บททั้งหมดของ The Alpha King's Human Obsession: บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 57

The formal council presentation to satisfy the modified hunt tradition was scheduled for the following week, and Marlowe found herself more nervous about it than she'd expected, despite having faced considerably more dangerous audiences over the past several months."You've testified before this council multiple times," Ronan reminded her gently, watching her pace their chambers the evening before the presentation. "You've faced Alaric's trial, Iseult's confession, testimony about the coalition's attack. This is simply another version of something you've already proven capable of handling.""This feels different," Marlowe admitted. "Those were about surviving a crisis. This is about proving I actually belong here, permanently, in front of people who already have doubts about whether I do.""You belong here," Ronan said firmly. "Whatever tomorrow's presentation demonstrates or fails to demonstrate, that fact doesn't change. I need you to know that, regardless of how the elders ultimate

"News," Ronan repeated. "What kind of news?""She didn't say," Marlowe admitted, rereading the letter. "Just that she wants to tell me in person, and that she's already on her way."Kellan frowned. "On her way already? That's fast, even with the escort we arranged.""Maybe that's the point," Marlowe said. "Maybe she didn't want to give herself time to change her mind."Ronan studied her face. "You're worried.""A little," Marlowe admitted. "Good news doesn't usually need that kind of urgency."They didn't have long to wait. Priya's letter had barely beaten her through the gates, and three days later a rider announced her arrival at the palace border. Marlowe was already waiting in the courtyard when the small escort came into view, Priya riding at the center of it, windblown and grinning despite the long journey."You could have warned me you were coming early," Marlowe said, pulling her into a hug the moment she dismounted."I wanted to see your face when I told you," Priya said. "Le

The journey back to the human world felt different this time, Marlowe realized, riding beside a small discreet escort toward the border crossing Ronan had arranged weeks earlier. The last time she'd made this trip in reverse, she'd been terrified, dragged unwillingly into a world she didn't understand. This time she went by choice, toward a friend she loved, carrying nothing but excitement and the practical business of dress fittings and seating charts."You seem lighter," Priya observed, riding beside her for the final stretch before the crossing point where Marlowe would shift back into ordinary clothes and ordinary transportation. "Than I've seen you in letters, anyway.""I feel lighter," Marlowe admitted. "This is the first time I've gone back without a crisis trailing behind me.""Small mercies," Priya said, grinning.The crossing itself passed smoothly, guards falling back at the agreed boundary while a car Ronan had arranged waited to carry them the rest of the way into the cit