جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 100

Jolie POVI woke three days later to find the compound transformed into a diplomatic circus.Through the window, I see tents erected across the clearing, official-looking vehicles parked everywhere, wolves in formal attire walking between buildings. It looks like the United Nations crashed into our biker clubhouse."What the hell?" I sit up slowly.Ryder appears in the doorway with coffee. "You're awake, good. We have a situation.""I can see that." I accept the coffee gratefully. "How long was I out?""Three days." He sits beside me. "Doc said you needed it after burning Thorne alive and nearly killing yourself healing strangers.""Three days?" I stare at him. "And you let all these people camp here?""I didn't let them do anything." Ryder's jaw tightens. "They showed up on their own, claimed neutral ground, set up camp outside our boundary. Technically they're not on Iron Fang territory so I can't kick them out without starting another war.""Who are they?" I ask."Everyone." He han

Jolie POV"Three days ago, Jolie's readings showed spikes of divine energy when she used her powers." Doc adjusts his glasses. "Now there are no spikes because there's no baseline. She's not channeling moonfire anymore, she is moonfire."The words settle over me coldly. "What does that mean?""Your divine nature is becoming permanent." Doc sets down the monitor. "The moonfire isn't just something you access, it's becoming what you are. Your body is transforming into a vessel that holds divine essence constantly.""Can you stop it?" Ryder's voice is tight."Stop it?" Doc looks at him. "Ryder, this isn't a disease or injury. This is evolution. Jolie's human form is adapting to contain the power she's been using. It's actually remarkable that it took this long.""I don't care if it's remarkable." Ryder moves to stand beside me. "What happens to her?"Doc's expression softens. "I don't know. There's no precedent for this, no medical texts about wolves becoming divine beings. Jolie is writ

Ryder POVI watch Jolie sleep, light pulsing faintly beneath her skin with each breath.She's been out for three hours now, exhausted from dealing with Morrison and reading through the war crime files Blackwell left. Even in sleep, she can't fully dim the moonfire. It bleeds through like she's made of stars instead of flesh.I hate it.Not the power itself, I've always known my mate was extraordinary. But I hate what it's costing her. The constant demands, the political games, the way everyone wants a piece of her.And now her bastard father wants to drag her back to Nightshade for a fucking wedding.I move to the kitchen quietly, pulling out my phone. Knox answers on the first ring."Can't sleep?" he asks."Research Celeste Whitmore." I keep my voice low. "Everything you can find. Family connections, political alliances, why she's marrying Dominic Rys.""Already on it." I hear the keyboard clicking. "Initial findings are interesting. She's Alpha Whitmore's youngest daughter, graduate

Jolie POVThe she-wolf appears at our gates three days before the wedding.I'm in the garage with Knox, reviewing the bikes he's customized for our entrance, when Phoenix comes running in. His face is pale, expression stricken."We've got a situation at the perimeter." His voice shakes slightly. "Female wolf requesting sanctuary. Says she's fleeing an abusive mate bond."My stomach drops. I know what it's like to run, to desperately need somewhere safe."Let her in." I'm already moving toward the gate."Jolie, wait." Knox grabs my arm, but Phoenix cuts him off."It's Seraphina." Phoenix's hands clench into fists. "Seraphina Cross, my cousin."I stop. "Your cousin?""I haven't seen her in years." Phoenix won't meet my eyes. "Not since before... not since my family died. We weren't close.""Then she definitely needs help." I touch his arm gently. "Family doesn't abandon family, Phoenix. If she's in trouble"Phoenix opens his mouth like he wants to say something, then closes it. "Yeah, s

Jolie POVI don't sleep.Instead, I sit by the window watching the moon move across the sky, trying to make sense of what happened at dinner. The mate bond hums with Ryder's anxiety and guilt, but I keep my shields up. I can't deal with his emotions on top of my own right now.He knew her. He knew Seraphina, and he didn't tell me.The betrayal sits heavy in my chest. Not because he has an ex—everyone has a past. But because he looked me in the eye and pretended she was a stranger, he let me befriend her, let me pour my heart out to her about mates and trust and finding safety.God, I must have sounded so naive. So stupid.Around dawn, I hear the garage door open and close. Ryder leaving for an early patrol, giving me the space I asked for.Part of me wants to run after him, let him explain everything. But the bigger part—the part that remembers what it felt like to always be the fool, always be the one left out of important information—that part needs time.I shower and dress, then he