Semua Bab The Alpha’s Reluctant Mate: Bab 51 - Bab 60

IVY‘S POV“You’re not going out there alone.”Kane’s voice was a warning and not a question.I tightened the straps of my boots anyway, not looking at him. “It’s a patrol, not a suicide mission.”Kane stepped in front of me, blocking the exit to the old stone corridor. “Don’t make light of this. Not now.”My fingers froze at the hem of my coat. I looked up at him.“Something’s off,” he said quietly. “You feel it too.”I didn’t deny it. The air had shifted after the breach. After Derick’s accusations. After the way the elders started whispering again whenever I entered a room.“I have to do something,” I said. “Sitting still while they all wait for me to fail doesn’t help.”“You’re not here to prove anything to them.”“I’m not?” I snapped, stepping around him. “Because that’s all I’ve been doing since the day I arrived, proving that I’m not a threat, proving I belong, proving I’m not going to turn into some monster they can’t control…”Kane grabbed my wrist, not hard, but enough to hal

IVY’S POV “Kane,” I whispered. “He’s here.” I didn’t turn away from the window. I couldn’t. The figure remained rooted at the edge of the trees, unmoving, shadowed by mist and moonlight. But I felt it. Like pressure beneath the skin, an oppressive force brushing against every part of me that knew instinctively what power tasted like. And this… this was power. Kane was beside me a heartbeat later, jaw tight. His gaze locked onto the silhouette. “I thought we had three days,” I said, my voice thin and cold. “So did I,” Kane replied. “He’s sending a message.” A low, rough voice carried across the wind. Ancient and commanding. “I come under truce.” My blood chilled. “He wants an audience,” Kane murmured, eyes narrowing. “Not a battle. Not yet.” We didn’t speak as we descended the stairs and crossed the grounds. Wolves gathered in hushed clusters, tension rippling like static across the entire estate. Kane signaled two sentries to stay behind me as we

IVY’S POVAt nightfall’s gate, warriors lined the walls, steel glinting beneath torchlight. I stood unwavering beside Kane. The crowd’s tension was so thick, I could taste it.Kane spoke raising his voice “Nightfall! He lights the flame, expecting to burn us down. He assumes my mate is nothing more than ancient collateral. We declare: Not today.”A booming roar surged from the crowd.Derick stepped forward, eyes cold, tone barbed “If she fails, this pack bleeds. Don’t pretend this is abstract honor.”He tapped the edge of his blade. “We need more than ceremony.”Kane squared his shoulders. “Then trust her to lead. She faced Bloodborne and won. She’ll stand as we do.”I swallowed and spoke into the stillness. “I stand with you, all of you.”A hush took hold as though the pack had just recognized a sword rising from the cold.Lawrence emerged at the gate’s threshold, pale hair glistening, his voice echoing across the courtyard.“Alpha Kane, hear me. Hand me the celestial bride. Let Nig

AUTHOR’S POVMoonlight pooled on weathered wood as Derick stood with arms folded, awaiting Lawrence’s arrival. He knew this moment would reshape Nightfall’s future or shatter it completely.A sudden hush in the corridor signaled the older Alpha’s approach. Lawrence White stepped into view, cloak swaying, blade’s hilt glinting at his hip.“Alpha White,” Derick greeted with formal nod, though every muscle thrummed with anticipation.Lawrence’s pale eyes reflected steel. “You’ve done well. You’ve brought me the blade I need- your Alpha’s trust in his mate.”Derick’s chest tightened, half-protective pride, half-nervous thrill. “I stand with Nightfall. I… I want its strength preserved.”Lawrence offered a slow, appraising smile. “Then listen: when I return, I’ll need those who understand change, those willing to shape it. You, Derick Blake, will be my emissary here.” He gestured to the high towers, the glowing border watch.Derick’s breath caught. “An Ironwood-backed authority… above even

The courtyard of Nightfall Fortress lay in a tense hush, the air heavy as though the entire place held its breath. Warriors trained in perfect formation, their swords flashing under the pale morning sun, each strike and parry sharp with precision. Kane stood like an unyielding pillar at the center of it all, his commanding presence holding the fighters in line. He watched every movement, every slip of a blade or faltering step, his expression stern. From the stone balcony steps, Ivy observed in silence, her eyes sharp as an eagle’s. There was a strange unease prickling at her senses, a feeling that something was off. It wasn’t just the drills, nor the weariness of the soldiers, it was something deeper, something she couldn’t quite name. She had learned to trust these instincts, for they rarely failed her. Her gaze swept over the yard. It was too quiet, too controlled. Even the rhythm of practice felt unnatural, as if someone had tampered with its pulse. Ivy straightened, her hand br