Rise Of A Shattered Luna (Natalie) by Kave Derry novel Chapter 152

Chapter 152 The Woods

Natalie’s POV

The steam from the shower had finally begun to dissipate, leaving the scent of my sandalwood soap lingering in the air.

I loved the scent.

31

+10 Free Coms

I stood before the vanity, the low hum of the blow–dryer a steady buzz in my ears, but my mind was miles away.

The door to my room creaked open, and I caught a glimpse of two small shadows in the mirror.

I switched off the dryer, the sudden silence making the room feel larger.

Sean and Susie stood at the threshold, their little faces pale.

“Do you like the villa, sweethearts?” I asked, turning to face them with a smile I hoped looked more grounded than I felt.

“We love it!” Susie was the first to break.

She bolted across the room and threw herself into my arms, burying her face in my damp robe. “Mommy, you smell so good.”

Being a girl, Susie had never had any trouble fighting for her share of affection.

She was a tiny force of nature, a sun–fire that demanded to be felt.

Sean, however, stood a few feet away. I could see the conflict in his eyes.

“Susie, Mommy’s still drying her hair,” he muttered, his voice tight with a touch of reluctance. “Don’t bother her. You’ll make her arms tired.”

“I won’t!” Susie turned around, still clutching my waist, and stuck her tongue out at him.

Sean ground his teeth in frustration, his little fists clenching.

Seeing him try so hard to be mature made my heart ache.

I reached out, my hand trembling slightly.

00

26

O

1/5

12:32 Tue, May 26 MO.

Chapter 152 The Woods

“Sean, come here, sweetheart. There’s plenty of room for you.”

Hearing my call, the wall he was trying to build around himself crumbled.

+10 Free Coms

He walked over, his head down, and tried to sit quietly by my side on the vanity stool.

But I wouldn’t have it.

I reached down, scooping him right up into my lap, ignoring the way my muscles protested.

“Mommy, I’m heavy,” he squirmed, his cheeks flushing a deep rose. “I’m a big boy now. You/ should just hold my sister.”

“It’s fine. Mommy can hold both of you,” I whispered, pulling him close until his head rested against my collarbone.

I felt the steady, rapid thrum of his heart. “I didn’t even know you existed these past few years. Sean. I didn’t get to hold you when you were a baby, or kiss your scraped knees. Let me feel what it’s like to have my babies in my arms now, alright? I have a lot of time to make up for it.”

After putting it that way, how could he refuse?

He went still, his little eyes growing misty as he finally allowed himself to be a child.

He leaned into me, his small hands clutching the lapels of my robe.

“You’re soft, Mommy,” he murmured, his voice muffled. “Not like Daddy. Daddy’s made of rocks.”

I smiled, stroking his hair.

Susie wasn’t thrilled that her brother was taking up half of the “Mommy–territory,” but she seemed to decide that since he was her brother, she’d allow the temporary occupation.

Besides, she was a girl; she knew she could always win him over with a well–timed hug later.

We sat there in the quiet of the sun–drenched room, but the peace felt fragile.

I realized then that the third presence that was usually glued to my side was missing,

The room felt colder without Baron’s radiant heat.

“Where’s your daddy?” I asked, my brow furrowing.

00

26

2/5

12:32 Tue, May 26 MO

Chapter 152 The Woods

+10 Free Coms

Sean sat up straighter, his voice dropping to a low, fearful whisper. “Mommy, Daddy’s really scary right now! He saw something on his phone in the study and then he took off into the

woods.”

“Yeah, yeah, it was terrifying.” Susie added, patting her chest with lingering fear.

“His eyes turned that bright gold color. Chris took him away, but Daddy ran. He ran out into the woods behind the house.”

I stiffened.

Baron usually cared deeply about the children and kept his temper on a short leash when they were around.

For him to lose control enough to frighten them meant something had shattered his restraint.

“The woods?” I asked.

“Look, Mommy!” Sean pointed toward the large windows that overlooked the Stone private forest.

I stood up, carrying the children to the glass.

Below us, weaving through the ancient oaks with speed was a massive shadow.

It was a black wolf.

He was a silhouette of pure rage, his fur like a void against the green of the brush.

Through the bond, I felt a tidal wave of his fury that made my own skin flush.

But underneath his rage, I felt something else.

A call.

He was trying to reach me, his mindlink hitting the barriers of my consciousness like a physical blow.

‘Nyx, I heard a voice whisper in the back of my mind.

I pulled the children away from the window, my heart racing.

“Sweethearts, play on your own for a bit. There are some toys in the chest over there, I need to check my phone.”

3/5

OO

26

OOG

12:32 Tue, May 26 MO

Chapter 152 The Woods

Although they wanted to stay in my arms, they saw the change in my face.

+10 Free Coins

They climbed onto the oversized bed, pulling out a set of wooden blocks, trying to be quiet as they sensed the shift in the atmosphere.

I picked up my phone from the vanity.

My hands were steady, but my blood felt like liquid ice.

I unlocked the screen and was immediately met by the viral headlines of the hour.

“ALPHA JENSEN DECLARES THE KEEPER AS HIS ONLY TRUE LOVE; DENIES SHARON SUMMERS AS HIS MATE.”

I read the transcript of his declaration at the airport.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify