All Chapters of Ice Claimed: The Alpha’s Obsession: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

"I’ve already secured a table at that lodge across the ice," Ethan said, his voice as immovable as a mountain peak despite my second rejection. "I’m taking Shea to the academy shortly, and you’re bound for the same trail with Hayden. We’ll consume our kill together, then escort the yearlings.""My pack eats at home," I countered, keeping my scent neutral. "The pups need a trance-nap before their lessons begin."I watched his pupils blow wide, his aura shifting from civil to predatory in a heartbeat."Is a simple meal with your former mate such a terrifying prospect, Collins? Or are you scenting the air for an escape because your wolf still howls for me?""Your arrogance is the only thing I scent, Ethan," I snapped, though I found myself steering Hayden toward the lodge just to silence him."Stay with the yearlings, I'll secure Shea from the Rower," Ethan commanded.Once we were settled in a carved stone booth, the tension was thick enough to choke a yearling. I scanned the list of off

"The fire of greed in Jess’s eyes was so thick I could practically scent it through the air.Mason shifted beside me, his own scent changing as he realized my gamble was his only hope for survival. If the pup I carried was named Ethan’s heir, we were both untouchable.'Now that we’re hunting in the same pack, Jess, your victory is mine,' Mason muttered, his voice finding a strength I hadn’t heard before. 'I’ll claim my honor through this pup, just like you’ll claim your seat at the head of the den.'The moon was high at ten o'clock when the black Rower crunched over the ice at the Carter Citadel. Ethan had returned from a summit of the Great Frost Lords. He had spent the evening watching the lead wolves of the Yaya Indus sector, trying to map out every scent and strategy of my company.He’d discovered that while Parker Industries was a titan in the Skydrivee lands, we were hitting a wall of permafrost here in Valeria. We were a legendary brand in the distant tundra, but I had insisted

"I breathed a heavy sigh as Mike retreated from the circle. Finally, I could focus on the feast. 'Isabella, the tribute was perfect. Where did you dig up those old archives from my academy days?''We’re a pack, Collins! That’s what we do. Aside from my own history, your journey is the only one I care to track. To the bond that never breaks!''To the bond!' I raised my glass, the moon-spirit burning low in my throat as I watched her.A hand dropped onto my shoulder. It was Tyler, his face flushed a deep shade of crimson. 'Come join the Alpha’s circle, Collins! Tell your sentries to stand down; we’re being absolutely slaughtered over there.''You're howling jokes, Tyler. Your wolf has the highest tolerance in Mysticfall,' Isabella teased.'The seasons change, Isabella. I’m feeling the winters in my bones now...'I followed Tyler to the main table. He gestured for me to take the seat Mike had vacated, right at Ethan’s flank. I felt the Alpha’s gaze like a physical heat against my skin. I

"I remembered her scent too clearly for it to be a phantom. My wolf roared at the memory of us skin-to-skin on those furs...But if that was the truth, how did Jess end up in my bed?'I couldn't reach your signal last night, so I tracked Collins for help. He promised to hunt you down, but you never made it back to the Citadel... he must have missed the trail,' Patricia said, her voice heavy with fatigue.Shea had howled until three in the morning, only falling into a fitful sleep when her strength failed. Patricia looked just as drained.I felt a jolt of shock. My eyes dropped as I whispered, 'He found me... I remember him informing me of the distress...'Patricia sighed. 'Then the moon-spirit must have kept you from the path. I’ll fetch some ice-herbs to clear your head.'She left me alone with the yearling. I looked at Shea; her eyes were swollen and red from the night's grief. 'Shea, why did the howl take you last night? Did you miss your brother?'Shea looked at the floor, shaking

"The hunter I’ve got tracking medical leads in the Tundra buzzed my transmitter. 'Alpha Carter, we’ve scented a trail on Jess. She’s hunting for a healer too.' I’d hired him to find someone capable of mending Shea’s fractured mind. 'She’s tracking a middle-aged male, roughly 1.7 meters, specialized in cognitive trauma.'I felt my claws twitch. 'Why is she on this scent?''Likely trying to secure the yearling’s recovery herself to lock in her status,' the hunter replied.A spark of hope flared in my chest. 'We flush this doctor out before she does. Move.''Copy that. One more thing: before Professor Hough went under the ice, he took a shadow-apprentice. The records are blacked out, but the kid spent years in Hough’s private lab.''Could this shadow be the one Jess is tracking?''My instincts say yes.'At five, I pulled the black Rower into the lot of the Mysticfall Academy to retrieve Shea. My heart skidded as I spotted Collins. He was there for Hayden. The four of us stood frozen in t