Alle Kapitel von MATED TO MY BESTIE'S ALPHA DADDY: Kapitel 61 – Kapitel 70

She charges.The ground shakes beneath her massive paws, and her eyes are blazing with feral fury as she hurtles toward me. I have seconds to react, maybe less, and my body moves before my mind can catch up.I dodge.Her jaws snap shut where my throat was a moment ago, and I feel the rush of air as she spins, already lunging for me again. She's fast, so much faster than I expected, and I barely have time to raise my paws to block her attack.She slams into me, and we tumble across the forest floor, a tangle of fur and claws and teeth. She's on top of me, her jaws aiming for my neck, and I can smell the blood on her breath—rogue blood, not hers, thank the Goddess."Raylynn!" I try to project my voice into her mind, but there's nothing there. No recognition. No awareness. Just pure, primal instinct.She bites down on my shoulder.Pain explodes through me, hot and sharp, and I feel her teeth sink deep into my flesh. I roar, not in anger but in pain, and she pulls back, her eyes wild and

I wake up alone.The bed is cold beside me, the sheets tangled where she should be. I reach out, my hand searching for her warmth, but there's nothing there. Just emptiness.I sit up, my heart already pounding. The cabin is quiet. Too quiet."Raylynn?"No answer.I scan the room, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. And then I see it—a piece of paper on the pillow. My name scrawled across it in her handwriting.I grab it, my hands shaking."Zephyr, I've gone with Xena to the temple. I need to control the bloodthirst. I can't risk hurting you again. I'll be back as soon as I can. Please don't come after me. I need to do this on my own. I love you. - Raylynn."The paper crumples in my fist."No." The word tears out of me. "No, no, no—"I'm out of bed before I know what I'm doing, pulling on my clothes, my hands fumbling with the buttons. My wolf is howling in my head, pacing and snarling.'She left us,' he growls. 'She ran.''She's trying to protect us.''She left us.'I don't argue. I c

My grandmother sets down her fork.She stares at me for a long moment, and I watch as tears well up in her eyes. Her hands are trembling, and she reaches across the table to take mine."Yes," she whispers. "I sealed Nix, your wolf."I feel the words land in my chest like stones. I knew it. Some part of me always knew."So, you even know her name. Why?" My voice is quiet. "Why did you do it?"She squeezes my hands, her grip warm and steady despite her tears. "Because I wanted to protect you. Because you were just a child, Raylynn. You had already been through so much. I couldn't bear to watch you suffer more.""Protect me from what?""From yourself." Her voice cracks. "From the power you couldn't control. From the bloodthirst that would have consumed you. From the people who would have hunted you down because of what you are."I nod slowly, processing her words. The seal was meant to protect me. It was meant to give me time to grow strong enough to handle Nix.And now that the seal is

Ivy's workshop smells like fabric and thread and the faint hint of her favorite vanilla candle. It's small and cluttered and absolutely perfect, filled with bolts of fabric in every color imaginable, sketches pinned to the walls, and a dress form in the center of the room wearing the emerald gown Ivy designed for me.I'm standing in front of the mirror, adjusting the straps of the dress while Ivy circles me like a shark, her fingers tugging at the fabric, her eyes narrowed in concentration."Turn," she commands.I turn.She hums thoughtfully. "The hem needs to come up just a little. And the waist—" She pinches the fabric at my side. "I need to take it in another inch.""Another inch? Ivy, I can barely breathe as it is.""That's the point." She grins. "If you can breathe, it's not tight enough."I laugh, shaking my head. "You're insane.""I'm a genius." She grabs a pin from between her lips and starts adjusting the fabric. "There's a difference."I watch her work, a familiar warmth spr

The kitchen smells like tomatoes and basil.I'm standing at the counter, flour dusted across my hands and a thin layer of it coating the front of my apron. The pizza dough is stretched out in front of me, waiting for toppings, and I'm trying to focus on the simple act of cooking. It's grounding. It's normal. It's the opposite of everything else in my life right now.I add a layer of sauce. Sprinkle cheese. Arrange the pepperoni in a careful pattern.I've been trying to keep my mind busy for the past hour. Ever since Zephyr left the workshop, I've been a bundle of nervous energy. I don't know where he went. I don't know if he's okay. I don't know if he's going to tell Ivy tonight, like he said he would.The thought makes my stomach twist.I slide the pizza into the oven and set the timer. I wash my hands. I pour myself a glass of water.A knock on the door.I freeze.My heart leaps into my throat. Is it Zephyr? Did he come back? Did he—"Raylynn! Open up!"Ivy's voice. Bright. Excited.