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Shadows of the past
Last Updated:
2024-11-28 18:44:52Related chapters
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Undeniable Connection
Jade Nightshade "Do I really have to go?" I muttered, slumping back into the chair as I stared at my mother. "Is my presence really needed at this party?"My mother’s eyebrow arched, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Stop being childish, Jade. You’re the acting Alpha now. This party is important, and you know it. We’re not just welcoming any warrior. We’re welcoming the strongest warrior in our ranks—someone who was once your best friend.”I groaned, running my hands through my hair in frustration. “Darius may have been my best friend once, but that was a long time ago. He won’t care if I’m there.”My mother sighed, folding her arms. “How do you think he’ll feel if you don’t show up? You, the acting Alpha, skipping out on his welcome party? Think about it.”I hesitated, knowing she was right. The thought of seeing Darius again after so many years was strange, but it wasn’t just about him. This was my introduction to the pack as acting Alpha. I needed to be there, no matter how mu
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts TheBetween the Past and the Bond
Jade Nightshade.Whoever said waiting for your fated mate was worth it instead of wasting time with someone else was absolutely right. Completely. Trying to love someone else, thinking they could be your forever, was like walking into the same heartbreak I had already lived through with Rowon. It wasn’t just the betrayal, though—that stung, yes—but the thought that I might have missed out on this, this bond, this overwhelming pull that was shaking me to my core.My heart was in chaos.The moonlight flickered over the crowd, but all I could see was him.Darius. My mate.My heart raced, hammering against my chest like it wanted to escape. I didn’t want him to see me this way—shaken, unsure, speechless.I stole a glance at him, the boy I had once known, now towering, exuding power and confidence. His face was sharper, more mature, but those eyes—they were still the same. The same ones that used to glint with mischief when he pulled my hair, teased me, and found new ways to make my life di
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts The One She's Meant For
Darius ClawsonYes, you guessed it. I wanted to brag to his face. I wanted to show him that I had her, that Jade was mine—mine to love, mine to protect. I couldn’t wait to shove it in Rowon’s face—the same guy who once told me I could never have her.Back then, I was nothing. Just a low-ranking member with no real power, no real standing. Rowon had made that crystal clear, and I believed him.He'd laughed in my face and told me that Jade could only end up with someone of his status—Beta’s son, Moon Goddess approved. And for a while, I thought he was right. I was too young and too insecure to see otherwise.His words had haunted me and driven me to push myself further than I ever thought possible. I hated fighting, but I did it for her. I had fought my way to the top and clawed through training until I became the strongest warrior.I had bled for this moment—to prove I was worthy of her and to show Rowon and everyone else that I wasn’t some nobody undeserving of Jade.The Moon Goddess
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts A Bittersweet Escape
Jade NightshadeI would never in a million years have thought that I'd be the one helping deliver Rowon and Kassandra’s baby.Dear Moon Goddess...I had no choice, though. Unfortunately for me, I was the acting Alpha, and I had to push my feelings aside and act like one. Their lives depended on me, even though I wanted nothing more than to pretend they didn’t exist.Darius and I were walking away when my conscience started eating at me. The pack was busy at the celebration, and there wouldn’t be a pack doctor available to help Kassandra since everyone was at the party. She might die giving birth, and though the thought of her dying had an almost cruel appeal... the innocent baby hadn’t done anything to me.I’d trained to be a Luna, and part of that training included learning how to assist a pregnant woman in labor during an emergency. I knew what had to be done, even if the idea of walking back into that house made my stomach churn.“I can’t believe this,” I muttered under my breath a
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Bound by Expectations
Jade Nightshade The scent of home hit my nose, pulling me from a dreamless sleep. I fluttered my eyes open and blinked in the dim light of my living room. I was... being carried? My gaze travelled upward, locking onto Darius’s strong jawline and broad chest as he carried me inside. For a second, I admired his solid build, the warmth radiating from his skin where he held me close.But then reality slammed into me.My parents could be home.“Darius, put me down,” I whispered, panicking, my eyes darting toward the hallway. “My mom—she might see us like this!”He just smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Too late.”My head whipped around, and sure enough, there she was—my mother, sitting in the living room with her mouth hanging open in sheer shock. Her eyes darted between Darius and me, taking in the closeness, the way his arms were still wrapped around me, and I felt the heat rise to my cheeks.“Are you… Is he your mate?” She stammered, pointing between us, her voice high-pitched
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts The Edge of Control
Darius's POVI couldn’t focus. My eyes were on the food in front of me, but my mind was far away, trapped in a cycle of thoughts that wouldn’t stop.Does she like Rowon?It was the only explanation I could come up with for why Jade was acting so cold toward me. She was hiding the fact that we were mates from everyone, pretending like there was nothing between us. No connection. No bond. But I felt it. I knew she felt it, too. So why the distance? Why keep it a secret?Rowon’s image flashed through my mind—the way he looked at Jade, even as his mate delivered their child. His focus wasn’t on Kassandra or the newborn; it was on her. The way his eyes followed her every move, the way his breath seemed to hitch when she entered the room. It didn’t make sense.It was like she had him under some kind of spell, and the worst part? I had no idea if she felt the same. I wanted to believe it was nothing, that I was just imagining things, but something about it gnawed at me. What if there was som
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Unleashed Emotions
Jade’s POVDamn, it wasn’t a dream.I let out a yawn, stretching out lazily as I blinked into the dim morning light streaming through the curtains. For a second, I tried convincing myself that the past few days were all just some wild, twisted dream. That maybe, just maybe, I didn’t help pull my ex’s child into this world.But the blood-stained clothes thrown carelessly on the floor shot that theory to hell. I groaned, covering my face with my hands. No, it was real. All of it."Well, isn’t that just fan-fucking-tastic?" I muttered under my breath before pushing myself up from the bed.Suddenly, I craved chocolate—maybe some sugar could take the edge off the mess that was my life. Sighing, I padded toward the door, my bare feet hitting the cool floor as I stepped out into the hallway. As I reached the stairs, a hushed conversation stopped me dead in my tracks."Can you believe Beta Rowon punched warrior Darius in the face?"“Yeah, I thought it was a rumor! Weren’t they best friends?”
