Semua Bab I Stole His Mark: Bab 21 - Bab 30

Ilia sat on the edge of the bath, her fingers trailing slowly through the water. The surface shimmered with hints of silver and blue, reacting to her touch like it recognized her. But she didn’t feel beautiful. Or powerful. Or chosen. She just felt… used.Caelan hadn’t come back.The tension. The way Derrin had stormed in. The heat in Caelan’s eyes when he touched her. The shame of wanting it anyway.Was it real? Or was it just the siren in her? Was any of this hers?She sank deeper into the bath, letting the water rise to her chin. For a moment, she imagined disappearing into it entirely. If she just stayed under long enough, maybe everything would settle. Maybe she’d come back out normal.But she wasn't normal. She never had been.When she finally stepped out of the water, the air felt too dry, too sharp. Her robe clung to her damp skin as she crossed to the window and looked out over the Hollow. The walls, the lanterns, the guards—it all felt like a prison tonight. Like it was clos

The men didn’t move.They just stared.Ilia stood at the center of them, fully naked, glowing like a second moon had dropped into the clearing. Her chest rose and fell slowly, and the way the water still dripped down her curves made every movement hypnotic.One of the younger men whispered, “She’s not real.”“She’s more than real,” another said behind him, voice thick with reverence.Caelan took another step forward. “Enough. All of you—back away.”No one listened.Another man knelt.“Get up,” Caelan growled.“I can’t,” the man whispered. “She called us.”“I didn’t call you,” Ilia said again, louder now. Her voice shimmered with authority. “I called myself. I claimed myself.”Derrin stepped forward now too, gaze flicking to Caelan. “She’s not doing this on purpose.”“She doesn’t have to,” Caelan snapped. “Look at them.”“I said,” Ilia interrupted, her voice cutting through them like a blade, “I am not your fantasy. I’m not your shame. I’m not your curse.”The glow around her pulsed.A

Caelan stood in the center of his chamber, the door still swinging slightly from how hard he’d pushed it open. His chest rose and fell in erratic bursts. His fists were clenched. His jaw was locked. He was burning.Derrin leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, watching."Say it," Caelan snapped. "Whatever it is you're thinking.""You sure?" Derrin asked.Caelan’s eyes cut to him. "Don't test me.""You already look tested," Derrin replied. "Shaking. Breathing like you just came from a fight. Or something else."Caelan turned sharply. "She walked away."Derrin raised a brow. "That was your concern? That she walked away? Not that you let her?"Caelan growled, low and dangerous. "She left me standing there like a boy.""She left you wanting," Derrin corrected. "There's a difference.""I'm the Alpha," Caelan said, pacing. "I lead. I choose. She—she undid me with a whisper.""Because she's not afraid of you."Caelan stopped mid-stride. "No. She's not.""And that bothers you?"He turned

The lake’s surface rippled gently under the early morning sun, mist dancing across the water like a memory. Ilia sat at the edge, her feet submerged, chin resting on her knees. The silence was welcome. Needed. It was the only place that didn’t feel like it watched her."You always come out here alone?" a voice broke the stillness.Ilia stiffened and looked up. Derrin stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, his eyes softer than she’d ever seen them. She didn’t answer.He stepped closer. "You probably don’t want company. But I brought news.""From the council?" she asked flatly.He nodded. "They’ve decided to invoke the Rite of the Moonstone."She blinked. "What is that?"Derrin exhaled slowly. "An ancient ritual. It tests blood, form, lineage. Wolves only. They want to know what you are."Ilia’s brows drew together. "You mean they want to prove I’m not a wolf."He didn’t argue. Just nodded."And if I’m not?""Then you can’t be Luna," Derrin said. "It’s law."She looked back at the

The door to Caelan’s quarters closed with a heavy thud, sealing them away from the judgment of the council and the eyes of the Hollow. Ilia stood still in the center of the room, her nerves tangled tight beneath her skin. The silence was suffocating.She turned to Caelan, her voice brittle. "What if the Moonstone shows I’m not one of you? What if it takes me away from you?"His eyes searched hers, and without a word, he pulled her into his arms. His heat sank into her skin, grounding her."Ilia," he said, his voice low and steady, "you could be made of fire and bone and starlight, and I would still choose you. Every time."She looked up at him, a flicker of fear still in her eyes. "But if the bond breaks—"He cupped her face in his hands. "Then we build our own bond. One no stone can judge."Her breath caught. He leaned in and kissed her softly. When she didn’t pull away, he deepened the kiss, drawing a small moan from her lips. Her hands slid into his hair, trembling. The weight of e