Semua Bab Lycan's Mate : Bab 51 - Bab 60

*Greenwood Territory — Southern Glade*The path to the southern glade was rougher, less worn.It twisted through the earth, overgrown and tangled with creeping vines. It wasn't a trail meant for many. The deeper they went, the thicker the silence became. It wasn't empty but expectant.Ethan led the group, his eyes scanning every shadow. His attention kept flicking to Alia, who walked beside him with a stillness that wasn’t shy, just steady. Her presence grounded him in a way nothing had in years. The tension in his shoulders softened the longer they remained close. Luca walked behind them, close but restless, the occasional twitch of his hand betraying his tension. Thalia matched his pace, never once looking his way, but her breathing had subtly shifted. She seemed to be observing the forest tooThey hadn’t spoken again since their names were exchanged. Her silence was sharp, not hesitant like someone trained to stay hidden even when recognized “So,” Luca said, breaking it. “You’ve

*Greenwood Territory — The Deepgroves*The wind that blew heavily through Greenwood.Crystal stood at the edge of the grove, her fingers brushing the bark of an old tree. Her mark still pulsed faintly, silver light dancing under her skin. The forest felt closer now, like it breathed with her.Behind her, Ryder spoke with Veen in low tones. His voice was gravel and steel, the sound of a leader holding too much and refusing to bend beneath it. Crystal turned slightly to watch him.He caught her gaze and stepped closer."You should rest."Crystal shook her head. “If I sleep, I’ll dream and I’m not ready to go back there yet.”He reached for her hand. “Then you don’t have to push yourself. You need to prepare.”Veen joined them, the light filtering through the canopy laying pale patterns on her robes. “There’s a place,” she said. “A sacred valley hidden beneath the roots of the forest. It holds memory, deeper than even the stones. The Flame must go there.”Crystal lifted her chin. “What w

*Greenwood Grove — Moments After The Gate Stirred* Crystal remained at the center of the ring, her mark glowing with an intensity that flows with every sound of the forest. Her silver and gold light clashed with the creeping shadows bleeding from Elira’s side of the grove. Elira didn’t retreat. She stood just outside the edge of Crystal’s radiance, eyes alight with fury and fascination. Her robes whipped around her as she paced back and forth. "You think light alone will save you?" Elira hissed. "You think defiance makes you worthy to stand before the Gate?" Crystal raised her chin. “No, but it will make me free.” Elira’s expression twisted. “You are not free, child. You are chained to a purpose carved in blood long before you were born.” “I have seen that chain,” Crystal said. “And I will break it.” The air between them changed. The Gate’s pull surged through the land, deeper than magic, older than wolves, older than even Elira’s cruelty. Ryder took a protective step close

*Greenwood Territory* The morning mist had not yet cleared when Crystal and Ryder stepped through the threshold of the sacred grove. The trees stood taller here. Each branch overhead arched like a cathedral ceiling, filtering light into beams of silver and green. It was quiet. Ahead, the stone platform waited, surrounded by roots. And on that platform stood the King. His figure was tall, lean but unbent by time. Hair dark with a streak of silver lines. His cloak of forest green and gold swirled with the breeze. His eyes had no white Ryder slowed his steps. Crystal felt his tension tighten, though his face remained composed. She followed beside him, her own heart steady but aware that this was not a meeting of equals. The King of Greenwood had ruled long before Ryder was born, before Ryder's father was ruled.He was not merely Alpha. He had gone against time. Veen had disappeared behind them, her task done. This was not her meeting. The King stepped forward, only

*Greenwood — Moonlit Clearing*Alia sat with the other healers earlier, sorting herbs, her hands moving mechanically while her thoughts refused to settle. When the laughter of the younger wolves around the fire grew too loud for her restless mind, she slipped away, her feet moved along a winding path lit only by the pale silver of the moon.That was when she saw him.Ethan.He stood just beyond the clearing, leaning against the rough bark of a pine tree, though he wasn’t resting. His entire body was taut, as if braced against something unseen. His eyes scanned the forest like he expected an enemy to appear at any moment.Alia stopped, half hidden by the bush, and simply watched him. There was something unbearably lonely about the way he stood, as though he had forgotten how to breathe unless he was on guard.She drew in a breath and stepped forward. “You’re always out here.”Ethan’s head snapped toward her instantly, his posture stiffening before his gaze softened slightly. “Habit.”