Library

Home / Werewolf / THE RISE OF THE CHUBBY LUNA / Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

All Chapters of THE RISE OF THE CHUBBY LUNA : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

51 Chapters

Chapter 41

CHAPTER 41Evelyn's POVThe next council meeting changed everything.I walked in with my head high, my hands steady at my sides. Raphael was beside me, but he didn't speak for me. He didn't need to.Lila was already seated, her smile sharp and waiting."Luna," she said, the title dripping with mockery. "How kind of you to join us. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten the way."I didn't flinch. I simply took my seat at the head of the table."I'm never late," I said calmly. "Perhaps you should check your own punctuality before questioning mine."A few of the elders shifted in their seats. Lila's smile faltered.The meeting proceeded. Trade reports. Border updates. Grain distribution.When it came time to discuss the northern villages, Lila spoke up immediately."I think we should reconsider the Luna's proposal from last week," she said, her voice sweet as poison. "It was... ambitious. But perhaps too ambitious for someone with limited experience."I met her gaze."Which part concer

Chapter 42

CHAPTER 42Raphael's POVThe trade reports arrived at dawn.I was already awake, staring at the ceiling, Evelyn's head resting on my chest. She was still asleep, her breathing soft and even.I didn't move. I didn't want to disturb her.The past week had been different. Better. The walls between us had crumbled, and for the first time since the claiming, I felt like we were truly together.But the reports in my hand threatened to shatter that peace.The northern trade routes had been compromised. Three caravans attacked in the past fortnight. Goods stolen. Drivers killed.And the culprit was obvious.The Ironclaw Pack.They had been circling our borders for months, testing our defenses, probing for weakness. My father had dealt with them years ago, crushing their ambitions with brute force.But I was not my father.And Ironclaw knew it.I carefully eased Evelyn off my chest and rose from the bed. She stirred but didn't wake.I dressed in silence and made my way to the council chamber.

Chapter 43

CHAPTER 43Evelyn's POVThe war began three days later.I woke to the sound of horns.Raphael was already out of bed, pulling on his armor. The room was dark, lit only by the pale light of dawn creeping through the window."What's happening?" I asked, sitting up.He turned to me, his expression grim. "Ironclaw crossed the northern border an hour ago. They're marching on the eastern village."My blood ran cold."The eastern village. That's where Nora lives.""I know." He crossed to me, kneeling beside the bed. "I'm sending warriors ahead to evacuate. She'll be safe."I nodded, but my hands were shaking."Evelyn." He took my face in his hands. "I need you to stay here. Stay in the packhouse. Let the warriors do their job.""I should be there. I should help—""No." His voice was firm. "You're carrying our child. I won't risk you."I opened my mouth to argue, but the look in his eyes stopped me."Please," he said quietly. "For me. Stay safe."I swallowed hard. "Okay."He kissed me. Hard.

Chapter 44

CHAPTER 44Raphael's POVThe night was endless.I sat beside her bed, her hand clutched in mine, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest. The healer had done what he could. The wound was closed, the bleeding stopped.But she hadn't woken."She needs rest," the healer had said. "The body heals in its own time."I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to demand answers. But I knew it wouldn't help.So I waited.The battle had ended hours ago. Ironclaw had retreated once word spread that their spy had been captured. Without Lila feeding them information, they had lost their advantage.We had won.But it didn't feel like victory.Damien appeared in the doorway, his face drawn with exhaustion."How is she?""The same." My voice was hoarse. "She hasn't moved."He crossed to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "She's strong. She'll pull through."I wanted to believe him."She took a blade for me," I said quietly. "She saw the ambush and she ran toward it. Toward me."Damien was silent."She

Chapter 45

CHAPTER 45Evelyn's POVThe first frost came early that year.I stood at the window, watching the white crystals form on the glass. Winter was settling over Shadowfang, and with it, a quietness I hadn't expected.The pack was healing.Warriors who had been wounded in battle were returning to their duties. The eastern village was being rebuilt. The families who had lost loved ones were slowly learning to smile again.And I was growing.My belly had swollen enough that I could no longer hide it beneath loose gowns. The pack had noticed. Whispers had turned to congratulations, and the congratulations had turned to genuine warmth.The Luna was with child.An heir.Raphael was insufferable about it."You shouldn't be on your feet so long," he said for the third time that morning."I'm fine.""You need to rest.""I rested all yesterday.""You need to eat more."I turned from the window, fixing him with a look. "Raphael. I am pregnant, not dying."He crossed to me, his hands settling on my w

