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Secret Investigation
Last Updated:
2024-12-17 01:44:09
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Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Echoes of Resolve
Lucas’s POVThe office felt emptier after Amelia stormed out, her parting glare burning in my memory. I stared at the closed door for a long moment, her scent still faintly lingering in the room—a mix of wildflowers and a hint of something uniquely her. It only made the knot in my chest tighten.I sank back into my chair, letting out a frustrated breath. Titan stirred restlessly in my mind, his discontent mirroring my own.You should’ve handled that better, he grumbled.“I did what I had to,” I replied aloud, though my voice lacked conviction.She’s your mate. Your Luna. You could’ve at least listened longer instead of shutting her down like that.I rubbed my temples, trying to block out Titan’s pointed remarks. He wasn’t wrong, but I couldn’t afford to give Amelia the freedom she wanted. Not when her safety was on the line.“She doesn’t understand,” I muttered. “This isn’t about control. It’s about protecting her.”And how’s that working out? Titan shot back. Because right now, she t
Last Updated : 2024-12-20Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride An Ally
Amelia’s POVThe faint crackle of the fireplace filled the silence in my chamber as I sat cross-legged on my bed, staring at my phone. My fingers hovered over the screen, rereading the text for what felt like the hundredth time.“I know what you’re looking for. I can help.”The same unknown number that had warned me about Kurt’s schemes. That message had been right; I couldn’t deny it. But who was this person? Why were they helping me, and what did they stand to gain?I gnawed on my lower lip, my thoughts a tangled mess of suspicion and curiosity. Could I trust them? Snow’s voice stirred in my mind, calm yet cautious.Amelia, you can’t trust someone just because they’ve been right once. This could be a trap.“I know,” I murmured aloud, though the words felt hollow. Despite her warning, I couldn’t shake the need to know more. If they’d been right about Kurt, they could be right again.Finally, I typed out the words that had been burning in my mind. “Who are you?”I pressed send and wai
Last Updated : 2024-12-21Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Steps Toward Understanding
Amelia’s POVThe sound of the door creaking open made my heart skip a beat. I sat up straighter on the edge of the bed, my pulse quickening as the air in the room seemed to shift. Lucas.He stepped inside, closing the door behind him without a word, his tall, commanding frame filling the space. For a moment, I just stared at him, unsure of what to say or even feel. He hadn’t been in this room for days—not since the tension between us had stretched so thin that even sharing a space seemed impossible.Why now?I quickly looked away, forcing myself to focus on the patterns on the bedspread. But the silence in the room was thick, and I could feel his eyes on me. I hated how much my stomach fluttered just knowing he was here.“What brought you here?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. I couldn’t help it. His sudden appearance threw me off balance, and I didn’t like the way it made me feel.Lucas leaned against the doorframe, his lips curling into that infuriating smirk of his. “Why
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride The Warning
Amelia’s POVThe morning sunlight crept into the room, slanting across the bed and warming my face. My eyes blinked open, groggy and heavy from a night of tossing and turning. Sleep had evaded me, leaving me restless and on edge. I could blame it on Maxwell, on the rogue, or on the mysterious text messages. But the truth was, the real reason was sitting across the room, perfectly at ease, as if he hadn’t completely disrupted my peace last night.Lucas.He stayed.The knowledge was like a live wire in my chest, sparking every time I glanced at him. I turned my head slightly, watching him out of the corner of my eye as he leaned back in the chair by the window, flipping through some document. His shirt was slightly unbuttoned, exposing the hard planes of his chest. His dark hair was messy, like he’d just rolled out of bed, but his face looked… annoyingly rested.Meanwhile, I was anything but.“You look well-rested,” I muttered, unable to hide the edge in my voice.He glanced up, one bro
Last Updated : 2024-12-25Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride A Too Perfect Confession
