MasukShare
CHAPTER 59: THE COST OF BLOOD.
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-05-01 16:10:11
Bab terkait
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 60: WORDS UNSAID.
POV: Julian St. Clair.The light had shifted. A golden glow now spilled through the slats of the blinds, casting long shadows across the floor.Julian sat propped up in bed, pale but alert, a blanket draped across his lap. Machines still hummed quietly around him, but the worst had passed.**The worst.**There was a soft knock at the door.He looked up.**Ember** stepped in, hesitant, a paper cup in one hand and tiredness behind her eyes. She looked unsure whether she was supposed to be there.**EMBER** “I brought you broth. Augustus said you’d be too weak for solid food.”Julian gave a faint, dry smile.**JULIAN** “Can’t remember the last time someone brought me soup without trying to poison me.”That got the smallest twitch of a smile from her too.She stepped forward, set the cup on the side table, then stood there—awkwardly. Her arms crossed, as if bracing herself for more tension.**EMBER** “I can go if you—”**JULIAN (quickly)** “No. Please. Stay.”She nodded, slowly low
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-05-01Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 61: THE WEIGHT OF TRUTH.
POV: Asher Nightshade.The sun dipped behind the modern, fortified walls of Raven’s Peak, casting long, golden strokes across Asher’s study. The room, usually a refuge of quiet determination, felt heavy tonight. Stacks of untouched reports and blueprints sat on the desk while a half-open file bore the weight of his company’s fate.Ember’s soft breathing came from the nursery down the hall—her presence a gentle reminder of what they were fighting to protect.Asher’s phone buzzed insistently on the desk. Glancing at the screen, his face fell as he pressed play on a new voicemail from an unknown number.VOICEMAIL (muffled voice):“Asher Nightshade, this is Calvin Rowe from Rowan & Finch Law. We’ve just received confirmation of the final filings—Nightshade Power Inc. is formally declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy. I’m sorry, sir. We did all we could. If you want to discuss options… please call me.”The line went dead. For a long moment, the only sound in the study was the slow tick of the wa
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-05-02Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 62: OLD FRIENDS
POV: Julian St. Clair.The sun hadn’t fully risen. The light coming through the windows was pale and unsure—like it didn’t quite know what kind of day it was meant to be.**Julian** stood in the doorway of the small private wing where **Vivianne** was being monitored. She was asleep, one hand resting lightly over her growing belly. It was barely visible yet, but real. Undeniable.He didn’t step in right away. Just stood there. Watching. Feeling the weight of everything that had come before pressing against his ribs like armor that didn’t fit anymore.A small bundle of baby clothes sat folded on the windowsill. Knit by hand. Soft grays and forest greens. Probably Ember’s work. Or one of the pack elders. Someone still hopeful.He finally stepped in.The room was quiet, save for Vivianne’s steady breathing. Julian pulled up the old chair beside her bed and sat, elbows on his knees, hands hanging between them.He spoke without looking at her.**JULIAN** “I don’t know what kind of father
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-05-02Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 63: A PART OF IT ALL.
POV: ASHER AND EMBER.The room was dim, lit only by the soft lamp on the desk and the fire flickering low in the hearth. Ember sat curled on the window bench, a worn blanket draped over her legs, one hand resting gently on her belly.Asher stepped in quietly, closing the door behind him. She looked up, sensing something was different.**EMBER** You’re late.**ASHER** Got caught in the library.He crossed the room and sat across from her, elbows on his knees. For a moment, he just looked at her. She had changed—so had he—but now he could *see* it, what Maela had seen.**ASHER (softly)** I talked to Maela. The girl who… knew about you. About your blood.**EMBER (tensing slightly)** What did she say?He hesitated.**ASHER** That you’re not just the cure. You’re part of something deeper. Something that *chose* you.Ember blinked, a mix of confusion and quiet dread passing across her face.**EMBER** I’m just… me, Asher. I didn’t ask to be part of any prophecy. I was locked in a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-05-02Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 64: AWARE WOLF.
