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Council Tensions
Last Updated:
2024-09-29 01:21:46
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Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride The Queen’s Calculations
Queen Larissa's POVThe doors to my private chambers closed with a soft thud, and I allowed myself a moment to breathe, the air thick with the weight of my plans. Lucas still didn’t fully understand the necessity of my actions, but he would, in time. He had no choice.I glanced at the documents spread across my desk, the foundation of everything I had worked for. The alliance between the council, the royal family, and the packs was fragile, and I would not allow a girl like Amelia, someone with no true standing, to jeopardize it. She was a temporary obstacle, nothing more.A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. “Enter,” I called, knowing it would be Lucas.He stepped inside, his expression guarded, the tension in his posture evident. He was always like this around me—watchful, cautious. He understood the stakes better than most, even if he was reluctant to accept them.“Mother,” he greeted, his tone formal, but the cold distance was unmistakable.I motioned for him to sit, but he remai
Last Updated : 2024-10-04Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Etiquette Class
Amelia’s POVThe next morning, I woke to an empty bed. Again. Lucas had already left, and though I told myself I didn’t mind, a small part of me couldn’t help but feel disappointed. I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, trying to shake the feeling.“He’s your husband,” I muttered to myself, “it’s only natural to want to see him.”But even as I said it, I knew that wasn’t entirely true. The blood bond we formed last night made it hard to ignore the growing connection between us. The sense of his presence lingered, even though he wasn’t physically there. I tried to convince myself that this was why I felt that slight pang when I woke up alone.“Right,” Snow snorted, clearly unimpressed by my attempt to rationalize. “Keep telling yourself that.”I sighed, knowing my wolf was right. The bond might have something to do with it, but there was more. Something I wasn’t quite ready to admit to myself yet. Before I could get too lost in my thoughts, Snow’s voice cut in again.“He’s
Last Updated : 2024-10-05Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Sabrina's Rage
Sabrina's POVI sat at the back of the classroom, barely listening as Ms. Gentle’s voice droned on about etiquette. My gaze, sharp and cold, was fixed on her. Amelia. She sat near the front, her posture all proper and perfect, like she actually belonged. Like she was the true Crown Princess.The thought alone made me sick. Every time I looked at her, it felt like a slap in the face. How could Lucas, of all people, choose her? She’s a rejected mate—cast aside by her true mate. Someone that weak, that unwanted, had no place in the royal pack, let alone beside Lucas, the Crown Prince. It was beneath him. It was beneath me.I couldn’t believe my plan had failed. I’d suggested to Ms. Gentle that Amelia read a paragraph in French, fully expecting her to stumble, to make a fool of herself in front of everyone. I wanted to see the look on her face when she realized she wasn’t fit for this life, when everyone saw how unworthy she was. But no. Amelia had read it flawlessly. Effortlessly, even.
Last Updated : 2024-10-06Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Unsettling Encounters
Amelia’s POVI left the etiquette class feeling… lighter. It wasn’t the class itself, though Ms. Gentle seemed surprisingly kind and understanding, nor was it Sabrina’s failed attempt to humiliate me. What had eased the tension in my chest was something more subtle—a small victory, one that I didn’t realize I needed until I felt the weight lift.The way Sabrina’s face had twitched when I flawlessly read the French paragraph was something I couldn’t help but replay in my mind, savoring the look of shock she tried to hide. She wanted me to fail, to stumble over words that had long since been second nature to me. I wasn’t just a rejected mate thrown into a royal role—I had my strengths, my abilities. And they were more than enough to carry me through this.That felt good, Snow murmured in my head, her satisfaction radiating through our bond. You should’ve seen her face. Priceless.I smiled to myself, the thought soothing the undercurrent of unease that had followed me into the class. “Yo
Last Updated : 2024-10-08Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Lucas Responsibilities
Lucas’s POV I hadn’t meant to leave Amelia alone again, but the council meetings were relentless. Every day, another strategy to discuss, another alliance to consider. Time was slipping away, and the more I got pulled into the realm of politics, the less time I had for her. A nagging sense of regret followed me through the halls, and Titan wasn’t shy about letting me feel it.“You’re wasting time,” Titan growled in my head, pacing. “This is when we could be with her, showing her who we are. Instead, you’re stuck here, letting her slip further away”.I winced at the truth in his words. I knew Titan was right. I could feel the distance forming between us, even though we’d recently bonded through blood. That connection should’ve made things easier, but it seemed all I’d done was complicate things.“She’s starting to notice,” Titan added, his voice harsh. “She deserves more than being neglected while you play prince.”“I know,” I muttered aloud as I walked the corridor to the council roo
Last Updated : 2024-10-11Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Silent Plans
Amelia’s POVI couldn’t shake Kurt’s words from my mind. Every look he gave me, every barb he threw, they weren’t just about challenging my role as Crown Princess. It was more than that. His words felt like a reminder that I wasn’t truly a part of this world. It didn’t matter how many councils I attended or how many royal duties I fulfilled—there would always be people like him who saw me as an outsider.The bite in his voice echoed in my head: This is why some of us are skeptical about her being the right fit.I tried to push the thought away, but it clung to me like a heavy cloak. As much as I hated to admit it, he wasn’t entirely wrong. I wasn’t born into this life. I wasn’t raised to be a princess. And yet, here I was, walking a path that could be snatched away from me at any moment. Lucas and I had entered into this marriage for convenience, not love, and even though we had bonded through blood, that didn’t mean anything would last forever.Queen Larissa’s words haunted me too. S
