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CHAPTER 35
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-08 23:20:43
Bab terkait
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 36
EMBER WELLESLEY’S POVIt’s late. The kind of late where everything is too quiet and the air feels too heavy. I shouldn’t have come to Asher like this—hair unbrushed, eyes red, jacket pulled on inside out. But I didn’t care. I just needed someone who still had a thread to me.I sat on the steps and stared at the pavement like it might rearrange itself into something that made sense. “Can you find her?” I asked.Asher leaned against the railing, arms crossed. His silence was thick, but I knew he was listening.“Ava,” I said, voice catching on her name. “Can you use your connect, or whatever it is you still have, and bring her back to me? Even just for five minutes.” I added.He didn’t respond right away. Just shifted, like my words made him uncomfortable.“She won’t answer me. Not even to say she hates me.” I laughed quietly, humorless. “Though she made that pretty clear the last time we talked.” I said, voice barely above a whisper.Asher’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t interrupt.“She
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-09Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 37
ENID’S POVThe small space is dimly lit — just the warm amber from a single lamp and the city glow leaking through half-shut blinds. A tea mug sits on the edge of the table, long forgotten. Enid paces, barefoot, her hair pulled back in a hasty knot.There’s a knock.I hesitated, heart thudding. Then the door creaks open.LARK steps in, not waiting for an invite. He shuts the door behind him with a soft click. He doesn’t smile — not really. Just studies me like he already knows what I’m thinking.“You’re going to tell Asher, aren’t you?” He asked.“You shouldn’t be here.” I said.“Didn’t ask if I should be. I’m here because I know you better than anyone, Enid. And you’ve got that look again.” He said back.“What look?” I asked.“Like you’re about to set your own house on fire just to feel clean.” He responded.I looked away, jaw tightening. Silence stretches between us.“I’m not here to argue. Just… don’t make this harder than it already is.” He added.“He deserves the truth.” I said,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-10Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 38
ASHER NIGHTSHADE’S POV.The silence hovering in the air in my Maybach was the only company we shared driving back from the meeting with Ava. Ember hasn’t uttered a wide the entire drive back to the big house and I worry for her. I hope this was the closure she needs to be able to finally move on — or we might have opened an even bigger wound. I hope the latter is the case. And who the hell is Julian?“I can’t believe Ava is truly gone” Ember finally finds her voice. “I could swear there’s not much Ava left in whoever came to the meeting—that wasn’t my sister!” She added.I take a long and deep breath, resting my back on the car seat.“I’m sorry about everything, but I think she’s made her choice. It’s time for you to respect it and find a way to be able to live with it” I said.“That was the initial plan, I’m just glad I got to try again, else I wouldn’t be able to live with myself” she utters.“That’s right, you did all you could and that’s enough, Kitten” “Thank you for giving me t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-11Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 39
EMBER WELLESLEY’S POVThe room is dim. A few candles flicker near the windowsill. Rain lashes gently against the glass. I sat on the floor, knees pulled to my chest, clutching a sweater that used to belong to Ava. My eyes are red, my face pale. A storm rages silently inside me, muted only by exhaustion.Asher stands in the doorway, hesitant. He watches me for a moment before stepping inside, shutting the door softly behind him. He crosses the room and lowers himself next to me.“You’ve been in here for hours.” Asher said, quietly.I do not respond. My fingers tighten around the sweater. When I speak, my voice is brittle, like glass on the edge of shattering.“We had her right there in front of us last night, and I didn’t even ask if she was okay. I didn’t even—God, I didn’t *see* it.” I responded.“None of us did.” Asher said softly.“But I should have. I *knew* her. I knew how she hid things. And I just… let her say she was fine. Like always.” I protested.Silence. Asher reaches out,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-13Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 40
