Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 51 - Chapitre 60

Edwin’s POVThe wind carried the scent of blood long before I saw the enemy.I sat on my horse at the front of the Icefall army, staring across the valley.Wolfbane stood on the opposite side with hundreds of warriors, their weapons glinted beneath the pale morning sun, while their flags moved violently in the cold wind.Behind me stood my warriors, my people.I could feel their tension even without looking back. Every wolf was waiting for my command.I tightened my grip around the reins. This wasn’t supposed to happen.A peace treaty had been within reach, then Evans had walked into my packhouse and looked at Elara as though she were an object he could purchase.As though her life, her dignity, and her choices meant nothing.I had ended the negotiations and he had chosen war. Now, we were here.A figure separated from the Wolfbane army and rode toward us.I knew who it was before he came close. Alpha Evans.He stopped several feet away while his warriors remained behind him.“Alpha

Elara’s POVThe gates opened just before sunset.I had been standing near them for what felt like hours.Every sound had made my heart jump.Every distant howl had sent my wolf rushing toward the surface, desperate to know if the warriors were coming home.But now, as the heavy gates had parted, and the warriors appeared beyond them, I became proud of Icefall.I was proud that they came home.A breath escaped my lips. Thank goodness they’re back.”Agatha appeared beside me, one hand pressed against her chest.“Moon Goddess,” she whispered.The returning warriors didn’t look like the men who had left.Their armor was damaged. Their clothes were torn. Some carried wounded warriors between them while others leaned heavily against their companions.There was blood everywhere.My heart tightened.“Get the healers!” I ordered.They were already moving. Women hurried toward the gates with blankets and water. The healers rushed forward, calling for the wounded to be brought to the infirmary.

Elara’s POVSomething changed after the council meeting.I noticed it the next morning. At first, I told myself I was imagining things.Edwin had always been busy because he was an Alpha.There were warriors to command, borders to inspect, reports to read, elders to meet, and an entire pack depending on him.So when I didn’t see him at breakfast, I thought nothing of it.When he didn’t come to the training grounds, I told myself he was probably dealing with something important.When I returned to the packhouse after helping Agatha organize the food stores and found that Edwin had already left for the northern border, I forced myself not to care.But by the third day, I couldn’t pretend anymore.He was avoiding me. Not completely because that would have been easier.Instead, he was always just far enough away to make me question whether I had imagined everything between us.When I entered a room, he found a reason to leave.When we passed each other in the hallway, he gave me a polite

Elara’s POVFor the past few days, breakfast had become something I endured alone.I would enter the dining hall, take my usual seat, eat as quickly as possible, and leave.No Edwin, no awkward conversations, no stolen glances, and no wondering whether he would smile at me that morning.I had grown used to it. Or at least, I had convinced myself that I had.This morning, however, the moment I stepped into the dining hall, I stopped.Edwin was already there.He was seated at the head of the table, calmly drinking his coffee as though nothing had changed.My heart gave an embarrassing little jump.I immediately forced my expression back to normal. I wasn’t going to let him see how much his presence affected me.“Good morning,” I said.His eyes lifted. “Good morning, Elara.”I walked to my usual seat. For a moment, neither of us spoke.A servant brought my breakfast and quietly left.I picked up my fork. Across from me, Edwin continued eating.The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, it was sim

Elara’s POVI had expected Edwin’s cabin to be somewhere deep in the mountains.Perhaps a large wooden house guarded by several warriors or even something that looked more like a small fortress.I wasn’t prepared for what I saw.We had barely traveled a few minutes beyond Icefall’s gates when Edwin guided me down a narrow path that sloped toward the lake.Trees surrounded us on both sides. Tall pines stood so close together that sunlight barely reached the ground.I looked around. “Are you sure we’re going the right way?”Edwin glanced back at me. “Yes.”“There isn’t a cabin anywhere.”“There is.” He smiled.I frowned. “Where?”He smiled. “Keep walking.”We continued down the slope, then I saw it.My eyes widened. “Oh.”Just a few minutes outside the gates, hidden among the trees, stood a small wooden cabin.It was so well concealed that if I hadn’t known it was there, I would have mistaken it for nothing more than bushes and trees in the middle of the forest.The roof was covered wit