All Chapters of The 200-Year Bride Swap: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

(Alicia)I step forward, and I can feel every gaze locked onto me, a collective breath held in anticipation. I carefully unbutton the jacket that matches my blue gown and take it off to show my bare shoulders and arms, revealing the intricate, blue-lined mark that stretches from my neck, across my shoulder, and down my upper arm: a beautiful blend of swirling Elven patterns that somehow form the shape of a howling wolf against a full moon. It glows under the moonlight, symbolizing a bridge between two worlds.There’s a collective gasp from the crowd, the murmurs of disbelief rippling through the gathered wolves. Some lean forward, eyes wide, as if trying to grasp the reality of what they’re seeing. Even the elders who have seen it before, so stoic and unmoved during the Unity Dance, exchange glances, their expressions shifting to something akin to awe. The Alphas and Lunas, too, show varied reactions. Some standing tall, others whispering urgently among themselves.“This mark,” I say,

(Alicia)I rush my morning routine, getting dressed quickly and checking the clock to see if I’m running late or not. I promised Luka I’d call. It’s one of the few things that keeps the bond between us alive, and I can’t afford to miss it.I settle on the bed, phone in hand, and press the button that will link me with Luka. Two rings later the familiar face of my little brother appears on the screen, his grin wide and innocent. My heart lifts.“Luka!” I smile, my voice light. The sight of his messy hair and big blue eyes brightens the room like a burst of sunshine through the windows. “How’s my favorite troublemaker?”“Lecia!” His excitement bubbles over, and he shifts the phone closer, giving me a dizzying close-up of his nose. “Guess what? I caught the biggest lizard yesterday! It was as big as my hand, and it almost bit me, but I was too fast!”I laugh, the sound echoing off the walls and filling the intimate space. “You’re becoming a little warrior, aren’t you? I’m so proud of you

(Alicia)I reach for my phone, my fingers trembling as I pull up Angus’s contact and hit call. The line rings twice before his voice, groggy but familiar, answers.“Alicia? What’s going on?”“Angus,” I say, glancing back at Rocco who gives me an encouraging nod. “I need your help. It’s about Luka. He’s in danger, and I don’t have much time.”There’s a pause on the other end, the sound of sheets rustling. WTF?“What do you mean? Is he hurt?”“Not yet,” I reply, forcing the words out past the tightness in my chest. “Father’s using him to get to me. He wants me to betray the wolves, to give up strategic info. If I don’t, he’s threatened to—” My voice falters, the threat too real, too immediate. “I need to get Luka out of there, Angus. I can’t do it alone.”A heavy silence follows, and I can practically hear Angus thinking, weighing the risk against his own desire for peace. Finally, he speaks, his voice laced with doubt. “Do you seriously believe he’ll harm his own son? I know you said b

(Alicia)Luka’s eyes light up when he sees us, and he bounds toward me, throwing his little arms around my neck. He’s alone, watching a Disney movie his nanny probably put on as part of his nighttime routine. The relief is so sudden, so overwhelming, that I have to blink back tears. “Lecia!” he exclaims, his voice a bright spot in the darkened room as he throws himself into my arms.I hold him close, the feel of his small body grounding me. “Would you like to come with me, Luka? We’re going to take you somewhere safe, okay?” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “Would you like that?”He nods with a big, trusting smile that I return.“Just stay close to me, and don’t let go.”He nods again, his trust absolute, and I feel a fierce protectiveness surge through me. But as we turn to make our exit, a chill runs down my spine, a pulse going through my Athena’s blessing. Something’s wrong. The quiet is too still, the air too charged. I motion for the group to halt, my senses prickling wit

(Rocco)Angus, two of my men and I move swiftly, cutting through the underbrush with the stealth of seasoned warriors. The palace looms in the distance, the southern wing shrouded in darkness, save for the lights at the guard posts. We stick to the shadows, each step a careful calculation to avoid detection. The air is thick with tension, every rustle of leaves and snap of a twig setting my nerves on edge.We reach the hidden entrance to the southern wing, a small, rarely used passage that leads to the servants’ quarters. Daniel had described it in detail so we could find it, yet it still took a few misses before we recognized it for what it was. It’s a tight fit, and the air is stale, but it’s our best shot at slipping inside unnoticed. Angus takes the lead, moving swiftly through the narrow corridor, I follow close behind. The sound of muffled voices echoes from above, the palace still buzzing with the aftermath of our escape.Angelica is in one of the guest rooms, her form silhouet