Lahat ng Kabanata ng Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts : Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

Jade NightshadeI would never in a million years have thought that I'd be the one helping deliver Rowon and Kassandra’s baby.Dear Moon Goddess...I had no choice, though. Unfortunately for me, I was the acting Alpha, and I had to push my feelings aside and act like one. Their lives depended on me, even though I wanted nothing more than to pretend they didn’t exist.Darius and I were walking away when my conscience started eating at me. The pack was busy at the celebration, and there wouldn’t be a pack doctor available to help Kassandra since everyone was at the party. She might die giving birth, and though the thought of her dying had an almost cruel appeal... the innocent baby hadn’t done anything to me.I’d trained to be a Luna, and part of that training included learning how to assist a pregnant woman in labor during an emergency. I knew what had to be done, even if the idea of walking back into that house made my stomach churn.“I can’t believe this,” I muttered under my breath a

Darius's POVI couldn’t focus. My eyes were on the food in front of me, but my mind was far away, trapped in a cycle of thoughts that wouldn’t stop.Does she like Rowon?It was the only explanation I could come up with for why Jade was acting so cold toward me. She was hiding the fact that we were mates from everyone, pretending like there was nothing between us. No connection. No bond. But I felt it. I knew she felt it, too. So why the distance? Why keep it a secret?Rowon’s image flashed through my mind—the way he looked at Jade, even as his mate delivered their child. His focus wasn’t on Kassandra or the newborn; it was on her. The way his eyes followed her every move, the way his breath seemed to hitch when she entered the room. It didn’t make sense.It was like she had him under some kind of spell, and the worst part? I had no idea if she felt the same. I wanted to believe it was nothing, that I was just imagining things, but something about it gnawed at me. What if there was som

JadeI swallowed hard, staring at him as the words left my mouth before I could rethink them. "I'm ready to be with you. On one condition."Darius chuckled, but it wasn’t his usual laugh—it was softer, almost sad, like he was bracing himself for something bad. His brow lifted in curiosity. "And what’s the catch?"My stomach knotted with nerves. "No one can know we’re mates, Darius. Not yet, please. Let them think we’re just... friends. Getting to know each other again, with some... romantic feelings involved."The words felt heavy, but it was the only way I could navigate being with him openly without hurting my wolf or him.Silence stretched between us, and I held my breath, waiting for his reaction. Instead of answering, Darius stepped forward until he was right in front of me. Confusion flickered in my chest as he knelt down and started taking off his sandals.“What are you doing?” I blurted, looking down at him.But then I realised—I had practically sprinted out of the house baref

Jade "There you are," my mom said the moment I stepped into the living room.I gave her a tired smile, sinking into the familiar comfort of home. "You wouldn’t believe how exhausting that meeting was, Mum." I began rolling my shoulders to relieve the tension, but my voice trailed off as my eyes landed on someone seated across from her on the couch.Kassandra.I blinked hard, as if trying to make sure I was actually seeing her. The sight of her made my smile vanish, replaced by a tight knot in my chest. My gaze snapped back to my mother, though my question was aimed at someone else. "What is she doing here? How could you let her into our house? Do you even understand who she is?”Mum stood up quickly, awkwardly smoothing her apron like she couldn’t get out of the room fast enough. "I’ll...give you two some time," she mumbled, avoiding my gaze, and with that, she disappeared into the kitchen.Anger simmered beneath my skin, my fists clenching at my sides. I didn’t even look at my mothe

JadeAs I nestled deeper into Darius' arms, savouring the warmth of his body pressed against mine. There was something so comforting in the way he held me, like I was the most precious thing in the world. I wished this moment could last forever.His breath warmed my ear, and his voice, low and full of quiet authority, stirred me from my thoughts. “Open your eyes, Jade.”Reluctantly, I blinked my eyes open, slowly adjusting to the scene in front of me. When my vision cleared, my breath caught in my throat.We stood in the most beautiful garden I had ever seen. Soft lanterns illuminated every corner, casting a golden glow over the vibrant reds, purples, and pinks of blooming flowers. The sweet scent of blossoms filled the air, and fairy lights twinkled like stars between the trees. In the centre of it all was a small table with two chairs, set under an ancient oak tree with vines winding around it like something out of a fairytale. On the table sat a candle flickering gently beside wha