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Chapter 22 : A Gift
Last Updated:
2023-07-01 14:04:15Related chapters
The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 23 : The First Shift
*Estelle* It had been a few days since the flowers had been discovered in the forest and things had been quiet, but tense since then. Charles and Isolde had been absent from the main house, which was strange to everyone that I'd mentioned it to. There had been no more odd occurrences around the border or incidents in the village. Everything was quiet. In the calm, Gabe hadn't had much to do. Because of that, we'd been spending a lot more time together. My wolf was thrilled at the attention. I'd never felt that part of me so content. It was weird, but in a good way. Gabe had gotten more comfortable touching me without checking to see if we were being watched. I was learning what it took to make him smile and I loved that it was something I could do. I felt like I was getting my first taste of normality since I'd come to the village. It was nice seeing that Gabe's life didn't always have to be tense meetings and arguments. He liked to read, which explained the size of the lib
Last Updated : 2023-07-01The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 24 : Dreams Of The Past
*Estelle* I was running through a cold river. My paws were numb, but I kept moving. Time was running out. I could feel that he was right behind me. If I didn't find a safe place soon it would be too late. The smell of burning wood made it impossible to track his scent. There was no way to know if I'd lost him without stopping and checking behind me. I couldn't risk it. I had to press on. My lungs were burning from the effort. I must have been running for miles by now. My mind was disorganized, I couldn't focus on anything but the need to find safety. I jumped out of the river and kept running. My paws hit concrete and I hesitated. If I went into the city it would be harder for him to find me, but I would have no help. I heard something crashing through the foliage behind me and I ran. Suddenly, I was jolted from my slumber. I sat up quickly and blinked my eyes. There was sunlight streaming through the window and it disoriented me. I had just been running. No, that was a dre
Last Updated : 2023-07-01The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 25 : The Avenging Angel
*Estelle* Gabe had finally been able to arrange a council meeting with the leaders of the other packs in the area. He'd been trying for weeks to get everyone to take the rogue activity seriously. It wasn't until another territory's borders were breached that they seemed willing to listen. Gabe was irritated that his word hadn't been sufficient, and I didn't blame him. I had a feeling that things with the other packs were more complicated than I knew. I was warned to steer clear of the parlor where the meeting would take place. Gabe had told me to ignore any shouting I heard. It seemed like diplomatic relations were more than a little tense. Val and I were in the library flipping through family records in search of any mention of red or orange fur. It was tedious, at best, and we'd already gone through two pots of coffee today. It was only day two of our search for answers about my family. I was trying not to get my hopes up, but it was hard. The possibility that these du
Last Updated : 2023-07-01The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 26 : Protecting Gabe
*Estelle* I woke with Gabe's arms around me. It was rapidly becoming my favorite way to wake up. I nuzzled close to his chest and smiled. Val and I had nearly made it through all of the family registries and still had no luck finding any reference to a red wolf. It was disheartening. I was starting to feel like I was wasting everyone's time. Val had remained optimistic, but I was pretty sure he was just being nice. I owed Lucky a fruit arrangement or something. She'd lost so much time with Val because of me. When I'd finally gone to bed last night I could hear Gabe's meeting still going in full swing. I had tried to stay awake and wait for him, but I must have fallen asleep. Gabe's arms tightened around me and he shifted slightly. "It's early," he said without opening his eyes. I wondered what time he'd finally been able to come to bed. "Sorry," I whispered. "I wasn't trying to wake you. How was the meeting?" "Frustrating," he grumbled. "It's impossible to get anywher
Last Updated : 2023-07-01The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 27 : Loss Of An Alpha
*Estelle* Val and I had taken a break to eat lunch. We were sitting across from each other in two plush chairs in the library and eating sandwiches Lucky had been kind enough to bring us. It was a nice break. The morning had been unfruitful, again. We only had a few books left to check. I was determined to get through the rest of the records today, but I was distracted. I felt terrible about it. Val looked exhausted but he was still here helping me out. I owed it to him to put my best foot forward. But I couldn't stop thinking about the conversation I'd overheard between Isolde and Charles. I was furious about the way they talked about Gabe. Charles was a two-faced liar, that was clear. But why? What was motivating him to act this way? It couldn't just be that he wanted his daughter to be the Luna. That was far too simple an explanation. The way he looked at me was so cold and full of loathing, it had to be more than misplaced jealousy. I just couldn't make sense of it.
