Home / Werewolf / MY SISTER'S MATE / Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

All Chapters of MY SISTER'S MATE: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

88 Chapters

71

"Of course I am willing," Riven’s cold, smooth voice purrs over the shadow-line communicator, his words laced with a quiet, dangerous satisfaction. "You saved old Alpha Lucien Nightfang’s life during the silver-plague outbreak in the badlands. Escorting the most lethal Healer in the realm is a privilege the entire shadow network would kill for."I tighten my grip on the obsidian receiver, my wolf pacing uncomfortably within my ribs."Riven," I say, my tone dropping into a hard, unyielding warning. "I am attending the gathering at the Eclipse Den strictly to monitor Alpha Lucien's heart parameters after his moon-vein surgery. If you attempt to use my presence to feed rumors that we are sealing a pack bond, I will personally paralyze your vocal cords with nightshade extract."A dark, husky chuckle echoes through the speaker. "Always so defensive, Zanele. I need a formidable female by my side to keep the ambitious high-born she-wolves of the Northern Cl

72

"I am," I answer, my voice cutting through the heavy air of the grand cavern as I step onto the dark stone path.The tracker, a heavy-set warrior with the grey-furred shoulders of the Northern Vanguard, dips his head in a brief, tense gesture of respect. "I am Aaron Timbber, Chief Guardian of the Eclipse Den. Lord Riven Thornclaw and old Alpha Lucien Nightfang instructed me to watch the outer boundary for your arrival. Allow me to escort you through the pack ward."I feel the sharp, predatory gazes of a dozen high-born wolves prickling against my skin, but I do not break my stride. My scarred battle mask conceals every ripple of emotion, though my wolf shifts restlessly beneath my ribs, irritated by the crowded scent of foreign Alphas."Lead," I command flatly, trailing his heavy steps past the massive iron gates.The entry archway opens into a massive stone courtyard carved directly from the side of the mountain. Under the fading blood-moon light, ancient European-styled stone pillar

73

When Kieran's heavy, claw-tipped fingers brushed the edge of my cheekbone, my inner wolf snarled defensively, making me recoil two quick steps across the black marble threshold."Kieran, what are you doing?" I demand, my tone dropping into a hard, dangerous growl behind my leather mask.He immediately snaps his hands back, his golden eyes wide with a mix of guilt and lingering obsession as he holds his palms up. "I'm sorry, Zanele. I crossed a line. I shouldn't have tried to strip your hide mask without asking.""This scarred leather is ugly," I snap, adjusting the strap behind my ear so the dark hide covers every inch of my skin. "But until the rogue threat is cleared, I remain masked. My true face stays hidden.""I understand," Kieran says softly, his throat working as he swallows hard.Before I can push past him, Chief Guardian Aaron steps out from the shadows of the council chamber archway, bowing his grey-furred shoulders. "Lady Zanele, Alpha Kieran, the pack magistrate, Jabari K

74

"Bah! Why drag up that badland disgrace on a night of triumph?" Chief Obinna Okafor drowns his silver goblet of iron-laced blood-wine, his eyes flashing yellow as he turns his back on me to glare at his male partner, Kieran Ashford. "Zanele was a wild, unbonded stray. She never understood the bloodline discipline of the Okafor Moonfang Clan. She died like a rogue in the badlands, and she certainly doesn't deserve my mourning."Kieran gives him a smooth, calculated smile, resting his hand over Obinna's armored forearm. "You speak truth, my Alpha. She grew up in the rural borderlands with her weak mother. A female like that could never bring honor to our line, unlike our precious Ayomide."Obinna's heavy, scarred brow softens as his gaze shifts to Ayomide, his chest swelling with territorial pride. "Ayomide is a true royal bloodline. Her wolf instinct is sharp, her scent is pure, and her posture is fit for an Alpha's mate.""And once she seals her pack bond with Supreme Alpha Idris Blac

75

Belle’s lips tremble violently, her eyes widening in absolute, terror-filled disbelief as she stares at the glowing thousand-year blood-sandalwood relic in my chest.I bribed the pack attendants to switch Zanele’s offering, so why doesn’t her wooden box contain the cursed corpse I prepared? Where did my trap go wrong?Belle was far too arrogant, fully believing her sabotage of my delivery was flawless. That was why she screamed her false accusations without taking a single glance inside my opened box.Now, I am not the disgraced outcast standing before the council.She is!"Lady Belle..." I step forward, my silver-scaled armor clinking as I tilt my masked head toward her. "Is there something wrong with my birth-dawn offering to Old Alpha Lucien that warrants such a frantic scene?"At my calm, razor-sharp question, the silent crowd of high-born clan leaders and territory warlords breaks into sharp, hostile murmurs."What has gotten into the daughter of the Silverfang Clan tonight?""Th

