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13: When Silence Breaks—A Reckoning at the Blood Moon Festival
Dernière mise à jour:
2025-04-03 14:18:33
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Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 14: A Game of Words, A Dance with Fire---
High Lord Rhovan finally spoke.His voice, smooth as silk yet edged with hidden thorns, carried over the gathered leaders.“I have heard,” he said, his eyes glinting with unspoken intent, “that you have taken a Luna from the Crimson Moon Pack. From the household of Beta Lydia, no less.”The words were a dagger wrapped in velvet.Alpha Darius, lifting his goblet, paused mid-drink. The firelight caught the sharp angles of his face, casting shifting shadows over his unreadable expression. He lowered the cup slowly, not a flicker of emotion betraying his thoughts.“Well,” he said at last, voice steady. “It was a truce between us.”A hush settled over the festival grounds.“Our pack,” Darius continued, “was simply doing them a favor by eliminating the rogues that plagued their lands.” He let the weight of his words settle before delivering the final blow. “Nothing comes for free.”Murmurs rippled through the gathered Alphas, some nodding in grim understanding, others exchanging wary glance
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-04Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 15: A Dress Stained in History
Three Weeks Back“Lena, whatever we had… it ends here.”Lena froze.His words sliced through the night air like a blade.The forest around them was silent, save for the rustling of leaves and the distant howls of wolves.She stood there, staring at him—on the worn wooden porch of their secret place. The place where he once held her, whispered promises, vowed to be hers.“What?” Her voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper.Ethan exhaled, his jaw tight.“We can’t keep this up anymore.”Lena took a step forward.“You’re lying.”He said nothing.“You promised me, Ethan,” she pressed, her voice unsteady. “You swore you’d protect me. You told me to wait for you.”A bitter chuckle left his lips.“That was before I realized my duty.”Lena’s stomach twisted.“Duty?” she echoed.“Yes.” He finally met her gaze. “I’m marrying Kara.”The world tilted.The air left Lena’s lungs.Her knees nearly buckled, but she forced herself to stand tall.“You’re marrying her?” The words felt foreign, like
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-04Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 16: The Blood Moon’s Awakening: A Call Beyond the Veil
The ritual ground stretched wide, a sacred space carved into the heart of the forest. Thousands of pack members filled it, their presence a living, breathing force that pulsed under the crimson glow of the Blood Moon. The towering trees that encircled the grounds swayed as if moved by an unseen power, their ancient roots thrumming with the energy of generations past.At the center stood the sacred fire, its flames licking the air, casting flickering shadows across the four towering stone pillars that surrounded it. Each pillar bore ancient carvings of wolves mid-transformation, their snarling faces and clawed hands reaching toward the heavens. The stones vibrated with magic, their runes pulsing in rhythm with the pounding hearts of those gathered.The alphas and lunas stood closest to the fire, their gazes locked on the ritualists. Behind them, the betas, elders, and warriors formed a perfect circle, each rank positioned according to their standing within the pack. The rest of the wol
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-05Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 17: The Moon’s Curse and the Alpha’s Weakness
A flicker of fire danced at Alpha Darius’s fingertips. Its golden glow cast shifting shadows against the darkened forest.He watched the flame, entranced. Yet his thoughts spiraled elsewhere—dragged into the depths of memory, into the haunting tales of his mother’s death.Above, the Blood Moon loomed, a cruel reminder of his greatest curse. His strength. His instincts. Everything that made him an apex predator—dulled on this night. The beast within him, the force that made him invincible, was shackled by an ancient power he could not fight.His wolf was asleep.The fire at his fingertips flickered. Then, it died.And with it, his consciousness slipped.---When he came to, the warmth of his flame was gone—replaced by the chilling sensation of blood soaking through his hands.Darius’s breath caught. His vision sharpened.He was cradling a head in his hands.Kara Voss.Her body lay limp against the forest floor. Her breath—shallow. Her pulse—faint.The scent of iron clung to her skin, t
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-07Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 18: The Alpha's Unseen Vow: Protecting His Luna in Denial
"And?" Lord Rhovan asked, pausing mid-pour as the tea streamed into his cup."Then he ran," Varian answered.Silence settled between them.The only sound was the faint trickle of liquid until Lord Rhovan finished pouring and set the jar down with a deliberate thud."You didn’t follow him?" he asked, tracing the rim of his cup with a thoughtful finger.Varian lowered his head. "I did. But he vanished without a trace. No scent. Too fast."Lord Rhovan exhaled slowly. "He knew he was being watched. That’s why he didn’t shift." His fingers tapped against the porcelain. "I think we were wrong about Darius. He’s not a man-wolf. If he was, the Blood Moon would have forced him into ancestral sleep by then."A weighted silence stretched between them as he took a slow sip of his tea.Then, with a smirk, he set the cup down lightly."What about the substitute? Any word on her wound?""Nothing. The castle is silent about it."Lord Rhovan’s smirk deepened. "Then he intends to handle it in secret."
