Semua Bab Rejected by My Mate, Fated to the Lycan King: Bab 311 - Bab 315

ErikThe scent of herbs and incense clings to everything in the shop, grounding and familiar. I’ve always liked it here. It’s quiet, ordered and purposeful. A place where nothing happens by accident. Unlike home where it’s always noisy chaos.I rest my hands on the counter and watch my mother bundle dried fennel into neat little packets. She does it without looking, eyes on me, brow drawn in that way she gets when she’s trying to solve a puzzle that won’t quite fit.“She’s the one,” I tell her again, breaking the silence. She keeps staring at me. “You’re sure?” I nod once. “Scarlett’s the one from the prophecy. There’s no doubt in my mind.”Mother ties off the bundle, her fingers deft and calm. But her voice isn’t. “And you let her get away?” I sigh, “It would have made her suspicious if I tried to lure her inside and get her to stay.”She scoffs, tucking the fennel into a drawer beneath the counter. “You think she’s going to just come back? That she’ll stroll in here, ready to be wha

ChrisThe creek’s running fast today. Snowmelt, probably. The water’s high, curling around the stones like silver fingers, loud enough to drown out everything else if I sit close enough.I crouch near the bank, arms on my knees, watching the current rush past. Cold mist clings to the air, fresh and damp, and I breathe deep.I’ve always liked water. Lakes, rain, the ocean. Anything that moves and ripples and swells. It makes me feel less jagged. Like the tension gets carried away by the current.I pick up a flat stone and whip it across the surface. It skips three times before disappearing. I pick up another. Throw it harder.Gods, I nearly told him. I was so close to spilling my secrets to dad during training. It was right there on the tip of my tongue. The truth, raw and ugly, burning behind my teeth.Part of me wanted to say it. Just… get it out. Rip it off like a bandage. Maybe he’d yell. Maybe he’d stare at me like I’d grown two heads. Maybe he’d be cool about it. As much as Scar

HildaThe kettle whistles just as the fire sputters, a gust of wind moaning against the windows like a restless spirit. I pour the hot water over the dried mint and lemon leaves in my mug, letting the scent rise up and soothe my frayed thoughts.I miss my daughter. She’s only been gone a few days, but every bone in my body feels the ache of distance.I’m standing by the hearth, cradling the steaming mug in both hands, when her voice suddenly breaks into my thoughts as though I summoned her.“Mom?”My heart leaps with joy. She’s let us know every night that she’s safe, but she hasn’t made contact just to talk before now. “Sweetheart! It’s so good to hear from you. How are you?”“I need a second opinion.”I close my eyes and open myself fully to her. Delighted that she knows I’m always happy to be her sounding board. “I’m listening.”She takes a breath through the bond. I can almost see her chewing the inside of her cheek.“I met someone.”Ah.“A boy?” I ask lightly.“A man,” she correc