《Midnight Bride》全部章節：第 21 章 - 第 30 章

The hotel room is quiet as I sit on the bed and wait for Diego to return.Last night when we arrived, I gazed out through the window at the waiting crowd at the other hotel and wondered if Kendric was among them. Though I had a feeling he was here, I never saw him, which was mostly because I had to hide my face with a hood and never leave Diego’s side.This morning, he was adamant about me staying inside and not being seen, but I long to look through the windows or have them open to let some fresh air into the stale room.It’s so musty for a newer hotel.Heading to the window, I pull aside the curtain to peer out. As far as I know, they all should still be in their meeting, so it should be safe for me to look outside without getting caught. Much to my surprise, the meeting is over, and all the alphas are standing on the sidewalk. I spot Diego and gasp.He’s speaking to Kendric and seems to be deep in conversation.Just as his head is about to turn to look up this way, I pull the curta

Over the next couple of days, Diego becomes increasingly quiet and elusive. He’s always lost in thought, his brows furrowed as he pores over some papers that arrived yesterday. I’m not sure what kind of information they hold, but they seem to captivate him, pulling him back time and time again.He runs a hand through his shaggy dark hair, a frustrated expression crossing his face as he studies the papers once more. The confusion in his eyes is palpable, as if the answers he’s searching for are just out of reach.I finally gather the courage to ask him about the papers, though I hate to do it. “Diego, what have you been so focused on? Is there something I should know about?”He glances at me over the top of the papers, an amused grin spreading across his face. “Oh? Curious about my work, are we? I never took you for someone interested in an alpha’s business.” His tone is teasing, but he continues. “If you must know, this paper is our official invite to the party Kendric is hosting. Per

As dusk settles over the territory, the gathered packs murmur amongst themselves, their energy crackling in the cool evening air. I take a slow, deep breath, letting the scent of the night settle in my lungs. Everyone is here except for Diego and his supposed mate. Or intended. I’m not entirely sure which she is yet. He claims she’s his mate, but something about the entire situation feels off, especially considering how her appearance coincides with Valeria’s disappearance.The sudden crunch of gravel under car tires breaks through the low chatter, drawing my attention to the long driveway leading into the main area. Headlights cut through the encroaching darkness as Diego’s car pulls in, the rest of his pack following closely behind.Then, I see her.A blonde-haired woman sits in the front seat beside him, her face partially obscured by a baby blue mask. My breath catches in my throat. The resemblance to Valeria is uncanny. Too uncanny. My pulse quickens as suspicion coils tightly in

As I run through the woods, my heart pounds in my chest, each thud a frantic reminder of the chaos around me. The air is thick with the scent of the night, and with every breath, I can taste the tension building. Diego’s words echo in my mind. If I’m found, if they catch me, I could be claimed by a male, torn away from him, from what little safety and familiarity I have left. The thought makes my stomach twist with dread. I don’t know what life would be like with anyone else, but I know what it’s like with Diego. It’s not perfect, not by a long shot, but it’s the only thing I’ve known.Sometimes, it’s better to stay with the demon you know.The scent of pine and damp earth fills my senses as I leap over fallen branches and rocks, my feet barely finding purchase. My skirt catches on everything, and I curse under my breath. I didn’t come prepared for this. I never imagined I’d be running for my freedom, fleeing from a twisted fate I didn’t ask for. I thought I’d be standing with the oth

Diego leads me out of the woods and I can tell by the way he stomps that he’s annoyed about what just happened. He mumbles under his breath, but never says anything directly to me until we reach the car. “You are mine, Kalina.”“Yes, I know that and have not said otherwise. You should have caught me first if you’re angry about someone else doing so.”His eyes snap to the left, looking at me with an intense stare. “What did you just say?”“If you want me, you should have caught me. You put me in the mating chase and didn’t even get to me before anyone else.”I’m not even sure where these words are coming from. Deep down I know saying this is just going to lead me into trouble and probably an argument. I’ll probably get punished later, but I no longer care.He yanks me to his side in one rough move. “Listen, you know what will happen if he finds out who you are. I warned you. Is that what you want?”“No.” Reality has come back to the forefront of my mind, and I fall silent.“Under the n