Lahat ng Kabanata ng His Mate Or His Step-Sister: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

~ASHTON~Something has changed between Hazel and me. I first noticed the shift when our casual conversations became awkward and clipped. There was a noticeable tension in the air whenever we shared a space, a stark contrast to the easy friendship we once had. I was having a hard time pretending everything was normal, especially because I knew my mate, who was watching us through her screen, could see through any facade I tried to put up. I did not want to think about Ariel right now, especially given how painful it was to be separated from her for this long. The memory of her warm smile and soft voice constantly lingered in my mind, making the ache of her absence feel even more profound. Knowing that I had to be here for a much longer period, intensified this emotional burden, making the thought almost unbearable. My thoughts suddenly shift when I notice Hazel looking at me with an intense, unwavering gaze, something I don't think I've ever experienced before. Her eyes were shining

~HAZEL~ "Each creature has different weaknesses," he tells me, his hot breath brushing against my neck even more than before. "You can't rely solely on battle skills; you also need to study each of them carefully.”He adds, “I know the details of every single one of our opponents that belong to this forest." I wondered how many creatures exactly lurked in these woods. It surprised me that Ashton knew so much about them, considering the vastness and mystery of this place. "Will you teach me?" I whisper, my voice hoarse and unrecognizable, trembling slightly as I clutch the blade tighter.Ashton, realizing how close we are, quickly puts space between us, his eyes narrowing in cautious disbelief. The tension thickens the air as I attempt to meet his gaze.His jaw clenches tightly, muscles tensing beneath his skin, as he responds, "I'll teach you, but again, I do not know how quickly you'll learn or how prepared you'll actually be when you meet one of these beasts." His voice is gruff,

~HAZEL~Finally, I walk back over to him, each step heavy with frustration and concern. He tries to pretend like everything is okay, the deception in his posture faltering just enough to reveal his vulnerability."I'm fine," he tells me hastily, before I can ask him anything, his voice strained. I carefully close the distance between us, my fingertips trembling as I gently press the back of my hand against Ashton's forehead. My eyes widen in horror at the sudden heat radiating from his skin, which is already clammy with sweat. His cracked lips quiver slightly, and his cheeks are flushed with a heat that suggests a high fever. On closer examination, I can see the beads of perspiration forming on his brow as his body trembles faintly from the chills and fever."Ashton, you are burning up!" I exclaim softly, fear creeping into my voice.I reach out instinctively once more, his voice is void of emotion as he says, "I'm—," but I cut him off before he can refuse again."Shh," I whisper ur

~HAZEL~Just like Ashton said, training resumed in just one hour after his injury. Somehow, he managed to regain his strength quickly, and the medication he was taking helped him recover so efficiently that he felt like new all over again, in fact I think he was ready to tackle yet another beast if faced with one. "The Winged Grotesque," Ashton explains, pointing to a detailed carving of the beast etched on a nearby tree trunk. "You must carefully remove at least one of its wings before it notices you. Once successful, you gain the upper hand. Since the Winged Grotesque is more powerful and agile in the air, keeping it grounded is crucial. Once you do this, you should target its horns next—the creature's weak spot. Cutting off its horns instantly blinds the beast and leaves it vulnerable. To ensure its death, you must then drive your blade through its exposed head, aiming for its brain to guarantee the kill." That would explain everything he did to take down the creature earlier, in

~HAZEL~When I open my eyes, Ashton is nowhere to be found. I glance around the dim interior of the cave, the shadows dancing softly on the rocky walls, and realize it's still night outside—an inky darkness blanketing the landscape despite the bright moonlight. A wave of confusion washes over me as I wonder where he could have gone at this hour, leaving me alone in this secluded place.A flicker of fear creeps into my mind at the possibility of him venturing out to hunt for food under the cover of darkness. He wouldn't do that without informing me first, would he? The silence in the cave feels heavier now, amplifying my anxiety.I quickly pick myself off the ground, the rough texture of the stones pressing against my palms, and walk out of the cave, my eyes searching the surrounding forest for any sign of him. Since the ground was damp from recent rain, I could see his distinct footprints in the muddy soil. Based on the direction they were heading, it seemed as though he had walked t