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Bound by Tradition
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2024-09-15 06:37:08Related chapters
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Be Strong
Amelia’s POVThe door clicked shut, and I immediately let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. Relief washed over me like a cool breeze, though my heart still raced in my chest. The look in Lucas’s eyes before he left—the heat, the hunger—it sent shivers down my spine, and I wasn’t sure whether it was from fear or something else entirely.I wrapped the towel tighter around me, and I look at the bundle in my hand, I mentally cursed myself for forgetting to take them into the bathroom. Idiot, I scolded myself. Now, I’d basically paraded half-naked in front of him. I could still feel the weight of his gaze on me, the way his eyes had lingered just a little too long.Snow, my wolf, stirred lazily in my mind, clearly amused. “He couldn’t take his eyes off you. And you noticed it too.”“Shut up,” I muttered back, feeling the blush rise on my cheeks as I grabbed my underwear from the drawer. Snow’s teasing was the last thing I needed right now.” It’s a contract marriage, nothing
Last Updated : 2024-09-16Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride A New Friend
I let out a deep sigh as soon as I ended the call with Ivy. Talking to her always made me feel better, but I couldn’t shake the tension still clinging to me. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since I arrived. Maybe that's why I was feeling so off.Snow chimed in, her voice echoing in my mind. "You’ve been so wrapped up in everything—Lucas, Ivy, Ethan—that you forgot to feed us."I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smile. “Yeah, thanks for the reminder.”I decided to venture out of my chambers and find something to eat. After a long shower, I had slipped into something comfortable—blue jeans, white sneakers, and a white t-shirt. Nothing fancy, but definitely better for wandering around unfamiliar territory.As I stepped into the hallway, the sheer size of the castle hit me again. The corridors seemed to stretch forever, and the ceilings were ridiculously high. I found myself walking past numerous doors and staircases, each leading somewhere unknown. It was hard
Last Updated : 2024-09-17Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Queen's Words
Amelia POVCassidy and I finished our late dinner and lingered a little longer in the kitchen, her chatter filling the warm space. She was kind, and despite the weight of everything happening around me, it was easy to relax in her company.After a while, she offered to show me more of the castle, which I gladly accepted. I needed to get familiar with this place, or I’d probably end up lost again.As we strolled through the castle halls, Cassidy pointed out rooms, making casual conversation. The enormity of the place still stunned me. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before. Back home, everything was smaller, simpler. This castle was like a maze—elegant and grand, every floor more impressive than the last. We made our way outside into the garden, and the view took my breath away.The garden stretched on forever, with manicured hedges, fountains, and bursts of colorful flowers. The air smelled sweet, and I found myself lost in it for a moment. But then… I saw her. Queen Larissa.She wa
Last Updated : 2024-09-18Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Dark Thoughts
Amelia POV I stood frozen, my back pressed against the bedroom door, my heart still racing. What just happened? I couldn’t help but replay his words and that stupid, smug grin of his in my head. It was hard enough dealing with Queen Larissa’s venomous words earlier, and now Lucas had to come in, teasing me like that, throwing my whole sense of balance off."You’re all flustered again," Snow’s voice echoed through my mind, her tone almost amused. "You really need to get it together.""I am together," I muttered, pacing back and forth in the room. The words came out harsher than I intended, but Snow only huffed, unconvinced. And honestly, I wasn’t together at all. My emotions were scattered, my thoughts spiraling out of control. Tomorrow, I would be getting married. Actually married. And it wasn’t for love.It wasn’t real. This was a contract, a deal. A way to protect Lucas and his kingdom. A way to make Ethan regret his decision, I reminded myself of that. Over and over."It’s just a
Last Updated : 2024-09-19Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride The Wedding Day
Amelia POVMy eyes fluttered open, but I was immediately aware that something was off. The familiar comfort of sleep had barely begun to release its hold on me when a soft, persistent knock echoed from the door. I groaned, rubbing my tired eyes as I tried to remember why I felt so exhausted. Then it hit me—Queen Larissa's words from the previous night.I had spent hours tossing and turning, haunted by her cold prediction that Lucas would one day find his true mate. It was impossible to silence the doubt creeping into my mind. Was I just a placeholder? A means to an end for Lucas?Another knock brought me back to the present. I shuffled to the door, still half-asleep, and pulled it open. A row of servants stood there, neatly lined up and waiting patiently. The one at the front, a woman with kind eyes, offered a polite smile.“Good morning, Lady Amelia. We’re here to help you get ready.”I blinked at them, still foggy from sleep. "Ready for what?" My voice came out a little hoarse, my b
Last Updated : 2024-09-21Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Crown Princess
My heart pounded so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it. Each step toward Lucas felt like I was walking deeper into the unknown. The warmth of his gaze was the only thing anchoring me in place, his blue eyes never leaving mine. When I finally reached him, he took my hand, and a shiver ran up my spine at his touch. I couldn’t tell if it was the nerves or something more.The ceremony began, the council member's voice a distant hum as I tried to focus. I caught a glimpse of Queen Larissa and King Luther seated in the front, the queen’s expression unreadable, while the king gave a small nod of approval. I wanted to read their faces, to know what they were thinking, but it was hard to focus with everything happening so quickly.Then the council member asked me the question that made my blood run cold. “Amelia, do you take Lucas to be your husband?”The world seemed to stop. My mouth went dry, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. This was it. The moment I officially became tied to Luc
Last Updated : 2024-09-22Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride What Now?
