روايات بقلم Karo

Trust died faster than any warrior.The hall stayed silent long after Rowan's accusation.Riven stared at Thorne.Thorne stared right back.Neither man moved.Finally, Thorne laughed."You really think I would sell you out?""Answer the accusation," Riven said."I just did.""No. You mocked it."A muscle jumped in Thorne's jaw."For ten years I've fought beside you.""And for ten years you've known every secret route I use."The words landed hard.Several warriors shifted uneasily.Rowan pointed again."I heard his voice.""You heard wrong.""I know what I heard."Thorne suddenly lunged.Not at Rowan.At the warrior holding Rowan.The move happened so fast several guards reached for weapons."Enough!" Thorne roared.The room froze.Riven narrowed his eyes."Why are you angry, Thorne?"Thorne looked stunned."What kind of question is that?""The kind that needs answering."Lucien watched quietly from the side of the hall.Something felt wrong.Very wrong.Not because of Rowan.Because

The knife wasn't meant for Lucien.It was meant for Riven.The hidden forest keep sat silent beneath the moonlight, its stone walls buried deep among towering pines. After the ambush, every warrior was on edge.Nobody trusted the shadows anymore.Inside the war chamber, Riven stood over a map while Thorne paced nearby."We lost two riders on the trail," Thorne said. "Another is badly wounded."Riven's jaw tightened."Sable is getting bolder.""She's desperate," Thorne replied. "There's a difference."A guard entered quickly."Alpha, the patrols are in position.""Good. Double the watches."The guard nodded and left.Across the room, Lucien sat near the fireplace, finally free of the riding chains but still wearing silver cuffs around his wrists.Riven glanced at him."You've been staring at that fire for an hour."Lucien didn't look away."I'm thinking.""Dangerous habit."A faint smile touched Lucien's lips."So I've been told."Thorne groaned."Moon save us. You two sound like an ol

Running would only make the bond burn hotter.Riven stood in the courtyard as night fell heavy over the stronghold. "We move tonight. The hidden forest keep is our only chance to buy time before those three packs arrive."Thorne checked the saddles on two horses his face lined with worry. "Alpha this is risky. The forest trails are full of threats. Sable's scouts could be anywhere."Lucien stood nearby still in chains but his green eyes showed no fear. "You think distance will quiet the bond? It will only scream louder when we separate."Riven stepped close and grabbed the chains. "I do not care what the bond wants. You stay alive until I decide otherwise. Mount up. Thorne you ride ahead with five men. Clear the path."Thorne nodded but hesitated. "What if they hit us in the trees? The prisoner slows us down.""He stays with me," Riven said voice hard. "Law and bond both demand it. Now ride."They set out under the moonlit canopy the forest closing around them like a living trap. Tree

Truth would either break Riven or force him to face the monster inside.Riven slammed the heavy door of the private chamber locking it behind him. Lucien stood chained in the center of the room torchlight flickering across his lean frame. The air felt thick with tension and the constant pull of the mate bond."Start talking," Riven demanded stepping close enough to see every detail in Lucien's green eyes. "No more games. No more fragments. Who killed the heir and how did you get away with it?"Lucien met his gaze without flinching. "I did not kill him Riven. I found him dying. I tried to save him from the Hollow Moon."Riven laughed sharp and bitter. "The Hollow Moon? What nonsense is this? You expect me to believe some shadow killed the strongest bloodline while you played hero?"Thorne stood by the wall arms crossed. "Alpha this sounds like more lies to save his neck. Press him harder.""I am telling the truth," Lucien said voice steady. "The heir lay there already fading. No claw m

Proximity would either save them or tear them apart piece by piece.Riven stormed into the war room with Lucien chained at his side the heavy iron links clanking with every step. Ancient law left him no choice. The mate bond demanded the prisoner stay close or the pain would cripple them both. Maps and battle plans covered the long oak table while Thorne and a handful of loyal alphas waited with tight faces."Keep him right here," Riven ordered shoving Lucien into a chair near the head of the table. "No one touches him but me."Thorne shifted uncomfortably his eyes flicking between them. "Alpha is this wise? Bringing the traitor into strategy talks?""Wise or not the law binds me," Riven snapped sitting down heavily. "Now speak. What do we know of Sable's movements?"One of the alphas a stocky man named Garrick cleared his throat. "Her riders hit the outer scouts at dawn. She calls for your removal claiming the bond clouds your judgment."Lucien sat quietly at first chains resting on

The north fractured in a single night and no one could stop the bleeding.Messengers rode out from the summit hall before dawn their horses kicking up dust as they carried the shocking news to every corner of the twelve packs. By midday alphas gathered in tense circles across the territories voices rising in heated debate. Riven Kaelthorn stormed through the main keep his boots echoing on the stone floors. He had not slept. The fresh mate mark on his neck still burned like a brand reminding him of the traitor waiting below.Thorne Blackwood met him in the corridor his scarred face grim. "Alpha the reports are coming in fast. Three packs have already declared against you. They say the goddess bond proves you are compromised."Riven stopped short fists clenched. "Compromised? I built this alliance with blood. Who dares speak against me?"Thorne glanced around then lowered his voice. "Sable Voss for one. She sent word from the shadow ridge. Claims the mark makes you weak unfit to lead. H