All Chapters of Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

“It begins,” Jade murmured softly, his voice barely a whisper in the heavy silence.Beta Cedric closed his eyes, pain and regret darkening his features. "We cannot halt it now. Oh, goddess, grant me mercy."Vargr, his body heavy with exhaustion, sat up on the bed. He reached for the water on the nearby stand, but as his hand brushed the vessel, a sharp pain shot through him. His breath caught in his throat as a groan escaped his lips, his hands instinctively pressing against his throbbing skull.Cedric heard it. Jade heard it.They rushed into the room, their concern etched across their faces."You're awake," Cedric breathed, a nervous laugh escaping him, though it was tainted with uncertainty. "He's awake."Vargr's groans grew louder, his body trembling with the raw agony surging through him. His hand reached out for the headboard, and with a crack of splintering wood, it gave way under his strength.“WHERE IS MY MATE?” he bellowed, his voice a tempest of fury. His red eyes gleamed l

Training YardSweat glistened beneath the noon sun as the two men stood at the center of the training yard.Alpha Darius wore a sleeveless leather tunic, his arms bare and scarred with battles past, black trousers tucked into worn boots, his crimson sash tied loosely at his waist. Across from him stood Beta Cedric, broader in frame, clad in a dark jerkin and bracers, his hair tied back, chest heaving from exertion.The weapons lay abandoned at the edge—this was to be bare-handed.Cedric smirked, wiping blood from his lip. “Alpha… may I act informally now?”Darius’s lips twitched, just faintly. “Try.”Without warning, the Beta struck. His foot landed squarely against the Alpha’s chest, sending him staggering backward as his knee hit the floor. Before the pain could settle, a well-aimed fist slammed into the Alpha’s jaw, casting his golden mask into the dust.Alpha Vargr groaned, crimson splattering from his lips. It had been long since he’d taken such a blow—and from Cedric, of all me

“Luna,” he called, his voice firm yet measured.She lowered herself in a respectful bow, the haunting shadows in her eyes dissipating as swiftly as they had come.“I wish to offer my gratitude,” she began quietly. “For saving me that day. I shall remain in your debt for as long as I live.”“You would?” he asked, and at his words, she dared lift her gaze to his—though unease stirred within her as their eyes met.She quickly lowered her head again, her voice gentler still. “How might I repay you?”The Alpha turned from her then, casting his gaze over the fields where the spring crops had begun to rise.“Stay alive,” he said at last.She stilled, uncertain if she had heard him rightly.He added, without glancing back, “You have done more than enough, Luna.”No further words came. She lingered a moment longer, then stepped away in silence.A short while later, he turned to his second.“Take over,” he commanded curtly.Jade bowed low. “Yes, Alpha.”---Lena returned to her chambers and cro

“Do not shift before her. She will not withstand the sight of your wolf.”Those had been Dylia’s words, soft but resolute.Cedric held them close as the carriage creaked through the first stretch of human land, frost-laced and silent. Snow blanketed the world in stillness, save for the rattling of the wheels against stone. Suddenly, a loud crack split the quiet—one of the carriage wheels struck a jagged rock and lurched violently, throwing the balance off. Inside, Milicent stirred, agitated by the sudden jolt.Cedric leapt down, the cold biting at his skin despite the heavy woolen cloak drawn tight about his shoulders. This part of the realm was merciless, winds sharp as blades, cold that crept into the bones.He moved to the carriage and peered in.Milicent was awake, but her gaze was vacant, fixed upon some faraway sorrow. Gently, he climbed in beside her, drawing her frail arms to rest against him. He brought forth the water flask and pressed it to her lips.“Drink, sweetling,” he

"Luna, there is something that weighs upon my heart," Dorcas began gently.Lena, busy fastening the sash of her robe, did not turn."What is it?""Do you not love the Alpha, that you should favour the company of other men above him?"Her hands stilled, the question lingering heavily in the quiet that followed.After a pause, she resumed tying the robe, her back still to Dorcas."Why do you ask me this?"Dorcas bit her lip before answering. "Forgive me, my lady, but it troubles me to see you in the presence of another man… rather than your husband."At last, Lena turned."Dorcas," she said, her tone neither harsh nor soft, simply firm."Yes, my lady?""There are matters over which we hold no dominion—love chief among them. When one loves, one accepts all manner of consequence and meets it head-on." She took a slow step closer. "The Alpha and I are joined in duty, not in heart. We understand each other's needs.""Does he know?" Dorcas asked quietly, her gaze faltering.Lena’s brows arch