The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 100

Chapter 100

What to Expect When You’re Becoming Queen

Nevara

The room was a flurry of motion-brushes swiping, curling irons sizzling, silk and chiffon laid out across every surface like a battlefield of beauty.

Sabrina had vanished the moment she’d dragged me in, leaving behind a squad of stylists who all worked in silent, focused chaos. A makeup artist dabbed something shimmery near the corners of my eyes while another fluffed my hair, murmuring about “volume and drama.” I wasn’t sure if they were talking about the look or the night ahead.

I exhaled slowly and glanced at my reflection. I didn’t even recognize the woman in the mirror yet-and the dress wasn’t even on.

“Lift your chin just a touch,” one of them murmured, painting something soft along my jawline.

Sure. Just paint the sacrificial lamb to perfection before you toss her to the wolves.

The knot in my stomach hadn’t unraveled, not even after Thoren had assured me Bethany would be dealt with. And still… I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming. That this night would be more than champagne toasts and polite clapping.

The door clicked open just as the stylists began to move back, satisfied for now.

Michelle swept in polished and composed, but eyes as sharp as ever. Her gaze landed on me, and a small, proud smile tugged at her lips.

“You clean up nice,” she said, folding her arms.

I arched a brow. “You mean I don’t always?”

“Oh, you do. But tonight?” She nodded toward the gown draped over the mannequin. “Tonight, you’re going to own that room.”

I glanced at the dress. Lavender, low in the back, with delicate silver threading like

constellations across the bodice, It looked like it belonged on someone else-someone regal, untouchable.

Someone already born into this world.

I turned my eyes back to Michelle. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

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“What should I expect tonight?” I asked. “I’ve never been to a royal engagement party before. Is it just… fancy speeches and awkward toasts, or is there something else I should be prepared for?”

Michelle tilted her head slightly, assessing me the way she did when she was deciding whether to sugarcoat something or not. She chose not.

“It’s a political theater,” she said. “Every handshake is a test. Every smile hides a motive. People will be watching you-measuring you. Not just because you’re Thoren’s mate, but because you weren’t born into this. You’re the anomaly in their system, and they don’t know what to make of you yet.”

I swallowed hard, throat suddenly dry.

“But,” she continued, stepping forward to tuck a loose curl behind my ear, “that’s also your advantage. They’ll underestimate you. Let them. Smile when they expect you to flinch. Speak only when it matters. And if anyone tries to rattle you, remember-you didn’t fight your way here to blend in. You fought to survive. And

you won.”

1 let the words settle in my chest like armor.

“And Bethany?” I asked quietly. “You said you’d make sure she doesn’t get in.”

Michelle’s eyes glinted. “You let me worry about Bethany. She’s not your problem anymore.”

Just then, one of the stylists approached with the dress in hand, reverently holding it out like it was made of starlight.

Michelle smiled faintly. “It’s time.”

A soft knock came-more symbolic than necessary-and the door creaked open.

Thoren stepped in like the room bowed to him. His eyes landed on me and stayed there, drinking me in from head to toe as if I were the only thing worth looking at.

“You look… stunning,” he said, voice low, like he hadn’t fully found his breath yet.

I turned, smoothing my hands over the gown’s beaded hips. “You think?”

“I know.” He closed the distance with slow, deliberate steps. “And before you ask-yes. The Bethany situation is completely handled.”

That got my attention. I blinked, brows lifting. “Completely handled? How are you so sure?”

He stopped in front of me, his hands gently settling on my waist-careful of the delicate fabric, but firm in his hold. “Because I finally manned up. I realized I was putting the threat of

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a scandal above you. Above us. And that was… idiotic.”

I tilted my head, heart hammering at the quiet steel in his voice.

“So I had her escorted off the grounds,” he said, “and placed in a hotel in town. One of our guards is stationed outside her door, and she’s not getting anywhere near this party. Not tonight.”

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