All Chapters of DEAR EX, I AM YOUR UNCLE'S MATE: Chapter 171 - Chapter 180

Annabel didn’t have time to process the glowing word etched into the ground before Elijah cursed under his breath. She turned to see him backing away from the altar’s remains, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.“Elijah?” she asked, her voice low, afraid of what his silence might mean.“It’s not just a warning,” he said, his tone sharp, almost panicked. “It’s a trigger. Whatever that thing was, it left a part of itself behind. The energy isn’t dissipating—it’s reforming.”Annabel’s stomach tightened. She stumbled to her feet, her legs weak from exhaustion, and joined him by the glowing fissure. Sure enough, the light pulsed steadily, growing stronger with each beat, like a heart ready to start anew.“What do we do?” Her voice cracked, betraying her fear.Elijah didn’t answer immediately. His gaze remained locked on the glowing ground, his jaw tight.“Elijah!”“We buy time,” he said finally. “You felt it too, didn’t you? That thing wasn’t just summoned—it’s tied to something else.

“Don’t touch it!” Elijah’s voice cut through the chaos as Annabel’s fingers hovered over the shard embedded in the creature’s chest.She froze, her breath shallow. “We don’t have time to debate this. If we don’t act now—”“It’s a trap,” he said, moving closer, his golden eyes flickering with suppressed rage. “That thing wants you to take it. Don’t give it what it wants.”Annabel glanced at the writhing creature pinned beneath the boulder. The shard pulsed in sync with the creature’s movements, like a heartbeat. “If we don’t, it’ll break free. We’re out of options, Elijah!”“Then we make new ones,” he growled, stepping in front of her.The creature let out a guttural roar, shaking the ground beneath them. Rocks tumbled from the ledge, and the boulder holding it down cracked.Annabel pulled back, frustration boiling over. “And how do you suggest we do that? It’s not exactly giving us room to negotiate!”Elijah’s gaze didn’t waver. “We need to weaken it. Starve the power source before we

The stranger’s eyes bore into Annabel’s as the portal behind them fizzled into silence. It was the kind of gaze that didn’t need words, but when the figure finally spoke, its voice carried a calm, commanding weight.“You’ve been a distraction,” it said, stepping forward. “But no more.”Annabel didn’t move, though her muscles screamed for action. Beside her, Elijah staggered upright, his breaths ragged.“Who the hell are you?” Elijah growled, his claws unsheathing instinctively.The figure ignored him, focusing entirely on Annabel. “Your choices brought us here. Every move you made, every life you spared—it was all necessary to bring me through.”Annabel stepped in front of Elijah, her heart racing. “If you’re trying to make me regret something, save your breath. I’ll fix this, just like I’ve fixed everything else.”The stranger smirked, his head tilting slightly. “Fix? You still don’t understand, do you? This isn’t a problem. This is a solution.”Elijah spat blood onto the ground. “Yo

“Elijah, let go!” Annabel shouted, but he didn’t release her wrist.The blinding light swallowed everything, and the ground beneath them felt as if it had dropped away. Elijah’s grip tightened. The roar from the unseen force grew louder, crashing like a tidal wave.And then, silence.Annabel blinked, struggling to adjust to the abrupt stillness. The air was thick and stifling, pressing against her chest. Elijah stood beside her, his expression fierce as he scanned their surroundings. They weren’t where they’d been moments ago.They stood in a circular chamber, its walls etched with intricate runes that shimmered faintly in the dim glow of an unseen source.“What just happened?” Annabel whispered.“You chose,” a deep voice said, reverberating through the chamber.Both turned to find the figure from before, but it was no longer alone. Five others emerged from the shadows, each radiating an aura that made the air feel heavier. Their eyes gleamed, inhuman and ancient.“I didn’t agree to t

The doorway shattered inward, and Annabel barely ducked in time. Splinters flew past her as Damian stormed into the room, his rage a palpable force. His eyes flickered between Annabel and Elijah, both standing too close to each other for his liking.“You have to be joking,” Damian snarled, advancing on them. His fists were clenched so tightly that blood dripped from his palms, his nails digging into his own skin. “After everything, you’re still protecting him?”Annabel raised her hands, trying to ward off his fury. “Damian, listen—”“Listen?” He cut her off, his voice loud enough to shake the walls. “I’ve done nothing but listen while you’ve defended this murderer, this liar!” His glare turned on Elijah. “You’ve manipulated her long enough.”Elijah, calm as ever, took a step forward. His measured movements only seemed to fuel Damian’s wrath. “You misunderstand, Damian. Annabel doesn’t need to be manipulated. She makes her choices—she chose me.”“That’s enough!” Annabel snapped, steppi