JULIAN ST. CLAIR’S POV*Low lighting. Shadows cling to the bookshelves, stretching like secrets. Rain whispers against the tall windows. The storm outside is gentle — almost tender. I sunk my bottocks in my chair, alone at my desk, a half-empty glass of whiskey in my hand. A bottle of something old and expensive rests beside me.**A single candle flickers near my elbow, casting gold across my face. The fire crackles softly in the hearth behind me. My eyes are distant, fixed on the space just beyond the rim of my glass. Then — a knock at the door. Not loud. Not urgent. Just enough to break the silence.***AIDEN** (off-screen) You heard?**JULIAN** (coldly) I have ears, don’t I?*The door creaks open and Aiden leans against the frame. His expression is unreadable, but his presence lingers like smoke. I did not turn to look at him.***AIDEN** It’s real. Ava’s dead.*A beat. I lift my glass slightly, eyes still fixed on the candlelight.***JULIAN** *Suicide*, they’re saying.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-15Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 41
VIVIANNE ST. CLAIR’S POVThe room was quiet. Still. The kind of quiet that feels heavy, like it’s holding its breath. The fire in the corner had burned low, more shadows than light now, and the wind outside was brushing against the windows like it was looking for a way in.I sat on the edge of the bed, one hand curled around a mug of tea that had gone cold an hour ago. The other rested on the empty space beside me.His side.I hadn’t touched it in years.Lucas. God, his name still did something to me. Still made my chest tighten like it did the first time I realized I loved him — really loved him. Not the easy kind. The kind that changes how you breathe.We met too young. Or maybe just early enough. He was wild, cocky, always smelled like smoke and something sharp, like the woods before a storm. I thought I hated him at first. He always had something to say, always knew what I was thinking before I did.But he saw me.Not just the pretty parts. Not the version of me I built for ever
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-15Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 42
EMBER’S POVThe dirt was cool between my fingers, a little damp from last night’s rain. I pressed into it, trying to focus on the way the earth felt, the smell of rosemary and damp leaves. The sun hadn’t fully risen yet, just a soft glow creeping through the trees. Usually, mornings like this made me feel calm. Safe.But not today.I tugged at a weed near the basil, too hard, and the stem snapped in my hand.“Careful,” a voice behind me said. Warm. Familiar. *His*. “You’re going to make the poor plant cry.”I didn’t turn around. “You should be at the office, Asher.” I said.“I know, Kitten,” he said.I stood up slowly, brushing my hands off on my apron. I didn’t want to look at him, but I did anyway.He looked the same—tired, like he hadn’t slept, like maybe he’d been up thinking about me the way I’d been thinking about him. His hair was a mess. I hated how much I liked that.“I can’t keep doing this,” I said quietly. “It doesn’t feel right.”Asher tilted his head. “What doesn’t?”“
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-16Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 43
JULIAN’S POVThe room smelled like sage, iron, and old smoke—Vivianne’s idea of comfort. She always said it cleared the air. I figured it just masked the scent of rot that clung to this place like a second skin.Aiden stood near the window, staring out at the woods. He hadn’t said a word since we came in, but that was typical. He only spoke when he wanted to be heard. Otherwise, silence did the trick. Vivianne was seated across from me, her long fingers tracing the rim of her tea cup. The fire in the hearth cracked behind her, casting flickering shadows across her face. For a moment, she looked soft. Almost human.But I knew better.“So,” she said finally, voice low and even, “we’ve confirmed the soil?”I nodded once. “Magnetite. Straight from the northern ridge of Raven’s Peak. The scouts made sure of it. They’ll be scrambling now, trying to plug the leak.”“Good,” she said, smiling faintly. “Let them chase ghosts while we sharpen our blades.”Aiden turned then, arms crossed. “Still
