Romans de TheLoneQuill

Nova didn't feel right. She'd barely slept. Her head pounded, and her chest felt tight — like someone had stuffed her lungs with cold air and sealed them shut.She managed to get dressed. A soft sweater, black leggings, warm socks, and tall boots. But she didn't eat. Couldn't.She just curled on top of the bed with her shoes still on, eyes shut, letting the quiet hum of the room swallow her whole. She was in between dreaming and awake.Elle looked at her and noticed an expression pained. There was a bead of sweat on her temple, even though it was frigid cold in their room even with the fire."Nova..." Elle called.A knock at the door made Elle jump. She opened it."Oh," she said, voice lighter. "Hello Gamma Thorne."Jax."Call me Jax please. Is she awake?" His voice didn't register in Nova's mind.Elle glanced over her shoulder at the lump that was Nova. "Not really. She was sick last night and still not feeling well.""Can I see her?"A pause. Elle stared at him, but then stepped asi

Nova's boots barely made a sound on the stone floors as she stepped back into her shared quarters.Elle looked up the moment Nova entered."Nova!" she exclaimed and dashed across the room to hug her. "Where the hell have you—?""I'm sorry Elle." Nova cut in, lowering her head. She was embarrassed by what happened and worse how she ran away. It all seemed silly now.Elle blinked. Then frowned harder. "Nova, you were gone for two days. I'm so glad you're okay! Fuck those warriors and that stupid training exercise. That was not your fault and the entire castle and pack knows it."Nova froze. "Two... days?"Elle nodded slowly. "You don't remember?""I..." Nova's lips parted. She glanced down at her hands, then back at Elle. "Was I in Jax's room that whole time?"Elle's expression shifted. Less concern. More curiosity. "That is making more sense now. I heard rumors he claimed you as his mate to the council."Nova slowly walked toward her bed, flopping down with a groan. "I woke up this mor

Warmth.That was the first thing she felt. Soft furs beneath her knees. A heartbeat.Nova stirred slightly, the ache in her ribs was a dull hum now. Her cheek was pressed against the slope of someone's chest.Her entire body was draped over his.Chest to chest. Legs tangled. His arms wrapped firmly around her, as if he hadn't moved all night.She didn't need to look to know who it was. He smelled like the forest after rain, pine, and the faintest trace of fresh snowfall. Jax.Her body tensed. Almost instantly, the arm around her tightened."You're okay, Nova. I've got you," Jax whispered, his voice low and warm against her ear.Her eyes fluttered open slowly."Jax?" she whispered against his neck, her voice hoarse and uncertain.His reply came low and groggy, thick with sleep. "You're awake.""Where—?""We're in my chambers," he said quickly, maybe too quickly, like he'd rehearsed it. "You nearly died of hypothermia. Elias said you needed warmth. Skin-to-skin."Nova blinked slowly, br

Jax moved faster than she could blink, catching the edge of the door and pulling it closed again with quiet but firm finality."Can I help you, Princess?" he asked, voice low and unreadable.Meredith turned slowly, offering him a honey-sweet smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yes. Who's in there?""No one," Jax replied evenly. "But this wing of the castle is off limits. Were you looking for the Alpha?""No." She smiled wider, eyes gleaming. "I took care of his needs already."His jaw ticked, but he said nothing. Her hand remained on the door, and so did his.She narrowed her eyes. "Move your hand, Gamma.""As I said," Jax repeated, tone cool but respectful, "this wing is off limits. I can't allow that, Princess."Her voice dropped to a hiss. "I said. Move. Your. Hand."Jax stared at her, barely hiding his disbelief. The cracks in her facade were showing sooner than expected. "I'm afraid I can't, princess," he replied. "And a reminder: you are not Luna of this pack yet. We ask th

Author's Note: Just a heads-up for my readers—the story's tone is maturing starting with this chapter. Explicit/R(18)+ scenes moving forward.__________________________The elders stilled.Another elder, a sharp-eyed man with a hooked nose, spoke."I believe you when you say you love her, son. But she's been unconscious half the time she's been here. She was sick when she arrived, and again now. She won't be able to provide your house an heir. You both look fine. Was she too weak to defend herself?"The implication hung heavy in the air.Fin didn't move. But ice pulsed through his veins. His wolf, Xeon, spoke in his mind again.Xeon: He dares to insult what is yours. Again. Why is your gamma defending your mate? She should be giving Shadowclaw an heir.He stiffened, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.Xeon: Claim her and take control of this council!He watched Jax step forward, and it made something else tighten in his chest.Jax loved her and Fin knew it."She was attacked from al

"Gamma Thorne... you...what?" Elder Kaelith blinked."She wouldn't be without protection," Jax said. "If the issue is her status, she'd be bound to me. Permanently. And I'm part of this pack. Your third. Part of the royal family. That makes her yours."One of the elders snorted. "A convenient solution.""A binding one," Jax countered. "You'd get your peace. Your order. And she'd stay protected."The room erupted in argument, negotiation, and calculation.Fin said nothing, without a flicker of expression on his face. But inside was a storm."Charming. That still doesn't cancel the fact that this would drag our pack into a war. Stop thinking through your pants and start thinking through your head," Elder Greyborne snarled.The silence snapped like a bowstring."Gamma Thorne," Elder Rhun continued on Greyborne's thought, eyes narrowing. "You don't even know her that well."Jax didn't flinch."I indeed do. I've spent time with her since she arrived and I care for her deeply. She's what I