บททั้งหมดของ The Dual Claim: บทที่ 151 - บทที่ 160

James kept his hand at the small of my back as I lumbered up the front steps of the Pack House.I was exhausted. Eighteen hours of waiting and walking, even with Halia’s help, was too much for me.Gabriel was not going to be happy.I looked up as the front door opened.My mate stood there, anger radiating off him. His lips pressed into a straight line.I felt James shrink back a bit.I met Gabriel’s anger head on with warmth and love. He was not going to make any of my guards think they were in the wrong with this.“Gabriel, knock it off,” I said softly but firmly.We locked eyes, and the battle of wills commenced.I stepped onto the porch and turned to

I stepped out onto the balcony of the villa I’d rented instead of a bland, generic hotel. We were far enough away from the Twelve and I was going to take advantage of it.I’m not even sure these islands had wolves. Aside from the scrying hit, this is why we chose this as our destination.The western islands, where Gabriel’s mother was from, still had pack living there. That was on the other side of the world, and had no bearing on us here.I breathed the salty ocean air, letting it fill my lungs.I felt healthy and renewed.Beneath the surface, though, I could feel the curse. Its inky tendrils curled around my heart, just waiting for me to try and break it…so it could finally break me and kill me.No matter how bright my future felt, it was a constant daily battle to keep my thoughts from straying to revenge.I had to put it in Luna’s hands.I suddenly had an image of my mother.I barely re

Gabriel helped me with my heavy sweater. We were headed to the east gate to meet Sid and Seith. We had more wolves seeking entrance and allegiance to the Pack. These were rogue, packless wolves.Ever since the death walk, Gabriel was even more protective of my activities. So much so, that he had Halia send out a Pack-wide email limiting my Luna role during my last few weeks of my pregnancy.At first, I resented him for making that decision over my objections. But the reality was, I could barely walk around the Pack House at this point and took frequent naps throughout the day because sleeping at night was getting more difficult.Spending hours on a death or birth walk was out of my capabilities right now.Gabriel kneeled and held my boot so I could stuff my foot into it. Around the house, all my shoes were slip-ons because I couldn&r

 Everyone froze for half a heartbeat before the entire room burst into action. Ruen ran for the phone. Seith lowered her back into the chair. Sid just ran. Sori clutched her stomach and screamed again before looking up at me, her face filled with fear. “Gabriel, it’s too soon.” I clutched her hand in mine. “It’s a little early, but if she’s ready, she’s ready.” She nodded, but she clearly wasn’t convinced. “Doc Payten’s on his way,” Ruen said, coming over and crouching down in front of Sori. “Luna, can you tell me what the pain is like?”

“Go,” I said. “You can get in there a lot faster than I can.”“The sky isn’t going to fall between now and then. I can walk with you.”I tried to go a little bit faster, but for Gabriel, I’m sure it was like walking next to a toddler.As soon as we got into the command room, I heard little Theo’s voice.“You leave her alone. She hasn’t done anything wrong.”“I know, but I need to get more information from her,” Sid’s voice explained.Ruen moved away from the monitors to make room for me to sit, and for Gabriel to stand next to me.The monitors were big enough for all of us to see, so we didn’t have to crowd the area.Theo stood between Sid and the sisters, who were back to sitting at the table. The sable wig remained on the table like a beacon for my eyes.Another Luna-kissed. This one hiding among the humans—for nearly