Alle Kapitel von Mate In The Shadows : Kapitel 81 – Kapitel 90

Orion finally set the latest report aside as the lanterns in the study burned lower. The lone rider’s shadow lingered in his thoughts like smoke on the wind, but pressing further tonight would only chase ghosts. It could wait until morning. He rose, rolling his shoulders against the day’s weight, and made his way through the quiet corridors toward their chambers. The palace had settled into its nightly rhythm—soft footsteps of servants, distant laughter from the city below, and the gentle hush that came after Camille’s bedtime.He pushed open the door quietly. The room glowed with the warm flicker of a few lanterns and the low fire in the hearth. Selene stood near the open balcony doors, her chestnut hair loose over one shoulder, catching the moonlight like threads of silk. She had just returned from the nursery, where Camille slept soundly in her crib, tiny chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm.“You’re later than usual,” Selene said softly, turning toward him with a

Night settled over the palace with quiet certainty. The corridors glowed beneath warm pools of amber light as servants moved through them one last time, extinguishing the wall lanterns one by one. Their footsteps were soft against polished stone, their voices lowered out of habit rather than necessity. Outside, the spring breeze wandered lazily through the open archways, carrying with it the scent of fresh earth and blooming jasmine from the gardens below.The palace had finally learned how to sleep again.Along the western walls, guards exchanged shifts with practiced efficiency. Brief reports were murmured. Spears changed hands. Heavy gates remained firmly shut beneath the silver wash of moonlight. Somewhere in the distance, two young soldiers shared a quiet laugh before one reminded the other they were supposed to be standing watch.For the first time in what felt like years, peace no longer felt borrowed.Inside the royal chambers, only the gentle crackle of the hearth disturbed t

The battlefield had become a living nightmare. Fire clawed at the night sky, painting the palace walls in violent shades of crimson and gold. Smoke rolled through the courtyards in choking waves while wolves crashed into one another beneath a moon half-hidden by drifting ash. Steel screamed against steel. Men shouted. Magic crackled through the air. Somewhere, stone gave way with a thunderous roar. The siege had become war."Hold the line!"Orion's command cut cleanly across the battlefield.His massive wolf surged through the smoke like a force of nature, rich brown fur streaked with molten gold beneath the firelight. His jaws closed around an enemy's shoulder before he twisted, sending the attacker sprawling into another wolf. He landed, pivoted, and drove forward again without hesitation.Where Orion fought... the line held. Every warrior who saw him found fresh strength."Don't let them through!"The defenders answered with renewed fury. To Orion's left, Eli and Riven stood should

Silence settled over the battlefield with a strange, unfamiliar weight. After hours of clashing steel, collapsing stone, and desperate cries, the quiet felt almost unreal. Smoke drifted lazily through the shattered courtyard, carrying the bitter scent of ash and blood. Broken weapons lay scattered across the ground beside those who would never wield them again. Somewhere in the distance, someone wept quietly. A sword slipped from numb fingers and struck the stone with a hollow clang. One warrior slowly lowered his weapon. Then another. No one spoke. No one seemed to know how.After surviving so much noise, silence had become the more frightening sound. Orion stood motionless in the middle of the ruined courtyard.Ashkar's body lay only a few paces away, still and lifeless beneath the first pale hints of dawn. Around them, the remaining enemy wolves either surrendered quietly or disappeared into the forest beyond the broken western gate. His wolf slowly retreated beneath his skin. The

Morning settled gently over the palace as the kingdom slowly rebuilt. Hammers rang through the courtyards, servants cleared away the last traces of ash, and fresh flowers replaced those crushed during the siege. Everywhere Orion looked, scars remained—but so did life.He stood beside the tall window of his strategy room, arms folded across his chest as he watched workers rebuilding the western gate. Only a few days had passed since Ashkar's defeat. The wounds across his body were healing well, though the deeper cuts still pulled whenever he moved too quickly. His side remained tightly bandaged beneath his tunic, a reminder that even victory left its mark.A knock sounded at the door."Come in."A young attendant entered, balancing what looked like an impossible stack of scrolls."My Alpha... these require your review."Orion frowned."...All of them?""Yes, my Alpha." The poor attendant looked almost apologetic as he carefully deposited the mount