All Chapters of TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS : Chapter 411 - Chapter 420

Alexander POV I finally secured the ingredients Kamala needed. Back at the settlement, she wasted no time brewing the herbs into a steaming potion before rubbing salve over my chest.Her fingers pressed into my skin as heat spread through me, easing the numbness around my heart. The relief was immediate, but I knew it wouldn't last.Seven days later, the Regional Council granted me a Truce Hearing within Alpha Kieran's territory.Under Council law, a truce meant neither side could draw blood. But the moment I reached the border checkpoint, the truce felt like a sick joke.A dozen Alpha guards surrounded me at the gates."Spread your legs, rogue," one barked, slamming my shoulder against the timber.They searched me from head to toe, stripping away my blades and inspecting my boots as if I were a common criminal. I said nothing and swallowed the humiliation even as rage burned through my chest.The iron doors of the Council chamber slammed shut behind me. Alpha Kieran sat at the cente

Emma POVAlexander leaned across the console, cupped the back of my neck, and pressed his lips to mine.The kiss erased the anger and distance that had built between us over the past few weeks. I kissed him back, hungry for more, my fingers tangling in his hair. The mate bond roared to life the second his tongue slid against mine, slow at first, then deeper, tasting me like he'd been starving for it.A groan rumbled from his chest and vibrated against my mouth. He tried to pull me closer, but the narrow space of the front seats kept our bodies apart.I broke the kiss, my lips tingling."Back seat.""Yes, my queen."My cheeks felt hot at his words, coupled with a wicked wink as he opened his door. I climbed over the console and slid into the back just as he got in beside me.He pulled me onto his lap. My knees settled on either side of his thighs, the hard ridge of him pressing against me through our clothes. His eyes flicked down to the floorboard, where the two bags of tokens sat whe

Emma POV The pre-coronation celebrations for Isabella were a three-day blur of ritual and tradition. She was about to step into the role of Luna. I still couldn't believe it, and the whole family was proud of her for crushing it.She had a small circle of friends, me, Iris, Anita, and two other women in the pack, and we gathered to support her. One afternoon was dedicated to prayer with the elder priestesses. The evening involved painting protection runes onto our forearms and heads with crushed ash and berry paste, then dancing in a circle beneath the moonlight.Tables in the dining hall groaned under extravagant spreads. Platters held freshly seared seafood, while cauldrons brimmed with fish chowder that had to be eaten while steaming. Carafes of freshly squeezed orange and pomegranate juice were passed around the tables.I tried to eat but a heaviness sat in my stomach. While the other girls laughed and filled their plates, I reached only for butter cookies, nibbling on them to gi

Alexander's POV An evil grin spread across Lucas's face as I told him to gather ten of the guys and get some heavy gear."Are we finally giving your little brother a wake-up call?""Zachary wants to ignore my letters," I said, grabbing my coat from the peg near the door and pulling it over my shoulders. "So we're going to make it impossible for him to look away. We leave at midnight."If they wanted to treat me like a monster, I was done trying to be a saint.I was going to force my way to that table, and everyone who'd tried to bury me was going to answer for it._________The night was thick with pine fog. I crouched on the ridge overlooking the pack trade bypass, watching twin headlights cut through the mist below. Behind me, Lucas and ten of our best fighters crouched in the brush."Eight lorries." Lucas grinned. "Grain, diesel, and ration kits bound straight for the main depot. Exactly like the scout said. We hit the lead truck, choke the narrow pass, clear the drivers, and haul

Emma POVMy dreams had become a constant torture. Every night, they dragged me back into the shadows with Alexander.Sometimes we were in the back of my car. Other times, we were in the pine-scented warmth of his shanty, his lips locked on mine as we made love.Then the dream would shatter and the air would fill with smoke. Shouting erupted from the treeline. People carried burning torches and pitchforks, their faces twisted with rage."Murderer! Patricide! Kill the rogue!"Alexander would shove me behind him, trying to shield me with his body, but the mob was always too large. Sometimes the crowd was made of strangers. Other times, I saw the furious faces of my parents, Uncle Cameron, Wesley, Charlie, and members of the council, screaming at us as they dragged us apart.I'd wake drenched in sweat, gasping for air.Anita had noticed. We lived together and shared so much of our lives that there was no hiding the circles beneath my eyes."It's that damned bond, Emma," Anita said, sitting