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The Rift Within
Last Updated:
2024-11-21 04:05:59
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Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Whispers of Doubt
The silence in my chamber had become unbearable, like an unwelcome guest that refused to leave. I sat by the window, staring at the moonlight casting its pale glow over the gardens below. I didn’t need to see the empty bed behind me to feel the void Lucas had left in our marriage.He hadn’t stayed in this room for days. At first, I told myself it didn’t matter, that I preferred it this way. But the longer the silence stretched between us, the more his absence weighed on me.Does he regret this? I thought, my fingers brushing the cold glass of the window. Does he regret me?You don’t know that, Snow said softly, stirring in the back of my mind. He might be struggling too.I shook my head. “I don’t need to know what he’s thinking,” I muttered under my breath. “His actions speak for themselves. He hasn’t talked to me, hasn’t even looked at me, let alone stayed here. What does that tell you?”Snow’s hesitation said more than her words. It tells me he’s hurting, too. But… I won’t pretend i
Last Updated : 2024-11-22Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Seeds of Discord
Ethan’s POV The glass shattered against the wall, but I didn’t care. My breath was coming hard, my chest heaving as I stood there, staring at the shards glittering on the floor. All I could think about was her—Amelia. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get her out of my head.I raked a hand through my hair, pacing the room like a caged animal. “What the hell is wrong with me?” I snarled, my voice echoing off the walls.You rejected her, Magnus said, his voice cutting through the storm in my head. And now you’re angry because you can’t stop thinking about her. What did you expect?I stopped in my tracks, my fists clenched at my sides. “You’ve been silent for weeks, and now you want to chime in?”Because I can’t stand watching you like this, he snapped. You screwed up, Ethan. And now we’re both paying for it.My jaw tightened, but I didn’t respond. Magnus had been distant ever since I rejected Amelia, his disdain for my decision radiating through every fiber of my being. I hated it
Last Updated : 2024-11-23Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Shifting Perspectives
Amelia’s POV:The crisp morning air bit at my cheeks as I walked toward the training grounds, Snow pacing impatiently in my mind. Her energy buzzed through me, a strange mix of excitement and frustration. I knew she wanted out—wanted to stretch her limbs, feel the earth under her paws. I sighed, rolling my shoulders. Sparring with Lena in wolf form wasn’t something I was exactly looking forward to, but I needed the distraction. Anything to push thoughts of Lucas out of my head.“Finally,” Lena called out, already in the clearing. Her low-cut hairstyle made her hazel eyes look sharper, almost predatory. “Took you long enough. I was about to start without you.”I raised a brow, forcing a smirk. “You’re that eager to lose?”She barked out a laugh, shaking her head. “Cocky. I like it. Let’s see if you can back it up.”Without another word, I let Snow take over. The shift came quickly, almost second nature now—the snap of bones, the heat rushing through me, and then the grounding sensation
Last Updated : 2024-11-26Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride The Proposal Trap
Amelia’s POV The faint morning light filtered through the tall windows of my office, spilling onto the polished desk littered with stacks of documents. I leaned back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose as fatigue clawed at me. My head ached from the relentless hours of work, but I couldn’t stop—not when so much depended on me proving my worth. As the Crown Alpha Princess, I had a role to fulfill, and I was determined not to let anyone see me falter. Snow stirred in my mind, her presence muted but constant. You’ve been at this all night, Amelia, she murmured, her tone a mixture of concern and irritation. “I know,” I whispered aloud, my voice barely audible in the quiet room. “But I can’t afford to make a mistake.” The treaty proposal for Alpha Marlon’s southern border expansion lay before me, its contents revised over and over until every word felt burned into my mind. This wasn’t just about diplomacy—it was about showing the council, the palace, and even Lucas that I wa
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Reunion of friends
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?”
Last Updated : 2024-11-30Crown 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
Last Updated : 2024-12-02Crown 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
Last Updated : 2024-12-04Crown 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
Last Updated : 2024-12-05
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
