Semua Bab FROZEN BONDS: THE HALF-BLOOD'S MATE: Bab 11 - Bab 20

"I know that name," Stellan whispered, his face pale. "I shouldn't, but... I know it."Cengiz's dark eyes flickered with something—surprise? Interest?—but his expression remained unreadable. "You know nothing, ice wolf. Your memory is a blank slate, scratched by fragments you can't understand." He stepped back, gesturing us inside. "But we have much to discuss, and the cold cares nothing for your confusion."We entered the cabin.It was warm—blessedly warm—with a fire crackling in the hearth and furs covering every surface. A pot of something that smelled like meat and herbs hung over the flames, and my stomach growled loudly enough that everyone heard.Cengiz's lips twitched—almost a smile. "Eat first. Talk later. You look like you haven't seen food in days."He wasn't wrong.Maeve helped Stellan to a seat by the fire while I collapsed onto a pile of furs, my body screaming with relief. Cengiz ladled stew into wooden bowls and handed them around without ceremony. I ate like an animal

"Your brother?" I stared at the woman in the stream, my heart pounding. "You're Ronan's sister?"Her laugh was musical, nothing like Ronan's cruel amusement. "Half-sister. Same father, different mothers." She waded out of the water, unconcerned by her nakedness, and grabbed a fur from the bank. "And before you panic, I'm not here to hurt you. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead already."Stellan stirred behind me, waking instantly, his body tensing as he took in the scene. He was on his feet in seconds, positioning himself between me and the stranger."Who are you?" His voice was low, dangerous."Runa." The woman wrapped the fur around herself casually. "Ronan's half-sister, as I was just explaining to your very frightened companion." She tilted her head, studying Stellan. "You're the ice wolf. The one who's been causing all the trouble.""Your brother is the one causing trouble."Runa smiled. "Oh, I know. Ronan has always been... excessive." She sat on a rock by the stream, completel

The howls grew closer, echoing off the mountains in a way that made it impossible to tell where they were coming from. North Star howls. Stellan's pack."We need to move," he said, pulling me toward the pass. "Now."We ran through the darkness, stumbling over rocks, slipping on ice, driven by the sound of approaching wolves. The pass loomed ahead—a narrow gap between two towering peaks, dark as a wound in the mountain's side.Behind us, the howls grew louder. Closer."They're almost here," I gasped.Stellan didn't answer. He just gripped my hand tighter and pulled me forward.We reached the pass entrance just as the first wolf burst from the trees below.It was massive—gray fur, golden eyes, built like a predator designed for these frozen heights. It saw us and howled, and seconds later, a dozen more wolves appeared behind it.North Star pack. Stellan's pack.And they looked ready to kill.Stellan pushed me behind him and faced them, his body tense but not aggressive. The wolves slowe

The days that followed the battle were strange—a mix of healing, mourning, and the slow process of becoming part of something larger than myself.Stellan's wounds were severe, but the North Star healers were skilled. They changed his bandages daily, applied poultices of herbs I didn't recognize, and spoke in their ancient language over him while the fires burned. Within a week, he could sit up. Within two, he could walk short distances. By the third week, he was strong enough to leave the longhouse and sit in the sun—weak but alive.I rarely left his side.The pack had accepted me—grudgingly at first, then with growing warmth. The Alpha, Astrid, had declared me family, and in North Star lands, that meant something. Women brought me food and furs. Warriors nodded respectfully when I passed. Children stared at me with curious eyes, whispering about the southern half-blood who'd stolen their prince's heart.But my focus remained on Stellan.Every day, I helped him with his exercises. Eve

The sky to the south burned red.Not dawn—fire. Rourke's army had arrived, and they'd brought flames to destroy us.Stellan's arm wrapped around me, pulling me close as we watched the horizon glow. All around us, the settlement erupted into chaos—wolves shifting, warriors grabbing weapons, children being herded to safety."How did they get so close without being seen?" I asked."Smoke screens. Diversions." Stellan's voice was grim. "Rourke is more cunning than Ronan ever was."Astrid appeared beside us, her ancient face hard with determination. "They've surrounded the southern approach. We're trapped against the mountains.""Then we fight," Stellan said."We will." Astrid looked at me. "But she needs to be protected. If Rourke captures her, he'll use her against you.""No one's capturing anyone." I stepped forward, meeting her gaze. "I can fight. I've fought before.""Against wolves, yes. Not against an army." But something in her eyes softened. "Stay close to Stellan. Don't engage un