All Chapters of The Fated Series: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Strings of GlassThe ride back from Celestia was thick with silence at first, the kind that prickled like thorns under the skin. The road curved beneath the SUV’s tires, the steady hum of the engine the only sound for miles. Jalen sat in the passenger seat, jaw set, eyes fixed out the window. His beta, Rowan, drove with careful precision, his gaze flicking between the road and the mirror.Chelsea sat in the back, her hands folded neatly in her lap, but her gaze never left Jalen’s rigid shoulders. She could feel the storm in him, see the tension vibrating in his jaw. And though she could command his temper easily when the mirror was near, now she had no such luxury.Finally, Jalen broke.“She’s a whore now,” he spat, his voice thick with venom. “That’s what they’ll all see her as. A pack whore. Four mates, four Alphas—no wolf in their right mind will respect her.”Chelsea leaned forward slightly, a smile ghosting over her lips. “Funny. For a man who discarded her so easily, you seem aw

Pine Wood DaysThe morning after her arrival, Evandra woke to the sound of birdsong outside the Alpha House, the notes bright and untamed as the towering pines swayed in the breeze. She rolled from bed slowly, stretching, the ache of travel replaced by a hum of contentment. Osiris was already gone—the faint scent of pine resin and smoke clinging to the sheets where he had lain.Pulling on a gown of soft cream, she ventured downstairs. She expected formality—perhaps omegas lined up, perhaps stern warriors waiting to measure her worth. But Pine Wood was different.Everywhere she looked, wolves bustled with casual cheer. Warriors trained shirtless in the yard, laughing and shoving between bouts. Omegas carried baskets of herbs and bread, trading gossip loudly as they walked. The pack house itself was alive with voices, music drifting from somewhere, children running down the hall without reprimand. It was freer here, wilder, as though the forest itself had given them its unshakable spiri

Fire in the PinesThe Pearl Pack Alpha House was tense the morning the courier arrived. The scent of irritation clung to the halls as Jalen tore open the sealed envelope stamped with Pine Wood’s crest. His eyes scanned the parchment once, then again, his hands tightening until the paper crumpled in his fists.“Three days,” he snarled, slamming the invitation down on the table. “Three gods-damned days.”Chelsea picked it up, smoothing it flat. Her blond hair gleamed in the early light, her hand resting protectively on the curve of her stomach. “Evandra and Osiris Long,” she read aloud, her voice dripping with disdain. “A wedding at Pine Wood Pack. Notice: three days.”Her lip curled. “She thinks the entire realm revolves around her. Does she have any idea what it means to pull every Alpha from their packs with no warning?”“She doesn’t care,” Jalen spat. He paced the length of the chamber like a caged beast. “She never did. But this—” He jabbed a finger at the parchment. “This is delib

Whisper in the LibraryThe evening air was warm, carrying the resinous scent of pine needles and wood smoke from the distant bonfires. Lanterns glowed along the balcony railing of the Alpha House patio, but it was the soft string lights strung above them that stole Evandra’s breath. Their golden glow cast everything in warmth, like starlight made close enough to touch.The table was intimate—just long enough to seat her and her Alphas without the crush of onlookers or the duties of ceremony. Silver goblets glinted beside steaming dishes: roasted venison, wild mushrooms, fresh-baked bread.Evandra sat nestled between Osiris and Tristan, with Lefu and Balor across from her. For the first time since the whirlwind of her Pine Wood wedding, she had her mates to herself. No pack duties, no preparations, no interruptions. Just them.They drank heavily, though laughter outweighed solemnity. Tristan’s gruff humor, Lefu’s quiet observations, Balor’s dry wit, Osiris’s booming laughter—they layer

Hanging in the BalanceThe Pine Wood infirmary had been transformed into chaos. Omegas rushed through the halls with steaming water, cloths, and bundles of herbs while healers barked orders. The scent of adrenaline and blood was sharp in the air, mingling with Chelsea’s sharp cries as she was carried swiftly down the corridor toward the birthing chambers.Evandra followed, her skirts brushing the polished stone floor. Wolves glanced up in surprise to see her there, but no one dared question it. She had made her choice the moment she heard Chelsea’s labor pains start—she would stay until the end, until the child drew its first breath.Her wolves—Tristan, Osiris, Lefu, Balor—all watched her go with varying degrees of unease, but none stopped her. This was hers to face.The doors to the birthing room closed, muffling Chelsea’s groans. Evandra turned toward the lobby where Jalen waited, pacing like a restless caged beast. His hair was damp with sweat, his jaw clenched, his hands flexing r