Semua Bab FROZEN BONDS: THE HALF-BLOOD'S MATE: Bab 21 - Bab 30

Stellan was on his feet before the echo of the howl faded.His body moved with the fluid grace of a warrior, positioning itself between me and the cave entrance. Every muscle was coiled, ready to strike. In the dim light filtering through the ice, I could see his blue eyes blazing—not with fear, but with something older. Something primal."Stay behind me," he breathed. "Don't move. Don't make a sound."I didn't argue. I pressed myself against the cold stone wall, my heart hammering so loudly I was sure whatever was out there could hear it.The howl came again—closer this time, sliding through the frozen air like a blade. It was unlike any wolf sound I'd ever heard. Not the hunting call of Ronan's pack, not the organized chorus of North Star. This was something else. Something that raised the hair on my arms and made my wolf whine deep in my chest.Stellan's jaw tightened. "That's not North Star. That's not any pack I know.""What is it?""I don't know." His voice was barely a whisper.

"Take her," the green-eyed man said. "Quietly. The ice wolf can't know."I froze, my heart pounding so hard I was certain they could hear it. Through slitted eyes, I watched the Bozkurt wolves creep toward us—silent as shadows, their dark forms blending with the cave's darkness.Stellan slept on, exhausted from our ordeal, unaware of the danger creeping closer.I had seconds to decide. Pretend to be asleep and let them take me? Or fight, risking both our lives against unknown numbers?The lead wolf reached for me—I moved.My eyes snapped open, and I grabbed the small knife hidden in my furs, slashing at his reaching hand. He jerked back with a hiss, blood dripping from his fingers."Stellan!" I screamed. "Stellan, wake up!"The cave erupted into chaos.Stellan was on his feet in an instant, his body shifting even as he rose—claws extending, teeth lengthening, eyes blazing that terrible blue. He positioned himself between me and the intruders, a wall of fury and protection.The Bozkur

The snow glowed red outside the cave, and my heart stopped.Cengiz stood frozen at the entrance, his body rigid with fear. Behind him, the crimson light pulsed like a heartbeat, casting long shadows across the cave floor. The Bozkurt wolves pressed against the walls, their eyes wide, their breaths coming in sharp gasps."It's too late," Cengiz whispered. "The Watcher is coming. And it's not alone."I clutched Stellan's unconscious form, my mind racing through impossible scenarios. Fight? Flee? Hide? None of them seemed adequate against whatever was out there.The red light grew brighter. Hotter. I could feel it now—a wave of heat cutting through the mountain cold, melting snow, warming stone. The cave walls began to drip with condensation.Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the light vanished.Darkness fell like a blanket. For one breathless moment, there was nothing—no light, no sound, no movement.Then the howling began.Not wolves. Something else. A chorus of voices raised in a lang

"You're no longer Alpha."The woman's words hit Cengiz like physical blows. I saw him stagger—just slightly, just for a moment—before his warrior's discipline took over and his face went blank."By whose authority?" His voice was calm, but I could hear the fury beneath."The pack's authority." The woman stepped closer, and I could see her more clearly now—sharp features, cold gray eyes, salt-and-pepper hair pulled back in a severe braid. She was older than Cengiz, and she carried herself with the confidence of someone who'd waited a long time for this moment. "You've been gone too long, chasing ghosts and prophecies. The pack needs a leader who's present. Who puts them first.""I've always put the pack first.""Have you?" Her gaze moved to me, and something flickered in those cold eyes. "Or have you been putting your daughter first? The half-blood you abandoned eighteen years ago?"I felt Stellan move closer to me, a wall of warmth and protection. His hand found mine, squeezing gently

Runa stumbled into the firelight, her golden eyes wild with fear."Rourke knows about the prophecy," she gasped. "He's found the temple. He's going to use it—use its power—to destroy everything."Stellan was on his feet in an instant, his body tensed for battle. "What temple? The one with the Watcher?""The same. But it's more than that—it's an ancient place, older than the packs. They say whoever controls the temple controls the prophecy." Runa's voice shook. "Rourke has gathered his strongest wolves. He's marching there now."Cengiz appeared at my side, his face grim. "If Rourke reaches the temple first, if he somehow bends the Watcher to his will...""Then we're all dead." Stellan's voice was calm, but I could feel the tension radiating from him. "How far ahead is he?""A day. Maybe less."Stellan turned to me, his blue eyes searching my face. "Lyra—""I'm coming with you.""Lyra—""No." I stepped closer to him, gripping his hands. "I'm not staying behind while you walk into danger