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LyraI knew the palace would feel different the moment we approached the main gates, but I wasn't prepared for just how different.The gates opened before Raguel and I had even reached them, and a line of guards immediately straightened as we entered. Their eyes followed us as we drove past, but there was something else in their expressions now that I hadn't paid attention to before. Respect, perhaps, or curiosity. I couldn't tell anymore.Too many people had started looking at me differently since the prophecy became public, and I still hadn't figured out how I was supposed to respond to it. Every glance seemed to carry a question I didn't know how to answer, and every bow reminded me that something about my position in the palace had changed.We had barely got out of the car when several Alphas stepped forward and bowed. I slowed, confused by the sudden attention, and looked at Raguel, but before I could ask anything, one of them lowered his head and said, “Sovereign Luna.”My stoma

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169:

LyraThe confirmation of the prophecy changed the atmosphere in the palace before we even reached the council chamber. I could feel it in the way the guards stood straighter as I passed, their eyes following me with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty, and in the hushed conversations that stopped whenever Raguel and I came into view. Even the usual movement through the corridors felt different, as though everyone had suddenly become aware that something had shifted and was waiting to see what would happen next.I had barely stepped through the doors of the council chamber when three elders approached us at once.“Queen Lyra, you cannot continue avoiding this,” Elder Victor said, his expression unusually serious. “The royal seers have confirmed the prophecy. The entire kingdom will know soon enough, if they do not already.”“I know,” I replied, keeping my voice calm even though my stomach had tightened. “That doesn't mean I have to make a decision today.”Another elder stepped forwa

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170

CharlotteThe council meeting had barely ended when I found Miguel waiting in the corridor outside the chamber. Most of the council members had already disappeared into their private discussions, leaving only a few guards and servants moving quietly through the palace. I could still hear the voices of the council members, low and agitated, as they continued arguing among themselves about everything that had just happened.The atmosphere in the corridor felt just as unsettled as it would have been inside the council chamber, and even though the meeting was officially over, it was obvious that the consequences of Raguel's decision were only beginning to unfold. The guards stationed along the corridor remained alert.Miguel was leaning against one of the stone pillars with his arms folded across his chest. He looked unusually relaxed considering what had just happened, but the moment he saw me, he straightened, his attention immediately settling on me. His expression was calm, almost too

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Lahat ng Kabanata ng TRADED TO THE LYCAN KING: Kabanata 171 - Kabanata 173

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170