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Unsettling Encounters
Last Updated:
2024-10-08 22:14:35
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Crown 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 : 2024-11-02Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride A Royal Outing
Amelia’s POVAs I stepped out of my etiquette class, my mind drifted to the previous night. Lucas’s words had lingered, giving me a comfort I hadn’t realized I needed. His quiet assurance had somehow softened the anxiety I felt about Ethan’s presence at the upcoming meeting. I’d expected indifference or perhaps some level of detachment between us as time passed. Instead, his presence last night was grounding, supportive, and left me feeling steadier, more capable of facing what lay ahead. But I couldn’t let myself dwell too much on that—on him.Just then, Cassidy’s excited voice pulled me back to the present. “Amelia!” she called, hurrying over with Lena by her side, both grinning like children let loose in a candy store. “Guess what?”“What?” I asked, intrigued by the gleam in her eyes.Lena crossed her arms, a small smile playing on her lips. “We’re taking you shopping,” she said with a sense of finality. “And not just any shopping—this is going to be our day out in the city. We’re
Last Updated : 2024-11-03Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Weight of Duty
Lucas’s POVThe sun was high in the sky, casting a golden light through the tall windows of my office. Papers lay spread across my desk—border patrol reports, supply chain summaries, plans for expanding guard rotations along the kingdom’s northern edge. Each document felt heavier than the last, the weight of responsibility settling like an anchor in my chest. Strengthening our borders had been the main point of discussion in the last council meeting, and with the Alpha summit fast approaching, the pressure to finalize these plans was relentless.Across from me, Derek was buried in a stack of papers, his brows furrowed in concentration as he skimmed through a particularly dense report. Loyal to a fault and as sharp as they come, he’d been my right hand since we were boys. Soon, he’d be my Beta, and there was no one I trusted more with that role.“Derek,” I said, breaking the silence, “what do you think about adding a few more patrols around the eastern border? The neighboring pack ther
Last Updated : 2024-11-05Crown of Deception: Alpha's Contracted Bride Heartfelt Conversation
The echo of Ms. Gentle’s lecture on royal etiquette still rang in my ears as I returned to my chambers, grateful for the silence. I shut the door behind me, slipping off my shoes and settling onto the edge of my bed. The day had been exhausting, a swirl of rules and expectations to remember, all leading up to the Alpha meeting in just under two weeks. But in this quiet moment, I allowed myself a sigh of relief, knowing I’d handled today without incident.My eyes drifted around the room, half expecting Lucas to be there, but of course, he wasn’t. He’d been increasingly busy lately, the weight of his responsibilities pulling him away, and I was…well, thankful for it, in a way. Time apart gave me a chance to gather my thoughts, to remind myself of what I wanted from this arrangement. Though the brief encounters we did have kept replaying in my mind.A buzz from my phone pulled me from my thoughts. I picked it up and blinked at the name on the screen, a smile tugging at my lips. Ivy. My b
Last Updated : 2024-11-06
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