Lucas POVAs we stepped out from the hall, the weight of what just happened began to settle on my shoulders. My hand held tightly onto Amelia’s, and though she kept her composure, I could feel the tension in her grip. We had just walked away from the altar, surrounded by council members and the royal family, with all eyes on us as they offered their congratulations.“Congratulations, son, ” King Luther said, stepping forward to shake my hand. His smile was genuine, a rare show of warmth from him. I know he was probably more excited than anyone else for this marriage. Then he turned to Amelia, his eyes softening as he addressed her. “Congratulation Amelia.” His tone warm. “ Welcome to the family, my new daughter-in-law.”Amelia responded with a polite nod, but I noticed the flicker of something in her eyes—uncertainty, perhaps. My mother, Queen Larissa, stood nearby, her expression as unreadable as ever. She didn’t say a word, but the silence was more telling than any words could be.A
Last Updated : 2024-09-23Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Unmarked
Ethan’s POVThe room was filled with the murmurs of voices, a low hum that buzzed like a distant swarm. I sat at the head of the table, listening with half an ear as James, my Beta, updated me on the latest reports. Border security, rogue sightings—it was all standard fare, nothing out of the ordinary. My mind was elsewhere, drifting in and out of the conversation. After discovering Amelia had left the next day after our confrontation, I haven’t been able to think. It takes a lot in me to focus. This is why, having a mate only holds you back. I shake my head.“…thinking we should increase patrols along the eastern ridge,” James my beta was saying, his voice steady, businesslike. “There’s been some unusual movement reported by the night watch. Nothing concrete, but we should be cautious.”I nodded absently, my fingers drumming against the polished wood of the table. I couldn’t focus. Not fully. My thoughts kept circling back to Amelia, to the memory of her, to the pain I’d tried to bur
Last Updated : 2024-09-24
Latest chapter
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Secret Investigation
Amelia's POVI slammed the door of my chamber behind me, my breaths coming out fast and uneven as I leaned against the solid wood. My heart was racing, the echoes of my argument with Lucas still fresh in my mind. His sharp tone, his unyielding protectiveness—it was suffocating.I ran a hand through my hair, my fingers trembling. Why did he always have to act like I was incapable of taking care of myself? I wasn’t some fragile porcelain doll he needed to shield. I paced the room, my emotions tangled in frustration, anger, and something I couldn’t quite name.“He doesn’t trust me,” I muttered, my voice breaking the silence. “Or maybe he just doesn’t see me as anything more than his responsibility. A duty tied to the stupid contract that binds us together.”Snow stirred in the back of my mind, her presence steady and calm as usual. But this time, she wasn’t silent.“Amelia, maybe he has a point,” she said, her tone gentle yet firm. “Lucas isn’t just trying to control you. He’s trying to
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Wolfsbane
Amelia’s POVThe silence in Lucas’s office stretched thin as we sat across from each other, the weight of the rogue’s death lingering between us like a shadow neither of us could shake. My thoughts churned, frantic, as I replayed everything from the dungeon in my mind.Poison. Deliberate, calculated, and merciless. Whoever was behind this wanted to send a message. And that message was clear: they wanted me dead.I tapped my fingers restlessly on the armrest of the chair, each rhythmic beat feeding the tension in the air. Lucas stood near his desk, arms crossed, his shoulders tight with restraint. He hadn’t said much since we left the dungeons, but the storm brewing behind his eyes told me everything I needed to know.He was angry. Not just at the rogue’s death, but at me.“Amelia,” he said finally, breaking the silence. His voice was low, measured—too measured. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”I stiffened, meeting his gaze head-on. “Someone just orchestrated an attack on me
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Poison!
