Все главы Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride: Глава 51 - Глава 60

The sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet as Ivy swung open the door, her cheerful expression freezing at the sight of Lucas standing in the hallway. His presence, as always, seemed to command the space, even in silence. His dark eyes flicked past Ivy and locked onto me.“I need a moment with Amelia,” he said, his voice steady but clipped.Ivy glanced over her shoulder at me, her brows knitting together. I could see the question in her eyes—Do you want me to leave?I gave her a tight nod. “It’s fine, Ivy. I’ll meet you in the dining hall later.”She hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside. “I’ll see you in a bit,” she said, casting Lucas a wary look before heading down the hallway.The door clicked shut behind her, and the room suddenly felt smaller, as though his presence was sucking the air out of it. I folded my arms across my chest, meeting his gaze with as much resolve as I could muster.“What do you need?” I asked, my tone sharper than I intended.Lucas’s jaw tightened, and

Sabrina’s POVThe door slammed behind me, the echo ringing through the lavish halls of my chambers. I didn’t care who heard or saw—I was seething. My blood boiled as I stormed deeper into the room, tearing at the necklace around my throat and flinging it across the room. It clattered against the vanity, the delicate chain breaking as it fell.“It’s not fair!” I screamed, yanking at the drapes, sending a vase crashing to the floor. The shards sparkled mockingly up at me, only fueling my rage. I grabbed the nearest cushion, hurling it toward the fireplace.Lucas. Always Lucas, standing by her. Protecting her.It should have been me.I kicked a stool out of the way, breathing heavily as my thoughts spiraled. That wine had been perfectly placed, the servant perfectly directed—yet somehow, it had all gone wrong. And not only did it go wrong, it backfired so spectacularly that I was the one humiliated.My hands curled into fists. Amelia. That simpering, wide-eyed little imposter. She should

Amelia’s POVThe palace courtyard buzzed with excitement as the hunting festival began in earnest. Wolves of all sizes and colors moved about, some already in their wolf forms, their sleek fur catching the sunlight. The air carried a heady mix of anticipation and primal energy.I lingered near the edge of the gathering, my nerves tugging at me. Snow was unusually quiet, her presence simmering just beneath the surface of my mind.You’ll be fine, Ivy’s voice broke into my thoughts through the mind link, her tone cheerful. She was beside me, her grin as bright as the sun overhead, her auburn hair glinting in the light.You sound awfully confident, I replied, forcing a smile as I glanced at her wolf form.That’s because I am, she shot back with a playful tone. It’s just a hunt, Amelia, not a battlefield.Snow’s voice cut through my thoughts like a knife. Nothing about this is friendly. Stay alert.I frowned but kept my thoughts to myself.Lucas stepped into view, and the noise in the cour

Amelia’s POVThe infirmary was too quiet, despite the low murmur of voices around me. The antiseptic smell stung my nose, and every tiny noise seemed amplified in the stillness. I sat on the edge of the bed, my side aching as the pack doctor examined the wound that rogue had inflicted. Snow was already working to heal me, but I could still feel the throbbing pain radiating from my ribs.I hated this. Hated being the one sitting injured while everyone else stood around, watching me like I was fragile.Lucas was closest, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His gaze hadn’t left me since we entered the room, and his expression was unreadable. I didn’t need to guess what was running through his mind; I could feel his tension like a second pulse.The others—Lena, Cassidy, and Ivy—stood near the doorway. Ivy’s lips were pressed into a thin line, while Lena shifted uncomfortably. Cassidy kept glancing my way, her worry evident. They were trying to hide it, but guilt radiated off t

Amelia's POVI slammed the door of my chamber behind me, my breaths coming out fast and uneven as I leaned against the solid wood. My heart was racing, the echoes of my argument with Lucas still fresh in my mind. His sharp tone, his unyielding protectiveness—it was suffocating.I ran a hand through my hair, my fingers trembling. Why did he always have to act like I was incapable of taking care of myself? I wasn’t some fragile porcelain doll he needed to shield. I paced the room, my emotions tangled in frustration, anger, and something I couldn’t quite name.“He doesn’t trust me,” I muttered, my voice breaking the silence. “Or maybe he just doesn’t see me as anything more than his responsibility. A duty tied to the stupid contract that binds us together.”Snow stirred in the back of my mind, her presence steady and calm as usual. But this time, she wasn’t silent.“Amelia, maybe he has a point,” she said, her tone gentle yet firm. “Lucas isn’t just trying to control you. He’s trying to