Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 251 - Chapitre 260

Natasha felt the lingering warmth of the completed blessing. It had settled deep in her core, spreading outward from where her child grew. It was not the uncomfortable heat of fever or exertion, but something gentler. Protective. Like arms wrapped around her from the inside.But Damien's body remained tense behind her. Through their bond, she sensed his unease, a cold thread woven through his relief. He had felt something else during the ritual. Something that had brushed against the edges of the sacred circle like a predator testing the walls of a den."You are certain it worked?" Damien asked, his voice low and directed at Seraphine.The elder's weathered face showed uncertainty for the first time that day. "The blessing responded as the ancient texts describe. The child is shielded for now." She paused, her gaze drifting toward the iron door that sealed the underground chamber. "But I cannot explain what else I sensed. Something observed us. Something that should not have been able

The urge to push crashed over Natasha like a wave breaking against stone. Her body screamed for release, every muscle coiling toward the inevitable."Breathe through it," Seraphine guided, her voice cutting through the haze of pain. "Let your body do what it knows. The child is moving into position."Natasha's fingers tore at the furs beneath her, her nails scraping against the woven backing. A raw sound tore from her throat, somewhere between a growl and a sob. She had faced warriors twice her size, endured wounds that would have felled lesser wolves, but this... this was a different kind of battle entirely.Damien's arms tightened around her from behind, his chest pressed firm against her spine."I have you," he murmured against her ear. "Breathe with me."She felt his ribs expand against her back, deliberately slow, and forced herself to match his rhythm. The contraction peaked, held, and finally began to ebb. Sweat dripped down her temples, pooling in the hollow of her throat."Th

The silence was absolute.Natasha stared at the small, slick body in Seraphine's hands. The newborn's skin glistened with blood and fluid, his tiny limbs curled against his chest. He made no sound. His chest did not rise.The moonbeam above them flickered, its silver light wavering like a candle in wind. The darkness pressed closer, hungry, waiting."Is he..." Natasha's voice cracked. She could not finish the question.Seraphine's weathered hands moved with practiced urgency. She cleared the baby's airway with gentle suction, her thumb stroking the small chest. A moment stretched into eternity.Then the tiny ribcage expanded.The newborn drew a thin, uncertain breath. Another followed, stronger and steadier. His small body stirred, limbs twitching, but he made no cry. His face scrunched, mouth opening slightly as if preparing to voice his arrival into the world."A boy," Seraphine announced, her voice thick with relief. "Strong and whole. Breathing well."Natasha felt something shatte

The attack stopped.Through the pack bond, Natasha felt the shift in the battle. The shapes in the darkness stopped moving. The pressure against the boundary eased. The unnatural cold that had permeated the air began to lift.Marcus's voice came through, bewildered. "Alpha... the creature has withdrawn. It's just gone."Damien's head snapped toward the northern ridge. Even from here, Natasha could see the enormous silhouette that stood at the edge of the treeline. It was larger than any wolf should be, its form half-hidden by the lingering shadows. But its eyes caught the moonlight, reflecting it back like twin flames.The Shadow Wolf.The creature stood motionless, watching. Its gaze was fixed not on the warriors, not on the boundary, but on the newborn in Damien's arms.Natasha felt her breath catch. The beast was terrifying in its stillness. It made no move to attack, showed no aggression. It simply watched, its massive head tilted slightly to one side, as if studying something it

Natasha woke to the soft glow of early morning light filtering through the curtains. The bed beside her was empty, the sheets cool where Damien should have been. A flicker of panic surged through her chest before she heard the low murmur of his voice across the room.She turned her head slowly, her body still heavy with exhaustion. Damien stood by the window, their son cradled securely against his chest. His back was to her, his dark hair disheveled from sleep, and he spoke in a quiet voice meant only for the baby."See that mountain out there? The one with the flat top? Your great-grandfather used to tell me stories about how a giant wolf bit the peak clean off during a battle with the moon goddess herself."He paused, his voice dropping to an even softer register."Probably not true, but it makes for a good tale. You'll hear plenty of those growing up."Natasha smiled against her pillow, watching the scene unfold. This was a side of Damien that few ever saw. The ruthless Alpha of Sh