Lahat ng Kabanata ng The rejected luna stolen pups: Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

The room was dark, Ayla seated across from Liam, who leaned back in the plush armchair, his eyes fixed on her with a smoldering gaze. There was something there, a spark in his eye that had her on guard, tension she hadn't felt since they'd first reconnected. Then without warning, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he began to eye her closely."Ayla," he said. "You do know, don't you? That I'm here for you. That I've always been here."Ayla shifted uncomfortably, her heart racing with the fight to keep her emotions inside. "Liam…," she whispered, dropping her gaze to the floor. She dared not meet his eyes, not while the bond between her and Ethan was still there, so fragile. "This isn't the time for this conversation. We have enough going on.”"We do," he agreed, the even tenor of his tone slightly veined with urgency. "But that's just exactly why it's time to stop pretending, Ayla. You deserve someone who's going to be here for you, no questions asked. And we both k

The full moon was positioned low in the night, its pull unmistakable by an otherworldly silver glow cast upon the lands of the pack to awaken deep and primeval things in each wolf, further fortifying bonds and the very instincts. For Liam though tonight was different. The heavy tides of the call pulsed against his skin for the first time and together with Ayla by his side, he had never been bolder.He looked down at Ayla, her cheeks flushed, her breathing fast and shallow, standing so close against him. "You feel it, too, don't you?" he breathed, eyes glinting with intention. "The pull, the connection between us?"Ayla paled, lowering her head in admission as she could not refuse that. The bond which made Liam hold her within his arms was so powerful; it grew stronger with every second and the fire burning in her seemed impossible to resist."Liam, I. this isn't right," she whispered,.He reached closer, his hand smoothing the wayward lock of hair back off her face. "But it is right,

The council room was severely lit; the heavy wood of the table at the center was surrounded by high-backed chairs that seemed to drink in the tension in the air. The walls showed, in carvings, the proud history of the pack, and one great window let in the muted light and cast the floor with long stretched shadows. Along one wall was draped an immense tapestry of the original Alpha, and on the other was the crest of Ethan's heritage, hanging rather bluntly as a reminder of the solemn burden Ethan shouldered as an Alpha.Sophia stood at the front, her hands shaking only slightly at her sides, her heart fluttering with every passing second as she awaited her interrogation. Today was the day that would seal her fate in the pack, and she could feel the weight of every pair of eyes laid upon her. The council members sat-their faces a mixture of skepticism and concern. Ethan, at the head, had his jaw clenched, frustration and disappointment oozing from every pore."Bring her in," Ethan said

"Do you even know what you're playing with by behaving this way, Sophia?"Silas's voice rent the silence in the room like an artful blade, piercing through the stale, heavy air of his study. Before him, Sophia stood rigid and closed off. His cold, calculating eyes did not budge, resting on her and weighing every response, every quiver of emotion she might show."I don't know what you mean?" she asked innocently, but Silas wasn't buying it."Spare me the innocent act, you know full well what I'm talking about," he snarled. "Your obsession with Ethan, the one-upmanship against Ayla. you're gambling on everything we fought for."Sophia's jaw snapped shut. "I am not gambling on anything, Uncle. I'm just-“Acting out of jealousy," he cut in, his eyes intensifying. "Do you think I made you Luna so that you can act on petty emotions? No, Sophia. We have a plan, a higher aim than your personal vendetta against Ethan's pet."At his words, a scowl tugged at her lips. "That pet is still clinging

"Ayla!" The voice cut through the silence of the room, sharp in his urgency.Ayla froze mid-step, her back still to him, and turned to face him. She didn't want this conversation-not now, of course-when so much had happened, never mind the guilt digging into her shoulders. Her eyes closed for a millisecond as a deep breath was taken before opening. She turned her face, guarded as her expression seemed."Ethan, what do you want?" He strode toward her, his jaw clenched, his eyes darkened by a frustration she hadn't seen before. "What I want," he began, low, "is to understand what's going on with you… and with Liam."Ayla's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by the directness. "What are you talking about?”Ethan had stopped, his eyes scanning her face as if the answers would leach out of her skin. "I have seen you with him. Liam, you have been visiting him a lot lately. And … surely you owe me an explanation?"Her shock now gave in to frustration, her arms folding across her chest. "I o