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Stars Beyond Shattered Skies - Ethan Rowland 146 Summary In "Stars Beyond Shattered Skies," Adele grapples with the emotional turmoil of being ignored by her mate, Lucien, for four long months. Desperate for connection, she crawls across the bed in a silk nightgown, hoping to evoke some response from him. Despite her attempts to reach out and rekindle their bond, Lucien remains aloof, absorbed in his work and seemingly indifferent to her presence.
This neglect twists Adele's pride and deepens her feelings of humiliation and rejection, as she longs for the intimacy that has been absent in their relationship. Adele's frustration culminates when she confronts Lucien, demanding to know why he refuses to touch her or acknowledge their bond. She expresses her pain and confusion, questioning whether he truly desires her or simply wants the title of having claimed her without any genuine connection.
Lucien's evasive responses only intensify her feelings of hurt and betrayal, as he struggles with his own internal demons, leaving Adele feeling even more isolated and desperate for answers. The tension reaches a breaking point when Lucien, unable to articulate his feelings, walks away from the confrontation. Adele's heart shatters as she realizes that the cycle of rejection is continuing, and she is left in the silence of their shared space, feeling abandoned and alone.
The emotional weight of the moment overwhelms her, leading to a profound sense of loss and confusion about their bond, which pulses weakly in response to her pain. As the chapter closes, Adele sinks to the floor, consumed by her sorrow and the unanswered questions that linger in the air. She whispers her anguish into the empty room, reflecting on the emotional turmoil Lucien has caused her. The bond between them, once vibrant, now feels like a source of confusion and hurt, mirroring her own inner turmoil.
Ultimately, Adele is left to grapple with her feelings of loneliness and the uncertainty of their future together. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Why Won't You Touch Me ? ADELE'S POV I didn't plan to crawl across the bed like some desperate , starving woman . But four months of being ignored by your own mate does things to your pride . It bends it . Twists it . Breaks it in places you didn't know could break . The silk nightgown Queen Emilia gifted me slid over my thighs like water as I moved across the mattress .
The fabric was soft , expensive , the color a deep wine red that made my skin look warmer , richer . I chose it on purpose tonight . I wanted to feel beautiful . I wanted him to see me . But Lucien didn't look . He sat at the end of the bed , eyes glued to his laptop , the blue glow washing across his sharp cheekbones . His shoulders were tense , his jaw locked . He always looked like this now- coiled , distant , unreachable . Four months together . Four months of sleeping in the same house . Four months of telling everyone we were mates ... And not once had he touched me .
Not once had his lips marked my skin . Not once had he even tried . The bond hummed weakly between us - alive , but starving . Like me . I reached him slowly , my breath unsteady as I trailed my fingers up his leg . His thigh tightened beneath my touch . He felt me - of course he did . Our bond made sure of it . Little sparks ran under my fingertips , a reminder of what could be if he would just ... choose me . I let my hand drift higher . Then higher . And finally , I pressed my palm gently against the shape of him through his shorts . He inhaled sharply . But his eyes ...
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never left the screen . Something inside me twisted . I rubbed him slowly through the fabric , my pulse racing , my entire body warm with a mixture of desire and humiliation . I leaned in close , letting my hair fall over my shoulder , letting him feel my breath against his neck . " Lucien ... " I whispered , letting his name curl around my tongue like a plea and a promise . 1/4 Nothing . He didn't even flinch . Heat rushed to my face - anger , embarrassment , pain all at once . The humiliation burned so hot I thought it might set the silk on fire .
So I did the only thing my wounded pride could think of : I slapped the damn laptop shut . The sound cracked through the room like a whip . " Lucien , what is wrong with you ? " I demanded , my voice shaking . " I'm your mate , and you're ignoring me . " His whole body tensed . For a moment he didn't look at me - he didn't dare . Then he groaned , dragging his hand through his hair in pure frustration . He looked tired . Worn . Something shadowy flickered in his eyes , something I couldn't name . Something I couldn't reach . Finally ... finally ... he looked at me .
" I'm working ," he muttered . I let out a breathless , disbelieving laugh . " Really ? You've been ' working ' for four months ? " His jaw clenched . I pushed myself onto my knees , the nightgown sliding dangerously high , but I didn't adjust it . I wanted him to see me . Wanted him to feel this . Wanted him to stop pretending I was invisible . " Lucien ," I continued, voice softer but no less broken , " we've been together for four months and you won't touch me . You won't even mark me . You just want the title of claiming me without actually claiming me .