Last Updated : 2023-07-01The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 28 : Be My Luna
*Estelle* I'd hardly seen Gabe in days. He'd been so busy dealing with the other packs that he'd missed dinner every night this week. Besides that, he was trying to figure out the security issues at the border so he was up early every morning. Most days I was asleep before he came to bed and he was gone by the time I woke up. I wasn't convinced that he actually made it to bed every night. The biggest obstacle in the relations with the other packs seemed to be Charles. He'd inserted himself into every meeting, not matter how mundane. Based on what Val had told me about him, Charles should have been an asset to the meetings, but Gabe was frustrated by the way things had stalled out. He just couldn't seem to make any progress and he was becoming increasingly irritated by it. If that wasn't enough to ruin my mood, Isolde had been a constant presence in the house. It seemed like she was lurking in every doorway, as if she were waiting for something to happen. I had no idea what it
Last Updated : 2023-07-01The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 29 : Sleeping With The Beta
*Gabe* Estelle's face drained of color as she stared up at me. Her eyes were watery and she parted her lips, but she didn't speak. She looked completely stunned. It wasn't at all the reaction I'd anticipated when I asked her to be my Luna. I thought that she would be surprised, but the horror on her face was hard to accept. I'd spent days with the idea of making her the Luna playing in my mind. It was all I could think about. The droning meetings that I was trapped in were only bearable because of Estelle. The thought of her skin against mine and her voice in the dark got me through the interminable diplomatic discussions. She was usually sleeping peacefully by the time I made it to our bed, and I didn't have the heart to wake her. My desire for her was only tempered by the way she curled into my touch the moment I joined her under the blanket. Even if it was subconsciously, she still reached for me and it made my heart sing. She distracted me, but I couldn't bring myself t
Last Updated : 2023-07-01The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 30 : Bear Lake
*Estelle* I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt so awful about anything in my life. Gabe was so upset with me that he hadn't come to bed last night. I'd waited up for him for hours. I couldn't blame him, really. He'd basically proposed to me and I just stared at him like an idiot. I wanted to find him and apologize, but I was afraid that I'd freeze up again. I was terrified of being the Luna, but I was more scared of losing Gabe. Mama Iida had comforted me the best she could after Gabe stormed out. She was kind about the situation, but it was clear that she was disappointed in me. I was too. I don't know why it was so hard for me to find my voice. All I had to do was tell him the truth; I wanted to be his Luna but I was afraid I'd mess it up. Gabe would understand that. He'd been forced to become the Alpha before he was ready. Then again, maybe he'd think I was being a baby since he'd been so much younger than me when he took on those responsibilities. It was all so mu
Last Updated : 2023-07-01
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The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 50 : Together
*Estelle* The scent of herbs and smoke was strong in the dimly lit room. Edwyna had left me alone in the small ritual room. I had flowers woven in my hair and I was dressed in an elaborate embroidered white gown. I was sitting cross-legged in the center of the room and staring at a candle as it flickered. I was supposed to pick a spot to look at and clear my mind. Edwyna assured me that a vision would come, but she wasn't able to tell me how long it would take. I had no idea how long I'd been sitting in here. I could hear that the feast in the town square was in full swing. The sound of music and laughter was muffled through the walls, but it was present. I loved hearing the pack celebrating. Their joy made me proud. It wasn't as though all of our problems were over. There were still mysteries that haunted us. There were fears that wouldn't be easy to assuage. Now that we knew the Bear Lake pack had survived in the form of the Bear Island settlement, many in the pack were u
The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 49 : Marry Me
*Estelle* "Are you sure you're feeling better?" Lucky asked. She looked skeptical as she pulled the stethoscope away from my chest. It had been nearly two weeks since the day Charles was banished. It was strange to think of how much everything had changed in that time. I was finally feeling better and Gabe had brought me to Lucky for one more check-up. He was hesitant to believe that the danger had really passed. I didn't really blame him, but I couldn't help but tease him for the overprotective and doting way he'd cared for me. "I'm not at 100%," I said. "But I do feel much better." "Alright," she said with a sigh. "Then you're free to go with no further restrictions. If you notice any heart palpitations or weakness, you are to tell me right away," she said sternly. "Yes, ma'am," I said with a laugh. "Thank you, Lucky." I turned to Gabe and smiled. "You hear that?" "I heard," he said with an eye roll. "So you'll have to stop hovering over me like I'm some Vict
The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 48 : Trial for the Ages
*Estelle* I had been struggling to remain conscious when Giles had rushed me to the examination table, so I didn't remember much of what happened. My heart was beating slowly and it felt like I couldn't get a full breath. Lucky had rushed to my side, and I'd felt the punch of a needle being administered to my chest. I know that it was adrenaline because Lucky told me later. It had burned, and the way my heart had sped up was alarming. I thought that I was going to die. Thanks to Lucky, I survived the poison. She was truly a miracle worker. The knife was going to leave me with a scar, but it was a small price to pay for protecting Gabe. I had to stay with the healers for a couple of days before I was allowed to go home with Gabe. It was a little surreal being stuck in the bed beside Charles. He'd been unconscious for the most part, but it was still uncomfortable. Giles had made the decision to amputate Charles's right arm above the elbow. Gabe had crushed and splintere
