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Chapter Twenty

Penulis: Selene Ashford
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-10-16 18:55:02

Lucian’s POV

The reports from the academy lay in an uneven stack before me. Ink still fresh on the top sheet. I had been sitting there since dawn, reading line after line until the words began to blur.

“Forty candidates remain,” I murmured, tracing the lines of the latest report with my thumb. “Three tests completed. One to go.”

The Battle Round. The final test before the academy would choose its trainees.

A simple enough process on paper. Yet my attention lingered longer than it should have.

A soft knock came from the door. Without lifting my eyes, I said, “Enter.”

Ronan stepped in, wearing that faint grin he carried like a weapon. “You’re already buried in reports. I thought I’d at least bring you company while you drown.”

I leaned back slightly in the chair. “You’re late.”

“I was letting you think,” he said, crossing the room with a lazy stride. “You get unpleasant when I interrupt you too early.”

He helped himself to the chair opposite mine, arms folding loosely. His eyes moved to
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    I woke up actually feeling rested for once. Spent a minute just lying there, not in any rush to move.Lira showed up with breakfast. “Morning,” she said, grinning. “You look better today.”“I actually feel better,” I told her.She set the tray down. “No training again. King’s orders.”“I know.”After eating, I got dressed, but then just sort of stood around, not sure what to do. No training left me with way too much time and nothing to fill it with.So, I wandered over to the library. It was quiet—almost empty. I wandered between the shelves, reading book titles, but honestly not taking any of it in. Eventually, I grabbed a book about plants, took it to a chair, and flipped it open.Inside, there were drawings of herbs and flowers. I turned the pages slow, not thinking about Leah’s letter or my family or anything hard. Just the pictures, and that was enough.After a while, I heard footsteps. Lucian appeared around the corner.“There you are,” he said.I shut the book. “Yep, here I am.

  • The Alpha King's Chosen    Chapter 80

    I was braiding my hair in the mirror when someone knocked at the door.“Come in,” I said.Lucian stepped inside and leaned against the doorframe. “You’re up.”“I couldn’t sleep.”He crossed the room and sat on the edge of my bed. “I told Kael not to come today. No training.”I finished my braid and turned to look at him. “Why?”“I thought you needed rest. And I wanted to spend time with you.”I hesitated. “Okay, thank you, Lucian.” I sat there a moment before blurting out, “I think I should write the letter today.”I glanced at my desk; the blank sheet waiting. “I just don’t know where to start.”“Just start,” he said. “Tell her you’re safe. Tell her you’re sorry it took so long, anything at all.”I got up, took the paper and pen, and sat again beside him.Dear Leah, I wrote.My hand didn’t shake this time.I got your letter. I’m safe. I’m sorry I didn’t write back sooner.I looked at Lucian. “What now?”“Ask her something. Make it about her.”I thought for a second.You said things a

  • The Alpha King's Chosen    Chapter 79

    I barely slept last night. Leah’s letter was still under my pillow, and I kept feeling it there, reminding me I still had not written her back. Every time I drifted close to sleep, the thought dragged me awake again.When morning finally showed up, I got up and had my shower. My head felt heavy, like I had not slept at all, then I dressed slowly.A guard knocked. “Master Kael is ready, Miss Aria.”I followed him out to the courtyard. Kael was already waiting.“Good morning, Kael,” I said.He looked me over. “Morning, Aria. You look tired.”“I barely slept, but I’m fine,” I answered, and nearly yawned in his face.“Sit down,” he said, and patted the bench.We sat together. Kael told me, “Close your eyes, Aria.”So I did. I tried to find that hum I had felt yesterday, searching for it in the quiet inside myself, the way Kael showed me. I shoved my thoughts aside, looking for any sign of it.Nothing.I pushed harder, until my head started to ache. Still, there was nothing.I opened my ey

  • The Alpha King's Chosen    Chapter 78

    I sat on the edge of my bed with the letter in my hands. I hadn’t written to Leah. I’d promised I would. But everything happened so fast. The attack. The castle. Lucian. I forgot.Guilt sat heavy in my stomach.I unfolded the paper.Aria,I hope this finds you. I’ve sent letters to the academy, but I never heard back. I was starting to worry. Then I heard about the attack in the forest. Are you alright?Things here are strange. Your parents are quiet. The pack feels hollow without Theo. Cassie acts like she’s in charge now. It doesn’t feel like home anymore.I miss you. I worry about you out there alone. Please write back when you can. Even just a line. I need to know you’re safe.Be careful, Aria. And be brave.Your friend always,LeahI read it again. Her words were kind and full of worry. They sounded like the Leah I remembered. The one who brought me food in the attic. The one who sat with me when no one else would.So why did I feel cold?Maybe it was guilt. I left her behind. I

  • The Alpha King's Chosen    Chapter 77

    The morning after the garden felt different. Not perfect, but lighter. The heavy ache in my chest had softened. When I woke up, I didn't feel like hiding under the blankets. I felt ready. Or at least, ready to try.I dressed in simple clothes; loose pants and a soft tunic which was good for moving. I braided my hair tightly. I didn't want any distractions.Just as I finished breakfast, a guard knocked at my door."Miss Hale," he said politely. "The King requests your presence in the west courtyard."My heart gave a little jump. This was it.I followed him through the castle. Sunlight streamed through the high windows. When we stepped into the courtyard, Lucian was already there. And he wasn't alone.Another man stood with him. He was tall and lean, with dark hair touched with silver at the temples. He wore simple, practical clothes. He turned as I approached, and his eyes met mine. They were a clear, sharp blue. Calm and watchful."Aria," Lucian said, and I heard the smile in his voi

  • The Alpha King's Chosen    Chapter 76

    Dawn was barely breaking when I slipped out of my room. I hadn't slept much. My mind wouldn't quiet down.I needed to move. To breathe air that wasn't heavy with last night's memory.The gardens were empty this early. Dew soaked into my slippers as I walked down the gravel path. The sky was pale gray, slowly turning pink at the edges.I knew what I needed to do. I needed to leave. Go back to the academy. To a life that made sense.But first, I needed to calm my racing thoughts. I sat on a stone bench under an oak tree, watching my breath make little clouds in the cold air.I didn't hear him approach. One moment I was alone, the next I felt a presence behind me.I turned.Lucian stood there, dressed in simple clothes. His hair was messy like he'd just woken up. He looked as tired as I felt."Couldn't sleep?" he asked quietly.I shook my head.He came to sit beside me on the bench, leaving enough space between us. We sat in silence for a minute, watching the garden wake up."I want to g

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