Semua Bab The stolen lycan princess: Bab 11 - Bab 20

*River* Pain lances through my arm, a sharp reminder of just how close I came to losing everything. I grit my teeth, forcing myself to focus on Dust, her face a swirl of worry and determination, but the throbbing in my shoulder draws my attention away. The blood seeps through my shirt, a crimson blossom that stains the fabric and sends a chill racing down my spine. This isn’t just a cut..: it’s something worse, but I can't let her know. “River!” Dust’s voice trembles as she kneels beside me, her fingers trembling as they hover above my injured arm. I want to reassure her, to tell her I’m fine, but the words stick in my throat. I can’t betray the truth even if it means hiding my pain. “Aiden,” I call out, my voice strained but firm, as I try to keep my focus on the situation at hand. He’s nearby, keeping an eye on the subdued attacker, but I need to know. “Your cut, was it the knife?” He hesitates, eyes darting to the writhing figure on the ground. “I’m not completely sure, River.

*Dust* I am awakened by River whimpering, and it is clear he has a nightmare, so I shake his shoulder slightly. “River? River, wake up.” His body gives a jerk and he sits up, “what? Where?” “It was just a dream, I tell him as he fall back against the pillow. I lean over him, checking that there is no bleeding through of the bandage. “Are you okay?” He pulls me into him, holding me as if I’m his lifeline. I stroke his hair and back gently, trying to offer him some comfort. “Being here with you helps,” he murmurs, his voice muffled against my skin. We stay like this for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms, finding solace in our shared silence. Then he looks at me. “Give me a smile; I need some of that magic to cheer me up and make me forget the nightmare,” I give him a smile. And I notice a hunger lightning in his eyes, then his hands are cradling my face, kissing me deeply, and I let him, feeling he needs this. “Sorry,” he says, breaking the kiss and pulling back slightly. “I

*River* I stand in the pack jail, the weight of the man’s words hanging in the air like a storm cloud. ‘The lost princess.’ I repeat the phrase in my head, trying to make sense of it. I need to understand what this means for Dust and for our pack. I turn on my heel and head toward the pack’s war room, where Kellan is likely working. Kellan has always been my confidant, a steady presence in the chaos of pack life. He’s sharp, loyal, and doesn’t shy away from asking the tough questions. If anyone will have insights into this lost princess claim, it’s him. As I push open the heavy door, I find him poring over a map of the territory, his brow furrowed in concentration. He looks up as I enter, his expression shifting to concern. “River, what’s wrong?” “Sit down,” I say, my voice low but urgent. “We need to talk.” Kellan nods and leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “What happened?” I take a deep breath, steadying myself. “I spoke with the man who attack

*Dust* The morning light spills through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating the room with a soft, golden glow. I stir awake, feeling the warmth of River’s body pressed against mine, a comforting feeling that grounds me in this moment. The events of last night flicker through my mind, a whirlwind of emotions. My heart races at the memory of our shared intimacy, the way he claimed me, marking me as his mate and Luna. It feels unreal, like something out of a storybook. I turn slightly to face him, my heart swelling at the sight of him… his strong jawline, the tousle of dark hair framing his face, and the peaceful expression that softens his features in sleep. I trace my fingers along his arm, feeling the solid muscle beneath my touch, the injury already fading to a scar, and a smile tugs at my lips. He stirs, eyes fluttering open, and when he meets my gaze, a slow smile spreads across his face, making my heart skip a beat. “Good morning, Princess,” he murmurs, his voice husky with

*Dust* I stay beside River, my heart pounding in my chest as we walk through the dense forest that surrounds the pack grounds. The towering trees loom above us, their leaves whispering in the gentle breeze, and I feel a strange sense of comfort in the wild embrace of nature. It’s almost as if the forest knows something I don’t yet grasp… a secret waiting to be revealed. River’s grip on my hand is warm and reassuring, grounding me as we make our way deeper into the woods. I glance up at him, searching his expression for any sign of doubt, but all I see is determination. His resolve strengthens my own, and I draw in a breath, inhaling the scent of pine and damp earth mixed with the heady aroma of adventure. “Are you sure this is the right way?” I ask, my voice a mix of excitement and nervousness. He nods, a confident smile playing on his lips. “I’ve been here before. The old woman is wise, Dust. She knows the history of your kind better than anyone else around here. If anyone can he