Semua Bab How to Catch a Mate: Bab 71 - Bab 80

Ashlyn The Den felt different that evening. Lions moved like shadows below, not as tense as before, but not at ease either. Word of Thoran’s fall spread like blood in water, and Gordon’s name was already on their lips. Change. A new King. But change never came without cost, and Chase still fought for his life upstairs. I sat on the balcony, legs pulled up, my back against the cold railing. My wolf was restless. Sheetal kept pacing, unsettled, pressing images of Krav’s dragon and Ravion’s name into my chest. But my head wouldn’t quiet. Not with everything unspoken between me and Haden. The door creaked. I didn’t move. His scent filled the air before his voice did. He pulled out the chair beside me and sat, silent for a long moment. Then— “Did you tell him about us?” His voice wasn’t calm. It was sharp, meant to cut, meant to remind me of something he thought still mattered. I didn’t turn my head. “Does it matter if I didn’t? He’s my true mate.” “You don’t seriously beli

Ashlyn Rhe ride into Panther City was blended into a blur of keeping Chase stable and groaning over Kravs dismissal. My eyes burned from no sleep, my chest raw from running all night, and still all I could think about was Krav’s silence up front. He never once looked back. Never once spoke. His knuckles white on the wheel, his jaw like stone.But Chase’s pulse was weaker by the mile, and Keiral’s muttering curses got sharper, faster. By the time we hit the gates of the city, his breathing was ragged, his skin clammy and grey.We pulled into General. Panthers were already waiting, the doors of the trauma wing ripped open wide. Nurses froze when they saw the state of him, but Keiral shoved them aside, barking orders like she owned the place.“He’s not stabilizing,” she snapped as we slid Chase onto the gurney. “The artery’s refusing to fuse. We need more than stitches.”I stared at my cousin. His head lolled. His lips blue.“No,” I said. My wolf clawed up my ribs. “We’re not losing hi

Ashlyn The water hit hotter than I expected. Steam fogged the mirror in seconds, coating the glass until even my reflection disappeared. I stood under the spray, my hands braced on the tile, my chest heaving.Everywhere I turned, it was him. The shower smelled like the same soap he used, sharp and clean. His towel hung folded too neat on the rack. His razor sat by the sink, blade still damp from last night.I scrubbed harder than I needed to, like I could wash him off my skin. Like I could wash away the memory of his mouth crushing mine, his body caging me against the wall, his voice breaking when he said he wanted me but wouldn’t forgive me.It didn’t work.By the time I stepped out and dragged his spare shirt over my head, the ache in my chest hadn’t eased. It burned worse.I packed fast. My bag sat by the door, stuffed with my spare clothes, the chain with my keys, the blade I never left without. His apartment still hummed around me, windows tinting when I crossed, counters pulsin

Haden The Valley opened beneath us like a scar we kept digging. The Den was the same as when we’d left, rails rusting above it, smoke curling from chimneys, wolves on the ridge to greet their Alpha back. We hadn’t even stopped before the pups came running. Bare feet slapping against stone, squeals loud enough to echo. Little hands grabbed at my pants, tugging, climbing, their voices spilling over each other. “Alpha’s back!” “Did you fight lions?” “Did you kill any?" “Did you bring us something?” I dropped to a knee, let them crowd me, their tiny bodies warm, their eyes bright. My wolf rumbled soft under my skin, steadying, protective. Whatever else I’d failed, the pups still looked at me like I was unbreakable. Behind me, Curt was already swarmed, lifting one over his shoulder until the kid shrieked with laughter. Keiral muttered at two who clung to her leg, “I’m not a climbing frame,” even as she carried them both. Adrian stood tall, letting one balance on his arm like he w

Haden 11 years ago The next day I told myself I wasn’t going to look for her.Didn’t matter. My wolf already knew her scent. By the time second period ended, I’d tracked it across the quad like a starving idiot.She was by the lockers, shoving books in like they’d done something personal to piss her off. Keiral leaned beside her, chewing gum, smirking at every wolf who passed. Curt stood across the hall, laughing too loud, already catching her shit for something.I almost turned around. Almost.But then Ashlyn slammed her locker so hard the metal rang down the corridor, and every head turned. She scowled at them all, like daring anyone to say something.I stepped forward before I could stop myself.“You always slam lockers like they owe you money?”Her head snapped toward me, those orange-tinged eyes narrowing. “You always follow people around like a stalker?”My mouth went dry. Keiral’s grin widened. “Oh this is good.”Curt barked a laugh. “Horton boy’s got guts.”I ignored them bo