Claimed By The Darkwood Brother のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 121 - チャプター 130

NATEThe tension between Gemma and me didn't quite ease even after we talked. I was still against her siding with Astra’s bold declaration. But, I was still letting Astra hold her secret meetings with the northern people.I was marking my side like this. I was a bit on edge. Ragnarok hadn't said a word or made a move since then. George was the only one who openly shared my concerns. Astra and Gemma were too preoccupied with their plans to think about that.I understood their determination for Astra to step out of Ragnarok’s shadow. But it felt like everything was happening too fast. We were rushing into this.And then there was Gemma, stubborn as ever, fully backing Astra without a second thought. Just because she felt like she related to her story. I knew she was powerful but this felt reckless. I couldn’t help but think about the dangers Astra was bringing in. Gemma was placing herself right in the middle of it all.The palace halls were quiet as I paced outside her room, trying to

GEMMA"Hello, Lady Gemma," he said, with a little difficulty. Nate's gaze moved back to me. His grip on Matteo was still firm."Matteo, you're here again," I said, my voice betraying my surprise more than I had intended. My eyes darted between Nate and George unaware of that Matteo had snuck in the last time."You know him?" George asked, his brows furrowed in confusion."Not really," I said. George and Nate exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing as they watched Matteo.Before they could press further, Astra entered the room, her eyes widening as she took in the scene in front of her. "Matteo?" She called. "What's going on?"Nate reluctantly let go of him and he landed on his feet, coughing slightly and rubbing his neck. "Who is this?" Nate demanded.I shifted uncomfortably and looked pointedly at Astra, urging her to answer. She forced a smile as she stepped forward. "Alpha King Nate, Beta George, this is Matteo, my best friend and most trusted confidant," she introduced him.Matteo

GEMMAThe sky was darkening as we made our way to the northern border. We were going to have a final meeting with Astra's allies before we set out for the main plan. Nate and George tagged along.As our car pulled over, I realized how cold it was here. The cold air bit at my skin. I pulled my cloak tighter around me. I was trying to chase the cold but it was close to impossible.Nate led the way. He had an unreadable look on his face as he led us into the building. It belonged to him. Or at least, it belonged to him because he was King. It had belonged to Nate's ancestors, the ones that had existed long before us. Yet, this building still stood.It had also been where Astra was meeting most of her allies. This was like neutral ground. Although, it had been abandoned for years. It was still a hidden place from spying eyes. The palace wasn't the place for that.George, surprisingly, was carrying a dagger in his belt. He said, "You can never be too prepared." He was a wolf but he needed

GEMMAEarly that morning, before the sun would even decide to rise, we made our way toward Ragnarok's territory. It was raining cats and dogs, literally sheets. It was biting cold, but no one spoke a word of complaint. We had to be quiet.We were approaching the territory. Matteo, Astra, Nic, Nora, and the others moved in silence. I pulled my cloak tighter around me as I felt the cold trying to seep into my bones. The road was slick with mud but my boots were holding firm.After we crossed the territory, we would find horses that we could ride to where Ragnarok was staying. We successfully snuck past the border guards up to where the horses were tied to trees.The horses galloped along the path, navigating it. They seemed to know the road well. They must have plied it dozens of times.I caught a glimpse of Astra in front, of one of the people leading the team. Her shoulders were hunched against the rain. She must be battling against the cold as well but she couldn't show it. She was t

GEMMAThe sword came down. But he didn't strike Astra.Instead, he struck the guard behind her. This was one of the people on Astra's side. She glanced behind her as the man fell. The look on her face caused the blood to drain from my face as I reached them.I slowed down, sword lowered. "Astra?" I called, not wanting to believe what I was seeing. She didn't even react as her brother killed one of the people that were on her side. She didn't even flinch. "Astra!"She didn’t answer me right away. Instead, she turned her back to Ragnarok, looking at the scene unfolding in front of us. It was something in the way she held herself. She said something to Ragnarok behind her shoulder and he smirked.This wasn’t the behavior of someone confronting an enemy. This was something else. I realized with a sickening feeling what this could be."How could you?" I asked.She met my eyes and there was a cold look in them. "I'm sorry about this, Gemma. It had to be done." She said."Astra…" I called.T