The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 47 : Killer Instincts
*Gabe* The smell of Estelle's blood filled the air, and it was all that I could sense. I was frozen in shock and fear as I watched her lift her head and stare at Charles. I'd only looked away for a moment. It was a novice mistake. I knew better than to take my eyes off an opponent in a fight. "You look just like your mother," Charles said. He was looking at Estelle like she was garbage, like it wasn't worth the time it was taking him to kill her. It filled me with a rage I'd never felt before. He yanked the dagger out and Estelle gasped softly and put her hand over the wound. "But you're going to die like your father!" He raised the dagger to strike her again. The world went still around me. My heart was hammering into my ribs. The taste of copper was stinging my tongue. Estelle's breathing was all that I could hear, and I could smell the fear that overtook her. I would not lose my mate. I jumped at Charles and sunk my teeth into his arm. His dagger clattered to the g
The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 46 : A Luna is Born
*Estelle* I watched Gabe run out onto the street, helpless to stop him. The prick of the needle in Lucky's hand brought me back to the moment. Val needed me right now. As soon as I was able, I would go after Gabe. I could hear shouting from outside. It was impossible to know what it was about. So much had just happened. I looked at Lucky. She was completely concentrated on what she was doing. Being able to help Val when he was in this state must have been comforting and terrifying. I couldn't imagine the fear and pressure she was feeling. "Val," she said. "Keep your eyes on me, sweetie." "Where else would they be?" he asked weakly. Lucky smiled at him, but I could tell it was forced. Val looked so weak. It was terrible to see him like this. "Thank you," I said softly. It probably wasn't appropriate given the situation, but I had to let him know that I was grateful for what he'd done. Val looked at me and nodded. "I'm glad that I was able to get some answers." He la
The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 45 : Answers for the Past
*Val* After going over more details and documentation with Astra, I had a much clearer picture of the tragedy that had unfolded. I had left Bear Island with a promise to return. I had left Astra with the few documents I'd brought with me and promised to bring more. As I'd thought, they had very few records remaining. She'd asked me not to pass through the old village on my way out. It was treated as a memorial for those who had died in the battle. The same men rowed me back across the water. They seemed much less tense this time, and the taller man shook my hand when I disembarked. I secured my bag around my shoulders and shifted. It was a long run home, but I needed to get there soon. Lucky was going to be furious with me for being late to meet her parents. Despite the fact that I hadn't slept, I was making good time. The sun was still low in the sky and I was halfway home already. I considered taking a break, but I decided against it. The forest had been calm all morning,
The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 44 : Gone Rogue
*Gabe* Estelle had trouble getting back to sleep after her conversation with Edwyna. We managed a couple of hours before I had to be up for feast preparations. The children at the school were entertaining our guests for now. I was fielding questions and finalizing the plan for tonight, but I was having a hard time focusing. Val still hadn't returned and neither had Charles. I tried not to think about the worst that could happen to them. I regretted not going after Val myself every second that he was gone. Lucky was holding up incredibly well. She was a strong woman, but I knew that she was scared. She'd told her parents that Val had to take care of a last-minute issue. Being the Beta is a big responsibility; I think her father was impressed, though he tried to hide it. Estelle was with Edwyna, discussing her vision in detail now that she was calmer. I didn't know if she would be able to identify the traitor. Nearly twenty years had passed since the night her visions took pl
The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 43 : With the Help of the Goddess
*Estelle* The concrete had injured my paws, but I couldn't stop running. He was still following me. The city wasn't far now; my only hope was to lose him there. My body was seized by a muscle spasm and I stumbled. I lay on my side, shocked by the bizarre sensation that had hit me. Realization came over me slowly and with it, came horror. The sensation hit again and I knew; I was going into labor. I got to my feet and ran. The contractions were sporadic and slowed me down each time they hit, but I pushed through them and kept running. I would not let him catch me. I would not let my baby be hurt. There were houses around me, but I didn't stop moving. I shifted to my human form as I continued to run forward. I could only pray that someone would see me and intervene. My hands and feet were bloody and I held my stomach as I ran. I was off-balance in this form, but I was so afraid a human would shoot me if they saw a wolf in their neighborhood. I could feel my baby kicking a
The Alpha's Orphaned Mate Chapter 42 : Stella's Baby
*Val* Surprisingly, I made better time than I expected on my run to Bear Lake. It was most likely because of the sense of urgency that took a hold of me, but I still couldn't help but be impressed with myself. When I knew that I was close to the old village, I shifted out of my wolf form. I took the canvas bag from around my shoulders and quickly dressed. I didn't smell anyone nearby, but there were so many wildflowers around that I didn't trust my sense of smell. I took a moment to steel my nerves and then continued into the village. It certainly seemed to be abandoned. The houses were overgrown with moss and vines, and most of the wooden features, like roofs and windows, were beginning to rot. It was eerie, like stepping into a ghost town. I didn't remember the layout of the village very well, since I had only visited a few times when I was a kid. I headed in the direction that I thought the pack house was in. I didn't have high hopes that I would find many intact records, b
