บททั้งหมดของ STAINED BY THE MOON : บทที่ 71 - บทที่ 80

Lily's povI'd barely made it back before dawn. Hauling myself through the window, collapsing on the floor just as the morning watch began their rounds.My ankle throbbed with every heartbeat.A knock at the door." Lily," a guard's voice called. "The council has convened. You're summoned."I pushed myself up carefully. Tested my weight on the injured ankle.White-hot pain shot up my leg.I couldn't walk on it. Not properly.I pulled on a longer skirt. One that would hide the bandages. Then grabbed a shaw, something to clutch for balance.The door opened. Two guards waited."Lily"I stepped forward. Put weight on my good leg. Let the injured one barely touch the ground.It looked like a slight limp."I'm ready," I said.We walked through the corridors. Every step burned, but I kept my face neutral.The great hall doors opened.The entire council was assembled. Elder Cormac at the center, observers flanking him. Gavin standing beside Marrok.And Kia.Perfect composure.But I caught th

Mireille's pov My belly had grown enough to be visible now. Eighteen weeks. The healers said the baby was healthy, strong, and developing perfectly. I touched the curve through my dress as Tahlia fastened the buttons at my back. "He summoned you to dinner?" Her voice was careful. "Private dining room." I watched her reflection in the mirror. "Just the two of us." "That's unusual." Tahlia's hands paused. "Suspicious." "He always wants something." I let my hand drop from my belly. "The question is what." "Be careful." Tahlia's eyes met mine in the glass. "Lucas has been... different lately. Since the beard fire infection." I noticed. The scars on his face were healing but still visible, angry red marks along his jaw where the infection had burned deepest. He was self-conscious about them, though he'd never admit it. "I'm always careful," I said quietly. "Not careful enough." Tahlia finished the last button. "You're still running the resistance network. Still distribu

Mireille's pov I woke to voices.Male voices drifting through the stone walls of the palace like smoke through cracks.Low.I sat up carefully, one hand on my belly. The baby kicked in response to my movement, a flutter of life against my palm.The voices continued. Coming from Lucas's private study, two floors below my chambers.I shouldn't eavesdrop. Should roll over, go back to sleep, pretend I heard nothing.But information was power. Even when you couldn't use it immediately.I slipped out of bed. Pulled on a robe over my nightgown. Moved to the door as quietly as possible.Tahlia slept in the adjacent room. I didn't wake her. The corridor outside was dark. Guards posted at intervals, but they were used to me wandering at night. Pregnancy insomnia, they'd been told. The healers encouraged gentle movement.I moved past them with a nod. Headed toward the stairs."My lady?" One guard looked concerned. "It's late. Should I escort you?""Just going to the library," I said softly.

LUCAS'S POV "Did you really think I didn't know?"Mireille's head snapped up from where she sat by the window. Her face went carefully neutral. "Know what?"I smiled. Pulled the crumpled letter from my pocket. Her handwriting. Her desperate warning to Emberfang.The color drained from her face."This," I said, crossing the room. "Your little warning. Very touching. Very desperate. Very... intercepted."She couldn't hide her shock fast enough. Her hand tightened on her belly."The trader..." she whispered."Reported to me immediately." I sat in the chair across from her. Unfolded the letter. "'Honorable Alpha Gavin, with a heavy heart I write to warn...'" I looked up. "Should I continue? The part about experiments? About children screaming in hidden halls?""It never reached them." Not a question. A devastated realization."Of course not." I leaned back, enjoying her despair. "Emberfang has no idea about the conspiracy you overheard. No idea three packs are planning to attack. No idea

Kia's pov I found Veyla in the medical supply room three days after the confrontation.She was alone. Organizing bandages with mechanical precision. Her hands moved steadily, but her eyes were hollow. Empty.Perfect."Veyla," I said softly from the doorway.She stiffened. Didn't turn. "What do you want, Kia?""I saw what happened. In the courtyard." I stepped inside. Closed the door behind me. "I'm sorry.""Don't." Her voice was flat. "Don't pretend you care.""I'm not pretending." I moved closer. "I know what betrayal feels like. I know what it's like when someone you trust destroys everything."Veyla's hands stilled on the bandages."Your sister fell in love with your mate," I continued quietly. "She looked you in the eyes for weeks knowing she wanted what was yours. Knowing every time she saw Barden, every time she thought about him, she was betraying you.""Stop.""And now she's staying. Despite saying she'd leave. Despite promising to remove herself from your life. She's staying