POV: Asher Nightshade.The once-pristine boardroom smelled like cold coffee and fear. Half the chairs were empty. The skyline beyond the glass wall felt distant—gray and uncaring.Asher stood at the head of the table. He looked tired in a way that wasn’t just physical—like something had hollowed him out, and he was still trying to figure out what parts were left.Across from him sat Marisol Vega, sharp-eyed and impeccably dressed despite the chaos. She’d been with the company since the beginning. Not a friend, exactly—but loyal when it counted.Three investors remained. Older men, hardened by years of risk. One tapped a pen against a notepad. Another scrolled his phone like he wanted to be anywhere else.ASHER (steady)You all read the report. We’re hemorrhaging faster than projected. Lark’s exit didn’t just gut our finances—he took half the tech with him. Patents, permits, drilling data...INVESTOR 1 (dryly)So the ship’s sinking. Why not just let it go down?Marisol leaned in, voice
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-05-02Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 65: PICTURE PERFECT.
POV: Ember Wellesley.The light filtered soft and gold through the wide windows. Ember stood by her desk, flipping through a stack of prints—her recent work. Mostly quiet shots: the way moss clung to the base of pine trees after rain, a deer frozen mid-step in the mist, and one she kept setting aside but couldn’t ignore—A photo she’d taken during a sleepless night.The earth had cracked open just past the southern ridge, steam curling from the soil like breath. In the center of the frame stood Asher, half in shadow, half bathed in silver light, his expression unreadable. The mountain loomed behind him like something ancient and watchful.She hadn’t meant to capture *that*, not exactly. But the moment had been real. Raw.Her phone buzzed.She glanced at it.**UNKNOWN NUMBER.**She almost didn’t answer.But something told her to.**EMBER (tentatively)** Hello?There was a pause. Then a crisp, modulated voice answered. Genderless. Almost too calm.**CALLER** Ms. Wellesley?**EMBER**
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-05-03Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 66: THE AWAKENING.
POV: Ember Wellesley.The wind had changed.It wasn’t just moving—it was guiding.Ember stepped to the edge of the ridge, eyes half-closed, the crystal in her palm humming in rhythm with her pulse. Below them, the valley stirred with unseen movement—roots twitching, stones shifting, like an old creature stretching awake.**ASHER (watching her)** It’s responding to you.She opened her eyes. For the first time, she wasn’t afraid of the pull.**EMBER** No. It’s recognizing me.Suddenly—**a sharp click** echoed from above. Asher turned too late.**THWIP.**A dart shot toward Ember, fast and precise.**ASHER** Ember!But she didn’t flinch. Her hand lifted instinctively, glowing faintly—like heat shimmering above a flame.The tranquilizer dart stopped inches from her chest. Hovered. Then—**snapped backwards** in mid-air as if struck by invisible force.It slammed into a tree with a thud.From above, Enid cursed.Ember raised her gaze to the slope above them and saw her—**Enid**, half-
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-05-03Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 67: THE MOON EYES.
POV: Akira.FLASHBACK – 2 years ago.The air was thick with sage and salt.Akira knelt before the altar carved into the stone wall, its surface lined with old runes and melted wax. Her breath came slow and shallow. Her fingers were stained with ash.She had fasted for two days. Not for ritual—but because her spirit had started to itch. The way it always did when the veil thinned.Now, as the silver bowl of moonwater before her began to ripple without touch, Akira let her eyes drift shut.Her voice, rough from silence, barely stirred the air.**AKIRA**Mother of shadow and firelight... show me what comes next. Show me *her*.The room darkened.And then—Moonlight poured through the stone slit above, impossibly bright. It struck the bowl like a blade.Akira’s body arched, eyes wide and white. Her mind was no longer in the shrine.She stood somewhere higher now—where mist curled like breath, and stars spun slow in a night sky more real than the waking world.And in the silence came a voi
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-05-04
Bab terbaru
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 68: FALSE EMBER.