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts A Morning of Conditions and Confessions
JadeI swallowed hard, staring at him as the words left my mouth before I could rethink them. "I'm ready to be with you. On one condition."Darius chuckled, but it wasn’t his usual laugh—it was softer, almost sad, like he was bracing himself for something bad. His brow lifted in curiosity. "And what’s the catch?"My stomach knotted with nerves. "No one can know we’re mates, Darius. Not yet, please. Let them think we’re just... friends. Getting to know each other again, with some... romantic feelings involved."The words felt heavy, but it was the only way I could navigate being with him openly without hurting my wolf or him.Silence stretched between us, and I held my breath, waiting for his reaction. Instead of answering, Darius stepped forward until he was right in front of me. Confusion flickered in my chest as he knelt down and started taking off his sandals.“What are you doing?” I blurted, looking down at him.But then I realised—I had practically sprinted out of the house baref
Last Updated : 2024-11-28
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Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Marked by fire
Jade After the unexpected attack on the pack, Darius and I wasted no time organising meetings with scientists. Now, five days later, we found ourselves in a secret laboratory that seemed more like a fortress than a workplace.The lab was bathed in cold, sterile white light, the kind that left everything sharp and cold. It stretched wide, with rows of polished metal counters lined with vials, wires, and gleaming weapon prototypes that looked as deadly as they were sophisticated. Scientists in pristine lab coats moved around like ghosts, focused and determined, their heads bent over blueprints or screens flickering with code, adjusting equipment that hummed quietly with raw power. This place was a fortress of secrets, a weapon lab hidden from the world—a sanctuary of destruction waiting to be unleashed. Darius and I had sworn the scientists protection, wealth, and land in return for their work, promises that would be fulfilled once we won the war. Darius was right—we didn’t know what
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts A Looming Threat
Darius The air in the interrogation room was thick with tension, and the sharp scent of blood clung to everything. I studied the two captives before me, both battered, bruised, and visibly shaken. Their faces were pale, and their bodies trembled, every twitch betraying the fear simmering beneath their defiance.They’d seen what I was capable of; they knew this was far from a game.I leaned against the wall, letting the silence stretch uncomfortably, intensifying their fear. The taller of the two men shifted, glancing nervously at his partner before muttering."Please... spare our lives. We don’t want to die.” he stammered.I allowed a cold smirk to spread across my face. “Oh, now you care about your lives?” I muttered with cold amusement, twirling a blade between my fingers. Its edge glinted under the dim light, catching their wide, terrified eyes every time it spun. “If that’s true, all you need to do is talk. Doesn’t sound too hard, does it?”They said nothing; they just sat there s
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Deadly Surprise
Jade"Darius, please," I whispered, though I knew he could hear the tension trembling in my voice—it was impossible to hide my anxiety. "Tell me... what kind of woman is Lilian? No—better yet, who exactly is her father?"Darius looked up from the documents, pausing mid-turn of the page, his brows knitting together as he studied me. “Why the sudden interest in my ex-mate?”I pressed my lips together, clenching my fists, frustration and anxiety mixing uncomfortably in my chest. I knew I should let it go, and I also didn't want to tell him how much Lilian’s words had haunted me since our run-in, the way they clung like thorns. “Urgh!” I huffed, throwing up my hands, my pulse a drumming I could feel everywhere. “Can’t I be curious? Why are you acting so defensive?”He sighed, setting the papers down as his eyes softened. “It’s not about that. It’s just…” He hesitated, his gaze searching, as though the right words were somewhere hidden between us. “I don’t feel comfortable talking about he
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Morning After
JadeI stirred from sleep, feeling a warmth settle over me, like a soft glow pulsing at the edge of my consciousness. Slowly, I blinked away the remnants of sleep, my eyes adjusting to the morning light, and there he was—Darius, his gaze burning into me with such intensity it stole my breath. The depth in his eyes was something I’d never seen before—an unguarded tenderness and love so fierce that it tightened something in my chest. I realised, with a thrill, that I could feel him now—his emotions mingling with mine in the bond we’d created, a vivid, unmistakable presence in my heart.“Good morning, beautiful,” he murmured, his voice low, barely breaking the stillness.Unable to hold back a smile, I snuggled closer, pressing my face into his chest and letting myself breathe him in. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer, his touch gentle but steady. I felt… safe. Truly safe.I had just begun to relax again when my mother’s voice rang up from downstairs. “Jade! Come down for b