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-17
Bab terbaru
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 43
JULIAN’S POVThe room smelled like sage, iron, and old smoke—Vivianne’s idea of comfort. She always said it cleared the air. I figured it just masked the scent of rot that clung to this place like a second skin.Aiden stood near the window, staring out at the woods. He hadn’t said a word since we came in, but that was typical. He only spoke when he wanted to be heard. Otherwise, silence did the trick. Vivianne was seated across from me, her long fingers tracing the rim of her tea cup. The fire in the hearth cracked behind her, casting flickering shadows across her face. For a moment, she looked soft. Almost human.But I knew better.“So,” she said finally, voice low and even, “we’ve confirmed the soil?”I nodded once. “Magnetite. Straight from the northern ridge of Raven’s Peak. The scouts made sure of it. They’ll be scrambling now, trying to plug the leak.”“Good,” she said, smiling faintly. “Let them chase ghosts while we sharpen our blades.”Aiden turned then, arms crossed. “Still
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 42
EMBER’S POVThe dirt was cool between my fingers, a little damp from last night’s rain. I pressed into it, trying to focus on the way the earth felt, the smell of rosemary and damp leaves. The sun hadn’t fully risen yet, just a soft glow creeping through the trees. Usually, mornings like this made me feel calm. Safe.But not today.I tugged at a weed near the basil, too hard, and the stem snapped in my hand.“Careful,” a voice behind me said. Warm. Familiar. *His*. “You’re going to make the poor plant cry.”I didn’t turn around. “You should be at the office, Asher.” I said.“I know, Kitten,” he said.I stood up slowly, brushing my hands off on my apron. I didn’t want to look at him, but I did anyway.He looked the same—tired, like he hadn’t slept, like maybe he’d been up thinking about me the way I’d been thinking about him. His hair was a mess. I hated how much I liked that.“I can’t keep doing this,” I said quietly. “It doesn’t feel right.”Asher tilted his head. “What doesn’t?”“
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 41
VIVIANNE ST. CLAIR’S POVThe room was quiet. Still. The kind of quiet that feels heavy, like it’s holding its breath. The fire in the corner had burned low, more shadows than light now, and the wind outside was brushing against the windows like it was looking for a way in.I sat on the edge of the bed, one hand curled around a mug of tea that had gone cold an hour ago. The other rested on the empty space beside me.His side.I hadn’t touched it in years.Lucas. God, his name still did something to me. Still made my chest tighten like it did the first time I realized I loved him — really loved him. Not the easy kind. The kind that changes how you breathe.We met too young. Or maybe just early enough. He was wild, cocky, always smelled like smoke and something sharp, like the woods before a storm. I thought I hated him at first. He always had something to say, always knew what I was thinking before I did.But he saw me.Not just the pretty parts. Not the version of me I built for ever
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 40
JULIAN ST. CLAIR’S POV*Low lighting. Shadows cling to the bookshelves, stretching like secrets. Rain whispers against the tall windows. The storm outside is gentle — almost tender. I sunk my bottocks in my chair, alone at my desk, a half-empty glass of whiskey in my hand. A bottle of something old and expensive rests beside me.**A single candle flickers near my elbow, casting gold across my face. The fire crackles softly in the hearth behind me. My eyes are distant, fixed on the space just beyond the rim of my glass. Then — a knock at the door. Not loud. Not urgent. Just enough to break the silence.***AIDEN** (off-screen) You heard?**JULIAN** (coldly) I have ears, don’t I?*The door creaks open and Aiden leans against the frame. His expression is unreadable, but his presence lingers like smoke. I did not turn to look at him.***AIDEN** It’s real. Ava’s dead.*A beat. I lift my glass slightly, eyes still fixed on the candlelight.***JULIAN** *Suicide*, they’re saying.
