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Chapter 132: Negotiation
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2024-08-19 00:38:52Related chapters
Mated 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
Last Updated : 2024-08-22Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 136: The Truce
(Xander POV)I did not know why Leo was so eager to get rid of Luna Lily and Alpha James. Nor did I understand why he did not seem to care that he was angering them. His behavior seemed inconsistent with his plan to marry Piper so that he would have more influence with the werewolf council.However, I did not have a lot of time to really think about it or ask questions. Nor did I really care that much, to be honest. When you are desperate and out of options, and someone offers to throw you a lifeline, you accept it. And goddess knows how desperate I was at that moment.Thus, I agreed to make peace with Leo f&&king Bloodstone. It was possibly the strangest and most unexpected truce in the history of werewolves, but it was a truce all the same.Unfortunately, agreeing to the idea of peace was the easy part. Agreeing to the terms was a lot harder.In exchange for peace, I demanded that Leo cancel his wedding and send Piper home with me to Blue Ridge. I also demanded that he agree
Last Updated : 2024-08-23Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 137: The Other Axel
(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
Last Updated : 2024-08-24Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 138: What Happened to Axel
(Leo Bloodstone POV)So what happened to my little brother?Well, this is what my father was able to piece together. While I tossed a football around with another alpha pup, Axel had been playing on the swings. He kept getting off of the swings and asking Beth for permission to play with the bunnies that he saw running wild in the forest behind us, but Beth would not let him.We could only guess that when Beth got distracted, he decided to chase after them anyway. Bunnies being bunnies, they likely led him on quite the chase. Axel was a pretty fast four-year-old, but he was also pretty clumsy. Tiny parts of his shirt were found deep into the forest, as though his shirt had snagged on them as he was running.Of course, as a four-year-old, Axel did not understand or appreciate pack boundaries. As a result, we suspect that he had no idea that he crossed through multiple packs on his little journey until it was much too late.Eventually, Axel ran into a small group of rogues. Normall
Last Updated : 2024-08-25Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 139: Ruben's Choice
(Leo Bloodstone POV)Warrior Ruben’s letter continued: “I did not want to kill your pup. I was following orders.Looking back on it, I wish I had pushed back on the orders or ignored them entirely. But I was still just a pup myself, having just turned 21 years old the month before. And I had a new, pregnant mate at home. I did not know how to challenge authority, and I was scared to try.I know none of these things are excuses. I also know that my regret is probably of very little comfort to you. But it’s true. I desperately wish that I could have changed what happened that day.Before I go further, please understand that my alpha is not a bad guy. He never has been. He was just a young alpha who was a little …misguided… and who experienced some things that messed with his perspective. He also hasn’t always gotten the best advice from others around him.Let me back up. As I see things, the story of your pup’s death begins almost three years before your pup died, when rogue
Last Updated : 2024-08-25Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 140: The Council's Role
(Leo Bloodstone POV)I'll pause for a moment, because at this point in the story, I am sure that you are wondering two different things. First, how could I possibly memorize such a long letter after reading it just one time? In response to that question, I will say two things: 1) I am both a werewolf and an alpha, which means that I have all sorts of abilities that an average human does not have; and 2) you try forgetting a letter that explains so much of a tragedy that has impacted your entire life.Second, do I (or did I) have any sympathy for Warrior Ruben’s plight? Did/ does my father? The second question is as easy to answer as the first: No. Does that make us cruel and heartless? Maybe. But the a&&hole shot and killed a 4-year-old pup who was chasing after a f&&king bunny. I don’t care how scared Ruben was. I also do not care how young he was. There is a thing called a moral compass, and if Warrior Ruben had a functional one, he would have stopped to think about what
Last Updated : 2024-08-25
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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
(Piper POV)“How do you know about my connection to Leo Bloodstone?” I asked gingerly.Viper ignored my question. “Why did you run away from Bloodstone Pack?” he asked me instead.“Answer my question first.”“No.”“Viper ---”“Poison, this is important. Before I tell you anything, I need to know why you ran away from Bloodstone Pack. I’ve given you time and space the last few months to see if you would tell me on your own, and you haven’t. Now I need to know.”“Why now? In the middle of a run with everyone else?”“Boss’s orders.”Huh. That comment puzzled me. The boss/ alpha/ president of the club was Rooster. I had only met him a few times, and he only barely seemed to notice me.“Rooster knows about Leo too?”“Yes.”“Why does he care? Did Leo threaten the club?”“No.”“So why does Rooster care?” “Before I answer that, answer my question first. Why did you run away from Bloodstone Pack?”Just like that, the anger and frustration I was feeling towards Viper returned. I de
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
