All Chapters of By Shadowlight Lake: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The wolfsbane cider's pleasant haze evaporated instantly at that voice. Even Odette stopped humming, her violet eyes suddenly sharp despite her intoxication. Through the glow of our ridiculous fairy lights, I watched Carson's expression darken, his Alpha power surging protectively around our group.Grant stepped out of the shadows, his cold blue eyes taking in the scene with calculated amusement. He looked exactly as I remembered – classically handsome, perfectly polished, and completely cold."Isn't it a bit early for tomorrow's meeting?" he asked, his voice carrying that familiar edge of mockery. "Though I suppose some of us are more... prepared than others." His gaze swept over our green outfits and fairy lights with obvious disdain.Carson moved slightly, positioning himself between our group and Grant. The air crackled with tension as two Alpha energies collided."I wasn't aware Rivermoon Pack had any business in this territory," Carson's voice

The meeting venue was already buzzing with activity when we arrived, wolves from various packs filing into the large hall. Unlike regular pack gatherings, this one seemed focused on younger wolves – mostly university students and recent graduates."Did Alex tell you what this emergency meeting is actually about?" I asked Odette as we made our way inside."Not everything, but..." she lowered her voice, "apparently there's been a pattern. Rogues targeting our age group, maybe trying to infiltrate pack territories through university connections. That's why it's just university wolves here, not the whole neutral territory meeting."My wolf reacted at the mention of rogues, the scar on my neck suddenly feeling more noticeable. Odette must have sensed my tension because she squeezed my arm gently."Hey, you okay? You went pale for a second—""Miss Briarthorn." Carson's deep voice cut through the crowd behind us. "A word before the meeting sta

Consciousness returned slowly, fragments of sensation filtering through the haze. The sterile scent of the pack medical wing, my father's vanilla and old books scent nearby, hushed but angry voices in the hallway."You could have fucking killed her!" That was Carson's voice, tight with barely controlled fury. "The force of the impact alone—""Not to mention the rejected bond trauma," a female voice spoke with professional concern. "Physical contact with a rejector, especially forced contact, can cause severe—""To think," Alexei's voice cut through the tension, his royal authority somehow more threatening in its quiet disappointment, "that the future Alpha of Rivermoon Pack would display such... primitive behavior. In neutral territory, no less.""Future Alpha or not," my father's voice carried that Beta authority that had commanded respect for generations, "this kind of behavior is unacceptable. Especially from someone who claims to understan

The rest of Thursday passed in a blur of concerned friends, Eden's check-ups, and my parents' hourly calls. Carson had rescheduled the territory management meeting "until further notice," though Odette insisted it had nothing to do with him hovering outside my apartment building all night.Friday morning brought unexpected quiet – classes were cancelled to implement the new territory crossing protocols. Security checkpoints were being set up at all crossing points, and the campus buzzed with wolves registering their travel schedules."Perfect timing for girls' night," Odette declared when she picked me up that evening. Her penthouse, perfectly positioned between Royal Pack territory, High Crest territory and neutral grounds, offered stunning views of both landscapes. The high-security building was a favorite among pack nobility, though everyone knew the top floor was exclusively Royal Pack territory."The view gets even better at sunset," Lila said from the backseat, then glanced at m

The Alpha energy hit like a physical wave — dark, aggressive, and somehow familiar in a way that made my wolf curl defensively. Through the lingering bond pain, I caught Odette's subtle shift into a more protective stance."Well," a deep voice drawled from the shadows. "If it isn't the reject and her bodyguards."Marcus Peterson. Alpha of Indigo Peak Pack. And Grant's closest ally and bestfriend."Alpha Peterson," Odette's tone carried perfect royal disdain. "I wasn't aware Indigo Peak had been invited to what was meant to be an... intimate celebration."His laugh was all predator as he emerged into the lantern light. "Oh, but Grant specifically requested my presence. Something about... pack alliance discussions."The way his gaze lingered on me made it clear exactly what kind of discussions he meant. Behind him, I caught Grant's smirk, Tiffany's calculated smile, and the subtle repositioning of wolves in the garden as pack politics took a da