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 39
EMBER WELLESLEY’S POVThe room is dim. A few candles flicker near the windowsill. Rain lashes gently against the glass. I sat on the floor, knees pulled to my chest, clutching a sweater that used to belong to Ava. My eyes are red, my face pale. A storm rages silently inside me, muted only by exhaustion.Asher stands in the doorway, hesitant. He watches me for a moment before stepping inside, shutting the door softly behind him. He crosses the room and lowers himself next to me.“You’ve been in here for hours.” Asher said, quietly.I do not respond. My fingers tighten around the sweater. When I speak, my voice is brittle, like glass on the edge of shattering.“We had her right there in front of us last night, and I didn’t even ask if she was okay. I didn’t even—God, I didn’t *see* it.” I responded.“None of us did.” Asher said softly.“But I should have. I *knew* her. I knew how she hid things. And I just… let her say she was fine. Like always.” I protested.Silence. Asher reaches out,
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 38
ASHER NIGHTSHADE’S POV.The silence hovering in the air in my Maybach was the only company we shared driving back from the meeting with Ava. Ember hasn’t uttered a wide the entire drive back to the big house and I worry for her. I hope this was the closure she needs to be able to finally move on — or we might have opened an even bigger wound. I hope the latter is the case. And who the hell is Julian?“I can’t believe Ava is truly gone” Ember finally finds her voice. “I could swear there’s not much Ava left in whoever came to the meeting—that wasn’t my sister!” She added.I take a long and deep breath, resting my back on the car seat.“I’m sorry about everything, but I think she’s made her choice. It’s time for you to respect it and find a way to be able to live with it” I said.“That was the initial plan, I’m just glad I got to try again, else I wouldn’t be able to live with myself” she utters.“That’s right, you did all you could and that’s enough, Kitten” “Thank you for giving me t
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 37
ENID’S POVThe small space is dimly lit — just the warm amber from a single lamp and the city glow leaking through half-shut blinds. A tea mug sits on the edge of the table, long forgotten. Enid paces, barefoot, her hair pulled back in a hasty knot.There’s a knock.I hesitated, heart thudding. Then the door creaks open.LARK steps in, not waiting for an invite. He shuts the door behind him with a soft click. He doesn’t smile — not really. Just studies me like he already knows what I’m thinking.“You’re going to tell Asher, aren’t you?” He asked.“You shouldn’t be here.” I said.“Didn’t ask if I should be. I’m here because I know you better than anyone, Enid. And you’ve got that look again.” He said back.“What look?” I asked.“Like you’re about to set your own house on fire just to feel clean.” He responded.I looked away, jaw tightening. Silence stretches between us.“I’m not here to argue. Just… don’t make this harder than it already is.” He added.“He deserves the truth.” I said,
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 36
EMBER WELLESLEY’S POVIt’s late. The kind of late where everything is too quiet and the air feels too heavy. I shouldn’t have come to Asher like this—hair unbrushed, eyes red, jacket pulled on inside out. But I didn’t care. I just needed someone who still had a thread to me.I sat on the steps and stared at the pavement like it might rearrange itself into something that made sense. “Can you find her?” I asked.Asher leaned against the railing, arms crossed. His silence was thick, but I knew he was listening.“Ava,” I said, voice catching on her name. “Can you use your connect, or whatever it is you still have, and bring her back to me? Even just for five minutes.” I added.He didn’t respond right away. Just shifted, like my words made him uncomfortable.“She won’t answer me. Not even to say she hates me.” I laughed quietly, humorless. “Though she made that pretty clear the last time we talked.” I said, voice barely above a whisper.Asher’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t interrupt.“She
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 35
DARIUS LARK’S POV.I stood at the window, the city lights twinkling like stars below, but my mind was a thousand miles away. My head echoed with the dwindling voice of Enid as she revealed her discovery to me last night."Enid has found a sample that connects the St. Clairs to the murder of Manny and the animals." My fingers tightened around the glass, the scotch suddenly tasting bitter, as I hit ‘send’ on my phone. I texted Julian to let him know about the discovery.Panic began to creep in, my heart racing with every possible scenario. Enid was getting too close, and I couldn't let her expose our involvement. I thought about all the times I'd been careful, all the precautions I'd taken to keep our secrets safe. But now, it seemed, Enid had stumbled upon something that could ruin everything.I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead as I thought about the consequences. The St. Clairs, the company, my reputation – it all had to be protected. I thought about the next move, the steps
