Judy is shocked to learn that Erik has a mate, a fact that had previously escaped her notice. Erik, who had always believed he would never find a mate and focused solely on caring for his family, is now struggling with the intense, uncontrollable wolf energy within him. His golden eyes glow fiercely, and his body trembles as he fights to suppress the wolf\u2019s urge to break free.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gavin\u2019s calm but commanding Lycan presence fills the cabin, and Taylor steps in to help control Erik\u2019s escalating state. Despite their efforts, Erik\u2019s wolf grows stronger, causing tension and fear among everyone present. Judy tries to calm Erik by speaking to him gently, seeing the man beneath the wolf\u2019s fury, but the situation quickly becomes dangerous. Taylor intervenes with a needle, calming Erik and allowing him to slump back in his seat, exhausted and distressed.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The others react with concern and relief, acknowledging Taylor\u2019s skill in handling the crisis. Judy is deeply affected by Erik\u2019s pain and the revelation that he has a mate, which raises questions about the identity of this woman and the impact on their group. Meanwhile, Irene watches Erik with a troubled expression, hinting at unspoken thoughts.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gavin warns Judy about the danger of getting so close to Erik while he was unstable, especially since she is pregnant. Judy insists she trusted Erik not to harm her or her baby, but she recognizes the risk she took. Gavin\u2019s protective gesture reassures her, emphasizing his care and the need to keep her safe amid the chaos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Judy\u2019s Perspective<\/p>\n
For a brief moment, the plane seemed to freeze in midair, as if the atmosphere itself had forgotten how to breathe.<\/p>\n
Erik had a mate? How had this information escaped me until now? Erik was always the type to believe he would never find a mate. He had openly said before that he didn\u2019t even want one. His life revolved around caring for his mother and sister after their father\u2019s passing years ago. His dedication to family left little room for anything else, especially not a mate, which would only complicate matters further.<\/p>\n
Gavin\u2019s Lycan energy swept through the cabin\u2014not with a fierce roar, but with a calm, unyielding presence. It was dense and commanding, pressing against my skin until the fine hairs on my arms stood on end. His voice dropped low, sharp and dangerous.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaylor, hold him down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taylor was already on his feet. Erik wasn\u2019t exactly fighting; he was trembling\u2014his golden eyes glowing fiercely, jaw clenched as he tried to suppress a growl. Claws half-formed at his fingertips, chest rising and falling rapidly. He wasn\u2019t a threat, exactly, but more like a wolf trapped inside a man\u2019s body, desperate to break free.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t\u2026\u201d Erik tried to speak, but his words fell apart into a guttural growl that made my heart skip a beat.<\/p>\n
Taylor approached Erik cautiously, like one would approach a wild animal\u2014because, in a way, that\u2019s exactly what he was.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait a moment,\u201d I said quickly, raising a hand to stop Taylor from grabbing Erik. I turned to face Erik, who was gripping the armrests as though his life depended on it. \u201cErik, look at me.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes snapped to mine. For a fleeting second, the golden glow softened, revealing the brown eyes beneath\u2014the man fighting against the wolf inside. He looked\u2026 lost. Maybe even a little broken. It pained me deeply to see my friend struggling like this, and I had no idea how to help.<\/p>\n
When had he met his mate? And who was she?<\/p>\n
I wanted to ask, but not like this\u2014not while his wolf was on the brink, and certainly not in front of all our friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t control him\u2026\u201d Erik finally whispered, his voice heavy with sadness and worry.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d I said softly, trying to keep my tone calm and steady. \u201cBut you have to breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taylor was right beside us now.<\/p>\n
\u201cErik, how about I sit with you for a bit?\u201d Taylor offered gently. \u201cThat way, if you make any moves, I\u2019ll be there to stop you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Erik didn\u2019t answer. Instead, the gold and black in his eyes flared back to life, and he let out a low snarl. His wolf hated the idea\u2014he wanted only one thing, and nothing else mattered until he had it. I could feel the shift coming, and before I could react, Taylor grabbed me and pulled me out of my seat.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, everyone was alert, eyes wide as they sensed Erik\u2019s struggle and the almost visible change taking place.<\/p>\n
Gavin was on his feet in an instant, wrapping his arms around me, shielding me from the sight of Erik. I fought against him, unwilling to leave my friend behind. I knew Erik wouldn\u2019t hurt me\u2014he just wasn\u2019t himself right now.<\/p>\n
I caught a glimpse of Erik just in time to see Taylor inject him with a needle. The snarling quieted, and Erik slumped back in his seat, eyes closed, head resting against the window. Taylor exhaled deeply and leaned back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat just happened?\u201d Nan asked, her eyes wide as she took in the scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cErik lost it,\u201d Matt said, chuckling. \u201cBut Taylor handled it like a pro.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taylor smirked at Matt\u2019s compliment.<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t take my eyes off Erik. He looked so upset\u2026 so shattered. He had a mate.<\/p>\n
My gaze immediately shifted to Irene, who was watching Erik with a frown, though she made no move toward him. A small crease appeared between her brows, and I found myself wondering what thoughts were running through her mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have gotten that close,\u201d Gavin said quietly as he guided me back to our seats. \u201cIt was dangerous while he was like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t have let him hurt me,\u201d I replied firmly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not the point,\u201d he said, his jaw tightening.<\/p>\n
I knew he was right. It was reckless to approach a wild wolf while pregnant. I wasn\u2019t just putting myself at risk\u2014I was endangering my baby too. But still, I believed Erik would never harm either of us. I couldn\u2019t afford to take chances like that anymore.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d I assured him, trying to ease his worry. \u201cSorry for making you anxious.\u201d<\/p>\n
He brushed his thumb gently along my cheekbone, his arm tightening around me as if his very presence could shield me from the entire world.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chapter closes on a poignant note, capturing the fragile balance between strength and vulnerability that defines Erik\u2019s turmoil. His struggle with the wolf inside him reveals a deep inner conflict, one that touches everyone around him, especially Judy, whose compassion and courage shine through despite the danger. The raw emotions and unspoken questions about loyalty, love, and control underscore the complexity of their bonds, reminding us that even in moments of chaos, connection and understanding remain vital.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the same time, the protective embrace of Gavin offers a quiet counterpoint to the tension, symbolizing safety and unwavering support amid uncertainty. Judy\u2019s resolve to face the risks for the sake of those she cares about highlights the enduring power of love and trust, even when confronted with the unknown. This chapter gently weaves together themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the tumultuous journey toward acceptance, leaving readers with a sense of hope amid the storm.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the turmoil Erik faces as he wrestles with the overwhelming presence of his wolf and the revelation of his mate. The tension between his human vulnerability and his primal instincts will likely intensify, creating an emotional battleground that draws everyone around him into the fray. Judy\u2019s protective instincts and Gavin\u2019s unwavering support hint at the complexities of loyalty and love that will be tested as Erik\u2019s struggle unfolds.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the subtle but charged interactions between the characters, especially the watchful gaze of Irene and the quiet warnings from Gavin, suggest undercurrents of conflict and unresolved feelings that may soon surface. As the group navigates this fragile moment, the bonds they\u2019ve built will be challenged, and secrets long buried might begin to emerge, forcing them to confront truths that could change everything. Readers can expect a blend of raw emotion, delicate alliances, and the ever-present danger lurking beneath the surface.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sara is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n
We Built a Kingdom From Ashes That Still Remembered Love by Aila Frost 791 We Built a Kingdom From Ashes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-shadow-slave-by-author-novelnozi-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21860"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21860\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}