Chapter 46

CHAPTER 46Raphael's POVThe first cry shattered the silence.I had been pacing outside the chamber for hours, my heart pounding with every muffled sound from within. The healer had banished me early on, claiming I was "in the way."So I waited.And worried.And prayed.Then the cry came.High and thin and absolutely perfect.I froze.The door opened, and the healer appeared, her face tired but smiling."Congratulations, Alpha. You have a daughter."I didn't wait for permission. I pushed past her and into the room.Evelyn was lying on the bed, her face pale and damp with sweat. But her eyes were bright, filled with tears and wonder.And in her arms was a tiny bundle."Come meet your daughter," she whispered.I crossed to her slowly, my legs trembling. I had faced warriors and rogues and death itself without flinching.But this terrified me.I sank onto the edge of the bed, looking down at the small, squirming creature in Evelyn's arms.She was perfect.Tiny fingers. Tiny toes. A tuft

Chapter 47

CHAPTER 47Evelyn's POVAria's first word was "no."I should have expected it. She was her father's daughter, after all.She said it at breakfast, sitting in her high chair, smashing porridge between her tiny fingers."Aria," I said, wiping her hands. "Don't do that.""No."I froze.Raphael looked up from his papers. "Did she just...""She did."He set down his papers, a grin spreading across his face. "Her first word.""It's not a word. It's a sound.""It's a word." He crossed to us, kneeling beside her chair. "Say it again, Aria. Say 'no.'"Aria looked at him. "No."He laughed. Actual laughter."She's a genius.""She's stubborn.""Same thing."I shook my head, but I was smiling.---Aria grew quickly.Too quickly, it seemed. One moment she was a tiny bundle in my arms, the next she was crawling across the floor, pulling herself up on furniture, chasing the servants' skirts.She had Raphael wrapped around her tiny finger."Don't let her touch that," I said one afternoon, watching him

Chapter 48

CHAPTER 48Evelyn's POVThe messenger arrived at dawn.I was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the children, when Damien appeared in the doorway. His expression was grim."Luna. There's news from the northern border."I set down the knife I was holding."What kind of news?""A caravan was attacked last night. Three drivers killed. Goods stolen."My blood ran cold."Ironclaw?""No." He shook his head. "The attackers weren't wolves."I frowned. "What do you mean?""They were human."---Raphael was already in the council chamber when I arrived.Elder Marcus was there, along with several warriors. A map was spread across the table, marked with the location of the attack."Humans," I said, taking my seat. "That's impossible.""Not impossible," Raphael said. "Unusual, but not impossible.""The treaty with Ironclaw holds. They wouldn't risk breaking it.""This isn't Ironclaw." He pointed to the map. "The attack happened here. South of the border. On our territory."I studied the map.

Chapter 49

CHAPTER 49Evelyn's POVThe years slipped by like water through my fingers.Aria turned sixteen in the spring. She had grown into a fierce young woman, tall and strong, with her father's dark hair and my stubborn heart. She trained with the warriors every morning and studied with the elders every afternoon.She was everything I had hoped she would be.And more."I want to join the border patrol," she announced one evening at dinner.Raphael nearly choked on his wine. "You what?""The border patrol. I want to join.""You're sixteen.""I'm old enough to train. Old enough to fight."Raphael set down his cup. "Training is different from patrolling. Patrolling is dangerous.""I know.""Then why?"She met his eyes without flinching. "Because I want to protect our pack. Like you do. Like Mother does."I hid a smile behind my hand.Raphael looked at me, desperate for support."Don't look at me," I said. "She gets this from you."He sighed."We'll discuss it," he said."Which means yes," Aria

Chapter 50

CHAPTER 50Raphael's POVThe first day was agony.I stood at the border, staring into the forest long after Evelyn had disappeared from sight. The snow fell around me, silent and cold.She was out there. Alone. Risking her life.And I was standing here, useless."Alpha." Damien's voice came from behind me. "We should return to the packhouse."I didn't move."Raphael."Finally, I turned. My Beta's face was drawn with worry."She'll be fine," he said. "She's strong.""I know.""Then why do you look like someone died?"I didn't answer.Because I couldn't explain it. The fear that gripped my heart. The certainty that something was wrong.I had felt this way once before. When my mother died.I pushed the thought away."Let's go," I said.---The packhouse felt empty without her.I walked through the halls, past the rooms she had filled with warmth and light. The children were quiet, sensing the tension in the air.Aria found me in the study that evening."Father."I looked up from the repo

PREV

NEXT

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP

DMCA.com Protection Status