Amelia's POVI stared out the window, the frost-covered gardens below blurring into an indistinct haze. My mind was too tangled to appreciate the view. Maxwell’s vague answers from the interrogation circled relentlessly in my head. His refusal to explain why he’d tampered with the rogue’s fate only left more questions, each darker than the last.Who have I offended? Who could hate me enough to orchestrate something like this within the palace walls? The thought made me sick. My position here wasn’t one of power, despite my title as Lucas’s crown Princess I was an outsider to many, and it seemed someone was eager to remind me of it.Snow stirred in the back of my mind, her voice soft yet firm. “This isn’t helping, Amelia. You’re spiraling. Maybe it’s time to trust Lucas with these doubts.”I let out a dry laugh, the sound hollow. “Trust him? We’re barely speaking to each other unless it’s necessary.”“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t care.” Snow argue back“Maybe.” I sighed, running a hand
Last Updated : 2024-12-28Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Unearthing Deception
I paced back and forth in my office, the sound of my boots echoing off the walls. The confession didn’t sit right. Maxwell’s words replayed in my mind, but no matter how I twisted them, they felt wrong. Too easy. Too pat. Who admits to a crime like that so suddenly? It stank of manipulation.He’s lying, Titan growled in my head, his voice a low rumble. Or someone forced him into it. You know this isn’t the end of it.“I know,” I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my hair. The tension coiled in my chest like a spring, tight and unyielding. I wanted to smash something, but that wouldn’t help. What I needed was clarity, a way to untangle this mess and expose the real threat.The sharp buzz of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. I grabbed it, Derek’s name flashing on the screen. Relief and apprehension hit me at once. If anyone could make sense of this, it was him.“Derek,” I answered.“I’ve got news,” he said, his tone serious. “The poison Maxwell used—it’s not somethin
Last Updated : 2024-12-30Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Unexpected Defenses
Amelia’s POV The moment Maxwell was dragged back into his cell, I stayed rooted in place, staring down the now-empty corridor where Kurt had disappeared just moments before. My fingers curled into the fabric of my dress as I tried to process everything that had just happened. Lucas’s commanding tone echoed in my head, his unwavering authority cutting through Kurt’s arrogance. He’d defended me. Lucas Tuller, the same man who had been cold and distant for days, had stepped up for me—not as my husband bound by duty, but as someone who seemed genuinely determined to stand by my side. I let out a shaky breath, unsure of what to feel. Part of me wanted to scoff and chalk it up to nothing more than his sense of responsibility. Another part… another part whispered that there might be more to it. Snow stirred at the back of my mind, her voice soft but insistent. “He cares, Amelia. More than you want to admit.” I shook my head, my lips tightening into a thin line. “It’s duty, Snow. That’s
Last Updated : 2025-01-02Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Shifting the Game
Kurt's POVI paced the length of my study, the tension coiled in my chest growing tighter with every step. My boots struck the polished wooden floor in a steady rhythm, but it did little to calm the storm in my head. Lucas’s words from earlier rang out in my mind, sharp and insufferable.“You are to show her respect.”I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. Respect? For Amelia? That insolent brat—barely old enough to know the weight of his title—expected me to bow to her. My lip curled as I thought about it. That woman had no right to sit beside him, let alone hold a title as esteemed as Crown Princess.Stopping by the window, I gazed out at the moonlit garden, the cool light only sharpening my thoughts. It was infuriating. Lucas’s loyalty to her ran deeper than I had anticipated. I’d hoped the bond between them was shallow, a fleeting connection formed out of duty rather than genuine trust. Yet today, he’d stood by her like a true partner, daring to question me in the process.My ja
Last Updated : 2025-01-05
Latest chapter
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride A Dance with Distraction
Lucas POVThe night felt endless.I twirled Sabrina in time with the music, barely paying attention to the dance itself. My movements were precise, effortless—the product of years of formal training—but my mind was elsewhere.Sabrina, however, was fully engaged. She smiled up at me, her grip on my shoulder lingering longer than necessary as we moved together.“This reminds me of the first time we danced together,” she mused, her voice laced with nostalgia. “Do you remember? It was at the Crescent Moon gala, just after we—”She let the words hang, waiting for me to acknowledge them.I didn’t.I barely spared her a glance, my focus drifting back to the one person I actually cared about tonight.Amelia. I’d rather be dancing with her again. The way our body move together. Her soft hand on mine. The bliss that creeped onto her cheeks. She was stunning. Even across the room, she stood out in that midnight blue gown, its fabric catching the light like the night sky. But it wasn’t just how
