All Chapters of By Shadowlight Lake: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

161 Chapters

Chapter 31 - Astraia

I found Oliver waiting outside my last class, leaning against the wall with that easy smile that had become so familiar over the past weeks. The late afternoon sunlight caught in his sandy hair, making him look like something from a university catalog - the perfect "what all the girls want in a boy" boyfriend.Which was exactly the problem."Hey," he greeted, falling into step beside me as we headed across the quad. "Ready for that coffee before your big meeting?"The territory access meeting with Carson. Just thinking about it made my wolf stir restlessly. I'd been distracted all day, checking the time constantly, wondering what I should wear, what I should say..."Actually," I started, then faltered. This would be easier if Oliver wasn't so damn nice. "Can we talk for a minute?"His expression shifted, understanding immediately washing over his features. We found a quiet bench beneath one of the massive oaks that dotted the campus, its branches providing a canopy of privacy."So," h

Chapter 32 - Carson

CarsonI checked the time again. 6:47 PM. She'd be here soon.The territory access documentation was spread across my desk, maps and permits all perfectly organized. I'd been preparing for this meeting for days, even while in Northern territory. Everything was in order, professionally arranged, ready for a straightforward discussion about cross-territory access protocols.So why couldn't I stop pacing?"You know," Hunter remarked from the doorway, "most Alphas don't wear down their office carpeting before important meetings."I shot him a warning look. "Don't you have patrols to organize?""Already handled." He leaned against the doorframe, entirely too amused. "

Chapter 33 - Astraia

Our eyes met, and the air between us seemed to thicken, charged with something I couldn't name but my wolf recognized instantly. For a moment, neither of us spoke, and I found myself studying the subtle changes in him since I'd last seen him up close. A new tension in his jaw, perhaps? A slightly sharper focus in his golden eyes?He looked tired, I realized. Not in an obvious way - no Alpha would ever allow themselves to appear weakened - but in the slight shadows under his eyes, the tightness at the corners of his mouth."The Northern territory negotiations were successful?" I asked, breaking the silence with the first neutral topic that came to mind.Something flickered in his expression. "Yes. The alliance is... progressing."I tried to

Chapter 34 - Astraia

I tried to hold still as Freya circled me, making final adjustments to the dress she'd spent weeks creating. My mind kept drifting back to last night's disastrous meeting with Carson, his phone call, the female voice in the background... I shook my head, forcing the thoughts away. "Stop moving," Freya scolded, pins between her lips as she adjusted the hemline. "This is delicate work." "Sorry," I muttered, trying to focus on the present moment. Odette lounged on my bed, scrolling through her phone with a suspiciously innocent expression. "So," she drawled, "I heard the Northern Pack contingent arrived early for tonight's gala." I shot her a warning look, not wanting to talk about them, but s

Chapter 35 - Astraia

I took a long sip of the wine, letting its subtle magic calm my wolf. Over the rim of my glass, I couldn't help but watch as Elise led Carson toward a group of important-looking wolves, her hand still on his arm, her body angled toward his in obvious interest. "She's practically climbing him like a tree," I muttered before I could stop myself. "Political alliance," Odette reminded me. "Though I agree, her approach lacks subtlety." "Not that you care," Lila added innocently. "Since you and Carson are just professional associates discussing territory management." I was saved from responding by Oliver's arrival. He looked handsome in his formal attire, his easy smile a welcome distraction.

Chapter 36 - Astraia

Without thinking, I slipped away from the main hall, past the gardens where couples strolled in the moonlight, beyond the formal pathways until I found myself on a familiar winding route.The garden maze welcomed me like an old friend, its twisting paths somehow easier to navigate than my own feelings. My feet carried me automatically, turning at remembered junctions until I emerged at Shadowlight Lake.In the equinox moonlight, the lake was even more magical than before, its surface reflecting the stars with such perfect clarity it was hard to tell where water ended and sky began. The small gazebo at the end of the dock glowed softly with twinkling lights someone had strung along its railings.I moved to the gazebo, sitting on the cushioned bench and gazing out at the water. The quiet helped calm the storm inside me. Why was I so affected by Carson? We'd barely spent any time together, had barely talked beyond territory matters and pack business. Yet those two

Chapter 37 - Astraia

I stared at my reflection in the ornate bathroom mirror, barely recognizing the flushed girl with bright eyes and kiss-swollen lips looking back at me. My fingers trembled as I tried to repair my lipstick, but the evidence of what had just happened was written all over my face.Carson had kissed me. And not just any kiss, a claiming, desperate kiss that had unleashed something primal between us. A connection neither of us could deny any longer.Mate.The word still echoed through me, making my wolf restless and eager. I closed my eyes, trying to collect myself. He'd been called away for an emergency before we could talk about what happened, before we could make sense of that shared recognition.The bathroom door swung open suddenly, making me jump. Odette burst in, her violet eyes wide with urgency."There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you," she exclaimed, then stopped abruptly, her gaze sweeping over my appearance. Her eyes na

Chapter 38 - Astraia

Three days passed with no word from Carson, Alexei, or Hunter. The university remained closed due to the ongoing threat, and all wolves were advised to stay within their pack territories. Those of us at the Royal Pack palace were essentially on lockdown, though the palace was large enough that it hardly felt confining.Odette did her best to keep my mind occupied, giving me tours of parts of the palace I'd never seen, introducing me to various Royal Pack members, and generally being the perfect hostess. But by the third day, I was restless, constantly checking my phone for messages that never came.I'd finally worked up the courage to text him the night before—a simple "Are you okay?"—but there had been no response. The silence was becoming unbearable, my mind cycling through increasingly worse scenarios. Was he hurt? Ignoring me? Regretting what happened between us?"Maybe they don't have reception wherever they are," Odette suggested as we sat in the palace ga

Chapter 39 - Astraia

A soft sound from the balcony made me freeze.Someone was trying to open the balcony doors.My heart hammered against my ribs as I instinctively backed toward the bed. The palace was supposed to be the most secure place in Royal Pack territory, who could possibly be trying to enter through my balcony? My mind raced with possibilities, each worse than the last. A rogue? An assassin?The lock clicked, and the balcony door eased open silently. A tall figure slipped inside, silhouetted against the moonlight. My breath caught in my throat, my wolf suddenly alert but not alarmed—something familiar about the scent...Pine and storm."Carson," I whispered, relief flooding through me as recognition dawned.He turned at the sound of my voice, golden eyes finding mine in the darkness. "Astraia, I—"I didn't let him finish. Before I could think better of it, I was rushing across the room and throwing my arms around him. The solid warmth of him, t

Chapter 40 - Astraia

I woke to unfamiliar warmth and the steady rhythm of a heartbeat beneath my ear. For a moment, I was disoriented, my pillow wasn't supposed to rise and fall with breathing, and it definitely wasn't supposed to smell like pine and storm.Then the events of last night came rushing back.Carson. The balcony. Him staying.Somehow during the night, we'd shifted positions. I was now curled against his side, my head resting on his chest, his arm wrapped securely around me. The covers had twisted between us, a token barrier that had done nothing to prevent me from seeking his warmth. One of my legs had thrown itself over his, and my hand rested against the firm plane of his stomach. My wolf hummed with contentment, more settled than she'd been in days.I should have been embarrassed by how I'd practically wrapped myself around him in my sleep, but I couldn't bring myself to move away. For the first time in days, I'd slept deeply, without dreams, without waking in

1 2 3 4 5 6

...

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP