couple of weeks. I tried to convince myself that it was just the lingering effects of the spells that he had placed on me. For her part, when I asked her about it, Penelope agreed with me that that was all it was. However, I think both of us knew deep down that it was more than that; we just did not want to
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 192: The Notes
(Leo Bloodstone POV)“Where is she?” I asked.Addie did not answer right away. I could tell that she was beginning to fade. I began to worry that Addie would pass out or fall asleep any minute.“WHERE IS PIPER?” I repeated in a louder voice.“I don’t know,” she said in a sing-song voice.“How long has she been missing?”“I don’t know. A while.”“What happened?”“I don’t know.”Addie closed her eyes and leaned her head on one of her suitcases. No. I could not let her sleep. Not yet.I gently grabbed Addie by both of her arms. “Addie, this is important. Please concentrate. Where is Piper?”Addie shook my hands off of her. “I already told you, Leo. I don’t know!!! She was here, and then she wasn’t.”“What happened? Why did she leave?”Addie took in an annoyed breath. “I. DON’T. KNOW.”“I came all the way out here to get her, Addie. And I came because you called me. You’ve got to do better than that. You know how important this is. Give me something!”At that point, Add
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 191: Drunk Addie
(Leo Bloodstone POV)It was nearly 2 am by the time that my team and I finally made it to Moon Shadow Pack. It had taken me longer than I expected to leave, mainly because my father —despite doing better— was still not 100%. More on that later.I felt a mix of relief, guilt, and worry as we got close to the pack gates, and as I thought about Piper and all that had happened the past few weeks. But above everything else, I felt a sense of excitement. I genuinely missed her, and I could not wait to hold her in my arms again.I promised myself and my wolf that, once we found Piper, I would explain as much as I could to her. I would also never let anyone hurt her again. Nor would I ever let her go… even if I had to handcuff her to me this time.I was not surprised that Addie was waiting for me when we arrived. I was, however, surprised to see her sitting on the ground, waiting for me outside the border… by herself… while surrounded by suitcases and a few empty bottles of wolfsbane vo
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 190: Piper's Escape
(Piper POV)Luna Addie told Leo where I was. How could she do that? I really had thought that she had wanted to help me. Was I that bad a judge of character? I mean, yes, I had not completely trusted her …but I had trusted her a little bit… and I had never expected her to turn me over to Leo. Maybe she really did want to punish me for my relationship with Aiden, and her saying otherwise was just a lie.Goddess.No matter what, it was now clear that I could not trust anyone. Nor could I trust my own judgment.It was also clear that I needed to get out of Moon Shadow Pack. There was no way that I could stay now that Leo knew where I was.I raced as quickly as I could to my bedroom so that I could grab my duffle bag. Thankfully, I had not unpacked it at all and no one stopped me on the way to get it; everyone seemed busy with other tasks.Once I had my duffle bag, I went to Kade’s room on the next floor up to let him know that I was leaving. Despite being angry with me, I assum