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Into His Arms
Amelia’s POVMy mind felt like it was swimming through thick fog, the heat overwhelming my senses. Mind-link. I needed to reach someone—Lucas, Lena, anyone. But no matter how hard I tried, the haze clouded my thoughts, making it impossible to focus.Snow, help me… I pleaded.I—I’m trying… she panted weakly. The heat was affecting her just as much as it was affecting me.I stumbled, gripping the edge of the table for support just as the door creaked open.Panic surged through me as I turned, my breath catching when I saw who stood there.Alpha Dorian.I recognized him instantly—one of the young Alphas I’d spoken to earlier. I had disliked him on sight. The way his eyes had lingered on me too long, the way he had smirked when I spoke, as if he was undressing me with his gaze. And now, that same gaze was locked onto me, but this time, there was something darker in it.He took a slow step inside, inhaling deeply.My stomach dropped as I watched his pupils dilate, his eyes darkening as his
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride A Dangerous Heat
Amelia’s POVThe sound of applause still echoed through the grand ballroom as I stood there, my heart racing from the dance with Lucas. My body still tingled from his touch, the warmth of his hands on my waist lingering far longer than I wanted to admit. For a fleeting moment, it had felt like a dream—like we were something more than a contract, something real.But the moment shattered when she appeared.Sabrina.Draped in an emerald-green gown that hugged her curves, she approached with all the confidence of someone who believed she belonged by Lucas’s side. A false, sugary-sweet smile painted her lips as she placed a delicate hand on his forearm.“Lucas,” she purred, tilting her head just slightly. “Dance with me?”I stiffened. She didn’t even acknowledge my presence, as if I were nothing but a shadow in Lucas’s world.Lucas hesitated, his gaze flickering to mine. My chest tightened, but I forced my face to remain neutral. I refused to let Sabrina see me falter.Not wanting to cause
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride A Dance in the Spotlight
Amelia’s The warmth of Lena’s laughter eased some of the tension in my chest. Being around my friends always grounded me, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in all of this.“Ethan really had the nerve to approach you?” Lena scoffed, shaking her head. “The audacity of that man.”Cassidy smirked. “Should’ve thrown your wine on him.”Amy, ever the calm one, placed a hand on my arm. “You okay?”I exhaled, swirling the wine in my glass before nodding. “Yeah. I handled it.”Lena snorted. “Good. If he comes near you again, I’ll handle it.”Their presence was comforting, but I couldn’t ignore the way eyes followed me around the ballroom. Whispers trailed behind me, some admiring, others filled with skepticism. It was expected—Lucas and I were still under scrutiny. Some didn’t believe our union was real, while others simply didn’t think I belonged at his side.I straightened my shoulders, refusing to let their doubt shake me. I wasn’t just standing here as Lucas’s wife—I was here as the Luna of
Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride An Unexpected Ally
Amelia’s POVThe shock of seeing Luna Lara standing before me made my breath hitch. Of all the people I expected to be my mysterious ally, she was not one of them.“Luna Lara?” I whispered, disbelief coloring my tone.She smiled, her expression calm and composed. “You’ve got questions,” she said softly. “And I have answers.”There’s a long pause and she stare at me a knowing glint in her eyes. “You look surprised, Amelia.”I was. But as the initial shock faded, I realized maybe I shouldn’t be. Luna Lara had helped me before—at the boutique, when she exposed Sabrina’s schemes. She had stepped in when she had nothing to gain from it. And yet, that was exactly what unsettled me now.She wasn’t from this kingdom. She had no real reason to be invested in my affairs. So why was she helping me?“Why?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.Luna Lara tilted her head slightly, as if she had expected me to ask. Then, she sighed, a soft, almost wistful sound. “Because I see a glimpse o
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
