All Chapters of Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

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

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

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

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

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