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Vow to protect

Author: Ace
last update Last Updated: 2025-09-17 20:59:43

CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY ONE

GRAHAM

The council chamber was colder than usual, though the fire blazed bright in the hearth. I could feel the weight of every pair of eyes on me as I walked in. The long wooden table stretched between us, carved with generations of names, but tonight it felt more like a battlefield.

Miriam sat straight-backed, her thin lips pressed together, arms folded as though she had already won a silent argument. To her left, Elder Caine drummed his fingers on the table, thoughtful but watchful. The others sat in a half-circle of stern faces.

I didn’t bother sitting.

“Let’s not waste time,” I said, my voice carrying through the chamber. “I know what’s being whispered. I know why you’ve called me here.”

Miriam’s chin lifted. “Then you know this is no whisper. It is truth. The Luna carries a child, and the timing is reckless.”

I held her gaze, calm but firm. “The timing is what the Goddess has given us. That makes it sacred, not reckless.”

Her nostrils flared. “
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  • The Mate She Can’t See   Vow to protect

    CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY ONEGRAHAMThe council chamber was colder than usual, though the fire blazed bright in the hearth. I could feel the weight of every pair of eyes on me as I walked in. The long wooden table stretched between us, carved with generations of names, but tonight it felt more like a battlefield.Miriam sat straight-backed, her thin lips pressed together, arms folded as though she had already won a silent argument. To her left, Elder Caine drummed his fingers on the table, thoughtful but watchful. The others sat in a half-circle of stern faces.I didn’t bother sitting.“Let’s not waste time,” I said, my voice carrying through the chamber. “I know what’s being whispered. I know why you’ve called me here.”Miriam’s chin lifted. “Then you know this is no whisper. It is truth. The Luna carries a child, and the timing is reckless.”I held her gaze, calm but firm. “The timing is what the Goddess has given us. That makes it sacred, not reckless.”Her nostrils flared. “

  • The Mate She Can’t See   You’re insane

    CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTYZOEYBy the time Graham left to meet with the council, my chest still felt tight. His words in the courtyard had been like fire, sharp, blazing, impossible to ignore. He had defended me without hesitation, and made it clear to everyone that I wasn’t alone.And yet, when the door closed behind him, the silence in our room was heavy.I couldn’t stop hearing Miriam’s voice in my head. Reckless.I pressed a hand to my stomach, a habit that was starting to form without me realizing it. I wanted to believe Graham’s strength could shield me from everything, but doubts crept in through the cracks.Before those thoughts swallowed me whole, I pushed myself up from the bed. My feet carried me almost on their own, down the hall, across the courtyard, until I reached Hannah’s quarters.The door was open.Inside, Hannah was bent over her herb table, grinding leaves into powder. Lily sat cross-legged on the rug, braiding thin threads of colored yarn together, humming t

  • The Mate She Can’t See   Fellow women

    CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN ZOEYThe morning air was cool when I walked into the courtyard. The sun had barely climbed above the trees, and yet the pack grounds were already alive with movement, warriors training, mothers calling after their children, and servants carrying trays of food to the hall.I was only halfway across the yard when I noticed it, the stares. Not the usual curious glances that came when I first arrived here, not even the warm smiles I had gotten after proving myself in little ways. These were different.Whispers.Eyes dropping to my stomach before flicking away. Hushed voices quickly muffled when I passed.At first, I thought I was imagining it. But when two older women near the well exchanged a look, then leaned closer to whisper again, my heart sank.They knew.Somehow, the secret wasn’t a secret anymore.I kept walking, holding my head high like nothing was wrong, but inside, my chest was tight. My hand itched to press against my stomach protectively, bu

  • The Mate She Can’t See   Side by side

    CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTEENGRAHAMThe sun was already high when Viktor came to the house. His steps were steady, his coat lined with dust from the road, but he carried himself like he always did, with calm authority.I met him in the front hall.“Long ride?” I asked.“Not too long,” Viktor said. His mouth quirked in a small smile. “Your guards made sure of that. They stopped me at least three times.”“They’re doing their job,” I replied, though I knew my men could be excessive. After weeks of attacks and fear, they trusted little.We moved into the study. The maids had already set out tea and bread, though neither of us touched it right away. Viktor lowered himself into the chair across from me, his sharp eyes scanning the room as though memorizing it.“Zoey’s well?” he asked after a pause.“She’s fine,” I said, my tone clipped without meaning it to be. I didn’t want to explain, not yet. “And Lily?”“She is herself,” Viktor answered, and a small warmth touched his voice. “Full

  • The Mate She Can’t See   Scared of being a father

    CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN ZOEYThe night had stretched long and restless, but by dawn, the house was quiet. For once, there were no hurried knocks on the door, no messengers calling for Graham, no whispers of new attacks.I woke with the sunlight brushing across the curtains. Graham was already awake, lying beside me with one arm tucked behind his head. His eyes were on me, soft and thoughtful, like he’d been watching for a while.“Morning,” I whispered, my voice rough with sleep.“Morning,” he said. His hand reached over and brushed a strand of hair from my face. “You were frowning in your sleep.”I sighed. “Dreams.”“Bad?”I nodded but didn’t explain. Not yet. He didn’t press me, and that was one of the things I loved most about him. He gave me space when I needed it.Instead, I curled closer to his chest. His heart was steady under my ear, a sound that grounded me more than anything. For a few breaths, I let myself forget the shadows at our borders, the worry that lived in

  • The Mate She Can’t See   Heart to heart

    CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTEENZOEYThe morning air was sharp and cool when I stepped out into the courtyard. I had planned to take a quiet walk, maybe clear my head before the day began, but the sight that met me made my stomach twist.A group of warriors stood in a circle, murmuring in low voices. In the center, Ronald bent down, brushing his fingers over something on the ground. I walked closer, and the moment he saw me, he straightened quickly, almost too quickly.“Zoey,” he greeted. His tone was warm but carried a hint of unease. “You shouldn’t be here.”“Why?” I asked, frowning. “What happened?”Behind him, one of the warriors kicked at the dirt, covering whatever had been there.“Nothing you need to worry about,” Ronald said.That answer only made me more alert. “Ronald. Don’t do that with me. What’s going on?”He looked over his shoulder, then sighed. “A body. Or what’s left of one. We found it by the eastern border.”A cold wave washed through me. “A body?”“Yes.” His voice

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