Semua Bab The Alpha’s Bane : Bab 91 - Bab 100

The dining hall buzzed the way it always did at night. The sound of the clatter of cutlery and the thumping of boots filled the air. Even with all the movement, the tension was sharp. Two empty chairs at the Shadow’s table.Two empty chairs no one dared to look at for too long.Kael wasn’t there.Neither was Lyra.Selene’s spoon scraped against her plate, slow, deliberate. Her face was calm—perfectly calm, but her chest felt like it was splitting open.“He couldn’t even show his face here?”Her jaw tightened. “Or maybe he didn’t want to. Maybe he’s too busy with her.”She kept her head down, stabbing at her food. She could feel Laura’s eyes on her from across the table, but she didn’t look up. She wouldn’t give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her break.Across the hall, Mira and Lira whispered as they took their seats, sneaking glances at the Alpha’s table. They didn’t say it, but everyone was thinking the same thing.Kael had walked into the fortress before dawn with Lyra by his

Kael leaned over his desk, staring at the open scrolls in front of him, though he hadn’t read a single word in the last ten minutes. His mind kept drifting back to her, the way she’d left his chamber yesterday without a word, like she couldn’t stand to be in the same room as him.A knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts.“Come in,” he said, straightening in his seat. General Thorne stepped inside, his usual stern expression in place. “Alpha.”Kael nodded toward the chair. “What is it?”General Thorne stayed standing. “A recruit. Younger, but promising. He might be ready for the Shadows.”That caught Kael’s attention. “Name?”“Jarek,” General Thorne replied. “He’s been training hard since the last ambush. Smart, fast, and shows no fear in the ring. If you agree, I’ll prepare him for the initiation.”Kael thought it over for a moment, then nodded. “Do it. And give the Shadows the day off from drills. Let them prepare properly.”“Yes, Alpha.”General Thorne turned to leave, th

The waiting hall was filled with the low hum of ritual.Candles burned on the tables, their wax dripping slowly into the silver trays. Wolves sat in different sections, applying herbs. It was supposed to feel holy. Pure.But the weight in the room was anything far from that. Whispers traveled like wildfire beneath the surface. Glances flickered towards the door. They were waiting for her.Laura sat cross-legged near the front, toying with the edge of her cloak, while Selene sat beside her with the posture of a queen; back straight, hands folded delicately in her lap, her white robe untouched by a single stain. “You think she even knows what purification means?” Laura whispered, her voice just loud enough for Selene to hear.Selene didn’t look at her. “She’ll show up,” she said softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “They always do when they’re trying too hard to belong.” Laura let out a soft laugh. “You’re calm for someone who’s about to share the hall with her ‘rival’.” Sele

The corridor felt longer than usual.Aria walked beside Kael, her steps light but uneven. Every wolf they passed turned to look, some openly, others from the corner of their eyes. But none of them dared to say a word. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor. Her chest burned with humiliation. She wanted to scream that she didn’t do it, that she hadn’t even touched the Seal, but what good would that do? They had already made up their minds.Still… walking next to Kael felt strange. Not comforting exactly, but safer than walking alone.Kael said nothing the entire walk. His jaw was tight, his hands flexing at his sides like he was holding himself back from breaking something… or someone. When they reached his chamber, he pushed the door open and stepped aside.“Go in,” he said.Aria paused at the doorway. “Why am I here?” She asked, her voice soft. “Because I’m not putting you in a cell,” he replied, his voice plain. She crossed her arms. “You think I stole it.”Kael finally looked at

The waiting hall glowed in the soft light of dozens of candles lined around the hall. Younger wolves moved about in their grey robes, adjusting decorations, placing the ceremonial bowls of herbs, and setting the stage where the Shadow Marking would take place. But their hands moved slower than usual. Their voices hushed and heavy with unspoken words. Everyone had one clear question:“Where is the Alpha?”Even when no one said it aloud, it lingered.Selene sat in a chair near the front, her back perfectly straight, her black and red cloak flowing effortlessly. Her fingers traced the edge of the silver bowl in front of her, but her mind wasn’t on the herbs inside it. She could hear them whispering. Not about her. About them.Her eyes darted towards the door, for the umpteenth time. “Is he really not going to come?” she thought. Laura, bent beside Lucan further down the hall, leaned close and whispered something in his ear that made him chuckle quietly. Selene noticed. She rolled her