All Chapters of The 200-Year Bride Swap: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

(Alicia)“Tunnels?” Rocco and I ask at the same time.“Yes. There are tunnels leading from Marvinda right into Wolfsreach.”Rocco looks confused, and about to blow a gasket all at the same time. But he doesn’t say anything. I can feel him reeling across the bond, though.An hour passes and he’s still processing the revelation of Marvinda’s hidden tunnels. Charmaine has explained that it comprises an elaborate network right under his nose that the elves have used for years. I can see his mind working overtime, piecing together the implications. How many of his failed border patrols can be traced back to these secret passages? How many times did the elves slip through his grasp because of this hidden, winding maze beneath the town? He doesn’t voice his frustration, but I can feel it simmering just under the surface.“Rocco?” I say gently, nudging him with my shoulder. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”He glances at me, then back out at the passing scenery visible from the truck’s

(Alicia)“What happened to his mother?”“Same as what happened to mine. She died in childbirth. I guess that’s why I’ve always felt an affinity to him. That, and the fact that he was only born once I finally grew up and had the brains to appreciate his situation. As a baby, he only ever really calmed down in my arms, no one else’s. It’s as if we share a kindred spirit.”We head to our room, where we spend the rest of the evening going over plans and contingencies, trying to anticipate every move that Darren might make. Alicia is methodical, her strategic mind weaving together possibilities with a clarity that impresses me every time. Athena’s gift, sharp and unyielding, is evident in every suggestion she makes. She’s not just thinking of survival. She’s thinking of victory, of a way to end this once and for all.The next morning comes too soon, and the house is already buzzing with activity. Angus and Angelica join us for breakfast in the kitchen, their expressions lighter now that th

The next day passes in a blur of preparations and discussions. We send word to Daniel, outlining our plan to support his ascension to the throne and advising him on which factions he should be courting first. The elves are a complicated lot. They are fractured into various houses, each with their own agendas and grievances. Daniel will need to navigate their politics carefully if he wants to secure his position.Meanwhile, the ripple effect of Southpaw’s betrayal continues to spread through the wolf kingdom. Word travels fast in the supernatural realm, and every pack is abuzz with the news of Kendric’s fall from grace. Some Alphas are angry, others relieved that the truth has finally come to light. But there’s a shared sense of unease, a lingering question of how deep the corruption ran and whether there are others like Kendric still hiding in plain sight.Rocco has been working tirelessly, calling in favors and reaching out to trusted allies to reinforce our borders and keep an eye o

(Rocco)We are all left staggering with the width and breadth of Kendric’s deceit. It makes me feel like a fool, like I’ve been running a kingdom I truly knew nothing about, that I believed were all good, loyal wolves working towards the greater good of all of us.What a farce.It enrages and saddens me to find that the elves probably never were enemy number one. Maybe they were that centuries ago, when we did engage in war with them. But now? With two consecutive kings too weak to properly lead? Now they are just really good at exploiting opportunities handed to them on a platter.I’ve also learned that Kendric hadn’t just sold out Wolfsreach; he had actively worked to destabilize the very leadership structure that held the kingdom together. Over the years, he had orchestrated conflicts between the other Alphas, sowing discord and suspicion among the packs. Whenever tensions flared, Kendric had been there, subtly stoking the flames and playing the peacemaker when it suited him. This

(Rocco)It’s a question that’s been gnawing at both of us since Kendric’s betrayal came to light. The elves didn’t need her to give them information. They’d been slipping in and out of the kingdom for years, not just for their silver mining operations but to spy on us too.“I’ve been wondering the same thing,” I admit, my hands gently running up and down her arms. “He already had what he needed. So why try to force your hand? What was he playing at?”Alicia sighs, turning in my arms so she can look up at me. Her blue eyes are clouded with worry, but there’s still that steely determination in them. “All I can think of is that he wanted to discredit me. Instead of being killed by your mate, or those factions I’m now pretty sure Kendric had a hand in, I survived. Not only that, but I was also starting to be accepted by the wolves, and it turned out I was your mate. So, he wanted me to be caught red-handed selling out the wolves, turning everyone against me again. Thus, renewed chances of