" His gaze flicked away, and pain flared through the bond like a knife . He felt something . Guilt ? Fear ? Shame? " You just want a claim over me ," I said quietly , " but you don't want me . Not really . " " That's not true ." His voice came out low , strained . " Then what is it ? " I asked , folding my arms tightly over my chest . " What's stopping you from touching me ? " 2/4 Claim His mouth opened - like he wanted to say something . The truth . A secret . Something heavy that weighed on him and maybe weighed on us . But then ... just like always ... he shut himself down .
He shook his head . " Adele , not tonight . " He stood from the bed , grabbed the laptop from my hands , and started walking away . Panic shot through me like lightning . Not again . Not this endless cycle . Not this silent rejection that felt like claws raking across my heart . " Where are you going ? " I asked , my voice cracking . " I have work to finish . " His tone was flat , controlled - too controlled . " Go to your room . " A bitter laugh burst out of me . " It's clear you don't want me , Lucien . " He stopped at the door , but he didn't turn around .
" You made us stay in separate rooms ," I reminded him , my voice rising . " You won't touch me . You won't kiss me . You won't mark me . You barely look at me unless I force you to ! " He let out a frustrated groan . " Not this again , Adele ." " What am I supposed to do ? " I cried . " Just accept that my mate wants nothing to do with me? That he refuses to tell me why he won't even touch me ? " Silence . His shoulders lifted and lowered once , like he was trying to hold himself together . Then he shook his head . " See you in the morning ." My heart split open .
He reached for the doorknob . " Lucien ," I whispered . " Please . " He paused . Just paused . Not a word . Not a glance . And then ... He walked out . 3/4 Claim The door closed behind him . Softly . Too softly . Somehow that hurt more than if he had slammed it . For a long moment I just stared at the door , my breath stuck in my throat . I waited . I hoped . I prayed he'd come back . That he'd say something - anything - to make this ache loosen inside me . But nothing happened . The silence pressed down on me so hard tears finally broke free . My knees gave out , and I sank onto the floor .
The cold wood met my bare skin , but I barely felt it . I pulled my legs to my chest , wrapped my arms around them , and pressed my forehead to my knees . The bond pulsed weakly - rejected , confused , hurting . Just like me . " What are you doing to me , Lucien ? " I whispered into the empty room . My voice trembled . My heart ached . And I felt so very , very alone . " Why are you doing this to me ? " The words cracked in the quiet . And that ... was the only answer I had .
Conclusion In the suffocating silence that enveloped Adele after Lucien's departure, the weight of unfulfilled longing pressed heavily on her chest, suffocating her spirit. Each heartbeat echoed the painful truth of her isolation, a stark reminder of the bond that was meant to bring them together but instead left her feeling more alone than ever. The warmth of the nightgown, once a symbol of her desire and beauty, now felt like a shroud, wrapping her in a cocoon of despair.
As she curled up on the cold floor, she realized that love, when unreciprocated, can morph into a weapon of self-doubt and anguish, gnawing away at her sense of worth. The tears that fell were not just for Lucien's absence, but for the pieces of herself she felt slipping away, lost in the shadows of his indifference. Yet, amidst the heartache, a flicker of resilience ignited within her. Adele understood that she could no longer allow herself to be defined by Lucien's choices or his silence. The pain she felt was valid, but it also served as a catalyst for her awakening.
In that moment of vulnerability, she began to reclaim her power, recognizing that her worth was not contingent upon his acknowledgment. As she wiped away her tears and steadied her breath, a new resolve took root within her. The bond between them may have been weak, but it was not irreparable. With each passing moment, she vowed to confront not only Lucien but also the fears and insecurities that had kept her tethered to a love that felt more like a prison. In the depths of her sorrow, Adele found the strength to rise, ready to face whatever lay ahead, even if it meant standing alone.
The stakes are higher than ever as Adele's vulnerability clashes with Lucien's guarded nature, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, desperate to uncover the truth behind his silence. As the chapter unfolds, the atmosphere is charged with raw emotion and unspoken words. The fragile bond between the two characters hangs in the balance, and the question looms: can love truly heal wounds that run so deep? Expect to witness a confrontation that could either mend their fractured connection or drive them further apart.
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