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Chapter 83: A Game of Shadows
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2025-06-30 21:05:49The next morning dawned grey, with clouds smothering the sky like an omen.
Serena stood by the tall windows of her chambers, watching the sun struggle to rise. A storm brewed on the horizon—not just in the skies, but in the realm itself. Since the revelation in the hidden tunnel, her thoughts had spiraled non-stop. She was Valecourt. Royal. Dangerous. Hunted. Behind her, the fire in the hearth crackled, filling the silence with gentle pops. She wrapped the velvet robe tighter around her shoulders, the chill of the stone floor seeping into her bones. There was a knock. She turned just as Elias entered, his presence always a mixture of heat and gravity. Today, he wore all black—a fitted tunic over leather, his hair tied back, and his golden eyes sharp with purpose. “We’re not safe here anymore,” he said without preamble. Serena blinked. “What happened?” “The Council’s scouts were spotted at the edge of the Silverfang border. Too soon. They must’ve caught wind of last night.” His jaw clenched. “Someone is feeding them information.” Her heart thudded. “A spy?” “Or worse—someone in the castle trying to keep you under their thumb.” She turned away, the weight of betrayal settling heavy. It had only been days since she stepped into her power, since she stopped running from who she was. And now the noose was tightening. “I’ll leave if I have to,” she said, voice quiet but steady. “If it’ll keep the rest of you safe—” “No.” Elias was beside her in a heartbeat, his hands grasping her arms gently but firmly. “This isn’t just about you anymore. It never was.” She looked up into his eyes, searching. “What do you mean?” “You’re not the only one they fear, Serena. I’ve broken their laws, too. By protecting you. By loving you.” Her breath caught. He hadn’t said it before—not like that. Not with that raw, unfiltered certainty. But here it was, finally laid bare in the hush between them. She touched his face, brushing her thumb along the edge of his jaw. “Even if it means war?” He smiled faintly, though pain flickered in his eyes. “Even if it means I lose everything else.” The heat between them returned in a wave, simmering just beneath the surface. It was a hunger born not just from attraction, but from desperation. The kind of passion that ignites when the world might end tomorrow. His lips found hers, and this time the kiss was deeper, more urgent. Serena clung to him like a lifeline, her fingers tangling in his shirt. Their bodies pressed together as if trying to memorize the shape of survival. But a knock shattered the moment. Elias broke the kiss, chest rising and falling. “Ignore it.” Another knock—louder this time. Serena sighed and stepped back. “Duty calls.” Elias muttered something in Ancient Tongue and pulled open the door. Riven stood there, winded and pale. “You both need to come. Now.” “What is it?” Serena asked. He didn’t answer with words. Just handed her a sealed letter—red wax, the sigil of the High Council pressed in the center. Her hands shook as she broke the seal and read: To Serena Valecourt, rightful heir to the bloodline deemed outlawed by royal decree: You are hereby summoned to stand trial before the High Council for the crimes of concealed lineage, magical insubordination, and the unlawful claim to ancestral magic. Failure to comply will result in extermination. You have three days. Serena stared at the words, bile rising in her throat. “They’re not asking,” Elias growled. “They’re declaring war.” Riven stepped forward, voice low. “There’s something else. The messenger said if you do not comply... they will burn Silverfang to the ground.” The world tilted under Serena’s feet. Burn. Her people. Her wolves. Her home. “Three days,” she whispered. Elias looked at her. “We run.” “No.” Her voice was a whip, sharp and immediate. “We prepare.” Riven blinked. “Prepare... for what?” “For war,” she said, eyes dark with purpose. “If they want a trial, they’ll get one. But not on their terms. On mine.” And in that moment, Serena wasn’t just the girl with hidden power. She wasn’t the forbidden mate or the confused daughter. She was a queen in every sense of the word—powerful, determined, unbreakable. Elias bowed his head slightly. “Then I stand by your side. Until the end.” She met his gaze, her voice firm. “No, Elias. Not until the end.” He raised a brow. “Until we win.”
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The Alpha King's Forbidden Mate Chapter 198: When the Flame Grows Quiet
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