The Moon's Dark Embrace のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 41 - チャプター 50

“You beyond any doubt you need to do this?” I inquire, rolling my shoulders back as expectation builds inside me. Butterflies surge the pit of my stomach, my muscles are all so tense that they’re for all intents and purposes electrically charge, and I wonder—not for the to begin with time—how the fuck I’ve overseen to get myself into this situation.Atlas’ eyes glimmer like jade fire in the moo light. “I might inquire you the same thing, Nyx,” he says as he turns to confront me, his solid arms tense at his sides. The corner of his mouth jerks up in his characteristic half- grin, making my stomach fix indeed more. It’s been months since I found out almost his predetermined mate, and I strolled absent from anything we shared. Map book, on the other hand, appears more decided than ever to piss me off each moment he can get with me. Like in these preparing sessions, where I can’t dodge him, and I abhor how much he influences me. He lied to me. He rested with me, and I was a trick to think

I don’t arrive back at my dormitory until late, and I’m a little surprised to see Atlas is waiting for me outside my door by the time I arrive. “You’re here,” I observe stupidly.He nods, getting to his feet. “Where were you?” he asks, a hint of the possessive alpha heir I know so well. I’m tempted to tell him to fuck off, and that I can be anywhere I want without having to tell him anything, but I don’t.“Just hanging out with Ivy,” I coolly reply. “And Tobias.” Atlas scowls. “Him?”“Yeah, why?”His green eyes burn as he takes a step closer to me. “I don’t like the way he looks at you, Nyx. He told you about Addison so he can be your hero and make me your villain. I bet he is counting the hours until you run into his open arms.”I cross my arms. “Come on, Atlas. It’s not like that. He’s my friend, and I don’t owe you an explanation.”Atlas doesn’t smile. “Do you think he sees it that way? He practically undresses you with his eyes every time he looks at you. Especially when he thinks

The first thing I’m met with when I start the video call is a chorus of my name that’s so enthusiastic, I can practically feel it from the other side of the state. Seeing my mother, father, and sister, Claire, on the other side of that tiny screen is almost hard to believe, even though I’ve only been away for a few months. The shameful thing is that this is the first opportunity I’ve had to contact them… or rather, that they’ve had to contact me. Although there’s no rule prohibiting rejects from staying in touch with their loved ones in their former packs, it carries an unspoken taboo that’s enough to make your blood boil. Those who have been cast out are untouchable, practically lepers in lycanthrope society, and if you’re unfortunate enough to have violated the Traditions in a way worthy of exile, you can’t expect much other than contempt from your former packmates. I’ve heard stories of rejects who have successfully assimilated into human culture, leaving their wolf shifter roots

I glance up from my suitcase to see that Ivy has straightened up from her place on the floor. Her own bag is only partially packed, and although the morning is already dawning bright and beautiful, she’s stopped getting ready altogether. Her cell phone is in her hands, her brow furrowed in concentration as she taps out a feverish text message.“All good?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.“Hm?” she responds, jerking her head up as if I just startled her. Her red waves bounce around her face, and her cheeks flush with sudden embarrassment. “Oh, yeah,” she adds with an uncertain smile. “Yeah, I’m fine.”“Really?” I ask incredulously, crossing my arms as I get to my feet. “Because you look like I just walked in on you with your pants down.” I nod in the direction of her phone. “Who’re you chatting with?”Ivy looks back at her screen. “My girlfriend,” she replies after a moment. “I’ve been doing my best to keep a distance, you know—I don’t want her getting dragged into wolf shifter politics, es

“Holy shit—” Addison begins, but she’s interrupted when one of the werebears lets out an ear-splitting roar.I clap my hands over my ears, a chorus of confused shouts filling the car around me.“How’d they find us?” “What do we do?” “Get out of the way!”Quinn grabs the steering wheel just as the trio of beasts closes in on us. “Hold on,” she says, and then steps on the gas.“What the hell are you doing?” Addison demands.Quinn doesn’t reply. The SUV speeds forward, heading straight for the nearest werebear, and at the last second, I realize that she’s summoned a curtain of dark magic around the front end of the car. Like a missile, the Escalade plows through the enemy group, knocking them to either side like bowling pins. We’ve gone careening off the road and onto the bumpy ground, the wheels bouncing in the ruts as everyone inside holds on for dear life. Atlas has pulled me against his chest, shielding me with his arms, and it’s a good thing, too, because a moment later, the front e