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The Proposal Trap
Last Updated:
2024-11-29 01:46:45
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The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow over the palace as I stood by the grand entrance, my heart fluttering with excitement. Snow hummed in the back of my mind, her energy a reflection of mine. My best friend, Ivy, was finally here. After weeks of palace duties, endless proposals, and navigating my complicated arrangement with Lucas, Ivy’s presence felt like a breath of fresh air.When the grand double doors swung open and Ivy stepped inside, my heart soared. She looked radiant, her chestnut curls bouncing with each step. Her hazel eyes sparkled with excitement, but the moment she spotted me, they softened with warmth.“Amelia!” she cried, dropping her bag to rush toward me.“Ivy!” I laughed, closing the distance between us and pulling her into a tight hug. Her familiar scent of lavender and honey wrapped around me, grounding me in a way I didn’t realize I needed.“You look amazing,” Ivy said, pulling back to study me. “But tired. They’re working you too hard, aren’t they?”
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.“
