บททั้งหมดของ The Alpha's Wife, The Lycan King's Obsession : บทที่ 181 - บทที่ 190

Gianna's objection came immediately, her voice sharp with panic and disbelief."Twenty-one days?" she said, her words tumbling out rapidly. "Such a risky assignment in just twenty-one days? How is that even possible? I need to break into the healer's chambers, find plants in dangerous territory, and locate a potion hidden by ancient magic. All in less than three weeks?"Iris's expression remained unmoved, her ethereal face a mask of calm certainty."That is all I can do for you," Iris said flatly. "You're only getting this opportunity because Nolan made a selfless choice. And because you are the chosen one—the one whose bond with him is strong enough to bridge the gap between life and death."She stepped closer to Gianna, her voice taking on a harder edge."No one in his lineage has ever gotten a second chance at life," Iris continued. "Not his father. Not his grandfather. Not any of the kings before them. They all died, and they stayed dead. But Nolan's choice—his willingness to die

The guard's eyes widened as Gianna pulled back her veil, and recognition flashed across his face like lightning. He straightened immediately, his entire posture changing from threatening to deferential in an instant. The other guards around him seemed to realize at the same moment who she was, and they all began to bow or step back, clearly uncertain about what to do.Gianna straightened her dress and looked down at Elmund, then back at the guards with an expression of cold fury. "This is my guard," she said, her voice sharp and cutting. "And I came here to bring gifts for your king's celebration, since we heard about his wedding and wanted to show our support." She paused, letting her eyes sweep across each guard one by one. "But it seems I've been insulted and embarrassed for simply trying to be gracious. So I'm leaving."The lead guard's face turned pale. He rushed toward her with his hands raised in a placating gesture. "My lady, I'm so sorry. We didn't realize. Please forgive us.

Dusk had settled over the palace grounds by the time Gianna and Elmund made their way toward the healer's chambers. The sky had turned a deep shade of purple, streaked with the last remnants of orange along the horizon. Torches were being lit along the corridors, casting long shadows that stretched and danced against the stone walls.As they approached the healer's quarters, a figure emerged from the doorway ahead of them.Gianna's breath caught in her throat.It was Elias. The librarian from the ancient library. The man who had warned her about asking questions regarding the Faes. He walked past them without so much as a flicker of recognition, his white robes swaying gently as he moved, his expression as calm and unreadable as it had been the last time she'd seen him.He didn't look at her. Didn't acknowledge her presence at all. It was as if she was a stranger to him, as if their previous encounter in the library had never happened.Gianna's mind raced with questions. What was he d

Gianna sat in silence for a long moment after her father finished speaking, her chest aching with a grief that didn't quite belong to her but felt heavy all the same. She thought about Iris, about the way she had described her own death, the curse she had laid with her dying breath. She thought about all those Faes who had died alongside her, slaughtered simply for believing that their future queen deserved justice.She felt sorry for them, even though she had never known them, even though they had died long before she was even a thought in anyone's mind.But what struck her more than the story itself was the way her father had told it. His voice had wavered more than once. His eyes had grown distant and glassy, like he was remembering something far more personal than an old piece of history passed down through generations. It was strange. Almost too emotional for a man simply recounting ancient events."Is there a last surviving Fae?" she asked suddenly, watching his face carefully a

Gianna stood frozen, her mind still reeling from what Elias had just told her. But the shock of the healer's motives quickly gave way to a different, more pressing confusion."Why are you helping me then?" she asked, her voice sharper than she intended. "If your sister wants Nolan dead, what do you gain from stopping her? What do you stand to gain from any of this?"Elias's expression remained calm, almost amused, as if her question was one he'd been waiting for."I don't want you to give up your life," he said simply. "So I'll get you the blood jar. But only on one condition."Gianna's stomach tightened with unease, but she pushed the feeling down."Name it," she said."You'll take an oath," Elias said, his voice steady, "to bear me a child."For a moment, Gianna couldn't process the words. They simply didn't make sense, didn't fit into any shape her mind could hold."What?" she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper."You heard me," Elias said."If you need a child," Gianna