Amelia’s POVThe infirmary was too quiet, despite the low murmur of voices around me. The antiseptic smell stung my nose, and every tiny noise seemed amplified in the stillness. I sat on the edge of the bed, my side aching as the pack doctor examined the wound that rogue had inflicted. Snow was already working to heal me, but I could still feel the throbbing pain radiating from my ribs.I hated this. Hated being the one sitting injured while everyone else stood around, watching me like I was fragile.Lucas was closest, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His gaze hadn’t left me since we entered the room, and his expression was unreadable. I didn’t need to guess what was running through his mind; I could feel his tension like a second pulse.The others—Lena, Cassidy, and Ivy—stood near the doorway. Ivy’s lips were pressed into a thin line, while Lena shifted uncomfortably. Cassidy kept glancing my way, her worry evident. They were trying to hide it, but guilt radiated off t
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Protective Instincts
Lucas's POVThe forest was alive with the sound of wolves, their howls echoing through the trees as the hunting festival reached its peak. Yet, amidst the triumphant cries, my chest tightened with a feeling I couldn’t ignore.Something’s wrong, Titan growled in my mind, pacing restlessly.I scanned the clearing, watching as wolves darted between the trees, their movements fluid and focused. Ivy’s reddish-brown coat caught my eye as she paused near Cassidy’s sleek brown form. Lena wasn’t far behind them, her agile frame weaving through the underbrush. But one figure wa s missing—Snow.I stopped cold, my breath hitching.Where is she? Titan demanded, his voice sharp. Amelia wouldn’t leave the group.The weight of his words settled heavily on my chest. Snow had been with the others when the hunt began, staying close to Ivy and Cassidy. She wasn’t reckless. She wouldn’t have wandered off alone.I shifted back into my human form and approached the girls, urgency tightening my throat. “Where
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Into The Woods
Amelia’s POVThe palace courtyard buzzed with excitement as the hunting festival began in earnest. Wolves of all sizes and colors moved about, some already in their wolf forms, their sleek fur catching the sunlight. The air carried a heady mix of anticipation and primal energy.I lingered near the edge of the gathering, my nerves tugging at me. Snow was unusually quiet, her presence simmering just beneath the surface of my mind.You’ll be fine, Ivy’s voice broke into my thoughts through the mind link, her tone cheerful. She was beside me, her grin as bright as the sun overhead, her auburn hair glinting in the light.You sound awfully confident, I replied, forcing a smile as I glanced at her wolf form.That’s because I am, she shot back with a playful tone. It’s just a hunt, Amelia, not a battlefield.Snow’s voice cut through my thoughts like a knife. Nothing about this is friendly. Stay alert.I frowned but kept my thoughts to myself.Lucas stepped into view, and the noise in the cour
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Accidents Happen
Amelia’s POVI woke to the soft glow of morning light filtering through my curtains, the gentle calm of the palace whispering promises of a peaceful day. But something in me felt off, an uneasiness I couldn’t shake. Snow had been restless all night, her presence a sharp edge in the back of my mind.We need to stay alert, she said, her voice clear and firm.“For what?” I whispered as I stretched, sliding out of bed. “Everything seems fine.”Snow didn’t answer, but her silence carried a tension that set my nerves on edge.After a quick wash, I dressed simply in a loose tunic and leggings, something comfortable for moving about. Today, preparations for the upcoming hunting festival would likely be in full swing. Lena and Cassidy informed me about the hunting festival. It's an event that basically shows off your wolf and skills, especially the male wolves. The unmated ones. I didn’t know much about what was expected of me yet, but anything to distract me from the creeping dread would help
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Storm on the Horizon
Sabrina’s POVThe door slammed behind me, the echo ringing through the lavish halls of my chambers. I didn’t care who heard or saw—I was seething. My blood boiled as I stormed deeper into the room, tearing at the necklace around my throat and flinging it across the room. It clattered against the vanity, the delicate chain breaking as it fell.“It’s not fair!” I screamed, yanking at the drapes, sending a vase crashing to the floor. The shards sparkled mockingly up at me, only fueling my rage. I grabbed the nearest cushion, hurling it toward the fireplace.Lucas. Always Lucas, standing by her. Protecting her.It should have been me.I kicked a stool out of the way, breathing heavily as my thoughts spiraled. That wine had been perfectly placed, the servant perfectly directed—yet somehow, it had all gone wrong. And not only did it go wrong, it backfired so spectacularly that I was the one humiliated.My hands curled into fists. Amelia. That simpering, wide-eyed little imposter. She should
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Foiled by Fate
Amelia’s POVI walked Ivy back to her chambers, promising we’d head to dinner together later. Her face lit up with excitement the entire way. Seeing her this happy made my heart lighter than it had been in days.As I stood outside her door, watching it click shut, I couldn’t help but smile. Ivy was in awe of everything here, and I didn’t blame her. Her chambers were grander than anything we’d ever seen growing up, with carved furniture that seemed alive and a chandelier that caught the light like diamonds.“I still can’t believe this is my life,” she’d said, spinning in place to take it all in.“Get used to it,” I had replied with a laugh, though deep down, I wasn’t sure I had.The smile faded as I walked back to my own chambers, my thoughts shifting. The moment I closed my door behind me, the tension crept back in, winding itself around my chest. I leaned against the cool wood for a second before pushing off and heading to the window.Lucas. His name hovered on the edge of my mind, r
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Do I Trust Him?
The sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet as Ivy swung open the door, her cheerful expression freezing at the sight of Lucas standing in the hallway. His presence, as always, seemed to command the space, even in silence. His dark eyes flicked past Ivy and locked onto me.“I need a moment with Amelia,” he said, his voice steady but clipped.Ivy glanced over her shoulder at me, her brows knitting together. I could see the question in her eyes—Do you want me to leave?I gave her a tight nod. “It’s fine, Ivy. I’ll meet you in the dining hall later.”She hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside. “I’ll see you in a bit,” she said, casting Lucas a wary look before heading down the hallway.The door clicked shut behind her, and the room suddenly felt smaller, as though his presence was sucking the air out of it. I folded my arms across my chest, meeting his gaze with as much resolve as I could muster.“What do you need?” I asked, my tone sharper than I intended.Lucas’s jaw tightened, and
