Alle Kapitel von The Alpha King's Plus Size Substitute Bride: Kapitel 51 – Kapitel 60

Vira's POV"You are staring at that lock as if it might bite you, substitute," Gryfyn growled low into my ear, his broad, calloused hand sliding around my waist to pull my broad frame flush against his heavy body.The iron chest was just sitting on the wide oak table in our private bedchamber, the tarnished brass crest of the setting sun glinting under the warm flickering light of the hearth candles. Heavy oak doors were bolted shut behind us, isolating us completely from the bustling corridors of Castle Lynx where Lyra was overseeing the morning shift."My mother carried a secret for twenty years, Gryfyn," I murmured softly, my hands coming up to cover his thick forearms where they locked tightly around my middle. "She hid this chest from my father, from the elders, and from the entire Frostfang pack. I want to make sure I open it properly."Gryfyn’s sharp Alpha fangs lightly grazed the dark, throbbing mate mark on my neck, pulling a soft, blushing gasp from my lips. His broad finger

Vira's POVI didn't stop my heavy steps across the cold stone floorboards of our private bedchamber. My small hands were clenched tight at my sides, my green velvet dress swishing sharply around my ankles with every turn I made between the high arched window and the oak table. On that table, illuminated by flickering candlelight, lay the unrolled royal parchment and the heavy brass signet seal of the First Royal Line, sitting right where we had left them after Kaelen brought us the news of Erik's river scouts."Kaelen has fifty heavy cavalry riders standing at the main courtyard gates right now, Gryfyn," I said, my voice tight, my hazel eyes flashing with an overwhelming mix of cold anxiety and sharp frustration. "Our river patrols are locked in tense standoffs along the lower ford, the southern valley clan leaders are expecting us to lead them into a full winter campaign, and I am standing here carrying the weight of a dead dynasty on my shoulders."Gryfyn didn't answer right away.

Vira’s POV"You are clenching your jaw so tight the bone might snap, Vira," Gryfyn growled low into my ear, his broad, calloused hand reaching around my ribs to anchor my broad frame flush against his heavy body.The flickering oil lamps suspended from the carved stone ceiling threw long, jagged shadows over the high granite balcony overlooking the main courtyard. Down below, Kaelen’s vanguard riders were fastening iron saddles onto their dark warhorses, their iron broadswords clinking in the crisp, freezing mountain air as they prepared for our march toward the High Summit."Vane was supposed to be broken, Gryfyn," I murmured, my small hands tightening over his thick forearms where they locked around my middle. "He signed the surrender parchment in front of every clan leader in the eastern valley. He swore on his blood that his remaining garrison would lay down their spears.""Traitorous rats do not care about blood oaths, substitute," Gryfyn purred rough against my cheek, his sharp

Vira’s POVWe were standing near the high carved mantel in our private quarters, the roaring hearthfire casting long, golden shadows across the stone floor. Outside, a bitter winter gales howled against the leaded windowpanes of Iron Moon, but inside the citadel, an eerie, sharp tension hung in the air like heavy smoke."The lower barracks are far too quiet for a garrison that just watched thirty mountain chiefs bend the knee, Gryfyn," I murmured softly, my hands resting over his thick forearms where they locked tightly around my waist. "Some of the older veteran officers from the southern border regiments didn't join the cheers in the courtyard. They spent ten years under my father Vance’s trade influence. They still view a female from the Frostfang border as an outsider."Gryfyn didn't reply with words. A low, primal roar rumbled deep within his massive chest, vibrating straight through my spine and making the breath catch in my throat. His dark leather war armor felt cool against m

Gryfyn's POV"Are you thinking about those trade papers again, substitute," I growled low, slamming our heavy oak door shut with my boot and tossing the deadbolt into place.Vira stood near the flickering hearth in our private bedchamber, her broad back turned to me. She was reaching up to untie the silk lace at her neck, her soft, thick shoulders moving under the deep blue wool of her dress. The six mid-tier Alphas had ridden out of Castle Lynx less than an hour ago, their signatures still wet on our trade books, but my Queen's mind was always working, always calculating our next move against the High Council."I am thinking about how long it will take Kaelen to set up the supply posts along the central roads," she murmured softly, her smooth voice sending a hot rush of blood straight down to my groin. She turned her head slightly, her green eyes catching the orange firelight with a sharp, clever spark. "Alpha Kael will have his wagons ready by next week, Gryfyn. If we send fifty ir