Semua Bab TORN BETWEEN MATES: Bab 61 - Bab 70

Theme: Light Amid Darkness (Aria's POV) I stand frozen after I meet with Xander; his promise to protect me still rings in my ears. But his secrets lie between us like huge, impossible hurdles. My teeth clenched, resolve to flash inside me. I will reveal the lies at all costs. The moon leaves strange shapes on the road as I leave the home, and the night air feels cold on my skin. I tighten my cover about me as I make our kin's secret meeting my goal. We gather in the dusk shades, out of sight. This paradise, only available to those descended from us, breaks the lines separating light from darkness. I can see light shining dimly in the distance as I get closer to the clearing. Although there is a lot of stress in the air, there is also a feeling of calm. Like the secrets I've found, shadows move across the faces of everyone present, hiding their emotions and fears. I find myself thinking how many more lies are out there, just waiting to be found. Every light brings the hope of

Theme: Defiance and Sacrifice (Aria's POV) As I creep back into camp, my mind still spinning from the revelations I discovered, the chill night air clings to my skin. Xander's role in concealing the forbidden love between Mara and Dorian The weight of old laws that smother us all makes everything feel wrong. My mind keeps returning to Xander's revelation and the unvarnished, honest, and defiant love he has shown me. I can no longer deny the reality. Traditions that require us to keep our hearts hidden will not bind me. As the gentle glimmer of dawn light gradually brightens the sky, I enter the camp and my resolve becomes more determined. Tradition will not silence me. I'll stand up for our freedom to choose love. However, how? How can I oppose a system that has existed for centuries? As I head toward the training grounds, where the pack typically congregates at dawn, my heart races in my chest. My entrance instantly attracts notice from the wolves who are already congregating,

Theme: Isolation and Longing (Aria's POV) I've never encountered a colder night than the one following the ritual. The moon, which is no longer tainted with blood, is high in the sky and gives the snow-covered terrain a frightening glow with its pale light. It's too quiet everywhere. The wind howls silently, like a whisper in the night, and the trees stand immobile and petrified. The bitter air hurts my flesh as I walk across the snow, my footfall hardly audible. I feel like the cold is weighing me down with every step, making it feel heavier than the last. But I'm being choked by more than simply the cold. It's the quiet, the loneliness, the pain that seems to be too deep inside my heart for any warmth to enter. The objective of the ceremony was to deepen our connection and make us closer to one another. However... I've never felt more apart from him. The love we share and the vows we made seem so far away now, like something I'm clinging to but can't quite grasp onto. I t

Theme: Ambition and Confusion (Aria's POV) Tension-filled voices reverberate across the council room. Unease is stirred by whispers that reverberate throughout the group. Darius is a new player on the scene. His powerful and piercing presence attracts both ears and eyes. He poses a threat. In my bones, I sense it. The wolves in the room are tense and are paying too much attention to what he is saying. Darius is a big man with a deep, rumbling voice that is both alluring and convincing. "Now is the moment for change. Don't hide behind ancient methods any longer. We are worthy of more. Control, freedom, and power.” I keep a careful eye on him, my thoughts racing. His words evoke strong emotions in me, yet they are tinged with a sinister promise. Darius looks around the room and briefly fixes his focus on mine. "If you follow me, we can create a future devoid of antiquated regulations. A time when laws are made by us.” Uncomfortably, I shift. I notice multiple wolves nodding, and

Theme: Confrontation and Forgiveness (Aria's POV) I can feel the stress in the air. For Xander and me, the evening was supposed to be a peaceful break from the approaching mayhem. But I know that peace is a long way off while I stand here in front of a trusty buddy. "Your heart is your downfall, Aria!" I cringe automatically as the accusation cuts through me like a knife. With angry eyes, Caleb, a friend I've always depended on, breaks the words. His voice has an edge I've never heard before, and it's unpleasant. "You became blinded by love. It has weakened you.” Weak? My chest trembles as the word repeats itself in my head. Anger seethes beneath my skin as my heart tightens. With my hands clenched at my sides, I take a step forward. Of all people, how could he... doubt my strength? "My heart is my strength!" My voice quivers with feeling as I yell. "Caleb, if only you could understand that. Love is what keeps us living and fighting, not weakness. "Fighting?" Shaking h