Semua Bab Mate Rebound : Bab 251 - Bab 260

Elara’s POV~I knocked at Lyra’s door, my knuckles tapping against the smooth wood. It was quiet for a moment, and I thought perhaps she hadn't woken up yet. But then the door burst open, and Lyra nearly ran into me with her hair pulled up and books held against her chest.“Lyra—” I began, the beating of my heart keeping me grounded as I steeled myself to question her about the cloak, and to chase away the doubts that were clawing away in my chest with the ash.But she wouldn’t give me the opportunity.“Not now, Elara!” she said breathlessly, as if the entire world would come crashing down around her if she paused for more than a second. “I’m already late. I’ve got a test today.”She edged her way past me, the scent of her perfume brushing across my cheeks, the smell that was both so familiar and yet seemed strangely oppressive. I followed her, giving it one more try, but she whirled and gave me that smile. That sweet, innocent smile that had always been her weapon. “I’m fine, big s

Elara’s POV~ Breakfast started quietly that morning. Mother and I entered the dining room, Caspian right behind us. The table had been laid before, and the scent of warm bread and broth filled the air. We sat, and the silence lengthened until Lyra came in last, her smile brisk.She turned straight to Damien. “Thank you,” she said, soft but weighted words. “You helped me study well. I did better because of you.”Mother’s face brightened at once. “You see?” she replied, glaring at Lyra and Damian. “He helped you. I knew he would. Thank you, Damien.”Damien got up and did not look at anyone. “I have a thing,” he muttered, cutting her off before Mother could get started.Caspian remained sitting a moment more, as he always did. Then he also pushed his chair back. “I should be on my way now, too,” he added politely as well before taking his leave.There were only three of us left. Mother broke the silence with quiet words, her eyes soft as she looked between me and Lyra. She talked about

Elara's POV~Dinner should have been warm. The food was generous, and the food set out was enough to bring better times. But there was something heavy in the air that no one could quite bring themselves to say.And my mother was at the head of the table, looking pale, but smiling and doing her best to make it feel like we were a family all together. “Elara, hand me the stew,” she said in a small voice.I nodded and passed the bowl to her. I looked around the table. Caspian sat on one side, silent, pushing his spoon. Damien sat across from me, not speaking much, but grunting short replies when spoken to....And Lyra, Lyra was all life, laughter and spoke with a voice that filled the air.It was almost too much.“Well, well,” Mother said after a bit, glancing round the table, “why are you all so silent? No family meal should be a funeral. Speak, laugh. I don’t like this silence.”Lyra laughed, as if her mother’s words were a joke. “I agree. You all look like you’ve just drunk something b

Elara’s POV~I had slept poorly and still felt a tightness in my chest from the previous night. As I passed down the hall, in one of the neighbouring chambers, I could hear suppressed sobbing. My steps slowed.I pushed the door and stopped cold.Lyra was already there, sitting near Father’s bed. She took his delicate hand with both of her hands, her head bowed while gentle tears streamed down her cheeks. I was paralyzed for a moment, I couldn’t move. I stood at the door and I watched.My thoughts spun. She was so shattered, too much like the little sister who’d hold on to me, pleading never to be left behind when we were kids. I was shocked; half of me wanted to trust her in full, accept that I’d been wrong about everything.Suddenly, she looked up and saw me. And her face brightened at once. "Elara," she whispered, her voice shaking as she stood up and approached me. She put her arms around me, hugged me as hard as I've ever experienced. I tensed initially, but I didn’t ward her off

Damien's POV~I couldn’t stay calm any longer. My wolf growled each time Lyra found herself close to Elara. It was not an ordinary warning growl; it was unsettled, furious, and almost panicked.She’s guilty, my wolf whispered over and over. She’s the one. Keep her from harming Elara.But I couldn’t. I was trapped. Her threat was my constant companion in my thoughts, the same words that she had hurled at me with that cold smile, ‘Speak and she dies.’The more I didn’t want to think about it, the worse it got. It hurt my chest every time Elara looked at me with trust in those blue eyes of hers. My stomach writhed every time she leaned on me for protection. I felt like a coward. A wolf fit not to even stand in her shadow.I tried to work out that day, thinking perhaps it would help clear my head. I arrived at the practice field with the sun still rising. It was an empty field and silent for me and the row of wooden dummies.I moved to another combat stance and hit. My fists collided wit