All Chapters of The Mate Hunt: Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

MaeveFuck.The word echoed through every hollow space inside me as I closed my eyes. I tried, for a moment, to will away the sting of Torin's words, the memory of Elara, the sense of otherness that pressed on all sides of my skin.Then Elowen spoke, and the air in the room changed, sharp as winter wind, all conversation vanishing into a hush thick with unease."And since everyone is suddenly so nostalgic for the Luna you lost," she said, her tone slicing through the fog, "perhaps you'd all like to remember why a Caine Alpha needs one in the first place."Her words landed like a stone tossed into still water. The silence that followed was nothing like before. It was heavier, the kind that settles on your chest and makes it hard to breathe.Torin, ever the first to break, tried to protest. "That has nothing to do with—""It has everything to do with it," Elowen cut in, her voice flat and cold as hammered steel. "You all remember Ronan's father after he lost his first bond prospect?"My

MaeveI awoke alone in Ronan's bed, the sheets cool beside me, my arm reaching out for someone who wasn't there.For a few blissful seconds, I floated in that warm, blank space between sleep and waking, my mind untroubled and empty. But memory is never merciful. It came rushing back all at once, like a cold plunge into winter water.Dinner. Torin's stare. Elara's absence echoing through her name. Elowen's voice, sharp and angry, cutting across the council chamber, her words ricocheting off half the ranking wolves. My own tears, spilled in the corridor, as I'd crumpled on the floor, unable to hold the weight of the night any longer. And Ronan, gentle, patient Ronan, leaving to sleep in the Luna chambers because I'd asked to be alone.A groan slipped from my lips as I pulled the blanket over my face, wishing I could disappear inside the soft cocoon.What a spectacular new beginning. Nothing quite said "future Luna" like a public meltdown in front of the entire werewolf government.My st

MaeveBy the time Soren and I reached the smaller family dining room, I had been bowed to seven more times. I counted. Mostly because every single one made me want to crawl out of my own skin."Stop looking like someone threatened you," Soren said as she reached for the coffee."People keep bowing at me.""Yes. Tragic.""It's weird.""You'll survive.""That remains to be seen."A snort came from the other end of the table. Maris sat there with a plate already piled with eggs, potatoes, and bacon. I hadn't even noticed her."You should have seen Ronan when wolves first started bowing to him," Maris said.My interest immediately perked up. "Oh?"Soren grinned. Maris pointed her fork at her. "Don't.""What?" Soren asked innocently."You know exactly what."I sat down across from them. "I would actually like to know exactly what.""Maeve.""Maris."She glared. I smiled. Soren slid a mug toward me."He tripped."I froze. "No.""Yes."Maris sighed. "Coming down the council steps."My mouth

Ronan"Maeve!"Her body went limp in my arms. One second she was standing beside me. The next, nothing. I caught her before her head struck the ground and dropped with her."Maeve." Blood covered her mouth. Too much fucking blood. My wolf slammed against my skin.Mate."Maeve, open your eyes."Her lashes fluttered. Barely.Around us, wolves were moving again. Guards shouting. Someone crying. Nessa sobbing into Eli's hair. I heard none of it."ELOWEN!"The command ripped out of me hard enough that every wolf nearby recoiled. Maeve flinched in my arms. Good. She could hear me."Stay awake."Her eyes cracked open. "Stop yelling."Relief hit me so violently I nearly laughed. Instead, I wiped the blood beneath her nose. More replaced it. My relief vanished."What did you do?"Maeve frowned. "Saved your guards?""By nearly killing yourself?""They're not dead.""Neither are you going to be."Footsteps pounded toward us. Elowen shoved through the gathering wolves carrying her medical bag. "Wh

MaeveThe tattooed man stepped forward, and this time, I recognized him. Not by name. But I had seen him before.He had been with Maris and the others outside the Alpha chambers when they brought me the Luna robes, the earrings, all those ceremonial things I hadn't known what the hell to do with. Now he carried a black leather case.Cassian stopped beside him. "This is Ajax."Of course it was. I let out a weak breath that almost became a laugh. "So you're Ajax."His mouth twitched. "I've been called worse.""I'm sure Ronan has several options prepared.""I do," Ronan muttered beside me.Ajax ignored him. I liked him already.He lowered himself onto one knee in front of me and placed the case on the ground. When he opened it, everything inside was arranged with irritating precision. Needles. Small bottles of black ink. Silver tools. Clean cloths. A few jars filled with things I didn't recognize. My stomach tightened. Apparently agreeing to become Luna had sounded considerably easier b