76

"Ross, tell everyone how Zanele seduced you to steal your research!" Belle screams, her voice cracking as her fingernails dig into his leather tunic. "Tell them she used her body to get your bloodline secrets, took what she wanted, and threw you to the badland wolves!"Every Alpha elder and territory commander turns to glare at me, their scent souring with sudden suspicion.Ross looks down at Belle’s bleeding ankle, his eyes narrowing into cold, unforgiving slits. "I never said a single word of that lie, Lady Belle.""You lied to me!" Belle shrieks, blood soaking through her dark silk gown as she clutches his arm tighter. "You swore to me in the Nightshade Market that she used you!""I have no idea what madness you are inventing," Ross says, his tone turning razor-sharp as he shakes her grip off completely. "Years ago, you were the one who bribed my shadow-trackers, stole my moon-crystal research, and ruined my standing in the Healers' Moon Network! How dare you accuse Lady Zanele of

77

The strong blood-wine makes my skin burn with a dangerous, heavy heat.My pupils are blown wide and half-lidded as I stare up at the looming figure in the dark corridor. I reach out with trembling fingers, digging my nails forcefully into Idris’s strong, angular jawline."No pain at all..." I slur out, my voice thick with heat. "My wolf must be completely out of her mind. You are just a shadow born from too many cups of dark liquor..."Idris’s golden eyes flare with a mixture of dark amusement and raw, possessive hunger.A lesser wolf would have snarled at having his jaw seized, but he simply leans into my palm, his skin flushing warm beneath my fingers. There is no anger in his gaze, only a dangerous, predatory curiosity that makes my stomach curl with wet, heavy anticipation."Shall I help you verify if my body is real, my mate?" he rumbles softly."Do whatever you want," I breathe out, my senses swimming in dark wine. "Nothing I see in the shadows of this citadel belongs to the rea

78

“Get away from me, Riven,” I snap, my hand flying up to cover the tender skin of my neck before he can catch a glimpse of the bloody mating bruise.The Thornclaw heir narrows his sharp, hazel eyes, taking a step closer toward me in the moonlit corridor of the Blackthorne Bloodmoon Citadel. The heavy scent of mountain pine and fresh copper clings to him, marking him as a high-ranking wolf of the western badlands.“Zanele, what are you hiding behind your palm?” Riven’s voice drops into a tight, possessive growl as his chest heaves beneath his dark leather armor. “Your pulse is thrashing against your skin like a trapped bird.”I force my expression into a mask of pure coldness, though my core is still throbbing with the dirty, lingering heat left behind by Supreme Alpha Idris Blackthorne. My own wolf is pacing wildly inside my skull, her claws scraping against my subconscious, completely drunk on the dark blood-wine and Idris’s raw, intoxicating scent.“My neck is just sore from the long

79

“Release me this instant, Idris,” I hiss through my teeth, my nails digging into the hard leather of his Alpha armor as I squirm against his iron grip.Every single attempt to push his massive body away only makes him lock his arms around my waist tighter, pinning me completely against his broad, muscular chest. His overwhelming sandalwood and wolf-musk scent floods my senses, making my inner wolf whimper in shameful, traitorous satisfaction.I glare up into his blazing golden eyes, my breath coming in hot, ragged gasps. “Did you not just command me to keep my mouth shut?”“I ordered you to stop talking, female, not to squirm out of my arms like an untamed rogue,” Idris rumbles down at me, his deep voice vibrating straight through my ribs. He tightens his hold until my soaked silver scale-armor is crushed flat against his iron chest, fusing our bodies together so closely I can feel every violent thud of his heart.“You are insane—”“I just completed a twelve-hour flight across the nor

80

“You expect me to stand here and watch you bleed yourself dry while your female heat cycles?” Idris’s low, harsh growl shatters the silence of my bedchamber, his golden eyes burning like molten fire in the dim light.I lie trapped beneath his massive, muscular frame on the edge of the mattress, my breath hitching as his heavy Alpha aura presses down on my chest. His powerful hands are braced on either side of my head, trapping me against the fur blankets of my Mooncrest Villa.“I do not need your pity or your assistance, Supreme Alpha,” I snap, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to project cold authority. “Get out of my bedchamber before my pack guardians smell your territorial scent on my skin.”Idris lets out a dark, mocking laugh that vibrates straight through my ribs. “Your pack guardians wouldn't dare step past that door while my wolf is marking this room. You are completely drenched in cold water, Zanele. If I leave you in this state, your inner wolf will freeze before d

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