All Chapters of CAPTURED AS THE ALPHA’S SURROGATE: Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

I waited thirty seconds, then rose as if I simply needed air. No one stopped me. The corridor outside the hall was cooler and quieter. I slipped into the nearest washroom and locked the door.Mackline was already inside. She turned the moment the latch clicked, eyes searching my face.“Are you all right?”, She asked.I shook my head and before she could ask any other question, I closed the distance between us, smashing my lips against hers in a desperate, hungry kiss.Mackline froze for half a second, then kissed me back just as fiercely, one hand sliding into my hair, the other gripping my waist hard enough to bruise. The taste of her, warm, familiar and forbidden flooded every corner of the fear that had been choking me since Raymond’s public threat. I poured everything into the kiss: the terror, the secret, the need to feel something that belonged only to me for once.When we finally broke apart, both of us breathing hard, her forehead rested against mine.“Aurora…” she whispered,

"Another generous toast." Nigel lifted his glass, his pale eyes fixed on Renee."Generosity is my specialty." Renee laughed, a light, musical sound that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I believe in making everyone feel welcome. Especially those who might feel... out of place."I tensed at her words. Out of place. She's talking about me. She's making sure I know it.Nigel took a slow sip of his wine, his gaze flicking between us. "An interesting choice of words, Renee. Tell me, what makes you think anyone here feels out of place?"Renee's smile didn't waver. "Oh, I don't think anything, Alpha Nigel. I simply observe. And I've observed that new mates often need a little... extra support. Especially during their first pre.....""Renee is right," I stopped her midsentence, surprising myself with the steadiness of my voice but inwardly I was trembling more. She wanted to talk about my pregnancy. "This ceremony has been... overwhelming. But I'm grateful for the support. Especially from tho

"Not the time?" I laughed bitterly, the sound quickly dissolving into a cough that brought more black liquid to my lips. Nigel quickly wiped it away with his sleeve, his expression grim. "She tried to kill me. And you're worried about the guests?"Raymond's jaw tightened. "You don't know what you're saying. You're not in your right mind.""I know exactly what I'm saying." I forced myself to look at Renee, to hold her gaze despite the darkness creeping in. "I know what I tasted. I know what I feel. And I know......" I paused, gasping for breath, "that when the healer examines me, they'll find poison in my blood. And when they do... everyone here will know the truth."Renee's face went pale, not the pale of innocence, but the pale of someone who had been caught. For just a moment, her mask slipped entirely, and I saw the fear beneath but she recovered, turning to Raymond with tears in her eyes. "Raymond, please. You can't believe her. She's always had something against me. You know that

The journey to the healer's quarters was a blur of pain and darkness. I faded in and out, catching fragments of sound: Nigel's steady heartbeat beneath my ear, the urgent shouts of servants clearing a path, the distant sound of Renee's voice still carrying from the hall.Then there was cool bed beneath me. A soft pillow under my head. Voices above me, urgent and loud."Her pulse is weak. The toxin is spreading fast.""Black Hemlock, I faintly heard someone say. I need charcoal and....""How far along is she?""Early. Very early. But it's in her bloodstream. We might not be able to save the...""Just focus on her. Save her first."I don't know how long I was unconscious. Minutes. Hours. The darkness was deep and painful, filled with fragments of nightmares: Renee's smiling face, Raymond's cold eyes, my mother's broken sobs.But eventually, slowly, I surfaced.The first thing I felt was the cold. My body felt heavy, my limbs useless, but the burning in my veins had dulled to a deep, thr

The journey to Nigel's pack was a blur of darkness and silence.We traveled through the night, using back routes that Nigel's warriors knew well. Mackline stayed close to me the entire time, her hand never leaving mine. Every rustle of leaves, every distant howl made my heart race, certain that Raymond had discovered our escape and was coming to drag me back.But he never came.Nigel had arranged everything with planned efficiency. A small convoy of trusted wolves, a route that avoided patrols, and a safe house on the border of his territory that Raymond wouldn't think to check. Not that Raymond would come looking anyway. He'd made it perfectly clear that I was nothing to him and he was probably with Carleigh and Renee.By the time we reached Nigel's pack lands, dawn was breaking over the mountains. The pack house was modest compared to Raymond's, but warm and welcoming. Nigel led us to a private wing, far from the main living areas."You going to sleep here," he said softly, pushing