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-08Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 19: A Bond He Refuses to Accept
His Alpha voice thundered, shaking the very walls.Ethan’s wolf hesitated. His instincts screamed at him to bow—to submit.Lydia was stunned, her eyes widening as she watched Darius storm toward Ethan.Even without turning, his presence alone sent a shudder through her wolf, forcing it to cower in fear.Darius could kill Ethan in an instant. She couldn’t allow that to happen."Bare your neck!" Lydia shouted, rushing toward the massive wolf before them.I am an Alpha.Lydia stiffened. Ethan’s voice echoed in her mind—his mindlink reaching her even in his wolf form."He will kill you—look at him!" she screamed, panic rising in her voice.Darius’s claws were out, his entire form coiled with lethal intent. He hadn’t shifted, but his wolf was fully present, its murderous gaze locked onto Ethan.With his fangs bared and claws raised, he moved in for the kill—until a voice cut through the tension like a blade."Darius!"He froze mid-stride.Slowly, he turned.Lena stood at the doorway.In an
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-08Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 20: A Wolf in Another’s Skin
"Did you find out what I asked for?" Uthred asked, his gaze shifting to the raven perched inside its cage."Yes. I followed him closely, but then—he vanished. I think this Alpha Darius is one of us."Uthred smiled, turning fully toward the voice. "I knew it. He is not my Alpha. Where is my Alpha?" His words were more to himself than anyone else as he sank onto his seat.He looked up at the mage in a black cloak. "Does this mean this Alpha is a hybrid?"A heavy silence filled the room."I can't say for cert—""Before you finish that thought, I’ve seen him shift into a wolf."The mage swallowed. "Then it’s rare, brother. There is no record of a hybrid being born. Even among mixed bloodlines, one either takes the father’s side or the mother’s. That is the way of things.""Well," Uthred murmured, a slow grin spreading across his face. "We have our first hybrid."The mage’s eyes gleamed. "I know a way to find out for certain."Uthred leaned forward, intrigued. "Tell me.""Get a lock of his
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-09Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 21: A Luna in Chains, an Alpha in Judgment
"I—"Lena barely got a word out before Lydia seized her arm.She stepped in front of her protectively, shielding her from the accusing eyes of the crowd.Her sharp gaze locked onto the maid, burning with righteous fury."What did you do to her?" Lydia demanded, her voice laced with outrage."I knew you’d be disrespectful as always!"Kara Voss let out a bitter laugh.Her hands clenched at her sides, trembling with barely restrained fury."Disrespectful?" she echoed, her voice shaking."I have endured her cruelty for years!"Emotion thickened her tone as her breathing grew uneven."I have been insulted, humiliated, and treated like dirt beneath her feet."Her voice cracked with raw emotion.She glared at Lydia with red-rimmed eyes."But today..." The words caught in her throat before she forced them out."I refuse to be silent any longer!"Gasps rippled through the gathered crowd.A good tragedienne indeed.She was clever. Every word she spoke was her truth, yet now, twisted against Len
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-10
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Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 45: The Gathering Storm
"How long has she been thus?" Lena inquired the moment they stepped beyond the chamber."Two nights past," came the reply."And how long shall she remain so?"Dylia pondered for a moment before speaking. "That, I cannot say. You see, Milicent was not merely wronged in body—she was stripped of her dignity, her very spirit wounded. Such a loss cannot be mended with time alone.""Then what must be done to aid her?"Silence fell between them.At length, Dylia spoke again. "Has she kin? A beloved, perchance?""I know not," Lena admitted."In such a case, we must seek one who holds her dear. If she knows there is one who awaits her, one who has not abandoned her, it may give her reason to return to us. Yet, I cannot promise she shall ever be as she was."Lena exhaled softly, nodding. "So be it." Then, after a brief pause, she lowered her voice. "There is another matter I must speak of."Dylia regarded her in silence."Come with me," Lena urged, stepping away, beyond the hearing of Cedric wi
Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 44: "The Battle Within"
The battle raged within Darius’s mind.Two dark beasts stood locked in confrontation.Their growls reverberated through his consciousness, a constant clash of power.A massive black wolf appeared, sleek and controlled.It positioned itself between the Lycan beast and its adversary.Draven, the embodiment of Darius’s wolf form, stood firm.His gaze was steady, his posture unwavering.He was the image of restraint, the side of Darius that kept chaos at bay.Before him, Craven, the enormous black Lycan beast, snarled.His fury crackled in the air like wildfire, an untamed force of nature.The Lycan’s massive form shook with frustration.His beastly eyes were wild with rage, teeth bared."As expected, you all acted like fools," Craven growled.His voice rumbled deep within Darius’s mind."If I hadn't been restrained, my mate wouldn’t have been wounded, beaten, and nearly violated.""But you two planned this and locked me away for half a century."Tension thickened the air, the weight of C
Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 43: When Thrones Crumble and Vows Shatter
A night past.Within the castle of the witches' clan, Kara paced the chamber, her fingers trembling with barely restrained fury.That treacherous wretch—her own friend—had taken up with her husband, and she, the rightful wife, was left to seethe in silence.What was her mother planning? Why was it taking so long?"Why have you not touched your meal?" her aunt inquired as she entered, the maid trailing behind—the same girl Kara had dismissed upon arriving."I've no appetite," she snapped."Foolish girl. We do not waste away over a husband's whore. Nay, we welcome them if it serves our purpose. Stop this sulking and come eat.""I should sit at table while my hands itch to tear that harlot apart?"Her aunt sighed, stepping forward to rest a firm hand upon her shoulder."Your mother is handling it, that much I am certain. You know the woman she is."Kara wet her lips, bitterness sharp on her tongue. "My mother tells me nothing. Explain to me how my own husband took my handmaiden to his be
Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 42: Brief Awakening of the Marked One"
"Beloved..."The voice was gentle yet firm, slicing through the haze of pain and fear. Her eyelids fluttered open, vision blurred, but she recognized the familiar mask, the piercing eyes that haunted both her dreams and waking hours. But this time, instead of mismatched eyes, they were gold."Are you hurt?" His voice was calm, steady, a chilling contrast to the storm raging within her.A sob tore from her throat. Words failed her.His expression darkened. "Did they touch you?"She trembled, breath shallow, suffocating under the weight of horror pressing against her chest like an immovable stone.He exhaled sharply. Then, quieter, softer, yet deadlier, he spoke again."Close your eyes. Do not open them until I am done."She obeyed, squeezing them shut, waiting.Then, a voice rang out."Who dares stand in our way?" one of the men sneered.He did not answer. The very air trembled, thick with an unearthly force, monstrous and beyond mortal comprehension. His body shifted, bones cracking,
Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 41: "When Screams Fade into Silence: A Cry for Help That Never Came"
Warning: This chapter contains R-rated content and potentially triggering material. Reader discretion is advised. If you find such themes distressing, feel free to skip this section.“Come in,” Selena instructed, her voice calm yet firm. “See that he is given something to drink.”The maid curtsied and left the room.Selena turned her gaze back to Cedric. “I am inclined to believe you—not because of the Alpha’s name, but because you have shown some measure of truth. Yet I remain doubtful because of your claim to hail from the Shadow Fang Pack. My Alpha considers your kind an enemy, and I see no reason to trust that he would send you here. Speak plainly—how did you truly come to possess this seal?”Cedric gave a low chuckle just as the maid returned with a cup of wine.“Leave us,” Selena ordered.The maid obeyed without question, bowing deeply before departing.Alone now, Selena folded her hands in her lap, her eyes never leaving Cedric’s face.“You live up to your reputation,” Cedric s
Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 40: The Luna They Sought, The Sacrifice She Made
Restlessness gnawed at him, his heart pounding fiercely. His wolf stirred in his slumber, then jolted awake, pacing anxiously."Our mate," his wolf growled. "Something’s happening to her."Vargr shot to his feet. "Keep enjoying yourselves," he told Jaime. "I must find the Luna."As if the gods themselves willed it, a child stumbled toward the gathering, her dress stained with blood."Some wolves..." she sobbed, her voice trembling.The crowd hushed, encircling her in alarm."Whose blood is that?""Are you hurt?"Questions flooded from the villagers."Do not frighten the child with your clamor," the old storyteller commanded. "Let her speak."Silence fell like a stone.Vargr knelt beside the girl, his voice calm yet firm. "What happened?""Three men came to the gate," she stammered. "They asked for Lena... they wanted to know which of us was her. None of us knew what to say... so they grabbed us, and..." Her breath hitched."And?" Vargr urged."They... they killed one of us," she whisp
Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 39: "The Prophecy of Blood and Doom"
Later that evening. The village gathered around a roaring bonfire. Sparks danced into the night sky, carried by the crisp breeze. Children giggled as they chased each other, their faces glowing in the firelight. Lena sat close to the fire, her gaze fixed on the old man at its center. He stood with a wooden staff in hand, his voice carrying over the crowd."Love," the old man began, "is not born from words or promises alone. It thrives in patience, in sacrifice... in choosing to stay when walking away feels easier."The crowd murmured in agreement. Some couples linked hands, others exchanged quiet smiles."Respect," the man continued, "isn’t just listening when it’s easy. It’s understanding when words won’t come, and choosing kindness when anger tempts you otherwise."Lena shifted closer to the fire. Memories stirred—her mother’s laugh, her gentle hand resting on her shoulder. She remembered her village before the raids, before slavery, before her life had been stolen from her. The
Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 38: Bonds Tested, Trust Betrayed
Vargr followed Lena down the narrow forest path.After a short trek, they reached a clearing where a grand carriage stood waiting. Two powerful black horses stood hitched to it, their breath misting the cool night air.A cloaked figure leaned against the carriage, hand on the hilt of a sheathed sword. At the sight of Lena, he straightened.“You’re late,” the man said, his voice sharp yet familiar.Vargr’s eyes narrowed. The man’s face was hidden beneath his hood, but the smug stance — and the hint of a smirk — put Vargr on edge.“Who’s this?” Vargr asked, stepping protectively beside Lena.She ignored him, pulling open the carriage door. “We need to leave. The guards will notice I'm gone soon.”“You didn’t answer my question,” Vargr pressed.The cloaked man chuckled. “Relax.” He pushed back his hood, revealing sharp features and dark hair. “Name’s Jaime.”“Friend of mine,” Lena said. “He’s helping us.”“Helping us do what?” Vargr shot back.“Get away,” Jaime answered. “Unless you’d ra
Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in 37: The Alpha's Hidden Bloodline
A cloaked figure stopped at the brothel nestled near the park's edge, its dim lanterns flickering in the evening gloom. She watched as a servant hurried toward her."Is my husband inside?" she demanded."Yes, Luna. But—"Before the servant could finish, Kara was already striding past him, her heels striking hard against the cobblestone path.The air inside was thick with sweat, wine, and sin. Women draped themselves over men in shadowed corners, their garments slipping indecently low. Soft moans and drunken laughter filled the room. Kara’s stomach churned, but she pressed on.At the end of the hall, she reached a curtained chamber where Alpha Ethan's guard stood, his face blanching when he saw her."My lady," the guard stammered, stepping aside.Kara ignored him, seized the curtain, and yanked it aside.The sight hit her like a slap.Her husband lay sprawled on the bed, tangled between three half-naked women. One lay draped across his chest, her lips trailing down his neck. Another kn
