All Chapters of Ashes Beneath The Skin: Chapter 31 - Chapter 39

The black SUV idled at the curb, its polished exterior reflecting the café’s flickering lights like a dark, enigmatic creature waiting to pounce. Isla hesitated for a heartbeat, uncertainty knotting in her stomach, then slid into the backseat beside Kael, with Priya nestled closely at her side. The doors closed with a soft but final thud, enveloping them in a cocoon of change.Kael settled beside the driver—a man with chiselled features, deep-set dark eyes, and an intensity that wrapped around him like a cloak. He remained silent, yet his presence thrummed in the air, a palpable energy that mimicked a second heartbeat in the vehicle.Priya leaned in, her tone conspiratorial, filled with mischief. “Okay, but the driver? Absolutely gorgeous. Like… ridiculously unfair, right?”Isla suppressed a laugh, her nerves beginning to loosen just a fraction.Kael turned slightly in his seat, arching an eyebrow as he glanced back at them. Ronan, the driver, responded with a smirk, his eyes focused

The SUV rumbled to a halt in front of the Clan House as dusk descended, shrouding the surroundings in an ethereal twilight that melded the fading golden hues of day into shadowy obscurity. The structure loomed before them—a breathtaking blend of ancient stone and weathered wood, exuding an aura rich with history as if the very walls breathed with the passage of time. Vines twisted gracefully across intricately carved runes, murmuring secrets to those brave enough to listen, while soft, flickering lights shimmered beneath the eaves, casting a warm, inviting glow that seemed to beckon them forward like an old friend.Isla stepped out slowly, her senses awakening to the cool evening breeze that caressed her skin. Beside her, Priya stood, both women absorbing the grandeur of the scene before them, a sense of awe intermingled with a tinge of apprehension.“It’s beautiful,” Priya whispered, her voice barely rising above the soft rustle of leaves, an edge of wonder tinging her words. “But it

The knock at the door reverberated through the air, quickly followed by a symphony of voices and the soft shuffle of boots striking against the polished stone floor. Tomas made his entrance first, arms laden with an assortment of carefully packed bags, followed closely by Seren, Rhea, and Dren. A glint of excitement sparked in Ember’s eyes as she caught sight of the cat carrier nestled among their belongings.Crouching low, she leaned in, her voice a gentle caress of delight. “Well, hello there. Who’s this little queen?”Priya stepped forward, her grin wide and warm. “That’s Miso. She’s loud, dramatic, and believes she owns me.”Ember laughed, extending a hand adorned with a sprinkle of curiosity. Miso blinked once, then, with an air of regal disdain, emerged from the confines of the carrier, only to approach Ember, rubbing against her leg with a low, soothing purr.“She likes you,” Tomas remarked, his tone laced with surprise.Ember smiled, scratching behind Miso’s ears with tender c

Isla’s POVThe hallway to the dining room stretched like a gallery of forgotten royalty—arched ceilings, flickering sconces, and tapestries that whispered of battles and bloodlines. Isla and Priya walked side by side, their dresses catching the light, perfume trailing behind them like a spell.Clan members passed them with polite nods and warm smiles, but beneath the civility, Isla felt the weight of curiosity. Whispers floated like smoke.“Who are they?”“Outsiders?”“Did Kael bring them himself?”Priya leaned in, whispering, “I feel like we’re being paraded.”Isla gave a soft laugh, but her fingers brushed the pendant in her pocket—the dragon’s eye still warm against her skin.Ahead of them, Ember turned sharply, her voice clear and calm. “They’re Kael’s special guests.”The whispers died instantly.Ember didn’t elaborate. She didn’t need to.Isla glanced at Priya, who raised her brows and mouthed, special, with a grin.They descended the final steps into the dining hall—a vast, can