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The Queen’s Calculations
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2024-10-04 03:35:48Related chapters
Crown 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-01Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Strength in Silence
The next several days were a relentless cycle of training and preparation. My mornings started early with etiquette lessons, each one challenging my patience and testing my resolve. Ms. Krystal Gentle was as intense as her name was misleading, her sharp corrections cutting through my mistakes with merciless precision. If I slouched even a fraction, she’d snap her fingers, reminding me that I was meant to stand taller, shoulders back, as though every gaze in the room was mine to command.Cassidy and Lena had become my unofficial tutors outside of class. They stayed by my side, guiding me through practice sessions and running mock introductions of Alpha couples I’d soon meet. Each name came with a whispered background—who was friendly, who harbored rivalries, who might see through my insecurities if I faltered. Their presence was a lifeline, keeping me grounded as I prepared to step into the role of Lucas’s Luna.One afternoon, after another demanding etiquette session, I found myself sl
Last Updated : 2024-11-02
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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