POV: Vivianne St. Clair.The air inside the abandoned greenhouse was heavy with damp soil and broken glass. Moonlight streamed in through the jagged roof, catching the dust in silvery halos. Vivianne stood alone near the rusted potting bench, phone in hand, voice low.**VIVIANNE (on phone)**We’ve been quiet long enough. They’re rebuilding, yes—but slowly. If we move soon, we can—She froze.A footstep. Soft, but not hidden.She turned quickly, phone still in her hand.**JULIAN**Who were you calling?He stepped out from the shadows near the old fig tree, arms crossed, eyes unreadable.Vivianne straightened, mask slipping quickly back into place.**VIVIANNE**Just tying up loose ends.**JULIAN**Don’t lie to me, not anymore.A beat.**JULIAN**You were reaching out to the Hollowborn, weren’t you?She didn’t answer.The silence was enough.**JULIAN**Mother. You *can’t* do this again.She held his gaze. Proud. Unyielding.**VIVIANNE**You think Asher and Ember will hold this place toge
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 67: THE MOON EYES.
POV: Akira.FLASHBACK – 2 years ago.The air was thick with sage and salt.Akira knelt before the altar carved into the stone wall, its surface lined with old runes and melted wax. Her breath came slow and shallow. Her fingers were stained with ash.She had fasted for two days. Not for ritual—but because her spirit had started to itch. The way it always did when the veil thinned.Now, as the silver bowl of moonwater before her began to ripple without touch, Akira let her eyes drift shut.Her voice, rough from silence, barely stirred the air.**AKIRA**Mother of shadow and firelight... show me what comes next. Show me *her*.The room darkened.And then—Moonlight poured through the stone slit above, impossibly bright. It struck the bowl like a blade.Akira’s body arched, eyes wide and white. Her mind was no longer in the shrine.She stood somewhere higher now—where mist curled like breath, and stars spun slow in a night sky more real than the waking world.And in the silence came a voi
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 66: THE AWAKENING.
POV: Ember Wellesley.The wind had changed.It wasn’t just moving—it was guiding.Ember stepped to the edge of the ridge, eyes half-closed, the crystal in her palm humming in rhythm with her pulse. Below them, the valley stirred with unseen movement—roots twitching, stones shifting, like an old creature stretching awake.**ASHER (watching her)** It’s responding to you.She opened her eyes. For the first time, she wasn’t afraid of the pull.**EMBER** No. It’s recognizing me.Suddenly—**a sharp click** echoed from above. Asher turned too late.**THWIP.**A dart shot toward Ember, fast and precise.**ASHER** Ember!But she didn’t flinch. Her hand lifted instinctively, glowing faintly—like heat shimmering above a flame.The tranquilizer dart stopped inches from her chest. Hovered. Then—**snapped backwards** in mid-air as if struck by invisible force.It slammed into a tree with a thud.From above, Enid cursed.Ember raised her gaze to the slope above them and saw her—**Enid**, half-
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 65: PICTURE PERFECT.
POV: Ember Wellesley.The light filtered soft and gold through the wide windows. Ember stood by her desk, flipping through a stack of prints—her recent work. Mostly quiet shots: the way moss clung to the base of pine trees after rain, a deer frozen mid-step in the mist, and one she kept setting aside but couldn’t ignore—A photo she’d taken during a sleepless night.The earth had cracked open just past the southern ridge, steam curling from the soil like breath. In the center of the frame stood Asher, half in shadow, half bathed in silver light, his expression unreadable. The mountain loomed behind him like something ancient and watchful.She hadn’t meant to capture *that*, not exactly. But the moment had been real. Raw.Her phone buzzed.She glanced at it.**UNKNOWN NUMBER.**She almost didn’t answer.But something told her to.**EMBER (tentatively)** Hello?There was a pause. Then a crisp, modulated voice answered. Genderless. Almost too calm.**CALLER** Ms. Wellesley?**EMBER**
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 64: AWARE WOLF.
POV: Asher Nightshade.The once-pristine boardroom smelled like cold coffee and fear. Half the chairs were empty. The skyline beyond the glass wall felt distant—gray and uncaring.Asher stood at the head of the table. He looked tired in a way that wasn’t just physical—like something had hollowed him out, and he was still trying to figure out what parts were left.Across from him sat Marisol Vega, sharp-eyed and impeccably dressed despite the chaos. She’d been with the company since the beginning. Not a friend, exactly—but loyal when it counted.Three investors remained. Older men, hardened by years of risk. One tapped a pen against a notepad. Another scrolled his phone like he wanted to be anywhere else.ASHER (steady)You all read the report. We’re hemorrhaging faster than projected. Lark’s exit didn’t just gut our finances—he took half the tech with him. Patents, permits, drilling data...INVESTOR 1 (dryly)So the ship’s sinking. Why not just let it go down?Marisol leaned in, voice
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 63: A PART OF IT ALL.
