All Chapters of The Healer and The Beast: Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

The following weeks were hell, though I refused to let anyone see it.I woke each morning with a hollow ache in my chest, got dressed, and went about my day with deliberate focus. I ate when Vera brought food. I walked the estate grounds for exercise. I spoke politely to Aunt Marta and Uncle Henrik. I did everything a healthy, functioning person should do.But inside, I was breaking.There had been no word from Kael. No letter, no message, no acknowledgment that he'd received my warning through Thane and Finn. I didn't know if they'd even passed it along, but I refused to ask. I wouldn't give anyone the satisfaction of seeing how much it mattered to me.So I pushed forward. I preserved my energy, focused on staying strong for the baby growing inside me. I couldn't afford to fall apart, not when our child needed me to be healthy.And beneath it all, there was the constant awareness that Lysander could appear at any moment. That he might demand I fulfill my bargain when I was already at

🪷🪷CHAPTER NINETY-FOUR"What about Callister?" I asked again, needing to understand the full scope of what we were facing.Kael's expression grew darker. "He's sent multiple messages. Ravens, messengers, even formal diplomatic letters. All saying the same thing - we have three days to appear before the Alliance for your trial, or they'll consider it an admission of guilt and act accordingly.""Act accordingly meaning what?""Military intervention. They'll send forces to capture you and bring you to trial by force." He moved to the window, staring out at the darkening sky. "And with Lydia controlling the castle, I can't even mount a proper defense.""Three days," I repeated, my mind racing. "That's even less time than we have until the full moon.""Which is why I need to resolve things quickly." He turned back to face me. "I came here to make sure you were safe, but also to discuss our options.""What options do we have?""Limited ones. I could try to negotiate with Callister for more

🪷🪷 CHAPTER NINETY-SIXAfter Tristan left, Kael stood and began gathering his things."You're leaving?" I asked, though I already knew the answer."I have to. There's a council meeting tonight, and as Alpha, I can't be absent. It would raise too many questions." He paused, looking at me with regret. "Lydia is already suspicious of my movements. If I don't return soon, she might start wondering where my loyalties truly lie. And I need to stall them to make things easier for Tristan.""When will you be back?""I don't know. It depends on how long I can maintain the act." He moved closer, placing a gentle hand on my stomach. "But I will come back. I promise.""Be careful.""Always." He pressed a kiss to my forehead, then left before I could say anything else.The hours that followed were agonizing. I tried to rest as Vera suggested, but sleep refused to come. Instead, I paced my room, imagining all the ways Tristan's mission could go wrong.Vera brought me dinner, which I barely touched

🪷🪷CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHTKael's POVThe days without Sena had been torture. Every morning I woke in chambers that felt too empty, went through the motions of ruling while Lydia hovered nearby like a persistent shadow, and pretended that everything was normal when nothing about this situation was normal at all.I had to maintain the facade. Had to let Lydia believe she'd won, that I'd accepted her claim and was cooperating with her plans. Every smile I forced, every public appearance where she stood at my side like she belonged there, felt like swallowing poison.But it was necessary. The moment she suspected I was working against her, she would lash out. And Sena would be the first target.When Thane and Finn arrived that morning with their message about Dr. Ashford's exposure, I'd felt relief so intense it was almost painful. Finally, something had gone right. Finally, we'd managed to remove one threat from the board.The evidence they'd gathered was damning. Dr. Ashford's own journa

CHAPTER ONE HUNDREDI barely made it through breakfast before Lydia cornered me in one of the private corridors near the council chambers."We need to talk," she said, her voice sharp with barely controlled anger."About what?""About how you handled Dr. Ashford yesterday. You sentenced him to death without even consulting me.""I don't need to consult you on matters of justice," I said coldly. "He committed crimes against this kingdom. The punishment was appropriate.""He was useful to our plans—""Your plans," I corrected. "Not mine."Her eyes flashed with fury. "You're being deliberately difficult. Ever since you claimed me as your mate, you've been impossible to work with.""Then perhaps you should have thought of that before you forced this situation."She stepped closer, her hand reaching for my chest. "Kael, we don't have to be enemies. We could work together, really work together. If you'd just—"I caught her wrist before she could touch me, holding it firmly away from my body