Todos los capítulos de The Wolf King's Reluctant Mate: Capítulo 71 - Capítulo 80

Bram led us up the narrow masonry shaft and out into the dark at a dead, lung-burning run.Adele matched my pace, our boots hitting the frozen snow in perfect rhythm. We go to Lira, she stood against the eastern wall, her long metal claws already out and shining in the torch light."There," she said, her amber eyes narrowing as her claw pointed at the stone.Long, jagged purple lines cut across the black rock, carved deep like fresh claw marks. No regular wolf in this area had claws sharp enough to cut stone this deep.Adele bent down in the snow, her fingers hovering above the groove. "The same color as the alchemical dust from the rogue wolf.""These marks were not here this morning," Lira said, her voice tight. "I walked this path twice during my morning watch."Adele moved her hand above the jagged lines, being careful not to touch them. "It is old writing from the first age. 'Open.' Then a broken symbol. The rest has been scratched away by something else."Darius came up the slope

AdeleThe voice came from the dark side of the cave, low and rough, like two heavy stones rubbing together."You did not come alone, vessel. The mountain is not pleased."Rowan's hand tightened on mine. The bond burned warm and steady between us. I kept my voice calm."I am not a vessel," I said. "My name is Adele. Who are you?"The purple light on the far wall pulsed once. Dust fell from the ceiling."I am the old heart of this mountain," the voice answered. "I have slept a long time. The seals are breaking. The vessel must open the final gate, or I will take the next of her blood. Though weaker but her replacement will do too"Bram did not say a word. He planted himself between the shadows and the tunnel mouth, sword low. "Whatever you are, you do not get past me to reach her sister."Lira moved to his shoulder, claws out. Neither of them looked at the other.A massive shape rose smoothly from the stone floorboards. It was not a Lycan form or a rogue wolf.It appeared like a living

I stared down at the crowd gathering in the courtyard. Dozens of faces looked up at the wall. Several looked excited since it was another full moon, others were murmuring between each other and the reality was that any one of them could have pressed that seal.I touched Rowan's arm. "We cannot accuse the whole pack.""I know." His voice stayed low. "But the wax is soft, meaning the person is still close."Darius turned the broken pieces over in his fingers. "The seal belongs to Elder Vorn. He vanished the night Eric's men locked the lower halls. Everyone thought he had fled or died. Either he never left, or someone kept his seal and is using it now."Lira reached us at the top of the stairs, breathing hard. "The token was under the young guard's pillow. There was no other scent trail than lavender and a bit of purple dust."Bram came up behind her carrying a roll of old duty sheets. He did not look at any of us until he had set them down on the wall."I checked the key board," he said

Elara is here!The name hit me like a blow. Rowan was already moving, his hand locked around mine."Bram, bar the tunnel door behind us," he said. "Nobody follows us down.""Let me come," Sarlen said. His voice shook. "She is my daughter as much as Adele is.""To the top of the stairs," Rowan said. "Not past it. We need someone who can reach us."Bram dropped the iron bar across the tunnel door and put his back to it. Lira slipped past him to the mouth of the stairwell, where the stone narrowed to a single body's width, and planted herself there with her claws out. She did not look at anyone. She did not need to. Whatever came down those steps would have to come through her.I too

He pulled the black cloak from my shoulders and let it fall. We lay down together, his arm heavy and warm around my waist, my back against his chest, the beat of his heart under my shoulder blade. The fire popped. His breath stirred my hair.We stayed like that for a long time, neither of us speaking. The only sounds were the soft crackle of the flames and the steady rhythm of his breathing.I felt the tension in my muscles slowly ease, the weight of everything that had happened finally lifting from my chest. His fingers traced gentle circles on my stomach, each touch sending warmth spreading through me like liquid sunlight.Rowan pressed his lips to the back of my neck, soft and lingering. The kiss made my skin tingle, and I found myself leaning back into him, seeking more of that gentle contact.