Semua Bab Bound to the Alpha Twins: Bab 31 - Bab 38

It was dark and the moon was high in the sky when Kaelan returned. Silver Fang was asleep.He had been at the northern border since midday, inspecting the watchtowers and listening to reports of rogues testing the perimeter. Nothing had happened, nothing ever happened, however, his father insisted on regular patrols, and Kaelan had stopped arguing over such matters years ago.His boots were damp from wet roads, his coat smelled of earth and rain.He craved a fire's warmth, a hot drink and sleep. But as he turned the route toward his chambers, he saw a light coming from the small sitting room at the end of the hall.Elara was inside, stretched across the sofa with a book in her hand. She did not look up from its pages when he entered."What are you still doing up, Buggy?""Stop it," her lips thinned as her gaze lifted to her brother's face."What?" He said, stifling a laugh."Buggy, it's been years and you still choose to torment me with it."Buggy was a nickname which was born from Ela

Kaelan held the door open and stepped inside, his broad frame filling the room with a heavy presence that made the air feel thicker. He left the door open behind him, as if he wanted the rest of the palace to know he was here with me.I backed up slowly until the edge of the bed pressed against the back of my legs, my pulse hammering in my throat. The bond between us stirred immediately, a hum that urged me to move closer even as caution kept me rooted in place.“Welcome to the palace, Ophelia,” he said, his voice carefully controlled, though I could see the restless movement of his wolf just beneath the surface, simmering with jealousy.“Thank you,” I replied softly.He studied me for a moment before his gaze swept briefly around the room and then returned to me. “I wanted to come see you last night after I was back from pack business when I heard of your return, but the hour was quite late. There are always expectations pulling at us here.”I nodded, unsure what to say. The bond tugg

"You should be in bed," Selene said as she entered the room."I am not tired." Aldric watched her cross the room, her night robe whispering against the stone floor. The Queen's hair hung loose over one shoulder, silver threading through the dark strands that caught the dying firelight. She stopped beside his chair and rested a hand on his shoulder.He loved seeing her like this, with the muscles of her face calm."You say that every night before something important," she said softly. "Come lie down, at least pretend to rest."He covered her hand with his own, his fingers warm against hers, and turned his head to press a brief kiss to her palm. "The trials begin tomorrow at first light, I keep going over it all; the challenges, the omega, our sons."Selene pulled up the low stool beside him and sat, their knees brushing. She kept her hand in his. "Then talk it through with me instead of staring into the blue like it holds answers. What is weighing on you most?"The King let out a long b

The recess ended quicker than I had expected and I walked back to the center of the floor while the nobles had resumed their seats.Darkholme remained standing at the high table. “We proceed. Ophelia Tyme will now field questions from the assembly. You will address each with the decorum expected of your position.”I inclined my head slightly. “I am prepared, Councilor.”A stout man from the eastern delegation rose first. His robes carried subtle embroidery of interlocking rivers. “In the matter of receiving a delegation bearing formal gifts, how would one balance acknowledgment of the offering with the dignity of the crown?”I kept my hands relaxed at my sides. “One expresses measured appreciation for the gesture while affirming the longstanding ties between the packs. A brief acknowledgment of the gift’s symbolism, followed by assurance that such contributions strengthen the realm as a whole.”He tilted his head. “And if the delegation seeks greater recognition than protocol allows?”