Last Updated : 2024-10-14Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Facing the Past
Amelia’s POVI closed the door behind me, the cool air of my chambers offering a momentary respite from the lingering weight of my conversation with Lena and Cassidy. They had warned me—Sabrina wasn’t going to play fair. I needed to be prepared. The seriousness of it all hung over me, but as I stepped inside, something else took over my mind.Lucas was there, sitting on the edge of the bed. His posture was relaxed, but his gaze was anything but. His dark eyes followed my every move, lingering as if he were trying to understand something about me that even I wasn’t fully aware of yet. His presence, commanding and familiar, filled the room, and it made my pulse quicken unexpectedly.I froze for a second, taken aback by the sight of him here at this hour. Butterflies erupted in my stomach—a strange reaction considering how often we were around each other now. But there was something about the way Lucas looked at me in that moment, something deeper. His intent gaze seemed to pierce right
Last Updated : 2024-10-17Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Poise and Preparation
Amelia’s POVThe sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows of the etiquette classroom, casting warm patterns across the elegant, old-fashioned décor. Ms. Gentle, standing with her usual composed air, adjusted her glasses as she started the lesson, her voice clear as she spoke about social graces and formal greetings for high-profile gatherings. As much as I tried to stay focused, my mind kept drifting to what Lucas had told me about the upcoming Alphas’ meeting. I didn’t know if I was ready to face Ethan again—not to mention every Luna and Alpha in the kingdom.But Ms. Gentle’s sharp voice snapped me back to reality as she called us up one by one to practice a formal greeting in front of the class. I took a deep breath, calming my nerves as I waited my turn. Sabrina was up first, of course, flashing a dazzling smile as she approached Ms. Gentle, looking every bit the picture of grace and poise.Sabrina glided up, her movements fluid, her chin lifted high. She curtsied with exa
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Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride The Alpha Ball
Amelia’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, my fingers lightly tracing the delicate embroidery along the bodice of my gown. The emerald-green fabric shimmered like the leaves of the palace gardens after a rainstorm, and it fit me perfectly—a stark contrast to the chaos swirling inside me. The stylist had insisted this color would bring out my eyes. I stared at my reflection and had to admit, she was right.Not that it mattered. The gown, the jewels, even the flawless braids in my hair—they were all just a mask. Tonight wasn’t about beauty or elegance. It was about survival.The Alpha Ball. Just the thought of it sent my pulse racing. Everyone who mattered in our world would be here tonight—the alphas, the lunas, the councils, the powerful families. Every handshake and glance would carry hidden meanings. And then there was me: Amelia, Lucas’s wife in name only. A contract. A secret.I smoothed the gown over my hips, trying to steady my nerves. Tonight, I had to be perfect. Polished.
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Ethan’s Ambition
Ethan’s POVThe conference room was stuffy, the hum of voices blending into a dull roar around Ethan as his pack discussed the logistics of their upcoming strategies. Ethan sat at the head of the table, his gaze locked on Mark, his beta, who was going over final preparations for the Alpha Ball and pack affairs during his absence.But Ethan wasn’t paying attention. His mind had drifted far from the table and the mundane discussions about patrol schedules or supply runs. He couldn’t stop thinking about the Alpha Ball, couldn’t stop imagining the scene that awaited him when he arrived.Amelia.Her name burned in his mind like a brand. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t suppress the image of her standing beside Lucas, her head held high, the picture of grace and strength. It made his blood boil, the muscles in his jaw tightening until it ached.“You’ve no one to blame but yourself,” Magnus growled in his mind, his wolf’s voice a sharp jab against his already frayed composure.“She’s
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride The Weight of Anticipation
Amelia’s POVThe palace garden stretched before me, a quiet oasis where I could breathe, though my thoughts were anything but tranquil. The sun was soft this morning, filtering through the leaves and casting shifting patterns on the cobblestone path. It should’ve been peaceful, but my mind felt like a restless storm.I walked without direction, brushing my fingers against the cool leaves and blossoms that lined the garden paths. Despite the beauty surrounding me, my thoughts kept pulling me back to yesterday—to the boutique and the moment Luna Lara revealed Sabrina’s schemes.I could still hear her calm, confident voice as she exposed the truth. My chest tightened at the memory. The gratitude I’d felt in that moment had been overwhelming. Sabrina’s plan to humiliate me could have succeeded if not for Luna Lara stepping in.I’d thanked her before leaving the boutique, my words barely scratching the surface of how much her intervention had meant to me. But the aftermath of it all still
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride The Weight of Suspicion