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Sealed by Passion
JadeI looked into Darius' intense, burning eyes; my heart swelled with emotion. I’d always been drawn to them—that deep, captivating gaze that seemed to see right through me. Now, knowing he’s loved me for so long, his sincerity is almost overwhelming in its purity.It was time to sever any bond or oath I had left with Rowan for good, just as Althea had warned. I could take that risk now, and with the two of us alone at my house, this was my chance. It was now or never."I want you, Darius," I whispered. "Not just now, but for always. We've wasted so much time, and I don't want to delay our bond any further."His brow furrowed, a look of anxious concern flickering across his face. “Jade, are you sure? I know learning about my feelings has been sudden... and after everything with Rowan, I don’t want you to feel pressured or obligated.”I tilted my head, clenching my fists at my sides. “Don’t you understand, Darius? There’s no confusion. I’ve wanted you for a long time; I just didn’t r
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Battle-Scarred Hearts
JadeAs we walked away, I clutched Darius's hand tightly, my mind spinning in a thousand directions. The image of Liliana lingered—she was effortlessly beautiful, the kind of woman any man would dream of. Even I, a woman, could see it. And yet… Darius had rejected her. He’d turned down that perfect, goddess-like creature—for me?Crazy.The silence between us was heavy, but I couldn't bring myself to break it. A knot formed in my stomach as anger bubbled up, not because of Liliana’s beauty but because Darius had kept her existence a secret. Why didn’t he tell me? He knows how much I hated secrets and couldn't stand them. And now with Rowan lurking, circling like a vulture waiting for any chance to tear us apart... to pounce on any weakness... he let Rowan get under my skin by handing him this opportunity on a silver platter.I didn’t even know where I was leading him, only that I needed to be somewhere private, somewhere I could yell at him without an audience. When we reached my house
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Love's Twisted Game
Darius If someone had told me Jade would one day look at me with that spark in her eyes and say she was beginning to feel something for me... God, I wouldn’t have believed it. Hell, I would’ve laughed in their faces. But hearing those words... knowing she’s finally falling for me... nothing in this world could compare. The sound of her voice, the softness in her gaze—all I could think was how lucky I was. She said she cared deeply for me, and those words made me feel like the happiest man alive.Funny how my mother’s madness ended up bringing out this side of Jade, forcing her to reveal her loyalty and her feelings. And now, hearing her say she feels something for me... I’d give her the world. No—I already promised myself. I’d rather break every bone in my body than break her heart. I’d fight for her, for us, with everything in me.I wanted to hold her, protect her, and make her laugh for the rest of our lives. But of course, my happiness barely had a chance to settle before that sm
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Threats to Love
JadeMy gaze was locked on Darius’s mother, and for a second, she looked shocked, as if I’d slapped her across the face, and then anger simmered to the surface. Her hand slammed down on the table with such force that all the dishes rattled, some even lifting briefly before settling back down. I felt the jolt through my whole body, but I held my ground, refusing to look away.“Don’t you ever call me ‘mother-in-law,’” she spat, her eyes narrowing with venom. “I would never want someone like you for my son. You might be his mate, but that means nothing to me. You’ve hurt him, and you’re risking his life. If you had an ounce of decency, you’d end this relationship before it drags him down any further.”Heat crept up my neck, and I clenched my fists at my sides. I wanted to snap and fire back, but I took a deep breath, knowing that lashing out would only feed and fuel her disdain. Still, I couldn’t stop the small, mocking smile tugging at my lips as I raised an eyebrow.“Then, I suppose it
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts In-laws and Outbursts
JadeWe gathered around the breakfast table, and I could feel the tension hanging in the air—so thick I could almost taste it, and it made my skin prickle. Everyone was seated, but no one spoke, and the silence pressed down on me. I was acutely aware of Darius’s hand brushing against mine under the table, his touch a small comfort in this unnerving atmosphere. I sat beside him, holding onto that small touch, drawing strength from it as his family’s unreadable faces seemed to study my every move, especially his mother’s. She sat at the head of the table with a regal authority that made my stomach twist.Stanley, his brother, was the first to break the silence. "Mom," he said, forcing a smile, “your food is delicious."“Yes, Mom, it’s really amazing,” his sister chimed in, nodding enthusiastically.Their words seemed to hang in the air, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as though everyone was holding their breath, unsure what to say next. The silence that followed felt even more loade
