บททั้งหมดของ THE SUBSTITUTE BRIDE TO THE ALPHA KING : บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 30

The shadow words hung in the air for three heartbeats.Then they dissolved into mist and vanished.Lyra stared at the space where they'd been, her mind racing. The Shadowlands throne. Her kingdom. Calling her home to a place she'd never been."This changes everything," Thea said quietly."No." Rowan's voice was hard. "This changes nothing. We just won a war. We're rebuilding. Lyra isn't going anywhere until we're stable.""The Shadowlands won't wait," the old woman said. She'd stayed after revealing Lyra's heritage. "If the throne has awakened, others will know. Others will come.""Let them come." Rowan crossed his arms. "We'll deal with them here.""You don't understand." The woman's face was pale. "When a Shadow throne awakens, it calls to its heir. The pull gets stronger every day. Eventually, Lyra won't have a choice. She'll have to answer."Lyra's hand went to the pendant at her chest. Already, she could feel something. A tug. Faint but growing. Like a string wrapped around her h

Lyra's wolf wouldn't stop growling.They're not alive. They're not alive. They're not alive.The words echoed in her mind like a warning drum.Lyra moved quietly through camp, staying in the shadows. Most of her people were asleep. Only a few sentries remained on watch.She approached the Silver Court tents carefully.The white fires still burned. Guards stood in formation. Everything looked normal.But Lyra knew better now.She waited until one of the guards turned away. Then she moved closer, using every skill Vera and Kael had taught her.Silent, quick and invisible.She crouched behind a supply cart and watched.The Silver Court emissaries sat around their fire. Talking, moving and acting like living wolves.But something was wrong with their movements. Too smooth. Like dolls being controlled by invisible strings.One of them stood and walked past Lyra's hiding spot.She didn't think. Just reached out and grabbed his wrist.The moment her skin touched his, ice shot through her vei

The glowing words burned into Lyra's vision.Bonded by blood to the Silver Court. Promised in treaty. Claimed before birth."No." The word came out strangled. "That's not possible."Rowan moved closer, reading over her shoulder. His face went pale. "Lyra.""Don't." She backed away from the stone. "Don't say anything. Just don't."But the words stayed visible. Mocking her. Claiming her."What does it mean?" She turned to Rowan. "Bonded by blood? Promised in treaty?""I don't know.""You knew." The accusation burst out before she could stop it. "You said you suspected I wasn't common. That you felt my power from the beginning. What else did you know?""Nothing. I swear." Rowan held up his hands. "I felt strength in you. Potential. But I never imagined this.""Really? Because it seems awfully convenient that you needed a powerful Luna and suddenly I appeared. Already connected to the Silver Court. Already tied to ancient treaties.""That's not fair.""Fair?" Lyra laughed. It came out bit

Lyra didn't sleep that night.She sat by the window watching Rowan breathe. Every few minutes, she'd check his eyes. Looking for that silver flicker. That proof that Seraphine's magic had touched him.It didn't return. But she knew it was there. Dormant, waiting.Dawn came gray and cold.Rowan stirred, opened his eyes. Normal gray. No silver."You're staring," he murmured."Couldn't sleep.""Thinking about the Silver Court?""Among other things."He sat up, reaching for her. She let him pull her close but kept watching. Kept looking for signs."We'll figure this out," he said. "We always do."Lyra wanted to believe him. But how could they fight magic they couldn't see? Seeds planted in blood and a treaty that could activate at any moment?A knock interrupted them.Thea entered, her face troubled. "We have a situation.""What kind?""The guards. Something's wrong with them."They dressed quickly and followed Thea outside.The morning shift of guards stood in perfect formation. Too perf

Miriam's body lay still on the floor, silver veins fading to black as death took her. Lyra knelt beside her, checking for a pulse she knew wouldn't be there. "She's gone," Rowan said quietly. "She came all this way just to warn me." Lyra's voice was hollow. "And Seraphine killed her for it." "We need to move the body. If the Silver Court knows she was here, they'll search for her." "Wait." Lyra noticed something in Miriam's clenched fist. She pried the fingers open gently. A small vial fell into her palm. Dark liquid inside. Almost black but with hints of deep red. "What is that?" Rowan asked. Lyra held it up to the light. The liquid moved strangely. Alive somehow. A piece of paper was wrapped around the vial. Lyra unfolded it with shaking hands. The handwriting was shaky, rushed but readable. "Blood memory ritual. Drink this. See what was hidden. Your mother made me promise to give this to you if I ever found you. Use it. Remember. Then run." Lyra stared at the vial. "It