POV: ASHER AND EMBER.The room was dim, lit only by the soft lamp on the desk and the fire flickering low in the hearth. Ember sat curled on the window bench, a worn blanket draped over her legs, one hand resting gently on her belly.Asher stepped in quietly, closing the door behind him. She looked up, sensing something was different.**EMBER** You’re late.**ASHER** Got caught in the library.He crossed the room and sat across from her, elbows on his knees. For a moment, he just looked at her. She had changed—so had he—but now he could *see* it, what Maela had seen.**ASHER (softly)** I talked to Maela. The girl who… knew about you. About your blood.**EMBER (tensing slightly)** What did she say?He hesitated.**ASHER** That you’re not just the cure. You’re part of something deeper. Something that *chose* you.Ember blinked, a mix of confusion and quiet dread passing across her face.**EMBER** I’m just… me, Asher. I didn’t ask to be part of any prophecy. I was locked in a
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 62: OLD FRIENDS
POV: Julian St. Clair.The sun hadn’t fully risen. The light coming through the windows was pale and unsure—like it didn’t quite know what kind of day it was meant to be.**Julian** stood in the doorway of the small private wing where **Vivianne** was being monitored. She was asleep, one hand resting lightly over her growing belly. It was barely visible yet, but real. Undeniable.He didn’t step in right away. Just stood there. Watching. Feeling the weight of everything that had come before pressing against his ribs like armor that didn’t fit anymore.A small bundle of baby clothes sat folded on the windowsill. Knit by hand. Soft grays and forest greens. Probably Ember’s work. Or one of the pack elders. Someone still hopeful.He finally stepped in.The room was quiet, save for Vivianne’s steady breathing. Julian pulled up the old chair beside her bed and sat, elbows on his knees, hands hanging between them.He spoke without looking at her.**JULIAN** “I don’t know what kind of father
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 61: THE WEIGHT OF TRUTH.
POV: Asher Nightshade.The sun dipped behind the modern, fortified walls of Raven’s Peak, casting long, golden strokes across Asher’s study. The room, usually a refuge of quiet determination, felt heavy tonight. Stacks of untouched reports and blueprints sat on the desk while a half-open file bore the weight of his company’s fate.Ember’s soft breathing came from the nursery down the hall—her presence a gentle reminder of what they were fighting to protect.Asher’s phone buzzed insistently on the desk. Glancing at the screen, his face fell as he pressed play on a new voicemail from an unknown number.VOICEMAIL (muffled voice):“Asher Nightshade, this is Calvin Rowe from Rowan & Finch Law. We’ve just received confirmation of the final filings—Nightshade Power Inc. is formally declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy. I’m sorry, sir. We did all we could. If you want to discuss options… please call me.”The line went dead. For a long moment, the only sound in the study was the slow tick of the wa
Alpha’s Claimed Mate CHAPTER 60: WORDS UNSAID.
POV: Julian St. Clair.The light had shifted. A golden glow now spilled through the slats of the blinds, casting long shadows across the floor.Julian sat propped up in bed, pale but alert, a blanket draped across his lap. Machines still hummed quietly around him, but the worst had passed.**The worst.**There was a soft knock at the door.He looked up.**Ember** stepped in, hesitant, a paper cup in one hand and tiredness behind her eyes. She looked unsure whether she was supposed to be there.**EMBER** “I brought you broth. Augustus said you’d be too weak for solid food.”Julian gave a faint, dry smile.**JULIAN** “Can’t remember the last time someone brought me soup without trying to poison me.”That got the smallest twitch of a smile from her too.She stepped forward, set the cup on the side table, then stood there—awkwardly. Her arms crossed, as if bracing herself for more tension.**EMBER** “I can go if you—”**JULIAN (quickly)** “No. Please. Stay.”She nodded, slowly low
