Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 21 - Chapitre 30

Ember kept her eyes locked on Thorne’s, panting, waiting for him to make a move. Being a newly turned wolf, and coupled with the exhaustion from running, she lost her grasp on control. She turned back into her human form, naked and bleeding from her right side where the gate had scratched her on her way in. She raised one of her hands to cover her trembling chest, keeping her eyes low and avoiding Thorne’s gaze. The other hand covered her pubic area. She heard Thorne inhale sharply as his eyes roamed over her naked body, and heard the cracking of his bones as his fur receded, and he turned back to his human form. “Look at me,” he ordered, his voice carrying a strange, strained quality, and she couldn’t tell if he was angry or something else. Nervously, she raised her eyes, taking in his naked form. His skin was flushed from exertion, beads of sweat clinging to him. His hand cupped over his private area, covering his nakedness. “What you did was thoughtless,” he began, not taking h

Ember spent the day touring the mansion with Kaya, Raphael, and Dorothea. Kaya expressed an interest in cooking, and Ember asked Dorothea to tutor her as an assistant cook in the mansion. Raphael stuck to gardening, just as he had at the camps. After the eventful day, she lay in bed, reading a book after Dorothea had commandeered her evening bathe and dressing. She felt more relaxed and rested than she had in over four years. She had just propped her book on the nightstand as she prepared to sleep, tired from the day, when the door flew open. Thorne stood in the doorway, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, looking every bit the Alpha that he was. His dark hair was ruffled, though it suited him, and his face was set in his usual scowl. “Can’t you knock?” Ember asked, irritated, blinking against the hallway lights. Thorne clenched his jaw, running a hand through his hair as he took deep breaths to control his anger at her insolent tone. “I don’t have to knock on any doors wit

*A week later* “Wake up, my lady,” Dorothea said softly, nudging Ember. Ember yawned and turned in her sleep, facing Dorothea, who cooed and said, “Oh my days, you’re so cute. But you need to wake up now.” She insisted, pulling the covers off Ember. Dorothea nudged her hard, which did the trick. Ember woke up, stretching, as her eyes adjusted to the room and Dorothea, who was standing beside a table with a selection of different breakfast options. “Good morning, Luna. You have a busy day ahead of you.” “Busy day?” Ember asked, hugging her knees as she peered at Dorothea in confusion. “Yes, Alpha Thorne has organized a small party in your honor,” Dorothea said, smiling happily. “A party?!” Ember asked, surprised. Why didn’t Thorne tell her? Dorothea, seeing her confusion, said, “It was a bit rushed, my lady. I guess he can’t wait to introduce you formally to the pack. It’s long overdue, I must say. So you must get up, and try out all the dresses I brought.” Ember groaned as she

Ember woke up before sunrise. She got up and dressed herself in a simple day dress, intent on getting into Thorne’s office to find information. A few servants were already awake and nodded in respect as she passed, but she paid them no mind. She had been claimed and publicly introduced to the pack by Thorne, wihich granted her the right to go anywhere she pleased without raising suspicion. She stalked toward his office, keeping an eye out for any guards. She was sure Thorne and Darius had left for the fight with Matteo because she had seen them shift and disappear into the woods from her window. Standing still at the edge of the hallway, she waited until the patrolling guard walked to the other end and vanished around the corner. Then, she slipped inside unnoticed. She went straight for his desk drawer first, but to her dismay, the folder she had previously found, the one containing her father’s picture, was gone. Frantically, she searched, her eyes darting across the office, until

Kaya entered Ember’s room after knocking several times without receiving an answer. She had just finished her morning duties and was bringing breakfast. Concerned about Ember’s recent emotional withdrawal, Kaya was not sure about how to approach the situation. Gently, she opened the windows, allowing sunlight to brighten the room as Ember stirred but didn’t rise. “Are you awake, Ember?” Kaya asked softly, placing the breakfast on the side table. She sat on the bed and tapped Ember lightly. “Mmm?” Ember responded, the covers pulled over her face. “I brought you breakfast,” Kaya informed her, waiting for Ember to uncover her face. When she didn’t, Kaya slowly tughed on the blanket, revealing Ember’s face, puffy from crying. Kaya frowned. “You can’t show weakness, Ember,” Kaya said, rubbing her leg in consolation. “You can’t let them see you’re hurting.” “I know,” Ember mumbled, sitting up and hugging her knees. “It’s all just so… annoying. Serene and her obsession with him. I’m try