Lucas POV The trial had been over for days, but I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling it left behind. Something was off—both Kurt and Maxwell were too calm, too assured of their positions. Amelia had noticed it too, pointing out the glances they exchanged during the proceedings. She was right; I’d seen it myself. They weren’t just accused—they were calculated, like men with a hidden plan.I sat at my desk, leaning back in my chair as I tapped my fingers on the armrest. My gut churned with suspicion, my mind replaying every moment from the trial. Every word. Every look. Every lie. Maxwell and Kurt weren’t just covering for each other; they were playing a larger game, and I needed to figure out what that game was before it cost us more than we could afford.Amelia’s voice echoed in my mind, her concerns still fresh. She had seen it in them—something cold, something dangerous. The fact that she noticed it before I did gnawed at me. She wasn’t just observant; she had a sharpness to her tha
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride A Tangled Web
Amelia’s POV The Alpha Ball was approaching quickly, but my mind was still occupied with far more pressing concerns. Kurt. His name lingered in my thoughts like a persistent shadow, creeping into every moment of peace I tried to snatch. I couldn’t shake the memory of Maxwell glancing at him during the trial, as if he held the answers to unspoken questions. I hadn’t brought it up with Lucas again, but I wondered how his investigation was progressing. Would he find anything? Or was it all just my paranoia playing tricks on me?And then there was my mysterious ally. Their sudden silence gnawed at my nerves. I had sent a message after the trial, wanting answers—needing answers—but there had been no response. Who were they? Why had they chosen to help me? And why did they vanish now, when I had so many questions to ask? The absence of clarity was maddening.Pushing those thoughts aside, I joined Lena for our morning training session after breakfast. The familiar routine helped settle my r
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Seeds of Malice
Sabrina’s POVThe audacity.Sabrina stormed down the corridor, her fists clenched at her sides. The nerve of that pathetic peasant to stand there, smug and self-assured, calling herself the crown princess as if the title truly belonged to her. Sabrina’s face burned with fury, the memory of Amelia’s condescending smile replaying in her mind like a festering wound.“How dare she?” Sabrina hissed under her breath, her nails digging into her palms.Her long, dark hair swayed behind her as she moved, her sharp heels echoing through the halls. Every step fueled her anger, every thought stoked the fire in her chest. Amelia shouldn’t even be here. That title—her title—had been stolen, handed to some nobody who had stumbled her way into Lucas’s life.The memory of Lucas once looking at her with admiration filled her mind, a bitter pang twisting her gut. He had been hers, or so she thought. Sabrina shook her head violently. No. He still could be. Amelia was the obstacle, and obstacles could be
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride The Crown’s Grace
Amelia’s POVI never thought etiquette class would be where my thoughts kept wandering back to Maxwell’s trial. Yet here I was, my quill idly tapping against the desk, my mind replaying every moment. Maxwell’s furtive glances toward Kurt… his rehearsed answers… Lucas’s firm resolve to investigate further. All of it swirled in my head like an unsolved puzzle.“Amelia,” Ms. Gentle’s clipped tone pulled me back to the present.I straightened in my seat, startled.“As I was saying,” she continued, her sharp gaze sweeping the room, “the annual Alphas’ Ball is approaching. This will be the perfect opportunity to put your etiquette training to the test. I hope none of you will disappoint—especially the crown princess.”Her gaze lingered on me a moment too long, and I felt a twinge of embarrassment mixed with irritation.The Alphas’ Ball. I’d completely forgotten about it.I’d heard about the ball for years—an extravagant spectacle where Alphas and their packs gathered to build alliances, for
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Whispers and Warmth
Amelia’s POVI couldn’t stop replaying the trial in my head, even as the heavy doors slammed shut behind me. The sound echoed down the stone corridor like a final judgment, leaving me with this strange mix of satisfaction and unease. Maxwell’s sentencing was swift—death for his crimes. It should have been enough.But it wasn’t.Lucas had pulled me aside after the trial, his expression serious. I followed him into one of the quieter hallways, away from the lingering crowd. His steps were measured, his jaw tight. He didn’t speak until we were completely alone.“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice low.The question caught me off guard. Lucas rarely asked about my well-being unless it was strictly necessary. But today, there was something different in his tone—something softer.I hesitated, my fingers brushing against the fabric of my gown. “I’m fine,” I said, though my voice didn’t quite convince me.He nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on me, as if he didn’t believe me either. “Th
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride The Trial
Amelia’s POVThe grand hall hummed with tension as I stepped inside, Lena close beside me. The air felt heavy, each whispered murmur from the council members sinking into my skin like pinpricks. Sunlight filtered in through the high, arched windows, illuminating the ornate carvings on the walls, but the light felt cold, distant.The weight of what was about to unfold pressed on my chest. This wasn’t just about Maxwell’s crimes—this was about me, my position, and my life hanging in the balance.Lena’s voice broke through my thoughts, soft but firm. “You alright?”I nodded stiffly, my gaze fixed on the council table at the far end of the room. King Luther and Queen Narissa sat side by side, their regal presence commanding the space. Lucas stood slightly behind his father, his posture tense but controlled. His expression was unreadable, as always, but I caught the slight clench of his jaw.I tore my gaze away, forcing my feet to move. I couldn’t afford to let my emotions show—not here.“
